Android is number one OS among US phone buyers over the last six months
Android’s exponential growth has today been illustrated by Nielsen’s statisticians who present us with the above chart of recent US smartphone purchases. It shows that over the six months leading up to August 2010, 32 percent of American new phone buyers had grabbed themselves a device with Google’s OS on board, which is comfortably ahead of RIM at 26 percent and Apple at 25 percent. These results corroborate NPD’s figures on the matter — which peg Android at 33 percent of new US purchases — and reiterate the idea that Android is headed to a place whose name starts with D and ends with omination. One more chart showing total market share can be found after the break (hint: BlackBerry still reigns supreme overall).
HTC Desire HD vs Samsung Galaxy S
HTC has been leading the way for a couple of years now when it comes to Android smartphones, and it’s just upped the ante once more by unveiling the long-rumoured Desire HD, along with a 4.3-inch touchsreen and HD video recording. Meanwhile, Samsung has been gunning for a slice of the Android phone market with its usual tenacity, but can the Samsung Galaxy S compete with HTC’s new weapon of choice?
Form Factor
- Galaxy s 122 x 64 x 9.9mm; 118g
- HTC Desire HD : 123 x 68 x 11.8 mm, 164g
The Galaxy S is not only shorter and slimmer than the Desire HD, it’s also a great deal lighter. Although its lightweight design won’t put too much pressure on your pockets, is does mean that it doesn’t really have the feel of a premium phone. However, thanks to it’s sheer portability it beats the HTC in this round. Read more 
TEGA V2: Dual-boot Windows 7/ Android Tablet
Australian manufacturer Tegatech has just reveled plans for a similar device that, like the ViewPad 100, will offer two operating systems – Windows 7 and Android 1.6.
Now, you might be a bit miffed with the ancient Android version, but Tegatech’s website states that it is working on 2.1 and 2.2 updates.
On board you’ve got an Intel Atom N455 1.66GHz processor, with 1GB of DDR3 RAM and Intel Generation 3.5 integrated GMA 3150 graphics.
Storage is the SSD variety and comes in 16, 32 or 64 variants.It’s got a 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity as standard and optional 3G, Wimax and Wibro.
Port-wise, you’re looking at an SD card reader, two USBs and a VGA. There’s also room for a SIM if you want to go down the 3G route.
The Tega v2 comes with either a 0.3 or 1.3-megapixel camera and the device measures 243 x 190 x 14mm and weighs in at 870g.
The most apparent drawback of the device is a maximum battery life of just four to five hours.
The Tega v2 will launch worldwide on 15 October, although as yet there is no UK release plans as Tegatech is “still looking for more partners in the UK”.
Eken Launches 8″ M005 Android Tablet
Looks like this tiny little Shanzhen company isn’t quitting, they started making some headway in the global market when their 7 inch tablet got rebranded by a few global players. Now it seems that are coming to market with the M005 measuring in at 8 inches and running a 400MHz VIA 8505 CPU, and 128MB of memory, which doesn’t have us reaching for our pocketbooks.
The tablet has an 800 x 600 pixel display, 802.11b/g/ WiFi, and 2GB of flash storage. It has an SD card slot, USB port, headphone jack, and webcam. It is also running a 4:3 aspect ratio which is a little unique in the tablet space. The folks over at Shanzai.com have let us know that is going to be running Android 1.6 rather then the rumored 2.1.
Skype app arrives in Android Market
After a long wait, Skype is finally widely available for Android phones, and can be downloaded off Android Market. It was exclusive to Verizon’s Android phones for a while in the US, but now the whole gamut of Android phones can enjoy it. Well, at least it has been tested with HTC and Motorola devices, running Android 2.1 and up, aka the Verizon Android line. Skype is admitting there are some issues with the Samsung Galaxy S still, that are being ironed out.
