iOS, Android Are Mobile Kings

Google Android OS and Apple iOS are have become the king of mobile world and they are beating the rest smartphones, a new report said by IDC.

Both major OS have increased their share in the smartphone market rapidly in the last 1 year with Android has covered upto 59% and Apple iOS has capture 23%. While in the 1st quarter of last year both joined share was only 54.4%.

Mr Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC's Mobile Phone Technology, said, “The popularity of Android and iOS stems from a combination of factors that the competition has struggled to keep up with…..Neither Android nor iOS were the first to market with some of these features, but the way they made the smartphone experience intuitive and seamless has quickly earned a massive following."

Symbian, an ex-market leader, has been out of the market and Nokia has joined Microsoft’ Windows OS. Blackberry is also facing downfall and it has only 6.1% of market share l ast year it was 13.6%. And about Windows Phones 7 and Windows mobile currently has only 2.2% of market share but the platform is expecting more growth in the 2nd half of the year as Nokia and Windows can increase Windows Phone 7 sales.

IDC observes that this platform developemnt is very slow until Nokia should be fast with its rhythm of its smartphone releases or add more vendors with their owm Windows-powered smartphones.

Another report from an analyst firm called ABI Research recommends the launching of “Phablets”. These are the devices which are bigger than Smartphones but smaller than tablets, sauch as Android powered Samsung Galaxy Note. And the firm tells the market of Phablets can increase up-to 208 million units worldwide by the year of 2015.

Senior ABI analyst Joshua Flood stated, “One of the chief drivers for phablets is the amount of time people use their smartphones for Web browsing, reading articles and newspapers on the go, or simply navigating their journeys…..The larger screen sizes make a significant difference to the user's experience when compared to conventional-sized touchscreens between 3.5 and 4 inches. "Additionally, new phablet-styled devices provide an attractive two-in-one device proposition."

Fake Android Apps Scam Cost Users £28,000

Angry Birds and Cut the Rope these malicious Android apps created by scammers and by them consumers were cheated by premium rate text messages worth upto cost £27,850.

This hit happened at the end of last year and with it 1391 mobile numbers got affected in UK only. Though the telecom regulator PhonepayPlus got only 34 complaints and all those people whose money has been lost will be repaid automatically. The total sum of lost money for any individual is £80.

These false apps were placed into the Android Market named as Angry Birds, Assassins Creed, Cut the Rope and other trendy labels. The ‘Trojanised’ hits increased access to anyone’s phone when they were downloading and then automatically sent 3 premium text messages with no info to that person eevery time when app was opened.

Though Google has eliminated these malicious apps from the Android market (Play Store) but it didn’t inspect the apps before they uploaded. PhonepayPlus get proof of the app in 18 conutries.

According to figures from Juniper Research, this premium rate text message Trojans account was the 2nd biggest form of malware later than spyware. And these Trojans sent premium text messages without permission giving all revenue straight to the criminal PhonepayPlus said.

These malicious apps were placed to Google Market in th emidle of the November and PhonepayPlus received the 1st complaint on 28 November. And then it requested instant suspension of the text message shortcodes on December 16.

Some of securities firms such as F-Secure and TotalDefence showed up the apps at the time and on may 10 this year, the regulator fine A1 Aggregator Ltd £50,000 and al so forcing it to stick to follow all operating terms and to repaid all users.

For more information about Android Development visit this blog.

Sony to Update All Tablets with Google Android 4.0

On Sunday, Sony confirmed to CNet that the whole Sony tablet devices for all area will obtain an over-the-air update which carries Android 4.0 with it. The company informed the new updates will be ready to available by means of over-the-air updates.

In the past Sony declared its policies to propose the Google Android 4.0 update although its didn’t give any time duration for those updates till it’s officially confirmation came on Sunday.

A number of Sony tablet had already got the upgrade with Sony Tablet S in the US though further tablets especially those which was situated in Europe and Japan remain same with the older and not much stable Android 3.2.1.

A few numbers of chief updates for Google Android 4.0 are a panoramic camera mode, an updated gallery viewer through SD card navigation and browser improvement along with extra bug fixes, security related updates and additional latest features by which users can attracts easily to these updates.

