Comixology iOS users slam decision to get rid of in-app purchases

Comixology, one of the top-grossing apps made for Apple's iOS platform, was abruptly updated over the weekend with a change that will now force all iPhone and iPad users to purchase their new comics from the company's website.

In a statement sent to Engadget, Comixology stated that the reason for this change was related to its recent acquisition by Amazon, which also does not have an in-app purchasing system for its iOS Kindle app. It stated that users will actually have more choice by purchasing comics on the web and syncing them to their iOS app. In addition to the iOS app, Comixology on Android now has a new in-app purchasing system that does away with buying comics via the Google Play system.

Comixology is trying to make this change easier for its users by offering a generous $5 credit towards purchasing new comics from their service. However, the app reviews for the iOS version have taken a turn for the worse following the changes on Saturday as many users are highly critical of the decision to remove the in-app purchase. The overall review rating for the app is now at one and a half stars. One comment stated, "Adding the extra step of going to their website to purchase the comic, then having to return to the device on which you want to read it, is completely unnecessary."

Source: Comixology via Engadget | Image via Comixology

Google looking to offer premium in-store experience with Android Silver

A new Google service appears to be in the works that would introduce customers to a premium Android experience. If this program comes to fruition, it will allow Google to hand pick a set of Android handsets from different OEM's and market them to the public as a premium Android handset.
There have always been strong feelings in regards to the fragmentation issue in the Android ecosystem and while the situation has gotten better, there are still handsets that seem to lose support after a year or two. This program will attempt to unify the experience by creating a strict set of criteria that each "Android Silver" handset would meet. 
According to Android Police, Android Silver requirements would include:

• Google will choose the top 5 handsets from various OEM's
• The handset will run the latest version of Android with no or very limited customizations
• The transition from a standard to Android Silver handset will be seamless with transferring applications, settings, configurations, and data.
• Offer exclusive services to Android Silver handset owners

Google will also make sure there is a physical presence in retail stores when the program is launched. Similarly, Google currently offers several handsets from a couple of different manufactures on its online store. 

These 'Google Edition' handsets run the latest edition of Android with zero modifications.While the Android Silver program seems to closely align with what Google is currently offering online, there will be a difference with the Android Silver handsets being direct towards carriers. The importance of this program will lay strictly on the customer support, which Google currently cannot provide due to its lack of a physical retail presence.

Source : Android Police | Image via Google

"Ok Google" moves beyond Nexus 5 as Google Now launcher lands on all Nexus and GPe devices

Google launched its Google Now launcher for Android 4.4 KitKat with the Nexus 5 back in Nobember but it didn’t make it available for other KitKat running devices such as the Nexus 4, Nexus 7 and the various Google Play Editions of popular smartphones.

Now, the company has launched the Google Now launcher on the Google Play Store and can be installed immediately on qualifying devices.

The features of the launcher include easy access to Google Now, which is now available at a single swipe on the homescreen. In addition to this, a user can simply say “Ok Google” and initiate a voice input sequence on the device. Apart from the search and discovery features of the launcher, it also provides a slightly revamped notification drawer and homescreen with larger icons and less wasted space. The wallpaper picker is also said to be improved in the Now launcher.

Android users can check out the Google Now launcher in the Play Store here.

Source: Google Play Store | Image via Google

Flappy Bird removed from Google Play Store, iOS App Store

The viral mobile game "Flappy Bird" has been removed from the Apple and Play Store after the developer, Dong Nguyen, claimed the game was "ruining his life."

"Flappy Bird" took the gaming community by surprise, reaching over 50 million downloads, and hitting the No. 1 spot on both the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. The actual game was programmed in "just a few nights" and used a graphical style similar to Nintendo's classic Mario games. It was released in May 2013, though it didn't find popularity until recently, when it became a smash hit.

Before going silent on Twitter, Nguyen said that the attention he's received for the game, such as the stress of earning approximately $50,000 a day, were why he removed it from the stores. Some have claimed he was afraid of legal action from Nintendo, however, which he denied. Nguyen said he is not accepting any offers to sell the game. 

Nguyen previously said he would bring the game to Windows Phone, though port almost certainly won't be released now.

Source: The Mirror | Flappy Bird and Twitter Feed via Amazon and Twitter