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HTC Ready to Defend Against Apple's Patent Suit

Pulkit Chandna — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:14:40 -0500

Android is on the upswing, having become the fastest growing smartphone platform among its contemporaries in the U.S market. While it has a fair distance to go before it can overtake the Apple iPhone, it is more a question of when than if, given the speed of its ascent.

But Apple can be expected to pull out all the stops to retain its comfortable lead over its younger rival. Earlier this month, it dragged Taiwanese phone maker HTC to court, alleging that its Android phones infringe nearly 20 of its patents. It wants a ban on the import of all such HTC handsets that infringe the iPhone-related patents.

Although HTC is yet to officially respond in court, the phone maker from the Far East has finally broken its silence over the lawsuit. It should not surprise anyone that HTC disagrees with Apple's claims and remains unfazed. It has vowed to “fully defend” itself.

“HTC strongly advocates intellectual property protection and will continue to respect other innovators and their technologies as we have always done, but we will continue to embrace competition through our own innovation as a healthy way for consumers to get the best mobile experience possible,” said Peter Chou, chief executive officer, HTC Corporation.

The press release appears to be a reminder of HTC's ability to innovate to anyone who doubts it. It quite proudly points out “HTC’s technology firsts” that include the first Windows PDA (1998), first 3G CDMA EVDO smartphone (October 2005), first Google Android smartphone and first 4G WIMAX smartphone (November 2008).

Google, Sony, Intel Working on Bringing Google TV to Your Living Room

Paul Lilly — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:30:35 -0500

Having already conquered most of the online world, Google's developers are looking for new territory to invade, and they may have found it in your living room.

According to a report in The New York Times, Google has buddied up with Intel and Sony to develop a new platform called Google TV. Unlike existing televisions and set-top boxes with limited Web content, Google TV is being designed as an open TV platform based on Android.

Citing a "person with knowledge of the project," NYT says Google TV will use a version of Google's Chrome browser, even though it doesn't yet work on Android phones.

Other details remain pretty sparse, but those willing to speak about the project (anonymously, of course) say the technology is far enough along that Google has been able to begin a limited test run with Dish Network.

More here.

Google Gesture Search App Available for Android 1.6

Ryan Whitwam — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:23:43 -0500

Google Gesture search for Android was released just about two weeks ago to largely positive reviews. The free app allows users to draw a character on the screen and have it recognized and used to search the phone. It is very accurate and stable, but the only problem was that it could only be used on Android 2.0 and higher phones. That means only the Nexus One and Droid. But yesterday evening El Goog decided to make it available to users of Android 1.6.

Not only that, but the app is available in all countries where the Android Market is available. The new version also includes various performance improvements and bug fixes. We’re stoked that users of the venerable G1 and HTC Magic can get in on the gesture search action, but those running 1.5 based Sense UI and MotoBlur devices are still left out in the cold. HTC and Motorola are expected to release 2.1 based updates to their Android skins in the coming months. Until then, let’s spare their feelings and downplay how cool Gesture Search is

Google Announces AT&T 3G Compatible Nexus One

Ryan Whitwam — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:26:06 -0500

With little fanfare, Google has announced a version of the Nexus One compatible with AT&T’s 3G bands. The only version available previously was only able to get speedy 3G on T-Mobile. Pricing remains the same as the T-Mobile version at $529 for the unlocked phone. However, there is no carrier tie in here as there was for T-Mobile. This means that you won’t be able to opt for a subsidy on the handset in exchange for signing a contract. Google claims to be working with AT&T on a possible subsidy deal.

The T-Mobile version apparently sold only 135,000 units since release. With the phone now fully compatible with one of the largest carriers in the US, those lackluster sales may pick up a bit. Versions of the Nexus One are also slated to be released for Vodafone in Europe and Verizon in the US.

If you are currently an AT&T customer, a quick SIM card swap should get you up and running. New Customers will have to buy a $25 SIM card. So, are you Android faithful tempted by this, or are you holding out for the Verizon compatible handset?

