Motorola lets unlocked Developer Edition handsets keep their warranties, reinstates old ones
If you’re one of a few who’ve obtained a Developer Edition handset, you’re likely the type who’d want its bootloader unlocked so that you could tinker with it as you so please. Unfortunately, requesting such an unlock code would often void your wa…
HTC One max heading to Verizon today for $300 on-contract
HTC’s 5.9-inch One max is comparatively modest when it comes to the oversized smartphone horserace; it’s actually dwarfed by Sony’s monstrous Xperia Z Ultra. Still, if your hands are big enough to accommodate the One max’s bulk and you’re a Verizo…
Google refreshes Shopping site with extended previews, 360-degree photos, ‘visually similar’ search
It’s set to be a holly jolly holiday season, especially if you’re keen to do your gift shopping online. Google’s browser-based Shopping tool just scored a pretty comprehensive refresh, complete with a handful of new features designed to make it ea…
Google Translate for Android has a new look for smoother conversations and supports more languages
Google Translate is one of the better translation apps out there, so it’s always great whenever an update (for Android in this case) that gives its features a boost arrives. Its fresh interface that’s cleaner and simpler than the old one will like…
HBO Go comes to Chromecast on both Android and iOS
See, when the Chromecast first launched, it was intriguing primarily because of its exceptionally low price point. People who ran out and bought one (which included more than a few Engadget editors) were investing in promised future functionality,…
StatCounter: Android web browser claims biggest user share
Android’s native web browser can now lay claim to being the most popular mobile browser, according to StatCounter’s latest survey. Mapping use over the past year, Google’s mobile internet browser has grabbed around 23 percent of all users, up from just over 14 percent back in February 2011. The phone and tablet-based browser may have soaked up BlackBerry and Nokia users on its way to the top, with the two companies dropping browser share to six and 11 percent, respectively. Opera continues to hold its own, with a stable market share of around 21 percent throughout 2011, while the iPhone’s Safari isn’t far behind, notching up 20 percent by the end of last month. Conspicuous by its absence, Windows Phone’s Internet Explorer hasn’t made the table just yet and Google is surely hoping to see its mobile version of Chrome enter the table soon — presumably once it’s available on more than one device.
via StatCounter: Android web browser claims biggest user share — Engadget.
Google replaces Android Market with ‘Google Play’
Say goodbye to the Android Market. Google has officially rebranded the storefront today as they unveiled Google Play, the all-in-one destination for apps, books, and movies. A post on the Android Developers blog tells us that we’ll soon be getting updates on our 2.2+ handsets which will replace the Android Market app with Google Play. In essence nothing changes for the seasoned Android user, and the experience will remain untouched. Head to market.android.com and watch as you’re already redirected to the new website with a familiar layout.
We’ll be rolling out Google Play to devices in a phased OTA update, starting today and continuing over the days to come. With the update, the Android Market app will upgrade to the Play Store app and the Music, Videos, and Books apps will upgrade to Play Music, Play Movies, and Play Books. This update is for devices running Android 2.2 or higher, and users on other devices will continue to have the same access to your apps as before.
Although it gets rid of the “Android” aspect of the Market, we applaud the decision to go less platform-centric for content. “Get it on Google Play” rolls off the tongue and will help push a larger agenda forward for Google. It also makes sense if we consider that Google has a hardware device up their sleeves as it should play music and/or other media.
Read more about Google Play here.
YouTube For Android v2.3.4 Update Now Available
YouTube for Android has rolled out its latest version 2.3.4, which includes a few neat improvements like a +1 button and the ability to add annotations along with a new and very handy “Watch later” queue for videos you’d like to save for another time. Lastly, this update will now allow you to edit video info while uploading within the app, this fills in the gap of a long overlooked feature and will surely bode well with users.
Jump past the break for a link to this app in the Android Market or grab the QR code from our Apps Database.
HTC Jetstream review
When HTC entered the tablet game, it did so in reverse course. Where other manufacturers were jostling for elbow room in a 10-inch form factored world, the company opted for smaller, more familiar battleground, eschewing the rough-hewn Honeycomb OS for a Gingerbread-baked Sense overlay on the Flyer. Naturally, the time for that mini-slate to shine has come and gone. In its stead, we’re treated to a flagship of sorts — HTC’s first 10-incher and AT&T’s inaugural 4G LTE slate. Android 3.1 makes an appearance here, as does Sense 1.1 for tablets, but is the skinned experience really any different from the custom UX we’ve all come to love or hate on phones? Can the added Scribe pen functionality, repurposed here from its 7-inch brother, transform the Jetstream from third pillar offering to an always-on, on-the-go assistant? And will those newly hatched 700MHz speeds convince you to cough up for that weighty $700 price tag? Follow along past the break to see how it fared. Read more 
Gingerbread Officially Most Popular Android Version
Gingerbread is officially the most popular version of Android. Gingerbread (Android 2.3.x) is on 44.4% of all devices, passing Froyo (Android 2.2.x) which now accounts for 40.7% of Androids. Somewhat surprising is Eclair (Android 2.1.x), accounting for 10.7% of all Androids. Honeycomb– which covers tablets only– accounts for roughly 2% of all Androids. Considering Google’s upcoming sweet treat should theoretically work on any 2.3 device, you can’t help but wonder how it will eat at Gingerbread’s overall lead of Android devices this time next year. Hit the break for an exact breakdown of Android’s software distribution after the break.
AIVAnet 