iPhone 5S will reportedly launch in early September

iPhone 5S will reportedly launch in early September:
A new report from Citigroup Global Securities confirms that Apple is planning to release both its next-generation iPhone and its long rumored low-cost iPhone in early September, China Times reported. The firm also claims that Apple is planning to launch a TD-SCDMA version of both devices for China Mobile in late September or early October. As for a new full-sized iPad and iPad mini, Citigroup expects both slates to also debut in September or October. The latest rumors suggest that the iPhone 5S will be equipped with a faster A7 processor, a 12-megapixel camera and a revamped version of iOS.

LG confirms plans to release a flexible OLED smartphone in Q4

LG confirms plans to release a flexible OLED smartphone in Q4:
2013 is shaping up to be the year LG finds its voice in the mobile industry. The company recently shipped a record 10.3 million smartphones in the first quarter and is expecting that number to increase throughout the year. Handsets such as the Optimus G, Nexus 4 and Optimus G Pro have won over consumers, however LG believes it has the next big thing coming later this year. Yoon Bu-hyun, vice president of LG's mobile business, confirmed on the company's earnings call this week that it plans to launch a smartphone with a flexible OLED display before the end of 2013, The Wall Street Journal reported. Although it is unlikely that the handset will be truly flexible due to limitations with other components, it will be the first consumer device to include a wraparound display. LG plans to release the flexible OLED smartphone sometime in the fourth quarter.

“Hell, There Are No Rules Here--We’re Trying to Accomplish Something.”

“Hell, There Are No Rules Here--We’re Trying to Accomplish Something.”:

Creativity isn't an exact science, and sometimes you have to break the rules to come up with innovative solutions. Thomas Edison knew that, and in his lab he didn't bother with strict rules or regulations.
When a new worker came in to work for Edison, he asked Edison what rules he should follow, but was a bit surprised by Edison's response:

I approached him in a humble spirit: “Mr. Edison, please tell me what laboratory rules you want me to observe.” And right then and there I got my first surprise. He spat in the middle of the floor and yelled out,
“Hell! there ain’t no rules around here! We are tryin’ to accomplish somep’n!”

Of course, the general rule of Edison's lab was if Thomas Edison was working, so were you. But the point is that rules and boundaries often block innovation. Sometimes you just have to let them go to really get something done.
Accomplish Something | Swissmiss
Photo by Kevin Galens.

Samsung Beats Analyst Profit Expectations by 10%, Outsells Apple 2-to-1

Samsung Beats Analyst Profit Expectations by 10%, Outsells Apple 2-to-1: And that's all without the Galaxy S IV even; Samsung is almost even with Apple in profitability

Nexus 11 tablet coming from Samsung with octa-core chip, microSD slot

Nexus 11 tablet coming from Samsung with octa-core chip, microSD slot:
Google I/O is just around the corner, and some are predicting that a Samsung-built Nexus 11 tablet will be shown off at the event. Why? Because a set of hardware specifications have made…

The World's First Tablet Projector Promises a 100-Inch Display

The World's First Tablet Projector Promises a 100-Inch Display:

A built-in projector isn't quite at the top of anyone's wish list for tablet improvements. But that didn't stop Promate from putting one into its new LumiTab and declaring it the world's first tablet projector. The average consumer might not be interested yet, but corporate honchos who live and die by PowerPoint presentations are surely smiling from ear-to-ear now.
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Time for an upgrade, AT&T users! Beginning May 1, you'll be able to trade in your current smartphone

Time for an upgrade, AT&T users! Beginning May 1, you'll be able to trade in your current smartphone:
Time for an upgrade, AT&T users! Beginning May 1, you'll be able to trade in your current smartphone for at least $100 off a new one (as long as you re-up for another 2 year contract). That means you can get an iPhone or a Galaxy S4 for a bill less than usual, even if the smartphone you're trading in is an old crappy one.

