Froogloid

When is a2b going to Europe?

I’ve received a few emails from folks in Europe asking when they’ll be able to purchase a2b.  Unfortunately, the decision isn’t up to Froogoid.  We’re merely pawns in Google’s conquest to take over the mobile app world. Which means, we have to wait for the google market to support paid app in other countries.  Google’s communication has been limited, but here’s what they’ve said thus far ~

“We will also enable developers in Germany, Austria, Netherlands, France, and Spain to offer priced applications later this quarter. By the end of Q1 2009, we will announce support for developers in additional countries. Developers can find more information about priced applications in Android Market at http://market.android.com/support/”

Fingers crossed…. google will stay on schedule. 

Speaking of Europe … our good friends at www.androidworld.nl Holland have recently reviewed a2b and it appears they like what they see.  If you can read Dutch :) check it out.  Or, do like I did and use google translator.  Thanks Dimitry/Android World for the great review!      

New a2b Features!

At Froogloid we absolutely value feedback from our customers.  We received a few a2b enhancement requests, we listened and now we’ve delivered.  Check em out!  You won’t be disappointed!

1. Driving/turn by turn directions to saved location
2. Email google maps link with picture and free text note
3. Enhanced zoom logic on save location tab
4. Added icons to menu tabs

Enjoy! :)

Why Quality Matters?!

I just ran across a blog entry at Phandroid.com discussing the pros and cons of google’s 24 hour app return policy.  I replied with my thoughts and figured it probably made sense to post them here as well.  So here it tis..

I have mixed feelings but overall I think it’s good.    To be perfectly honest, we’ve experienced a very low return rate with a2b.   

Why? Several reasons: 

1)  a2b works!  and works really well!  We’ve found zero defects in production!  

2)  Our price is extremely competitive ~ $1.99! 

3)  a2b offers more features than other paid apps in our class (travel) [compass, GPS, camera, voice recording, free text notes, unlimited stored locations…on and on and on)

4) product support ~ I personally email every single person that purchases our app to say thank you and let them know if they have any issues they can personally contact me.  If someone returns the app I follow up to see why they returned.  

5) 4.67 stars out 5 with positive comments

In conclusion, build a solid product, support your customers, sell it at a reasonable price and returns should be a non issue.    

The Calm Before the Storm

Growing up in Oklahoma, the phrase “the calm before the storm” was often used. If you see storm clouds, but yet the wind and sounds of nature were unusually calm, watch out, you’re about get smacked in the face with nature’s fury! I feel the same applies with the android operating system. Although, if android takes off, likely your house won’t go with it! :)

So here’s my point ~ right now there is only one android capable phone on the market, T-Mobile G1. The phone itself is okay, not as sexy as an iPhone but it gets the job done. However, the underlying operating system, android, is very robust. The G1 proved 2 things; 1) the android operating system works, and works well! 2) The mobile application development community, companies like Froogloid, Big in Japan etc, are very committed to building fun/useful innovative applications for the android platform. Android beta phase is OVER and it’s the calm before the storm!

So what’s looming in the horizon? Well, 48 open handset alliance partners ready and willing to build android capable devices and deploy them on their networks. Android is open, which means android can and will be available on EVERY carrier (i.e. Verizon, sprint, vodafone, TIM etc..) no matter what type of network ~ GSM v. CDMA etc. Imagine android as a snowball. Right now, it’s at the top of the hill and has juuuussstt started rolling forward. As it moves, it picks up momentum, and with this momentum consumers all over the world will start to use and hear about android/”Google Phones”. But it really all comes down to one very simple ideal ~ consumers want cool phones. If there are 2 phones on display, lets say oh I don’t know, maybe an iPhone and the G1. The average consumer is going to pick the iPhone because it has that wow appeal. The consumer has no idea what the android operating system is and honestly doesn’t care. All they want is a cool, user friendly phone that they can show off to their friends. Obviously google and the OHA partners get this. There’s not going to be one iPhone killer, it’s going be death by a thousand cuts! :) Here’s a few examples of the android capable phones we’re going to see in 2009!

New Froogloid Site! Thanks Bittbox.com!

Hi everyone, you’ve probably noticed froogloid has a new and VERY much improved website! I’d like to give and VERY APPRECIATIVE thank you to Jay Hilgert from www.bittbox.com. Jay is a long time friend of mine and he’s been extremely helpful for getting froogloid off the ground. So far he’s designed and built the awesome a2b logo, a2b home screen icons and froogloid.com! Jay I can’t say thank you enough! Froogloid appreciates everything you’ve done for us!

Btw, Jay is a full time graphic artist and makes a living giving graphics away for free at www.bittbox.com. Sounds crazy I know! He must be another Froogloid :)

Thanks again Jay!

Chris