Android users have an average of 95 apps installed on their phones, according to Yahoo Aviate data

Yahoo acquired intelligent Android launcher Aviateback in January this year, before launching the service out of beta in June.

In a nutshell, Aviate automatically organizes your apps and aggregates your personal and local data. This may include weather forecasts, transit information and calendar events. It adjusts according to time of day and your other activities to bring contextually-relevant information to your homescreen.

A by-product of this is that Yahoo/Aviate gathers a lot of data about key activities on Android, including what apps users interact with most, average apps installed and so on. Indeed, Yahoo Aviate and Yahoo Labs have pulled together an infographic (see below) that reveals users have an average of 95 apps installed on their phones, 35 of which are used (on average) each day.

Digging a little deeper, it’s clear that certain apps appeal to users at specific times of day, which probably doesn’t come as that much of a surprise. Google Maps usage peaks later in the day when people are trying to get places, while the clock app peaks at night-time and in the morning.

Netflix, on the other hand, rises steadily throughout the day to a high at around 10pm, while the phone and SMS apps are most often used during working hours.

Though Yahoo won’t reveal actual download figures for Aviate, Google Play’s rather broad range reveals it has been installed between 1 million and 5 million times, so the data is based on a significant number of users. That said, it is restricted to those who are inclined to install a launcher such as this, so it’s perhaps not entirely representative of the broader Android app install-base.

Anyway, check out some more of its numbers from the infographic below.

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Asus ZenFone budget smartphones come to the UK: Release date, price and specs

After launching elsewhere, Asus has decided to have a push on the smartphone side of things in the UK. The budget ZenFone series, consisting of three different handsets, is on their way so here's what you need to know about release dates, prices and specs. See also: Best budget smartphones 2014.

The ZonFone range of smartphones was announced at CES 2014 back in January and has since launched in various countries including India and Sweden. We haven't given them much attention but now it's the turn of Blighty.

With the affordable prices (see below), the ZenFone devices will take on a new legion of decent budget smartphones like the Motorola Moto G, EE Kestrel and Nokia Lumia 630.

Asus ZenFone 4,5,6: UK release date and price

All three ZenFone models are available to pre-order now from Asus and will also be available from retailers including Currys PC World, Argos, John Lewis, eBuyer and Very. They will then start shipping and go on sale on 1 September.

The bigger the model, the more expensive it is so the ZenFone 4 costs £99 and the ZenFone 6 will set you back £249. See below for the full pricing.

ZenFone 4: £99
ZenFone 5 8GB: £149
ZenFone 5 16GB: £179
ZenFone 5 4G LTE: £199
ZenFone 6: £249

Asus ZenFone 4,5,6: Specs

The model number, as is typical for tech products, corresponds to the screen size. They are all different in this respect but the trio of smartphones share a few things in terms of design and specs.

Each come in various colours (the ZenFone 4 has more options) and the plasic rear cover has a 'ceramic' treatment applied to it. They also use Asus' own ZenUI interface on top of Android. They also all use Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and feature a microSD card slot for adding storage.

Most run on Intel Atom processors apart from the LTE-enabled ZenFone 5 which uses a Qualcomm chip for that 4G goodness.

ZenFone 4 specs

Processor: Intel Atom Z2520, 1.2GHz Dual-Core
Display: 4in (800 x 480), 233ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Storage: 8GB eMMC, microSD card (up to 64GB)
Memory: 1GB LPDDR2 RAM
Colours: Black / White / Red / Yellow / Blue

ZenFone 5 specs

Processor: Intel Atom Z2560, 1.6GHz Dual-Core
Display: 5in (1280 x 720), 294ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Storage: 8/16GBGB eMMC, micro SD card (up to 64GB)
Memory: 1/2GB LPDDR2 RAM
Colours: Black / White / Red / Gold

