**As published in RCR Wireless News**

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Kicking off a panel dedicated to video on smartphones at Digital Hollywood yesterday, The Nielsen Co.’s VP of mobile media presented some astonishing statistics that frame the intense battle that’s getting underway between Google Inc.’s Android operating system and Apple Inc.’s iPhone.

Citing fresh data that the research firm put together just in time for the event, Jerry Rocha said smartphones running on the Android operating systems are beating or tying with the iPhone in many use categories. Time will tell whether Android users will maintain their high use data services, but if the trend stays on track Apple might be outdone at its own game very soon.

Android users are outperforming iPhone users on location-based services and mobile video while both user groups are in a dead heat for mobile Internet use at an overall rate of 88%, Rocha said. Data services on the Android operating system has taken off in just the past couple quarters and is currently running at a year-over-year growth rate of 352%, he added. Read more

**As published at digiday:DAILY**

What’s That App Called? ESPN 2010 World Cup
Publisher: ESPN Price: Free Platform: iPhone
Advertising: interactive display ads from Hyundai, Sony and Cisco when we used the app
Functionality: A
Fun Factor: B
Overall: B

If you ever want to know just how many seconds, minutes, hours and days must pass before the 2010 FIFA World Cup begins; ESPN’s got your back. So long as you have an iPhone or iPod Touch. By the time you read this, it will be slightly more than 86 days give or take a few hours, in case you’re wondering.

The point is, by implementing a countdown clock marking kickoff, ESPN cleverly makes a play for reaching the increasingly anxious and excitable World Cup fan base well in advance of the global event. It’s simple yet engaging, but more importantly it just might make you want to come back often to check that clock. Read more