Android

Friday Poll: What's your favorite app store?

Google's Android Market is rapidly approaching what once might have been unthinkable. According to a new report by market research firm Distimo, the Android Market is poised to surpass Apple's App Store in the number of overall available apps within a few months.

Friends and foes of each operating system have filled countless comment threads and forums with arguments over which company has the better apps, supporting devices, and overall experience. Regardless, should Google eventually boast the biggest mobile app store, Apple will no longer be able to brag that it has the largest kingdom.

Then you have other avenues for acquiring apps, such as the Novia Ovi Store, BlackBerry Appworld, and Windows Phone 7 Marketplace, all of which have grown progressively but not explosively. They all face increased pressure to succeed as Apple and Google continue to dominate the app world.

Is the matter simply quality vs. quantity, or just a numbers war? It's fair to say most people probably only use a dozen apps on a smartphone consistently, anyway.

So what's your favorite app store? Elaborate in the comments.… Read more

Motorola Xoom should see second software update soon

Verizon Wireless and Motorola were poised to issue another software update to the Xoom tablet earlier today, but apparently have pulled back at the last minute.

On Thursday, Droid-Life was first to report that an HMJ078 update was expected to start hitting the Android 3.0 tablet today. The site even grabbed a screen capture of the enhancements and new features.

Among the list of coming changes were improvements to Web and data access, easy viewing and transfer of photos from digital cameras, and support for Bluetooth mice. Noticeably absent from the list, however, is the ability to use the … Read more

The 404 810: Where our tablet could eat your tablet (podcast)

Stupid Andy returns to the show and delivers an impressive cover of Christina Aguilera's "Genie in a Bottle" using just an iPad and the Classic Guitar app! Andy also shows off his new non-Apple tablet, so be sure to check out Wilson throwing a schoolboy fit in the studio in protest. Plus, be sure to listen to hear how you can enter to win a pair of Gunnar indoor eyewear!

The 404 Digest for Episode 810

Google Doodles and Maps pay tribute to the royal wedding. Stupid Andy's new toy runs Windows 7 and has a Core i5 processor, but no kickstand. This November, San Francisco will vote to ban circumcision. Jenny Lawrence leaves us a video voice-mail, and here's the video she's referencing: Analog Pants: Rick Roll by the Red Balls.

We also have two pairs of Gunnar Optiks indoor eyewear to giveaway, but you only have this weekend to enter! Just follow us on Twitter and shoot us a tweet mentioning #Gunnar404 and why you deserve a pair of performance glasses optimized for the digital screen. We'll announce the winners on Monday, so good luck!

Episode 810 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Galaxy Tab Wi-Fi review: Not bad, not Honeycomb

If you want a sense of how fast the tablet market is moving, take a look at the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Our review of the first Galaxy Tab went up at the end of October 2010, and we hailed it as the best iPad alternative money could buy. In the six months that followed, Google announced Android 3.0 (Honeycomb), the iPad got superskinny, four Honeycomb tablets have hit the streets, RIM pushed out its BlackBerry PlayBook, and the Nook Color became the hottest, cheapest Android 2.2 tablet around.

So when the Wi-Fi-only version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab … Read more

Google announces video chat for Nexus S

After teasing Twitter followers earlier today, Google's Nexus account has announced that the Nexus S will be receiving a software update over the next few weeks.

The notable, and likely only, feature in this update is the integration of video chat over Google Talk. Once Nexus S phones are loaded with this latest release, they will be able to video chat with other Google Talk users whether on a desktop or Honeycomb (Android 3.0) tablet.

Calls can be made using Wi-Fi, 3G, and 4G networks, taking advantage of the front-facing cameras found on many Android phones. According to the Google Mobile blog, this will be preloaded into all future 2.3 devices. … Read more

Google Nexus teases surprise via Twitter

Oh, Google Nexus, you're such a tease! Earlier today, the official Twitter account for the Google Android phone sent out a message saying that a surprise was on its way and to "Stay tuned!" We're still waiting for the news to drop, but you know that's not going to stop us or you from guessing.

Thus far, the Nexus name has only been associated with smartphones, so it's possible we could see another handset by the end of the day. However, as IntoMobile notes, it would make more sense to introduce such a device … Read more

The 404 809: Where it's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday (podcast)

The 404 Podcast simply wouldn't exist in its current state without the help of Natali Morris, and today we're throwing a big send-off for our favorite guest host, replete with flowers, gifts, special chat room liasons, best-of moments, Natali's list things she will and won't miss, and plenty of Boyz II Men.

We also can't let her leave without doing a few choice impersonations, since she's just so good at them. If you didn't get a chance to say goodbye in the chat room this morning, you can wish her well on Twitter and follow her post-CNET career on her blog.

It's not a goodbye forever, though--just the end of Natali Thursdays on The 404. You'll definitely see her on future episodes, and we wish her the best in the meantime!

The 404 Digest for Episode 809

Our favorite Natali moments:

Natali plays an unnerving game of Marry/Boff/Kill. We try to guess Natali's weight, and it doesn't end well. Natali's first (of many) freak-outs on the show. Our favorite picture of Natali. Don't be mad at me!

Episode 809 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Verizon delays Samsung Droid Charge launch

Verizon customers looking to pick up a Samsung Droid Charge today will be disappointed to hear that carrier has delayed the launch of its newest 4G smartphone.

CNET has confirmed with Verizon that the Droid Charge will not be available today as previously announced, and, unfortunately, the carrier did not have any more information on when it would go on sale.

No reason for the delay was given, though some suspect that it may have to do with yesterday's LTE outage. More details are expected soon, however, and company spokeswoman Brenda Raney said that customers have the option of … Read more

Digital City 125: PSN still down, Nintendo's next big thing, and AMD's laptop hit

This week, we debate the ongoing PlayStation Network outage, guesstimate the arrival of new iMac desktops, and salute AMD for grabbing a solid share of the low-end laptop market.

If you're watching this episode a little later in the week than usual, note that we had a little problem with the magical render monkeys who typically lovingly encode each frame of our weekly videocast in a more timely fashion.

Bonus: Download the show's jaunty theme song as a free MP3 here.

… Read more