Google's mobile operating system may be fragmented, but Android as a whole stills eats up the smartphone pie chart with 79 percent market share in the second quarter of 2013.

"Android continues to dominate with nearly 80 percent market share," wrote market research firm Gartner in a press release today.

Previously, Google-powered smartphones accounted for 64.2 percent of sales in the same quarter last year, according to Gartner.

This 14.8 percent jump further distances Android from the iOS platform among smartphones. Apple's share decreased from 14.2 percent to 18.8 percent worldwide in the second quarter year-over-year.

Microsoft on the march

If you run into 10 people who bought a smartphone in the second quarter, statistically eight out of them are likely to be Android owners. But maybe, just maybe one of those people is carrying a Windows Phone handset.

That's more likely now than it was last year, as Microsoft is inching its way up the mobile OS sales charts at 3.3 percent this past quarter.

A year ago, Windows Phone was behind former No. 3, BlackBerry, having just 2.6 percent of the worldwide smartphone market.

BlackBerry managed to capture just 2.7 percent of the market in the second quarter, down from 5.2 percent last year even with BB10 in full swing this year.

Samsung still dominates devices

Among hardware manufacturers, Samsung was in line with its software partner, Google, trumping Apple with a healthy 31.7 percent of sales. The Galaxy S4 launch was no small part of that success.

Apple's hardware numbers remained the same as its software, as the company's phones and iOS platform are tied together.

Rounding out the top five in today's report were LG at 5.1 percent, Lenovo at 4.7 percent and Chinese phone manufacturer ZTE charting with 4.3 percent of sales.

Other vendors accounted for the remaining 40 percent of smartphone sales in the second quarter.

• Read how Apple could make up for lost ground with the iPhone 5S fingerprint sensor

Source : techradar[dot]com

According to unconfirmed reports on Wednesday, Samsung will launch the heavily-tipped Galaxy Gear smartwatch during its Unpacked event early next month.

Sammobile, the often reliable independent Samsung site, claims it has information confirming the company will introduce its precursor to the Apple iWatch alongside the Galaxy Note 3 on September 4.

The so-called SM-V700 Galaxy Gear - a potential name that has emerged in various Samsung trademark filings - had previously been tipped to arrive at the event by sources in the company's Korean homeland.

The Unpacked event will take place in Berlin, German on the eve of the annual IFA technology show and should a launch be forthcoming, allow enthusiasts and reporters to get their hands on the device.

Wristy business

Previous rumours have pegged the device as a wearable companion for the company's much-loved range of Galaxy devices.

In terms of specs, recent patent filings from Samsung have hinted at a flexible AMOLED screen that wraps around the wrist, along with a built-in microphone and USB charging port. However, little else is known.

Should it be revealed alongside the Note 3 - which is all but confirmed for the event - observers will likely be briefed on how the two devices would interact with each other.

Right now, we'd take all talk of a September 4 launch date with a large enough pinch of salt to wipe out the world's snail population, but talk is certainly hotting up ahead of one of the biggest tech events of the year.

• Speaking of interesting new Samsung products, have you seen its new China-only, dual-touchscreen 'Hennessey' flip phone?

Source : techradar[dot]com

The last we heard of Samsung's flexible display tech was April, when the rolly screens were warbled by delays.

Now we know why - apparently the Korean company can't figure out what to do with it.

Hence the "Samsung Create: Flexible Future Business Plan" contest that Samsung launched today, offering prizes up to $10,000 (about £6,400, AU$10,900) to contestants with the best ideas.

"We are calling on the most innovative designers, hardware engineers and entrepreneurs to develop new product ideas that put our revolutionary Flexible Display technology to use in ways that will define the future," Samsung writes.

You might as well not bother, though - TechRadar's going to sweep the whole contest with our plan for flexible, hi-tech slap bracelets.

More blips!

Need inspiration? TechRadar has plenty more blips to get your creative juices flowing.

• HTC's Iron Man-starring ad has nothing to do with HTC One Max
• Google Maps has a fantastic Easter egg in the shape of a familiar blue box
• How famous do you have to be to get Facebook's new VIP app?

Source : techradar[dot]com

HTC committed to its "here's to change" ad campaign today by debuting its full-length ad starring Iron Man himself, Mr. Robert Downey Jr.

The ad, in which RDJ attends a board meeting and explores the various meaning of the acronym "HTC," was teased earlier this month with a short clip.

Contrary to TechRadar's prediction, though, the ad has nothing to do with the rumored HTC One Max, instead focusing on the company's overall brand.

