There’s hope yet! Verizon’s caught wind of all of the commentary going around the blogosphere (from writers and readers alike) regarding Bing on their Android devices. Namely, the Samsung Fascinate was launched with Bing preloaded as the default search engine with no apparent way to change it. I can vouch for others’ professed difficulty in getting Google search installed onto the device as I tried finding it in the market with no luck, and downloading the .APK file from XDA proved to be a waste of time as I was met with errors installing it (the same file is said to install just fine on other Galaxy S devices, though they already have Google Search installed.)

Anywho, the second piece to this puzzle was a rumor that Bing would be on all future Verizon handsets as it is on Fascinate, something our friend The Droid Guy said he had good authority on. There was a reason I hadn’t entertained the rumor just yet, and this statement from Verizon is it:

“…that is not true. We have a relationship with Microsoft and Bing is the search engine on our multi-media phones but we have never said it would be exclusive on all of our devices.”

Be careful in noting the wording, however: they’re only going to install it as default on their “multi-media” phones. My first question: what does Verizon consider a multi-media phone? How is the Samsung Fascinate not a smartphone just as much as the Droid X or Droid 2? That’s another story for another day, however. So the Droid Guy wasn’t completely wrong, but if we assume Verizon only considers phones with the Droid name smartphones (because the Fascinate does everything those phones can do, and probably more), then is it safe to say that any non-Droid Android on Verizon’s network won’t be coming pre-installed with Google Search and Maps?

That question will be answered over time, I suppose, but Verizon’s got another trick up their sleeve to cap this story off. According to them, once the Fascinate receives its upgrade to Android 2.2 (and it will), users will be able to download the new Voice Search app that Google introduced a while back for all Froyo devices. With that should come the traditional Google Search we all know and love. It still doesn’t explain why Google Search was blocked in the first place, but we’ll roll with it.

[via Engadget]

View full post on Android Phone Fans

Verizon has just launched the Samsung Fascinate online today and the device will be available in stores tomorrow. As some of you might have noticed, any image of the device’s homescreen that shows the search bar is showing Microsoft’s Bing search widget.

TheDroidGuy contacted a Verizon spokesperson and asked about the Google Search feature and the spokesperson replied:

“We also have a great relationship with Microsoft and Bing is the default search engine on our feature phones. Customers may change the search engine on their phones if they like.”

Through some investigating by TheDroidGuy, we are learning that users cannot side load the Google Search app, nor can you locate the application in the market. After speaking with his Verizon contacts, we are learning that Verizon is planning on removing Google Search as the native search application on future Android devices and replacing it with Microsoft’s Bing.

Via: The Droid Guy

Gesture search, an app from Google that allows the user to search by writing characters on your Android device’s screen, has gone through an update that now utilizes a new gesture. Basically, it’s what Google has dubbed the “double flip”, which simply entails flipping the phone away from you and then back towards you. This new gesture will open up the gesture search app from any place in the phone.

The feature can be turned off and on, and the sensitivity for the flip can also be adjusted. No more need for another shortcut clogging up your home screen. Other aspects of the latest update include general bug fixes and some new options for accessibility.  To download and rate the Google Gesture search, click here.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Google: Gesture Search Updated with “Flipping”

View full post on Google Android News Android Forums

Struggling to find a site or string together the magic set of key words that helped you locate that perfect recipe for waffle batter the other day? If you only have access to your Android handset or iPhone you can now pull up your previous history of any searches performed while signed into your Google account. The new History link will bring you to a page detailing your searches and results, and if you performed the search on a computer you even get thumbnail views of results to help you easily recognize the most helpful sites. Mobile searches are marked with a cell phone icon.

The feature only works if you have enabled saved search history, which you can toggle on and off by navigating through the Settings link. With searches already saved, you can edit and delete entries and even star your most used or best searches for quick access. It probably won’t change the way you browse and search on your phone, but you will be glad the feature exists when you just can’t figure out how to duplicate previously successful searches.

[via Google Mobile Blog]

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VideoBox by LiveMixing, Inc. is a video app that gives access to popular video sharing sites and allows users to watch, download and share videos with friends. VideoBox features a search function, email and also allows users to push video from their computer to their phone. The app is free and is ad supported.

It appears the primary sources of videos on VideoBox are YouTube and Vimeo. For that reason, it only surpasses the default Youtube app for having one additional video source, but the search function returns relevent results from both sources and is likely based primarily on popularity and use. The navigation and video viewing is similar to YouTube, with the exception of the slightly obtrusive ads towards the bottom of the screen.(…)
Read the rest of Get Free Video Search and Sharing with VideoBox

All App Reviews © AppCraver.com, 2010. |
Get Free Video Search and Sharing with VideoBox | Best iPad Apps | Best Free Apps

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Word searches are all the more fun when you’re searching for the bizarre words rather than the mundane. Word Absurd by developer new-comer Trephination Proved Worthless LLC is a collection of word searches where the hidden words are slightly more unique than the standard fare.

