Android could pass iOS in app downloads this year

According to research firm Ovum, this could be the first year that Android passes iOS in number of app downloads. The firm expects Android users to download 35 percent more apps than iOS users this year.
Ovum says that Android users are expected to download 8.1 billion apps this year, as compared to the 6 million it expects iOS users to download. This is a tremendous amount more than either platform saw last year, as Apple users downloaded 2.7 billion apps in 2010, while Android users claimed 1.4 billion. Total app downloads for mobile platforms is expected to grow 144 percent this year.

Despite Android users downloading more apps in total, Ovum says that iOS apps are still where the money is at for developers. Revenues from iOS app sales are expected to hit $2.86 billion by 2016, compared to the projected $1.5 billion for Android app sales. By that time, Android app downloads are expected to number 21.8 billion, while iOS app downloads will be 11.6 billion. [via CNET]

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HTC Vigor clears the FCC, Verizon 4G LTE included

Things keep looking better and better for Verizon and their upcoming 4G LTE lineup. The much anticipated HTC Vigor is appearing again today looking very alive and well. Last we saw it had just received Wi-Fi certification but now the HTC Vigor has cleared the FCC making it that much closer to a reality and in our hands.

If the original leaks are correct, this 4.5″ 720p HD display rocking 1.5 Ghz dual-core phone with Verizon 4G LTE will be a beast. We recently spotted it in a leaked Verizon roadmap with a early October release date and a replacement to the HTC Thunderbolt. We still can’t confirm that but with the specs seen above it sounds like the next flagship phone from HTC that is for sure.
The FCC filing didn’t reveal much other than the already heard rumors about Verizon 4G LTE. We didn’t get any sort of confirmation regarding any further specs but hopefully we will soon enough. A few weeks back some photos appeared with a sticker claiming it was the HTC Vigor, we aren’t completely sold on that and expect it to be the Incredible HD or something else. Hopefully more pictures and details come forward soon on this powerhouse phone the HTC Vigor.
[via Engadget]

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Samsung Pure Breeze Android Launcher app Review [Video]

If there’s one thing that device manufacturers across the board are NOT known for, it’s optional user interfaces. Instead it’s nearly always a face over the top of Android that, if you’re not too keen on hacking your device, you’re sort of stuck with. Of course manufacturers don’t want you to see it that way, promoting their devices alongside their user interfaces as added value – take TouchWiz for example on Samsung devices (video included below aside Pure Breeze video). TouchWiz is what Samsung places on the vast majority of their Android devices, namely their Galaxy S II line coming to the USA this month and the Infuse 4G which we’re using for this hands-on look at what Samsung has silently released as a brand new Launcher – Pure Breeze!

What you’ve got here is a launcher like you may likely have never seen before. If you’re not the type to go hacking or have never heard of ADW Launcher EX, you’ve probably only used the interface given to you by the manufacturer out of the box. What Pure Breeze does is give you another option for how you go about using your phone, especially in regards to how apps are managed. What you get, quite simply, is a set of drawers / folders that you can name and color-code, each of these situated around a single apps drawer with all of your apps and a single “Kite” screen which takes the place of your homescreen(s).

The video below shows features you’ll be getting with the newest version of Samsung’s more famous user interface TouchWiz, new features outlined here specifically for the USA release of the Samsung Galaxy S II. An interesting bit to note here, and again you’ll get to see this briefly in the hands-on video above, is that you can, if you wish, use TouchWiz (or whatever launcher you use usually) and Pure Breeze concurrently. They do not interrupt one another and can add a bit of odd flavor to your everyday app tapping experience.

Check out the lite version of the full version of Pure Breeze on the Android Market today, and let us know what you think!
BONUS here’s Samsung’s official YouTube spot for Pure Breeze as well:

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Motorola DROID Bionic gets shredded in an iFixIt teardown

Now that this week as well as the past month we’ve seen every side and angle imaginable of the Droid Bionic how about we take a look at the inside. I’ve always wanted to inside of something that “rules all machines” and today thanks to the popular iFixIt we have a full teardown treatment of the DROID Bionic.


If you are one of the many that like to see under the hood and exactly what makes these smartphones tick then be sure to check out the full teardown. It’s actually quite interesting as well as helpful should anyone decide to teardown their own one day or need to repair anything themselves. Like most phones once figured out the process seems fairly simple, although I wont be trying it on my own any time soon. I did however root my Bionic already and you can do the same in about 3 minutes by clicking here.
After all of the waiting the Bionic is finally here, buy it now for $299 at Verizon or even $179 from Amazon.

