Froyo on 1/3 of Android Phones

android_implementation_1110.png

This doesn’t really bode well for those hoping for some
manner of unity across Google’s open mobile OS. As more and more handsets enter
the market, the operating system is becoming more and more fragmented.

According to the latest numbers from Google’s own Android
Developers site
, all signs point to fragmentation. The latest version of
Android, 2.2 Froyo, is installed on 36.2 percent of Android devices. That’s the
number two most widespread version of the software. Android 2.1 Éclair actually
leads the way with 40.8 percent of the market.

Android 1.6 Donut is number three, with 15 percent, and
Android 1.5 Cupcake has 7.9 percent of the market. Devices running a version lower than 1.5, meanwhile, is
somewhere in the neighborhood of 0.5 percent–that number is a good sign, at
least.

Toward that end of the spectrum, Google and the various
hardware manufacturers are doing a pretty good job upgrading operating systems.
The discrepancy between 2.2 and 2.1 usage, on the other hand, leaves some
question regarding their ability to keep things in check–an issue that may well
become all the more pronounced as Gingerbread hits the market…

Samsung Galaxy Tab undressed, reveals massive battery (video)

It’s getting to be the norm when tearing down the latest piece of tech that the first thing to confront the inquiring disassembler is a big bad battery pack. The Galaxy Tab doesn’t disappoint in that respect, with a chunky white slab of power storage dominating the majority of its subdermal real estate. There are also comparatively large speakers and other little curios to explore, but we’re not going to spoil the show for you. Just head on past the break for the full video.

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Tab undressed, reveals massive battery (video)

Samsung Galaxy Tab undressed, reveals massive battery (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 08:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Creative Ziio 7- and 10-inch Android tablets say ‘me too’

Somewhere in the world, Creative just announced a pair of 7-inch (480 x 800) and 10-inch (1024 x 768) Ziio tablets running the Android 2.1 OS. Both feature a ZiiLabs ZMS-08 processor, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, WiFi 802.11b/g, and microSD expansion. They’re slated to ship in December with the 7-incher costing €229 (8GB) or €259 (16GB) and the 10-incher demanding €289 (8GB) or €319 (16GB). And somewhere, somebody must be jonesin’ for these resistive touchscreen tablets (China?), just not here.

[Thanks, Yutaka]

Creative Ziio 7- and 10-inch Android tablets say ‘me too’ originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 06:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michael Dell: Developing Windows smartphones ‘easier’ than Android

Not much detail here, just some vagaries uttered by Michael Dell at an event in Hong Kong. According to Reuters, Mr. Dell said that it’s easier to develop smartphones using Microsoft’s Windows operating system than Google’s Android. Something that he, or at least his developers, should know something about having dabbled a bit on both platforms. Unfortunately, that’s all we’ve got — hopefully more details will be revealed later to give this some context. Switching gears, he also said that Dell would be launching a “significant number” of tablet PC models next year. Next year huh? What happened to Dell’s 7-inch Looking Glass tablet that was coming in “a few weeks” now more than one month ago?

Michael Dell: Developing Windows smartphones ‘easier’ than Android originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 05:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android-based Archos 43 PMP now shipping for $250

In a bid to grab a little of that “respect” we keep hearing so much about, Archos has just started shipping its downright seductive 4.3-inch Archos 43. Boasting Android underneath, an HDMI output and inbuilt WiFi, this $249.99 portable media player has just about everything any on-the-go media lover could want. Though, we will say… that 16GB of storage could afford to be expanded. Good thing there’s a microSD slot, huh? Hit the source link if you’re interested in experiencing that whole “Add To Cart” phenomenon.

[Thanks, Kevin]

Android-based Archos 43 PMP now shipping for $250 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Current T-Mobile customers getting in on myTouch 4G orders a little early

Orders have apparently gone live to existing customers for the myTouch 4G on T-Mobile — a phone that officially becomes available this Wednesday, November 3rd — proving once again that membership does indeed have its privileges. The phone’s still showing as “Coming Soon” on the public T-Mobile site if you don’t log in to your account, but that’s not a new tactic; T-Mobile has offered its existing subscribers ordering perks on new devices for a long, long time, dating back at least to the original G1. Who’s buying?

[Thanks, Chris]

Current T-Mobile customers getting in on myTouch 4G orders a little early originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 19:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android Grabs 44% of US Sales, iPhone 26%: Report

lil android.jpg

Google’s Android had a good third quarter. A really, really good third quarter. According to numbers from research firm Canalys, handsets running Google’s open OS comprised 44 percent of smartphones shipped in the US that quarter.

