This exponential growth from Android shows in the marketshare numbers as well. Currently, Android enjoys a 49.5% marketshare in the United States while the next closes competitor, the Apple iPhone, has 29.5% marketshare in the U.S.

Clearly, Android is on a rampage and plans to be the number selling smartphone OS on the planet for the indefinite future.  And the fact that 1 billion smartphones will be selling per year by 2016, means Android is primed to continue the march of smartphone domination.

via IntoMobile

Android 2.3.4 release has been leaked, but unfortunately it doesn’t look like its ready to the US.  One of the major features that will come on Android 2.3.4 is GTalk video – Google video chat.  And the Android OS is expected to be released on the new Galaxy S2 device.

Of course, with Facebook video calling released this week, there seems be a war brewing in the video chat marketspace.  The next obvious iteration from Facebook would be a video calling option integrated into the Facebook iPhone and Facebook for Android app.

via PCWorld

Google is fully expecting that mobile phones will generate over $1 billion in ad revenue by 2012, and that the Google Android OS will be the engine that drives that growth.

According to Forbes, Google CEO Eric Schmidt said last summer that Android could be a $10 billion business if there were 1 billion users each generating $10 a year.

Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster recently said that Google is well on it’s way to hitting the $10 per user level.  Google has said it is on a $1 billion annual run-rate in mobile advertising, and Munster estimates that the company had $850 million total mobile revenue in 2010, with Android generating about 16% of the total, or around $130 million, which would translate to $5.90 per Android user. (That implies about 22 million Android users for 2010.)

By 2012, Munster believe there could be 133 million Android users generating $9.85 a year, which would mean $1.3 billion in Android-related revenue.

Google’s Android business model has been simple, yet very aggressive – to organize and present data on any platform that your eyes may be looking.

That’s why Android is programmed to be compatible on computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and even TV’s.

And with this vision of “organizing data on every platform”, Google will essence be creating an advertising platform on every platform as well, which could cause the $1.3 billion in ad revenue by 2012 to be a very low-ball estimate.

It’s interesting to me that Verizon is now offering what they call Google Apps for Verizon.

This is basically a bundled package deal for Verizon small and medium size business customers to start leveraging Google Apps.

Verizon will be charging enterprise clients $3.99 per month / per user for those who just want to use the Google Apps suite of products.

Coupled with data plans, and according to the Verizon website, plans are starting at $74.99 per month.

Google Apps is actually something that businesses can get for free. But Verizon’s move to incorporate the Apps suite of products into a bundled solution is, in my opinion, more about generating new data plan customers.

I commend Verizon for finding a creative way to bundle together something that is already free.

And even moreso with their business saviness in bundling it together with the stipulation that you need to subscribe to a bundle consisting of Verizon Internet service and either Verizon voice or TV service or both.

Here’s a list of services you get with the Google Apps for Verizon:

• Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Sites, Google Video
• 3 free user accounts (bundled data plan required
• Additional accounts can be purchased
• “Do it yourself” kit to get started
• Free website for your business
• Online backup (via Google Docs backup)
• Access to the Verizon Small Business Center

This is also a reflection of the influence that Google is having in the overall marketplace of all things data.

Verizon is already the number retailer for Google’s Android OS operated smartphones.

And more than likely will become one of the largest retailers of Android operating tablets.

via Google Enterprise

Google to pay hackers $1000 for successfully hacking the Android OS running on Google TV.

Google TV, and the Android OS running it, has been successfully hacked, and Google is actually excited about it.

According to Google developer Howard Harte, “this means we now have a complete Android development environment for the Google TV.”  And with a successful hack of the Android OS, Google TV now has the ability to run Android apps.

Harte actually put out a contest offering any hacker $1000 for the first successful jailbreak.

A group calling themselves GTVhacker dev team rose to the challenge, and released a 6-minute video of their process of hacking Google TV.

Here’s the video of the successful Google TV jailbreak hack:

via Switched

Dell has been been preparing the way to enter the tablet market place starting first with the 5 inch Dell Streak tablet / smartphone.

But now Dell seems to be getting ready to launch a 7 inch Android tablet called the Dell Streak 7.

It can probably be expected that the new Dell Streak 7 will run the new Android Gingerbread OS as well.

Dell is expected to announce their new 7 inch Android tablet at CES 2011.

Here’s a breakdown of leaked info so far on the Dell Streak 7 via Liliputing and Engadget:

Now it looks like the Dell Streak 7 is probably close to launch, if a few bits of leaked data are anything to go by.

Earlier this week, the Dell Streak 7 name showed up on the web site for Vaja, a company that makes cases for tablets and other electronic devices. Then the tablet earned its WiFi certification.

Now Engadget has received the treatment for an upcoming commercial starring the Dell Streak 7.

Like most ads, this one is light on actual specs, so we don’t learn anything about the screen resolution or CPU, but Dell does say the Streak 7 will have a sturdy Gorilla Glass screen, the Dell Stage user interface, and the Blio eBook app.

Read more at Engadget

Consider Android’s Gingerbread release “game on” for the developing community. The Google Android development team has released the source code for programmers and developers to come in and start customizing to fit their needs.

Currently, the only Android smartphone on the market running the Android 2.3 release is Google’s own Nexus S smartphone.

Here’s the detail post from the Android Developers page:

For developers, the Android 2.3 platform is available as a downloadable component for the Android SDK. The downloadable platform includes an Android library and system image, as well as a set of emulator skins and more. The downloadable platform includes no external libraries.

To get started developing or testing against Android 2.3, use the Android SDK Manager to download the platform into your SDK. For more information, see Adding SDK Components. If you are new to Android, download the SDK Starter Package first.

For a high-level introduction to Android 2.3, see the Platform Highlights.

Here are specs that will make up the rumored Playstation Phone:

• Android 3.0 (aka Gingerbread)
• custom Sony marketplace for games
• 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8655
• 512MB of RAM
• 1GB of ROM
• 3.7 to 4.1 inches touch-screen
• support for microSD cards
• 2011 release (possibly end of 2010)

Here are some photos of the rumored Sony Playstation Phone:

via Mashable

Perhaps we all thought that Google TV would come rushing onto the scene, everyone would have a web enabled TV in their living rooms, and then all would be hunky dory…. screeeeeetch…. and slam on the brakes. There’s one question none of us thought to ask when talking about the new Google TV – what about the major TV networks?

Well – apparently the major TV networks are not quite to enthusiastic about Google TV as the rest of us.

In fact, major TV networks ABC, NBC, and CBS have all blocked Google TV from streaming full episodes of shows such as NBC’s The Office, CBS’ $h*! My Dad Says and ABC’s Modern Family.

And these major TV networks are not the only ones who are blocking content from Google TV. Hulu has also decided to block content from streaming on Google TV’s.

Google TV, powered by the Android operating system, is designed to allow users to search the major TV networks to find what shows are playing. And if major networks are blocking Google TV, then what?

Well, the problem for the major TV networks is that even though they block their stations directly, there is no shortage of pirated content on the web that will allow users to pretty much watch whatever show they want, whenever they want.

I would think that major networks would be able to strike some sort of business deal with Google so that the content is readily accessible, and revenue is shared somehow – but what do I know… I’m just a blogger!

via PCWorld, image via Techpp

Engadget received a document showing that Best Buy started receiving the Google TV by Sony on October 13th, and that the Google TV will be available in Best Buy today, October 17th. Originally, the Google TV wasn’t suppose to be released until October 24th. What exactly hits the shelves at Best Buy today is uncertain in terms of a full shipment. Also uncertain is whether all of the Best Buy stores will have the Google TV on display today. Sounds like you can maybe get a glimpse at a Google TV today by heading to your local Best Buy. Sounds like a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

via Engadget

For those of you into Whrrl and who have an Android powered smartphone or tablet device, might be excited to know there is now a Whrrl Android app. Whrrl bring the popular location aware social network straight to your Android mobile device and is available for free in the Android marketplace. Here’s what the Whrrl developers had to say about the new Android app today:

We’ve been hearing from our community for months about how bad they’ve wanted an Android app; we’ve been hard at work creating it, and the day has finally arrived! This launch represents a major step toward our mission of ending “social rut” by opening up Whrrl to a wider set of users.

