Samsung may debut 4.99-inch, 1080p touchscreen at CES 2013

A new report indicates Samsung may debut a full high definition display suitable for smartphones during CES 2013. Could it be destined for the Galaxy S3's successor, or a new device entirely?

Samsung could be preparing to debut its own smartphone-sized 1080p display during CES 2013, hot on the heels of HTC’s Droid DNA. Full high definition displays are all set to be next year’s must-have new smartphone feature, although their size will see them used on hardware that tips over into smartphone/tablet hybrid territory.

A Korean newspaper claims Samsung has developed a 4.99-inch touchscreen with a 1080p resolution and a pixel density of 441ppi. While the resolution is the same as the Droid DNA’s, the pixel density beats it by one point.

It’s unlikely we’ll see the hardware related to Samsung’s new screen at the show though, as it’s not expected to go into production until later in the first quarter of 2013, which means Samsung could follow LG’s example and only show off the panel itself.

There are two logical, future homes for Samsung’s Full HD screen: The successors to the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2. The slightly odd 4.99-inch screen size could mean it’s destined for the Galaxy S4, as by keeping it under 5-inches — even if it is by a ridiculous 0.01 of an inch — it could still (just) be classed as a true smartphone.

There’s also a chance Samsung could introduce a new device which neatly fits in-between the 4.8-inch Galaxy S3 and the 5.5-inch Galaxy Note 2. An earlier rumor put the Galaxy S4’s announcement for sometime in March, which seemed a little too soon into the S3’s life, however maybe Samsung is planning an event for that time, but it’s for our mystery 1080p phone and not for the S4.

We won’t find out until closer to the time, but provided the talk of a Samsung 1080p screen is correct, we should get to see it in action during CES 2013, which begins on January 8.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/samsung-talks-5-inch-1080p-smartphones-for-ces-2013/

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Samsung said to be ramping up flexible AMOLED screen production

Samsung's flexible AMOLED screens could arrive early next year

Though delays have seemingly slowed production of Samsung's flexible AMOLED screens, a new report points to production of the screens starting in early 2013.

An anonymous source told the Wall Street Journal the screens were in the final stage of development at Samsung Display, and that the manufacturer hoped to release the screens by the midpoint of next year.

Samsung debuted the first footage of the technology last December, and originally expected to deliver the first flexible screen products in 2012.

That hasn't been the case, though based on this new report, it appears as if Samsung is attempting to get the jump on competitors also working on similar screens.

OLED advantage

Made from plastic instead of glass, the prototype screens Samsung has shown off to this point reveal an incredibly flexible and durable display.

To this point, no company has been able to mass produce the displays, but Samsung has been pushing to move from the prototype to commercialization over the course of the past year.

The Wall Street Journal suggested Samsung's ability to invest heavily in the research and development of mass marketing the flexible screens comes from the recent profit windfalls Samsung Electronics has received.

With a 91 percent increase in net profits resulting in earnings totalling $6 billion (UK £3.78, AUD $5.78), Samsung clearly had the money to put behind the R&D.

Whether or not the manufacturer will be able to succeed remains to be seen, as Samsung had previously promised the OLED panels would be ready by now, and are still unavailable.

Just how Samsung plans on using the flexible screens is anyone's guess, but the applications could revolutionize both smartphones and tablets for the foreseeable future should they ever move beyond the concept stage.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/world-of-tech/future-tech/samsung-said-to-be-ramping-up-flexible-amoled-screen-production-1112640

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Android tablet sales explode, but iPad holds firm

A new report by research firm IDC says that tablet sales are growing immensely, but most of that growth is by devices running Google's Android operating system.

The market research firm International Data Group (IDC) today announced its latest findings in the market trends and performance for worldwide tablet sales, and while it’s looking good for all of the top manufacturers, Apple’s beginning to show some slip in its market share control.

The firm released data showing, after a strong Q2 performance in the tablet realm, that the iPad manufacturer was beginning to slip in market share, falling to about 50 percent of all tablet sales for Q3, down from an impressive nearly 66 percent market share in Q2. Despite this apparent loss in market share, Apple still sold 14 million tablets in Q3, while its nearest competition (Samsung) sold just 5 million. In the bigger picture, Apple is actually selling more tablets, the problem is that it’s selling these tablets up against a roaring amount of competition composed of Samsung, Amazon, HTC, and now Microsoft — which spells trouble for its Q4 market share.

The IDC also drew a comparison in Q3 performance this year with that of 2011, and that’s where the numbers get startling. While Apple’s sales have grown by about 26 percent, Samsung’s have grown by an impressive 325 percent, and Asus by 242 percent. Apple’s top dog position won’t remain if it can’t slow down competitors’ momentum. In one such attempt to stop this momentum, Apple launched the iPad Mini and iPad 4, which sold 3 million in their first weekend alone.

