Wide spread speculation is littering the Internet as news that Facebook co-founder, Mark Zuckerberg, has taken a trip to South Korea, the home to smartphone makers Samsung.

Since Facebook Home launched in April this year, exclusively for HTC and Samsung handsets, rumors have been doing the rounds regarding whether Zuckerberg and Samsung will team up to create a more Facebook friendly mobile phone. However, as of yet, there has been no concrete evidence to back this up.

Even though there is no definite confirmation that Mark Zuckerberg is seeking Samsung support, there seems more than enough reasons for the Facebook co-founder to pursue this avenue.

If you consider that the latest sell figures for the HTC First, the Android powered Facebook phone, are disappointing for all involved parties, then you can begin to understand why Zuckerberg might want to strengthen his position.

Although the Taiwanese company, HTC, believed that the mobile would be a popular hit with social networkers, the phone appears to have failed to live up to its hype and therefore seems the perfect reason for Zuckerberg to try and gain Facebook success via a different tactic.

According to an inside source, who didn’t want to be identified, the owners of Facebook have every intention of making the social networking site as big as Google, and therefore are eager to have the cooperation of technology giants, such as Samsung, to help them achieve this goal.

This does appear to be the case when you look at the new features Facebook is intending to add in order to keep users interested and coming back for more, most recent of which is news that the site will have clickable hashtags.

And then there is the news that a Facebook RSS Reader could be on its way to becoming a reality, which seems to be another indication that the social network site is eager to continue having a strong presence amongst Internet users.

However, although this could be Facebook’s long-term goal, the inside source believes that Zuckerberg and co could be in for a difficult pitch, especially when you consider that Samsung doesn’t want more competition to deal with.

With Google positioned as Samsung’s most formidable rival in the handset business, it seems unlikely that the respected brand would welcome yet another competitor.

Nevertheless, when you realize that LG Electronics is also based in South Korea, and Zuckerberg hasn’t made contact with them, the likely hood that his trip is for anything other than business with Samsung doesn’t seem quite as plausible.

Until then, all we can do is keep our eyes peeled and await further news on the Mark Zuckerberg Samsung tour story.

[Image via The Korean Herald]

Mark Zuckerberg Tours Samsung, Facebook Phone Rumors Start Up Again is a post from: The Inquisitr

AT&T Wireless plans to debut 25 solar-powered mobile charging stations throughout New York City.

The company on Tuesday announced the new project which it dubs “Street Charge.”

To accomplish its goal, AT&T has partnered with solar power company Goal Zero and Brooklyn’s very own Pensa Design, the company that developed the stations.

The charging stations will remain in place until October. If users take to the chargers for their mobile needs, AT&T Wireless plans to launch the initiative in other cities. Which cities will receive the stations in the future have not been revealed.

The first mobile charging stations are arriving today at Fort Green Park in Brooklyn. Even the 25 stations will land in spots that include Union Square, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Coney Island, Riverside Park, and Hudson River Park.

According to Joe Atkin, president and CEO of Goal Zero:

“Nearly half of all Americans own a smartphone, and the amount of time we spend on handheld devices has increased dramatically. All too often, we hear the dreaded low-battery beep and it happens at the most inconvenient times. Street Charge will fix that.”

Each charging station features 30-pin and Lightning plus for iPhones and iPads and micro-USB chargers for Android and Windows phones.

The AT&T Wireless charging stations are all powered by three 15-watt solar panels alongside a 168 watt-hour battery. The large battery attached to each station can allow the mobile charging platforms to continue operating even after several days without sun.

While most people won’t stand around an AT&T Wireless solar-powered mobile charging station for long periods of time, the stations could allow for a quick charge in-between meetings and days out on the town.

Do you think more cities should begin to implement solar-powered charging stations in order to supplement the power-consumption needs of residents and visitors?

[Image Via Goal Zero]

AT&T Wireless Setting Up Solar-Powered Mobile Charing Stations In New York City is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Sony Xperia Z is making its way to the United States in the “coming weeks,” and it will be available for sale exclusively through T-Mobile online and T-Mobile retail stores.

The Xperia Z is a water-resistant smartphone that features a 5-inch 1080p “Reality Display” that is powered by the mobile Bravia Engine 2.

Also offered on the Xperia Z is a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor that runs a 1.5GHz alongside 2GB RAM.

Photography loving mobile users will appreciate the smartphones 13-megapixel Exmor RS camera which features HDR video. Thrown into the mix is also a front-facing 2-megapixel Emor R version setup.

Sony also offers 16GB storage on the T-Mobile exclusive handset and LTE connectivity.

The smartphone will be offered with a  limited-edition purple version alongside a standard black paint job.

T-Mobile went ahead and announced the smartphone and even provided a link to details on its website but failed to provide an exact release date or pricing details.

We don’t know at this time how long the exclusive T-Mobile agreement will last. Typically, devices are released for a short period of time to gain traction, and then they earn new wireless partners as users take to the device.

Are you ready to spend a few hundred dollars to purchase the Sony Xperia Z?

Here’s the T-Mobile teaser page.

[Image via T3]

Sony Xperia Z Shipping In US Within Weeks, Exclusive To T-Mobile is a post from: The Inquisitr

AT&T Wireless has begun rolling out new Wireless Emergency Alerts for iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 users. The new alerts include the ability to turn AMBER alerts on and off. One type of message users will not be able to turn off are messages delivered by way of Presidential alerts.

The update arrives when users add iOS 6.1 or higher to their devices. AMBER alerts and Emergency alerts can be helpful for AT&T users and anyone wanting to help find missing children. However, those options are optional and therefore are opt-out ready.

If you don’t want to receive AMBER alerts and Emergency alerts on your iPhone, you can simple navigate to the devices notification settings and turn them off.

President Obama’s presidential alerts will arrive regardless of a user’s desire.

While WEA messages are always delivered free of charge to all AT&T Wireless customers, the move will likely anger Republicans and Independents who don’t support President Obama. The move may even anger Obama supports who feel their government in recent weeks has overstepped its bounds with the NSA PRISM program.

While the presidential messages are enabled, users shouldn’t expect to see daily messages from the POTUS. Instead, messages will be delivered when issues of national importance are on the docket.

Attacks against America, major natural disasters, impeding disaster — all of those issues may trigger an important Presidential alert. While we might not always want to hear from the President, most of us probably want to know if we need to get out of dodge.

Do you think AT&T Wireless and the US Government is overstepping its bounds by making it impossible to turn off Presidential alerts on your iOS 6.1 and higher devices?

AT&T Wireless Rolling Out Forced President Obama Alerts For iPhone Users is a post from: The Inquisitr

Apple CEO Tim Cook has said repeatedly that Apple will not release iPhone’s with bigger screens until better display technology is made available. A new report suggests that Apple may be reversing that course, and the tech giant could release its next iPhone model with a larger screen and more color options.

A report from Reuters suggests that the next iPhone may be starkly different than the current iPhone 5 model.

Apple is believed to currently be scouting out larger displays for a smartphone that could be released before the end of 2013.

In terms of color choices, Apple is rumored to be going with a plastic body, which could allow for simple color changes.

According to the rumor, Apple iPhone devices could arrive with 4.7-inch and 5.7-inch displays. In comparison, the current Apple iPhone 5 features a smaller 4-inch display.

Apple, as is usually the case with iPhone rumors, is refusing to comment on the future of displays on Apple iPhone devices.

In a recent conversation, Tim Cook said Apple doesn’t offer a larger display because they come with “a lot of tradeoffs.” Cook then added:

“People do look at the size, but they also look at things like if the photos show the proper color, the white balance, reflectivity, battery life, brightness, the longevity of the display.”

The Reuters report also echoes statements by theWall Street Journal, which claims a $99 low-cost iPhone is in the works.

Tim Cook recently said Apple iPhone devices will only be expanded to include more options if customers demand those options. The real question is whether Apple iPhone users want a cheaper entry level device and if they will pay more for a 4.7-inch iPhone or even a 5.7-inch iPhone.

If you’re hoping for a major size upgrade to occur with the Apple iPhone 5S, you are probably out of luck. That device is expected to feature some small tweaks alongside the Apple iOS 7 platform.

Would you pay more for an Apple iPhone with a bigger display?

Apple iPhone’s With Bigger Screens And More Colors May Soon Arrive, $99 Price Suggested is a post from: The Inquisitr

Apple CEO Tim Cook started his Monday night keynote at the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) by relaying some of the impressive statistics associated with Apple developers and the Apple Apps Store.

According to Cook, the five year old Apple App Store has now served more than 50 million app downloads while hosting more than 900,000 apps of which 375,000 have been created specifically for Apple iPad devices. Cook revealed that 90 percent of all apps are downloading on a monthly basis thanks to 575 million App Store accounts. Cook also revealed that one million of those customers now use the Apple App store daily.

Cook also revealed that most Apple customers now have a credit card on file and many use one-click purchasing to obtain Apple products. Cook believe Apple now has more credit cards on file than any other company on the internet.

According to Tim Cook, Apple has now paid more than $10 billion to developers, and he believes that amount is “three times more than all other platforms combined.”

Cook’s own analysis points to Apple controlling 74 percent of all developer revenue compared to 20 percent for Android and 6 percent split among Blackberry, Windows Phone OS, and other mobile platforms.

Keeping with user account numbers, Cook also revealed that more than 300 million people now have iCloud accounts, a number that would make iCloud the “fastest growing cloud service ever.” Cook also revealed that Game Center has registered 240 million users while iMessages have sent out 8 billion messages. Apple has also pushed out 7.4 trillion push notifications through its iCloud platform.

So how did those numbers come about? Apple has now sold 600 million units, devices Apple says are used 50-percent more than Google Android when it comes to logging onto the internet.

