Mobile Devices - Page 136

Intel continues to invest billions of dollars into mobile hardware development, with a specific focus on smartphones and tablets. ARM is enjoying success in mobile as the US and global markets are saturated with countless products - and while Intel is essentially late to the game - hopes to spend some money and try to get back into the competition.

The company also has diversified its efforts in the mobile hardware market, creating business relationships with Chinese companies to manufacture new CPUs for mobile products. Intel is investing $1.6 billion spread over the next 15 years for a new manufacturing facility in China that will focus on mobile chip production.

Intel also hopes that its facility can be used by third-parties, such as Apple: "It makes sense because Intel likes to make manufacturing facilities in technically sophisticated markets, which China is," noted Dean McCarron, Mercury Research principal analyst. "If someone like Apple were to approach Intel and say we want this custom phone part, it's obvious Intel will build it."

The latest rumors about the Apple Watch are surfacing, where some are suggesting Apple will launch the new iPhone 6S alongside its first wearable when it launches early next year. This would break its tradition, where it launches flagship iPhones each September.

We've heard that Apple wants to cut down its smarpthone update cycle next year, which hints toward the company preparing the release of a single handset, so in this case the iPhone 6. Six months or so later, the company would launch its true flagship, the iPhone 7. So if the iPhone 6S does see the light of day with Watch, it could be a tweaked iPhone 6 Plus, which makes sense.

The Mail Online reports: "The new schedule is expected to stagger the releases of two devices in 2015 to capitalise on sales. Apple could release the iPhone 6S to people who want to upgrade to a slightly cheaper model, before announcing its flagship iPhone 7 in the autumn". I don't see why the iPhone 6S would be the "cheaper model", as it could start offering multiple handsets like its competitors do. When it comes to the iPhone 7 though, I think we'll see some changes, big ones.

According to a new leak, the Samsung Galaxy S6 might feature an 8-core processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of flash storage, a 20-megapixel rear-facing camera, 5-megapixel front-facing camera and Android 5.0 Lollipop.

The rumors are coming from a leaked AnTuTu benchmark, displaying the "SM-G925F" handset, that should be the Galaxy S6. Samsung is reportedly designing the Galaxy S6 from scratch, after the not-so-great seller that is the Galaxy S5. There should be two versions of the Galaxy S6 on offer, one that features the aforementioned 8-core processor that Samsung will build in-house, while the other Galaxy S6 will feature a Qualcomm processor.

If Samsung wants to gain back missing customers, or sell a boatload more Galaxy S6 handsets, I think we need more than just pure hardware. Offering stock Android handsets would be a big start, as they'd secure the Nexus crowd, and some radical new technology and features wouldn't go astray, either.

The first whispers of the upcoming successor to HTC's One M8 have been floating around for a few days now, with it coming with the One M9 moniker. Now we're hearing about the HTC "Hima", the company's purported upcoming flagship smartphone.

Hima will feature a 5-inch 1080p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor (with a 2GHz quad-core processor, and 1.5GHz quad-core processor), 3GB of RAM, a 20.7-megapixel rear-facing camera, and a 13-megapixel "UltraPixel" front-facing snapper, VoLTE/CA/LTE Cat. 6 support, a 2840mAh battery, and Android 5.0 with HTC Sense 7.0 splashed on top.

We don't know whether this Hima smartphone will arrive as the One M9, or whether it will feature a different name, but we know it's coming and it should be unveiled at MWC 2015 which takes place between March 2-5 in Barcelona, Spain.

A new tablet sporting one Terabyte of storage is making its rounds through the inidiegogo scene. The UbuTab tablet is designed for media enthusiasts and can use either an Ubuntu or Android OS. There is a built-in stylus and kickstand, and the tablet features a quad-core CPU and GPU along with its 10.1" IPS 1920x1200 screen. This tablet may actually be based upon a reference design Seagate demonstrated at CES 2014.

