The Android distribution numbers for this month are in and it looks like Jelly Bean is really picking up steam. The latest and greatest from Google (both version 4.1 and 4.2) is accommodating for 33% of all Android devices, while the leader in 2010′s Gingerbread has dropped down to just 36.5%. From the looks of things this may very well be the last month that we see Gingerbread so far in the lead, with mostly all new phones coming out running ICS and for the most part Jelly Bean.

Google’s first Holo-themed OS, Ice Cream Sandwich, is still going along nicely with 25.6% of Android devices running the OS. This means that of all active Android out there, 58.6% of …

With the recent release of the Samsung Galaxy S4, Nexus Edition, and possibly the Nexus version of the HTC One, it got me thinking about what this might mean to the future of Android, the equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and more importantly, the customised versions of Android that are released by the equipment manufacturers.

Because you’re reading this, it’s a fair assumption that you have an interest in Android and more than likely, in the Nexus family in general. From humble beginnings in 2010 with the Nexus One, every new Nexus device not only includes better hardware and the most-recent version of Android, but most importantly, it outsells its predecessor. It’s quite simple when you think about it – …

Google has opted to take on music streaming services like Spotify, RDIO, MOG and others with a streaming service of Google Play as the second generation of the service. It is now no longer an online music locker and store, but also a streaming service.

The service is able to stream songs and create somewhat of a ‘radio station’ based on a certain song that you are currently listening to. I’d assume that it also takes cues from other recommendations and music you currently listen to. It is, supposedly, a radio without rules.

A service called ‘Explore’ also provides a new ‘guided’ way to browse millions of tracks and personalised recommendations.

Google ‘Listen Now’ uses the power of Google to …

Well, well – what do you know. Google has a lot of cool stuff to tell us at the Google I/O event which is currently being streamed live over on YouTube.

Anyway, Google has now told everyone that Android has reached the absolutely incredible benchmark of having 900 million active devices. That means that about 13% of the entire world’s population is currently using Android – wow.

HP have surprised us today by announcing a new convertible Android-based laptop, the Slatebook x2. The Slatebook x2 goes for $479.99, which includes the keyboard dock.

For a smidgen under $500 this new convertible includes a whole lot of bang for your buck. It features some great specifications, with some of the highest quality internals you can find on the market. Further, this is the first non-NVIDIA device to come packing the Tegra 4 processor, which is no lightweight.

The Slatebook x2 features:

• Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
• 1920×1200 full HD 10.2″ display
• NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor
• 16GB storage (expandable via microSD)
• 2GB RAM
• Included keyboard dock

The keyboard dock extends your battery life, which can supposedly push it 8 hours …

Google I/O is just two weeks away and El Goog is prepping everything to get ready for the event. Gizmodo has been sent a leaked invite, which highlights that the announcement could very well have something to do with gaming – as you can see above.

The invitation hints that Google will be reinventing “the playground” and wants to “play together” with us all. Sure, I’m in for a quick game or too. The invite also features some Android-styled space invader-looking ships, which furthers that we’re talking about an actual game, gaming system, or just something to do with games.

With the technology world leaning towards ‘gamification’ to encourage higher usage, it would make sense for Google to further this …

The news has come in today that just a smidgen under 30% of all active Android users are running Jelly Bean. This number covers both Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, which was released in July 2012, and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, which was released in November 2012. The official number comes in at 28.4%, with ICS users eating up 27.5% of the Android user base. Couple these together and we have 55.9% of users on using devices that fall under Google’s Holo theming standards.

While these numbers sound great, we still have the largest amount of Android users running Android 2.3.x Gingerbread, which first showed its face all the way back in 2010. Gingerbread accounts for a total of 38.5% of …

It’s Good Friday and it most certainly is a nice day to sit back, relax and catch up on some Android news from around. Today has seen some interesting news items that are quite exciting. So, let’s get stuck into the juicy stuff.

Today is the day! OUYA is about to launch the OUYA Android gaming device around the world. It’s that little grey/silver box that is powered by Android and runs Android games. The best part – it’ll only set you back $99 – pretty amazing. Read further and check out all the games on the official OUYA Forum.

Google has today been a good little boy / big company. Google has made a Open Patent Non-Assertion pledge, …

There’s been a lot of big Android-related news arise as of late. We’ll keep you updated here!

Google Keep was in the news about a week ago, when it popped up for just a few hours. Google has now officially launched both the Chrome App/website and the Android application. It’s taking on Evernote at the helm and allows you to super quickly take notes which sync between devices. Read more over at The Verge.

Google Play for Android bogging you down? Don’t like the design? A recent leak which was uncovered by Droid Life has shown what seems to be the next Holo-themed styling of Google Play for Android. It looks much nicer than what we’ve had before …

We have seen statues come and go from the grassy hills of  Google’s Mountain View campus.

We have seen Androids toting Ice Cream Sandwiches, Jelly Beans and even hiding in Honeycomb; but never before a Chrome Android statue.

What does this mean?

Paul Wilcox, Android’s Community Manager posted this bizarre image today on his Google + page.

Reading further into the picture, the Chrome Android statue seems to be leaning out of Building 45 at the Android Institute and right opposite the lawn where the statues are normally unveiled.

Further more, Google normally only release Android statues to personify the release of a new version of Android. Could this mean some marriage between the Chrome browser or Chrome Operating System; …

Sony seem to be living up to their recent statement that they wish to only bring great quality handsets to market and leave the lower priced market to their competitors.

We are still drooling over the Xperia Z handset announced at CES 2013 and now Sony have confirmed the tablet variant, running (and wait for it….),  a Quad Core Qualcomm 1.5Ghz APQ8064 CPU, 2GB RAM, 32GB Storage, a 10.1″ screen at an incredible 1920×1200 (powered by Sony’s Mobile Bravia Engine 2)! Camera wise there’s an 8.1 megapixel Exmore R camera out back, NFC, LTE, micro SD. Audiophiles will not be disappointed either with the inclusion of Sony’s S-Force virtual surround sound technology.

Phew.

Now imagine all of this wrapped in …

Here’s another juicy rumour for all you Galaxy fans! According to SamMobile Samsung plans to release a Galaxy Note 8 inch tablet which (surprise-surprise)  has the iPad Mini directly in its sights. Samsung has found great success recently with the Note, Note II and Note 10.1. From first thoughts the Note 8.0 will only add to the success Samsung is currently experiencing.

According to the information obtained by SamMobile the Note 8.0 will not disappoint with specifications including:

• 8.0 inch 1280 x 800 TFT Super Clear LCD
• Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
• 1.6 GHZ Quad-Core Exynos 4412 Processor
• 2 GB RAM
• 4,600 mAh Battery
• 5-Megapixel rear and 1.3 Megapixel front-facing camera’s.
• microSD support
• S-Pen Functionality

The device is expected to come …