Here’s a video of the Whrrl Android app:

You can get Whrrl by visiting the Android marketplace from your device.

via Pelago

News broke a couple of hours ago that Best Buy has just announced some details about the T-Mobile HTC G2. The T-Mobile G2 will set you back a solid $199. You can pre-order the HTC G2 at Best Buy starting tomorrow (Friday). And the release date / shipping date for the T-Mobile HTC G2 is set for October 6th. I mean, what other details do you want regarding the highly anticipated HTC G2? Some people may refer to the HTC G2 as a 4G phone, however as you know with T-Mobile, you only get the 4G in cities that are 4G enabled.

via Android Central

T-Mobile announced Wednesday their first ever 4G Android phone called the T-Mobile G2. It is T-Mobile’s first ever 4G enabled phone that will run on their HSPA+ network. The T-Mobile G2 is replacing the  T-Mobile G1 which was the first ever Android mobile phone to hit the market nearly 2 years ago. On July 27th, T-Mobile said good-bye to the G1, obviously making room for the G2.

You can sign up to receive more information and updates from T-Mobile regarding the G2. T-Mobile has officially announced a G2 release date.

via T-Mobile

The growing influence of the Android OS (Google Android mobile operation system) cannot be ignored any longer. Devices powered by Android seem to be hitting the market daily. HTC has two new devices coming out, the HTC Bee and HTC Lexikon. Both mobile phones are set to be released with Android 2.2 Froyo release. Below are the specs that have leaked for the HTC Bee and the HTC Lexikon:

The HTC Bee is suppose to come to Verizon and Cellular South with Froyo (Android 2.2), Sense UI, and a small (3.2-inch) screen and a 528 MHz processor.

The HTC Lexikon is rumored to be heading to T-Mobile with a larger 3.8-inch display, QWERTY keyboard, and a factory-underclocked MSM7630 Snapdragon processor.

Thoughts?

via Android Central

Perhaps you are an Apple fanboy who refuses to acknowledge the existence of any other device on the planet.

But let me show a chart here that you might want to take note of.

Android now has more subscribers than the iPhone.

Here’s the chart that shows the growth of Android:

Android is the green line and iPhone is the black line.

Notice how over the past 6 months, Google Android’s platform has shown exponential growth of new subscribers while the iPhone OS is decreasing, or at least running flat, with new subscribers.

However, what this graph does not show is customer loyalty.

The Nielsen report that provided the chart goes on to say that “among current subscribers thinking of switching” mobile phones, 90 percent of iPhone owners remain loyal to the handset. The report said that 21 percent of Android owners and 29 percent of BlackBerry users have considered switching to the iPhone.

So although Google Android OS new subscribers is growing quickly compared to the iPhone, customer loyalty and brand dominance seems to remain squarely with the iPhone.

If you think about it, this makes sense.

The iPhone is really the device that has set the trend, both in design and functionality, for all other mobile / data phones to follow.

So what do you think about these numbers and about Google Android subscribers outpacing iPhone subscribers?

source: NY Times blog

I’m so excited about covering the tablet market, and I truly believe with all my heart that tablets will change everything we know about computing.

Look at the iPad – it is already just as successful as Apple’s iMac computers, what was their cornerstone product prior to the iPhone. And don’t forget, the iPad was only released a few months ago (April 3rd).

And look at Google’s Android OS.

This thing is spreading like wildfire and literally allowing the mobile / data phone as we know it to be merged with the tablet, making things like tablet mobile phones (look at the Dell Streak for example).

I maintain another  at where I write about technology and other current event topics.

But I felt a need to create a new blog that targets exclusively the tablet market and the news, trends, and future that these devices hold.

So I’m looking forward to jumping right in and start covering the tablet market – hope you enjoy the ride!

Dell has cleared up quite a few rumors surrounding their popular tablet… wait, mobile phone… wait, tablet mobile phone called the Dell Streak.

1) Dell Streak will get Android 2.2 (Froyo) OS later this year (2010)

2) The Streak will be released initially with Android 1.6 with an over the air update to 2.2

3) The Dell Streak, according to Dell, is “the most successful pre-sale Dell hasever offered.”

