The push towards mobile games

At a time when most of the handset makers are offering similar features to their users, the companies are looking at mobile gaming to differentiate themselves.

Even the hardcore gamers have started converting towards the mobile games — partly due to sheer need, after all the consoles cannot be carried everywhere, and second, the mobile gaming segment is being taken seriously by even the handset makers.

It's good to be a part of the market which is being pampered by the mobile companies, right?

Sony Ericsson has launched a dedicated gaming phone, called Xperia Play, which has dedicated slide out keys for gaming. Since users are also able to make calls on the same device, gaming turns out to be an added bonus.

Windows Phone 7 Marketplace coming soon

Users can browse the full app catalogue on the marketplace, look at the app screenshots, and read app reviews as well. They can also share their favourite apps through Facebook, Twitter and through emails.

Windows Phone 7 has got yet another boost from Microsoft which will soon be coming up with the web based version of its app store for the platform.

The web based Windows Phone 7 Marketplace is likely to be released along with the Mango update of the smartphone operating system from Microsoft. The WP7 application store is likely to be built along the lines of Apple's iTunes store and the Android Marketplace. The marketplace will allow the users to browse app screenshots, complete catalogue of the apps and app reviews.

Google Wallet is first off the mark — Now What?

At this time, it is just a pilot run in which two cities and some retailers are participating, but if it succeeds, the potential is huge.

Like every other new idea, Google Wallet also has attracted its fair share of detractors who don't think the service will succeed. This is obvious as in case of any new service as most people don't know how it works, and how it may go on to succeed.

Many companies were thinking of using mobiles for making payments, but with Google Wallet, Google turned out to be the first company to make a major move on it. 

Google shortens Android app refund time to just 15 minutes

In iTunes all app sales are considered final. In the Amazon app store, users get a chance to try the applications on a virtual Android handset first, which negates chances of them becoming unsatisfied after the purchase.

Google has shortened the refund time period of applications purchased from the Android marketplace from 24 hours to just 15 minutes. Also, there would not be a refund at all if you are buying a particular app for the second time.

"You have 15 minutes from the time of download to return an application purchased through Android Market for a full refund. You may only return a given application once; if you subsequently purchase the same app again, you may not return it a second time," a posting on the Android Market read.