Android 4.3's New 'Always-On' Wi-Fi Feature Buried in Settings

It might be a bit much to say that one of the new features packed into Android's 4.3 upgrade is controversial, but it's definitely one worth knowing a little bit more about. As those who have taken a spin around the Android 4.3 ROM have noticed, Google has made a change to devices' Wi-Fi settings in Android 4.3.

"To improve location accuracy and for other purposes, Google and other apps may scan for nearby networks, even when Wi-Fi is off," describes Google.
Android Police's Ron Amadeo notes that the move is actually probably designed to save one's battery life instead of wasting it, given that the only other way for one's smartphone to discern one's location is to kick on the battery-draining GPS. However, he also calls out Google's interesting use of language in its disclaimer – specifically, the "other purposes" bit.

"Those 'other purposes' probably (that means this is the speculation part) involves shipping that Wi-Fi location data back to Google, which is how the Wi-Fi location service currently functions. The only way to use Wi-Fi hotspots for location data is to build a map of SSID (hotspot name) locations. You do that by running around with a GPS and Wi-Fi chip and virtually stick Wi-Fi pins on a map," Amadeo writes.
To check and see whether your phone has this feature enabled by default (a number do not), you'll have to navigate through to the very bowels of your Android operating system's settings — Google doesn't exactly make this feature all that easy to flick on and off. Here's how:

Fire up the Settings app and tap your finger on the Wireless and Networks option. Tap on the Wi-Fi option, and then tap on the Overflow button on your phone's screen (the triple-dots icon). When this submenu pops up, tap your finger on the Advanced option. From there, you'll want to make sure to check the "Scanning always available" option if you want to participate in the new Android 4.3 feature. Otherwise, if it's checked, you need merely to uncheck it to ensure that "Wi-Fi off" really means "Wi-Fi off."

It's important to reiterate that numerous reports have come in from Nexus 4, Nexus 7, and Galaxy Nexus owners – to name a few – who all indicate that this feature remains off by default when they've updated their devices to Android 4.3. Which is to say, it's more important that you know about this potentially useful setting than to freak out about it, but it's also worth checking this, and many of Android's other "Advanced" wireless configuration options, when you've upgraded your mobile OS!

BBM For Android Might Grab Bigger Market Share Than iPhone App, Find Out Why

Apparently, BlackBerry is already testing its BBM for iPhone and Android mobile applications, and based on leaks posted online, it is possible that the messaging service’s expansion to other platforms is near-ready ahead of the rumored September release date. Of course, the question remains, can BlackBerry generate bigger revenue than rivals WhatsApp or Line and bag the messaging market share lead? Based on multiple data provided by research firms and monthly active usage on both Android and iPhone, it is possible that BBM will bag the word “success” on Android than on iPhone despite the fact that apps available on Apple’s mobile operating system are capable of generating bigger revenue than on Android. The main reason why BBM for Android will be more successful than BBM for iPhone is the fact that Android doesn’t currently have a “standout” native messaging service.

Sorry Google, but the new Hangouts which replaced Google Talk is still far from perfect despite Google’s efforts. Google’s “Plus” messaging service also failed to beat Facebook’s instant messaging service mainly due to lower adoption rate and the lack of Google Plus market share that could produce more exchanges and engagement. On Android, BBM might take over and lure more customers, in fact, some research firms suggested that many Android users are former (or current) users of BlackBerry devices. It would be a safe bet that these current or old BlackBerry owners will use BBM for Android more often, with more engagement compared to iPhone users who are more loyal to Apple’s products and services.

Secondly, Apple is already offering a near-perfect messaging system, the iMessage. Unlike Google’s instant messaging service, iMessage is baked within the messaging service app of Cupertino’s mobile operating system which is a more intuitive structure than Google’s multiple messaging apps strategy. And on iOS, top third-party messaging apps also started making some bold moves to stop BBM’s plan to steal customers. WhatsApp recently switched from paid to free on first year model, similar to Android, while Line added more “stickers” to lure paying customers.

It’s still to early to tell if BBM for Android will add more BBM users than its iOS counterpart, but based on today’s market, it looks like BlackBerry will need additional effort to attract iOS users.

How to Hire Android Application Developer For Your Development Project?

If you are one of those people, who want to develop an application for your mobile device, Google Android platform is one of the best options you have.

If you are one of those people, who want to develop an application for your mobile device, Google Android platform is one of the best options you have. Hire Android application developers from reliable android app Development Company is only option to get best development service. At present days, we have found many web development companies with a group of professional developers/programmers. No matter, whether you are looking to customize an old application or want to hold new application, you surely find a professional android developer with huge knowledge and excellent expertise of Java.


As we all know that writing codes or programs is not a simple thing as it sounds and hence, one can have to hire Android Application Developer, who is capable to operate your application process. It is must for developers to grab knowledge of a set of android specific traits. Before you are going to hire android developers for your project, it is must to know that your Android Developer holds information about Android “open source ecology”. Apart from, some important also you have to consider while hiring professional developers for your project.

Response Time- No doubt, there are many android developers in the market with different expertise. However, the best one is who give you quick response immediately. It is must to monitor their progress by visiting at his/her place or you can also get connected through mail or chat as well.

Extra service- We feel happy to have extra service along with perfect android app development service. There are many professional, providing extra services apart from the technical skills. Moreover, one should also have to update themselves with updated technology available in the market.

Project Management- If you want to manage your project, it should be only done with experienced and knowledge able developers. Additionally, you have to check out whether your developers give you notification or not about work-in-progress or not.

Above, three points are most essential to consider while hiring developers for your projects. Moreover, you have to hire android app developer that fits your project’s requirements and satisfies your demand precisely. As we all know that ‘Practice makes man perfect’, it is must to appoint developers, who already work on same project like yours. Hiring professionals from experienced company is also a brilliant idea to add expert touch in your project. So, make an appropriate decision of hiring professional and complete with project using latest technology available in the market.

Microsoft Office for Android

When it comes to Android apps and what will be used and what really is just for fun. Well, Microsoft Office is mostly for work and school, and they have finally brought it to Android. They have had the iPhone app for a short time, and now they are bringing it to Android. I feel that this is in a bit late since there are so many other office apps that can do the same, and there is no need for other subscriptions.

Microsoft recently made a version of Office Mobile available free for iPhone owners who also subscribe to its cloud-based Office 365 service. Now it’s Android’s turn. On Wednesday, Microsoft extended a similar benefit to folks with Office 365 subscriptions and Android smartphones. The offering comes at no additional cost to those subscribers, but a typical Office 365 subscription runs $99.99 a year (and lets people use Office on up to 5 PCs and/or Macs).

As with the version for the iPhone, the mobile app is meant to complement Office on a personal computer so it’s more Office light than anything else. So, Android owners can access, view and edit Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents on their smartphones or create Word and Excel docs, but not PowerPoint docs from scratch on those handsets. Outlook is not part of the deal.

The Android version can be downloaded from the Google Play Store, but the app itself is only available for Android phones, not tablets. If you have a tablet, Microsoft recommends you use Office Web Apps instead. Office 365 subscribers can employ Office Mobile for Android on up to 5 phones.

People who use the mobile app can access documents on Microsoft’s cloud-based SkyDrive or SkyDrive Pro or the new soon to be name. It has obviously taken awhile for Office to come to Android, just as it took time to hit the iPhone, and even at that there are limits and restrictions (the Office 365 requirement). Microsoft customers with Windows Phones got first dibs at Office Mobile. In the interim, people with rival devices turned to third party apps such as QuickOffice or relied on the likes of online services such as Google Docs to help fill in the void.

For me, the other apps are better because you buy them once you can use them on multiple Android devices. I use OfficeSuite Pro it can connect Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, SugarSync, and SkyDrive. When you open a file and then save it updates it on that account, and then you can go to your Microsoft Office or other device when you have that cloud drive installed and find your file updated and ready to be edited on your desktop.

I always enjoy getting my apps when they’re on sale just because I like them, after trying them of course, okay in most cases, other cases because they are only on sale for a limited time, and I’m cheap. I always have to find those deals. I just wish that the office suites would enable dual screen, but I guess that’s why there is cut and paste.

Popular iOS photo app VSCO Cam lands on Android; you can beta test it

 Good news, Android photographers! One of the most popular photo apps on Apple's rival iOS operating system will soon be coming to Android smartphones -- and if you're lucky, you can beta test it now. First released for the iPhone and iPad a little over a year ago, VSCO Cam combines a stylish, minimalist interface with a rich feature set including the ability to set the focus and metering points separately. You can also lock white balance, should you want.




