Monday, 31 October 2016

WhartonBrooks’ new Windows 10 Mobile handset has been delayed due to ‘regulatory hurdles’

#WhartonBrooks #Windows10 – WhartonBrooks' new Windows 10 Mobile handset has been delayed due to 'regulatory hurdles' : Back in August, WhartonBrooks revealed plans to launch a new Windows 10 Mobile device, claiming that its "innovative approach will define the future of computing", and that its innovations "will be the most disruptive since the advent of the smartphone in 2000".

However, doubts have been raised over whether or not WhartonBrooks can live up to its own hype, given that the only product images the company has shown to date appear to be of devices built by Coship – an ODM that has raised its own concerns over the future of Windows 10 Mobile.

WhartonBrooks said that its new device, which is due to launch under its 'Cerulean Mobile' brand, would arrive this Fall, but those plans seem to have suffered a setback.

The @CeruleanMobile Twitter account has said that there is a "factory delay due to regulatory hurdles", which seems likely to push back the release of its new handset. The company said that it is "working through" the delay, but didn't offer any further details, and it hasn't yet indicated when exactly it expects to launch the device.

In early September, WhartonBrooks announced plans to host a 'meet and greet' event at a Microsoft Store in Connecticut, to give Windows phone fans a chance to find out more about the company and what it's been working on.

But two days before that event, the company said that it had been postponed, as it needed "time to align schedules". The event hasn't yet been rescheduled. Source: neowin


Source: WhartonBrooks' new Windows 10 Mobile handset has been delayed due to 'regulatory hurdles'

Surface Phone Could Launch in Autumn 2017 with Redstone 3 – Report

#SurfacePhone #Redstone3 – Surface Phone Could Launch in Autumn 2017 with Redstone 3 – Report : And thanks to a new report, we might also have a possible release date, although it's worth noting from the very beginning that this isn't confirmed just yet and everything should be taken with a healthy pinch of salt.

Polish website MSMobile.pl writes that the Surface Phone could see daylight in autumn 2017 with Windows 10 Mobile Redstone 3, which is the next update supposedly coming after the Creators Update early next year.

"Doubling as a laptop"

Citing rumors posted on Chinese Weibo, the same source adds that the Surface Phone could be released in three different hardware configurations, namely 3 GB RAM and 32 GB storage, 6 GB RAM and 128 GB storage, and 8 GB RAM and 500 GB storage.

With the Surface Phone, Microsoft is said to be aiming at bringing its main platforms closer to each other, so this new device could borrow more or less substantial parts from PCs, laptops, and tablets, while also offering the advantages of a typical smartphone.

As a result, Microsoft might be planning a laptop accessory that could turn the Surface Phone into a small portable laptop, making it super easy to work on the go, while also keeping the portability of a phone.

Concepts imagining this approach have already been seen online, and at some level such a design would make sense, but it remains to be seen how exactly it feels working on a screen the size of a smartphone.

While this is just a rumor for the time being and nobody can tell for sure if this is Microsoft's plan or not, it actually aligns with the company's recent efforts, as launching a Surface Phone that can double as a laptop could continue its strategy of inventing new product categories. Source: softpedia


Source: Surface Phone Could Launch in Autumn 2017 with Redstone 3 – Report

Sunday, 30 October 2016

Buy These 5 Reliance Jio Supporting Smartphones Below Rs. 6,000 This Diwali

 |   |   | Buy These 5 Reliance Jio Supporting Smartphones Below Rs. 6,000 This Diwali

Your smartphone doesn't support Reliance Jio SIM? Try out these smartphones supporting VoLTE priced below Rs. 6,000 this Diwali.

Published: Sunday, October 30, 2016, 11:00 [IST]

After taking over the market with its amazing unlimited internet offers, Reliance Jio has now targetted the mobile industry. Yes, the most important factor that smartphones manufacturers are now considering is that it should support Reliance Jio SIM.

There are several VoLTE phones already available in the market, however, there are several new smartphones that have been recently released and are extremely affordable for anyone to purchase this Diwali.

SEE ALSO:

We at GizBot have compiled together the smartphones that support Reliance Jio SIM and is available for as low as Rs. 6,000.

Stay tuned to GizBot for more updates!

Xolo Era X

The Xolo Era X smartphone is available in India at Rs. 5,499. The smartphone supports VoLTE and is compatible to be used with Reliance Jio without any technical problems.

Yu Yuphoria

Priced at Rs.5,499, the Yu Yuphoria smartphone is completely compatible with Reliance Jio. There is no additional method to be followed to activate Jio SIM on your Yu Yuphoria smartphone. Know how.

InFocus M370i

Running on Android 6.0 Marshmallow and powered by 1.1 GHz Snapdragon Quad Core, the InFocus M370i is claimed to be the best 4GVoLTE Smartphones, priced at Rs. 5,000 in India.

XOLO Era 4G

The XOLO Era 4G budgeted smartphone is priced at Rs. 5,000. With a 5-inch 720p display and LED Flash, the smartphone supports 4G LTE support and the users can use Reliance Jio SIM.

Stay tuned to GizBot for more updates!


Source: Buy These 5 Reliance Jio Supporting Smartphones Below Rs. 6,000 This Diwali

UMi opens Android N Beta Testing for Plus Smartphone users

The Chinese smartphone manufacturing company UMi launched the new UMi Plus smartphone and we saw how powerful this smartphone is and how it fairs against some of the top-tier smartphones like the iPhone 7 Plus etc. If that is not enough reason for you to consider this smartphone, then we now have new reports according to which it is confirmed that the company is now starting a beta test program for the Android N release of the UMi Plus.

It has been reported that the main goal of this beta testing is to collect the most possible feedbacks from the community in order to better understand what users would like to see in the next major update and to find and address the issues of the Beta software. According to UMi, they want to share this project with their loyal fans in the community and hence they are inviting all the users to this beta program. This project has been shared with the community for that users can test it out and provide them with some feedbacks on the same.

Design Story behind UMI Diamond puts light on Hard Glass, Stylish Looks & Amazing Price

In order to be a part of this beta program, all you need to have is a UMi Plus smartphone. And if you have one and are interested in testing it then you can join the forum section. Users joining the forum section will be able to download the software and take an early look at the software while is developed and being refined for the final release. Users testing it out will also be able to share their opinions and feedbacks with other users in the forum and the staffs of the company.

The company also stated that they are extremely happy to launch the new software for the smartphone and they are also inviting 10 experienced OS reviewers to take part to our beta Test Program. It has been informed that the best one will receive a free gift from the company. Well, as mentioned before, the only thing which you need to be doing is register for this program if you own a UMi Plus smartphone. You can do the same by going to the link given below –

Click here to register.

Do make a note that this is a pre-release software and hence you should think twice before proceeding and installing it. This build as of now has a couple of bugs and few are mentioned below –

  • No Torch
  • No "Pro-photo" mode
  • "Settings" – pop up error window
  • Fingerprint unlock slow
  • Just to brush up your knowledge about the smartphone, it comes with a 5.5-inch display on the front with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 giving it a pixel density of 423PPI. It is powered by a MediaTek Helio P10 SoC which is an octa-core processor. It packs 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage as well, which can be expanded via a microSD card upto 128GB. The smartphone is kept powered by a 4,000 mAh battery. In case you are holding back on buying this smartphone, then you can win one through our giveaway which are running on our website right now. Stay tuned for more info on this.

    Related


    Source: UMi opens Android N Beta Testing for Plus Smartphone users

    Saturday, 29 October 2016

    OnePlus 4 Release Date, News and Update: Smartphone Has No Headphone Jack Like iPhone?

    #OnePlus4 #Smartphone – OnePlus 4 Release Date, News and Update: Smartphone Has No Headphone Jack Like iPhone? : There's no doubt, the OnePlus 4 is arriving next year. This was confirmed by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei. While he indirectly confirmed the device, the twitter poll that he posted whether the next OnePlus edition will have a headphone jack or not says it all. Apparently, plans to discontinue the headphone jack is being considered, but Pei is playing safe by getting the pulse of its consumers.

    OnePlus joins the other tech companies in making their handsets even thinner by removing the headphone jack. Nevertheless, it takes research and consumer input to totally feature it as part of the model.

    Currently, all OnePlus devices still have the 3.5mm headphone jacks. But with OnePlus 4 expected to arrive next year, it's possible that the survey is to help them decide whether to put one or not.

    OnePlus 4 Specs

    If OnePlus decides to discontinue the headphone jack, it will follow other brands such as Apple with the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, Motorola's Moto Z and the HTC Bolt.

    Meanwhile, while there's no clear indication on what to expect of the rumored OnePlus 4 device, few leaks online said that, it will feature a model with better display and longer battery life. It's RAM is expected to be the same as the OnePlus 3 device, a microSD slot, a 128GB internal storage and a better version of camera.

