Q3 2012: Android Marks Fourth Anniversary Since Launch with 75.0% Market Share in Third Quarter, According to IDC .

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jes�s.

Please click on the charts to enlarge the view.

Android Marks Fourth Anniversary Since Launch with 75.0% Market Share in Third Quarter, According to IDC

01 Nov 2012

 The Android smartphone operating system was found on three out of every four smartphones shipped during the third quarter of 2012 (3Q12). According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, total Android smartphone shipments worldwide reached 136.0 million units, accounting for 75.0% of the 181.1 million smartphones shipped in 3Q12. The 91.5% year-over-year growth was nearly double the overall market growth rate of 46.4%.

"Android has been one of the primary growth engines of the smartphone market since it was launched in 2008," said Ramon Llamas, research manager, Mobile Phones at IDC. "In every year since then, Android has effectively outpaced the market and taken market share from the competition. In addition, the combination of smartphone vendors, mobile operators, and end-users who have embraced Android has driven shipment volumes higher. Even today, more vendors are introducing their first Android-powered smartphones to market."

"The share decline of smartphone operating systems not named iOS since Android's introduction isn't a coincidence," said Kevin Restivo, senior research analyst with IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. "The smartphone operating system isn't an isolated product, it's a crucial part of a larger technology ecosystem. Google has a thriving, multi-faceted product portfolio. Many of its competitors, with weaker tie-ins to the mobile OS, do not. This factor and others have led to loss of share for competitors with few exceptions."

Mobile Operating System Highlights.

Android, having topped the 100 million unit mark last quarter, reached a new record level in a single quarter. By comparison, Android's total volumes for the quarter were greater than the total number of smartphones shipped in 2007, the year that Android was officially announced. Samsung once again led all vendors in this space, but saw its market share decline as numerous smaller vendors increased their production.

iOS was a distant second place to Android, but was the only other mobile operating system to amass double-digit market share for the quarter. The late quarter launch of the iPhone 5 and lower prices on older models prevented total shipment volumes from slipping to 3Q11 levels. But without a splashy new OS-driven feature like Siri in 2011 and FaceTime in 2010, the iPhone 5 relied on its larger, but not wider, screen and LTE connectivity to drive growth.

BlackBerry's market share continued to sink, falling to just over 4% by the end of the quarter. With the launch of BlackBerry 10 yet to come in 2013, BlackBerry will continue to rely on its aging BlackBerry 7 platform, and equally aging device line-up. Still, demand for BlackBerry and its wildly popular BBM service is strong within multiple key markets worldwide, and the number of subscribers continues to increase.

Symbian posted the largest year-on-year decline of the leading operating systems. Nokia remains the largest vendor still supporting Symbian, along with Japanese vendors Fujitsu, Sharp, and Sony. Each of these vendors is in the midst of transitioning to other operating systems and IDC believes that they will cease shipping Symbian-powered smartphones in 2013. At the same time, the installed base of Symbian users will continue well after the last Symbian smartphone ships.

Windows Phone marked its second anniversary with a total of just 3.6 million units shipped worldwide, fewer than the total number of Symbian units shipped. Even with the backing of multiple smartphone market leaders, Windows Phone has yet to make a significant dent into Android's and iOS's collective market share. That could change in 4Q12, when multiple Windows Phone 8 smartphones will reach the market.

Linux volume declined for the third straight quarter as did its year-over-year growth. Samsung accounted for the majority of shipments once again, but like most other vendors competing with Linux-powered smartphones, most of its attention went towards Android instead. Still, that has not deterred other vendors from experimenting, or at least considering the open-source operating system, as multiple reports of Firefox, Sailfish, and Tizen plan to release new Linux-based experiences in the future.

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Rumania: Allview launches AllDro Speed satellite tablet with GPS receiver.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jes�s.

Rumania: Allview launches AllDro Speed satellite tablet with GPS receiver.