You know all those sub-$200 7" tablets? Apparently its hard to make profits on them

You know all those sub-$200 7" tablets? Apparently its hard to make profits on them: Just in case you haven't read a story that made you think "Thank you, Professor Obvious", here's one for you: DigiTimes has done some research (we're not sure that was necessary) and found that the price competition surrounding 7" tablets has caused profits to "erode". We bet you never would have thought that devices sold just above cost would cause a drop in profits, right?...

iPad mini reportedly accounted for 64% of all iPads shipped last quarter

iPad mini reportedly accounted for 64% of all iPads shipped last quarter:
That chomping sound you hear is the iPad mini eating into the sales of its older sibling. Unnamed sources have told Digitimes that Apple shipped 12.5 million iPad minis last quarter that accounted for roughly 64% of all iPads shipped. The reported iPad mini shipment numbers would give Apple's 8-inch tablet a significant edge over the rival Google Nexus 7 tablet, which Digitimes' sources say has totalled around 4.5 million units shipped since its launch last summer. Earlier rumors have indicated that Apple might be working on two newer versions of the iPad mini for fall release: A more expensive version with a full Retina display and a cheaper version that could be priced competitively with the Nexus 7 and the Amazon Kindle Fire HD.

Best Buy will sell its half of European arm to Carphone Warehouse for $775 million

Best Buy will sell its half of European arm to Carphone Warehouse for $775 million:

As Best Buy attempts a return to financial well-being, it's decided to sell the 50 percent share it still owns in Best Buy Europe to fellow joint venture partner Carphone Warehouse. The price is set at about 500 million GBP ($775 million, mostly in cash) and is expected to close by June. Best Buy paid $2.15 billion for its share of the business back in 2008 and the first branded store opened in 2010, but it was already looking for a way out by 2011. That's when it closed its UK stores and paid Carphone Warehouse $1.3 billion for its share in the US Best Buy Mobile business. Reporting the joint venture as discontinued operations for its next fiscal year will cause Best Buy to take a $200 million charge, and it's tossing Carphone Warehouse another $45 million to satisfy outstanding obligations like closing the Global Connect JV the two started in 2011. There's no word on any moves for its business in Mexico, Canada and China, and CEO Hubert Joly says this sale "should not suggest any similar action" elsewhere.
Filed under: Cellphones, Household, Mobile
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Source: Best Buy

Thorsten Heins: tablets aren't a good business model, BlackBerry aiming to lead mobile computing in five years

Thorsten Heins: tablets aren't a good business model, BlackBerry aiming to lead mobile computing in five years:

Holding out for a post-RIM version of the PlayBook? That waiting likely won't end any time soon. BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins used an interview yesterday to discuss the mobile environment five years out. Seems he's feeling particularly bullish about his own company's prospects. "In five years, I see BlackBerry to be the absolute leader in mobile computing -- that's what we're aiming for," he told the interviewer. "I want to gain as much market share as I can, but not by being a copycat."
Not being a copycat may likely involve staying away from the crowded tablet market. "In five years I don't think there'll be a reason to have a tablet anymore," according to the CEO. "Maybe a big screen in your workspace, but not a tablet as such. Tablets themselves are not a good business model." This certainly isn't the first time the exec has expressed caution about the space in the wake of the PlayBook's lukewarm reception. Heins has mentioned in the past that the company won't jump back into tablets unless it sees the potential for profits.
Filed under: Tablets
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Source: Bloomberg

China became #1 PC market in 2012

China becomes leading PC market in 2012, says IHS http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20130430PR202.html China rose to the top of the PC market for the first time ever on an annual basis in 2012, relegating the US to second place with a lead of more than three million units, according to IHS iSuppli. Sent by gReader

Study shows major generational divide on online privacy attitudes

Study shows major generational divide on online privacy attitudes:
A study published this week by the USC Annenberg Center for the Digital Future found that young adults don't care as much about online privacy as older Internet users. Individuals between the ages of 18 and 34, known as Millennials, were found to be more willing to hand over their personal data or web behavior to online businesses. Although 70% of young adults agreed that companies should never be allowed to access their personal data, compared to 77% by those older than 35, Millennials were more willing to give up some privacy if they benefited from it, such as receiving coupons or other business deals.

