More images and details on the upcoming ZTE Grand S emerge

More images and details about the soon-to-be-revealed ZTE Grand S have emerged. It appears that the upcoming sibling of the freshly announced ZTE Nubia 5 is about to sport an even slimmer waistline.

With a 6.9mm profile, the ZTE Grand S is likely bound to be the slimmest smartphone to pack a 5" 1080p display. The rest of the handset's alleged specs include a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 CPU, 2GB of RAM, 13MP camera, and a 2500mAh battery. Naturally, the OS on tap will be Android Jelly Bean.

The rumored price of the ZTE Grad S is in the vicinity of $449 - a cool $100 less than the already attractively priced ZTE Nubia 5. Should this rumor turn out to be true, we reckon that the Chinese smartphone will find its way to quite a few shopping lists.

The ZTE Grand S will be officially announced in less than two weeks during CES in Las Vegas. We will be live from the spot, so be sure to stick around to find out all about the smartphone.

Source 1 | Source 2 | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/more_images_and_details_on_the_upcoming_zte_grand_s_emerge_-news-5259.php

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Christmas Day 2012 saw record-breaking number of iOS and Android activations

On Christmas Day, an unprecedented number of Android and iOS devices were activated, statistics have shown.

When it comes to mobile industry sales, it’s no surprise that smartphones, tablets, and other gadgets see a surge in purchases around the holiday season. Earlier this week on Christmas Day 2012, however, both Apple and Android have beaten their own records.

According to data from Flurry Analytics, which examined a database of more than 260,00 apps, more Android, and iOS devices were activated on Christmas Day this year than any other day in history. To be exact, there were more than 17.4 million activations recorded on December 25. This is 332 percent over the baseline for the month of December, Flurry’s data indicated.

These activations have come from a variety of devices including iPhones, iPads, Galaxy devices, Kindle Fires, and more. The number of new activated devices this year more than doubles that of Christmas 2011, which saw 6.8 million activations. This was the previous single-day record, but this year’s holiday activations completely shattered that achievement.

This, of course, means that there has also been an unprecedented number of app downloads as well. Using its percentage penetration per platform, Flurry estimated the total number of market apps downloaded on Christmas Day. The company checked these numbers against publicly released figures from Apple and Google, just as it did with the information on device activations.

Christmas Day 2012 saw 328 million downloads from both Apple and Android’s app stores. Compared to the baseline for app downloads established in the first 20 days of December, this is an increase of 128 percent. Yet again, this breaks the record for the most apps downloaded in a single day in history.

It’s worth noting that tablets saw a massive jump in activations this holiday. According to Flurry, the ratio of smartphone to tablet activations is usually 4:1, with phones accounting for 80 percent of activations and slates comprising 20 percent. On Christmas Day 2012, however, smartphone activations only hit 49 percent and tablets accounted for a whopping 51 percent.

This doesn’t come as too much of a surprise, considering tablets don’t come with the two-year contracts that smartphones are usually tethered to. Unless users purchase a 3G-enabled tablet that requires a data plan, it’s easier to surprise someone with a tablet without the complication of contracts.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/christmas-2012-ios-android/

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Apple reportedly working on smart watch that syncs to your iOS devices

A recent report from China has indicated that Apple could be developing a smart watch of its own.

Apple may be famous for its premium smartphones, tablets and computers, but the Silicon Valley-based design company may expand its horizons come 2013. Whispers from China have indicated that Apple could be developing its very own smart watch, according to Chinese gadget news source Tech.163.

This device would connect to all of your iOS devices via Bluetooth, and Intel is rumored to be working with Apple on this wearable tech project. Little is known about the purported device’s specs or features, but the report did say that it could come with a 1.5-inch AMOLED display manufactured by RiTDisplay with ITO-coated glass.

Apple appears to be aspiring to attack a budding sector of the mobile market. Wristwatch devices are beginning to gain popularity among users, with products such as Sony’s SmartWatch and the Pebble Kickstarter project that blew up on the crowd sourced Web platform earlier this year. The Pebble smart watch, which hit more than $10 million on Kickstarter, connects to your Android or iPhone device. Users can customize the watch’s interface and download apps directly to the device. Sony’s offering is an Android watch that “keeps you discreetly updated & your hands free.” It comes in various colors such as blue, pink, teal and lets you check messages, calendars, and Facebook updates.

