Android’s native browser beats Opera Mini, still lags behind iOS

Ready for a whole new set of browser wars? Not content to keep the web browser battle to the desktop space, Google’s native Android browser, uh, “Browser”, is now beating the long-standing Opera Mini for worldwide mobile browser market share. However, both are still far, far behind Safari, which commands over half of the market as of October 2011.

And iOS Safari is still rising: it gained another six and a half percent to take 62.2 percent of all mobile device browsing in October. That includes all browsing from iPhones, iPods and iPads. Android’s browser now stands at 18.7 percent, while Opera Mini dropped almost a third of its total user share down to just 13.1 percent. And in case you’re wondering, no, that doesn’t include the more powerful Opera Mobile, though Opera Mini runs on Android, iOS, Blackberry, Symbian and Java-powered phones.

The numbers aren’t all that surprising, considering that Opera isn’t installed by default on any smartphones. But of the leading mobile web browsers, it’s been around the longest: the initial Java version came out in 2005, a full two years before the iPhone and its mobile browser hit the market, and three years before Android. It’s also got a lot more features than either of the big players, though like its desktop cousin, rendering issues still put some sites off-limits.

It’ll be interesting to see how the mobile browser market shifts once Google Chrome comes to Android, in fact if not in name – many of the additions to the stock browser in Ice Cream Sandwich are already shared with Chrome, and the desktop version now commands an impressive 17.6 percent of the market.

[via Cnet]

Read more »

Spotify Gift Cards arrive in UK stores

It has been possible to buy Spotify e-cards as gifts for a while, with users able to email or print the cards off. But Spotify has announced that gift cards will be available in-store too, in what seems like could just be the UK to begin with, though it would make sense that it will be rolled out across the board shortly.
The cards will first be available in the Morrisons’ supermarket chain from today, though Spotify will be “adding many more retail shops in the near future”.

The gift cards will come in three different denominations: £10, £30 and £50, and the recipient can redeem the card for a Spotify subscription, or download tracks to keep. To redeem a card you need to head over to the ‘Redeem your code‘ page and enter the PIN number on the back of the card.
By way of an example, a £10 card will get you 1 month of Spotify Premium access, 2 months of Spotify Unlimited or 15 tracks to download.
Given the monumental success of iTunes gift cards, it was only a matter of time before Spotify jumped on the bandwagon too and, coming up to Christmas, the timing couldn’t be better, a fact not lost on the good people at Spotify. Andres Sehr says in the blog post today: “Spotify Gift Cards are the perfect present for birthdays, Christmas – in fact, any occasion!”

Related articles

• Spotify adds Android Preview app with Facebook sign-in and sharing (goandroid.co.in)

Read more »

AT&T LTE-Enabled Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Appears at the FCC

Just as was the case with the original, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 seems to be doing good things on carriers as AT&T wants to get in on the fun of carrying one. An LTE equipped version of the tablet for Ma Bell has been spotted at the FCC. Alongside compatible radios for their network, their 4G LTE logo on the back of the device is more than enough of a giveaway for us.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is a very slim Android tablet that foregoes many desirable ports for its good looks. Still, we believe it’s one of the best Honeycomb tablets out there. It sports a 1GHz Tegra 2 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 10.1 inch display, Android 3.1+ and more.
It remains to be seen how AT&T will price this tablet, though we’d wager they’ll be a bit more expensive than the 16GB and 32GB flavors with only WiFi radios. Other than that, we expect everything else to remain business as usual – we just need some official information from AT&T itself. [FCC via Wireless Goodness]

Related articles

• T-Mobile to launch Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 on November 2nd, SpringBoard on November 9th (tech-gadget.co.in)
• Original Galaxy Tab Getting Android 2.3.5 Upgrade through Verizon (goandroid.co.in)
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 drops by the FCC with AT&T LTE bands (goandroid.co.in)
• Hands-on: Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 with 3G, TouchWiz (tech-gadget.co.in)

Read more »

