Per the chart above, Google Android Market has the largest share of free applications available; 60%,
representing an increase of 3% since May 2010 when it was 57%. The share of free applications is smallest
on Windows Marketplace for Mobile (22%), followed by the Apple App Store for iPad (26%) and BlackBerry
App World (26%).

The large share of free applications in Google Android Market may be influenced by the fact that developers
from only 9 countries are currently able to distribute paid applications in Google Android Market, and by
the fact that users from only 14 countries are able to download paid applications (out of the 46 countries
where Google Android Market is currently available). Additionally, users need to register for a Google
Checkout account in order to download paid applications in Google Android Market (except for the
locations where operator billing is available).

"A few weeks ago, we told you about a foursquare application developer that discovered traces of webOS 2.0 in their application logs. While the information would have been very hard to fake, it would have been technically feasible due to the fact that foursquare’s API is open source. Today, PreCentral is reporting that a closed-source game titled Cloud Hopper has discovered traces of webOS 2.0 in their logs, along with a device that has a screen resolution of 640 x 960; the same resolution as the iPhone 4’s Retina display. Whether this device is a prototype of the fabled HP webOS tablet or – fingers crossed – Palm’s next webOS smartphone, no one knows. It is nice to finally get a few snippets of information (as small as they are) to let us know that webOS hardware development is marching along… even if it is very slowly." via boygeniusreport.com

"Palm has released a new system update for Sprint Palm Pre and Pixi users. The update notches the current webOS version number up to 1.4.5 and mostly includes a few minor bug fixes. The update is available now via the on device software update. Palm details the short list of feature changes on its support site. Changes include the addition of PDK (advanced gaming) support on the Pixi and some minor changes overall, some security fixes and a couple of web browser tweaks." via palminfocenter.com

Nokia has released their Q2 2010 results, reporting an operating profit of €295 million, with net sales €10.0billion (up 1% Year-on-Year). Nokia's device and service division's profits were €643 million, down 16% year on year. Margins in devices and services were 9.5% (down 2.7% YoY and down 2.6% QoQ). Converged devices sales (smartphones) were significantly up, at 24 million, compared with 16.9 million units in Q2 2009 (so up 42% YoY) and compared with 21.5 million units in Q1 2010 (up 12%, QoQ). As such, worldwide smartphone marketshare was 41%, stable sequentially and year on year. Full story and comments here:

Crazysoft has an 'app idea contest' running in their Facebook page.
Here it is:

What kind of app would you like us to develop?
The best idea wins $cash!

Write your app idea on CrazySoft's Facebook wall and win!

Rules:
1) Write your short app idea on the Facebook fan page wall.
2) This contest lasts until 20 of August.
3) The best app idea will be decided by CrazySoft's creativity department.
4) The idea that wins will get the symbolic Paypal cash price of $200.

"ChangeWave's latest smart phone survey of 4,028 consumers shows an explosive transformation occurring in consumer demand – resulting in some major new winners and losers for second half 2010. The survey – completed June 24th – took a close-up look at consumer demand for the new Apple iPhone 4 and the HTC Droid Incredible, along with the impact these and other offerings are having on the rest of the smart phone industry. Among key emerging trends:

• Next 90 day projections show the most extensive growth in consumer smart phone sales ever recorded in a ChangeWave survey
• Big leaps forward for Apple and HTC are occurring at the expense of Motorola and RIM
• The accompanying transformation in mobile OS preferences is being led by a huge increase in demand for the Apple OS and an accelerating downturn for the RIM OS." Read more here:
  

"According to IDC in 2010 Samsung has the chance to lead in all areas in Europe as they already lead in the segment of usual phones. I mentioned before that Samsung first enters the markets important for the brand image and drive Nokia out to the developing countries, where cheap products are in demand. It is a fragment of the overall strategy. The primary objective of Samsung is to generate demand for its phones in the mature markets, because the behavior of its consumers is copied in developing countries 1.5-2 years afterwards. I think you know what it means. Samsung has a lot to offer in terms of cheap models, but they leave this area for Nokia at the moment. The average price of Nokia phones is around €64, when Samsung has a much higher parameter. If you can win earning money there is no need to lose it." Read more here:

"Keep your eyes on the www.xda-downloads.com as it looks like something interesting may be brewing. While XDA developers is home to some of the questionably legal software for our devices (and outright thefts of OEM's proprietary software), it is also the home to many nifty little utilities that you may want for your phone. So an app store of hacks might prove valuable." Via Pocketpcthoughts

HP today announced it has completed its acquisition  of Palm Inc. at a price of $5.70 per share of Palm common stock in cash. In a statement, Hewlett-Packard says the the combo gives HP significant headway into one of technology's  fastest-growth segments with Palm's innovative webOS platform and family of smartphones, plus a rich portfolio of intellectual property from the smartphone pioneer.
"With webOS, HP will deliver its customers a unique and compelling experience across smartphones and other mobility products," said Todd Bradley, executive vice president, Personal Systems Group, HP. "This allows us the opportunity to fully engage in growing our smartphone family offering and the footprint of webOS."
HP's global scale and financial strength plus Palm's award-winning webOS experience, as well as its acclaimed Pre and Pixi smartphone product lines, enhance HP's ability to participate more aggressively in the highly profitable, $100 billion smartphone and connected mobile device markets. Under Jon Rubinstein, former Palm chairman and chief executive officer, the Palm global business unit will report to Bradley. Palm will be responsible for webOS software development and webOS based hardware products, from a robust smartphone roadmap to future slate PCs and netbooks.
"With HP's full backing and global strengths, I'm confident that webOS will be able to reach its full potential," said Rubinstein. "This agreement will accelerate the development of this incredible platform with new resources, scale and support from a world-respected brand." via palminfocenter.com

(Ed. Note: Craig Froehle and Don Ferguson are longtime friends of us here at Android Central and Pre Central. They're experts in the Palm OS of old and the webOS of new. And so when they offered up a in-depth comparison of the Palm Pre versus the Evo 4G, we jumped at the chance to run it.) Read more here: