Gmail Android – One Billion Downloads

Latest India TV reports, that Gmail, the reigning Web based email service has recently added another feather in its cap by adding the first ever app in the Android market which has reached one billion download milestone. Google’s Gmail app has now become the first standalone smartphone app which has passed the one billion installations on Android devices.

The apps download tally counts the overall number of unique accounts, with the exception of total number of downloads and devices using the app and according to Android Police, the number probably includes some abandoned as well as duplicate accounts. Earlier around 2012, Gmail had around 425 million active monthly users, which has now increased with the entry of the Android and according to AppBrain site; Gmail had reached the halfway billion mark way back in June 2013.

Gmail – Celebrating 2 Year Anniversary 

With the mounting demand of Gmail app together with other Google Play apps have attributed to the demands of Android in which most of the tools are installed through default on Android 2.2 and above, on every certified Android operating device. The mobile platform has been efficient in achieving this target.


Gmail, it is said will be celebrating its 2 year anniversary as one of the most widely used email service by next month which just shows how big Google’s role has been in contributing to the mobile industry. The app was installed on all Google Android devices as a part of Google’s licensing covering most of the Android software powered smartphones, tablets and other devices that are available everywhere with the exception of China and is updated automatically when connected to the Google Play store.

Outfit 7’s Range of Talking Friends/Angry Birds 

The milestone was crossed somewhere last week as announced by Google’s head of Android, Sundar Pichai and the Google Play store ranks the apps by downloads done in different ranges and Gmail Android app ticked over to the one to five billion bracket.Severalgroups of apps namely Outfit 7’s range of Talking Friends apps, though have already passed the one billion downloads milestone, not a single individual app has been downloaded one billion times on its own before this.

 The Angry Birds collections of games however had broken the one billion downloads in the year 2012. Gmail’s one billion downloads strengthens data on how many Google powered Android devices are sold, with Google’s executive stating that more than a billion Android device activation had been passed last year.

Google+/YouTube/Chrome/Maps

This implies how important Google’s agreements are to have their apps installed by default in fuelling download as well as encouraging users of its services. Manufacturers do not have access to Google‘s Play Store without installation of the Google’s suite of apps and putting them in a prominent position.

 Some of the other Google apps are Google+, Chrome, YouTube and Maps though they all remain under the one billion app install barrier and Chrome has been listed as being installed less than 500,000 as per the Play Store. Gmail has been part of the defaultinstallation ever since Google introduced Android in the year 2009.

IBM’s Replacement for NAND

New Project Theseus of IBM has some promising and capable ways of replacing the NAND in the long term with a widely higher performance together with better write endurance which would make this technology an excellent choice in storage if someone agrees in the manufacture of the same. IBM had portrayed a new way of memory technology which the company considers to be a replacement for NAND flash someday, and the company’s Theseus Project which is conducted in coordination with the University of Patras in Greece seems to be the first attempt in combining phase change memory, conventional NAND and DRAM on a single controller. The outcome is a hybridized storage solution which outperforms PCIe based SSDs between 12 and 275 times.

Physics of Phase Change Memory

The physics of phase change : The phase change memory is one of those alternative memory structure which has been proposed as a kind of replacement for NAND and the phase change memory operates by rapidly heating chalcogenide glass, moving it between it crystalline and amorphous state. While in its amorphous state which is read as binary 0, the structure has a very high resistance and in its crystalline state which is known as binary 1, the resistance is comparatively low. Phase change memory has the capabilities of quickly shifting between the two state and research done from Intel and Micron have also demonstrated the feasibility of intermediate states that enables two bits of information which can be stored in each cell.

Hybrid Structure for Effective Leverage

Moreover phase change memory has a much lower latency than NAND with a much faster read, write times in theory, and can tolerate millions of write cycles when compared to30,000 high end SLC NAND as well as few as 1,000 with TLC NAND. Besides, it is also well positioned compared to various other theoretical memory devices and NAND flash has huge economies of scale with billions invested in fab plants all across the globe. IBM along with Theseus has incorporated a small amount of PCM into a hybrid structure for effective leverage with its ultra-low latency characteristics.

