Introducing Google Analytics for Mobile Apps

Last week, we introduced expanded mobile reporting features in Google Analytics. To help developers, this launch includes features that make it easy to see how people are using specific parts of their iPhone and Android applications. The same Google Analytics reports that provide insights into website traffic and engagement are now available for mobile apps.

As with websites, there are two basic categories of user interaction you can track: pageviews and events. Since mobile apps dont contain HTML pages, developers simply determine when their apps should trigger pageview requests. Google Analytics then aggregates this data in the Content reports to display the number of visits, session length and bounce rates. The data gives insight into how your users interacted with the app.
Developers can also track visitor actions that dont correspond directly to pageviews using Event Tracking. These user actions can include views of embedded videos, button clicks, downloads and more. App developers can then use this data to understand which features are most popular and inform decisions about which features should be promoted or prioritized for further development.
Redfin, an online brokerage for buying and selling homes, recently tested Google Analytics on their mobile application. Watch this video to learn more about their experience:



To get started using Google Analytics to understand and optimize how people use your iPhone or Android mobile app, check out the SDK and technical documentation.

Posted by Meredith Papp, Google mobile ads team

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Dedicated memcache is now generally available in App Engine 1 8 8

With the 1.8.8 App Engine release, we are glad to announce that dedicated memcache is now generally available.



Dedicated memcache is an App Engine feature that lets you scale your caching capacity indefinitely without having to manage a server farm of memcached machines. After going into Preview in July, hundreds of customers have deployed many terabytes in production, including a single application using six terabytes.



Customers have told us that with higher cache hit rates, dedicated memcache reduces their Datastore costs and makes their applications faster. Ben Kamens, Lead Developer at Khan Academy said, “Dedicated memcache helped us take more control over the performance of our site — well almost certainly be using memcache more and more as a result."



Since the preview announcement we’ve added several features to help customers manage their cache, such as hot key warnings in the memcache viewer, and cache size and performance graphs in the dashboard.



To get started using dedicated memcache, select dedicated memcache on the App Engine admin console’s application settings page.



The complete list of features and bug fixes for 1.8.8 can be found in our release notes. For App Engine coding questions and answers check us out on Stack Overflow, and for general discussion and feedback, find us on our Google Group.



-Posted by Logan Henriquez, Product Manager

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Sony Xperia Z1 review

 

For

• Great screen technology
• Powerful camera

Against

• Hefty chassis

 

Sony tries to stuff even more tech into a smartphone

 

The Sony Xperia Z1 is yet another step in the comeback of a failing brand. While the headline spec may be the 20.7MP G Lens camera sensor, this is a phone packed to the rafters with cutting-edge tech.
Its hard to express the joy of comparing the Z1 to a previous Sony flagship cameraphone: the Satio from four years ago. Okay, that was a time when things were decidedly more Ericsson, but the difference between these two phones is vast.

Thats not because the Z1 is an amazing phone (it might be, but its hard to tell with only an hours time playing with it) but just how bad the Sony Ericsson Satio was. It may have had a 12MP camera, but it was running Symbian, packed a resistive touchscreen and was generally one of the worst phones weve played with.





Thankfully Sony recognised its tailspin and is now producing phones like the Z1 - the follow-up to the Sony Xperia Z that launched earlier this year, and the design principles back that up.

Design

However, while this is also a water resistant and dust-proof phone (IP55 and IP58 rated), the chassis has a lot more metal packed in, with aluminium replacing the glass in many places throughout the Z1.
In doing so its acquired some heft, with the depth of the phone noticeably greater in the hand. Thats to accommodate the new camera sensor while maintaining the flat exterior, but it does make a huge difference when you pick up the phone for the first time.

Compared to the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One its not that different, but with the added weight combined with the heavier innards and angular design, the Z1 feels like a much more substantial beast, which may put some people off.
Theres a lot thats reminiscent of the Xperia Z Ultra here; not only because of the amount of technology thats been nabbed from the big Sony factory, but also because some of the clever design tweaks have made their way over to the new device too.

