Android now at 30% of tablet market

Statistics from Strategy Analytics are showing that Android tablets are making just as fast a move in market share as Android phones had before. New statistics show that Android tablets held 30% of the market share in Q2 of this year, as compared to just 2.9% of the market in the same quarter last year. 

Of course, in Q2 of last year, there were really no big name Android tablets on the market. The Samsung Galaxy Tab, which really started the Android tablet wave, wasn't released until November 2010. So, in Q2 the Android tablet market was made up mostly of devices that had no access to Google Apps or the Android Market, which have never had that much commercial success. 

Unfortunately, the statistics also don't make any distinction between Android tablets using phone versions of Android, and those running the official tablet version, Honeycomb. Given that the latest numbers from Google say that Honeycomb is still less than 1% of the Android OS distribution, obviously the majority of Android tablets in the market are running what is really the phone version of the OS. 

How do you think the numbers will look at this time next year? 

T-Mobile to Sell HTC Wildfire S on August 3

T-Mobile plans to sell the HTC Wildfire S, a revamped version of its hit Android phone, on August 3 for $80 with a two-year contract. Or $329.98 for unlocked here.

Top News

Google Increases Spending on Lobbying

Motorola Looks to Profit From Patents

Judge Criticizes Google, Oracle in Patent Case

Dwyane Wade Sues Hackers

Microsoft Makes Improvements to App Marketplace

More News >

HTC Wildfire S

The Bellevue, Wash.-based carrier said the new Wildfire offers a 3.2-inch touch screen display, 5.0-megapixel lens and 600-megahertz processor. It runs on Android 2.3 and HTC's user interface, and comes packaged with turn-by-turn navigation, and access to Facebook and Twitter.

T-Mobile added the Wildfire will be available in a white color finish at T-Mobile stores, and black at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club.

The low-cost Wildfire falls in line with T-Mobile's plan tocompete in the cheaper market. Lacking an iPhone, the carrier is unable to compete with rivals AT&T and Verizon for the high-end segment. It agreed to the anticipated merger with AT&T largely due to a mass exodus of subscribers.

While many analysts expect the deal to gain approval, T-Mobile is still expected to concentrate on budget Android phones and low-tier data plans, allowing AT&T to capture the high-end, and take the entire market.

For the top stories in mobile, follow us on Facebookor Twitter.

IPhone Detects Blood Sugar, Without Blood

Researchers at Northeastern University have developed a new way for iPhones to measure blood sugar levels without drawing blood, showcasing the increasingly sophisticated applications of mobile devices.

Top News

Motorola May Take Another Look at Patent Holdings

Judge Criticizes Google, Oracle in Patent Case

Dwyane Wade Sues Hackers

Microsoft Makes Improvements to App Marketplace

Tiered Data Plans Turn Customers to Skype, IMessage

More News >

Apple iPhone 4

Professor Heather Clark at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences modified an iPhone to measure blood using "non-invasively monitor biomarkers." Instead of drawing blood, the system requires a person to be injected with a small amount of "nanoparticle solution," which glows when exposed to molecules such as glucose.

Then, an iPhone --- equipped with a special battery-powered case, camera lens filter and LED array -- reads the levels of fluorescence and sends the results to a computer for analysis. Clark plans to create an iPhone app to analyze nanoparticle data.

If the technology becomes commercialized, users may soon iPhones to track other "biomarkers," such as sodium and even blood oxygen levels.

"Let's say you have medication with a very narrow therapeutic range," she said, "you have to try it a dosage and see what happens."

Using the modified iPhone system, Clark suggests people may also monitor the effects of new drugs in the bloodstream in real-time.

The technology, though barrier-breaking, isn't alone in its field, as the market for mobile medical apps continues to grow. Other iPhone apps can analyze stroke victims' brains, read EKG scans and even detect malaria and dengue fever.

There's also an app to detect melanoma called Skin Scan, which snaps a photo of suspicious spots and analyzes them to determine if a visit to a dermatologist is warranted.

As medical apps become more popular and utilized in the medical community, the FDA is looking to regulate the mobile tools used in hospitals and clinics to ensure quality control.

"We wanted to make sure that we are consistent in regulating medical devices so nothing has changed," said Bakul Patel, the FDA's policy advisor. "If somebody makes a stethoscope on an iPhone, it doesn't change the level of oversight we have of a stethoscope."

