Android Authority |
- Canalys: Android rules global smartphone market with 69% share, iOS rises to 22%
- Xperia Z pre-order available from SFR in France, release date set for February 25
- Galaxy S4, AT&T and Korean versions, possibly spotted in camera image samples information
- Looks like the Chromebook puppy may have some bite
- 10 Again – Reasons to Choose Nexus [video]
- Could Android replace Windows?
- 3G Nexus 7 making its way to Japan
- Free LG Optimus G available from Sprint in new BOGO deal
- Woz says Apple ‘somewhat behind,’ in smartphone features, identifies himself with the company
- HTC 603e mid-range Android handset on its way to China
| Canalys: Android rules global smartphone market with 69% share, iOS rises to 22% Posted: 08 Feb 2013 01:59 AM PST
It's been a long time since we've last had doubts about the dominating platform of the global smartphone market, with Android ruling quite comfortably across the world. Still, it's always interesting to see what's coming of the leading margin over iOS and the rest of the competition, mostly because that increases month after month and year after year. And even when it doesn't, like in the final fiscal quarter of 2012, we still get thrills at how far behind Android everyone else is. But first things first and let's give credit where credit is due – Apple's enjoyed a pretty awesome end of last year. According to the latest report from Canalys, a leading provider of market analysis for the high-tech industry, iOS has boosted its worldwide market share from around 15% to 22.1%. That's impressive, no question about it, and we're not afraid to admit it. Then again, we can't help but regard iPhone shipments in the last three months of 2012 as only drops in the ocean. And you know who owns the ocean. That's right, Android, with a crushing 69.2% market share in Q4.
Granted, that's down from 75% in the previous fiscal quarter, but we have to look at the context. Apple's iPhone 5 was fresh out in October 2012, while most of last year's Android hits, including the Samsung Galaxy S3, were starting to get old. It's therefore only natural to see iOS rise and Android dip and it's nothing to worry about. And if you're still not convinced, here's a number to chew on. 51%. That was Android's market share in Q4 2011. So, if you ask me, an 18% boost year-on-year should warrant some sort of a celebration instead of being reason for concern. Translated in millions of smartphones shipped, those Q4 numbers for Android and Apple look even farther apart. Our favorite mobile OS powered almost 150 million gadgets sold worldwide, while iOS had just 47.8 mil. Meanwhile, BlackBerry accounted for 7.6 million (3.5% market share), while Microsoft and Nokia were mere blips on the radar, with 5.1 and 3.2 million respectively (or 2.4 and 1.5% shares).
In other news, Samsung continues to dominate the vendor charts, with 62.9 million smartphones sold in Q4 2012, or 29% of the total market. That's a 78% (!!!) boost, which allowed Sammy to widen the gap between first and second place. The silver was of course captured by Apple, while the last spot on the podium went to Huawei. With 11.5 million smartphones shipped and a 5.3% share, the Chinese very narrowly beat their local competitors, ZTE (10.1 million or 4.7%) and Lenovo (9.5 million or 4.4%). Oddly, despite smartphones winning the fight against feature devices in both the US and EU5, Canalys estimates that across the 50+ countries tracked by the latest report smartphones represented "almost" 50% of all phones shipped in Q4. In other words, "dumb" phones continue to rule the world of mobile, mostly due to their still high popularity in poor countries and among elderly people. Other thoughts on these numbers? Surprised by anything? Should we be worried about Android’s quarterly drop or celebrate the massive yearly boost? Related Posts |
| Xperia Z pre-order available from SFR in France, release date set for February 25 Posted: 07 Feb 2013 11:50 PM PST
French carrier SFR, previously part of Vodafone’s empire which had a considerable stake in the company, is now offering the Sony Xperia Z for pre-order, one of the most exciting new Android smartphones of the beginning of the year. The 4G LTE version of the handset will be available in three colors from SFR including white, black and violet, and will cost €29.90 after €200 reimbursement and when purchased with a new two-year contract of €79.90 per month. Cheaper monthly tariffs will increase the outright price of the device, although on the long run you're likely to save money. The Xperia Z will cost €449.90 with a €19.99/month two-year contract, or €179.90 after €100 mail-in rebate with a €39.99 monthly plan. The bad news is that SFR's 4G LTE network is somewhat limited so you'll only be able to enjoy increased data speeds in certain French cities. Once ordered, you'll have to wait for your Sony Xperia Z to arrive a couple of more weeks, with SFR saying that it'll ship the handset on February 25. Let's hear it from our French readers, are you buying the new Sony flagship Android handset? Related Posts |