Romanian consumer electronics vendor Allview has announced today the launch of the AllDro Speed Satellite tablet, a 7-Inch Android tablet that comes with built-in GPS receiver, NDrive navigation software and pan European Tele Atlas (TomTom) maps. the new device sold in Germany is available online for �184 including VAT. 

The tablet runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, a 2 MP front camera and includes a FM transmitter. A car mount is also offered in the box. 

This type of dual-use devices will increasingly compete with dedicated large screen Personal Navigation Devices (PNDs)

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IFA2012: Aiptek New mini projector for Android.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jes�s.

IFA2012: Aiptek New mini projector for Android.

Aiptek is showing its first pico projector for Android devices at this year's IFA in Berlin. The mini projector will be beaming in Hall 3.2, Stand 120 and will be difficult to miss with its 40 Lumen and image size of up to 150 cm (60 inches).

Connected using micro USB via MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) or Micro-HDMI, the "MobileCinema A50P" displays all content from any MHL or HDMIcompatible device. No software or complex installation is required.

However,there is a complex technology behind this simple device. The DLP chip built into the pocket cinema from Aiptek helps even full-size cinema projectors produce magnificent colours and rich contrasts. The innovative RGB LEDs are very energy-saving and can last for up to 20,000 hours. The contrast ratio is 1000:1 and the resolution is 640 x 480 pixels.

The built-in rechargeable battery is perfect for an exciting cinema evening, as it guarantees a projection time of 120 minutes or, alternatively, can be used to charge up the battery of the Android device connected. 

The HDMI port means the "Aiptek MobileCinema A50P" is universal and can be used either at home or out and about. In the living room, it can be connected to a Blu-ray player, camcorder, etc. and beam all contents directly onto the wall.

The dimensions of the mini-projector are 132 x 71 x 15 mm and it weighs 170 grams. The unit comes with a pouch, an MHL cable, a micro-USB cable for charging and a printed quick-start guide. The mini projector will be available in retail outlets as of September 2012 for an recommended price of 249 euros.

Aiptek is showing is innovative new products at Showstoppers at this year's IFA and in Hall 3.2, Stand 120. We would be happy to demonstrate Aiptek's projectors, camcorders, graphics tablets and more to you in person.

Press contacts

Till Konstanty

presse@aiptek.eu

or

PR KONSTANT

Peter-Berten-Stra�e 37

D-41334 Nettetal

Tel.: +49(0)2153/91085-0

Fax: +49(0)2153/952875

www.konstant.de

About Aiptek

Aiptek International (Advanced Intelligent Personal Technologies) was founded in 1997 in Taiwan. The company produces and distributes 3D products, camcorders, pico projectors, digital photo frames, graphics tablets, digital styluses and cameras. The German and European office was opened in 1999 in Willich near D�sseldorf, from where all European sales are coordinated. There are also branches in Shanghai and the USA. The legendary Pen Cam with which Aiptek started out in 2000 had sold over 2.5 million within a short space of time. Aiptek Pico Projectors represent innovative technologies for price-conscious customers.

