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Microsoft rumored to showcase Windows Mobile 7 next week with Zune-like interface

During the weekend rumors surfaced about Microsoft showing a revamped Windows Mobile OS platform next week at the Mobile World Congress. Generally considered a laggard in the smartphone space, Microsoft is expected to finally move forward with its mobile OS roadmap this year after a lukewarm reception to the 6.5 update released last October.

Among the most relevant tidbits of yet unconfirmed information is that Windows Mobile 7 will share a lot of interface elements with the Zune HD. Code-named Metro, the new UI should be very clean and feel "alive", it will be based on Silverlight, support multi-touch and other gesture-related features. The phone software is expected to integrate with the Zune platform seamlessly, have Xbox tag integration and other social networking features built in the OS. Multi-tasking support is said to be absent, instead background processes will pause and remain 'on hold'. The browsing experience is being defined as faster than the iPhone 3GS at this point, which seems to be the target at large.

Microsoft should continue relying on partners to deliver the hardware as usual, while holding a tighter control over the manufacturing process and end user experience. Next week's demo is rumored to be about the OS interface only, with devices not expected to show up in the market until the second half of the year.

AT&T clears SlingPlayer Mobile for use on 3G network

AT&T announced today that it would allow the SlingPlayer Mobile iPhone app to stream content over its 3G network. A year ago, the telecom company refused to let Sling Media's application run on 3G, limiting it to Wi-Fi connections. At the time, AT&T said the service was too bandwidth-intensive, and it could overwhelm the company's network -- but that stance has changed.

AT&T has been testing the app since December and has cleared an "optimized" version to run on its 3G network. A Sling Media spokesman said the app "dynamically adjusts the bandwidth based on network conditions and picture quality," so it shouldn't add any undue additional load on AT&T's network.


The upgraded SlingPlayer Mobile is still pending approval from Apple, but assuming it passes, owners of the $30 app will receive a free update. If you're unfamiliar with all of this Sling business, check out our review of the Slingbox Pro-HD and SlingLink Turbo.

Fujitsu T900 tablet, UH900 UMPC reach the US

In December, an FCC listing exposed Fujitsu's LifeBook T900 convertible tablet, but details were limited to a processor and chipset. The system has now launched in North America and Fujitsu's base "recommended configuration" starts at $1,889.

At that price you get a 13.3-inch WXGA LED display with active digitizer, an Intel Core i5-520M and integrated graphics, 2GB of DDR3 1066MHz, a 160GB 5400RPM HDD, a DVD burner, gigabit Ethernet, 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1, a webcam and mic, a six-cell battery, and Windows 7 Professional 32-bit or 64-bit.


Other niceties are also mentioned, such as fingerprint security, a user-cleanable dust filter, and a spill-resistant keyboard. Upgrades include a capacitive multitouch display, a 3.33GHz Core i7-620M, up to 8GB of RAM, and up to 500GB 5400RPM, 320GB 7200RPM, or 128GB SSD for storage, which could easily drive the price beyond $3,000.

Fujitsu's UH900 UMPC has also landed in North America, around two months after its Asian release.


The device offers a 5.6-inch 1280x800 multitouch display, a 1.6GHz Atom, 2GB of DDR2 533MHz RAM, a webcam, Ethernet, 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth, GPS, a two-cell battery, and Windows 7 Home Premium. For $850, it ships with a 64GB SSD, but a 32GB edition will reportedly be available.

Dell intros business-minded ultrathin Latitude 13

Dell has revealed a new thin and light business notebook series, the Latitude 13. Called "the world's thinnest 13-inch commercial client laptop," the Latitude 13 is as slender as a netbook but packs more processing power.

Specifications and pricing are said to be comparable with Dell's Vostro V13, and the Latitude 13 also pulls design cues from Dell's Adamo line. The Vostro V13 starts at $449 and offers Intel ULV CPUs, up to 4GB of RAM, a six-cell battery, a webcam, and Windows 7.