ZenFone 5 4G LTE specs

Processor: Qualcomm MSM8926, 1.2GHz Quad-Core
Display: 5in (1280 x 720), 294ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Storage: 16GB eMMC, microSD card (up to 64GB)
Memory: 2GB LPDDR2 RAM
Colours: Black / White / Red / Gold

ZenFone 6 specs

Processor: Intel Atom Z2580, 2.0GHz Dual-Core
Display: 6in (1280 x 720), 245ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Storage: 16GB eMMC, microSD card (up to 64GB)
Memory: 2GB LPDDR2 RAM
Colours: Black / White / Red / Gold

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Microsoft expands 4G WP lineup in Taiwan with Lumia 930

Microsoft launched its 4G-enabled Lumia 930 smartphone in Taiwan Thursday, marking the second Windows phone released in Taiwan since the software giant acquired Nokia's handset division.

The Lumia 930 will be available from Chunghwa Telecom Company, Taiwan's largest mobile service provider, on July 16 with a price tag of NT$18,900 (US$630) for a contract-free model. The 5-inch device runs Windows Phone 8.1 and sports a 20-megapixel PureView camera with a lens by German optical systems maker Carl Zeiss AG.

Microsoft launched the mid-range Lumia 635 in June with Chunghwa Telecom and plans to make more Lumia series phones compatible with the country's new 4G LTE network through software upgrades, said Jacob Chen, general manager of Taiwan sales and marketing at Microsoft Devices Group.

Gary Chan, the group's head of pan-Asia marketing, said Windows Phone volume in the Asia-Pacific region excluding Japan grew 105% last year thanks to strong support from operators, retailers and developers.

The Lumia brand name, however, will no longer be used for Windows-based smartphones in the future as Microsoft plans to announce a new brand name by the end of this year, Chan added.

Nokia's feature phones will continue to feature the iconic name of the Finnish phone maker as guaranteed by a 10-year licensing deal with its parent company, he said.

In April this year, Microsoft announced it had completed its acquisition of the Nokia Devices and Services business after approval was granted by Nokia shareholders and governmental regulatory agencies around the world.

With the Nokia mobile phone business, Microsoft said it will target the affordable mobile devices market–a US$50 billion annual opportunity–delivering the first mobile experience to 1 billion people while introducing Microsoft services to new customers worldwide.

Microsoft to release Windows Phone 8.1 in the first two weeks of July

Microsoft will roll out Windows Phone 8.1 starting next month, according to the company itself. In response to a user query asking the release date of Windows Phone 8.1, Microsoft India tweeted that the update will start rolling out in the first two weeks of July, and of course, it will be available to all existing Windows Phone 8 handsets.

We recently saw information about Windows Phone 8.1 listed on the update history page. Plus, some regions including Finland and Argentina have started getting the Lumia Cyan updates on their devices already.

Though, how soon the update will reach your handset depends on the manufacturer and carrier. People living in India should be able to get the update a little faster, as the smartphones are usually sold unlocked here, thus carrier doesn't play much role. 

Nokia Lumia and other handset users might have to wait a bit longer, as the mobile manufacturer will pack operating system updates and exclusive features depending on your hardware, for example Lumia owners will be getting the Lumia Cyan update, which will most likely be pushed together.

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UC Browser for Windows Phone bumped to 3.6, makes it easier to follow the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Popular web client UC Browser for Windows Phone has picked up a major update. The new version makes it easier for users to follow up on the 2014 FIFA World Cup which started just a few hours ago. In addition, the client now lets you download content directly to SD card, a feature that many of us would find handy.

Bumping up the version number to 3.6, the new browser offers World Cup information on the speed dial page. Users can check live scores, stats, text broadcast, photos, and videos alongside group updates right from within the browser. There's also a Match Reminder option that will keep you informed with the schedule. 

The other significant feature is the ability to download files directly to the SD card. Furthermore, UC Browser claims that there have been some improvements while downloading on WiFi. The downloads will no longer pause after you lock the screen of your Windows Phone. There's also an Optimized Speed mode, which should enhance your browsing experience.

