The new user interface should make it easier for users to find relevant content with more lists of available Android apps, games, movies and books that are country-specific — such as new releases, top paid, top free, top grossing and other options in sorting what’s for sale.

Revamped Android Market for Mobile Adds Movies, E-Books

The new Market client is designed to better showcase top apps and games, engage users with an improved UI, and provide a quicker path to downloading or purchasing your products. For developers, the new Android Market client means more opportunities for your products to be merchandised and purchased.

“With the Videos app, available in Android Market, there’s no more waiting for downloads, syncing, or worrying about storage space,” Google said in a blog post. “Simply sign into Android Market with your Google account, and you can rent movies from anywhere—the web, or your Android phone or tablet—and start watching instantly.“

To view different lists, all a user has to do in any section of the Android Market is flick a finger left or right, making navigation easy and fairly intuitive.

For users who are ready to buy, the click-to-purchase flow has now been streamlined so that users can complete a purchase in two clicks from the app details page. During the purchase, users can also see a list of your other apps, to help you cross-sell your other products.

The page will also feature a thumbnail to a product video for apps or other content that offer such a preview.

In case you do not own an Android phone yet but you want a closer look at the new version of Android Market, then check out thi promo video:

Available for smartphones running at least Android 2.2 (Froyo) and higher (all the way up to Android 3.0 Honeycomb), the new version of Android Market will be rolling out worldwide in the coming weeks.

Google is part way through a massive makeover of all its product and service user interfaces, which kicked off with the introduction of Google+ two weeks ago.

There are over 200,000 applications on the Android App Store/Market today – up from 50,000 a year ago while the store was launched – but the huge growth in the platform has brought with it a rise in malicious apps designed to steal user data.

Unfortunately, this issue highlights the flaws in Google’s open store approach compared to the tightly controlled nature of Apple’s iTunes App Store.

Over the past few months, Android users have been victims of threats ranging from various levels of intensity. What began first as a threat tool for desktop users has now furthered onto the mobile users.

Keeping this view in mind, a host of anti-virus applications have been released in a last ditch. For instance, this week security firm Webroot released its Webroot Mobile Security for Android software, which is available on the Android Market. There is a free and paid version.

Even Google has been trying to be proactive to fight such malware attacks, but often the outcome has been far from desirable. One instance would be the attacks that a malicious app called DroidDream began doing rounds. Although Google did intervene but most of the damage had been done already.

In another instance, on Wednesday, Google removed multiple applications from its official Android Market application store that contained malware.

Google’s move came after AegisLab, a security firm based in Taiwan, released a security alert warning that applications including iBook, iCartoon, iGuide, iCalendar, Sea Ball, LoveBaby, and 3D Cube Horror Terrible — all published by “zsone”–contained code designed to quietly send SMS messages to premium telephone numbers in China, resulting in either a one-time charge or an ongoing subscription.

At least 11 Android apps contain malware that is rigged to automatically send text messages from your Google Android smartphone to phone numbers in China. Moreover, 17% of all reported smartphone infections “were due to SMS Trojans that sent SMS messages to premium-rate numbers, often at irretrievable cost to the user or enterprise.“

However, even though alarming the four-fold increase in malware targeting Android isn’t unexpected. “You don’t have to be extraordinarily smart to write mobile malware these days because most devices don’t have any security tools to stop the malware,” said Dan Hoffman, chief mobile security evangelist at Juniper Networks.

Asked whether the reported rise in Android malware meant anti-virus programs for the platform were desirable or necessary, a Google spokeswoman did not directly answer the question.

“We are committed to providing a secure Android Market experience for consumers,” the spokeswoman said.

In the meantime, watch where you procure mobile device applications, and especially beware third-party application stores, for example in China, where access to the official Android Market remains blocked. In particular, criminals often hide malware in clones of well-known applications, and especially Android games.

Android is the mega success of the smartphone world. By the end of this year, according to market analysis reports, Android will be the number one smartphone OS in the world; it already is in the U.S., and it has been a real success story for Google. What has not happened yet is Android has not become the darling of the tablet world.

To date, the only tablet success has been the iPad. While there are countless Android powered tablets on the market, none of them has managed to make it to a major wireless carriers’ number one spot. The reason is that they are all running Android 2.1, 2.2 or earlier versions, which barely support the smartphones, that these versions of the OS are optimized for, and they do not lend themselves well to a tablet.

Google Android 3.0 Honeycomb: No More Open Source?

Google is preparing to release Android 3.0 “Honeycomb,” the first tablet optimized version of the OS, and it is a much awaited development. The first tablet to sport the OS, the Motorola Xoom, while not very successful due to pricing issues, showed the potential of the new Android version and it is somewhat impressive.