Google and Sony are hopeful that worldwide squash for Android 4.0 may satisfy the clients who had major complained that the fragmentation of Android allows unstable local timetables for the new product’s release as other devices leave out over Google Android upgrades. When we compare to Apple then it is capable to update any device they select at the same time, permitting iOS without any difficulty get used to as upgrades turn into accessible globally.

The accurate updates for every tablet area-wise are not identified though Sony will send a note to every user’s device when upgrade time has appeared.

New HTC Android Phones Tweaked to Evade Apple Patents

Sometimes before HTC caught offender to violate the two Apple patents then HTC said it will be change its phone for the violation. Now let’s see how can it would be concern for the users.

The actual deal was how iPhone provide you the record of probable commands like when you are taping the phone number, e-mail, anyone’s physical location or others data. For example, if you tap on a phone number in a file then the iPhone allows you to call the number; send a message and either attaches the number in your contact list or copy the number to the clipboard. HTC’s Android phones contain same functions which was enough reason for violation of the patent, according to U.S. International Trade Commission’s rule.

According to The Verge, the US model of HTC’s new phones haven’t supposed “data tapping” feature. In its place of when you tap on a proper amount of data then phone instantly comes into the action it means when you tap on a phone number then the phone will skip to the dialer. A separate options menu allows users to select what comes about by default if they tap on a limited amount of data.

A number of users may b like this change, for example when you tap an email add then there is a possibility that you attempt to write that address however an instant act might be a irritation for unintended tapping.  And as alternate actions are covered in a separate menu so users may not feel any trouble with them.

The Verge also reported in this week, The HTC one X and Evo 4G LTE are presently in custody at US Customs until the they observe the phones for patent violation. All I have only wish that those phones will reach user’s hands very shortly. All the best to HTC.

Twitter Fixed Its Many Bugs for Android

If you have an Android phone and you are using Twitter on it then you have lots of options for your Twitter clients. So it is certainly possible that you might use 3 apps of them. The very first is official twitter app, 2nd may be TweetDeck app and 3rd would be either TweetCaster or Seismic app. Since some of last years TweetDeck was a self-governing company and at that time it was known as a best Twitter customer for approx all main OS. The app launched as a desktop client for MS Windows and then expanded to Mac and Linux.

After mobile revolution TweetDeck was transferred to iPhone. Later the app came in the Google Play Store and after striking there it is hitting the android Market. Formerly this app came in then the fame of the authorized Twitter app vanished its position in the Android Ecosystem. At the time only few wanted to use the authorized Twitter app because this TweetDeck presented a number of amazing features like to creation of new columns and how to manage the notification’s choices for every of these columns. As a result, it might be possible t he expansion of the official Twitter app was covered up because Twitter purchased TweetDeck soon.

At the moment authorized Twitter app has backed with a little of bug fixes which were in fact considered as a stupid bugs. Actually these bugs specially influenced the aged version of Android called Éclair. This update has solved the bug which was reason for profile images not to load on Éclair devices, also solved for main tweets were showing out of order in the Find and Discovery views and is also solved the reason for Sync setting.

It is available to download at the Google Play Store openly and if you want to have in Android phone or tablet then you can get it from there.

Social Phonebook TrueCaller: Available on Android

Truecaller offers a global name and number search for your Android device and it’s totally free of charge. It permits you to go with phone numbers by names, addresses, social networks and images. It binds in with Facebook and LinkedIn to fetch you the most related information about anyone calling you. The address book also automatically revises if anyone modifies a number. This service previously has 3 million users globally and seeking to get bigger through the added Android platform.

These lines are taken from their Press Release:

    TrueCaller Brings More Available, Relevant and Accurate Caller ID to Android  STOCKHOLM (8 May 2012) TrueCaller, the new global social phone book, announced today that TrueCaller for smartphones is now available on mobile devices with the Android operating system.

    Possessor of Android devices can currently take advantage from the TrueCaller caller ID application that joins phone number directories from worldwide into one easy-to-use app, at no cost. TrueCaller defends users from spam calls and facilitates them to search half a billion phone numbers from all over the word.

