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• 17 Jan

  

  Posted by
  joesonic

  
  

  Category

  • Android
  • Google
  • Software

  New delicious codenames for future Android versions

  0

  Google has decided to name different versions of Android according to sweet pastries. According to a recent interview by Erick Tseng Android’s next big interation will be known as FroYo. Froyo is the Short Term for “frozen yogurt” and another creative name in the Android version history:

  • Initial Version = Android 1.1 – Release Date: 10.02.2009
  • Cupcake = Android 1.5 – Release Date: 30.04.2009
  • Donut = Android 1.6 – Release Date: 15.09.2009
  • Eclair = Android 2.0/2.1 – Release Date: 26.10.2009/12.01.2010
  • Froyo = maybe Android 2.5 – Release Date: expected in April/May 2010

  So it will not be Flan for the “F” version of Android (alphabetical order), as most of you thought. So we will see when Froyo actually is officially released and what the “G” version of Android might be. Any suggestions for G? I think Android will success its sweet journey in 2010 at least until H. I think we will see a lot of usability improvements for the next versions.

  

  Bon Appetit!

• 29 Aug

  

  Posted by
  joesonic

  
  

  Category

  • Software

  Apple’s Change in Software Development – MacOS 10.6

  0

  The first release of software products mainly starts slim and easy. But developers try to add functionality to make a 2.0 version of this product, and sell it again. Why should new versions of software products always have to be better in case of functionality than their predecessor version? Will customers also appreciate new software, which is “only” better under the hood, in terms of architecture, speed? I think costumers will not use software that is big, inertial, and complicated to use. David Pouge tries to point out this issue with his newest video at the New York Times Technology rubric:

  Pouge denotes that Apple will try to go a different way with MacOS Snow Leopard now. I think the main goal with this version of MacOS is to gain a modern, slim and stable version of their operating system to work on for later releases. Under the motto it is better to make one step back and have the opportunity to make a giant leap forward.

  In my opinion also Microsoft should consider to clean up their software products to get durable solutions. Windows 7 seems going this way – to be a well-engineered version of vista, but they still have a big focus on adding new functionality.

• 15 Jun

  

  Posted by
  joesonic

  
  

  Category

  • Android
  • Apple
  • Mobile
  • Software

  Market Share of mobile AppStores by number of Applications

  1

  I have tried out to compare mobile application stores by their number of available applications. Starting with Apple mobile application stores have become very popular to download programs and games directly to the users smartphone. Now nearly every big player has launched a platform where different applications are hosted. I have compared platforms of the 5 major players in case of application variety:

  Name of the Store	Platform	Company
  Apple AppStore	iPhone OS	Apple
  Android Market	Android	Google
  Palm AppStore	Palm OS	Palm
  Ovi Store	Symbian	Nokia
  AppWorld	Blackberry OS	Research in Motion (RIM)

  All in all it is not so easy to compare the total number of applications, because there are no official or correct information available. Most headlines give the impression platforms start with 10000+ applications, but if you take a closer look at different applications you find out that these numbers are utopian. By June 2009 there are good numbers about Apples AppStore. They provide about 50000 applications and games, where 11000 of these are free (~87 % Market Share). Android Market has nearly 6000 applications which is about 10 % Market Share. Palm claims to have about 3000 applications available, which is about 5 % Market Share. But I get the impression this number include also Windows mobile applications. Nokia has only about 250 application available for their Symbian S60 v5 phones (0.5 % Market Share). And Blackberry has only 15 featured applications listed in their online platform. I could not verify the total number of BlackBerry applications because therefore you need a BackBerry phone.

  

  Market Share by total number of Applications

  In conclusion it can be said that the success of a mobile platform or operation system depends on the variety and number of application. It is a very easy equation that allows you to predict the success of an application:

  • The higher the amount of applications the higher the success of a platform!

  In my opinion big players in the smartphone market will be the iPhone OS and Android. It is difficult to say what will happen to Palm and the big looser will be Nokia (See also following article: http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/05/26/nokia-ovi-store-launch-is-a-complete-disaster/).

