Samsung announces a curved-screen all-in-one and its thinnest laptop yet

Samsung announces a curved-screen all-in-one and its thinnest laptop yet:

We hope you like super skinny laptops, because you're going to be seeing a hell of a lot more of them in 2015. Samsung just took the veil off its new ATIV Book 9 Ultrabook, which comes in at just 0.45 inch thick and 2.09 pounds. That's insanely compa...

Apple patents stylus that will write on all surfaces and transmits images to digital screens

Apple patents stylus that will write on all surfaces and transmits images to digital screens:

Apple has received a patent for a new stylus or smart pen that will take hand-written texts and drawings and display them on the screen of a device like a smartphone or tablet. This is an accessory that could come in handy in a classroom setting. If a teacher were to use the stylus on a whiteboard in a classroom, an accurate reproduction of the notes could be transmitted to students' tablets.



Interchangeable nibs will allow the user to write in ink or other materials. A capacitive version of the stylus is also mentioned. The latter would be used with the Apple iPad screen in the same manner ...

Taiwan market: Mobile device penetration estimated at 69.1% in 4Q14, says FIND

Taiwan market: Mobile device penetration estimated at 69.1% in 4Q14, says FIND: Of Taiwan's population aged 12 and above, 69.1% had mobile terminal devices in fourth-quarter 2014, according to results of a recent survey conducted by FIND (Foreseeing Innovative New Digiservices) under government-sponsored Institute for Information Industry (III).

Shuttle to showcase smart home solutions at CES 2015

Shuttle to showcase smart home solutions at CES 2015: Taiwan-based ODM Shuttle will exhibit SmartVille, an in-house-developed hardware/software-integrated smart home solutions mainly consisting of a control center, a Z-Wave gateway and healthcare measurement instruments to provide home-based smart environmental monitoring, security surveillance, healthcare as well as daily life information at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2015 in Las Vegas during January 6-9, according to the company.

Acer ranks as top consumer notebook vendor in Brazil in 3Q14

Acer ranks as top consumer notebook vendor in Brazil in 3Q14: Acer has said that it ranked as the top vendor for consumer notebooks in Brazil in the third quarter of 2014, accounting for 16.2% market share and registering 18.6% on-quarter growth in shipments. The company cited data from IDC.

Nearly 55% of TVs shipped in 2015 to be 40-inch and above, says MIC

Nearly 55% of TVs shipped in 2015 to be 40-inch and above, says MIC: Heading into 2015 more than 50% of TVs shipped are expected to be for units sized 40-inch and above, according to industry analysis from research firm MIC.

Xiaomi president confirms the company's next 'flagship' is coming in January 2015

Xiaomi president confirms the company's next 'flagship' is coming in January 2015:

Xiaomi addressed the Android legions via social media today, boasting about big finances and big devices. As we reported last week, the Chinese company completed its latest round of funding, raising $1.1 billion at valuation of $45 billion. This, Xiaomi president Lei Jun says, "is an affirmation of our stellar results in the four years, and heralds in a new phase for the company". To attract more investor interest and raise excitement, Jun also confirmed that Xiaomi will be unveiling its next flagship device in January 2015.

Now what could that be? Lei Jun didn't say "flagship ...

What to expect at CES 2015: rumors and announcements round-up

What to expect at CES 2015: rumors and announcements round-up:

Well, 2014 is almost out the door and within the first few days of the new year, we already have something exciting to look forward to. We are talking about the annual Consumer Electronics Show, of course – the tech event where major players in various fields of consumer electronics gather to announce and showcase their newest products. Naturally, smartphones and tablets are a must-have part of the show's portfolio.



So, what are we expecting to see? CES product announcements are usually kept under veils, so most of the expectations are based to leaks, rumors, and speculation, but hey – that's ...

Oppo to ship 50 million smartphones next year, targets the sub-$160 price segment

Oppo to ship 50 million smartphones next year, targets the sub-$160 price segment:

Citing sources in Taiwan and China, DigiTimes reports that Chinese smartphone maker Oppo has targeted up to 50 million product shipments for next year, with 35 million going to China and 15 million to the smartphone-hungry masses from the rest of the world. Is the innovative company feeling lucky, or what?