The move on the part of Google was intended to allow Android developers time to port some of the key features of the tablet optimized OS to smartphones so that the next iteration of the OS for their smartphone clients would be up to par with Honeycomb. It is that simple, so everyone just calm down; but wait! There is a bit more to the story to leave now…

Google is the originator of the Android OS, or at least it became so after purchasing the original company that wrote the code. Then Google joined with several other companies to create the Open Handset Alliance, a non-profit organization promoting the idea of an open source OS for smartphones, unifying and promoting development of this major new technology.

The Open Handset Alliance control Android and one of the issues the Alliance is addressing is Android’s apparent fragmentation. Being as they are all open source, the phone makers can change Android to suit their needs, creating the possibility that the OS will fragment, or branch off into different versions that are increasingly incompatible. To avoid this, the Open Handset Alliance governs what changes can be introduced into the base code of the OS, and even Google has had some proposed changes rejected.

The need to back-port Honeycomb features to smartphones is clear, as Android 3.0 is the next major plateau for the maturing OS. Eventually there will 3.0 for tablet and smartphone and, well we will see. It is important that this new platform avoid the potential fragmentation that was a concern with the 2.X iteration of the OS. Now that everyone is calm, there is the possibility that there will be some closing off of the Android ecosystem.

Android Leashed

The Wild West days of Android development may be ending. There has been much criticism of the platform from a security prospective and this has hampered Google’s efforts to break in to the business market. While Android will remain open source, there may be some core changes that are being built into Honeycomb that are intended to correct some of these weaknesses going forward.

Google is being a little unforthcoming about what the future holds and some speculate that 3.0 may be delayed until there can be a smartphone version of the OS first. Whether this is the case or not, there is little doubt that Android will remain open source. This is not only part of its charm but also key to the success of the business model.

Guest Author: This is a guest article by Jon T. Norwood who is a managing partner at High Speed Internet, a site dedicated to providing information on Internet Providers and Technology. Jon can be reached at jon@velocityguide.com.

“When Steve Jobs personally closed the front door with a curt two-word email stating: ‘No Interest,’ we were left with no alternative but to climb through the Cydia window to let iPhone users see and lower their exposure to cellphone radiation,” wrote Tawkon CEO Gil Friedlander in a blog post.

Apple’s reason for rejecting the Takwon app was that it used private APIs.  However, if Tawkon’s claims are to be believed then “Death Grip” increases levels of radiation emitted by smartphones (e.g. Apple iPhone 4) in addition to attenuated signals. And we wonder if this is the actual reason why Apple wouldn’t approve it in their app store!

Here is some quick information on the technology used by the Tawkon app — “Tawkon is based on the patent-pending RRITM (Real-time Radiation Indication) technology that collects and analyzes RF-related data extracted from the mobile device. Complex algorithms considering environmental and personal usage factors help determine actual radiation exposure levels. Results are calibrated in an RF lab to ensure radiation levels are accurately monitored and that actions taken actually helped lower the user’s exposure to radiation.”

In more simple words – The Tawkon radiation detection app analyzes the cellular radiation your iPhone emits at any given moment, at any given location, whether in standby mode, or within a call. However, this condition is also known about on Android phones and the company even has a Blackberry app that can measure the radiation, so its not just a problem with Apple’s phone.

To be honest, this app is only giving a prediction because you’d need expensive equipment to truly measure radiation, but if the algorithm is correctly programed, it should be a great indicator of how much radiation the device is emitting.

As this video demonstrates, the Death Grip antennagate problem, which is fortunately (for Apple and all iPhone 4 users) not exclusive to the iPhone 4, not only affects reception and call drops but radiation levels too. However, the video also shows that the iPhone 4 actually emits significantly less radiation than other front-line smartphones like Nexus One and BlackBerry 9700. Hmm…

Death Grip Video Demo on iPhone, Android, BlackBerry

Interestingly, Tawkon feel so strongly that users should be made aware of what levels of radiation they are being exposed to that they have filed a public petition to force Apple to make their app appear in iTunes. Interesting battle in store ahead. In the meantime, if you’ve got a non-jailbroken iPhone and are still afraid of cell phone radiation, then consider using a protective case for your Apple phone. It’s perhaps safer than getting advice from an app, anyway.

The store itself will provide a genuine rival to the official Android Market, which is allowed under Google’s terms and conditions. However, Amazon Appstore will have a defined approval process for apps, making it more like Apple’s App Store than Google’s Android Market.

While the Android Market lets users download free and paid applications, the Amazon Appstore will let users test applications they’re interested in on a simulated Android phone. Customers access the application simulation through their computer using a mouse. The company calls this feature ‘Test Drive‘.

With Test Drive, consumers can decide if they like the application before bothering to download it. This is an intelligently designed feature distinction from Google’s own Android Market.