| Galaxy S4, AT&T and Korean versions, possibly spotted in camera image samples information Posted: 07 Feb 2013 11:08 PM PST This is not the first time EXIF data seems to reveal unannounced Android devices, but as always we remind you to take everything with a grain of salt, until the Galaxy S4 does become official. It appears that at least two Galaxy S4 versions have been used to upload images to Google Plus including the SGH-I337 (which is rumored to be AT&T's version) and the SHV-E300S (the Korean version) – the pictures have been taken down since being discovered. The Galaxy S4 is rumored to pack a 13-megapixel main shooter, but that kind of image resolution is not spotted in the available EXIF data, not that it means the next Samsung flagship device won't have a powerful camera on board – at least when counting megapixels. Of course, EXIF data can be faked, but then why were these images taken down in the first place? As for the contents of the images, we're looking at a calendar image (February 2 is the date) and what seems to be a keyboard with Korean layout, not that it's enough information to confirm anything.
In addition to pictures uploaded from these two rumored Galaxy S4 versions (the Korean model was used on Wednesday, while the AT&T model was used on Thursday to upload the images,) another unannounced Samsung device has been spotted in EXIF data, the SPH-M840, initially believed to be Sprint's Galaxy S4. However, it appears that the SHP-M840 is not the Sprint Galaxy S4, so we'll be looking for more details on that particular device in the near future as well. Related Posts |
| Looks like the Chromebook puppy may have some bite Posted: 07 Feb 2013 09:55 PM PST
In case you weren’t giddy to the point of annoying people with your excitement for the alleged new Chromebook, dubbed "Pixel", here's some more great news! On Thursday morning, a new device showed up in the Chromium base code. The device, code named "puppy," had not been seen before today. With this, we know someone is testing a new device on Chromium. If you're not familiar, Chromium is the open source project that gives us Chrome OS. Just when you think it's about as good as it can get, there's more! Not only is this new device being tested on Chromium, its operating on "Tegra 114", or "Dalmore". Greek to you? Maybe… but this isn't: those are code names for Tegra 4. We're all excited for NVIDIA’s Tegra 4, and if the alleged benchmarks are real, it's going to be a monster. So now you're super excited, right? Wait, there's more! This new Chrome device, being tested on Chromium, which seems to be operating with the new Tegra 4 chipset, has another wrinkle. With some investigative work, the folks at chromestory.com dug up a treasure in the code. The CROS_WORKON_SUBDIR="android-files" line seems to hint at some functionality with Android. While it's common to see this in Chrome, which is available for Android devices, this is Chrome OS we're talking about. That statue on the Google Campus is starting to make a little more sense, right? So far we've got a leaked video, a registered domain, a device, Tegra 4, and Android buried in the code to give credence to ”Chromebook Pixel”. If you're not excited, you might be dead. Please go see a doctor immediately. Related Posts |
| 10 Again – Reasons to Choose Nexus [video] Posted: 07 Feb 2013 01:54 PM PST
By now, you should be familiar with the Nexus line of official Google devices. Even if you may not understand them in-depth, just the term ‘Nexus’ has likely come across your ears at one point in the last few months. Whether it was because of the Nexus 7, arguably the best tablet in the 7-inch market; the Nexus 4, with its seemingly endless issues remaining in stock; or the Nexus 10, the line’s largest and most powerful device, there has been some point in some place that you have come across Google’s flagships. And whether it be because of envy towards your friends who seem privileged enough to have acquired any version of the Nexus or because of sheer curiosity, a question looms in your mind. Why Nexus?