One of the things were happiest to see is the headphone slot being open and unfettered. Sony has made the waterproof phone its own over the last year, and by removing the need for the headphone to have a cover its made the Z1 so much more usable compared to its predecessor.
The rest of the slots follow Sonys heritage of premium design, being easy to shut while feeling secure against the elements should you want to lob your phone in a bucket of water and then roll it through a desert.

Dont do that, though. Youll probably lose it and be inadequately hydrated for such a trip.
Theres a microSD card slot on offer still, which partly makes up for the lack of a removable battery. Were getting sick of the latter refrain – consumers want it, but phone designers want to make things as integrated as possible, and its the ones with the pencils that win out.

But overall the Sony Xperia Z1 is a very well-finished phone that makes use of a number premium materials in its construction – the only issue for consumers could be the sheer heft of the device theyre carrying in their pocket, and theyll have to decide whether the mega powerful new camera is worth it.

Screen

With the Xperia Z1, Sony has opened the door to the TV factory, selected its favourite model and then crammed it into a 5-inch screen, meaning youve got all manner of technology on offer.

Triluminous Display tech brings a really crisp and clear picture, and combined with X Reality on video playback serves to bring a phone that knows what its doing when it comes to a 1080p screen.
The display is definitely a step forward from the washed out nature of the Xperia Z, although the viewing angles are still not as impressive as seen on other phones.
The LG G2 is still the poster boy for phone displays, but the Z1 isnt that far behind, especially when its video processing kicks in.

The clarity and refresh rate are certainly impressive, but it still doesnt pack the wow factor seen from a number of other smartphones.
Thats not to say its not really good, it just still falls slightly short when compared to the clarity of the G2 or the colour reproduction of the HTC One or Samsung Galaxy S4 (provided you like higher colour saturation, that is).

Video playback

We can see that Sony has really worked hard on the video playback capabilities of the Xperia Z1, with the movies app in particular coming with a really nice interface.

Your last watched flick will display in the background of the app while youre selecting your next file, which really makes the phone feel like yours, rather than a sterile area to trawl through in search of anything to make the commute feel shorter.
The quality of 1080p video is really impressive on here as well, with the precision of the display making it a really high-end experience and the X Reality engine working hard to make sure even standard definition footage is upscaled to look clean and crisp.

Given that video (movies in particular) is one of Sonys strengths, were glad to see that its made a decent fist of things on its mobile devices.

CPU

Like its Xperia Ultra brother, the Sony Xperia Z1 comes with a 2.2GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, meaning whizzy fast speeds in a quad-core package.
This is the highest level of CPU on offer at the moment, and promises better battery management as well as an improved ability to connect to 4G networks, allowing the double speed connection that has been rolled out in a number of countries.

Combined with 2GB of RAM, theres very little youll want when it comes to speed from the Sony Xperia Z1, thanks to a well-integrated chipset thats really more than enough for most users.
There will be 16GB of internal storage on offer as well as the microSD card slot, which means that even if you want to pack in a session of video editing on your phone youll be able to do so easily with the required grunt on board.

Weve yet to test the capabilities of the 3000mAh battery in the Z1 as yet, although we didnt notice a massive drop in the power pack during our testing, and this included a large amount of picture taking.
In our tests with other Snapdragon 800 devices weve seen some excellent battery life on offer, so weve got high hopes the trick will be repeated on the Xperia Z1.

Interface

Sony hasnt beaten around the bush when it comes to the interface on the Xperia Z1, keeping things simple and similar to that seen on its other Android devices at the moment.
Running Android 4.2 (with an upgrade to 4.3 likely in the next few months) things are very simple and well laid out on the Z1, with the ability to move widgets around with ease and the exploded view of all homescreens at once available simply by pinching in on the screen.

The widgets on offer are decent, with options like a camera pane that allows you to instantly open different modes rather than just booting into the main camera app and having to scoot around in there.
On top of a simple layout of music, movies and internet browsing, with things like Music Unlimited combined nicely with the relevant app, Sony has kept things simple with the Z1 while allowing most things you open up a good amount of power.

