By Nine months ago, Google announced the launch of Google Finance. That very same day I wrote an article on Phandroid called “Android For Day Traders” that predicted the combination of Google Finance and Android would take the concept of real-time stock market information to a new realm. Last night, with the announcement of Finance for Android App, my prediction proved accurate. Keep in mind this is only available to Android Market users in the United States.
Here is a quick video demo:
It’s interesting to see the parallels between Google’s announcement and my post 9 months ago. Here is a snippet of my article from June 3rd, 2008:
But this isn’t only about Google Finance – this about the bigger picture at Google – and this real-time data definitely fits into the Android picture. Because now, folks that were previously glued to their computers, will have real-time access to the stock market via their Android phone.
What doesn’t exist yet? Applications to help them access their accounts, owned stocks, watched stocks, etc… in combination with this newly offered free data. Android will allow developers to create tools that integrate this wealth of information with helpful applications, allowing Android phone owners to hold FULL ACCESS to information and action directly in their palm.
And here is Google – in their Finance for Android App post last night – explaining the source of their inspiration:
Just over a year ago, during a user experience research trip for Google Finance, we were at the home of a stay-at-home mom / day trader. She was frustrated that there were “personal blackout periods” in the trading day when she was entirely disconnected from the stock market — for example, while she was ferrying kids around or at lunch with friends. Her situation wasn’t unique. During our research visits, we had been hearing similar concerns from people who need to stay connected to the market. With the hope of resolving this dilemma, we started to design and build a finance application for the Android platform in our Google 20% time.
While Google Finance for Android syncs your Google Finance Portfolio with your phone and offers information like stock quotes, market data, news, search, auto-suggestion, recent quotes, detailed quotes, charts and more, I think this is just the tip of the iceberg. In reality, all we’re seeing from Android in general is the tip of the iceberg. Just wait until stock brokers release apps that integrate Google Finance and allow you to buy/sell stocks with the flick and tap of your touchscreen.
I was right before and (I think) I’ll be right again. All in good time… It’s coming, trust me.
This is a great app, but what I found most interesting when installing it, is that it requires the user to accept the “Google Account” permission. This permission gives the application the ability to authenticate with Google applications, like Finance or Gmail. To my knowledge, the current SDK doesn’t have this ability, so I’m wondering if the Finance app was built using an unreleased version of the SDK.
Kudos on the prediction.
Great job Rob…more video reviews! I love it, and I totally missed this app. I have been using Quote Pro which is really nice.
You read it wrong I think Rob, this is available in the UK too, but it only supports US STOCK market data….
This is a good App! Good job Google. Now I am just waiting for the Google Docs App.
Great prediction.
I think the next big shift will be towards more apps needing to deliver TRUE streaming data (think ‘comet’ based), particularly when stock brokers will increasingly be wanting real-time prices to form part of the deal/execution process (no more x seconds to accept an offer on the screen). The market fluctuations are getting wider and wider and are happening within smaller and smaller time frames.
This app seems to poll regularly not ‘stream’ which for informational purposes is probably fine for most.
For a view on how a true streaming connection works and how that impacts what the Android displays take a look at the app called ‘SharePrice’ – this streams real-time UK LSE prices and delayed US. Comparing frequency updates on say AAPL or GOOG during market hours on SharePrice app (albeit delayed) to the Google Finance app demonstrates the differences between stream and poll when it comes to market data.
This app MIGHT be cool, if I could use it. I have a Google Apps account with my own domain using the Gmail interface AND a regular Google account. But it won’t let me log in with either, because I don’t have a @GMAIL email address. I love Google, but shit, why should I have THREE Google accounts? Isn’t two enough?
UNINSTALL!!!!!!!
I searched the net and found you guys when I wanted to improve my android/google finance experience. Great job guys. But I really want to suggest one more feature, the price purchased and current market value, as well as shares, should be either displayed or used to calculate your portfolio loss/gain.
Prediction my foot. Stock market, meet technology.
And I hate to be the poo-pooer here, but if a soccer mom is driving around looking at her cel phone while driving no less — what happens when she does realize her stocks are nose-diving? How’s she going to actually make the trade? By phoning up her broker?
I predict that *gasp* you’ll be able to place trades from your phone. I’ll take your kudos in advance.
And brokers don’t integrate google finance, they have far superior systems at work already. That, for instance, can report on dividends properly in non-u.s. markets for starters…
Maybe I should start a blog…
Sounds cool, but I’ll still stick to EasyMoney.