    The release date is unconfirmed, but several news online hints on a June 2017 release date. If OnePlus has a way to launching things earlier, they can get an advance date that will likely compete against Samsung. If there's one thing, that will likely turn off the rumor of an upcoming OnePlus 4, is the alleged development of the all new OnePlus 3S and OnePlus 3 Plus.

    Things are too early to predict, but OnePlus' main reason for the tease is to possibly get the next idea on their upcoming models. OnePlus 4, if it arrives joins the already massive collection for the flagship killer.

    Also, the OnePlus device, during its starting years, is one of the most elusive mobile brands to acquire. Before, a consumer who wish to acquire one must first get an email invite to buy one. Source: Thebitbag


    Source: OnePlus 4 Release Date, News and Update: Smartphone Has No Headphone Jack Like iPhone?

    OnePlus 4 Release Date, News and Update: Smartphone Has No Headphone Jack Like iPhone?

    #OnePlus4 #Smartphone – OnePlus 4 Release Date, News and Update: Smartphone Has No Headphone Jack Like iPhone? : There's no doubt, the OnePlus 4 is arriving next year. This was confirmed by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei. While he indirectly confirmed the device, the twitter poll that he posted whether the next OnePlus edition will have a headphone jack or not says it all. Apparently, plans to discontinue the headphone jack is being considered, but Pei is playing safe by getting the pulse of its consumers.

    OnePlus joins the other tech companies in making their handsets even thinner by removing the headphone jack. Nevertheless, it takes research and consumer input to totally feature it as part of the model.

    Currently, all OnePlus devices still have the 3.5mm headphone jacks. But with OnePlus 4 expected to arrive next year, it's possible that the survey is to help them decide whether to put one or not.

    OnePlus 4 Specs

    If OnePlus decides to discontinue the headphone jack, it will follow other brands such as Apple with the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, Motorola's Moto Z and the HTC Bolt.

    Meanwhile, while there's no clear indication on what to expect of the rumored OnePlus 4 device, few leaks online said that, it will feature a model with better display and longer battery life. It's RAM is expected to be the same as the OnePlus 3 device, a microSD slot, a 128GB internal storage and a better version of camera.

    The release date is unconfirmed, but several news online hints on a June 2017 release date. If OnePlus has a way to launching things earlier, they can get an advance date that will likely compete against Samsung. If there's one thing, that will likely turn off the rumor of an upcoming OnePlus 4, is the alleged development of the all new OnePlus 3S and OnePlus 3 Plus.

    Things are too early to predict, but OnePlus' main reason for the tease is to possibly get the next idea on their upcoming models. OnePlus 4, if it arrives joins the already massive collection for the flagship killer.

    Also, the OnePlus device, during its starting years, is one of the most elusive mobile brands to acquire. Before, a consumer who wish to acquire one must first get an email invite to buy one. Source: Thebitbag


    Source: OnePlus 4 Release Date, News and Update: Smartphone Has No Headphone Jack Like iPhone?

    Friday, 28 October 2016

    Samsung teases Galaxy S8 features: ‘Slick’ new design and advanced AI are coming

    #GalaxyS8 #Smartphone – Samsung teases Galaxy S8 features: 'Slick' new design and advanced AI are coming : Samsung is yet to explain what caused the numerous Galaxy Note 7 explosions but the company is already marketing the upcoming Galaxy S8, which won't be unveiled until sometime next year.

    The company on Thursday teased some of the features of the upcoming flagship, including design, camera, and artificial intelligence. Interestingly, the comments arrived on the same day when Apple was set to introduce a new line of MacBook Pro models.

    But Samsung also reported a 96% drop in quarterly mobile operating profit on Thursday, so it decided to mention the upcoming smartphone in an effort to shift focus a bit.

    "We are expecting some difficulties until the first quarter of 2017, but we will achieve a business turnaround with the release of our new flagship smartphone," Samsung's vice president for mobile communications Lee Kyeong-tae said during a conference call, The Wall Street Journal reports.

    Lee also said that the Galaxy S8 will feature a "slick design," an improved camera and "enhanced artificial intelligence service." As the Journal points out, Samsung bought Viv Labs earlier this month, an AI startup whose co-founders created Apple's Siri. That's probably what the advanced AI in the Galaxy S8 is based on, but Lee didn't comment on the matter.

    Recent reports have claimed that the Galaxy S8 will ditch the home button and incorporate a fingerprint sensor in the display. They also suggested that the Galaxy S8 will get a dual rear camera similar to the one on the iPhone 7 Plus. Source: bgr


    Source: Samsung teases Galaxy S8 features: 'Slick' new design and advanced AI are coming

    Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) release date, other details; key specifications spotted on AnTuTu

    The debacle of the Galaxy Note 7 has hit Samsung hard in the flagship segment but it is still the leading smartphone maker with its devices belonging to varied categories doing well. The company is reportedly set to release a series of handsets from A-line this year, and one of them is the Galaxy A7 (2017).

    The South Korean technology giant is expected to release the Galaxy A7 (2017) in December, as its predecessor will complete a year cycle in the market by this time. The company is also expected to release a few handsets from A-series like the Galaxy A3 (2017), Galaxy A5 (2017), and Galaxy A4 before the end of this year.

    [READ: When Samsung Galaxy A8 (2016) be launched in India?]

    A new Samsung device with model number SM-A720S, believed to be the Galaxy A7 (2017), has also been spotted on Zauba with a 5.7-inch display and a price tag of Rs. 13,716 (price very likely to change at the time of launch).

    The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) has now made it to AnTuTu benchmarking site with model number SM-A720F. It's been spotted with 1,080x1,920 screen resolution, Exynos 7870 processor, and Mali-T830 GPU. It was earlier seen with an octa-core CPU clocking at 1.8GHz, and a 16MP rear and selfie cameras on GFXBench.

    According to other reports, the device is expected to feature a 64GB internal storage, a 3GB RAM, an Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow operating system, a 16MP main camera and a 16MP front-facing camera.


    Source: Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) release date, other details; key specifications spotted on AnTuTu

    Thursday, 27 October 2016

    Best Buy Offering Great Deal On Google's Pixel Smartphones

    The introduction was followed by the reveal of Google's new Artificial Assistant software that is to power the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones and also, Google Home.

    Google has given smartphone lovers something new.

    Thanks to a bit of cleverly folded cardboard, Google has already made virtual reality available to the masses, but now the search giant is taking things to new, more robust levels, Digital Spy said.

    Design: The Pixel and Pixel XL incorporate a similar design unlike the previous generation of Nexus smartphones.

    Pixel has a sleek aluminum body and utilizes pixel imprint, a quick finger recognition swipe to unlock your phone for quick access. The device will come with three color option, black, silver as a very ugly blue. In addition, Internet use on Wi-Fi and LTE is considerably longer on the Pixel, while users can spend 30 per cent more time playing videos and audio on Google's latest smartphone compared to last year's Nexus 5X. We can safely say that these are one of the best displays we have seen on an Android device.

    The Smartphone and the headset will feature an auto-alignment system. Interestingly, a recent benchmark test has rated the main camera incorporated on both models of the Pixel smartphones higher than any other camera sensor in the market, ever.

    Google started off with an official introduction to the Pixel phone, the first smart-phone to exclusively have the Google branding. Nexus 5X and Pixel has nearly the same battery ratings on paper, but the latter seems to have a 2.6 per cent bigger battery life than the 5X. The 32GB Pixel starts at $649 and the price goes up to as much as $869.99 for the 128GB Pixel XL. Going against the grain, the fingerprint sensor is placed at the back of both smartphones, with a customized version of Android 7.0 Nougat running the show. The phones' fast-charging function adds seven hours of life in just 15 minutes of charging. Further, the device is also created to fit over sunglass.


    Source: Best Buy Offering Great Deal On Google's Pixel Smartphones

    Strategy Analytics: Global Smartphone Shipments Recover 6 Percent to 375 Million in Q3 2016

    Boston, MA - October 26, 2016 - According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global smartphone shipments grew 6 percent annually to reach 375 million units in Q3 2016. Samsung maintained first position with 20 percent global smartphone marketshare, while OPPO grew 140 percent annually and was the star performer.

    Clients can view the full report here.

    Linda Sui, Director at Strategy Analytics, said, "Global smartphone shipments grew an improved 6 percent annually from 354.2 million units in Q3 2015 to 375.4 million in Q3 2016. This was the smartphone industry's fastest growth rate for a year. As expected, the global smartphone market reached a bottom in the first half of 2016, and the growth outlook for the second half of this year is improving due to several big new product launches from Apple, Huawei and others."

    Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, added, "Samsung shipped 75.3 million smartphones worldwide in Q3 2016, fal ling 10 percent annually from 83.8 million units in Q3 2015. This was Samsung's slowest growth rate for almost two years. Its global smartphone marketshare has dipped from 24 percent to 20 percent in the past year. Samsung's recent Galaxy Note 7 recall was handled badly, which dented its brand image and left a large product gap in its premium smartphone lineup. Samsung will now be looking to its next flagship launch, such as the rumored Galaxy S8 model, to recover momentum in 2017.  Apple fell 5 percent annually and shipped a lackluster 45.5 million smartphones worldwide in Q3 2016. Apple's global smartphone marketshare has softened from 14 percent to 12 percent in the past year. Apple has been given a slight boost by Samsung's Note 7 missteps, but it continues to face iPhone fatigue among many consumers in major regions such as China and Europe."

    Woody Oh, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, "Huawei maintained third position with 9 percent global smartphone ma rketshare in Q3 2016, up from 8 percent a year ago. Huawei's smartphone growth rate has more than halved, to 26 percent annually in Q3 2016, compared with 62 percent annual growth in Q3 2015. Huawei is facing intense competition from OPPO, Vivo and other emerging Chinese rivals such as fast-growing LeEco."

    Linda Sui, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, "OPPO shipped a record 21.6 million smartphones and maintained fourth position with 6 percent global marketshare in Q3 2016. OPPO grew 140 percent annually in the quarter, outperforming all its major rivals. OPPO is very popular in China and is internationalizing rapidly across India, Asia and other emerging markets. OPPO is a rising star. Vivo surged to fifth place for the first time ever, capturing a record 5 percent global smartphone marketshare in Q3 2016, leaping from 3 percent a year ago. Vivo's range of Android models, such as the V3 and X7, are proving wildly popular in China, taking share from rivals such as Samsung, Apple and Huawei."

    Exhibit 1: Global Smartphone Vendor Shipments and Marketshare in Q3 2016  [1]

    Global Smartphone Vendor Shipments (Millions of Units)    

    Q3 '15

    Q3 '16

    Samsung

    83.8

    75.3

    Apple

    48.0

    45.5

    Huawei

    26.7

    33.6

    OPPO

    9.0

    21.6

    Vivo

    9.8

    18.3

    Others

    176.9

    181.1

    Total

    354.2

    375.4

    Global Smartphone Vendor Marketshare (%)

    Q3 '15

    Q3 '16

    Samsung

    23.7%

    20.1%

    Apple

    13.6%

    12.1%

    Huawei

    7.5%

    9.0%

    OPPO

    2.5%

    5.8%

    Vivo

    2.8%

    4.9%

    Others

    49.9%

    48.2%

    Total

    100.0%

    100.0%

     

     

    Total Growth: Year-over-Year (%)

    9.5%

    6.0%

    Source: Strategy Analytics

    The full report, Global Smartphone Shipments Hit 375 Million in Q3 2016, is published by the Strategy Analytics Wireless Smartphone Strategies (WSS) service, details of which can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/j433v8p.

     

     

    About Strategy Analytics:

    Strategy Analytics is a global, independent research and consulting firm. The company is headquartered in Boston, USA, with offices in the UK, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India and China. Visit www.strategyanalytics.com for more information.

    Americas Contact:

    Linda Sui / +1 617 614 0735 / LSui@strategyanalytics.com

    EMEA Contact:

    Neil Mawston / +44 1908 423 628 / NMawston@strategyanalytics.com

    Asia Contact:

    Woody Oh / +44 1908 423 665 / WOh@strategyanalytics.com

    [1]  Numbers are rounded.

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    Source: Strategy Analytics: Global Smartphone Shipments Recover 6 Percent to 375 Million in Q3 2016

    Wednesday, 26 October 2016

    Batsmen falter as New Zealand beat India by 19 runs to level series

    New Zealand's Ross Taylor (R) celebrates with teamates after bowler Mitchell Santner dismissed India's batsman Hardik Pandya (L) during the fourth one day international (ODI) match between India and New Zealand. AFP Photo.

    RANCHI: India paid the price for some poor shot selection as New Zealand clinched the fourth cricket ODI by 19 runs to level five-match series 2-2, here today.

    Chasing a target of 261 on a slowish track, India were on course at 128 for 2 before a sudden middle-order collapse saw them lose four quick wickets as they were finally all-out for 241 in 48.4 overs.

    This was India's first loss at skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's home ground in all the international matches that they have played so far.

    India's No 1 batsman Virat Kohli (45) and opener Ajinkya Rahane (57) added 79 runs for the second wicket while skipper Dhoni disappointed the local fans managing a sedate 11 off 31 balls before Jimmy Neesham cleaned him up.

    He played 22 dot balls today as he has now played more than 100 dot balls in his last three ODIs.

    Especially against left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner (1/38) who bowled 34 dot balls in all and quite a few to Dhoni.

    It was Rahane's leg before off Neesham that triggered a collapse with Dhoni following the suit. Tim Southee then dealt a telling blow by removing Manish Pandey (12) and Kedar Jadhav (0) off successive deliveries — both out to poor choice of shots. From 128/2, India slumped to 154/6 in just five overs and it became the turning point of the match.

    Pandey trying to clear mid-on was out when situation demanded a bit of discretion while Kedar was guilty of trying to hit across the line being adjudged plumb in-front.

    Hardik Pandya's (9) inexperience also showed as he tried to hit an inside out lofted shot despite a fielder being placed at the extra cover boundary.

    Axar Patel (38) and Dhawal Kulkarni (25) did try but that was never going to be enough for the 'Men In Blue'.

    Southee (3/48) and Boult (2/40) were again on the money, so was Neesham (2/38) donning the third seamer's role to perfection.

    The spinners gave away 102 runs in their 24 overs and bowled 70 dots which is equivalent to 11.4 overs without runs.Locked 2-2, the final one-dayer in Visakhapatnam October 29 will determine the winner of the five-match series.


    Source: Batsmen falter as New Zealand beat India by 19 runs to level series

    iPhone sales dip as Google looks for a place on the ‘top smartphone’ podium

  • iPhone sales and profits down
  • Does it represent an opening for Google?
  • How can Apple respond to the end of the smartphone boom?
  • That Apple has reported a sales and profit decline sounds bad -  the first time that it's done so since the early noughties. But when you consider that Apple has 'only' sold  $215.6 billion worth of gadgetry over the year to September, the world tends to right itself on its axis again.  

    Having dutifully said that, there's no  ignoring the fact that Apple has seen an 8 per cent decrease in sales and a profits fall of 14 per cent to $45.7 billion over the past year and that indicates that something has changed.

    That 'something' is that the top end smartphone market has peaked just as it was expected to (it can't keep growing forever) and that  means Apple will probably change its strategy tack slightly.

    Meanwhile its arch-enemy, Google, with its Android operating system, has finally taken a key leaf out of Apple's book and positioned its own, branded smartphone, the Pixel, against the iPhone.

    And it's done so by doing 'an Apple'. Google claims that it has tightly integrated the Pixel with the system software (the reason Apple has always given for its smartphone lead since 2007).  And it has unashamedly gone for top dollar, pricing its 'god phone' right next to both the iPhone and Samsung's top end Galaxy.

    Also, this time around Google has had a fortunate break. Samsung's incendiary Note 7 - which was also challenging the iPhone for 'best smartphone' status - has crashed, burned and been withdrawn from sale.

    According to IHS Markit, which makes a habit of studying the underlying bill of materials (BOM) costs of devices, the total manufacturing cost for the Pixel XL is $285.75 which translates to unsubsidised price of $769 to the customer. It says that the Pixel's cost-to-sales-price ratio is in line with the iPhone 7 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.  That's because the

    "supply base and specs are very similar from phone to phone—whether it's an iPhone, a Galaxy-series phone or the Google Pixel XL." said Andrew Rassweiler, senior director of cost benchmarking services for IHS Markit. "The Pixel clearly targets the same top-end flagship space occupied by the Apple iPhone and top-end Samsung Galaxy lines, with retail pricing points that directly compete with these products."

    While no doubt the iPhone will continue to keep a brand value lead over its rivals it's likely that objective evaluations of the three 'top phones' will place them pretty close to each other in terms of capability.

    So might one of Apple's strategies be to try and maximise market share by matching Android price-points in the mid and low end and perhaps even licensing iOS to other manufacturers to produce different form factors and routes to market. Apple might stand a better chance of continuing to grow service, app and ad revenues if it were able to release more iOS phones into the wild.

    Possible, but unlikely?  Let us know what you think below.  