Take the app out for a spin and let us know what you think of it. You can download it from the Via link below (if you don't see the update right away, give it some time). 

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Sony Xperia Tablet Z 3G Starts Receiving Android 4.4.2 KitKat Update in India

Users report Sony has begun rolling out the Android 4.4.2 KitKat update for the Xperia Tablet Z 3G in India. Last month, the company had announced the gradual global roll-out of the update for the Sony Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR and Xperia Tablet Z.

The Japanese giant had then written on Twitter, "it's here: #Android 4.4 #KitKat rolling for #XperiaZ, #XperiaZL, #XperiaZR & #XperiaTabZ - new UI, Xperia Themes."

The Android 4.4.2 KitKat update roll-out for the Sony Xperia Tablet Z 3G in India has been tipped by user Hrishikesh via AndroidOS.

Earlier the company on its official blog had revealed the changelog for the Android 4.4.2 KitKat update for the Sony Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR and Xperia Tablet Z. Further, it also detailed the roll-out plans for the Android 4.4 KitKat update for the Sony Xperia T2 Ultra, Xperia E1 and Xperia M2 (and their dual-SIM variants) starting July.

Some of the changes the Android 4.4.2 KitKat update brings according to Sony will include performance improvements and UI optimisations; tweaked Status Bar and Quick Settings that according to the company are more intuitive and customisable; and the new Xperia Themes, which are downloadable UI packs from Sony Select.

Sony had also announced the revamped Sony native app portfolio with the Android 4.4.2 KitKat update which includes Messaging, Email, Smart Social Camera and Battery Stamina Mode among others. Other media apps such as Walkman, Album and Movies, are now integrated with Sony Entertainment Network cloud service. Sony has also added a sleek launch animation and live wallpaper, which is reminiscent of the Sony PlayStation 4, across the lock and home screens.

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Should you buy that budget android? What to expect and what not to

The Indian mobile market has suddenly been flooded with several seemingly good options for Android smartphones around Rs. 7,000. There’s the Moto E by Motorola, Micromax Unite 2, the Lava Iris X1 and a few other options. So is a budget Android finally worth it?

Like in most cases, it’s not a clear-cut answer of yes or no, so here are the common triumphs and failings of this lot of smartphones, which should help you make a better buying decision.

Screen: Apart from the Moto E, none of the other budget smartphones come with scratch-resistant glass, which is usually not worth a compromise. The quality of the screen itself is now good enough for most users, although you won’t get super-sharp or big-size displays.

Verdict: Good enough.

Performance: Forget about the dual-core, quad-core, RAM and other counts. Those aren’t making much of a difference in this price range. What you need to know is that all the phones are fine for standard operations like calling, internet usage, texting and IMs, social networking, etc. But if you want to play high-end games or be a power user with lots of apps running, these phones aren’t going to keep up with you.

Verdict: Good enough for average users, not worth it for gamers and power users.

Memory: We have gone into detail about how with low-cost Androids,limited memory means limited usage. With just around 2.5GB of internal memory available to the user and the inability to install apps on microSD cards with Android KitKat, this one aspect is a major factor in deciding who should and shouldn’t use these phones.

Verdict: Not good enough for anyone. You will need to be choosy about which apps you install.

Camera: You obviously won’t get a great camera at this price. You’ll be able to shoot photos that are usable in broad daylight, and you will need to rely on filter-centric apps like Instagram to correct images shot in low light. Video shooting is a problem, and all phones are slow to focus, which means candid shots usually appear blurry.

Verdict: Decent, but don’t expect too much.

Battery: This aspect isn’t common across phones, so it’s best to read individual handset reviews to know more about the battery life of 7K Android phones.

Verdict: Generally good and long-lasting, but there can be exceptions.

Summary: These Rs. 7,000 Android smartphones are good enough if your needs are limited to a few basic apps, calling and messaging, email and internet browsing, some social networking, and the odd game like Angry Birds. You need to know that you can’t install too many apps on this and that you will have to clean your phone’s internal memory periodically—if that’s not okay with you, look elsewhere now!

