Android Authority |
- Global Android tablet shipments increase 177%
- Head of Samsung Mobile says not to worry about which processor powers your Galaxy S4
- Galaxy S4 in limited supply ‘due to overwhelming global demand,’ Samsung says
- U.S. Cellular announces Galaxy S4 will ship this Friday for those that pre-order
- Tower defense game “Fieldrunners 2″ arrives on Google Play
- HTC One announced for China, comes with dual-SIM and microSD support
- Open source OSes at bigger risk of spying?
- Huawei’s plan for the world market
- Amazon working on Kindle streaming box, claims new report
- Over 150 million ‘phablets’ to be sold by 2018, says report
| Global Android tablet shipments increase 177% Posted: 25 Apr 2013 01:32 AM PDT
The other two big operating systems (and their respective eco-systems) in the global tablet market are Apple’s iOS and Microsoft’s Windows 8 RT. Apple still leads the race with a 48 percent market share, while Microsoft has managed to go from nothing (since Windows 8 RT is its first real tablet OS) to a 7.5 percent market share by selling some 3 million Windows based tablets.
The data is for “Branded” tablets but if “White-Box” (read Chinese) tablets are added to the total numbers then Android’s market share jumps to 52% and iOS slips to 41%, as the bulk of the White-Box tablets use Android. Although Microsoft now has a 7.5 percent share of the market, the report says that Microsoft has had distribution problems coupled with a shortage of top tier apps. There is also confusion among consumers about the differences between Windows 8 and Windows 8 RT meaning that Microsoft’s overall shipments were low. This was the first full quarter of iPad mini sales and in total Apple managed to ship 19.5 million iPads (as a mixture of iPad 2, iPad and iPad mini). During the same quarter last year Apple shipped 11.8 million units. |
| Head of Samsung Mobile says not to worry about which processor powers your Galaxy S4 Posted: 25 Apr 2013 12:41 AM PDT
The head of Samsung Mobile and the co-CEO of Samsung Electronics J. K. Shin has told buyers that it doesn’t matter which processor is running in their new Galaxy S4 and that most people won’t notice a difference, nor will they really care. The new Samsung Galaxy S4, which is launching this week, comes in several different variants including models with different amounts of on-board storage, support for LTE and models with different processors. The USA and Europe will receive models using the quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor, while the so-called International version will be powered by the Samsung Exynos 5 processor that uses ARM’s big.LITTLE architecture. Initial benchmarks have shown that the Exynos 5, which has eight processing cores – four high performance and four low power, is faster than the quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600. This means that those outside of the USA and Europe will actually have a higher performing version of the Galaxy S4. Since the USA and Europe are prime markets for Samsung this has led to various discussions and even criticisms of Samsung for shipping the lower performing model to these key markets. During his remarks J. K. Shin squashed the rumor that Samsung was using the Qualcomm CPU in the USA and Europe because the Exynos 5 doesn’t support LTE. The Exynos 5 does now support LTE and the reason given that Samsung uses two CPUs is simply an issue of supply and demand.