    Source: iPhone sales dip as Google looks for a place on the 'top smartphone' podium

    Tuesday, 25 October 2016

    Kodak Has A New Smartphone, And It’s Essentially A Camera

    In 1888, the Eastman Kodak Company was launched. They sold inexpensive cameras, film, chemicals and paper. They were focused, and they were doing very well. In 1975, the company developed the first ever digital camera. It was never launched—they didn't want to cannibalize their film sales. Eventually though, in the early 2000s, Kodak was forced to shift away from traditional film in the face of a rapidly shrinking market. As a result, they developed a bunch of innovative stuff in the digital camera space, like a printer dock for cameras, and by 2005, they led the US in digital camera sales.

    original Kodak cameras not on a smartphone

    Unfortunately, as early as 2001, Kodak was losing money on every camera they sold. Overseas competitors were quickly flooding the shelves, and by 2010, the company commanded only seven percent of the US digital camera market. Going into 2011, Kodak had pivoted their core product strategy to printers, presses and workflow software. By September of 2012, barely a year later, they had already announced their departure from the consumer printing game, one month after announcing their plan to sell off its film, kiosk and commercial scanner divisions. Prior to both announcements, in January of that same year, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

    In March of 2014, Kodak signed on a shiny new CEO. By December, the company had announced its entrance into the smartphone market; they launched the IM5, built by Bullitt. Never heard of it? Well, it flopped. Somewhat surprisingly, but somewhat not surprisingly, they're back at it. Meet the Kodak Ektra; launched last week, it's their latest spoon into the cell phone sauce (though you'll read a lot of people telling you it's their first). It's $550 and it's essentially a digital camera—or as the company calls it, a "photography-first smartphone."

    First things first: the device is very very good looking…

    full view of the Kodak Ektra smartphone in motion

    As is the "shoot-while-you-carry" case you can buy for an additional cost…

    Kodak Ektra smartphone camera case

    The specs certainly start with a bang. The Kodak Ektra has a 21MP main camera, which is almost twice the resolution of the top tier smartphone cameras currently available. As another point of reference, the Canon EOS 80D is a $1,200 digital SLR, and it's equipped with 24.1 megapixels.

    The front-facing camera is 13.1MP; by comparison, the iPhone 7's main camera is 12MP. Of course, the thing shoots 4K video, and there's a "Super8" video app. And what kind of phamera (ya, we just made that up, deal with it) would the Ektra be without a dedicated button to trigger a shot.

    Even when you're working with the 5″ HD display, fingering through Kodak's custom camera app, it won't be difficult to spot some UX conventions reminiscent of an SLR:

    using Kodak Ektra smartphone camera software

    The stuff under the hood seems pretty strong too: a Helio X-20 Decacore Processor, 3GB of RAM (it comes loaded with some pretty intense editing software, tightly integrated with Snapseed) and 32GB expandable memory.

    Does all this action add up to a clunky phone that feels like you're carrying a camera? Kind of, but not really. It is a few millimeters thicker than the smartphones we're used to. On the scales, the Ektra weighs 163.8 grams; that's almost 20% heavier than the iPhone 7, but only about 8% heavier than the Samsung Galaxy S7, and actually about 13% lighter than the iPhone 7 Plus, which for some reason, is the size of a small child.

    Kodak Ektra smartphone from all angles

    arstechnica.com/

     It may seem silly for Kodak to jump into an already vicious and objectively over-saturated smartphone market. But if you look at the vitals of the digital camera industry, who knows how many in that puddle, or lingering on its shores , will end up under water in the next five to ten years, deck-chairs in hand.

    digital camera sales statistics

    The Ektra is admittedly sexy, and seems to have the technical chops to attract a decent following of pseudo-photo-enthusiasts. That being said, if the concept takes off (likely to the surprise of the incumbents), Kodak may find themselves under another market-pressured identity crisis. Either way, we're rooting for you, Kodak. At least in your times of desperation, you didn't hire Lady Gaga.

    SnapMunk

    SnapMunk is dedicated to providing readers with all things interesting, exciting and entertaining in the world of tech news, startup companies and startup culture. With a broad lens feeding a highly curated stream of content, SnapMunk offers thought-leading perspectives and unique insights into technology current events, new business ideas, cool new technology and exciting investment opportunities. It is our goal with SnapMunk to ensure that those who are interested in technology and startups are not only well-informed but intellectually inspired and thoroughly entertained.

    Latest posts by SnapMunk (see all)
    Source: Kodak Has A New Smartphone, And It's Essentially A Camera

    9 out 10 people connected to internet in Latin America have a Smartphone

    BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Oct. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR) and IMS Internet Media Services (IMS) today released the second edition of IMS Mobile in LatAm, a joint report on trends in digital consumption and mobile apps usage in six countries in the region (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Peru and Chile).

    The report was based on results from an online survey of smartphone and tablet users aged 15 or older. The main objective was to measure the size of the audiences for specific mobile apps that generate impact in the region.

    The principal findings are� :

  • 9 out 10 people connected to internet in Latin America have a Smartphone.
  • The survey concludes that sites within the IMS portfolio have a combined potential reach of 76% of mobile users, representing the third largest digital advertising audience in the region after Google and Facebook
  • Here are some relevant highlights:

  • Android is the leading brand of smartphones in the region, with 81% of respondents owning an Android smartphone. It also accounts for more than 70% of tablet users.
  • 66% of the smartphone users made a purchase from their devices within the past six months.
  • Chile and Brazil are the two countries with the largest number of purchases made from tablets.
  • A third of tablet users in Mexico have an iPad the highest of all countries measured.
  • Nearly three quarters of mobile users in Colombia have Twitter installed on their smartphone or tablet.
  • Mobile users in Brazil, Colombia and Chile spend the most time connected on their smartphones per week.
  • 85% of users in Argentina use their mobile devices for going to social networks sites on a regular basis.
  • Video, social media and messaging apps were the most popular among consumers with WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Google Maps, Instagram and Twitter topping the list.
  • Snapchat and Spotify in particular saw strong engagement among Millennials compared to the majority of other apps measured.
  • Smartphone consumption is highest amongst Millennials.
  • "The IMS Mobile in LatAm helps us better understand the Latin American mobile consumer and evaluates the familiarity and importance that apps among them our 10 partners have for Latin American users" said Gast�n Taratuta, CEO & Founder of IMS. "For us is a real honor to reach this position in the market with all the platforms we partner. This means that we cover the main categories in the digital advertising environment in LatAm, as geolocation, entertainment, gaming and social".

    "The study confirm that smartphones are the go-to device for many consumers as we see people across the region turn to mobile for everything, and that Digital Media is where the consumers spend most of the time comparing to other platforms like TV, Print or Radio, so we expect that Advertisers will move their marketing effort and resources in the same way", said Marcos Christensen, Senior Director of comScore Latin America South Cone.

    About comScorecomScore (NASDAQ: SCOR) is the cross-platform measurement company that precisely measures audiences, brands and consumer behavior everywhere. comScore completed its merger with Rentrak Corporation in January 2016 to create the new model for a dynamic, cross-platform world. Built on precision and innovation, our unmatched data footprint combines proprietary digital, TV and movie intelligence with vast demographic details to quantify consumers' multiscreen behavior at massive scale. This approach helps media companies monetize their complete audiences and allows marketers to reach these audiences more effectively. With more than 3,200 clients and global footprint in more than 75 countries, comScore is delivering the future of measurement. For more information on comScore, please visit comscore.com.

    About IMSIMS Internet Media Services (IMS), a joint venture with Sony Pictures Television, is a leading digital marketing and communications company that partners with fast-moving businesses seeking to expand into and within Latin America. IMS helps brands reach new levels of engagement and grow within the region through our exclusive ecosystem of commercial partnerships, creative and content solutions, and media investment and management services. Leading brands such as Twitch, EA, Foursquare, LinkedIn, Spotify, Twitter, Vevo, Yahoo and Waze have partnered exclusively with IMS to strengthen their presence in Latin America. IMS is headquartered in Miami, with offices in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Panam�, Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Uruguay. www.imscorporate.com

    Contact:

    Rodrigo CeronSenior Manager Corporate Marketing, Latin America, comScore, Inc.+52(55)8525-0703worldpress@comscore.com

    Ana Mar�a Barrag�n CastroHead of PR, IMSabarragan@imscorporate.com�+54 9 11 6400 1359

    To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/9-out-10-people-connected-to-internet-in-latin-america-have-a-smartphone-300350646.html

    SOURCE IMS Internet Media Services (IMS)

    Copyright 2014 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved

    Related Keywords:Computers/Peripherals, Internet, Notebook/Laptop, Tablets, Computers/Home Office, Communications, Movies & Music, Digital Toys, Web, Tablets, Networks, Handheld, Smart Phone, tablet, Movies by Genre, Tablet, Search, Google, Social Media, Sales, Advertising, Marketing, Sales & Marketing, Internet, Business Issues,

    Source:PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved


    Source: 9 out 10 people connected to internet in Latin America have a Smartphone

    Monday, 24 October 2016

    Samsung's next BIG smartphone could be yours for FREE, and this is why

    Samsung could hand-out its next flagship smartphone free of charge GETTY

    GRATIS: Samsung could hand-out its next flagship smartphone free of charge

    It sounds like Samsung is planning something very different for the launch of the Galaxy S8.

