With Android’s fragmentation issues, there has been a draw of concern when it comes to updating a twist, especially when it comes to wondering whether or not a specific Android earpiece volition be upgraded to the next software system variation. Now that most Motorola (NYSE: MOT) Droid users are upgraded to Android 2.1 (Eclair), it has surpassed the numbers pool of Android 1.6 (Donut). But but even the increased number of Eclair users now, Android 1.5 (Cupcake) users are still the biggest small-arm of the Android pie.

As the numbers outdoor stage today, Cupcake takes 37.2% of the installed Android substance abuser stand, Eclair takes 32.4%, and Donut now has 29.4%. There are a few users distillery dangling out on Android 1.1, 2.0, and 2.0.1, but not enough to take a full percentage. With the Android Platform now cutting off into three distinct flavors, fragmentation is still strong. This is expected be to addressed with Froyo, or Android 2.2, which should really fishing tackle the problem by pickings some core apps out of the system, and putting them into the marketplace – just I of the many ways I’d assume Google (NSDQ: GOOG) has plans for to savoir-faire this issuance.

Any Sense UI (excluding the Droid Incredible) device right now is still running Cupcake. These would be the HTC Droid Eris, and the Hero. While HTC promises that the Android 2.1 update volition become available in the beginning of June, they are a full software version ass what’s about to hit devices like the Nexus One. When these devices get updated to Eclair, it volition lessen the atomisation numbers. That is, until the platform becomes more fragmented with Android 2.2.

Although it’s unlikely, maybe HTC is skipping Eclair birthday suit. They did skip Donut, so it’s possible they could go straight to Froyo. Don River’t grip your intimation though.

If you’re still run on Android 1.5 or 1.6, how badness to you wishing your twist updated? Are you volition to shift to a twist (and possibly carriers as fountainhead) with a more current Android OS software variation if you tin can’t get a software system update anytime soon?

[Via: AndroidCentral]

Google Buzz for mobile is now integrated in Google Maps 4.0 too.You can activate the Buzz’s bed from the Maps main menu to explore pictures or updates from others.

Other new features added with 4.0 includes:

Use Labs to try experimental features like the Scale Bar or Terrain bed (great for hiking enthusiasts!). See nearby businesses at an address or localization by selecting a point from the map. Report a problem with the map data or a business itemization.

Monday, March 15

We started off the week with AT&ere;T launching some new services (like Mobile River Share), as wellspring as four new electronic messaging devices. Two from Pantech, the Link and Pursuit, and deuce from Samsung, Strive and Sunburst. They’re not high-end devices by any means, and specifically designed for those who want a strong featurephone. Samsung is continuing their trend with more TouchWiz 2.0 devices, hoping that the User Interface along with their touchscreen devices volition hold up the consumer purchases. The Samsung Strive and Sunburst ar actually available now, and the deuce Pantech devices should be available in the advent weeks.

Mon marked the start of Microsoft’s MIX10, a group discussion specifically designed for the developers in the world. It’s a situation where Microsoft tin bring together those of like minds, and talk about where the marketplace is going for developers, and how they can shuffle their applications. This year, the Redmond-based troupe utilized the conference as a flagship method to release more information on their upcoming mobile Operating System, Windows Phone 7 Series.  We saw plenitude of video recording, with the first base being the Marketplace Hub in action. We power saw a 3D game, called Harvest, as it debuted for the mobile OS. And we also power saw how push notifications would employment on the platform. Of course, as Microsoft has noted several multiplication, all of this is up to change before the release appointment. Features like Netflix ar also ready to go with the launch of the mobile platform.

The HTC HD2 is the invidia of all other Windows Mobile River 6.5 devices (but not Windows Phone 7 Series devices), but that’s not stopping citizenry from creating fan renders of the completely unannounced HTC HD3. We caught winding of the image, and quickly looked over the corresponding specifications lean, but quickly denounced it as organism juke. Why? Because, scorn the fact people were expression that it would be running Windows Phone 7 Series, it simply didn’t rich person the right field specifications. Expandable computer storage? Not allowed. Even the blind’s solving was too much. So, it’s a dream. A nice dream, but a dream nevertheless.