• 14 Mar

  

  Posted by
  joesonic

  
  

  Category

  • GIS
  • Software

  ArcGIS Explorer with Ribbon Interface

  0

  A quick preview of the upcoming ArcGIS Explorer 900 release from ESRI. This version will include the ribbon interface, which is known from Office 2007. On the ESRI homepage ist can be read that this version will be available Q2 2009 right after the release of version 9.3.1. I think we will see the new version during the developer summit 2009 (March 23-26).
  

  Following new features are expected for ArcGIS Explorer 900:

  • New User Experience — ribbon interface.
  • Integrated 2D and 3D Display—allowing users to choose their display mode.
  • Presentation Tools
  • Easy to Configure and Customize—New tools provide an easy way to tailor applications to a specific audience or to specific needs.
    • Do not require programming
    • Multiple configurations can be authored and managed centrally
    • Software development kit (SDK) lets developers build custom tools and add-ins to extend ArcGIS Explorer’s capabilities
  • Virtual Earth Services—Continually updated basemaps and layers from ArcGIS Online.
    • Includes Virtual Earth imagery, streets, and hybrid layers.
    • Available as a subscription-based service to standalone ArcGIS Explorer users. However, if you are an ArcGIS Desktop (ArcInfo, ArcEditor, ArcView) user, you can use the same Virtual Earth content for free in ArcGIS Explorer that you use in ArcGIS Desktop.
  • Internationalization—Support for multiple languages in both the ArcGIS Explorer user interface and in the online Help.
  • ArcGIS Online Sharing—Search for, discover, and use additional content.
  • Improved Data Support—Includes:
    • Full support for the new layer packages that can be created using ArcGIS Desktop 9.3.1. Layer packages enable ArcGIS Explorer users to leverage ArcGIS Desktop cartography.
    • Improved support for KML/KMZ files, including support for regionated KML.

  [via ESRI.com]

• 13 Mar

  

  Posted by
  joesonic

  
  

  Category

  • GIS
  • Internet
  • Software
  • Videos

  Some infos on the ESRI DevSummit 2009

  0

  In 2009 ESRI holds their 4th developer summit in Palm Springs, CA. Between March 23-26 various sessions covering the whole product line of ArcGIS will be covered. Of course news about the version 9.3.1 will be demonstrated and an outlook on 9.4 will be given. The keynote session will be held by David Chappell, principal of Chappell & Associates in San Francisco, California.

  

  One of the most promoted session is the ArcGIS Silverlight API, which will compliment the JavaScript API and the Flex API.

  Jim Barry, EDN’s program manager, provides an outline of the DevSummit and defines each component of the event -> watch the following video.
  

  Following Program is planned:

  Demo Theater	Day/Time
  Extending ArcLogistics	Mon 4:00pm
  Creating custom clients for the ArcGIS Server Image extension	Mon 5:00pm
  ArcGIS Business Analyst Server	Mon 6:00pm
  Building SharePoint Web Parts with the Web ADF	Tue 1:00pm
  ArcGIS Explorer 900 Developer: A truly managed experience	Tue 2:00pm
  Developing Real-Time Applications with Tracking Analyst and Tracking Server	Tue 3:00pm
  Creating Custom GIS Portals using GIS Portal Toolkit	Tue 4:00pm
  Developing custom forms and queries for ArcPad AXF files	Tue 5:00pm
  Using application configurations to roll out a customized ArcGIS Explorer 900 experience	Wed 10:00am
  Extending, customizing and implementing the Situational Awareness Bundle	Wed 11:00am
  Geometric Networks for Developers	Wed 12:00pm
  Performing Network Analysis with Geoprocessing	Wed 1:00pm
  Developing Applications for ArcGIS for AutoCAD	Wed 2:00pm
  Integrating Microsoft Silverlight with the Web ADF	Wed 3:00pm
  Leverage Dynamic Display in ArcGIS Engine Applications	Wed 4:00pm
  Presummit Seminar	Day/Time
  Introduction to ArcGIS Explorer 900	Mon 8:30am
  Introduction to ESRI’s Developer Technologies	Mon 8:30am
  Designing and Developing Geoprocessing Tools with ArcGIS	Mon 1:00pm
  Developer’s Guide to the Geodatabase	Mon 1:00pm
  Technical Session	Day/Time
  A Developers Guide to ArcGIS Server	Tue 1:00pm
  Developing .NET Applications for ArcGIS Engine	Tue 1:00pm
  Developing Java Applications with ArcGIS Engine	Tue 1:00pm
  Effective Geodatabase Programming	Tue 1:00pm
  Migrating VBA/VB6 ArcObjects Applications to .NET	Tue 1:00pm
  Programming and Design Patterns for the ArcGIS Mobile API	Tue 1:00pm
  Support Operations and Processes presentation	Tue 1:00pm
  9.4 Beta Program presentation	Tue 2:45pm
  An overview of the ArcGIS JavaScript APIs	Tue 2:45pm
  Building .NET Applications using the ArcGIS Server Web ADF	Tue 2:45pm
  Building and Extending Tasks for ArcGIS Server Java Web Applications	Tue 2:45pm
  Building Geoprocessing Tools with Python	Tue 2:45pm
  Enhancing Your Applications with ArcGIS Online	Tue 2:45pm
  Moving Desktop Applications to ArcGIS Server	Tue 2:45pm
  ArcGIS Server Performance and Scalability—Performance Factors and Optimization	Tue 4:30pm
  Best Practices for Designing Effective Map Services	Tue 4:30pm
  Building Your First Rich Internet Applications with ArcGIS API for Flex	Tue 4:30pm
  Custom Raster Format Support in ArcGIS through GDAL	Tue 4:30pm
  Extending the ArcGIS Desktop Applications	Tue 4:30pm
  Implementing Security for ArcGIS Server Java Solutions	Tue 4:30pm
  Using the ArcGIS Server REST API	Tue 4:30pm
  ArcGIS Server Performance and Scalability – Testing Methodologies	Wed 10:30am
  Customization with the ArcGIS Server Image Extension	Wed 10:30am
  Customizing Editing Workflows with the Java Web ADF	Wed 10:30am
  Developing Advanced Applications with the ArcGIS API for Flex	Wed 10:30am
  Developing Advanced Applications with the ArcGIS JavaScript API	Wed 10:30am
  Python Scripting—Advanced Techniques	Wed 10:30am
  Working with ArcGIS Server Services Using the SOAP API	Wed 10:30am
  Building and Optimizing Geoprocessing Services for ArcGIS Server	Wed 1:00pm
  Developing with ArcGIS Raster APIs	Wed 1:00pm
  Extending ArcGIS with Java	Wed 1:00pm
  Implementing Security for ArcGIS Server .NET Solutions	Wed 1:00pm
  Introduction to the ArcGIS API for Microsoft Silverlight	Wed 1:00pm
