Motorola sends out invites for May 13 event; calls its next ‘Made to last, Price for all’

Motorola is all set to launch its first smartphone after being acquired by Lenovo. The company has already sent out invites to international media about an upcoming event to be held on May 13.

Unlike the high-end  flagships that have been entering the markets lately, it appears to be just another Moto device that aims at superior features with an affordable price tag. The invite reads, “Connect more people to the world’s information and each other, and they can do great things.” The invite also mentions, “Made to last. Price for all.”

Invite!

If rumours circulating the web are to be believed than it could be the alleged Moto E. The Moto E is expected to be a trimmed down version of the Moto G but promising good built and performance, making it within the reach of entry-level user segment. The Moto E is likely to sport a 4.2-inch 720p display, and come powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core processor with 1GB of RAM.  One can expect 4GB onboard storage, 5-megapixel camera and a 1900mAh battery.

Moto G has already received accolades for its performance, build quality and price. Our own review noted that this is probably the best budget Android smartphone around. In terms of specs, it offers some stunning ones for a low-price. Moto G has a 4.5-inch 720p display, 1.2GHz Snapdragon quad-core processor, a 5 megapixel camera and a 2,070mAh battery. It has 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, dual-SIM cards and runs on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. Soon after the launch, the phone saw an update for Android 4.4.2 KitKat. Read our complete Moto G review.

Source:

tech.firstpost.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 1:08 AM in 1900mAh battery, flagships, international media, KitKat, Lenovo, Moto E, Moto G review, Motorola sends, promising, smartphone

Sony aims to Increase Market Share with Xperia Z2 in US Market this summer

Sony will launch Xperia Z2 in the U. S. market this summer to compete with Samsung and Apple. The company will sell the newest model in the Xperia series exclusively on its online shop for the US consumers. The phone was introduced by Sony at Mobile World Congress in Spain this February.

Technology experts feel that Xperia Z2 has impressive features and can help Sony grab bigger share in the smartphone market in the United States. The company has not yet announced any deals with US carriers. In the US market, the agreement with carriers plays an important role in the success of smartphone.

There were rumors that Sony was facing delays in manufacturing of the phone. This could lead to further delay in the availability of Xperia Z2 in the US and other major markets. Xperia Z2 is already available in some Asian markets.

For the US market, Sony plans to sell the phone unlocked on its website. Xperia Z2 offers 5.2-inch Live Color LED display. The waterproof phone has unique feature of recording 4K video. Powered by Snapdragon 801 processor and 3GB RAM, the phone costs between $800 – 950 in the Asian markets.

Source:
newstonight.co.za

Posted by Editorial Team on 10:31 PM in Asian markets, facing delays, grab bigger, phone unlocked, smartphone, Sony aims, US Market, waterproof, World Congress, Xperia Z2

Hulu Plus debuts Chromecast-like remote for Xbox One and PS4

Hulu Plus got a little more convenient today with the addition of more remote functionality to the service's mobile app.

The app can now enable your smartphone or tablet to act as a remote control for the Xbox One, PS4 and PS3, just like it does for Chromecast.

That means you can control playback using your iOS or Android device, but that's not all.

You can also search for your next clip or show while the content you're already watching continues to play on your TV, then "cast" it to your device when you're ready to switch, and switch seamlessly between playback on your mobile device and your game console.

'Only the beginning'

To use the Hulu Plus remote experience with your game console, make sure you're logged into the same Hulu Plus account on both devices.

The app should automatically detect your game console once you turn it on, and you can pair them using the "cast" button.

"At Hulu, we are always in search of providing great experiences for watching TV," Hulu Senior Development Lead Mitch Walker wrote in a blog post.

"We launched the remote control functionality with the goal of finding and consuming your favorite content easier than ever," he continued. "And this is only the beginning - we will continue to add remote control functionality to more living room devices over the coming months."

Source:

www.techradar.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 12:33 AM in automatically, blog post, cast, Chromecast-like, coming months, functionality, Hulu Plus, seamlessly, smartphone, Xbox One

Apple earnings preview: Second quarter may test investors' patience

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook speaks before a new-product introduction in Cupertino, Calif. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press / September 10, 2013)

Three months ago, when Apple reported its holiday earnings, the company posted record revenues thanks to refreshed lines of iPads and iPhones that had launched in the fall. 

