Daily Bits

Mobile

iPhone Bows to Android Phones

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It seems that predictions by some experts in the past are coming to life. According to statistics released by Nielsen, smartphones using the Android OS are being used by more people than iPhones. They released the following graphs, which were published by The New York Times yesterday.

As you can see, for quarter two of this year, the number Android OS users has surpassed the number of iPhone users. Indeed, the numbers have been steadily going up since quarter four of 2009, but it was only in the second quarter of this year that the tide truly turned. More from the report:

By the end of 2011, there could be more smartphones in the United States than the less advanced feature phones, according to a report released Monday by the Nielsen Company, a market trends monitor.

The report also notes that the Google Android platform continues to show rapid growth and over the past six months has edged past the Apple iPhone platform with new subscribers.

As the report said, though, in spite of these numbers, it seems that the iPhone is still more sought after than any other kind of mobile phone in the market. The brand and the hype look to be stronger assets than any other set of features out there. Indeed, other stats point to more people switching to the iPhone in the future. However, the fact that this handset is tied to a single carrier just might contribute to declining sales.

Do you think this is the beginning of the end for the iPhone? Are Android phones really better?

Jailbreak Away with DCMA Revision

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Jailbreaking, unlocking mobile phones, and ripping DVDs/CDs – these are activities that common decent people do on a regular basis. Yes, even if they are technically illegal. With the recent developments in American law, however, you can now engage in these activities with impunity – with certain qualifications, of course.

The Library of Congress has just announced a ruling paving way for unlocking cell phones so that they can be used with other networks for one. The Copyright Office of the Library of Congress reviewed the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DCMA), which is supposed to be reviewed every three years. The result is something that is making the general public happy. [Read more…] about Jailbreak Away with DCMA Revision

Antenn-aid: The Band-Aid for Your iPhone

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It all started out as a joke. You know how some people respond to an irritatingly serious problem with humor? Well, these guys did just that.

We’ve all been hearing about the antenna problems of the iPhone 4, and even the press conference that Apple held has not really given concrete solutions. Instead of banging their heads against the wall (like some people you may know), Szymon Weglarski and Jon Dorfman decided to have some fun.

The two designers designed and created Band-Aid looking things that fit exactly onto the bottom left part of the iPhone 4. Dubbed, Antenn-aid, the product is being sold on Etsy, where the designers opened a store about a week ago. Little did they know how much of hit their product would be!

Since they opened the Etsy store, they have been swamped with orders. Indeed, if you check the store now, you will see that they have announcement to the effect that they are behind 4 to 5 days in delivering orders. It’s but understandable as they are not following a mass production set up.

So what is the Antenn-aid for, aside from an intended joke? The colorful bandages can actually improve the signal performance of your iPhone. In spite of its being the coolest most magical phone out there today, it seems that the only solution for now is to put the Antenn-aid at the bottom left. At least you have several color choices. 😉

Buy the Antenn-aid for $4.99 (6-pack).

Microsoft to employees: Can you build a Windows 7 app for us for free?

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With Windows 7 mobile launching in October of this year, Microsoft has been busy putting on the final touches of their favored smart phone.

After giving all of their employees a free Windows 7 phone, Microsoft is now asking them to create apps for the Windows Market in their “spare time.”

Understand the unique value of Windows Phone 7 and evangelize to your customers, partners, friends and family!

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Adios, Google Nexus One

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This is what happens to me when I do not go online for two solid days: I get disoriented. (Trust me, I didn’t want that to happen, but Mr. Murphy just had to pay me a visit.)

Anyway, when I read about the Nexus One web store shutting down for real – I just went wowza! Of course, if I were actually using my brain, I would have remembered that Google announced this shutdown earlier this year. Still, the announcement made on Friday just makes things seem so final:

Earlier this year, we announced that we will be closing the Nexus One web store. This week we received our last shipment of Nexus One phones. Once we sell these devices, the Nexus One will no longer be available online from Google. Customer support will still be available for current Nexus One customers.

The good news – at least for those who are still interested in the phone – is that the Nexus One will not totally disappear from the market. In Europe, the phone can be purchased via Vodafone. In Korea, it will be KT. The same announcement also said that the phone just might be available in other locations depending on “market conditions” – that is, if enough people will make noise about it, I guess.

I suppose that despite the initial excitement over the Nexus One’s primary point of sale, it just really isn’t something that works well. After all, wouldn’t you want to hold and play with the unit before spending your money on it? Google learned the hard way. Then again, when Nexus Two comes out, things just might be different.

Curiouser and Curiouser: Apple to Hold Press Conference on Friday Regarding iPhone 4

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It’s no secret that the iPhone 4 has a few issues. Now comes word that Apple is holding a press conference this Friday to “select press” to discuss the iPhone 4. Funny, I seem to have never received my invite. So what’s it about other than that? For that, we take you now to The Loop Insight for answers:

Apple on Wednesday invited select press to a special press conference to be held this Friday in California.

Apple would only say that the press conference would be regarding the iPhone 4. No other information was available when I spoke with them tonight.

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