    The South Korean firm looks set to hand-out its next flagship smartphone for free, according to the latest whispers around the launch.

    Samsung will give away the Galaxy S8 to those affected by the recent Galaxy Note 7 recall, sources have claimed.

    The smartphone manufacturer issued a global for the short-lived Galaxy Note 7 after a number of devices burst into flames.

    Samsung Galaxy Note 7 launch in pictures – everything you need to know Sunday, 31st July 2016

    SAMSUNG has just unveiled its latest Galaxy Note 7 smartphone which features iris recognition, S Pen and waterproof design

    1 / 11

    NEW: Samsung has just unveiled its latest Galaxy Note 7 smartphone

    Samsung was later forced to permanently discontinue the smartphone after fresh reports of fires in replacement devices prompted a slew of warnings from mobile carriers, airlines and regulators.

    According to the company, it decided to "halt production and sales of the Galaxy Note 7 in order to consider our consumers' safety first and foremost."

    Those who have had to send their Galaxy Note 7 phones back to Samsung in a fireproof box could be first in line for a complimentary Galaxy S8, according to Samsung insiders.

    According to SamMobile, "the new compensation program is designed to make it easier for those who exchange their Galaxy Note 7 with existing Samsung smartphones, to shift into [the company's] next model coming next year."

    Samsung is expected to make a number of changes to the Galaxy S8.

    The Galaxy S8 is expected to launch in two models, with two new screen sizes – albeit both curvedGETTY

    NICE: The Galaxy S8 is expected to launch in two models, with two new screen sizes – albeit ...

    First of all, the flagship smartphone is rumoured to take a cue from the Note 7 and eschew the standard flat panel in favour of dual-curved displays across every model.

    For the last two years, Samsung has released a separate Edge variation of its flagship Galaxy S smartphone, which costs more and boasts the stunning dual-curved display.

    A new report from the Korea Herald, a publication with reliable sources inside Samsung, claims the firm is now purposely designing its next-generation device with a curved screen only.

    The Galaxy S8 is expected to launch in two models, one with a 5.1 inch dual-curved display, the other with 5.5 inches – the same screen sizes as the Galaxy S7s.

    Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge in pictures – everything you need to know Sunday, 21st February 2016

    Samsung's next flagship smartphones are here and they're looking good

    1 / 9

    These two models are codenamed Dream and Dream2 inside Samsung, sources have revealed.

    The South Korean technology firm is expected to debut a dramatic redesign alongside the two new smartphones.

    It will have been a full two years since the Samsung flagship underwent a facelift, with the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge being more of a subtle refinement of the design debuted with the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge.

    And with Apple rumoured to be planning a radical new look for its tenth anniversary iPhone in 2017, it make senses that Samsung wants to unveil something spectacular.

    Speaking of the iPhone, Samsung is expected to follow its Cupertino counterpart and ditch the industry-standard 3.5mm headphone port.

    There are plenty of headphones already on the market that support USB Type-C, however, Samsung is rumoured to be developing its own proprietary port to replace the 3.5mm port.

    Sources have claimed that Samsung is now set to cut back on the number of flagship devices it ships next year, as the pressure of focusing on producing two high-end flagship devices each year could have contributed to the shortcomings in the Galaxy Note 7.

    This could potentially mean focusing only on the Galaxy S8 brand rather than a new Note device.

    Related articles
    Source: Samsung's next BIG smartphone could be yours for FREE, and this is why

    Kodak’s New Smartphone Is Touted As A Photography-first Smartphone

    At a glance, you'd forgiven to think that Kodak Ektra is the once-huge photography film maker's newest digital camera. Well, it's kind of is. Paying homage to the company's 1941 camera of the same name, the smartphone reincarnation of the Ektra is modeled after the analog camera of the 40s and boasts, you guessed it, camera prowess by the way of a 21MP main shooter equipped with f2.0 aperture and Sony's IMX230 image sensor which the company claims to offer "unique hybrid of photography innovation and DSLR innovation."

    Kodak Ektra Smartphone

    Key photography-centric features include an intuitive touchscreen DSLR dial with haptic touch, customisable manual model with adjustable shutter speed and ISO rating, horizontal two-step shutter release, 6-axis optical image stabilization, phase detection auto focus, and an extensive scene mode selection. Along with those, you can also expect a host of photography modes like Smart Auto, HDR, panorama, macro, bokeh – just to name a few. 4K videoing is also in the mix, in case you are wondering how far Kodak is going with this camera-centric communication device.

    Kodak Ektra Smartphone

    Around the front, you will find a 13MP f2.2 item, but clearly, that ain't the star of the show. Aesthetically speaking, Ektra smartphone mimics its forebear pretty closely, with a point-and-shoot camera form consummated with steel-rimmed lens and textured finish popular with cameras of that era. On the spec-sheet, Ektra is driven by a 2.3GHz Helio X-20 Decacore processor (wait what?!) backed by 3GB RAM, along with 32GB for storage which can be further expanded via microSD cards. A 3,000 battery pack, rechargeable via USB 3.0 Type C port, keeps the device juiced, but detail is lacking on how long will this pack last, and there's Corning Gorilla Glass too to protect the device's 5-inch 1080p display, as well as the camera lenses.

    Kodak Ektra Smartphone

    The UK-based Bullitt Group made Kodak Ektra Smartphone will run on Android 6.0 Marshmallow at launch, which is expected to happen later this year in UK and in Europe, priced at £449. At this point, U.S. market is in a limbo for now. Whether it will skip across the pond depends the market interest.

    Kodak Ektra Smartphone

    Kodak Ektra Smartphone

    Kodak Ektra Smartphone

    Kodak via PetaPixel


    Source: Kodak's New Smartphone Is Touted As A Photography-first Smartphone

    Sunday, 23 October 2016

    iPhone 8 Release Date, News,Update: Apple’s New iPhone 8 Battery Is Like Samsung; Dangerous To Users

    #iPhone8 #Mobiles – iPhone 8 Release Date, News,Update: Apple's New iPhone 8 Battery Is Like Samsung; Dangerous To Users : Smartphones are now racing seriously against each other to meet the needs of people who choose to be belong in the high technology world.

    There are upgrading and redesigning of the phones like iPhone 7 to iPhone 8, Galaxy Note 7 to Galaxy Note 8, and much more. The author of this article ask: "Are all smartphones giving all their best for the goodness of the users?"

    A rumor arose that Smartphone Apple is going to release something new and upgraded to feature a wide range of revolutionary changes. If that is so, there might be great changes and presumptions on the said iPhone 8, according to Travelers Today.

    There might be embedding of the light sensor, earpiece, and camera's button without bezel display. This is due to the Smartphone Apple's forthcoming anniversary phone.

    On the other hand, the Korean company is offering some discounts in purchasing Galaxy Note 7 and planning to have new Smartphone Galaxy S8. These are in response to the angry users' threat after being the victims of the said smartphone, iSports Times reported.

    In avoiding the great impact of what had happened to Galaxy Note 7, Samsung is stepping forward to dispose of totally. Regarding with their new Smartphone product to be introduced, it is not one but two Galaxy S8 variants.

    Smartphones like Apple and Samsung are trying their best to bring and show how valuable they are to one's life. It became the very best friend of users that accompany them even until bed time.

    Everyone should be aware that according to research, smartphone's batteries are producing dozens of dangerous gasses. It is a good advice to do not sleep next to smartphones because they are not just catching fires or exploding according to the scientists, News 18 reported. Source: newseveryday


    Source: iPhone 8 Release Date, News,Update: Apple's New iPhone 8 Battery Is Like Samsung; Dangerous To Users

    Samsung Galaxy Note 8 release date, specs, rumors: Device lineup to be canceled?

    #GalaxyNote8 #Smartphone – Samsung Galaxy Note 8 release date, specs, rumors: Device lineup to be canceled? : The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 has been recalled twice due to faulty batteries that caused fires and explosions. Because of the problems surrounding the rushed smartphone, it is now widely rumored that its follow-up, the Note 8, may no longer be launched in 2017 and could be canceled indefinitely.

    According to The Korea Herald (via Yahoo!), Samsung may be considering to cancel the Note lineup and focus solely on their core smartphones such as the upcoming Galaxy S8 instead. By focusing entirely on just one main product, it is said that Samsung may be able to refine its quality and avoid disasters such as the on that happened with the Note 7.

    The report also states that this will ensure that Samsung won't be rushing their new products out into the market since the Galaxy S phones rolled out at a different period compared to the iPhone.

    It is pointed out that the Note 7 was rushed in order to compete with the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, and this is what led to its faulty design. However, Samsung is still unaware of the exact cause of the exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7. The company has not publicly stated what the current plans are for the Note lineup.