The tablet has a few limiting factors that might relegate it to niche applications. The UbuTab sports a 2.5" 1TB 5,400 RPM HDD that will not be as snappy as the flash-powered competition. The UbuTab includes 16GB of flash memory that is likely used to cache hot data to speed up performance. If the UbuTab is using a caching scheme it could offset many of the performance penalties of using a relatively slow 5,4000 RPM HDD. The HDD lowers the battery life to roughly six hours and also adds some heft to the device, which weighs in at 1.4 pounds. The tablet is also 14mm thick, which is more than double the thickness in comparison to the iPad Air 2 and the Tab S10.5.

The 10.1" IPS screen is powered by a Mali 400MP4 GPU, which might be a bit underpowered for this application. There is a rear-facing 5MP camera and 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, along with the obligatory Bluetooth 4.0. One positive aspect is the connectivity options, which include Micro-USB and Micro-SD capabilities. The manufacturers are hoping to price these tablets at $290 each.

The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are huge successes for Apple. The company reported it sold 10 million phones in the weekend after launch, the best iPhone launch in Apple history. But it seems every on-top company lives with a target on its back, and both consumers and competitors are looking for any opportunity to criticize the latest Apple gadget. In 2010, the iPhone 4 launched with a defect in its antenna, which caused the phone to lose service when users gripped the edges. Branded "AntennaGate," the flaw made waves in the news, and ultimately Apple offered free cases to bandage the problem.

Well, AntennaGate is gone, but we have a new scandal on our hands: Bendgate. Soon after launch, a handful of iPhone 6 owners reported that the phone was actually bending in their pockets, creating a permanent new shape. Within days, "Bendgate" was all over the news, but was the hype justified? Consumer Reports studied the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus and its bendability.

With a certain amount of force, the phone does bend. This much is true. But how much force is the real question. Consumer Reports used a complex stress test to find out exactly how many pounds of pressure it would take to bend the phone.

We've been hearing about this Tizen operating system for what feels like years now, but according to the latest rumors, the reality could soon be right around the corner. Samsung is rumored to unveil the Z1 smartphone, a Tizen-based handset, on December 10.

Samsung's Z1 handset would compete directly against Google's Android One initiative, which has the Mountain View-based search giant to get Android into the developing markets through cheaper handsets. VR World is reporting that Samsung could launch its Z1 handset with a 4-inch display with a resolution of 800x480, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor manufactured by Spreadtrum, which is a company Intel works with (and Intel being involved with the Tizen OS, too by the way).

Rounding up the specifications of the Z1, we have 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal flash storage, a 3.2-megapixel rear-facing camera, dual-SIM capabilities, and more. We should expect Samsung to unveil the Z1 on December 10, so keep your eyes peeled to TweakTown.

Huawei won't release any other smartphones powered by Microsoft Windows Phone, as the two handsets it made available running the OS weren't profitable. Instead, consumers want to enjoy Google Android smartphones, which yields a thriving community and jam-packed app store.

"We have tried using the Windows Phone OS," said Richard Yu, Huawei consumer business group lead. "But it has been difficult to persuade consumers to buy a Windows Phone. It wasn't profitable for us. We were losing money for two years on those phones."

Windows Phone now has just over 8.1 percent of global market share - still far behind Android and Apple iOS - but shows that Microsoft is able to continue expanding the OS further.

If you're walking around with one of Samsung's flagship smartphones, either the Galaxy S5 or Galaxy Note 4, you might be wondering when you'll receive the new Android 5.0 Lollipop update. Well, it should be soon, hopefully.

The two flagship handsets have both been spotted running Google's latest mobile OS, with both iterations featuring a little Samsung inside in the form of Lollipop + TouchWiz UI. The above image is of the Galaxy Note 4 with Lollipop + TouchWiz UI running, while the image underneath it is of the Galaxy S5 with Lollipop mixed with the TouchWix Nature UX 3.0 on top.