Confirmed Latitude 13 features include a 13.3-inch LED-backlit display, Bluetooth, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, WWAN choices, an optional external Blu-ray drive, and SSD configurations are expected. It will also ship with a preinstalled Citrix client, easier virtualization options, and an IT-friendly infrastructure for distributing system images.

The Latitude 13 should be available in the coming weeks through Dell's online store.

References to Project Pink devices 'Turtle' & 'Pure' found in Zune software

Just days after blogger Long Zheng discovered references to a "Zune Phone" in the latest Zune Software, the Zuneboards community has discovered additional references.

Buried deep in the latest Zune software are pointers to "eEndpointFamilyPmxPure" and "eEndpointFamilyPmxTurtle", the 'Turtle' and 'Pure' devices that leaked in September 2009. "Project Pink" is an internal name used by Microsoft to refer to a set of devices built from the Windows Mobile 7 framework and Microsoft branded but not Microsoft manufactured.

Read more at Neowin.net.

Dell's 13-inch Adamo Admire dropped to $999

Dell has quietly dropped the price of its 13.4-inch Adamo notebook to an unseen low. The Adamo Admire carries a price of $999, and specs start with a 720p WLED display, a 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and 256MB GS45 graphics, 2GB of DDR3 800MHz RAM, a 128GB SSD, a webcam and mic, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, three USB ports (one eSATA combo), five hours of battery life, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit.

There are two upgraded Admire configurations called the Entrepreneur Package and Jet-Setter Package, which cost $1,199 and $1,349. They both add an external DVD burner and one year of Adamo Premium Service, and the Jet-Setter also throws in a carrying sleeve as well as Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007.


Beyond that, the Adamo Desire starts at $1,799 and includes a 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, mobile broadband, and also has Entrepreneur and Jet-Setter packages with the same additions priced at $1,999 and $2,149.

Call me crazy, but at $999, the base Adamo is more appealing than all the tablets we've seen to date -- Apple's iPad included.

Microsoft: We have no plans to create a Zune phone

On Tuesday references to a "Zune Phone" were found in the latest software for the Zune HD. Neowin questioned Microsoft over the findings but a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed the company has "no plans to create a Zune phone."

The spokesperson also stated that one day Zune could be "part of the phone experience," but added there had been no announcements by the software giant regarding how or if that would happen.

Read more at Neowin.net.

Asus DR-570 e-reader boasts 6-inch color OLED display, 122-hour battery life

Despite not showing the device at CES, Asus reportedly has a new e-book reader up its sleeve, the DR-570. Sources indicate that it will sport a 6-inch OLED color display, and boasts a 122-hour battery life under "real-world conditions," such as streaming Flash video via Wi-Fi or 3G. If that's accurate, the DR-570 could make for a competitive alternative to devices like Amazon's second-generation Kindle.

Some sources suggest the screen will actually be 5.7 inches with a resolution of 768x1024 and a 0.03-second refresh rate. Other rumored specifications includes 4GB of built-in storage, 512MB of RAM, a 1,530mAh battery, an SD/SDHC memory card slot, and it only 200 grams -- less than half a pound.

Naturally, no price is available, but the DR-570 is expected to land sometime before the end of the year.

FIC intros Pine Trail-based SVE00 netbook

FIC announced a new netbook earlier this week, the SVE00. Designed for "socializing and education", the system features Intel's Pine Trail platform, with a 1.66GHz Atom processor, a 10.1-inch 1024x600 LED-backlit display, up to 2GB of DDR2 677MHz or 800MHz RAM, and up to a 320GB HDD or 32GB SSD.

The system weighs about 1.2Kg and also includes a 1.3 megapixel webcam, a mic, two USB ports, VGA-out, a four-in-one card reader, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, optional Bluetooth, WiMAX, HSDPA, and SIM card, an "ultra size" multitouch pad with support for two-finger gestures, a spill-proof keyboard, a three-cell battery, and the choice between Windows XP, Windows 7, or Linux.


