In what's good news for Microsoft, Windows 8 has become a more popular operating system than its much criticized Vista platform.

Although Windows 8 has taken awhile to gain traction, new data conducted by NetMarketShare.com has revealed the operating system was on about 5.1% of computers in June, compared to Vista's 4.6% share. The analytics firm used the desktop systems it tracks, which includes more than 40,000 business websites and 2 million personal ones such as blogs and profiles, as the basis of the report.

Windows 7 — the predecessor of Windows 8 — dominates the space with 44.8%, followed by Windows XP with 37.2%. The data also revealed Windows occupies 91.5% of the market and Mac takes up 7.2%. Linux trails with its 1.28% share.

Microsoft's web browser Internet Explorer 10 also experienced growth, thanks to automatic updates released by the company. Internet Explorer now makes up about 56.2% of the market share, followed by Firefox (19.2%), Chrome (17.2%) and Safari (5.6%).

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FitBit has long been doing fitness wearables a lot longer than others, but now it's taking its heath-tracking technology to the next level with a fitness wristband — and it's one of the most impressive options we've seen so far.

The water-resistant FitBit Flex wristband tracks just about everything you do — from the steps you take to how well you sleep — and can even handle laps in the pool. Although the FitBit Flex was first announced at the 2013 International Consumer Electronics conference in January, it's been generating significant buzz since it's May debut. Read more…

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Free airport Wi-Fi sounds too good to be true, but a select group of 20 U.S. airports will soon be offering the service as part of a partnership with the digital advertising company MediaShift.

It's called the Premier Airport Network and the deal will place ads throughout a user's surfing session.

MediaShift, which has more than 23 million users, is known for monetizing private Wi-Fi networks for travel companies and hotels, and providing detailed info on information that could help boost vendors' bottom lines, such as click-through rates, conversions and behavioral data. It has not yet revealed which airports are participating in the network.

“MediaShift provides the technology at no cost to the airports," Brendon Kensel, MediasShift's president, told Mashable. "For the first time, airports can participate in ad revenues that have traditionally eluded last mile online access providers. Airports receive incremental revenue with no start-up costs, investment or capital expenditure for airports.”

The average traveler's airport browsing session is already at 57 minutes, and MediaShift is betting those numbers shoot up if travelers don't have to pay to surf. And it gives merchants a new way to monetize those users with the addition of targeted ads.

MediaShift expands its reach, airport economies get a shot in the arm, and users get a new tool to improve their journey.

"This would make a world of a difference for travelers, especially international visitors, who don't have data plans in the U.S. and rely solely on Wi-Fi access to connect to the world," says Aigerim Shorman, the cofounder and CEO of Triptrotting, a social network linking travelers with authentic in-country experiences.

Shorman says this addition gives travelers the flexibility to plan and make decisions on the fly. And it allows travel companies to better target potential customers.

"Imagine being able to land in any airport and make a decision on where you want to stay based on what mood you are in, the weather, cool event or anything else that affects you," she says. "Limited access to data and Wi-Fi has been one of the major issues for travel companies' ability to provide deeply personalized experience. I think what MediaShift is doing is the first step into the future where Wi-Fi will be just available everywhere."

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Smartphones may comprise a majority of mobile-phone shipments worldwide, but a sizeable number of handset users still prefer basic feature phones.

Nokia catered to the latter market on Wednesday by debuting two 3G-capable feature phones — the 207 and 208 — that are specifically designed to provide users with quick Internet access.

Available in red, cyan, yellow, white and black, the handsets have Nokia's traditional "candybar" design. They offer Internet-connection sharing, and come pre-installed with Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp.

"The Nokia 207 and Nokia 208 are designed for people who like a classic phone and traditional keypad, but don't want to miss out on smartphone experiences, like staying connecting to social media and accessing the Internet," Timo Toikkanen, executive vice-president of the Finnish company's Mobile Phones division, said in a release. Read more…

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All three of China's mobile telcos have just released their May figures, and the huge mobile market has hit another significant milestone: It has surpassed 300 million 3G users.

China Mobile now has 129.40 million on its TD-SCDMA network despite it not supporting Apple's iPhone or iPad for full 3G functionality, China Unicom is now up to 95.9 million on its 3G data plans and China Telecom has convinced 88 million to sign up for 3G. That's a total of 309.5 million on 3G in China.

That's well up from 175 million nearly a year ago at Q2 2012 (see graph below).

Here's a summary of its growth from 2010 to these latest figures:

It's little wonder that 3G is growing so well, with an estimated 160 million active users of Android, and 80 million on iOS, at the end of last year. It's anticipated that there will be 300 million active Android users in mainland China by the end of this year. Of course, many content themselves with just 2G connectivity.

I know what you're thinking: When's 4G coming to China? Leading network China Mobile could well be ready for a nationwide roll-out in October this year after performing many ongoing citywide trials for over a year.