Apparently HTC stands for whatever you want it to - including humongous tinfoil catamaran, hipster troll carwash, hot tea catapult, hold this cat, Hawaiian tickle ceremony, Hungarian tuba concert, hands that clap, hot tempered cheerleaders, hog-tied clown, and finally "happy telephone company."

Acronym enthusiasts and the easily amused can get more with the company's acronym generator. What fun!

More blips!

We can't afford Robert Downey Jr., but we do have a lot more blips to read!

• Google Maps has a fantastic Easter egg in the shape of a familiar blue box
• How famous do you have to be to get Facebook's new VIP app?
• Samsung's Android flip phone gets us partying like it's 1999

Source : techradar[dot]com

Pictures allegedly showing the white version of Sony's rumored Xperia i1 "Honami" surfaced last night, placing the 5-incher next to the competition for comparison.

In the photos, posted last night on the Chinese message board Digi-wo (via Xperia Blog), the Honami can be spied next to an iPhone 5, and it's both taller and wider than its Apple-made rival.

The Xperia i1 also appears next to its slightly smaller cousin, the Xperia Z.

Other photos in the set show some of the phone's ports and features, as well as a shot of the phone's camera menu.

Honami time!

The other photos published today show the Xperia i1 Honami's magnetic docking pins, port flap, top-mounted 3.5mm headphone jack, and 20.7-megapixel, 1/2.3-inch sensor G lens camera.

Another shot showing the phone's UI confirms its ability to take 20MP 5248 x 3936 photos.

Previously photos of the black version of the Honami have been more prominent, and this is the most we've seen of the white version.

Past leaks have suggested that in addition to the device's impressive camera, it will sport a 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 chip, Qualcomm Adreno 330 graphics, 2GB of memory, 16GB of storage, microSD, LTE and NFC support.

A 3000mAh battery was rumored previously as well, a spec that Xperia Blog reaffirmed in today's report.

With those stats it seems Sony is vying for the camera phone throne, but with competition from the likes of Nokia's Lumia 1020 and Samsung's Galaxy S4 Zoom it's going to be a war of at least three kings.

• Antsy to earn more about the Xperia i1 Honami? You may just get your wish when IFA 2013 rolls around next month.

Source : techradar[dot]com

More rumors about LG's alleged upcoming tablet, the LG G Pad, popped up again today when sources came forward claiming they've held the device in their hands.

According to the Greek site TechBlog (via Phone Arena), those sources spilled the beans about some of the G Pad's stats.

Allegedly the LG G Pad is an 8.3-inch tablet with an impressive 1920 x 1200 display resolution, putting it in the same ballpark as Apple's best Retina screens.

Interestingly, the G Pad was also said to have cell capabilities with support for call-enabled SIM cards.

The G report

According to those who supposedly handled the G Pad, it's extremely thin and light, with a small side bezel, and fits easily into back pockets - which for an 8.3-inch tablet is nigh unbelievable, so take that with a side of salt.

The G Pad reportedly also sports a quad-core processor and 2GB of memory, but that's where the details stop.

Overall the G Pad was compared to the Nexus 7, only slightly larger.

What up, G

LG hasn't released a tablet since the Optimus Pad came out years ago, but it was rumored as far back as May this year that the company is getting back into the tablet game.

The G Pad name first surfaced last month, when LG filed listings for "G"-branded devices like a G Watch, G Band, G Hub, G Glass, and G Link.

The G Pad and G Watch are slightly predictable, but whatever the rest of those are remains a mystery.

Thankfully, Phone Arena reports that the G Pad, at least, will be unveiled at IFA 2013 in Berlin, so we may not have to wait much longer to find out.

• Don't feel like waiting for LG's G Pad? TechRadar ranked the best Android tablets available now.

Source : techradar[dot]com

It's been all about the budget iPhone 5C recently, but today we're back focusing to the iPhone 5S with a new part claiming to offer up more evidence that it could be offering up a fingerprint reader. You know, the one we keep hearing about.

A component leaked by Nowhereelse.fr shows some design changes to the home button area that could indicate that it's making space for a fingerprint scanner to replace the home button we're all so used to.

The supportive metal spacer cushion, as thrilling as it sounds, has also had a tweak that makes it look like it's making space for something new.

Dusting for evidence

There are also some changes in the camera area, including the all-exciting screw placements, which could have something to do with that dual flash we've also been hearing about.

Some particularly compelling evidence for a fingerprint reader was found in the pre-release beta of iOS 7 where a "Biometric Kit" folder was discovered.

We've no way of telling whether these pictures are real, but if all these recent 5S and 5C appearances have any truth behind them, Apple really needs to plug some leaky holes.

After all, that rumoured September 10 launch is less than a month away - will there be any surprises left in store?

