-What's up, I'm Brian Tong and welcome to the Apple Byte for all the good and bad inside the world of Apple.
Let's get to the show.
Google's android platform continues to explode and Apple now has a legitimate rival in the minds of consumers.
According to Gartner's research, Android is now the 2nd most popular mobile operating system in the world, trailing behind Nokia Symbian OS with apple coming in third.
Android
has exploded from 3.5% a year ago and is now over a quarter of the worldwide OS market at 25.5%.
Apple's iOS market share delved slightly from 17.1% to 16.7.
Now, with these latest numbers, it might be an Apple's best interest to release their CDMA-based iPhone, a multiple carriers sooner or rather than later.
Now, this show isn't all about Android, but the iPad's number 1 contender, the Samsung Galaxy Tab will be available by all four US carriers in a few days on the November
the 14th.
Now, a lot of you techno freaks are curious how stocks up, so let's take a look with Donald Bell.
-Hey, I'm Donald Bell, and today we're taking a first look at the Samsung Galaxy Tab.
This is an Android-based tablet computer, running Android 2.2, the 7-inch capacity touchscreen.
It's available on all major carriers starting mid November with various pricing plans.
This version is in from Sprint, which has the Tab for $399 with a 2-year contract, plus a monthly data plan,
that's a minimum of $29.
As competitor to the Apple iPad, the Tab isn't cheap, but the Samsung's credit, they didn't skimp on the product.
We've already seen cheap 7-inch Android tablets the Archos 7, and they're not great.
As the name implies, the Galaxy Tab offers Samsung's Galaxy smart phone experience in a larger tablet form.
On the front, you've got a screen, which is covered with this scratch-resistant gorilla glass.
The LCD underneath is a crisp 1024 x 600 resolution, which is on par with the iPad.
But since the screen is about half the size, the peak of density is much tighter.
Above the screen, you have front facing 1.3 megapixel camera, which is perfect for video chat and across the bottom, you have the typical Android style buttons for menu, home, back, and search.
Flip it over and you'll see a white plastic back and a larger 3 megapixel camera with innovative flash.
Overall, the feel is very solid.
It's about a half inch thick, same as the iPad, but not as tapered at the edges.
It's lighter than the iPad.
Easier to hold
on one hand and has the huge benefit of actually being able to fit in an average pocket.
That said, compared to the 5-inch dual speak, is large enough to deliver an experience that's closer to the iPad's 9.7-inch screen.
So, is the Galaxy Tab better than the iPad?
It may be, for some people who really want the portability, the camera, the flash support or the extra carrier options.
But, I don't think the iPad is too much to worry about.
Honestly, with the tab about half the size of the iPad, it kind of different
products.
The iPad is more of a Netbook alternative, while the Tab fits into more of the smart phone and eReader camp.
So, that's the Samsung Galaxy Tab.
For cnet.com, I'm Donald Bell.
-Thanks for that, Donald.
Now, when I said it's legit, I meant it, and the Galaxy Tab will be a perfect fit for certain users, that's not me.
Now, we all knew about the iPhone 4's antennae gate, but is there another issue involving the glassback?
Cult of Mac reports that Apple store has suspended the sale of iPhone 4 slide-on cases
because of concerns about trapped dirt causing scratches and cracks.
at least half-a-dozen manufactures are being affected who ramped up their productions for the holiday season.
Corning's Gorilla Glass is used on the front, but not on the back of the iPhone in cases like Mophie's Juice Pack Air have been banned at the moment.
Apple has no official response, but we'll see how real Glassgate might be.
It's another issue that the big A doesn't want with one of its crown jewels.
But trying to hide it, won't make you go away, and this sure is smelling like another
bad apple.
iPod touch fans who always wanna be connected will now be able to do it with the Sprint ZTE Peel.
This $79 slider case connects to Sprint's 3G network for 29 bucks a month can also be turned into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot for other devices.
Yeah, sure, you may ask some junk to the trunk, but you'll also be able to face time wherever you are, and I mean, wherever.
Now Sprint, a little personal request, hook me up with some 4G action, and I'll be
happy rather than its raining dog.
That is more precious than diamonds or silver.
Now, for all you called weather dwellers who want to use iOS devices without your fingers falling off, Japanese-based Hitachi is developing a multitouch screen that works if you're wearing gloves using the tip of your fingernail or a stylist.
It's a projection-type touch panel that ranges from 3 to 10 inches in size and would fit perfectly with
Apple's current line of mobile devices and more importantly, world record-holder Lee Redmond wouldn't have to use an iPad with her tongue, not that there is anything wrong with that.
For the Quick Bytes, Apple recently released an update for MAC OS 10.6.5, and we're also expecting an update to iOS 4.2 by the time you watch this.
There were rumblings that Apple was no longer supporting the AirPrint feature, but Steve Jobs responded with, "AirPrint has not been pulled,
don't believe everything you ready." See?
I've learned a lot from Steve.
First, he told me to hold my phone differently and now, I don't believe what I read.
This thing is the world is round.
In happy Apple news, consumer reports has ranked the latest MacBook Air at the top of their categories.
The 11-inch model was top of its class for laptops that that size, and the new 13-inch Air even vested the 13-inch MacBook pros.
Apple now holds the top ranking
for every laptop size by consumer reports, including the 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook pros.
Now, we're putting together an e-mail episodes, so please send me your burning questions, anything you want serious or not so serious, and we wanna show some love back to you, the apple byters, who constantly send us some great e-mails.
Now, I'd like to give a shot out to all my friends and home of Christian Schools 11th Grade Com Sci Class in Louisiana: Emily, Alexis, Trista, Shelby, Ana,
you guys bring home the volleyball title and really you have nice handwriting and coloring skills.
Jonathan and Kung Fu Jonathan, please don't hurt each other.
Tamar, you better stop hitting all the girls, and Clay, even I could have blocked that belt.
Now, Aaron, I'm not sure why you're running in this picture.
Bradley, the leprechaun, nice hair, and Cody, shifu, I was told not to ask about that name.
But thanks for the picture and take it easy on Mr.
Samaha; he's a fragile one.
All right, that's gonna do for this week show.
send us your e-mails to the applebyte@cnet.com
.
I'm Brian Tong.
Thanks for watching, and we'll see you guys next week for another bite Of the Apple.