Tim Cook also notes that Apple iOS 6 now takes up 93 percent of all iOS devices while Google Android Gingerbread still only controls 37 percent of the Android market. Cook pointed out the Apple versus Google numbers to showcase how Apple devices don’t suffer from the fragmentation issue of Android devices.

Are you impressed with Apple’s App Store and device purchase/use statistics?

Apple Has Paid $10 Billion To App Store Developers, Now Claims 1 Million Daily Visitors is a post from: The Inquisitr

Apple changes to the iPhone and iPad’s iOS 7 includes digital radio and a new interface.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 5S rumors say the next generation iPhones will likely be launched during the autumn and summer, respectively. The Apple iPhone rumors say the iPhone 5S will start taking orders on June 20th and ship out in July.

The biggest Apple changes everyone is looking forward to is the launch of an Apple digital radio service. Apple is reportedly finalizing music deals to announce its streaming music and radio service at the WWDC event. The Apple digital radio service will compete with apps like Rdio, Pandora and Spotify and will generate revenue through integrated advertising.

Apples changes for the iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 include a new camera and home button. Fingerprint detection security measures will be another major Apple change since they purchased Authentec.

Apple fans might be distressed about Apple changes to the iOS 7 interface being featured in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 5S. The iOS 7 update in the iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 is being described as “black, white, and flat.”

The lock screen will change from the traditional grid to round black buttons. App icons will be flatter and matte colored. The apps will themselves redesigned to be more uniform and black and white.

Apple changes to Mac OS X are also expected. Over time, Apple is expected to merge Mac OS X and iOS 7 into one operating system that functions on all platforms.

Are you looking forward to the Apple changes to the iPhone and iPad?

Apple Changes To iPhone iOS 7 Include Digital Radio, New Interface is a post from: The Inquisitr

AT&T Wireless on Sunday joined Verizon is pushing its phone upgrade policy to a full two years.

Under the company’s new upgrade plan, customers must now wait a full two years to purchase a fully discounted smartphone alongside a new two year contract. Before the two year period, customers will find themselves paying smartphone prices that can range from around $100 to $800.

Before the policy shift, AT&T Wireless customers could receive a full device discount if they had been with their current contract and were in good standing after 20 months of continued cellular service.

The company’s policy shift was revealed on Sunday afternoon thanks to a leaked internal memo, which didn’t provide much information behind company’s rationale in pushing out the upgrade period for a full two years.

The AT&T Wireless upgrade shift affects new customers and existing customers whose wireless agreements expire on or after March 1, 2014.

In order to receive upgrades, customers will also need to upgrade within the same device category. That means you must upgrade to a smartphone if that is what you are currently using for cellular phone service.

AT&T Wireless phone upgrades will not be affected for “Corporate Responsible Users” who already have contracts in place with AT&T wireless.

AT&T has decided to lengthen its phone upgrade period just two months after fellow competitor Verizon Wireless announced a 24 month plan of its own.

When Verizon Wireless announced its 24 month phone upgrade plan, it said at the time that it was aligning the “upgrade date with the contract end date and is consistent with how the majority of customers purchase new phones today.”

Do you think the AT&T Wireless’ plan to push phone upgrades to 24 months will ultimately affect customer sales and retention? I personally always hope to keep my phone for at least 24-36 months before upgrading.

AT&T Phone Upgrade Period Extended, Now 2 Years Long is a post from: The Inquisitr

iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 release date rumors are pointing to a new camera and home button for the iPhone 5S and iPhone 6.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 5S rumors say the next generation iPhones will likely be launched during the autumn and summer, respectively. The Apple iPhone rumors say the iPhone 5S will start taking orders on June 20th and ship out in July.

Very few solid rumors regarding the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6 have surfaced at this time. Apple is expected to upgrade to iOS 7 and add a faster processor, improved retina display, NFC support, 4G, 802.11ac wireless networking, and potentially a low-cost version of its popular iPhone line. Apple iPhone 6 and 5S rumors also say the iPhone 5S will incorporate fingerprint detection security measures since Apple purchased Authentec.

One thing known for certain is that the iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 will feature iOS 7, which has an interface and new apps design described as “black, white, and flat.” It’s been suggested there could be three variants of the new iPhones, nicknamed the iPhone 6 Mini, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 XL. The Apple iPhone trade-in program will also allow Apple fans to upgrade their current iPhone to the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6.

But iPhone 5S rumors showing components pictures have leaked out and they showcase improved cameras and a new iPhone home button using a capacitive touch area. The newer front-facing camera is expected to be at least 2 megapixels. A dual head vibration motor points to improved reactive feedback for the iPhone 5S.

Will you be buying an Apple iPhone 5S and iPhone 6?

iPhone 5S And 6 Release Date Rumors Show New Camera, Home Button is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Apple iPhone is bad for businesses, and the current trend towards bring your own device (BYOD) policies being enacted around the country is troubling, according to a mobile pioneer.

The new policies allow employees to choose which devices they want to use on the job. In many cases, IT departments are supporting iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and Blackberry OS all at the same time.

Mobile industry pioneer and Sepharim Group founder Bob Egan is speaking out against the BYOD culture and the unnecessary complications and expenses it brings to many businesses.

Speaking to Chief Mobility Officer Egan explains:

“BYOD falls between two opposing needs: the freedom of the employee to use their devices for business and personal purposes without the fear of having their privacy invaded and the importance of an organization’s need to audit mobile data to further productivity and optimize their mobile work program. However, in this first wave of mobile ubiquity in the enterprise, we’re finding ourselves ruled by the will of the individual. Employees prefer to choose their own devices based on personal preference rather than the overall needs of the company — and much of this has been caused by the wild popularity of the iPhone.”

The creator of the IEEE 802.11 WLAN standard goes on to note:

“Mobile workforces have exploded with Apple devices; they’re cute, they have a lot of applications … While many companies are drawn in by the ‘eye-candy,’ others are still looking for more serious enterprise solutions — which isn’t Apple.”

Egan further reveals that Apple iOS devices are still lagging behind other OSes when it comes to gathering important data which is needed to design better mobile applications for businesses.

Egan concludes:

“While Apple devices make inputing information easy, getting information back is a lot harder especially when you begin to consider information audit trails and regulatory compliance matters.”

Apple iPhone Is Bad For Businesses Says Mobile Pioneer is a post from: The Inquisitr

Google’s control over Android seems to be a hot topic as of late, and sources such as CNN report that most Android phones do not run the best versions of Android, and the Nexus Experience could be a big game changer.

While the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One have already been released, the upcoming versions of those smartphones will be released with the “Nexus Experience,” the stock version of Android.

According to CNN:

“Though Nexus Experience phones will be exclusively available on the Google Play store, they won’t be the same as other “Nexus” devices offered by Google. Google designs those phones’ hardware in addition to the software.”

They continue on to say:

“Convincing manufacturers to release Nexus Experience devices is an important step for Google in reclaiming its open-source Android mobile operating system. Over the past few years, the search giant had in many ways lost control.”

Because other phone manufacturers such as HTC were using customized versions of the Android software, that made it difficult for Google to push out their updates. So, as a result, CNN reports:

“If manufacturers actually decided to update their devices, they were (and still are, if these usage figures are any indication) frequently a year or two behind the latest version of Android.”

That is just one of the reasons why the Nexus Experience is so crucial for Google. If they can get their idealized vision of the Android onto the most popular devices, Google will finally be able to get updates to phones faster.

Other sources believe that Google really has nothing to worry about, saying:

“When it comes right down to it, many of the reasons that people are attracted to Android — the use of Google Inc’s services, the openness of the Play store, the ability to tweak the device — are fundamental to Google’s continued control.”

It would seem that as long as Google continues their work on their Android products and continues working on their other services such as the Google Play Store, then there shouldn’t be a big fear of Google losing control of Android.

For all those who currently work with an Android powered phone, do you believe the Nexus Experience will further benefit your smartphone habits?

[Image via Digital Trends]

‘Nexus Experience’ Crucial In Order For Google To Regain Control Of Android is a post from: The Inquisitr

The HTC One may very well be the best built Google Android smartphone to hit the open market in 2013, and now the high-end phone and its decent reviews will make its way onto the Verizon Wireless network.

The HTC One has become popular enough that Google will soon offer a stock Android version of the device. The Google version is expected to drop before the end of June.

Verizon has been the one big holdout for the One but finally gave in to customer requests and a smartphone market that has been slow to release new devices.

Verizon Wireless has not yet revealed an exact release date, pricing, or other specifics for the HTC smartphone.

While “Summer” could mean a release date late into August, it is more likely that Verizon Wireless will attempt to capitalize on HTC One sales ahead of the next Apple iPhone release. The iPhone 5S and low-cost iPhone models are expected to drop by September or October 2013.

Verizon announced the upcoming release of the HTC One via Twitter. Unfortunately, the social networks 140 character limit means not much information was available. Verizon said during the big reveal that it doesn’t “have additional details to share at this time.”

When the HTC One was first being released, it was HTC that said the Google Android based smartphone would not be making its way onto the Verizon network.

While HTC may not have had the support of Verizon, the company is in desperate need of a big win. HTC revenues have been slaughtered by Apple and Samsung devices over the last five years, and the company was hedging many of its bets on the success of the HTC One.

Are you a Verizon Wireless customer who is excited to get their hands on the HTC One when it eventually arrives?

HTC One Arriving At Verizon This Summer is a post from: The Inquisitr

Apple iPhone sales throughout India have increased by 400 percent since January 2013. According to a report from a Credit Suisse analyst, the company is selling around 400,000 iPhones per month in the country, the equivalent of a 300 to 400 percent increase in iPhone orders.

Based on those numbers, Apple only trails Samsung in terms of overall sales in the country. Samsung, however, offers a much larger range of devices in India, including entry-level smartphones and feature phones which attract less well-to-do buyers.

