BlackBerry OS overtook Apple’s iOS for the first time in the US in November in terms of mobile internet usage according to web analytics company, StatCounter. The company’s research arm, StatCounter Global Stats finds that for the first time in the US BlackBerry OS at 34.3% overtook Apple’s iOS which recorded 33% in November. […]

“These figures suggest that developers should not be developing solely for the iPhone to the exclusion of BlackBerry and Android,” commented Aodhan Cullen, CEO, StatCounter. He added that, if current trends continue, BlackBerry and Android combined are on course to become twice the size of iOS as regards mobile internet usage in the next year. (StatCounter Press)

It’s still unclear as to why Blackberry users are using the web more according to StatCounter as the iPhone and iPad’s browser is superior to RIM’s devices (even when compared against the Blackberry Torch).

However it could be the simple fact that more iOS users are spending time using apps instead of surfing the web, something which this author has been doing more of lately.

Either way StatCounter’s latest statistic will probably boost RIM’s confidence as the company prepares to go head to head against the iPad via the Blackberry Playbook (who still does not have a firm timetable of availability in the US).

Originally posted on December 1, 2010 @ 12:54 pm

In a gesture of appreciation for service men and women serving overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan, Europe and Asia, Google Voice is giving away extra calling credits to military families in North America.

Keeping in touch with family during the holiday season can be challenging for anyone, but itâ€s especially difficult for military families with loved ones serving around the country or overseas.

Gmailâ€s built in video chat and free calls to the U.S. and Canada can help keep friends and family in contact regardless of how far apart they may be. To make staying in touch this holiday season even easier for military families, weâ€re offering a $10 calling credit to help them reach their loved ones serving abroad.

These international call credits can be used to make calls with Google Voice or from right inside Gmail, and will provide families with roughly 30 minutes of call time to Afghanistan, 60 minutes to Iraq, or hundreds of minutes to many countries in Europe and around the world. (Official Google Voice Blog)

As you can tell from the picture above, Google is partnering with Sesame Street as well as Blue Star Families (the latter which is an organization that supports military families).

As an extra bonus, soldiers equipped with a smartphone (either Android or iPhone) will be able to call straight from their device without having to worry about using up too many minutes.

While Google should be praised for their generosity, hopefully the company will consider providing unlimited plans (similar to what Skype offers) in order to make it easier for soldiers to call their loves ones without counting down how many minuets they have left.

Image Credit: Sesame Workshop, 2010

Originally posted on December 3, 2010 @ 3:08 pm

Thanks in part to smart phones like the iPhone and Android, carriers across Europe are straining to meet demands.

Despite the fact that they are charging smartphone users more money than the average feature phone (aka dumb phone), apparently it isn’t enough to sustain their networks.

Unfortunately it seems as if they’ve set their sites upon two tech giants with plenty of cash to spare.

As mobile and Web companies add videos, music and games, operators including France Telecom SA, Telecom Italia SpA and Vodafone Group Plc want a new deal that would require content providers like Apple and Google to pay fees linked to usage. […]

Richard, who addressed the issue at the “Le Web” conference in Paris today, has joined Telecom Italia CEO Franco Bernabe and Telefonica SA CEO Cesar Alierta in what could turn into a cold war with Web companies. As more consumers access the Internet on mobile devices, the cost of building bigger networks may outstrip revenue growth for wireless operators, slicing their return on investment. (Bloomberg)

Forcing Google and Apple to pay would obviously be bad business as it would only drive up the costs of the devices themselves as Apple will pass on the costs to the customer (forcing Google to pay would be harder since they give Android away for free).

What’s worrisome is that if carriers are able to force tech giants to pay for infrastructure improvements, then it might inspire American carriers to do something similar now that net neutrality is dead in all but name only.

If supporting data hogging users is expensive, carriers need to simply charge those data hogging users more money instead of collectively punishing everyone else instead.