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Google Reader may be on its way out, but AOL is getting ready to launch its own product in the near future that will give users a way to find new content online.

The AOL Reader site is already live, featuring the tagline "all your favorite websites in one place." The site says it is in private beta right now.  Read more…

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Using high-tech dashboards, drivers can reference navigation systems and voice control in the comfort of a quiet car, but motorcyclists still don't have an effective, high-tech solution. Referencing maps requires a roadside stop, and GPS systems can be distracting.

Now, the team at LiveMap is looking to fund a project that would bring built-in navigation and augmented reality to helmets. Think Google Glass in helmet form.

The motorycle helmet, which is currently listed on crowdfunding site Indiegogo, comes with technology and features so powerful only fighter pilots currently have access. The project already has the financial backing and support from the Moscow Department of Science and several other Russian organizations, but LiveMap is looking for additional funding to get it up and running.

Similar to F-35 fighter jet helmets, a colorful, translucent picture would project onto the visor and create a clear, unobstructed view. It would come with its own interface — not iOS or Android — and prevent users from watching videos or playing games while riding. Read more…

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Wearable tech fashion is dominating the headlines, with excitement brewing over Google Glass and potential smart watches by Apple and Samsung.

Tech giants aside, smaller companies are also entering the wearable tech space, including Embrace+, which alerts wearers to smartphone notifications "through a combination of visual and tactile cues." What's more, this happens all while the mobile device remains inside a purse or pocket.

"Through a simple set-up of some basic parameters on the smartphone you already have, the Embrace+ will show you what you want, and when you want to know it," according to the company's Kickstarter page. "What it shows, how it displays your information and how frequently you see the information is completely up to you." Read more…

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Buckle up, because you're about to experience the Audi S6, one of the fastest sedans in the world. Besides its muscular performance, it's bristling with the latest car tech, so advanced that it gives you a hint of what's to come in the future of self-driving cars.

Audi lent us this car for a week, giving us a close-up look at the most advanced technology available in cars, circa mid-2013. The option-packed Audi S6 we tested ($87,720) is not the most expensive car from this upscale German automaker, but it's high enough on Audi's hierarchy to show off the tremendous power and astonishing technology of today's best cars. Read more…

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In what seems like a guy's worst nightmare, an app called Lulu is bubbling up as a controversial social platform that lets ladies post reviews and recommendations about past dates.

The concept — which launched in February in the U.S. and is available for iOS and Android — is for women only. Men are denied access, deeming it a safe zone for females to rate guys on a variety of topics, from humor and ambition to first kiss and sex.

Here's how it works: After female users ages 18 and up access the app and sync it to Facebook, they can add a guy to the database and upload a picture. All users are anonymous — no names included — and activities are kept off Facebook. But if you come across a profile that might be of interest to someone you know, you can share profiles with Facebook friends. Hashtags can also be added to the guy's profile, so characteristics are searchable. Read more…

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When considering the electric bike of the future, many companies search for a way to decrease travel time — but pumping a bike frame full of boosting batteries isn’t the only way to change the way people bike. In fact, the folks at Detroit-based electric biking company Autobike are building an electric bike to helps riders bike smarter.

“As a person is riding, you can seamlessly move from one gear to another,” says Sean Simpson, co-founder of Autobike. “The experience is optimized to keep rides smooth, simple and comfortable.”

Mashable spoke with Simpson about the technology behind automatic gear shifting in bikes, and how accessibility is the true way of the future.

What do you think about Autobike? Let us know in the comments.  Read more…

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Recent headlines about PRISM, the U.S. government program that allows security officials to spy on people's Internet activity, confirm what conspiracy theorists have long been foretelling: Big Brother is watching.

But is the government the only entity keeping tabs on what you search for, watch and discuss with friends? The truth is, there are others out there — businesses, advertisers, scammers — hoping to line their pockets by collecting your personal data.

And they have a variety of tools at their disposal to gather the information they need — tools you might even have with you right now. That's right: Everything from the smartphone in your pocket to the television in your bedroom can potentially be used to spy on you.

Here are some ordinary gadgets with serious spy potential. Read more…

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Some apps just don't get the love they deserve. Whether they're native programs that came installed on your phone or an early purchase that seemed like a good idea, these apps are like guests that overstay their welcome.

But they don't have to be. Apple is notorious for pre-programmed apps and rigid barriers against customization. So how can you get the most out of your iPhone while working within its parameters? Specifically, how can you use the apps ... that seem unusable? We've selected five such apps that can still serve a function. Read more…

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Dads are notoriously hard to shop for, but Amazon aims to make the gift-giving choice easier this Father's Day by trimming the cost of its Kindle Fire HD tablet line.

From today until Saturday, June 8, Amazon is offering a $20 discount for its 7-inch Kindle Fire HD ($199), the 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD ($269) and the 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD with 4G LTE ($399). To access the deal, use the promotional code DADSFIRE at checkout.  Read more…

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Last week, we clued you in on DevHD’s plans as it prepares Feedly, its popular news aggregator app, for life after Google Reader. Now, one of those plans have come to fruition with the latest update for the app.