There were some lite versions and substitutes before, but nothing beats the real thing. With the dedicated app you can make free Skype-to-Skype calls, do instant messaging, or call phones at low rates, at home and abroad – over WiFi, 3G or 4G. If you have a Skype account, your contact list will appear when you sign in on your Android phone. To call abroad, just dial the number in Skype, and use Skype Credit to pay. There is also unlimited subscription based calling with various rates.
Skype can be downloaded from the Android Market, or from skype.com/m on your phone. Some say Skype and the likes can kill voice plans, but we are positive the carriers will make up for it in data charges.
Temporary Root guide for G2
So you want to attempt rooting your new G2 huh? As much as it’ll give you street cred, we have an obligation to warn you of the possible side effects of a bad root job, as it may brick your Android.
That said, it looks like xda-developers have been putting together a “temporary” G2 Rooting guide for those willing to attempt it.
You can click here to follow the instructions.
Napster is now available on the Android App Market
Like most music services now, you’ll pay a subscription fee, but you’ll get a free month to try it out first, and gain access to over 11 million songs in their catelog. Not bad.
So if you feel like legitimately using Napster to listen to music, go ahead, and don’t worry about bands suing them this time around. It’s legit, 2 legit 2 quit!
Would you go back to Napster or stay with Last.fm or Pandora? Let us know which you like the best.
Sharp Launches 5.5″ and 10.8″ Galapagos E-Reading Tablets
Sharp Corporation announced that they will release a media service business, named GALAPOS, specially created to provide users a new network service and device specifically designed for the Japanese market.
Find out that two compatible tablets have been created as e-book readers and will be introduced in the same time. The great news is that the new e-bookstore will feature an ‘Automatic Scheduled Delivery Service’ for periodical publications. E-book users may read the most recent editions of newspapers and magazines, which they have been subscribed.
Sharp has built two models of the e-book readers: a mobile version featuring a 5.5-inch LCD screen that reads like a paperback book, and a home version featuring a 10.8-inch high-resolution HD LCD, allowing users to read from a two-page spread.
The great news is that Sharp will continue to provide updates through the service, and by increasing the functions of compatible terminal devices.
Sharp IS03 Android phone
Apple’s Retina Display for the iPhone 4 and latest iPod touch may have been leaving WVGA Android smartphones in the shade, but it was only a matter of time before the open-souce alternatives caught up. Sharp has just announced the IS03, headed to Japanese carrier KDDI in November, with a 3.5-inch 960 x 640 capacitive touchscreen, 1GHz Snapdragon processor and 9.6-megapixel camera with flash.
As we’ve grown to expect from Japanese smartphonse, the KDDI IS03 is bursting with functionality. In addition to EVDO Rev.A, WiFi b/g and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR there’s infrared, GPS, 1-Seg mobile digital TV and an FM transmitter, as well as compatibility with KDDI’s mobile wallet electronic payments system.
There’s also 512MB of RAM and a 2GB microSD card preloaded (up to 32GB supported), and the whole thing weighs in at 138g and will be available in white, black or orange. Interestingly, the display has a dual-power mode which can show battery status, signal, missed calls and other reminders without the backlight being active, and it seems to beat the Continuum to the post with a second touchscreen panel for the Android controls. No word on whether Sharp are going to develop a version of the IS03 for the US or Europe, sadly.
HTC Launch new colours for Desire and Legend
It’s almost a given that HTC may have a little announcement for us next Monday, but chances are you’d like to let Windows Phone 7 settle in for a bit while you cling on to your trusty green bot. Assuming neither the Desire HD nor the troublesome Desire Z / G2 tickled your fancy, you now have two more options for consideration: a “phantom black” Legend and a “brilliant white” Desire (as seen a few weeks ago). Patrons in Europe should be seeing these new handsets starting this month, but here’s a caveat: we’re told that rather than going 100 percent SLCD for the Desire, it’s actually a mix of both SLCD and AMOLED, so be sure to double-check with your store before handing over your hard-earned euros. Read more
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