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2013 is shaping up to be the year of the Chromebook

2013 is shaping up to be the year of the Chromebook:
A handful of companies are said to be preparing new Chromebook models that will launch later this year. According to a report from Digitimes, both Acer and ASUS are optimistic about the long-term prospects of Google's Chromebooks and are working on low-priced computers that will debut in the second half of 2013. Acer is reportedly planning to target students with a new 11.6-inch model to be released in July, while new Chrome OS-powered computers are expected from ASUS, HP, Samsung and Lenovo later this year. Of note, ASUS never planned to enter the market but has apparently rethought its strategy. Google is also said to be working with ASUS, Acer, HP and Samsung on so-called "Androidbooks" that could debut in the near future.

Affordable smartphones were 28% of all sold in 2012, to grow to 46% in six years

Affordable smartphones were 28% of all sold in 2012, to grow to 46% in six years: Affordable smartphones made up 28% of all sold in 2012, but their penetration will only grow and they are expected to constitute...

Apple iPhone 5S and cheaper iPhone coming with 4-inch screens, 5S delayed due to problems with new fingerprint scanning technology

Apple iPhone 5S and cheaper iPhone coming with 4-inch screens, 5S delayed due to problems with new fingerprint scanning technology: Apple may have delayed its next-generation iPhone, allegedly the iPhone 5S, because of issues with finding the right material that would not interfere with a fingerprint sensor..

Tablets are the hottest consumer electronics category in the US at the moment

Tablets are the hottest consumer electronics category in the US at the moment: The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) has come up with a new study that has found out which are the most sought after consumer electronics categories in the US this year...

Android was 64% of global smartphone sales in Q1

Android was 64% of global smartphone sales in Q1: Android is everywhere. That statement doesn't really surprise anyone, but the specific numbers have a lot to say. Earlier today, we shared the smartphone sales numbers released by Kantar Worldpanel Comtech, and now we have the global numbers from Kantar as well. While the US had the Android/iOS race fairly close, globally Android is well ahead with 64% of smartphone sales in Q1 of 2013...

Turn a Standard LCD Monitor into a Touchscreen

Turn a Standard LCD Monitor into a Touchscreen: If you are one of those who swear you will never try a touch screen monitor due to the cost, well here's your chance to give it a go. For the investment of a mere $5 bucks and the time it takes for you to install the software, you can make your monitor into an honest-to-goodness touch screen. Now what's your excuse?






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BlackBerry Q10 is the fastest selling consumer electronics product ever at U.K. retailer Selfridges

BlackBerry Q10 is the fastest selling consumer electronics product ever at U.K. retailer Selfridges: Carphone Warehouse outlet Selfridges sold thousands of QWERTY equipped BlackBerry Q10 units per hour during the weekend when it was the only retailer in town with the phone; the big buyers were corporations and the retailer ran out of stock after two hours with inventory replenished ever hour to keep up with demand for the handset...

Samsung’s 2013 tablet portfolio leaks: 1080p 8-inch Tab, octa-core 11-incher coming

Samsung’s 2013 tablet portfolio leaks: 1080p 8-inch Tab, octa-core 11-incher coming: In 2013, Samsung is allegedly planning to bring an 8-inch Galaxy Tab tablet with a 1080p screen and an 11-inch Android slate with an octa-core chip. These are just some...

iPad tops JD Power customer satisfaction survey again

iPad tops JD Power customer satisfaction survey again:
The iPad was rated by consumers as the best tablet for the second time running in the JD Power customer satisfaction survey, with no competitor tablet rated above About average. Back in March, the iPhone was rated best phone for the 9th consecutive time, a fact Apple includes prominently on its Why iPhone webpage.
Tablet owners were asked to give an overall satisfaction rating, as well as rank their tablet on five specific factors, each given a weighting from most to least important …

• performance
• ease of operation
• styling & design
• features
• cost

The iPad was the only tablet to be categorised as ‘among the best’, suggesting that JD Power may want to slightly rethink the description of the overall ranking categories … Overall, the iPad scored 836/1000, beating tablets by Amazon, Samsung, Asus and Acer.
Unsurprisingly, the study found that 51% of tablet owners share usage with at least one other person, with satisfaction increasing as more people shared the device. It’s of course common for iPads to be used by both partners and children.