Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Rumors about the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 have been circulating the internet ever since the Galaxy S4 was released. The Note 3 is rumored to have a 5.9 inch HD display with a 1920×1080 pixel resolution. It is also rumored to have between 2 or 3GB of RAM, and consumers will most likely have a choice between 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of storage.

Like the Galaxy S4, the Note 3 will apparently be released in two versions, one running on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, and the other running on Samsung’s Exynos 5420 processor. The Note 3 will run on Android Jelly Bean, but it is unclear if it will be Android 4.2.2 or a newer version. It will most likely be officially announced at Samsung’s press conference on June 20th in London.

Sprint Vital

Manufactured by ZTE, the Sprint Vital is a 4G LTE phone that will run on Android Jelly Bean. It’s a relatively pure Android 4.1.2 experience without much interference from ZTE. The new phone has a 5-inch HD screen with 1280×720 pixel resolution, a 13-megapixel camera, and a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor. The Vital will have 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage, with an empty microSD slot for extra storage.

The (almost) pure Android experience, the camera, and the HD screen are noted as some of the highlights for this phone. One of the main complaints about ZTE’s new phone is the audio quality, which has a tendency to be fuzzy. Overall, ...]]> http://blog.startapp.com/4-amazing-android-phones-released-hopefully-summer/feed/ 0 http://blog.startapp.com/google-takes-parse-service-mobile-app-backends/ http://blog.startapp.com/google-takes-parse-service-mobile-app-backends/#comments Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:40:23 +0000 Maria Green http://blog.startapp.com/?p=3623 On Monday, Google released code that allows Android developers to easily set up their own back-end servers on the company’s App Engine. Solving one of the most vexing issues for makers of mobile apps and limiting the business prospects of more than a few mobile app service startups.

Mobile Backend Starter is a one-click deployable, complete mobile backend that allows developers to reap the benefits of a cloud backend with none of the headaches. It provides a ready-to-deploy, general purpose cloud backend and a general purpose client-side framework for Android.

Mobile developers are likely to welcome what Google is offering because backend servers can help developers retain customer data, build customer relationships and update content on mobile devices. The need for such services became apparent a few years ago, when backend app services like Parse, Stackmob, Kinvey and Roar Engine began to appear.

While using App Engine to run a mobile app backend might seem like a more appealing option than betting on the continued existence and health of a BaaS startup, App Engine may not necessarily be the most affordable option. Since Google changed its App Engine pricing model several years ago, developers have cautioned that inefficient or poorly coded apps can lead to high App Engine fees.

Technically, Google unveiled Mobile Backend Starter during a talk at Google I/O last month, but apparently word didn’t spread much beyond the walls of that room.

How much more money? Now, you can get up to $2,510 (up from $2,185) per each new developer signing up with StartApp.

Yes, it’s true. You will get paid for the downloads your friend got from his apps while using StartApp SDK.

Start referring your friends now.

How does it work?

It’s very simple. All you need to do is login to your account with StartApp and start sending invites to your friends. Apps not fully integrated yet? No worries! You can still refer your friends.

Once your friends sign up with StartApp and add our SDK to their app, you will start making more money from their downloads.

The way you get paid!

When the developer you invited reaches his first 100 downloads he will get a bonus of $25 .

From that moment you will start getting paid as well.

When he will reach the 100 downloads you will get your first $10, the second time you will get paid will be when he reaches 100,000 downloads and you will get an additional $100 and so on..

500,000 downloads means $600 more for you.

1,000,000 downloads = $,1800

All together brings you all the way to $2,510 for each friend you invite.

You can find some more info in our knowledge base

Google wants to help developers make more money creating apps for Android. By providing them a variety of tools to help them engage with their users and process transactions, as well as optimization tips to monetize Android they are offering impressive assistance.

Since monetization is such a big challenge for Android developers, Google issued six new features to Google Play to help Android developers optimize towards monetization:

1. App translation service – Developers can translate their app into a different language directly from Google Play Developer Console.

1. Revenue graphs – The Developer Console got a new tab, giving developers a summary of their apps’ global app revenue over time.

1. Alpha and beta testing and staged rollouts - Since Google announced that Beta and staged rollouts are unique to Android, this should encourage developers to take bigger risks knowing that they will not be rolling out a bug-laden app to 100% of its users. This might be the biggest announcement for Android developers at the latest Google I/O.

4.  Google analytics - Some Analytics like mobile data on usage, time spent and a variety of cohorts can be found in the Developer Console.

5. Optimization tips – These tips will point developers towards market segments that could benefit them, since they are based on analytics from Google Play. These tips include launching in a new country or developing specifically for tablets, which make 1.7-times more revenue per user than to Android smartphones.

6. Referral tracking - This cool feature can tell you where your installs are coming from and even if getting written about by the major tech publications got you a bump.

Google knows how to get ...]]> http://blog.startapp.com/google-play-developer-console-adds-tools-missed/feed/ 0 http://blog.startapp.com/marketing-hacks-app/ http://blog.startapp.com/marketing-hacks-app/#comments Tue, 28 May 2013 15:50:07 +0000 Matthew http://blog.startapp.com/?p=3572 Earlier this week, I was given the opportunity to go to KahenaCon, hosted by Kahena Digital Marketing.  The day was filled with speakers talking about many things marketing related, like SEO, social media and branding.  Not the most exciting place for a developer to be, but I was able to learn a few tips and tricks from the marketing geniuses presenting.  These presenters, may not know their way around eclipse, but they do know a few amazing hacks that can improve your users experience and in turn your downloads!

Delay Push Notification Requests

Using push notifications can be a very effective way to encourage continued use of your applications.  If used properly, they can create and maintain active users by reminding users to come back to your app.  Conversely, if you send irrelevant push notifications, or they are to frequent, it can be a one way ticket to un-install land.

The best way to make sure your push notifications are well received is to delay requesting the permission to send push notifications until a few uses after the initial one.  This allows the user to gain trust in your application and actually appreciate the push notifications.

Only Prompt for Good Reviews

We are all concerned about getting good reviews on our applications.  Putting a pop up requesting an app review definitely adds to the amount of reviews that will be given to your app.  But putting this prompt after the first time the app is opened could do more harm than good.  There is always that user that downloads the app for all of 5 minutes before giving it a bad review.  You can solve this by prompting for a review after your 3^rd or 4^th usage.  This allows ...]]> http://blog.startapp.com/marketing-hacks-app/feed/ 0 http://blog.startapp.com/google-continues-push-photos-killer-feature/ http://blog.startapp.com/google-continues-push-photos-killer-feature/#comments Thu, 23 May 2013 13:13:33 +0000 Megan http://blog.startapp.com/?p=3547 Last week at the annual Android developer conference Google I/O, Google revealed some great new features for its social platform Google+.  Along with the amazing features added to the web platform, the Google+ Android app was updated as well. We assembled a list of the most substantial features for you.

Photograph Like a Pro

The new app is making photo editing a breeze. Google+’s new auto enhance feature does just what it sounds like. By tweaking a few simple things, like contrast or adding some smoothing, your photos are automatically improved when uploaded. You don’t have to leave them auto-enhanced, but in my experience, Google+ actually does a fantastic job. Also related to photo editing, the new Plus app includes built-in Snapseed editing, for those who want more control over the changes made to their photos.

Oh Bro Where Art Thou

While Google+ Photos seem to gain most of the attention, the new Location Sharing option is also a cool feature that shouldn’t be ignored. From here you will be able to see where your friends are. These locations are displayed on a map and will only be shown for friends who are already sharing their location with you. This could give an option in the future for local businesses to promote themselves to the right audience.

Links Out – Hashtags In

There are also improvements to the stream itself, including use of hashtags in the mobile app. These tags will show on the top-right of the individual posts and tapping the hashtag will show other relevant posts about the topic.

The Google+ Android app is free for download in Google Play Store and is available for devices running Android 4.0 or later.

Have you +1 us on Google+ yet?

While  website merchants have been given a few options to transition to a new payment processing option,  app developers who use Google Wallet for in app purchases will be able to use the new Google Wallet Merchant Center.

Mark Thomas, Google Wallet’s Product Manager, explains “Developers selling through other Google properties (such as Google Play, Chrome Web Store and Offers Marketplace) will continue to be supported and will automatically transition to the Google Wallet Merchant Center in the next few weeks.”

According to the Google Wallet website, “Google Wallet is a free digital wallet that securely stores your credit cards, debit cards, offers and more. With Google Wallet, you can buy in-stores, buy online, and send money…You can buy online on Google properties and on mobile apps and sites, wherever you see the Buy with Google button. And you can send money by logging into Google Wallet online, or within Gmail.com.”

If you are interested in learning more about the transition, or have any questions for the Google Wallet team, They are hosting a live webinar.  Click here for all the details.

