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Spaces coming to iPad, 4G LTE is crazy fast, Android market share: US Update
Samsung laptops do not ship with keylogging software
Apple and Android remain unstoppable: US smartphone market share on the rise
Life is 10 times better with 4G LTE than WiMax
HTC unloads extended HTC Flyer video: a tablet like no other
OS X Spaces coming to the iPad?
Samsung Galaxy Mini, Nintendo 3DS sales and the best iPhone apps of the week: Teatime Tech
Nintendo 3DS: 113,000 sold in UK opening weekend
Best iPhone apps: app of the day = Soundtracking
Three launches Samsung Galaxy Mini

Spaces coming to iPad, 4G LTE is crazy fast, Android market share: US Update

Posted: 01 Apr 2011 06:42 PM PDT

Let's start your weekend off right with a morning dose of the best tech news on the net. In today's US Update we start off your morning with news that OS X Spaces is headed to the iPad. We jump over to an independent study which compared 4G LTE with 4G WiMax, guess who was 10 times faster. We take a look at the latest smartphone market share data and more on today's US Update.

First up OS X Spaces hits the iPad. A patent filing dubbed "Device, method, and graphic user interface for manipulating workspace views", describes methods of solving cumbersome and inefficient moving of one or more windows between workspaces. The description and the image that accompanies the patent filing are right on the money — friends, we could be looking at Spaces for the iPad very soon.

A fresh new video of the HTC Flyer has been released by HTC. Focused on what makes the Flyer unlike any other tablet, the video does a good job of showing off the device's highlights, but will Android Gingerbread be enough to compete? A new study for 4G LTE speed tests proves that not all 4G is created equal. In fact, Verizon's 4G LTE network was 10 times faster than Sprint's 4G WiMax network — ready for the results?

In the latest U.S. smartphone market share report Apple and Google are on the rise. Unfortunately RIM and Motorola are on the decline, but let's take a look at the big picture. Last on the agenda for today is an update to the Samsung laptop keylogging saga. Samsung has just been awarded a clean bill of health — wonder what software was to blame?

That wraps up your week in tech news. As always I'm Nick Marshall and I'll see you again on Monday.

Samsung laptops do not ship with keylogging software

Posted: 01 Apr 2011 06:34 PM PDT

Despite claims by security researcher Mohamed Hassan, Samsung laptops are not infected with the commercial keylogger called "StarLogger". Samsung's reputation has been given a clean bill of health thanks to new independent research and the Korean manufacturer has even tracked down the source of the confusion. Who would have thought that a folder created by Microsoft Live would be mistaken for keylogging software?

If this is the first you've heard of the Samsung laptop saga let me quickly recap. On Wednseday reports came in that Samsung was purportedly selling laptops containing keylogging software. Mohomed Hassan, a security researcher, said that two new Samsung laptops he purchased were infected with "StarLogger". Upon closer inspection, Hassan has been using a security program called VIPRE that mistook a folder created by Microsoft Live as a keylogger during a virus scan.

Additionally, Anti-virus firm F-secure independently tested several Samsung laptop models and found no keyloggers. The models tested included the R540 (the model Hassan purchased) and five other units — all were clean. Looks like a case of a false positive my friends. Samsung is not out to play big brother, they're just a solid company producing great products.

via Cellular-News

Apple and Android remain unstoppable: US smartphone market share on the rise

Posted: 01 Apr 2011 06:18 PM PDT

A quick look at ComScore's latest U.S. smartphone market share data and you'll spot two winners: Apple and Google. Well, not exactly Google, but manufacturers who produce their handsets (Samsung, LG and Motorola specifically). With over 61 percent of mobile subscribers using one of three aforementioned manufacturers, how long can Apple and RIM stay in the fight?

Android sure has a case of #tigerblood these days — in fact, we might as well call up Charlie Sheen because Google is #winning. In all seriousness, Android market share is staggering in the US market. The smartphone market is a game of numbers, the more manufacturers producing devices running your OS, the better your chances of success. In this regard, Google has a distinct advantage over both Apple and RIM who write their own software and exist as sole manufacturers of their respective devices.