But instead of basking in a big win, Apple got pounded by Wall Street because of what the company said would happen in this current quarter. Apple projected a range of revenue expectations that raised the possibility of its first revenue decline in more than a decade.

Apple is scheduled to report second-quarter earnings after the markets close Wednesday, and most analysts think the company will actually squeak out a slight revenue gain. And since the last earnings call, Apple's stock has recovered most of its losses, closing Tuesday at $531.7, up from a dip below $500 a couple months ago. 

VIDEO: Unboxing the Tonino Lamborghini Antares smartphone

Still, investors and analysts are not exactly bubbling with optimism about Apple these days. They seem resigned to the fact that the days of rocket-like growth of iPhone and iPad sales are over. Indeed, more than half the analysts polled by Fortune expected that Apple would report that iPad sales declined in the March quarter. 

The company itself forecast revenue of $42 billion to $44 billion for the quarter, compared with $43.6 billion for the same quarter a year ago. Currently, Wall Street's consensus estimate is around $43.62 billion for the quarter. 

On the profits side, Wall Street is expecting earnings of $10.22 per share, compared with $10.09 a year ago. The increase is due in large part to Apple's increasingly aggressive stock buyback program.

Analysts have accepted the fact that Apple is going to continue to focus on the higher-end, premium market for gadgets. Last year, many were hoping and expecting the company to unveil a lower-priced iPhone in order to be more competitive overseas and at least stem its market-share losses to Android. 

But with Chief Executive Tim Cook making it clear that Apple would continue to focus on quality over quantity of units sold, most analysts have stopped talking about a cheaper iPhone.

"We see Apple as a provider of premium priced electronics, a lucrative market but one that may not sustain its current market valuation of $473 billion in the years ahead," Colin Gillis, an analyst at BGC Financial, wrote in a note to clients this week.

In the short term, that has some Apple watchers growing more pessimistic. Brian White, a Cantor Fitzgerald analyst, lowered his outlook for the current quarter that ends in June. Instead, like many analysts, he's looking ahead to the second half of the year, when he hopes some much-rumored new products such as a bigger iPhone will materialize. 

"In our view, the ramp of the iPhone 6 (4.7-inch and 5.5-inch "iPhad"-like device) and iWatch in the second-half of CY:14 are more important than Apple's 2Q:FY14 performance and potentially soft 3Q:FY14 outlook," he wrote in a note to clients.  

Analyst Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray was a bit more optimistic about Apple's earnings for the second quarter, expecting the company to report $44 billion, close to the high end of its range. But he's also expecting Apple to forecast 5% growth for the current quarter, below the 8% Wall Street currently expects. 

Of course, there's almost zero chance that Cook will say anything about new products Wednesday. Most likely, Apple watchers will have to wait for its World Wide Developers Conference in June for any talk of updates or new products. 

The question for Apple is how long investors will be content to ride out a quiet period until those mythical new products appear.

Source:
www.latimes.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 8:05 AM in Apple earnings, Colin Gillis, iPads, iPhones, Premium, Second quarter, smartphone, test investors', Unboxing, Wall Street

Android Activations Hold A Commanding Lead Over iOS In Q1

For those of you who like to keep track of such things, Android is still the most popular mobile operating system on the planet. Android's big advantage is that it's an open source playground where anyone and everyone can come play with the equipment, and that's precisely how things have gone down. With so many handset, tablet, and system makers offering Android devices, it's no surprise that Android activations are outpacing those of iOS, it's No. 1 competitor.

According to data released by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP), Android accounted for 53 percent of the mobile phone activations in the first quarter of 2014, which is up from 46 percent versus the fourth quarter of 2013. Meanwhile, iOS activations accounted 42 percent, which is down from 48 percent the previous quarter. What's interesting about the dramatic shift in market share is that it occurred during Apple's first full quarter with iPhone 5S and 5C sales.

Image Source: Flickr (JD Hancock)

As for the other players, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, and non-smartphones combined accounted for less than 3 percent of activations during the quarter, leaving the rest to basic phones, which itself is becoming a dying category. According to CIRP, that's cause for concern for both iOS and Android.