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Lexibook educational kids tablet to launch September 15.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Lexibook, Android educational kids tablet leader, is delighted to announce the official launch of its new tablets for kids nationwide from September 15, 2012. With a preview launch at Toys' R Us stores across the country, parents will discover tablets with content tailored to the needs of the new generation. With a high definition tactile screen and a kid friendly interface, the tablets offer an unprecedented content offer for toddlers to pre-teens. The educational content is adapted to the curriculum with 500 sheets of general education, tests and interactive quizzes. School Zone apps and 200 pre-loaded e-books are also included to complete the educational offer. Children will discover their favorite stories, rhymes and Susie Tallman's top songs and karaoke videos. For even more fun, 25 games and 52 discovery activities are included as well as a camera with photo editing software. Wireless internet browsing through a high speed built-in Wi-Fi connection is kept safe through embedded parental control, while kids can still download more than 10,000 must-have apps on the Lexibook Market including Pig Rush, Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, Pandora, Skype, and learn while having fun with educational apps adapted to every age group. With the Lexibook Videostore by Kabillion™ and Spotify® music portal, cartoons, music, and other favorite videos are available in one click! Lexibook Tablets are a concentrate of educational, multimedia and interactive activities allowing children to finally have a tablet just for them. Parents and children will share amazing moments and kids will learn fast in a fun way. Great accessories will also be available: tablet skins, cases, stylus, keyboards, headsets and more. Aymeric Le Cottier, CEO, comments: "We're really excited to present this new innovative range that will enable kids to change the way they learn and play. Our great content and fantastic features bring an immediate unique user experience and the built-in gaming and apps download center bring endless possibilities for kids." About Lexibook® Lexibook® (EURONEXT C: 3359, www.lexibook.com) is a French company which designs, manufactures, and markets consumer electronic devices and electronic toys. Lexibook® is now a leader in mass market distribution of educational electronic toys, electronic games, chess games, dictionaries, translators, calculators, and kids consumer electronics. Lexibook® markets over 500 products in 41 countries, and has sold more than 40 million products around the world. The group employs 122 people in its subsidiaries and its development center in Hong-Kong. Lexibook® group has reported a tenfold increase in revenue in 14 years. Lexibook® aims at bringing its consumer electronics technologies into the toy world and become the world leader in its segments. Contact:  Phone number : +33(0)1 73 23 23 27 Email address : cecileausset@lexibook.com SOURCE Lexibook

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Nikon to launch first Android powered camera running Google Play apps.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Nikon to launch first Android powered camera running Google Play apps.

According to Nikon Rumors , Nikon  is reportedly preparing to announce its first Android powered compact camera, reportedly called the Coolpix S800 or S800c

The expected camera specs are:

• 25-250 mm lens
• 3.5" OLED screen
• The camera runs all Google Play apps
• The camera will probably run Android 2.3
• Built-in GPS
• Built-in Wi-Fi
• Possible announcement: August 22, 2012

Source: Nikon Rumors

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Official Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 August 15th event invitation.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Official Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 August 15th event invitation.

Meet the New Way reads on the invitation as on the video below as well , seems to be the Samsung`s Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet as you clearly see on the image above, too.

The event will take place at Jazz Lincoln Center in N.Y, doors open at 10:30 a.m, event time 11 a.m, August 15th,2012,  Wednesday.

What we know about the tablet so far:  multitasking, hold and drag, 1.4GHz quad-core Exynos chip, along with a slot for its "S Pen" stylus, just like it's 5.3-inch sibling.

Samsung’s new tablet will be using Google’s Android 4.0 operating system or Jelly Bean 4.1 and will feature a Super PLS 10.1” screen with a 1280 by 800 pixel resolution.

The touchscreen matrix will be a dual-digitizer and it will come complete with multi-touch support.

The operating system will come overlaid with Samsung’s own TouchWiz interface and will have support for the included stylus pen. Video Promotional:

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The dictionary of the Spanish Royal Academy RAE has its own app for phones and tablets.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

The dictionary of the Spanish Royal Academy  RAE  has its own app for phones and tablets.

The Dictionary of the Spanish Royal Academy RAE,  is available for free on mobile devices with internet access through a formal application developed for the Planet, publisher of the work.

According to reports today this institution, the application, with an average of 3,000 downloads is already up, you can download both for cell phones and tablets that work with Apple  operating systems (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch) and for Android.

"In the near future also will offer versions for other platforms, in order to provide the service to as many users as possible," said the institution.

New applications for mobile devices provide the same content that can be seen today through the website of the RAE, including the latest improvements and innovations, on the occasion of the fifth update of the Dictionary.

In this update, issued on June 22, included the DEFINITIONS as marriage between same sex, and terms such as "blogger", "chat", "Spanglish", "freak", "SMS" electronic tablet and Scientology.

The e-consultation to the Dictionary, which has experienced considerable growth in recent years, has recorded 65.6 million searches in May 2012, representing an average of over 2.1 million daily.

