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Tag: Samsung

  • Tweeting From Your Refrigerator? There’s an App For That.

    How does a WiFi connected home appliance sound? One that would, theoretically, allow you tweet updates of your frequent trips to the fridge through the use of a computer touchscreen? Is so, Samsung has just application-powered refrigerator with your name on it.

    And no, this is not a joke, either. What we have is Samsung’s WiFi-enabled, embedded touchscreen-powered refrigerator, and as you can see from the lead image, the appliance features an touchscreen preloaded with various apps, including ones for Twitter and Weatherbug. If you’d like to show off your Picasa library while fetching a refreshing beverage for your guest, you can do that too, provided the guest follows you to the fridge.

    In fact, there are two refrigerator models featuring the app-loaded touchscreen. The apps, according to the specifications PDF, are as follows:

    – Memo
    – Epicurious Recipes
    – Picasa Photos
    – WeatherBug
    – Calendar
    – AP News
    – Pandora
    – Twitter

    Here’s a closer look at Samsung’s touchscreen:

    Samsung Refrigerator

    Because the computing device is WiFi-enabled, it avoids the necessity of needing to be plugged into to a router or other hardwired connection. Samsung’s product description shows their intention behind the design:

    Check the morning weather, browse the web for recipes, explore your social networks or leave notes for your family—all from the refrigerator door.

    Is such a feature even necessary? Are people even at their refrigerators long enough to “miss” their electronic connection to the outside world, increasing the demand for such a feature? Do people not carry their smartphones when going to the fridge for some delicious pizza? Apparently, I’m missing the spirit of such an innovation.

    If you’d like yet another connected device in your home, this time, in the form of a kitchen appliance, you’re going to have to pay a pretty penny to get it. The cheapest model refrigerator (30 cubic feet, side-by-side doors) goes for $2699, while the four-door model goes for $3499. That’s a hefty price to pay for yet another connected device, especially when all smartphones and tablet computers can do accomplish the same tasks, as well as many others, for a fraction of a price.

    But then again, you wouldn’t be able to say you have an app-powered refrigerator, which is probably the reason most people would purchase such an appliance to begin with.

    H/t to Uncrate for pointing this out.

  • Nexus Prime Video, Pictures Surface

    Nexus Prime Video, Pictures Surface

    Has the Nexus Prime (aka Galaxy Nexus) been spotted in the wild?

    According to mobilissimo.ro, someone has gotten their hands on the upcoming device – and it’s running Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0).

    Here’s a video demo of the phone, and it looks to have some of the features that have been rumored of the Nexus Prime – that would include the lack of mechanical buttons, replaced by a touch interface. Check it out below:

    We’ve also been graced with this clear shot of the device, which may be the first full on image of the upcoming Google-powered phone:

    Yesterday, we reported on some leaked specs of the Nexus Prime. BGR obtained documents that showed the upcoming device equipped with a 4.65-inch super AMOLED-HD screen with curved glass, 1GB RAM, dual-core A9 processor and NFC capabilities.

    Later, gsmarena posted what they claimed to be the actual specs of the Nexus Prime, which modified the previous rumors to include an 8 MP camera and a battery that would allow for a couple of days use without a charge.

    Could the phone above be that phone?

    We were set to find out this upcoming Tuesday, October 11th at the Unpacked 2011 Samsung/Google mobile event. Invitations went around for that event at the end of last month. Most speculated that the Nexus Prime and Ice Cream Sandwich OS would be unveiled at that time.

    But today, Samsung and Google released a joint statement postponing any new product launch, saying it simply wasn’t the right time.

    It looks like we will have to wait for any official announcement. But until then, check out some more photos of what just might be Ice Cream Sandwich running on the new Nexus phone:

    What do you think? Does it look like an iPhone 4S rival? Let us know in the comments.

  • Nexus Prime, Ice Cream Sandwich Event Postponed

    At the end of last month, Samsung sent out invitations for a big mobile event called Unpacked 2011, subtitled “The Google Episode.” The invitation asked for invitees to join them to “get a look at what’s new from Android.”

    The event was supposed to kick off this upcoming Tuesday, October 11th in San Diego.

