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iOS 4.3.1 released, Android in 2016, iPad 2 glass breaks: US Update
Bruce Willis calls iPad 2 glass display Unbreakable
O2 Xperia Play launch delayed: no dice for April 1st
By 2016 you will use an Android smartphone
RIM records record smartphone shipments, stock drop 12 percent
iOS 4.3.1 released: bug fixes incoming
iPad 2 launches, Final Fantasy 3 for iPhone and an Xperia X10 surprise upgrade: Teatime Tech
Best iPhone apps: app of the day = PhotoSync
Final Fantasy 3 hits the iPhone, summons a high price tag
How to get an iPad 2 today

iOS 4.3.1 released, Android in 2016, iPad 2 glass breaks: US Update

Posted: 25 Mar 2011 06:43 PM PDT

Ready to start off your weekend with a tasty bit of tech news? In today's US Update, Saturday edition, we drop the scoop on the iOS 4.3.1 update coming to an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch near you. We look at new forecasts showing the future of Android in 2016 and even show off an iPad 2 glass test — did it break? Let's find out.

Apple has release iOS 4.3.1, an incremental update which addresses the occasional graphics glitch affecting the fourth generation iPod touch. The update also addresses bugs related to activating and connecting to some cellular networks. Despite record smartphone shipments, Research in Motion fell 12 percent in after-hours trading after the firm said profits this quarter would be much weaker than expected. The dip in profits could be largely attributed to developing the BlackBerry PlayBook and migrating customers towards cheaper handsets in its product range.

According to Ovum, smartphones will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 14.5 percent between 2010 and 2016, representing 40 percent of the mobile phone market. Asia-Pacific will be the largest region, shipping over 200 million units by 2016. The Xperia Play launch scheduled for April 1st has hit a roadblock for the UK's O2 network. The carrier confirmed software issues will delay the release on the company's official blog this morning.

Last up is a video released by iFixYouri.com today, the iPad 2 glass display was put through the ringer. Despite the iPad 2 glass display being 27 percent thinner than the original, it was actually very difficult to break. That wraps up your Saturday edition of the US Update. As always I'm Nick Marshall and I'll see you again on Monday.

Bruce Willis calls iPad 2 glass display Unbreakable

Posted: 25 Mar 2011 06:14 PM PDT

Well, not exactly. In a video released by iFixYouri.com today, the iPad 2 glass display was put through the ringer. Despite being thinner than the original, the second generation materials appear to better, faster and strong — a classic dose of Mr. Kanye West. Ready to take a look at what it takes to break the iPad 2 glass?

According to iFixYouri.com, the iPad 2 glass display is 27 percent thinner than the original, and also quite a bit more flexible. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Take a peak of the iPad 2 display being pushed to its limits.

Anyone else surprised by the strength of the display? Good thing I didn't place a bet before watching.

via PhoneArena

O2 Xperia Play launch delayed: no dice for April 1st

Posted: 25 Mar 2011 04:30 PM PDT

The Xperia Play launch scheduled for April 1st has hit a roadblock for the UK's O2 network. The carrier confirmed software issues will delay the release on the company's official blog this morning. According to Stuart Hibber, head of O2's testing team, “sometimes we discover bugs and issues on a phone… we’ve been working with Sony Ericsson to get these bugs ironed out".

The world's first Playstation certified smartphone looks to be taking a page from Gearbox Software's Duke Nukem Forever release. Due to some unforeseen software bugs, O2's testing team is working with Sony Ericsson to iron out the kinks, but "haven’t been able to get them fixed in time for us to be able to launch the phone on April 1 as we originally planned".

For those not riding the mobile highway on O2 UK, we have some good news. Sony Ericsson's PR agency issued a statement this afternoon:

“Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY will be launching on April 1 across all UK mobile operator partners except for O2, who have decided to prolong the testing period in order to ensure that the software meets the requirements of its procedures."

Since Mobile World Congress in Barcelona we've had our eye on the Xperia Play. We've handled it extensively and we're thrilled to finally get our own retail units. We'll be keeping a close eye on the O2 UK release, but for now consider the release "pending".

via GameIndustry.biz

By 2016 you will use an Android smartphone

Posted: 25 Mar 2011 04:13 PM PDT

Independent telecoms analyst Ovum released forecasts showing the global smartphone market will double in size by 2016. Leading the market will be Android, driving growth as the dominant platform with more than a 20 percent market share lead over number two, Apple's iOS. Where will Windows Phone and BlackBerry fit in the picture?

Let's cut to the chase — Android will win by numbers. With dozens of manufacturers, the combined effort is simply too daunting a task for a single company to do battle in the long term. On their own, Apple and BlackBerry should outshine individual manufactures selling Android smartphones, but dominating smartphones is largely about market share.

According to Ovum, smartphones will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 14.5 percent between 2010 and 2016, representing 40 percent of the mobile phone market. Asia-Pacific will be the largest region, shipping over 200 million units by 2016. Meanwhile, Western Europe and North American will reach 175 million and 165 million shipments respectively.

Now for the 2016 global smartphone market share. Taking home top honors will be Android with 38 percent, followed by Apple's iOS with 17.5 percent, Windows Phone with 17.2 percent and BlackBerry OS with 16.5 percent. Based on these forecasts, by 2016 — odds are, you'll probably own an Android smartphone (if you don't already).

Do you agree with Ovum's forecast? Will Android really dominate the global smartphone by such a staggering margin by 2016? Let us know what you think.

via Cellular News

RIM records record smartphone shipments, stock drop 12 percent

Posted: 25 Mar 2011 03:48 PM PDT

Today, RIM reported their fourth quarter financial results for fiscal 2011. With recorded BlackBerry smartphone shipments up 52.3 percent over fiscal 2010, you'd think the stock market would welcome the Canadian giant. Unfortunately, this was not the case as RIM said profits this quarter will be much weaker than expected.

The stock market plays no favorites. In a classic case of what have you done for me lately, RIM's fourth quarter financial results were quickly overshadowed by their present quarter forecasts. For the record, RIM is looking sharp on paper — fiscal 2011 revenue grew 33 percent over fiscal 2010 to $19.9 billion and earnings per share grew 47 percent to $6.34 per share diluted.

Also to RIM's credit, the BlackBerry PlayBook release date has been set in stone for April 19 and during 2010 BlackBerry remained the number one selling smartphone brand in the US, Canada, Latin America and the UK. Under normal circumstances, this would have investors celebrating.

Unfortunately shares in Research in Motion fell 12 percent in after-hours trading after the firm said profits this quarter would be much weaker than expected. The dip in profits could be largely attributed to developing the BlackBerry PlayBook and migrating customers towards cheaper handsets in its product range.

We were certainly fans of the BlackBerry PlayBook in our brief hands-on time earlier this year. Add in the ability to run Android apps and we'd say RIM is in a solid position. Now if only the smartphones could catch up with the competition in terms of apps and hardware. Was the stock market's response to RIM's forecasts a bit premature? Let us know what you think about RIM's present and future condition.

via RIM

iOS 4.3.1 released: bug fixes incoming

Posted: 25 Mar 2011 03:23 PM PDT

If you are the proud owner of an iPad 2, or one of the millions of iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 or original iPads, it's time to update. Apple has release iOS 4.3.1, an incremental update which addresses the occasional graphics glitch affecting the fourth generation iPod touch. The update also addresses bugs related to activating and connecting to some cellular networks.

With the exception of Verizon iPhone 4 owners, iOS 4.3 has been on the market since March 9. Just two days before the US release of the iPad 2. As hundreds of thousands wait in lines internationally for their iPad 2s, they'll be greeted with a friendly software update reminder once they connect to iTunes.

Out Now | iTunes | Free

iPad 2 launches, Final Fantasy 3 for iPhone and an Xperia X10 surprise upgrade: Teatime Tech

Posted: 25 Mar 2011 11:15 AM PDT

Stop the clock – week over. Well, not quite: just before you head out the door, check out our headlines from this afternoon and see what you’ve missed in tech, whether you’ve been hard at work or patiently queuing for Apple’s new tablet.

First up, let’s talk Apple, and the iPad 2. It’s now on sale – just about – but if you don’t fancy waiting weeks for one to ship, we’ve got a guide on how to buy one in stores today, and the advice is still very much valid.

In gaming meanwhile, Final Fantasy 3 is the latest game in the RPG franchise to arrive on the iPhone, while in mobile, Sony Ericsson turned heads by announcing plans for an Xperia X10 Android 2.3 update. No, really.

Still want more news? Bounce on over to the homepage and help yourself to it all as it breaks!

Best iPhone apps: app of the day = PhotoSync

Posted: 25 Mar 2011 08:35 AM PDT

If you find iPhoto a nightmare and just want to fling images between your iPhone and Mac/PC/iPad/another iPhone, you really need PhotoSync. It’s easily one of the best iPhone apps for handling photos we’ve ever come across. Hook up both devices via WiFi and PhotoSync lets you sling photos back and forth and directly import them into Aperture or iPhone.

PhotoSync lets you send images directly between iPhones, iPod touches and iPads via WiFi or Bluetooth and direct Flickr uploading’s baked in there too. The Mac App Store and PC versions of PhotoSync are free. See today’s best iPhone apps entry in action after the break…

Out now | £1.19 | iTunes

Final Fantasy 3 hits the iPhone, summons a high price tag

Posted: 25 Mar 2011 08:14 AM PDT

Square Enix RPG classic Final Fantasy 3 has hit the iPhone App Store, so you’ll be able to get your turn based combat grove on on the go. Unfortunately, it’s accompanied by an eye watering price tag of £9.49, which is almost four times the price of the iPhone versions of the first two Final Fantasy outings, which we reviewed last year.

The difference is however that this is the remade, spruced up 3D version of the game that was launched to much praise on the Nintendo DS in 2006 – even with the rosiest tinted glasses on, NES graphics did not look like that.

Worth the price of admission? Click through and let us know in the comments!

How to get an iPad 2 today

Posted: 25 Mar 2011 07:39 AM PDT

Good afternoon! There’s T-Minus a couple of hours until the iPad 2 goes on sale in the UK at 5pm, and as you can see from the lengthy queue outside Apple’s flagship Covent Garden London store today, you may not have much luck snagging one there and then. Apple’s online store is already a no go too: orders went live at 1am, and dispatch time is now a lengthy 3-4 weeks.

So how can you get one today still? DON’T PANIC. Instead, read our guide, and we’ll get one in your paws pronto.

You could try your luck at an Apple store, but these are few and far between in Great Britain and queues will already be in full er, stationary swing: your odds of snagging an iPad 2 will be greatly increased if you try one of the other stores selling the iPad 2 today.

SIM free and Wi-Fi only

The chances are, you’re probably after the Wi-Fi only version of the iPad 2, which unfortunately means you won’t have any luck at the high street stores of the big mobile networks. Your best best will be to head down to a Currys or PC World and hope it’s out of the way enough that noone else will have figured to do the same.

While we don’t know how much stock each shop is getting, the good news is there’s a full list of stockists for both chains right here.

You could also try Carphone Warehouse, though far fewer branches will be stocking the iPad 2 from 5pm today – the list is here.

With 3G

If you want an iPad 2 with 3G and GPS built in off contract, you’ll need to try Apple, Currys or PC World again: we’ve confirmed all three will be selling these models too. However, if you want one on contract for a subsidised price, you may well be able to jump the queues by trying your local Orange, T-Mobile or Vodafone shop. All three are selling the slate at a subsidised cost of from £229 for the 16GB model (£199 if you’re already a customer on said network), but on a two year contract. Your choice!

Online

We’ve found one site that is shipping the iPad 2 within one or two business days, not a full lunar rotation. Simply Electronics has every model of the iPad 2 in black or white. Be warned though: it’s charging an £80 mark up on all models compared to Apple store prices.

Got any more tips? Share them in the comments, and good luck iPad 2 hunting!