Tuesday, Mar 16

The TomTom diligence for iPhone got a significant upgrade shoemaker’s last Tues. It brought some extra features, along with some in-depth additions to present tense-days features. Within the diligence, catch-and-zoom is now available, local search powered by Google, and there’s also an automatic day and nighttime way. The update was definitely worth the wait for those who purchased the app.

This was a great workweek for UK wireless carriers, as two of the largest in the area were verified as launch some of the best smartphones on the marketplace. The first, Vodafone UK, is primed to launching the HTC branded Legend and Desire. Two of the most powerful Android-based devices available on any market, we’re happy to see these handsets primed for client satisfaction. WE love life us some AMOLED. And the second base attack aircraft carrier, O2, prepare themselves to launching the rebranded Samsung Jet, now known as the Samsung Jet Ultra Edition. There’s not much different in the stipulation section from the master, 800MHz processor-backpacking, 3.1-inch AMOLED display French telephone, but it does sell with some gangster DVDs. So, that’s poise.

Google’s Nexus One, which also packs some AMOLED goodness, is one of the most talked about handsets available on the marketplace, here in the States. It launched backrest in Jan for T-Mobile U. S. Army, and everyone else not on the network has been wait for the device to launching on the Big Red network in the Spring. But, without word of advice (other than some unconfirmed rumors), Google released the Nexus One with AT&ere;T 3G-compatible radios. This may rich person something to do with the fact that, according to Flurry, the gross sales of the Nexus One are just about terrible when compared to the iPhone, and especially compared to the other Android-powered handset, the Motorola DROID. The Nexus One, which is sold only through Google’s online store, has sold only 135,000 units in 74 days, which to some just isn’t good enough. And then, Google is punched ace more time in the gut, when their diligence for the Nexus One trademark was rejected. They rich person 60 years to respond, or Google may rich person to variety the name of the gimmick.

And then, we have the curious case of updates. The Samsung Galaxy Spica, which a draw of users out there may not even know about, is officially acquiring upgraded to Android 2.1 some time in Mar. Well, to be more accurate, the cast-out begins this month, and should happen from ace area to another through the Spring months. So, if you do happen to own the gimmick, hold your fingers crossed that you’re next in line. And then we have the Motorola DROID, the device to bring Android 2.0 to marketplace. This is the second base meter Motorola has promised the profligate update, and yet failed to commit. As it currently stands, almost every Motorola DROID out there is distillery not running an functionary liberation of 2.1. Instead, they’re distillery waiting.

Wednesday, March 17

As we move further and further into the electronic years, we ar finding more ways to rid ourselves of the paper bill. Or, in this cause, the newspaper ticket. United Airlines has officially unveiled their mobile embarkation passing, along with mobile check-ins. It’s like the best means to play Foursquare, if you ask us.

At MIX10, Microsoft showed off a third base gimmick, an unknown quantity Samsung, to showcase Windows Phone 7 Series, and puff all of our minds. It was actually some keen eyed readers at SlashGear that caught us on to the fact that the device in question looked strikingly familiar, and sure sufficiency, it seems that Microsoft showcased a Samsung i8910HD, and not a future tense Windows Phone 7 Series device at all. In further gimmick newsworthiness, LG apparently has a second Windows Phone 7 Series gimmick in the works, as a render made an appearance in the midriff of the week. Rumors are that it is juke, but we’d be shocked to think that the company isn’t workings on more than one device.

Google is releasing several first base-political party applications for their Android platforms. This meter around, we have Gesture Search. Basically, you tally the diligence, haul a letter, or string of letters, and the application finds what you’re look for. It whitethorn not be the most practical diligence in the earth, strictly for the fact that it is, indeed, an application. But at least it’s fun.

Th, March 18

Apple and HTC have begun the age-old trademark and patent of invention saltation, as the two of them square off to begin what’s definitely going to be a draw of rounds in the band. HTC publicly responded to the Apple claims, and rich person made it very clear that they ar not going to back down feather any meter soon. They’ve got a strong portfolio, dating further backrest than the iPhone’s launch in 2007, and they wish everyone to know that.