Apple isn’t the only company reportedly dipping into the wearable technology market. In September, Microsoft patented what looks to be a wearable video game controller for its Xbox gaming console. Samsung has also been working on bendable, unbreakable displays for quite some time that could pave the way for wearable devices.

This also isn’t the first time tech enthusiasts have mused at the proposition of a hypothetical iWatch, and Thursday’s findings have further fueled these suspicions. However, it’s important to take this news with a grain of salt. Apple, of course, has not confirmed any plans to enter the smart watch race. Even if it did, there’s no guarantee that we would see it any time soon. Apple geeks shouldn’t count on playing with wearable iOS watches at CES next month, but it certainly is interesting to think about.

If this rumor does turn out to be true, it wouldn’t be the most revolutionary move for Apple but it could do more to popularize the smart watch genre. Tablets existed before Apple introduced the iPad, but no one really wanted them until Apple came out with its own. Even when the first generation iPad was released in 2010, critics and tech aficionados scoffed at the device that was initially perceived as an oversized iPhone.

According to Tech.163’s source, Apple plans to launch this rumored smart watch sometime next year.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/apple-smart-watch-syncs-ios/

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DT Deals: iOS App Design Course makes all your app developing dreams come true

Need help making your apps not only function well but look good? Today's DT Deals brings you the design crash course to get you ready for the App Store.

So you’ve brainstormed your app ideas and figured out how you plan to develop the next big thing, thanks to the guide you got an awesome deal on several days ago. Good on ya! Now you just need to make it look as great as you envisioned. If you don’t plan on hiring expensive designers, consider this iOS App Design Course. For today’s DT Deals, $79 gets you a crash course on what makes apps beautiful on the Apple iPad’s retina screen. Of course, before you even get there, you’ll also need to make the app icon stand out in the App Store. With this course bundle, you’ll learn the design magic to both variables so you can get your app up and running in no time.

Again, a 30-day money back guarantee is in place if you aren’t satisfied, and we should warn you that you’ll want Adobe Photoshop CS3 and up to follow along the course. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a design whiz; the course is made for the most beginners of designers and Photoshoppers. After the purchase, you’ll have one full year to refer to the video guide as often as you need to. Remember to share with us your design when it’s done!

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/dt-deals-ios-app-design-course-makes-all-your-app-developing-dreams-come-true/

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Toshiba developing Lytro-like refocusing camera sensor

The small module contains 500,000 lenses, and it can be embedded into smartphones and tablets. Toshiba is planning to commercialize it by end of 2013.

Lytro made a splash with its light-field camera that lets you refocus images after they have been shot (a technology so impressive, it made it our camera of the year). It seems that Toshiba has been paying attention to this user-enriching feature, as the Asahi Shimbun newspaper (via The Verge) is reporting that the Japanese electronics company is working on an image sensor that lets smartphones and tablets perform that Lytro-like trick.

A sample image provided by Toshiba demonstrates the sensor’s refocusing effect post-capture.

Unlike Lytro’s palm-sized camera, Toshiba’s module is a smaller cube with an array of 500,000 lenses (each 0.03mm in diameter) in front of an image sensor measuring 5 x 7mm. Each lens takes a picture that’s slightly different from another. Proprietary Toshiba software is then used to combine the 500,000 images captured to create one large image that can be refocused far and near. The module can also capture video with the same refocusing effect. The lens design works similar to the compound eye structure of insects.

While smaller than Lytro’s technology, the module is still bigger than what today’s thin smartphones and tablets can accommodate. Still, Toshiba is hoping to start selling the sensor by end of fiscal 2013, and is already seeking device manufacturers to embed the sensor into smartphones and tablets.

(Images via Asahi Shimbun)

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/toshiba-developing-lytro-like-refocusing-camera-sensor/

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Original Samsung Galaxy Note to get Android Jelly Bean

Galaxy Note features will soon be on a par with its larger, newer sibling

Good news for owners of the original Samsung Galaxy Note: The Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update is coming your way soon.

Samsung announced the forthcoming software bump on its Galaxy Note microsite as part of a new Premium Suite upgrade.

The move to Android 4.1 will bring owners of the pioneering and surprisingly popular 5.3-inch phablet access to features like the Google Now personal assistant and Project butter.

