Comscore have released their Q4 2011 numbers for smartphone market share in the United States. Earlier reports suggested Apple would take a great chunk of the share back from Android with the launch of the iPhone 4S, and while they did have a great spurt to close the year out it didn’t hurt Android as much as some might have thought it would.

They found that Android still grew 2.5% more over the previous quarter at 47.3% vs 44.8%. Apple, on the other hand, grew 2.2% more over the previous quarter with 29.6% vs 27.4%. Everyone else is on the decline, a trend that has held true for quite some time now. RIM now only owns 16% and despite what Steve Ballmer would have you believe, Microsoft is falling, too, at 4.7%.

RIM has recently shaken things up by getting a new CEO who wishes to inspire change for Blackberry OS and within their ranks overall. Needing developers in order to create a robust apps marketplace for users, they’ve recently began poaching Android users by making it easy for developers to port their applications to Blackberry. They’re even offering developers free devices for doing so.

Microsoft is relying on Windows Phone 7 as it is. They believe they have a very good operating system, and they do, but it remains to be seen whether or not users will be willing to leave Android and iOS.

Some suggest that Windows’s slow start is not an issue as Android suffered the same slow start only to become the leading and fastest growing operating system worldwide. It remains to be seen if history will repeat itself. Take a look at the full slate above.

Android Phone Fans

As a long time Android user since the G1 days, I have to say having a choppy browser has been one of the areas that has really irked me about Android devices. Watching all those smug iPhone users with their super fluid browser, scrolling up and down, in and out, I have to admit — I was jealous. Now, with this new generation of dual-core superphones, you would expect all the browsers, across all devices to be nice, smooth and silky, right? Wrong.

If you’re sitting on an upgrade, on the fence about which new device to get, maybe this collection of videos from our very own Android Forums member, Medion, will help push you over the edge. Who comes out on top? Who’s cuisine reigns supreme? As a reference, we’re including the iPhone 4S because… c’mon — it’s damn smooth.

Apple iPhone 4S

Galaxy Nexus

Samsung Galaxy S II

Motorola Droid RAZR

HTC Rezound

After watching these videos, have they possibly changed your mind at all on a future purchase? Granted, there are other factors that influence value like camera and manufacturer UI’s. But when it comes to browsers, I can tell you I’m seeing things in a whole new light. I’m talking to you, Rezound. Get your choppiness together.

[Via AndroidForums]

Android Phone Fans

Happy Thursday, everyone! It’s time for another episode of the Android Overload. This is the place you can turn when the news from throughout the day hasn’t quite quenched your hunger for all things Android and mobile. We’ve gathered the top news stories that didn’t make it onto our front page from throughout the day and placed them conveniently here for you to soak up. If you find something interesting, leave your thoughts. We’d love to hear them.

• Galaxy Nexus page says “Buy Now.” For now, redirects to register page. Thanks, TheStapher7! [Google]
• YouMail pulled from the Android Market at “T-Mobile’s request.” [TheVerge]
• Spacetime Studios brings their games from the Android Market to desktops. [SpacetimeStudios]
• French court rejects Samsung’s bid to block iPhone 4S sales. [Reuters]
• T-Mobile wants to fly 3 lucky winners home for the holidays. [TMoNews]
• AT&T’s 4G LTE goes live in San Francisco. [Engadget]
• Skype security flaw exposes users location. [BGR]

Android Phone Fans

A new Samsung ad spot surfaced today, taking a few jabs at those dedicated iPhone users who are blinded by their devotion to all things Apple. While it doesn’t come officially from Samsung Mobile’s YouTube channel, one ‘Tuber did manage to upload the vid (most likely ripped from a DVR) for all the Android fanboys to laugh along with.

In the video you have the typical long line of people anxiously waiting for the new iPhone 4S. While getting antsy, they spot someone with a Galaxy S II and after comparing it with their iPhone 4, they’re left wondering why their smartphone isn’t as cool. I should point out that not one person leaves the line but they all are wowed by the Android device they never knew existed.

