<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"To ring in the first day of Mobile World Congress, Google revealed some new statistics about how far its Android mobile operating system has come. Close to a million Android devices are activated every day, the company says, and there are now 450,000 apps in the Android Market.\nThe news comes straight from Google's head of Android, Andy Rubin, who posted the stats on the Google Mobile Blog this morning. With 850,000 devices activated daily, Android is already 150,000 devices above the count from December, and the number represents year-over-year growth of 250%, according to the post. The estimated total of android devices in the world is now a staggering 300 million, Rubin says.\nAbout a year ago Google had just 150,000 apps in the Android Market, but today it says there are 450,000. That's impressive growth, but the platform still hasn't caught up with Apple, whose iOS App Store boasts 550,000 apps officially, though some estimates go as high as 725,000. However, Android is clearly miles ahead of other rivals like Microsoft's Windows Phone Marketplace (65,000) or BlackBerry App World (60,000).\nAlthough the official count of Android apps is high, it bears reminding that Google counts wallpapers and \"lite\" versions of apps as separate apps. Microsoft, for one, says it doesn't count such apps when tallying its count for its Windows Phone Marketplace.\n\nSEE ALSO: Google Activates 3.7 Million Android Devices on Christmas Weekend [VIDEO]\nAndroid's rapid growth has a well-known price: fragmentation. With so many different devices \u2014 phones, tablets and now even gear like TVs \u2014 running Android, it's difficult for users to know when, or even if a specific device will get an update. The latest version, Android 4.0 aka \"Ice Cream Sandwich,\" is intended to mitigate fragmentation somewhat but obviously it only applies to devices that ship with the OS.\nRubin also made comments about Google and tablets while at Mobile World Congress. The Verge reports that Rubin said Google plans to \"double down\" on tablets in 2012, making reference to the lukewarm reception Android tablets got in the marketplace in 2011. In a meeting with reporters, Rubin said the 12 million Android tablets sold thus far  was \"not insignificant, but less than I'd expect it to be if you really want to win.\"\nWhat's your take on the state of Android? Unstoppable platform that will continue to dominate, or fragmented mess of an OS that needs tighter control? Sound off in the comments.\nBONUS: 10 Android Pics You Must See\n\n\n10 Amazing Android Photographs \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n1. Arrow by John Homer\n\n\nThis slice of urban art was captured in Swindon, UK. The muted colors come courtesy of the FXCamera app, but the clever use of the arrow and great composition are John Homer's own.\nTaken with: HTC Magic\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n2. View From a Starbucks by Terry Wong\r\n\n\nThis unusual Boston street scene offers lots of movement, suggested by the wheel and delivered by the blurry woman. The monotone finish helps add a sense of timelessness.\nTaken with: T-Mobile G1/HTC Dream\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n3. After the Rain by Clayton Perry\n\n\nIt's the light that makes this photo extraordinary, with the brilliant sun creating reflections that add interest, as well as a nice lens flare effect. Viewing this image, you feel that Clayton Perry managed to capture the exact moment the sun came out from behind the clouds after the rain had stopped.\nTaken with: HTC Hero\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n4. Printemps by Vincent Vandevelde\n\n\nWith the looks of an Impressionist painting, beautifully vivid colors contrast in this shot of French fields to give the photo a dream-like quality.\nTaken with: HTC Desire\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n5. Old Street by Matt King\n\n\nHow often do you take the time to look up? Matt King did and it got him this fab shot. \nTaken with: T-Mobile G1/HTC Dream\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n6. Sunset by Zan McQuade\n\n\nThis amazing sunset was captured sans app by Zan McQuade, although some minor tweaks to the saturation, contrast, and brightness settings have helped make it the stunning shot it is.\nTaken with: HTC EVO 4G\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n7. Telephone in Kingston by Lomodroid\n\n\nThe popular Android Vignette app helped Lomodroid snap this surreal pic. The bright red telephone boxes against the greened-out background and the fab framing add up to a striking shot.\nTaken with:  Nexus One\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n8. Japanese Sky by Nox Dineen\n\n\n\"Looking up through the trees reminded me of Japanese art,\" says Nox Dineen of this wonderful photo. Almost abstract, it's a beautifully stark example of how to zoom in on an object and fill the frame with detail to create a strong image.\nTaken with: HTC Hero\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n9. Outside the Kimball Art Museum by Jessica Martinez\r\n\n\nThe setting sun just peeking out from behind a tree adds a warm radiance to this tranquil landscape, while the colors make for a lovely Autumnal palette.\nTaken with: T-Mobile G1/HTC Dream\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n10. Untitled by Tara Holland\n\n\nArguably more a portrait than a city-scape, this street scene caught our eye and we just had to share it. The awkward-looking subject contrasts brilliantly with the models in the background, and who can fail to smile at a  classic case of blackened tooth graffiti?\nTaken with: T-Mobile G1/HTC Dream\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nComplete Coverage of Mobile World Congress 2012 \n\nMobile World Congress: Most Buzzed-About Phones, Tablets &amp; Brands [INFOGRAPHIC]\nHTC Launches New HTC One Line of Smartphones\nHands On With the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1\nUp Close With the HTC One X and One S [VIDEO]\nNokia 808 PureView Has a Monster 41-Megapixel\nSony Announces Two New Xperia Smartphones\nAmazing Water-Repellant Tech Keeps Your Gadgets Dry\nSamsung Galaxy Beam Is Both a Smartphone and Projector\nAdobe Brings Photoshop Touch to the iPad\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2012/02/27/android-daily-activations/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+mashable%2Ftech+%28Mashable+%C2%BB+Tech%29>