More Android 3.2 and Amazon tablet details

More details have surfaced about Android 3.2, including support for seven-inch screens and Qualcomm processors. The release may appear on Amazon.com's Android tablets, which are rumored to be arriving in August bearing Texas Instruments processors and could hasten the fall of the monochrome Kindle.

Google and its Android tablet vendor partners face a double-edged sword in their epic struggle against the almighty Apple iPad. Android 2.x is both functionally and aesthetically lacking on larger screens, especially beyond seven inches. Meanwhile, Android 3.0 solves this problem and introduces some cool features not found on the iPad, but is widely criticized for being buggy and complex.

Upcoming Android Devices to Get Super Excited About

Android fans, can you believe how far we have come? From the humble days of Android 1.5 and its bare-bones, rudimentary operation, to where we stand today. With Superphones like the HTC Sensation, theMotorola Atrix, the Samsung Galaxy S II, and all the amazing Android tablets released or in the process of being released, 2011 really looks like the year that Android is set to gain truly widespread global adoption by hoardes of hungry tech lovers everywhere. So – what do we have in store to be most excited about? Well, I’ve got some good news, and i’ve got some great news. First off – Android is only going to continue to improve in every conceivable way. Secondarily, the aggressive product cycles that manufacturers are maintaining these days means that Android devices will always be one step ahead of that fruit company that we all know. So, without further adieu, I bring to you, today, the five most amazing Android devices I am most excited about for 2011!

Why Daily Deals Are Becoming A Raw Deal

We love daily deals for a simple reason: the deals have been outstanding. If revenue growth in the first Internet bubble was about selling a dollar for 50 cents, growth in the daily deals business has been about getting other people to sell their dollars for 50 cents and charging them 25 cents for the privilege.

Living through the worst recession in our lifetimes has made such deals even more appealing.

Apple brand valued at $153 billion, scoots ahead of Google for first place

What is the world's most valuable consumer-facing brand? If you'd asked the guys behind the BrandZ survey at any point over the last four years, they'd have told you "Google," but in 2011 their answer has changed. Apple is now the hottest property in terms of consumer goodwill, earning an estimated valuation of $153.3 billion and leading a pack that includes the likes of Coca-Cola, BMW, HSBC, and Disney. The tech sector had a very strong year as a whole, with Facebook's brand improving in value by a staggering 246 percent (to $19.1b) and Amazon becoming the world's most valuable retailer (at $37.6b) in spite of having no actual stores. Sadly, there were some downers too, as Nintendo lost 37 percent of its brand worth over the past year, Nokia dropped by 28 percent, and the BlackBerry marque was considered 20 percent less awesome than before. Punch the source link to learn more.

[Thanks, Bruce]

Bloomberg BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands [PDF]

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Ad Age, Financial Times

Amazon Appstore for Android goes live, welcomes newcomers with free Angry Birds Rio

In spite of Apple's grumbling, Amazon's proceeding full steam ahead with the rollout of its Appstore for Android. The switch has just been flipped and early adopters will be welcomed with a free copy of Angry Birds Rio, whose Android launch Amazon scooped all to itself. Beyond day one, Rio will be a $0.99 app, but others will take its place as the online retailer is aiming to serve one usually-paid app for free each day. A total of around 3,800 applications are available at launch and you'll be able to get on board via either a dedicated Appstore app on Android (sideload link available below) or Amazon's web interface. The latter offers you a 30-minute Test Drive facility, where you can try out a program you might fancy for your phone before purchasing. Service looks to be US-only for now -- sorry, international users.

Update: The web Appstore has gone down. Don't panic, we're sure it's just teething troubles and not a smiting by the Cupertino ninja collective. In the mean time, the app still looks to be working okay.

All Things Digital Amazon, Appstore app download , engadget

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