    While it is most likely going to be canceled, a report from PC Advisor hints that they may still release it but at a much later date or as a rebranded product. The Note 8 will likely be pushed back from its fall 2017 release in order to refine its quality and to distance itself from the events surrounding the Note 7.

    It may also be given a new name so that consumers would not immediately associate it with the Note 7, although Samsung has yet to unveil what the new lineup is going to be labeled as. If no changes are going to be made, then consumers can expect to see the Galaxy Note 8 launch by fall 2017. Source: christiantoday


    Source: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 release date, specs, rumors: Device lineup to be canceled?

    Saturday, 22 October 2016

    Samsung considers LG Chem batteries for new phones

    According to a report in the Korea Herald, LG Chem, LG's battery-making arm, is in contention to manufacture batteries for Samsung's upcoming flagship phones.

    There's never really been any shortage of news involving combusting lithium-ion batteries, but the whole Galaxy Note 7 situation has taken things to a whole new level.

    As you may recall, when word of Note 7 explosions first began to spread, Samsung engineers initially believed the problem was with faulty batteries from Samsung SDI.

    South Korean tech giant Samsung has a lot to prove when they release the new Samsung Galaxy S8.

    The move comes just weeks after the company announced it would cease production of its flagship Note7 following reports of the devices catching fire, with some even spontaneously exploding, due to a battery fault.

    However, there are other rumors claiming that Samsung could still present a new installment in the Galaxy Note product line.

    For other specs, we expect the next-generation Galaxy Note phone will offer faster processor, bigger RAM and better camera features.

    If you know your Korean tech space fairly well, Samsung and LG nearly never see eye-to-eye.

    Apple unveiled its latest smartphone model iPhone 7 in South Korea on October 21, attracting huge popularity here in the absence of Samsung's Galaxy Note 7.

    Speaking on the the Galaxy Note 7, he confirmed that the company would refund consumers who bought the Galaxy Note 7 smart phones outside the country.

    As of writing, fans of the South Korean brand should not expect any updates about the Samsung Galaxy S8.

    It quotes a Samsung executive as saying, "We are looking at diverse suppliers, including LG Chem". But considering at least six months of development period, it was unlikely for LG batteries to be used in the Note phones at the time.


    Source: Samsung considers LG Chem batteries for new phones

    MICROSOFT SURFACE PHONE: SPECS, RELEASE DATE, AND UPDATE

    #Microsoft #SurfacePhone – Microsoft Surface Phone: Specs, Release Date, and Update : The rumors regarding the surface phone are not confirmed yet by Microsoft. They remain silent and the news still a speculation. Before it comes out in the market, let us see first the specifications of the rumored surface phone.

    Specifications

    The surface phone will have three variants: enthusiast edition, business model, and consumer model. According to the Counsel & Heal, the basic model will have 4 GB RAM along with 64 GB storage.

    Many sources also reveal that the three versions the by memory will be 3 GB RAM and 32 GB storage, 6 GB RAM and 128 GB storage and 8 GB RAM and 500 GB storage.

    The smartphone will boast a 20MP rear camera that utilizes a Carl Zeiss lens and an 8MP front camera. Added accessories packed together with the handset are a smaller Surface Pen included and a USB Type-C Port for faster charging and data transfers.

    Qualcomm Snapdragon 830 processor is expected for the Microsoft Surface Phone. We can also expect a 5.7 inches AMOLED display screen with 1440 x 2560 pixel resolution and it will be an eye-catching feature of this smartphone.

    ALSO READ : MICROSOFT SURFACE PHONE SPECS, RELEASE DATE: UPCOMING DEVICE WILL SPORT CONTINUUM FEATURE, THREE VARIANTS

    Release Date

    Although the Microsoft Surface Phone is already packed with impressive specs, the device's release date is expected to be delayed due to the fact that the upcoming update to the latest Operating System is scheduled to hit the store shelves next spring, according to Yibada,

    No confirmed exact date for now. However, we can expect the announcement soon from Microsoft itself and the smartphone to release on or before April 2017.

    Price

    Reports claim that Microsoft will be focusing a lot on the design of the Surface Phone. It will make the smartphone slim and sophisticated to add the premium feel to it just like iPhone 7 and Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. The rumored price of this smartphone ranges from $700-$1100, depends on the variant you choose. Source: iTechpost


    Source: MICROSOFT SURFACE PHONE: SPECS, RELEASE DATE, AND UPDATE

    Friday, 21 October 2016

    Top 5 Phones Of 2016 To Watch Out For This Holiday Season

    #Top #Smartphones – Top 5 Phones Of 2016 To Watch Out For This Holiday Season : Holiday season is around the corner and smartphones companies are ready to hit the market with their new releases. Holiday season means shopping seasons and most companies have put out their best offering in the market. Let us have a look at all the Top 5 Phones of 2016.

    Apple iPhone 7 and 7Plus

    Design-wise, Apple iPhone 7 and 7 plus might appear a revised version of Apple iPhone 6s and 6s plus. Apple phones are always the most awaited phone in the market and it has a steady fan following.

    Talking about features, Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus have improved camera, faster processor, water resistance, higher RAM, better battery, stereo speaker and a faster processor.

    Pixel and Pixel XL

    Google recently announced the Pixel and Pixel XL. Pixel will have a 5-inch display whereas Pixel Xl will have a 5.5-inch display.With a 128GB of internal storage, latest Android 7.1 Nougat,and a Qualcomm 821 processor, Pixel phones will be a stiff competition to other in the segment. Interestingly, these phones are built by HTC. Initial testing of these phones is already been completed, reported ZDNet

    Samsung galaxy S7 and S7 edge

    Samsung smartphone lovers are waiting anxiously for these two new releases by Samsung. These phones will have best available specifications. They will come with more innovative designs and look.

    Both the phones will have an extremely fast camera for the incredible photo experience. Samsung galaxy S7 and the S7 edge will have water resistance and it is majorly made up of metal and glass.

    Moto Z And Z force droid

    Motorola is trying to capture its lost market with these two releases. Design wise, both the phones look great and have good performance as well. The Z Force Droid edition will feature a shatterproof display Both the phones are built on a modular design, reported PC advisor.

    LG V20

    LG phones are considered to be failed in the smartphone business. LG is yet again coming up with a new phone this festive season. LG V20 will have a mix of both the previous phones, LG G5 and LG V10. It will even have a removable battery, IR transmitter, and a microSD expansion.

    This phone will have a metal back with an integrated drop protection. Some of the other notable releases are OnePlus 3, HTC 10 and Samsung Galaxy note 7.

    Top 5 Phones Of 2016


    Source: Top 5 Phones Of 2016 To Watch Out For This Holiday Season

    'Samsung Galaxy Note 8' release date news, specs rumors: February or August launch eyed for Note 8

    It was not too long ago that tech giant Samsung unveiled its flagship phone Samsung Galaxy Note 7, and now the company is already gearing up for the release of its newest smartphone.

    Rumors are rife that the Note family will announce the next Samsung Galaxy Note on August 2017 since the company has followed the trend of a September release in the previous years, PCA reported.

    However, it has been reported that due to the bad publicity generated by battery issues of the Note 7, there are those who are saying that the company would be compelled to release the next version earlier than usual. If this happens, fans could expect a Note 8 by February next year, along with the Samsung Galaxy S8.

    Meanwhile, pundits have plenty of expectations for the new flagship. Some tech analysts are expecting a better battery from Samsung after the last iteration. There are reports that the batteries may be supplied by LG Electronics. A long battery life is expected to cater to the trend of 4K videos, which take up a lot of energy.

    Despite battery issues, however, the Note 7 had a lot of great features that the new phone may adopt the such as the iris recognition technology, which is definitely something new in the market. If the company manages to improve the technology to an even faster and efficient scanner, it would be a main draw for consumers because wven the iPhone has not utilized the tech yet, Forbes reported.

    In terms of performance, it is expected that the phone will use a faster processor and a huge RAM as well as offer improved cameras.

    Due to the losses incurred by Samsung for the Galaxy Note 7 amounting to 4.5 billion, there have been reports that the company could change its strategy and limit its releases to one high quality smartphone a year instead of multiple models, reported Gospel Herald. 


    Source: 'Samsung Galaxy Note 8' release date news, specs rumors: February or August launch eyed for Note 8

    Thursday, 20 October 2016

    Why LeEco thinks you should buy its smartphones, TVs, streaming content and more

    Keep an eye out for LeEco, a new consumer technology brand that just made a splashy landing in the United States. No, it's not a French company. The China-based conglomerate ('Le' means 'happiness' in Mandarin) packed a San Francisco hall Wednesday morning with more than 1,700 partners, customers, and reporters, as it declared big plans for delivering content on new devices, from smartphones and VR headsets to smart bicycles and cars.