ElUniversoEcuador

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Qualcomm announced its Snapdragon SDK for Android.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Qualcomm announced its Snapdragon SDK for Android.

Qualcomm announced its Snapdragon SDK for Android, which it said offers developers and device makers “the ability to differentiate their applications on devices by exposing a new set of value-added features.”

The silicon giant said that the SDK provides access to next-generation technology and features of Snapdragon processors via APIs which are not otherwise available. These include advanced imaging and audio options, access to device sensors, and enhanced location capabilities.

According to Rob Chandhok, president of Qualcomm Internet Service and the company’s SVP for software strategy: “the most powerful applications in mobile are those that are tightly integrated with the underlying hardware.”

The SDK currently targets Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 8960 processor, and will support other chips “across multiple tiers” over time.

The company said a preview release is available now, and a full SDK will be available to device makers and developers in the coming months.

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Japan: Panasonic will launch Android smartphones on 2011 and overseas 2012

WorlWideTech. Francisco De Jes�s

A Come back:

Panasonic Corp said on Tuesday it will begin sales of its own smartphones in Japan early next year and overseas in 2012, in a late but ambitious attempt to grab share of the booming market.

Based on Google Inc's Android operating system, the new phones will compete against Apple Inc's iPhone, which dominates the Japanese smartphone market, as well as with Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S.

The Japanese consumer electronics giant admitted it was late joining the smartphone party, but said it hoped to differentiate its handsets by emphasizing network capabilities with other Panasonic products.

"We misjudged the speed at which smartphones would be taken up in the Japanese market," Osamu Waki, head of the company's mobile communications unit told a news conference. "With the rapid shift to Android, we want to catch up quickly."

Panasonic aims to raise total mobile phone sales to 15 million units worldwide in 2015, compared with forecast sales of 5.4-5.5. million units in Japan alone in the year to March. The company pulled out of overseas mobile phone markets in 2006.

Rival Sharp Corp, which currently ranks a distant third in Japan's smartphone sales, said on Monday it was aiming for 30 percent of the domestic market in the next two to three years.

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Ferrari unveil joint smartphone model made by Acer with Android OS.

WorldWideTech. Francisco De Jes�s.

Ferrari and Acer unveiled on Friday a joint new smartphone model using Google's Android software, hoping to boost its so far limited role in the increasingly crowded smartphone market.

The version of Acer's Liquid model -- with production limited to 200,000 -- will be Ferrari branded and sold with pre-loaded content from the company and its racing team.

"The Ferrari branded device will help lift Acer's latest phone above the ever-crowded Android devices market where it is hard to tell many of the lower cost products apart," said Ben Wood, head of research at British consultancy CCS Insight.

The world's second largest PC vendor Acer entered the smartphone industry last year, aiming to reach 6 to 7 percent of the market in three to five years.

Its success has so far been very limited, but handset vendors are closely watching the PC vendors move into their marketplace.

"Acer had a devastating effect on the notebook market and has been the thorn in Dell and HP's side. Its low cost, low margin approach accelerated commoditization in the notebook market and mobile phone makers are watching its entry into the segment closely," said Wood.

No specifications available yet. Stay tuned.

Related articles

• Ultimate Bling: Meet the Ferrari Smartphone (foxnews.com)

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Android: Mozilla updates application

WorldWideTech. Francisco De Jes�s. Nov 05, 2010

Mozilla updated their Android app after users complaints, making it faster. You can download the update from this link: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/m/beta

Source: http://androinica.com/2010/11/04/firefox-for-android-beta-now-much-smaller-and-faster/

Related articles

• Firefox 4 Beta for Mobile is Now Faster and Sleeker (Stuart Parmenter/The Mozilla Blog) (techmeme.com)
• Firefox mobile browser gets new Android interface (cnet.com)

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Android : Enterprise Adobe Air Applications for Android

In this video, Senior Evangelist Ron Nagy demonstrates how Adobe AIR for Android can benefit the Enterprise with a highly dynamic employee directory app that works equally well across desktop and mobile.