The system will ship in red or white, but a price and availability aren't mentioned in FIC's press release.

Sprint to build WiMax towers on Walmart stores?

The rumor mill suggests that Sprint might be collaborating with Walmart to expand its WiMax network. The carrier plans to launch WiMax-ready handsets later this year, but coverage is still lacking. This could be remedied of course, if Sprint follows through on its reported interest of placing WiMax cells on top of every Walmart store.

An anonymous source cited by AndroidGuys claims they have been asked to determine how many stores overlap each other in a 30 to 50 mile radius. It was concluded that the plan would provide sufficient coverage for a large portion of the US, and it would cost less than erecting towers and dealing with hassles and zoning permissions.


Despite its colossal count of retail locations, I imagine affixing WiMax towers on every Walmart store would still leave plenty of gaps in coverage.

Ending Nexus One contract pricier than buying unlocked

If you plan to buy Google's Nexus One smartphone, here's some food for thought: cancelling a Nexus One contract is more expensive than just buying the phone unlocked. Phandroid and others have discovered the phone's Terms of Sale states that cancelling your account not only incurs a carrier Early Termination Fee (ETF) -- which is standard -- but Google will charge you an additional "Equipment Recovery Fee."

On top of T-Mobile's $200 ETF, you'll have to pay Google the full price of the Nexus One, minus the service plan and the price you paid for the device. For example, if you paid $180 for the Nexus One through T-Mobile, you'd have to pay Google $350 for a total of $530, or the cost of the handset unlocked. Again, that's in addition to T-Mobile's fees.

The catch is that it only applies if you end your service within the first 120 days of the contract, but it's still worth considering if you're eyeing Google's "super phone".

Samsung intros two e-readers with Google provided content

Two more e-book readers have been cast into the swelling sea of portable gadgetry with the introduction of Samsung's E6 and E101. While details are scant, the two devices sport 6 and 10-inch gliding touchscreens, a soft QWERTY keyboard, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 2.0 -- but no 3G.


Sliding the touchscreens up reveals a few controls, like Home, Menu, Back and navigation buttons, as well as speakers. The device also supports handwriting, allowing users to annotate their reading selections, calendars and to-do lists with an EMR stylus. Samsung claims a four-hour charge will supply enough juice for up to two weeks.

The E6 and E101 are expected to ship at some point in early 2010 with prices of $399 and $699 -- a bit steep, if you ask me.

Microsoft shows HP Slate tablet during CES keynote

Microsoft has pulled back the curtain on an HP-crafted tablet computer during its CES 2010 keynote. The HP Slate, as shown by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, looks to offer a portable computing package that is oddly nestled between the functionality of a smartphone and netbook.

The Slate will run Windows 7, and reportedly sports a multitouch display, an accelerometer, and speculation suggests that it's powered by an x86-based processor. The prototype shown during Microsoft's keynote was running the PC Kindle app, hinting that the Slate may try to take a bite out of the e-reader market -- much like Apple's "rumored" tablet is expected to.

Apart from press shots and a brief teaser video (which you can watch after the jump), very few details are available, except that it's due sometime later this year.

Google unveils $529 Nexus One smartphone

Toward the end of last year, waves of rumors asserted the existence of Google's phone. Called Nexus One, it was speculated the phone was due for a January release. All of that became true today, with Google officially unveiling the phone during a morning press conference.

The so-called "super phone" is a combination of Google's Android and a new platform from HTC, intended to show off the features of Google's OS. With a fast ARM-based processor, 3.7" AMOLED touchscreen, a half gig of memory and 3D graphics, the phone is no lightweight when it comes to hardware, despite weighing less than the iPhone 3G.


It comes loaded with other hardware and software synergies, such as a GPS unit, a compass and Google Maps, a 5-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi and tons of Google software. Another feature worth noting is noise cancellation, a first for any Android platform.