Next year, Oppo will continue incorporating Qualcomm processors in its high-end models, while low and mid-range offerings will keep relying on MediaTek's affordable solutions. Lite-On Technology will remain the supplier of camera sensors and batteries. So it's business as usual for Oppo, ...

Apple is killing off the tablet market that it single handedly created

Apple is killing off the tablet market that it single handedly created:

Apple waited for three years to dive into the phablet market while allowing Samsung to rack up big sales with devices featuring jumbo screen sizes. This fall, the iPhone finally jumped into the ring with two new variants boasting large displays. Perhaps the biggest question in the consumer electronics market this winter is what happens to the tablet market now.

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iPhones and iPads made up over half of devices activated on Christmas

iPhones and iPads made up over half of devices activated on Christmas:

Apple's still the king of Christmas when it comes to gadgets, but new holiday data reveals some intriguing new trends. iPhones and iPads accounted for over half (51 percent) of new devices activated during Christmas week, but Microsoft's Lumia device...

LG's Got a New Fleet of Colorful 4K TVs

LG's Got a New Fleet of Colorful 4K TVs:

LG will be showing off its latest lineup of 4K UHD televisions at CES next week with the promise of richer colors, thinner screens, and Harmon/Kardon audio. Now if we could just get some decent 4K content already, we'll be set.

Read more...

Samsung Galaxy A7 to be officially announced on January 14

Samsung Galaxy A7 to be officially announced on January 14:

Earlier today, we told you that Samsung was getting ready to officially introduce the Galaxy A7 in South Korea sometime soon. Korean website Ruliweb has more details about this, saying that the A7 will be announced in the country on January 14, alongside the Galaxy A5 (which is already available in other parts of the world).



As previously reported, the A7 will be the largest, and most advanced handset in Samsung’s Galaxy A series. It will also be the company’s thinnest smartphone ever, measuring 150.9 x 75.9 x 6.3 mm.



Interestingly, it looks like the Galaxy A7 will ship with Android ...

China market: Penetration rate for Ultra HD TVs to reach 30% going into 2015

China market: Penetration rate for Ultra HD TVs to reach 30% going into 2015: The penetration rate for Ultra HD TVs in the China market is expected to reach 30% going into 2015, according to supply chain maker estimations.

Next-gen HTC Desire smartphone to be announced at CES 2015

Next-gen HTC Desire smartphone to be announced at CES 2015:

It appears that CES 2015, which is going to take place in just a week from now, will not pass without HTC's presence. However, High Tech Computer's January proposition may not be so decidedly high-tech, if a recent post on the company's Weibo page is to be taken into account.

HTC has published a teaser image which has us know that the reveal is going to happen on January 6, and that we should "Always Desire more." And while "desiring more" is something we definitely do when it comes to the company's recent One handsets (and their cameras), the Desire mid-rangers have been doing ...

HUUUGE LEAK: This might be our first look at Samsung's new Galaxy S6

HUUUGE LEAK: This might be our first look at Samsung's new Galaxy S6:

Samsung is reportedly designing its upcoming flagship Android smartphone from scratch, as it’s not happy with the way other recent Galaxy S models were received by fans. It’s still not clear what that means, with some rumors suggesting the Galaxy S6 might have a special curved display and a metal case. Some of the leaks have also shown alleged metal casings for the handset, with others revealing more details about the phone’s specs.

Adding further fuel to the fire is online publication Toranji.ir, which claims it has obtained pictures showing Galaxy S6 prototypes.

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HUGE UPSET: Samsung passes Apple to become America's most beloved cell phone brand

HUGE UPSET: Samsung passes Apple to become America's most beloved cell phone brand:

Samsung had a very rough year in 2014. The company's flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S5, was seen as a disappointment by most pundits and industry watchers. According to several reports, the phone also failed to meet internal sales estimates. Making matters far worse was Samsung's performance in the most recent quarter, when immense pressure at the high and low ends of the smartphone market caused a shocking 60% drop in operating profit.

But Samsung will finish 2014 with a much-needed win. According to the results of a massive study, Samsung has passed Apple to become the most beloved cell phone maker in the United States.

