Google accepting paid applications on Android Market

Google has opened their Android Market mobile app store for paid applications it seems to be the first step towards changing more integrated bussines model following Apple’s lead. Initially, the Android Market offered only free applications. Now, however, the search giant confirmed plans to next week begin selling applications through Android Market after rumors began circulating earlier this week.

Users of the Android-based T-Mobile G1 smartphone can expect to see the paid apps available starting in the middle of next week, according to a Google post on a blog for Android developers. The search giant said Google Checkout will serve as the payment and billing mechanism for the service.

Motorola plans for Android platform

Motorola is planning new revenue stream from Android open source mobile platform devices. According to Sanjay Jha, Co-CEO and mobile device leader at Motorola “Android works well for Motorola, as Motorola’s new device applications are now focused on providing best-in-class Web browsing and unique experiences which would include social networking capabilities. Motorola’s expertise in Linux and Java is also a natural fit for Android development”. He also praised Android’s development flexibility and heavy developer interest. His expectation is that Motorola will be able to leverage Android software to build unique products that will prove alluring to carrier partners and resellers.

Is Google working on a second version of gphone?

According to the latest rumors next-generation T-Mobile G2 phone is ready and is due for release this May. The G2 will be thinner and not include the pull out keyboard of the original G1, according to Gizmodo, which published what it said were “spy photos” of the alleged, slick-looking device. New T-Mobile G2 will be equipped with a 3.2 megapixel camera and maintains an interface similar to the current G1 also based on the Android operating system. It will lack a physical keyboard, users will be introduced to the virtual or onscreen keyboard well known from Apple devices.

Location-sharing smartphone app from Google

Today Google has announced new location-sharing application - Latitude will work on Research In Motion’s BlackBerry and devices running on Symbian S60, Microsoft’s Windows Mobile and T-Mobile G1 phones running Android software. It will allow users of mobile phones and other wireless devices to automatically share their location with family and friends. At this point it’s available in 27 countries and can be tracked on a Google map, either from a handset or from a personal computer. New application has also some privacy features allowing users to control who receives the information as well as switching off tracking at any time.

Google open market philosophy

Google set up MarketPlace to provide the most accessible distribution network possible. Google’s philosophy is this: “[W]e feel that developers should have an open and unobstructed environment to make their content available.” The open market philosophy is based on the idea of self correction, that users will promote the best items and police the bad ones without adding the kind of oversight layer required by Apple. Google explains that when “an application is deemed harmful or inappropriate, users can flag it, give it a low rating, leave a detailed comment, and of course, remove it from their device.