NPD Group: Nearly 3 in 5 first-time smartphone buyers choose Android Posted: 06 Feb 2012 01:28 PM PST According to new data out of the NPD Group, nearly 3 out of every 5 new smartphone buyers are picking up Android devices. The information collected over the fourth quarter of 2011 tells us that people prefer Android 57% of the time, followed by iOS with a 34% share. Now before you say, "That's one handset against a seemingly endless barrage of devices" consider that it factors in all flavors of iPhones. This means that between these two platforms we have 9 in 10 new smartphone purchases. Looking at a more broad angle, Android accounts for 48% of the market share with Apple coming in a close second at 43% of the pie. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that the gap will continue to widen between these two just so long as people continue to turn to Android for new smartphones. When it comes to specific models of handsets, however, Apple takes the top three spots. The NPD Group finds that the newer the iPhone, the more popular with the 4S leading the way. Android's most popular model, the Galaxy S II, comes in fourth place, followed by the Galaxy S 4G. What do you think is the cause for Android's success among first time buyers? Is it because of the number of low-cost/free devices? Is it because of the platform's sexiness? We'd love to year your thoughts in the comments below! NPD Group: Nearly 3 in 5 first-time smartphone buyers choose Android originally appeared on AndroidGuys. Follow AndroidGuys on Facebook and Twitter and download the free AndroidGuys app for your device! Check out our gift ideas for Android owners

Instagram ready for its Android debut? Posted: 06 Feb 2012 09:30 AM PST After what feels like an agonizingly long wait, Instagram may be finally ready for its Android debut.  According to one of the guys over at InFlexWeTrust, the following notification popped up on his Galaxy Tab 10.1.  Judging by what we're looking at it appears as if Samsung might be close to highlighting the application for the popular tablet. Unfortunately the link didn't work yet and the app is still nowhere to be found in the Android Market.  Perhaps things are coming together and the app is right around the corner?  Look, we get that there are only two dudes working on the Android app, but we're growing anxious. Instagram ready for its Android debut? originally appeared on AndroidGuys. Follow AndroidGuys on Facebook and Twitter and download the free AndroidGuys app for your device! Check out our gift ideas for Android owners

‘Android Winning’ is follow up to ‘Andy Versus’ t-shirt Posted: 06 Feb 2012 09:11 AM PST How many of you picked up one of those sweet Android shirts or posters called "Andy Versus" last year?  At the time, Apple was putting together its first major offensive against Android and Andy was just breaking free of his constraints. The new shirt design, "Android Winning" shows where things are now and how Andy has called in his own backup. New from Chris Bishop, an update of Andy Versus. You don't mess with the Android Army. It's bigger. Stronger. Faster. In the battle between Apple and Android — Android is WINNING THE WAR. All sizes of the shirt are $17 each, including 2X and 3X and shipping is $6 in the United States.  Should you need to ship internationally, just be sure to have an extra buck on hand.  And yes, there are girl shirts too! ‘Android Winning’ is follow up to ‘Andy Versus’ t-shirt originally appeared on AndroidGuys. Follow AndroidGuys on Facebook and Twitter and download the free AndroidGuys app for your device! Check out our gift ideas for Android owners

Win a Kindle Fire just for asking an audio-related question! Posted: 06 Feb 2012 08:43 AM PST Our wonderful friends over at Stack Exchange have started a new contest this week and have put a Kindle Fire up for grabs.  How do you get your hands on one?  Simple, ask an Android-related question that pertains to audio.  If your question gets the most views this week, you win.  Period. To enter the Audio Week contest, head to the Android portal of Stack Exchange and ask something that is related to audio output of an Android device. Anything that gets tagged as audio is eligible for this challenge, however be sure to add additional, relevant tags as well. Once your question is live, be sure to tweet it, share it, post it to your wall, etc.  Whatever you do to get the word out only helps your cause. While you are there, feel free to take a look around at some of the other questions.  Chances are good that you might find something helpful for your own phone or tablet experience. Guess what?  AndroidGuys readers are eligible for their own prize as well!  Make sure to mention that you heard about this contest from us or mention that in your profile! To help stand out from the crowd, insert "I am an Android Guys reader" in your profile. The Rules The contest is open to both new and current Stack Exchange and android.stackexchange.com users. Everyone is eligible to participate regardless of geographic location. If you live in an area of the world where it is too difficult for us to ship you your prize, we'll figure something else out on a case by case basis. The only metrics we're using to determine winners are the number of page views your questions get. So ask as many good questions as you can, and share them using whatever means you see fit. Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Google Plus, whatever! What are you waiting for? The contest begins today, February 6th and runs until  Friday, February 17th at 11:59 pm (UTC).  If you don't get your question in between now and Friday then you can't win! Win a Kindle Fire just for asking an audio-related question! originally appeared on AndroidGuys. Follow AndroidGuys on Facebook and Twitter and download the free AndroidGuys app for your device! Check out our gift ideas for Android owners

Galaxy S III to be 7mm thick, arrive in May (Rumor) Posted: 06 Feb 2012 08:20 AM PST Let's kick the week off with a couple of new Samsung Galaxy S III rumors, shall we?  The latest details to hit the internet come from Korean website etnews (translate) and deal with arrival time frame and overall thickness.  According to their sources the GSIII should offer a chassis that is 7mm thick and arrive in May 2012.  Neither sounds too outlandish to us at this point, match up with previous rumors, and both would be welcome.  Additional details include an 8-megapixel rear camera, 2-megapixel front-facing camera, quad-core procesor, LTE support, and Ice Cream Sandwich. The article also tells that despite other failed attempts, Samsung plans to offer their own 3D smartphone later in the year. etnew(translate) Galaxy S III to be 7mm thick, arrive in May (Rumor) originally appeared on AndroidGuys. Follow AndroidGuys on Facebook and Twitter and download the free AndroidGuys app for your device! Check out our gift ideas for Android owners