However, the company is yet to reveal when the update will drop and, initially, it will only be available to unlocked devices.

Going Premium

Beyond Android Jelly Bean there's a host of new features, many of which featured on the Galaxy Note 2, are coming with Samsung's second Premium Suite update for the device.

Those additions are undoubtedly headlined by the neat Multi Window feature, which will allow two open apps to be running on the screen at the same time.

The Popup window multi-tasking feature for Notes, Video and Browser is also coming to the device, while handwriting will also be enabled within the email app.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/original-samsung-galaxy-note-to-get-android-jelly-bean-1121593

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Toshiba's new mobile camera tech allows focus after-the-fact

Tosh aiming to bring Lytro-like tech to mobiles

Toshiba is working on a new camera sensor module, which will allow smartphone and tablet users the opportunity to change the focus of photos and videos after they're shot.

Reports from Japan on Thursday revealed the tiny module, which measures up at about 1mm on each side and houses a 5mm x 7mm sensor and features 500,000 0.03mm lenses layered on top of the sensor.

Each of these lenses captures a slightly different image and, using Toshiba's homegrown software, will allow users to alter the focus of the image if the foreground proves more interesting than the background.

The sensor has the ability to accurately measure the distance between the objects (a la 3D cameras) and can focus on near and far elements of the image by combining the best results from the different lenses.

Blur-free photos

If a user so desires, they could use the tech to create an image that is perfectly focused and blur-free throughout the frame.

Toshiba also says the technology is capable of working with videos shot on a smartphone or camera.

The new technology is similar to the Lytro Light Field camera, introduced last year.

However, whereas the Lytro was housed in a four-inch box, the Toshiba module is small enough to fit into a smartphone or tablet.

The tech is still a work in progress, but according to Japanese site Asahi Shimbun, Toshbia plans to commercialise it in 2013 and is currently pitching it to smartphone and tablet manufacturers.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/photography-video-capture/mobile-computing/tablets/toshibas-new-mobile-camera-tech-allows-focus-after-the-fact-1121590

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Windows Phone store boosted by 75,000 new apps in 2012

Are you any closer to going all in on Windows Phone?

Can we finally put to bed the old adage about Windows Phone not having enough apps? Microsoft thinks so, after adding 75,000 new apps to its store in 2012.

In a post on the Windows Phone developers' blog, the company said it had scrutinised and published enough apps to double the pre-existing catalogue during this calendar year.

Microsoft said that it had also published 300,000 updates to existing apps, pointing out that Windows Phone users can now rely on having the latest, safest versions of the software faster than before.

Microsoft revealed that, on average, Windows Phone customers are downloading 54 apps to their handsets, aided by the improved catalogue and new Windows Phone Store shopping experience.

Live Tiles apps preferable

"Over the last year we've made a lot of discovery enhancements including Bing-powered search and smart lists, as well as new collections and recommendations for Windows Phone 8 customers," wrote Todd Brix, senior director of the Windows Phone app team.

Brix also mentioned that 85 per cent of Windows Phone users preferred applications with functioning Live Tiles, which bring information directly to the Start Screen than those without.

This, or course, would make perfect sense as the presence of Live Tiles is perhaps Windows Phone's most convincing selling point.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/windows-phone-store-boosted-by-75000-new-apps-in-2012-1121585

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Choosing an electronic ecosystem: Apple, Google, or Microsoft?

Are you the type of person who owns an iPod, an Android phone, and a Windows PC? We take a look at Apple, Google, and Microsoft to see if there's an advantage to buying all of your gadgets within one electronic ecosystem.

There are many advantages to going with a single ecosystem for your desktop PC, laptop PC, mobile phone, and tablet. (Even game system and television, in some cases.) Devices within that ecosystem are designed to work well with each other. They sync easily so that preferences and media can be effortlessly copied or shared with multiple devices. Applications may be universal, meaning they require a single purchase to work on multiple devices at the same time. And the user interfaces are usually similar or identical across devices.

Though many users cross ecosystems and choose iOS, Android, and Windows devices based on need and not interoperability, we’re going to focus on what happens when a user decides to stay within a single ecosystem: what are the advantages and disadvantages, and what are the weak links are in that ecosystem?