There are multiple ways to answer this question, all of them pointing to particular aspects of the Nexus experience that, on their own, cannot tell the whole story – however, when put together, all of the reasons to get a Nexus device over other ones sum up the enthusiasm by which owners have flocked to this line of special devices. As an owner of every current Nexus device, I certainly have my own reasons for loving the Nexus. And after some scrutiny, I bring 10 again to answer that very question. As I have and likely will continue to do more lists of 10 what-have-yous, I’ll call them 10 Again. And as is customary with my list features, a disclaimer: this isn’t a ‘tips and tricks’, but some discretion is still warranted. Some of these reasons for choosing Nexus may seem to deal more with the general Android platform rather than this specific line. While this may be true to an extent, I am saying that it is with the Nexus 4, 7, and 10 that the particular reason shines best. The Nexus line of phones and tablets is supposed to be Google’s way of presenting Android the way it is supposed to be experienced, so this is as much an upholding of the Nexus as it is another way of looking at the greatness of Android in general. Also, unless otherwise stated, 10 Again occurs in no particular order. They are just numbered for convenience. 1. Hardware and performanceThis might not have been the story in the first few Google official devices, but it will certainly be a mainstay of the Nexus line from this generation onward – the hardware. As they are supposed to be industry standards for their respective markets, the phones and tablets of the Google Nexus line have the best specifications of any competitor. At the time of release, every current Nexus line touted the best specs and performance compared to basically all other phones and tablets. Even better, specifically the Nexus 4 phone and Nexus 10 tablet continue to be the fastest devices in their respective markets. When released, the Nexus 7 (the first in the current line to see the light of day) had 1GB of RAM and the Nvidia Tegra 3 graphics/processor as its powerful engine. Its main role as a device to rival the original Kindle Fire was very much fulfilled, as the Nexus 7 sold out quickly and was never low in demand (something we know all too well these days, unfortunately). Users loved to have the incredible power of some of the best smartphones out at the time in a larger form factor, complete with the backing of Google and its updated Android operating system (which will be, perhaps inevitably, touched upon soon).
If you follow the phone market (or maybe you just remember my comparison review from a while back), you probably know that there is one phone that directly competes with the Nexus 4 – the LG Optimus G. Both do sport the same incredible specifications like the quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, making the performance on either phone blazingly fast. However, as I stated before, any one aspect cannot tell the whole story about why the Nexus is the place to be, as the Nexus 4′s trump card can be summed up by simply uttering the magic words: Jelly Bean.
Finally, the Google Nexus 10 is perhaps the main example of a Nexus device that thus far has been able to stand the test of the time in the market. Bringing Samsung in for design and manufacturing, Google wanted to mature into the full sized tablet market and rival the likes of the iPad. Boy, did they make a statement with what came out. A blazing fast 1.7GHz dual-core Exynos A15 processor and a great graphics package in the Mali T604 made the Nexus 10 the fastest tablet in the market, and it still is. Put in a few extra bits like a surprisingly capable camera and front facing speakers, and the package of the Nexus 10 is hard to beat.
It is clear that Google wants to keep itself at the top of the Android food chain and with the help of capable manufacturers, the current crop of Nexus devices shows us that this is entirely possible. We can certainly look forward to more incredible devices, perhaps those with the CES-announced NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor, sporting ‘NEXUS’ across their backs. 2. PricesSo we would expect that with such high capabilities comes nose-bleedingly high prices, right? Fortunately, this hasn’t been the case. As we explained in a previous feature explaining exactly what a Nexus device is, Google has made it clear that it is willing to sell devices at lower prices than its competitors. Of course, we have to remain vigilant and ask why this courtesy by Google, and they have not hidden their ulterior motive. Google hopes that their Nexus devices will be able to get more people through the doors of their Play Store, so app and content sales essentially make up for the lowered prices. And, for the most part, it seems to work – when you fire up your new Nexus device, what is the first thing you do? Fire up that Play Store. You’re bound to find apps that you need (or want) enough that they justify their prices (not to mention, apps go on sale more often than you might think). When you hit that buy button, it makes Google happy and Nexus devices remain the prices they need to be.
