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Google released a new application-status dashboard for Android Market developers that charts program download numbers across various Android versions and devices. Meanwhile, Google released the latest stats from its previously released device dashboard, showing that Android 2.2 now represents 61 percent of all active Android devices.
Apple has questioned Blaze Software smartphone browser benchmarks claiming that the Google's Android-based Nexus S ran 52 percent faster than the iPhone 4. Meanwhile, Android continued to lead iOS in Millennial Media's February smartphone ad impression stats, but has leveled off to 51 percent, dropping three points.
Ibase announced a compact digital signage PC with a dual-core AMD G-Series processor and a DVI-I output. Providing hardware video acceleration, the SI-18 has a 1.6GHz T56N processor, up to 2GB of RAM and 1TB of disk storage, gigabit Ethernet and a serial port, and a Mini PCI slot for optional Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, the company says.
Google's use of the Linux kernel in Android may violate GPL's “copyleft” provisions, say several open source software legal experts. A successful lawsuit against Google on the issue — specifically related to the Bionic library that links Linux with Android's other components — could require the costly and time-consuming switch to the GPL'd Glibc library, one analyst suggests.
Kiwi PC announced a $500 Linux-based PC for senior citizens, complete with a 19-inch monitor and a color-coded keyboard. The Kiwi PC uses a modified version of Ubuntu 10.10 tailored with simplified menus and large icons and text, and it's powered by a dual-core Intel Atom D510, 2GB of DDR3 memory, and a 250GB hard disk drive.
Motorola's Xoom Wi-Fi will go on sale March 27 for $599 from Amazon.com, as well as from brick-and-mortar retailers such as Best Buy, says the company. Representing a $200 discount from the Wi-Fi and 3G-equipped Xoom, this brings Motorola's tablet to price parity with Apple's iPad 2.
Officials with both Intel and Qualcomm say they will have no problems getting products out to customers, despite the devastation caused by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan. However, some analysts continue to predict price swings and shortages for flash memory and other computer components.
Samsung announced two Android-2.2 based portable media players, destined for the U.S. this spring, while a teaser video suggests an enterprise focus for its 8.9-inch Galaxy Tab. The Samsung Galaxy Player 4″ and 5″ offer four- and five-inch touchscreens respectively, provide a 3.2-megapixel camera and front-facing VGA webcam, and support VoIP and video calls via 802.11b/g/n.
Portwell announced a Mini-ITX board designed to accept Intel's “Sandy Bridge” Core i3, i5, or i7 processors. The WADE-8012 supports up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, has six SATA ports and three video outputs, and provides two gigabit Ethernet ports, according to the company.
Artila Electronics announced an ARM9-based, Linux-ready industrial box computer with dual, isolated CAN bus interfaces, plus the SocketCAN open source CAN stack. The Matrix-522 is equipped with an Atmel AT91SAM9G20 processor clocked at 400MHz, and offers 64MB SDRAM, 128MB of flash, a microSD slot, failover support, an under three-Watt power draw, plus paired sets of Ethernet, USB, and serial ports.
Grayhill announced a 10.4-inch rugged, IP67-sealed display computer for off-highway vehicles. The “3D104” integrates a 416MHz Marvell PXA270 processor with 64MB SDRAM and 64MB NAND flash, and offers a 10.4-inch, backlit SVGA LCD with optional touchscreen support, three CAN bus ports, Ethernet and USB ports, two serial ports, three NTSC/PAL inputs, and five GPIOs, says the company.
Pioneer Computers is readying a 10.1-inch, Android 3.0 “DreamBook ePad H10 HD” tablet based on a dual-core, 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, due for release in April. The Australian computer firm also offers six other Android 2.1/2.2 tablets, as well as six Intel Atom and CULV tablets that offer both Android and Windows 7.
Two weeks after Intel acquired security software firm McAfee, executives from both companies talked to analysts about how their combined patent portfolio will let them secure embedded and mobile devices from malware at the hardware level. First up will be “McAfee for Wind River” product, expected to be based on Wind River Linux.
Google is reported to be testing NFC-based mobile payments on payment terminals made by VeriFone in San Francisco and New York this year. Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly backing off of NFC due to the lack of cohesion around a single standard.
Intel announced four new x86 processors intended for the “micro server” market, with TDPs ranging from 45 Watts down to 20 Watts. Apparently meant to fend off gains by ARM Holdings licensees, they include: the Xeon E3-1260L and E3-1220L; an un-named “Sandy Bridge”-based offering due later this year; and a Atom variant planned for next year.