Research In Motion is one of those loyalist companies that’s not leaving anywhere any meter soon, but that doesn’t mean people father’t want to see some kind of new gimmick from the troupe. Luckily, we whitethorn be acquiring our regard. The BlackBerry T, which is quite possibly the slider we’ve seen before, now has a codename, a modelling number, and pictures. Is CTIA 2010 going to be the situation that we finally get an official declaration?

And then our Android newsworthiness wraps up Thursday with talk that the HTC Incredible could launching on the Verizon Network, with those Verizon colours so bold on the device, in just two weeks. There’s also talking that it could get announced at CTIA 2010 as wellspring. And then, that Motorola DROID 2.1 update we rundle about before? There’s no meter framework when it might get released to the customer pedestal at large, as the update has been labeled as To Be Determined (TBD) now. So, halt frosty, DROID owners.

Friday, Mar 19

The iPhone is distillery a hot trade goods, and radio carriers all around the earth distillery want their chance with it. Apple is scheduled (unofficially) to launching the next iteration of the iPhone right around the corner here, and it looks like China Mobile wants in on the military action. They’ve reached out to the Cupertino-based company, hoping that the deuce companies tin employment something out.

Sprint got the shoemaker’s last number of news on Fri, as deuce of their devices got the upgrade talk. The only conflict is that one gimmick, the HTC Touch Pro2 actually got upgraded, and the others, the HTC Heron and Samsung Moment, are getting upgraded. The latter of which should see the light source of mean solar day in the coming weeks, with April sounding more and more like the functionary first appearance of Android 2.1 on the hardware.

Sunday, March 21

And then we rich person today. Research In Motion’s BIS 3.0 is scheduled to hit retail units over the advent weeks, start Mar 28th. It’s stallion purpose is to shuffle the integration of BlackBerry devices and Gmail more complete. In the end, what this agency, is that exploitation Gmail on your BlackBerry may actually not thrust you to madness anymore. And then we rich person a video recording of a human unboxing the HTC HD2 with T-Mobile U. S. Army. The only problem is, is that he’s the first consumer to actually get the HD2, especially considering it’s not due to beginning selling until March 24th. Very curious.

So, that wraps it up for this week. Again, let us know what you think of the new layout. If you motivation to comparability it, here’s a tie-in to last workweek’s. We want to hear your feedback. Keep your eyes out for this workweek, as SlashPhone brings you the latest selective information from CTIA 2010. Hopefully we’ll see some of our predictions come to bear.

Google Buzz has been kind of a bust so far but I have a lot of promise for the mobile aspects of the social networking overhaul. Google (NSDQ: GOOG) has just released a new Buzz widget for Android, and this may help branch line borrowing.

The widget volition sit on your blind and net ball you quickly upload textual matter or a picture that tin be geo-tagged. You can still approach bombilation through the browser or via Google Maps, but this appliance makes it easier to manipulation. On the desktop, I discovery Buzz to be an unneeded mess hall but the fix-based features of the mobile version tin be appealing. We’re seeing companies like Foursquare and Gowalla are gaining a lot of traction with fix-based check-in models and I think this is where Buzz volition become popular. In its verbal description of the new appliance, the search giant pushed using it to place location-based reviews of restaurants (acquiring nervous Yelp?).

“”You can post buzz about a great meal you had and contribution photos of the new restaurant,” Google said in a blog post. “To save time, your posts will upload in the background, letting you get backrest to your scrumptious dessert without wait.”

It’s means too early to count the service out because I’m sure it’s departure to be integrated deeply into future versions of Android. Facebook recently surpassed Google in traffic for a week, which could indicate that there’s departure to be a material switch in how consumers use the Net. It’s not going to happen overnight, but the social vane is increasingly gaining relevancy and could be a terror to Mountain View’s finest. The search giant has also said the background will be “irrelevant” in as little as threesome years thanks to the proliferation of smartphones, which also points to the grandness of its mobile social meshwork.

Download it now from the Android Market, and the widget is currently only available in English for Android phones run 1.6 or later.

