ANDROID

Citing concerns over Window Phone 7's closed nature, Motorola VP Christy Wyatt said that the company had no plans to use Windows Phone 7

If the talk at this week's Mobile World Congress fair has been dominated by Nokia and Microsoft's new venture, Google's Android has been the center of the action.

HTC released its 7-inch Android tablet Flyer at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona while BlackBerry maker RIM announced that it will offer its tablet PlayBook in HSPA+ and LTE versions.

Google tried to get Nokia to use Android, the CEO said.

Google's Android Marketplace makes a huge jump in market share, but Apple's App Store is still way ahead of the pack.

Smartphone maker HTC has rolled out two new phones - HTC ChaCha and HTC Salsa - with a dedicated Facebook button for one-touch access to the key functions of the social networking service.

Samsung is said to have ordered millions of Nvidia's Tegra line of chips for its latest 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab that will run on Android 3.0 operating system, popularly known as Honeycomb.

New features relying on increased user information would only come with your permission the Google CEO said.

Taiwanese phone maker HTC Corp. joined the tablet bandwagon as it released its Android-based 7-inch tablet the Flyer, stoking competition in the 7-inch form factor which includes players like Samsung Galaxy Tab and Dell Streak 7.

The New York City Health Department has launched an iPhone and Android application - NYC Condom Finder - to help users find free condoms.

LG's entry in the tablet race is the 3D-ready, Android-equipped 8.9-inch Optimus Pad.

Android gaming is moving up to the next level, with smaller publishers such as Glu Mobile and Zoo Entertainment threatening to zap larger players including Electronic Arts .

RBC Capital Markets said in its highlights before the Mobile World Congress show that smartphone units may accelerate this year from last year’s 60 percent growth as devices do more and simultaneously move down market for the masses.

Android gaming is moving up to the next level, with smaller publishers such as Glu Mobile and Zoo Entertainment threatening to zap larger players including Electronic Arts .

Chip-maker Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM) said future Android devices powered by its latest Snapdragon mobile processors will have access to instant streaming of movies and TV shows from Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX).

Samsung launched its 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab at the Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona, reflecting its move from the 7-inch form factor to tackle the likes of Motorola Xoom and Apple iPad.

Motorola Mobility announced the acquisition of Mountain View start-up Three Laws Mobility Inc. (3LM) to expand the security of phones running on Google’s Android mobile operating system.

Sony Ericsson on Sunday announced the launch of Xperia PLAY, the first PlayStation certified smartphone.

Apple is working on a cheaper version of the iPhone that is aimed at slowing the advance of competing handsets based on Google Inc.'s Android software.

The deal with Nokia is significant for Microsoft, which is trying hard to capture smartphone market share from the likes of iOS and Android.

HP has arrived late to the tablet party and though its flagship tablet TouchPad has the design to counter Apple's iPad, it does look rather challenged in terms of specifications, especially when compared with a host of recent Android tablets like Motorola Xoom.