Because the worldwide demand for the S4 is expected to be very high then Samsung has been forced to find two suppliers for the processors – itself and Qualcomm. However this strategy, while sound in theory, may already be failing as Samsung is now admitting that the Galaxy S4 will be available in limited supply at launch. According to an official statement released by Samsung, “Due to overwhelming global demand of Galaxy S4, the initial supply may be limited. We expect to fulfill inventory to meet demands in the coming weeks.” What do you think, does it matter which of these two very powerful CPUs are in your new S4? |
| Galaxy S4 in limited supply ‘due to overwhelming global demand,’ Samsung says Posted: 24 Apr 2013 02:45 PM PDT
The highly anticipated Galaxy S4 will be available in limited supply at launch, according to an official statement released by Samsung:
Earlier today, T-Mobile announced online orders are delayed until April 29, while Sprint had to cancel its launch date of April 27 due to "unexpected inventory challenges." Moreover, Galaxy S4 pre-orders have exceeded expectations, with carriers such as Sprint completely selling out its pre-order stock ahead of the official release. For Verizon customers looking to get their hands on the Galaxy S4, pre-orders begin April 25, but the handset won’t be launched until May 30. Like with the launch of the Galaxy S3, Samsung has maintained a multiple carrier approach. More of its devices on more carriers, means increased revenue. However, launching such a buzzed-about device on many top carriers around the same time, can clearly have a downside. Getting a headstart on the Galaxy S4, the HTC One is already available in the U.S. from multiple carriers and retailers, including the unlocked and Developer versions. While this delay could be potentially good news for HTC, Samsung is expecting to ship 10 million Galaxy S4 units in the first month after its international release. In comparison, HTC is said to have shipped 300,000 One units in March, will ship 1.2 million this month, and two million in May. |
| U.S. Cellular announces Galaxy S4 will ship this Friday for those that pre-order Posted: 24 Apr 2013 02:23 PM PDT
T-Mobile and Sprint have both reported delays with launching the Samsung Galaxy S4 due to inventory shortages, but apparently regional carrier U.S. Cellular isn’t letting something like short stock get in their way. U.S. Cellular has now announced the phone will arrive on April 30th. Don’t want to wait that long? U.S. Cellular is still taking pre-orders on the handset right now and plans to ship these pre-orders out a bit earlier on April 26th. As if getting your phone shipped out early wasn’t a good enough incentive, pre-orders also include a free S View flip cover, which is valued at $60. So how much will the next Galaxy set you back on U.S. Cellular’s network? The 16GB version will go on sale for $199.99 with an instant rebate and a new two-year contract. Still not sure if you want to pick up the Galaxy S4 or not? Get a better idea of what to expect from the newest Galaxy by watching our review video. Are you excited to get your hands on the Samsung Galaxy S4? If so, which carrier do you plan on using for the phone? |
| Tower defense game “Fieldrunners 2″ arrives on Google Play Posted: 24 Apr 2013 01:43 PM PDT
If you are a fan of tower defense games, you’ll be happy to know that Fieldrunners 2 has now arrived to Google Play. Subatomic Studios follow-up to the extremely popular defense game Fieldrunners continues the great gameplay of the original, though this time around it features a whole new game engine and 25 total levels. Not to mention it has a 20+ hour campaign and extremely stunning hand-painted graphics. Here’s the full list of featuresfound in the game:
So how much will the game set you back? Just $2.99. If that sounds like a lot, consider that the game offers a massive campaign and plenty of features that can keep you busy for quite a while. In short, if you like these types of games, it will be well worth the money. |
| HTC One announced for China, comes with dual-SIM and microSD support Posted: 24 Apr 2013 01:09 PM PDT
The HTC One has just been announced for China and will arrive on all of the countries major carriers with microSD and dual-SIM support. HTC’s flagship device will arrive on all of China’s major carriers — China Unicom, China Telecom and China Mobile — but the device has been slightly modified to include a removable back cover, dual-SIM and microSD support. At the time of this writing, there’s been no carrier subsidized pricing announced, but those that are eager to get the device will be able to do so directly through HTC on April 26. China’s international counterpart features a 4.7-inch 1980 x 1080 468ppi display, 1.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 2300mAh battery, a 4-Ultrapixel rear-facing camera, a 2.1-megapixel front-facing shooter and 32GB or 64GB of internal storage. On the software side of things, it's running Sense 5 with BlinkFeed atop of Android 4.1.2. If you’re unfamiliar with the HTC One or are on the fence about the device, be sure to check our review by Android Authority‘s very own Kristofer Wouk! |
| Open source OSes at bigger risk of spying? Posted: 24 Apr 2013 12:40 PM PDT  Who needs spyware when you can eavesdrop from next door? Security experts are torn in their opinion of open source platforms. For some, open source platforms offer better security because these can be scrutinized for potential threats and attack points. To some, open source platforms are less secure because these can easily be manipulated toward a malicious entity’s gain. This is exactly the case with Android, or at least some analysts would like to think so. In a speculative post by John Hempton at the Bronte Capital Blog, he opines that Android as a platform is at risk of being corrupted, simply because of the ease by which the software can be modified. Take for instance the example of China, where Android forks do not provide access to Google Play, the official Android app repository, for the simple reason that the government bans access to the service. As such, manufacturers offer apps through hundreds of other alternative app marketplaces. But try to think of it the other way around: there is a risk that developers can be manipulated into incorporating spyware into smartphones and tablets in this scenario.
