Mobile

Intuit's SnapTax app for Apple's iPhone and Android-based smartphones has been downloaded 350,000 times since its launch last month, Intuit executives have told All Things Digital.

All Things Digital's Ina Fried reported today that so far, it has seen more than twice as many downloads on the iPhone than on Android-based devices.

SnapTax is designed for simple tax returns that include little more than a W-2 wage statement. After downloading the free app, users need only to snap a picture of their W-2 from their smartphone, and the program will automatically input that information into the … Read more

Almost all American homes now own at least one tech gadget, according to a new study released yesterday by Pew Internet.

In its "Generations and their gadgets" report, Pew revealed that 85 percent have their own mobile phones, while 90 percent live in a household with at least one working cell phone.

Pew based its findings on a survey of 3,001 Americans ages 18 and older that was conducted between August 9 and September 13.

Though mobile phones were by far the most popular gadgets, computers were also near the top of the list, with desktops owned by 59 percent and laptops by 52 percent of those polled. Drilling down, desktops are still more common than laptops among virtually all age groups expect the younger crowd. Among adults 18 to 34, 70 percent own a laptop compared with 57 percent who have a desktop.… Read more

Come February 10, more than a few AT&T users will jump ship to Verizon Wireless for the iPhone, but a greater number of existing Verizon customers may switch from their Androids and BlackBerrys to Apple's flagship phone.

At least, those are the findings of a survey released yesterday by online pollster USamp (United Sample).

Among the 700-plus smartphone users surveyed, 54 percent of Verizon's current Android and BlackBerry users say they're very or somewhat likely to switch to the Verizon iPhone as soon as it hits the stores. Breaking down those odds, a full 66 percent of BlackBerry users said they're eyeing the iPhone, while 44 percent of Android owners plan to opt for Verizon's new iPhone.

Those Verizon customers planning to go for the iPhone touted a few reasons why, mostly focusing on its "cool" features, according to USamp. A full 60 percent pointed to the iPhone's interface, 58 percent cited the phone's Web browser, 51 percent its media capabilities, 43 percent its memory capacity, and 41 percent the camera.

The desire for the Verizon iPhone ran high yesterday on the first day that the carrier took preorders for the device. Verizon said that in just the first two hours it had already sold more iPhones than on any other first-day launch in its history.

Still, not everyone's eager to make a quick leap. In the USamp survey, roughly half of Android and BlackBerry customers polled like their current devices just fine, thank you, and aren't looking to change.… Read more

Verizon today said that it has suspended preorders of the iPhone 4 after registering what it called the most successful first-day sales in the company's history.

The long-awaited smartphone was made available yesterday for preordering by existing Verizon customers; that is, people who already had a phone with the company and were switching to the iPhone 4. The arrival of the Verizon version of the Apple iPhone marks the end to an exclusive arrangement between Apple and AT&T.

"This was an exciting day," said Dan Mead, president and chief executive officer of Verizon Wireless. "… Read more

Some people who preordered the Verizon iPhone might get their hands on it a tad bit early.

Engadget is reporting that some people have received notices stating the smartphone is on its way to their homes. Moreover, the technology blog said that some folks have sent in their FedEx tracking screens, and the scheduled delivery date on some of those shipments is February 7.

The long-awaited Verizon iPhone, which was first announced last month, was put up for preorder yesterday. By the end of the day, Apple and Verizon were forced to stop preorders, due to the exhaustion of inventories. … Read more

As you've surely heard, something new is coming to the tablet marketspace: Honeycomb, otherwise known as Android 3.0.

It's Google's first mobile operating system aimed specifically at tablets, and Google let us get our hands on it again this week--the same day Apple and News Corp. showed off a new publication built for the iPad.

So far we like Honeycomb, but it could have a fight ahead of it, as the iPad, which many consider to be the creator of the category, currently has 87 percent market share (remember, though, that the iPhone dominated smartphone coolness too until Android took root and began claiming a large chunk of that market).

But Honeycomb looks sweet, with a clear road map established, a new app store ready to roll, features like 3D maps, and support for powerful hardware. And it has plenty of hardware makers, like Motorola and LG, ready to back it up. If they can keep the prices of their devices reasonable, tablets running Honeycomb might have a chance at stinging Apple where it hurts. … Read more

Microsoft's search engine will be one of the major Web sites available in a synchronized effort to iron out problems moving to a vastly more spacious Internet based on the coming IPv6 standard.

"On June 8, we will enable worldwide IPv6 connectivity to Bing.com, for the purposes of a one-day test," Bing program manager Kevin Boske said. "Consumers with IPv6 Internet capabilities will automatically access this new method of connectivity. This necessitates both a device that supports IPv6 (like a Windows 7 PC), and support from your Internet provider."

IPv6, or Internet Protocol version … Read more

The average U.S. wireless subscriber is overpaying on his or her cell phone bill by $336 a year, according to a study by BillShrink, a search engine designed to help people find the best service deals to meet their needs.

About 80 percent of U.S. wireless subscribers miscalculate how many anytime voice minutes, text messages, and megabytes of data they need, BillShrink found. As a result, consumers are purchasing wireless plans that don't fit their needs and are actually costing them more money. Collectively, this results in the wireless industry pulling in an extra $79 million for … Read more

The first study results on the effectiveness of Apple's iAds are reportedly in and they appear favorable for Apple and its advertisers.

The study, obtained by Advertising Age but not publicly released, was reportedly funded by Apple and one of iAds early advertisers, Campbell's, but conducted by research firm Nielsen. The results of the study are noteworthy, especially when comparing iAds to television ads, according to AdAge. (We asked Nielsen for our look at the results but Nielsen says it's proprietary information for Apple and Campbell's.)

According to AdAge, Nielsen claims that people exposed to iAds … Read more