Autodesk, makers of 3D design software, has launched the AutoCAD WS mobile application on the Android platform. It is a free web and mobile application.

AutoCAD WS uses cloud computing (where information is stored in remote server) technology to enable Autodesk software users to view, edit and share their designs through web browsers and mobile devices.

AutoCAD WS for Android enables an expanded group of users to collaborate with architects, designers and engineers from anywhere in the world to carry their designs with them, wherever they go.

“Architects, engineers and designers have clearly communicated that they want access to their AutoCAD projects on their Android devices and we are more than happy to meet their needs. The impressive and consistent growth of the Android ecosystem serves as an excellent platform for Autodesk to further expand its accessibility through AutoCAD WS,” said Jayant Keswani, head marketing, Autodesk, India and SAARC.

He added, “Now our customers with Android smartphones and tablets can use AutoCAD WS to collaborate with colleagues in the field, and across the globe, on a wider variety of mobile devices.”

AutoCAD WS on Android allows viewing, editing, and markup tools so users can work on their designs while on the go. Users can open drawings from email attachments, sync files from the web, or upload drawings directly from AutoCAD software through the integrated online tab.

Drawings can also be saved locally for use in the field when an Internet connection is unavailable. One feature unique to Android version of AutoCAD WS is the text annotation tool supports integrated Voice commands available on devices running Android 2.2 (Froyo) or above. Now Android users can insert comments and notations on a drawing simply by speaking rather than typing them into the text edit box.

In addition to the AutoCAD WS cloud, users can now connect directly to alternate storage folders from their Android, iPad and iPhone devices as well as through the AutoCAD WS web application. This currently includes: the Autodesk Buzzsaw service, Dropbox (through DropDAV), Microsoft SharePoint, Windows Server 2008, Box.net, MobileMe, and Egnyte, and other Cloud Storage providers who support the WebDAV protocol.

AutoCAD WS for Android will be available for download on the Android Market. You can also click here to download the application.

Qualcomm, which makes chips for smartphones, has announced the launch of its Augmented Reality platform for Android devices.

Android user can now expect more and better applications that will take their experience to a whole new level. And with several developers now joining hands for the development of applications on Augmented Reality, more useful and innovative apps that present information in a unique way can be expected.

Augmented Reality, in the mobile context, is the superimposition of location based content over live images viewed through mobile cameras. It is yet another technology that was developed for military purposes and is now finding its place in our daily lives.

Qualcomm has made use of the best available technology to make the experience as realistic as real world objects. A close integration between the hardware and the software allows the applications to deliver better and more realistic appeal to the user.

“We continue the tradition by making leading AR technology widely available to developers for commercial use. With more than 6,000 registered developers, we look forward to a new generation of AR applications available in the Android Market and other application stores.” said Jay Wright, senior director of business development, Qualcomm.

Qualcomm and Big PlayAR (an Augmented reality based game developer) recently introduced the first commercial application, the Mavs AR, using Qualcomm’s platform.
Mavs AR creates a virtual basketball court in the palm of your hand. Fans attending the Mavs playoff games at American Airlines Center can point their smartphone running the Mavs AR application at their ticket to play the game.

As of now the platform only supports devices running on Android 2.1 and above having a Qualcomm chip but soon more platforms and devices are expected to be added to the list.

The official Twitter application for Android, which has a fair amount of bugs, has been fixed with a new update. Twitter version 2.0.2 adds a lot of new functionality.

The application now adds much needed search improvements including tabbed search display and search history controls.

It now uses a more secure SSL connection for data transfer between the device and the network. Besides, an all improved data management system allows the smartphone to save crucial storage space.

All this and some design changes make the application more friendly to the eye while utilising the available space in a much better way. Now users will also be able to open links embedded in the tweets directly from where they are without having to copy and paste it in the Browser for opening.

The Twitter version can be downloaded free of cost from the Android Marketplace, or simply by clicking here.

Paymate, a mobile payment platform provider, and IFMR Rural Finance, have announced a tie-up to launch multiple financial inclusion projects through Kshetriya Gramin Financial Services (KGFS).

As a part of this initiative, Paymate has unveiled a mobile phone based person-to-person money transfer initiative in the Delhi to Uttarakhand corridor, and another that enables micro-loan repayments in villages in Ganjam, Orissa.

Commenting on the launch of these initiatives, Ajay Adiseshann, managing director and founder of PayMate, said, “Around 60 per cent of the country’s population does not have access to a bank account or even the necessary documents to help secure basic finance. On the other hand, there has been an exponential growth in mobile penetration with close to 200 million users in rural areas, making it a potent tool to create a financial ecosystem for the under and unbanked masses. The launch of these initiatives is an extension of our belief in the power of mobile telephony to drive financial inclusion.”

Dhanei KGFS offers a suite of financial services to its customers, and loans are a major share of its portfolio. The new initiative is aimed at improving the convenience of repayment.

Using a combination of float model and mobile equipped agents, registered agents of Dhanei KGFS located in remote villages are able to visit the customer to collect payment in cash while using a mobile phone to register the payment against the customer’s unique account ID via SMS.

The solution comes equipped with real time dynamic management information services for Dhanei KGFS to check all the payments and filter them by agent, customer, date and transaction, and even download them for future reference.

Over a year ago, PayMate, along with Tata Indicom and Corporation Bank, launched its person to person money transfer service &#151 Green.

“We at PayMate, firmly believe in the power of the mobile phone as a key instrument in extending financial services to the under and unbanked masses. The earlier Green Money transfer rollout followed by our new initiatives with IFMR further amplifies our commitment to this space,” added Adiseshann.

Commenting on the person-to-person remittance service, Anupama Joshi, chief executive officer, Sahastradhara KGFS, said, “The people living in the hills have been relying on post offices and informal channels for domestic remittance. However, the existing channels are either safe or convenient. The project has addressed the needs of customers to receive money in both, a safe and convenient manner.”

PayMate is a wireless transactions platform provider with a first-of-its-kind mobile payment platform which lets you link your mobile phone to a bank account, credit card or prepaid account – turning your mobile phone into a secure payment tool to be used anytime, anywhere.

PayMate has both hybrid SMS and IVR based transaction platforms along with its BREW and j2ME application suite across all telecom operators.