[Via Google Mobile blog]

What are you still doing here? Get over there and order it!

[Thanks, Dave]

Vodafone (New York Stock Exchange: VOD) UK wealthy person updated the advent soon section of their website quite spectacularly in the last few days – I already reported on the HTC Legend and HTC Desire making it on to the ‘pre-registration’ inclination (see here), but now we wealthy person the Google Nexus One appearing too (never brain the Sony Ericsson (New York Stock Exchange: SNE) Xperia X10!) – tin can you say ‘incoming surfeit of Android phones’?!

Up until now, the Google Nexus One has only been available if you’ve been volition to steal it directly from the big G, using Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Checkout. I’d calculated the value to be about Ј385, give or take some currency fluctuations, so it’s going to be fascinating what cost it ranges with on Vodafone UK.

I have to say, referring back to my earlier point, it really is fascinating/odd (delete as applicable) that Vodafone is releasing quaternary Android devices at pretty much the same metre – my thinking would be surely staggering them would wealthy person provided a more constant quantity freeing docket – particularly if it could assist with the prohibitionist spells for new devices later in the year.

Anyhow, it’s the prerogative of Vodafone for their French telephone release schedules, and it’s fair to say that consumers ar going away to be spoilt for choice once all the devices become available. Personally, I think I’ll got for the HTC desire – what about y’all?

Check out the registration for the Google Nexus One on Vodafone UK here.

[Via: Omio]

When it comes to mobile internet search, alliances ar short-lived and loyalties are looser than, well, you get the distributor point. AT&T (New York Stock Exchange: T) recently kicked Google (NSDQ: GOOG) off the Android-powered Motorola BackFlip, in ordering to get in layer with Yahoo as the default hunt locomotive on the smartphone. Now, T-Mobile River (New York Stock Exchange: DT) United States Army has up and shuffled Google out the door to make quad for Yahoo. The 2-class correspondence between Yahoo and T-Mobile is apparently no more, and the twenty-five percent-largest US wireless aircraft carrier is look elsewhere for mobile search. That elsewhere is Google.

To keep with the search-is-promiscuous-business theme, net ball’s revisit T-Mobile’s not too long ago wedding to Yahoo. The partnership between Yahoo and T-Mobile River was supposed to be beautiful. It birthed a new T-Mobile vane portal vein, it spread to many handsets, but alas, the union did not last. Today, things are different. The Magenta aircraft carrier has apparently decided that there’s nonentity keeping it tied to Yahoo and has already turned to Google’s waiting coat of arms.

The deal should boost Google’s bruised self, coming off the “burn” delivered by AT&ere;T, by means of the BackFlip. It’s not clear what the terms of the deal were, but mobile hunt deals aren’t anything to scoff at. It recently cost Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) a sang-froid one-half billion (with a “B”) dollars to get Bing on deck as the default search engine on Sprint (NYSE: S) phones.

It’s not open how long T-Mobile’s commitment to Google is at this point, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see them look for a new search partner in the not too distant future tense. That’s how things go in the crazy mobile hunt biz. Hey, father’t hatred the playa, hate the game.

[Via: paidContent]

Adobe’s Connect Pro Mobile River for the iPhone and iPod Touch is a solidness, free means to connect to Web conferences on the go, but what’s really interesting is that this is the first base app that has shoehorned Flash on the platform. The app was created in Flash Professional CS5 beta and uses Adobe’s Packager converter to work on the iPhone.

As for the app itself, it gives mobile workers the power to union Adobe Connect session over Wi-Fi or 3G. It includes video recording and blind-sharing capabilities, live text chatting and VoIP merging audio can be streamed to the handsets. The app is free but the Connect service costs businesses at least $45 a month.

I poked around with the app a little and it looked clean and functional, which is a good indicator of what can come from Adobe’s converter. Flash developers distillery greatly outnumber iPhone developers but we all know Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) chief executive officer Steve Jobs isn’t a big buff of Flash. The Packager should be a good workaround for some Flash content creators to get on this increasingly-important chopine.

Adobe Connect Pro Mobile River (Free) [iTunes Link]

[Via Adobe]