Can Android Market Catch Up to the App Store?

The number of applications such as games and calendars that developers have begun working on for cell-phone operating system Android has jumped 94% between September and October, according to Flurry, which provides in-app analytics software for mobile devices.

The increased developer hustle and bustle around Android comes as no surprise: In November, Verizon Wireless is expected to launch its first Android phone from Motorola, and the carrier has already started a major marketing blitz around the device. Android-based phones from other makers, like HTC, are selling well. About 20 Android-based devices are expected to come out this year, and 30 more in 2010, according to analysts. As more Android phones get into users’ hands, more people will start using these devices to download apps from the Android Market, which currently features more than 10,000 applications. Naturally, developers want to get in on the game.

In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Android Market catches up to the Apple App Store, which currently offers more than 85,000 apps, in the number of applications it carries in the next year or two. Consider: By 2012, Android should become the world’s second-largest mobile operating system, according to consultant Gartner. At that point, more people will be buying Android-based phones each year than the iPhones. And users of Android devices download as many applications — about 10 — each month as iPhone owners do. Since developers always want to make apps for the largest possible pool of users, Android Market’s applications count should skyrocket.


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Apple's Mac Line Receives Massive Makeover

"iMacs, a new unibody MacBook, the Mac mini, and a new wireless Mighty Mouse.
The iMac line has been totally reworked with 16:9 widescreens that are significantly larger than the previous 20-inch and 24-inch models. The new Mac mini looks the same, but of course has some new internals. The Mac mini is joined by a new server-based sibling: same case, but dual drives and no optical. Last but not least, the new iMacs come with a new, wireless multi-touch Magic Mouse."

I love how AppleMac is always coming up with new features on there products.. seriously the ipohone is great.. and it just keeps getting better, then there are the ipods, which are awesome, even the new nano with recording on it , and now this.. just keeps getting better and better at apple.

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Apple "No Refunds" Policy For Better & Worse

Apple's "no refunds" policy for iPhone App Store purchase is both not as bad--and worse--than it sounds. Readers say Apple occasionally gives refunds, but also complain that Apple's own updates break apps for which no refunds are given.

These readers were replying to a story about the no-refunds policy I posted earlier today.

One reader said he got a refund for applications purchased that did not function with VoiceOver, an accessibility application used by the visually disabled.

"I sent a long and stern letter detailing the inadequacies of the app store for the blind community and how it was clearly unjust to force people to pay for applications that are completely unusable on their devices," the reader wrote in an e-mail.

"The result? Somewhat surprisingly, they promptly refunded the price of all the applications I had listed without any trouble at all. Clearly, their draconian refund policy is not set in stone and they are willing to consider requests on a case-by-case basis at least some of the time."

Another reader warned that sometimes Apple itself is to blame for non-functional apps, but offers no help in those cases.

"A problem that was not mentioned is that every time Apple updates firmware, as in v3.0 upgrade, an app can be broken," the reader wrote.

"A year ago, I bought a language app for $25. Today it is not working properly because of the update and Apple would not refund my money. The developer says they sent an update but Apple has not approved it.

"So, Apple can, at their discretion, keep an app from working properly and keep the money."

Still another reader says, "don't worry" because now that the refund issue has made the New York Times, lawyers will doubtless soon come to the rescue.

"Sounds like a bonanza for a class action lawyer," the reader wrote.

"The implied warrantee of fitness/merchantability means Apple is breaking the law when it does not refund the price on apps that don't work. This is not something Apple's lawyers can defend against!"

"The end result usually is that there is a large settlement; a huge percentage goes to the lawyers, and since "individual compensation is too cumbersome," the rest is sent to some charity," according to the reader

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