According to analyst Sunil Tirumalai in a note to investors, Apple has changed its iPhone image in India by offering discounts, trade-in programs, and equal monthly payment (EMI) plans that have made the iPhone seem more reasonably priced for buyers in India.

Based on current estimates, Apple now controls around three percent of India’s handset market, not a bad sum in a country where feature and low-end phones still dominate the landscape.

Before announcing discounts and new payment plan types, Apple was suffering through 70,000 to 80,000 device sales per month.

Apple started the EMIs program for its iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S models. The program requires a small down payment and then equal payments with no interest for 12 months.

The Apple campaign was so aggressive that Samsung and other competitors followed suit in order to fend off Apple’s aggressive pricing and payment options.

Apple’s advertising has definitely worked in terms of smartphone sales. Taking feature phones out of the mix Apple went from a 3.9 percent to 15.6 percent share of the smartphone-only market versus the previous quarter.

The Apple iPhone 4 is currently outselling the Apple iPhone 5 in India, likely due to the price differences between the two smartphones.

Also joining in on the aggressive discount programs and EMIs are Nokia and Blackberry, two companies that have traditionally done very well in India.

Do you think Apple can continue to grab market share in India by aggressively discounting its devices and offering monthly payment plans?

Apple iPhone Sales Increase By 400 Percent In India is a post from: The Inquisitr

Apple CEO Tim Cook took to the stage at AllThingD’s D Conference on Tuesday night, and he spoke about everything Apple.

During his talk, part of the discussion turned towards Apple’s lack of an iPhone model with a bigger display size.

Cook was quick to point out that Apple is not adverse to a larger display size. The company simply doesn’t believe technology is available that matches an Apple customers needs.

According to Cook, “a large screen today comes with a lot of tradeoffs.”

Among the tradeoffs of a bigger screen is more battery power, colors displaying incorrectly, and a darker overall output.

Cook says Apple will continue to watch technology changes and weigh all display size variables as technology meets the company’s stringent quality guidelines. Cook says ultimately Apple engineers will “come out with a decision” when the time is right.

Apple has long maintained that it does not implement certain technologies because the tech doesn’t meet the company’s focus on perfection and mass appeal. For example, NFC technology, a new payment and data transfer platform, has yet to make its way onto Apple based devices.

Tim Cook also notes that the company is currently very interested in wearable technology, although he believes Google Glass is ultimately a niche product that likely won’t receive mass appeal.

During his talk Tim Cook also touched upon Apple TV and its six million sales year-over-year. Apple TV has now moved 13 million Apple TV units.

Apple shareholders have not been happy with the company’s performance lately, a fact that could lead the company to adopting new technologies at a faster rate.

Are you among the Apple iPhone users who want a bigger display size along the lines of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC smartphones?

You can watch Tim Cook’s full AllThingsD talk here:

Apple iPhone Displays Won’t Get Bigger Until Technology Is Better, Tim Cook Says is a post from: The Inquisitr

Noise canceling tech 400 times faster than Google Fiber has been declared entirely possible in new findings published via Nature Photonics.

The research team was led by Xiang Liu of Bell Laboratories, who used a process known as phase conjugation to shoot a signal 400 gigabits per second through 12,800 kilometers of fiber optic cable.

Compare that to what Google Fiber offers — one gigabit per second — and you can see where the noise canceling tech 400 times faster than Google Fiber claim comes from.

According to Venture Beat, noise canceling headphones utilize a microphone that captures any outside noises within earshot. That mike sends an inverted set of sounds picked up by background noise to cancel out. Fiber optic cable makes use of light waves for the transference of data, and Liu’s team believes that the same process can be used in the newer medium.

The only drawback is that it requires an enormous amount of power to speed up the process, and that power results in a lot of “noise,” which would slow down the speed and reliability of your Internet.

Sending twin light beams down a fiber optic cable to accompany the original transmission would eliminate the noise, thus resulting in an Internet surfing experience that basically takes you to the sites you want to go to or streams movies, sports, and TV, before they’ve even happened.

(We’re joking, of course.)

Point is, current high-speed Internet isn’t exactly the drag that dial-up was. But even at the current best, Google Fiber blows it out of the water. And noise canceling tech could possibly make GF seem like dial-up.

The mind boggles.

The discovery is reminiscent of those days when a certain IQ writer stared at the upcoming screenshots for games on the Sega CD and thought to himself, “No way they’ll ever top this.”

So even as Google’s revolutionary Internet infrastructure expands to more cities and the FCC demands one gigabit service in all 50 states by 2015, it’s entirely possible we’re dealing with an already outdated piece of technology.

Do you think noise canceling tech 400 times faster than Google Fiber is possible on a broader scale?

[Image via ShutterStock]

Noise Canceling Tech 400 Times Faster Than Google Fiber Possible is a post from: The Inquisitr

LG Mobile Vice President Kim Wong announced on Tuesday that his electronics firm will not be developing the Google Nexus 5 despite the success witnessed through sales of the Google Nexus 4.

Wong made the announcement on the same day he revealed a new white version of the Google Nexus 4.

While Kim called the Nexus 4 “a great success despite the production problems for us and Google,” he added, “We do not need such a marketing success again.”

While LG has found some level of success with the Google Android based device, the company must use a stock version of the Google Android OS ,which allows for no mobile software branding.

Another representative for the company says the firm will not work on the next Google Nexus, but “that doesn’t mean we would turn down the opportunity.”

Kim Wong also says that, unlike Samsung and the Galaxy S4, which will feature a vanilla Android installation option, his company plans to keep selling Android devices with their own “skins.”

Turning his attention away from smartphones, Kim says the tablet market is still fair game despite issues of segmentation.

Furthermore, Kim says he believes, “The current duopoly of Google and Apple is not healthy for the market.” Unfortunately, that statement only leaves us with more questions. Will LG move away from its reliance on Google Android and instead create something exciting and new? Or will they wait for someone else to enter the market and then further fragment their own devices between multiple operating systems.

There are still a lot of unanswered questions in the smartphone and tablet market. Customers are still figuring out what they want, and manufacturers are still figuring out how to deliver on those desires. One thing is for certain: At least for the next few years, LG and Google are in bed together.

LG Won’t Build Nexus 5, Turns Attention To Tablet Market, OEM Devices is a post from: The Inquisitr

LG on Tuesday confirmed the arrival of the white Nexus 4. Rumors about the white version of the popular smartphone have been floating around for months.

The white counterpart for the Nexus 4 will go on sale over the next few weeks. LG will debut the smartphone in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. The first shipment will go on sale May 29 in Hong Kong, China.

While the Google Nexus 4 will receive a new white finish, the rest of the smartphone will remain exactly the same.

The Nexus 4 features a 4.7-inch 1280×768 True HD IPS+ screen that is powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with 1.5GHz output and 2GB RAM. While LG has not disclosed the storage capacities for the Nexus 4, it will likely feature the same 8GB and 16GB setups offered on the black version of the device.

Other features include an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera, a non-removable 2,100mAh battery, and a clean install of Android 4.2. Unfortunately, 4G LTE is sorely lacking, which places the device behind its major competitors including the Samsung Galaxy S4, iPhone 5, and HTC One.

LG has not confirmed if it will sell the white version of the Galaxy Nexus 4 directly through its own website or make it available for purchase via the Google Play Store.

While LG is attempting to carve out further sales for its Google-sponsored smartphone, the company’s future doesn’t appear to include a Nexus 5 smartphone. In an interview with AllAboutPhones, LG executive Kim Wong said that the Nexus 4′s success means that the company “does not need such a marketing success again.”

It was reported at the start of the month that LG was already working on a Nexus 5 smartphone. Some analysts have noted that Google was more likely to create its own smartphones thanks to its acquisition of Motorola Mobility.

Do you think LG can stand on its own two feet and create Google Android-based smartphones that capture sales from Apple and Samsung?

White Nexus 4 Confirmed By LG is a post from: The Inquisitr

Foxconn is best known for manufacturing a majority of Apple’s iPhone and iPad devices. Now the Chinese devices manufacturer is planning to produce and sell its own brand of accessories.

According to a new report, the company will create various accessories for electronics devices that include Apple smartphones.

The move makes sense since Foxconn parent company Hon Hai already owns numerous retail outlets throughout China.

An unnamed executive tells the Wall Street Journal that Foxconn is attempting to build its own accessories so it can diversify its client base. Apple currently accounts for an estimated 50 percent of Foxconn’s profits, and the company’s revenue fell by 19 percent last quarter. Foxconn tends to experience drops in revenue when Apple waits upwards of a full year to release a new iPhone or iPad device.

Selling electronics accessories could help the company avoid seasonal problems with revenue.

This is not the first attempt by Hon Hai to generate more revenue for Foxconn. The company recently invested in LCD display manufacturer Sharp. Foxconn has recently expressed its desire to manufacturer and sell 4K televisions.

Foxconn is expected to produce and ship its own accessories with the ultimate goal of receiving access to Apple’s very lucrative Apple-branded accessories market.

The move shouldn’t come as a surprise because accessories are cheap to manufacture and offer extremely high profit margins.

The rumor also suggests that Foxconn is investigating an online sales channel that could provide accessories for smartphone, tablet, and other device lines.

From power chords and headphones to cases and bluetooth based keyboards, Foxconn plans to develop as many accessory types as possible.

Foxconn To Build Own Line Of Device Accessories is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Nokia line of smartphones could soon add a 16-lens camera that provides for “computational photography.” That particular tech known as light field photography was recently implemented in the Lytro camera. The technology allows users to take a general photo and then focus the depth of field via software.

While Nokia has not officially proclaimed its support for Lytro technology, Nokia executive vice president for smartphones Jo Harlow made the following statement:

“If you look at where imaging is going, computational imaging is an area of exploration. Being able to capture even more data – data you cannot even see with the human eye that you can only see by going back to the picture and being able to do things with them.”