Image Credit: TiPB, Hat Tip: Daring Fireball

Originally posted on December 8, 2010 @ 3:14 pm

Originally posted on October 9, 2023 @ 11:41 am

After debuting Nexus One many months ago, the boys and girls at Google have unveiled Nexus S, which was created with the help of Samsung.

Despite the variety of Android devices available, it looks like Google is publicly frowning upon the custom UI screens that made HTC Android devices famous and is instead pushing for something more uniform.

Nexus S is the lead device for the Gingerbread/Android 2.3 release; itâ€s the first Android device to ship with the new version of the Android platform. We co-developed this product with Samsung—ensuring tight integration of hardware and software to highlight the latest advancements of the Android platform. As part of the Nexus brand, Nexus S delivers what we call a “pure Google” experience: unlocked, unfiltered access to the best Google mobile services and the latest and greatest Android releases and updates. (Google Mobile Blog)

As you can tell from the video above, Google seems to have poured a lot of resources into developing the Nexus S, and even took a cue from Apple by verifying that the mobile OS specifically compliments the hardware which should help them go head to head against the iPhone.

While boasting a 5 MP camera as well as a front facing VGA camera for video chatting, the device only comes with 16 GB of internal memory with no way to expand it, which means videoholics like me will quickly run out of room upon the device.

As a bonus, the Nexus S does support NFC (near field communication) which should give Google an extra edge over the iOS rival (until Steve Jobs unveils the next iPhone of course).

Google is planning on releasing the Nexus S on December 16 to the masses online as well as in brick in motor stores (via T-Mobile and Best Buy) although unfortunately the company has yet to reveal how much the device will cost unlocked.

Originally posted on December 6, 2010 @ 3:34 pm

While Google has yet to launch a full fledged VoIP client of their own (as Google Voice currently lacks a softphone client), the search engine giant has decided to decline charging US users in 2011 for contacting numbers within America.

When we launched calling in Gmail back in August, we wanted it to be easy and affordable, so we made calls to the U.S. and Canada free for the rest of 2010. In the spirit of holiday giving and to help people keep in touch in the new year, weâ€re extending free calling for all of 2011.

In case you havenâ€t tried it yet, dialing a phone number works just like a regular phone. Look for “Call phone” at the top of your Gmail chat list and dial a number or enter a contactâ€s name. (Google Voice Blog)

Currently Skype (as well as other VoIP companies) provide users with unlimited calling through annual premium plans which allow them to call mobile devices or landlines without paying for usage by the minute.

Although Skype does have a few advantages over its smaller rival (multi-video chat, Facebook integration, etc.), competing against a quality free service will be difficult to for Skype, especially considering the fact that Google has very deep pockets.

While Google Voice is obviously sacrificing short term profits for growth, 2011 could be the year that Google dethrones Skype in America, helping the search engine giant compete against the VoIP king later on upon the global stage.

Originally posted on December 20, 2010 @ 4:01 pm

While Google does not have a problem with a committee or group having a large amount of influence regarding the internet, they are taking issue over the requirements of exactly who will be sitting at the table.

But last week the UN Committee on Science and Technology announced that only governments would be able to sit on a working group set up to examine improvements to the IGF—one of the Internetâ€s most important discussion forums. This move has been condemned by the Internet Governance Caucus, the Internet Society (ISOC), the International Chamber of Commerce and numerous other organizations—who have published a joint letter (PDF) and launched an online petition to mobilize opposition. Today, I have signed that petition on Googleâ€s behalf because we donâ€t believe governments should be allowed to grant themselves a monopoly on Internet governance. The current bottoms-up, open approach works—protecting users from vested interests and enabling rapid innovation. (Google Public Policy Blog)

In a post written by Vint Cerf (one of the founding fathers of the Internet), Google seems to be advocating that corporations also have a voice at the table in order to ensure that the internet remains a free place for all.