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Nay� Seriously a $188.-Tablet . Yay: The Cherry Pad.

WorldWideTech. Francisco De Jes�s. Nov 1, 2010

Not kidding at all.  CherryPad : It's a 7-inch, Android 2.1�running tablet that weighs a little over a pound, has built-in WiFi, an 800-MHz processor, resistive touch screen, 2GB internal memory with a slot for more, and lots of the other trappings you'll find on much more expensive tablets.

The device, it's totally functional, and is faster and more responsive than  expected, but you're very much getting what you pay for�from the exposed screws to the resistive touch screen, there's none of the beauty and polish of a device like the Apple iPad (which the CherryPad's design essentially copies as much as possible). But if $188 is what you want to pay, the CherryPad might not be such a bad idea.

Video below:

And specifications:

CherryPad America 7-inch Android 2.1 tablet computer

The CherryPad America is ideal for consumers who appreciate value, high quality and great performance. It will take first-time tablet computer buyers about an hour to get entirely comfortable with the sensitivity of the touch screen and the navigation of the  CherryPad. Cherrypal is continuously providing downloadable software upgrades (i.e. firmware) in order to enhance the user experience. Any software upgrades are made available to Cherrypal customers free of charge.

Technical Specifications
Height	5.19 inch (13.2 cm)
Width	0.49 inch (1.25 cm)
Length	7.95 inch (20.2 cm)
Weight	1.15 lbs (0.52 kg)
Processor	Telechips ARM11 800 MHz (CPU + GPU + DSP) system-on-chip
Graphics accelerator	OpenGL 2.0
Firmware:	0.90 Eclair (optimized for smooth  scrolling and power management)
Operating environment:	Android 2.1 (over the air upgrade  to 2.2 scheduled for end of 2010)
	access to Android Market
Factory language setting:	English (United States)
Other supported languages:	English (United Kingdom, Canada,  Australia, New Zealand, Singapore),
	Spanish, Chinese (PRC, Taiwan), Czech, Dutch (Netherlands, Belgium),
	Czech, Dutch (Netherlands, Belgium), French (France, Belgium, Canada,
	Switzerland), German (Germany, Austria,  Switzerland, Liechtenstein),
	Italian (Italy, Switzerland), Norwegian,  Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian
Display technology:	7-inch resistive touch screen 800-by-480 pixels resolution
Display navigation:	touch of finers (soft touch,  firm touch) or stylus
Sensors	gravity sensor
Video playback	1080p (HDTV video mode, 1,080 lines of vertical resolution)
Memory	256 MB DDR2
Storage	2 GB NAND Flash  (plus 16 GB through Micro SD card)
Wirless (WiFi)	802.11 b/g (n)
Speakers	1 high quality stereo speaker
Microphone	built in microphone
Audio	3.5mm headphone jack
USB	USB 2.0
Card reader:	Micro SD reader  (supports up to 16 GB)
Battery:	3200 MAh rechargable  lithium-polymer battery  (6 to 8 hours run time)
Operating environment:	-4F to 130F (-15 to 55 C)  operating temperature range
	-40F to 140F (-40 to 60C)  non-operating temperature range
	0% to 100% noncondensing  (relative humidity)
Source: http://www.cherrypal.com/home.htm	16000 feet (5000 meters)  maximum operating altitude

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Samsung Nexus (Two) the next Google phone try to bring unlocked devices to the US.

Samsung Nexus (Two) the next  Google phone try to bring unlocked devices to the US.

Gizmodo http://gizmodo.com/5676008/hands-on-the-nexus-two-by-samsung?skyline=true&s=i  is reporting as confirmed the upcoming device and looks it will bring a front face camera as well.

"same 4-inch AMOLED affair from the Galaxy series, is flat, the front is "sort of concave" with hard edges. And the back is curved. The tapering makes it feel thinner than Galaxy S, though it might be about the same thickness. "It feels really similar to the Galaxy S in a lot ways." 

The question is what is Google marketing strategy this time to insert unlocked devices to the market and not fail as they did with the Nexus One?

