Android 5.0 Lollipop : Google updating its OS

We all know, Google’s Android is the most widely used mobile operating system in the world. But the operating systems is changing and improving day by day just to keep up with the changing demands of the world.. Google is now making one of its most significant Android updates yet with the new version of Android 5.0 Lollopop.

The biggest update to the operating system since its launch in 2008, Lollipop brings a variety of improvements to the mobile OS.

Lollipop brings a handful of new features to Android, including the ability to read notifications on phone’s lock screen, a built-in battery saving mode, and multiple user accounts.

There’s even a new Smart Lock feature that automatically unlocks your smartphone or tablet whenever a trusted device such as a smartwatch or Bluetooth-enabled car are within a certain range. If you go outside that range, you’ll have to use a regular old PIN or pattern to unlock.

Apple top smartphone manufacturer, Android top OS

Market intelligence firm Nielsen has named Apple the top smartphone manufacturer in the US in its end-of-year recap.

Apple may have triumphed over rival smartphone makers such as HTC and Research In Motion (RIM) in 2011 but its iOS platform was no match for Google’s Android platform in terms of mobile operating market share, said market researcher the NPD Group.

NPD found that Android had grown to command 53 percent of the smartphone market in the US in the period from January through to October 2011 while Apple’s iOS platform represented 29 percent of all smartphone operating systems on the market.

Apple’s iPhone accounted for just under one third (29%) of new smartphone purchases in the US from August to October, said Nielsen.

A further 21 percent of mobile phone users who recently purchased a new smartphone in the country opted for a device made by HTC. RIM’s BlackBerry smartphones commanded a 17% share of new smartphone purchases in the US, putting the smartphone maker in third place, and Samsung and Motorola were tied for fourth and fifth with 11% percent of the market each.

With both the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and Mobile World Congress (MWC) on the horizon in 2012, most smartphone makers are gearing up for a season of high-profile handset announcements and mobile operating system updates.

HTC testing new phone models

HTC Corp has begun testing new phone models that work around technology cited in a patent lawsuit won by arch-rival Apple Inc, and HTC's chief executive voiced optimism over the company's ability to meet challenging market conditions.

Speaking to media at the company's Taiwan headquarters alongside Google Inc's senior vice president of mobile, Andy Rubin, CEO Peter Chou said that the company would be working with Google to protect itself from "unfair" means to stop innovation.

"This industry should not allow one company use its powerful weapon to stop other innovation and take it all...this is not fair," Chou said.

The patent suit between HTC and Apple was widely seen as a proxy for a larger fight between Google's Android operating system and Apple's iOS. Android phones dominate Apple in the Asia-Pacific region.

The result, in which HTC was found to have infringed one of four patents Apple had centered its case on, leaves the way open for both camps to continue their competition in the courts.

Rubin said, "This is just the beginning. It will play out in the next couple of years," he said, but added that he was optimistic there would eventually be "patent peace."

The company slashed its fourth-quarter revenue forecast last month and earlier this month reported a 30 percent drop in November sales from the previous month and a 20 percent fall from a year ago, the first annual sales decline in two years.

That triggered concerns over its ability to cope with stiff competition from Apple's iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy range and accelerated a fall in its shares, which now stand at about half of their peak for the year.

Google Android tops smart-phone software platform

According to a ComScore survey, Google's Android software platform has captured the No. 1 rank among smart-phone platforms in the U.S. for the first time.

For the 3-month period ending in Jan., Android had a 31.2% market share, up from 23.5% the prior quarter. Apple's iPhone share was flat at 24.7%, while Research In Motion's BlackBerry, the longtime leader, skidded to 30.4% from 35.8%. Microsoft garnered an 8% share.

Ownership of smart phones climbed 8% from the prior quarter to 65.8 mil, ComScore said.

Google Android becomes top smartphone platform

Google's Android has dethroned Nokia's Symbian as the most popular smartphone platform in the last quarter of 2010, ending a reign that began with the birth of the industry 10 years ago.

Research firm Canalys said phone makers sold a total of 32.9 million Android-equipped phones in the last quarter, compared with Symbian's total sales of 31 million. The landmark piles pressure on Nokia as it struggles to reassert itself at the top end of the mobile handsets market.

Following Apple's 2007 entrance into smartphones, Google rolled out its open-source Android operating system, which has become the standard for smaller phone makers.

Hit models from Samsung Electronics, HTC and LG Electronics helped Android in the quarter, while Symbian suffered from troubles of its owner and main user, Nokia.

Said Canalys analyst, Tim Shepherd, “We have seen some strong products from a number of vendors.”

Miren is fast and functional Android Browser

Even on the 4.3" screen of HTC Evo, most web browser apps try to cram too much into too little space. Toolbars, themes and color schemes - why all the clutter? Miren Browser lets you make the most of your screen without sacrificing features. It's got the multitouch pinch-to-zoom, multi-language options and Flash support that you expect in a well-equipped Android Internet browser app, but the simple design means you really see the web page you want to see, not a screen full of controls.

