Tag Archives: original

Android carrier marketshare shows Verizon in the lead; AT&T on the rise

On the 22 of October in 2008, the HTC Dream launched on T-Mobile US as the G1. It was the original Google Android device. For the year that followed the release, no one would step up to offer T-Mobile any Android competition. That all changed on October 17, 2009–the original release date of the Motorola Droid. The device shaped what Android has become to this day. Once the original Droid was released, Verizon’s rise to the top in Android sales in the US was a quick one. By 2010, Big Red was dominating in a big way. And they still are. According to a study conducted by Chitika Insights, Verizon still holds 41% of the total US carrier marketshare. Not only that, but the company also holds “four of the top five Android smartphones.” The Droid X, HTC Droid Incredible, Samsung Fascinate and Motorola Droid. It may not be this was forever, though. When comparing the newest numbers with last years, Verizon’s share has declined and AT&T has taken up the slack. As AT&T is stuck with a mere ~9%, don’t count on them upending Verizon anytime soon. Ma Bell’s numbers are indeed on the rise, but it’s going to take a long time for them to catch up. Even if the AT&T and T-Mobile merger goes through, the new AT&T-Mobile would only be on equal footing with Sprint, who currently owns around 26%. This means the original Android carrier, T-Mobile, comes in with 16%. The numbers are sure to change once the next Nexus and Galaxy S II phones are released. People tend to use big device releases to start switching providers. I’m sure the AT&T-Mobile merger will also have an effect on sales as consumers jump ship to cheaper companies. So how about it? Who’s your carrier of choice? Plan on switching anytime soon?

Android 2.3.4 Leaks for the Samsung Galaxy S

With the Galaxy S update to Gingerbread fresh in our minds, the manufacturer is wasting no time in bringing their original superphone up to the latest version of Android, 2.3.4. A leak of the new Gingerbread build dating from June 3rd has been uncovered for the Galaxy S I9000, though the actual update could still be a ways off. Samsung’s start with Android was a bit rocky to say the least, but recent moves have seen them slowly rising to the top of the pile. Quicker Android updates, better developer relations, and some killer new hardware all play a factor. If Samsung is able to deliver Android 2.3.4 to the original Galaxy flagship, it will earn them major brownie points [via GSMArena ]

FCC Listing Points to AT&T HTC Wildfire S

You may recall the HTC aria, on of AT&T’s first Android phones. That handset bore a pretty big resemblance to the original HTC Wildfire. It should be no surprise, then, that the carrier would want to give their lower-tier Android lineup an update with the followup to the original Wildfire. An FCC filing is suggesting just that, pointing towards the HTC Wildfire S arriving on AT&T sometime in the near future. The FCC listing shows AT&T’s GSM 850 and 1900 bands along with WCDMA bands II and V, making the release of the handset in the US almost a sure thing. No word on exactly when we might see it, however. [ FCC via WirelessGoodness ]

iFixit tears down the iPad 2 to reveal 512 MB RAM, thin glass front

iFixit  got its hands on an iPad 2 and promptly tore the tablet down to its screws and rails. Most notable of all its finding, iFixit revealed the second generation tablet contains 512 MB of RAM, twice as much as its predecessor. This is good news for people interested in the raw hardware specs of the device

Apple iPad 2 unboxing on the streets of SXSW 2011

Hopefully, you were watching our live coverage of the iPad 2 launch live on the streets of Austin for the SXSW conference and festival. We couldn’t help but rip into it on the streets for our unboxing so check out our first streetside unboxing of the iPad 2. The Apple iPad 2 is not necessarily a revolutionary leap beyond the original tablet but it does have enough new features to tempt many consumers

Verizon Approves Thunderbolt for Sale Pending HTC Agreement, Rep Tweets March 17th Launch Date

Within the past 24 hours we have heard two new rumored release dates for the HTC Thunderbolt March 17th and March 21st . Depending on how HTC responds to Verizon’s conditional final approval of the device, we may or may not miss those anticipated dates

Another Analyst Sets Low Expectations for the XOOM, Predicts Motorola to Sell only 300,000 this Quarter

At first glance, you might think 300,000 units sold would be perfectly healthy figures for the Motorola XOOM in its first quarter. When you then realize the original iPad sold over that amount in its first day alone and the iPad 2 expected to push its launch weekend sales even higher, the estimated figure put forth by Morgan Keegan analyst Tavis McCourt seems a bit underwhelming. His calculation is based on averages showing only two XOOMs sold per day through Verizon, though units moved through Best Buy were not included in his count.

Hot Deal: Best Buy offers Nexus S for $100 on a contract!

This is time sensitive information folks. Best Buy is offering the still hot Google Nexus S for $100 on a T-Mobile contract

Playstation Suite Coming to Tegra-Equipped Devices

Today via their Tegra Zone portal NVIDIA announced that the PlayStation Suite, Sony’s Android gaming platform, will make its way to devices powered by Tegra processors. While the PlayStation Suite is slated to be available for most Android devices, the only so far confirmed is the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play.

Samsung promotes Tab in the wake of Xoom and iPad 2 with new TV spot

When the Samsung Galaxy Tab was announced, it was the only real alternative to the iPad , even if it varied in many ways to its counterpart.