Despite the momentum of the Apple iPad Mini, it seems that Apple cannot change the fact it’s competing against dozens of other companies who continue to refine and build upon their own mobile user experiences. They will do everything in their power to nibble away at the iPad market share. While lawsuits have been one route to settle this, the fact remains that Apple couldn’t have certainly expected its huge, 60-70 percent market share to last much longer.

At the end of the day, we’ve seen this coming. The introduction of two more tablets today alone only confirms it. The tablet market is exploding. That means that there will be plenty of competitors coming over the next few years, and they’ll all be doing whatever they can to have a piece of the multi-billion dollar pie. While Apple is far from hurting now, the IDC’s reports are just a taste of what’s to come.

 

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/idc-reports-android-market-share-growing-apples-dwindling/

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Samsung to reveal 'radical brand makeover' at CES 2013?

New look Samsung coming at CES?

Samsung will unveil an entirely new brand image at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, according to reports.

According to the report from Australia's Channel News, Samsung is looking for a "complete new look" that will rival Apple's iconic and "vibrant" international brand image.

The Aussies have word that Samsung has enlisted the help of a design team that has previously worked with Nike on a host of branding initiatives.

The man said to be heading up the project is Scott Bedbury, a freelance brand consultant who has also worked with Starbucks.

Global powerhouse

According to the report, any would seek to reflect Samsung's success in moving from an Asian brand to the global powerhouse we see today.

"Even the advertising will change with products linked to lifestyle activities similar to what Nike does" said a Channel News source.

Whether the report has merit or not remains to be seen but CES in Las Vegas in January would be a great time to start afresh.

The eyes of the world are trained on the Las Vegas Convention Centre and it would certainly allow Samsung to throw down a marker and signal its intentions for the year ahead.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/world-of-tech/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/mobile-computing/tablets/samsung-to-reveal-radical-brand-makeover-at-ces-2013-1110248

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Report: Rift with Jony Ive led to Scott Forstall Apple departure

Apple CEO Tim Cook was forced to choose between feuding executives Jony Ive and Scott Forstall, a Bloomberg report has claimed.

According to a Bloomberg Businessweek article, outgoing Senior VP of iOS Software Forstall had refused to attend meetings chaired by Sir Jony, Apple's design guru, amid tensions between the two.

Bloomberg said the meetings related to discussions over iPhone hardware designs, which Forstall skipped despite being in charge of the software that would be present on the device.

The report read: "Even as Forstall oversaw the group responsible for the software that would run the iPhone, he didn't participate in the meetings, according to people with knowledge of the matter who requested anonymity because the meetings were private. Ive and Forstall were rarely in the same room, the people said."

Divisive

Bloomberg also claimed that, while Steve Jobs was able to keep a lid on the simmering tensions between Forstall and other executives at Apple, the iOS chief had become the most 'divisive' member of the team.

Reportedly, the final straw came this week when Forstall refused to sign an apology over the incomplete Apple Maps app, causing Cook to wield the axe.

Briton Ive, will now assume some of Forstall's duties, putting him in charge of the software and hardware design of future iOS devices.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/apple/report-rift-with-jony-ive-led-to-scott-forstall-apple-departure-1109958

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Physical Google Wallet card reportedly coming soon

Game changer (credit: Android Police)

Google may be soon drop a bombshell on the mobile commerce world as a report surfaced Thursday the company is preparing to launch a physical credit card.

Dubbed the "Google Wallet card," this piece of plastic is for those times users can't tap and pay.

It will work just like a regular credit card anywhere major credit and debit cards are accepted.

The news comes from an anonymous tipster who gave Android Police the heads up that he had already received a confirmation email for his card.

Cut up the others

According to the Google Wallet cards set-up instructions, users can add credit and debit cards to the Google Wallet app, then use any of them to make purhcases by using the Google Wallet card.

All users need to do their Wallet card and their default card in the Google Wallet app will be charged.

Whenever users want to swap the card, they can simply select a different card through the app.

All cards - except Google's - can stay at home.

Swipe and swap it with ease (Credit: Android Police)

The card can be ordered through the Google Wallet app and sent to recipients' addresses, as was the case with the tipster who will receive an email when the card is in the mail.

Access to exclusive offers is also available and deals are instantly redeemable. If the card is lost, all a user needs to do is cancel their Google Wallet card - not every card they own.

Big surprises

This may very well be the service Google recently opened sign ups for, though the "next version of Google Wallet" seemingly suggested the app would soon open to more devices, including iOS products.

However, it could all be part of a huge Google scheme to conquer the mobile (and beyond) commerce world.

While a physical card steals the lede, other new features are reportedly on the way as well.

More features are in the offing (Credit: Android Police)

A "Wallet Balance" feature looks like it will let users deposit and withdraw funds while a person-to-person money transfer feature is also coming.

There's also compelling evidence a transit card is part of the new Google Wallet package.

Whether the card and new features will extend beyond the U.S. isn't yet clear, but all this could make carrier approval obsolete for everything but tap payments.

A Wallet card would let owners of iOS and Windows Phone devices utilize a non-NFC version of the Google Wallet app, too.