3D NAND Better Choice

These early PCMs were built on a 90 nm CMOS at very low density where modern NAND flash is available presently in 512Gbit size when compared to 128Mbit for PCM. It is a compact order of magnitude which is faster than a commercial NAND accompanied with superior write performance with data longevity. Though there lies a problem where IBM makes a point that its PSS solution utilises 90nm memory which is produced by Micron, who earlier this year gave notice that it would be cancelling all of its PCM production and would be pulling out of the industry, while leaving the door open to revisit the memory tech sometime in the near future, they also indicated that the superior scaling of a 3D NAND would be a better choice inspite of the various problem faced with the technology in short term.

PCM – Promising Next Generation Memory Technology

According to 2013 ITRS report, it was noted that NAND performance was not expected to increase much from its present situation but in fact would be a bit difficult in maintaining current NAND performance while making improvement in density and holding write endurance constant. Presently PCM seems to be a promising next generation memory technology and someone needs to step in the manufacture of it or else it would be a difficult sell.

Google Glass goes on sale to US public

Google Glass, an Eyewear based Device

Google says that the eyewear based device, Google Glass, a hotly anticipated internet connected eyewear, is moving to `open beta’, which would be available at $1,500 till the stock last and has put its Glass headset for sale to consumers in the US.

This eyewear mounted devices presently is at the beta development level and would on sale for a limited time till the stock is available. The company had stated on a blog post that it had finally decided to go ahead onto a more open beta in the development of the device.Google had opened sale of Glass to the US public for a day briefly in April making it available to the public instead of just a select group of users like app developers.

Google had sold the headset for a day which previously had been available only in limited supply to the developers, especially only a selected number of businesses and aficionados.

Functions like High Definition Computer Screen

The company stated that it was striving to work on improvements on the hardware as well as the software though it did not specify how many glasses would be sold or if they would be making any more, once the same were sold out.

Anyone living in the US can now buy Google’s wearable product, the Google Glass, which is a stamp sized electronic screen mounted on the side of a pair of eyeglass frame with the capabilities to record video, access email, provide turn by turn driving indication and also retrieve information from the internet world by connecting wireless to a user’s mobile device.

It consist of a small clear strip which functions like a high definition computer screen which is hooked on the frames and is position within the wearer’s field of vision. Users can connect to the web and besides video recording, can map their location and the same is being used across several sectors.It has raised privacy and safety concerns urging legislators in some jurisdiction to consider bans or limits on its use including at the time of driving. The company also launched a try and buy program for potential buyers.

Running Apps like NameTag

Google Glass is not only the most ambitious product but also the most awaited product and the consumer version is probably expected to go on sale to the general public by the end of 2014. Moreover, Google would also be offering a free sunglass shade or possibly one of its latest introduced prescription glasses frames with any purchase done.

Besides a built in camera which can record video it could also be useful in gathering evidence and is capable of running apps like NameTag which can photograph a person as well as identify them by scouring social networks for a match.

If the device is used by police it could probably be set up along with an app which would enable officers to search databases of unidentified offenders and outstanding warrants. In the meantime, Google is continuing in putting all efforts in expanding offerings on Glass with its announcement of Android KitKat 4.4 update together with iPhone SMS and Calendar feature. As per reports it was also revealed that Google Glass would probably get a dual lens in the near future.

Great Mobile Platforms Android Vs iOS

Android and iOS both are great mobile platforms and have room for improvement as well as different ideas for what the users need. Google’s Android together with Apple’s iOSis excellent operating systems which are used primarily in mobile technology like the smartphones and tablets.

Android, a Linux based and a partly open source is more of a PC than iOS, where its interface and basic features are more customizable from top to bottom, though the uniform design element of iOS tends to be seen as being more users friendly.

The options from smartphone and tablet system should be considered with care since switching from iOS to Android or vice versa will involve the purchase of apps again in the Google Play or Apple App Store. Android presently being the world’s most common preference in smartphone platform is used by several different phone manufacturers while iOS is only used on Apple devices like the iPhone.

iOS Pros and Cons 

Apps come to iOS first despite its tiny market share and these devices tend to see app release much ahead of Android. They have strict app policies where iTunes app stores utilizes these polices to keep average app quality high.

