Android Rises, While iPhone to Drop to 11% share by 2014
September 7, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Cell Phones
IDC predicted today Apple’s share in the smartphone will, while Android baseds phones wil lgain more marketshare. Researchers expect the iPhone to drop from 14.7 percent today to 10.9 percent by 2014. Android would account for most of the switch, since it has overtaken the BlackBerry and claimed second place with 24.6 percent.
Nokia’s Symbian is expected to fall from 40.1 percent now to 32.9 percent. IDC places optimism in Windows Phone 7 salvaging Windows Mobile and would expect it to jump three points to 9.8 percent, but this would leave Microsoft in fifth place.
The study forecasts a smartphone boom over the next few years, starting with a 55.5 percent jump this year over 2009 and a 24.5 percent increase in 2011.
Energizer’s Qi Wireless Power for iPhone and BlackBerry
September 7, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Cell Accessories, Cell Phones
Energizer today released their Inductive Charger. The plate uses the Qi standard to charge the BlackBerry Curve 8900 and the iPhone 3G/3GS without wires. Both smartphones need a special add-on, either a battery door for the Curve or a full case for the iPhone. From the photos the, iPhone case appears to block the Dock Connector, however.
The base plate itself isn’t limited to the two devices and should power up any Qi-capable device that uses 5W of power or less. Energizer hasn’t said how long either of the phones take to reach a complete charge versus a wired link.
Inductive Chargers should reach stores in October with a price of $89 for the core device. The BlackBerry and iPhone cases cost the same $35.
NADAguides iPhone Site Provides Vehicle Pricing and Info
September 7, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Applications, Cell Phones
NADAguides has developed an iPhone site to satisfy the increasing consumer need for instant access to car shopping tools and information on the go. With this free iPhone site, users can build and price new cars with options and research used car pricing and information right from their handheld device. Users are provided Invoice, MSRP, Rough, Average and Clean Trade-in and Clean Retail pricing and information for models back to 1991.
“The demand is obviously here and our mobile site (the first of several mobile products to launch from NADAguides) will address the need for instant mobile access to NADAguides car pricing and content,” states Don Christy, Jr., President of NADAguides. “We will deliver our information on many platforms, starting with the iPhone, soon to be followed by other popular devices and applications. We consider ourselves a data and technology company with our sites on what consumers want and need now and in the future. It is our responsibility to provide them the content and information they need to better assist with their car shopping process.”
To access the site, visit www.nadaguides.com on a mobile device to be automatically redirected.
NADAguides will again expand its mobile offerings in the coming months with a feature-rich iPhone App available through the Apple iTunes store and more to come later in the year
Samsung Fascinate Available Tomorrow on Verizon
September 7, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Cell Phones
Verizon and Samsung today announced that the Samsung Fascinate, a Galaxy S smartphone exclusively from Verizon, will be available online on Sept. 8 and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores on Sept. 9 for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.
Powered by Android 2.1, the Fascinate refines customers’ social networking experiences with its Super AMOLED Screen Technology, advanced touch screen capabilities, Samsung 1 GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird Application Processor, and virtual QWERTY keyboard featuring SWYPE technology. Additionally, the Fascinate comes pre-loaded with Amazon’s Kindle for Android app, and it boasts an array of accessories, including:
- Charging Cradle – Doubles as a phone charger and includes a micro USB wall adapter so customers can view movies, display digital photos, and listen to music. It can also be used as a desktop speakerphone to make hands-free calls, and it comes preloaded with the Samsung “Desk Home” application, which allows customers to switch brightness levels from day to night and provides one-touch access to Samsung Widgets and Bing Voice Search. The charging cradle is available for $29.99.
- Car Dock – Attachable to the windshield or dashboard, the car dock displays turn-by-turn GPS navigation instructions, rotates freely between landscape and portrait modes, and features a preloaded Samsung “Car Home” application, giving customers access to everything the “Desk Home” app can do while on the go. The car dock is available for $39.99.
- Backup Battery Charging System – Includes a 1500 mAH battery, battery charger and Y-cable for charging a phone and spare battery simultaneously. It is available for $39.99.