Amazon.com is also offering another perk to bring users into the Appstore. Amazon has partnered with Rovio Mobile and it’s already been announced that the paid version of Angry Birds – as well as the game’s official Rio tie-in – will bypass Android Market (initially at least) and debut on Amazon Appstore. It’ll be interesting to see how many more popular apps follow suit.

Customers can buy applications in the Appstore in two ways. Users may buy applications through their computer’s Web browser, or through an Amazon Appstore application they may download to their Android phones or tablets. Moreover, the Amazon Appstore will offer customers a paid application for free every day.

On the flip side, Apple doesn’t seem to be too happy with Amazon’s decision to call their store as ‘Appstore‘! And Apple has in fact filed suit against Amazon.com for trademark infringement, claiming ownership of the App Store name. We will keep our fingers crossed as this conflict unfolds. In the mean time, what do you think about this Amazon’s App Store for Android?

One of the greatest setbacks of the Android platform has been the absence of a killer media player, as its native media player is simply lacking. But Winamp for Android is a powerful new alternative now. And Winamp on Android is a winner because it’s simply a very solid audio player.

Winamp is now available for Android 2.1 and up, and features a playback widget for the Android desktop and Last.fm integration. But that ain’t all! If you install Winamp 5.59 beta on your PC, you can sync and manage your libraries via USB or WiFI. When you click on an album cover as you are listening and you get discography information, news, and music reviews from AOL Music. With the support of over-the-air syncing for music, Winamp can sync music from your desktop to your phone.

The new, free Android app has been in a beta testing phase since October 21 and the reviews from the technology community have been overwhelmingly positive – an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 from users. Many music lovers today have a vast library of music on their computer but lack an effective means to transfer their files to a non-Apple mobile device — and Winamp for Androids seems to fill in that gap quite nicely.

Download Link: Winamp for Androids can be downloaded from winamp.com/android or Android Market.

Pacman

Seriously! Who doesn’t know about this game? Who hasn’t played this game? This is one of the most popular games and is present on almost all the platforms. The android version of the game is neat and looks and feels like its arcade counterpart. The graphics, sounds, experience says it all. The android version is well detailed with the ghosts and fruits on it. Just give a try and you would love it!

Dynamo Kid

It’s tough, challenging, addictive, tricky and not for the faint of heart, period. What else someone would expect from a $2 game? The controls are real simple; to make Dynamo Kid jump, the user has to tap on the screen. This was the easy part of the game. The game gets complicated with the introduction of the bad guys. They can be killed with the same touch approach. Along the way there are the villains with balloons which can’t be killed but can be moved with the tap. It’s similar to the Mario games and a must play for a Android user.

Diner Bash

One question before the review! Have you ever played Café World from Zynga. This game did remind me of Café World. Here you are the waitress. Guys don’t mind being a waitress; it’s a nice game to play if you don’t want to change your sex virtually. The game is about a waitress and her intense job. So in the game, keep your eyes open, seat customers, take orders, serve drinks, deliver food and collect tips. It’s a completely entertaining, addictive arcade game. Have a try!

Angry Birds

After having the golden period in iOS, Angry birds has taken birth again for Android. Long wait huh! Two betas, repeated delay in the release and finally it come. The storyline of angry bird is simple; in each level you are supplied with some angry birds that have had their eggs stolen by evil pigs. There are five different races of birds, each with its own traits. You have to launch the birds at an appropriate angle using a catapult to eliminate the pigs. This game is highly addictive. Just make sure you do not kill pigs in reality; they ain’t that bad.

Also Read: Step By Step Guide To Unlock All The Stages In Angry Birds Game [Android]

Slimeball Speedway

The game is quick and gets even quicker when progresses. A growing ball of slime races through town and eats the inhabitants! A factory mishap has transformed a chemical spill into a speeding slimeball of doom! You have to navigate your sinister slime as it rolls through town eating the hapless victims that cross its path. The more the blob eats, the bigger it gets. The bigger it gets the more objects it can eat. As your blob grows, so does its speed– so make sure it eats as much as it can! Worth a try for a android gamer.

Bonus Game: Pinball

I loved this game on my PC as a kid. I couldn’t control myself from trying this one on the Android! The game has been designed smartly with a number of boards. Pinball for Android charges you with the task of keeping your ball alive for as long as possible by flicking it away with your flippers. It’s very easy to control – you just hold down to activate the plunger and then tap the screen to move the right and left flippers. This is perfect for beginners, though pinball purists may curse the absence of independently controlled flippers or a nudge feature.