 The iOS interface is quite good with the overall UX does not change from what users have got familiar with. Quality hardware – iOSis available on a few devices though Apple has a high standard for those devices and ensures that each device is well designed and capable in functioning.

Lack of customization – By maximising user friendliness, Apple has created an environment that for the most part with default settings could be good for all and excellent for users who would like the choice of many options but frustrating for others who would be interested in personalizing their experience. Users can face lack of device option with two to three choices for iPhone, or two choices for iPad with each device being a lot similar.

Android Pros and Cons

In Android there is a huge device variety which comes in all shapes, sizes and prices with every manufacturer having their own particular blend of Android, with extra features together with capabilities. This results in competition with fast innovation from the UX point of view.

Android devices are highly customizable and are more open than Apple devices right from downloading new default font to overhauling theuser interface and the changes are more accessible on an Android device.

App Policies are less restrictive where Google Play has their own policies that are not as strict as the iTunes stores, though Google Play is not the only choice to distribute Android app and if Google Play tends to reject an app, there are other sources available.

Android has extremely versatile software which can power various types of devices best phones and tablets. It is also used to control set top boxes various headless devices and drones.

The app quality in Android, due to its lighter restrictions and the possibility in side loading apps easily, are not as dependable as iOS. Moreover, with side loading from other sources there could be a possibility of getting infected with malicious software.

With the entry of various Android devices coming up most of the manufactures do not have Apple’s reputation when it comes to reliability of products which is applicable to both the hardware as well the propriety software which is provided by the maker of these devices.

Classroom – Online Tool – Google Apps for Education

Google is planning to offer a new online tool in its Google Apps for Education suite known as Classroom. This offer is designed with teachers in mind intending to help them with their daily work in assistance with the efficient organisation and creation of the assignments, needed in the education of their students.

 It provides a simple way to give feedback to students on individual basis while communicating more easily with the classes.

 Classroom, the new tool which was unveiled on Teacher Appreciation Day, makes use of several Google services which include Google Doc, Drive and Gmail to enable teachers to create and organise their assignments swiftly, providing feedback in an efficient manner and communicate with their class with ease.

It was designed with the intention of providing hand in hand with teachers to enable them to save time, improve communication with the students, and keep the classes organized enabling them to function smoothly in their daily work.

Simple and Easy – More Time to Teach and Learn

Classroom is based on the principle of making the educational tool, simple and easy to use, giving teachers the opportunity on more time to teach as well as for the students, more time to learn. Google’s former math teacher, Zach Yeskel himself wrote in a blog post announcing the news.

This free tool is focused in making it easier in the creating and collection of assignments paperless, which can be seen quickly on who has or has not completed the work, providing direct, real time feedback to individual students.

 Moreover, it also helps in improving class communication wherein the teachers can make announcements, ask questions and comment with students in real time, thereby improving communication in and out of the class.

Drive Folder – Individual Assignment/Student

Besides, the capabilities of being organised with the classroom, automatically creating Drive folders for every individual assignment as well as the student, where the students can see easily whatever is due on their Assignment page.

 The Mountain View Company would be inviting a limited number of interested applicants to try it, somewhere early next month. Educators interested in trying out Classroom could apply for the same.

Classroom tool is easy to set up where teachers can add students directly or even share a code with their class to join which takes around a few minutes to set up. Its simple paperless assignment workflow enables teacher in creating, reviewing, and grade assignment swiftly all at a single location.

Improve Organization/Enhance Communication

It helps from the point of improving organization, wherein students can see all their assignments on an assignment page, where all the class materials that are automatically filed into a folder in Google Drive.

Enhancing communication enables teachers to send announcements and question instantly and with student having the facility to post to the stream, they are in a better position to help out their classmates.

Overall it is affordable and secure and like the rest of our Google Apps for Education services, Classroom does not have any advertisements, does not use the contents or the student’s data for advertising purpose and is free for all schools.

Classroom would be available to any school using Google Apps for Education by September this year.