Source : techradar[dot]com

EE is no longer going to be the only 4G operator on the block, with the big blue of O2 and the big red Vodafone networks finally bringing their super fast mobile offerings to the table.

With EE being an established network, covering over 50% of the UK population, both networks have a lot of work to do.

The biggest thing that all of the networks have to worry about is convincing people that 4G is the way to go, since Gary Marshall points out that consumers just don't see the need for 4G. So what do the big three networks have up their sleeves? Here is our run down on what you can expect.

Best 4G Coverage

Let's face it, 4G is going to be of no use to you if you don't have access to it. EE now has 4G coverage for over 50% of the UK, covering many cities across the UK including Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Derby, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Nottingham and Sheffield. 24% of the UK is also eligible for EE's new double speed 4G.

O2 will be launching its 4G service from August 29, covering London, Leeds and Bradford, covering a total of 13 cities by the end of the year. Vodafone will launch initially in London, with 12 more UK cities to be covered before the end of 2013.

Given Vodafone and O2 share their base stations in a cost-cutting measure, it makes sense that the same 13 cities would roll out at the same time - although Voda might choose to go to some different locations to offer variety.

Best 4G price

EE's 24-month 4G plans start at £26pm with 500MB of data, climbing by £5pm for a further 500MB. However at £46pm, a whopping 10GB of data is on offer, climbing to an even larger 20GB for a mind boggling £51pm.

For a 12-month contract, prices start at £41pm for 500MB of data, with £66pm gaining you 8GB of data. EE also offers 12-month and rolling 1-month contracts, starting at £21pm and £23pm respectively. All plans come with unlimited calls and texts.

Vodafone has announced that there will be both 12 and 24-month Red 4G plans, again starting at £26pm. These Red plans will also include unlimited minutes and texts, with varying data limits.

Vodafone will be including 3 months worth of unlimited data to all new contracts, but Vodafone UK CEO Guy Laurence made it clear that "we won't be going unlimited in the near future. In fact I'm not sure it will go unlimited at all".

O2 has finally outed its prices too, and they're a little simpler to understand. All coming with unlimited texts and calls, the base price for a SIM only contract on a 12-month deal is £26 for 1GB of data. £31 a month will net you 3GB of data, and £36 will get you 5GB.

However, order before 31 October and the latter two tariffs will be bumped up to 5GB and 8GB of data for the whole term of the contract.

If you're one of those looking to get on the Refresh scheme, which sees your monthly payment split into airtime and paying for the phone, meaning you can upgrade anytime you want and simply throw in the remaining balance for the handset.

If you go down this route, 4G data plans start at £22 for 1GB of data, £27 for 3GB and £32 for 5GB, with the 5GB and 8GB upgrades also on offer. These also come with unlimited texts and calls.

Best 4G handsets

The most important part of your new contract will be your new smartphone (assuming you haven't already purchased a 4G-ready device). Possibly the biggest phone for any network right now is the iPhone 5.

As you may have heard, O2's 800MHz 4G band isn't supported by the Apple device, so to make the most of your iPhone's mobile web, you will need to choose a different network. That said, we would highly expect the next iPhone iteration - iPhone 6 anyone? - to be available on O2 from the outset.

Don't go thinking that Vodafone will be able to offer Apple's iPhone 5 on 4G either though, since that network's running the 2.6GHz and 800MHz bands... neither of which are supported by Apple's latest handset.

What about the other 4G-ready phones? O2, alongside both EE and Vodafone, will be carrying the 5 star rated HTC One, the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S4 Mini, and the Sony Xperia Z, with the smaller Xperia SP available on EE and O2.

The Nokia Lumia 820 is available across all the networks, with the Lumia 920 and Lumia 925 available on both Vodafone and O2.

EE currently has 15 different 4G devices, including the network-exclusive Huawei Ascend P1 LTE. O2 will be offering 20 different devices, whereas Vodafone has a total of 13 different handsets.

• For a full rundown of the best 4G phones out at the moment, head over to our in-depth feature on this very subject.

Best 4G deals

Also important to your new plan is what else your chosen network can offer you. Whether it's a free cinema ticket or free gifts from the high street, each network has its own goodies to try to tempt you across.

EE now has EE Wednesdays, a continuation of Orange Wednesdays, with a free cinema ticket available mid-week for all EE customers. Being the longest serving 4G network, EE is also able to offer double speed 4G, with 12 UK cities having a theoretical 150Mbps top speed. Probably more interestingly, EE will also be bringing shared plans, so you can access 4G on multiple devices.