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Large-size Sony tablet coming in the first half of next year? Posted: 25 Dec 2014, 18:43, by Alan F.

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Large-size-Sony-tablet-coming-in-the-first-half-of-next-year_id64126

HTC plans on producing more entry-level models in 2015 Posted: 26 Dec 2014, 02:21, by Alan F.

http://www.phonearena.com/news/HTC-plans-on-producing-more-entry-level-models-in-2015_id64130

Touch panel makers faced with increasing competition from panel makers Sammi Huang, Taipei; Adam Hwang, DIGITIMES [Thursday 25 December 2014]

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20141225PD210.html

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20141226PD204.html

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20141226PD206.html

Asustek expects to ship 8 million ZenFone smartphones in 2014

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20141226PD204.html

Samsung Galaxy S6 leaks claim 5.5-inch screen, all aluminum body, but it might not be the only flagship

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Samsung-Galaxy-S6-leaks-claim-5.5-inch-screen-all-aluminum-body-but-it-might-not-be-the-only-flagship_id64132

With webOS and wearables, LG's moving beyond just displays at CES

http://www.engadget.com/2014/12/26/lg-ces-2015-preview/?ncid=rss_truncated

Samsung said to be working on a 10-inch Galaxy Tab 5 slate, and a low-priced budget slab

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Samsung-said-to-be-working-on-a-10-inch-Galaxy-Tab-5-slate-and-a-low-priced-budget-slab_id64142

China November mobile phone user base grows to 1.281 billion, says MIIT

China November mobile phone user base grows to 1.281 billion, says MIIT: There were 1.281 billion subscribers of mobile communication services in China as of the end of November 2014, a total that has grown by 0.34% on month and by 4.72% on year, with 481.03 million (37.55%) of them being 3G users and 869.73 million (67.89%) were mobile Internet-access users, according to statistics published by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

China vendor Oppo to ship 50 million smartphones in 2015, say sources

China vendor Oppo to ship 50 million smartphones in 2015, say sources: China-based handset vendor Oppo is expected to ship up to 50 million smartphones in 2015 compared to 25-30 million units shipped in the previous year. For total shipments in 2015, 35 million units will be sold domestically and the remaining 15 million shipped to overseas markets, according to sources at the handset supply chains in Taiwan and China.

Connected devices expected to be focus at CES 2015

Connected devices expected to be focus at CES 2015: The connected home is one of the hottest topics being discussed today, and with CES 2015 taking place next month in Las Vegas, new innovations are sure to be on display. Although the drive to create a smarter and more efficient home increases daily, driven by mobile devices interacting with numerous connected objects and devices, Hendrik Bartel, research director at Gartner, said connected home devices currently only appeal to a niche section of the high-income market.

Global LCD TV shipments in 2014 estimated at 215 million units, says consulting firm

Global LCD TV shipments in 2014 estimated at 215 million units, says consulting firm: There will be 215 million LCD TVs shipped globally in 2014, increasing on year by 5.5%, and the shipments will grow by 3.7% to 223 million units in 2015 with Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics together having a global market share of 39.3% and all China-based vendors a combined share of 32.9%, according to China-based Ʃintell Consulting.

Regional smartphone brands in Europe ramping market share

Regional smartphone brands in Europe ramping market share: Regional handset brands in Europe, including Wiko, Fly and Prestigio, have seen their shares in the region's smartphone sector increase substantially, posting a threat to China-based handset vendors, according to industry sources.

HP quietly adds a touchscreen model to its Chromebook 14 line http://www.engadget.com/2014/12/22/hp-chromebook-14-touch/?ncid=rss_truncated

If you're after a Chromebook with premium specs, HP quietly released a touch-friendly model that might just do the trick. The Chromebook 14 Touch touts a 14-inch FHD WLED backlit touchscreen with a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution -- up from the 1,366 x 768 tally on the existing machine. Even after doubling the RAM (from 2GB to 4GB) and storage space (32GB, up from 16GB), HP claims the new version will still last just over eight hours on a charge. And like this year's regular Chromebook 14, NVIDIA's Tegra K1 processor and Kepler GPU are still packed inside. As you might expect, the boost in specs comes with a price increase, as the new model hits your wallet for $440, and it only comes in white. If you're not looking to get all grabby with a new laptop, the non-touch version is set at $300.