The quick toggle between full-screen browsing and URL entry mode means you don't lose real estate to a tool bar, and the gesture swipe to move forward and back in your visited pages eliminates the need for even more buttons. The buttons you do see are semi-transparent, keeping the overall look clean and unobtrusive. Tabbed browsing is a must in any Android browser, and Miren includes a convenient option to open links in a separate tab.

The latest update to this app includes some power-saving tweaks and a desktop widget for your RSS feeds and other bookmarks. The widget mirrors the simple interface of the browser.

With its combination of minimalist design and power-packed functionality, Miren is quickly becoming Android browser of choice.

Android 3.0 coming In March

Weeks ago, Google took the wraps off of Android Gingerbread, the latest and greatest version of its mobile operating system. Aside from the newly launched Samsung Nexus S device, no phone even has the software yet - heck, plenty of users are still waiting for the Android 2.2 upgrade - but that's not stopping people from looking even further ahead.

They're looking, of course, toward Honeycomb - the next major stop on Google's Android development track. All signs point to Honeycomb bringing some significant changes to the Android OS; if everything goes as expected, it'll be the first version of Android to be fully optimized for tablets. And if a report published this week is correct, it'll make its way into the world in March.

The new Honeycomb release rumor comes from Taiwanese newspaper Digitimes. In the middle of a story about upcoming tablet PCs, Digitimes nonchalantly mentions a launch date for Android 3.0, which many people believe will be Honeycomb's official version number. That belief may or may not be correct, incidentally; some folks think Honeycomb will end up being Android 2.4. Google thus far hasn't given any official indication one way or the other.

Digitimes says: "MSI is prepared to sell an Nvidia Tegra 2-based model in April or May after Google releases Android 3.0 in March."

So does Digitimes know something we don't? Maybe - but I wouldn't place any wagers on it. The publication has a history of publishing tech-oriented rumors. Sometimes it's right on the money, but often, its predictions prove to be wrong.

That said, Google has confirmed that Honeycomb's coming in 2011, and an arrival sometime within the first quarter seems like a fairly safe bet. Marketing's already underway for an upcoming Motorola Android tablet, and the promotional materials make it quite clear that Honeycomb will be part of the equation. Motorola says the tablet will be unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in January; there's no telling, however, when it'll actually go on sale.

We've seen a prototype of a Motorola tablet up and running. Google Android chief Andy Rubin demoed the device during a mobile conference in San Francisco earlier this month. The tablet had virtual on-screen buttons in place of the hardware controls typically seen on Android phones. It was also capable of running multiple side-by-side application panes to take advantage of the larger screen space.

Android is now second biggest Mobile OS

Google's Android mobile operating system has surpassed Apple's iPhone and Canada's Blackberry to become the second biggest smartphone platform after Nokia's Symbian. It has been revealed by research firm Gartner.

Gartner said Finland's Nokia sold 29.5 million smartphones during the third quarter of the year for a 36.6 percent share of the worldwide market, down from 44.6 percent a year ago.

Sales of Android-powered smartphones soared to 20.5 million units, giving the Android platform a 25.5 percent market share, up from just 3.5 percent a year ago, Gartner said.

Apple's iPhone was next on sales of 13.5 million units for a 16.7 percent market share, down from 17.1 percent a year ago.

Canada's Research In Motion, maker of the Blackberry, was in fourth position with sales of 11.9 million units. Its market share dropped to 14.8 percent from 20.7 percent a year ago.

Microsoft's Windows Mobile saw sales of 2.2 million units giving it a 2.8 percent market share, down from 7.9 percent a year ago, Gartner said.

"Smartphone providers have entered a period of accelerated platform evolution, stimulated by more regular product releases, new platform entrants and new device types," said Roberta Cozza, principal research analyst at Gartner.

"Any platform that fails to innovate quickly - either through a vibrant multi-player ecosystem or clear vision of a single controlling entity - will lose developers, manufacturers, potential partners and ultimately users."

Gartner said worldwide mobile phone sales totaled 417 million units in the third quarter, up 35 percent from a year ago.

Smartphone sales grew 96 percent to 81 million units and accounted for 19.3 percent of overall mobile phone sales in the quarter.

Nokia remained the world's top handset manufacturer with sales of 117.5 million units in the third quarter but saw its worldwide market share slip to 28.2 percent from 36.7 percent a year ago.

South Korea's Samsung was next on sales of 71.7 million units but its market share also fell - to 17.2 percent from 19.6 percent a year ago.

South Korea's LG sold 27.5 million handsets. Its market share dipped to 6.6 percent from 10.3 percent a year ago.

Apple leapfrogged RIM during the quarter with sales of 13.5 million units, giving it a 3.2 percent market share, up from 2.3 percent a year ago.

RIM sold 11.9 million units. Its market share edged up to 2.9 percent from 2.8 percent a year ago.

Sony Ericsson sold 10.3 million units for a 2.5 percent market share, down from 4.5 percent, while US handset maker Motorola sold 9.0 million units for a 2.1 percent market share, down from 4.5 percent a year ago.

