Android World Update # Android Community

Android Community Tracking the Android Platform Revolution

Android bags 80% of global smartphone shipments in Q2 2013 Aug 5th 2013, 04:19, by Juan Carlos Torres The numbers just keep pouring in. Research and consulting firm Strategy Analytics just released its latest research on smartphone shipments for the second quarter of 2013 and the figures shouldn’t surprise us anymore. Android-powered smartphones comprised 80 percent of global smartphone shipment of 229.6 million units. According to the study, the number of smartphones shipped worldwide jumped by a staggering 47 percent, from 156.5 million units in Q2 2012 to 229.6 million units in Q2 2013. And a very large majority of these are composed of Android devices. In comparison, Apple iOS devices dropped from 17% to 14% in the same period, its lowest since 2010. Surprisingly, Microsoft cemented its slot at third, with 4% of the shipments, its highest in three years since it joined the smartphone race. Strategy Analytics Executive Director Neil Mawtson attributes Android’s dominance in the smartphone market to several factors, such as competitive licensing costs, hardware partners, and large app stores. And Android devices are making inroads in all price tiers, not only in developed markets but in developing markets as well. Android is now powering 8 out of 10 smartphones in the entire world! This reflects a trend in figures that we’ve seen this year. In January, numbers showed that Android comprised 70 percent of global smartphone shipment for Q4 2012, with a total of 68% for the whole year. And it isn’t just with smartphones either. Last week, a study, also done by Strategy Analytics, revealed that Android tablets have 67% of the market share for Q2 2013 as well. With a line up of enticing new models that have already been released or are just about to be announced, the numbers are definitely bound to go up even higher for the next quarter. SOURCE: Strategy Analytics Story Timeline Android, Apple took more than 90% market share in Q4 2012 Android tablets take 67% of market share in Q2 2013 Acer Liquid Z3 unveiled, standard specs in a small package Aug 5th 2013, 03:59, by Juan Carlos Torres Sometimes, in order to differentiate one’s self in the market, one has to go the opposite direction from the rest of the players. When the majority is going for phones bigger than what one hand can comfortably hold, a smaller but still powerful option might just stand out from the crowd. And that might exactly be what Acer is aiming for when it unveiled today its fifth smartphone for 2013: the Acer Liquid Z3. With the slogan “Less is more”, Acer wants to cram as much as it can in the smallest space possible. Acer Europe smartphone division VP Allen Burnes says that the company believes that there is “a whole lot of room for thinking small and simple.” But how small can one really get without sacrificing too much features or too much usability? The Liquid Z3 is definitely not going to be a powerhouse. At 109 x 60 x 10.4 mm, it just has enough room for a 3.5-inch display. It runs on an unnamed 1.7 GHz dual-core processor with only 4 GB of internal storage and a rather low 3 megapixel rear camera. It has the usual connectivity features, such as WiFi, GPS, and support for HSPA+ up to 21 Mbps. It does have a few surprises off its sleeve though, such as an optional dual card slot. It is also running on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, with no indication if it will be upgraded to 4.3 later on. One of the major features being advertised by Acer for the Liquid Z3 is what it calls Quick Mode profiles, four different profiles for different types of users. The Basic Mode is targeted at young people and is optimized for calls and text messages. At the other end of the spectrum is the Senior Mode which is customized for ease of use with features like magnify and quick call contacts. The Classic Mode is for the majority of users, especially new ones, while the Keypad mode is oriented towards those who need a keypad most of the time to make calls. The Liquid Z3 will be coming in Rock Black and Classic White colors, but flip-cover and back-cover accessories will also be available in a wider range of colors such as Rock Black, Classic White, Sakura Pink, Pop Yellow, and Lagoon Turquoise. So far, it has only been announced to be available in Belgium, Netherlands, Ukraine, France, Spain, UK, Italy, Germany, and Russia with a price tag of 99 euros or roughly $132. SOURCE: Acer

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