  Patterns and Best Practices for Building Applications with ArcGIS API for Flex	Wed 1:00pm
  Programming and Design Patterns for ArcPad	Wed 1:00pm
  Advanced Map Caching Topics	Wed 2:45pm
  Creating a 3D Virtual City using ArcGIS	Wed 2:45pm
  Developing Advanced Applications with the ArcGIS API for Flex	Wed 2:45pm
  Distributed Geodatabase Development	Wed 2:45pm
  Extending ArcGIS Server with Java	Wed 2:45pm
  Introducing and Implementing ArcGIS Explorer 900—Part I	Wed 2:45pm
  Top 10 How-tos for the ArcGIS Server .NET ADF	Wed 2:45pm
  Best Practices for Designing Effective Map Services	Wed 4:30pm
  Building Custom Tasks for ArcGIS Server .NET Web Applications	Wed 4:30pm
  Building Your First Rich Internet Applications with ArcGIS API for Flex	Wed 4:30pm
  Customizing Graphics and MapTips with the Java Web ADF	Wed 4:30pm
  Implementing Enterprise Applications with the Geodatabase	Wed 4:30pm
  Introducing and Implementing ArcGIS Explorer 900—Part II	Wed 4:30pm
  Patterns and Best Practices for Building Applications with ArcGIS API for JavaScript	Wed 4:30pm
  Building great web maps using ArcGIS	Thu 8:30am
  Customizing Graphics and MapTips with the .NET Web ADF	Thu 8:30am
  Developing Advanced Applications with the ArcGIS JavaScript API	Thu 8:30am
  Developing Defense Applications using Military Analyst and MOLE	Thu 8:30am
  Developing for the GeoWeb: Notes from the Field	Thu 8:30am
  ESRI Product Licensing	Thu 8:30am
  Working Effectively with the Geodatabase Using SQL	Thu 8:30am
  An overview of the ArcGIS JavaScript APIs	Thu 10:15am
  ArcGIS 9.4—The Road Ahead for Developers	Thu 10:15am
  ArcGIS Server Performance and Scalability—Performance Factors and Optimization	Thu 10:15am
  Deploying ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Engine Applications in .NET	Thu 10:15am
  Implementing ArcGIS Mobile Applications for the Enterprise	Thu 10:15am
  Leveraging the OGC Capabilities of ArcGIS Server	Thu 10:15am
  Patterns and Best Practices for Building Applications with the ArcGIS API for Microsoft Silverlight	Thu 10:15am
  Advanced Map Caching Topics	Thu 1:30pm
  ArcGIS Server Performance and Scalability – Testing Methodologies	Thu 1:30pm
  Building and Optimizing Geoprocessing Services for ArcGIS Server	Thu 1:30pm
  Building ArcGIS Applications for AutoCAD	Thu 1:30pm
  Customization with the ArcGIS Server Image Extension	Thu 1:30pm
  Patterns and Best Practices for Building Applications with ArcGIS API for Flex	Thu 1:30pm
  Patterns and Best Practices for Building Applications with ArcGIS API for JavaScript	Thu 1:30pm
  User Presentation	Day/Time
  Building RESTful Apps and Services Using MVC	Tue 1:00pm
  Philadelphia Map Plug-in: Reusable Map Control with ArcGIS API for FLEX	Tue 2:00pm
  ArcGIS, the Web, and the GPU – Advancing 3D GIS Visualization	Tue 3:00pm
  Unit Testing 101: Building Testable Applications	Tue 4:00pm
  Dynamically Creating and Deleting Map Services and Layers Using VB.NET and ArcGIS Server	Tue 5:00pm
  Using OpenLayers with ArcGIS Server REST API	Wed 10:00am
  Building ArcGIS Mobile Applications with the WPF Composite Application Library	Wed 11:00am
  Harnessing Server Object Extensions	Wed 12:00pm
  Print & Legend Web Services for the ArcGIS JS API or WebADF	Wed 1:00pm
  Flex, REST, WMS and Distributed Processing for Economic Development	Wed 2:00pm
  Implementing a Custom Image Server Raster Format	Wed 3:00pm
  Intro to Agile Software Development	Wed 4:00pm