Gartner said Samsung was the top Android seller in the quarter with sales of 6.6 million Android phones.

The technology research company said it expects overall mobile device sales to grow 30 percent year-on-year in 2010 and for sales of tablet computers such as Apple's iPad to reach 54.8 million units in 2011.

Samsung to add Google Android Software to TVs

Google Android Software Samsung TV sets

Android phone can change your life

In the past few months several mobile devices have en mass taken to Google's mobile operating system and launched Android-enabled handsets. In this season of heavy activity around Android phones, comes the big announcement of the launch of version 2.0 of the operating system, also code-named Eclair.

A number of enhancements have been added to the previous version including the much talked-about multi-touch feature and sync. Here's how the Android can up your tech quotient with these new capabilities:
* Communicate instantly by tapping on the contact, and choosing from all available communication options (Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo! Mail, Gmail, etc).

* Availability of an accounts management API to store centrally account-credential information on the device.

* Supports devices with various screen sizes and resolutions, with three different screens of each of the applications.

* Multiple email account synchronization, that combines all account into a single email inbox with option of exchange support.

* New virtual keyboard layout for faster and more accurate typing. The multi-touch ensures that all keys pressed during typing are not skipped.

* Bluetooth API allows the device to connect to other nearby devices. This capabilities includes the integration of features of social-interaction and P2P communication.

* Improved camera controls with digital zoom, a scene mode, white balance controls, macro focus and colour effects.

* Upgraded search and navigation features, with the addition of text and multimedia message search.

Now, you can get your hands on the Android 2.0 version through Verizon's Motorola Droid, which was released today and among the first phones to implement the Android 2.0 version. Alternatively you can also download the Android 2.0 software development kit and experience its features through an emulator.

Rachael - Sony Ericsson's Google Android Phone Leaked

For quite some time, it is known that Sony Ericsson is working on a Google Android-based mobile phone, but the company has been keeping mum on details. However, pictures leaked by a Danish site appear to reveal Sony Ericsson's upcoming Android phone.
According to the Danish Mobil magazine, Sony Ericsson's Android phone will be code-named Rachael and will bw announced later this year. The phone will be part of SE's XPERIA series, which so far includes the Windows Mobile-based X1 model.

Mobil says that the Android-loving Sony Ericsson Rachel is based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon platform (QSD8250), which would give the phone processor speeds of up to 1GHz and 7.2Mbit per second HSPA downlink speeds.

The leaked pictures also show the Sony Ericsson’s upcoming Android Phone featuring an 8.1-megapixel camera with autofocus and flash. At the top of the phone a 3.5mm headphone jack and a miniUSB port are also present. No specific details on the phone's display size or resolution were released, but the Dutch magazine says it has a pressure-sensitive touchscreen.

Some of the specifications of Sony Ericsson's Android phone are looking very good in comparison to other smartphones present in the market today. An 8.1-megapixel camera would be most powerful on an Android handset yet, and remarkably better than the 3-megapixel camera on the latest iPhone 3GS. On the Android realm, the HTC Hero and the Samsung Galaxy have only a 5-megapixel camera.

It's highly expected that Sony Ericsson Rachel will run on the upcoming 2.0 version of Google Android operating system, which is also expected to be released toward the end of this year. As for Adobe Flash, it is yet unclear whether this phone will feature this capability.

Google to expand in smartphone arena

Google Inc will allow developers to sell applications for its Android cell phone operating system in the United States. This step is being taken by Google to expand in a smartphone arena dominated by Apple Inc.

Google's announcement has marked an important step in the search giant's quest to catch up with Apple in the fast-growing market for smartphones. It signals Google's commitment to expand into a relatively hot mobile market.

Google’s Android Market will initially carry paid applications from developers in the United States and Britain, with plans to allow developers in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, France and Spain to participate later.

Smartphones, which allow consumers to browse the Web, send email, play games and listen to music, in addition to making calls, are one of the few bright spots in a slowing technology and consumer electronics market.

The T-Mobile G1 phone uses the Android operating system. There are currently 1,000 applications that run on Android smartphones.

Dell to fight with iPhone and Blackberry - set to announce Google Android and Microsoft Windows Mobiles

Dell is going to be the latest electronics maker to enter the smartphone market, following in the footsteps of Apple. Dell is reportedly entering the smartphone market. Dell would face stiff competition from Apple, Research in Motion, and Palm, among others. RIM and Apple hold 70 percent of the U.S. market for smartphones.

Dell is expected to announce two iPhone and Blackberry competitors sometime next month. The phones will run on Google Android and Microsoft Windows Mobile respectively.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Dell will introduce in February at the Mobile World Conference in Barcelona two new mobile phones, set to go head to head with market leaders Apple and Research In Motion.

One of the phones will be touchscreen-only similar to Apple's iPhone, while the other is a slider-style phone with a full QWERTY keyboard, similar to the T-Mobile G1. The other technical specifications are not available yet.

Dell could launch its first device in February.