The app name is a contraction of Visual Supply Co., a company also known for its film emulation tools for two desktop apps: Adobe's Photoshop Lightroom, and Apple's Aperture. As you might expect from a company with a history in image editing and effects, VSCO Cam also provides both. It further offers customizable image browsing, filtering, and geolocation tools, as well as tutorials from experienced photographers.


Initially, the Android version will only work with three phones: Samsung's Galaxy S III and S4, as well as HTC's One. (Not to be confused with the earlier One X and One X+.) The company is soliciting beta testers with any of these phones, or for that matter, with other devices.

Developers encouraged to build Glass apps with Android SDK

Google is encouraging developers to design and develop apps for its Google Glass wearable computing platform using the existing Android SDK.

Although the Android SDK doesn’t provide all the tools necessary to build apps fully optimised for Glass, it allows developer to try out ideas before the full Google Glass development kit arrives.

The company announced at its Google I/O developer conference that it is working on a Glass Development Kit that will allow developer to build software for Google Glass in the form of APKs (application package files).

Some of the features that will appear in the GDK are already supported by the Android SDK, including access to the accelerometer and the ability to play media.

Google has also written some APK samples, including a stopwatch, a level and a compass, with more due to be launched in the next few weeks. Once the GDK arrives, these samples will be updated to show the migration path between Android apps and a “full Glass experience”.

A blog post by the Glass Developer Relations team said developers’ backgrounds in using Android will allow them to get “a long way” in building apps for Glass.

Android beginners, meanwhile, are encouraged to learn about general development on the platform to prepare for the launch of the GDK.

Transit app arrives on Android as best Google Maps alternative

The Transit app has finally launched on Android. After blockbuster success on iOS, Transit has finally landed on Google Play, bringing with it the best UI we’ve seen for mass transit apps. Google Maps for Android includes mass transit directions, but Transit offers a prettier UI in my opinion as well as some other niceties subway riders will soon wonder how they ever did without.

Transit doesn’t cover as many places as Google, however, for the ones it does it offers a clean UI along with features like live updating arrival and departure times. Wondering where your bus is? Transit will live update your directions with the delayed arrival time, giving you perhaps a few extra minutes at the office or with friends.

But what if you’re a subway kind of guy, and enjoy waiting in streaming hot cesspool of humanity underground? Transit allows users to set preferences with which type of transit they prefer or to completely avoid with a few taps.

The iOS version of Transit included an offline mode, something the developer has not implemented into the Android version, but plans to shortly. Transit is free to download and use, and is available now on Google Play. The listing of all 43 supported mass transit systems are listed on the app’s Google Play page.

Why choose Android for business application development?

While being carried away for iOS or other mobile OS is not wrong but Android for business apps is worth & an intelligent decision to go with. To know why it is fruitful & simply great to choose android business app development explore the information below.

As an investor or buyer for app, it is your duty to ensure a product that you or any other user is convenient with, is simply outstanding & user-friendly, and doesn’t have a body covered with bugs & errors while can perform freely & to its best form. Certainly, software & apps are filled up with technologically-improved coding system that is exposed on Android’s platform, SDK kits, Dalvik tools and other horizons. Plus, there are many other shiny parts that make android application development simply “cool & must” for Android device users. In market there are numerous genuine givers of reliable & brilliant Android services. These companies are fully knowledgeable of these points and can serve you supremely with invaluable business apps.

• Android boasts of being competitive: Your cash is spent less on this fantastic OS, available for free & still is vast & improved. Any business product makes sense when it reaps maximum possible ROI. In Android the business app gets developed in lower costs and therefore ROI increases hugely.

• Can be leveraged on vast range of devices: Android is an open source so huge lists of device makers select it for their products. It can be therefore availed on many products & so business benefits broaden. • Continuously rising customer demands: Useful & process easing business apps, if is your target on Apps store than you can get the app exposed on giant customer-base. Android Apps store, as per reports face continuous rise in its customer demands.

• Security & Updated OS: Android has constant record of bringing new features with its updated OS so your business apps can be improved & can be out of the box. New Android 4.0, 4.1 & now even 4.2 gives fantastic updates. On security terms Android is likely to Linux and cannot be hacked so your business apps are safe & secured. These are the major reasons to go with Android for business application development but the benefits don’t stop here and still can list long.