The announcement shouldn’t come as a surprise. Last month, Nokia invested in Pelican Imaging, a start up that focuses on computational photography through the use of a 16 lens setup. Known as “plenoptic cameras,” the setup takes multiple shots from various focal points. After a photograph is taken, the user chooses where to focus the shot.

The biggest problem with computational photography is that it currently takes an intensive amount of computational programming, which requires a dedicated device or included computer software.

According to Harlow:

“While the technology exists to create such a camera module, the issue is that it is computationally intensive to perform, and previously only allowing for images to be adjusted on a dedicated device or through a computer. That was one of the limitations in bringing that kind of experience on a smartphone. Changes in the processing capabilities of smartphones opens it up as an area of exploration.”

Interest in computational photography is really heating up. Toshiba is also working on a type of light field photography that uses an array of 500,000 lenses that sit in front of an image sensor. Toshiba’s technology aims to keep all parts of a shot in focus regardless of distance from the lens.

Would you like to see computational photography arrive on Nokia smartphones?

Nokia Hints At Lytro-Style Camera Tech In Future Smartphones is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini was accidentally placed on the Samsung website over the weekend.

The S4 Mini, also known as the Galaxy GT-19195, was placed on the Samsung apps websites and was quickly removed after the discovery was screen captured and posted online.

Samsung’s apps site allows users to sort apps by device to determine the compatibility of mobile software. Samsung separates the site into a grid of devices that are listed by name and photo.

While not much is known about the Galaxy S4 mini at this time, rumors are pointing to a 4.3-inch display compared to the Galaxy S4′s larger 5-inch display. The display also features a Super AMOLED output with 960×540 pixels of resolution. The device is also expected to including a 1.6GHz processor.

Also expected to be offered with the Galaxy S4 Mini is an 8-megapixel camera.

We still do not know when the Galaxy S4 mini will be released; however, the Galaxy S III Mini was revealed and released only a short period of time after the Galaxy S3 was released for sale.

Will you be picking up the Galaxy S4 or waiting to pick up the smaller but still capable Galaxy S4 Mini?

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini Accidentally Leaked On Company Website is a post from: The Inquisitr

The iPhone 6, iPhone 5S, and iPhone Mini rumors say the iOS 7 interface will be “black, white, and flat all over.”

The Apple iPhone Mini, which is the long rumored cheaper version of the iPhone, will feature colors including navy, gold-orange, white, and gray, or possibly white, pink, green, blue, and yellow-orange. The signature black will be reserved for the high end iPhone 5S and iPhone 6.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 5S rumors say the next generation iPhones will likely be launched during the autumn and summer, respectively. The Apple iPhone rumors say the iPhone 5S will start taking orders on June 20th and ship out in July.

Some say the June release rumor of the Apple iPhone 5S is causing cell carriers to delay their 4G plans:

“The operator had originally planned to switch on superfast mobile broadband in cities in June, but said on Tuesday it would wait until August or September. The Silicon Valley giant [meaning Apple] had been expected to introduce an updated version, the iPhone 5S, that will work at the new frequencies in June, but it was reported last month it had been pushed back because of manufacturing delays.”

Besides delays, Apple fans might be distressed about future plans for the iOS 7 interface being featured in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 5S. The iOS 7 update in the iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 is being described as “black, white, and flat.”

The lock screen will change from the traditional grid to round black buttons. App icons will be flatter and matte colored. The apps will themselves redesigned to be more uniform and black and white.

Gone are the days of the shiny gradient curves highlighted by shadows as inspired by Steve Jobs. This is the modern look that Jony Ive, Apple’s senior vice president of industrial design, has cooked up for the iPhone 5S and iPhone 6. It’s almost as if Apple is in mourning for Steve Jobs. Or perhaps Jony Ive is trying to copy the style of the Windows Phone 8, which also features simple design aesthetics?

iPhone 6 And 5S To Be ‘Black, White, And Flat All Over’ With iOS 7 is a post from: The Inquisitr

Apple iPhone 5S and low-cost iPhones will be featured in multiple colors, according to a new rumor on the web.

According to a rumor from Macotakara, the low-cost iPhone will feature a plastic shell instead of aluminum. The company claims that the plastic shell will make it easy for Apple to offer white, pink, green, blue, and yellow-orange designs.

MacRumors believes the devices will ship in a different color palette with navy, gold orange, white, and gray.

It is also rumored that Apple will sell the low-cost device for $350 to $400.

The more expensive iPhone 5 is also expected to ship with a host of new colors. The current rumor points to standard black and white models alongside green or gold devices. A previous rumor also claimed that Apple was mulling over the idea of a pink iPhone.

If several different colors are not enough to excite you about the iPhone 5 and low-cost iPhone, perhaps the rumored dual-LED flash will help sway you.

One rumor states that the low-cost iPhone will go into limited trial production in June, leading to expectations of a 2013 release that would be directly against current speculation of a 2014 release.

Apple, of course, is no stranger to multiple-color devices. The newest version of the iPod Touch comes in a host of colors that have been a hit among consumers.

By offering various color options for the iPhone 5 and low-cost iPhone, Apple could better compete with the Samsung Galaxy S4 and other devices that often provide customers with various color options.

Other options rumored to be arriving for iPhone devices are a fingerprint reader and quite possibly the removal of the home button, which would be replaced with a touchscreen option.

As has been the case with every iPhone product, the team at Apple is remaining close-lipped about its new iPhone 5 and low-cost iPhone products.

Apple iPhone 5 And Low-Cost iPhone To Feature Multiple Colors is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Samsung Galaxy S4 will release with Samsung tweaked and “stock” Google-based Android operating systems when it arrives in the United States on June 26.

We have now learned that the June 26 date will include a $649 unlocked version of the device, which has been branded as the S4 “Google Edition.” Featuring a straight from the factory Google Android setup, the S4 Google Edition will only be sold to US customers through the US Google Play Store.

Instead of featuring Samsung TouchWiz technology over the Google Android OS, the smartphone offers an untouched version of Google Android.

Other than the difference in operating systems, the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition are the exact same smartphones in terms of hardware.

The biggest draw for US buyers may be the lack of TouchWiz and the ability to purchase an unlocked device right out of the box.

In comparing prices, the LG created Google Nexus 4 is $299 for the 8GB model and $349 for the 16GB model. Google is currently planning to release a white version of the Google Nexus 4. The new Nexus 4 color option is expected to ship with Google Android 4.3 pre-installed.

Recent rumors have suggested that Samsung would like to move away from the Google Android OS in the years ahead; therefore, Google attempting to capitalize on its own OS via Samsung’s popular hardware in many ways makes sense.

With the Apple iPhone 5S and potentially the iPhone 6 set to be announced in the coming months, it looks as if 2013 will shape up to be quite the battle on the mobile front.

Are you interesting in purchasing a Samsung smartphone with a stock version of Google Android, or do you prefer the Galaxy S4 with TouchWhiz technology pre-installed?

Samsung Galaxy S4 ‘Google Edition’ With ‘Stock’ Android Will Be US-Only Model is a post from: The Inquisitr

Oklahoma City tornado victims will not be forced to pay for any call overages they rack up with AT&T Wireless.

The wireless giant on Tuesday announced that overage charges in the area will be suspended through June 30.

AT&T notes that many Oklahoma City tornado victims are repeatedly calling friends and family to check on their loved ones. Those high call volumes are likely to lead customers towards high call numbers that push past their monthly allowances.

While an AT&T representative suggests using text messaging rather than voice calling because of potential call traffic problems, they also acknowledge that many worried network users enjoy the comfort of a voice call.

In its growing attempt to assist victims, AT&T Wireless says it will add additional resources as needed to help relieve cell congestion.

AT&T customers who want to donated to relief efforts in Oklahoma City can also use the networks technology. Simply text “REDCROSS” to 90999. A single text message will add $10 to your AT&T Wireless bill.

At least 91 people were killed when the mile wide tornado tore through the city. Devastation in the area included the destruction of entire neighborhoods that stood in the path of the massive funnel.

Government officials have already declared the area a major disaster area, and federal funds have been assigned to aid individuals and business owners. Workers are currently working on home repairs while low-cost loans are being offered to help cover uninsured property losses and for other assistance purposes.

With AT&T Wireless announcing that Oklahoma City tornado victims will not be charged wireless carrier overages, there is a good chance that other carriers will follow suit in the hours and days ahead.

Have you donated to help Oklahoma City tornado victims?

Oklahoma City Tornado Victims Won’t Be Charged Overages By AT&T Wireless is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Samsung Galaxy S III is expected to receive a facelift in the near future, and a leak of that upgrade has made its way online.

Samsung will provide the new facelift with the release of the Google Android 4.2.2 ROM update. According to the new report, the ROM is currently being tested internally by the manufacturer.

Once released, the leak shows a new lock screen and design cues that appear to take directly from the Galaxy S4 smartphone.

The test firmware was spotted by SamMobile, the tech website points to a revised water ripple effect, lighting effects, and the ability to add multiple widgets to the S3 lock screen.

The new firmware also appears to allow users to remove the auto-brightness option from the notifications pulldown. Samsung is also poised to be adding quicker access to Quick Toggles via a two-fingered pulldown.

Settings for the Galaxy S III update also appear to be accessible via tabs just as they are with the Samsung Galaxy S4.

Also overhauled via the ROM update is an improved driving mode. Samsung is also offering improvements via the Smart Switch option, which provides quicker access to voice control modes, and S-Voice.

Samsung still has time to add more options to the update or potentially remove features that don’t test as expected.

The Samsung Galaxy S III is expected to receive the new ROM update to Android 4.2.2 sometime in June.

As always, the S III ROM update will be free to customers and will released based on each wireless carriers own schedule.

Will you be updated to Android 4.2.2 when it is finally released by Samsung?

Samsung Galaxy S III Update Leaked, Gets S4 Inspired Facelift is a post from: The Inquisitr

Cell phone use could indicate brain dominance.