Pricing and Plan Information
Verizon Wireless customers who purchase the Samsung Fascinate will receive the mail-in rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted. Samsung Fascinate customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan (beginning at $39.99 monthly access) and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan (beginning at $29.99 for unlimited monthly access). For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to http://www.verizonwireless.com/.
Galaxy Tab Will Use Super TFT, Not AMOLED for Screen
September 6, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Cell Phones
Samsung today attempted to explain why they have chosen to fit their tablet with an LCD instead of its vaunted AMOLED technology, as featured on its Galaxy S smartphones.
Samsung was quick to criticize Apple’s Retina Display technological. Among Samsung’s claims at the time was that an AMOLED display uses 30 percent less power than an equivalent LCD-based display.
But in a video conference today at IFA, Samsung argued that it chose Super TFT for the Galaxy Tab because it used less power than an equivalent 7-inch AMOLED display, while also citing lower manufacturing costs for the decision to use Super TFT
The news that Samsung has opted out of using AMOLED for its Galaxy Tab follows recent news that HTC is dropping Samsung’s AMOLED display technology in favor of Sony produced Super TFT panels.
First Windows Phone 7 Ad
September 6, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Cell Phones
Microsoft today posted its first ever ad for Windows Phone 7, viewable below, in the first sign of the run-up to launch.
The spot is the only major marketing posted so far, but it will come as part of a $500 million blitz to draw attention back to Microsoft’s mobile offerings. Along with high-profile ads, MS has also coordinated the releases of multiple WP7 devices so many if them will be available almost simultaneously in a given country.
Although Microsoft has a set of guidelines for how WP7 hardware should be designed, it’s believed to be stressing the variety of devices that it feels is missing at Apple. Windows Phone will come to Europe first and then to North America.
Nike Releases Nike+ GPS - No Shoe Sensor Needed
September 6, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Applications, Cell Phones
On Labor Day Nike posted a special standalone version of its Nike+iPod app. Nike+ GPS ($2, App Store) uses an Apple device’s built-in accelerometer and location finding, preferably an iPhone’s GPS. But an second gen iPod Touch will work, as well. The software tracks the pace and distance without needing the Nike+iPod shoe adapter. iPhone owners can get a visual map of the route tied into Google Maps.
The app still supports all the features of the version an information can still be sent to the Nike+ site and counts towards running stats.
Nike requires at least an iPhone 3GS or a second-generation iPod touch to use the app, and at least iOS 4.
Apple still sells the Nike+iPod shoe transmitter and isn’t likely to remove it given that the new iPod nano still needs the pedometer support for the exercise feature to work.
Sprint Launches Another 3G/4G Phone
September 3, 2010 by Laura
Filed under Cell Phones
Sprint celebrated the arrival of America’s second 3G/4G phone Tuesday wit h the release of the Samsung Epic 4G, the only Galaxy S smartphone with a full QWERTY keyboard and front-facing camera along with a brilliant Super AMOLED touch-screen. Samsung Epic 4G didn’t disappoint as it became one of Sprint’s best-selling devices for first-day sales. In addition to two Android phones, Sprint offers Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot, enabling 4G connectivity for up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices, as well as five Sprint mobile broadband devices that can access Sprint 4G data speeds.
“We’re very excited by the customer response to Samsung Epic 4G and the capabilities of our 4G network,” said Fared Adib, vice president of product development for Sprint. “With its beautiful Super AMOLED touch-screen, full QWERTY keyboard and two cameras, Samsung Epic 4G is a terrific smartphone that delivers the promise of the Sprint 4G network. As we continue to build out our 4G network, more and more of our customers will realize the benefits of these amazing devices and the realities of life at these blazing-fast speeds.”
Samsung Epic 4G works on Sprint’s 3G and 4G networks. This flexibility allows customers to enjoy 4G performance in any Sprint 4G market or to use Sprint’s reliable 3G mobile broadband network when outside a 4G area. Sprint 4G is already available in 51 markets and continues to expand to new cities, bringing wireless speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G1. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4G.
