After a couple years of handing on by a small percentage, both Eclair and Donut (Android 1.6 and 2.1) have both jumped ship from Google’s monthly Android distribution chart. The main reason for this is the new version of Google’s new Play Store app, which only supports devices running OS 2.2 or higher. Google does note that Eclair and Donut accounted for “about 1% of devices that checked in to Google servers.”
Digging deeper into the the September numbers reveals Jelly Bean is on 45.1% of active devices, up from 40.5% last month. Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich dipped by one percent to 21.7%. Missing from the list is the newly released Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, but since more devices will become available over the next few weeks we’ll certainly see this flavour make itself known.
Since Honeycomb has all but vanished, with less than 0.1% of devices, it’s safe to say that the remaining festering sore on Android’s record is Gingerbread. Android 2.3 still comprises 30.7% of all active users, with Froyo at a quickly-diminishing 2.4%. Many developers have cut off those pre-ICS Luddites, requiring Android 4.0 and above as a minimum, but until Gingerbread disappears, there will continue to be a division between modern apps — those that take advantage of Android’s newest and most effective APIs, and those that simply cannot. Most devices still running Gingerbread don’t support the newest versions of OpenGL, and lack GPU-based acceleration within apps.
Like iGyaan had earlier reported, Micromax has launched the new A110, an updated version of the highly popular Micromax A100 Canvas.
The new phone has impressive specs starting with a 5 inch IPS display and Android 4.0.4 ICS out of the box. The phone also features an upped 8 MP camera along with a front facing shooter as well.
The phone is priced at Rs. 11995 so expect a full iGyaan style lineup soon.
Sony Mobile Communications India will launch their next Xperia phone the Tipo, targeted at the budget buyer, on the 16th of September 2012. The Xperia Tipo may not be the cream of the crop when it comes to specifications, but surely adds another to the list.
Specifications Include :
800MHz Qualcomm Scorpion processor
512MB of RAM
3.2-inch TFT display with a HVGA resolution
3.2-megapixel rear camera
2.5GB of internal storage
microSD card slot with 32GB of storage expandability
50GB of free Box.net cloud storage account
1,500 mAh battery pack
Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich
The phone is expected to retail for a Price of IN Rs. 9850.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is a larger version of the Galaxy Note smartphone launched in Nov 2011. The Note 10.1 smart tablet was announced at the Mobile World Congress 2012 and has some exciting features that should intrigue a lot of potential customers.
The device runs Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) operating system. It is powered by a 1.4GHz quad-core processor and 2GB RAM, and It also comes packed with a 7,000mAh Li-ion battery. But that is not what makes the Note 10.1 special. The tablet features a 6.5mm S Pen, similar to the one on the original Galaxy Note, which is optimised for the creation of personalised and expressive content. The S Pen is embedded directly in the device and, when removed, automatically launches specially-optimised applications, including S Note and S Planner
New level of multitasking can be achieved on the Note 10.1 thanks to a new multiscreen feature, users can effortlessly utilise two different applications side-by-side. Galaxy Note 10.1 also incorporates Learning Hub for accessing educational curricula and Adobe’s premium creative application Photoshop Touch.
Optics are there : The device also includes a 5-megapixel main camera and a 1.9-megapixel front-facing camera. both capable of HD video. The Galaxy Note 10.1 comes in three connectivity options: WiFi-only and WiFi-and-3G HSPA-Plus connectivity, which are both available at launch, and WiFi-and-LTE which will be available later this year.
The Tablet is supposedly going to be announced in India a day or two. Expect a full iGyaan Treatment soon after.
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SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 10.1 AVAILABLE GLOBALLY IN AUGUST
Samsung inspires a culture of active content creation, productivity and learning
London UK, August 6 2012 – Samsung today announced the launch of the Galaxy Note 10.1, an extension of the Galaxy Note category. The Galaxy Note 10.1 offers the functionality and precision of a pen and paper on a 10.1-inch large display, which will enable people to amplify their creativity, productivity, and learning ability.
Providing an intuitive experience and armed with a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor and 2GB RAM for enhanced performance, the Galaxy Note 10.1 is designed to simplify the process of capturing ideas, accessing information and multi-tasking, making each easier and faster and allowing people to express their ideas in an efficient way.