    It’s been widely speculated that the Unpacked event would be the place where the new Google phone, the Nexus Prime (or Galaxy Nexus), would be unveiled. Another draw for the event was the probable showcasing of the latest Android OS, Ice Cream Sandwich.

    You might have noticed that I’m speaking in the conditional and past tenses, and that’s because it looks like we won’t be seeing a big product launch on October 11th.

    Samsung and Google released this joint statement this morning:

    Samsung and Google decide to postpone the new product announcement at CTIA Fall. We agree that it is just not the right time to announce a new product. New date and venue will be shortly announced.

    So it looks like we will have to wait for that official Nexus Prime reveal.

    Why would they feel like it’s not the right time to announce a product? The 11th is exactly a week after Apple’s big October 4th iPhone 4S launch. It seems like a perfect time for Google and Samsung to strike with a brand new phone. Samsung has went to the trouble of producing trailers for the big event that say “something big is coming.”

    Could it be Steve Jobs’ death that has led them to this decision? Whatever the cause, Android users will wait anxiously for the rescheduling announcement.

  • Nexus Prime Release Teased With Unpacked Trailer?

    Although it seems like the world will be wrapped up in Apple-land and iPhone 4S / 5 drama for the foreseeable future (and let’s face it, it probably will be), there is another big event on the horizon.

    Samsung’s mobile event “Unpacked” is scheduled for next Tuesday, October 11th in San Diego. Invitations went out last week touting that this was the “Google Episode,” and saying that the event would give interested parties a “look at what’s new from Android.”

    This has many speculating that the next Google smartphone, the Nexus Prime, is set to be unveiled at the event. The rumored device is said to come with a dual core processor, a huge 4.5 inch screen and 4G LTE.

    The other big unveiling that might happen at this event – Ice Cream Sandwich, Android’s new OS. Ice Cream Sandwich will unify Android Gingerbread OS and Honeycomb OS, the mobile and tablet OS’ respectively. Many hope that that Nexus Prime will be announced as the first device running Ice Cream Sandwich.

    On Tuesday, just hours after the Apple iPhone 4S event, this teaser trailer for the Unpacked event hit the interwebs –

    Could the “something big” be the long-rumored Nexus Prime? Possibly a new tablet? Whatever it is, it definitely looks curved – way curved.

    The YouTube comments show a pretty excited user base, most saying that this is most definitely the Nexus Prime. One commenter takes the opportunity to poke fun at yesterday’s Apple event and the 4S:

    They were originally going to go with ‘Something INCREMENTAL is coming!’ but decided that would be moronic because why would anyone hype up some small incremental change?

    In all seriousness, this event could be big for all involved – as Apple has just put all their cards on the table. With some disappointed with Apple for not unveiling an iPhone 5, could this be perfect timing for a giant Android event? We’ll just have to wait and see what they announce next Tuesday.

  • Nexus Prime, Ice Cream Sandwich Unveiling Set For October 11th?

    An invitation has been circulating today for a Samsung Mobile Event called “Unpacked 2011.” Its subtitle is “The Google Episode,” and the invitation asks invitees to join them for an event to “get a look at what’s new from Android.”

    The event is set to kick off on October 11th at 11:30 AM in San Diego.

    It’s possible that this event could mark the unveiling of the next in the line of Nexus smartphones from Google, the rumored Nexus Prime. The unannounced device is said to sport a dual core processor, a giant screen (4.5+ inches) and have 4G capabilities. It’s thought that the phone will be launching on Verizon’s 4G network.

    Of course, with the Nexus Prime would come Ice Cream Sandwich, the next generation of the Android OS and winner of the best operating system name ever award. The Nexus Prime is expected to be the first device to run Ice Cream Sandwich, which is billed as the unification of the Android Gingerbread OS and the Android Honeycomb OS, which are used for mobile and tablet devices respectively.

    Eric Schmidt recently confirmed the imminent launch of Ice Cream Sandwich at the Dreamforce conference.

    We have a new operating system, internally known as Ice Cream Sandwich for some reason, which is being released in October/November, which everyone’s really excited about.

    October 11th would definitely fall in that time frame.

    Another interesting thing about October 11th? It’s exactly a week after Apple’s big iPhone event that was just officially announced for October 4th. You think that’s a coincidence? Dream on. And let those dreams be filled with creamy, chocolatey, delicious ice cream sandwiches.

