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Casio GW-9300 Mudman, HTC Kingdom, Android 2.3.4 released: US Update
HTC first quarter spoiler alert: revenues were off the charts!
Android Alert: Google Talk with video and voice incoming [video]
The future of HTC smartphones: HTC Kingdom and Rider [photo]
Google drops the hammer on ‘free’ tethering apps in Android Market
Introducing the carbon fiber Casio G-Shock GW-9300 Mudman
Come see our new Best Android apps Top 100 list!

Casio GW-9300 Mudman, HTC Kingdom, Android 2.3.4 released: US Update

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 03:29 PM PDT

Let's wrap up the week with one more morning edition of the best darn tech wrap up show on the net, the US Update. We kick off the morning with a fresh new Casio carbon fiber G-Shock, dubbed the GW-9300 Mudman (yes this watch is mud resistant). We jump on over to some leaked images of the upcoming HTC Kingdom, an Android smartphone with a qHD display like the Sensation. We close the show with new on the Android 2.3.4 update rolling out to the Nexus S and one blockbuster feature guaranteed to brighten your day.

Casio's is adding a new addition to the G-Shock family this June. The Casio G-Shock GW-9300 Mudman follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, packing a fully dust-proof design with the reliability necessary for nearly any terrain. Google has made its second bold leap, by removing apps which provide 'free' tethering. Is this a sign of Google playing a more active role, possibly even curating future Market submissions?

The HTC Kingdom and Rider will be the next qHD-packing smartphones unleashed to the Android community, following in the footsteps of the HTC Sensation. Both phones use 4.3-inch displays and running at qHD resolution. Google Talk for Android smartphones now supports video and voice calling. A feature previously only available to Android Honeycomb tablet touting souls, the video-capable Google Talk client will gradually be rolled out to Nexus S devices "in the next few weeks" as part of the Android 2.3.4 OTA update.

The world simply can't get enough of HTC's Android smartphones as the company sold 9.7 million units in the first quarter alone. The combination of the Inspire 4G, Thunderbolt, EVO Shift 4G, Desire S and Incredible S were consumed with what seemed like an insatiable consumer appetite. To cut to the chase, HTC's revenues were up 174.5 percent year-on-year.

That wraps up your daily tech update. As always I'm Nick Marshall and I'll see you again on Monday, enjoy the weekend.

HTC first quarter spoiler alert: revenues were off the charts!

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 03:20 PM PDT

If HTC had to choose a best friend based on today's sales and revenue, we'd imagine that friend would be Google. The world simply can't get enough of HTC's Android smartphones as the company sold 9.7 million units in the first quarter alone. The combination of the Inspire 4G, Thunderbolt, EVO Shift 4G, Desire S and Incredible S were consumed with what seemed like an insatiable consumer appetite. To cut to the chase, HTC's revenues were up 174.5 percent year-on-year.

In order to survive in the world of tech, you need to diversify your products and target the globe. Assuming you've accomplished those tasks, with a bit of luck you'll find strong underlying growth in all regions — this just so happens to be a position enjoyed by HTC. The company sold 9.7 million smartphones in the first quarter of 2011, 192% more than the year-ago quarter, and 6% more than 4Q 2010. Total revenues grew for four consecutive quarters since 1Q 2010 and reached NT$104.16bn in 1Q, up 174.5% year-on-year.

With the Wildfire S, ChaCha, Salsa, Flyer, EVO 3D, and Sensation either released or soon-to-be-released, it looks like the good times will keep on coming for HTC this year. Sometimes taking a risk reeps unprecedented rewards. HTC took that risk when it decided to focus the majority of its business on Android — well done, fine sir.

via HTC

Android Alert: Google Talk with video and voice incoming [video]

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 03:03 PM PDT

Sound the alarms, Google Talk for Android smartphones now supports video and voice calling. A feature previously only available to Android Honeycomb tablet touting souls, the video-capable Google Talk client will gradually be rolled out to Nexus S devices "in the next few weeks" as part of the Android 2.3.4 OTA update. An update for other Android 2.3+ devices is expected "in the future".

It certainly pays to do business with the Google Nexus S if you love the latest Android updates. Owners of the Samsung Nexus S will be treated to video and voice chat over Google Talk as early as today, but Google has cautioned us the update might take a few weeks before it finds its way into the hands of all Nexus S owners. For now, enjoy the video demonstration showing the update in action and if you are lucky enough to own the Nexus S, feel free to give us your take on the update in the comments section below.

Oh, one last tidbit you'll undoubtedly be happy to hear — Google Voice video calls work over 3G, 4G and WiFi. So Cupertino, how you like them apples?

via Google Mobile Blog

The future of HTC smartphones: HTC Kingdom and Rider [photo]

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:51 PM PDT

Want a free glimpse into HTC's Android smartphone future? Please remember the cost of admission when judging the quality of these megapixel-deficient photos. The HTC Kingdom and Rider will be the next qHD-packing smartphones unleashed to the Android community, following in the footsteps of the HTC Sensation.

There's two certainties for HTC's top-tier Android smartphones: they'll use 4.3-inch displays and they'll operate at qHD resolution. Pictured on the left, the HTC Kingdom looks to have brushed aluminum trim along the top, very reminiscent of the HTC Touch Pro2. Since details are scarce, anything is possible with this bad boy, heck maybe even a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, but we'd imagine that's probably unlikely.

Over on the right is the the HTC Rider, wrapped in red trim (possibly a removable case). Other than the red trim, the HTC Kingdom and Rider look very similar, we'll just have to wait for additional photos or possibly a screenshot to spill the beans. So, now that you've seen the next two HTC Android smartphones.

Coming Soon | HTC | TBD

Google drops the hammer on ‘free’ tethering apps in Android Market

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:37 PM PDT

The days of Google playing the role of a passive moderator to app submissions to the Android Market is coming to a close. Following the removal of many virus infected apps earlier this year, the search giant has made its second bold leap, by removing apps which provide 'free' tethering. Is this a sign of Google playing a more active role, possibly even curating future Market submissions?

The free-for-all, no holds barred Android Market may have worked well in the beginning, but today there are nearly 200,000 apps, with thousands more being submitted each month. Part of the reason we love to hate Apple is the level of control they exude over their App Store — today it appears Google will follow suit, albeit to a lesser extent.

Our good friends over at Android Police first caught wind of Google's iron fist this morning when they noticed 'free' tethering apps, Wireless Tether specifically, were unable to be installed on reader's smartphones. Commentors quickly pointed out that in the US, Verizon Wireless, T-mobile and At&t Android smartphones were unable to install the app (Sprint users had no issue).

Please help us evaluate the scope of the Android Market change by trying to install Wireless Tether (or any 'free' tethering app) and post your results in the comments section below, thanks.

Out Now | Wireless Tether | Free

Introducing the carbon fiber Casio G-Shock GW-9300 Mudman

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:18 PM PDT

Casio's is adding a new addition to the G-Shock family this June. The Casio G-Shock GW-9300 Mudman follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, packing a fully dust-proof design with the reliability necessary for nearly any terrain. Critical information such as temperature, moon phases and direction are also in tow — how about we take a closer look at this fine timepiece.

Priced at 296 GBP, the Casio GW-9300 Mudman hits retail stores in Japan this June. The watch first came to light at Baselworld 2011 where its carbon fiber reinforced resin band caught the attention of G-Shock fans. The combination of a dust and mud-proof casing and the ability to run on solar power makes the GW-9300 the perfect addition to any active lifestyle.

For the technical enthusiasts, the GW-9300 is capable of running 1000 hours and is completely mud and water resistant up to 20 Bar. The case measures 53.0 x 50.8 x 18.2mm and weights 68.5 grams. For the runners in the audience, there's a 1/100-second stop watch to fine tune your progress.

June | Casio | 296 GBP

Come see our new Best Android apps Top 100 list!

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 01:15 AM PDT

It’s the end of another month, so as ever we took the time to update our best Android apps of all time: Top 100 feature, throwing in the finest apps released this month worthy of being in the download pantheon. Come see what’s in, and what’s out.

With the release of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play (AKA the PlayStation Phone), it’s been quite the month for Android gaming, and it shows in some of the new titles we’ve added. Into our best Android apps Top 100 comes Eternal Legacy, Gameloft’s fantastic Final Fantasy RPG riff, and PewPew 2, an unbelievably addictive Geometry Wars style game.

Holding up the line for productivity apps is new entry Read It Later Pro, which replaces InstaFetch as our article saving program of choice. On the way out also are Swipepad, which hasn’t removed the kinks we were hoping for, and Tick, a barebones timer.

What else have we missed? Have a look at our best Android apps Top 100 list and let us know what you think should be in there!