EE also offers:
- Free add-on with certain tariffs
- Cash on Tap, free £10

There are also reports that the big red Vodafone network will also be offering shared plans at some stage. Vodafone also offers a Sure Signal box, plugging into your router to offer mobile signal at home. Elsewhere, Vodafone VIP is available to customers, offering tickets to Vodafone-sponsored events.

More importantly, Vodafone will be offering 3 months unlimited data, as well as offering to buy customers out of their contracts, should they upgrade. Also being bundled in with 4G plans will be either a Spotify Premium or Sky Sports Mobile TV subscription.

Vodafone will give users who sign up before August 18 two years' free Sky Sports access to use up their 4G allowance... sneaky, when you consider the amount of spouses bored shopping just DESPERATE for a Premier League fix.

O2 has long had Priority moments, offering up high street discounts from money off chocolate to cheaper flights or 2 for 1 entry at a theme park. O2 also offers Priority tickets, offering up tickets up to 48 hours before general release, and Priority sports gaining access to a variety of sports-based offers.

O2 also offers TU Go, an app that enables you to use your O2 number to make calls and send texts via Wi-Fi from not only your phone, but also your tablet and laptop - which even includes the London Underground.

Source : techradar[dot]com

The iPhone. For many it's the hottest bit of tech you can own, a fashion statement and powerful travel companion all in one - but for others it's an overly expensive solution to a problem which is solved equally well by cheaper Android and Windows Phone devices.

But perhaps not for much longer. Alongside the talk of an inevitable iPhone 5S and iPhone 6, we've noticed a rash of slightly more eyebrow-raising news suggesting the cheap iPhone 5C could be on its way.

Word of a budget iPhone (which seems destined to be called the iPhone 5C) has been doing the rounds for the past few years, but the reports have intensified post-iPhone 5.

Apple itself has been hit-and-miss when it comes to talking about a cheaper iPhone, with Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller saying in January that the firm's focus will never be on low cost handsets, while CEO Tim Cook said "we are making moves to make things more affordable" in February - so make of that what you will.

We've perused all the leaks, claims, suggestions and "upstream supply chain" comments to bring you the latest vibe on the iPhone 5C and whether we will see it or not.

It's a (release) date!

Apple has stayed true to form and hasn't given any details away regarding its next smartphone(s), but we're expecting the next iPhone instalment to arrive in September, and thus this seems the mostly likely time for the budget iPhone to stride onto the scene.

Case manufacturer Tactus claims the iPhone 5C will arrive in October - which would fit in nicely with the September/October launch event Apple is thought to have planned.

Update: Word on the street now is that the iPhone 5C will rock up on September 18 (that's Wednesday) and will arrive in a range of colours. How lovely.

The report goes on to claim that the 5C could hit stores on September 27, in the US at least, setting punters back $349 (about £227/AU$376) for the 16GB model.

If the idea of a low-cost iPhone has taken your fancy then you may find it difficult to get hold of one when it initially goes on sale. According to a DigiTimes source the iPhone 5C will have a limited release at first, with the focus being put on emerging markets.

How low can you go?

Price is the single biggest factor when it comes to the budget iPhone 5C, but it's one part of the puzzle which has not seen much in the way of leaks.

A cheap iPhone needs to be able to challenge the cost effective Android and Windows Phone handsets which are currently populating the bottom end of the market, so really we'd like to see it rock up somewhere in the region of £200/$310/AU$300).

The only things we've seen regarding the price of the iPhone 5C is a rumour suggesting Apple is targeting the $330 (around £210/AU$310) price point - which would be nice.

And the $300 mark looks to be a popular choice, with case manufacturer Tactus also touting the same price.

No Retina for your retinas

There is some confusion over the screen size on the iPhone 5C, with some reports suggesting it will pack a 4.5-inch display, while others point towards a smaller 4-inch offering - similar to the one found on the fifth generation iPods and iPhone 5.

If Apple are really looking at a more affordable iPhone we'd be surprised if it turns up sporting a screen which is bigger than the iPhone 5, and we reckon 4 inches or below is far more likely.

Don't go expecting the budget iPhone to pack the beautiful retina display of its brothers though, with the low-cost handset far more likely to land a lower resolution - possibly 1,136 x 640.

Other reports suggest Apple may return to its origins and supply the cheaper iPhone with a 3.5-inch display.

Plastic fantastic

We've become accustomed to the iPhone's premium design, with high quality materials oozing style and class, but things could well get a lot more plastic on the iPhone 5C.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple is looking to clad the budget iPhone in polycarbonate, instead of aluminium and toughened glass, in an attempt to keep the cost down.