We should expect Samsung to release the Android 5.0 Lollipop update for the Galaxy S5 sometime before the New Year, while the Galaxy Note 4 update not being too far behind it.

This time of year is hugely critical for manufacturers and retailers, with discounted prices on products, aimed at getting customers to open up their wallets. For smartphone shoppers, there are a surprising amount of devices that cost a single penny, assuming you're willing to sign a two-year contract, and the "low-end" smartphone market is progressing rapidly.

For American consumers familiar with the Apple iPhone 6, Samsung Galaxy S 5, and other flagship models - these low-end models aren't likely appealing - but help recruit even more first-time smartphone owners to upgrade their phones. Not surprisingly, low-end smartphones are typically Google Android-powered devices, and Microsoft wants its Windows Phone 8.1 OS to help drive the market even further.

For some consumers, products such as the OnePlus One smartphone, which doesn't require a contract yet is still affordable, could lead to further shakeup of the phone market.

Nokia's new champion phone has been leaked to the public, thanks to Engadget we were able to have a sneak peak into the exterior design and possible features.

There have been rumors spread that Microsoft had begun development on a 'McLaren Windows Phone' - set to be the next installment of the Lumia series and most notably the Lumia 1020 product. The specialties that were most looked into most included the 1020's enlarged camera and "3D touch" features, with further rumors claiming that this project was eventually canned.

According to a recent listing for a prototype on a Chinese auction site named Taobao, it seems like the cancellation did not take place.

There are more Google Android mobile users running around the United States, but Apple iOS users enjoyed shopping and spending more on Black Friday. One-fifth of all sales on Thanksgiving Day and one-fourth of all sales on Black Friday were accounted to iOS - and Android snagged 5.6 percent on Thanksgiving Day and 6.9 percent on Black Friday, according to IBM's Digital Analytics Benchmark.

Specifically, iOS users spent an average of $121.86 per order while Android shoppers spent $98.07 per order - and iOS traffic was 34.2 percent of total online traffic during Black Friday.

Apple might only have 12 percent of the global smartphone market captured, but its users are fanatical about their devices.

CES 2015 is just around the corner, and we're already being teased about what to expect from the Las Vegas based electronics extravaganza. LG is expected to unveil the successor to one of the more unique smartphones of 2013, the G Flex.

LG is expected to unveil the new G Flex 2 at CES Las Vegas in January 2015, and according to Android Authority's sources, it will be a "major upgrade" over its predecessor. We should expect a Full HD, or possibly QHD plastic-based OLED screen, and the self-healing coating on the back of it, both of which I'm sure will be an improvement over the original G Flex.

The G Flex didn't really offer anything super special outside of its slightly flexible design, curved screen and self-healing coating on the back, so let's hope LG can push the boundaries with the G Flex 2.

Popular coffee shop chain Starbucks is rolling out wireless charging stations in the San Francisco Bay Area, and the effort is set to expand even further later on. Using Powermat Technologies, it would appear Starbucks could help bring wireless charging solutions to the mainstream - and it begins with its customers becoming more comfortable with wireless charging technology built directly into tables and bar tops.

Powermat Technologies CEO Daniel Schreiber says the charging speed at Starbucks locations rivals cabled connections - and while there has been a large amount of criticism regarding speed - it seems faster than many people give it credit for. However, there are only a small number of phones that support Powermat directly out of the box, so Starbucks provides Power Rings for charging - a loan or $10 to purchase them - along with Duracell-Powermat providing them online.

"You've got to have a complete system," said Matthew Guiste, Starbucks VP of in-store digital services. "No one has taken the plunge, [but] we want to start giving manufacturers a reason to put it in their phones."

Nintendo have just had a patent go public in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that has been discovered by a NeoGAF named "Rösti".

This patent refers to Gameboy emulation being allowed on other hardware - including mobile phones. This patent also covers emulation on in-flight entertainment models for aircraft, trains and PDA devices.