Of course, with the low prices that the Nexus devices come at, the sheer number of sales itself is nothing to brush off. After all, starting at $299, the Nexus 4 is the best-priced unlocked phone ever. The 16GB Wi-Fi only version of the Nexus 7 is only $199 (Valentine’s Day gift for the loved one, maybe?) and the Nexus 10 is very competitively priced at $399 (a competitor, the Asus Transformer Infinity, can be up to $450 for the base model and that doesn’t even include the keyboard dock). Should this particular aspect of the Nexus line remain in future generations, it is certainly very hard to resist. Together with the previous reason, the picture is quite a lot clearer as to why you should choose Google’s official devices. 3. UpdatesYou knew this one was coming. After all, wars (okay, flame wars) are started over what operating system is included in nearly any Android device. “It’s still on Ice Cream Sandwich?” “Which Jelly Bean version is it?” “Gingerbread? FROYO?!” That last one is like the end of an Android user’s worst nightmare. This kind of emphatic reaction stems from one simple reason – Google’s official stock Android operating system has and continues to set the standard of the mobile OS’s experience. And with the Nexus line of devices, you never have to question – they will not only come with the latest Android OS, Google will keep them updated for at least a long time (maybe up to when two later versions of the same device are released, let’s say).
For a lot of people, this reason alone is the reason to invest in Nexus. Especially for the Nexus 4 – do a quick Google search and you will see people debating over whether to wait for it because of its constant ‘sold out’ status or just settle for the LG Optimus G, its fraternal twin. Notice the word ‘settle’ being used there. More often than not, people respond to questions like this by telling the OP to wait – having the most updated operating system means too much to them when it is common knowledge that the Optimus G (or pretty much any other Android phone, for that matter) will always be at least a step or two behind on this front. Not to mention how much better people believe the stock experience to be over forked iterations, which we will touch upon next. 4. Android is getting better and betterI read a story recently in which the writer made a pretty spectacular point – before Ice Cream Sandwich, it was hard to put Android on the top of the food chain because, as an operating system, it just wasn’t… there. I can definitely agree. It wasn’t entirely because of specific functions that were missing or because it was lacking in any one big aspect – it just didn’t have that “je ne sais quoi”. Now, those days are behind us. Maybe it was ICS’ change to an entirely new color scheme and design outlook, or maybe it was Project Butter, which made the OS cut through its screens and apps like… well, butter. But something happened when Android 4.0.4 came out that changed the landscape. Suddenly, it was easier, faster, and (most importantly) more fun to use. More now than ever, Android users are clamoring for that version number when looking at a new phone. Will be at least 4.1? But I want to extend this past Ice Cream Sandwich and the impact it had, instead bringing Jelly Bean’s latest iteration to light. As it was released on each Nexus device I now own, I began to notice something that was nothing short of amazing – I wasn’t reaching for my customization applications anymore. Launchers, replacement lockscreens, and even power widgets became afterthoughts because with the newest iteration of Jelly Bean, 4.2, all of the issues that I used to have with the stock experience has gone away.
Aside from speed optimizations and an overall better looking UI, a number of things that needed refreshment and upgrade were revamped. The notification dropdown allows for expansion of notices for easy access to the information without needing to go into the app, the newest Jelly Bean brought a new side (quite literally) to the dropdown as a place to access most used settings, and the lockscreen was given new life by the addition of widget screens.
And Google Now – as I stated in my previous edition of 10 Again about tips and tricks on the Nexus 4, I want everyone to start using this great service more often because it is just that good. Google Now has become my go to place to perform searches, check the weather, see what the traffic is like before leaving to a destination, and even to check the score of the Laker game. It looks elegant and is definitely a feat by Google to bring information to its users in a unique and ultimately useful way. All of these optimizations have made the overall experience of Android better, and it’s only going to continue. In the current crop of Android devices, it is only with the Nexus devices that you can get the OS fully updated and the way it was meant to be used. I don’t even go for my custom ROMs anymore, because stock Android already has everything I need. Of course, if you really wanted to get in on the fun on a non-Nexus device, you could opt for a ROM like Cyanogenmod. But which device is the easiest to root and flash ROMs to? 5. The dev communityThat’s right, power to the people, as the Nexus is the place to go when you want to get behind the veil of your phone’s capabilities and really get down to the customization. While Google has given developers the ability to work on their devices since Android’s inception, it was with the Nexus One that the community truly blew up and began to take the operating platform they loved to a whole new level. We already have a pretty extensive feature on just what rooting and flashing ROMs means, but here is a quick rundown: rooting your phone (or any Android device) gives the user full permissions – we’re talking full system level access – to do anything on the software level that they want. At its simplest level, rooting a device allows certain apps that need an extra level of access to the features of a phone, like changing the color of the LED notification light or even just browsing the root directory of the file system. However, the more commonplace steps that follow rooting are installing a bootloader and then flashing a new ROM.