Shazam Unveils Major Feature Update for iPhone & iPod Touch
September 3, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Applications, Cell Phones
Shazam, today announces significant feature updates on the App Store, many of which take advantage of iPhone 4 features and iOS4 operating system. The new features are applicable to all Shazam versions for the iPhone and iPod touch - Shazam Encore, Shazam (Product) RED Special Edition App and the Shazam free App. The company is also introducing a new annual pricing option for its premium offering.
iOS4 Multitasking
Support for the multitasking feature on iOS4 allows a user to leave the Shazam App and use another function, such as to take a call or purchase music on iTunes, and return anytime where they left off to continue their Shazam experience.
The new Shazam App is optimised for the iPhone 4’s new retina display, which means all icons and imagery are brighter and clearer.
Other significant features include:
- Settings can now be customized, such as ‘tagging on start-up,’ to deliver the fastest possible music identification experience.
- An improved video experience, which delivers multiple videos per tag from YouTube, which Shazamers can watch without leaving the App.
- A completely new, intuitive design which includes:
- Improved artist information, including track and album reviews, artist biographies and discographies, as well as song lyrics.
- A new ‘Discover’ tab to access Shazam Tag Charts, detailing the most popular new music in 20 countries/regions, as tagged by Shazam users. Shazamers can select which Tag Charts they want delivered every week, choosing charts from as many countries as they like, as well as ‘Europe’ or ‘World’ listings.
- Shortcut icons which now appear when tapping on track cover art, enabling users to simply and easily preview the music, buy it on iTunes or share it via Facebook and Twitter.
- Search for ringtones and videos on iTunes with one tap.
Shazam Free App
Users of Shazam’s free version for iPhone and iPod touch will now have access to a number of new features which include: access to Tag Charts from around the world, 30-second clip previews of tagged tracks and a search function to discover new music by artist, track or album from Shazam’s eight million song database.
Also, starting today, users will be able to upgrade to Shazam Encore from within the App. They can choose to buy the premium version for an annual fee of $2.99 (launch offer) or choose lifetime at $4.99. Alternatively they can stay with the free version offering five tags a month.
Shazam Encore and (SHAZAM) RED
Encore and (RED) users will continue to benefit from unlimited tagging capabilities and a range of exclusive features such as recommendations, car mode and integration with Pandora and Last.fm.
All updates and new features are available in all countries around the world where Shazam is available.
New users can purchase the premium versions, Shazam Encore and (SHAZAM) RED, for $4.99 (£2.99), or download the Shazam free version on the App Store for iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.
Half of Cell Customers Don’t Know Their Contract Details
September 2, 2010 by Laura
Filed under Cell Phones
According to a recent study commissioned by Best Buy Mobile more than half of American mobile phone owners do not know the month and year when their current mobile phone contract expires. In addition, only four in 10 say they received a reminder notice that their contract was about to expire, leaving many consumers in the dark about upgrade eligibility and the plan options available. The survey, conducted for Best Buy Mobile by GfK Roper, sheds light on consumers’ knowledge and shopping habits around mobile plans, devices, technology and accessories.
“When it comes to mobile solutions available today, many consumers are not armed with the right information to truly get the most out of their mobile phone,” said Shawn Score, president of Best Buy Mobile. “We know that there are customers out there using mobile phones that are four and five years old when they could be using a smart phone. At Best Buy Mobile, we look out for our customers and help them navigate the wide array of choices to help them make an informed decision that fits their lifestyle.”
What Matters Most
While nearly one in four shoppers (23 percent) made their mobile phone decision based on the mobile phone device itself, the majority of respondents (67 percent) selected carriers as their main purchasing influence. One in 10 selected a mobile phone based on the operating platform, such as Google’s Android or Apple’s iPhone platforms.
Survey respondents also noted that they expect multimedia capabilities as a primary function on a mobile device, though content interests differ:
- 45 percent look for multimedia capabilities including music, video and camera
- 32 percent look for GPS navigation
- 29 percent want to replace landline phone
- 26 percent want to be able to access social networking sites
- 26 percent want to be Wi-Fi enabled
- 15 percent want to make eCommerce purchases from their mobile devices
- 15 percent want to be able to download a movie
- 14 percent want to be able to play games from their smart phone