Automotive-use LED market value to reach US$2.5 billion by 2018, says LEDinside http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20141223PD200.html

The worldwide automotive-use LED market (combination of before market and after market) is projected to reach US$2.5 billion by 2018, with a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9% from 2014-2018. In particular the automotive LED value in before market is projected to reach US$1.9 billion and the after market value is forecast to reach US$620 million, according to LEDinside.

Xiaomi may adopt sapphire for covers of 5.7-inch smartphone http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20141223PD205.html

China-based smartphone vendor Xiaomi Technology is likely to adopt sapphire for protective covers of Xiaomi 5, its 5.7-inch flagship model that will be showcased at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show, Taiwan-based supply chain makers cited industry sources in China as indicating.

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20141223PR203.html

Tablets, ultrabooks become more affordable in emerging markets, says ABI Research

Press release; Joseph Tsai, DIGITIMES [Tuesday 23 December 2014]

The average selling price (ASP) of ultrabooks and tablets declined by 7.8% in 2014 as the market matured and commoditized, allowing these devices to become more affordable in all markets. According to ABI Research, the average weeks of household income needed to buy a tablet or ultrabook both declined by approximately 30% on year, making these devices more affordable to a wider range of consumers.

"Across 22 different countries between 2013 and 2014, there was an 8.5% decline for the ASP of tablets and 7.1% for Ultrabooks," said research analyst Stephanie Van Vactor. "This decline is allowing these devices to reach a larger audience in a wider range of countries." Although growth is slowing for both these types of devices, affordability could help prevent a drastic decline in sales.

The affordability of personal technology devices is strongest in many mature markets, such as the US, Japan, and Germany, primarily due to the higher household income.

Mysterious Samsung phone with 5.5'' 1080p display and Snapdragon 801 processor spotted http://www.phonearena.com/news/Mysterious-Samsung-phone-with-5.5-1080p-display-and-Snapdragon-801-processor-spotted_id64087

Mysterious Samsung phone with 5.5'' 1080p display and Snapdragon 801 processor spotted
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Mysterious-Samsung-phone-with-5.5-1080p-display-and-Snapdragon-801-processor-spotted_id64087

Rumors talk of a touchscreen-only BlackBerry midranger - the BlackBerry Rio (or Z20) http://www.phonearena.com/news/Rumors-talk-of-a-touchscreen-only-BlackBerry-midranger---the-BlackBerry-Rio-or-Z20_id64090

Rumors talk of a touchscreen-only BlackBerry midranger - the BlackBerry Rio (or Z20)
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Rumors-talk-of-a-touchscreen-only-BlackBerry-midranger---the-BlackBerry-Rio-or-Z20_id64090

Unknown Asus ZenFone spotted at Bluetooth SIG, sports entry level specs http://www.phonearena.com/news/Unknown-Asus-ZenFone-spotted-at-Bluetooth-SIG-sports-entry-level-specs_id64092

Unknown Asus ZenFone spotted at Bluetooth SIG, sports entry level specs
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Unknown-Asus-ZenFone-spotted-at-Bluetooth-SIG-sports-entry-level-specs_id64092

Apple working on new 4-inch iPhone, 12.9-inch iPad for 2015? http://www.phonearena.com/news/Apple-working-on-new-4-inch-iPhone-12.9-inch-iPad-for-2015_id64093

Apple working on new 4-inch iPhone, 12.9-inch iPad for 2015?
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Apple-working-on-new-4-inch-iPhone-12.9-inch-iPad-for-2015_id64093

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheBoyGeniusReport/~3/jAGkkymobW0/

Worldwide CE market forecast to grow 4.5% in 2014, says Futuresource

Worldwide CE market forecast to grow 4.5% in 2014, says Futuresource: It has been another difficult year for many CE vendors as convergence takes its toll on dedicated product segments and competition has squeezed profits in key areas like TV. However, worldwide CE sales are still forecast to rise by 4.5% in 2014 to reach US$707 billion (trade value), driven largely by a 24% growth in mobile sales, according to Futuresource. Despite the convergence, Futuresource forecasts the CE market to continue to grow to US$733 billion by 2018, with the growth coming primarily from mobile devices.