The Nexus One will be available worldwide, with an unlocked model priced at $529. Only GSM varieties will be around initially, though CDMA variants are expected from Verizon down the road. Google is now competing with Apple, Microsoft, RIM and others for a slice of the smartphone market -- which will likely get very interesting this year.

Lenovo shows ARM-powered Skylight netbook and IdeaPad notebook/tablet hybrid

Lenovo is whipping up two new ARM-powered devices, the Skylight and IdeaPad U1 Hybrid. The former is an interesting take on the conventional netbook, with a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 20GB of removable flash storage, a "full size" keyboard, a 10-hour battery life, and a slew of social media and Web-oriented gadgets.

The Skylight also supports Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity, and can seamlessly switch between the two. AT&T will carry the device in April, which will start at $499 -- though, subsidized units are inevitable. Meanwhile, the IdeaPad U1 Hybrid is an 11.6-inch (1366x768) ultra-thin notebook with a detachable "display slate."


Default specs include an Intel Core 2 Duo SU processor, up to 4GB of RAM, two USB 2.0 ports, eSATA, VGA, HDMI, a four-in-one memory card reader, a 1.3 megapixel camera, up to eight hours of battery life, and Windows 7 Home Premium. Detaching the display provides a Snapdragon-based smart tablet running a Linux-derived Skylight interface. The IdeaPad U1 Hybrid will launch on June 1.

AT&T halted online sales of iPhone in NYC last week?

With little explanation, AT&T last week halted online sales of the iPhone in New York City -- the most populated city in the U.S. Customers in The Big Apple were greeted with a generic failure when trying to purchase an iPhone, telling them to "shop for another phone". The iPhone is once again available online, but AT&T's reasoning is still a mystery.

AT&T has admitted that their cell network is having difficulty coping with the surge in data usage by smartphones -- much of which the iPhone is responsible for. Dense areas like NYC would be hit hardest by demand, so it's possible AT&T was trying to prevent its network from collapsing in the region.

If that were the case though, you'd expect sales to stop elsewhere, but the iPhone was still available through AT&T and Apple retail outlets. It has also been suggested that the carrier was attempting to reduce fraud -- though, that also seems unlikely.

Regardless of AT&T's logic, might this be a sign that Apple should finally extend the iPhone to other providers?

Rumored Chrome OS netbook packs ARM CPU, Tegra

Rumored specifications have hit the Web detailing Google's forthcoming Chrome OS netbook. According to IBTimes the search giant has spoken with several hardware manufacturers about making its netbook, which will reportedly be powered by an ARM processor and a chipset from Nvidia's Tegra line.

The Google Chrome OS netbook will supposedly tote a 10.1-inch TFT HD-ready multi-touch display, a 64GB SSD, 2GB of RAM, USB ports, a webcam, a multi-card reader, a 3.5mm audio jack, as well as Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth, and Ethernet connectivity.


The netbook is expected to hit shelves in the holiday season of 2010, and will ship with various Google apps preinstalled, such as Google Map, Gmail, Google Docs, Google Calendar, and Google Search by Voice.

Rumors indicate that Google will offer its netbook for a sub-$300 price when accompanied by a contract with network operator such as AT&T or Verizon, but almost everything is hearsay at this point.

Viliv to intro N5 UMPC with Windows 7 and more at CES

Viliv will reportedly introduce two ultra mobile PCs (UMPC) at CES next month. The N5 will boast a 4.8-inch 1024x600 resolution display, as well as Wi-Fi, 3G and GPS. Like competing units, it should offer the full -- albeit miniaturized -- functionality of a larger computer and will run Windows 7. Unfortunately, there are no details about what powers the device, but it could be based on Intel's Pine Trail platform.