TechRadar has reached out to Google for comment and will update this story if and when the company responds.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/physical-google-wallet-card-reportedly-coming-soon-1109411

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Physical Google Wallet credit card reportedly in the works

Game changer (credit: Android Police)

Google may be soon drop a bombshell on the mobile commerce world as a report surfaced Thursday the company is preparing to launch a physical credit card.

Dubbed the "Google Wallet card," this piece of plastic is for those times users can't tap and pay.

It will work just like a regular credit card any where major credit and debit cards are accepted.

The news comes from an anonymous tipster who told Android Police he already received a confirmation email for his card.

Cut up the others

According to the Google Wallet cards set-up instructions (provided by the tipster), users can add credit and debit cards to the Google Wallet app, then use any of them in stores by using just the Google Wallet card.

To make purchases swipe the Wallet card and their default card in the Google Wallet app will be charged.

Whenever users want to swap the card, they can simply select a different card through the app.

All cards - except Google's - can stay at home.

Swipe it and swap it with ease (Credit: Android Police)

The card can be ordered through the Google Wallet app and sent to recipients' addresses.

Access to exclusive offers is also available and deals are instantly redeemable. If the card is lost, all a user needs to do is cancel their Google Wallet card - not every card they own.

Big surprises

This may very well be the service Google recently opened sign ups for, though that new service seemingly suggested the app would soon open to more devices, including iOS products.

However, it could all be part of a huge Google scheme to conquer the mobile (and beyond) commerce world.

While a physical card steals the lede, other new features are reportedly on the way as well.

A "Wallet Balance" feature looks like it will let users deposit and withdraw funds while a person-to-person money transfer feature is also coming.

There's also signs a transit card is part of the new Google Wallet package.

Whether the card and new features will extend beyond the U.S. isn't yet clear, but all this could make carrier approval obsolete for everything but tap payments.

A Wallet card would let owners of iOS and Windows Phone devices utilize a non-NFC version of the Google Wallet app, too.

Until Google makes all of this official, competitors and consumers alike are going to be watching Google with eager eyes.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/physical-google-wallet-credit-card-reportedly-in-the-works-1109411

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Apple Q3 report: iPhone sales down, but profit still strong

Apple has just posted its report for the third quarter of the year and things are looking healthy for the Cupertino-based company. The revenue was $36 billion and the net profit stood at $8.2 billion, both of those comparing very favorably to the numbers from the same period of last year ($28.3 billion and $6.6 billion).

Somewhat surprisingly Apple didn’t manage to better its achievement from the second quarter of this year, when the company made $8.8 billion in profit from just $35 billion revenue, despite the launch of the iPhone 5. The supply shortages are probably a part of the explanation as Apple is still struggling to cope with the demand for its new smartphone.

The iPhone sales were somewhat disappointing at 26.9 million units, compared to 35.1 million in Q2. The iPad shipments stood at 14 million units, compared to 17 million in the previous quarter, while Mac sales grew from 4 million to 4.9 million. Despite the refresh of the lineup, the iPod sales slid to 5.3 million units from 6.8 million in Q2.

The lowered profits, despite the higher revenue can also be explained with the fact that the iPhone accounted for a smaller percentage of the Apple revenue this quarter (the smartphone is the Apple product with the highest profit margin).

The financial markets didn’t respond very well to the posted results and the Apple Inc. shares slid to 1.43% in after hours trading (they were 1% up before the results were posted) and are close to falling below $600 after reaching . Still, the drop is pretty minor and a strong holiday quarter, fuelled by the launch of the iPad mini, the 4th generation iPad and the extended availability of the iPhone 5 will probably bring the company back to the right track.

You can find the complete Apple report by following the source link below.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_q3_report_iphone_sales_down_but_profit_still_strong-news-4999.php

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Windows Phone Store reaches 125,000 apps, but report shows growth has slowed

A new report indicates that Microsoft's Windows Phone Store has reached 125,000 apps, just ahead of Windows Phone 8's launch. However, despite incoming new hardware, growth has slowed over recent months.

A report published by AllAboutWindowsPhone.com shows Microsoft’s Windows Phone Store now contains more than 125,000 applications, up from 100,000 at the beginning of May.

The exact, official figure may be slightly lower, as according to the report, the amount of apps available depends on how you count them, as not all are live or available in all locations.

Regardless, 125,000 is a respectable figure, but it’s a long way short of the 675,000 apps in its Google Play store and Apple’s 700,000 available in the iTunes App Store, a figure it confirmed during the iPad Mini event this week. Apparently, the Windows Phone Store is growing at the rate of around 215 apps per day, and there are 30,000 currently active developers too.

Microsoft hasn’t confirmed these figures, but has the ideal opportunity to do so on October 29, when it will officially launch Windows Phone 8. While a growing app store is essential for the success of a mobile platform today, the rate of new apps being added has slowed over the past few months, which as the report points out, will be due to Windows Phone 8’s impending release.