I have seen Gameboy Advance Emulator's around since the mid-2000s, with one of the most popular between my friends being Visual Boy Advance. However, these aren't only illegal, but do not draw any profit for Nintendo themselves as they are downloaded off various internet sites dedicated to the cause. Alongside computer emulation programs, emulators have seen light on PDA's in the mid-2000s such as the Palm Treo.

As according to 'China Economic Weekly News' and Chiphell, Foxconn Technology is rumored to be producing the next-generation of sapphire glass screens for Apple's iPhone platform. As it currently stands, they are one of Apple's main OEM partners and taking on this project will be yet another service they offer to the technology giants.

Foxconn and Apple have reportedly come to agreement to create a 300 acre large production factory in Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, China - this is following news last week that Foxconn will be building a new factory in Taiwan for iPhone screen production.

This deal is rumored to have taken place with Foxconn due to Apple's last partnered screen provider, GT Advanced Technologies, delacring bankruptcy a mere two months ago. The sapphire screen isn't confirmed for release in next-generation iPhones, but according to sources it seems like the most likely offering.

According to latest reading services data, since the release of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in May this year these two devices have changed user's reading habits favorably toward the aforementioned smartphones and away from iPad's offerings.

Two million articles and videos have been analyzed, covering before and after release of Apple's new champion products. The study claims that once an iPhone 6 has been purchased, they will proceed to use this device for 72% of their total time, in comparison to an 80% share in usage for an iPhone 6 Plus when in compared to an already-owned iPad.

The study also claims that due to the iPhone 6 Plus' big screen offering, the users have experienced on average, a 40% increase in video viewing.

News has just come to light that Android continues to dominate the global market in smartphones, controlling a massive total of 85% of all devices. This marks Apple and Windows OS systems falling further behind the leader, likely due to Chinese domestic phone offerings incorporating third-party Android OS platforms.

Recent reports claim that BlackBerry and Windows Phone have swapped positions, seeing Microsoft creep into a third place standing. However, Windows devices are still only accountable for 5% of the total market share.

As far as tablets are concerned, IDC claims that Android's market share makes up for 67.7% of the total amount, alongside Apple's iOS offering falling to 27.5% and Windows sitting at just under 5%. However, Microsoft has experienced a growth of 67.3% over 2014, fllowing suit of Android who grow 16% in its own right. Unfortunately for Apple, as the competitors grow, they must fall - reporting a 12.7% drop over the same time period.

It looks like one of the bigger rumors for CES 2015, at least for me, is the news of Sony launching its new Xperia Z4 smartphone at the Las Vegas-based event in January 2015.

Sure, the Xperia Z4 will launch with an impressive Snapdragon 805 processor from Qualcomm, a sure-to-be gorgeous 5.4-inch QHD display (which I'll presume is their "Triluminos" panel), Android 5.0 Lollipop, and more than likely, 3GB of RAM will be great - but it's the image sensor in the camera that has me interested. Sony is rumored to be using its next-gen Exmor IMX230 camera sensor, which will have the Z4's camera turning some heads.

The new image sensor works almost like anti-aliasing when it comes to pictures, giving them a much sharper look as if you were using a much more powerful camera. All the other specifications and grunt under the Z4 hood is just gravy, baby.

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi has enjoyed a meteoric rise to become the No. 3 smartphone company in the world - but don't expect it to jump into new markets just for the sake of expansion. Xiaomi is focusing on China, India and Indonesia, for example, while Brazil, Russia, Mexico, Turkey and Thailand will have to wait until later down the road.

"We have to build better and better products making sure they're catered to each market and sold at the best possible price," said Hugo Barra, Xiaomi VP of global operations.

As Xiaomi continues to grow, the company will likely need its own manufacturing plants - and lessen the burden on its partners. However, it appears Xiaomi management is prepared to have new markets wait as it is able to establish itself further - showing impressive logic that other companies don't necessarily appreciate until it's too late.