Viliv also plans to show the S10, a more netbook-like system that features a 10-inch multi-touch swivel display, a 1.3GHz Atom, an SSD (likely 32GB or 64GB), optional 3G connectivity, and Windows 7. According to Electronista, other devices that might appear at CES include the P3, an OLED touchscreen media player that runs Android and Windows CE, and the HD5, a 5-inch Windows CE-based video player with enough muscle for 1080p content.

Lenovo netbook to sport Pine Trail, multi-touch display

Very few of the emerging Pine Trail-based netbooks actually stand out, but an upcoming product from Lenovo offers something most rivals don't: a multi-touch display. Unearthed FCC documents suggest the company's IdeaPad S10-3t will feature a 10.1-inch rotating gesture-sensitive screen, a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450, Wi-Fi, and at the very least, optional 3G and GPS.

Microsoft Windows 7 is also guaranteed to be present, but there are no details on the RAM, HDD and other specifications. The S10-3t (the "t" likely stands for touch) is expected to appear at CES, but an official launch date is unknown. Likewise, pricing has not been set, but we'd love to hear your predictions.


It's worth noting that the similarly equipped Asus Eee PC T101MT has also recently passed through the FCC's hands and might replace the T91MT.

Asus notebook powered by Arrandale, Radeon HD 5730

Fudzilla has discovered a new Asus notebook that sports a new Intel processor and AMD graphics chip. The 17.3-inch Asus X77 has been on store shelves for some time, but a retailer has reportedly listed a new SKU powered by a 2.26GHz Core i5-430M -- a 32nm dual-core Arrandale processor.

Alongside the forthcoming Intel CPU is an AMD Mobility Radeon HD 5730, which hasn't been detailed publicly, but Fudzilla speculates that it will use DDR3 memory rather than the DDR5 chips used on Radeon HD 5750 and 5770 cards. Other mentioned specifications include a 1600x900 LED display, 4GB of RAM, dual 500GB hard drives, as well as eSATA and HDMI connectivity.

While Asus has not disclosed a price or ship date, Fudzilla believes the revamped X77 will appear in mid-January -- just after CES -- and will cost about €1000.

Acer intros business-minded TravelMate Timeline notebooks

Acer has added to its CULV-based laptop series with the TravelMate Timeline ultrathin workhorse systems. Aimed at business users, the TravelMate Timeline 8371, 8471 and 8571 measure 13.3, 14.1 and 15.6-inches, respectively.

Base configurations between the different sizes are mostly identical, including a 1366x768 display resolution, a 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400 processor and GMA 4500MHD integrated graphics, 4GB of DDR3 1066MHz RAM, a 320GB HDD, and a DVD burner. Additional features include a webcam, 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, gigabit Ethernet, a five-in-one card reader, three USB 2.0 ports, HDMI-out, a six-cell battery and Windows 7 (with an XP disc included).


Some alternate -- and less expensive -- configurations use a 1.3GHz Core 2 Duo SU7300 and a 250GB HDD. Interestingly, all of the systems (no matter the size) are listed with a weight of 3.5lbs. The better-equipped models start at $919 (13.3-inch) and $999 (14.1 and 15.6-inch), while the slower processor and smaller hard drive knock off about $100. All of units ship with a one-year parts and labor warranty.

Barnes & Noble releases Nook v1.1 firmware update

If you recently purchased a Barnes & Noble Nook e-book reader, you'll be delighted to know that a new firmware update has been released. Nook v1.1 allows customers to connect to Barnes & Noble's free in-store wireless Internet, providing access to "exclusive content and promotions." The latest firmware version also brings several other changes:
  • Improved page turn and formatting of downloaded eBooks.
  • Improved startup time for My Library, The Daily, and Settings.
  • Immediate launch of the reader upon choosing Select from The Daily and My Library, for books and subscription issues that have already been downloaded; otherwise the book detail page is displayed, with Download as the first option.
  • Elimination of the page skipping that has occurred in certain PDB eBooks.
  • Status bar (battery indicator, signal indicator, and clock) is displayed in reader.
  • Overall system improvements.
Customers can apply Nook v1.1 via an "Over the Air" (OTA) update, or by manually downloading the software here. Barnes & Noble reportedly plans to conduct a larger Nook software update early next year, so keep an eye out for upcoming changes.