Looking at the “Items Added” chart, the difference is startling. In December last year — the store’s high point, just after the release of Windows Phone 7.5 Mango — more than 12,000 apps were added, but fast forward to July 2012 and less than 5,000 made their debut. August was much the same, as is October so far, but a spike to around 6,500 came in September.

We know what you’re thinking, with just weeks to go before sparkly new Windows Phone 8 hardware goes on sale, why aren’t developers busily submitting new apps to capitalize on the rush? Microsoft has made things difficult in this area, as it still hasn’t released the Windows Phone 8 SDK to all developers, an essential piece of software to create and test new apps.

It should make an appearance on October 29, right after Microsoft reveals everything it has held back about Windows Phone 8, so November and December should see a big increase in apps being submitted and released. At least, Microsoft better hope it does.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/windows-phone-store-has-reached-125000-apps/

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Samsung and LG smartphones reportedly going 1080p in 2013

HTC J Butterfly leads the 1080p movement

A recent report says Samsung and LG have big plans for smartphones in 2013, at least when it comes to screen resolution.

According to Korean news site MK News, both manufacturers are hoping to launch smartphones with 1080p displays within the first half of next year.

Earlier this year, LG showed off a 5-inch mobile display at full 1080p resolution. The screen featured a 16:9 aspect ratio and pixel density of 440ppi, making it an improvement over the already crisp iPhone 5's 326ppi retina display.

Samsung, according to the report, is developing a new smartphone screen with a pixel density of 400ppi. While a 400ppi display would still look fantastic, technically it would still be slightly under full HD resolution.

First out of the gate

If Samsung and LG do launch 1080p smartphones next year, the companies will hardly be the first.

That distinction belongs to the Oppo Find 5, which will sport a 1080p display when it launches in China.

However, there seems to be little chance of the Find 5 ever finding its way overseas, so your first glance of a 1080p smartphone may be to the rumored HTC DLX.

While the HTC DLX is still unconfirmed, rumors suggest that the 5-inch Jelly Bean handset is coming soon, with recently leaked images showing the purported smartphone with branding for U.S. carrier Verizon.

Taking a step back from rumors, HTC actually has already confirmed a 1080p smartphone with the HTC J Butterfly in Japan.

Conveniently, the J Butterfly shares similar specs with the rumored HTC DLX, indicating that it could even be the same phone, just under a different name for the different geographies.

Whatever HTC calls its 1080p handset, it sounds like it will only be the first of many as more manufacturers embrace full HD resolution for the next generation of smartphones.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-and-lg-smartphones-reportedly-going-1080p-in-2013-1106623

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Report claims iPhone 5 already accounts for 3% of web traffic

The iPhone 5 already accounts for 3% of mobile web traffic

A recent report from ad network Chitika indicates iPhone 5 users are connecting to the web more than any other smartphone.

The Chitika study found that since it launched on September 24, the iPhone 5 has rapidly risen through the ranks, and now singlehandedly accounts for three per cent of web traffic from mobile phones.

When combined with previous iOS devices, Apple's ecosystem contributes to 46 per cent of all mobile web traffic. That's a significant lead over its nearest rivals, Samsung, which accounts for a total of just 17 per cent.

Samsung vs Apple continues

It's not just the iPhone 5 performing well though. Chitika claims that the Galaxy S3 from Samsung, launched back in May this year, currently accounts for two per cent of mobile web traffic.

While there's a huge difference between Apple and Samsung, it has also become obvious that the Korean giant has become the leading Android handset maker, with all other mobile devices accounting for just 37 per cent of traffic combined.

Chitika conducted the study by conducting a user agent analysis on "millions of mobile ad impressions, spanning a 7-day time frame from October 3rd through October 9th, 2012".

While there is debate about how reliable information garnered through ad impressions is as a tool for measuring web traffic, it does reinforce the idea that the current smartphone marketplace is becoming a two horse race.

Via: TechCrunch

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-phones/phone-and-communications/report-claims-iphone-5-already-accounts-for-3-of-web-traffic-1105219

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Reports suggest controversial startup Color may finally be throwing in the towel

Color has had a spotty history as an over-hyped up app that has floundered since launch, and a report indicates that the startup may soon be closing its doors for good.

According to VentureBeat, Color, the startup with more unsustainable hype than the the world has possibly ever seen, is preparing to go dark. Shareholders and the board have voted to close the company’s doors for good. 

Color has had a spotty history, and was a disappointment after raising $40 million last year from Sequoia Capital and Bain Capital, enjoying what was obviously now a serious overvaluation. Many saw Color’s inevitable demise, despite having received more money from Sequoia Capital than the early-stage venture capital allotted even Google.

At launch, the app jumped on the photo-sharing bandwagon while also introducing us to the idea of the elastic, location-aware social network. Users could share photos with others in their current location, giving them a real-time photo album of strangers near and around them. But even without location features, Instagram was still dominating the photo-sharing space, and we all know how that’s gone (hint: very, very well). Color’s intial idea floundered, and its founders went back to the drawing board.