Camera

Heres where things get really interesting: the Sony Xperia Z1 camera is where the Japanese firm has really pushed the boat out.
With a 20.7MP sensor, strong low light ability and wide range of options to improve the quality of your photos, the camera on the Z1 takes mobile photography to another level.

When compared with the likes of the Nokia Lumia 1020, with its 41MP sensor, and the HTC One, with its 4MP Ultrapixel option, theres a feeling that the Z1 fits in between the two.
However, this is more of a camera in the traditional sense, taking really crisp and clear photos with little interpolation of multiple shots (as weve seen on the Nokia range). The result is a photo that just looks good, especially if youre firing the Superior auto mode which makes it almost impossible to take a bad shot.

We really like messing around with this option, as no matter what youre trying to do, be it take a close up picture, get a low light snap without the flash or even take a picture of text, the Z1 was able to work out what we needed time and again and adjust the settings to make use of it.

Read the rest of this post and see the early verdict!

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Android and Security

By Hiroshi Lockheimer, VP of Engineering, Android

The last year has been a phenomenal one for the Android ecosystem. Device activations grew 250% year-on-year, and the total number of app downloads from Android Market topped 11 billion. As the platform continues to grow, we’re focused on bringing you the best new features and innovations - including in security.

Adding a new layer to Android security
Today we’re revealing a service we’ve developed, codenamed Bouncer, which provides automated scanning of Android Market for potentially malicious software without disrupting the user experience of Android Market or requiring developers to go through an application approval process.

The service performs a set of analyses on new applications, applications already in Android Market, and developer accounts. Here’s how it works: once an application is uploaded, the service immediately starts analyzing it for known malware, spyware and trojans. It also looks for behaviors that indicate an application might be misbehaving, and compares it against previously analyzed apps to detect possible red flags. We actually run every application on Google’s cloud infrastructure and simulate how it will run on an Android device to look for hidden, malicious behavior. We also analyze new developer accounts to help prevent malicious and repeat-offending developers from coming back.

Android malware downloads are decreasing
The service has been looking for malicious apps in Market for a while now, and between the first and second halves of 2011, we saw a 40% decrease in the number of potentially-malicious downloads from Android Market. This drop occurred at the same time that companies who market and sell anti-malware and security software have been reporting that malicious applications are on the rise. While it’s not possible to prevent bad people from building malware, the most important measurement is whether those bad applications are being installed from Android Market - and we know the rate is declining significantly.

Android makes malware less potent
In addition to using new services to help prevent malware, we designed Android from the beginning to make mobile malware less disruptive. In the PC model, malware has more potential to misuse your information. We learned from this approach, designing Android for Internet-connected devices. Some of Android’s core security features are:

• Sandboxing: The Android platform uses a technique called “sandboxing” to put virtual walls between applications and other software on the device. So, if you download a malicious application, it cant access data on other parts of your phone and its potential harm is drastically limited.
• Permissions: Android provides a permission system to help you understand the capabilities of the apps you install, and manage your own preferences. That way, if you see a game unnecessarily requests permission to send SMS, for example, you don’t need to install it.
• Malware removal: Android is designed to prevent malware from modifying the platform or hiding from you, so it can be easily removed if your device is affected. Android Market also has the capability of remotely removing malware from your phone or tablet, if required.

No security approach is foolproof, and added scrutiny can often lead to important improvements. Our systems are getting better at detecting and eliminating malware every day, and we continue to invite the community to work with us to keep Android safe.

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People Loaded 4 Billion On Starbucks Gift Cards Last Year

(Jenn)

Starbucks announced its quarterly earnings information yesterday: revenues are up, and the company earned a profit of $540.7 million. One piece of information in the report caught our eye, though: $1.3 billion was loaded on Starbucks Cards in the last quarter of the year, with $4 billion in Star Bucks loaded on cards during the past year.

Of course, the Starbucks Card is more than a gift card. Unlike most store loyalty cards, the company’s rewards program for their most addicted customers requires them to first deposit money on the stored-value card before earning rewards points. That might sound kind of onerous, but Starbucks told Quartz that 30% of their transactions were on the cards. Almost a third. Huh.

They aren’t just part of a Starbucks debit card-based economy, though: the company estimates that about 10% of American adults received a Starbucks Card as a gift at some point this holiday season.

FY14 1st Quarter Earnings Release [Starbucks]

by Laura Northrup via Consumerist

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Nokia Lumia 800 Mobile Phone Review

 

NOKIA reveals its new phone in market known as LUMIA 800, a Windows 7.5 Mango Phone.The cellular has 3.7 inch Clear Dark-colored AMOLED Capacitive Touchscreen display technological innovation with Multi-touch input and Accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate. With the straightforward all-screen design, everything seems so free and visited and gives only a look to see what everyone is up to.

The cellular gives you to be able to get social by talking about images and keeping the conversations threaded. IE 9 allows you to look through your web pages fast and allows you to go from pockets to photo to Facebook or myspace or fb, Zune Well-known popular music to keep you grooving on the best popular music.

The other features which supplement the cellular are 8 MP Digital camera with Carl Zeiss optics, auto-focus,and Dual-LED display along with Geo-tagging as well; therefore you will get more than your expectations; you have the flexibility to get whenever you want.

The cellular is ready for the business by being anywhere and getting information through word , Excel and PowerPoint for you in a few minutes. Stereo FM is the way to get connected to your popular music, Navigating apps gives more flexibility to navigate to any route map. USB 2.0 high-speedthrough Bluetooth wireless technology 2.1A-GPS and Accelerometer, proximity sensor, Magnetometer, ALS are the highly effective designers on the network element.

Home screens, Color Themes, Wallpapers and Ringtones are available which can be altered according to the individual personal preference and Pre-loaded Programs for countless entertainment near to you. The cellular has more specifications and comes with latest Windows software, which make it the best.