    In recent times TrueCaller achieved 3 million users, and it has become 1 of the most popular caller ID smartphone app.

    The key features of TrueCaller for Android are as listed below:

• Global Number Lookup service facilitates users to seek and get people from all over the world.
• Caller ID functionality immediately demonstrates the identity of strange callers from out of the country; wherever in the world a call is picked.
• Call Filter defends and advises users of scam, spam and unwanted calls. If a call is pciked from any of the scam, spam or unwanted numbers that TrueCaller has listed, a notice will show to warn of the unwanted call. Users can then select to respond or block the call.

For more about Android Development visit my blog.

Google+ Updated on IOS with new UI, Android on Its Way

Let’s think over it, iOS users have been hold back on Google+ since the launch. First they didn’t get an app, and when they got, it wasn't accurately the mainly functional in the App Store. Google did, however, attach to Android by updating and improving the application often and often adding features and improving on the app. They’ve even renovated the desktop site a few times still without touching the iOS app. Now, the iOS has been the 1st to get this G+ update.

Google has already announced it its blog that they are thinking to create its G+ mobile experience much easier and more nice looking then before. The iOS app has got a fully renovate UI, and it comes in very smooth black interface though its lighter then we are using. The photos have already in big size then before and now we can use fewer abstract colors means overall this is really a great mobile app which is professionally designed. See what Google team said about the upgrading of this mobile app;

 "To be clear, we’re not interested in a mobile or social experience that’s just smaller. We’re embracing the sensor-rich smartphone (with its touchable screen and high-density display), and transforming Google+ into something more intimate, and more expressive. Today’s new iPhone app is an important step in this direction—toward a simpler, more beautiful Google."

On the peak of a marvelous new UI, Google has also at last added the capability to join a Hangout via Messenger to the mobile G+ app for iOS. This feature was missing by iPhone users since a long time and certainly t hey will welcome it. The G+ team also announced this Android App will be also updated so that it can be equivalent to the new mobile UI. Lets see when it is going to be released, till then iOS users can enjoy with this app.

Android Regains 61% of all U.S. Smartphone Sales

Android got a dramatically lead over Apple’s iOS as the war of Smartphones continue.

When the Smartphone sell was compared by NPD Group they found Android has covered 61% of total US market share of Smartphone which was more than last year’s 4th quarter. And for iOS a fall down came and it covered only 29% while it was 41% in the last year’s final quarter.

When Apple launched its iPhone 4S then we have been seen a heavy demand for it but as New Year started then Android got its position on the top again.

Though Apple lost its market share but this is not the end of war. And it is also true now Android and iPhone has covered 90% of all Smartphone sales in US market.

According to NPD, if we see overall results, then we find Smartphones failed to increase  its grip to hold the market but they got to success in 66% of all handsets sales in last quarter. If we compare all top ten selling models in the 1st quarter then we observe half of them from Apple, 3 of them from Samsung, and 1 each from Motorola and HTC.

According to Nielsen, Android is the top dog in the US but Apple is trying to back on the top.

Android Devices Hacking: New Trick from Hackers

It’s not just malicious apps you require to be cautious of infecting your smartphone. Now, accessing to poisoned websites is a danger also.

Security researchers have exposed a latest malware aiming Android devices that doesn’t acquire the common way of implanting itself in any app. The malware, named “NotCompatible,” is in its place put into the websites that seek to push the malware on visitors’ devices, representing a unsafe new trick by hackers to attempt and access private data, according to researchers.

Fortunately, the malware isn’t very quiet. To find infected, you would require to approve the download of the application, which pretenses as a security update. Mobile malware threats are not as prevalent as those aiming PCs. Illegal hackers are testing with unusual business models for mobile devices, such as tricking users into subscribing to pay-text-message services that the criminals control.

The message from the ‘NotCompatible’ findings is same to cautions for PC users have gotten for years: “The worst kind of update you can download to your machine is one that you didn't ask for and don’t know where it comes from”

For any kind of Android Development contact Rapidsoft Technologies.