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Android: Winamp Beta app now available

Winamp for Android^TM is now in Beta!

Winamp, the Ultimate Media Player, is now available in beta on Android^TM (Android 2.1 OS and above). It offers a complete media management solution by seamlessly syncing with the Winamp desktop library. In addition to high quality playback and persistent player controls, Winamp for Android offers wireless desktop sync with your Winamp desktop application (Winamp 5.59 beta required). Standard USB syncing also available.

Mobilize Your Library
A complete Android media management solution, that seamlessly syncs with your Winamp desktop library (USB or Wi-Fi).

Wireless Desktop Sync
No need to tie your Android phone down. Enable Wi-Fi sync and leave your cable behind (Winamp 5.59 beta required).

Persistent Player Controls
Quickly pause, change tracks, manage your play queue, see what's playing and access the Winamp home screen.

Play Queue Management
The play queue is a temporary track listing that allows you to easily select and sort tracks. And if you like, save it as a playlist.

Widget Players & Shortcuts
Add playlist shortcuts and the widget player to the Android home screen. As well as enable playback control from the lock-screen.

Now Playing
Displays song info, album art and more. Press and hold on the song info to interact with other apps like Pandora, YouTube and the Amazon MP3 Store.

Scrobbling
Supports scrobbling with the Last.fm app installed (on your Android device). Capturing all of your mobile listening history in real time.



What You'll Need To Do:

- Download & install the beta version of the Winamp desktop application from our forums.

- From your Android phone, download & install the beta version of the Winamp for Android app. You can either scan the below QR code with your phone or search for Winamp in the Android Market.

Source: http://blog.winamp.com/

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Androids: AT&T launched U-verse for several Androids.

AT&T* today launched AT&T U-verse^� Mobile for several Android devices^TM, including the Samsung Captivate^TM, HTC Aria, and coming soon, the Motorola BRAVO� and Motorola FLIPSIDE�. U-verse Mobile is available today for AT&T Mobility customers on Android Market^TM, and is another example of how AT&T is delivering more TV content to customers across multiple devices and platforms.

With the Android device launches, U-verse Mobile is available on four mobile operating systems and will continue to expand to more devices in the future. U-verse Mobile is an app that lets U-verse TV subscribers browse the U-verse TV program guide, schedule and manage their DVR recordings, and for subscribers with qualifying TV plans, download hit TV shows over any Wi-Fi connection, and watch them on their qualifying smartphone from anywhere.

�We continue to innovate and integrate across devices, and we�re proud to bring the popular U-verse Mobile app to Android users,� said Jeff Weber, vice president of video services, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. �We�re already ahead of our competitors in delivering TV content across screens, and we�ll keep focusing on bringing content to customers in new ways.�

To enjoy U-verse Mobile content, you can browse or search a library of downloadable shows, and select which series or specific episode you want to download. The content is downloaded to your mobile phone over a Wi-Fi connection. All AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet customers have home Wi-Fi installed as part of their service and get access to AT&T�s entire national Wi-Fi network at no additional cost.

The app is available to all U-verse TV customers, and the ability to download and watch select content is available for customers that subscribe to the U300 package or higher. U-verse customers can upgrade their TV packages at any time with the Account Manager app on channel 9910 or at AT&T U-verse.

AT&T continues to expand TV watching to the devices that matter most to you, with hit TV shows available on U-verse TV, U-verse Online, U-verse TV on Xbox 360, and several smartphones with U-verse Mobile.
U-verse Mobile is the latest way that AT&T is mobilizing everything that�s important to customers � their favorite content, apps, entertainment and social networks. AT&T today delivers the nation�s fastest mobile broadband network as well as the nation�s largest Wi-Fi network. 

AT&T U-verse TV is the only 100 percent Internet Protocol-based television (IPTV) service offered by a national service provider, making AT&T U-verse one of the most dynamic and feature-rich services available today. AT&T U-verse TV ranked �Highest in Customer Satisfaction in the North Central, South and West Regions,� according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Residential Television Service Provider Satisfaction Studies^SM. For additional information on AT&T U-verse � or to find out if it�s available in your area � visit AT&T U-verse.

