Android

40 percent of online ads delivered via iDevices

Another sign appeared Friday further suggesting Android's 'build it and they will use it' mantra just isn't working. Apple's family of iDevices - ranging from the iPod touch to the iPhone and iPad - represent 40 percent of online ads delivered. Despite Android's numerical advantage, Samsung placed second with 26 percent, per ad network Millennial Media...

China Mobile ‘has all of the power’ in iPhone talks as Apple makes concessions

Apple usually is in the cat-bird seat when it comes to negotiations. The brand's allure, coupled with billions in cash and a handset responsible for rocketing smartphone sales has made the iPhone maker a brutal negotiator. Now comes word Apple may have made concessions in order to get the world's largest carrier on its team.

Just what Apple had to concede to gain support from China Mobile varies from a low-priced iPhone 5C to even a slice of some profits. While the latter possibility is rather far-fetched, observers agree: the Chinese carrier "has all the power" in these negotiations...

Apple’s iPhone grows to 43 percent of US smartphones

Continued good news for Apple in the United States. The iPhone has more than 43 percent of the domestic market, marking a 7.8 percent jump over the July quarter of 2012. The increase appears to be largely at the expense of Android, which saw its share of the U.S. market fall during the period.

Additionally, although the market share of iOS declined throughout much of Europe, the iPhone in Great Britain saw a 7.8 percent jump between the three-month period of 2012 and 2013, according to an analytics firm...

KitKat pokes fun of Apple’s design prowess

You've likely learned by now about this morning's surprise Google announcement, clearly conceived as a novel way of busting up Apple's news and diverting attention from the brightening of your day.

I'm talking about the upcoming Android version 4.4, code-named KitKat after the famous chocolate-covered wafer biscuit which has apparently "been a favorite candy" on the Android team.

The though process behind the delicious partnership has now unravelled itself in a cringeworthy KitKat clip.

Not only does it spoof Apple's elaborate product videos, it does so by ridiculing the way Jony Ive and his industrial design team go about agonizing over the minutiae. Wait, a confectionery maker is parodying Apple's presentation mojo? What has this world come to?

Google announces Android 4.4 KitKat

Whoa, it's indeed been a crazy news day. First we learned that Microsoft is buying Nokia's devices division for north of $7 billion, then Apple came official with its iPhone event and now - just minutes after Apple's September 10 keynote confirmation - came word straight from the Internet giant Google that the next version of Android is going to be called KitKat.

Way to go to steal Apple's thunder, Google! I'm not kidding: the KitKat Google+ page just went live making the code-name official.

On top of this, the brown chocolate-like statue has joined the crew outside Google's Mountain View, California headquarters. Plus, the Android 4.4 web page is now live, too. Is the use of the KitKat name meant to suggest Google will now "take a break" from innovation? Go past the fold for the full reveal...

August was a bad month for Apple’s mobile web usage share

New data from web analytics firm NetApplicatons shows a significant decline in Apple's share of the mobile web, with iOS devices falling to 54.9 percent in August, a 16.7 percent drop from the 65.9 percent reported during the same month in 2012. While still less than a third of the web usage, Android experienced an increase, rising eleven percent to 28.1 percent from 21 percent in 2012...

Another Android exec leaves Google nest as Silicon Valley romance rumors swirl

It's not often that Silicon Valley gets to mix tech with romance, but there appears to be a full-blown soap opera erupting in the executive suites at Google.

Hugo Barra, who as product manager for Android was the face of Google's mobile software, is moving to China and smartphone maker Xiaomi.

But what's got tongues wagging is that Barra's departure comes amidst news that he leaves a Google romance. Google's co-founder - who just split with his wife - is on the rebound: with a Google employee. Confused? Don't worry, we'll explain it all below, as well as what the product chief's new job may mean for Android and Apple...

iOS remains developers’ first choice, report shows

Despite all the chatter about Android and other smartphone platforms trying to entice developer, when it comes to picking their first choice, developers opt for iOS. In addition, 27 percent of developers chose the iPad as their second priority compared to a fifth for Android tablets. The survey by researcher Forrester shows that while Android has the numerical lead, when it comes to developer unveiling a mobile product, iOS is considered first...

FBI and DHS label Android primary malware target

A number of Android security problems pose a threat to law enforcement officers using the Google mobile operating software.

According to an unclassified government report, 44 percent of Android users continue to use older versions of the software, opening themselves to numerous security threats, including malware infestation and malicious text messages.

According to the report, obtained from a group promoting public access to government data, Android is the "primary target" of security attacks, with 79 percent of threats...

Apple and Samsung responsible for 55 percent jump in mobile display profits

When Apple or Samsung score a win, leading the cheering section may be all the parts manufacturers building components for the popular smartphones. A case in point: mobile display manufacturers, who saw a 55 percent jump in profits between 2012 and 2013.

Increased demand for iPhone and Galaxy handsets meant revenue of $33.3 billion for the mobile display device industry in 2013, according to researcher NPD Display Search. The two handset makers are also driving demand for more complex mobile device technology, including AMOLED screens predominantly used on Samsung devices and TFT LCDs found on iOS devices...

GingerLock: yet another Android inspired Lock screen launcher

Yes, indeed. We've been graced with the likes of yet another Lock screen launcher, this one being inspired by Android no less. GingerLock emulates the style of Android's now long outdated Gingerbread release, and brings it to iOS. It's not as heavy on features like other Android inspired Lock screen launchers, but it does feature a few areas of customization that may pique your interest.

Per the norm, we've taken the opportunity to go hands on with GingerLock. Have a look at our full video walkthrough inside.

Android a frequent favorite in discount stores – until iPhone 5C arrives

Discount shoppers are more apt to buy an Android smartphone than an Apple iPhone. Indeed, Android handsets are three times as likely to be sold through discounters such as Walmart and Costco than Apple's smartphone, new research indicates. The numbers are just the latest from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP), providing insight into where and by whom Apple and Android devices are purchased...