The side of your head you hold your cell phone to could reveal which half of your brain you use the most, according to a study by lead researcher Michael Seidman, of the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at Henry Ford. Chances are, if you hold your cell phone to your left ear, the right side of your brain dominates your mind. However, this may not be entirely true, as you may hold it to your left ear and write with your right hand.

Dr. Seidman stated:

“by establishing a correlation between [brain] dominance and sidedness of cell phone use, it may be possible to develop a less-invasive, lower-cost option to establish the side of the brain where speech and language occurs rather than the Wada test, a procedure that injects an anesthetic into the carotid artery to put part of the brain to sleep in order to map activity.”

In other words, it may be possible to put half of your brain to sleep in order to discover how easily you function socially in the meantime, but using a cell phone might make the procedure unnecessary. Cell phone use could be a major determining factor toward figuring out which side regulates your speech and communication.

The study also reveals that cancer in your head, neck and brain may not have any connection to how you hold your phone at all. In other words, you might get a tumor in the side of your brain opposite where you listen to your cell phone.

You might take this as a clue that using Bluetooth to talk on the phone, preferably when you’re not behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, is just inconsiderate. Bluetooth makes you harder to understand, and just planting that phone next to your ear won’t harm you at all and makes you sound much clearer (hint, hint).

The study for brain dominance was based on online surveys sent to 5,000 people with questions about what side of the head you most commonly put your cell phone against, history of tumors, and hand dominance. Again, the study still remains a theory, as some of us hold the device to our left ear and write with the opposite hand, and we’re not ambidextrous.

Do you think there is any connection between cell phone use and brain dominance?

Cell Phone Use May Indicate Brain Dominance [Study] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Apple has recently decided users of its App Store shouldn’t be “Banging.”

The Bang With FriendsFacebook app has been removed from Apple’s App Store for unexplained reasons. If you go into the App Store and search for “BWF Official,” it won’t be there. In fact, in place of its original location, you instead get an error message stating, “The item you’ve requested is not currently available in the [US] Store.” The web page for Bang With Friends also says, “Be right back.”

It seems from the information we have that the app may simply need some tweaking before it’s ready for the public, but that shouldn’t be enough to stop us from using it anyway. Glitchy apps are almost the norm if you really look at the comments on most of them. After all, if they had intended to completely remove it, why is there a message saying it would be right back?

Bang With Friends is a Facebook application that allows people to discreetly let others know they would do the nasty with them. And if you’re not interested, you will never know. Of course that didn’t work so well for people who started using it too early, as the app overrided the privacy settings to let all of their friends know they were using it. That certainly wouldn’t come up at a family get-together with that one person who can’t keep a secret to save their life.

Apple is known to remove and ban applications that don’t meet its guidelines, but with the use of discretion that Bang With Friends is supposedly known for, it doesn’t seem like that big a problem.

Apple has not responded to requests for comment on its removal of Facebook‘s Bang With Friends from its App Store. We’re guessing some uptight people might have flagged it enough to get it reviewed for continued use. Of course, that’s just speculation.

Why do you think Apple removed Bang With Friends from its App Store?

Apple To App Store Users: No Banging For You is a post from: The Inquisitr

The NEC Medias X is officially the first smartphone to feature a liquid-cooled system. The Medias X 06E will be released as part of NTT DoCoMo’s summer release schedule.

The smartphone uses a tube of liquid that transfers heat from the devices quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor to a graphite radiator that is located on another part of the device.

Instead of removing heat from the device the liquid-cooling tube simply disperses heat to other parts of the smartphone to slow overheating.

While Qualcomm allows the processor to be clocked at 1.9GHz the NEC Medias X uses just 1.7GHz, even with its liquid-cooled core.

Liquid cooling isn’t the only feature users will love. The NEC Medias X also comes equipped with a 13.1-megapixel rear camera with a backside illuminated sensor. The high-end smartphone also offers a front-facing 1.3 megapixel counterpart.

Also featured on the liquid-cooled smartphone is a 4.7-inch OLED display that outputs at 720×1280 pixels resolution.

The smarpthone also offers NFC technology, Wi-Fi capabilities and compatibility with Japanese digital TV services which are powered by a 2,300mAh battery.

The NEC Medias X is only expected to be sold in Japan, however if the technology is successful it could find its way into other smartphones.

As mobile devices continue to cram more technology into their ever decreasing sizes technology that helps cool those devices could grow in importance.

Do you want to buy the NEC Medias X or other smartphones that offer liquid cooling? Teamed with an aluminum design this could be a big win for power users.

NEC Medias X: The First Smartphone With Liquid Cooling is a post from: The Inquisitr

The BlackBerry Messenger application (BBM) is making its way from BlackBerry devices to both the Google Android and iOS platforms this summer.

The announcement reveals that iOS and Android users will be able to download and use the app for free.

The application will first debut with only core BBM functionality, which will then extend to other aspects of the BlackBerry system later in the year.

Among the apps features are BBM chats, multi-person chats, voice note sharing, and BlackBerry Groups with message and file sharing between up to 30 members.

According to BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins, “we’ll bring voice, screen share, and of course, channels later on.”

Heins says the launch date for BlackBerry Messenger is “subject to approval by Google Play and the Apple App Store.”

BBM is compatible with iOS 6 and devices running Android 4.0 and later.

The BlackBerry Messenger platform has been an integral part of the company’s platform for years and opening it up for use outside of BlackBerry devices might signal the company’s rumored move towards software only development. According to Andrew Bocking, executive vice president of software product management and ecosystem at BlackBerry:

“For BlackBerry, messaging and collaboration are inseparable from the mobile experience, and the time is definitely right for BBM to become a multi-platform mobile service.”

More than 60 million monthly active users currently take advantage of the BlackBerry Messenger service, and more than 51 million of those users engage with BBM for an average of 90 minutes per day. With more than 10 billion messages sent each day with BBM, now seems like the perfect time to massively expand the BlackBerry Messenger apps reach.

With many companies now providing “bring your own device” support, the move to allow cross-device BBM use could help some business users stick with their familiar BlackBerry-based smartphones and maybe even try out BB10.

Will you be downloading BlackBerry Messenger when it arrives for iOS or Google Android?

BlackBerry Messenger Coming This Summer To iOS, Android Platforms is a post from: The Inquisitr

Is Apple preparing to ditch the push-style home button that has remained a centerpiece of its devices design aesthetics? A new rumor suggests that Apple will remove the home button for the next iPhone release, instead replacing the smartphone button with a capacitive touch area that would utilize the same functionality.

Some rumors pointed to the home button implementing a fingerprint reader, but the only evidence supporting that rumor has been Apple’s 2012 acquisition of security firm Authentec.

The new rumor suggests that Apple will replace the home button with a sapphire glass coating that is meant to avoid scratches to its surface.

The suggestion for the new display comes from a Taiwanese tech site, which also claims that the scratch-resistant glass will be the same material currently used to protect the camera on the Apple iPhone 5.

Apple is no stranger to removing moveable hardware with touchscreen options. After years of use, Apple replaced the scrolling wheel found on its iPods with touch-sensitive areas.

Experts are still mulling over the possibility that Apple’s fingerprint technology could potentially be used alongside fingerprint technology. If that’s the case, Apple could present a long-lasting fingerprint reader that increases security while bringing a new aesthetic to the iPhone 5S.

Isomorphic controls would mean a user could set their fingerprint with the smartphone and then never need to worry about setting a password. Because isomorphic controls can not be easily cloned, device security would benefit greatly.

Apple has yet to confirm or deny current fingerprint reader rumors.

Apple iPhone To Ditch Home Button, Move Towards Capacitive Touch Area is a post from: The Inquisitr

The HTC First was heralded in as the first fully featured Facebook phone, but customers didn’t bite, and now the smartphone is facing the possibility of being discontinued.

Sources close to sales of the HTC device claim that AT&T Wireless has sold less than 15,000 units nationwide. Those sales included AT&T’s special $1 smartphone sale.

According to BGR, the $1 sale was a precursor to total discontinuation of the phone, with salespeople making “little if any effort to sell the handset to customers.”

What’s worse is that HTC paid AT&T to guarantee that the Facebook friendly phone would receive prime positioning at point-of-sale displays throughout AT&T retail stores.

It’s believe AT&T is only keeping the phone in stores now because its contract requires the phones to remain.

In responding to the claims, AT&T says:

“As mentioned previously, we do pricing promotions all the time and have made no decisions on future plans.”

AT&T reps have called the phone “hard to justify” in terms of keeping it on store shelves.

The HTC First has been marred with problems associated with the Facebook Home platform. HTC Home was met with many one and two star ratings. At the time of this post, 47.7 percent of Facebook Home ratings suffer from a one-star placement. The Facebook Home OS as a whole averages just 2.3 stars. In comparison, Facebook’s Android app has a 3.6 rating and Facebook Messenger scores much higher with a 4.4 out of 5 star rating.

HTC use to command a majority of the smartphone market, and now the mobile phone manufacturer is pinning all of its hopes on the well received HTC One. The company’s CEO has promised to step down from his post if the HTC One fails to gain traction and the company’s profits continue to suffer.

Do you think the HTC First was a major misstep for both HTC and Facebook?

HTC First Sales Awful, Facebook Phone Being Discontinued By AT&T is a post from: The Inquisitr

Sony on Monday officially revealed its new waterproof smartphone. The Sony Xperia ZR phone can be dropped in up to five feet of water and remain submerged for 30 minutes before going dead.

The smartphone offers a nice set of features that includes a 13-megapixel camera that can be used to shoot videos and take photos while under water. Sony has even created a lock screen access option so photos can be taken in every state.

Adding to the Sony Xperia ZR’s camera setup in Sony’s Exmore RS for mobile image sensor, which brings with it HDR (High Dynamic Range) for both photographs and videos. Sony also offers burst mode, which allows users to snap an unlimited series of photographs at 15 frames per second.