While it does seem strange for the global governments to lock out corporate entities from joining the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), it could have something to do with Wikileaks whose presence seems to have infuriated the US government (who has been unable to shut them down).

Although having the IGF being composed of just corporations would not be smart (as they would always vote what’s best for their stock holders), one held only by governments could help pave the way towards an Internet with less freedom (especially when it comes to exposing corruption).

Originally posted on December 17, 2010 @ 5:09 pm

After bribing developers with the chance to win a free Blackberry Playbook, RIM is finally allowing them to submit their apps for approval upon the Blackberry App World.

Weâ€re excited to announce that starting today, you can now submit your BlackBerry® PlayBookâ„¢ tablet apps to the BlackBerry App Worldâ„¢ vendor portal!

As announced at the Adobe® MAX conference earlier this year, developers who create an application for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet that is approved for distribution through BlackBerry App World prior to the tabletâ€s initial release are eligible for a free BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. youâ€re submitting a brand new app, just submit like you would any new app. (Blackberry Developer’s Blog)

After less than thrilling sales of the Blackberry Torch, RIM has been making a huge deal regarding the Blackberry Playbook which they see as their answer to the mighty iPad.

Despite the fact that the Playbook is Flash friendly (unlike the iPad), Blackberry is going to need an army of developers in order to make their brand relevant to consumers as well as the corporate world.

RIM is planning on launching the Playbook “early 2011” (which ironically is around the same time as the rumored iPad 2.0) although the company has yet to announce a price point aside from the corporate sub-$500 mantra.

Note: I suspect the price will fall between $450-$499, but RIM has yet to confirm anything.

Originally posted on December 7, 2010 @ 2:18 pm

I know many of you have been waiting for the perfect time to pick up your new Windows Phone. AT&T just sweetened the pot a bit for the holiday shopping season with the announcement of a buy one get one free deal for the HTC Surround, LG Quantum and Samsung Focus. To take advantage of this offer head down to your local AT&T retail store, sign up for a two-year contract and you and a friend will have a couple of the coolest phones of the season.

Combine that offer with the AT&T entertainment pack which includes a free download of the Xbox LIVE puzzle game ilomilo, 30 days of Zune Pass service plus 10 free song downloads and 30 days of AT&T U-verse and you have a great way to pass the long drive to grandmas house for Thanksgiving. (Official Windows Phone Blog)

To my knowledge AT&T is the only US carrier offering this deal, although I wouldn’t be surprised to see T-Mobile and Verizon (the latter who is also embracing Windows Phone 7) adopt this policy in order to prevent users from defecting.

It will be interesting to see whether this deal bumps up demand for Windows Phone 7, whose sales have been decent but not blockbuster hits (at least when compared against the iPhone and Android).

Note: Microsoft has thus far declined to disclose how well Windows Phone 7 has done, giving generic praises of the device which is rumored to only have sold 40,000 units at launch.

Originally posted on November 24, 2010 @ 1:24 pm

Internet Explorer not stirring your cup of Windows Phone 7 tea correctly? Well, you now have an alternative in the form of a new browser that’s arrived in the Marketplace: Browser+. It does seem to have been built on IE code rather than its own framework, so don’t get your hopes up for Chrome to Phone on WP7 any time soon. (via Engadget)

Other bloggers are also confirming the IE only flavor that Microsoft is establishing, which ironically makes Microsoft more of a locked down OS than Apple’s iOS (who allowed Opera to grace the app store in April of this year).

Although it’s not surprising to see a third party browser apps emerge embracing IE (as iOS has numerous apps embracing mobile Safari), hopefully the software giant will consider opening up their smartphone to competitors in the future.

While IE on Windows Phone 7 is a vast improvement over its predecessors, giving users browser choice could help improve Microsoft’s image in the mobile market, something the company desperately needs to do in order to catch up to Android or iOS.

Originally posted on November 17, 2010 @ 5:12 pm