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

Even though Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder and CEO, has publicly stated that Amazon is working on it’s own tablet, we have yet to see the Amazon tablet come to market.

There have been a couple of overriding issues that Amazon has struggled with in making the tablet a reality.

One issue was whether to build the Amazon tablet using Android, or simply develop their own Amazon mobile operating system.

The reason Android was picked was, according to some sources, was because if Amazon launched their own operating system, then in order to compete with Android and iOS (Apple’s OS for iPhone & iPad), Amazon would have to entice developers to build apps for yet another mobile operating system.

And this was something that Amazon didn’t feel would be an easy task.

The other problem with Amazon struggled with while considering Android was the fact that there are already a lot of Android tablets on the market and Amazon would be joining an already packed race.

But looking at the historic record of Amazon’s success, I would say that when the Amazon Android tablet comes to market, it will far and above any other Android tablet currently available.

Amazon just simply does not do things without ensuring they will be a market leader – at least in most cases.

via NYTimes

The iPhone is just one device, whereas Android smartphones constitute a whole lineup of different devices. Regardless, the fact that Google chose to build an operating system instead of a single device has allowed Android to dominate the marketshare in mobile phones.  According to a Nielson report, Android is still number one with a 27 percent marketshare in mobile phones, with the iPhone coming in second with a 17 percent marketshare.  However, Android’s marketshare has flatlined from March – May of this year whereas the iPhone’s marketshare has surged from 10 percent to 17 percent.

via AE

Google I/O Live got underway today with over 5,000 people showing up at the San Francisco’s Moscone Center.  These 5,000 people were also greeted with a really nice gift from Google just for showing up…

Each attendee received a “not yet released” Galaxy Tablet 10.1 Limited Edition HD 32GB, along with a mobile hotspot and 3 months of free service – not bad for just showing up.

Clearly, Google is making statement about their intentions with Android tablets and the tablet market as a whole – they plan on aggressively competing.

Acer, sometimes rumored to be in the back pocket of Google themselves, decided to announce on Friday a 10.1 Android tablet that is designed to cut directly into the iPad user base.

10.1 inches, Android powered, and $50 cheaper than the iPad, this Android tablet is sure to be a hit when it shows up on the shelves of Best Buy.’

That’s the hope anyway…

The big news surrounding this Acer Android tablet, aside from the 10.1 inch screen, is that it will run Android 3.0 Honeycomb version – the Android OS designed specifically for tablets. Something all others, except for the Motorola Xoom, has failed to deliver.

But look at the Xoom for a moment.  It’s been on the market for a solid two months and has only sold 100,000 units.  The iPad sells that many units in just a matter of hours.

So we’ll see.

The Acer Android tablet at least gives us something somewhat exciting to write about for a day or so.

So is this for real, or is it an April fool’s joke?  There are some rumors out there that Amazon is about to release their very own smartphone called the Amazon Blaze. So far, there have only been photos and specs leaked on the device and it’s still yet unknown if this device is real or not. The Amazon Blaze smartphone is unique in that it comes with an embedded solar panel on the back to recharge the battery throughout the day – so long chargers!  And the Blaze is supposedly powered by Android 2.3 and comes with a display panel that does not have standard back lighting which will make it very easy to read off the display in sunlight. So what do you think? Is this for real, or just an elaborate April fool’s joke?

via Android Community

Google has announced plans to partner with CitiGroup and Master Card to bring you the “wave to pay” technology that allows you to complete a purchase with your credit card by simply waving your Google Android device.  This according to the Wall Street Journal.

This futuristic payment system could be here as early as this year.

But look at the companies teaming up with Google – Master Card and Citi Group. What major credit card company is missing here?

Visa – of course…

And let me give you two guesses who’s got Visa in their back pockets….

Apple – that’s who.

It is widely expected that the iPhone 5 will be sporting the new wave to pay technology.

No longer will you need to carry your wallet and fumble around to find your credit card. Simply pull out your phone – or it’s probably already in your hand – wave your mobile phone and pow… that’s it… payment made.

Even though Google is playing a major role in the development of the “wave to pay” technology on Android devices, the search giant does not plan to make any money from the transactions.

