10:05 AM
Simranpal SIngh
Sunday, February 6, 2011
System Dump from HTC Inspire 4G Made Available
Nearly 90% of All Android Devices Run 2.1 or 2.2
“Fragmentation” is a very common buzzword in the Android world, especially among its critics. But how big of a problem is it, really? Granted, different carriers and different manufacturers like to put their own spin on the OS, but most of that is cosmetic. At the core, most Android devices are running either the 2.1 or 2.2 version of the OS. The Android developer blog has released numbers, compiled of all the devices that have checked into the market over the last 2 weeks. As it turns out, 57.6% of all devices are running Android 2.2 right now, and 31.4% are running 2.1 – bringing the total between the two up to 89%. With nearly 90% running the same version of the OS, and Google saying that they’re at a point that major updates will be coming out about once a year, that should go a long way to addressing the perception of fragmentation.
Android Software Engineer Explains More Detail on Fragments
There’s a lot of technical information in the post, so it’s definitely worth a good read if you’re interested in the developer side of the platform. For the rest of you, the interesting part is that fragments are a way of organizing information and pulling it across various parts of the app. She also mentioned that fragment technology will be rolling back across to older Android versions, all the way back to 1.6. No word on the “when” of it, but it’ll be coming down the pipe.
Google’s Honeycomb Event: Now Streaming In Completion
, and let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Android 3.0 LG Optimus Pad Confirmed for Europe
We know that the LG G-Slate is headed for T-Mobile in the US of A, but European countries aren’t going to be left out in the cold when it comes to an Android 3.0 Honeycomb packing LG tablet as the European version of the G-Slate has now been confirmed.
According to an article over on Slash Gear by way of Android Community, LG has announced by way of Korean site Hankyung that the LG Optimus Pad for Europe will launch at Mobile World Congress 2011 in Barcelona.
Apparently the specs for the LG Optimus Pad are roughly the same as the LG G-Slate and will come packing the latest tablet specific operating system Android 3.0 Honeycomb along with an 8.9 inch capacitive touch screen, Tegra 2 processor, 32GB memory, and a 6400mAh battery.
So there it is a little Honeycomb LG tablet destined for Europe in the not too distant future, and no doubt once MWC 2011 kicks off we’ll be treated to some video footage of the LG Optimus Pad along with a few reviews
According to an article over on Slash Gear by way of Android Community, LG has announced by way of Korean site Hankyung that the LG Optimus Pad for Europe will launch at Mobile World Congress 2011 in Barcelona.
Apparently the specs for the LG Optimus Pad are roughly the same as the LG G-Slate and will come packing the latest tablet specific operating system Android 3.0 Honeycomb along with an 8.9 inch capacitive touch screen, Tegra 2 processor, 32GB memory, and a 6400mAh battery.
So there it is a little Honeycomb LG tablet destined for Europe in the not too distant future, and no doubt once MWC 2011 kicks off we’ll be treated to some video footage of the LG Optimus Pad along with a few reviews
AndroidMarketZOOM Takes a Deep Look into the Success of the Android Market in 2010
AndroidZOOM has put together an interesting pdf, which is chockfull of 2010 Android Market statistics and challenges for 2011. The report showcases the vast growth that the Market has seen over the past year including number of apps, submitted, ratio of paid and free apps, and most downloaded apps.
Here are a few of the sparkling numbers according to the report:
- During 2010, a total of 170,000 applications were published on Google’s Android Market. 75% of them were still active and available at the close of the year.
- Almost 65,000 new applications have been published on Market since September 2010. This figure means that Android Market has doubled the number of available applications in a period of just 6 months.
- Only a third of the applications available are paid.
- $1 is also the minimum price at which applications are sold. Conclusion: Half the paid applications are sold at the minimum price.
Things We Missed, You Shouldn’t [Feb. 4]
Here comes the weekend, and here comes all the news we missed today. Check it out below.
- T-Mobile’s getting even more aggressive against AT&T and Verizon. Faster network, lower prices? You judge.
- You can get two free T-Mobile G2s if you sign up for a new family plan. Deal can be found here.
- A system dump of the HTC Inspire 4G has gone online. You can find download links here.
- The Motorola Droid 2 Global is just 1 cent in a nice deal today, with their DROID X dropping down to $20, both via Amazon.
- More Android in the entertainment industry. This time, the Motorola DROID Incredible made a cameo appearance on The Office last night. Sweet!
- Market Alternatives – such as Android Zoom and AppBrain – won’t quit because of the new web market.
- Koodo in Canada will be carrying the LG Optimus One Kudos! (Sorry, I had to.)
- Best Buy’s Buy Back program will be free from Feb. 6th to the 26th, according to rumors.
- More confirmation that Verizon 4G data might be priced at $29.99, just as 3G is now.
- CNN has a story asking the question “Why does Google name its Android products after desserts?” that does little to provide a clear answer.
- Words with Friends has landed in the Android Market as a free version, paid version coming later this month.
- In the market for a new Android device? How about a used on. Check out Swappa.com to buy and sell pre-owned Androids.
Forget Android, Nokia Planning to Partner Up with Microsoft and Windows Phone 7?
While we stew on those rumors, we’d take it as a positive step for Nokia and hopes of Android someday finding a home there. Sure, an exclusive partnership for now might prevent that, but if Nokia is at least willing to install third-party operating systems on their devices it leaves a window open for Google’s platform. After all, HTC, Samsung, and LG all manufacture handsets based on both WP7 and Android. If Nokia ends up shifting its focus to hardware OEM only, then maybe one day the little green droid will make its way there.
uTorrent for Android Gives You Control of Your BitTorrent Downloads
You will need Android 2.1 or higher to get it, but you can find it in the Android Market now. This is only an alpha build, so expect future updates to bring much more.
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