Android is a better development platform for background apps?

One of the iPhone limitations is ability to run only one application at a time. This limits development of the phone applications only to those that can be run interactively. However, there is a plenty of opportunities for applications, that should run in a background. This can extend to instant messaging (IM) applications, scheduling applications, and other. Perfect example of applications that can be run on a background are favorite Pandora and FlyCast music streaming applications.

If the favorite tune is playing there is no possibility to swith to email application to check latest emails without stopping the music that is playing.

Android platform is open for development and this limitation does not exist on G1 phone. This can be seen as a big advantage of G1 over iPhone for future software development.

Ironicaly Apple own apps can run on a background, this applies to alarm clock, calendar, email, music player, and phone applications. Will this functionality be expanded by Apple over time to be competitive with Google?

Hidden cost of G1 phone - limited storage

One of the things that seems to be not widely discussed in comparison of iPhone and G1, is that G1 only comes with 1GB memory (according to T-Mobile site - "With the 1GB memory card, you'll never be without your favorite tunes"). This is not enough for the modern smart phones, which will handle larger than previously volumes of data.

Data storage will be needed for music, videos, photos, email and applications. On one side, having expandable storage is a good thing for the G1, since a large card can be installed easily, however to truly match to iPhone, storage capacity needs to be taken in consideration. With the lower-end iPhones having 8GB of storage, G1 users will need to get up-to-par with at least 8GB micro-SD card.

Well, so much for lower than expected cost of the G1 phone at $179.99, now it is time to be prepared to throw extra $20-$60 for extra memory at your favorite electronics or T-Mobile store.

Mobile Technologies in Real Estate

Internet has changed the way how real estate transactions are made. In a not so long ago days real estate listings were primarily obtained via a dedicated agent, who arranged selling/buying process. The agent was the key point of accessing the data from MLS systems and providing listings to a buyer. Real Estate listings were also accessible in the news papers and magazines.

Internet expanded marketing of the homes for sale and allowed much greater access to listing resources. Agents' web sites have home listings, and even MLS sites in many cases allow public access to homes for sale information. Search for homes became much easier on the Internet.

Mobile technologies are likely to change dynamics in Real Estate transactions just like Internet did it to the industry. Advantages of having Real Estate information at hands (on a spot) will benefit both Real Estate agents as well as home buyers.

Trulia made their home search application available in the Apple App Store and it quickly became on the top 25 applications list. It has limited functionality, but sufficient to find properties near specified location or GPS position.

There are additional opportunities for Real Estate mobile applications.
As a sample of a mobile web application please point your iPhone to http://www.capitalcityre.com/iphone

Open Source ActiveSync using Z-Push technology

Mobile devices such as Windows Mobile powered phones or iPhone 3G utilize ActiveSync technologies to synchronize device email and calendar items with the corporate email and collaboration systems. ActiveSync allows to deliver new messages with a "push" model, where new emails will reach mobile device with minimal delay, when they reach the main email system.

Z-Push software allows to implement "push" functionality using open source technologies. Z-Push technology was developed and it is integrated in Zarafa messaging software.

Z-Push can be used with email services, that support IMAP, for example Gmail, however using this tool with external email providers to speed-up delivery of messages to mobile devices may not be successful, since external providers will still have to be polled with specific intervals to get latest email. However, if the company hosts own internal email system, Z-Push may greately improve email delivery to mobile devices.

No tethering, Exchange support and AD2P on Google / T-Mobile G1

According to live blog at Gizmodo, that covered G1 launch, there will be no tethering, Exchange support nor AD2P on the Google/T-Mobile G1 phone. G1 seems to be targeting consumer and not a business market. Even so iPhone also missing AD2P feature, and tethering is disallowed as well, Exchange support is built-in to G3 iPhone, which is a long-awaited feature for business users. Both price cuts and support for better email integration allowed iPhone to be embraced by companies' IT departments.

Price for the Google / T-Mobile G1 is $179.99 subsidized, and data plan starts from $25 a month.

Google Android demo

Google & T-Mobile will launch first Google Android powered phone on September 23rd, 2008. Please preview the new phone, which may spark competition in the smart phones market.

Fox & Crow iPhone game

In ancient famous Aesop's fable "The Fox and The Crow" hungry fox was desperately waiting for the cheese to fall out of crow's beak. In this game test your arcade skills and help the fox to catch it. To make the cheese catching job more twisted, game presents plenty of cheese and not one, but four crows.
Prepare yourself for increasing speed and bonus lives with every level.
Touch onscreen see-through buttons to turn the fox to the falling cheese and have fun!!!

Get it from the App Store

Welcome to Mobility Live Blog

Welcome to Mobility Live blog. This blog is dedicated to mobile platforms development - iPhone, Google (gphone), Windows Mobile, etc.