  

  You can also watch videos about some sessions of the previous developer summit of 2008: 2008 DevSummit Presentations

  Link: http://www.esri.com/events/devsummit/index.html

• 09 Mar

  

  Posted by
  joesonic

  
  

  Category

  • Fun
  • Software

  Is it Windows 7 or Linux?

  0

  Is it Windows 7 or KDE 4? ZDNet Australia asks this question to people on the streets. They say: What do your think about the new Windows version. In Fact they showed Linux and KDE 4. But most people perceive this version (Linux) more intuitive to use than Windows Vista. Why then is the Linux market share so low and Microsoft still has such an dominant position on the market? I think people are afraid to switch and want to keep their habits. I will give Linux a try in the next couple of months (at least in a virtual machine), you too?

  Actual Market shares for OS (Net Applications 02/2009):

  • Windows: 88.42% (XP: 63.67%, Vista: 22.79%, 2000: 1.33%)
  • MacOS: 9.61%
  • Linux: 0.88%

  Even the disaster about Windows Vista have not changed market shares considerable. In my opinion there are too many different distributions, which confuses the end user. In the mobile sector this Andriod is a promising candidate to challenge Windows Mobile.

  [via derStandard, ZDNet Australia]

• 27 Oct

  

  Posted by
  joesonic

  
  

  Category

  • Mobile
  • Software

  Google Earth for iPhone

  0

  It was only a question of time since Google Earth will be available on the iPhone. Now it is available as free download form the iTunes App Store.
  Even if Google is promoting their own handset platform (Android) the is a strong relation to Apples and the iPhone. Now they have developed a own customized application of Google Earth. The functionality is quite similar to the desktop version. Of course the interface is optimized for the touch screen and the sensors. The following videos shows how to interact with Google Earth on an iPhone.

  The software can also be used for the iPod touch.

  [via derStandard.at]

• 04 Sep

  

  Posted by
  joesonic

  
  

  Category

  • Programming
  • Research
  • Software

  SiliconAlps.tv presents Carinthian High Tech Start-Ups

  0

  Georg Holzer has started his newest project called SiliconAlps.tv. It is a web based video channel, which introduces Carinthian start up companies. Many companies, which were shown so far are coming from the Lakeside Park Klagenfurt, a habitat for small software companies. I’m working at Klagenfurts Lakeside Park and know a lot of the companies and people working there. Video #4 from Liscon is very interesting. From the two guys I should have learned programming, and they are funny and really smart (and by the way Linux fans). I’ll never forget that we have to write Gerhad Schadens exam for “Programming 2″ on a Sunday morning in the mid of the summer holidays – Those were the days… And by the way thank you for your lectures.

  (For my english only readers, I’m sorry the embeded video is available in german.)
  
  004 – Liscon from Georg Holzer on Vimeo.
  The idea of the video channel is great. I hope a lot of people recognize this portal.

  [Link: www.siliconalps.tv]

• 02 Sep

  

  Posted by
  joesonic

  
  

  Category

  • Software

  Picasa 3.0 – New Version available

  0

  Today Google has not only released a new Browser (Google Chrome), they also introduced a new version of Picasa Web Albums and their Picasa software. Picasa Web Albums looks a little bit fresher. Some news includes different tabs to explore and manage photos. Additionally it is possible to upload new photos via email. The change of the image size can be done smoothly and the album map has  been extended. But the biggest feature is definitively face recognition. It takes a little while until all photos are scanned and faces have to be tagged.

  

  Also the Picasa software itself has a new interface with additional features.

  One thing still hasn’t changed: Picasa Web Albums offers only 1 GB storage for free. That’s unacceptable nowadays.

• 25 Aug

  

  Posted by
  joesonic

  
  

  Category

  • GeoWeb
  • Internet
  • Software

  Create a 3-dimensional Environment with your Photos

  0

  We explore our surroundings, with every technology we have. From text to audio to maps to photos. Now there is a new technology freely available to represent place – Photosynth. Photosynth comes from Microsoft and you can build up your own 3d environment with your digital camera and the Photosynth software.

  This is how it works:

  1. You make a lot of photos of your surrounding with as many overlapping as possible. Walk around and change zoom and angle.
  2. Go to http://www.photosynth.net and download and install the software plugin in your web browser.
  3. The software automatically compares all your photos and finds out how they go together and uploads them to the web.
  4. The result is a 3d virtual representation which can be seen by anyone via the Internet.

  The optimistic overall goal of the developers is to create a 3d photo-realistic representation of the whole world.

  Still there are some limitations and drawbacks:

  • Creating a good Photosync takes patience and practice.
  • Every spot in the environment has to be included in at least three photos.
  • No Mac version until now.
  • You cannot create a private version of your composed photos.
  • Alternative Quicktime VR (available for years).

  [via David Pogue, NYT]