Hands-on with Android's in-app billing

Youtube link for mobile viewing

In-app billing for Android is a pretty simple thing, really. Say you're playing a game and want to buy a new level, song, weapon -- whatever. All it takes is a couple apps, and you've got the new level, song, weapon -- whatever.

We gave it a go on Tap Tap Revenge -- you should remember our early look at it back at the Honeycomb event at Google HQ. And indeed, it's simple enough. Tap on the song we wanted to purchase, confirm the purchase, and we're on our way. (That was the easy part -- Tap Tap Revenge itself is something of a confounding application, or maybe we're just old and couldn't handle all the flashing lights.)

Anyhoo, look for in-app billing to really take off in the coming months.

Hands-on with Android's in-app billing posted originally by Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

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Google Latitude for iOS adds check-in, Places goes multilingual

Android users have been able to post Latitude check-ins via the Google Maps app for some time. Now, Google has brought the same functionality to its Latitude app for iOS. Being able to check-in at specific locations gives the app a much more social feel, and it's nice to be able to do more than track your friends' positions on a map.

Google has also delivered a massive internationalization update for the Google Places app. Version 1.1 now supports a total of 30 languages, and it adds a saved places feature which allows you to quickly access your favorite check-in locations while you're out and about. Your saved places will also sync with Maps and Hotpot.

Head to the App Store and grab the new Google Latitude and Google Places apps for your iOS device!

Google Latitude for iOS adds check-in, Places goes multilingual originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blog Post: The Bing for Mobile Browse Experience Gets Even Better

Today, we launched updates to the Bing for Mobile browse (m.bing.com) making it easier for you to get and view information while on the go. New features in this update include better and faster image search, real-time transit and directions, app search for the iPhone, and more. Utilizing HTML5, the new features are offered on Smartphone browsers for the iPhone and Android. If you have a Windows Phone 7 device, don’t worry, Windows Phone 7 just announced that it will support HTML5 later this year so these updates will work great at that time.

Now let’s take a closer look at the new features:

Transit Directions and Real-Time Transit

We just added transit directions to m.bing.com to make your daily commute and weekend trips easier. We give you the duration of the trip based on walking, transit and traffic information.

In addition, real-time transit information is now available for Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, and Los Angeles – making it that much easier to get around the city. The real-time updates allow commuters to see if public transit is on schedule, early or delayed, with predictions for arrival times.

Image Search

We’ve improved Image Search making it faster and smoother, allowing you to quickly search through thousands of images that interest you.

Shopping

Get your shopping questions answered faster with the new re-organized shopping experience designed to make it easier for you to get your shopping questions answered, comparison shop, and discover product details and user reviews while on the go.

 

Weather Update

We added Weather Autosuggest and Instant Answers to the search bar. To find the forecast for your city, just start typing and Bing will give you the details before you finish.

 

We also updated the Weather tab, to make it easier to avoid bad weather wherever you are. With four different forecast views, you have the option of seeing an overview for the day, an hourly forecast, a 10 day forecast or even the current weather pattern on a map.

 

App Search

Have an iPhone and want to search for Apps? Now, when searching on m.bing.com with your iPhone, Bing will return a list of relevant iPhone apps that fit your specifications, in addition to the normal search results. This is a great way to serendipitously discover great new apps.

 

Movies

Trying to decide what movie to go see this weekend? Now, when searching for movies, Bing has organized them by time and nearest theatre, along with reviews, synopsis, trailers and additional information to help you decide what movie fits your mood.

 

These are the latest updates. We hope you enjoy and find these features helpful while using Bing on the go. We value your feedback, so let us know what you think.

Andy Chu, Director of Product Management Bing for Mobile

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WWDC 2011 ticket shows up on eBay

Well, if you weren't quick enough to get a ticket to this year's WWDC, this just might ... make you angry. A developer is selling an unactivated extra ticket on eBay for the Buy It Now price of US$3,500. That's $1,900 more than the original $1,599 cost. The eBay seller says the ticket is one he bought for a colleague who can't make it this year. It's great that he wants to give another dev who missed out on a ticket the chance of going, but trying to make a buck off it? Come on. [We thought about putting in a link to the auction itself, but decided that was just bad form. -Ed]

Now before anyone gets too hopeful (or angry), I'm certain that Apple is going to put an end to this auction quicker than it can pull an app from the App Store. The last thing Apple wants to have happen is a string of bogus developers in future years buying up WWDC tickets and then scalping them for a profit. Still, I wouldn't be surprised to see some more WWDC tickets show up on Craigslist or eBay before the June 6 conference begins.

WWDC 2011 ticket shows up on eBay originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How Aol Spends Its Money: Episode 40,000 ? The Great Scratch Card Hoax

One of the great things about working for Aol is the company's dedication to making its 5,860 5000 remaining employees happy and motivated. Only this morning, for example, a package arrived at TCHQ packed full of materials promoting Aol's "4th Canvas Collection Unveiling" -- an initiative where upcoming artists are commission to produce art to promote the Aol "brand". Sounds awesome, right? Right. But it gets better: also included in the package were scratch cards, allowing we loyal Aol foot-soldiers the chance to (quote) "WIN A LIMITED EDITION SIGNED ARTIST PRINT FROM THE NEW COLLECTION!" Surely even a cynic like me could get on board with that, right? RIGHT! I grabbed my Aol hat, raced to a browser window and... well... video below...

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Doodle Jump adds multiplayer race with version 2.0

Lima Sky has just released an updated version of its insanely popular Doodle Jump game. The 2.0 release adds the ability to compete against your friends in a multiplayer race to the top. The multiplayer race requires a Wi-Fi network and is limited to your Game Center friends.

For those of you patiently waiting for an iPad-optimized version of Doodle Jump, you're going to have to wait a little longer. The 2.0 release isn't a universal app. However, iPad owners who are Doodle Jump fans can download the free Hop app for iPad, which is basically Doodle Jump in animated, Hollywood movie tie-in bunny form.

The latest 2.0 version of Doodle Jump is a free update to current owners and the usual US$0.99 for anyone who hasn't bought the app yet.

Doodle Jump adds multiplayer race with version 2.0 originally appeared on TUAW on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google finally launches in-app billing

After promising imminent launch last week, Google has flipped the switch to turn on in-app billing across the Android Market. Developers can now choose another source of revenue as an alternative to charging up front or relying on advertising in the apps themselves. A number of games such as Tap Tap Revenge (pictured - read our hands-on from the Honeycomb launch event here) and Gun Bros already support the service (along with Comics; Deer Hunter Challenge HD, WSOP3, and Dungeon Defenders: FW Deluxe), and more developers will certainly add support in the coming weeks.

UPDATE: Check out a couple more pictures past the break. [Android Developer Blog]

Google finally launches in-app billing posted originally by Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

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