With the seemingly constant stream of new Android-powered phones and tablets to wireless carriers, the Android app market is now a worthy competitor to Apple's App Store. Because of Android's open developer environment, some security risks are inherent. Though Google regularly checks for malware or other infectious software within the available apps, the open nature of the OS and the ability of Read more

With the love of the Infuse 4G still swirling in my head, I struck up an IM conversation with a friend of mine about the Android operating system yesterday. I didn't know exactly what I was getting into when I asked, but my friend brought up some really good points about Android that even I didn't consider. Recently there was a debate as to why more women aren't using Android devices. Some say Read more

Apple has its rigorous screening process to help keep subpar apps out of its AppStore; Google's Android Market is a bit more like the Wild West of mobile app stores — there's no screening or application process, but that also means Google has less control over what shows up in the store. Now, Google has added a new, helpful feature to the Android market, allowing users to "try then buy" apps Read more

Serious eaters take note: if you're on the lookout for an app that helps you find just the right restaurant, get tips on what to order via notes and photos, and post a review right from the table (after you've eaten, please), then you'll want to check out the latest version of the Zagat app for Android ($10). Don't let the price deter you — this is one app that you may want to splurge on if Read more

At today's big event in Mountain View, Google announced a long-anticipated feature for Android: a web-based Android app market. The store is a one-stop location for both free and paid Android apps, similar to Apple's App Store. The apps are broken down into categories like Business, Entertainment, Sports, and Social — with many, many more app categories included. Users can also browse through Read more

Amazon is a go-to online market for many of us, and now it looks like it's adding smartphone apps to its selection. Rumors that the marketplace will be offering apps for your Android-powered phone seem to have been confirmed with a source who leaked Amazon's Terms and Conditions agreement for app developers. The agreement outlines the rules developers must follow in order to participate in the Read more

The apps you use on your Android phone may be using your data suspiciously by sending your phone number, SIM card number, or location to advertisers, a new study says. The report found that 20 of 30 randomly selected popular apps (those that were in the top 50 in each category on the Android Market) send sensitive user information to advertisers, including phone numbers, device IDs, GPS Read more

Getting a new smartphone is so exciting, but loading it up with apps? Well, that's serious business. There are a lot of crap apps out there, but mixed in are some truly helpful and handy ones that you should download as soon as you break your new Droid X out of the box. For example, these five apps that will have you rocking and rolling long after the new gadget glow wears off. Google Goggles Read more

The Android Market may be thousands strong, but if you've ever found yourself with the perfect idea for an app that doesn't yet exist, you'll love App Inventor for Android, a Google Labs tool that helps you build your own Android app. App Inventor was created to help people who aren't necessarily web developers; the software has been in development for over a year and was tested everywhere from Read more