Its pivot then transformed the photo-sharing app into a live video broadcasting service integrated with Facebook (and then Verizon). The concept had some potential thanks to the “Instagram for video” trend, and according to AppData was used by 460,000 users per month, but Color Labs’ investors and shareholders purportedly have finally come to the conclusion that it’s not enough.

Venturebeat got a hold of an email that was sent out to its employees that indicates the bleak future for the startup:

“I hope is all well with you. As you may or may not have heard, Color is going through a number of changes. Last week, the board and major shareholders voted to wind down the company.

We ask that you politely cancel any existing commitments stating we are closing our [redacted] program.”

The internal turmoil within Color Labs has been well-documented, and it should come to no one’s surprise that the startup has been on shaky ground for awhile. Color Labs was burning quickly through the $40 million to sustain its first app but had no significant user traction to show for the investment. To the tech world, Color has been the quintessential disappointment.

Color’s co-founder Bill Nguyen was rumored to have retreated from his role as CEO and in his stead, investor and Color Labs board member Geoff Raiston took over the reins. Boardmembers were torn between letting a new CEO officially replace Nguyen, while others have been loyal to its current CEO. Nguyen confirmed with TechCrunch that he had ceased his day-to-day activities with Color, but assured them that everything was in order back at Color Labs headquarters and that he was simply taking a breather. Of course if these most recent reports are valid, his words were simply meant to brush off the uncertain state of the company.

We’ve reached out to Color Labs and will update this space with any new developments.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/color-app-is-shutting-down/

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Sources say Apple reducing Samsung's role in chip production

Expect fewer Samsung chips in iOS devices

A new report once again points to Apple wanting to put more than just an arm's length between the Cupertino company and bitter rival Samsung as the firm's primary chip provider.

According to The Korea Times, Apple has already reduced its involvement with Samsung, though it's still relying on the manufacturer for the A6 chips powering its latest idevice, the iPhone 5.

"There are three kinds of chip clients," an anonymous Samsung source allegedly told The Korea Times.

"Some want us to handle everything from chip design, architecture and manufacturing. Some want us to just design and manufacture. Some want us to just make the chips. Apple is now the third type."

"Samsung's agreement with Apple is limited to manufacturing the A6 processors. Apple did all the design and we are just producing the chips on a foundry basis," the source added.

Change is in the air

Since the A6 processors used in the new iPhone were entirely designed by Apple, the firm is freed to take its production elsewhere without running into another patent face-off with Samsung.

Recent reports indicate that Apple is courting Taiwanese Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for future chip production.

TSMC is capable of building chips for Apple using its advanced 20 nanometer manufacturing process, which would create chips that are 30 percent faster and 25 percent more efficient than the current 28nm chips found in the iPhone 5.

Another Samsung official commented on the possible shift to TSMC chips, telling The Korea Times, "Samsung has already acknowledged that Apple has an appetite to carry out its own central processing unit (CPU) design."

Losing Apple as a client would surely mean a big loss for Samsung, but the firm reportedly isn't worried as the unnamed Samsung official went on to cite increased custom CPU orders coming in from Qualcomm, Nvidia and Texas Instruments.

In the meantime, Apples can't afford to completely cut Samsung out yet, forcing the two rivals to continue a deteriorating partnership.

However, when Apple is finally ready to announce its next-generation A7 processor (or whatever it will be called), don't expect to see Samsung's name anywhere near it.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/sources-say-apple-reducing-samsungs-role-in-chip-production-1104625

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Sources say Apple reducing Samsung's role in A6 chip production

Expect fewer Samsung chips in iOS devices

A new report once again points to Apple wanting to put more than just an arm's length between the Cupertino company and bitter rival Samsung as the firm's primary chip provider.

According to The Korea Times, Apple has already reduced its involvement with Samsung, though it's still relying on the manufacturer for the A6 chips powering its latest idevice, the iPhone 5.

"There are three kinds of chip clients," an anonymous Samsung source allegedly told The Korea Times.

"Some want us to handle everything from chip design, architecture and manufacturing. Some want us to just design and manufacture. Some want us to just make the chips. Apple is now the third type."

"Samsung's agreement with Apple is limited to manufacturing the A6 processors. Apple did all the design and we are just producing the chips on a foundry basis," the source added.

Change is in the air

Since the A6 processors used in the new iPhone were entirely designed by Apple, the firm is freed to take its production elsewhere without running into another patent face-off with Samsung.

Recent reports indicate that Apple is courting Taiwanese Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for future chip production.

TSMC is capable of building chips for Apple using its advanced 20 nanometer manufacturing process, which would create chips that are 30 percent faster and 25 percent more efficient than the current 28nm chips.

Another Samsung official commented on the possible shift to TSMC chips, telling The Korea Times, "Samsung has already acknowledged that Apple has an appetite to carry out its own central processing unit (CPU) design."

Losing Apple as a client would surely mean a big loss for Samsung, but the firm reportedly isn't worried as the unnamed Samsung official went on to cite increased custom CPU orders coming in from Qualcomm, Nvidia and Texas Instruments.

