Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile, Web, Google AdMob’s new report featuring data from February of 2010 depicts many new trends, some predictable and others a little shocking. Basically, smartphone traffic has increased by 193% in a year and Internet-capable devices (such as netbooks, e-readers, and handheld video games with WiFi) have increased in the web traffic by 403% in about a year. It seems people are accessing the Internet from normal feature phones less and less and are generally shifting towards smartphones and/or carrying Internet-ready devices. If we take a look at specifically the smartphone trends in the United States, the Apple iPhone and Google Android phones are about neck and neck with the traffic share. RIM, webOS, and Windows Mobile are literally at the bottom looking up at Android and the iPhone. In terms of global smartphone traffic, the iPhone is well ahead of the competition by maintaining about 50% of the market share, while Android has overtaken a shrinking Symbian. In terms of Internet-ready devices, the iPod Touch accounts for much of the traffic registering in at about 93% and with the Apple iPad almost in the hands of the Apple faithful, Apple will only grow in its traffic share. If more and more Android phones become available in the United States, I would not be surprised if one day in the near future Google Android overtook the iPhone OS, but globally, the little green Android still as a while to go. Read [AdMob] Via [Ars Technica] Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile For about a week now, Motorola MILESTONE users have been able to download and install the 2.1 Android update using their computer. The main problem using a computer is time and the hassle involved. Users would have to plug their phone into the computer and install using the USB cable. A much faster and efficient method is Over-The-Air (OTA) which has been made available today in select locations. Within a few short minutes and a simple restart of the MILESTONE you will be running the latest Android version. Android 2.1 features nine home screen panels (for those who love cluttering the home screen with apps), a native camera app, Facebook app, Quickoffice, and overall increased performance. Motorola will probably begin rolling out the 2.1 OTA update to many other European and Asian countries, but until now, only some have it. Unfortunately for us Americans, there is still no exact date when Droid users can expect the elusive 2.1 update. Via [GSM Arena] Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Web, Web Apps, Web Browsers, Google  A recently released extension for the Chrome browser may be one that netbook users are looking for. The extension is called Chrome Antialiasing and zoom 85% and comes sporting a simple description;
Antialiasing and display magnification are set up to 85%.
That said, the description may be simple, but what the extension does is pretty welcomed. Well, welcomed for those that may be using displays that max out at resolutions in the ballpark of 1024 x 600. What the extension does is automatically set the zoom level to 85%, which in the end should make your 1024 x 600 resolution 10-inch (or smaller) display a little more useful. And it should do it without much effect on the users eyes. Of course, there is always the option to do this manually as you surf and as you need. Read [Chrome] Via [Liliputing] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Audio, Portable Audio It looks like the Buy From FM functionality that is found on the Zune lineup is bringing in some potential trouble for Microsoft. This of course steps into the world of patents which means its time for the lawyers to earn their paychecks. But that said, Edward Yavitz of Rockford, Illinois is claiming that he is holding two patents that cover a users ability to tag a track playing on the radio and make it available for purchase. According to Yavitz, he approached Microsoft in 2006 and has been holding these patents since 2002. In the end though, this will come back to the lawyers and most likely it will also take some decent amount of time to work itself out. That said, I do question some of the motives of Edward Yavitz, while he may be right, some of his statements would make me question his real motives. Yes, by real motives I mean money. Yavitz mentioned that he has gained a total of 36 patents over the years, and that these dealing with the buy from FM functionality have another 10 years to run. Of course, it also seems as if he may not have learned the rule about using lots of caps in emails. “THIS IS ALL POSSIBLE AND PATENTED ... SO IPOD and Google CAN’T DO IT, but Microsoft can, if you take the time to talk to me,”
Read [Datamation] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Smartphones So much for the HTC HD2 not being upgradeable to Windows Phone 7 Series. Well, in all honestly I think most were aware that the HD2 could be upgraded, but that Microsoft feels it will not qualify because it is missing a hardware button. That said though, it looks like some enterprising mobile phone geeks have done it—they have ported Windows Phone 7 Series to the HTC HD2. And it seems that have done it pretty successfully. Given up for evidence, and for your pleasure is a few images as well as two videos. According to the story, the HTC HD2 is running an early build of Windows Phone 7 Series, and almost everything is working. The one catch so far seems to be in the graphics driver. Granted a graphics driver that is failing to work nicely could be a big deal, but it was noted as running, and just being choppy and laggy. Otherwise the Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth and all of the other important features are intact. As for that bad graphics driver, that will hopefully be fixed soon. It was noted that a first beta will fix that and it should be coming soon. Via [Redmond Pie]   Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Business News, Computers, Software / Applications Google and Microsoft compete on many fronts in the tech world, and Google Apps is gunning for Microsoft’s stronghold of the office computing industry. Google Apps is just a blip on Microsoft’s radar at the moment—it generates only $50 million per year—but it’s a blip that has to be closely monitored according to the Wall Street Journal and Silicon Insider. Google Apps represents a potential threat to Microsoft’s core business of selling office-oriented software. While Google hasn’t stolen much of Microsoft’s market share, it has been used as a leveraging tool by consumers looking for better deals. Apps’s incredibly cheap price also serves as a way to entice companies seeking cost-cutting measures. There are less people who will purchase Office licenses and Exchange-related services if they can get similar services from Google that are much cheaper and “good enough” to meet their base needs. Microsoft has already put certain changes in motion in order to stave off more Google adoption. Office 2010 includes more support for web usage, collaboration between remote users, and even ad-supported versions of Word and Excel that are web-based. These steps are clearly a move to slow the tide of Google Apps, which now has more than 50 million users. There has already been evidence that Google is making headway in the business solutions field. The most notable case was the City of Los Angeles “going Google” and letting the company handle its email and other services. How will Microsoft respond if Google is able to keep attracting big name clients and small businesses alike? Read [WSJ] Via [Silicon Alley Insider] Full Story » | Written by Andrew Kameka for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Audio, Portable Audio, Video, Portable Video The Zune.net website has been updated, or at least changed and is now referencing a 64GB Zune HD. The new mention is listed right on the main page and sitting aside the links for the overview as well as the 16 and 32GB model Zunes. Unfortunately a click on the Zune HD 64 link takes you to a “page not found.” Not much else to say here, but it looks like a 64GB Zune HD is in the works. Of course, this is not all that shocking. It seems to be a Zune HD with more storage and most likely will come sporting the same specs and same form factor as the current Zune HD lineup. Still, I suppose this is good news for someone. Read [Zune HD 64 (page not found link)] Via [Engadget] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Computers, Mobile Computers, Netbooks The 10 inch Asus Eee PC T101MT netbook is ready to make a European and American debut. Starting in April, the higher spec’d T101MT model will be available in Italy for 499 Euros. This model features a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor, 2GB of RAM, 320GB hard drive, Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth technology, integrated webcam, and GMA 3150 graphics. The American version will feature the same specs except only 1GB RAM, and a 160GB hard drive. However, it will only cost $499, which is about $165 cheaper than the European model. One of the main features of this netbook is the fact that it can operate as a tablet with a simple swivel of the screen. Designed to be used as a portable computer for quick web and desktop apps access, it can double as a tablet, similar to the Apple iPad. Read [Liliputing] Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
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