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Sales of smartphones fall amid consumer concerns about resale prices

HTC One Max, a high-end model, has seen a price drop several times so far this year.

Hitting the market with an initial price of VND15.59 million, it has been listed with a selling price below VND10 million. In May alone, the model’s price dropped by VND3 million.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra, the model which is believed to have all the advanced technologies of Sony, lost VND2 million in its value in May alone.

Meanwhile, iPhone 5 32GB’s price decreased by VND1.5 million to VND13.99 million and HTC One Mini fell by VND1.1 million to VND8.59 million in May.

The continuous price falls just within a short period have made buyers retreat. They are hesitating to buy smartphones at this moment because they fear the smartphones would depreciate.

Thang, an office worker in Hanoi, said after some thoughts, he has decided to buy an Asus Memo Pad 8 at VND4 million instead of an iPad or Galaxy Note 10.1 as he initially planned to buy.

“I need a mobile device good enough for me to surf on internet, read news and communicate,” he explained. “iPad is a high-end product, but it would devalue rapidly”.

The majority of Vietnamese will think carefully when buying smartphones valued at 10 million and more. Expensive products are seen as valuable assets for Vietnamese. Therefore, they don’t want to see their asset value fall after a short time.

Blackberry and Sony users are the ones who understand the problem best.

Dung, who bought a Blackberry Z10 in May 2013 at VND15.5 million, said he could not imagine the product would be so cheap at VND4.5 million after only one year.

“My valuable asset has lost 4/5 of its value just within one year,” he said.

“I know that technologies improve rapidly and new products are made every day, so hi-tech products get cheaper. However, I could not imagine such a sharp price decrease,” he said.

The sharp price falls have dealt a strong blow to smartphone retailers as well. The owner of a smartphone shop revealed he lost nearly VND100 million lately when the manufacturer cut the selling price of Blackberry Z10.

Blackberry only provides products to some official resellers, so other distributors suffer when they could not sell products before the manufacturer made the price-cut decision.

The distributor commented that the Vietnamese high-end smartphone market segment is, to some extent, in a mess. Distributors now are very skeptical when deciding what models to sell because they fear they cannot sell most of the products before the next price cuts.

VnMedia has quoted foreign sources as reporting that smartphones and tablets running on Windows and other platforms will see sharp price drops this year.

Amazon’s Smartphone Is Expected to Have These 3 Radical Features

Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN  ) is likely to announce a smartphone on June 18. The phone has been anticipated for months, has been the subject of numerous leaks, and has even appeared on screen (maybe) in a promotional video Amazon released ahead of the event.

Amazon's phone will enter a crowded market place, going up against numerous devices running Google's (NASDAQ: GOOG  ) Android as well as Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) various iPhones. This is no different from the tablet market, where its Kindle Fires have attained some level of success. But the tablet market and the phone market are quite different, and in order to compete, Amazon could use a variety of radical features to sway buyers.

Amazon could pay for dataIn the tablet market, Amazon has competed on price, offering devices that are typically much cheaper than its competitors. The 7-inch Kindle Fire HDX, for example, retails for just $229 -- Apple's comparable iPad Mini with Retina display is almost twice as expensive ($399).

But Amazon can't so easily rely on this tactic to win over smartphone buyers.

In the U.S., most smartphones are purchased on two-year contracts, which result in consumers paying just a fraction of their device's total cost. Phone financing, a new trend that has emerged, is even worse for price discrimination, as consumers aren't even required to pay the up-front down payment. Although Apple officially charges $649 for its basic iPhone 5S, virtually no Americans pay that, instead forking over a $199 down payment or $27 monthly fee.

To compete on price, Amazon could use a completely new tactic, offering owners of its smartphone free data. Prime data, as a number of reports have suggested, will see Amazon pay carriers for some of the data its customers use.