According to resources, Google and Samsung are going to announce the Nexus 2 in a conference which is scheduled to be held on Nov 8^th 2010 at New York. It may be a rumor but, if it is true then Nexus 2 will be powered with the latest Android Operating System; Android 2.3 to be precise. There is rumor about the carriers too. It is going to be launched with multiple numbers of carriers, which would leave the customers with a plenty of option. And, we shall not forget, Nexus is famous for its no-contract availability!

The bigger part of the game here is the hardware. After Nexus One turned out to be a big flop, we already received confirmation from Google that HTC would be no more related to Nexus One in future. So who else could be the hardware maker this time, other than Samsung as they hold an edge because of their expertise in Android mobile phones, out of which few are huge success too! There are a lot of speculations about the design and development of the gadget. There are also news flowing about the retail availability of Nexus 2 instead of only online purchases.

It’s probably only a rumor and may be hard to believe. But, I would suggest waiting for a couple of weeks to see what comes up on the Nov 8^th conference. There are possibilities to have the most powerful Android device powered by Android 2.3 within. Despite Froy Android 2.2 has not yet been established in the market, Google have decided to throw more coal on the locomotive, anticipating its advanced edition operating system to their advantage to get more and more open competition. So be prepared and let’s hope for the best to come.

It takes the fun out of playing through each world the game, but at least it lets you see different areas, some of which you may not have otherwise been able to reach. Using this little cheat/hack, you can unlock the different worlds of the game without having to beat each level. And since some of those pigs are impossible to smash, you’ll probably end up doing this.

Step by Step Guide on How to Unlock or Access ALL Stages/Worlds in Angry Birds Game [Android]

1. Go to a World Select Screen
2. Center a locked world on your screen
3. Hit the back button on your Android phone until you exit Angry Birds
4. Load Angry Birds back up
5. When you see the ‘Play’ button, tap the button repeatedly
6. You’re now inside a locked world

However, be warned! You might not feel the same accomplishment the rest of us honest, hard working gamers feel!

In order to make it easy for the consumers to choose the best Android phones currently available in the market, we are going to share the best android phones of 2010 with our readers. We would love to receive comments and suggestions from you, in case we have missed anything from the list. So, here we go:

1. Google Nexus One: Did I surprise you with the name Nexus One? Relax, it is no mistake. Personally, I feel Nexus One is an android device which was under-rated and people preferred other non-android phones like iPhone over this unique product from Google. We did say that Nexus One was a failure but that was purely based on the sales and market shares and not on the performance of the gadget. This phone is a good one with really fast processor, fantastic battery life and the list goes on. What makes this device a killer phone is its wide array of cool apps and multi-touch capabilities. You compare this device to iPhone and it falls apart on its face. Forget the fact that iPhone was ever released and this may be the deal for you.

2. The HTC Evo 4G: This is a 4G device from the HTCs that ships with 8MP camera, YouTube’s HQ player, Android 2.1 with sense from HTC (HTC Sense). User interface is really better in this HTC phone. The screen size of this android phone, the speed, Internet browsing experience does explain its class. However, this gadget fails to impress with battery life, lack of voice dialing with Bluetooth and a few more. It provides a big screen with a lot of space to play with, though and that is a good thing for any mobile phone gamer.

3. Samsung Epic 4G: Impressive Qwerty keyboard, front facing camera, 5MP back camera with LED flash etc makes it better as compared to its previous counterparts. A Super AMOLED touch screen and a 1GHz Hummingbird Cortex A8 processor make it a beast. Users can have fun with the virtual keyboard along with the slideout Qwerty Physical keyboard. The main area where this gadget falls apart is its weight and price. Big one with a Big price tag on it!

4. Motorola Backflip: Bored of flipping it? Then do a backflip! This is the most fresh (wish I could use the word, freshest) design in the world of Android phones. Moto has introduced a trackpad behind the display for navigation. This device is great with bright display, squared keys with a lot of space in between, excellent sun direct visibility, MOTOblur interface and many more. But, it could surely have been better in its design;,better battery life and a faster processor.

5. Acer Liquid E: This model is known and loved for its design, rounded edges, cute responsive screen powered by Android Eclair 2.1 within, fast performance and a 5MP camera in it. Acer has worked on it and the battery life in this is really good as compared to other Androids. The ranges of connectivity options look promising. Although this phone has a lot for its users, it’s a letdown because of its wide structure, which is quite uncomfortable to carry around.

BONUS! Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro: So, What’s this exactly? How is this different from its cousin Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini? There is the extra slide-out keyboard in it, which makes it slightly bulkier than its previous cousin. The browsing experience is good and overall performance is really astonishing for a small (tiny) phone like this one. Some say, it runs on Android 1.6. But, that’s not all. Sony is releasing a 2.1 update for it in Q4 of this year. My personal suggestion; Go for it, give it a try and you will be surprised.