Simon Stanford, Vice President, UK & IRE Telecommunications & Networks Division, Samsung UK and Ireland said: “Following the success of the very first Galaxy Note which we launched at the end of last year, we’re delighted that our UK customers will now be able to experience the evolution of this device for themselves. The Galaxy Note 10.1 is a product we are very excited about and will offer our customers a new way to use and experience a tablet device. As well as being able to consume content such as videos, photos, document and the Internet, the Galaxy Note 10.1 also gives them the power to produce, create and customise that same content – something they won’t get from any other product on the market.”
The Galaxy Note 10.1 incorporates key intuitive features and capabilities such as side-by-side multitasking. This is thanks to its ‘Multiscreen’ on a 10.1-inch large screen; unique S Pen with a variety of S Note templates and productive tools (Shape Match and Formula Match); Learning Hub* for accessing educational curricula and Adobe’s premium creative application Photoshop® Touch.
True Multi-Tasking with Multiscreen feature
With the Galaxy Note 10.1’s Multiscreen feature, it’s possible to use two different applications side-by-side simultaneously. So Web pages and videos can be viewed, or applications launched using one half of the screen, at the same time as the other half is used for writing or sketching ideas with the S Pen. What’s more, customers can capture and crop images, and paste them onto the other screen to make personal notes. The Multiscreen feature allows people to be more productive and efficient whilst also enjoying multimedia content. Galaxy Note 10.1 brings a new culture of creation through the owner’s own notes, and enables an entirely new experience to improve productivity and enjoyment.
S Pen & S Note for Personalised and Organised Note-taking
Featuring its advanced 6.5mm S Pen, the Galaxy Note 10.1 is optimised for the creation of personalised and expressive content in the most natural and intuitive way. The S Pen’s feel and functionality are specifically designed for an optimal experience on the 10.1-inch screen. The S Pen is embedded directly in the device and, when removed, automatically launches specially optimised applications, including S Note, S Planner, Crayon physics, Adobe® Photoshop® Touch, and Polaris Office.
Alternatively, people can easily set their preferred application to be launched instantly. For example, S Note can be launched instantly when the S Pen is taken out from the device. Owners can also tap the screen twice while pressing the S Pen button for quick S Note access via the S Note-dedicated widget, which can be easily moved anywhere on the display, never hindering or obstructing creativity or productivity.
The S Note is a unique tool that enables notes and sketches to be combined with other digital content in ready-to-use templates. The Shape Match and Formula Match features help correct and digitise geometric shapes and solve numeric formulas hand-written with the S Pen. The S Note is also integrated with knowledge search engines so that content can be searched for and information obtained, and then easily drag and dropped onto S Notes without having to switch between screens. Exclusively pre-loaded on Galaxy Note 10.1, the Adobe® Photoshop® Touch application means owners can professionally edit photos with the ease and precision of the S Pen.
Active Learning Experience
The Galaxy Note 10.1 is an ideal learning tool that allows students to take notes directly on an eTextbook whilst in lectures, or research the Web at the same time as writing an essay. Samsung’s Learning Hub service is optimised for Galaxy Note 10.1 allowing owners to access extensive multimedia educational content whatever their age. This content includes eTextbooks, video lectures, interactive coaching and much more, and can be shared with multiple Samsung devices. Furthermore, Learning Hub comes with a learning management system providing schedule management and performance and achievement management tools so students of any age can learn at their own pace.
Superior Hardware Performance
Galaxy Note 10.1 is designed with advanced hardware technology, including a 1.4GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of internal RAM. Seamless multi-tasking, high-standard graphics, and blazing-fast performance without any lag are essential features of the device. The Galaxy Note 10.1 also includes a 5- megapixel main camera and a 1.9 megapixel front-facing camera.
Several other features have been added to the Galaxy Note 10.1, including Smart Stay, which tracks the owner’s eye to ensure that the screen is always on while being looked at; and Pop Up Play, which allows a video to be watched anywhere on the screen while simultaneously running other tasks. With AllShare® Play, content can be shared with a large group in real-time by connecting the Galaxy Note 10.1 to Samsung HD TVs, mobile tablets, laptops, and other consumer electronic devices on the same network. With AllShare Group Cast, people can also share and collaborate on documents, presentations, or images without loading the files separately.
The Galaxy Note 10.1 comes in three connectivity options: WiFi-only and WiFi-and-3G HSPA-Plus connectivity, which are both available at launch, and WiFi-and-LTE which will be available later this year.
The international version of the HTC One X will be getting its Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich update today, the same update that began rolling out for the AT&T version of the device just a short time ago.
HTC has announced, courtesy of Engadget, that the HTC One X’s Android 4.0.4 update will begin to roll out today and that it will be bringing a number of enhancements along with it.
Owners of the international HTC One X will now be able to map a menu function to the ‘recent app’ key in the lower right hand corner of the device. This will improve presentation in applications that currently do not support Ice Cream Sandwich. So obviously, this makes the button more useful than it already was.
The update will also new abilities to the device’s camera including white balance and continuous autofocus, both of which will be welcomed improvements.
HTC has also included a dedicated tab switching button in the browser to make it easier for owners to switch between tabs in the browser.
The update for the HTC One X will also bring better overall browsing, more stability to the device, and more. So, it’s a pretty substantial update and one that users will want to take advantage of as soon as they possibly can.
Of course, the update is not Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, Google’s latest piece of mobile software that is all the rage right now in the Android world.
HTC has promised Android 4.1 for the HTC One XL, HTC One X, and the HTC One S at some point down the road but first, it needs to take care of some devices that are still limping their way to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
The new version of Micromax’s popular tablet Funbook, Funbook Pro, has hit the retail online shelves. The tablet, which is yet to be launched officially, is available at online Retailers for Rs 9,999.
The tablet has a 10.1 inch TFT LCD capacitive touch screen display (1,024×600 pixel resolution) and runs on the latest Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) operating system. It is powered by a 1.2 GHz Cortex A-8 processor (with Dual Mali 400- 2D/3D Graphics processor for multimedia processing) and comes with 1 GB RAM. The internal memory of the device is 8GB, which is expandable up to an additional 32GB with a microSD card.
The device features a front facing VGA camera for video calling. On the connectivity front, the tablet has Wi-Fi and it comes with a microSD port, USB port and a HDMI port, which means it will support HD video playback.
The exact dimensions of the device were not available, but the company has provided a 5,600 mAh battery in the device, which should offer decent battery life.
Micromax Funbook Pro is available in Slate Grey colour and comes with Tata Docomo+ data card for free.
While Android fragmentation continues with Jelly Bean being announced just 6 months away from the ICS update. Android owners have started to shift to ICs with most companies now offering ICS updates for the devices.
While Gingerbread still remains at the top with 64 % of the Android base. GFroyo follows by 17.3 %, and Google’s recently announced Jelly Bean update was not included in this stat.
HTC has started pushing out the new Android 4.0 ICS update only for the non co-branded smartphones(contract-free) HTC EVO 3D devices in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region as of now. the Over the Air update consist of a deployable package which will update your existing EVO 3D to Android 4.0.4. The update is 300 MB in size and consists of the Android 4.0 ICS code with Sense UI on top,
No release notes were found attached with the update but we can expect the regular set of Android 4.0 ICS features included in the update.
Have you already upgraded to Android 4.0.3? Does the EVO 3D now perform as smoothly as you expected? Are there any bugs or glitches to report?
Other HTC devices are expected to start getting the ICS update in the coming days.
Motorola has announced that it will be releasing the RAZR V during the third quarter of the year. It follows the release of the Razr MAXX which was launched last week.
An amazing 8.35mm thin, the phone comes with ColorBoostTM display technology which makes for extremely vibrant colours for better clarity and sharper images. It comes with Android 4.0 and a dual-core 1.2GHz processor.
