Developers Spoilt with Apple’s Xcode 4.1 and Socialize Social SDK

Just as Apple released the Xcode 4.1 on the Mac, developers seem to have become the centre of everyone’s attention. But if that wasn’t enough Socialize Inc. has also launched social software development kit (SDK) for developers to enjoy. The SDK lets developers add in-app social networking elements to mobile applications. The software developer kit enables developers to achieve social integration.

Socialize was initially established in 2008 as three-person PointAbout, the company responsible for AppMakr, a browser-based platform designed to create iPhone apps. Three years down the line after some serious re-branding the company is now known as Socialize Inc and has bolstered with its currently 16-person team. It is on the AppMakr that its latest social SDK was formed.

The platform allows developers to combine content compatible with services such as Facebook, Google+ and Twitter. Again, this allows for vital interaction to ensure growth like so many existing apps through collaborations with these giant social services. Social interaction can actually increase app usage by more than 50%.

Has Apple Surpassed Microsoft? Not Exactly

In the technology industry, Apple and Microsoft are two household giants that the consumer and other brands recognise as role moders  Microsoft and Apple have been fighting for marketshare and the consumer dollar for many years. Maybe now Apple is on the upper hand, but Microsoft doesn’t want to step back, as it continually develop new products. The PC giant initially took a focus on software and has since dominated the industry in terms of marketshare. Apple has focused on hardware that is bundled with its OS, but each have managed to find their own spot in the market. While Microsoft domainted Apple for many years, in recent time, Apple has had explosive growth and is once again a major force in the market.

But looking back the history, people will find out that Microsoft almost dominate the industry for over 20 years, that Apple had never had a change to surpass the software giant, until several years ago. Thanks to Apple’s extremely successful ventures into various hand-held gadget markets (namely the iPod, iPhone and iPad) Apple’s stock continues to rise, trading at over $300 more than that of Microsoft’s as of June 6, 2011. However it did not beat Microsoft in softwarezone, IE still occupy 48% of browser market share, and Apple’s Safari is only 4%. Even in smartphone OS market, Microsoft’s Windows, including Windows Mobile and Phone 7, still have more percentage than iOS (26:7). But we have to admit, Apple has more advantage in MP3 Player market with its iPod, which brings the company 76% of market share as Microsoft has merely 1%.

Even in capital market, from 1986 to 2000, Apple’s stock value has never surpassed Microsoft’s once, but since 2005, Apple totally turned the table. Is Apple really making a dent in Microsoft’s long-standing Windows monopoly? Are mobile devices like the iPhone and iPad taking over tasks that used to be done by PCs? Sales figures may tell part of the story, but in my opinion the best data comes from analyzing how devices are being used in the real world.

Facebook for Android updated with new gesture support and improved privacy controls

It is only a week since the iPhone version of Facebook was updated and the Android app has just followed suit. The Android app is not quite as fully featured as the iOS version, but the update brings a number of important improvements that bring it in line with the features of the Facebook web site.