Do you use Google Wallet for your in app purchases?  Are you excited for this update?  Comment below!

There are 900 Million Android Devices Out There

And 48 billion downloads from the Google Play Store! Google has announced that as for yesterday (the number is surely higher today), there are more than 900 million Android devices activated around the world. The company also broadcast that it has crossed the threshold of 48 billion app downloads and that Google paid developers more this year compared to last year. There are currently 2.5 billion apps being installed on Android devices each month.

Sundar Pichai, Google’s senior VP for Android, Chrome and Google Apps took the stage at the beginning of the event and said:  ”Android started with a simple goal to bring open standards to the world. Today, it is the most popular mobile operating system in the world”.

Google Loves Developers

Before Google’s developer event, Sundar Pichai announced that the main event will focus on elements, features and other tools specially designed for developers. They will help them to create and develop even better products for Android and Chrome.

One of these developers’ tools is a website dedicated to translating strings of code for developers. They will be able to ask for translations of strings in their applications and get the converted pieces back. This process is done using the Developer Console platform.  The new feature is expected to help the developers make the transition of applications from one region, or one country, to a variety of countries and languages ​​around the world, thereby increasing the number of arenas where the app will be available for download.Which in turn will increase revenue.  This is great news for ...]]> http://blog.startapp.com/google-io-2013/feed/ 1 http://blog.startapp.com/google-maps-facelift-maybe/ http://blog.startapp.com/google-maps-facelift-maybe/#comments Thu, 09 May 2013 12:41:09 +0000 Megan http://blog.startapp.com/?p=3462 Is Google tired of the design of its Maps interface? According to blogger Alex Chitu from the Google Operating System blog, a blog covering Google’s unofficial news claims that Google is expected to launch a new design for the Google Maps service soon.

According to the blog, Google Maps development team is expected to release an updated version of the maps which will remove the side toolbars and navigation buttons, and will have larger and more interactive maps instead.

New design for the maps interface

The anticipated update of Google Maps is not a rare occasion at all. Just recently, in October, the company updated its maps service and added a few visual enhancements. In addition, the search giant makes sure to update information on different countries from time to time. The updates can be found in visual details, information on public transport, and high resolution images.

Apparently, what is currently displayed in the Google Maps sidebar will soon be displayed at the top of the map in a full screen mode in addition to new colors and icons that may be incorporated for use with the presentation of the new interface.  Another update, according to the source, is that users will be given the option to filter search results according to the recommendations of other users in their Google+ circle.

User-friendlier, optimized for mobile use

Google’s new interface should be a lot more simple and incredibly user friendly. After all, the map should be easy to read and understand and help the users get from point A to point B without a hassle. Google which loves to renew and update its services practically on a daily basis, decided to impress us all with a slightly more massive change.

The new interface will most likely adapt to mobile devices and will make ...]]> http://blog.startapp.com/google-maps-facelift-maybe/feed/ 0 http://blog.startapp.com/introducing-exit-ad/ http://blog.startapp.com/introducing-exit-ad/#comments Wed, 08 May 2013 12:53:09 +0000 Matthew http://blog.startapp.com/?p=3410 We are very excited to write this post for you because it introduces our latest product type.  While you are very familiar with our out of app monetization offering, we have decided to expand our product line by entering INTO the app.  We are pleased to bring you a new in-app solution with the EXIT AD!

The Exit Ad introduces StartApp developers to the rev share model, providing continuous income and great eCPM, all while keeping the seamless user experience that users expect and value.

How it Works

The exit ad will display a full screen banner ad when the user exits the application, intruding minimally on the user experience of your app.  When the user clicks the back button or the home button on their device to exit the application, they are presented with an ad that leads to a mobile website or a free app download when clicked.  If they click “Not Now” the app will exit as normal.

Integration

A simple, 5 minute integration is all it takes to add the exit ad experience to your application.  Simply copy and paste a few pieces of code to your manifest and your main activity and you are ready to earn!

Payment

RevShare- StartApp will share a percentage earned from these advertisements with you.   Payments are sent every month in a NET30 terms (30 days after the end of the payment period). Your Ecpm is easily visible in portal.  The eCPM may change depending on various parameters.

Portal

You are always informed of your ad revenue and payment status in the developer portal. Our developer portal allows you to be in complete control of the StartApp ads in your app.  You can sort your app list by any column heading, easily see revenue, change payment information and more all directly in our ...]]> http://blog.startapp.com/introducing-exit-ad/feed/ 11