As of November 2010, Android powered 26% of U.S. smartphones, up from 19.6% in August 2010, according to MobiLens, the mobile division of tech research firm, comScore. Apple’s iOS, the platform of the popular iPhone device, held a 25% market share in November (up from 24.2% in August), while Research In Motion’s BlackBerry OS remained the market leader but slipped to 33.5% (down from 37.6%).

The overall number of U.S. smartphone users increased 10% during the August-to-November quarter, to a nationwide total of 61.5-million.

Canada’s leading newspaper publisher, Postmedia Network, has launched Apple iPad apps for ten of its local papers.

The new software applications take advantage of the iPad’s ample screen real estate to duplicate the look and feel of a newspaper, while adding innovative features that allow users to customize and interact with content. These features include a photo gallery, built-in video player, and the ability to comment live on stories using social media tools.

“This is the latest step in our digital first strategy,” explained Postmedia’s executive vice president of digital media, Malcolm Kirk. “By combining innovative technology with our newspapers’ compelling content, we are proud to invite our readers to experience the latest innovation in Canadian publishing, on iPad. The new apps also give our advertisers an opportunity to reach their target audiences in dynamic new ways.”

iPad-ready versions of the Vancouver Sun, Vancouver Province, Victoria Times Colonist, Calgary Herald, Edmonton Journal, Regina Leader-Post, Saskatoon StarPhoenix, Windsor Star, Ottawa Citizen, and Montreal Gazette are now available through the iTunes App Store. The apps are ad-sponsored and therefore available at no charge.

Shortly after banning the popular Kik Messenger application from its mobile software store, Research In Motion has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against the developers of the app.

Kik Messenger is a free instant chat program that was available on BlackBerry devices for two weeks, during which time it amassed mroe than a million users. Kik provided many of the same features as RIM’s in-house BlackBerry Messenger software, and was quickly made available on iPhone and Android devices as well.

“RIM became aware of a number of issues and customer concerns regarding the Kik app and service. Following discussions with Kik, the app was removed from BlackBerry App World on November 12,” the BlackBerry manufacturer said in a statement. “Upon further investigation, RIM concluded that Kik had breached contractual obligations. Based on the broad scope and seriousness of the issues and concerns, RIM terminated its agreements with Kik and withdrew RIM’s support for Kik’s service.”

Kik CEO, Ted Livingston, who previously worked for RIM as a systems engineer and technical product co-ordinator, acknowledged that his program was similar to BlackBerry Messenger, but said he hoped it wasn’t banned for competitive reasons. He declined to comment on the patent infringement lawsuit, which was filed on Tuesday in the Federal Court of Canada.

Kobo has released a new and improved version of its eBook reading software for Android smartphones, allowing users to read a multitude of eBooks in the popular ePub format.

The new software can be used as a default e-reading app, given that it now is possible to download books from any number of online sources, rather than exclusively through Kobo. The only exception is books that are protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology.

The application is now available through the Android Market to all smartphone users running Google Android 1.6 or higher.

Astral Media Inc., Canada’s largest private sector radio broadcaster, has announced plans to make all 83 of its radio stations available on mobile devices, through a three-year deal with UBC Media Group.

UBC Media will create software applications linking Astral’s stations to users of iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android smartphones. The applications will allow listeners to interact directly with on-air personalities by entering contests and using social networking tools.

“These new mobile applications will allow us to deliver a rich digital content offering integrated with a deep social media platform,” commented Astral Radio’s executive vice president of content and platforms, Rob Farina. “The rollout of these exciting applications will be a game-changer from a user experience standpoint across all our platforms.”