The clear solution here, of course, is to modify your Android device yourself, if you live in fear of being spied upon. You can root your device and install an alternative ROM, which could either be the stock ROM from the manufacturer or a custom one like CyanogenMod, AOKP or any other ROM from a reputable source. But rooting and ROM flashing are not for everyone, and only a very small minority of users are comfortable with even tinkering with their phones’ advanced settings. We’ve heard time and again about Android being a target for malware, simply because of the ease by which users can be fooled into installing dubious APKs. Even Google Play had hosted malicious apps time and again before eventually removing these apps. Of course, we would rather attribute this to numbers (Android has become a big target because of the sheer size of its user base). But this one goes far deeper. The premise of Hempton‘s article is valid, although bordering on sensationalist, because he speculates that Android could be dominant in China because of its potential to be used as a platform for oppression. This means the Chinese government may be planting bugs and backdoors into the likes of MIUI, Baidu Yi or other Chinese Android derivative. But would they need to? Chinese ISPs are already monitoring traffic and filtering anything that might be against the government’s liking. Heck, even American carriers and law enforcement agencies are likely to be doing this, to some extent, too. Oftentimes, we mobile users even betray our own privacy by posting too much on social networks, to the extent of geo-tagging our photos and posts. If at all, this could be an aha moment for anyone interested in turning mobile devices into spying gadgets. If the Chinese government is adamant at spying on its citizens by embedding spyware on Android itself, then what’s stopping them from requiring manufacturing plants in China that produce smartphones from embedding spyware on the hardware itself, including the infrastructure, even those that are meant for other markets? Knowing that your ISP or government could be spying on you, what should you do then? If you’re not really doing anything wrong, then there might be no point in worrying too much, unless you have something to hide. And if you’re doing something potentially subversive (or illegal) with your mobile device, then you should at least consider using encryption apps like Silent Circle. It’s not Android, per se, that’s a privacy and spyware risk. The open-source nature makes it an easy target, but by no means the only one. |
| Huawei’s plan for the world market Posted: 24 Apr 2013 12:39 PM PDT
Last night, we told you about Huawei making the tough decision to pull their networking group out of the US market. With all the spying innuendo and overall tough environment that is the Us market, Huawei felt they would be best served to concentrate their efforts outside of the United States. Although it represents a 30% worldwide market share, the landscape was just not one Huawei felt they could successfully negotiate. Sad, too, as that metallic mystery device of theirs seemed pretty cool. As they move into a more focused environment in the rest of the world, we're left to wonder just how they'll navigate those waters. The US may be tough, but other markets are no cake walk. Huawei better have a plan. Over time, Huawei has transformed themselves from a manufacturer of devices others brand, to one that releases their own devices. That transformation wasn't often met with open arms, as some carriers turned their back to Huawei. Over time, mostly through great devices, Huawei climbed back into their good graces. Now, standing on their own two feet, Huawei is set to stake their claim to a world outside of the US. While solid hardware will gain you the admiration of users, the first step is to get those users. That's done via marketing, which presents its own unique set of challenges for Huawei.
How do you set yourself apart in a world full of popular, excellent devices? Through marketing. While Huawei can't spend the billions other companies do on such marketing, they can get the word out. Making people aware of their brands via digital and direct marketing is paying off. Huawei is reporting a ten-fold increase on shipped devices to Western Europe this year, welcome news after losing 90% of your smartphone business partners in Europe the prior year. Carriers in Europe are perhaps looking for an alternative to the three or four manufacturers that dominate the landscape, and Huawei is right there for them with great devices. Now that people are aware, and carriers willing to do business with them again, perhaps Huawei's plans for a Western European rebirth are on track. Of course, Europe isn't the whole story. Huawei has made an effort to focus on the entire world outside of the US, and while Europe is definitely important, they have a unique opportunity to be in on the ground floor of something much bigger.