    If this sounds like a mashup of the business models for Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung, and Tesla, you're right—LeEco is aiming straight at these tech giants. And if it seems like the United States doesn't need any more phones, TVs, or streaming services, you could make a strong argument for that, too. 

    As luck would have it, though, Samsung's battery debacle leaves a huddled mass of refugees looking for a new phone—and maybe looking askance at their Samsung TVs. LeEco is already offering a raft of content via aggressively priced devices. The Samsung vacuum could be a helpful advantage for LeEco as it enters an otherwise saturated market.

    The goal of LeEco's eui (Ecosystem User Interface) is a seamless content experience across all connected devices.

    LeEco claims it does a better job than any of these companies in making the hardware and the content you consume on it easier to use. The company actually started as a streaming media business. As it moved on to developing hardware, LeEco put some thought into how its content would play on the device. 

    "Today there are 7.9 devices in every home, and they are fragmented," explained Richard Ren, the president of LeEco North America. "We are working to create a more seamless, unified experience."

    LeEco calls that friction-free design eui, or Ecosystem User Interface. In the most compelling part of the two-hour presentation, a video showed someone watching a movie on a LeEco smartphone (the company's term is "ecophone") and making a simple flicking gesture to move that content to a nearby LeEco TV.  

    leeco le pro3 ecophones oct 19 2016 LeEco

    LeEco's Pro3 smartphones offer high-end components for aggressive prices. 

    In a dig perhaps aimed at Apple and its we-know-best attitude, LeEco also emphasized how it developed its products with lots of customer testing and feedback through its UP2U (User Planning To User) program. "As the user, you are the foundation of our ecosystem," said Danny Bowman, chief revenue officer of LeEco North America.

    LeEco proceeded to introduce a raft of new products: A flagship Le Pro3 smartphone with high-end specs for just $300, and a more affordable Le S3 model for $249 (both available November 2). There's also a line of TVs, also available November 2, ranging from 43 to 65 inches wide, priced at $649 to $1,399. LeEco also showed its ExploreVR headset (with the promise of VR content to come) and LeEco Super Bike, a smart bicycle with a display built into the frame. The company unveiled the LeSee Pro, a self-driving electric car prototype developed with Aston Martin and studded with multiple displays for streaming content within the car—including the driver, apparently kicking back while the car does the work.

    The LeSee Pro will even let the driver enjoy some content while the car does the heavy lifting. 

    Oh yeah, the content. In China, LeEco says its service boasts a catalog of 5,000 movies and 100,000 TV episodes, with a daily audience of more than 50 million users. In the United States, the company unveiled a long list of content partners for its content service. The most well-known names include MGM, Showtime, and SlingTV, as well as Vice Media and Awesomeness TV.

    LeEco is also producing its own content through its Le Vision business unit, including the upcoming high-budget film The Great Wall, starring Matt Damon and thousands of computer-generated, ravening beasts.

    leeco explorevr headset oct 19 2016 LeEco

    LeEco's ExploreVR headset is designed to work with its ecophones. 

    It is true that no company has achieved the perfect harmony of hardware and content yet. Amazon tried and failed with its Fire Phone. Apple and Google have some strong hardware and service offerings that don't mesh perfectly yet. 

    LeEco has no brand cachet and plenty of entrenched competition ready to quash it. It seems to be ready on the content side, but the real test will be whether its hardware can live up to  American standards. If Samsung has provided an opening, it's also trained consumers to be more wary of vendors' promises. 


    Source: Why LeEco thinks you should buy its smartphones, TVs, streaming content and more

    Microsoft Surface Phone Release Date, Specs, Latest News: Handset Details To Be Announced Soon?

    #SurfacePhone #Windows10 – Microsoft Surface Phone Release Date, Specs, Latest News: Handset Details To Be Announced Soon? : With October nearing its end, rumors about Microsoft's yet-to-be confirmed Surface Phone specs, features and price details can be found in abundance on the internet.

    While, the software giant hasn't revealed anything about the much anticipated smartphones, tech enthusiasts are expecting the Microsoft Surface Phone release date to get announced sometime at the end of this month.

    It was after Microsoft reportedly obtained the Surfacephone.com domain name that rumors about the smartphone started making rounds. Notably, the Redmond-based tech giant hasn't confirmed or denied the existence of the smartphone.

    There are even reports which claim that Microsoft has decided to end it Lumia line of smartphones. So, there are high chances that the new Surface phones will replace the Lumia smartphones. Talking about Microsoft Surface Phone specs, the software giant is expected to release three variants of the smartphone- the first offering 3GB of RAM and 32 GB storage.

    The second with 6GB of RAM and 128 GB storage and the high end variant with a massive 8GB of RAM and 512GB of built-in storage. Rumors are that the Surface phones will be specially designed for businessmen and professionals.

    Among other specs, the Microsoft Surface Phone is expected to come equipped with a 5.7-inch AMOLED display with 1440 x 2560 pixel resolution, Qualcomm Snapdragon 830 processor, Windows 10 Redstone 2, Surface Pen, USB Type-C connectivity, Carl Zeiss lens, a 20 megapixel rear camera and an 8 megapixel front camera. The handset is also rumored to come with a fingerprint scanner fitted in its front glass.

    Considering the list of top notch specs, the Microsoft Surface Phone is expected to come with a hefty price tag of between $700-$1100. As far as Microsoft Surface Phone release date is concerned, the handset is likely to get an early 2017 launch.

    Notably, Microsoft has scheduled its fall hardware event for October 26. So, we are expecting the tech giant to announce some information about the eagerly awaited smartphone. Don't forget to check with SWR for more updates and latest news on Microsoft Surface Phone release date, specs and price details. Source: scienceworldreport


    Source: Microsoft Surface Phone Release Date, Specs, Latest News: Handset Details To Be Announced Soon?

    Wednesday, 19 October 2016

    Nokia may launch its new 'Android' phones by 2016-end: Report

    NEW DELHI: Nokia will be introducing its new smartphones by the end of 2016 and early 2017, according James Rutherford, Microsoft CEO (APAC) who was quoted in a Vietnamese publication. The rumours also suggest that there will be "two new phone products in the last quarter of 2016 and at least two smartphones in the early second quarter 2017" by HMD.

    Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri's MWC 2017 keynote is also suggestive of this development and it is being speculated that Suri will be announcing the launch of the smartphones at the upcoming MWC. There are leaked images which hint at Nokia featuring Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 820 processor.

    The new Nokia smartphones will be made by a Foxconn subsidiary, FIH Mobile which is where the Finnish element will part ways from t he new Nokia phones but it comes as a relief that HMD will be following Nokia's design guidelines.

    However, HMD is funded by Smart Connect LP and includes two Nokia executives namely Arto Nummela and Florian Seiche, both of them who now work for Microsoft which is why one can say that Nokia and Microsoft are not really 'separated' as we think.Rajeev Suri's announcement at the MWC 2017 could also be related to Nokia Networks. As far as the Nokia Technologies is concerned, Nokia OZO 360 degree camera is the only hope so far from the Finnish company in the devices segment.

    When Microsoft got charge of Nokia in 2013, it used the opportunity to promote its Windows Phone software, which didn't really work out well for the company. Despite the design and quality of the devices being good, the phone failed to make an impact among users.

    One of the factors responsible for the Nokia's downfall in the devices segment was its aversion to evolve in terms of software development.


    Source: Nokia may launch its new 'Android' phones by 2016-end: Report

    BlackBerry reveals ANOTHER new smartphone

    Blackberry new devices leaked releaseGETTY

    BlackBerry could be gearing up for another major launch

    BlackBerry could be gearing up to launch another Android device.

    The troubled Canadian smartphone maker looks set to continue fighting against reports that it is on the way out with the release of at least one more device.

    BlackBerry had previously said it would be ending smartphone production earlier this year, before CEO John Chen later fuelled hopes of a recovery.

    blackberry qwerty keyboard holdingGETTY

    BlackBerry's iconic keyboard devices gained millions of fans worldwide

    The mystery BlackBerry device was revealed in leaked reports from benchmarking website Geekbench, featuring the model number BBB100-1.

    The phone could well be the rumoured 'Mercury' device first uncovered earlier this year.

    The Geekbench results suggets that the device could come packing a Qualcomm octa-core chipset clocked at 2GHz, alongside and 3GB of RAM.

    This puts it firmly in the mid-range Android smartphone category, as BlackBerry looks to strenghten its position in developing Eastern markets.

    Earlier reports suggested that the Mercury, which will launch early next year, will also come sporting a 4.5 inch Full HD display, 32GB internal storage, 18-megapixel rear and 8-megapixel front cameras and a 3,400mAh battery.

    BlackBerry revealed it would be ending production of mobile devices last month.

    It will now outsource the design and building of smartphones to third party companies around the world, as it looks to focus on other areas.

