2011 Technology News Update: Android widens its lead on iOS in the US

comScore have tallied the numbers and have come up with a report on phone usage in the US for the three month period that ends in August. They surveyed 30,000 people for the report of the 234 million American phone users over the age of 13.

Let's start with the smartphone OSes. According to comScore, Android is the leading platform by a wide margin. A margin that keeps growing no less. Apple's iOS is a solid second and is the only other OS that saw its share grow in the US.

An old time favorite, BlackBerry OS saw a 5% drop over the three month period. Microsoft's mobiles OSes combined mustered up only 5.7% and the barely there Symbian OS fell to 1.8%.

Top Smartphone Platforms 3 Month Avg. Ending Aug. 2011 vs. 3 Month Avg. Ending May 2011 Total U.S. Smartphone Subscribers Ages 13+ Source: comScore MobiLens
	Share (%) of Smartphone Subscribers
	May-11	Aug-11	Point Change
Total Smartphone Subscribers	100.0%	100.0%	N/A
Google	38.1%	43.7%	5.6
Apple	26.6%	27.3%	0.7
RIM	24.7%	19.7%	-5.0
Microsoft	5.8%	5.7%	-0.1
Symbian	2.1%	1.8%	-0.3

Apple is fourth by number of phones in the US market, counting feature phones and smartphones. They jumped from 8.7% to 9.9% over just three months. Samsung is holding fast to the first place and saw a 0.5% increase in market share.

All others lost market share. Motorola for one will soon be in danger of losing its third place to Apple, as the buffer between the two shrunk with 2.2%.

Top Mobile OEMs 3 Month Avg. Ending Aug. 2011 vs. 3 Month Avg. Ending May 2011 Total U.S. Mobile Subscribers (Smartphone & Non-Smartphone) Ages 13+ Source: comScore MobiLens
	Share (%) of Mobile Subscribers
	May-11	Aug-11	Point Change
Total Mobile Subscribers	100.0%	100.0%	N/A
Samsung	24.8%	25.3%	0.5
LG	21.1%	21.0%	-0.1
Motorola	15.1%	14.0%	-1.1
Apple	8.7%	9.8%	1.1
RIM	8.1%	7.1%	-1.0

comScore also studied how people in the US use their phones. Changes were pretty small, but it's interesting to note that all categories grew - which suggests that Americans are spending more and more time on their phones.

Mobile Content Usage 3 Month Avg. Ending Aug. 2011 vs. 3 Month Avg. Ending May 2011 Total U.S. Mobile Subscribers (Smartphone & Non-Smartphone) Ages 13+ Source: comScore MobiLens
	Share (%) of Mobile Subscribers
	May-11	Aug-11	Point Change
Total Mobile Subscribers	100.0%	100.0%	N/A
Sent text message to another phone	69.5%	70.5%	1.0
Used browser	39.8%	42.1%	2.3
Used downloaded apps	38.6%	41.6%	3.0
Accessed social networking site or blog	28.6%	30.9%	2.3
Played Games	26.9%	28.5%	1.6
Listened to music on mobile phone	18.6%	20.7%	2.1

You can read comScores full report for some more details on their study.

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A close look at BlackBerry Torch 9810 (mobile phone news update, 2011)

A fresh dose of oxygen or a new torchbearer? It doesn’t matter which one you think RIM needed to keep the flame alive. They got both in the new BlackBerry Torch 9810. Double the processing power, the new sped-up and brushed-up BlackBerry OS 7 and higher resolution displays, RIM know giving users what they need is no longer enough.

The new BlackBerry generation is encouraging users to want more. It’s not about suddenly waking the typical BlackBerry customer up to the business benefits of HD video. Nor is a bump in screen resolution and processing power enough to convince the masses to ditch their droids and iPhones and come flocking to BlackBerry.

It’s a step though.

   
BlackBerry Torch 9810 official shots

We ended our review of the original BlackBerry Torch 9800 by calling it a step in the right direction. Good to see, RIM have not lost momentum or changed direction. Quite the contrary. The BlackBerry Torch 9810 may as well be a manual on how to make a good sequel.

Key features:

• Enhanced email and data security
• 3.2" 16M-color TFT touchscreen of VGA resolution (480 x 640 pixels)
• QWERTY slider
• Quad-band GSM support and tri-band 3G with HSDPA
• Wi-Fi b/g/n connectivity
• GPS receiver and BlackBerry maps preloaded, digital compass
• 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and a LED flash
• HD video recording, 720p@30fps
• Single-core 1.2GHz processor
• 768MB RAM
• 8GB of inbuilt storage
• BlackBerry OS v7
• Fast boot functionality (if you don't remove the battery)
• Optical trackpad
• Hot-swappable microSD card slot (up to 16GB)
• DivX and Xvid video support
• Office document editor
• 3.5 mm audio jack
• Smart dialing

Main disadvantages:

• BlackBerry Internet Service account is a must to enjoy all phone features
• No Flash support for the web browser
• No NFC
• No video-call camera
• No FM radio
• No haptic feedback
• All-plastic body
• Poor loudspeaker performance

There’s almost nothing on the outside to suggest the amount of progress made inside. It’s the same phone, down to the last millimeter and gram. But it’s a major leap forward to a 1GHz+ CPU, a VGA screen, HD video and a more compelling touchscreen experience.

Things look good for the BlackBerry Torch 9810 and some of it is down to the fact that, out of all the new generation Berries, it has the most comfortable starting position. The Torch 9860 drew the shortest straw we guess, no keyboard and all. What’s the point of a BlackBerry phone that can’t give you the blackberry thumb? The Bold Touch 9900, being the flagship, will inevitably be held to higher standards.

   
BlackBerry Torch 9810 live photos

The strength of the Torch 9810 on the other hand is in its power to surprise without being unpredictable. It may keep a low profile but won’t escape the attention of anyone after a solid smart messenger. And we don’t mean the brand-loyal only. It’s the right phone to offer to long-term customers, no doubt about that. Hopefully, the added speed and skill puts it on the radar for a wider range of users too.

OK, then. What we have here is a minor facelilft and a major software upgrade. There’s supposed to be a better phone on the other end of the equation and we’re about to start discovering it.

The basic accessories

The BlackBerry Torch 9810 doesn’t get beyond the must-have items. No leather holster, not even a memory card in the package we had. A polishing cloth is the closest to a bonus there is. All the basics are covered though. You get a USB cable, a charger head and a set of 3.5mm earphones.

  
The retail package

BlackBerry Torch 9810 360-degree spin

The Torch 9810 is by no means compact, even with the slider open it struggles to hide its bulk. It seems nothing can be done about the extra padding around the waistline. At 111 x 62 x 14.6 mm, the Torch 9810 is quite a handful but that’s fair for what you get – a 3.2” touchscreen and a full QWERTY keyboard.

161 g sound too much perhaps for an all-plastic handset but we do like the solid and reliable feel all that weight seems to give. At the same time, the phone is perfectly manageable and remains reasonably pocketable.

 

Design and construction

The portrait slider is a rare from factor and we think it’s an advantage for the BlackBerry Torch 9810. It sets it apart in a crowd of smart messenger side-sliders. The styling is very conservative, the right thing to do with a phone this big. The major difference to the original Torch 9800 is the rear. The battery cover has textured checkerboard finish instead of the ribbed rubber surface of the original.

The phone is entirely made of plastic but it doesn’t feel cheap. We had doubts about the Torch 9860, but nothing of the sort here. The finish is simple, maybe a little too ordinary for a BlackBerry, but the phone looks good. That’s somehow different from calling it good-looking. Solid and reliable, at the very least.

  
BlackBerry Torch 9810

The five controls on the front panel are the typical BlackBerry set. You get two keys on each side of the optical trackpad (Call and Menu on the left, Back and End key on the right). Although most of the navigation will be on the touchscreen, the trackpad will be busy enough, providing the needed accuracy in the browser or when handling text. The buttons all have solid stroke and adequate feedback.

We feared the screen of the Torch 9810 would do worse than that of the Bold Touch 9900. It turned out though, the lower pixel density doesn’t make any visible difference after all. The 3.2" VGA screen of the Torch 9810 is pleasingly crisp, with rich colors and good contrast. It’s very responsive too. The only thing to note is the lack of haptic feedback.

Display test	50% brightness			100% brightness
	Black, cd/m2	White, cd/m2	Contrast ratio	Black, cd/m2	White, cd/m2	Contrast ratio
LG Optimus Black P970	0.27	332	1228	0.65	749	1161
Apple iPhone 4	0.14	189	1341	0.39	483	1242
HTC Sensation	0.21	173	809	0.61	438	720
Samsung I9000 Galaxy S	0	263	∞	0	395	∞
Sony Ericsson XPERIA Arc	0.03	34	1078	0.33	394	1207
Samsung I9100 Galaxy S II	0	231	∞	0	362	∞
BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900	0.29	403	1376	0.47	618	1304
BlackBerry Torch 9810	0.3	322	1074	0.45	503	1112
BlackBerry Torch 9860	0.29	426	1456	0.47	665	1413

The sunlight legibility is excellent, to solidify the good impression recent BlackBerry smartphones have made. Viewing angles are about average though - there's some loss of contrast and color when you look at it at an angle, but everything remains legible.

 
The 3.2" display on the Torch 9810

The slider run is smooth and solid, the phone opens and closes with ease and feels secure in the process. The four-row QWERTY keyboard is smaller than that of the Bold Touch 9900 and a little less comfortable to use. The keys are flat and tangibly stiffer.

It’s not a bad keyboard by any stretch though. Many of the keys (not just the numbers) can be assigned speed dial. There is a dedicated currency symbol key and the usual command shortcuts: * locks the keypad and screen, while # toggles Silent mode on/off. Numbers share keys with some of the letters and you need to press the alt key to use them at times. The good thing is that whenever the context allows it, the switch is automatic.

The slider form factor allows reasonably comfortable typing. The phone does feel a bit head heavy but the keyboard allows a pretty good grip – the chin helps here too.

 
The trackpad • Buttons • QWERTY keyboard

Above the display we find the BlackBerry logo, the earpiece and the status LED on the right. The proximity sensor, which disables the screen during calls, is here too.

 
There’s an earpiece and a LED status light on top

The MicroUSB port handles both data transfers and charging. It is located on the left side of the Torch 9810.

  
The microUSB port is on the left

The right side of the Torch 9810 features three tiny rubbery knobs - the volume up and down keys and the convenience key. The latter is set by default to serve as a shutter key, which it does pretty well, with distinct half press for focusing. The keys are exactly the same layout and size as in the original Torch 9800.

   
The hidden buttons • 3.5mm headphone jack

At the top of the BlackBerry Torch 9810 you'll find the company’s trademark hidden keys. The Lock key is on charge of turning the screen on and off while the Mute key doubles as a Play/Pause button when playing music and videos. The thin slit of the loudspeaker is here too but you might even not notice it right away.

  
Lock/unlock • Silent

There’s nothing of note at the bottom of the Torch 9810. There’s plenty of space to accommodate carrier logos – as our AT&T-branded unit shows.

 
The bottom is where the microphone is

The back panel is made out of thin plastic that we suggest you be careful with. You’re supposed to slide it open and it takes quite a push to release. The textured surface looks nice and helps get a better grip. Rearside, the Torch has the 5 megapixel camera lens, along with a single LED flash.

  
The metal back panel plate • 5 MP camera with LED flash • The loudspeaker

The BlackBerry Torch has a 1270 mAh Li-Ion battery that doesn’t get in the way of the memory slot. The microSD card is hot-swappable.

 
Taking a peek under the hood: the microSD card slot and removing the battery

RIM claim 308h/300h of stand-by (2G or 3G, respectively) and 6:30/5:50 hours of talk time. Music playback should be around 54h. We gave the Torch 9810 a pretty good squeeze, with all of our usual tests, plenty of browsing over Wi-Fi, audio quality and imaging checks. It usually made it through a day of heavy use. If used sparingly, the Torch 9810 will probably give you two or three days on a single charge.

The BlackBerry Torch 9810 is based on exactly the same chassis as the original 9800 Torch. There’re minor differences in the finish but nothing we would call an upgrade.

The build quality is excellent, never mind the all plastic construction. But again, that was the case with the original Torch 9800 too.

The actual upgrades are elsewhere – the screen is the only part that’s on the outside. From that point on though, the Torch 9810 promises a whole new experience. And it feels they didn’t want to distract users with fancy designs and ornaments. A big phone weighing 161 grams doesn’t need any of that anyway.

   
The BlackBerry Torch 9810feels great in the palm of your hand

All the heft handles reasonably well, the handset may occasionally feel too tall and too heavy when typing long texts.

 

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Apple iPhone 4S pre-orders start today, are you getting one?

As promised, the newly announced iPhone 4S has just gone on pre-order in seven countries. You can choose between black and white versions right from the start and between 16, 32 and 64GB of internal storage.

All the online Apple Stores (including the USA's store) offer the iPhone 4S unlocked and SIM-free. The 16GB model costs $649/€629/£499/A$799, the 32GB one is $749/€739/£599/A$899 and the 64GB goes for $849/€849/£699/A$999.

The US store also offers iPhone 4S on contract with AT&T, Sprint and Verizon at $199(16GB)/$299(32GB)/$399(64GB).

All the pre-orders will ship from October 14th, whilst 2 days earlier Apple will release iOS 5 for the iPhone 3GS/4, the iPad family and the compatible iPod Touches. The unlocked USA iPhone 4S will ship in November though and it is the first time Apple has offered carrier-independent iPhone's on the US market right from the start.

On October 28th the list of countries offering iPhone 4S availability will grow far larger. The following countries will get the 4S: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Even more countries are joining the list later this year from some time in December.

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Funny Ghost Prank in Japana, 2011

Check this out, a hilarious Japanese ghost prank! Click on the picture to view the video clip!


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Celebrities Twitter Reactions To Steve Jobs’ Death 2011 (Apple iPhone News Update)

Steven Jobs:  Gone but never forgotten by all the Apple users

 

Barack Obama: “Rest in peace, Steve Jobs. From all of us at #Obama2012, thank you for the work you make possible every day—including ours.”

 

Bill Gates: “For those of us lucky enough to get to work with Steve, it’s been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely.”

 

Mark Zuckerberg: “Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you.”

Paris Hilton: “So sad to hear about Steve Jobs. He was a genius and one of the most innovative people on earth. He changed the world in so many ways. RIP.”

Alyssa Milano: “Rest in peace, Steve Jobs. You were always a big part of my world with your special inventions. Thank you for your brain.”

Eva Longoria: “My heart goes out for the family of Steve Jobs. What an inspiration he was to us all and a creative visionary for the world! You will be missed…”

Kim Kardashian: “Wow Steve Jobs died! He was a brilliant man!” (Wow? Wow Kim? That’s rich!)

 

Kourtney Kardashian: “No way! Wow. Prayers to his family. RT Wow… Steve Jobs died!? Crazy. RIP.”

Ashton Kutcher: “Sending love & light to everyone @Apple & the entire Jobs family.Today we lost a Giant who will be missed even by those who didn’t know him. We have all surfed on the wake of Steve Jobs ship. Now we must learn to sail, but we will never forget our skipper. I never thought I could be so busted up about the loss of someone I never met. #stevejobs”

Denise Richards: “So sad about Steve Jobs…my heart goes out to his family and loved ones.”

Bret Michaels: “Our thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences go out the family of Apple Inc. founder, Steve Jobs.”

Kate Walsh: “God bless you, Steve Jobs. Rest in peace.”

Ian Somerhalder: “My heart and gratitude go out,like so many of us,to Steve Jobs and his family.You Sir are one of the greatest minds the world will ever see.”

Brooke Burke: “So sad! My thoughts go out to his family.”

LeAnn Rimes: “RIP Steve Jobs…..what an innovator. This world will miss him.”

Samantha Ronson: “holy sh*t. that’s so sad. what an incredible loss for everyone. thoughts and prayers to his family and thanks for all he did. #RIPSTEVEJOBS”

Tyra Banks: “As I type on my iPhone, tears spring2 my eyes4an amazingMan I never met. His genius has touched us all. Steve Jobs, you will b/with us 4ever.”

Jimmy Fallon: “Thank you, Steve Jobs, for all of the fun and amazing ways you made our lives better…”

Diane Sawyer: “Some of the fire in the universe dimmed tonight. Steve Jobs, thank you for reminding us all what ambition+imagination can do #ThankYouSteve.”

Darren Rovell: “A Blackberry one day will go back to being just a piece of fruit. The apple won’t have the same fate because of Steve Jobs.”

Marc Cuban: “The PC era is officially over. #RIP#SteveJobs.”

iJustine: “Don’t have enough characters to sum up my feelings right now. Steve Jobs changed my life and the world. My condolences go out to his family.”

 

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Apple's announcement on Steve Jon's sadden departure...

See Apple's message at their website at this link.

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