Android and Me » iphone

Android users: dropping deuces and ladies’ panties

Edgar Cervantes — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:21:23 +0000

Today’s survey statistics involve quite a deal of comic ‘relief.’ Not only are we dominating the smartphone market, but we’re also beating everyone in other fields. According to a couple of surveys, it seems Android users are most likely to use their phone while in the toilet and to have one night stands.

Smartphones & Toilets^[1]

The first numbers come from marketing agency 11mark. This survey relates to the use of smartphones in the lavatory, and it seems Android users are the ones to do it the most. 87% of surveyed Android users admitted to using their smartphones while sitting on the toilet. We don’t happen to be much more prone to do this, compared to BlackBerry and iPhone users.

84% of BlackBerry users admitted to doing the same. iPhone users brought up the rear at 77%. As you can see, we’re all a bunch of smartphone kings, controlling our life from the throne. But it also seems BlackBerry users are most likely to answer calls while in the toilet; a whopping 75% of them say they’ve done so. This is a bit high compared to Android users at 67% and iPhone users at 60%.

It might also be interesting to note that there’s not much of a gender gap with this habit. The survey proves that men and women are almost as likely to fall in this category. 74% of men and 76% of women surveyed said this was something they did.

Smartphones & Relationships^[2]

Now let’s move out of the restroom (unless you guys like to do the following there, too), and on to the bedroom. The next survey was held by Match.com (a popular dating site) and is about relationships and smartphones. (Survey held in Canada). In this survey, we Android users are categorized as “The Seducer.”

It seems Android users are the most likely to get close and personal on the first date. 62% of studs admitted that they’ve had sexual relations during the first night out. iPhone users stand at 57%, while BlackBerry users are lonely at 48%.

But just as we start loving quick, it seems we also stop loving quick ; Android users are also the most likely to have one-night stands. 55% of the participants admitted that this is something they have done before. And we’re also the ones most inclined to visit dating sites (72%).

It also seems iPhone users like having relationships within the workplace and like to call you right back the day after your first date. (Come on guys, some time to breathe can’t hurt!). If you’re the dreamer type, you might want to go with a BlackBerry user. 67% of these guys believe in love at first sight (and they’re more likely to get their drinking on on the first date – 72%).

Wrap-up

These percentages make me wonder if Android users are much more likely to be single. The love life survey paints a picture of us as social butterflies looking for affection. I also wonder if we’re flirting with our significant others while in the toilet. Now that would make for a very intimate relationship.

What you guys think of this? Do you feel like you’re more comfortable with intimacy as these surveys suggest?

References

Via TechnoLog ↩
Via Venture Beat ↩

Video: Samsung asks Apple fans – Why don’t you guys just get 4G phones?

Edgar Cervantes — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:21:51 +0000

We have all seen those long lines at Apple stores during product launches. People camp out there for long hours and days to get what many (especially Android fans) believe to be a trivial update of the iPhone 4. Whether it is due to brand loyalty, the ethos, or actual preference, Apple fans simply tend to prefer sticking with “iDevices.”

This is something that we Android enthusiasts always wonder about, right? Why go through such a struggle to get a device that (specs-wise) is about a year old on Android standards? Apple users usually mention that the specs do not matter, though. Which is quite true, the iPhone 4S provides a great user experience, and it definitely gets the job done. There are so many factors to consider, though. Apple’s locked down nature and lack of 4G connectivity are only a couple of the extensive list of reasons why we prefer Android over iOS.

We have stumbled upon this video, and while it looks like it is a legit Samsung commercial, no Samsung official source has released it. Whether it is official or not, though, it is definitely something to have fun with for a minute (and 1 second).

The commercial pretty much touches on the stereotypes that characterize the typical iPhone fanboy. Check it out for some giggles, and sound off in the comments section. Would you wait in line for a Galaxy Nexus? If you are an iPhone user, let us know why you would prefer an iPhone 4S over a Samsung device (or any Android device, for that matter).

3rd quarter Verizon smartphone sales are Android dominant; will the iPhone 4S change that?

Edgar Cervantes — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:46:56 +0000

In the midst of a smartphone explosion, Android has quickly grown to be the largest mobile OS on the planet. Its open nature allows for the multitude of devices that now exist, with an option for every person out there. When looking at Verizon’s third quarter sales, we can almost assume that most smartphone sales will continue to be mostly Android devices.

Verizon has reported that it sold 5.6 million smartphones during the third quarter of 2011. Around half (almost 3 million) of those ran on the Android OS. The percentage of Android sales will definitely continue to grow with more devices on the horizon, but how will the new player in the house, the iPhone 4S, affect those numbers? TWo million of those third quarter sales were iPhones; the competition is still heated. With the fourth quarter now upon us, and news that Verizon sold out the iPhone 4S on the first day of sales, we have to wonder how much more Apple could be gaining on Android at the end of 2011.

Since the iPhone 4 was considered an outdated device by the third quarter, it can be assumed that most Apple fans would probably prefer waiting for the iPhone 4S. Many of them got the device on day 1, but a lot more people are probably still waiting for Apple to ship more iPhone 4S devices to Verizon.

It’s hard to tell at this point, but it seems the near future could bring fierce competition between the two biggest smartphone platforms (at least on the Verizon network). How do you think numbers would look if every carrier in the world offered both iOS and Android smartphones? Would Android really be as popular?

Android fans will stand by the green robot for reasons already known. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is also coming, which could likely get very high numbers as well — especially since it’s the first Ice Cream Sandwich device out there.

Another thing to note is that one of Verizon’s strongest assets is its 4G LTE network. As you may know, no iPhone currently takes advantage of those blazing Verizon 4G LTE speeds. Those looking to move into 4G LTE would probably go with Android.

It’ll be interesting to see the turn out of next quarter’s results. Do you guys see the tables turning with the iPhone 4S on Verizon’s network? Do you think Android will stay on top? What is your prediction of the sales of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus compared to the iPhone 4S?

HTC goes on the offensive, sues Apple for infringing on three more patents

Nick Gray — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:05:08 +0000

HTC is going on the offensive again, suing Apple for infringement of three separate patents. Details about the lawsuit and the patents in question are still unknown, but the complaint is directed at Apple’s Macintosh Computers, iPods, iPhones, iPads and other Apple devices. HTC filed the complaint against Apple in the U.S. District Court in Delaware and is asking the court to block Apple’s importation and sale of infringing products in the United States. The court documents reveal that HTC gained possession of the patents in 2008 and 2010.

HTC and Apple have been trading blows for quite some time. While it’s nice to see HTC standing up for itself, we hope the patents in question are strong enough to cause some serious damage. With nearly a half dozen patent infringement cases between the two companies, it’s getting hard to keep track of all moving pieces. We know all these legal disputes need their day in court, but we wish HTC and other manufacturers could one day scratch all their legal fees off the books and divert all that extra cash over to R&D.

Do you think that the legal battles between HTC and other manufacturers will die down once Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility and its patent portfolio is complete?

Android vs iPhone by state: Who is on top?

Edgar Cervantes — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 21:30:53 +0000

Would you like to know what mobile operating system dominates in your state? Planning to move anytime soon? Here’s a map that can guide you in the right direction! Stats and info graphics are always fun, but today we have something extra special for you.

This map shows which US states are dominated by Android, Blackberry or iOS. Android and iOS are obviously the most dominant platforms in the country, but some states are still Blackberry territory and some others that are neutral.

There’s somewhat of a pattern in this map, as you can see. It seems there’s a sort of an invisible diagonal line separating the distribution of platforms. The map illustrates that iOS dominates in the northern/eastern half of the country, while Android seems to dominate in the southern/western section.

These statistics are very interesting, but we have decided to take things a little further. Aside from just knowing which platform is on top (and where), we decided to see how the numbers relate to other maps with state-by-state information.

Income

Android as the “iPhone for the poor” is an argument iOS fans often tend to use. Android does offer some great, cheaper options for those who want to save some bucks. While this may mean people with less income could be lured to Android’s affordable options, the case is that most high-end devices cost almost the same as the latest iOS devices. The map clearly shows that many of the richest states in the country are dominated by Android, which could prove that Android’s success is not solely based on price.

Gasoline Tax Rates

When it comes to gasoline taxes, things seem to be spread out equally. Of the states with the highest gas taxes, 5 are dominated by iPhone users, while only 3 of are dominated by Android users. It seems iPhone users are still paying more for their gas, though! Look around next time you see gas prices going up!

Foods

Your first instinct might be to look for apples on the map. So much for Washington apples; the state is actually Android dominated. It really doesn’t prove anything, but we thought it was a funny random fact.

Obesity

In general, states on the bottom right corner of the map have more issues with obesity. This may not tell much, but that area is also where the more “neutral” mobile platform states seem to be. Android is dominant in both the leanest and the most obese states, though, which may prove its diverse nature. “Bi-winning!”

Wrap Up

These stats are mostly just fun to mess around with, but there might be some factors that do contribute to a state being more prone to a certain type of device. What do you guys think such factors might be? Wealth? Fashion? Religion? Politics? Let us know what you think. And if you find any good connections that we missed, let us know! Also, do you live in an Android or iPhone state?

HTC shares drop 6.5% from fear of US import ban

Alberto Vildosola — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:21:02 +0000

Blame it on Android’s massive popularity or Google’s lack of mobile patents, but Android is being attacked on all fronts. On one side, you have patent trolls like Oracle wanting to feed off Android’s success. Then you have companies like Microsoft, who would rather resort to lawsuits and lawyers to win, instead of building a better product. And finally, you have Apple, the company that has patented things like “slide your finger to unlock something”, the letter “i” and the words “app store”. If Apple had its way, we’d all have to pay a licensing fee for saying the words “magical” or “it just works”.

Earlier today, we reported that the ITC has found HTC guilty of infringing on some of Apple’s “patents”. Obviously, HTC is going to appeal the ruling, so this fight is far from over. But investors can sometimes be an easily-scared crowd. As a result of the ruling, investors are afraid of a U.S. import ban on HTC products. This in turn, drove HTC shares to the ground this morning, after a 6.5% drop.

With hopes of stabilizing its share price and restoring investor confidence, HTC has announced a share buy back program worth up to $760 million. Although this hasn’t worked that well, according to Financial Times:

The attempt to prop up HTC’s share price appeared to have little effect as the stock fell below HTC’s minimum purchase price of T$900 to close down 3.9 per cent at T$871. The sell-off highlights investor fears that the legal battle could have wider implications for the competitive balance between Apple and Google Android-based phonemakers like HTC, Samsung and Motorola.Robin KwongFinancial Times

Hopefully, HTC will quickly manage to turn around its falling share price, once investors realize the ITC ruling are nothing to be that much worried about. But more than anything, we hope Google will soon go on the offensive against companies like Apple, Microsoft and Oracle. Because frankly, we’re getting somewhat tired of playing defense.

34% of iPhone users think they have a 4G phone

Edgar Cervantes — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 19:21:02 +0000

There’s a common stereotype that iPhone users tend to be less educated about the technical specs of their phones. I’m not one to make fun of anyone, and that truly isn’t what I’m trying to do, but these statistics definitely deserve a bit of my time. It seems more than a third of iPhone users are under the impression that they own a 4G device.

It isn’t right to pigeon-hole people, but it does seem iPhone users tend not to know much about the device. We often hear people say, “The iPhone is the best phone!” And don’t you hate it when you’re trying to explain what Android is to someone and they say, “Oh, like the iPhone?” Some people do provide a good argument as to why they think the iPhone is a better option than an Android device. Sadly, though, it seems the common consumer falls prey to the “common knowledge” that the iPhone is superior.

It seems the common consumer (non-techies) will often purchase an iPhone when looking for a high-end smartphone, especially new smartphone users. This is partly due to the fame Apple has built for itself and its user-friendly atmosphere. iPhone users blindly love their device so much, 40% of iPhone owners claimed they would buy the next iPhone even if the device does not have 4G connectivity. We know you love your devices, and the iPhone is definitely a good option for many, but it really doesn’t hurt to learn at least a little bit about your phone.

According to Retrevo’s survey, 34% of iPhone users who answered this questionnaire claim to have a 4G device. This may be due to the fact that the latest device is called “iPhone 4,” where the number represents the generation of the device. Some people might be under the misconception that the number 4 represents “4G,” but it seems outrageous to think over a third of iPhone users fall under this category!

Just to make it clear, Apple currently does not offer any 4G devices. Come on, Apple fans. Learn a bit more about your phone before you make the jump. We understand processors, RAM and other specs can be confusing, but you should definitely know if your device runs on 3G or 4G data speeds. It seems the situation is critical, so go spread the knowledge, guys! Let your iPhone-using friends know they do not have a 4G device!

Digitimes: Zero new devices from Apple, RIM, Nokia to help Android gain market share this summer

Alberto Vildosola — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 23:04:10 +0000

One of Android’s main advantages is volume. Not a week goes by that we don’t hear about some new Android device that’s coming out in the near future. It’s this nonstop river of Android phones that has catapulted the platform to the number one spot worldwide. As someone who keeps an eye on this avalanche of new devices, it’s a little overwhelming at times.

But you know who dislikes this constant release of new Android devices even more? RIM, Nokia and Apple. Especially since none of them will be announcing any new phones for at least three months. That’s an eternity in the tech world. Even more so in the Android world, where it takes just a few weeks for phones to become obsolete.

Apple broke the tradition at this year’s WWDC conference, and didn’t announce a new iPhone. It is now believed the company will release the “magical” device this Fall, along with iOS 5. Then there’s Nokia, which is still releasing Symbian phones that no one is buying and won’t have a Windows Phone device ready until the Christmas season. Lastly, RIM has delayed the release of its Bold 9900/9930 until September.

In other words, Android has the next three months all to itself. Today’s Sprint-Motorola lovefest brought the release of two new high-end Android devices. Right around the corner, we have Sprint’s EVO 3D and T-Mobile’s Sensation 4G and Exhibit 4G. And that’s just what’s coming out this month.

By the time the other companies get their acts together and release new devices this Fall, Google and co. will be getting ready to launch the Ice Cream Sandwich-powered, Tegra 3-packing Nexus 3. Also known as the device that’ll make all other phones look like a telegraph. Good luck, RIM, Nokia and Apple.

I’m Color, an Android watch available in 7 colors

Edgar Cervantes — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 19:23:42 +0000

Succeeding the I’m Watch, the I’m Color is a wristwatch that comes packed with a customized version of Android. We have seen other major manufacturers bring similar ideas, like the Sony Ericsson LiveView, and Motorola’s just leaked Tracy XL. Though these manufacturers’ prestige is much higher, the I’m Color is definitely not staying behind, and it is certainly a viable option to consider.

Though the I’m Color is basically an Android device/accessory, it works on multiple platforms. This nifty device is able to connect to iPhone, Android, and soon to other devices like Blackberry. Upon making a connection with your device, the I’m Color gives you access to multiple applications, like Facebook, Twitter, Email, and text messages. It is even possible to answer incoming calls with it, much like those classic science fiction movies we all love. Like the Sony Ericsson LiveView, this Android watch connects to your device via bluetooth, but it can also sync through WiFi hotspot (for the iPhone, no mention on WiFi hotspot connection with Android).

The I’m Watch creators have announced that the support for developers will be released on June 30, allowing the capabilities of the I’m Color to be widely expanded. A few months after that, around the end of September, the collection of watches will be available in 7 different colors – white, blue, green, yellow, red, pink, and black.

The price for one of these spy watches will be 249 euros (around $360 U.S. dollars), which is a bit of an investment, but it is a very cool and convenient gadget to have. If you feel luxurious though, there is also the I’m Jewel, which is available in 6 different colors – yellow gold, pink gold, white gold & diamonds, titanium, black gold, and special. Now these fancy boys start at a whooping 599 euros (about $860 U.S. dollars), and can go higher depending on the design. If you want the Rolex of the Android world, this may be the way to go.

Check out the different images below, and let us know what you think of these new watches. Do you think you will be getting one of these (They are available for pre-order here)? If so, which color do you prefer?

Gallery

Nielsen: Android now owns more than a third of the U.S. smartphone market

Alberto Vildosola — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:59:56 +0000

It’s that time of the week again, folks. Another research firm is reporting that Android is the most popular mobile platform in the U.S. This time is Nielsen’s turn, which today released its mobile report covering the three-month period from February to April.

Echoing Gartner’s report from two weeks ago, Nielsen said that Android now owns 36% of the smartphone market in the U.S. Far behind Android, iOS sits in second place with a respectable 26% of the market, which is closely followed by Blackberry OS with 23%. After Blackberry OS, things start to look a bit bleak for the rest of the mobile platforms.

Coming in on fourth place, Microsoft’s Windows Mobile still has 9% of the market — many months after the company dumped the OS for Windows Phone. Speaking of Windows Phone, the platform has somewhere around 1% of the market, battling it out with the ancient Palm OS.

Finally, HP’s Web OS and Nokia’s Symbian both have 2% of the U.S. market. Seeing how the Symbian platform is currently headed to the cemetery – partly thanks to Android — expect its U.S. market share to completely disappear over the coming months.

With Android and iOS owning around 2/3 of the market, you’d think there’d be some similarities between the two OS — and there are. In fact, your iOS-toting arch-enemy uses his iPhone for the same stuff that you use your “droid”. According to Nielsen, both Android and iOS users download a bunch of apps, listen to Pandora a lot, and spend many hours watching videos on YouTube.

Where Android and iOS users differ, however, is in how much data they consume. Nielsen says that Android users consume an average of 582MB a month. That’s 90MB more than the 492MB that a typical iOS user consumes in a month. As a former iPhone buyer, I can attest to this. Since iOS users are forced to use iTunes, most of them sync their songs, photos, videos, and ringtones via USB. On the other hand, Android’s cloud-centric design allows its users to sync their photos with Picasa, manage their videos and books with YouTube and the Android Market, and download ringtones with Zedge. Why buy a small computer, if you have to connect it to a “real” computer every time you want to put anything on it?

As Android users, do you guys find yourself using more data than before you had an Android phone? Let us know in the comments.