A bootloader allows for raw backups, full data wipes, and the installation of entire operating systems. In the case of loading an OS – or ROM – you can get one of very many iterations of Android designed and built by users in the community. They can be vanilla Android ROMs or ones basically on steroids with loads and loads of tweaks and added functionality. Ultimately, rooting your device brings a whole new level of customization that used to be only for those adventurers who bravely brushed past the dangers of bricking their devices. Now, it’s pretty easy to do, but take heed. Some may say that this is only for the more advanced users, and they are right. I will posit, however, that the general user of Android can easily learn how to root and flash ROMs to their phone or tablet, as the dev community is so good that it makes the process easy to fathom. That being said, this is a way of getting a whole new level of power over your Nexus device, even if it comes with a small degree of danger. If things get messed up, you could end up with a great looking paperweight. But it’s not as common as some think, and I will reiterate that the stock Android experience already found on Nexus devices is so good that going this far is purely a voluntary choice. Just do your research before trying. 6. (Nexus 4) UnlockedAs with many Nexus devices, their inception into the market makes waves. The Nexus One, as I said before, was a wonderful platform for developers to take Android to the next level of customization. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus was the first Nexus device for people not on GSM networks. The Nexus 7 proved that a 7-inch form factor could have the full Android experience without sacrificing pretty much anything. The same goes for the Nexus 4, as it made waves being perhaps the most affordable unlocked phone ever. Think back to when you saw a phone you really wanted, but you were stuck on your current carrier and your upgrade date was a far off dream. But that awesome new phone just came out and you just needed to have it. So, you check the price. $600 on eBay?! Yeah. That was and, unfortunately, still is the reality when it comes to new smartphones. Keeping up with the greatest that mobile technology has to offer comes at a very hefty price. Not if you choose the Nexus. As I already said, the Nexus 4 is one of best phones on the market, and that doesn’t just go for specifications and price. That all goes along with being an unlocked phone free of carrier contracts. On a 2 year contract with a phone company, you might end up spending close to $299 anyway, but buy the 4 in the Play Store and you get a phone that you own – right out of the box.
And without having to pay subsidies through a long and binding contract, you save some money and can choose a plan from any GSM carrier (yes, this is a bit of a tradeoff, as non-GSM users cannot use the Nexus 4 on their networks) at no commitment. I put my Nexus 4 on an off-contract 4G monthly plan from T-Mobile, and couldn’t be happier with the setup. Ultimately, the Nexus 4 is probably one of the best investments you could possibly ask for in the smartphone market. 7. Free contentFire up any Nexus device for the first time, especially tablets, and your main home screen page will have a grid listing of all the Play Store content that you suddenly own.
These can be single magazines, complete books, and even a movie or two. It’s obvious why this is all made available to you from the get-go – Google wants you to immediately know what your new device is capable of. From there, you might dive further into the Play Store and buy more content. It may or may not be a subtly successful ploy by Google, but you nonetheless get some free stuff! I’m halfway through Treasure Island, myself. 8. Multi-user supportSpeaking of tablets – I’m curious how many of you actually use this feature, as I am certainly the sole user of my own devices, but I include this reason because I see the potential behind it. After all, there are times when having different users on a tablet, for example, would be very useful. You may have different e-mail accounts for different purposes – personal e-mail and work e-mail, for instance. If your tablet is your lifeline, perhaps separating the two accounts and, subsequently, their specific experiences can help you keep things organized or even help your productivity. So, you set up your personal account with all of your personal e-mails and maybe some apps that you use for fun, but when it comes time to work, you switch over to the work user and everything personal is put aside for work-related correspondence and applications.
