Sonos, the maker of a wireless music system, will soon have a free Android app, so the people who purchased one of the 67 million Android phones sold last year can control their Sonos music playback around their homes with their handsets (and their tablets). Read more »
Rumors are swirling ahead of a big announcement by Nokia on Friday. Will it partner with Microsoft or Google? Will new boss Stephen Elop fire the board? Could the company even move from Finland to Silicon Valley? Perhaps it’s time to put things in perspective. Read more »
New information from comScore shows Android extending its lead over Apple’s iPhone during the three month period ending in December 2010. Google’s mobile OS is now within close striking distance of Research In Motion (RIM), the U.S. smartphone market leader. Read more »
Can Android applications run on non-Android devices? Sure they can, thanks to virtual machines. In this video demonstration, Myriad shows off their Alien Dalvik solution on Nokia’s N900 running the MeeGo platform. Given its Linux underpinnings, might Palm’s webOS be the next target for Android apps? Read more »
HTC’s move to buy video platform provider Saffron Digital for $48.6 million and invest $40 million in streaming gaming service Onlive show that manufacturers can’t be content to just deliver great handsets. Video and gaming content is increasingly necessary to stand out in a crowded market. Read more »
In an attempt to generate some more momentum in the competitive smartphone market, Sprint unveiled a new Android phone the Kyocera Echo that offers a dual touch-screen design. The design allows for interesting onscreen multitasking as well as more real estate for app and game use. Read more »
Got an Android smartphone or tablet? If so, you’re likely running the stock Google browser that comes with Android. But after using the Dolphin Browser HD app several months ago, it has become the first bit of software I load on any new Android device. Read more »
Honeycomb is officially unveiled for tablets, but the bigger story may be the Market improvements for the entire Android ecosystem: in-app purchases, local currency support and a web-based store that shoots applications to devices over the air. A custom ROM has my turbocharged my Galaxy Tab. Read more »
My first impressions of the Dell Streak 7 tablet weren’t favorable. After a few more days of use, I’m more impressed by the speed and performance of this dual core, HSPA+ Android tablet. But as you can see here, usage is tempered by the mediocre display. Read more »
Google’s Android 3.0, or Honeycomb, is now official and while it was the star at today’s developer event, there’s much to like about the platform from a consumer point of view. Here’s a rundown of the new Honeycomb features, which may be coming to smartphones, too. Read more »
Getting paid on Android has been a touchy subject for developers, who have had trouble turning their apps into big money makers. But now Google has rolled out a new web store for Android Market and in-app purchases for apps that developers are hoping will kick-start revenues. Read more »
Microsoft’s Xbox Kinect accessory might have the spotlight when it comes to gesture technology, but it’s not the only game in town. EyeSight is bringing its software and algorithms to camera-enabled Android tablets and Windows computers for remote controlling applications with the wave of a hand. Read more »
I am here at the Googleplex waiting for the launch of Google’s tablet optimized Android OS, nicknamed, Honeycomb. A lot of reporters here from different outlets, though it is a much smaller event compared to Apple’s iPad press event. We are going live in about 5 […] Read more »
We’re not seeing sub-$100 smartphones without contracts yet, but we’re getting closer: Virgin Mobile is selling the LG Optimus V for $149 with unlimited data plans starting at $25. That’s getting close to feature phone territory but adds the promise of apps and the mobile web. Read more »
Amazon’s Kindle hardware and software is great for reading books, but not so much when it comes to magazines and newspapers. By following this step-by-step method, you can have access to thousands of color magazines and newspapers on an Android device via Zinio and PressReader. Read more »
As the world moves to browsing the web from mobile devices, iOS jumps in market share again, but Android is coming on fast, and unlikely to slow down any time soon. How long can Apple hold the lead, with Android phones selling so robustly? Read more »
With a complete shut-down of Internet access in Egypt, the next drastic step would be the closure of voice communication networks. But researchers in Australia have demonstrated the use of mesh networks on smartphones, which enable voice calls in areas without a working cellular infrastructure. Read more »
T-Mobile is debuting the Dell Streak 7 Android tablet this week, the first 4G tablet available on the carrier’s data network. While the 21 Mbps radio shines, some design and hardware choices may hamper the Streak 7 from being a contender in the upcoming tablet wars. Read more »
Verizon’s new paid Navigation service launches today, adding 3-D visuals, satellite mapping and Facebook integration. VZ Navigator VX is initially rolling out on three Android phones that have Google Maps navigation. Should carriers continue investing effort and money on paid services to compete against free ones? Read more »
2010 was the year of Android. That’s according to research firm Canalys, which reports that Google’s operating system eclipsed Symbian in the fourth quarter to become the top smartphone OS in the world by shipments. It caps a huge year of growth for Android. Read more »
Honeycomb will get an official introduction at a Google press event, but it may not be just for tablets and definitely can run on single-core smartphones. Sony’s new PSP looks great, but Android fans will appreciate that Sony games are coming to Android later this year. Read more »
Google’s Android OS was the big mobile story for 2010, thanks to dozens of new devices launched by the likes of Samsung, Motorola and HTC, leading many to wonder how long can iPhone continue to grow. Unlike the skeptics, I believe Apple isn’t done just yet. Read more »
Wednesday night, Sony unveiled its next-generation portable console, dubbed the NGP. Alongside the new hardware unveil, it made the more ground-breaking revelation that it would be expanding the availability of PlayStation software beyond its own devices to Android handsets. How will that affect Apple and iOS? Read more »
Less than a week after Kongregate Arcade was pulled from Android Market by Google, Kongregate is hopeful that tweaks to the Flash gaming app will satisfy Google. The gaming site said it worked to address Google’s concerns by making its app less like an app store. Read more »
Developers apparently were tuned into the tablet parade at CES and are making bets on the armada of Android tablets, the iPad and the BlackBerry PlayBook. This is the gist of the most recent Q1 2011 Appcelerator developer survey, which polled developers right after CES. Read more »
Google’s Cloud Print functionality finds its way into handsets today, enabling smartphone users to remotely print Google Docs or Gmail messages. Why is Google bypassing laptops for now? The answer is two-fold: which devices are outselling others and the growing mobile app economy. Read more »
After months of waiting to see the faster speeds and other benefits that Froyo, or Android 2.2, will bring to Samsung Galaxy S phones, the wait is over. But there’s a catch! Also seen this week was rumored pricing for the Xoom tablet, which is astronomical. Read more »
Facebook recently joined other high-profile brands in releasing a new app for feature phones. The move suggests a wealth of expanded opportunity for distributing products and extending their reach, but should developers target feature phones in addition to smartphones running newer, more powerful platforms? Maybe. Read more »
After nine months with the iPad, I’ve sold it. Yes, it’s amazing and has single-handedly redefined the tablet market. But I didn’t sell my iPad because a new iPad is coming soon. Instead, I found a device that meets the same needs yet offers increased portability. Read more »
Join Matt and Kevin live for this week’s mobile tech podcast where they’ll discuss Google Voice number porting, new iOS gestures and what that could mean to new iOS devices, and the return of the Sidekick! Participate in the show via the live chat room. Read more »
HTC has again grown sales and profits to record numbers, moving 24.6 million handsets in 2010. Clearly the company has transitioned successfully from its Windows Mobile roots over to Android, but can it transition sales by region? Europe and North America account for 83% of sales. Read more »
T-Mobile’s first 4G phone with a 21 Mbps radio is the Samsung Galaxy S 4G, a variant of the current Galaxy S devices. The smartphone will ship with Android 2.2, but Samsung’s update history isn’t all that great — will it affect sales of the new phone? Read more »
Google’s immediate strategic initiatives are all about mobile, according to CEO Eric Schmidt. Writing in Harvard Business Review, Schmidt said 2011 comes down to three priorities for Google: developing fast wireless networks, building up mobile payments and increasing the number of inexpensive smartphones around the world. Read more »
The mobile industry saw several key trends during the final months of 2010: Smartphone sales soared again, use of the high-powered devices fueled increases in data consumption and the epic battle of Apple vs. Google escalated thanks to Android’s remarkable traction. Read more »
Google’s stance on prohibiting apps in Android Market from being mini-app stores led to the quick demise of Kongregate Arcade, a flash game portal app that got pulled yesterday. But it could also have an impact on Amazon’s plans for an Android app store. Read more »
Flash gaming site Kongrate launched the free Kongregate Arcade app earlier today in Android Market, only to have it yanked after Google reportedly said it violated the Market’s non-compete rules in the terms of service. The rejection, if upheld, raises questions about Android’s celebrated openness. Read more »
Launch rumors of the Nokia X7, a new Symbian smartphone, appear to be squashed as the phone will reportedly not be available on AT&T next month. Without carrier support for subsidies and marketing, the odds of Nokia gaining a foothold in the U.S. continue to decrease. Read more »
Hundreds of mobile apps interface with Dropbox, the popular cloud storage and synchronization service. But Gina Trapani of Lifehacker and Smarterware fame has another: it’s called ToDo.txt Touch for Android and while it’s still in the early stages, it’s interesting to watch the mobile project develop. Read more »
After dumping its mobile phone group in 2008, Lenovo bought it back for double in 2009. Now the company has formed a new Mobile Internet and Digital Home Business Group, just as computer sales are eclipsed by smartphones. Is it too late for Lenovo? Read more »
iPhone owners are the most satisfied with their mobile platform, but Android owners are the most likely to stick with their handset OS for their next phone. Better Google apps may be the reason, but regardless, it’s potentially bad news for Apple and Google smartphone competitors. Read more »
