December 15, 2011 by Tap
Google has recently conducted a very interesting research to find out how many Android applications are downloaded monthly, which kind of apps are the most popular, when people prefer to download them and in which countries the most active Android fans are located.
The research has shown that about 10 billion apps are downloaded from the Android Market every month. Maybe this number isn’t as big as the 15 billion downloads the App Store has, but we should also take into account that only 3 billion Android apps were downloaded monthly in March and about 6 billion in July, so now the number of downloads has now risen considerably, once again showing that Android is becoming more and more popular.
Among those 10 billion apps games are the most popular ones – 25.6 percent users have downloaded games. 12.2 percent preferred other entertainment apps, 11.17 percent downloaded tools, and 6.45 percent needed different communication apps. Maybe it’s a bit strange, but music, productivity, travel and social apps weren’t that popular.
Google’s research also showed that Sunday 9:00 PM was the most popular time for downloading Android apps, and the least popular time was Monday 4:00 AM (I don’t think this will surprise anyone…).
As for the most “Android-crazed” countries, here’s Google’s list:
10. Norway
9. Netherlands
8. Denmark
7. Israel
6. Sweden
5. Singapore
4. United States
3. Taiwan
2. Hong Kong
1. South Korea
So it seems like South Korea is the most “Android-crazed” country – most of apps were downloaded from there (though we don’t know the exact number). I don’t think it’s a surprise for anyone, since South Korea has a very good Internet connection and Android-based LG and Samsung mobile phones are manufactured there.
Perhaps it’s a bit strange that the U.S. is only the fourth in the list, but I guess this can be explained by the fact that Apple’s iOS is also very popular in the states, so at least half of the smartphone users there download apps from the App Store. I guess it’s also strange that the UK, Germany, France, China and India were absent from the list… Perhaps these countries aren’t as “Android-crazed” as we thought.
December 5, 2011 by Tap
While the cold weather is just starting to draw in and the dark evenings are dulling your senses, there is nothing better than curling up with your laptop or tablet and taking a look at the latest Christmas technology must-haves. You can get ideas for your own wish list or find that perfect present for a tech-loving family member, so here is an overview of what Android-oriented gadgets you might consider purchasing.
Samsung Galaxy Nexus
This Christmas the top Android smartphone on the market is going to be the Galaxy Nexus from Samsung. It is a real step up from the Galaxy S2 thanks to its large 4.65 inch Super AMOLED screen and dual core CPU which can be clocked at up to 1.5GHz to help it to pump out high definition visuals at a resolution of 1280x720. Like last year`s Nexus S the display is slightly curved in order to make it easier to use and it has a five megapixel camera capable of capturing still images as well as the obligatory ability to shoot video clips at full HD 1080p resolutions. Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is the platform touted by the Galaxy Nexus and it introduces many new functions, from letting you unlock the phone using face detection to enabling voice-based web searches.
HTC Sensation XE
A real rival to the Galaxy Nexus is the HTC Sensation XE, an updated version of its Android 2.3 smartphone which now comes with Beats audio capabilities and matching headphones for an unrivalled aural experience. It retains the same 4.3 inch screen with a resolution of 960x540, which will not be the equal of the Samsung handset but comes fairly close. A 1.5GHz processor is onboard to give it even more power than the original Sensation and it retains the eight megapixel camera sensor and full 1080p HD video recording functionality of its predecessor. For audiophiles it will be a worthy choice, although its appearance means that the standard Sensation is even cheaper ahead of the Christmas rush.
Huawei Blaze
At the other end of the Android smartphone spectrum is the Huawei Blaze, a great little stocking filler that is perfect if you want to buy a pay as you go handset for someone who has not owned an advanced handset before. It has a compact 3.2 inch screen and a modest 3.2 megapixel camera, but version 2.3 of Android is onboard and it can even let you chat via video calling thanks to the front-mounted secondary snapper, so it is not completely limited by its bargain basement pricing. Huawei has even tinkered with the standard Android interface to make it feel fresh and original, although you can stick with Google`s standard theme if you so choose.
There are many Android smartphones available online from various big name retailers such as PC World and the Christmas season is always a good time to bag a bargain when shopping for technology must-haves.