iOS

Android powers 40 percent of U.S. smartphones

According to new data out of Nielsen, 40 percent of U.S. mobile consumers now use smartphones, up from 30 percent just one year ago. And of those smartphones, Android takes the biggest share of 40 percent, followed by Apple's iOS at 28 percent.

Nielsen asked participants a number of questions to determine what kind of buyers they were in order to better understand their attitude toward new technologies. The company found that while iOS tends to attract most early smartphone adopters, very early adopters (aka "innovators") tend to favor Android as the platform of choice.

Though &… Read more

iOS 5 beta 7 arrives for developers to test

Apple this afternoon released yet another beta version of its iOS 5 software to developers, the seventh time it's done so since offering a test version of the software in June.

As usual, Boy Genius Report has posted a full copy of the change log, which developers are not supposed to share as per Apple's non-disclosure agreement. From that list, the release looks to contain mainly bug fixes from previous versions of the software, as well as additions to Apple's Xcode and user interface building tools. In other words, the nitty-gritty things developers are likely to enjoy, … Read more

Elgato's EyeTV Mobile iPad 2 TV Tuner announced

If you've been hoping for a live television option for your iPad 2, the prospects of realizing that dream are one step closer. Mac accessory maker Elgato has announced its EyeTV Mobile iPad 2 TV Tuner, a dongle created specifically for the iPad 2 to bring live television to your mobile lifestyle.

The dongle takes advantage of the 30-pin dock connector and has a retractable aerial antenna that is able to pick up local broadcast television signals. The device includes a free app that allows users to record their live programs to their iPad 2 to watch later. The … Read more

Report: Apple readies Web-based iOS diagnostic tool

Apple has reportedly completed a diagnostics solution for iOS that will enable users to send reports to Apple about their device remotely, obtaining useful tips and repair information when needed.

French Web site Hardmac reports that Apple has made the announcement of this new tool internally. According to Hardmac, the iOS device will connect to Apple via a special link (sent over e-mail or entered manually) and served in Mobile Safari as well as a connection to your phone service.

Apple will check your phone's reports and offer a solution based on any software or hardware malfunctions it detects. … Read more

Android nabs 41 percent share in U.S., study finds

Try as it might to catch up to Android, iOS simply isn't gaining ground, a new study from research firm ComScore has found.

During the three-month period that ended in July, Android captured 41.8 percent of the U.S. smartphone market, representing a 5.4 percentage point increase over the 36.4 percent market share it had in the quarter that ended in April.

Apple's iOS platform came in second during the three-month period, earning 27 percent market share, up from the 26 percent it had in the prior period. RIM's BlackBerry OS came in third … Read more

Spy Mouse already a hit in the iTunes App Store

One of the earliest game publishers to enjoy huge success on iOS devices was Firemint, maker of Real Racing 2 and Flight Control. Though it is not a company that puts out several games a year, you know that when Firemint does release something, it's probably going to be good. Last week, Firemint released its latest game, Spy Mouse, and with a mix of line-drawing fun and excellent production values, it has already reached No. 1 in the iTunes App Store.

Spy Mouse (99 cents - see note at bottom) is a line-drawing stealth game that challenges you to … Read more

Apple working on a TV set for 2012?

The latest Apple TV rumor may seem like a rerun, but this one has been updated.

The newest iteration of the longstanding rumor is that Apple will get in to the business of selling TVs by building a digital TV based on iOS. That's according to multiple Silicon Valley sources cited by Venture Beat. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster told Venture Beat that he predicted Apple would produce a TV set by the end of 2012 or early 2013.

Munster, who has long been trumpeting the possibility of an Apple-made TV set, first floated the notion in 2009 that Apple would take a bite out of the TV market in 2011 by introducing its first television. Munster wrote in June that Apple's recently announced iCloud infrastructure makes it all the more plausible.

The rumor mill gathered steam again earlier this week when the concept garnered a brief note in a Wall Street Journal report on the challenges faced by Tim Cook, the man named to replace Steve Jobs as Apple's CEO:

An immediate challenge for Mr. Cook will be to advance Apple's plans in what is expected to be a key market for growth: digital video. Apple is working on new technology to deliver video to televisions, and has been discussing whether to try to launch a subscription TV service, according to people familiar with the matter.

Hurricane-tracking apps for iOS

With Hurricane Irene making landfall in North Carolina, you're going to want up-to-the-minute information on the storm, especially if you live in the area or have relatives and friends who might be affected. Fortunately you can get an app for your iOS device that will give you all the latest information.

Note: Android users can find hurricane-tracking apps here.

There are several apps for iOS that let you track hurricanes around the globe. But the best hurricane-tracking apps give you up-to-the minute storm information, include radar and satellite images, and offer detailed push alerts for warnings and storm intensity changes. We found some very feature-rich apps for both iPhone and iPad and narrowed it down to one great app for each device.… Read more

Apple invents privacy eyewear for confidential information, gaming

Apple has applied for a patent to cover a great new invention that would allow users to wear specially designed eyewear to view confidential information while using their mobile devices. The patent also covers gamers who are playing multiplayer games.

The gist of how this is works is that a user can set the device, be it an iPhone, iPad, or notebook, to privacy mode, wherein the software would allow the option of obfuscating the information displayed on the screen. The glasses would decipher the display so that any potential onlookers would only see a scrambled mess, whereas the user … Read more

Android malware up 76 percent, nonexistent on iOS

A recent study has found that Apple's iOS is still untouched by malware, whereas users who choose Google's Android platform are 76 percent more likely to encounter funky software, making it the most susceptible mobile operating system in the world.

McAfee's Threat Report for the second quarter of 2011 outlined the issues facing mobile OS developers. It seems as though Apple's strict stance on iOS apps and games has thus far thwarted any attempts at malware.

The only attacks on iPhones were only able to harm jailbroken phones. (Remember the Rick Astley exploit?) And only a … Read more