iPhone News Updated

Android shown leading iPhone in China: report

There’s no argument about the biggest “untapped” market in the world, right now: China. So the numbers delivered by Google’s new subsidiary, Admob, on Wednesday are surprisingly good news for Google.

While the April Mobile Metrics Report numbers in the U.S. do not echo the results recently reported by NPD (which showed Android already overtaking the iPhone), the numbers in China show Android having a 20 percent lead over the iPhone. Admob’s results come from tracking its ad network on devices.

The numbers in China show 882,384 Android devices, and 725,358 iPhones. However, if you add in iPads and iPod touches, the iPhone OS overtakes Android by a scant 40,000. Indeed, iPads aren’t even officially sold there.

It is true, however, that Asian devices like individuality. Thus, the multi-device strategy that Google is taking for Android is a good choice for Asian markets.

Meanwhile, Admob’s numbers for the U.S. show Android trailing, but rapidly catching up. The Mobile Metrics Report showed 8.7 million Android phones in the US for April, while there were 10.7 million. Add in the iPad and iPod touch, and the iPhone OS has 18.3 million devices.

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AT&T Deal to Let Users Unlock Phones, But Not iPhone

AT&T has reached a class-action settlement that will let customers unlock phones tied to the carrier - though that does not include Apple’s iPhone, with which AT&T has an exclusive contract.

The case covers two class-action lawsuits that accused AT&T of not properly disclosing the fact that certain handsets provided by AT&T would not work with other carriers. AT&T denies any wrongdoing, but said it has settled the case to avoid the cost of further litigation.

“AT&T Mobility agrees to give to its eligible AT&T Wireless, Cingular and AT&T Mobility current and former customers, upon request and where available, codes that unlock AT&T Wireless, Cingular and AT&T Mobility handsets,” according to the settlement.

That does not cover the iPhone or any other phone for which AT&T has an exclusive contract that is longer than 10 months.

To get the code, you must have had active AT&T service for at least 90 days, and no outstanding bills. For phones with an exclusive contract less than 10 months, the exclusivity period needs to expire before AT&T will hand over the code.

Customers are eligible for up to five unlocking codes per year.

AT&T will also pay $5.7 million in attorneys’ fees and expenses.

Parties have until June 4 to opt out of the deal or file an objection. A hearing to approve the settlement will be held on July 2 in California district court.

[Thanks: http://www.pcmag.com]