HTC Sensation XL with Beats Audio Now Available in the UK for £486.00

Our friends at Clove in the UK have just sent word that the HTC Sensation XL is now in stock and shipping. For £486.00 incl. VAT, you’ll be able to get one of the first Beats Audio HTC smartphones on the market. Aside from that, you’re looking at a pretty good smartphone.
It’s a 4.7 inch smartphone (hence the “XL” part) with a 1.5GHz single-core processor, 768MB of RAM, an 8 megapixel 720p camera, a front–facing camera, 16GB of internal storage, Android 2.3 with HTC Sense and more. It’s also a bit thin at 9.9mm.
This is no HTC Sensation internally, but the device is still quite good. Take a good, close look at it over at Clove before making your purchase decision.

Related articles

• HTC rolling out update to Android 2.3.5, Sense 3.0 for Desire S in UK (tech-gadget.co.in)
• HTC Raider sailing to Rogers with 4G LTE for just $149 (goandroid.co.in)
• HTC Rhyme Heads to O2 UK (goandroid.co.in)

Read more »

LG Optimus series Android 2.3 updates rolling out now

If you are a user of the LG Optimus series of smartphones the Android Gingerbread 2.3 update is ready to head your way right now in Europe. There are several models in the Optimus range and the models will get the update in a staggered launch. According to the LG Facebook page, the first to get the update will be the Optimus 2X.

The 2X should be getting the update as of November 1, which is today. The Optimus 3D will get the update starting on November 21. After that update, the Optimus Black will get the nod starting on November 28. After the rollouts are made in Europe, Android 2.3 will come to the device globally according to LG. LG notes that the exact timing of the launch globally will vary with each market.
There are some commenting on the Facebook post saying that the update for the 2X isn’t available OTA or via the updater right now. I can only image the riot that Optimus owners will start if the 2.3 update turns out to be flawed and slow after waiting this long to get Gingerbread. LG recently announced that the 2X would not get an upgrade to Android 4.0 so this Gingerbread update may be the last some LG owners see.
) 

Related articles

• LG Revolution Android 2.3 Update on the way (goandroid.co.in)
• LG Prada K2 Pictured in the Wild (goandroid.co.in)

Read more »

Google+ app gets an official update with ICS user interface enhancements

It looks like the leaked Google+ app has finally become official, Ice Cream sandwich interface and all. The app is available on the Android Market now. According to the change log, it features battery improvements, navigation changes, improved notifications, support for Google Apps users (we know you’re out there) and general bug fixes.

Take a look at those screenshots: notice anything different? It looks like someone in Mountain View has got their hands on a Galaxy Nexus, not that it’s any sort of surprise – you can see the software navigation buttons at the bottom. If you visit the Android Market listing on your computer, you’ll see that the app previews are now 1280 x 720, the screen resolution of Google’s latest developer phone. According to the latest user reviews, even persistent bugs have been ironed out after the major release.
Other official Google apps should start updating soon. The Android Market has already got its major overhaul, and we’d guess that Google Music 4 will drop just as soon as the company is ready to add MP3 music to the Market as it’s already done with movies and books. You can download the leaked Google Music APK here. Expect apps like Gmail and Google Reader to be updated in the near future for all Android versions and devices. Sadly, poor Google Listen seems to have been completely abandoned. How’s about a little love, big G?

Read more »

Samsung Galaxy S gets a taste of Ice Cream Sandwich via SDK port

I always love seeing what dedicated Android modders can do with new software and old hardware. the latest phone to get the Ice Cream Sandwich SDK port treatment is none other than the original Samsung Galaxy S – no II, no HD, no LTE, no X, just the S. It shouldn’t be that much of a surprise, since the Nexus S shares a lot of the same hardware, and it saw Ice Cream Sandwich almost immediately after the SDK was released.

