Google Documents had its mobile version for the last three years but, it was not truly mobile. The mobile version used to be read-only.

In a latest announcement from Google, it is rolling out the updated version of Google Docs with edit support. The update will be rolled out in the next few days for English-language users around the world. The updated Docs is compatible with Android-based handsets running Froyo version 2.2 and iPhone, iPad or iPod touch running Apple iOS V3 or higher.

Although writing or massive editing in a phone might not be that convenient, minor correction or reviews are best done on the go. Microsoft in is latest release, has also included its Office package in Windows Phone 7. Apple is also selling its iPad versions of text editor, spreadsheet, and presentation software.

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Google Documents adds mobile editing for Android and iPhone

After the report published by Consumer Reports about the iPhone 4 antenna problem, it seems, Apple has taken the issue a bit more seriously. After the iPhone 4 press conference last week, Apple has posted a few new pages on the issue in its website including, new antenna performance page. The page highlights how several other smartphones experience similar attenuation (decreases of signal bars) to that of the iPhone 4.

The performance page initially featured smartphones of Research in Motion (RIM), HTC, Samsung, and it’s own iPhone 3GS. Recently, Apple added the Nokia N97 mini to the page. It looks like, Apple has no plans of stopping, Apple has posted signal attenuation video of Motorola’s recent release Droid X in the page and also in the YouTube site. The description on the video reads:

In our tests, the Motorola Droid X dropped from 3 bars to 0 bars when held in a way that attenuated the signal.

Droid X, a Google Android phone, has been seen as the latest and strong competitor for the iPhone.

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Apple’s latest antenna target – Droid X

Now, it is HTC, who is suing Apple in response to a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Apple in March.  HTC, a Taiwan based smart-phone manufacturer, makes phones based on Google Inc and Microsoft Corp software.

In the lawsuit, HTC is accusing Apple of infringing five HTC patents but, didn’t specify the patents by names. HTC has asked the ITC, a U.S. trade panel that investigates patent infringement involving imported goods, for a halt of the importation and sale of the company’s popular mobile devices.

People usually don’t expect Apple to respond to media reports. But, a report saying Android is outselling the iPhone should have worried the company. Apple spokeswoman Natalie Harrison told John Paczkowski of Digital Daily:

This is a very limited report on 150,000 US consumers responding to an online survey and does not account for the more than 85 million iPhone and iPod touch customers worldwide. IDC figures show that iPhone has 16.1 percent of the smartphone market and growing, far outselling Android on a worldwide basis. We had a record quarter with iPhone sales growing by 131 percent and with our new iPhone OS 4.0 software coming this summer, we see no signs of the competition catching up anytime soon.

As long as the iPhone continues to grow at 130% per year worldwide, Apple won’t be much worried. One thing to be noted – iPod touch is not a smartphone. They might have add the a million of iPads, sold in a month, in the list though.

Some even accuse the Android success: “… drastically reduced pricing, and aggressive buy-one-get-one-free offers from wireless providers create a false sense of success.”

It is nice to know that they at least are worried. We, as consumers need competition. It doesn’t matter whether it is Apple, Google, Microsoft, RIM, or Palm (HP I mean).

Google’s Android platform has inched itself to second position with a market share of 28% in the US after RIM’s Blackberry in the smart-phone market, leaving the iPhone in the third position.

Android’s start was not that smooth as compared to iPhone but Google picked-up with multi-touch and attractive handsets. Multi-carrier and multiple handset manufactures (from Motorolla, HTC, Samsung etc.) gives Android a clear advantage to iPhone’s single hardware and a single carrier.

Yes, iPhone still has a greatest advantage on its pocket, the App Store with more than 150,000 apps, when compared to about 50,000 Android apps. But, strict and inconsistent approval system is scaring away the developers.

Do you think the Android’s ‘Open’ system will win over the ‘Closed’ iPhone system in the long run?