In the meantime, Apples can't afford to completely cut Samsung out yet, forcing the two rivals to continue a deteriorating partnership.

However, when Apple is finally ready to announce its next-generation A7 processor (or whatever it will be called), don't expect to see Samsung's name anywhere near it.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/sources-say-apple-reducing-samsungs-role-in-a6-chip-production-1104625

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UK government also probing Huawei, says it currently has no security concerns

Following the House of Representatives damaging report, the UK has revealed it has also been examining Huawei amid security concerns.

The story following the House of Representatives report that Huawei and ZTE pose a security threat to US national security continues, as international governments examine their involvement with the Chinese companies and look for their own evidence of security risks.

In the UK, it has been revealed that a parliamentary committee has also been examining Huawei’s presence in the country for a while, as it’s a major supplier of network equipment to British Telecom, Vodafone, O2 and most other network providers, plus it’s responsible for much of the infrastructure behind EE’s 4G network.

Should any discrepancies be identified, the continued rollout of both fiber and 4G broadband could be slowed or halted. Both projects, and the relationship with Huawei, are well established, and disruption would be costly. The report is due to be published at the end of the year.

Quite apart from the network disruptions, there’s a political aspect at work too, as Prime Minister David Cameron had a meeting with Huawei’s CEO Ren Zhengfei last month, where a £1.3 billion deal was reached. One of the first stages is for Huawei to move its UK workforce into a new 140,000 square foot office building in April next year.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson, Derek Smith, has been talking to the UK press about the government’s view on both Huawei and ZTE ahead of the final report, which is notably different to that of the US House of Representatives.

Cyber Security Evaluation Centre

Smith told TechRadar.com that “the Cabinet Office is confident that there are no security concerns,” and “comparisons with the US don’t hold up with what we’re doing here. We have a very strict evaluation process for products from any country, not just China, coming into the UK.”

He then referred to Huawei’s Cyber Security Evaluation Centre, which opened in 2010, where hardware and software are tested to, according to Huawei “ensure its ability to withstand growing cyber security threats.” The closest the blurb gets to admitting the centre is more about checking Huawei’s equipment is the admission that it’s there to “build mutual trust in the area of cyber security.”

A 2011 report covering the center’s opening from notorious scare-mongers The Daily Mail is far less subtle, starting with the headline “New cyber attack fears over the Chinese ‘Red Army Lab’ being used for BT tests.” The piece goes on to quote numerous security experts who warn against using Huawei’s services, plus it reveals that Huawei has an identical copy of BT’s computers and telecoms system back in its Shenzhen head office, so it can evaluate new hardware. Thankfully, the system isn’t connected to the UK network.

For now, it seems Huawei’s operations in the UK are safe, but things will take a turn for the serious — not to mention politically embarrassing — should the forthcoming report not back up the Cabinet Office’s statements, as Huawei is already sitting at the table with its slippers on in the UK, instead of only knocking on the door in the US.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/uk-government-examining-huawei-amid-security-concerns/

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iPad Mini apparently enters production, instantly hits supply problems

A new report suggests the Apple iPad Mini has gone into production, and that it's already plagued by supply problems.

Sources speaking to the Wall Street Journal have said that components for the device we currently know as the iPad Mini have entered mass production. As with everything iPad Mini related, the sources are anonymous but “familiar with the situation.”

The report says it’s the device’s touchscreens that are being built, and again speculates that they will measure 7.85-inches, and have a lower resolution than the 9.7-inch iPad.

However, previous rumors have suggested the iPad Mini will share the new iPad’s 2048 x 1536 pixel Retina screen, and that production was supposed to start in August.

This news comes soon after a quote from an anonymous Apple investor, who in turn was quoting from a gaggle of unnamed sources, said invitations to the press event for the iPad Mini’s announcement would appear on October 10. An October launch has been on the cards for a while, but then, so was a joint iPhone 5/iPad Mini event.

Supply problems

But, nobody said making a hypothetical product was going to be easy, as no sooner had the elves begun working on the iPad Mini, than those ever problematic supply problems arrived. This time it’s Brian White, an analyst for Topeka Capital Markets with the inside gossip, saying that suppliers had found the iPad Mini’s specification a “challenge” and that the production had suffered because of it.

This, White says, is the reason for the iPad Mini’s delayed launch.

He goes on to talk about “continued yield challenges” — supply chain geek talk for producing the right number of products, at the right time, to make the most profit — before adding that while the iPad Mini is “on track to reach acceptable volume levels for launch,” there will be supply problems “during the first month or so.”

In other words, demand will likely outstrip supply, which is just the way Apple likes it.

The iPad Mini is supposed to be Apple’s response to the popularity of budget tablets such as Amazon’s Kindle Fire and Google’s Nexus 7. For this reason, if it does ever arrive, the price will most probably be the primary talking point, and it’s expected to be no more than $300.

