Android OS Archive

The Android operating system currently controls the smartphone market, but the Search Giant has just broken another special record. According to StatCounter, the Android browser has just become the most used mobile browser, beating Opera at 22.67% (against 21.7%).

It is interesting to see how many users are utilizing third-party browsers. Such can offer great features and functionality, but we would assume that the general consumer doesn’t put much attention to that. As expected, Android and Opera are followed by the iPhone, Nokia, and Blackberry browsers. The iPhone, rests at 21.06%, while the rest of the browser are down by at least half of the percentage.

There are still many users to convert to Android, and with over 850 thousand activations a day, this number is bound to grow quickly. Especially with Chrome being introduced to Android, which happens to be the most popular browser for PCs, after Microsoft’s Internet Explorer.

[Source: StatCounter Via: Tom's Guide]

After many years of being completely happy with featured phones, the smartphone industry has taken a huge leap the past years. Such devices are becoming an essential part of our everyday lives, and according to a recent study conducted by pewinternet.org, smartphones now rest happily in 53% of Anerica’s adult cellphone owners.

Out of all surveyed Americans, 49% claimed to own a smartphone and 45% said they have a good ol’ feature phone. The 53% number is concluded after taking those who don’t own a cellphone at all out of the equation, which amounts to 6%. I must say, I do not know a single person that does not own a cellphone. But surely, they are out there.

The study also divides the smartphone increase by demographic groups and income, as well as education. All of this in comparison with an equal study conducted from April to May of 2011. Let’s take a look at them.

As expected, most smartphone adopters are young (between 18 and 24) and have some college education. There are some odd results, though. Apparently, people with less than a $30,000 income have been adopting smartphones more, as well as people that live in rural areas.

This is probably due to the fact that smartphones have been becoming much more accessible in the past year or two. And most of the more successful, wealthy, urban users probably adopted the technology before. This can be seen when we see the total percentages, below.

Take a look at the tables and see where you fall. And remember, there is still a large percentage of the population that needs to be introduced to the awesome world of smartphones. Let’s go and make sure they go with Android!

[Source: pewinternet Via: gigaom]

Google’s acquisition of Motorola has raised major concerns. Will Moto get dibs? Will Google close down the Android OS? Will Motorola stop making devices with its custom UI? Google has gone ahead and told us multiple times that it will not have anything to do with Motorola’s manufacturing plans, and the acquisition is solely meant to expand its patent portfolio.

We have not heard much about this from Motorola, though. But when asked about the matter, Senior VP of Portfolio and Product Management Alain Mutricy reassured us that Google is not lying. The plan is that Motorola Mobility and Google will continue to be separate entities.

We never know what could happen, though. Google has already decided to switch CEOs, and put its very own Dennis Woodside at the head of the company. We will simply have to wait and see what happens.

Surely, it would be great to see Motorola’s devices being influenced by Google. This could make for a better software/hardware design, within the manufacturer’s line-up, as Charles West mentions. We should also consider other factors, though.

There is a very thin line to consider here, and it is hard to decide what is too much, or too little. Google’s success is majorly influenced by the competition and adoption from many manufacturers. This is something we would hate to see going away. Other companies might feel like they have a disadvantage over Motorola. This could lead them to do better, or in the worst case scenario, to slowly leave the Android ecosystem.

But what do you guys think? Do you believe there is a good balance Google and Motorola could find, in order to maek some great devices? Or should they jsut stay out of each other’s business?

[Source: Fierce Wireless Via: intomobile]

Andy Rubin has taken the stage at MWC, and has spoken about Google’s acquisition of Motorola, and its plans. Google swears that its open nature will stay the same, and the Motorola acquisition is simply meant to expand its patent portfolio. Recent actions have raised concerns in the community, though. Mainly the fact that Google is putting Sanjay Jha aside and making Google’s very own Dennis Woodside CEO of Motorola Mobility.

According to Android’s Andy Rubin, Google’s open philosophy will stay un-touched. He goes on to mention that Google has “literally built a fire wall” between both companies, and Motorola operates as a separate entity.

“I don’t even know anything about their products, I haven’t seen anything. They’re going to continue building Motorola branded devices and it’s going to be the same team doing it.” -Andy Rubin

Aside from favoritism, Rubin was also asked if Motorola would continue to make its own UI overlay. Andy Rubin said that that was also not his business, and that was solely up to the Motorola team (sadly).

“Even if I was completely insane, it wouldn’t make any sense for me to think that we could get Motorola to be 90 plus percent marketshare and compete with the huge field of Android vendors. It just isn’t gonna happen.” -Andy Rubin

With that said, we can rest assured that Android will continue being as awesome as it has been. At least for now. And an even brighter future awaits our favorite little green robot.

[Via: The Verge]