According to the latest figures from Android Developers, 2.2 Froyo has quickly taken a large chunk of the distribution of Android devices.

While still in the clear lead, Android 2.1 has fallen to 41.7 percent of the distribution, while 2.2 has jumped to 28.7 percent.

The strong jump is thanks to the release of the Droid 2, and updates to the EVO 4G, Moto Droid and HTC Incredible.

Surprisingly, however, Android 1.5 devices still account for 12 percent and 1.6 devices account for another 17.5 percent.

Google is expected to release Android 3.0 (Gingerbread) by the end of the year.

Permalink | Comments

---

Amazon has launched a new TV ad campaign this week, taking direct aim at the Apple iPad.

The ad shows off the Amazon Kindle e-reader, and boasts of its superiority over the iPad's display, when used in direct sunlight.

In the 30-second ad (posted below), two people are sitting by a pool, with the man using an iPad, and the lady using a Kindle. The man is struggling to read on his iPad and he eventually asks the woman how she can possibly read in the harsh sunlight. Her response, obviously, pro-Kindle.

The ad is somewhat surprising given Amazon's former stance towards the iPad, placing it in a whole different category than the strictly e-reader Kindle.

Permalink | Comments

---

Today, in 1985, the original Super Mario Bros. was released in Japan, with the U.S. version coming a month later.

The blockbuster smash landed on the Nintendo Entertainment System, and through multiple iterations, the franchise has now hit 222 million units sold worldwide.

Wired has put together a timeline of all the Mario games, starting with the original, all the way to the recent Mario Galaxy 2. (Below)

The original Super Mario Bros game sold 40.24 million copies (thanks to being bundled with the NES), the best-selling game of all-time until Wii Sports surpassed it in 2008.

Overall, the character of Mario has appeared in over 200 video games.

Permalink | Comments

---

Wal-Mart has introduced their own wireless plan today, using Wal-Mart branding.

The Wal-Mart Family Mobile service will run on the T-Mobile USA network, with the giant retailer giving users unlimited calling and texts for $45 per month, and $25 for each additional line in the family.

Wal-Mart will begin offering the service next week in most of its stores.

Starting in 2009, the retailer began selling the Straight Talk and Common Cents services, which run through Verizon and Sprint. The difference, however, is both those services are prepaid plans.

Family Mobile is like a traditional "contract" cell plan, with families being billed at the end of each month, however there is no set amount of contract months.

The cheapest phone available for the service will be a Nokia for $35, with the most expensive being the Motorola Cliq XT, for $249.

Family Mobile users will only get a small amount of free Internet data, with each extra 1GB costing a massive $40.

Permalink | Comments

---

Apple has announced today that it will begin selling the Wi-Fi version of the iPad in China, via Apple Stores and authorized resellers.

The company will sell the 16GB version for 3,988 yuan ($589 USD), the 32GB version for 4,788 yuan ($707 USD) and the larger capacity 64GB version for 5,588 yuan ($825 USD).

Additionally, Apple will continue rolling out the iPad to other nations, announcing those release dates at a later time.

A recent rumor circulating says that an iPad with a front-facing camera and FaceTime will likely be released soon, breaking Apple's traditional 12-month product cycle for "i" devices.

The sources claim that the refreshed iPad is already in advanced testing stages, just five months after the launch of the first-generation tablet.

Expected launch date for the second-generation iPad? The Q1 2011.

Permalink | Comments

---