Let's break down the data. Samsung went from 24.5% to 24.8% between the months of November 2010 and February 2011. LG remained constant at 20.9% and Motorola dropped from 17.0% to 16.1%. Apple on the other hand jumped from 6.6% to 7.5%, the largest increase of note. For the BlackBerry fans in attendance, unfortunately RIM dropped from 8.8% to 8.6% between November 2010 and February 2011. Not nearly the dip experienced by Motorola, but still notable since Apple is now less than one percent away.

Now that we have a picture of the U.S. smartphone market share, how do you expect the UK data to compare? Do you think Android is showing the same level of growth? Is the iPhone still on the rise? Sound off.

via BGR

Life is 10 times better with 4G LTE than WiMax

Posted: 01 Apr 2011 06:00 PM PDT

In the states we are in the early stages of a nationwide 4G LTE deployment by two major carriers: At&t and Verizon Wireless. A similar roll out is being planned for Europe, but you're probably asking yourself what's so great about LTE? To answer that question let's take a look at the results of over 1000 independent speed tests conducted in New York City.

Before LTE there was WiMax, also a 4G service. Sprint, by way of Clearwire, brought the technology mainstream in the mobile market. Sprint enjoyed a sizable lead in network build out thanks to its partnership, but recently Verizon Wireless grabbed the bull by the horns and aggressively rolled out 4G LTE to most major markets.

An independent test conducted by a research firm in New York City was released today, comparing the speeds of Verizon and Sprint's 4G networks. The findings were alarming, showing 4G LTE averaged an incredible 10.3 Mbps download speed when using a smartphone tethered to a laptop. Sprint's WiMax on the other hand barely hit 1.6 Mbps. Clearly, all 4G is not created equal. There's plenty more insightful data in the independent test and we recommend hitting the source link below for the full scoop.

via Android Police

HTC unloads extended HTC Flyer video: a tablet like no other

Posted: 01 Apr 2011 05:44 PM PDT

If you've been eyeing the iPad 2, one of the upcoming Galaxy Tabs or even the Motorola Xoom, HTC wants just six minutes of your time to prove the HTC Flyer is worth your hard earned coin. In the video released by the manufacturer this morning, the Flyer is put through its paces demonstrating why this is "a tablet like no other".

Let's be honest, the voice over work here is a bit robotic, but hopefully that doesn't distract you from the goods. Claiming to be as light as a paperback book, the Flyer runs Android Gingerbread and the Sense UI. With a seven inch display, the tablet will be forced to compete with the original Galaxy Tab, the new Galaxy Tab 8.9, the BlackBerry PlayBook and the Dell Streak 7.

With a single-core processor, the Flyer's real selling point is HTC Scribe, the digital ink technology. For now, the optional pen accessory can be used to turn a web page into an invitation, notate in books, comment on documents, sign contracts, edit photos or basic drawing. HTC has confirmed it will open up Scribe to third-party developers, but the biggest hurdle will be the OS.

Android Gingerbread on a tablet at this stage in the game is a little discerning. By now the world knows Android Honeycomb is Google's official tablet OS, but apparently HTC didn't get the memo. The hardware can certainly run Gingerbread, the real question is whether a timely update will follow — your guess is as good as ours. Maybe Google will follow through with the manufacturer customization penalties and hardware standardization.

via AndroidandMe

OS X Spaces coming to the iPad?

Posted: 01 Apr 2011 05:18 PM PDT

Oh lala, what do we have here? A patent filing from the kids at Cupertino (Apple) has revealed what looks like plans to bring OS X Spaces to the iPad. Though a patent is certainly quite a ways from final development, this tidbit of information certain sparked our interest this morning.

PC users let me give you a quick rundown on Mac's OS X spaces. Hidden within the System Preferences Menu on any Mac you'll find a category called 'Expose & Spaces'. By default Expose is enabled, allowing easy toggle access to all your open windows, application windows or to simply show your desktop. When you regularly have a half dozen programs open at any give time, Expose is a life saver.

Spaces takes productivity to the next level. Once enabled, Spaces allows you to create a series of virtual screens (default is four). The content on your desktop remains the same (icons), but you can distribute your open programs across the various screens (Spaces) as you please.

Now back to the patent filing. Originally submitted in the third quarter of 2009, "Device, method, and graphic user interface for manipulating workspace views", describes methods of solving cumbersome and inefficient moving of one or more windows between workspaces. The description and the image that accompanies the patent filing are right on the money — friends, we could be looking at Spaces for the iPad very soon.

via 9to5Mac

Samsung Galaxy Mini, Nintendo 3DS sales and the best iPhone apps of the week: Teatime Tech

Posted: 01 Apr 2011 09:50 AM PDT

The week’s over – stop what you’re doing, but before you grab your bag and stroll out the door, check out all the headlines in our lightning news roundup. It’s teatime tech, and it’s right here.

First up, let’s talk mobile. On the Android side of things, the Samsung Galaxy Mini phone we first sighted a few months back has quietly slipped on sale, while in iPhone news, we checked out a new best iPhone app entrant, Soundtracking.

In gaming meanwhile, Nintendo‘s UK 3DS launch figures have been revealed – and they’re not at all bad.

Still want more news before you bounce? Roll on over to the homepage and fill your peepers with all they can eat!

Nintendo 3DS: 113,000 sold in UK opening weekend

Posted: 01 Apr 2011 09:04 AM PDT

It was only yesterday we brought you news that the PSP sold almost as many as the 3DS in Japan last week, but Nintendo has just announced its official first weekend sales figures for its 3D handheld. And the bad news? They've fallen short of expectations.

Last week Nintendo 3DS pre-orders looked to be 140,000, with total sales estimates around 150-200,000, so the figure of 113,000 falls some way short of that. The difference is thought to be due to retailers who, fearful of stock shortages, sexed up their pre-order figures.

It is still Nintendo's biggest console launch ever though, eclipsing the Wii's 106,000, and DSi's 90,000. Across Europe, the 3Ds sold 303,000 in the first two days.

But apart from the odd black screen of death, the 3DS seems to have been a huge hit with gamers.

Did you buy one? And is it better than you thought? Should it have sold more? Let us know in the comments.

Out now | £229 | Nintendo

Best iPhone apps: app of the day = Soundtracking

Posted: 01 Apr 2011 08:41 AM PDT

Today’s best iPhone apps entrant is a bit of a mutant combining the location skills of Foursquare, the song identifying smarts of Shazam, the music recommendation skills of Pocket Hipster and the photo-sharing fun of Instagram in one place.

That may sound like an utter mess but, in fact, Soundtracking works brilliantly. Want to share a tune you’re currently enjoying? Fire up Soundtracking and it’ll show the latest song you’ve played on the iPod app, let you identify a song playing around you or look up the song in the Gracenote database…

Once you’ve picked the song that’s soundtracking your life at that moment you can share it via Soundtracking itself, Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare (automatically checking in when you share a song with location).

You can also add a photo to your shared song snippet and a comment on the track. The app also allows you to follow other Soundtracking users to see what songs they’re digging. Warning: it’s surprisingly addictive and has fast become one of our most used apps from the EP best iPhone apps library.

Out now | £free | iTunes

Three launches Samsung Galaxy Mini

Posted: 01 Apr 2011 08:07 AM PDT

The Samsung Galaxy Mini S5570 was announced back at the tail end of January but is available to buy from today, courtesy of operator Three. It's a budget smartie that's free on contract or available on pay as you go – read on for more info.

Running Android 2.2, the Samsung Galaxy Mini S5570 is free on a £15 a month plan, or available on pay as you go for £99. As the name suggests it's a tiny handset, just 110mm tall, yet the screen is just a smidgeon smaller than the iPhone's, at 3.14".

The Swype virtual keyboard comes preloaded, it has a 3-megapixel camera, and 600MHz processor, Wi-Fi and GPS. OK, it’s not going to give the iPhone a run for its money, but these are pretty decent specs for a budget blower.

Will you be getting one? Let us know below.

Out now | Free | Three