Taiwan, China notebook vendors halt notebook sales in Russia, report says

Taiwan, China notebook vendors halt notebook sales in Russia, report says: Asustek Computer, Acer, Micro-Star International (MSI), Gigabyte Technology and Lenovo have stopped selling their notebooks in Russia as they have been suffering losses due to a free fall of the country's currency, according to a Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) report.

New rumor says the MacBook Air of your dreams will enter production soon

New rumor says the MacBook Air of your dreams will enter production soon:

Apple’s best MacBook Air yet is supposed to feature an entirely new design, as well as better components. Often referred to as the Retina MacBook Air, the laptop should have a 12-inch high-resolution display, and should be even slimmer and lighter than its predecessors. It’s not clear when Apple will launch this new version of the MacBook Air, but a new report from Digitimes says the company will start mass producing it in the first quarter of 2015.

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Nokia's N1 Android tablet could be released in January

Nokia's N1 Android tablet could be released in January:

Nokia last month announced its N1 Android slate, saying that it would launch it in China first, in early 2015, just in time for the Chinese New Year (February 19).



According to Chinese website Sina, Nokia will host a press conference on January 7, and could release the tablet in China the very same day. As previously reported, the N1 will cost $249, thus being quite affordable for what it’s going to offer.



The N1 is a 6.9mm-thin aluminum-made tablet that runs Android 5.0 Lollipop and comes with Nokia’s own Z Launcher (which is already available to download via Google Play). The ...

Samsung to officially launch its Z1 Tizen smartphone in January (for $90 or less)

Samsung to officially launch its Z1 Tizen smartphone in January (for $90 or less):

Samsung could finally release its delayed Z1 Tizen smartphone (model number SM-Z130H) in the first month of next year. According to The Korea Economic Daily, a Samsung official declared that the handset will be launched on January 18, 2015, in India - where it was initially supposed to be introduced this month.



Reportedly, the Samsung official confirmed that the Z1 would not cost more than 100,000 Korean won (that’s about $90). Come January, Indian customers should be able to buy the new handset online, as well as through Samsung’s “existing sales networks.”



As previously mentioned, ...

Chen now 99% sure that BlackBerry will survive

Chen now 99% sure that BlackBerry will survive:

Yesterday, BlackBerry reported its fiscal third quarter 2015 earnings report. The company was cash flow positive and operating earnings showed a 1 cent a share profit, although on a net basis the company was 28 cents a share in the red. After the report was announced, BlackBerry CEO John Chen spoke with Bloomberg's Emily Chang about BlackBerry's turnaround.



When BlackBerry's CEO was asked about his chances of completely turning around the company, the optimistic Chen said that the odds were 99% in favor of his success. The executive also piqued our interest by saying that BlackBerry would ...

Chen now 99% sure that BlackBerry will survive

Chen now 99% sure that BlackBerry will survive:

Yesterday, BlackBerry reported its fiscal third quarter 2015 earnings report. The company was cash flow positive and operating earnings showed a 1 cent a share profit, although on a net basis the company was 28 cents a share in the red. After the report was announced, BlackBerry CEO John Chen spoke with Bloomberg's Emily Chang about BlackBerry's turnaround.



When BlackBerry's CEO was asked about his chances of completely turning around the company, the optimistic Chen said that the odds were 99% in favor of his success. The executive also piqued our interest by saying that BlackBerry would ...

PhoneArena Awards 2014: Best Smartphones

PhoneArena Awards 2014: Best Smartphones:

Have you ever wondered how many new phones have been announced this year? Well, with all the minor and major manufacturers in business worldwide, arriving at the exact number would be a challenging task. On the other hand, we can easily provide you with statistics on how many new handsets have made it into our database over the course of 2014. The figure stands at over 600 and includes phones of all shapes and sizes – anything from the basic-yet-cheap Nokia 130 to the pricey and feature-packed Samsung Galaxy S5.

Neither of them is PhoneArena's phone of the ...