Android Market More than Doubles Number of Apps Since December

Ryan Whitwam — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:20:26 -0500

It’s amazing what the high profile launch of a smartphone can do for a mobile platform. According to numbers that come straight from The Big G, the number of Android apps has more than doubled since December. This leaves it hovering somewhere around 30,000. Most of this growth is almost certainly thanks to the massive number of Droid sales. The Android Market may not have 150,000 apps like the iPhone App Store, but still quite a feat.

Android tends to have a higher ratio of free to paid apps than other application stores, so many of these new apps are available free of charge. Will the trend continue, or are we likely to see short bursts of app development around big phone releases? Google is doing their part by handing out Droids and Nexus Ones to successful developers. Where’s the tipping point where number don’t matter anymore? There will be a point that everything you need will be on various mobile platforms. The question is: does Android have what you need?

Windows Phone 7 to Limit Multitasking

Bart Salisbury — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:51:50 -0500

It seems like the ‘big boys’ are planning to play it safe with their mobile operating systems. Apple has limited the multitasking on the iPhone OS, restricting it only to core apps, while prohibiting third party applications, to optimize battery life and improve security. It seems that Microsoft plans the same thing for Windows Phone 7.

In an interview with Wired.com, Charlie Kindel, the manager of Windows Phone App Platform and Developer Experience program says, “We do not allow third-party applications running on the phone to execute in the background.” He continues, “We’re poised to support it eventually, but in order to support great battery life and great end-user experience, we’re focusing on the integrated experiences first.” That sounds familiar.

This, of course, stands in contrast to devices built on Google’s Android OS and Palm’s WebOS--both of which allow for legitimate multitasking. Users on both platforms do complain about reduced battery life, but also acknowledge, as they control what’s running, it's their choice to make.

Image Credit: Microsoft

Day 74: Droid Outsells iPhone and Google Nexus One

Bart Salisbury — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:00:25 -0500

Flurry Analytics offers real time data to developers about how consumers use their mobile applications. Any application that uses Flurry Analytics rats out its user to an app developer, and at the same time provide some data about the smartphone community. Working their magic on the data they’ve received, Flurry says the Motorola Droid is one very popular phone.

Flurry says that 80 percent of all iPhone OS and Android devices use these reporting analytics. From this Flurry is able to make some educated guesses about the nature of the smartphone marketplace. And in that marketplace Flurry says Motorola’s Droid’s first 74 days moved more units than Apple’s iPhone did during that same period of time 1.05 million to 1.0 million. Flurry uses 74 days because that’s when Apple reported the iPhone’s reaching the 1 million units sold mark. While better after 74 days, the Droid has a ways to go to catch up to the 42.5 million iPhones sold.

Bad news here, though, is that not all Android phones are being as well received. During its first 74 days (actually 70 plus some extrapolation), Google’s Nexus One has move only 0.135 million units. Flurry ascribes the poor showing of the Nexus One to “unconventional choices in marketing, pricing and distribution.”

There’s a lot of other issues involved here, which make a precise comparison difficult. Flurry readily acknowledges such issues. However, what does seem apparent is Nexus One, despite the hype and anticipation, isn’t catching on--at least not just yet.

Image Credit: Flurry

Blackberry Users Look Longingly Toward iPhone and Android, Says Survey

Ryan Whitwam — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:10:18 -0500

A new survey of smartphone users paints a pretty grim picture for RIM and their Blackberry line of smartphones. According to market research firm Crowd Science, 40% of blackberry users plan to swap their device for an iPhone come the end of their contract. And it’s not just the iPhone that has these normally reserved business types excited. The survey also indicates that 32% would be willing to trade in their Blackberry for a Google Nexus One.

Crowd Science also asked about how people use their phones, and this may provide some insight into why people seem ready to jump ship. According to the report, people want to use their phones for both business and personal use. Only 16% of Blackberry users say they use their device for personal matters. About two thirds of iPhone users report using the phone for at least some personal and business exercises.

If RIM has any magic left, they might want to bring it to bear. In contrast, over 90% of iPhone and Android users planned to stay with their platform of choice come the next upgrade. Let’s hope Blackberry OS 6.0 can turn some frowns upside down. It’s going to take more than good keyboards to fix this.