Speaking about the company’s newest smartphone Xperia Marketing director Calum MacDougall says:

“The Xperia ZR pushes the boundaries on where and how consumers can use the full potential of their smartphone. By combining Sony’s leading camera technology with the highest level of water-resistance, you will never miss another moment.”

The Sony Xperia ZR is powered by a capable Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core 1.5GHz processor. The smartphone also features a 4.6-inch HD Reality screen that is powered by Sony’s Mobile Bravia Engine 2 technology.

The ZR also comes equipped with 4G LTE technology, which takes advantage of the Google Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS.

The Sony Xperia ZR is expected to make its debut this quarter, although Sony has not provided a specific release date or pricing for the device.

Are you going to take a closer look at the waterproof Sony Xperia ZR when it makes its official debut?

Sony Debuts Waterproof Xperia ZR Phone is a post from: The Inquisitr

Samsung Electronics has announced that it has made a major breakthrough when it comes to the next generation of smartphones and believes it will be able to roll out 5G smartphones by 2020.

The announcement on Monday means that the company is the first major smartphone producer to make such a boast. The Galaxy S4 creator says it has actually perfected the technology needed for the fifth generation of connection speeds, but the delay will come in getting users online.

A report last month noted that the company has been a bit “freaked out” by the quality of its competitor’s phones and it appears that this revelation is a direct response.

Samsung’s solve seems to come with their new ability to use a higher frequency band. This higher band will allow the company to send massive data packages at much higher speeds “without limitation.”

The 5G network speeds would apparently dwarf what we are seeing at 4G in the same way that the fourth generation devices have outclassed 3G.

In their official announcement this morning, the South Korea based company said that, “”The millimeter-wave band is the most effective solution to recent surges in wireless Internet usage.”

So why will the rollout take as many as seven years to get here? The answer to that is simply that it takes a while for the new consumer networks to get online on a wide scale.

4G networks became a reality in 2008, but there are still wide swaths of the United States that don’t have access. China is having problems getting their LTE networks up and running as well.

This announcement does serve to put the company’s competitors on notice that they are coming to play in the next couple of years.

If nothing else, this means that other players in the market are going to have to step up their own game.

Will Samsung be able to back up its claims about their 5G breakthrough?

Samsung Claims 5G Smartphones On The Horizon is a post from: The Inquisitr

Google SMS search is no more. The search giant quietly killed the platform this week, bringing an end to searches being conducted by users of non-smartphone or feature phone devices.

Google SMS search was a semi-popular feature before users gained access to higher end devices that provided faster and better search results.

The Google SMS service allows users to text messages to 466453 (Google) and then receive search results back in the form of a text message. The messages returned were actual answers to questions and not links to web pages. Google SMS search was often used for currency conversions, weather information and local listings.

Google employee Jessica S. posted on Reddit:

“Hi everyone,

Closing products always involves tough choices, but we do think very hard about each decision and its implications for our users. Streamlining our services enables us to focus on creating beautiful technology that will improve people’s lives.

Thanks,
Jess”

While the Google services page still shows a link for Google SMS it simply leads to a 404 page.

Feature phone sales worldwide have been on the decline as more users shift towards low-end smartphones in areas where income simple doesn’t afford middle and high-end upgrades.

According to Gartner the number of mobile phone sales in the last quarter of 2012 was 472 million units, that’s down from 478 million units a year prior.

Google SMS search has long been replaced with voice activated search features that offer a more rich and immersed experience.

Google at this time has not explains if the move was based on a lack of participation in the Google SMS search platform or simply a lack of revenue that could be generated from the simplistic program.

Google SMS search did have one positive, it was a great way to find quick information for travels who weren’t paying for roaming data plans.

Will you miss Google SMS search or did you already forget that it existed.

Google Kills SMS Search Service is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Department of Defense has approved the use of Apple and Samsung smartphones. The devices will be available to Pentagon workers starting next week. Apple iOS 6 devices have been approved for use alongside Samsung Android phones that have been hardened with the company’s Knox security lockdown. The Pentagon is also expected to allow BlackBerry BB10 smartphones on its high-security data networks.

News of the move comes shortly after Apple received iOS FIPS 140-2 certification via the CoreCrypto kernel module.

In the past the DoD was skeptical to allow any smartphones on its network that did not come from BlackBerry. However, the Pentagon in March got the ball rolling by announcing plans to purchase upwards of 650,000 Apple iOS devices for military deployment.

The DoD admits that the Samsung Knox Security suite known as Android “Vanilla” does not meet security requirements “out-of-the-box” like iOS and BB10 does. However, the mobile devices can be tweaked to offer the type of security expected for Pentagon officials and the men and women who serve the US military in the field.

According to a recent report the iOS purchase includes 120,000 iPads, 100,000 iPad minis, 200,000 iPod touches, and 210,000 iPhones of various models. More than half of the devices will be deployed in areas of war. Remaining devices will be given to support personal and contractors working for the Pentagon.

The brand new smartphone purchases will be used to replace BlackBerry devices that run on legacy OS’ which are dated by today’s technological standards.

With higher speed mobile data networks and new technologies available it was only a matter of time before the Department of Defense made the switch to modernized equipment.

Do you think allowing BlackBerry BB10, Apple iOS, and Samsung Android devices in the field and at the pentagon is a smart move by the Department of Defense?

Samsung And Apple Smartphones Receive DoD Approval, Arrive At Pentagon Next Week is a post from: The Inquisitr

In October 2012 the members of Congress introduced a universal cell phone unlocking law. Immediately customers and consumer advocacy groups blasted the bill for making it illegal to unlock a smartphone.

Now, a new amendment to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) aims to end the illegal practice of unlocking cell phone. The bill known as the Unlocking Technology Act of 2013 aims to clarify that the DMCA should only apply in cases where circumventing digital rights management or other copyright systems would directly aid in copyright infringement.

The new DMCA amendment is sponsored by Representative Thomas Massie, Representative Anna Eshoo, Representative Jared Polis, and Representative Zoe Lofsgren.

Under the new law it would not be a violation of the original act “to circumvent a technological measure in connection with a work protected under this title if the purpose of such circumvention is to engage in a use that is not an infringement of copyright.”

The DMCA amendment would allow developers to create unlocked tools and other technological tools that are not meant to be used for non-infringing purposes of copyright.

Not only would the bill circumvent the universally stupid Library of Congress and US Copyright Office ruling from October 2013, it would also open up other copyright related uses. For example, users would be able to rip a DVD for storage on a media server while sharing that data would still remain illegal.

In a statement regarding the bill Representative Lofgren writes:

“This bill reflects the way we use this technology in our everyday lives. Americans should not be subject to fines and criminal liability for merely unlocking devices and media they legally purchased.” Rep Massie claims “This bill rolls back excessive and out-dated prohibitions on otherwise lawful innovations that promote marketplace competition.”

The bill would change parts of the DMCA’s trade agreements and therefore includes the following clause:

“The president shall take the necessary steps to secure modifications to applicable bilateral and multilateral trade agreements to which the United States is a part in order to ensure that such agreements are consistent with the amendments made by this act.”

Customers have long complained about the cell phone unlocking bill because wireless companies are still allowed to charge an early termination fee if customers leave because their contract is completed. Customers in the meantime can not take the phone they just paid for to another carrier.

Do you think making cell phone unlocking illegal was a bad decision on behalf of the Library of Congress.

DMCA Amendment Seeks To End Unfair Illegal Smartphone Unlocking Law is a post from: The Inquisitr

The AT&T no contract service called Aio Wireless will feature prices cheaper than most cell carriers.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, the AT&T no contract plans through Aio Wireless were announced just today.

The monthly AT&T no contract plans range in price, from $35 to $70. No contract plans include 4G service. Additional options, including extended data or international talk and text, can be included for an additional charge per month.

The launch of Aio Wireless will be similar to MetroPCS, which focuses on metropolitan areas primarily. AT&T no contract plans will initially become available in Tampa, Houston, and Orlando. AT&T plans to expand the offer to more states throughout the year. Unlocked phones can be transferred to the service, or new phones can be purchased directly from Aio Wireless.

But how is the AT&T no contract plan pricing when compared to competitors? The AT&T no contract plan is being offered primarily to compete with T-Mobile’s no contract plans, which also received the iPhone 5 recently. T-Mobile also bought MetroPCS, which focuses exclusively on no contract plans, but like Aio Wireless MetroPCS will to continue operating as a separate brand name. Still, MetroPCS and T-Mobile will be merging their cell networks and 4G coverage by the end of the year.

An AT&T no contract plan comparison shows the prices to be similar to MetroPCS, which throttles 4G speeds down to 3G speeds after a monthly bandwidth limit is met. Aio Basic provides 250MB of 4G speeds, talk, and text for $40 per month. Aio Smart throttles after 2GB for $55 per month. Aio Pro throttles data after 7GB for $70 per month.

MetroPCS plans are priced at $40, $50, and $60, with throttling speeds respectively set at 500MB, 2.5GB, and unlimited 4G. MetroPCS also includes taxes within these prices and family plans knock off $5 per phone. While MetroPCS pricing is better than the planned AT&T no contract plans, MetroPCS is still only available in limited markets (of course, so is Aio Wireless).

A no contract Boost Mobile plan from Sprint starts at $55 per month for unlimited 4G with Android smartphones. But the initial $55 price shrinks down to $40 if no payments are missed after 18 months.

After seeing this AT&T no contract plan price comparison for Aio Wireless, which cell carrier will you choose?

AT&T No Contract Service Aio Wireless Price In Cell Carrier Comparison is a post from: The Inquisitr

Huawei is preparing to release the Huawei Ascend W1 in the United States. Expected to launch before the end of the month, the W1 will mark the first time Huawei has delivered a Windows Phone 8 smartphone to US customers.

Huawei will sell the device through Walmart Stores and via Walmart.com.

The Ascend W1 was first spotted at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in February of this year. The smartphone includes the following features:

• - 4-inch IPS display with Gorilla Glass protection
• - Display resolution of 480×800
• - 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor
• - 512MB of RAM,
• - 1.7GB of storage available to the user from the internal 4GB, extendable by up to 32GB via microSD.

The smartphone also offers a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus alongside an LED flash and 720p video recording. The front side of the smartphone offers a VGA camera.

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Huawei has not revealed pricing for the entry level device but promises that it will be “competitively” priced versus other prepaid phones.

The prepaid cellular market is really heating up in recent months. T-Mobile during its financials reporting call this week announced its seventh straight quarter for which it increased the number of off-contract subscribers it now services.

With customers now being offered the chance to pick up unlocked and discounted high-end smartphones at lowering prices, it will be interesting to see how many customers jump at an entry level smartphone from a manufacturer most US customers have never heard of.

Will you be picking up the Huawei Ascend W1 when it arrives at Walmart stores later this month?

Huawei Ascend W1 Will Deliver Company’s First Windows Phone 8 To US Market This Month is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Nokia Asha 501 smartphone will launch in June. The phone was leaked on Thursday and offers a three-inch 320×240 pixels of resolution. The $99 smartphone offers a touchscreen setup alongside a brand new mobile operating system aimed at the entry-level smartphone market.

Nokia is launching the new device with its Series 50 software and Smartphone technology. Nokia is calling the new mobile OS the Asha platform.

Nokia says its new OS is an open, standards-based option which will allow for apps to be downloaded via the Nokia Store in the future. Nokia plans to offer the new OS on numerous Asha smarterphones in the near future.

Nokia will allow developers to port Series 50 apps to the new Asha OS with several changes. Features on the OS are pre-installed versions of Facebook and Twitter. Nokia is also offering the ability to download forty free games from EA via the Nokia Store.

After booting up the Nokia Asha 501 smartphone, users are given the option to use two different home screens. The first screen features an app grid known as “Home,” which provides normal phone functionality. The second option is known as “Fastlane,” and it tracks and logs apps so users can launch them quickly and efficiently.

The Nokia Asha as an entry level device offers baseline features including a rear 3.2-megapixel camera. The Asha 501 also offers a small amount of internal storage and a microSD card with 4GB added memory.

While the Asha 501 will come with single and dual SIM card functions, it will only connect over 2G and Wi-Fi networks.

Buyers looking for a long-lasting battery won’t be disappointed. The Nokia Asha 501 can survive for up to 48 days in standby. The dual-SIM variant offers 26 days of standby and 17 hours of talk time.

The Nokia Asha 501 smarterphone will first launch in India, Africa, and Latin America. Eventually the smartphone will release in 90 countries.

Check out the gallery below to see the smartphone in the wild alongside six different color variations.

Nokia Asha 501 Launching In June For $99 is a post from: The Inquisitr

The 32GB version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone costs $237 to build, according to research firm IHS.

The Galaxy S4 is just below the cost structure of the larger Galaxy Note tablet thanks in large part to Samsung sourcing many of its own device parts. The Samsung Galaxy Note costs $270 per production unit.

According to IHS analyst Vincent Leung:

“Samsung’s strength is this ability to in-source to itself. They just keep adding to the list of components that they can supply to themselves.”

IHS breaks down the cost structure for each component in the device. The Galaxy S4 international division includes the Samsung-produced Exynos 5 Octa processor, which costs $28 per chipset. The US version on the other hand uses a Qualcomm-provided Snapdragon processor which is $8 cheaper at $20 per unit.

The US versions of the Samsung Galaxy S4 also include a Fujitsu image processor that adds an additional $1.50 to the cost of each device.

Samsung adds another $75 to the cost of each Galaxy S4 thanks to its higher-end display and touchscreen setup.

Throw in 16GB more than the lower end option and another $28 is added into the mix.

Other costs associated with the Samsung Galaxy S4 included Corning for the Gorilla Glass display cover, Broadcom with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, a Maxim power management chip, and Triquint Semiconductor.

The IHS will release a full teardown report for the Samsung Galaxy S4 on May 9.

While Samsung may be spending $237 per smartphone, the company receives more than 100 percent margin on each device sold to wireless carriers.

Will you be picking up the Samsung Galaxy S4 on contract at a lower price or off contract with a cost that is double the production value?

Samsung Galaxy S4 32GB Version Costs $237 To Build, IHS Study Finds is a post from: The Inquisitr

T-Mobile USA recently announced its Uncarrier campaign, and so far it appears to be working. The wireless carriers Q1 2013 results show that, while the company is continuing to lose high-earning postpaid accounts, it has gained pre-paid customers for seven quarters in a row.

Revenues at T-Mobile USA hit $4.68 billion, a decline of seven percent from the $5.03 billion period during the same quarter 2012.

According to the financial report, pre-paid customer numbers increased by 202,000 subscribers while the company lost 199,000 branded postpaid customers.

While 3,000 additional customers may not seem like a big deal, it’s actually the first time since 2009. According to T-Mobile, total customer additions are up by 579,000.

T-Mobile also reports that service revenues decreased by 10 percent to $4 billion. The decrease in revenues was offset by higher revenues from the company’s equipment sales.

T-Mobile says that since April 12 it has sold approximately 500,000 iPhone 5 smartphones while adding another 100,000 pre-owned iPhones per month since announcing the “Bring Your Own Device” program.

CEO and President John Legere says of the company’s Q1 2013 metrics:

“Our first quarter operating metrics and financial results are showing positive impact from the changes we began making in the fourth quarter Things only get more exciting from here, having brought T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS together to create the wireless industry’s value leader and premier challenger.”

T-Mobile and MetroPCS merged on May 1 and results from that merger should be reported in the company’s next quarterly earnings report.

While we can’t be for certain what effect T-Mobile’s pre-paid movement will have on the wireless industry as a whole, it does appear that customers may be making the switch from contract plans to T-Mobile’s UnCarrier and pre-paid plans.

Do you think T-Mobile and its focus on non-contract plans is a move in the right direction?

T-Mobile USA Gains Pre-Paid Customers For Seventh Quarter In A Row is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Apple iPhone 5S and low-cost Apple iPhone will go into full production starting in June or July, according to a new report from Morgan Stanley.

Analyst Katy Huberty met with suppliers in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and, based on those meetings, they claim a launch date sometime in September 2013.

Recent rumors from Sharp’s display division have also claimed that the devices would start production in June or July.

While the report does not offer any new details about the new low-cost iPhone model, it appears that production will begin on that device. The low-cost iPhone is expected to sell well in China with a “sweet spot” selling point of $160.

Speaking about the iPhone 5 Huberty’s sources say sales are in line with analysts forecasts despite other reports which have shown a lack of mass interest in the device.

Recent reports have suggested that Apple is scaling back iphone 5 production because of “lower-than-anticipated” demand. Focusing on that demand question, Huberty writes:

“After a slow start, iPhone 5, is now on track to meet carrier volume expectations and iPhone 4 price cuts could stimulate incremental demand near-term. Carriers see the opportunity for Apple to expand market coverage with 5-inch and lower-priced iPhones over time. TD-LTE licenses, and related phone launches, are expected by year-end.”

Apple is facing mounting competition from the likes of Samsung and Google. The Samsung Galaxy S4 has been well received by reviewers, and the HTC One has been called a step in the right direction for the struggling smartphone manufacturer.

Apple rumors have included a plastic body for the low-cost iPhone and a fingerprint reader for the iPhone 5S. Analysts also suggest that iOS 7 will launch with the release of the new iPhone devices and that the new phones will feature a radical departure in Apple hardware design.

Are you eagerly awaiting the release of a new iPhone 5S or low-cost iPhone?

Apple iPhone 5S And Low-Cost iPhone Production Starting In June/July is a post from: The Inquisitr

We’ve heard it a million times, and yet another study claims that Apple’s iOS still beats the better selling Google Android OS in terms of overall web usage.

The analytics guru’s at Piper Jaffray studied US mobile web traffic in April 2013 and found that iOS controls a 69 percent market share, up from 66.4 percent in March 2013.

The Jaffray study also finds that Google Android now commands a 28.7 percent market share for web usage, up from 26.5 percent in March 2013.

According to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster:

“For the second straight month in our tracking of the data, iOS gained on Android as a source of mobile traffic. We believe the traffic data continues to demonstrate that iOS is not only the leading platform in the US, its users are generally more engaged with their mobile devices.”

Munster examined traffic from the following 10 mobile websites: Answers.com, Tumblr, ChaCha, Examiner, LinkedIn, Bleacher Report, Hubpages, White Pages, Squidoo, and Dictionary.com.

The final result was simple: Apple and Google are gaining ground at the expense of Windows Phone, BlackBerry, and other mobile platforms. The study found that other mobile platforms have fallen from 4.9 percent market share to 4.5 percent.

Interestingly, the study found that the usage gap between iPhone and iPad users has continued to shrink. While iPhone users represented 60.3 percent of traffic in March 2013 and iPad users represented just 39.7 percent of the company’s mobile web traffic, the iPad jumped to 41.7 percent in April 2013.

With more Android devices appearing on the market every week and Apple shares slipping, the remainder of 2013 will be an interesting time for investigating Apple’s shrinking stranglehold on the mobile market.

Apple iOS Still Kicking Android Butt In Terms Of Mobile Usage, Study Finds is a post from: The Inquisitr

A new market share study from the team at comScore claims that Apple is winning in the US smartphone market while Google Android is helping the search giant win in virtually every other country.

According to recently acquired data, Apple’s smartphone market share increased from 36.3 percent in Q4 2012 to 39 percent in Q1 2013. The same survey finds that Google Android devices lost US market share, slipping from 53.4 percent to 52 percent over the same reporting periods.

