Motorola will not allow itself to be left out as far as Android-based handsets are concerned. And to make life easier for the app developers, Motorola releases the MOTODEV Studio an Android development resource for apps specifically for Motorola handsets.

The launch of this new platform is seen as something in line with the rapid growth of the Android platform. We have seen it in most smartphones in the market today and to make sure that Motorola has its share of the limelight, the MOTODEV Studio is certainly one that should keep them on track.

For the app developers, here is what you can expect:

• Early access to tools, technical specs, documentation and other development support resources.
• Exclusive pre-release access to upcoming Motorola devices for testing and debugging.
• Direct access to Motorola’s developer support engineers via private discussion boards.
• Maximum market exposure for applications as soon as new mobile devices ship to users.

Motorola will also make publicly available the MOTODEV Studio for Android Beta. MOTODEV Studio is a powerful, Eclipse- based integrated development environment that works with Google’s software development kit.

(Source) Press

Tags: Business, developer support engineers, development resource, direct access, discussion boards, Eclipse, Google, integrated development environment, kit source, launch, limelight, maximum market exposure, mobile devices, Mobile Software, motodev, Motorola, motorola devices, motorola handsets, rapid growth, software development kit, support resources, technical specs

Here is a useful iPhone app that travelers to London will certainly find helpful. Especially for first timers, the London Spot-on app is sure to help travelers find the top local spots for a purchase or a pint. The new app offers visitors an in-pocket extension of Air New Zealand’s renowned Inflight Concierge service, providing one-touch access to resources such as travel deals, tube maps, hand-picked recommendations and can’t-miss events and tourist sites.

“Air New Zealand has always set the standard for air travel, providing our customers with seamless service that extends far beyond the onboard experience,” said Roger Poulton, Air New Zealand vice president – the Americas. “Our world-first Inflight Concierge service is a key example of how we’ve improved the travel experience, and now passengers can take this expertise directly from the plane to their pocket.”

Features include:

• Personally-recommended places to eat, shop, relax and experience
• One-touch access to query Air New Zealand Concierge staff
• Hand-picked Activities sorted by genre, source and proximity
• Interactive Tube Map
• London Taxi numbers pre-programmed
• Eavesdrop on local Twitter chatter
• Plan a trip offline, roaming or even at 30,000 feet in ‘plane mode.’ Sync feature enables download of the latest local activities directly to the iPhone or iTouch.
• Automatically awaits Wi-FI connection prior to downloading updates, saving on international data roaming fees
• Direct access to air fares and special Air New Zealand offers and promotions

London. Spot-On is available for free download from iTunes at www.itunes.com. The app is compatible with iPhone and iTouch and requires the iPhone 2.0 software update.

(Source) Press

Tags: air fares, air new zealand, Apple, concierge service, concierge staff, direct access, first timers, iPhone, iPhone, itouch, iTunes, london taxi, Mobile Software, pint, plan a trip, poulton, seamless service, software update, staff hand, tourist sites, travel experience, tube map london, tube maps

The Nokia 5730 XpressMusic is the first music-optimized phone to offer a full QWERTY keyboard for easier messaging. The real highlight for the Nokia 5730 is the Homescreen for XpressMusic. This provides access and dynamic information on music, people, games, email and calendar.

The Homescreen features an improved contacts bar with up to 20 friends and family members and provides direct access to music, N-Gage and other applications, like Facebook, Photos, Ovi Contacts, Maps, messaging and more. With Ovi Contacts, people see which friends are online, chat and even view what music they are listening to.

With the dedicated gaming keys the Nokia 5730 XpressMusic is a true N-Gage gadget. Direct access to the N-Gage Arena community and the preloaded N-Gage games invite to connect and compete and check high scores with online friends.

The Nokia 5730 XpressMusic is expected to begin shipping in the third quarter of 2009 for an estimated retail price of 280 EUR before subsidies and taxes.

(Source) Nokia

Tags: Cell Phones, direct access, email, first music, friends and family, full qwerty keyboard, gadget, high scores, highlight, homescreen, maps, Nokia, nokia nokia, photos, retail price