Samsung's super-wide curved monitor makes your PC extra trendy

Samsung's super-wide curved monitor makes your PC extra trendy:

If both ultra-widescreen and curved computer monitors are all the rage these days, then Samsung's new SE790C display is supremely fashionable. The 34-inch, 3,440 x 1,440 LCD has both a super-wide 21:9 aspect ratio and a gentle arc, combining two tren...

Apple, Samsung pushing tablets for year-end holiday sales

Apple, Samsung pushing tablets for year-end holiday sales: Apple and Samsung Electronics have been offering price cuts for their tablet products for the year-end holidays recently, looking to boost their sales performances for the fourth quarter. Apple will have a chance to sell around 20 million iPads in the fourth quarter, while Samsung's tablet sales may reach 12 million units, according to sources from channel retailers.

Apple, Samsung pushing tablets for year-end holiday sales

Apple, Samsung pushing tablets for year-end holiday sales: Apple and Samsung Electronics have been offering price cuts for their tablet products for the year-end holidays recently, looking to boost their sales performances for the fourth quarter. Apple will have a chance to sell around 20 million iPads in the fourth quarter, while Samsung's tablet sales may reach 12 million units, according to sources from channel retailers.

More signs of trouble for Samsung: It’s the only top phone vendor with declining sales

More signs of trouble for Samsung: It’s the only top phone vendor with declining sales:

In our review of Samsung's new Galaxy Note Edge smartphone last month, we spent a good amount of time discussing the trouble Samsung is currently facing. While the company is still pulling in billions in revenue each month, there is no question that Samsung is in trouble. One need only look at its most recent earnings report for evidence that is impossible to argue with: In the third quarter this year, Samsung's net profit plummeted 60%.

Now, as expected, Samsung is showing a significant decline in another key measure of success for smartphone makers: Handset shipments.

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This new tech can make ID theft and credit card forging almost impossible

This new tech can make ID theft and credit card forging almost impossible:

In light of the many hacks that compromised the security of various retail chains, with hackers being able to steal millions of debit and credit card details that can be used to manufacture forged cards, some researchers believe they have discovered a way to prevent such activities in the future.

Continue reading...

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Motorola will re-enter the Chinese market with new, mysterious products

Motorola will re-enter the Chinese market with new, mysterious products:

In the last couple of years, Motorola didn’t release any new handsets in China, basically abandoning the smartphone market there. But now, after China’s Lenovo bought Motorola Mobility from Google, Moto is seemingly getting ready to make a comeback.



Motorola’s official Chinese website is informing us that new products are going to be announced in the near future. There’s no word on exactly what Motorola will introduce in China, but it’s said that two mysterious handsets - XT1079 and XT1085 - might be included. These are expected to feature LTE connectivity, but little else is known about ...

Global production values for LED-backlit tablets, TVs to fall in 2014, says LEDinside

Global production values for LED-backlit tablets, TVs to fall in 2014, says LEDinside: The global production value for LED-acklit tablets in 2014 is estimated at US$476 million, slipping on year by 21.7%, and that for LED-backlit LCD TVs is at US$2.39 billion, decreasing by 14.3%, according to LEDinside.

Digitimes Research: Verizon to ship three million own-brand tablets in 2015

Digitimes Research: Verizon to ship three million own-brand tablets in 2015: Several mobile communication industry-related players have achieved strong tablet sales for 2014 and in addition to brand vendors such as Lenovo and Huawei, several telecom carriers are also achieving good results selling own-brand 4G tablets that bundle with their telecom services, according to Digitimes Research's new findings. Among the telecom carriers, the largest wireless/mobile telecom carrier in the US, Verizon Wireless, has performed the best.

Upcoming Galaxy E7 specs confirmed by GFXBench, might start a new E-series for Samsung

Upcoming Galaxy E7 specs confirmed by GFXBench, might start a new E-series for Samsung:

Samsung might be ditching its yet-unreleased U series of Android handsets, in sync with its desire to shrink the confusing phone portfolio next year, but that doesn't preclude it from potentially launching a brand new E-series of midrangers. After releasing three Galaxy Alpha or A-series, and a fourth on the way, now it seems we will see a new E-series, with tentative Galaxy E5 and Galaxy E7 titles.