"On a percentage bases during the quarter, iOS grew a little faster than Android, from a smaller base, even though in absolute terms Android had a larger share," said Mike Levin, Partner and Co-Founder of CIRP. "The long term issue is where Android and IOS growth will come from when there are no more basic phones being retired. First time smartphone buyers are key to that equation."

Source:
hothardware.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 10:04 AM in Android Activations, dramatic shift, Hold, iPhone 5s, Mike Levin, mobile phone, playground, smartphone, Windows Phone

Android reigns in US smartphone market

WASHINGTON: The Google Android platform grabbed the majority of mobile phones in the US market in early 2014, as consumers all but abandoned non-smartphone handsets, a survey showed Friday. 

The poll by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners found 53% of new mobile phones activated by US customers were Android devices in the January-March period. 

Apple's iOS, the platform used by the iPhone, accounted for 42%, the survey found. 

Windows and BlackBerry devices each accounted for one per cent, while non-smartphones were just three per cent, the research firm said. Late last year 20% bought a "basic" mobile phone. 

Research firm co-founder Mike Levin said Apple's iPhone user base "grew a little faster than Android, from a smaller base, even though in absolute terms Android — used in Samsung phones — had a larger share. 

He added: "The long-term issue is where Android and iOS growth will come from when there are no more basic phones being retired. First-time smartphone buyers are key to that equation." 

The report was based on a survey of 500 US adults, from April 1 to 6, who activated a new or used phone in the first three months of the year. 

Recent surveys of global phone users show Android has a nearly 80% share of smartphone sales.


Source:
timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 2:53 AM in Android, Android platform, BlackBerry, Buyers, Google, Intelligence, non-smartphone, Samsung, smartphone

Samsung Galaxy S3 Neo Gets Price Tag Of Rs. 26,200

The Galaxy S3 Neo, which was listed on Samsung India homepage few days ago without the details of its price, has now got the price tag for it. The Samsung India e-store has now listed Galaxy S3 Neo with price of Rs. 26,200, but does not mention the exact date of delivery. The e-store site also show that the smartphone is not in stock. Probably, the stock must be on the way and one can expect that the delivery would start sometimes next week.

The Galaxy S3 features a 4.8-inch HD (720×1280 pixels) Super AMOLED display, and is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, coupled with 1.5GB of RAM and expandable storage upto 64GB.The Neo version runs Android Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, and is a Dual-SIM smartphone with support for GSM+GSM.

The S3 Neo is equipped with an 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and CMOS sensor, and is adorned with a 1.9-megapixel front-camera. For connectivity, the Galaxy S3 Neo supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS/ A-GPS, Micro-USB and 3G. The smartphone has dimensions of 136.6×70.7×8.6mm and weighs about 132 grams without battery. This smartphone encompasses Accelerometer,Geo-magnetic,Gyro,Light,Proximity and RGB sensors.The Galaxy S3 Neo is packed with a 2100mAh battery, and will be available in Black, Blue, Brown, Grey, Maroon, Pink and White colors.

The Galaxy S3 Neo also features Samsung’s prominent features including S Voice, Smart Alert, Smart Stay, S Beam, AllShare Play, Buddy photo share etc.

We were expecting that the S3 Neo would be priced in the range of Rs. 20,000. May be Samsung has some other ideas in store for the prospective customers. They may come out with some cashback scheme the way they have come out with the S5 smartphone, which will be available from 11th April.

Source:

www.techvorm.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 2:46 AM in 1.5GB, AllShare Play, AMOLED, Galaxy S3, GPS, quad-core, RGB sensors, Samsung, Samsung India, smartphone

Jawbone's UP24 fitness tracker adds Android compatibility

SAN FRANCISCO — Fans of Jawbone's Up bands who happen to be Android smartphone owners as of today can consider the company's most recent take on the fitness tracker, UP24.

Jawbone on Tuesday announced Android compatibility for the $149 UP24 band, which launched late last year as an iOS-only device.

The new hardware added Bluetooth connectivity, which the original Up band ($129) lacks. That means you don't have to plug it into your phone's headphone jack to sync data.