Device Specifications and Information

Device Info

Device Name : DROID Bionic

Manufactuer : Motorola

Carrier : Verizon

Announced Date : August 24, 2011

Release Date : September 08, 2011

Also Known As : Targa

Display

• Screen Size : 4.3 Inch
• Resolution : 540x960
• Screen Type : qHD

Dimension & Weight

• Height : 5.00 Inch
• Width : 2.60 Inch
• Depth : 0.40 Inch
• Weight : 159 Grams

Battery & Power

• Battery Type:
• Lithium Ion

• Battery Capacity : 1735 mAh
• Talk Time : NA
• Stand By Time : NA

Software

• Android OS:
• 2.3.x

• Audio Playback:
• MP3

• Video Playback:
• MPEG-4 (MP4)

• Messaging:
• SMS
• MMS

Hardware

CPU :

CPU Clock Speed : 1000 Mhz

Core : 2

Ram : 1024 MB

Internal Storage : 16.384 GB

Front Facing Camera :

Camera Resolution :8 MP

• External Storage:
• MicroSD
• MicroSDHC

• Camera Features:
• Auto focus
• Flash
• 1080p Video Recording
• 720p Video Recording

• Sensors:
• Accelerometer
• Ambient light
• Proximity

QWERTY :

Cellular Network

• Network Technology:
• GSM
• CDMA

• GSM Band:
• 850
• 900
• 1800
• 1900

• CDMA Band:
• 800
• 1900

Device Connectivity

• Wi-Fi:
• 802.11a
• 802.11b
• 802.11g
• 802.11n

• Bluetooth:
• Bluetooth 2.0

• Location Features:
• Compass
• GPS
• Cellular location
• Wi-Fi location

FM Radio :

[via iFitIt]

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Pioneer Electronics brings iControlAV2 app to Android users

If you are an Android user that has Pioneer home theater or audio components in your home the company has announced it previously iOS only app is now available for Android. The app is called iControlAV2 and is a free download. The app will only work with compatible gear and the full list of compatible products is on the Android Market app page.

The app does require Android 2.2 or higher device to operate. If your receiver and Android device is compatible the app allows you to control all sorts of functions of the app from across the room including volume, bass, balance, and room settings. You can change inputs and control the volume of individual components as well.
Receivers with the ability to be controlled by the app are available now starting at $549. The app will not work with any Pioneer devices launched before March of 2011. Android devices the app is confirmed to work on include the HTC Desire / HTC EVO 4G / SAMSUNG GALAXY S / MOTOROLA DROID X. The app requires a wireless network to operate and the receiver needs to be web connected via WiFi or Ethernet.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 injunction upheld in Germany

Samsung has been denied relief from the injunction that Apple won against the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Germany. The courts in Düsseldorf presiding over the case upheld the injunction against Samsung and Netbook News reports that the judge in the case didn’t need much time to make the ruling. Apparently, the judge remarked that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 “smooth, simple surfaces” copied the minimalistic design of the iPad 2.

The end result of the ruling is that Germans wanting the Galaxy Tab 10.1 still can’t get hands on one without importing. It’s worth noting that the initial ruling that banned the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in all of Europe is not in force. The Galaxy Tab 7.7 was pulled from display at IFA 2011 and the display for the tablet was covered with a sheet recently due to the Apple injunction against the Tab 10.1 tablet. That is a signal that the legal war might spill over onto other products in the Samsung line.
Samsung has noted that the design of the Tab 7.7 isn’t finalized. It would seem that a redesign to change the style of the tablet is in order. So far, there have been no public comments from Samsung or Apple on the injunction being upheld. I am sure there will be more detail surfacing on this in the coming weeks.
[via SlashGear]

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Barnes & Noble Hosting Nook Color Workshop – Hopes To Ramp-Up App Development

Barnes & Noble isn’t ready to give up on the Nook Color just yet. Apparently, the company looks to spur more Nook Color application development for the pseudo tablet/e-reader by hosting a Nook Developer Workshop at this years App Developers Conference in Santa Clara, CA. The conference takes place in October and the Nook Color Developer team will be on hand for the workshop taking developers through the entire development process of creating apps for Android powered B&NNC. Things like app submission and approval process and utilizing Nook Color API’s. They’re enticing developers with the possibility of making big bucks seeing how the top-selling apps for the NC grossed more than $100,000 within the first 30 days of being launched. Color me impressed.
Thanks, Mark!
[Via AppDevConf]

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Apple slides, Samsung and HTC gain share in August [infographic]

Samsung, HTC and Motorola showed the biggest market share gains among major manufacturers in August, while Apple’s share slid slightly. New data from mobile ad network Chitika’s the research division, Chitika Insights, lays out August’s manufacturer market share based on traffic over the company’s network. According to its data, Apple maintained its overwhelming lead last month, though usage of the iPhone slid to 49.37% from 50.03% in July — the second biggest drop among all manufacturers last month. HTC held strong in the No. 2 position, inching up to 18.93%, and Motorola came in at No. 3 with 11.53%. At No. 4, Samsung showed the most growth between July and August, gaining 0.63% last month for a 9.68% share of the market. RIM’s BlackBerry phones lost the most ground in July, sliding 0.9% to a 2.47% share. An infographic outlining Chitika’s data follows below.

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Google Maps for Android updated to version 5.10

Google has issued an update to the Google Maps app for Android smartphones. The update bumps the version number up to 5.10, and adds two new features. The map will now display Places that you have rated four or five stars, and you can now attach photos to reviews of Places. The new version of Google Maps is available in the Android Market now.
source: Android Market

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