Of course, if you are able to keep the two lives separate then you probably don’t have to worry about doing something like this. How about when a couple shares a Nexus 7 or 10? To keep things tidy, there can be two users with each having only the apps and configurations that those particular individuals need or want. When more than one person uses a Nexus device, the individuality of each person can be upheld without sacrificing space for some personality. And only in the newest iteration of Android, Jelly Bean 4.2, which is only available on the Nexus, is this currently available. Do any of you use the multi-user functionality for this or any other purpose? Let us know in the comments! 9. No bloatwareYou know what else is great about having an unlocked phone? Well, for one thing, the phone arrives the way it was originally put together. No one took a hot iron and branded the phone to remind everyone that you are tied to your contract for the foreseeable future. But something far uglier is removed from the phone – something that we all truly loathe. Bloatware. I’m pretty sure most of us fire up a new Android device and expect to see a pretty blank slate ripe for the installing and the customizing. But most of the time with carriers you look in the app drawer and somehow there are already six pages of apps installed. This literally just happened to me with my new Droid DNA. I don’t even watch football, so why do I want a NFL app that actually only got 2 stars in the Play Store? And worse yet, those apps are often stuck forever in the phone – you can’t uninstall them (well, not easily, anyway). This blatant product placement is something we’ve all gotten used to on some level, but that doesn’t make it any less annoying. With an unlocked Nexus 4 (or even on either of the Nexus tablets, for that matter) you get none of this. Your Android experience is as clean as it was meant to be – and instead of the phone carriers or companies cluttering up your phone, YOU get to do it yourself. Gradually, slowly, with every app you think you need but later realize you don’t. 10. FreedomFinally, we put together all of these reasons to own a Nexus device and come to a startling discovery – when you choose Nexus, that is only the first of multitudes of choices you open up for yourself. When you become a 4, 7, or 10 user, you open up a world of possibilities that might be akin to those found in other Android devices but aren’t nearly as great in number or quality as in the Nexus. And it is upon this freedom that we’ll conclude this edition of 10 Again. Got a 7 or a 10? You hold some of the best performing tablets not just in the Android market, but in the entire industry today. Also, take advantage of a host of free content that you can do with as you please – check it out, see if you like it, and then jump into the Play Store, whether or not you want more of it. Got some kids who want to use your prized daily driver? Put a new user on there for them to use and enjoy the way they want to.
Lucky enough to get your hands on a powerful Nexus 4 despite the current stock troubles? You have the freedom to pick from the available carriers and get a plan that fits well for you, without the burden of contracts. Enjoy the extra space to do with what you wish, as no carriers can take up your precious screen space for their own profit. And take advantage of the best that Android has to offer. Bask in the comfort that your software experience will always be at its best because of Google’s backing. And if all of that still isn’t enough for you, get rooting and start changing the phone on a whole different level. Participate in the enthusiastic and friendly developer community to find new ways of making your Nexus extend even further beyond what you thought it could achieve. When you choose Nexus, you choose value, performance, and flexibility. But just as much as all those qualities, when you choose the Nexus, you choose greater freedom. Let us know your thoughts on the Nexus in the comments below and watch above for my video presentation of this edition of 10 Again. Related Posts |
| Could Android replace Windows? Posted: 07 Feb 2013 01:52 PM PST
Suggesting that another operating system could fill the shoes of Windows sounds crazy, it certainly isn’t going to happen in the near future, desktop Linux still hasn’t managed it. What about the much longer term though? Android is surprisingly well-placed to take on the mantle of the Redmond behemoth. Don’t believe me? Keep reading to see why. Convergence
The idea of a mobile operating system replacing a desktop operating system would have been ludicrous just a few years ago. However, Microsoft has firmly pinned it colours to the mast with Windows 8. It, like everyone else, sees that the future is mobile, and has started morphing the world’s staple operating system into something more mobile-friendly. The new tiled interface of Windows 8 is made for touch input, has an app store and sandboxes all of its apps. That looks pretty much like a mobile OS to me. However, unless you’re using a Windows RT device, all of that touch interface is glued on top of the traditional desktop interface. Meanwhile, Google is moving toward the desktop with Chrome OS, and Android is finally taking off as a tablet operating system. Of all the mobile operating systems, Android is the most Windows-like. It has an easily accessible file system (unlike iOS or Windows Phone). It as the most accessible development environment, and the most friendly terms for OEMs, i.e. it’s free of cost. Furthermore, Android is appearing on an ever wider range of devices, from the Galaxy Camera, to Smart TVs and the Ouya gaming console. Compared to other platforms