The Samsung Galaxy E7 specs that were rumored by insiders before, are now confirmed by the GFXBench database, as the SM-E700 codename just popped up there, sporting a full list of midrange paraphernalia. ...

The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge might have a gold-plated version, we have some photos to prove it

The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge might have a gold-plated version, we have some photos to prove it:

The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge is rather intriguing on its own (thanks to the Edge display at the front right side), but it looks like an even more head-turning variation of the phablet might eventually make an appearance. The one in question got caught in the wild in Vietnam and what's compelling about it (except the Edge screen) is that it seemingly employs a considerable amount of gold.



A set of three pictures clearly show a gilded Galaxy Note Edge from almost all sides. Gold is the material used for the slightly-protruding side frame of the phablet, the earpiece grill, the volume ...

Motorola will release affordable 4G smartphones in India next year

Motorola will release affordable 4G smartphones in India next year:

Motorola COO Rick Osterloh recently visited India, and talked a bit about the company’s future plans for the country. According to The Economic Times, Motorola hopes to become India’s third largest smartphone vendor in 2015. To do that, Rick Osterloh said that the company will release affordable 4G handsets in the country. "Next year, we are going to be very aggressive in the 4G value proposition for end users," declared Osterloh, adding that India is a very important market.



While there’s no word on exactly what new 4G smartphones Motorola is planning to release, ...

BlackBerry sells out its pre-order inventory of the BlackBerry Classic in North America

BlackBerry sells out its pre-order inventory of the BlackBerry Classic in North America:

Despite the success of the BlackBerry Passport, the large number of multi-platform users of BBM, and the wide ranging Mobile Device Management capabilities of BES12, you still think that CEO John Chen hasn't turned the company around? Well then, you need to chew on the latest hot flash from Waterloo. BlackBerry's online store has sold all of its inventory of the BlackBerry Classic that was set aside for pre-orders in North America.



Unlike the Passport, which is obviously made for the enterprise with its wide screen and unique touch-enabled QWERTY, the BlackBerry Classic is built for those ...

Android inspires another bright quarter for MEA tablet market, says IDC

Android inspires another bright quarter for MEA tablet market, says IDC: The Middle East and Africa (MEA) tablet market continued to record strong on-year growth in the third quarter of 2014, spurred by a huge increase in shipments of Android-based devices. The latest figures announced by IDC showed that the market expanded 29.6% in volume terms during the quarter to reach a total of 4.15 million units. This growth was most evident in the consumer segment, where a number of IT festivals and back-to-school promotions across the region helped boost tablet demand.

Samsung might unveil the 'half-metal' Galaxy S6 as soon as CES in January, dual-edged version in tow

Samsung might unveil the 'half-metal' Galaxy S6 as soon as CES in January, dual-edged version in tow:

Marred by comparatively poor sales of its previous, Galaxy S5 flagship, Samsung might have decided to pull the Galaxy S6 announcement forward, or as soon as CES 2015 next month, claims Korean media. Not only will we be seeing the regular S6 announced then, but also the rumored dual-edged premium version, similar to the way Samsung revealed the Note 4 and Note Edge back in September.

Samsung is aiming at 45 million Galaxy S6 units sold, continues the business publication, citing a local Mirae Asset Securities analyst memo. Out of these, 10 million will be due to the dual-edged ...

LG outs the Tab Book Duo: light Windows 8 convertible with 11 hours of battery life

LG outs the Tab Book Duo: light Windows 8 convertible with 11 hours of battery life:

LG just announced one fine Windows convertible out of the blue, the Tab Book Duo, entering the new era of thin and light Windows computers that have a battery life rivaling or surpassing iOS and Android slates. The Tab Book Duo consists of two components (duh) - a 10" screen part with undisclosed resolution, but disclosed kickstand, and a Bluetooth keyboard that can connect to your Tab Book and your smartphone at once, for instance. The processor part that makes the touted 11 hours of battery life possible remains a mystery, as LG just says a quad-core Intel ...

