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.

Dell smartphone plans

Dell, which has been struggling to reclaim its share of the PC market and recently undertook a massive internal reorganization, has already started shrinking its computing devices with the long-anticipated netbook it unveiled in September. But the company, like many PC makers, is struggling for a way to cope with flattening computer sales, even as the smartphone arena continues seeing double-digit growth.

If the rumors are to be believed, the release of a Dell smartphone could come later this month at the 3GSM conference in Barcelona.

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.