Logically grouped according to categories, Word Absurd words aren’t in your average Sunday paper puzzle. Word Absurd features a broad array of categories from Down of the Farm (things on a farm) to Doggy Style (pets). The words aren’t displayed on the puzzle screen and hunting for words relevent to the category is half the fun. If you need a hint, tap on the word list and Word Absurd will let you know what you’re looking for.(…)
Read the rest of Word Absurd is an Uncommonly Good Word Search

All App Reviews © AppCraver.com, 2010. |
Word Absurd is an Uncommonly Good Word Search | Best iPad Apps | Best Free Apps

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French, German, Italian and Spanish speakers can now enjoy using Google Voice Search in their native tongue on their Android. Searching by voice is by far the quickest way to search for something, rather than inputting character after character.

Google have been working hard to bring Voice Search to more languages after initially only releasing it for English, Mandarin Chinese and Japanese. Google have spent weeks getting people to read popular queries in every day places which will make it easier to use in the real world. One downside to the service is that, if you speak one of the languages with an accent, then it might not be recognized.

So how do you get this? Well if you have Android 1.6 or higher then you already have the Search by voice application installed. It will recognize the language if you have the Language and keyboard setting set to one of the new languages.

If the application isn’t installed, you can install it from the Android Markets of the new language.

Now that Google Maps Navigation is available in 11 more Countries, you will be able to integrate the Voice Search with it perfectly.

[via Google Mobile Blog]

For more information on Android and the current Android mobile phones, check out our Android Guides

New languages come to Android Voice Search

View full post on Google Android News Android Forums

As more and more apps come online for Android, Google have made it even easier to find them. Since the beginning of the month, Google search results in the US now include Android apps.

When you search for an app, it will now appear at the top of the search results and by selecting these links, you will be brought directly to them in the Android Market. Some other useful details returned by the search, include the price and rating for that app.

While this is currently only available in the US, Google is looking to expand this in the future by adding other countries and platforms.

[via Google Mobile Blog]

For more information on Android and the current Android mobile phones, check out our Android Guides

Android Apps now included in Google Search

View full post on Google Android News Android Forums

Google announced an overhaul of its search indexing technology that it calls Caffeine.

View full post on Macworld

Google said today that it has implemented a new feature for iPhone and Android users that can search for an app.

Google will now show app links and content at the top of the search results.

For example, try searching for download shazam (right).

You can tap these links to go directly to the app’s on the Android Market or iPhone App Store page. You can also get a quick look at some of the app’s basic details including the price, rating, and publisher.

Some observers are not impressed. Where’s RIM’s BlackBerry? Where’s Microsoft’s mobile? Where’s Nokia? There are five lead horses in the game, not just two, says Jonny Evans.

View full post on dailywireless.org

It really bugs me sometimes knowing that I can’t clear the search history in the Android Market. Well luckily I came across this free app called “HistoryEraser” by DUMAPIC (who is also the Dev of OperaBridge) which does just that – deletes the Android market history – and without the need for root.

Usually – as far as I could tell – you couldn’t delete the history of the market without factory resetting your phone so this is real handy. I’m not sure if this works for any version of Android above 1.6 but leave a comment confirming and tell us so we can update the article!

If you’re on Android 1.5 (Cupcake) you have to download “MarketHistoryEraser”

Appbrain Link ~ Or you can scan the QR code below

If you’re on 1.6 (Donut) Download “HistoryEraser”

AppBrain Link -> or scan the QR code below

P.S This app can also easily delete your call log, contacts (not recommended!), default browser history, google map search history and search shortcuts.

Enjoy & Thank you Dev DUMAPIC!

View full post on Android Phone Fans

Hey if you’re in the UK head over to Google and type in “meet Android.” Then hit “I’m Feeling Lucky.” Go ahead, do it. I dare you. You’ll  meet Android alright, as that little green bugger tears down your search to reveal an Easter egg ad for the Nexus One.

For those not in the UK (myself included), you’ll just have to head over to Gizmodo to see a video of the events that unfold. Pretty cool stuff on Google’s part. Those in the States only get redirected to a boring Google I/O page if we attempt to recreate this feat.

[UPDATE: Thanks to the commenters for pointing out a rather thoughtless blunder on my part: for those not in the UK (again, myself included), just head over to google.co.uk and follow the above steps to be greeted with the Android robot in person...er, not via a pre-recorded video. Or even more simple yet, if you don't care for the neat gimmick of clicking the "I'm feeling lucky" button, simply head over to http://www.meetandroid.co.uk]

[via Gizmodo]

View full post on Android Phone Fans

Even though we now have free Ovi Maps navigation and mapping on many of our Nokia devices, I personally still jump onto Google Maps for quick navigation and searching for businesses and places. Yesterday, Google posted news that Google Maps 4.1 is now available for Symbian S60 phones. This latest update adds Search by Voice capability, which can be quite helpful if you are in a vehicle and should not be entering text while driving.