What to expect from Sony at CES 2015

What to expect from Sony at CES 2015:

Didn't we just leave Vegas? Tech journalists the world over are probably asking themselves that question right now, and with good reason -- the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show is set to open its many, many doors in sunny Nevada in just a few short wee...

Global demand for e-paper on the decline

Global demand for e-paper on the decline: Global demand for e-paper from e-book reader vendors is decreasing mainly due to competition from tablets and as a result, several vendors including Toshiba, Sony and Panasonic have withdrawn from the e-book reader market, according to sources with Taiwan's supply chain.

Global LCD monitor shipments to slip sequentially in 2014, 2015, says WitsView

Global LCD monitor shipments to slip sequentially in 2014, 2015, says WitsView: There will be an estimated 150 million LCD monitors (including all-in-one PCs) shipped globally in 2014, declining on year by 5.1%, and shipments will continue to slip 1.3% to 148 million units, including 17 million AIO PCs, in 2015, according to WitsView, a division of TrendForce.

Taiwan notebook ODMs looking to expand medical electronics business

Taiwan notebook ODMs looking to expand medical electronics business:

In view of stagnant demand for notebooks, Taiwan-based notebook ODMs are turning to focus on strengthening their medical electronics business and are forming relationships with hospitals, clinics and medical service providers and looking for potential partners for joint ventures or mergers, according to industry sources.

There’s an awesome new version of the Galaxy Note 4 – but you can’t get it

There’s an awesome new version of the Galaxy Note 4 – but you can’t get it:

Samsung’s most recent phablet flagship handset might be on the Christmas shopping list for many smartphone fans this year, but they won’t have access to a special Galaxy Note 4 the company has prepared for the holidays. SamMobile reports that a Velvet Red version of the Galaxy Note 4 is going to be available to buyers in South Korea, and it’s unlikely for it to hit other markets anytime soon.

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Better safe than sorry: Apple wants iPhone cases to protect from 1-meter drops

Better safe than sorry: Apple wants iPhone cases to protect from 1-meter drops:

Your iPhone suddenly slips from your palm, headed for a quick and most unfortunate rendezvous with the ground. The shiny gadget collides with it display first, a horrendous crackling sound shakes the air, and you immediately realize that your iPhone's display is no more, not to mention the hideous dents that now surely grace the affected zone of your shiny Apple smartphone. Is there a worse feeling for the average iFan?



Most probably not, and Cupertino is perfectly aware of this. That's why it has recently updated its MFi licensing program, which requires the willing accessory makers for ...

Leaked pics may reveal the high-end Windows Phone we’ve been waiting for all year

Leaked pics may reveal the high-end Windows Phone we’ve been waiting for all year:

What has Microsoft been doing with Windows Phone all year? It's a question we've been asking ourselves again and again as we've watched the likes of Samsung, HTC, LG, Motorola and even OnePlus release one great Android phone after another while the best Microsoft has come up with this year is a Windows Phone version of the HTC One (M8).

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The PhoneArena 2014 census: What brand phone are you using right now? (results)

The PhoneArena 2014 census: What brand phone are you using right now? (results):

With 2014 on its way out, we thought the timing was right to go for a count – which smartphone brands are most popular with our readership? While not technically correct, we nevertheless dubbed it the PhoneArena 2014 census and asked you to vote. It is now several days later, and we're ready to share the results – and judging by the interested the poll generated (over 11,000 of you took the call and voted), we're willing to bet that many of you're are curious to find out what they are.

Well, it should come as no surprise that Samsung ...

Ford's revamped SYNC infotainment system is built for speed

Ford's revamped SYNC infotainment system is built for speed:

Ford has revealed its latest SYNC connected car system, promising smartphone-like performance, conversational voice control and a simpler interface. The SYNC 3 will feature a much brighter touchscreen than previous versions and allow pinch-to-zoom fo...

Iowa Is Going To Let You Use a Smartphone As Your Driver's License

Iowa Is Going To Let You Use a Smartphone As Your Driver's License:

Some time in 2015, Iowa will become the first state to offer an official app from the state's Department of Transportation that can serve as your driver's license and ID. That's pretty incredible. It's also getting us much closer to a more convenient, wallet-free future.

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