Season's greetings...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our valued readership (you know who you are) from the editors and contributors to AndroidNZ. We're having a well-earned break over the next few days, so you might find the place a little echoey, but we'll be back bigger, brighter and better than ever.

All the best from the Team. :-)

Apple's attempt to force ban on Galaxy Tab 10.1N in Germany fails

The same Dusseldorf court that enforced the sales ban on Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Germany has rejected Apple's bid to have its successor, the 10.1N, banned in the German market. The presiding judge has found in Samsung's favour that the Germany-specific model doesn't infringe on Apple's design patents and Samsung will continue to sell the 10.1N in the country.

While the final ruling will have to wait until February 9th, the decision has effectively been made and Apple has lost its latest attempt at marketing by litigation, another high profile setback for the Cupertino based consumer electronics giant. However, Apple has ongoing court cases in other countries besides Germany, and this latest reversal is unlikely to dampen the company's enthusiasm for suing its competitors out of markets across the globe.

Recently Apple succeeded in having the US ITC impose a ban on certain HTC handset sales in the country, a rather thin victory as it transpires with HTC announcing yesterday that there is already a workaround for the alleged patent infringing processes flagged by the ITC. The ban wouldn't be applied until April and would also only apply to new imports at that time, so is unlikely to have any effect on HTC at all.

Apple is in turn being sued by HTC, Samsung, Motorola and others in various world courts, some of which are considered likely to enforce bans on the iGadgets targeted by those court cases.

Source: Bloomberg

Android activations exceed 700k per day

A few hours ago, Android’s Andy Rubin rocked the blogosphere with the announcement that more than seven hundred thousand Android devices are activated each day, up from the previous paltry daily count of 550,000, reported in late July. Well, ‘paltry’ might be a slight misnomer, but 700k+ is one heck of a jump from there. This latest information effectively scotches the speculation that Android's growth had peaked, and opens up the probability that one million activations a day will be announced within weeks.


Rubin also took the opportunity in a tweet to put the anti-Android brigade in their place with the confirmation that Google’s activation measurement is based on unique first-time connections, and doesn't include any refurbishment repeat activation, or OS upgrades as earlier claimed by Apple’s Steve Jobs and continually repeated by the Cupertino iGadget maker's supporters since.


This new figure is a revealing insight into how popular the Android platform has become relative to its closest competitor, Apple’s iOS, which was last reported as being activated at ~230,000 per day in September 2010. Since Android’s stunning growth saw it pass the iOS activation rate, somewhat tellingly Apple has stopped publishing its own activation information.


In the US, where Apple traditionally enjoys a ‘home ground’ advantage in market share, iOS share is roughly half that of Android, and in Australasia, where iOS has enjoyed a serious dominance in the past, Android is now the leading platform by a small margin. The trend though, is for Android ascendency in this region much as it is globally.


Source: Twitter, Google+

Amazon: Kindle topping 1 million sales a week

The Kindle family of devices, started in 2007 with the introduction of the original Kindle, has always been a popular electronic and shown good sales numbers due to its ease of use, portability and price. The Kindle's foundation was built upon offering a simple device that allowed users to read at an affordable price. Through it's success, Amazon has now expanded the family to several models which include the Touch, FIre and Original.

Just recently, Amazon announced that the sales of Kindle devices has been topping 1 million weekly, consistent for 3 weeks. The most recent addition, the Fire, is marketed as an iPad alternative that matches several features with some omissions that lead to a 199$ pricetag. Currently, Amazon is losing money on each Fire sold, but with these increasing sales numbers, they could soon be making a profit as component prices decrease.

As we approach the holiday season, a Kindle would be a terrific gift to give a relative or friend that is into reading, whether it be books or news. I still believe the Kindle is the way to go for as authentic and reliable a reading experience on an electronic device. As far as accessories go, US users can pick them up directly on the Amazon website, European based users should take a look at the products offered by MobileFun, such as their Kindle covers and Kindle cases.

The success of the Kindle should continue to grow as users find the benefits of owning such as functional device. In the tablet market, Amazon has managed to penetrate greatly while only being in the market for a little over a month. Maybe other manufacturers should focus on their own approach and style rather than trying to be as similar to the iPad.

American Airlines chooses Galaxy Tab for elite passenger entertainment

Say goodbye to the rubbish in-seat entertainment devices you've been suffering - American Airlines has chosen the Galaxy Tab 10.1 to revolutionise its in-flight offering.

In a move that sets the standard for competing airlines, Samsung's flagship device will be the Premium Class offering going forward. The initial release features more than seventy movies and a number of TV series, a huge range of individual television programmes, plus musical channels to meet every taste. Or so their marketing spokes-captain claims. He adds: "Today's news is the latest in a series of investments we've made in our focus on product and service enhancements for our premium customers, and we know they will be delighted with the contemporary entertainment experience of the tablet."

Which may even be true.

The Tab is likely to feature an American Airlines-specific interface and will get additional content such as games, access to social networking and e-reader publications, courtesy of AA.

That is, if Apple doesn't get a tame judge to award an injunction against them in the meantime.

Source: American Airlines PR

Apple's failed ban attempt in Oz helps Samsung

Samsung Australia's spokesman says Apple's court case against the Galaxy Tab 10.1 has made the product a "household name", a bonus for the Korean phone maker obviously unintended by the Cupertino tech giant. The Tab is already being sold following a ruling that finally legitimized its sales in Oz. Now, Samsung is reportedly experiencing a stellar sales period, the Galaxy Tab and the Galaxy Nexus both appearing in store for the first time in Australia.

The intense media coverage generated by the Apple-instigated court battle has made the Galaxy Tab a "household name", according to Samsung's Tyler McGee, exceeding the buzz that their normal marketing effort would have achieved. So much so, the spokesman stated, that "there will probably be short supply against the demand". Not a terrible position to be in, one would imagine.

Foad Fadaghi, Telsyte telecomms specialist, expects that Samsung will take the number two spot in the Australian tablet market. Apple, the current leader, has seen its position in the worldwide market drop heavily from virtually pwning it a year ago, to its current 50%. While that's still an enormous lead over its nearest manufacturer competitor, the trend certainly looks ominous for the iPad creator.

In addition to the Tab 10.1, Samsung intends to market the 7.7" version alongside its larger sibling in the lead-up to Christmas, and the 8.9" variant will appear on the shelves in Q1 of the new year.

McGee also confirmed that from August 2011, "the number one overall brand in mobile phones in Australia and also the number one brand in smartphones" was Samsung, effectively demoting Apple's iPhone to also-ran status. Which helps explain Apple's willingness to court criticism (excuse the pun) over its propensity for litigation instead of competition. They have a great deal to lose.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

NPD research shows tablet users avoiding cellular data connection

At least in the Yoo Ess of Eh, the proportion of cellular-connected tablets, already a minority, is trending even lower.

Between April and October this year, the percentage of "WiFi-only" tablet connections increased from 60% to 65%, at the expense of the "WiFi plus cellular" and "cellular-only" segments. As you'd expect with a device that relies on connectivity to function as intended, the percentage of "no connectivity" users basically halved - although you have to wonder what on earth that latter group actually uses their tablet for at all.

Graphic courtesy of NPD

Video Review: SGP Flex Screenshield for Galaxy Nexus

On my previous SGP screenshield review, the Ultra Oleophobic, several viewers complained about the lack of screen coverage of the protector - due in part to the curved glass display on your beloved Galaxy Nexus. Since the Ultra Oleophobic is a Dry-apply screen protector, any sort of curvature would cause bubbling, so SGP was confined to keep the screenshield coverage on flatter areas of the display.

For those users that weren't fans of the exposed glass, the SGP Flex is the screenshield for you. This is an ultra clear, wet-apply screenshield made to offer maximum protection and coverage on your display. The packaging comes with 2 protector, a squeegee, microfiber cloth and the install solution.

Below I've posted a video showcasing both the installation and a review of the protector;

The Galaxy Nexus "Real-user" Review: Part 1 - Initial impressions, design/build quality, benchmarks, software and user experience

Image courtesy of GalaxyNexus.com

Sometimes being a gadget loving geek can be tough. I have to manage two Android phones, an Android tablet, play with accessories like the Breffo SpiderPodium and sometimes NZtechfreak even has the audacity to send me new devices! I mean who wants to test out a cutting edge devices all the time?

Well, actually I do! And that’s why I’m now writing a review for the official Google handset of 2011, the Galaxy Nexus. While you poor sots are stuck with devices running Gingerbread (or earlier), I’m being treated to a much tastier morsel – Ice Cream Sandwich, with a pretty sweet piece of hardware to boot.

If you’re interested in finding out what I thought then keep reading after the jump:

Tech Crunch outs Apple as feeding a patent troll

In keeping with its strategy for world domination in consumer electronics, (and more relevant to AndroidNZ, the world of mobile devices), Apple has surreptitiously transferred a dozen patents that it previously "owned" to a non-existent corporate entity called Cliff Island LLC.

Tech crunch have done a little digging and it appears that Cliff Island is a shell company, sharing a physical address with Altitude Capital, the main investor behind patent trolling company Digitude Innovations (ironic name, n'est pas?).

Cliff Island then transferred those same patents to Digitude who have now filed a suit with the ITC (International Trade Commission) in the US against basically all the smartphone and tablet makers selling in America - except Apple, that is. How mysterious.

So what we're seeing here is Apple suing its competitors out of the market, yet again, but this time by proxy. And it's interesting that the patent transfers have taken place under some sneaky back-room sleight of hand.

The whole article and its links to a Forbes piece on Digitude can be read at the Tech Crunch site. It's worth a look at just how out of control Apple has become, and the folks at TC deserve the clicks for their excellent effort in bringing this to light.

This seems to be a case where the US DOJ may yet be involved. Interesting times.

Source: Tech Crunch

EU-wide sales ban on 3G iPhone and iPad awarded by German Court

In another reversal for litigation-happy Apple, Motorola Mobility has succeeded in obtaining a ruling banning 3G enabled iOS powered devices across the EU. The preliminary injunction, awarded Friday in the Mannheim regional court, is subject to appeal - something that Apple is certain to do.

Their first act will be to request a stay of the injunction in order to prepare their appeal, an act which will allow the iPhones and iPads affected to remain on the market until the results of the appeal are heard. However, the findings by the court are such that a stay is not automatic and should the preliminary injunction be enforced, Motorola Mobility will be required to pay a 100 million Euro bond as a hedge against harm to Apple should their appeal succeed later. Apple's request for the bond to be set at €2 billion was rejected by the court as manifestly excessive.

Apple fails to re-establish Galaxy Tab 10.1 ban in Oz

The contenders face off in the stores for a change

Despite Apple gaining a further week's continuance of the injunction against the Galaxy Tab 10.1 to plead their case for an appeal hearing, the Australian Federal Court has today denied that plea. As a result, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be on sale in time for Christmas. A week ago, the Court found that in granting the temporary ban in the first place, the original judge hadn't properly considered the evidence, however Apple's lawyers used the legal system to extend the injunction for a further week, supposedly seeking "special leave" to appeal the appeal, and in doing so surely caused more financial harm to Samsung in the lead up to Christmas.

Hardware Comparison Video: Galaxy Nexus vs Nexus S

With the recent release of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, my Nexus S no longer became my daily driver device. It served me very well during the 8 month span that I used it and I am eager to try out Ice Cream Sandwich on it once officially released. As bad a phone as people may think it to be, I loved my Nexus S due to a combination of battery life, performance and design. While the back cover was so annoyingly glossy, it added a certain characteristic to the device.

So today I wanted to bring you guys a quick comparison video on aspects that I thought were important such as Displays, Processors and Cameras. You'll see a lot of the Nexus S' shortcomings were greatly improved with the release of the Galaxy Nexus, and while it may be a terrific handset, I still believe it should have set the bar for future android devices in a more noticeable way.

Below you'll find the video comparison - enjoy!

10c Android deals continue with another 10 apps!

Yesterday we announced that Google is celebrating its 10 billionth app download by giving away 10 apps at 10c each.

If you missed out on those deals don't despair, according to Android on Google+ there are now another 10 Apps available for 10c to continue celebrating (and that's NZD too!).

Here's what's up for grabs

• AirSync by DoubleTwist: http://goo.gl/EFPYE
• Beautiful Widgets: http://goo.gl/nLllP
• Bernstein Bears Bedtime Battle: http://goo.gl/OrkLr
• Christmas HD: http://goo.gl/bVZ06
• Flick Golf: http://goo.gl/Yo9T0
• Fruit Ninja: http://goo.gl/Zp9Jx
• NFL Rivals: http://goo.gl/dnSE8
• Read it Later Pro: http://goo.gl/TrMz1
• Reckless Racing: http://goo.gl/jQSU8
• Star Chart: http://goo.gl/IsRyY

You'd best get in quick as these deals only last for 24hrs

Sources:
Android Market
Android on Google+

Bargain budget phone: $150 Telecom LG P500

If you're curious about Android or have a family member who is then you definitely need to check out this deal going on over at Harvey Norman. $150 for a phone that is the Android equivalent of an iPhone 3GS is a pretty great deal. This version even comes upgraded to Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread so should be fairly up to date in the software department.

The only potential downside here is that the device is Telecom XT compatible meaning if you use it on Vodafone/2Degrees you won't get 3G outside of metro areas.

Tablet wars heat up: Fire to grab big market share...

Canaccord Genuity analyst Walkley predicts Amazon's tablet share will grab 15.3% from a standing start in Q4 of 2011, an absolutely stunning result for the company in getting its trojan horse loss-leader in the hands of their clients.


Amazon expects to make up any short term loss on the hardware from the increased sales it'll achieve through use of the device. And given the popularity of the Fire already, it looks to be a dead cert that they're right.


In what is increasingly seen as a blow to Apple's quest for world domination in the tablet sector, the iPad maker's share of the pie continues to shrink, even more rapidly now that the Fire has inflamed the public's imagination (forgive the bad pun), every Android tablet sale being potentially a lost iPad one.

Unannounced promo - top titles for 10c on the Market! Looks like the Android Market has crossed 10 billion downloads!

I woke up this morning this morning to see an intriguing news piece spilling on what looked initially like a glitch in the Android Market - certain top apps were suddenly available to purchase for 10c in whatever your local currency is. Naturally I jumped straight in and by the time I looked I was greeted with the screen you see on your right.

Hitting up the link to the premium apps link takes you to a page titled the 10 Billion Promo, which presumably means the Market has recently crossed a momentous threshold for app downloads and Google wants to celebrate.

Currently the following titles can be had for just 10c:

• Great Little War Game
• Asphalt 6
• Sketchbook Mobile
• Minecraft
• Soundhound
• Endomondo Pro
• Swiftkey X
• Paper Camera
• Fieldrunners HD
• Colour and Draw for Kids

I already owned half of these excellent titles, and just now purchased the other half for the paltry sum of $0.50NZD.

If you look at some of the icons in the promo banner you can see many apps like Read it Later and Fruut Ninja that don't appear in the current selection of apps, so it looks like there is more to come!

What are waiting for? Jump in and grab some of the Market's best titles at prices that feel like theft!

Via Droidgamers

The Fortnight in Android news for 7th December

Due to the hectic Christmas schedules we plucky editors are currently fending off with pointy objects, we’ve been a wee bit swamped here at Android NZ, so consider this a bumper NOTW post – we’ve got a bit of catching up to do, but there’s loads more great content coming your way very soon, folks. Stay tuned, and in the meantime, here’s what we’ve been up to:

[Review] Three days with Windows Phone 7

Put phones seventh?

Windows Phone 7, Microsoft’s current foray into the wonderful world of smartphones, has just gotten a three-day run-down by yours truly in the form of the Dell Venue Pro. Can it stand in for a top of the line Android handset? Is it worth your time? Why is a site about Android devoting space to a competing OS? All these questions and more will be answered – read on, if you dare.


[Note from the Editor in Chief: I firmly believe this is a must-read. Even though we're obviously Android fans here, I think having an open mind to what else is out there is a great attribute to foster. Regardless of how you feel about competing OS, there is no doubt that we're all better off for competition and innovation - if you want the best from Android then I think you should also be wishing success to it's competitors. I was actually going to write a piece like this, but my colleague has beaten me to the punch (probably for the best, he's a better writer than me). Enjoy this one, for me it's one of the best articles I've seen all year at an Android site, and do try keep an open mind people!]

Video Review: SGP Ultra Oleophobic Screenshield for Samsung Galaxy Nexus

A lot of people think it isn't necessary to use a screen protector on a device with either Corning or 'fortified' glass, as we find on the Galaxy Nexus. These materials aren't scratch proof, they are more scratch resistant, but not scratch proof. For this reason I take the precaution of always installing a screen protector.

The folks over at SGP were kind enough to send out a couple of new products for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and I'll be taking a look at their Ultra Oleophobic screenshield first. I've used this screenshield countless times in the past and have been nothing short of pleased. It maintains great screen clarity and feel, while adding a coating of oil repellence.

Below you'll find a quick video showing how I install these screen protectors and some added thoughts about the product:

Google blocks Market account of popular video player developer Inisoft without notice; needs to up it's game

Readers here are probably familiar the name Dice Player. It's one of my favourite Android apps, and an absolute must for anyone who likes to watch HD video on their Android phone or tablet - if it supports your device then there is no better video player for your device. Period.

You can imagine then my shock when I received this Tweet from Inisoft, the developers of Dice Player:

@NZtechfreak Google block our market account without any notice.

Whoa, what?!

Sure enough I dove straight into the Market and searching for Dice Player brings up only the free trial version of the app. There are already reviews on the free trial from other concerned users unable to install the paid version [Aside: I absolutely hate undeserved one-star reviews, don't give Dice Player one-star reviews for this, and to those who did - please stop rating apps in the Market, you make it a worse place for all of us you jackasses].

I clarified some more with Inisoft, and at this stage they have not been supplied any reason from Google (and won't be able to get any answers from El Goog until Monday, way to leave us all in the lurch good n proper Google).

Maybe I'm alone here, but this strikes me as terrible. Google is hurting a not only a good developer with a great product, but also the end user here. If they'd just given a reason then I'd feel more inclined to cut them a little slack, but they didn't manage even that small courtesy.

It's not good enough Google. Get your house in order.

Kindle Fire takes tablet second place in just two weeks!

Practically two years following the launch of the original iPad, a competitor has finally emerged to take on Apple's “post-PC” gizmo. Sales so far suggest the Kindle Fire offers an appealing blend of pricing, marketing and ecosystem, certainly enough to capture tablet buyers not already wedded to Apple's own closed model. 

Amazon is predicted to ship 3.9 million Kindle Fire tablets during Q4 2011, as reported by iSuppli, giving the company 13.8% of global tablet shipments. Samsung will occupy the #3 spot with an estimated 4.8%. Market leader Apple will drop its share from 69.7% to 65.6%, its fourth consecutive drop, according to the tracking company. 

At $US199, Kindle Fire just ignited the Android tablet market. Amazon plans to use its new device to help sell its other inventory, the company’s core business, so it has no hesitation in selling the Fire as a loss-leader, something most other competitors can't mimic.

With every Kindle Fire, US owners receive a free one-month membership to Amazon Prime, free access to movies and TV, and access to the Kindle ebook lending library. It's not clear what additional benefits Fire owners outside the US will be eligible for, but each market will undoubtedly get its own market-specific perks.

Source: iSuppli

Apple fails to halt Samsung Galaxy sales in US

A District Court judge in the US on Friday refused a preliminary injunction request by Apple to halt sales of three Galaxy S based smartphones and its Tab 10.1 tablet, stating that the Cupertino gadgeteer had failed to convince her that it was likely to succeed in achieving a permanent ban.

Without such likelihood, the judge found that there was a possibility that a wrongful market withdrawal would result. The upshot is that Samsung would be disadvantaged in the market, something she was apparently reluctant to countenance. She also found that Apple had failed to convince her that it would be “irreparably harmed” if a preliminary injunction were not granted. 

The iPad patents she believed to be such that they were likely to be found obvious, and Samsung's case that the patents were invalid, had merit.

Adding weight to the increasing realisation that lawsuits are now a defacto part of Apple's standard marketing operation, self-styled IP guru Florian Mueller was moved to pronounce “If Apple wants to defend market share against Samsung... it really needs to focus on solid technical patents instead”, something that will be less attractive than the “look and feel” suits the iPhone maker has preferred up to now.

It's said that there would be less likelihood of Apple achieving preliminary injunction bans on its competitors without the "irreparable harm" claim being accepted, a hard row for Apple to hoe when technical infringement is the point of argument. Apple might have to resort to actual advertising. Quelle horreur!


The full case between Apple and Samsung is docketed to begin July 30 2012.

Source: PC World

Video Review: Diztronic Matte Black TPU case for Samsung Galaxy Nexus

With my recent acquisition of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, I'm eager to start reviewing cases and accessories for the device here on the AndroidNZ site, unfortunately these products take time to make so I'm left waiting as manufacturers slowly release their products to the market. I did however manage to get my hands on the Diztronic (formerly known as TPU-cases) Matte Black TPU case for my beloved Nexus.

Surprisingly enough, these cases were actually released previous to the device, which at first made me hesitant to try them out. The fit and finish on these is spectacular though, they fit snug on your device and the soft touch backing is both comfortable and clean looking. As a TPU case, you'll receive an average level of protection from bumps, drops and scratches - which is more than enough for the average user.

The cutouts on the case are precise and spot-on, the exception being the volume rocker cover which seems to be offset, causing some issues when pressing down on the button. Apart from that, the case looks great with the smooth black backing and the glossy front lip that matches the screen.

Below you can find the full review;

Samsung Galaxy Note: Complete review

Well, for ease of navigation I thought I'd aggregate all my Galaxy Note review instalments into one mega-review for your reading pleasure.

Before embarking on a mission to read the full review please take some time to put the kettle on, make a couple of plungers of coffee, or start pre-warming your espresso machine; this one goes LOOOONG.

If you've already taken the plunge and pulled the trigger on the Note, and want to know how to Root your Galaxy Note head here.