		Details:- Seamless design Curved 3.7" AMOLED ClearBlack glass touchscreen display seamlessly integrated into a smooth one-piece body People Hub Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, email, Chat, SMS Internet Bing, Internet Explorer 9, HTML5, Wi-Fi Camera 8 MP Auto Focus with Carl Zeiss Optics, 2x LED Flash and HD Video Design:-    Dimensions In mm:-   Height:-  116.5 mm Width :-61.2 mm Thickness:-12.1 mm Weight:-142 g Volume:-76.08 cc Keys and Input Methods:- Dedicated hardware key Power Key Camera Key Volume Keys Display and User Interface:- Touch Screen:- Capacitive  Display size:-3.7  Screen height:-480 pixels Screen width:-800 pixels Display technology:- AMOLED ClearBlack Curved glass Corning(r) Gorilla(r) Glass
		Hardware:- Connectivity:- WLAN support WEP WPA 802.11b/g/n WPA2-Personal WPA-Enterprise Data synchronization ActiveSync Microsoft Zune Local connectivity WiFi Micro USB Bluetooth 2.1 +EDR USB 2.0 High-Speed 3.5mm AHJ Connector Bluetooth Stereo Audio Memory:- Total user memory:-16 GB mass memory (no slot for micro-SD cards)  SDRAM memory:-512 MB Power Management :- Battery:-BV-5JW 3.7V 1450mAh  Power management:-USB Charging  Maximum 2G talk time:-13 h Maximum GSM standby time:-265 h Maximum 3G talk time:-9.5 h Maximum 3G standby time:-335 h Maximum music playback time:-55 h Maximum video playback time:-6.5 h* *Operation times may vary depending on radio access technology used, operator network configuration and usage. Data Network:- Data bearer:- WCDMA EDGE Class B GPRS Class B HSUPA Cat6 5.76 Mbps HSDPA Cat10 14.4 Mbps WLAN IEEE 802.11 b/g/n Dual Transfer Mode (MSC 32)  Requires data service. Data services may not be available in all networks. Data transmission speeds may be as high as HSDPA 10.2 Mbps, but may vary based upon network capabilities and other conditions. The establishment and continuation of a data connection depends on network availability, provider support and signal strength. Extra feature:- Micro SIM Nokia Maps Bing Maps Flight Mode Nokia Drive 2 Microphones 3D Accelerometer Proximity sensor Magnetometer Sensor Ambient light sensor Application Highlights Nokia Contacts Transfer Operating Frequency:- Operating band GSM 850 GSM 900 GSM 1800 GSM 1900 WCDMA Band V (850) WCDMA Band I (2100) WCDMA Band II (1900) WCDMA Band VIII (900) CPU Count:-Single  Hardware CPU clock rate:-1400 MHz Hardware CPU type:-Qualcomm MSM8255 (WCDMA)           Software and applications:- Other Applications:- Features (Personal information Management) Notes Calendar Detailed contact information Software platform & User Interface:- Operating System:-Windows Phone 7.5 Mango  Email and Messaging:- Email solution Gmail nokia_mail Yahoo Mail mfe_windows Other email accounts Windows Live/Hotmail Email protocol POP3 SMTP IMAP4 Messaging IM MMS SMS Document format PDF Word Excel OneNote Powerpoint   GPS and navigation:- GPS feature GPS A-GPS CellID WiFi positioning   Photography:- Main camera:- Primary camera sensor size:-8 megapixels  Camera resolution height:-3264 pixels Camera resolution width:-2448 pixels Camera F number/aperture:-2.2  Camera digital zoom:-3 x Camera minimum focus range:-10 cm Camera focal length:-28.0 camera_mm Main camera features:- Camera feature:- Geotagging Touch Focus fast_sharing Dual LED flash Carl Zeiss Optics Exposure Compensation Auto and Manual White Balance Camera image format XMP JPEG/Exif   Music and Audio:-   Music Audio features:- FM Radio Music player Audio Streaming Bluetooth Stereo Handsfree Speaker Active Noise Cancellation Audio Recording AAC stereo, 48kHz Video:- Main video camera:- Camera video resolution width:-1280 pixels Camera video resolution height:-720 pixels Camera video frame rate:-30 frames per second Camera video zoom:-3 x Local video playback:-30 frames per second Main video camera features:- Video feature Video player Video recorder Video streaming Video Stabilization continuous_auto_focus Camera video format:-MPEG-4  Video format ASF AVI VC-1 WMV 9 MPEG-4 H.264/AVC 3GPP formats Extra information:- Video:-  Extra Screen-shots:- (Different Colours  and side view)

(Slant Look) 

 

(Handdy look)

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Tutorial Install Android 4 4 with Root in LG Optimus G E975 E976 E977

After being officially launched KitKat Android 4.4  is now available, the first fully functional ROM for the LG Optimus G  is compatible with the same models:  E975 / E976 / E977 . The only bug is found that does not operate the NFC making occasional. Otherwise everything works 100%.

If you want to Update your LG Optimus G to the latest version of  Android 4.4 KitKat  and do not want to wait any longer, here I leave the steps of the installation process.

Requirements:

1 - Make a Backup from the Recovery, if you do not like it you can return to your previous version without any problems.

2 - Have at least 50% of battery.

Steps to Install Android 4.4 on the LG Optimus G

1. Download the following files.

• Kernel
• Android 4.4 Rom Kit Kat
• Android 4.4 Gapps Kit Kat
• SuperSU

2 - Copy without decompressing the 4 files to the external memory of your device

3 - Turn off your device and then enter recovery mode

4 - Within a Recovery Make full wipes, Wipe data factory reset , Wipe cache partition and in  Advanced > wipe dalvik cache

5 - Go to Install zip from sdcard >  Choose zip > Wanted and flashed the Kernel

6 - Go to Choose zip > Selects the KitKat Android 4.4 Rom and flashed

7 - Go to Choose zip > Selects the Gapps Android 4.4 and flashed

8 - Go back to  Choose zip > Select the SuperSU and flash

9 - By Last go to Reboot system ,now to reboot your smartphone.

Thats all you can have installed with Android 4.4 on your LG Optimus Root G .Thats it, any questions or suggestions leave it in the Comments section.

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