It’s all fun, lighthearted stuff and while I did enjoy the video myself, I’m not going to get all “fanboy” on you and insult anyone who decides on an iPhone over an Android device. It’s all a matter of preference. Remember, they’re only “iSheep” if they’re blindly following the brand (like the creative barrista in this video). Check out the video below and let me know what you think.

Android Phone Fans

Speaking today in South Korea, Google executive Eric Schmidt didn’t face many easy questions. Schmidt fielded two particularly interesting questions, one relating to the recent acquisition of Motorola by Google and another concerning statement’s made by Steve Jobs to his biographer Walter Isaacson. First on the issue of Motorola, Schmidt said,

“We will run it sufficiently and independently, that it will not violate the openness of Android…we’re not going to change in any material way the way we operate."

This once again reiterates the sentiment that Motorola won’t receive preferential treatment and Google will not be diving headfirst into the hardware manufacturing game. While many still question whether the decision was a wise move, most tend to believe the buyout was a knee-jerk reaction to an onslaught of high-caliber lawsuits. Motorola’s patent portfolio was as much a motivator as anything.

Moving on, Schmidt was queried about this quote from the Steve Jobs:

"I will spend every penny of Apple’s $ 40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong. I’m going to destroy Android, because it’s a stolen product. I’m willing to go thermonuclear war on this."

Schmidt avoided a direct answer, choosing not to rebut Jobs’ statement out of respect for the recently passed tech innovator. The most he could provide was a fact, one that is hard to dispute.

“Steve is a fantastic human being and someone who I miss very dearly. As a general comment, I think most people would agree that Google is a great innovator and I would also point out that the Android effort started before the iPhone effort."

Android was founded in 2003 and bought by Google in 2005, two years before the introduction of the first iPhone in 2007. Android and iOS have grown up a lot in that timespan, but neither is completely innocent when it comes to poaching features from the competition. It’s a far cry from the early version of Android pictures above.

My own personal response to the Jobs quote? Apple should save their money. Competition is a good thing, no need to blow every penny out of spite.

[via MobileCrunch]

Android Phone Fans

Sure, Apple sold over 4 million iPhone 4S handset over the weekend, but can it survive a fall from waist height? Apple’s decision to got with glass on both the front and back of the handset looks beautiful, but in practical terms creates a rather fragile handset. The true beauty of its design is typically covered by and array of not-so-pretty cases. The Samsung Galaxy S II, on the other hand, features plastic casing and carries on a tradition of durable screen materials started with the original Galaxy S. So, when a group of overprivileged hipsters spent their parent’s money on a pair of high-end smartphones, which would you expect to emerge from a drop onto hard concrete with less damage?

The iPhone 4S saw its glass (both sides of it) shatter on first impact. The Samsung Galaxy S II walked away with some minor scratches and dings, but you might never guess it was dropped directly unto its screen. Hardly a scientific study, but someone had to be that guy and buy the brand new iPhone that many had no chance to get only to smash it mockingly on the internet for all to see.

[via Gizmodo]

Android Phone Fans

As Android users, we know today’s announced iPhone 4S will quickly be eclipsed by the fabled Nexus Prime to be (hopefully) announced during next week’s CTIA trade show. But how does Apple’s latest and greatest stack up to some of the Android devices currently available on the market? Well, Samsung was nice enough to provide us with this handy chart showcasing a quick comparison chart between the reigning king of Androids, the Samsung Galaxy S II and Apple’s newest heavy hitter — the iPhone 4S. Pound for pound who will come out on top? I think you may already know the answer. (Ding, ding!)

While there’s no denying Apple has released another solid product, that product is also playing catch-up with Android. The iPhone 4S may be a welcome upgrade for iPhone users but when it comes to Android –  this is nothing but old news. This chart could be a great tool in helping some friends or loved ones possibly on the fence of an iPhone 4S purchase. It’s easy to see which of these 2 devices is already the better value without shoving anything down anyone’s throat. Can’t wait to see Samsung provide the same chart once the Nexus Prime is officially announced. Spoiler: It’s going to be a massacre.

Android Phone Fans

Apple’s back in court manipulating evidence again, it seems. After being accused of manipulating evidence when it was found that they made the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 appear to have a 4:3 aspect ratio when it really had a 16:9 aspect ratio, Apple decided to bring their awesome photoshop skills to the phone side.

In recent evidence submitted by Apple to a Dutch court, Apple is purporting that the Galaxy S is the same height and roughly the same width as the iPhone. We all know that this is not the case. The iPhone has a 3.5 inch display compared to the Galaxy S’s and the Galaxy S is about 7 millimeters taller and 2 millimeters wider than the iPhone. (I should note that the devices’ real specs are disclosed to the court.)

Even with the slight deceit in size, knowledgeable dutch lawyers take offense to Apple’s actions, stating that it’s inappropriate for them to repeatedly present inaccurate evidence in hopes to sway the judge to favor them.

“It surprises me that for the second time incorrect presentations of a Samsung product emerge in photographic evidence filed in litigation,” says Mark Krul, a Dutch lawyer who specializes in IT and intellectual property law. “This is not appropriate and undermines Apple’s credibility both inside and outside the court room.”

On the other hand, some are arguing that it’s OK for Apple to change scaling as long as they don’t warp the aspect ratio. Considering these phones have nearly identical aspect ratios, that would’ve been hard for them to pull off if they wanted to make their case on the phones’ size and shape being identical. The photo to the right of the phones show the real height and width of the Samsung Galaxy S compared to the iPhone. It’s not that big of a difference, but it’s significant enough to call foul.

Oh, and don’t you think it’s a bit unfair of Apple to show their homescreen next to the Galaxy S’s app drawer? Compare apples to apples, Apple, because I don’t see anything even resembling a widget on your homescreen – just a bunch of folders and apps. No word yet on if this piece evidence will be invalidated. [WebWereld via Computer World UK, Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Android Phone Fans

I came across this little graphic the other day and all I could think was, “So true!” If it’s one thing I love in Android, it’s the community. Whether it’s on Twitter or Facebook the fact that a single mobile OS could bring together people from every walk of life is truly amazing/nerdy/magical. I honestly can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve started, or people have started with me regarding nothing other than my Android powered device. For instance, I saw this guy seriously rocking an HTC Legend at Costco the other day and immediately striked up a conversation trying to get my hands on it (the phone, that is).

This is in no way bashing, iPhone users. I just feel like that smartphone in general is a lot more mainstream than any one specific Android powered device. I don’t usually see people as excited about their iPhone as say someone who has the latest Android powered superphone. And that’s fine. I still think the iPhone is cool (I pretty much love anything that has a microchip in it) and I’m not trying to start a flame war here.

Its just when it comes to Android power users, the ones who have fallen in love with the OS, we are the ones who tend to be a little more social when it comes to devices (as pictured above). I mean, many times it’s us, the vocal minority, who continue to shape the landscape of the mobile industry demanding the highest powered phones, latest firmware and unlocked bootloaders for the rest of the casual to benefit from. We’re the ones who get our family members on board. We’re the ones who offer countless hours of “tech support” to friends and families. We’re the ones who make a difference. Well, as much as a smartphone can make in someone’s life.

So what do you guys think? Think this image is true or false? Care to share any instances (no matter how old) where you saw someone with a new or rare Android phone and maybe struck up a convo because of it?

Android Phone Fans

Surprise, surprise. After Apple requested to take a peak at various new and upcoming products from Samsung as part of their lawsuit against the Korean manufacturer, the legal wizards at Samsung thought it might be a good idea to ask for the same in return. Instead of revealing their unreleased iPhone and iPad designs to “the copyist” (yes, that is how Apple refers to Samsung in the most recent filing), Apple responded with claims of harassment. Come on, Samsung. You didn’t really think they would show you theirs if you would show them yours, did you?

[via AppleInsider]

Android Phone Fans