We've been reading some great stuff at Pravda Media Group that you might enjoy as well.  So, pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit down, and get your read on -- you'll feel more productive than if you're just trawling Facebook.

Eight Ways To Go Viral

http://techcrunch.com/2011/12/26/eight-ways-go-viral/

Uzi Shmilovici, CEO and founder of Future Simple, explains virality and demonstrates some great tools companies use to boost theirviral factor.

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Why Android updates are a mess: it's the business model

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/why-android-updates-are-a-mess-its-the-business-model/4300

Ed Bott explains why The Android business model practically guarantees that updates will be a mess.

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The Amazing Power of Deflationary Economics for Startups

http://www.bothsidesofthetable.com/2011/12/22/the-amazing-power-of-deflationary-economics-for-startups/

Mark Suster argues that the most succesfull internet companies are the ones that offer amazing value  at high volumes which  makes it nearly impossible for high-cost incumbents to compete.

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The year in mobile apps: Where we’ve been, where we’re going

http://gigaom.com/2011/12/25/the-year-in-mobile-apps-where-weve-been-where-were-going/

Erica Ogg gives a nice overlook at the year we've had of mobile apps and has some great predictions for what's ahead.

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And we're curious:  What have YOU been reading?

Google released their Android app inventor, an intuitive development tool for non developers, that enables anyone to develop and publish an android app.
Open ecosystem followers rejoice!
Well, sorry, but it seems that instead of improving Android's ecosystem, this latest move will only harm it.
You see, Android is becoming the new Symbian. Too many devices, too many different features in each phone, and not enough standardization. We are back to square one, explaining to our customers which phones are supported by the apps we develop for them.
And now things are going to get worse. Instead of improving user experience and providing better apps, Google are opening their app market to a flood of poorly written, mostly useless and probably badly designed applications.
When deciding between "open" and "just works" I chose the later. Ecosystem should cater consumers with easy to use, high quality, and screened apps.
Google will win the smartphone market. The sheer volume of new android phones will eventually eclipse Apple's production power. But at the end of the day, Android Is heading towards lower consumer satisfaction, bigger headache for developers, and a clear decision to chose quantity over quality.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Google Releases DIY Android App Inventor (w/ Video) (physorg.com)
• Android App inventor - Now even a novice can create apps for mobile ! (trak.in)