Nielsen: Android accounts for 39 percent of smartphones in the US, Apple is the top device maker

Nielsen’s just released a study confirming what some other studies have already concluded — that Android devices account for the single largest swath of smartphone users in the US, with 39 percent OS share as of the second quarter. That compares with 28 percent for iOS, although Apple still reigns as the country’s top-selling device maker. Simply put, that’s a reflection of the fact that Apple is the only outfit churning out iOS devices, whereas a bevy of companies led by HTC, Motorola, and Samsung have helped make Android the dominant OS in the states. And let’s not forget about RIM, another hardware / software shop, which still commands a 20 percent chunk of the market. Rounding out the list, Windows Phone and Windows Mobile account for nine percent, largely thanks to sales of HTC handsets, while webOS and Symbian each eked out two percent. At this point we don’t doubt that Android is the most ubiquitous mobile operating system this side of the Atlantic, although it’s worth noting that Nielsen based its results on a sample of roughly 20,000 people — all of whom are postpaid subscribers.

Nielsen: Android accounts for 39 percent of smartphones in the US, Apple is the top device maker originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 09:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIM releases BBM 6, makes your mobile messaging dreams come true

It’s been quite awhile since RIM’s mobile chat service got a facelift, but back in April we got a sneak peek of the next BBM build. Since then, millions upon millions have waited with bated breath for its release, and now they must wait no more: BBM 6 has finally been unleashed upon the world. This new bit of code brings support for BBM-connected applications — so you can chat within apps and both view and download your friends’ favorite apps from lists on their BBM profiles. The new functionality means programs for real-time project collaboration are possible, as are new types of social gameplay. Nifty features, all, but are they enough to reverse RIM’s less-than-rosy recent fortunes?

RIM releases BBM 6, makes your mobile messaging dreams come true originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 07:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink CrackBerry  |  sourceRIM  | Email this | Comments

A new BlackBerry to be unveiled tomorrow, or so Facebook would have us believe

What’s made by Research in Motion and is “shiny, new, and social all over?” No one can say for sure, but according to BlackBerry’s Facebook page, we’re going to find out tomorrow. Might it be the Torch 2 come calling, newly acquired FCC badges in tow? Perhaps Waterloo’s hinting at the Bold Touch, its phone of many flavors. Or, maybe it’s something yet unseen that will blind all who perceive it with a corona of social networking awesomeness. Whatever BlackBerry’s got in store for us, let’s hope it’s not just another phone with a Facebook button.

A new BlackBerry to be unveiled tomorrow, or so Facebook would have us believe originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 21:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceBlackBerry (Facebook)  | Email this | Comments

RIM axes 2000 jobs, changes managers in effort to halt decline

Just a month after a disgruntled employee accused RIM’s managers of failing to make bold decisions, the latter have responded by boldly sacking 11 percent of their workforce. The company says it will notify affected employees in North America and some other countries this week. It also announced a number of changes to its executive team, with Thorsten Heins taking on the expanded role of COO, Product and Sales. Other personnel changes were generally confined to sales, marketing and operations, which leaves us wondering what, if anything, will change in the way RIM comes up with new products.

RIM axes 2000 jobs, changes managers in effort to halt decline originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceReuters, StreetInsider  | Email this | Comments

BlackBerry Bold 9790 Bellagio offers unsanctioned tutorial (video)


Well BlackBerry fans, yet another variation of the Bold is now making the rounds on the internet: it’s the 9790, otherwise known as the Bellagio. Although the device was first leaked in late May — where we learned it would feature BlackBerry 7 OS, 8GB of internal memory, a touchscreen, and NFC — RIM’s latest QWERTY companion has remained below the radar ever since. Now, it’s reappeared in some official tutorials, which reveal a familiar user interface. Also, two other videos offer views of the handset’s exterior profile and a quick peek beneath the battery cover. Why are Lazaridis and Balsillie prepping this for sale when the Bold 9900 has yet to reach consumers? All we need is one, and the similar hardware and specs aren’t building a compelling argument. Sure, RIM said it would be releasing seven upcoming smartphones in the coming months, but haven’t its leaders learned that less is more? Follow the source for an extended peek at the redundancy.