The plan may irk some developers reluctant to wait on FDA approval, though it may help standardize medical care across the country.

Regardless, technology like Clark's app will keep growing, along with increased demand for medical apps revolutionizing health-care by making it more accessible and even economical.

For the top stories in mobile, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Apple's iOS tops the customer satisfaction charts; Android holds third place

Okay, this may not come as that big of a surprise to some of you, but a recent survey conducted by  ChangeWave Research shows that iOS leaves an impressive 70% of its users very satisfied with the experience of using it and holds a solid first spot in that category. In comparison, only 50% of Android users say that they are very satisfied with the platform, which ranks Google's mobile platform in third place.

The interesting part is that Windows Phone 7 actually has a greater customer satisfaction rating than Android despite its lower market share. The study shows that 57% of WP7 users admit to be very satisfied with the experience. However, only 14% of the people who are stuck with the outdated Windows Mobile platform say they feel the same way.

Another first place award goes to Apple, according to the survey's results, as the iPhone appears to be the most anticipated handset right now. Nearly half of the interviewees (48%) who are planning on purchasing a smartphone within the next three months say that it is going to be an iPhone, probably due to the fact that its next iteration is expected to launch pretty soon. In comparison, Android devices rank second in this category as they are expected to be found in the pockets of 36% of the potential smartphone buyers.

So, what is the conclusion that we can make from all this data? Well, it is all evidence that Apple is simply doing things right when it comes to its iOS devices and its fanbase is destined to keep on growing. The announcement of the next iPhone is probably going to make a much greater impact on the market than the release of Android Ice Cream Sandwich or Windows Phone Mango, so it would not be surprising if the price of Apple stock continues to soar.

Samsung to Sell Galaxy S2 in U.S.

Samsung plans to release the Galaxy S2 in the U.S., as the company continues to challenge Apple's iPhone both in and out of court.

Top News

Social Network Aims for Depth, Closer Connections

Senator Criticizes AT&T/T-Mobile Merger

Google+ May Offer Verified Accounts for Celebrities

Google, Apple Fight for InterDigital Patents

Nokia Loss Narrows, Continues Windows Development

More News >

Samsung Galaxy S 2 Samsung Galaxy S (I9000)

The South Korean electronics giant's mobile chief J.K. Shin confirmed that Samsung is bringing the device to the U.S. in August. The company did not specify which carriers will offer the S2, but the device will likely follow in the footsteps of the original Galaxy, which Samsung sold with Verizon, AT&T and Sprint.

The Galaxy S2 runs Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), features a 4.3-inch touch screen, dual-core processor and 8-megapixel camera with 1080p video capturing.

Samsung's smartphones have been battling Apple's iPhone head on, shipping a little over 19 million handsets this spring compared to Apple's 20 million. The S2 may prove to be the iPhone's biggest competition from the manufacturer yet.

Samsung has offered the S2 outside of the U.S. since May and sold an impressive 3 million units in its first 55 days of release. The company's decision to release the S2 in the U.S. in August may put the device on a collision course with Apple's iPhone 5. Most analysts speculate a September release date for the iPhone 5, claiming Apple will be set to announce the device sometime in August.

The approaching battle of the iPhone 5 and the Galaxy S2 comes as the two companies remain at odds in the courtroom. The S2 is one of the devices that the court granted Apple permission to inspect for possible patent infringement, which it accused Samsung of last April. Since the initial claim, the two companies have wrangled in a series of countersuits and injunction requests.

The release date of the S2 may be significant as well, with Apple is seeking a trade ban on Samsung's products in the U.S. The Cupertino, Calif.-based company wanted Judge Lucy Koh to announce her ruling on the matter on September 8, but will have to wait until October 14, closer the date Samsung suggested, not Apple.

Even if the judge does ban the S2, the phone will have been on the market for nearly three months, giving Samsung a chance to steal some of the iPhone 5's momentum. However, a ban on the phone in October may hurt Samsung's holiday sales.

One of the key topics in the legal battle between Samsung and Apple has been the similarities between the S2 and the iPhone. In August, customers in the U.S. will get the chance to compare both devices side by side for themselves.

For the top stories in mobile, follow us on Facebookor Twitter.

Samsung Galaxy S II goes on sale in Canada

Still waiting for your Samsung Galaxy S II, America? Well, maybe it’s time for a roadtrip because us Canadians can pick one up today from Bell (or its subsidiary Virgin) for $169.95 on a three-year contract or $599.95 up front. Or you can visit http://www.m2cmobile.com for the unlocked one.

