Android passes Apple, now has more Free apps in Mark

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App store researchers Distimo, known for researching and gathering factual data on app stores and reporting some accurate information on all things Apps have just released their latest publication. Taking a close look at all the app stores but more importantly to us, the Android and Apple markets. According to their report, Google’s Android Market has now passed Apple and is now offering more free apps than the Apple App Store.

This is big news considering Apple has been talking down on Android and its apps for a long time, take this Jobs. According to Distimo, Google’s Android Market currently offers 134,342 free applications for download, while Apple’s App Store for iPhone offers 121,845 free applications. This is not taking into account the paid apps, as Apple has far more paid apps than Android. This is based on free apps.
Obviously Apple’s App Store is the largest of its kind, but Android and its market is hot on its heels and is gaining ground fast. The report also mentions that the App Store was one of the slowest stores in March of 2011. Overall Apple still has a strong lead on the overall size of market, but things are looking better and better for Android every month. With all the tablets on the way to shelves things will only keep getting bigger and better. For the full story check out the link and download the latest publication from Distimo.

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Google Docs comes to Android, does everything great

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Google Docs has been around for a while, and most people seem to really love it. I’ve always wondered why we didn’t have a dedicated app for Android for Google Docs, but worry no more. It is now here and available in the Android Market already. It is pretty awesome if I don’t say so myself.

For anyone that has used docs they know how convenient and easy to use it is, that has always been one of the strong aspects of it, not to mention it being portable as can be. Now you can create, edit, upload and share your docs from your phone with the Google Docs app. Sure sounds nice huh?
Some are even saying the app has better account switching than what is currently available in Chrome. That is good news, to see great features being used so easily in the mobile app. I can’t wait to try this out on my Motorola Xoom. Oh and for those that might need this feature, you can take a photo of a document right inside the Google Docs app and make it a document, easy as can be with no 3rd party apps or things needed. It took a while to get here, and now we know why. Google did their best to make sure it was as smooth as the regular version, and they delivered.

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T-Mobile G2x lacks quadband HSPA+, so much for AT&T 3G

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The T-Mobile G2x has been a popular device as of late, and ever since we first saw it we reported it as being a quadband capable device, just as the spec sheet said. These specs were even listed right on T-Mobile’s very own site, but we now have new information that sadly proves otherwise.

We have been wondering about this ourselves and have seen it posted around several forums and twitter. People have tried unlocking their G2x phone and testing with AT&T SIM cards and everything. Now it looks like our friends at Engadget have got a response from T-Mobile to put this finally to rest. There is no quadband support.

The T-Mobile G2x fact sheet, attached [PDF link], contains accurate information. The T-Mobile website is incorrect and we’re working to correct it. The G2x supports 850/900/1800/1900 MHz for 2G/GPRS only, and supports 3G/4G UMTS/HSPA+ bands I and IV. The G2x does not support AT&T’s 3G bands. This banding is hardware based.

Not only is this bad news, but it sounds like a pretty major #fail on T-Mobile’s part by including wrong information on spec sheets everywhere. It was just too good to be true when we first saw this considering AT&T is in the middle of acquiring T-Mobile and that would be great for a device to work on both. Sadly it looks like that is wrong even though we, and many others reported it back when we first saw the specs of the G2x. For now, enjoy that shiny new phone as Android 2.3 Gingerbread is “Coming Soon”.

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Verizon’s 4G LTE Network Down Nationwide

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Verizon’s 4G LTE Network is down nationwide, forcing those with an HTC Thunderbolt or a 4G hotspot to suffer along with near dial-up speeds. According to Verizon’s twitter feed, the Thunderbolt is able to do voice calls, but data is running at 1xRTT data. The outage comes just one day before the DROID Charge, Verizon’s second 4G phone, hits the network. Verizon has said they are hard at work to fix the problem. Verizon’s 4G network went down late last night, and  though it doesn’t affect 3G devices, the Thunderbolt has been booted down to extremely slow speeds. There is a fix, however, that will allow the Thunderbolt to get back up to 3G at least.


















Verizon Wireless has posted two updates on Twitter so far:

Others on Twitter have said that they have lost timezone settings on their Thunderbolts.
Here is the fix to get the Thunderbolt up to 3G:
How to Fix 4G Outage on HTC Thunderbolt
Dial ##778#
Press Call button
The password is 000000
Choose Edit Mode
Go to Modem Settings
Choose Rev A
Switch from eHRPD to Enable
Press OK
Commit Modifications
Keep in mind you’ll likely need to change this back to get your phone back to normal after the nationwide Verizon 4G LTE outage is fixed.
Here is a video that shows the speeds that are currently happening in San Francisco:

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T-Mobile Seattle Speedtest Challenge with $1,000 up for grabs!

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$1,000 dollars says the Galaxy S 4G is faster than your iPhone, that is what T-Mobile has been saying as of late. They are putting that money where their mouth is and are offering it up for any iPhone that can beat the Galaxy S 4G in a best of 3 speedtest competition at select T-Mobile stores in Seattle. See below for more details.

This challenge is for the Seattle area only and it is a pretty unique one indeed. According to the T-Mobile blog this will be going on both Friday April 29th, as well as Sunday May 1st. Don’t think this is a little scam and it is just a select store, it is at any of the 10 participating stores in the Seattle area. So they are basically saying Seattle hands down can beat any iPhone, on AT&T, or Verizon, they will take on both.
This is for download speeds and will be the best of 3. If your iPhone gets 2 faster download speeds, that cash money is all yours. Will you be trying this challenge on your 3G iPhone 4? They mention to check out the T-Mobile Blog for live action and updates from the challenge. I am interested to see the results the in-store Vibrant 4G will be getting and compare it to my G2x, as it is also a 4G device on T-Mobile. For now that is all, good luck all you 3G iPhoners, if we have any of you around here.

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Qualcomm Augmented Reality Platform gets commercial release

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Qualcomm has released the commercial v1.0 build of its Augmented Reality Platform, enabling Android app developers to integrate AR into their software. The Qualcomm AR Android SDK and AR Unity Extension allow for games like Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots as shown at Uplinq 2010.

Beta versions of the AR Platform were released last year, with Qualcomm demonstrating an interesting augmented reality photo frame concept which used the camera on Android handsets to identify different displays and then easily change what was being shown on them. This v1.0 release of the SDK now means developers can release apps commercially using the technology; Qualcomm says they’ll work on any Android 2.1+ device, though suggests that performance will be stronger on those using Snapdragon chipsets.
Qualcomm’s AR Platform is available to download at developer.qualcomm.com/ar now. There’s a demo of the AR photo frame concept below.

Press Release:

Qualcomm Announces Commercial Release of its Augmented Reality Platform
Platform Enables Android Developers to Create and Distribute Vision-based AR Applications
SAN DIEGO — April 27, 2011 — Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced the immediate commercial availability of its Augmented Reality (AR) Platform for Android smartphones. Offered through Qualcomm’s online developer network, this 1.0 release marks the successful completion of the Company’s beta program. Developers can now build, market and commercially distribute applications based on the Qualcomm AR platform.
Qualcomm’s award-winning AR platform will enable a broad range of experiences that entertain, engage and inform consumers with a new form of interactive media. The platform’s rich feature set enables developers to build high-performance, interactive 3D experiences on real world images, such as those used in print media (books, magazines, brochures, tickets, signs) and on product packaging.
The platform supports multiple development environments. The Qualcomm AR Android SDK supports native Android development with the Android tool chain, including the Android SDK and NDK. The Qualcomm AR Unity Extension supports rapid development with the Unity 3 game development tool. A web application is also included for creating and managing image resources that can be used with either development environment.
Industry-leading performance is achieved through Qualcomm’s innovations in advanced computer vision algorithms and close integration of hardware and software. The effect of this performance is a higher fidelity user experience in which graphics content appears more real against the real world background. While applications built on the platform will run on all Android smartphones using Android 2.1 or greater, optimal performance will be exhibited on phones using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon™ chipset.
“Qualcomm has a long history of providing advanced technologies that drive innovation and opportunity for the mobile ecosystem,” said Jay Wright, senior director of business development, Qualcomm. “We continue the tradition by making leading AR technology widely available to developers for commercial use. With more than 6,000 registered developers, we look forward to a new generation of AR applications available in the Android Market and other application stores.”
Qualcomm and BigPlayAR recently collaborated with the Dallas Mavericks to introduce the first commercial application using Qualcomm’s platform. Mavs AR, a game developed by Big PlayAR, has enabled fans attending the Mavs playoff games at American Airlines Center to point their smartphone running the Mavs AR application at their ticket to play a virtual basketball game in the palm of their hands.
“We are thrilled with Mavs AR – it has really added a new layer of fun and interaction to the Mavs fan experience,” said Mavs owner Mark Cuban. “Based on the game’s success, we expect to use AR for future fan promotions, and Qualcomm’s AR platform has demonstrated itself as a powerful platform for creating these types of 3D experiences.”
The Qualcomm AR Platform is available immediately at developer.qualcomm.com/ar

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New Accessories Surface for the Sold Out Asus Eee Pad Transformer

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Chances are you missed the initial window on picking up the Asus Eee Pad Transformer. By the time most realized it was available units had already sold out everywhere. If you are one of the lucky ones who was able to snag one before stock depleted, you might be interested in taking a look at a few forthcoming accessories for the tablet that moonlights as a laptop. There is a desktop dock, a USB adapter, HDMI to VGA adapter, and a nice folio case. Images of the accessories appeared on Asus’ Italian Facebook page, but official release and pricing info was not detailed.

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American Airlines offers new app for Nook Color

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This week the Barnes & Noble Nook Color eReader received an update that brought to the Android-powered eReader the ability to run apps, check email, and a lot more. The update was the big official step in turning the eReader into a fully functioning Android tablet. There will be third party apps offered on the Nook Color too and American Airlines has announced one of the first.

The airline has its app available on the Nook Color right now. The app is already offered on other Android and Apple devices. On the Nook Color, the app will allow the user to check flight notifications, view flight details, check status and schedules, access mobile boarding passes, and monitor standby status. The app also allows the user to track their AAdvantage accounts and enroll in the program.
Other features include terminal maps and the app has Sudoku installed as well to give the user something to do while waiting in the terminal. This is the first airline app specifically for the Nook Color. “We’re delighted to be the first airline offering an app on NOOK Color,” said Rick Elieson, Managing Director – American Airlines Interactive Marketing. “We know it’s increasingly important for customers to have useful travel tools when they’re on the go, and making our app available to NOOK Color customers is another step in our efforts to give customers what they value.”
 

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HTC Thunderbolt Battles T-Mobile G2x in Comparison Fight

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We have a comparison battle between Android on T-Mobile and Android on Verizon for your consideration below, a two-part video comparison pitting the T-Mobile G2x in a face off against the HTC Thunderbolt.
The HTC Thunderbolt against the G2x comparison videos come our way courtesy of Aaron Baker over at Phone Dog who digs deep into the comparison between the two Android smartphones over a nice long 28 minutes in total.
Both smartphones came out to play sporting Android 2.2 Froyo, but the T-Mobile G2x offers a 1GHz Tegra 2 dual-core processor and 4-inch touch screen, while the HTC Thunderbolt offers a 1Ghz single-core Snapdragon processor and a 4.3-inch touch screen, while both deliver an 8 megapixel camera.
The T-Mobile G2x can play nice on T-Mobile’s HSPA+ (4G) network while the HTC Thunderbolt plays nice on Verizon’s 4G LTE, but can one of the smartphones out pace the other and come out on top?
Well you should know by now I’m not going to tell you the outcome, but let you skip on down to mash the play buttons to find out for yourself, and feel free to let us know if you agree or disagree…enjoy.

 

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