4) The price tag for the Dell Streak is $500

5) The Dell Streak will run exclusively on AT&T’s 3G data network (sorry T-Mobile)

And let’s see…

Oh yeah, one other point to make.

AT&T already has an exclusive 3G data client. You may have heard of them… Apple’s iPad!

Seems that AT&T’s 3G network has a pretty good reputation and future ahead of itself.

source: Mashable

Google Android phones have come a long way!

It seems like Android has been on the market forever competing with big mobile brands like the iPhone.

Google first Android phone was the G1 which showed at T-Mobile on October 22nd, 2008 (someone check my dates…).

And here we are nearly 2 years later and T-Mobile has finally retired the good ol’ boy. The G1 can no longer be found on the T-Mobile website nor in the T-Mobile stores.

You’ll more than likely need to hit up Ebay to find yourself a G1 from now on.

The QWERTY slider was unveiled in October 2008 as the flagship for Android and had many of the same platform features as later Android phones like the Hero. Its age primarily became apparent this year when some apps and Android versions would no longer run on its limited memory and processor.

As of today, the oldest surviving Android phone on T-Mobile and in most places is the myTouch 3G, which arrived in the spring of last year.

We are now looking at Android 2.2 coming to some of the highest end data phones in the history of the industry. Phones like Droid, Droid X, and the HTC Incredible will all be getting Android 2.2 shortly.

[read electronista]

Ready for a 5 inch touch screen mobile phone!

The widely discussed Dell Streak is going to be available for purchase tomorrow on the Dell website.

Signups for pre-orders have stopped, but you can move right on up to purchasing the Dell Streak tomorrow.

The Dell Streak is a combination between a tablet (think the iPad), and an Android OS powered phone (think HTC EVO 4G). This phone is massive with a 5 inch touch display screen and like I mentioned, powered by the Android mobile OS.

Here’s what the Dell website was showing earlier today:

Our Dell Streak pre-sale sign-up opportunity is no longer available. Please visit www.dell.com/streak tomorrow to purchase your Dell Streak.

However, if you visit the Dell site now that message is no longer there.

Is it possible they were just testing their message?

Or can we really expect to see the Dell Streak available tomorrow?

The Dell Streak will be serviced by AT&T.[source BGR]

The British love their smartphones!

In fact, they love their smartphones so much that the marketshare of mobile phones in the UK has expanded to 73.5% of the UK contract market.

That’s up from 55% in the first quarter of this year, and 66.7%, the second quarter average.

Android explodes in the UK

Those numbers are nothing when you look at the Android smartphone growth in the UK.

Android smartphones have grown at a blazing 350% from Q1 to Q2 of this year.

The Android marketshare in the UK sits at 13.2% in Q2, up from only 3% in Q1.

So that’s 350% growth rate in just one quarter!

And with all of the new Android smartphones, coupled with the new iPhones hitting the UK market, you’re talking about unprecedented future growth for the mobile market in the UK!

Ok, so maybe not an iPad killer.

But I have to admit that this type of tablet is going to certain cut into the iPad market share!

K-Mart just released a $149, 7″ Android powered tablet called the Augen GenTouch 78

What do you get for the $149 ($149.99 to be exact):

The Augen GenTouch 78 7″ tablet is now available for $149.99 with the following features:

• 800×480 color TFT touch panel screen
• CPU: 800 Mhz
• RAM: DDR2 256mb
• Internal Memory: 2GB
• OS: Android 2.1
• Expansion Slots: SD/MMC card slot up to 16GB
• Wi-Fi Connectivity with full web browsing capability
• Supports Ebook Formats: Text, PDF, E-PUB, HTML
• Supports Media Formats: MP3, WMA, FLAC, AAC
• Picture Viewer in JPEG, BMP
• Video Player
• Rechargeable Lithium Battery
• Leather carrying case, USB cable, and AC adapter included

That’s right, you’ll get a free leather carrying case for your tablet as well. All for the price of $149.99.

And I suppose you could also pick up a 3G data package from Verizon as well for another $30 a month.