The Samsung Galaxy S II is an impressive little number, boasting a 4.3-inch 480 x 800 display, 8 megapixel camera with LED flash and 1080p video recording, dual-core 1.2 GHz processor, 1 GB of RAM, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n with DLNA home media sharing and mobile hotspot support, GPS, and 21 Mbps HSPA 3G connectivity. It runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread with some light Samsung customizations through TouchWiz.  We’ve got a full review over here if you want to take a closer look.

As someone on the periphery of the Android world, I find it pretty easy to mix up high-end Android hardware, if only because of the similar specs and form factors across the board, but shy of an equivalent 4G handset, the Galaxy S II looks like it will be the king of the hill for the next little while. Are there any Android handsets you’re looking forward to more than this one? Canadians, if you’re looking for a top-notch Android phone, you can pick up the Samsung Galaxy S II in Bell’s online store.

Facebook Users Leave for Google+

Facebook users don't report overwhelming satisfaction with the social network, leaving an opening for Google's new social networking effort to gain ground.

Top News

Fake Apple Store Hits China

ITTO: Facebook Comes to Rescue of Mother and Son

Sprint's 4G Plans For Fall May Be Too Late

Foxconn Employee's Death Stirs Workplace Concerns

FDA Setting Guidelines for Medical Apps

More News >

Analytics firm ForeSee's 2011 American Customer Satisfaction Index E-Business Report said the site elicits a slightly favorable response but still came in dead last among social networks, in its survey of how customers feel about social media.

Facebook, now at the 750 million-member milestone mark, increased its customer satisfaction score to 66, up two points from last year's ranking, a sign ForeSee Results CEO Larry Freed said indicates the social network "may be moving in the right direction, albeit very slowly."

"More than half our users visit Facebook every day, and we're constantly enhancing our products to offer people the best possible experience," said the company in a statement responding to the survey results.

On a scale of 1 to 100, with 80 being the benchmark for excellent, overall customer satisfaction with social media sites remained unchanged from last year, pulling a score of 70. As a whole, social media ranks low, with just three categories -- airlines, cable television and print newspapers, ranking lower.

ForeSee Results' Larry Freed pointed out that by sheer numbers, Facebook is still the undisputed social network of choice for most, as figures this year increased slightly over the previous year. Still, the unimpressive score means there are opportunities for other services to gain.

"Facebook is clearly king right now, but if anyone can knock it off its throne, it would be Google," said Freed.

These results may play well into the hands of Facebook's emerging rival in the social networking biz, Google+. If the search giant can tap into the apparent customer dissatisfaction with Facebook, the company may be able to fortify its fledgling social network, which it launched by invitation only earlier this month and that currently supports about 10 million current customers.

ForeSee's survey categorized Google under search engines and portals, rather than social media, because its social network wasn't established in time to be considered for this year's survey. As a search engine, Google led its category with a score of 83.

Wikipedia topped the competition in social media sites with a score of 78, followed by YouTube's 74 score.

For the top stories in mobile, follow us on Facebookor Twitter.

Samsung Galaxy S II coming next month

While we were just wondering what’s the holdup with the Samsung Galaxy S II in the United States, a Samsung executive said that we could be seeing this superphone as early as next month.

“We expect to release the Galaxy S2 in the U.S. market sometime in August,” said Shin Jong-kyun, president of Samsung’s mobile business and digital imaging, according to Yonhap.

The Samsung Galaxy S II is expected to follow its predecessor by coming to all four major carriers and we’ve even seen the brand names leak. Samsung might be taking a bit more time with these to add some more features or to ensure that it can use its own dual-core chip exclusively.

Whenever the Samsung Galaxy S II hits, it will immediately be one of the best phones on the market. In our official review of the international version, Blake said:

Simply put, yes. The Samsung Galaxy S 2 is one stunning piece of hardware that is sure to please anyone who picks it up. We’re usually not a fan of custom user interfaces, but TouchWiz has been greatly improved, and the new gesture features are novel and fun. With a great display and blazing fast processor, this is one of the hottest pieces of hardware that is kept ultra slim and sexy.