This time the legwork comes from a pair of XDA-Developers, uh, developers, galnet and lttldvl, both members of the MIUI team. The hardware in their photo looks like the original international version, but it shouldn’t be too difficult for community members to begin pumping out variations for the Captivate, Vibrant, Fascinate, et cetera. The ROM is in the extreme alpha stage – not even the touchscreen works, and proper resolution scaling has yet to be implemented. Brave souls can download and flash the ROM now, but for goodness sake, keep a Nandroid backup handy.
Naturally the Nexus S and Nexus One were two of the first devices to get an SDK port for Ice Cream Sandwich, with more esoteric hardware like the ThunderBolt following. More stable and useful ports should begin appearing once Google releases the open source code, currently expected a week or two after the November launch of the Galaxy Nexus. HTC, Motorola, Samsung, Sony and others have already committed to bringing Ice Cream Sandwich to such devices as can handle it.

Related articles

• Add the Samsung Galaxy S to the List of Devices with an Unofficial Ice Cream Sandwich Port (goandroid.co.in)

Read more »

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 drops by the FCC with AT&T LTE bands

It looks like the uber-expensive HTC Jetstream won’t have long to sit on its throne as AT&T’s only LTE tablet device. Either the Galaxy Tab 10.1 or 8.9 was recently spotted roaming the digital halls of the FCC, with AT&T’s unmistakable 4G LTE branding adorning its backside. The spec drawing looks pretty interchangeable with the Galaxy Tab 10.1, but after overlaying the press shots of the 8.9 on the PDF, I’m leaning towards the 8.9.

Those who would rather have some Honeycomb goodness in a Wifi-only package can already purchase the Galaxy Tab 8.9, starting at $449.99 for the 16GB version. A wireless variant isn’t exactly a surprise, since its big brother the 10.1 can already be found on other carriers, and Verizon already has a 4G LTE model for sale. AT&T still hasn’t got a 3G version of the latest Galaxy Tab hardware, though they are still offering the 7-inch original – maybe they want to offer some differentiation from the 10-inch Jetstream.
The Galaxy Tab 8.9 shares almost all the components and specifications of the 10.1: the same 1GHz processor, the same full gigabyte of RAM, and even the same 1280 x 800 screen resolution – though obviously, it uses a smaller panel. The 10.1 Verizon LTE model received a positive review a few months ago, and there’s no reason to believe that the 8.9 on AT&T’s LTE network will do any less, assuming that you’re in one of AT&T’s sparse LTE coverage areas. Considering that the carrier’s LTE push is now in full swing with the Galaxy S II Skyrocket and HTC Vivid, expect the Galaxy Tab 8.9 before the end of the year.

Read more »

Republic Wireless tries to change the game with VOIP and Android

Raise your hand if you love your wireless carrier. Anyone? Consumers fed up with spotty service and limited terms have been complaining for years about lack of transparency and competition, and on November 8th, they might just have a next-generation alternative to the likes of Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. Republic Wireless is a new Mobile Virtual Network Operator that uses a combination of conventional cellular lines and Voice Over IP via Wifi.

So what’s the difference between Republic and simply using Skype on your current phone? The magic comes via “Hybrid Calling,” which keeps a constant connection to a Wifi hotspot and the cellular network. Calls will default to Wifi, then switch over to cellular only when necessary. This will require some new hardware and software so unfortunately, you’ll have to get a new Android phone along with the service. On the plus side, it’ll use a single mobile number no matter what system the phone is currently using.
This isn’t the be-all, end-all future of wireless, for a few reasons. One, only The Now Network will be supported at launch, and as its current customers know, that’s a lot of roaming territory. Republic Wireless will try to get agreements with other carriers as well. The current carriers don’t really have a reason to help Republic succeed, so you almost certainly won’t see the MVNO get agreements for LTE and unlimited data. But for a very specific subset of people – those who are nearly always in a range of Wifi and don’t require consistent mobile data – it will significantly lower the barrier to entry in the form of monthly payments about half as expensive as current carriers.
Details are still sparse. The company is getting its Beta launch on November the 8th – we’ll be watching with interest.
[via TechCrunch]

Read more »