Engineers from SSTL and the Surrey Space Centre in Guildford have embarked on rather an uncommon, thus even more compelling project – to launch a mobile device to the orbit. Modern mobile gadgets have become very powerful and multitasking devices, therefore, British scientists have set a goal to challenge the capabilities of smartphones and check the efficiency of their work and their performance in a hostile environment.
The mobile phone, which is supposed to set off for space trip, will be powered by Android OS and will be mounted on a satellite, which is 30 cm in length. The overall aim of STRaND-1 mobile space project is to find more economical and resource-efficient ways to control complex spacecrafts and satellites.
Android-powered mobile device will partially control the satellite as well as take photos of our planet. In order to protect the “mobile astronaut” from disruptive impact of the environment it will be embraced by the satellite case.
It is not the first similar venture, undertaken by Google. Before the company showcased the capabilities of Nexus S devices powered by Android OS, which were flying high on balloons.
Who knows… Maybe this bold space project will usher software development companies into the new era of professional mobile app development for space industry.

The number of Apple iPhone users has exceeded the number of sold mobile devices based on Windows Mobile operating system.

According to a study conducted by the ComScore company, Apple iPhone smartphones are very popular among Americans older than 13 years. Moreover, sales of Apple phones in the U.S. have overtaken the popularity of mobile devices with Windows Mobile OS for the first time in the U.S. market. ComScore experts get the following results in October of this year:

• 8.9 million of iPhone users vs 7.1 million of WM-smartphones.

This ‘’alignment of forces’’ should be taken into account by mobile software development companies. Especially because such a result can’t be considered as fortuitousness. The number of Apple smartphone lovers is growing at high rates this year:

• 5.2 million of people in February;
• 5.7 million of people in May;
• 6.6 million of people in July.

So the popularity of mobile apps development for iPhones is growing at corresponding rates.

But a top position hasn’t changed. The Research In Motion company with its BlackBerry remains as undisputed leader in the U.S. smartphone market.  The number of RIM customers has reached 14.9 million in October. So application development for BlackBerry can be considered as strategic direction for many software companies.