[quote]RAZR is synonymous with design excellence and both Motorola RAZR MAXX and Motorola RAZR V reflect that, said Robert van Tilburg, senior regional sales director, South Asia, Motorola Mobility. With its fantastic battery, Motorola RAZR MAXX is in a class of its own. Not only do you get everything you love about the Motorola RAZR, but now you get the power to last through marathon calls, hours of surfing the Web, or streaming movies. You’ll drop long before this phone ever does. With Motorola RAZR V, we’ve created the perfect smartphone for stylish, smart and tech-savvy consumers who want great looks, great performance and great value.[/quote]
The Desire V is the first Dual-sim smartphone from HTC
After the recent success of their ‘One’ series handsets, HTC has shifted its focus to two new Desire series cellphones, called the Desire C and V.
Both handsets run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) OS and come with Beats Audio technology. These devices come with only 4GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD), along with 25GB of free Dropbox space for two years.
An interesting feature of the Desire V is that it is the first Dual sim phone to come out of HTC’s stable, and is expected to hit indian stores later this year.
The Desire C device sports a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen with 320×480 pixels resolution, powered by a Snapdragon S1 600MHz processor, with 512MB RAM, Sense 4.0 UI on top of Ice Cream Sandwich. It is expected to cost somewhere around Rs 14,299.
HTC released an introductory video for the Desire C :
HTC plans to launch the One S in two different variants across the globe. While the US, UK, Japan, Korean, France and Germany enjoy the new Dual core Snapdragon S4 processor, HTC will launch a different model with an older yet higher clocked S3 chipset for Asia-Pacific regions and some (as-yet unspecified) European markets.
So in short if it’s got a dual-core 1.7GHz processor, you’ve got the Snapdragon S3, if it’s 1.5GHz then you have the newer S4. Be very careful if you have been saving up for the HTC One S, India might just get the S3 variant.
Sony is really depending on its new strategy to kick off in China and other Asian Countries including India. The new Xperia Neo L is an unannounced, ICS packing, China bound variant of the Sony lineup. Specs include 1GHz Snapdragon S2 CPU, 512MB of RAM along with a MBE in a 4-inch 854 x 480 resolution.
There is no indication on pricing, but a confirmed, launch in China is happening this month.
Looks like Google is planning to release a series of Nexus devices this year, including some tablets, on Google Android 5.0. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Google is planning to partner with a variety of OEMs (in order to have up to five Pure Google Nexus devices available at once. All of these devices will ship with Android 5.0 Jelly bean
This move is likely to be announced at the next Google I/O conference.
The Sony Xperia S, was launched recently in India, and despite the high price and low specs seems to doing just great in the market. The device has an impressive display one of the best till date, with a 1280×720 px resolution crammed into a 4.3 inch display along with the Mobile Bravia Engine .
First impressions of the device make you feel like the phone is more eye-candy and less functional, but that is quickly changed when you power on the device and the crisp display shows up. The phone appears to be very functional and responsive.
At the heart of the device is a Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8260 Dual Core chipset with 1.5GHz of speed, and a Adreno 220 GPU . The Xperia S has an whopping 12 megapixels of camera resolution at the back with full HD 1080p video capability. On the front is a 1.3 MP camera which is however capable of 720p video aswell.
The design is brilliant and the glowing bar in the bottom area looks exceptionally good. The back panel opens up to give access to the micro-sim slot, the battery is a 1750 mAh battery and is not changeable. The phone has a 16GB store with no micro SD expandability.
Check out the Images and size comparisons below and stay tuned for the full video review.
Sony has just launched two new Handsets for the Japanese market, the Xperia GX and the Xperia SX. Apart from the aforementioned LTE connectivity these devices actually bring a lot to the table
Xperia GX Specs
Android 4.0 ICS
LTE Connectivity
720p 4.6-inch display
Mobile Bravia Engine
13-megapixel camera
1.5 GHz dual-core processor
Curved body
Matte Finish
Infrared connectivity
Mobile wallet
Mobile TV
Colors : black and white
Xperia SX
Android 4.0 ICS
World’s lightest LTE capable handset
100gms
3.7-inch
Mobile Bravia Engine
1.5GHz dual-core processor
8-megapixel camera
Infrared connectivity
Mobile wallet
Mobile TV
Colors : black and white
[toggle_box title=”Press Release” width=”Width of toggle box”]
Sony Mobile Communications unveils Xperia GX and Xperia SX – the first Sony LTE smartphones for the Japanese market
09 May 2012
Powerful performance and ultra-fast network speed combined with easy connectivity and premium entertainment experiences
Xperia GX features a 4.6” HD screen and 13MP camera for ultra real viewing experiences
Xperia SX is the world’s lightest LTE smartphone weighing only 95 grams
9 May, London, United Kingdom – Sony Mobile Communications today announced two new Xperia™ Android smartphones designed specifically for the Japanese market. Xperia GX and Xperia SX join the popular Xperia NX and Xperia acro HD, currently among the best selling smartphones in Japan. Both Xperia GX and Xperia SX enable easy connectivity with multiple screens to share and enjoy content on whichever screen best suits the situation, whether it’s TV, smartphone, laptop or tablet.