BlackBerry Bold 9790 Bellagio offers unsanctioned tutorial (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 06:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Stuff.tv  |  sourceCrackBerry  | Email this | Comments

RIM brings video editing service JayCut into the BlackBerry fold

RIM and JayCut

If it’s going to try and compete in the tablet world, whether or not it wants to be known as the enterprise-friendly slate, RIM will have to step up its multimedia game. The company clearly understands this, that’s why it’s snatched up the online video-editing service JayCut. It’s obvious the startup’s expertise will be used to create a video editing app for the BlackBerry platform, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see some sort of sharing and cloud storage service built on top of it as well. Obviously we’re just speculating for now. Check out the brief announcement posts at the two source links.

RIM brings video editing service JayCut into the BlackBerry fold originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceOfficial BlackBerry Blog, JayCut  | Email this | Comments

Android App Player leaks out on to BlackBerry PlayBook

Android App Player leaks out on to BlackBerry PlayBook

Back in April, when we put the PlayBook through its paces, we were disappointed to find it lacked the previously promised, and eventually teased, Android Player. Well, the time has finally come — at least for those of you, who don’t mind getting your hands, and tablet, dirty with leaked software. The folks over at n4bb snatched up a beta version of the program, which brings nearly 250,000 little-green-monster apps to the BB slab, but point out that it’s got its drawbacks. Aside from altogether lacking a back button, this build apparently has some lagging issues. If you’re the adventurous type, however, you can download and sideload the appropriate file by clicking on the source link below. But if your PlayBook gets covered in all sorts of leaky beta goo, don’t come running to us — it is unofficial after all.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Android App Player leaks out on to BlackBerry PlayBook originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink SlashGear  |  sourcen4bb  | Email this | Comments

BlackBerry PlayBook update brings zip extraction, more storage options for attachments (updated)

RIM sure is working fast to bring its 500,000-strong BlackBerry Playbooks up to functional par. The tablet’s been on the market for three short months and is already set to receive its fourth software update. This go ’round, RIM added the ability to save attachments to a removable SD card or your phone’s internal storage, extract zip files from email (although you’ll have to use Bridge and port from your BlackBerry smartphone), a pinch-to-zoom feature for video viewing and — winner of the duh award — portrait viewing for photos. Also, the software now supports 15 additional languages — great news if you speak Galician. If you’re planning on picking up this QNX tab, you’ll receive the v1.0.7 update as part of the setup process. Current owners can wait for an update notification, or just pull it manually. So, what are you waiting for? Get downloading.

Update: And it’s gone. Seems some folks who downloaded the update were having connectivity issues using BlackBerry Bridge. RIM posted on Twitter saying users should expect a fix later this week.

BlackBerry PlayBook update brings zip extraction, more storage options for attachments (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink MobileBurn  |  sourceBlackBerry Blog, BlackBerry (Twitter)  | Email this | Comments

BlackBerry Torch 2 slides through the FCC, bound for AT&T?

BlackBerry Torch 2 FCC

We’ve already gotten our grubby little mitts on it, and it looks like soon enough you too will be able to wrap your QWERTY-loving digits around a Torch 2. It looks like the display-centric BlackBerry just slid its way through the FCC, sporting 850MHz and 1900MHz GSM bands, indicating this particular model (listed as RDM71UW) is destined for AT&T. Obviously, even if this is in fact the Torch 2, an FCC filing is not exactly a confirmed release date — so don’t start lining up outside your local AT&T outlet just yet.

BlackBerry Torch 2 slides through the FCC, bound for AT&T? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceFCC  | Email this | Comments

RIM aims to launch seven smartphones with BlackBerry OS 7 in ‘the coming months’

It may look like it’s losing the ongoing smartphone war, but Research in Motion is at least preparing for the next battle with reinforcements. Co-CEOs Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis announced at this week’s annual shareholder meeting that seven new OS 7-powered BlackBerry smartphones are set to be launched in the near future. As the company struggles to meet its financial goals due to delays, it’s confident that releasing a large number of smartphones will make up for a miserable Q1 and get RIM back on track by the end of the year. This seems to be a bitter contrast to earlier rumors suggesting the company scrapped other projects to make room for its QNX “superphone.”

No word was given by either executive as to which phones we can expect, nor the precise dates when these devices will become available. We also haven’t heard if the Bold Touch series is included as part of that count since its launch looks to have been pushed back. Lazaridis mentioned the delays are a result of his company trying to meet (read: not exceed) consumer expectations, and that RIM will “come out ahead” in the smartphone race. Now that’s extraordinary confidence; unless the execs had a heart-to-heart with the anonymous letter-writer, however, it’s a hard pill to swallow.

[Image courtesy of CrackBerry]

RIM aims to launch seven smartphones with BlackBerry OS 7 in ‘the coming months’ originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceGuardian UK  | Email this | Comments