Dell unveils revamped Pine Trail-based Mini 10 netbook

In perfect coordination with Intel's announcement earlier today, Dell and other PC makers have introduced their new Pine Trail-based systems. Like many forthcoming netbooks, Dell's revamped Mini 10 sports a 1.66GHz Atom N450 processor, and can accommodate a six-cell battery for up to nine and a half hours of use.

It is also configurable with a standard 1024x600 or HD 1366x768 display, a Broadcom Crystal video accelerator for HD playback, up to 1GB of DDR2 800MHz RAM, a 160GB or 250GB HDD, Bluetooth, 802.11 b/g, GPS, a TV tuner, and Windows XP, 7 Starter or Ubuntu for an operating system.


The Dell Mini 10 looks very similar to rival products, including Asus' recently spotted Eee PC 1005P/PE, and MSI's updated Wind netbooks. Most pending devices should arrive over the next couple of weeks, with Dell and MSI's products expected to launch on January 4 at starting prices of $299 and $350 respectively.

Mozilla: No need for app stores with mobile Firefox

The success of Apple's App store changed the world's opinion about the future of mobile computing. Billions of downloads and mountains of cash were enough to convince Microsoft, Google, RIM and many others that lightweight app development was vital for smartphones in the years ahead. Mozilla, however, has other plans.

They want to see cooperation rather than competition amongst mobile device software, believing their upcoming version of mobile Firefox will be key. "Fennec" is promised to have the fastest JavaScript engine of any mobile browser, giving developers a familiar and powerful environment to code in as opposed to things like the Apple SDK.

Is Mozilla trying to kill app stores? No -- quite the opposite. They seem intent on creating a more homogeneous environment, beneficial to developers and customers alike. Slogans like "There's an app for that" would be truer than ever if a developer could write code guaranteed to run on all big smartphone platforms without extra tweaking.

There are drawbacks, however. Online apps generally require an active Internet connection, and performance of web apps has more to do with connection speed than hardware power. Google, Microsoft and others have already acknowledged this, hence the development of "offline" web-based apps. There is no reason Mozilla can't follow their lead.

How do you think Mozilla could encourage developers to abandon existing app store models and embrace a unified environment?

Dell to introduce Android tablet at CES 2010?

Rumors circulating around the Web suggest that Dell is preparing to launch an Android-based tablet, potentially beating Apple, Asus and others to the market. Pocket-lint reports that the new device will make its debut at CES in January, and could hit shelves shortly thereafter.

While details are scant, Pocket-lint's unnamed sources say Dell's tablet features a 5-inch display and runs the Android operating system. Like similar devices, it will allow users to surf the Web and its functionality should fall somewhere between a smartphone and a netbook.

The rumored tablet may resemble (or even be) Dell's "Streak" device (pictured), which leaked in late October and shares the mentioned characteristics. Features include a 5-inch 800x480 capacitive touchscreen, Android 2.0, built-in 3G (with support for calls), Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, a 5MP camera and a microSDHC slot.

When contacted for a response to the rumor, Dell answered with the following generality: "Dell continually develops and tests new products that extend the mobile experience. We have not made any product announcements and do not comment on speculation, rumour, or unannounced products."

Twitter introduces new interface for mobile phones

Microblogging service Twitter expanded their portfolio today, introducing a new interface optimized for mobile phones. Aiming for an improved experience on Android, iPhone, webOS and Nokia S60 platforms, the interface was designed with the Twitter API. Most features from the site have been included, such as reply, retweet, favorites, mentions and direct messages. Following, search and other functions are also present.

The interface will eventually replace the standard mobile site for Twitter, though it is still under development. Users of the BlackBerry browser and some other phones have reported issues with the new site. Ultimately, the new interface may supplant standalone applications on phones as well, which would make Twitter even more portable.