Feedly is now powered by its very own cloud-based backend service and is no longer completely dependent on Google Reader, which will be shuttered by the end of this month.

“Let’s all wish a happy retirement to Google Reader,” the DevHD team said in a statement regarding the new Feedly update.

You can continue to use Feedly with your Google Reader account, but rest assured that Feedly itself will, with luck, live long and prosper even after Google Reader’s demise.

Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, the new version of Feedly is available now in the App Store for free. In the coming weeks, expect to enjoy Feedly integration in a number of other news aggregation apps, including Reeder and Newsify. Read more…

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Samsung Galaxy S4 owners with no affinity for wires, you're in luck: Samsung has made available its wireless charging kit for the device, priced at $90.

The kit, first unearthed by Droid Life, consists of a charging cover, which will set you back $39.99, and the charging pad, which costs $49.99. It's not cheap, but at least the pad works with all Qi-certified wireless charging products, and those include charging covers from Asus, Nokia, LG, iStyle and others.

As for the aesthetics of these devices, the Pad is of a grayish variety, while the cover is available in both black and white.

You can get Samsung's Wireless Charging Pad here, while the cover is available here.

Image courtesy of Samsung

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Samsung's stock price dropped 6% on Friday, erasing $12 billion in marketing value as investors fretted about the company's smartphone strategy.

In particular, Samsung's decision to offer stripped-down versions of its Galaxy S4 worried analysts and investors who think the move may eviscerate profit margins. Sales of the S4, initially Samsung's fastest-selling smartphone, have also fallen off since the device's introduction in April.

"Sales of high-end handsets are lagging behind expectations, while low- to mid-end handsets are selling briskly worldwide," Kim Young-chan, an analyst at Shinhan Investment Corp., told Reuters. "As the portion of low- to mid-range handsets is expected to increase in Samsung's overall mobile phone business, this has also sparked concerns about thinning margins and lower growth."

J.P. Morgan analyst J.J. Park also told The Wall Street Journal that third-quarter sales for the S4 would likely "disappoint," and that "supply chain checks show monthly orders have been cut 20%-30% to 7 to 8 million units (from 10 million) starting July."

Another analyst, Kim Hyun-yong, at E*trade Securities, told the Journal that since Apple is expected to announce a trade-in program for older phones and a new cheaper iPhone, "overall growth prospects for (Samsung's) smartphone business have dimmed."

Samsung's stock price finished trading on Friday in Seoul at its lowest level in four months.

Image via June Yeon-Je/Getty Images

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In an effort to improve adoption for its mobile payment service, Google has apparently considered taking a page from Square.

Bloomberg Businessweek reports hearing from four people that Google planned to launch an Android tablet for retail stores that worked with Google Wallet and read credit cards. Businessweek added that the product was "intended to rival Square's card-reading tool."

SEE ALSO: Square Expands Mobile Payments Service to Japan

Google is said to have "changed its plans" to develop such a device, according to the report, though it's unclear whether Google has scrapped plans all together.

Google told Mashable that it does not comment on rumor and speculation.

The search giant introduced Google Wallet in 2011 to dive deeper into the commerce experience, but has struggled to achieve mainstream adoption — in part because of consumers' resistance to paying using their smartphones.

Businessweek reports that Google has spent $300 million acquiring startups to help build out its Wallet app, but the app has been downloaded less than 10 million times.

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An update to the YouTube app for Android and Google TV gives you the option to automatically pair these devices, and watch videos from your phone or tablet on the TV.

Once the devices are paired, you can browse videos on your Android YouTube app and click the TV icon to play them on your Google TV.

The Android device can also be used as a remote control, with pause, scroll and skip options at your disposal. While the video is playing on the Google TV, you can use the Android device to find the next video to watch or browse the web without interrupting playback. Finally, you can connect multiple Android devices to the TV, all of which can then add videos to the playlist.

Google has been working on connecting Android devices with Google TVs for several years. In November 2010, Google launched YouTube Remote for Android. In February, Google filed a patent that describes a system of voice commands through which you can operate your Google TV with your Android device.

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The holiday season is just around the corner — the "season of giving." Well, let's call this the "season of buying" because before all that giving happens, you'll have to find gifts for all those special someones in your life.

At Mashable, we're constantly writing about the newest and coolest knickknacks from the tech world, many of which would make great gifts for your geeky family and friends. In addition to our regular load of tech tips, each day throughout the holiday season we'll post a new suggestion in our Gift of the Day series.

In case you had a busy few days and haven't had time to follow along, we've rounded up our most useful articles from the past week. Aside from some killer gift ideas, you'll also find hands-on social media advice concerning recent updates to Facebook's mobile app, Instagram and Pinterest, not to mention digital business and marketing advice.

Let Mashable help you make the most of your time on the Internet. Read more…

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