Ironically, for Microsoft, Android is more Windows-like than Windows Phone. The similarities can be seen more from the OEM and developer side than the consumer side, though. Any OEM can build an Android device, unlike iOS, and Windows Phone requires a royalty. It’s cheaper to get into developing Android apps and it’s just as hard to diagnose problems in Android due to the heterogeneous hardware landscape – just like the PC world. Also, Android is much more affordable than other mobile platforms. iOS devices are beyond the financial reach of many people and while there are some reasonably priced Windows Phone handsets, they are in the minority of the range. What’s more, Android has enabled OEMs to experiment with innovative hardware formats. Remember that the Asus Transformer and Motorola Atrix laptop dock were available long before the current crop of Windows 8 convertible Ultrabooks. Tablets are the new PC
Sales figures show that tablets are becoming ever more popular with some analysts suggesting tablets will overtake PC sales in the near future. This makes sense, as someone who exclusively used Linux for a long time then transferred back to Windows for work reasons, I know just how complicated Windows actually is. To do anything more than web browsing, Windows is an overwhelming maze of menus and dialogues, it’s certainly no easier to use than desktop Linux. Whenever I see my non-tech literate friends and family proudly showing off their new Windows laptop, I cringe when I think of all the things that are going to go wrong for them. The comparatively simplified and controlled user interface that we find on all mobile devices, including Android, is far more suitable to the majority of consumers who are not tech-literate and have little inclination to learn. For the record, I disagree with such attitudes, it’s as irresponsible as owning a car and not understanding how it works, but that’s just me, I know most people will never subscribe to that point of view. The future of WindowsThe factor that has always been in favor of Windows is inertia. Windows is the de facto operating system across the world. However, Microsoft’s way of getting everybody into a touch interface has been with the tiled (formally known as ‘Metro’) interface. Not only has the market reaction to this been lukewarm, but many OEMs have not gotten behind the drive, as evidenced by the number of laptops that lack touchscreens. Disclosure, I have been using and preferring Windows 8 (to 7) since its release preview. Reluctance to adopt the tiled interface, combined with the meteoric rise in popularity could start many people thinking about turning to Android tablets with keyboard docks as alternatives to Windows Ultrabooks, especially when most Ultrabooks cost marginally more than Android tablet and keyboard combinations.
The other advantage that Android currently has over Windows 8 and Windows RT is that of apps. Unless the app catalogue volume for Windows RT explodes over the next year or two, Android will still offer a great advantage for apps that people may need for personal and work uses. Microsoft has been touting the vision that using Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 will offer the best integrated experience between ‘PC’ and phone. However, as someone who regularly uses Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, I have yet to see any meaningful integration. The most effective integration I’ve experienced is SkyDrive and OneNote – both of which are available for Android. Moreover, look at the user interface of Android phones and tablets. There is far more similarity between the two, and most apps will run on phones and tablets. Meanwhile, the difference with Windows 8, Windows RT and Windows Phone gets tricky to explain to the non-techies in our lives. On the entertainment side, Microsoft’s Xbox music matching service is an appalling mess, whereas Google Music has been up and running for a long time. Its maturity has made it possible third party developers to create Google Music clients on Windows 8/RT and Windows Phone. Problems with this visionThere are clearly good reasons for Android to take over from Windows. For example, I’d feel much safer recommending an Android tablet to members of my family than a full blown Windows laptop. However, there are always going to be desktop class applications that people need for their work, such as video or image editing, etc. Furthermore, Microsoft’s commitment to the tiled touch interface will mean that everyone who owns a home computer will probably end up using, and getting used to Windows 8. Inertia wins again. Also, the Windows 8 and Windows Phone shared kernel could yet provide a virtuous circle for developers to create apps and games that will run on mobile and on desktops. Even so, Microsoft are not pretending Windows Phone will go any further than third place in the smartphone wars. Ultimately, waiting for Android to take over from Windows is wishful thinking, but there are an increasing number of individual cases where doing so actually makes a lot of sense. Related Posts |