Xperia LTE smartphones for Japan
The first Sony branded smartphones to launch in Japan Xperia GX and Xperia SX are LTE enabled with download speeds of up to 75mbps. They come with 1.5GHz dual core processors for faster performance and Reality Display powered by the Mobile BRAVIA® Engine for razor sharp clarity, full HD video and Sony Exmor R™ for mobile, enabling the capture of high quality, bright pictures and HD videos even in low light. With HD sharing through DLNA, and HDMI, controlling the smartphone with the TV remote control when connected to the TV, Xperia GX also deliver a full HD experience on the big screen.
New media applications
Bringing the best of Sony technology and premium entertainment experiences, Xperia GX and Xperia SX also introduce three new media applications:
The “WALKMAN” application integrates signature high quality audio technologies such as clear stereo, clear bass, VPT surround sound, manual equalizer and xLOUD™ with new innovative ways to play, discover and recommend music.
The “Album” application brings new intuitive ways to sort and browse high quality photos and videos in blazing speed, as well as providing instant viewing, commenting and sharing of photos on Facebook and other online albums, leveraging the great camera capabilities of Xperia GX and Xperia SX.
The “Movies” application streamlines the playback and viewing of movies in high quality audio and video with intelligent database search to discover more info about the movie for a rich and immersive experience.
Xperia GX – capture ultra real memories in high definition
Xperia GX boasts a 4.6” HD resolution screen for superior viewing. With a 13MP camera and full HD video recording, Xperia GX enables consumers to capture unforgettable moments in the highest quality, wherever they are. Building on the design success of Xperia arc, Xperia GX incorporates a matte texture and slimline body which fits perfectly into the consumer’s palm or pocket. Key features for Xperia GX
4.6” Reality Display powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine for razor-sharp clarity.
1.5GHz dual-core processor for faster performance.
16GB internal flash storage.
13MP camera with Sony Exmor R for mobile, HD video recording, and Sony technology to take 3D panoramic images.
Launching on Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich.
Available in white and black.
Xperia SX – the world’s lightest LTE smartphone
Xperia SX combines a sleek and simplistic design with high functionality. Xperia SX is the world’s lightest* LTE smartphone weighing only 95 grams. It has an iconic design with a slim body makes it easy to fit into the consumer’s hand or pocket.
Key features for Xperia SX
World’s lightest LTE smartphone, weighing only 95g.
3.7” Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine.
1.5GHz dual-core processor for faster performance.
8GB internal flash storage.
8MP camera with Sony Exmor R for mobile, HD video recording, and Sony technology to take 3D panoramic images.
Japanese specific features such as infrared port data exchange, mobile wallet and mobile TV.
Launching on Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich.
Available in black and white.
Xperia GX and Xperia SX will be available in the Japanese market from summer 2012.
*As of May 7th, 2012, Sony Mobile Communications research.
Sony “make.believe”, Bravia and Exmor R are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Corporation. Xperia is a trademark or registered trademark of Sony Mobile Communications AB. Android™ is a trademark of Google Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.
About Sony Mobile Communications
Sony Mobile Communications is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation, a leading global innovator of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for both the consumer and professional markets. Through its Xperia™ smartphone portfolio, Sony Mobile Communications delivers the best of Sony technology, premium content and services, and easy connectivity to Sony’s world of networked entertainment experiences. For more information:www.sonymobile.com
