Best of Android: Fall 2013

Black Friday is just around the corner and we have rounded up some of our latest 2013 highlights covered on Android phones, tablets, games, apps and more. Android smartphones and new devices are catered to every cost-tier market. With holiday budgets this year, low-cost smartphones may be a great deal for consumers this year.

Google/Kioa

Best of Android: Fall 2013

Apps

Starbucks for Android

The Starbucks for Android App gives you access to all kinds of Starbucks products just in time for the holidays. The dedicated shopping app will also qualify rewards stars to users. The app is also informational for Android users to browse the app and locate Starbucks stores or even reload the Starbucks card. Pay for purchases easily with a card.

TripIt

The TripIt App will help you travel “stress free.” TripIt is compatible with over 3,000 booking sites. Android users can organize travel plans using TripIt® from Concur. Users simply have to just forward confirmation emails to plans@tripit.com. The TripIt app will immediately create daily itinerary for the trip. Users can also sync trip plans.

Market News

Android Gains Q3 Tablet Market Share

Who is poised to win the tablet wars? Huawai, Xiaomi and Micromax were highlighted as the leaders in low-cost smartphone devices emerging in the Asian markets. Huawei has taken the place as one of the top 5 smartphone suppliers worldwide for the third quarter. Its smartphones are low-end devices which are competitively priced running on Android. The Chinese company makes a significant impact with the present shift in the global market.

BBM Downloads Reach 20 Million Users In First Week

BBM enables Android users the latest capabilities. To truly understand how to engage community it is clear BBM understands how to listen. We’re entering the age where social media and creativity will play an important role. The importance of interactions, community and engagement adds value to users lives.

Android GPS for the Blind

Android GPS technologies are excellent for the blind. Android is a rapidly growing option for mobile users who are blind. How it impacts innovation, quality on the human life and the evolution of these technologies shows how far we have come today with advancements. Real time communication takes only minutes whereas a traditional approach would have taken hours. Android GPS is one of the main areas where the blind are benefiting greatly.

Google

Google Play

Google Play has over 1 million apps available in its store. Users had downloaded 50 billion apps in 2013. The store definitely offers a variety of apps for any type of Android user. One of the best features with Google Play’s shopping experience is its navigation. Android users can select apps and receive title or app recommendations. Its also user friendly through offering an instant install of any app selected so Android users don’t have to manually add in apps.

Google Beta-Testing Analytics

Google is beta-testing and tracking consumers Android data. The tracking and testing program called “Estimated Total Conversions,” aims to monitor Android users and iOS users through consumer purchasing behaviors from registered store visits through smartphones. The data that can be accessed include Gmail, Google Maps, Google Search and more. The program supports tracking for devices and offline conversions of signed-in Chrome users.

Smartphones

Curved Mobile: The LG G Flex

LG is pushing sophisticated technologies with its LG G Flex curved mobile smartphone. The company is persistent in delivering consistent innovation to its devices such as smartwatches. LG is expected to integrate more of its own technologies into much smaller displays to compete with its rivals like Samsung, Apple and Google.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra

Sony Xperia Z Ultra is a premium phones with the first Android™smartphone with a 6.4" HD Reality Display2. The smartphone device is also first to feature a TRILUMINOS™ Display with X-Reality for mobile. The Xperia Z Ultra is an ultimate smartphone packed with many features and accessories. The device is available for $679.99.

Motorola’s Droid Maxx

Motorola’s Droid Maxx version has outstanding features which stand out such as its attractive battery life, clear phone quality, design, audio and wireless charging. It outperforms in being an ultra thin luxury smartphone. Its back is coated in Kevlar fiber, Maxx holds greater running time with its 3,500mAh battery. Competitors include Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One. Motorola’s Droid Maxx is Verizon’s best selling Android smartphone high priced at $299.99.

Tablets

Black Friday’s $50 Android Tablet

The featured Black Friday deals include a $49 7-inch Xelio Android tablet from Wal-Mart. The retailer worries about the upcoming lag for this year’s holiday shopping. Wal-Mart decided to offer specials one month in advance. This is a trend among other retailers who plan to be open 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day for 25-hour shopping overnight.

Which Android devices are on your shopping list for the upcoming holidays? Black Friday weekend sales that occurred on Thanksgiving increased to 15% last year from 7% the year before, the percentage of sales on Friday dropped to 59% from 66%, according to Applied Predictive Technologies.