| 3G Nexus 7 making its way to Japan Posted: 07 Feb 2013 01:23 PM PST
Japanese publication Impress Watch reports that the 3G Nexus 7 model will be available to buy in Japan on Feb. 9. Pricing has not yet been confirmed, but it’s expected to cost 29.800 yen, which converts to $318 in USD. While the device will be available on Feb. 9, this does not necessarily mean everyone will be able to purchase it. After all, the first batch of stock is destined to go out the door within the hour of its release. Let’s just hope ASUS has a plethora of Nexus 7 tablets to go around and we don’t have to repeat the Nexus 4 fiasco. Aside from a micro-SIM slot and 3G connectivity, this model isn’t very different compared to the Wi-Fi-only model. The device comes with a 1.3GHz quad-core CPU, 32GB of internal storage, 1GB of RAM and a 7-inch IPS 1280 x 800 display. The tablet is also equipped with NFC, Bluetooth 3.0 and is running the latest version of Jelly Bean, Android 4.2. Are you planning on picking up a 3G Nexus 7 on launch day or are you satisfied with the Wi-Fi only model? Are you waiting to see if there’s any facts behind the rumored Nexus 7.7? Related Posts |
| Free LG Optimus G available from Sprint in new BOGO deal Posted: 07 Feb 2013 01:14 PM PST
In case you're looking to buy a new high-end Android smartphone on Sprint, you should check out the carrier's buy-one-get-one (BOGO) deal that's currently available to subscribers, as it includes the LG Optimus G flagship. The Nexus 4's bigger brother, the Optimus G is definitely a great smartphone choice and now you can walk out of a Sprint store with two units for the price of one. Naturally, each device must be activated with a new two-year contract, and you'll still have to pay $199.99 for the first handset to get the second one free of charge, but that's still a great deal, especially if you're shopping for new smartphones. The Optimus G (our review here) offers a 4.7-inch display with 1280 x 768 resolution, 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, 13-megapixel camera, 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, NFC, 4G LTE support, 2100mAh battery and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Are you going to take advantage of Sprint's BOGO offer, or are you shopping for different Android smartphones? Related Posts |
| Woz says Apple ‘somewhat behind,’ in smartphone features, identifies himself with the company Posted: 07 Feb 2013 12:55 PM PST
In a recent interview with German publication Wirtschafts Woche, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak talked about the early days at Apple, Steve Jobs, but also about the company's current line of mobile products. When looking at the current iPhones, Woz said that he feels that Apple is "somewhat behind" in smartphone features, but he did not name Android specifically when referring to the competition, although he did remark Samsung mobile products, most of which run Android. Interestingly, he used plural when talking about Apple, identifying himself with the company:
Then again, right at the beginning of the interview, he did mention that he is still an Apple employee, more of a symbolic tie, the only Apple employee to have been with the company since it was founded. However, Woz did not specify exactly what smartphone features are "somewhat behind," nor did he say that he's not buying Apple gear anymore. In fact, he implied that Apple products are still great, which is why he's buying them:
The iOS vs Android battle will still be the most important battle in the mobile landscape this year, with everyone else fighting for third place. Apple will be fighting Google for market share, and Samsung for profits this year, and we're sure Woz will keep expressing his opinions, as he always does, on his company and the competition once new products are out in stores. What mobile device(s) are you buying this year? Related Posts |
| HTC 603e mid-range Android handset on its way to China Posted: 07 Feb 2013 12:37 PM PST
It looks like a new HTC handset has appeared over at TENAA, the Chinese equivalent of the FCC. The mid-range handset is known as the HTC 603e and is believed to possibly be a successor to the HTC One SU. Although it isn’t going to take anyone’s breath away with its specs, the phone features reasonably capable hardware powered by a 1.15GHz dual-core CPU and 1GB of RAM. Other specs include a 5MP front cam, 2MP rear cam, a 4.3-inch display with a resolution of 480 x 800, microSD and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Its worth noting that the overall styling of the handset seems to be pretty in-line with the upcoming HTC M7 and HTC M4. This has lead to some speculation that this could be the M4, or perhaps a variant of it. The problem with that idea is that the specs for the 603e don’t seem to match up with the stronger specs that were recently leaked for the M4. At the moment we know very little about the HTC 603e’s pricing, release schedule or whether or not it is directly related to the HTC M4 or not. Odds are that we could learn more at MWC later this month. Related Posts |
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