Apple has continued to receive increased interest in the United States while Google Android smartphones appear to have peaked in 2010.

BlackBerry 10 and Windows Phone devices are not fairing well at this time; however, as we learned from their quick fall from grace, customers are willing to jump ship in a heartbeat if a new piece of technology captures their imagination.

Apple, in the meantime, is dealing with a slow release schedule, which leaves more than one year between major updates to both its iOS platform and iPhone hardware.

In a chart representing the shift in mobile dominance, Horace Dediu at Asymco explains Google Android’s growth in the US mobile market compared to other OS’.

Notice in the Asymco chart that third place competitor BlackBerry also managed a slight increase, more than likely do to the one million plus Q10′s the company is believed to have sold in Britain and its home country of Canada.

With the HTC One already selling and customers clamoring at the chance to own a Galaxy S4, it will be interesting to see what this market share study has to say about the mobile space when 2013 draws to a close.

iPhone Dominates In US As Android Wins Internationally is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Google X phone is the company’s first solo attempt at a smartphone and the product of its $12.4 billion acquisition of Motorola Mobility. While the X Phone has not officially debuted, the team at Tinhte.tn recently posted photos which were quickly followed by rumored specs for the smartphone.

On Thursday, photos of the device in a protective casing were revealed. While those photos did not showcase the full design for the X Phone, they appeared to validate Tinhte’s leaked photos (pictured above and below) which were revealed in March.

The Google X phone appears to have a sleek design with a display that nearly reaches the edges of the device.

According to 9to5Google, the phone is believed to feature a 4.7-inch (diagonal) HD display, 32GB of internal storage, and 2GB of RAM.

With Google owning the X Phone, the device is also expected to feature Google Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. It is very likely that future upgrades to the OS will be pushed out quickly since the Android OS being featured will be a direct take on the mobile OS.

It is also reported that the Google X Phone will ship with 25 different protective skin color choices.

While Google is remaining tight-lipped about the Google X Phone, some analysts believe it will debut during Google’s three-hour Google I/O keynote address later this month.

Are you ready to jump ship from Samsung, LG, or another manufacturer to give the Google X smartphone a chance? I will personally reserve judgement until Google I/O.

Meet The Google X Phone is a post from: The Inquisitr

BlackBerry 10 sales have left something to be determined in the United States, but the devices are being eaten up by smartphone buyers in Britain and Canada.

A new study by Jeffries analyst Peter Misek suggests that the BlackBerry Q10 is selling well in both regions where users are eating up the chance to once again use a QWERTY featured handset.

BlackBerry didn’t receive the sales levels investors had hoped for when it released the touchscreen-only BlackBerry Z10, and some analysts worried that the BlackBerry OS had been left behind for good.

The Q10 is different than the Z10 as it serves a niche QWERTY keyboard market that is often overlooked. While HTC still and other manufacturers release the occasional qwerty smartphone, those devices are typically reserved for entry-level and mid-level devices, often in emerging markets.

According to Misek:

“Our checks indicate broad sellouts with generally limited stock otherwise … Based on our store checks, the BlackBerry Q10 has been selling extremely well and has been sold out or seeing limited availability in Toronto and across the U.K.”

BlackBerry hasn’t reached the mass appeal success it was hoping for, but it did sell more than one million Z10′s in the last period, proving that some interest still exists.

When asked what they thought about the Q10′s potential for sales, executives at the company claimed it would sell in the “tens of millions.”

At this time, the number of units sold in Canada and Britain have not been revealed by the tech firm.

Do you think the BlackBerry smartphone line is still alive and kicking or struggling for its last breath?

BlackBerry 10 Sales Strong In Canada, Britain is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Google Nexus 5 may come in the form of another collaboration between the teams at LG and Google.

A report circulating on Saturday suggests that the South Korean electronics manufacturer is working with Google to create the next-generation Google Nexus 5 smartphone.

Last month, rumors began surfacing in which the Nexus 5 would be a simple retooling of the company’s last device. The new rumor suggests the companies could be working on a new distinct Nexus phone.

Sources at the Korea Times claim that Google founder Larry Page recently met with LG CEO Koo Bon-joon, and they discusses how the company’s could improve their relationship.

The source claims that LG wants to take its relationship to the next level, perhaps through the creation of smart TVs and wearable technology. The new tech would use Google’s software know-how and LG’s hardware expertise. LG Display already provides screens for Apple and other devices and its ability to scale production could provide Google with the power it needs.

When the Google Nexus 4 debuted, the handset sold out in less than half an hour. Google and LG oversold the handset and offered only a limited amount of supply. Analysts were quick to point out that the Google Nexus 4 would have sold out even with light demand because of supply levels.

Google aligning itself with LG couldn’t come at a better time. Samsung, the Android smartphones largest supporter, is believed to be planning its own OS that could debut in the next five years. Should Samsung choose to ditch Android OS in the future, Google could shift its focus and massive sales potential to LG.

LG, receiving a vote of confidence in the meantime, could lead to other manufacturers choosing the South Korean company for their own product builds.

Do you think LG and Google will make for a good future partnership?

Google And LG Working On New Nexus Handset is a post from: The Inquisitr

US Cellular will finally begin carrying an assortment of Apple iPad and Apple iPhone devices in late 2013.

At this time, the mobile carrier has not revealed which devices it will offer or what subscription plans will go along with those devices.

If the plan to sell Apple devices occurs in 2013, it is likely US Cellular will gain access to the Apple iPhone 5S, the fifth-generation iPad and the second-generation iPad mini, all of which will debut before the end of the year.

There is even the slight possibility that Apple will deliver the iWatch in time for a US Cellular debut. The iWatch however has been talked about in very little detail.

US Cellular currently operates in 26 states and provides service for 5.8 million subscribers as of the end of 2012. The cellular network is currently working to deploy its own 4G LTE network. With Apple devices featuring high-speed data, the move couldn’t come at a better time for US Cellular.

The move could be big for US Cellular. After Sprint Wireless finally signed a deal with Apple, it witnessed an increase is subscribers. Even T-Mobile finally began offering the Apple iPhone 5. US Cellular could ultimately offer a pricing plan like T-Mobile’s no-contract pricing structure. The T-Mobile iPhone 5 costs more than double the cost of an iPhone 5 with a 2-year contract plan.

Numerous regional carriers have noticed the potential of the Apple product lines and have adopted the technology for their smaller user bases.

Do you think the Apple iPhone 5S and Apple iPad mini will ultimately help US Cellular grab a bigger piece of the cellular market?

US Cellular To Start Carrying Apple Products In Late 2013 is a post from: The Inquisitr

Google’s brilliant virtual assistant Google Now debuted to rave reviews in late 2012, and now the company is combating a rumor that the popular program is massively draining users batteries.

Google Now delivers various tidbits of information including weather, driving directions, meetings, travel times, sports scores, and other forms of immediate interactions.

The application debuted for iOS devices this week and almost immediately users began complaining about a problem with the apps use of location based services. According to complaints Google Now is causing location services to stay on and drain users’ batteries.

Google Now already doesn’t allow for push notifications for iOS users, which makes it less attractive than its Google Android counterpart.

Google Now was inevitably built with a battery drain issue. Because the program gives users information before they even know they need it, the program is constantly working in the background. Apple, unlike Google Androi,d minimizes what apps can do when in the background.

In a statement released to Lifehacker, Google revealed:

“Reports that Google Now drains battery life are incorrect. We understand people’s concern about seeing the Location Services icon stay on when they use Google Now. Many apps that keep the icon on actually do drain the phone’s battery because they require very accurate location. (For example a navigation app has to run your GPS all the time to keep you from missing your turn.) Google Now is built very differently: it uses cell towers and wifi hot spots for much lower battery impact.”

“We extensively tested Google Now on iOS for months and didn’t see reports of significant battery impact — we would encourage you to try it in the Google Search app for a few days and we don’t expect you to see significant impact on your battery. If you are seeing a problem, please do tell us (just tap feedback in the app settings). We take user feedback very seriously.”

Google Now is part of the Google Search app for iOS and can be downloaded for free.

Google Denies Battery Drain Caused By Google Now is a post from: The Inquisitr

Upgrading to the BlackBerry 7.1 OS from BlackBerry 7 will earn customers 10 free apps through June 3.

In an effort to push users away from 7.0, the company is offering 10 pre-selected paid apps to users in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and the UK.

Blackberry 7.1 was released in 2011 and was one of the last noticeable changes to the company’s OS before it released the BB10 OS in early 2013.

BlackBerry has made the offer available for the following devices: BlackBerry Curve 9360/9380, BlackBerry Bold 9790/9900, BlackBerry Torch 9810/9860, and the Porsche Design P9981.

Upgrading BlackBerry users receive the following pre-selected apps: EA Sports FIFA 13, The Sims 3 Supernatural, BeWeather, Screen Muncher, Color ID Free, InstaPhoto, DriveSafely Pro, NOVA for BBM, UNO and Friends, and Photo Studio Pro.

Upgrading to Blackberry 7.1 has some additional benefits outside of 10 free apps. The new OS offers FM radio improvements, BlackBerry TAG, Wi-Fi Calling, and mobile hotspot functionality. BlackBerry 7.1 also brings with it various bug fixes and security enhancements.

While security fixes are offered with the upgrade, the OS is still several years behind in terms of modern technologies that allow for a more secure mobile device.

Given that the average user updates their cellular device every two years, the move will likely be most welcomed in areas where turn around times are lower because of the cost associated with devices.

The 10 free BlackBerry apps offer is noticeably missing in the United States and BlackBerry’s home country of Canada.

Will you be upgrading your legacy device to the BlackBerry 7.1 OS, or have you already moved on to a new platform.

Upgrade To BlackBerry 7.1, Receive 10 Free Mobile Apps is a post from: The Inquisitr