| Android falls, iOS gains, according to latest comScore poll Oct 5th 2013, 00:03, by Nate Swanner In the wake of their double-device launch, Apple has achieved a market share of 40% among all OEMs. Their iOS is also gaining ground while Android falters slightly in regard to overall adoption, according to comScore. The research also noted that 145 million Americans owned smartphones, which they attribute as 60.8% of the eligible population. That's a jump of 3% since May of this year. 
Apple continues to deepen the divide between themselves and all other mobile OEMs, controlling 40.7% of the market, while Samsung is a distant second with 24.3%. Easily the largest Android manufacturer, Samsung has a commanding lead on nearest rival HTC, which held on with 7.4%. Motorola checks in with 6.9%, and LG rounds out the top five with 6.7%. When it comes to operating systems, comScore reports that Android is still in the lead with 51.6%, though that's a drop of 0.8% since May. Apple's 40.7% is a leap of 1.5% since earlier this year. Blackberry is in third place with 4%, though they fell 0.8% since the last poll. Microsoft's Windows platform is fourth with 3.2%, and Symbian still makes an appearance with 0.3%. Of the bottom three, Microsoft was the only platform gaining ground with a 0.2% increase. 
Some of this can probably be attributed to Apple's recent launch of two devices, and the enthusiasm surrounding the iPhone 5C. A well designed strategy by Apple, the 5C essentially takes the iPhone 5 and rebrands it anew, while the flagship 5S retains its panache. With lines around the block for both devices, their increase undoubtedly had many upgrading from feature phones or switching platforms. Android currently holds a juxtaposition to the Apple fervor over their launch, as much of the tech world holds out to find what the newest Nexus device will bring, as well as what actual improvements come of Android 4.4 KitKat. We've seen plenty of rumors, but as always, wait for official word before getting too excited. The Android-iOS dominance continues stateside, as the two platforms make up a commanding 92.3% of the mobile market. With Blackberry bowing out of the consumer market, and Windows making an investment in Nokia, it could be very interesting moving forward. VIA: The Next Web |  | Android 4.4 code reveals BLE info, "Bluetooth Password Vault" Oct 4th 2013, 23:26, by Nate Swanner More news from Myce, as they continue to pour over the Android 4.4 log they have their hands on. We've already learned about an OIS for the camera on the Nexus 5 through the code, and even news of theming for your device. This time, there seems to be discussion of some interesting wrinkles for the Bluetooth functionality of Android 4.4. 
In the code, Myce found a line of text which read "com.google.android.authenticator.bluetooth.RemoteAccessService". They also found information regarding a "Bluetooth Password Vault", and several metions of "BPV", which seems to be an abbreviation for the vault. There was also reference to BLE, or Bluetooth Low Energy, and proximity awareness. Proximity awareness is nothing new for Bluetooth devices, as that's key to pairing and connecting. The two devices must be aware of one another, and use an authentication key to connect. Move out of range, and the two lose touch. 
What is new, according to Myce, is the notation of "NearbyBeaconReceiver", which MYce speculates could end up working much like iBeacon for iOS 7. That Apple technology has implications for mobile payment, as well as location-based information — think of being in a store, looking at something you want to buy, and your device surprising you with a coupon. You could also have the ability to use the device for payment, which could be Google's answer to their anguished Google Wallet service at retail locations. 
Bluetooth Password Vault, when considered with remote access, is interesting. As rumors persist about Google's smartwatch ambitions, we wonder if this is somehow an added security feature for a paired watch. Think of Samsung, and their security between the Gear and Note 3: move out of range, and the Note 3 locks itself. There could also be some apps making their way to a Google smartwatch, and using them could require authentication. Lose the connection, and the ability to access the app on a watch disappears. 
All speculative, of course, but interesting. With Google still not telling us when the newest flavor of Android is coming out, we can only sit back and watch, consider, and contemplate. The time is certainly near, and leaks like this are fun, but let's appreciate them with the appropriate amount of levity. | |
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