All in all, the Augen Android tablet at K-Mart is something that will certain fly off the shelves.

You can save about $350 by buying the Augen from K-Mart instead of the iPad.

That’s a 350 reasons that a lot people might like!

Sprint has just released the Motorola i1 iDEN phone which is the very first Android powered Nextel phone with Nextel’s Direct Connect (aka push-to-talk) technology.

The Android powered Motorola i1 is available online right now, and also through business sales and telesales – the mobile phone will be available in Sprint stores on August 8th, 2010.

You can get the Motorola i1 Android phone at Sprint for $149.99 after two-year contract and $50 rebate.

There is no doubt that Sprint is forging ahead in the mobile phone market place. Sprint was the first mobile phone carrier to bring 4G data connections and 4G enabled mobile phones.

Features of the Motorola i1 Android phone:

Highlights

• Nextel Direct Connect® means you can just push-to-talk, instantly connecting you to other Nextel users–across town and across the nation
• The slender touchscreen with virtual keyboard lets you quickly navigate to just the tool or app you need.

Key Features

• Touchscreen
• Nextel Direct Connect®
• Group Connect
• Music capable
• GPS Navigation enabled
• Web browsing capable
• Email capable
• Camera
• Rugged
• Bluetooth® Wireless
• Memory card slot
• Voice activated dialing
• Second Line Service

Here is a hands on demo of the Motorola i1 Android phone via AndroidCentral:

The Android 3.0 Gingerbread release has been rumored to launch sometime around mid October of this year, although no one is 100% certain when it will be exactly.

Here are 3 main elements of the Android 3.0 Gingerbread release that I know so far:

1) Built for tablets

One of the main points of consideration with the upcoming Android 3.0 Gingerbread release is that the minimum system requirements will be raised, which implies that Tablet and Slate PC’s will have tremendous support. These requirements are said to require at least a 1GHz processor, 512 MB of RAM and a minimum screen size of 3.5 inches on devices that would run the operating software.

2) Higher screen resolution

Gingerbread was also said to offer a resolution of 1280×760 pixels in devices that had screens larger than 4 inches in size.

3) New user interface

The new UI on Android 3.0 is said to reduce depenedence on customized UI’s from various other handsets, etc.

The user interface was said to be similar to the 3D Gallery app that is present in Android 2.2.

Apple is not ready to just sit back and let this whole antenna / death grip issue blow over without a fight, and perhaps even bring down some other competitors in the process.

The most recent mobile phone in Apple’s cross hair is Verizon’s Motorola Droid X.

Apple released a video showing how the death grip on the Motorola Droid X will cause a signal loss, just like with the iPhone 4. But once again, these problems are occurring a very small percentage of total devices in the market place.

Of course, AT&T is ecstatic about Apple attacking the Motorola Droid X.

Here’s Apple’s video showing the Droid X antenna issues:

Samsung has come out strong with their lineup of Android powered mobile phones. The Samsung Vibrant on T-Mobile and the Samsung Captivate on AT&T are some of the best Android powered devices on the market.

T-Mobile is making an effort to “stand out” from the Android crowd by offering their Samsung Vibrant 4G with the movie Avatar fully loaded.

That’s right folks – get the Samsung Vibrant 4G from T-Mobile and you will have the full length Avatar movie pre-loaded onto your phone.

Pretty cool huh?

In the hyper competitive market of mobile phones, carriers are having to find ways to distinguish themselves amongst the competition. Carriers are having to sell the exact same device, so typically carrier brand and reputation is the deciding factor.

But now that high end data phones from Android powered devices are coming to multiple carriers, the wireless providers are needing to be more creative on how to get attention from the consumers.

Sprint is about to add to its list of 4G enabled devices come around August 20th. Already, Sprint has rolled out the HTC EVO 4G, and they are aggressively expanding their metro area coverage of 4G data speed.

Sprint is expected to add the Samsung Epic 4G to their line around August 20th.