We’ll know more on October 10, or not, as the case may be.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/ipad-mini-production-supply-problems/

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The 10 hottest phones you can’t buy yet

We list the smartphones rumored to come out in the next few months, including some new Android smartphones and phablets, and some Windows Phone 8 devices.

We don’t report every leaked shot of every rumored handset — there are blogs for that — but we try to keep you informed about what’s out there and what’s coming up. Lately, we’ve been hearing a number of new rumors and leaks. Below is a list of the major smartphones we’re expecting to see companies like Apple, Samsung, Sony, Nokia, HTC, and Motorola unveil this fall. 

Google Nexus 4

We don’t know the specifics on this one yet, but there are strong rumors that we’ll see a new Nexus smartphone in the very near future. It might be a simple update to the Samsung-made Galaxy Nexus; it might be the HTC phablet; it might be a variant of LG’s flagship Optimus G; or it could be something completely different. Whatever it is, it will run the latest version of Android and it’s bound to appear on several Christmas wish lists. The Galaxy Nexus hit shelves in December 2011. Expect the new Nexus around that timeframe.

LG Optimus G

An impressive and valiant attempt to claim the ascendancy in the Android smartphone race, the LG Optimus G doesn’t fail to impress. It has a 4.7-inch WXGA True HD IPS+ display, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 Pro Quad-Core processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 13-megapixel camera. There’s also LTE, NFC, and 32GB of storage. Whatever way you slice it, this smartphone looks fast. The only obvious drawback is the fact that it ships with Android 4.0 (ICS) and not 4.1 (Jelly Bean).

HTC Windows Phone 8X

Android has not proven to be such a happy hunting ground for HTC of late and so we see a renewed push to release a flagship device on Microsoft’s new Windows Phone 8 platform. WP8 finally appears like it will catch the platform up to Android and iOS when it comes to features and hardware — it only took 2 years. The HTC 8X has a 4.3-inch Super LCD 2 screen, a dual-core 1.5GHx Snapdragon S4 processor, and 1GB of RAM. There’s 16GB of storage and an 8-megapixel camera. It also has NFC, Beats Audio, and LTE support. That display is probably the8X highlight – it boasts an iPhone 5-topping 341.5 ppi (pixels per inch).

Sony Xperia SL

This phone has been confirmed by Sony via a new page on Sonymobile.com. The Sony Xperia SL is essentially an Xperia S with a couple choice enhancements. The SL will have a 1.7GHz dual-core processor instead of the 1.5GHz dual-core chip in the S and will run the “latest version” of Android — though we’re not sure if that means Android 4.0 (ICS) or 4.1 (Jelly Bean). We’ve asked Sony, but have not yet heard back. No pricing or availability info is yet known. Keep an eye out for this one.

HTC One X+ (and possibly XXL)

HTC hasn’t made a splash this year with its One X, S, or U line of smartphones, though we think they’re pretty great, but as the old saying goes, if at first you don’t succeed… HTC hopes to change its fortunes  with a a revamped version of the handset with updated specs. We haven’t heard anything since June, but it’s still possible that HTC is also working on a big “phablet”-sized phone that may compete with the Galaxy Note and come with a 1080p screen resolution, 2GB of RAM, and powerful quad-core processor. While we’re sure HTC is working on something for release this fall, take this rumor with a grain of salt. We do think it’s likely that HTC will release a new phone on Verizon. Late last year, it released the Rezound and has a good relationship with the big red carrier.

Nokia Lumia 920 and 820

No company needs Windows Phone to succeed like Nokia does — Microsoft included. Nokia has bet the farm on WP and the beleaguered manufacturer is hoping to turn its fortunes around with the Nokia Lumia 920 and the Lumia 820, announced on Sept. 5. The flagship Lumia 920 has a 4.5-inch WXGA HD display, a dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 chip, 1GB of RAM, and 32GB of onboard memory. It also has an impressive 8.7-megapixel camera, and support for NFC and LTE. The standout is the wireless charging capability for the 2,000mAh battery – that’s something genuinely new.

Motorola Droid Razr HD

Motorola is now owned by Google, but the search engine giant has been careful to avoid any preferential treatment for fear of alienating other Android partners. On Sept. 5, Motorola announced the Droid Razr HD, Maxx HD and the Razr M. The Razr HD boasts a 4.7-inch HD display, a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, and 1GB RAM. There’s also an 8-megapixel camera and 32GB of storage. The big attraction is the 2,530mAh battery which should see users through a full day and beyond, even with heavy use. If that doesn’t sound like enough then the Droid Razr Maxx HD ups the stakes with a 3,300 mAh battery. You can read our full review of the Droid Razr M, as well.