Apple grabbed the (distant) number two spot, at 26.2. RIM was close behind at 24.2. Microsoft, meanwhile, was in fourth at 3 percent of the market.

Android increased its market share by an impressive 11 percent over the previous quarter–Apple, meanwhile, only managed to increase by one percent. The smartphone market increased a full 95 percent worldwide, compared to the same quarter a year ago, according to the firm’s numbers.

iPhone Wins Phone Popularity Contest, Android Dominates OS

A new report reveals that Apple’s iPhone has become the most popular handset in the United States, while Google’s Android platform dominates as the most popular phone operating system.

Technology research firm Canalys on Monday published its report on Q3/2010 U.S. smartphone market share. The data positions Android as the leading operating system, with 9.1 million Android-powered smartphones shipped during the quarter — 43.6 percent of the market.

Meanwhile, Apple shipped 5.5 million iPhones, which gives it a 26.2 percent share of the market, making iOS the No. 2 phone operating system. However, because iPhones are the only handsets running iOS, this figure also makes the iPhone the most popular piece of hardware in the phone market.

Before you Android and iPhone cheerleaders go off on each other in the comments, consider that these numbers are exactly what Apple and Google were shooting for, given their different mobile strategies. Apple, a hardware company, has achieved its goal of using an exclusive operating system to sell a lot of phones. And Google has achieved platform dominance with its more “open” strategy of offering Android to any manufacturer to use on any phone.

So while these numbers are huge, they’re not that surprising. I’m more curious about how market share numbers will look next year after new Windows Phone 7 handsets have been on shelves for a while. As I mentioned in a previous post, Microsoft’s mobile approach (i.e., sharing the OS only with manufacturers who meet quality standards) is combining the strengths of both Apple’s and Google’s mobile strategies, so it should be interesting to see how consumers react.

Updated 2:30 p.m. PT to correct an error on the number of iPhones sold during the quarter.

See Also:

Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com


Motorola Droid 2 falls to $150, makes room for $200 Droid 2 Global

There’s been a lot of speculation about what’ll happen to ye olde Droid 2 when the GSM-enhanced Droid 2 Global finally busts loose, but it looks like we might now have the answer: it gets a lower price tag. The original model has now fallen to $149.99 on contract on Verizon’s site, and evidence from the carrier’s internal systems (see after the break for that) suggests it’ll be hanging around at that price until at least the tail end of January. Meanwhile, that same internal screenshot is also showing the Droid X holding steady at $199.99 until December 30, so we wouldn’t count on getting any sweet deals — or a dual-mode version of the 4.3-inch beast — at any point in 2010. Interestingly, the Droid 2 R2-D2 edition is holding steady at $250, so you’d better really want it. Go ahead and follow the break for the evidence.

Update: The Droid Incredible is now $150 direct from Verizon, too — and considering how universally well-liked that thing is, the Droid 2 might still be a tough sell at the same price. Decisions!

Continue reading Motorola Droid 2 falls to $150, makes room for $200 Droid 2 Global

Motorola Droid 2 falls to $150, makes room for $200 Droid 2 Global originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 14:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab review

The story of the Galaxy Tab has been quite a saga, to say the least. In fact, it was actually back in May that we first heard rumblings of Samsung’s plans to unleash a 7-inch Android tablet much like its Galaxy S phones, but it was only after months of painful teasing — including a cruel look at just its packaging on the Engadget Show — that Sammy finally unveiled the Galaxy Tab to the world at IFA. The Tab certainly packed the specs — a 1GHz processor, full Flash support thanks to Android 2.2, dual cameras, support for up to 32GB of storage and WiFi / 3G connectivity — to put other Android tablets to shame, and our initial hands-on with it only had us yearning for more. Without pricing and availability, however, the story was at a cliffhanger. Of course, those details trickled out over the next few months, and here in the US, Samsung finally announced that all four major US carriers would be getting Tabs to call their own. Verizon then finally took the lead in announcing pricing, and revealed that its Tab would hit contract-free for $600 — Sprint followed with the same no-contract pricing along with a $400 two-year contract option.

Indeed, it’s been quite a long journey, but even after all of that, some of the major questions are still left unanswered. Does the Tab provide a more complete and polished experience than all the other Android tablets out there? How are Samsung’s specially tailored apps? And ultimately, has a tablet finally hit the market that can rival Apple’s iPad? We think it’s about time we answer those questions and finally open what might be the most important chapter of the Galaxy Tab story — the official Engadget review. We knew you’d agree, so join us after the break.

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Tab review

Samsung Galaxy Tab review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 13:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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