Google vested interest lies in the data gathered from local vendors by the users of the wave to pay apps, and then leveraging that data for the local retailers to push out smarter advertising.

For Google it’s all about the advertising dollar.

For everyone else, it’s all about making the transaction a profitable one.

What are you thoughts about this new “wave to pay” technology that is just around the corner?

via WSJ

Hulu has leaked, in a very nonchalant fashion, information on their website indicating that the Hulu Plus service will be coming to select Android OS 2.2 (Froyo version) handsets.  Currently, Hulu Plus is available on the Apple trio of the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.  This currently iOS offering comes complete with content rendered in 720p HD, and can stream over both WiFi and 3G. Exactly what Android devices will be included in the Hulu Plus release is yet unknown.  But if you have a device running Android’s Froyo OS, I’m quite sure you’ll be able to stream Hulu Plus.

via Android Community

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’s Android OS has done something that few thought possible, up until now.

According to recent data from comScore, Android now has the second largest smartphone operating system market in the United States – bumping Apple down to number three.

Android’s marketshare has climbed to 26 percent of the U.S. smartphone platform market, up 6.4 percentage points from the three month period ended in August 2010.

RIM’s market share (Blackberry)  fell 4.1 percentage points, but it remains in the top spot with a 33.5 percent share.

Apple fell 0.8 percentage points to third place, with a 25 percent market share in the United States.

It’s followed by Microsoft (9 percent), and Palm (3.9 percent).

via MobileBurn

CNNMoney.com just posted a video that takes a look at the new Google Android OS. This video shows the OS as being fast, sleek, and obviously optimized for Android tablet devices.

This OS release, I’m assuming, the Gingerbread (Android 3.0) release.

Here it is – a test drive of the new Android OS:

You know it was bound to happen right?

Lenovo, a Chinese computer giant, has officially unveiled what they call the IdeaPad, a hybrid laptop that converts into a tablet device – all powered by the Google Android OS.

Basically, you have a laptop with a screen that can pop out. That screen is now your Android tablet device.

The IdeaPad hybrid is set to debut tomorrow at the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas.

“It is one device to balance life and work,” Lenovo product manager Leo Li told AFP.

“A keyboard is more important and Windows software more powerful for a lot of things you need to work, especially productivity and creating content,” he continued. “At the same time, people want to enjoy music, see videos, go to websites, read e-books, and play games in their personal lives.”

via Yahoo

There’s been one major downside to Android Froyo (and before) tablet releases such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab – and that is, the Android OS was never designed to be run on a tablet device.

Rumors are spreading today that the next release of the Android OS – aka Honeycomb – might require a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor in order to run properly.

This would mean that the current popular non-iPad tablet devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab may not even be “allowed” to run Honeycomb, which would be a huge disappointment for anyone who purchased one.

According to AndroidCommunity, interestingly, Google has not yet refuted these claims. Google is known for shooting down hardware requirement claims quickly in the past, and the lack thereof may mean that this is the real deal.

Mashable, via Engadget, posted a video of what looks like the new Google Android music app that is expected to make its debut with the release of Android 3.0 – also known as Gingerbread.

You can see the video (apparently leaked) of the new Android music app below.

Rich, colorful features, along with an awesome looking equalizer running next to the song that is currently playing makes this app pretty enticing.

Here’s the video of the upcoming Android music app:

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.

Android devices are hot – YouTube is even hotter.

If you are both an Android fan and YouTube fan – a common denominator that is growing rapidly as we speak – today you get the special treat of downloading the new YouTube 2.1 app from the Android market.

When talking about the new YouTube 2.1 app, I think Google may have been a bit influenced by Facebook when they said of the app, “launch early, iterate often”. Doesn’t that sound a lot like Facebook’s saying, “move fast, break”?

Anyway, I digress…

So here’s what new on the YouTube 2.1 Android app:

• In-page playback: you can read the video description, browse related, rate or flag videos without having to interrupt video playback.
• Posting comments: you can post a comment while the video is playing, just like on the desktop website.
• Subscription updates: we’ve made it easier to access new videos from your subscriptions. If you are signed into your account, you will see all your subscription updates right on the home screen of the app.
• New full-screen UI: To enter full-screen mode simply rotate the phone. The new player controls make it easier to seek within the video, and you can pause or resume the playback by just tapping on the screen.