Apple

Apple probably has the most tightly integrated ecosystem of any of the three. ITunes is just a better application on Apple products than on Microsoft’s products. And Apple has a television device, the AppleTV, that fits right into the ecosystem as well.

Benefits of the Apple ecosystem

In the Apple ecosystem, Apple devices back up to the same iCloud system that other Apple devices and PCs can use. You can stream music and video to other devices (like the Apple TV) using free AirPlay functionality. You can even mirror the device’s screen on another device. It makes a lot of sense to have multiple Apple devices in a home.

Operating system updates on iPhones and iPads are always free, updating an iPod Touch is usually free, and updating a Mac to the latest OS will run you $20. Note that there’s never a charge for incremental updates.

Once you purchase an app on any Apple device, you can sync it to any other Apple device free, or re-download it without restrictions. This is also the same for media purchased in iTunes.

Drawbacks of the Apple ecosystem

Old operating systems swiftly become unsupported by hardware and software, forcing you on an upgrade path that you may not necessarily wish to take. The flipside is also bad: newer Apple OSes can often not run legacy apps. Don’t even try to run an old PowerPC Mac app on a newer Intel Mac. It won’t work.

Apple even stops offering support for older versions of its operating systems after only a year or two, a far narrower window than, say, Windows. Also, app developers often discontinue support for earlier versions of iOS, or earlier device generations, forcing you to upgrade to continue using the app. For example, many new high-profile apps don’t work on the first iPad at all.

The other big weakness is that Apple’s ecosystem will run you much more money than any of the others. You’re paying for the brand, and also an expectation of quality 

Mobile phone

Millions of people consider the iPhone the best smartphone ever, and with good reason: it pioneered the touchscreen and spawned dozens of imitators. The newest iPhone 5 offers 4G connectivity and a  larger screen, and the newest iPod Touch also offers a larger screen and a thin form factor.

Tablet

The newest iPads are more expensive than competing Android tablets. They offer a similar experience as the iPhone and iPod Touch, but on a larger scale and with many tablet-specific applications. Apple also introduced the iPad mini this year for those who want an iPad that’s closer in size to an iPhone.

Computer

The Mac itself is somewhat of the weakest link in the Apple ecosystem. Someone used to the touchscreen iOS interface of the iPhone and iPad is going to be confused that Apple doesn’t even offer a touchscreen option for the Mac. And though several of the icons look the same, Apple’s OS X is very different than iOS. That said, iTunes works very well on the Mac, and it’s much less of a headache to sync an iPhone or iPad with a Mac than a PC. If you can justify the expense, adding a Mac to complete the Apple ecosystem makes a lot of sense. Plus, when you get a look at the slim, 5-millimeter-thick iMacs, it’s going to be hard to say no. 

Other devices

Like a gaming system, AppleTV is a device that connects to your TV via HDMI. But it’s not a gaming system; instead, it streams movies and TV shows to your TV from your iTunes library in the cloud. You can also stream media from an Apple device using AirPlay. This little $99 device fits right in to the Apple family and is really useful.

But what about Google…?

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/choosing-an-electronic-ecosystem/

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Best Android car apps

These apps will tell you what's around the next bend, and what's going on under your car's hood.

Software developers and users are trying to get the most out of nearly every aspect of life with apps, so why not driving? The field of car-related apps is getting as much attention as anywhere else, and there are plenty of apps for the Android user on the go. Here are the best ones for getting the most out of your car and your next road trip.

Free

GasBuddy: Why waste gas driving around looking for the cheapest place to fill up (a most Sisyphean task) when you can compare local stations’ prices? GasBuddy lists the prices and locations of gas stations within a 15-mile radius. Map View displays the options in relation to your current location. The only downside is the crowd-sourced database, which means the number of stations can vary depending on your area.

Gas Mileage Calculator: Exactly what it sounds like. Just enter the cost of each fill-up and this app figures out the mpg. It eliminates a bit of mental arithmetic, although dedicated hypermilers will be disappointed to know that this calculator doesn’t save results for future analysis.

Parkopedia: Parkopedia’s developers set themselves the modest task of logging every parking spot in the world. So far, it claims to list 20 million spaces in 25 countries, thanks to crowd sourcing. The app searches based on your current location or the address you want to reach. Parkopedia can then direct you to the spot, check for availability, and display information on rates and payment methods. It can also filter results for street parking, etc.