Amazon may not be able to win by offering a cheap device, but it could sway some buyers with the prospect of reduced monthly bills. With Amazon paying for some of the data, owners of its phones would be able to choose cheaper plans with lesser data caps.

Tracking your headAmazon's phone is also expected to include technology that would allow it to track a user's head. Leaked images have shown a device with multiple front-facing cameras, presumably to facilitate this feature.

Samsung, Google's biggest hardware partner, has implemented head-tracking to some extent in its phones, using features like Smart Scroll (scroll up and down a page by tilting your head while looking at the device) and Smart Stay (prevent sleep mode while a user is looking at the handset) to help set its devices apart from Apple's iPhones, which lack these features.

But most reviewers have found these features to be lackluster and poorly implemented (including myself). Relying on a single camera may limit the ability of these features to work as intended.

If Amazon could one-up Samsung, delivering a device that can truly and accurately a track user's head, it could offer a number of radical user interface features that haven't yet been seen on a smartphone.

A new operating systemLastly, Amazon's smartphone will likely use its Kindle Fire operating system, which isn't new in the sense that Amazon first introduced it in 2011, but would be radical in that it would be the first implementation of Fire OS on a phone.

Fire OS, at its core, is saa version of Google's Android, but heavily altered so as to remove Google's services. This results in some notable omissions (like Google Maps) but allows Amazon to favor its own app store and media sales at the expense of Google's.

Buyers of Amazon's Kindle Fire tablets and Fire TV could become Amazon's primary customers. Apps and media purchased on these devices would likely carry over. At the same time, Amazon's app store is accessible through Google's own Google Play, and those Android users who have relied on it extensively may be enticed to make the switch.

A brutal market
Hopefully for Amazon, these features will be enough to set its handset apart. As it stands, the U.S. smartphone market is brutal, with only two companies -- Apple and Samsung -- finding much success.

Moreover, with the smartphone market nearly saturated, Amazon will have to work hard to win over buyers that may already be locked in Apple and Google's respective ecosystems.

Leaked: Apple's next smart device (warning, it may shock you)
Apple recently recruited a secret-development "dream team" to guarantee its newest smart device was kept hidden from the public for as long as possible. But the secret is out, and some early viewers are claiming its everyday impact could trump the iPod, iPhone, and the iPad. In fact, ABI Research predicts 485 million of this type of device will be sold per year. But one small company makes Apple's gadget possible. And its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors. To be one of them, and see Apple's newest smart gizmo, just click here!

Amazon's 3D smartphone will 'arrive in June' to challenge Google's Nexus 5

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ONLINE RETAIL GIANT Amazon reportedly will announce its first smartphone, a 3D-capable device with retina tracking technology, in two months time.

That's according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), which reports thatAmazon will announce its first smartphone at an event in June(paywalled), before it releases the handset later in the year.

It won't be your average smartphone, apparently. The report claims that Amazon's smartphone will support glasses-free 3D, which it will achieve by using retina tracking technology embedded in four front-facing cameras.

This, according to speculation, will also allow users of the smartphone to scroll through menus using just their eyes.

The WSJ said, "The 3D screen technology can sense the movement of a person's eyes and whether the screen is moving closer to a user's face, according to people familiar with the matter. In response, the phone will be able to automatically zoom into images as it moves closer to a user's face and could manipulate text and images as a person moves the phone."

The report added that this technology will set Amazon's smartphone apart for gaming, saying, "the phone's software is also optimized for very visual games, designed to provide a sense of depth" and claiming that it will have tight integration with Amazon's Fire TV set-top box.

This isn't the first we've heard about Amazon launching a 3D smartphone, and previous speculation had suggested that the as yet unnamed device will feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 4G LTE support, and a price competitive with the Google Nexus 5. Much like Amazon's Kindle tablets, the device will run Android, but won't offer access to Google Play.

Amazon declined to comment on the rumours.

The WSJ report added that production of the Amazon smartphone will begin at the end of April, and that it likely will start shipping in September. µ

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