Dead Zebra has found a way to profit from all of the Google Android craze that is happening, and it’s not from building Android apps for the marketplace.

These guys are actually building collectibles the Android figure.

The latest one coming up is the Android Snowman.

There isn’t any pricing information as of yet. But if things go anything like Dead Zebra’s Power Vampire Android figure, it will crazy record sales.

The Android Power Vampire figures sold out instantly as soon as they were released.

And the Android Snowman will probably follow suit.

via AndroidGuys

Henrik Larsson writes, Henrik is the owner of Chit Chat – a Facebook chat app. Chit Chat is a Facebook messenger that enables one to chat online with Facebook from your desktop.

Feeling the weight of the recession? Never fear: there are plenty of free games on the Android market, and while there is a fair amount of murk to wade your way through, there are some real gems if you look hard enough. Here are 10 of the best, so you can nuke your battery in style.

10. Speed Skater

A simple enough, yet nevertheless fun side-scroller. You skate along from left to right, jumping over obstacles that range from crowds of people to hazardous drops. It’s one of those games that you can just pick up and play, and will probably come back to if you’ve got time to kill.

9. Finger Jump

The premise is simple: touch the screen to jump. The faster you press it, the higher you jump. The higher you get, the more points you score. It’s not the most unique game in the world, but it’s smooth, slick, and entertaining.

8. PapiJump

PapiJump is about as simple as it gets. You don’t even need to press anything to play it – you just tilt your phone left and right, helping the little bouncing ball get higher and higher. Sometimes simplicity is a beautiful thing, though, and PapiJump proves a fun way to pass the time.

7. Replica Island

This 2D side-scrolling platformer is one of the best on the market, and features Android’s very own robot as the star of the show. Built for Android from the ground up, it’s remarkably polished and actually quite deep, as mobile phone games go, with 40 levels to work your way through. Perhaps the best aspect is it’s effective control scheme, utilizing the trackball to great effect as you float, fly and bounce along.

6. Spider Man

In Spider Man, you start the game at the top of a skyscraper and have to make your way down a series of smaller buildings without falling to your doom. Although not to be confused with Spidey himself, the game’s inspiration is obvious, and does let you test out your web-slinging skills in a bid to head towards the ground with as many points in your pocket as possible.

5. Gem Miner

An addictive little game that sees you take on the role of a grey-bearded miner digging deeper and deeper for treasure. Ever-changing maps and a clever upgrade system that lets you manage the materials you unearth and boost your abilities and tools will keep you coming back for more.

4. Hyper Jump

A frantic and fast-paced coin-collecting game, Hyper Jump gets you tilting your phone left and right in a bid to help a bright-eyed monster shoot higher and higher. The more coins you collect, the more you’re propelled upwards, but if you react too slowly you’ll quickly plummet to your death.

3. Super Boom Boom

Here you must launch a cannonball into the air, and use your reflexes to help guide it upwards, landing it in odd little winged pots to stop it from falling. Keep your wits about you, because there is a myriad of sly twists and tricky traps to keep you from reaching your goal.

2. Abduction! 2

Cartoon cows and parachuting penguins are the order of the day in the latest version of the quirky jumping game. This time around a host of new characters and levels are on offer, along with some cute new sound effects and six original music tracks composed by Chris Hodges.

1. Dynamo Kid

One of the most distinctive and creative games on the market, Dynamo Kid is a genius offering from OrangePixel that looks like it’s been sketched in the back of a note pad. The world is drawn into life before your eyes as you run along, and you interact with the game rather than reacting to it. It’s wonderful stuff.

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

Google announced to its partnering manufacturers that the Android 3.0 OS (aka Android “Gingerbread release) is just about finished and Android 3.0 tablets will be hitting the market by December. Google has previously stated that the current version of Android (Android 2.2) is not compatible for tablet devices, even though tablet manufacturers are rushing forward with releases. The new Android 3.0, or the Android “Gingerbread” release, is designed for tablet compatibility.

Notebook brands such as Acer, Asustek Computer and Micro-Star International are all expected to launch their tablet PCs in January, 2010 at CES, while Samsung is also expected to showcase its Android 3.0-updated Galaxy Tab with High Tech Computer (HTC) and Motorola also displaying their models.