PlugShare: Electric vehicle charging stations can be hard to come by, and with most EVs’ limited range, that can be a problem. PlugShare includes a list of 13,000 charging stations in North America (like many apps listed here, it relies on user generated information), so it could be the perfect resource for EV drivers. In addition to finding chargers, it also allows users to check availability and filter results according to outlet type, price, and whether they are occupied.

Trapster: Knowing where radar gun-toting police officers are hiding could help one avoid many speeding tickets. Trapster claims to know the locations of 5.5 million speed traps worldwide, thanks to a network of 16.5 million users across the globe. It also allows users to rate the credibility of each others’ reports, to refine the results. Other features include local speed limit alerts and a speed limit/vehicle speed paired display.

Paid

Auto Log ($0.99): It’s easy to get preoccupied with the cost of fuel, but the (somewhat soul-crushing) fact is that cars come with a lot of other expenses. Auto Log allows users to track gas mileage as well as service costs. It’s a good way to figure out if you need a wheel alignment, or if your mechanic is fishing for work, without digging through receipts.

iExit ($0.99): Long drives mean pulling over in an unfamiliar community for a break, but no one wants to become the plot of a horror movie. This app lists upcoming exits and rest areas, with colored icons for services like the ones you see on road signs. You can filter results by category, so it’ll be easy to find the nearest McDonald’s.

RollMeOver ($1.99): It’s fairly obvious when your car isn’t on the straight and level, but what if you want to know how much it’s tipping? RollMeOver is an inclinometer that helps secure ultimate off-road bragging rights. With settings for pitch and roll, you can see how far your vehicle is tilting in any direction. Eleven customizable icons include classic off-roaders like the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota FJ40.

Car Locator ($3.99): Why remember where you parked when tech can do it for you? Car Locator can save your car’s location, and even “beam” it to other users through SMS. You can also create a “favorites” list to find that perfect parking spot a second time, or use the history feature to retrace your steps if you find yourself in a Hangover situation. If you’re really lost, it can also provide directions.

Torque Pro ($4.95): Torque Pro is a pocket data center for your car. It can record everything from 0 to 60 mph acceleration to CO2 emissions, as well as horsepower and torque. It can also diagnose problems through the car’s onboard diagnostic computer (OBD-II, although this requires a separate connector) and shut off annoying “check engine lights.” If you find yourself in over your head, it can also send OBD-II data via e-mail or create an Open Office document to show your mechanic.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/best-android-car-apps/

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Samsung may ship more than 500 million devices in 2013

A new report has revealed that Samsung aims to ship more than 500 million devices in 2013.

It’s fair to say that Samsung had a successful 2012. It ousted Nokia to become the number one cell phone manufacturer and it released two widely successful handsets: the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2. As 2013 steadily approaches, Samsung aims to uphold this pace.

The company plans to ship more than 500 million phones next year, according to the Korea Times. Samsung, which currently holds the title as the world’s largest cell phone maker, aims to ship 510 million handsets in 2013. This is a 20 percent increase from the estimated 420 million shipped in 2012, Korea Times reports. Samsung already shipped 288 million in the first nine months of this year, and expects a Christmas surge to account for the rest of the estimated figure.

Although the company’s high-end devices are what put it at war with bitter rival Apple, it expects to sell a significant amount of lower-end devices next year.

“Of the 510 million handsets it plans to sell, 390 million are slated as smartphones and 120 million, feature and budget phones,” an executive from one of Samsung’s key suppliers told Korea Times.

Perhaps what’s even more interesting is that in addition to its popular line of Galaxy devices, Samsung plans to hinge some of this success on new Windows Phone 8 or Windows RT gadgets next year. The report said that Samsung may release a lineup of devices powered by Microsoft’s mobile operating systems, but did not specify any further information.

Samsung will allegedly manufacture 240 million of these upcoming electronics at its Vietnamese factory, 170 million in China and 20 million in India, Korea Times reported. This is in addition to the 40 million that will be produced in Samsung’s Korean factory. By 2020, Samsung will reportedly shell out $2.2 billion on its handset factories in Vietnamese towns Bac Ninh and Thai Nguyen to boost output and cut manufacturing costs.