This latest development comes as Twitter seeks to turn a profit, introducing paid accounts to their business model. While their financial future may be in question, many sites and businesses are embracing the service, and being more accessible on mobile devices will help fuel that.

Motorola Droid users experiencing email deletion bug

According to several customer reports on the Verizon forum, Motorola Droid users are suffering from some form of an email bug. Droid owners say the glitch deletes their Exchange and POP email accounts, along with all contained messages. While the accounts can be reconfigured, users say the anomaly eventually strikes again a week or two later.

It would seem that corporate email accounts are the most affected, and on the bright side, users say their calendar and contact information is unaffected. Users have begun troubleshooting by removing certain apps they believe may be responsible, but have not found a solution. Verizon has not acknowledged the problem yet, but it's safe to assume they will investigate the issue and will hopefully offer a fix as soon as possible.

Have you experienced the Droid email bug described by others?

HTC shifts focus away from Windows Mobile to Android

A leaked portfolio of upcoming HTC products indicates the company is shifting much of their focus to Android-based phones. Five of the eight models due for 2010 will sport Android, the remainder powered by Windows Mobile 6.5. This marks a change for HTC, which has primarily manufactured Windows-based devices.

As a member of the Open Handset Alliance, HTC's move is unsurprising. The HTC Dream -- known by most as the G1 -- was their first success. The phone debuted Android for the world, demonstrating the platform's flexibility. HTC will capitalize on this growing market with their "flagship" phone for 2010, the Bravo, which will be an Android device.

Android 2.0's feature richness may have been a factor in HTC's decision. If it can pull a company away from Windows Mobile 6.5, it could erode market share for other big-name players too.

Google brings Google Maps Navigation to more Android devices

Google is giving more attention to Android users this week as they push Google Maps Navigation out to additional Android devices. Google announced that GPS navigation software is now available to any device running Android 1.6 or higher. This includes older devices such as the T-Mobile G1 and myTouch 3G. Only phones running Android 2.0 or higher were capable of running the software prior to this development, leaving many older handsets in the cold.

Google Maps Navigation is a very useful extension of Google's existing mapping services, which provides many features expected of traditional GPS navigation: voice guidance, automatic re-routing, destination searching and more. Since it is integrated with other Google services, it can also overlay things like geographical information, Wikipedia articles and a lot of other metadata.

One of the most attractive aspects of Google Maps Navigation on an Android is the fact it is added on to existing hardware. GPS navigation devices can be very pricey, particularly for ones that are feature-rich. Even the entry-level car navigation units are not easy to swallow. With Google Maps Navigation, you are turning an existing device into a GPS navigator for no cost. What it may lack in features it will make up for in being free, though Google has clearly attempted to offer as much as possible.

If you own an older Android device, now is your chance to download the navigation software and give it a try.

AdMob: iPhone accounts for 50% of global mobile traffic

According to figures from AdMob, Apple's iPhone now accounts for half or more of the mobile traffic in the US, UK and globally. This is the first monthly mobile ad trends report from AdMob since it agreed to be acquired by Google earlier this month for $750 million in stock.

Apple has reportedly gained 7% from last month's traffic share, now representing 50% of the global pie. Symbian fell from 29% to 25%, while Android took third place, increasing from 10% to 11%. Research In Motion's slice shrunk by 1% to 7%, and Windows Mobile slipped from 5% to 3%.


Apple's share rose by 7.2% to 55% in the US. Meanwhile, Android grew from 17% to 20% (almost entirely from HTC sales), and RIM lost 2%, settling at 12% of the market. Usage of the Palm Pre has also decreased in October, with WebOS's share falling from 10% to 5%.

Similar trends were noticed in the UK, with Apple accounting for 74% of smartphone traffic, a 3% increase on month. Symbian and Android both lost a percentage point, from 12% and 11% in September to 11% and 10% in October.