Developers

RIM Rages Against the Dying of the Developer Light
July 16, 2012

A recent report from Baird Equity Research claims mobile developers are fleeing from Research In Motion in a mass exodus. However, RIM's fighting back. The report's findings are far from the truth, according to Alec Saunders, the vice president of developer relations for the BlackBerry maker.

Following Microsoft's Recipes for Android Self-Programming
July 12, 2012

Microsoft is involved in a project geared toward self-programming and extending the functionality of the Android smartphone environment. That's surprising, because Microsoft has got its own phone OS that competes. However, on{X} in beta is bringing some unique JavaScript APIs to the table that let you program your phone remotely.

Amazon Ups the Ante With GameCircle
July 11, 2012

On Tuesday, Amazon announced a new social engagement layer for video game developers. GameCircle for Amazon's Kindle Fire will allow developers to add achievements, leader boards and even cloud syncing to games. Developers who utilize the GameCircle APIs will be able to include achievements that gamers can earn, while also receiving message updates without leaving the game.

Oracle Adds Involver to Its Social Stable
July 11, 2012

Oracle is snapping up another social media company: It announced this week that it has entered into an agreement to buy Involver, a platform provider of SML, or social markup language. SML is a developer tool used to create customized marketing applications for social media sites and Web campaigns.

Andreessen Horowitz Bets Big on GitHub
July 10, 2012

Andreessen Horowitz is investing $100 million in GitHub, the San Francisco startup that provides online resources for software programmers. It's the largest investment the venture capital firm has ever made. Github's acceptance of the cash is notable. Unlike many startups, the company has been profitable since its 2008 beginnings, and it's turned down investment offers in the past.

Devs Claim App Store Updates Are Coated in Crash Sauce
July 06, 2012

More than 70 iOS apps that were updated on or after July 3 are apparently crashing once they're launched, according to a few angry developers. Customers swamped Marco Arment, the creator of Instapaper, on July 4 with complaints that update 4.2.3 of his app had crashed immediately on launch, minutes after it had been approved by Apple.

Google's I/O: Perfect Blend of Substance and Spectacle?
June 29, 2012

It used to be that technology companies would head to one or more of the plethora of industry trade shows to introduce new products and showcase their latest offerings. But in recent years many large companies have forgone the shows and instead have offered company-specific conferences and events. This week Google might have raised the bar for what's expected from such events.

A Handful of Devs Get Their Hands on Google Glasses
June 28, 2012

Skydivers, mountain bikers and rappellers donned Google Glasses on Wednesday and captured video of their stunts at the Google I/O conference, giving the world a glimpse of the capabilities of this new wearable technology. Google is selling the glasses for $1,500 to U.S.-based developers who were in attendance at the conference.

Google Charges Into the Living Room With New Nexus Q Streamer
June 28, 2012

Google worked toward pulling together its ecosystem Wednesday, announcing an array of new products and services at its I/O Developer Conference. In addition to its widely anticipated Nexus 7 tablet, the company unveiled its Nexus Q media streamer and its Google Cloud Messaging service for Android; made much of its enhancements to Google Play; and launched a demonstration of Google Glass, its smart eyepiece.

Microsoft Joins Windows and WinPho at the Core
June 20, 2012

Microsoft on Wednesday announced a plethora of new features for app developers in Windows Phone 8, its next mobile operating system. Windows Phone 8 will share a core with Windows 8, meaning app devs can write one app and have it run across mobile devices as well as desktops supporting Windows 8.

Netflix Circles the Wagons Around Its API
June 20, 2012

Netflix has announced changes to its public API that will prevent developers from accessing information about its customers. As of September 15, users' rental history and information about what they viewed will no longer be included in the API, putting that data out of reach for developers creating third-party apps for interacting with the video provider.

iOS 6: Plenty of New Features but Where's the Innovation?
June 12, 2012

Among the highlights at Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference was the presentation on Monday of a laundry list of enhancements to be found in iOS 6. The 200-plus new features and functions include Facebook integration, a Maps app that has turn-by-turn navigation and a new Flyover view.

Facebook Opens Center to Help Friends Get Appier
June 08, 2012

Facebook has cut the ribbon on its App Center -- a hub that lets users access apps from Facebook and related third parties. There are about 600 apps in the center so far, including favorites like Draw Something, Pinterest and Nike+ GPS. Facebook is taking a curated approach to the apps. Besides the popular ones, it is suggesting newer apps users might want to try.

Epic Revs Up PC Gaming With Unreal Engine 4
June 08, 2012

Epic Games on Friday officially announced its upcoming Unreal Engine 4 technology, which could be the foundation for the next decade of graphics technology in video games. This comes the day after the close of E3, the video game industry's largest trade show, and it's notable in that the current video game console systems will not be able to take advantage of this technology.

Oracle's Java Case Takes Another Battering With API Ruling
June 04, 2012

With a ruling from United States District Judge William Alsup that application programming interfaces cannot be copyrighted, it appears Oracle's lost yet another battle against Google over Java. However, the war is not over. Oracle has indicated it will appeal, and the judge has indicated that Oracle should turn to patent laws in order to protect the Java APIs.

Integration Benefits for Developers: Choosing the Appropriate App Option
June 02, 2012

There is no debating that integrations with small business platforms are a great way for app developers to gain increased exposure and, ultimately, additional sales for their tool or service. Many established software providers in the space are opening their doors through APIs to make it easier for new app developers to access their functionality and potentially access their installed customer base.

What Will Star in Apple's Big Show?
May 30, 2012

Apple has released its schedule for its upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference, which will take place in San Francisco next month. The event kicks off with a keynote address on Monday, June 11. The conference is an opportunity for developers to attend workshops and discuss the future of building for iOS and OS X, but in years past it's also been the stage for major company announcements.

Enyo's End Is Not Nigh
May 29, 2012

Most of HP's webOS team, including Matt McNulty, head of the project, is moving to Google according to a report by The Verge citing several unnamed sources. The departing team is said to be almost wholly responsible for Enyo's code. Enyo replaced Mojo as webOS's software development kit in 2011.

iPhone 5 Screen: Will Things Get Ugly?
May 18, 2012

Should Apple decide to increase the display size of the next version of its bestselling iPhone, it could present developers with new sets of both challenges and opportunities. Speculation about Apple boosting the screen found on the next edition of its smartphone isn't new, but it was renewed this week with a report predicting the new iPhone would have a display of at least four inches.

Android: What, Me Fragmented?
May 17, 2012

There are nearly 4,000 different types of devices running Android, OpenSignalMaps has found. More than 1,300 of them have custom ROMs that tweak the android.build model. Android brands are almost as diverse as the models, OpenSignalMaps discovered. Further, the application programming interface level, meaning the Android version, has also become more fragmented over time.