2 tweets confirming Epic 4G release date of mid / late August:

Android Police posted 2 tweets from @SamsungMobileUS reps that appear to be confirming a release date of the Epic 4G around the August 20th timeframe:

The tweet above occurred yesterday around 2:30pm stating the Sprint Epic 4G will be arriving in a few weeks.

and then this one:

So looking at these two Twitter updates from @SamsungMobileUS and it seems safe to conclude that August 20th would be an appropriate release date for the Sprint Epic 4G.

Here’s a video of the Samsung Epic 4G:

One thing is for sure, AT&T has had a celebration of data phone dominance over the past several years with the iPhone. But now it appears that Apple will be moving on from AT&T and taking their iPhone to carriers like Verizon and perhaps even Sprint or T-Mobile. The world without iPhone dominance is creating a new dynamic for AT&T, and it’s one they haven’t ever experienced before.

In the past, the iPhone was it!

Many other phones would come and go, even the Blackberry helps sustain AT&T. But nothing compares (or compared) to the iPhone on AT&T’s exclusive network. It was and will always be the ultimate business deal made in heaven for AT&T.

Now AT&T is making their move into the Android smartphone market. They are starting to build up a diverse lineup of Android devices like the Nexus One, and the HTC Aria.

And today, AT&T released the Samsung Captivate which is now their third Android powered device.

Android’s mobile OS is a new world for AT&T. But I think AT&T realizes it’s a mobile OS they have to embrace – they don’t really have a choice anymore.

However, Android is not going to be embraced with as much passion as the iPhone. But from a business standpoint, AT&T needs to detach emotionally from the iPhone and look at the business side of things.

Android devices have been saturating the mobile market place faster than any other mobile platform, even faster than the iPhone. It you’re a mobile phone carrier, you can’t really afford to ignore this fact.

AT&T now finds themselves in a position where they have to start embracing and accepting Android devices, or fall to the way side of competitors like Sprint and Verizon.

AT&T’s relationship with Android is surely going to be an interesting story to follow, so make sure you stay tuned.

At around 1pm EST, the first Motorola Droid X unboxing video finally hit Youtube. The video shows a new Droid X customers unboxing the device and quickly showing the screen size and some of the apps, along with the other accessories in the Droid X box like the USB cable and phone charger.

One thing I didn’t realize until watching this video is that the Droid X has an HDMI cable out.

Here’s the first Droid X unboxing video on Youtube today:

This is huge, literally! The Motorola Droid X with it’s 4.3 inch touch screen display is fixin’ to hit Verizon stores tomorrow like a tidal wave.

Unlike the Droid Incredible release that has plagued Verizon with supply shortages, Verizon doesn’t plan on making the same mistake with the Motorola Droid X. In fact, it’s been said that is you order a Droid Incredible today, you won’t receive it until this time next month.

But that’s not the case with the Motorola Droid X that is set to be released by Verizon tomorrow. PC World is reporting that:

“Verizon isn’t about to let the same thing happen to its highly anticipated Droid X. Checks by several blogs indicated average stocks of between 50 and 100 units. While not a lot, it certainly means in most cases if you’re there early, you’ll be taking home the phone that day. Boy Genius Report added that the company also has backup stock in its warehouse, so stores would be able to replenish the ones they sell.”

The Droid X will be powered by the Android 2.1 OS with an update to Android 2.2 and Adobe Flash Player 10.1 coming via an over-the-air update later this summer, according to Mashable.

So who’s planning on showing up tomorrow at Verizon to pick up the huge Motorola Droid X?

[image by ccsinsight via Flickr]

As much as I love to talk about the Android powered phones, and all the fascinating ways that Android 2.1, and soon to be Android 2.2, are being implemented, there is absolutely no debate over which mobile device is dominating the market.

The Apple iPhone is absolutely killing all other competitors from a profit and revenue standpoint.

The chart below from BusinessInsider.com shows how Apple’s iPhone is dominating the market place in regards to profits and revenues. Since the first generation iPhone launched on June 29th, 2007, all of the other mobile phone and data handset revenues have been in a decline – that is, until around 2009 when Google Android stepped onto the scene.

It didn’t take Google long to realize the explosive profits that the iPhone was generating was the reflection of an untapped mobile phone market – actually, an untapped mobile phone revolution.

Here’s the iPhone revenue chart since 2007: