ANDROID

As the saying goes, ‘you’re in the Army now,’ so you’ll be issued boots, guns, ammunition…and one day perhaps an iPhone. The U.S. Army is testing the feasibility of using smartphones in field operations.

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) ruled on July 15, that HTC had infringed on two of the four patents involved in its lawsuit with Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL).

In a cutthroat competition, the success of one player could turn out to be a failure for another. And right now, Microsoft may be thanking Google's Android.

The patent battle Apple has engaged with Android OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) can have extremely grave consequences including ban on the disputed Android products, which could mean anything between a complete wipe-out to decreased US market share, to the Google's mega-hit mobile OS.

As Apple continues to remain tight-lipped about iPhone 5 release date and specifications, Android smartphones, mainly from Samsung, HTC and Motorola, are making greater gains in the smartphone battle.

Google's Android Operating System is in serious trouble with the ITC ruling which says Android-run HTC devices infringe two of ten Apple patents in an initial determination by an administrative law judge (ALJ). These determinations will undergo review by the six-member Commission, the highest decision-making body at the ITC, to reach the final decision, with the target date of the final Commission decision set for December 6, 2011.

A US Trade Commission judge said that HTC has infringed two Apple patents.

Apple Inc. is gearing up its production of iPhone 5 for a possible September launch.

Some of most talked-about smartphones right now apart from the iPhone 5 include Samsung's Galaxy S2 and the Motorola Droid 3.

Is Netflix's Android App enough to save the company after its price increase?

The rivalry between Google and Apple continues to heat up as the two tech giants reported progressive development for Android and Apple App Store. Apple holds the lead with over 15 billion downloads while Android grew rapidly with over 4.5 billion. The increased number of Android smartphone and tablets flowing into the stores will attempt to even the playing field with Apple's iOS devices.

There are reports that technology giant Apple will release Mac OS X Lion along with new MacBook Air next week, possibly on July 21/22.

ITC says HTC infringed on two Apple patents in the latest ruling. HTC plans on appealing.

T-Mobile USA recently launched HTC-manufactured myTouch 4G Slide smartphone that claims advanced camera features with zero shutter lag and backside illuminated sensor.

Games continue to be the most popular app category

Apart from Apple Inc.'s iPhone 5, the most awaited Android smartphones are Samsung Galaxy S2 and Motorola Droid Bionic.

Google reported its strongest quarter in several years, with revenue and earnings handily exceeding all expectations, driven by core search and momentum in display and mobile businesses.

Search giant Google is expected to release an updated version of its Android operating system - Android Honeycomb 3.2 - to production partners at the end of July or early August.

This October the tablet market will have one more important member: Amazon’s own tablet. According to analysts and investors, Amazon plans to release a tablet computer by October. It will solidify Amazon’s position as the world’s largest Internet retailer.

With Apple's iPad dominating the tablet market, expectations of the iPad 3 release is considered to cement its position at the top. Sony, Samsung, and Hewlett Packard have all released their latest tablets in hopes of eating away at Apple's 82% hold over the US tablet market. The iPad 2 now have seen threats but can the new line of competitive tablets be enough to counter Apple's upcoming iPad 3?

Google's stock opened strong Friday, up 13 percent by mid-morning after a strong earnings report Thursday after the bell beat analysts expectations.