Samsung ATIV S

Rumors of a Windows Phone 8 device from Samsung were rife before it was unveiled as a bit of a surprise at Samsung’s August event in Berlin. The ATIV S has a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED touchscreen, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and a large 2,300mAh battery. It also has an 8-megapixel camera, 16GB or 32GB of storage, and support for NFC. It should be a top contender for those looking at Windows Phone this holiday season.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Samsung’s super-sized “phablet” phone on AT&T has been a hit, and its sequel is upon us. The Galaxy Note 2 has a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen, a 1.6 GHz quad-core Cortex-A9 processor, 2GB of RAM, and an 8-megapixel camera. It comes in 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB varieties, but also has a microSD card slot. It also supports LTE, NFC, and runs Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) out of the box. It’s expected to hit U.S. carriers this month or next and it will cost around $300 for the 16GB version on a two-year contract. Be sure to check out our hands-on impressions of the Galaxy Note 2.

BlackBerry 10 Lisbon and Laguna

A number of leaks have sprung up on Rapidberry showing a raft of BlackBerry 10 devices, although they aren’t expected to be released until 2013. The last throw of the dice for RIM looks interesting. In addition to the new platform, the hardware is sporting a 4.2-inch display with an astounding 355 ppi resolution, a Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8960 dual-core processor (1.5-1.7GHz), 1GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage plus a hot-swappable microSD card slot. There’s also an 8-megpixel camera, support for NFC, and LTE. The big questions is – when will RIM be ready to release? From what we’ve seen of BlackBerry 10, it has a long way to go.

Did our best upcoming phones list miss something big? Shoot us a comment below.

Article originally published August 20, 2012. 

Update: 10/3/2012: Dropped released phones and added some new devices.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/best-upcoming-phones/

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Google and Asus may be building a $100 Nexus tablet

A recent report says the two Android-loving companies responsible for the Nexus 7 are working on a $100 tablet.

If you’re wanting to buy a Nexus 7 then now is the time to do it because Google’s still offering a $25 credit for Google Play with tablet purchase. But if you can wait until Christmas there may be a brand new, even cheaper Nexus tablet to get your hands on. 

According to Digitimes, a source that seems to be right as much as it’s wrong, Google and Asus are working on a $100 Nexus tablet. The new Nexus will reportedly be ready in time for Christmas, the most magical time of the year (at least in sales numbers). The rumor comes from unnamed sources invloved in Asus’ supply chain. Apparently the tech giants are working on slimming down the Nexus 7 and offering it in two different variations: one running for an extremely budget-friendly $100 and the other staying at the $200 price point.

The current Nexus 7 managed to keep the price low without cutting too many corners. The only drawbacks — depending on how you look at them — are its lack of 3G connectivity and scratch-resistant Corning glass in place of the Gorilla brand. The mini-tablet still managed to pack in 1 GB of RAM, a quad-core Tegra 3 processor, NFC, GPS, microphone, and a front-facing camera. Asus wrapped all that up in a tight, 7-inch package and it was sold for a steal at $200. 

This new, thinner Nexus would no doubt be an attempt to solidify Asus and Google’s place as the go-to budget tablet makers even if the much-anticipated iPad Mini makes an appearance near the end of the year. If Google could pull it off, the cheaper tablet would definitely end up in a lot of stockings over the holidays. The low price of $100 would definitely appeal to impulse buyers, much like the Touchpad’s fire sale.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem likely this rumor will end up being anything but smoke and mirrors. We all know what happened with the $200 Surface tablet rumor… It didn’t come true. The truth is that Google would be losing a whole lot of money if it sold a tablet at $100 without dropping the specs to the point of embarrassment. It doesn’t matter how advanced the Jelly Bean software is, even Project Butter can’t save sub-par hardware. If Apple is good at any one thing, it’s delivering a smooth user experience and Google knows it needs to bring its A game in that department as well. 

Do you think there’s any truth to this rumor? Would you buy a cheaper Nexus 7 over an iPad Mini if you had the choice?

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/google-and-asus-may-be-building-a-100-nexus-tablet/

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Nielsen: Android growth in US continues, iOS stays strong

It's Nielsen's turn to post its report on the US smartphone market in the second quarter of this year. The numbers show that Android continues to dominate while iOS is a very solid second. The two platforms combine for a total of 86.2% of all smartphones in the States.

In the second quarter of the year, Android powered 51.9% of US smartphones, while 34.3% ran on Apple's proprietary iOS. RIM's faltering BlackBerry OS came a very distant third, taking 8% of the Stateside smartphone market .

The gaps are even more pronounced among recent acquirers. Of all the US citizens who bought a smartphone over the past three months, a whopping 58.6% chose Android and another 33.0% went for iOS. The trend is understandable, given that the iOS flagship - iPhone 4S was already nine-months old at the end of that quarter, while the Android-powered One X had just made it to the market.

Given that the Samsung Galaxy S III only made it to the US market in Q3 and the next iPhone is expected to debut at the very end of the quarter, we expect the two leading platforms to expand their market shares even further by the time the next report rolls around.

As you see from the graph, the BlackBerry sales were down to 2.7%, while all other platforms, including Microsoft's Windows Phone managed a combined 5.8%. We don't expect Windows Phone to make a significant impact before the holiday season, as we are still waiting for the new WP8 devices to launch.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/nielsen_android_growth_in_us_continues_ios_stays_strong-news-4785.php

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