Mar 18
The years of Android have begun and even though we can think of a few corporate executives who might be fuming at the success of the boys in Mountain View California, we’re sure there is none too little cheers from that same place from these latest statistics.
According to Google, the amount of devices running the very first version of Android, version 1.5 is sitting at only 3%. The step up to that carries a bit more hitting the 4.8% margin. As for Android 2.1 Éclair, we have a modest 29% of devices who are living with that version, most of which are waiting on either their device manufacturer or service provider to push out an update to bump them up to 2.3 (hint, hint Samsung) which currently controls 61.3% of all devices. Those are pretty big numbers for Google who has been plagued by media questioning whether or not the fragmentation of Android is a bigger problem than many claims it is. Albeit, Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), only has 0.7% of device hearts at the moment and the step up to that, 2.3.3 carries a +0.3% difference. As for Honeycomb, the first operating system built specifically for tablets (in Google’s words, not ours), there is a 0.2% user share.
All in all, these are good numbers for Google who has been pushing out updates ever so timely as it tries to stay ahead of the curve. Not bad if you ask us and seeing that the company is about to face steep competition from Nokia and Microsoft thanks to their new found love, we’d say that the company does indeed have something going for them. If only they can keep it up.
Source: Android.com
Oct 07
While other Android smartphones are only now about to offer users with an upgrade path to the v2.2 Froyo OS, Taiwan’s leading smartphone maker HTC has the new HTC Desire Z with the latest Android v2.2 Froyo along with the Desire HD. Looking like a Desire that sprouted a full QWERTY sliding keyboard, the new Z is only the company’s second Android to have a full QWERTY keyboard after the HTC Dream back in 2009.
Outstanding Multimedia features
Despite being a QWERTY slider and one of the heaviest at 180g, the HTC Desire Z is one of the slimmest slider smartphones with just a 14.2mm profile. The 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen is identical with those used in the new batches of HTC Desire handsets after the company abandoned AMOLED in favor of Super LCD after Samsung failed to deliver the needed volume. They both have WVGA (489 x 800) resolution, 16 million colors, proximity and accelerometer sensors and multitouch input technology.
Its camera sports a 5-megapixel resolution that is now fairly standard on most smartphones and features the same geo tagging, face detecting, autofocus and LED flash. But one thing that stands out is its high definition 720p video recording ability. Entertainment starts with its stereo FM radio with RDS the usual medial players and a 3.5mm headphone jack and A2DP support. You get to store all your multimedia files on either its onboard 1.5 GB user memory or on microSD card up to 32GB.
Mobile Telephony Features
Under the hood is an 800 MHz Qualcomm MDM7230 engine running the Android v2.2 Froyo. Its data and radio connectivity options include a quad band GSM radio on 2G and dual band UMTS on 3G.
Its 2G data speeds has Class 32 GPRS/EDGE while 3G data speeds get HSDPA at 14.14 Mbps and HSUPA at 5.7 Mbps. It has WiFi 802.11 b/g/n with DLNA for hotspot internet while local data transfers enjoy Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP and microUSB v2.0. There’s also GPS and A-GPS. You get 9.8 hours of talk time on 2G and 430 hours of standby time from a 1300 mAh Li-ion battery.
Jul 05
While Orange, Three and T-Mobile UK subscribers with HTC Hero units are still recoiling from the ‘Droid update delay, Nexus One owners have something to feel good about. Google has given word that the Android 2.2 update is scheduled to go live this week. All mobile phone users with a Nexus One should get an update message on the mobile phone’s notification bar located at the top of the display.
Nicknamed “Froyo”, Android 2.2 allows Nexus One users to save apps to an SD card as well as perform app updates simultaneously.
With a bit of luck, everyone with a Nexus One will have their hands on the update before Monday. Well, unless they have rooted to unofficially install version 2.2 in advance.
No word has been given regarding any required data transfers or standard procedures to prepare the unit for an upgrade. But just to be sure, it would be a good idea to back up your important files. Also, if you do not currently have an abundant data plan, it may be a good idea to download the patch over Wi-Fi.
HTC seems to be lagging in terms of Google upgrades. First, it was the HTC Hero getting the short end of the stick from its mobile network operators. Now, reports say that HTC Sense owners will have to deal with a slight delay in getting their 2.2 update. This is HTC’s official statement on the matter:
“We are working hard with our partners to update the HTC Sense experience on Froyo and distribute it to our customers as fast as possible. We expect to release updates for several of our 2010 models including Desire, Legend and Wildfire beginning in Q3.”
Looks like ‘Droid owners will just have to wait a while longer for their updates. At least there are plenty of fresh Android apps to keep them busy for the time being.
Jul 01
It is already out and if you are a Nexus One owner who has yet to download the new Android 2.2. Froyo update –do so now! The new patch brings plenty of interesting new features, a major performance tweak and of course, support for the new Flash Player that Adobe released just a while back. Yes, the new flash player will not work with the older Android operating systems and is made specifically for the Froyo. Despite the player already out, the 2.2 update has only been recently launched (seems like Adobe has been eager to show the mobile industry how fast they are).
Anyway, the new OS features a “tip widget” can be turned on or off as needed. It is a very useful tool for anyone unfamiliar with smart phone technology or those who have not tried out the Android OS before. This feature brings the Android mascot (a green robot) giving users tips and guides. It is useful, informative and most importantly, non-obtrusive.
As stated above, the new version also works with the Flash Player update. This means that a whole host of sites and web apps
can now be played and accessed with the Froyo 2.2. Of course, users would have to download the Flash Player separately.
Speed is the new keyword for the Android OS. Sporting a new Java handler and better Kernel Memory management, the new Os will be smoother and faster than the older versions. Some state that the performance boost can go anywhere from twice up to five times the speed of the original. The web browsing experience has also been upgraded as well.
Fans of digital photography will enjoy the fun new user interface. With all the controls neatly packed into a single, easy to use touch screen layout –taking images and videos with a phone has never been easier or fun.
