16
Jun
x8

Sony Ericsson Announces 3” Xperia X8 With Android 1.6, Coming In Q3 2010

Posted by in Devices By Manufacturer, News, Sony Ericsson, Xperia X8 (Shakira)

Today, Sony Ericsson officially announced the Xperia X8, formerly known as ‘Shakira’, which will offer a middle ground between the Xperia X10 and X10 Mini.

Running Android 1.6, the software used on the X8 makes the most of the limited screen estate on offer. Utilizing Sony Ericsson’s signature application used in the other Xperia devices, the X8 allows the user to stay connected with social networks using the Timescape application.

If you aren’t already familiar with Timescape, all information about one contact is kept in the same place, so the user can easily access their contact’s Facebook posts and Tweets, or simply find an email address or phone number.

17
May
2010-05-17 20h05_33

Google Updates Platform Version Stats Yet Again, 2.1 Finally In The Lead

Posted by in Carriers, Devices By Manufacturer, News

Once again Google has updated their platform version chart, and this time OS Version 2.1 has something to celebrate.

If you haven’t been keeping track, Google has a chart that illustrates the breakdown of Android versions on devices currently in the wild. This is done primarily so developers will know what version to develop for, but has also been used as ammunition for Android’s detractors who like to bring up fragmentation as one of Android’s biggest flaws.

fragmentation

Until April, the chart would go several months with out any new updates, but since the fragmentation argument started gaining ground, Google has switched to a more consistent update schedule, posting new results every few weeks.

29
Mar
Android fragmentation

Editorial: Why Google Could Not Avoid Android Fragmentation And What It Plans To Do About It

Posted by in News

Android Fragmentation

If you currently own an Android phone, chances are you are running one of the four major release versions: 1.5, 1.6, 2.0, or 2.1.

Each version has its own set of supported features and a separate SDK (software development kit) which makes developers' lives a living hell - they have to develop and test on 4 different major operating systems or face users' wrath in the cruel world of application reviews.

Furthermore, there is a very high chance your phone manufacturer spent months customizing the OS with its own applications and UI: for example, HTC has Sense and Sony Ericsson's version is called Rachael.

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