“By offering better pricing to consumers in developing nations, we will find new growth,” a Samsung official said to the Korean newspaper. “This will also enable consumers in developed nations like North America and Europe to buy our LTE devices at more affordable prices.”

Until Samsung reveals any of its upcoming products, it’s tough to pinpoint exactly what to expect in 2013. However, from new phones in the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note lines to unbreakable, flexible displays, there are plenty of rumors to entertain our imaginations.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/samsung-ship-500-million-2013/

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Is Samsung working on a 7-inch Galaxy Note? Suspicious specs appear in benchmark results

Benchmark results and specifications for what could be another Galaxy Note device have surfaced online.

The tech community is still raving about Samsung’s Galaxy Note 2, but the Korea-based manufacturer may already be working on another device in the Galaxy Note line. This isn’t the first Galaxy Note “3” rumor to pop up in recent weeks, but what’s interesting about this new discovery is that it hints that a Galaxy Note “7” could be in the works.

If you thought 5.5-inches was a large leap for the Note series, Samsung may be developing a 7-inch version of its acclaimed device. Of course, it’s important to keep in mind that none of this information has been confirmed, but a recent result in GLBenchmark’s database has sparked suspicion.

The results that appeared this week are for a device labeled Samsung GT-N5100. Interestingly enough, the specs revealed in the benchmarks contain what appears to be a 1.6GHz Exynos 4412 processor, which is the quad-core Exynos processor found in the current generation Galaxy Note 2. Little is known about this unannounced device, but according to the benchmarks, its display will come with a resolution of 1,280 x 800 pixels.

We don’t know for sure that this is a new Galaxy Note tablet, but these specifications do seem to point in that direction. The screen resolution matches that of Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10.1, further indicating that this rumored tablet could be a welcome addition to the Galaxy Note family.

It’s also worth noting that the purported slate will ship with Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean right out of the box. It also appears to have the codename kona3g, which hints that this mystery device could come with cellular service as well.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard rumors about an upcoming Galaxy Note release. Korean news source the Korea Times reported earlier this month that a new 6.3-inch “phablet” would debut in 2013. It’s likely that this rumored device is separate from the other speculated 7-inch device mentioned above. Samsung could be following in the footsteps of Google’s Galaxy Nexus line by offering devices in different sizes within the same brand. This would provide Google lovers with yet another 7-inch alterative to rival the Nexus 7.

However, until Samsung or Google decides to make an official announcement, this information remains categorized as rumor. Who knows when we’ll see anything new in the Galaxy Note family, but it may be a bit too early to see a 6.3-inch or 7-inch device at CES in Las Vegas next month. 

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/samsung-7-inch-galaxy-note/

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Samsung officially announces Galaxy Note Premium Suite

The latest generation of Samsung devices is already enjoying the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update. Samsung is working hard to update the Galaxy S II and Galaxy Note for quite some time and as it seems the Note update is just around the corner.

Samsung has just announced the so-called Premium Suite for the original Galaxy Note N7000 (similar to the one the Galaxy S III is getting). It will be based on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean and will bring the Project Butter smoothness and Google Now assistant. In addition to those, Samsung will give you plenty of new features to enjoy.

Owners of the original Galaxy Note will be getting MultiView (the unique "two apps on the screen" feature), popup versions of the Note, Video and Browser apps, handwriting support in the S Planner and Email, enhanced S Note app, Photo Note, Easy Clip, Paper Artist and a few more. You can learn more about those features here or check our Note II review.

There is no information on the rollout time frame for the update, but we guess it should happen in the next few weeks.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_officially_announces_galaxy_note_premium_suite-news-5258.php

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LG to show 5.5-inch 1080p screen, 324ppi 7-inch tablet screen at CES

LG is bringing a bag full of high-resolution displays to CES for the geeks who were good this year. Practically every size is covered - from 4.7" phone screens to 84" TVs - and they bet on thin bezels and high resolutions.

The pocketable screens start with the 4.7" unit, which aims to impress with a bezel that's only about 1mm thick, so phones that use it should be more compact than current 4.7" phones.

Then there's the 5.5" FullHD phablet screen, which packs 403ppi pixel density. That's close to the 5" FullHD screens that are going into next year's flagships and well above current-gen phablets.