To get this new version, simply go to m.google.com/maps in your mobile browser to download the latest version. Thanks to the folks at All About Symbian for the heads-up.

Nokia Buys Geographic Search Technology Company MetaCarta
Nokia this morning announced that it has acquired MetaCarta , a privately-owned geographic intelligence company, for an undisclosed sum. Nokia says it will use MetaCarta’s technology in the area of local search and other services. MetaCarta was founded in 2001, is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and employs over 30 people.

Read more on TechCrunch

By now many of you have discovered that Gesture Search is available to all Android 1.6+ devices from the Market. Now question is… is it useful? Most people I have spoken to have given me something along the lines of, “Sort of, but it’s not as accessible as I’d like”. So while this is a Google Labs product, meaning it’s in the famous “BETA” stage, I have something for Google to take into consideration.

The issue here is that the gesture search is just not quick enough to access. While many have told me to put it on my homescreen, it’s still not any more useful than using the universal Google Search widget. So now all of the enlightened people are thinking well maybe Google should build it into apps like the contact list, GMail, or even in a homescreen widget. That might be all fine and dandy but let’s go back to what Android is all about. Android is all about collaboration and improvement as can be seen from the Open Handset Alliance’s initiatives. So why not make Google Gesture Search a developer tool? Gestures have long since been available to developers since Android 1.6, but think of all the uses developers could get out of universal search within their applications? Today, Android developers have an abundance of tools at their fingertips to improve all aspects of applications. AdMob to improve profitability, JTwitter to make twitter clients, Google Maps integration, and even GUI design via DroidDraw. All of these tools distributed for free so that developer’s can take them and make applications that are better than those on any other mobile platform.

I imagine being in a twitter client and searching my followers by drawing their name so that I can send them a direct message. How about being  in the Android Guys App and searching articles with gesture search? So why not make gesture search open and let developers run with it. Let us integrate it into applications, widgets, and more. Give the people what they want!

Sincerely,

The Android Community

Might We Suggest…

• New Mobile Search Features from Google
  Google rolled out a couple of handy new features on its mobile-optimized site late yesterday, making it easier to access search results on your phone that you generated previously on your desktop or l…

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AT&T’s first Android powered handset, the Motorola Backflip, will use Yahoo! as its default search engine.

According to a report by BusinessWeek, the Motorola Backflip will feature Yahoo! as the default search engine, although users will be able to manually change the provider to Google if they wish.

Yahoo! Vice President David Katz commented, “We have a long-standing relationship with AT&T and more than 80 carrier partnerships around the world for our award- winning mobile-search experience. Mobile search continues to be a focus for investment and innovation”.

The Backflip will be the first Android handset to not feature Google as the default search engine. Unlike the Nexus One, the Motorola Backflip is not a Google-branded device and therefore allows for deeper carrier customization.

The Motorola Backflip will be powered by Android 1.5 and will feature a 3.1-inch (320 x 480 pixels) TFT touchscreen display, 5 mega-pixel camera with LED flash and auto-focus, video capture, and 2GB of memory (upgradeable to 32GB). The handset also includes a 3.5mm audio jack, 3G connectivity, and Wi-Fi.

The Motorola Backflip will be available across the US from March 7th.

[via businessweek.com]

For more information on Android and the current Android mobile phones, check out our Android Guides

AT&T Motorola Backflip To Include Yahoo! As Default Search Engine

View full post on Google Android News Android Forums

Google have released a new Google Labs application that enables Android users to search their phones by drawing letters on their screens.

The new app known as Gesture Search searches the phones contacts, audio tracks, apps and bookmarks based on what letter is drawn on the handsets touchscreen.

Today we’re pleased to announce Gesture Search, a new Google Labs application for Android-powered devices running Android 2.0 or above in the US. Gesture Search lets you quickly find a contact, an installed application, a bookmark or a music track from hundreds or thousands of items, by simply drawing alphabet gestures on the touch screen.

The app is also capable of returning results for multiple interpretations should it be unsure if the letter drawn is a ‘H’ or an ‘A’ for example.

The application is available to download from the Android Market from today, just search for ‘Gesture Search’.

Previous Google Labs app releases for Android include Listen, and Places Directory.

[via googlemobile.blogspot.com]

For more information on Android and the current Android mobile phones, check out our Android Guides

Google Labs Release Gesture Search App For Android

View full post on Google Android News Android Forums