Source: http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=18665&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=31298&mapcode=consumer

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Opera Mobile will be available on all versions of Android. In a Month.

Opera Software will release the mobile version of its browser for Android-based smartphones within a month, the Norwegian company said in a blog post on Thursday.

Opera Mobile for Android will offer a faster browsing experience by using hardware acceleration and a new pinch-to-zoom feature. The existing versions of Opera Mobile and its Mini browser have two levels of zoom; one for the full page width and one for zooming in to read the text. The new feature will zoom from page-width down to the text you want to focus on in one fluid motion, according to Opera.

Opera Mobile will be available on all versions of Android.

For Android-based smartphones, Opera already offers the Mini version, which sends Web traffic via Opera's servers, compresses it and then forwards the content to the phone. The result is that less data is sent to the phone, but it also means that the browser can't show streaming video. The Mobile version works like a traditional browser and does all the processing on the phone, which, for example, results in better JavaScript performance, according to an Opera spokesman.

The browser battle on Android is starting to heat up. Last week, Mozilla released a beta version of Firefox 4 for Android-based smartphones, but it isn't saying when the final version will arrive. Opera Mobile and Firefox join the likes of Skyfire and Dolphin HD.

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Sony�s first Android-powered Google TVs

Sony�s first Android-powered Google TVs seamlessly integrate Web browsing with a more traditional television experience.

Sony literally took the wraps off of the first HDTVs featuring Google TV on Tuesday. And by literally, we mean Sony execs took a cloth off a 46-inch Internet TV to show it to the assembled press in Manhattan.

Sony stressed this is the first HDTV that�s seamlessly integrated to the Internet. You can watch a show, tap the split-screen button on the PS3-inspired remote, hit the search button and the Chrome browser appears � and you can surf to your heart�s content. You�re not limited to sites as is the case with many other �Internet-enabled� HDTVs.

There were no Blue Screens of Death during demos, or embarrassed suits making excuses for flawed gear. In fact, the sets are available for pre-order on SonyStyle.com now and will be available this weekend. Best Buy will have them the week of October 24. There are four screen sizes available: 24, 32, 40 and 46 inches. The model numbers are NSX-24GT1 ($599), NSX-32GT1 ($799), HSX-40GT1 ($999) and NSX-46GT1 ($1,399).

The three larger screens feature edge-lit LED backlighting but they only have 60Hz refresh rates, not the 120 Hz of sets that handle motion so well. Sony specifically said these sets are not for hard-core videophiles, just younger consumers who live on the Internet while watching TV. That�s why they have Intel Atom processors and 8GB of storage, to help them surf more quickly. Since the HDTVs feature Google TV with the Android OS, there are several apps available now, and many more are expected in early 2011 when the Android Market is up and running. All of the HDTVs have built-in Wi-Fi to easily connect to your router. As noted, the remote has a PS3 controller feel to it, but it also has a built-in QWERTY keyboard, and an optical mouse.

The sets have Sony�s Video On Demand service, Qriocity, as well as pre-installed apps such as Netflix, Twitter, YouTube, Pandora and others. Many more are expected next year, and Sony said they�re extending an invitation to all developers for the platform.

Sony NSZ-GT1 Blu-ray Player with Google TV

While the sets did work very seamlessly watching TV, the system falls down on the job with the new Internet Blu-ray player with Google TV built-in also announced today (NSZ-GT1, $399). When you�re watching a BD movie, you cannot search, or use the split-screen. This seems foolish as it seems you�d want to search while a movie is playing, not leaving it entirely to a separate screen. Guess things aren�t so seamless�

Still this is the best integration of the Web and HDTV we�ve seen, and the real key is you�re not limited in any way as to the content you can access. We�ll still keep using our iPad while watching our plasma TV, thank you very much, this is a major step forward.

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