Moving up in size, LG will also show off a 7" screen with 1920x1200 resolution and 324ppi pixel density (virtually the same as the iPhone's screen and higher than both the iPad and Nexus 7 pixel densities).

Also on display, if you'll pardon the pun, will be a 12.9" QSXGA display (2560x1700) for ultrabooks (for comparison, the 13.3" MacBook Pro has a 2560x1600 screen). This display will use AH-IPS tech as will the phablet and tablet displays.

There will be a 13.3" laptop screen too, this one with an impressively narrow 2mm bezel.

That's it for the mobile solutions, but the desk monitor and TV solutions continue with the high-resolution, thin bezel trend.

On the TV front, LG is bringing UHD TVs (3840x2160, 4x FullHD) in 55", 65" and 84" sizes, which will use the company's FPR 3D tech. A 4K2K 30-inch PC monitor packs even more pixels - 4096x2160. A 23.8" monitor from the Neo-Blade series will also be at CES, with an "ultra-narrow bezel," though the press release gives no concrete numbers.

Returning from this year's CES will be the 55" WRGB OLD TV, which packs impressive specs despite being a year older - 4mm bezel and 3.5kg of weight (around the same as a 17" laptop).

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_to_show_55inch_1080p_screen_324ppi_7inch_tablet_screen_at_ces-news-5257.php

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The free ride is over: Get ready for mobile advertising overload in 2013

Advertisers are dying to get onto your phone, and a range of new mobile advertising techniques will soon make it easier for them to do it. You’re about to be carrying a billboard in your pocket.

Smartphones and tablets are taking over. Web traffic from mobile devices is accounting for a larger piece of the pie with every passing month. It surpassed 10 percent this summer and it is growing so fast that analysts like Mary Meeker at Morgan Stanley are predicting that mobile will overtake desktop web traffic within the next few years. The speed with which smartphones and tablets have taken off has left advertisers in the dust. When mobile traffic hit 10 percent, it was still only accounting for 1 percent of online advertising spend (it has more than doubled since then). In other words, we’re living in the golden age of mobile technology where we can bask in its glory before it gets flooded with advertising.

According to research from Informa Telecoms and Media the mobile advertising market will have generated around $8 billion in revenue worldwide by the end of 2012. They are predicting it will hit $12.8 billion in 2013. They’re not the only ones. The marketing community is awash with predictions of great things in the coming year. They seem confident that mobile ad spend will soar as companies offer better advertising solutions. The U.S. alone will see over $4.4 billion spent on mobile ads in 2013 according to eMarketer.

The buzz is about video ads, native ads that run in apps like Facebook, accurate targeting of demographics, and brand integration with apps. We’re not talking about slapping a few banner ads into your favorite game here. The trick is to find ways to boost that conversion rate and get consumers engaging with ads, but it’s easier said than done.

Better ads and app integration

As our devices offer better connectivity, and Wi-Fi and LTE networks make video streaming more plausible, we’ll see more video ads being served to mobiles.

Many companies and brands are also now starting to realize the importance of in-app advertising. Twitter and Facebook, especially, are offering advertisers a route to that smartphone screen. Social media in general is clamoring to monetize all that mobile traffic, and new ad products are hitting the market at a steady rate now. We can expect to see an increase in mobile advertising on our social media platforms.

Another popular option is for a company or brand to develop an app, or have one developed for them. The same essence of content marketing must apply for this strategy to work; you need to offer something of value for the consumer to entice them to expose themselves to your advertising, which should be subtle. For instance, several developers out there produce branded augmented-reality apps that enable people to point their devices at traditional print ads or billboards and activate 3D animations.

Information collection

Google is the most successful online advertising company. According to eMarketer, it accounts for over half of mobile ad revenues in the U.S. thanks to a healthy lead in the search ad market. It is popularly assumed that much of its success derives from the huge amounts of data it is able to collect about people using it services.

Everyone wants to collect data about you. If companies develop their own apps, you can bet they’ll use them to harvest information as well. In theory, all that data can be used to target ads more accurately and to increase their effectiveness. It’s a fine line, though.

We can expect more clashes and privacy fears as companies seek to monetize the data you voluntarily give them in return for free services. Instagram just back tracked on a policy that could have allowed it to use your photos in advertising after there was a major uproar from users. Finding ways to generate mobile advertising revenue via popular apps is not straightforward. If the user experience is devalued enough, people could switch allegiance quickly. Facebook and the rest have to work out where the line is. How much advertising will you accept before you just stop using it?