Huawei is a Chinese company, and Asia is a blossoming market for mobile devices. Unlike other manufacturers in the region, Huawei has already made the jump from an original design manufacturer (ODM) to an original equipment manufacturer (OEM). This gives them some brand recognition, and an immediate presence. Carriers should have no issue in doing business with them, either, as a proven track record in Europe and beyond will go a long way. China, in particular, has the largest potential for growth. With (literally) billions of potential smartphone users, that country alone represents a massive opportunity for Huawei. The only major obstacle will be Samsung, which is working on their own wrench to toss into Huawei's plans. As Samsung continues to work on Tizen, their mobile platform concentrated in the Asian market, everyone else waits curiously. Will it be available for others to use, or will Samsung strong-arm the market into compliance with their devices? Time will tell, but if Tizen can be loaded onto a Huawei device, they'll have another avenue for success. It seems that life outside the four major US carriers isn't so terrible after all.
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| Amazon working on Kindle streaming box, claims new report Posted: 24 Apr 2013 12:09 PM PDT
We already have Kindle e-readers, tablets and in the not-too-distant future we might even have a smartphone. What about Kindle set-top box? According to a new report from Bloomberg, a Kindle TV device is currently in the works with a fall release target. The news comes from three unnamed sources claiming they are close to the project. As with the nature of this kind of information, it is important to remember that it is just a rumor, at least until Amazon directly confirms it. Still, we can’t say we would be terribly surprised if this turned out to be true. Over the years Amazon has greatly improved its Video on Demand and Instant Video options. Amazon also recently released 14 original series pilots, and has even secured streaming rights to hit shows such as Downtown Abbey. Combine all of this together with other Amazon services and apps and you have an ecosystem that would easily translate over to the set-top box market. On the flip side, the set-top box is already pretty crowded with devices like the Roku, Apple TV, Google TV and even gaming consoles like the Wii U, Xbox 360 and PS3. Could Amazon do enough to set itself apart from the competition? Maybe. If Amazon’s existing Kindle Fire strategy is any indication, if Amazon gets involved in this market space they will likely do so by making the hardware as cheap as possible and making up the difference through its services and apps. Such a product will also likely run on a forked version of Android like the Kindle Fire tablet line. Of course Amazon’s video catalog is already available on a lot of other devices, so why would Amazon waste their money creating their own hardware? For the same reason as Google sells the Nexus line cheaply, people flock to the devices and that means more customers. More customers mean more service consumption, translating to more money in Amazon’s pockets. What do you think, would you consider an Amazon-branded set-top box? Could Amazon compete with Google TV and other existing options? |
| Over 150 million ‘phablets’ to be sold by 2018, says report Posted: 24 Apr 2013 11:17 AM PDT
According to a new report, over 150 million Android-based ‘phablets’ will be sold by 2018. Titled “Phablets and Superphones Market – Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth and Forecast, 2012 – 2018″, Transparency Market Research analyzed shipments, sales, and growth across multiple countries. The report failed to define what exactly a "superphone" is. However, our friends over at PhoneArena believe it is "anything fast enough with a screen 4.99″ and below". Phablets and superphones combined, shipments from 2012 to 2018 are said to increase 25.8 percent year-over-year, with a total of 825 million by 2018, while sales are said to surpass $116 billion by 2018. Currently, North America leads in sales, and shipments, while research indicates Asia Pacific will become the largest, and fastest growing market, by 2018. As of 2012, phablets accounted for around 12 percent of devices. That number is expected to grow to around 30 percent by 2018. To the surprise of nobody, Samsung is the number one seller worldwide of phablets and superphones, taking 70 percent of the market in 2012. Released in November 2011, the Galaxy Note featured a 5.3-inch display. Dealing with criticism that it was simply too big, Samsung went on to sell seven million in around seven months. Since then, Android phones with displays pushing five inches, have become the norm. Also, now that Samsung has seen success with phablets, they recently announced the Galaxy Mega line. Available in a 5.8 or 6.3-inch version, they surpass the Galaxy Note II in size, while offering mid-range performance. |
The first quarter of 2013 has been and gone which means it is time for the analysts to pick apart the sales figures. According to new research from Strategy Analytics, global Android tablet shipments have increased 177 percent annually to 17.6 million units. The total number of tablets shipped in Q1 of 2013 was 40.6 million. Since 17.6 million of those 40 million tablets where powered by Android then it means that Android has a 43 percent global share.
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