You also can find Samsung Galaxy S 2 officially unlocked on http://www.m2cmobile.com

Sears was momentarily selling the iPad 2 16GB Wi-Fi version for an unbelievable $69

Call it a gaffe or something, but for a short moment in time, Sears.com was actually selling the iPad 2 for the unimaginable price of $69 – that’s for the 16GB Wi-Fi version actually. Yes, you read that right, Apple’s popular tablet was selling for a crazy price too hard to believe! Well, that’s exactly what it is, something that’s too good to be true.

Apparently, Sears listed the 16GB and 32GB Wi-Fi only versions of the iPad 2 for $69 and $169 respectively, which is something that’ll stop most people in their tracks. Actually, some people managed to place an order while it was listed on Sear’s web site – and they even received confirmation of the sale. However, it seems that Sears caught the mistake early on and quickly took action as they removed the listings altogether.

Without question, we’re curious to see if those lucky people will eventually get the product they ordered. Or will they simply be denied?


**Update** We've received information from buyers that Sears is canceling all orders and is in the process of issuing refunds to those customers who were charged. Of course, there are going to be a lot of upset people regarding this – with some already planning to take things to the next level with legal action. Do you think that Sears should still honor the price mistakes?

Moving from Android to iPhone: the good and bad

There’s a reason why there are over 200 million iOS devices out there and why grown-ass people will camp out overnight for these products: there is an elegance and grace to the iPhone that isn’t currently matched by Android products. I don’t even agree with some of the design and UI choices but I completely get why it is the toast of the tech town and such a mainstream success.

The iPhone 4‘s hardware is gorgeous and super premium. I’ve known that since last year but taking it in and out of your pocket everyday really brings that point home. The 3.5-inch screen looks puny compared to Android phones like the Infuse 4G but the OS has been properly designed for this screen and it works perfectly to maximize space.

The camera is quite good on the iPhone 4 and having a great camera makes you want to take more pictures. Sure, the latest generation of Android devices like the myTouch 4G Slide can outdo the Apple phone but it’s still above most other devices we see on the market.

I’m conflicted about things like the transition animations and how the iPhone handles crashes in apps. On one hand, I understand how having those neat, little animations between screens and apps creates an emotional connection with the user and the device but I also see that as wasted RAM. I’d rather it switch faster and go directly to the next action than have some cutesy animation that slows the process.

Additionally, when an app crashes on the iPhone (and this does happen, fanboys), you’re just kicked into the home screen and can quickly re-launch it. Android hits you with a cumbersome crash report screen that could wind up making it a better product overall but it definitely kills the flow of what you’re doing. If you crash on iPhone, it’s a pain but you quickly dive back into it. If you crash on Android, it’s a freaking ordeal.

The main reason I switched to the iPhone is the better app ecosystem and I haven’t been disappointed, really. The breadth and selection in the App Store continues to outpace Android Market and I’m not sure if we’ll see that change soon. I have become an Instagram whore and as we saw from CNN this morning, the iOS platform will continue to be the primary platform for app innovation for the future.

The “fringe” features also rock, as I don’t carry my standalone iPod touch now. I never felt comfortable using my Android phones as my primary music player because of concerns about battery life and FaceTime works, is simple and is something that my grandparents even understand.

The bad

I know I’m starting to sound like those annoying iPhone ads, so I’ll start laying into what I don’t like about this shift. I use Google services to get through my day and the iPhone doesn’t play that well with these things. I use Gmail for work and play and the Mail client on the iPhone is frustrating, slow and childish. Is this really what the other side has been forced to deal with?

Google Voice works okay but nowhere near the deep integration with Android, Maps on iPhone is generations behind Google Maps on Android (although I found the exact GPS positioning is amazingly accurate) and I struggle with getting my Google Calendar on the go. It makes a lot of sense for Google’s operating system to be better with its services on the go but I truly wasn’t prepared for such a downgrade on the iPhone.

My statements about the apps stand but it’s not a clear cut advantage. The ability for Android apps to get deep into system functionality is amazing and I hate having to open the Instagram or Facebook app just to share a photo on that service. It can be done a better way.

Apple also gives app makers better tools for creating great-looking apps but if you play with enough, you start to notice templates and patterns that can be a little boring. I know there’s something to be said for consistency of design and user experiences but the freedom Android gives good app developers can lead to cool things. For example, I like the look and feel of theSpotify app on Android much more than on the iPhone.

Switching over to the iPhone has proven to me what I believed beforehand: Android and iOS are both really good smartphone platforms that appeal to different users. It’s not a zero sum game, despite how it may be portrayed. Let me know what you think in the comments, friends.