Location tracking

The excitement about mobile advertising centers on the idea that we can be tracked and our actions can be recorded. We have a device that is capable of compiling a huge amount of detailed information about our habits. Marketers just want to serve us ads that will make us buy things. If they can find a way to create an ad that is personalized, that speaks to us directly, quite literally, then they will do it. The problem for them is that most of us have no desire to allow our mobile devices to inform advertisers where we are and what we are doing, just so a billboard can speak to us.

Yet we will use services like Google Maps, which can learn where we have been and crunch that info with the keywords in our emails or documents (assuming we use Gmail and Google Docs) to guess what we might be interested in, and when, and where.

Haven’t we heard this all before?

The predictions being made in marketing circles are nothing new. What do all the people predicting a major boost for mobile advertising in 2013 have in common? They all have a vested interest in it taking off. Traditional web advertising is already in decline thanks to the social media explosion. It stands to reason that mobile is the future, but it doesn’t automatically follow that you should throw all your advertising dollars at it now. That breakthrough ad product in mobile is still on the horizon, but as more people use mobile technology, you can bet companies will spend more on mobile ads.

The bottom line for us is a better quality of ad, more personalization, and a greater volume of ads invading our favorite apps and services on mobile. It remains to be seen whether the marketer’s dream of hooking into our mobile technology can be fully realized, because we will have to be complicit for it to truly work.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/the-free-ride-is-over-get-ready-for-mobile-advertising-overload-in-2013/

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Acer $99 tablet: Taiwan firm said to be prepping ultra-cheap device for early 2013 launch

Acer is reportedly prepping a $99 tablet for launch early next year, though it's currently unclear if it will go on sale in the US, with emerging markets thought to be the main target.

Acer is reportedly prepping a new 7-inch tablet which could retail for as little as $99.

While rumors of such a tablet first surfaced a couple of weeks back, the Wall Street Journal has increased speculation after claiming to have spoken to “a person with direct knowledge of the project”.

Called the Iconia B1, the device is thought to have similar specs to the same-sized Kindle Fire and Nexus 7 tablets. Features of the expected Android-powered device are said to include a 1024 x 600 display, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 512MB RAM and a 1.3-megapixel camera.

However, before you start rubbing your hands in anticipation of bagging an attractively priced tablet, we need to tell you something. The B1 is expected to be aimed at emerging markets.

“While the device has been submitted to the US Federal Communications Commission for clearance, it’s uncertain whether it will actually be sold stateside,” the WSJ says in its report.

The source said the Taiwan-based computer manufacturer had made a number of “project roadmap changes in response to changes in the tablet market,” adding, that Google’s Asus-made Nexus 10 tablet had “changed the outlook for what makes competitive pricing.”

If the B1 was to find its way into US stores, it would undercut its competitors by a fair few bucks, and could prove a tempting proposition for anyone on the hunt for a cheap second tablet or low-cost starter device.

Competition would include Amazon’s 7-inch Kindle Fire which currently comes with a $159 price tag. Amazon’s other 7-inch tablet, the more advanced Kindle Fire HD, starts at $199. Meanwhile Google’s most basic Nexus 7 tablet currently retails for $199, as does Barnes & Nobles’ Nook Color HD.

If recent reports are anything to go by, we could see the launch of a slew of low-cost tablets in 2013. Late last month, for example, it was suggested that Google, buoyed by the success of its Nexus 7 device, was planning a simpler, cheaper tablet along the lines of its existing model.

No doubt all will become clearer when the Consumer Electronics Show gets under way in Las Vegas in a couple of weeks time.

[Images: benchmark]

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/acer-99-tablet/

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Samsung expected to ship 350 million smartphones in 2013

According to the latest report by DigiTimes, Samsung is expected to ship over 500 million mobile devices globally in 2013. Also, out of these, 350 million are expected to be smartphones.

With the total smartphone shipments for 2013 is expected to be around the 800-900 million mark, this leaves Samsung with an impressive 40% of the global smartphone marketshare.

The numbers are said to be Samsung's own internal estimates for 2013.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_expected_to_ship_350_million_smartphones_in_2013-news-5256.php

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