These musings have be reinforced by Digitimes' famous "upstream supply chain sources", who also revealed the cheaper iPhone would rock up with a plastic body.

Apparently the budget iPhone 5C won't just be a jazzed up iPhone 3GS, nor will it be a scaled down iPhone 5, with iLounge claiming the cheaper iPhone will be an absurd mash-up of the latest iPhone and iPod, plus the original iPod classic - retro!

Update: Our first proper glimpse of the cheap iPhone might be the offering below, which shows a while handset with a lovely plastic finish and a design which is reminiscent of the iPhone 3GS. According to this report you can expect to see the budget iPhone rock up in black, white, blue, red or yellow variants.

And if you're unsure about that iPhone 5C name, then explain these boxes - of course they could be fakes but it adds another piece to the 5C puzzle.

Update: The iPhone 5C chassis may have even been leaked in a YouTube video, which poses the simple question "iPhone 5C?"

Update: Rarely do we see leaked images which aren't blurred, but in the case of the iPhone 5C a couple of rather crisp photos have popped up online from SonnyDickson, claiming to show the budget iPhone.

Stop, colour time

What's this, an iPhone which doesn't just come in black and white? Well yes, that may become reality with a cheaper iPhone on the cards.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (who actually has a decent track record) reckons the budget iPhone will be available in a range of colours, with apparently between four and six choices.

This was followed by sources who spoke to Macotakara, claiming the cheap iPhone will be available in five colours - which could see it sport the same blue, red and yellow which accompany the black and white on the current range of iPods.

Update: However if you would rather believe other rumours, black won't feature on the iPhone 5C after all, being replaced by green instead.

More, more, more

In terms of other specs details have been hard to come by for the budget iPhone, although we've now seen a report which suggests the handset will sport an A5 processor and 5MP rear camera.

Update: There might be some good news in the camera department on the iPhone 5C however, with recent reports suggesting the cut-price iDevice may in fact sport a 8MP rear snapper instead of the 5MP option we'd originally seen touted.

Source : techradar[dot]com

O2 will be launching its 4G service across the UK on 29 August, but it's finally spilled the beans on how much you'll have to pay for the superfast connection. Sadly, it's only matched the incumbent 4G operator, so it's not going to be cheap.

Starting at £26 per month, you'll be invited to consume 1GB of data every month for a whole year. Bump that up to £31 a month, and you'll get 5GB, and with an extra fiver on top of that, 8GB can be yours.

These three tariffs come with unlimited calling and texting, although sadly the second two options, the 5GB and 8GB, come down to 3GB and 5GB allowances respectively after 31 October.

Refreshments may be available

The price is slightly lower if you go for O2's Refresh scheme, which allows you to pair it with monthly payments for a handset while keeping the costs separate. If you go down the Refresh route (again, all with unlimited texts and calls) 1GB will set you back £22 per month, 5GB (3GB after October) £27 and 8GB (5GB after October) £32.

What's slightly weird is that when the introductory data offer ends, users will be able to get more 3G data for £31 a month compared to the 4G offering...which is rather cheeky when you consider that 4G data actually costs less to manage across the network.

When the October offer is over, the 4G price plans from O2 will match those from EE exactly on the same SIM only deals – however, the bubbly network is talking up its Refresh program as a way to get cost control over your device is you're willing to pay a little more upfront.

It's going to get interesting when it comes to the 4G wars in the UK towards the end of the year as Three joins the party. Remember, the numerical operator is promising to keep all its price plans the same while adding in the 4G superboost, so we could see the faster speeds on offer for as little as £15 per month.

Source : techradar[dot]com

We know you've been waiting impatiently for this news so we'll cut straight to the point: the 4.7-inch screen-toting, 4G-rocking, multi-shelled Nokia Lumia 625 has been given a UK release date.

Yes! And a price.

And here they are: the Lumia 625 will be available from O2, Vodafone, EE, Carphone Warehouse and Phones4U from August 28.

If you're up for a contract, you'll get the handset for free on a £21/month deal, while the SIM-free PAYG option sees the Lumia 625 priced at £179.

• What's the best UK 4G network, you ask? We've rounded them up here

Treats

It's true what they say about the early bird - it gets a free orange, yellow or green shell if it buys a black or white Lumia 625 for a limited time at launch. That is what they say about the early bird, right?

The headline act is, of course, that 4G connectivity - with EE already running its network and O2 and Vodafone set to launch their 4G networks on August 29, the Lumia 625 is arriving just in time.

We've had a go on the handset - have a read of our hands on Nokia Lumia 625 review, then see what the rest of the team made of the thing at launch in our TechRadar Reacts.

Source : techradar[dot]com