    However CEO John Chen surprised industry experts by saying that BlackBerry may yet still build a new device featuring the company's iconic QWERTY keyboards.

    blackberry john chen new devicesGETTY

    BlackBerry CEO John Chen has hinted that more devices will be coming soon

    Over the last few years, the company has switched its focus towards software and security products, showing that perhaps it knew the end was near.

    However even this was beset by setbacks, as BlackBerry suffered the embarrassment of having the world's most popular messaging app – WhatsApp – drop support for its BlackBerry OS earlier this year.

    Facebook and its Messenger app soon followed suit and stopped working on BlackBerry OS, including the most recent – BB10, by the end of the year.

    Thu, January 31, 2013

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    A man holds the new touchscreen BlackBerry Z10 smartphone, during the launch event for the new phone in London.

    The news followed months of decline for the company as it struggled to keep pace with major rivals such as Apple and Samsung in recent years.

    BlackBerry's overall share of the smartphone market has shrunk to a fraction of what it was in its heyday during the last decade, although it still enjoys a strong customer base in countries such as India and Indonesia.

    Last October, BlackBerry signalled a major shift in its intentions by switching to using Android in its smartphones over its own BB10 software.

    Related articles
    Source: BlackBerry reveals ANOTHER new smartphone

    Tuesday, 18 October 2016

    See Moby's Grim New Video About Smartphone Addiction

    Moby and the Void Pacific Choir paint a grim portrait of the smartphone-obsessed masses in the video for "Are You Lost In The World Like Me?" featuring old school Max Fleischer-inspired animation courtesy of Steve Cutts.

    In the video for the These Systems Are Failing cut, mindless cellphone-addicted junkies post selfies, send emojis, hunt for Pikachu or swipe right through human interactions, completely oblivious to the reality around them.

    "A few years ago I saw Steve Cutts' 'Man' video and was amazed and blown away," Moby said of the video in a statement. "I did some internet sleuthing and found his e-mail address and humbly asked him to make a video for me. And, lucky me, he agreed. The video he made for 'Are You Lost in the World Like Me?' is without question one of the best videos that's ever been made for one of my songs."

    Cutts added, "For me the video is about our increasing dependence on technology and about human interaction today, or a certain lack of it. It focuses on the way tech is changing us - how we have become desensitized."


    Source: See Moby's Grim New Video About Smartphone Addiction

    Pixel, Pixel XL Review Roundup: The Pros And Cons Of Google's New Android Phones

    Well, the reviews on Google's Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones are finally in. Reviewers who spent time trying out and scrutinizing the new mobile devices ahead of everyone else are now speaking on what it's like to use Google's iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus competitors. Are they giving good feedback  to the handsets, or is it the opposite? Let's find out. 

    BuzzFeed's Nicole Nguyen gives credit to Google for ensuring that the Pixel comes with a powerful software, but she couldn't say the same for the appearance of the device. The news reporter even calls the look of the Pixel "uninspired." Nguyen claims that nothing is spectacular about the phone's hardware save for the fact that it screams of Google's desire to prove that it can go head-to-head with the big players, Apple and Samsung. 

    Gizmodo's Michael Nunez calls the Pixel phone "too dumb and ugly" to be even considered as a replacement for Apple's iPhone. He adds that Google may have come up with big ideas for its new smartphone, but it still falls short of its goal of producing an "iPhone-killer." The reviewer's tirade does not end there as Nunez also points out that Google's AI is still "too stupid" at this point that Google Assistant sounds too mediocre when compared to Siri. Nunez adds that the user experience of the AI feature is "underwhelming" because it failed in performing commands correctly on more than one occasion. 

    Engadget's Chris Velazco has also noticed some cons when it comes to both the Pixel and the Pixel XL. The tech reviewer says that the phones are expensive despite not having commendable designs. Velazco also opines that being less water-resistant than it rivals from big companies is also another con.

    ZDNet's Jason Cipriani questions Google's "best ever" claim for its smartphone cameras present on both the Pixel and the Pixel XL. According to him, the smartphone snapper does have zero shutter lag, but it is clearly not the best phone camera there is. Pointing out the primary camera's flaws, Cipriani says that the photos it captures are "a little too saturated." Hence, the reviewer maintains that the claim is not really true, but he also admits that the Pixel devices' camera is actually the best one yet for Google's smartphone releases.  

    Contrary to the aforesaid opinions, there are also tech reviews that emphasize the good things about the Pixel handsets. For example, VentureBeat's Emil Protalinski and Jordan Novet agree that the Pixel XL is apparently "the best Android phone money can buy." Comparing the new Google handsets to last year's Nexus smartphones, the reviewers note that the Pixel mobile handsets are "more powerful" despite being smaller in size. 

    CNET's Lynn La gives her two cents on the Pixel and Pixel XL, saying that the camera of the two is "fantastic" even in low light conditions. La also commends Google for bringing Google Assistant to the Pixel devices since for her, this is the "most natural, human approaches" to AI so far. 

    Mashable Asia's Raymond Wong states that with Google's new smartphones, everything phone consumers want for a flagship device to have is present. Wong says that the Pixel XL is not lacking when talking about phone specs. He also reveals that based on his experience, daily performance is fast and smooth without lags even when multitasking. 

    Wired's Kelsey McClellan stresses that Google's Pixel has changed the idea that the iPhone is the default standard among smartphones, for it is just as competent as Apple's iPhone with the addition of "innovative software and services."  Wrapping up her review piece, the Wired reporter bravely says the Pixel is the product of when Google comes up with its own iPhone. 

    Finally, Business Insider's Steve Kovach also has good things to say about Google's smartphones. He opines the Pixel is not only an excellent device, it is also what Android should have been from the very start. He claims in his review that Google did good in melding great software with excellent hardware — something that Apple has been very good at in recent years. 

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    Source: Pixel, Pixel XL Review Roundup: The Pros And Cons Of Google's New Android Phones

    Monday, 17 October 2016

    Sewerage and Water Board phones, computers go down

    s&wb_water_meter_cover.jpg

    (Eliot Kamenitz, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune archive)

    Phones and computers are down at the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, meaning customers will have to wait until at least Monday afternoon (Oct. 17) to pay bills or conduct other business at its Central Business District and Algiers offices.

    A statement Monday morning said there were technical issues at the S&WB computer center, which knocked out its main phone line, 52WATER (529-2837). Also, its offices at 625 St. Joseph St. and 4021 Behrman Place were not able to serve customers. The Sewerage and Water Board said the problems should be resolved by midday and advised customers to wait until the afternoon to take care of business.

    Stay with NOLA.com for updates on this story.


    Source: Sewerage and Water Board phones, computers go down

    MacBook Pro 2016 Release Date: The Truth About Magic Keyboard, October 27 Event, Refreshed MacBook Air and iPad Pro (VIDEO)

    #MacBookPro #MacBookAir – MacBook Pro 2016 Release Date: The Truth About Magic Keyboard, October 27 Event, Refreshed MacBook Air and iPad Pro (VIDEO) : Oct. 27 remains the legit date for the rumored launching of MacBook Pro 2016, alongside the refreshed MacBook Air and iPad Pro. Here's everything you need to know about MacBook Pro 2016 release date and the mysterious and elegant magic keyboard.

    Next-Generation Magic Keyboard

    A redditor named Foxconninsider claims to be an employee of Tsinghua University, where the manufacturer of most Apple products, Foxconn, conducted closed-door meetings and presented two prototypes of unreleased Apple products.

    According to BGR, the redditor revealed about the new MacBook keyboard module, in which, other reports referred to as Sonder's magic keyboard with E ink display on individual keys.

    Foxconninsider also revealed that the smart magic keyboard will feature a colored E ink instead of the conventional grayscale ones, and is slated to be released sometime in 2018. For this reason, MacBook Pro 2016 is unlikely to include the magic keyboard during its presumed launching in Oct. 27.

    October Apple Event

    Recent reports about the rescheduling of Apple fourth quarter earning calls had led to a conclusion that the tech giant is likely to have the launching of MacBook Pro 2016 on Oct. 27. According to Express, Apple iPhone sales have drastically gone awry and the presumed launching of the new Mac is expected to be a blockbuster one.

    In addition, Apple's grand launching might also aim to steal the limelight from Microsoft, who will be hosting an event a day before. The windows-maker will introduce the most talked-about Surface PC and the rumored Surface phones.

    Refreshed MacBook Air and iPad Pro

    New upgrades of MacBook Air and three new sizes of iPad Pro are also expected in the end of October event. According to the same publication, the two products, including the most anticipated MacBook Pro 2016, will run on AMD graphic chips similar to iPhone 7, which is said to be twice faster than its predecessors. Source: universityherald


    Source: MacBook Pro 2016 Release Date: The Truth About Magic Keyboard, October 27 Event, Refreshed MacBook Air and iPad Pro (VIDEO)