Google is already looking beyond Android 3.0 and it expected to release Android 4.0 in the second half of 2011.

The purpose of the Android OS updates is to continually increase their market share in the tablet arena, and hopefully get to a point where they are competing with Apple’s iPad.

Thoughts?

via DigiTimes

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

Here it is folks – the Droid R2-D2 from Verizon – and here’s the tweet that announced it from the Verizon Twitter profile:

Droid R2-D2 is here! Get it for $249.99. $349.99 2yr price -$100 mail-in rebate debit card, data pkg $29.99 or > req’d http://bit.ly/ahPljE

The Droid R2-D2 is a rendering of the Verizon Droid phone, but packed with Star Wars themes, sounds, and more…

You’ve got to check out the Verizon Droid R2-D2 page to get a full understanding of what this phone offers.

via Verizon tweet

The long awaited and highly discussed Google TV is finally coming to the market place. Tomorrow, Sony will be having a live event where the Google TV will be introduced and available for purchase. The Sony Google TV is powered by Google’s Android OS, and costs between $599 for the 24 inch Sony Internet TV NSX-24GT1 and up to $1399 for the 46 inch Sony Internet TV NSX-46GT1. Google will be blazing the way for a new revolution in integrating the Internet with the TV.

via Phandroid

The Samsung Galaxy Tab is set to release in the UK on November 1st. However, what is still up in the air is when the Galaxy Tab will hit the US market. However, new rumors are out today speculating that Verizon may be releasing a Galaxy Tab Android tablet on November 1st, right along with their UK counterparts. Along with that rumors comes another stating that Sprint will release the Galaxy Tab on November 14th in the US. So regardless of who releases the Galaxy Tab Android tablet when, suffice it to say that we will more than likely see that it here in the US sometime next month (November).

via Droid-Life

It’s official, the T-Mobile G-2 Android phone is now available on T-Mobile’s website.  The new G2 Android phone is designed to utilize T-Mobile’s new 4G capabilities and features full access to the Google Android Market and the new Voice Actions from Google which allows full voice control of nearly all features of your mobile phone. The G2 Android phone 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 buy the G2 Android phone now for $199 with a new 2 year contract with T-Mobile. Otherwise, the G2 Android phone will cost $499.

via T-Mobile

An interesting chart was released by Business Insider that shows a graphical representation of interest (consumer interest) in various mobile phones over time. The shocking element to me was the iPhone results that showed the interest in the iPhone is decreasing from June 2010 to September 2010. This would indicate in part that the aggressive expansion of Google Android phones is working – at least in the area of stealing Apple’s market share of attention on the iPhone. I believe that Apple needs to start opening up iPhone markets by expanding to other carriers – and this should happen sooner rather later.

Thoughts?

via BusinessInsider

Google has launched a mobile platform for your Droid phone called “Car Home” which in fact is a travel companion for you in your car, while you’re driving. I mean, people are driving and texting anyway right, mine as well embrace it and help people get the information they want, faster, while behind the wheel. Car Home allows you to turn your Nexus One Android phone or your Motorola Droid Android phone into your own personalized dashboard of apps for your car. Some of the features that would work great in Car Home are the GPS navigation, voice activated commands, talk to text, and contacts. Read more about Car Home at the break.

via Google Mobile

The Next 10″ Android Tablet is currently available on the Next website for £180, or approximately $283 USD.

Here’s a quick list of the Next 10″ tablet specs:

• 10″ WXGA LCD touchscreen display
• Google android operating system
• 2GB Storage + Cardreader includes 8GB Micro SD Card
• Arm 11 processor
• WiFi, 2 x USB ports, microphone and headphone socket
• Operates in portrait and landscape

via Next

There are rumors starting to float around that we may one day see a Facebook phone. That’s right, and actual phone released by Facebook that will supposedly run on the Android OS. Although these rumors have been denied directly by Facebook, a couple of former insiders are keeping the wheels turning. And according to Gizmodo, Facebook’s recent hire of Google Android’s senior product manager Erick Tseng helps fuel the “Facebook Phone” rumor along as well.

via Gizmodo