Penny Mobiles – Mobile phone news, reviews & information

There is no doubt that the demand for smart phones that use Google’s Android operating system are in demand. In fact, a recent study by retail research firm GfK, has shown that just here in the UK, the market share of Android devices has gone up to a massive 13% from the previous record of just 3%.

This momentous growth is spurned on by many different aspects, and here is a quick list of the things that have affected the Android’s growth.

The first thing on the list, is ironically, Apple and Steve Jobs. The Cupertino based company and their CEO has such an odd habit of antagonizing almost anything that comes their way that Google is starting to look quite like the quiet protagonist of the mobile industry. Google has stood beside HTC with regards to the Apple lawsuit and they have also taken in Adobe as well.

Another major reason why the Android OS is so in demand right now is because of all the big fuss about it. This is officially the first mobile platform that Adobe is supporting directly (though they have announced that Flash is indeed coming to other mobile platforms as well). The Google Goggles augmented reality application is also at the cutting edge of the technology. At the rate that the Android is moving forward, it has become one of the leading pioneers among mobile platforms.

Of course, the biggest reason why the Android OS is so successful is none other than the handsets. From simple mid range devices to the most powerful high end smart phones, the Android OS is used in a wide range of devices –with that range, almost any kind of smart phone user would find a great match.

With the upcoming launch of version 3.0 Gingerbread later this year, we can only expect the market share for the Android to keep on growing.

Despite all the fuss and hoopla surrounding Apple’s iPhone 4 antenna, it seems that the market demand for the newly released smart phone has not gone down. It has been almost a month since the official launch of the handset and until today, people are still inquiring with retailers and networks as to when the device will once again be available.

Virtual mobile network operator 3 UK has announced that they will be offering the iPhone 4 this coming Friday, July 30. Many are expected to line up for the device and the operator is already taking scheduled appointments with interested clients. Those who intend to take up the offer or switch to the iPhone 4 would want to contact 3 UK as soon as possible.

The Apple iPhone 4 has been at the center of a big media buzz as complaints about the device’s antenna issues has soared to a point that Apple’s constant denials could not distract users any longer. The folks at Cupertino originally released a short open letter to all iPhone 4 owners before the public pressure forced Steve Jobs to finally concede and provide an active solution.

However, Jobs’ emergency conference did not have the effect that Apple intended. While owners appreciated the gesture of receiving free bumper cases for the handset, the fact that it took Apple over three weeks to find the problem and offer such a basic solution did not sit well with many fans of the brand.

What made matters worse was the mention of other smart phones in Apple’s presentation, which promptly led to other companies making official statements countering what Steve Jobs said.

3 Mobile has not made any mention of the aforementioned antenna issue affecting the handset, but it is believed that new iPhone 4 owners will still need to use the special iTunes app to acquire the free bumper case.

While the public is busy discussing the validity (or rather, invalidity) of Steve Jobs’ claims during the Apple emergency conference, there is something that many people are simply unable to ignore -the statement that the refunds and free case offers would only last until the end of September.

To be more exact, it was specified by Steve Jobs that current users can either refund their case or obtain a new free case until September 30, which alludes to the possibility that at that point, something new will happen.

The logic here is that the “free case” and “refunds” are special offers that Apple is giving out due to the antenna issue. For as long as the antenna issues persists, then Apple is obligated to provide users with a solution (as ineffective as it may be. And yes, Apple is obligated as they have sold a faulty product to users). To state that the offer will only be good until a specific date means that Apple has something up their sleeve.

The initial assessment is that a second batch of iPhone 4 handsets would be ready. These second versions would not be suffering from the same antenna issues. At that point, Apple might even be able to offer a special exchange program for current owners (though that is quite unlikely).

One other rumor that is quite persistent is that October might see the launch of the iPhone 5. This is one rumor that we definitely have to back away from as it is not just unlikely, but is not Apple’s style at all. It is more believable that this could be more than just an iPhone 4 (iPhone 4s perhaps?), but never a full jump to a completely new version that would be labeled as the fifth in the series.

After all, completely replacing the device with an all new model would be the same as Apple admitting their mistake –which is something that the folks at Cupertino can never do outright.

According to Steve Jobs, the antenna issue is “a challenge for the whole industry”.

Mobile phone users and many mobile phone makers beg to disagree; after all, this is the first time that a device would actually drop calls if its antenna was held. Even in the early days of 2G/GSM devices, Nokia manufactured plenty of mobile phones with visible antennas that literally jutted out of the phone body. Phones like the old Nokia 5110 would still work properly even if the antenna was being touched by the hand.

And in the many years since then, various phone makers have made countless numbers of mobile devices that have not only made the antenna smaller and non-obtrusive, but also equally, if not more efficient.

Companies like RIM, whose BlackBerry Bold 9700 was named directly by Apple as a device affected by antenna issues. What Jobs might have failed to realize that even if the Bold or any other handset loses a bar of signal from touch, none of these phones would drop a call like the iPhone 4 would.

Jobs also failed to realize that RIM would also speak out.

To sum it up nicely, here is a quick excerpt from RIM’s official statement, “Apple’s attempt to draw RIM into Apple’s self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple’s claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public’s understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple’s difficult situation.”

Nokia has also stated they their company emphasizes a lot on testing their products –including the antenna performance, to ensure the usability of their mobile handsets.

The two companies are not the only phone makers to have made their voices heard. Samsung and Motorola have also spoken out as well. Of the three companies that Apple has directly mentioned in the presentation, only HTC (manufacturers of the HTC Wildfire and Desire, among others) has yet to make a comment (and many believe that it will not be long before that).

According to recent news, Disney has acquired the successful iPhone app developer Tapulous, in what seems to be the opening move into Disney’s foray into app development for the Apple iPhone platform.

Of course, Disney Interactive Media’s focus will be exclusive on the Apple smart phone, not only is the iPhone considered to be one of the most iconic devices ever released (which matches Disney’s reputation), but Steve Jobs is also the single, largest shareholder in Disney.

Steve Wadsworth, the current President of Disney Interactive Media has confirmed that the company is indeed going to delve into app development. The Mobile industry is growing and it would be a big mistake for Disney not to join in on the fun. And Disney is no stranger to the game development business. While many games have been released based on Disney’s products, they too have been working heavily on the development side.

Disney had previously teamed up with Squaresoft/Square Enix to bring Kingdom Hearts series to life –the license for which would be later bought by Disney. The company has also begun making its own games as well; their latest work, Epic Mickey is slated to be released for the PS3 and the Xbox 360.

The decision to acquire Tapulous is a pretty wise choice by Disney. While the amount that it took still remains undisclosed, we can imagine a pretty hefty sum. Tapulous is well known for its Tap Tap Revenge game (as well as several other titles in the series) and their apps are among the most downloaded apps in the paid category. The most recent updates from Tapulous is that the company is working on a social networking game.

Bart Decrem, co-founder of Tapulous, is excited about the acquisition. Given Disney’s position in the media industry and the resources they can offer, Tapulous gains to earn so much more.