The Android app lets you wirelessly sync from the band to an Android device via Bluetooth Smart technology, so you can get feedback in real-time.

Everybody and their brother has a fitness tracker on the market, so the UP24's arrival on Android was a must to deliver.

Bands from competitors including Fitbit and Nike all offer a variety of ways to track overall fitness and health. The Up made its mark as a simple step tracker that added insight into sleep patterns in a sleek design. An early version was marred by some battery and syncing issues, which the company addressed for the most part in a subsequent model.

I've used the non-Bluetooth Up model for about a year and find syncing still finicky at times. Presumably, not having to stick the thing into your phone smooths out that issue. And there is no display on the band, so you must rely on the app to get the latest info about your progress.

But Up is simple to use and I've continued to rely on it to keep me honest and active during the day, even as I've added a Pebble smartwatch to my wrist-wear. Indeed, it will be interesting to see how Jawbone and others keep pace in the market as smartwatches make their move, many with functionality and apps that mimic what the first-generation of bands provide.

News Source: www.usatoday.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 7:48 AM in Android, battery, competitors, Jawbone's, non-Bluetooth, smartphone, smartwatches, tracker, UP24, wirelessly

Apple and Google Dominate the Mobile World According to ComScore

Apple and Google currently dominate the mobile phone world. (Photo : Wikimedia Commons)

Apple and Google dominate the mobile space, according to a new data report by ComScore.

ComScore is a leader in measuring the digital world, and today released data from its Mobilens and Mobile Metrix, reporting important trends in the U.S. smartphone industry for January 2014.

Apple lead as No.1 smartphone manufacturer, with its iPhones capturing 41.6% of the US market this year so far, and Samsung came second with 26.7%.

On the operating system side however, Apple was unable to compete with Google. Android led the market with 51.7% share while iOS had 41.6%. Trailing behind them was windows phone at 3.2% and Blackberry OS at 3.1%.

There is no surprise about the popularity that the iPhone and Android share. It's worth noting however that while Apple saw its manufacturer market share jump over the last 3 months, Samsung is also picking up momentum.

In addition to their report on smartphones supremacy and operating systems, ComScore also reported on the top destinations for mobile browsers. Google's sites were visited by almost 90% of the American mobile users, and Facebook took second place with 87 percent. Yahoo and amazon came next with 86.2% and 69%, respectively.

Google's sites ranked in the report as the top "web property," reaching 89.4% of the mobile media crowd. Included in this statistic was also web browsing and app usage.

Another cool number: Facebook was the most popular mobile app in the US last quarter, and was employed by 78% of its users.

ComScore, a digital measurement and analytics company, also reported Friday that 7 percent more people owned smartphones in January over last October, with a total of 159.8 million Americans possessing the tech. That's a 66.8 percent mobile market reach.

Mobile Metrix and Mobilens, the tools used to measure the information, are intelligent censuss-based measurement methods and online surveys on smartphones and tablets. 

News Source: www.designntrend.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 6:55 AM in Android, Apple, ComScore, Google, Google's sites, iPhone, Mobile, Mobile Metrix, smartphone, supremacy

HTC teases all new HTC One with dual-camera

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: The recent teaser by Taiwanese firm HTC has once again fuelled speculations on the next HTC One handset.

HTC has played a teaser on social media, with posts claiming the 'all new' would make life 'twice as beautiful.'

The teaser image shows the phone with two camera lenses along with an update showing six photos, each with a 'two' theme.

Reportedly, the teaser hints at "dual-camera feature" on the rear, which refers to a technology that allows capturing images at varied specifications and merging them as one picture.

The new phone reportedly has a 5-inch screen with a QHD (1440 x 2560 pixel) resolution display. 

Recently, a video comparing the upcoming HTC One with its 2013 predecessor was leaked online, in which the redesigned smartphone appeared slightly curvier and softer in looks.

HTC is holding an event on in London and New York on 25 March 2014. We are expecting that the new range from HTC One will be the same phone as has been teased.

News Source: zeenews.india.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 2:15 AM in camera lenses, dual-camera, handset, HTC, London, New York, six photos, smartphone, social media, video