    Apparently, Ice Cream Sandwich has been spotted in the wild, as a lucky eBay user discovered his new Nexus S was actually loaded with the new OS. He shot this video and sent it in the Engadget. He now claims that once the video hit the web, his phone was remotely wiped clean.

  • iPhone 5 Rumor: Samsung To Block Sales In Korea?

    According to Samsung execs, there’s already a plan in motion to stop the sales of the upcoming iPhone 5 in Korea. Of course the phone is not only unreleased but at this point is still unannounced. But that hasn’t stopped Samsung from preparing for the release, with a long list of patent suits.

    According to The Korea Times, Samsung plans to file suits to block the sales of the iPhone 5 shortly after it launches in the country. They quote a “senior executive from Samsung Electronics” who says –

    Just after the arrival of the iPhone 5 here, Samsung plans to take Apple to court here for its violation of Samsung’s wireless technology related patents,’’ said a senior executive from Samsung Electronics, asking not to be identified.

    For as long as Apple does not drop mobile telecommunications functions, it would be impossible for it to sell its i-branded products without using our patents. We will stick to a strong stance against Apple during the lingering legal fights.

    All over the world there are pending patent infringement lawsuits between Apple and Samsung. Back in April, Apple launched an attack against Samsung, saying that their products too closely resemble Apple’s products likes the iPhone and iPad. They accused them of “slavishly copying Apple’s innovative technology” instead of “pursuing independent product development.”

    Samsung hit back at Apple, filing suits related to cellphone transmission technologies. As part of that suit, they petitioned to force Apple to turn over their next gen devices back in May, but a U.S. judge denied that request.

    It appears that the reported future patent disputes in Korea involve this same concept, “wireless technology related patents.”

    On more little nugget from this report? The Samsung sources hinted that the iPhone 5 will, in fact, sport wireless payment functionality, or the so-called NFC technology. Early rumors said that the new phone would come equipped with NFC capabilities, but later reports have quashed that speculation, saying that NFC probably won’t arrive until the generation after the iPhone 5.

  • Google Motorola Deal: What Samsung, Sony Ericsson, HTC & LG Think About It

    As you may know, Google announced its intent to acquire Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion. The company has positioned the acquisition as a defensive strategy to “anti-competitive attacks” from companies like Apple and Microsoft.

    Google CEO Larry Page wrote on the official Google Blog this morning:

    We recently explained how companies including Microsoft and Apple are banding together in anti-competitive patent attacks on Android. The U.S. Department of Justice had to intervene in the results of one recent patent auction to “protect competition and innovation in the open source software community” and it is currently looking into the results of the Nortel auction. Our acquisition of Motorola will increase competition by strengthening Google’s patent portfolio, which will enable us to better protect Android from anti-competitive threats from Microsoft, Apple and other companies.

    The combination of Google and Motorola will not only supercharge Android, but will also enhance competition and offer consumers accelerating innovation, greater choice, and wonderful user experiences. I am confident that these great experiences will create huge value for shareholders.

    Here’s more on Google’s war of words with Microsoft on patents.

    Google has maintained that it will keep Motorola Mobility as a separate business, and that the acquisition will not change Android as an open source platform. Wondering what other Android manufacturers are thinking about the deal? Well, a few of them lent their words to Google’s mini-site for the acquisition.

    J.K. Shin, President of Samsung’s Mobile Communications Division said, “We welcome today’s news, which demonstrates Google’s deep commitment to defending Android, its partners, and the ecosystem.”

    Sony Ericsson President and CEO Bert Nordberg said, “I welcome Google‘s commitment to defending Android and its partners.”

    HTC CEO Peter Chou said, “We welcome the news of today‘s acquisition, which demonstrates that Google is deeply committed to defending Android, its partners, and the entire ecosystem.”

    LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company president and CEO Jong-Seok Park said, “We welcome Google‘s commitment to defending Android and its partners.”

    Nokia, of course, has a big deal in place with Google’s chief rival Microsoft.

    Motorola Mobility CEO Sanjay Jha said, “This transaction offers significant value for Motorola Mobility’s stockholders and provides compelling new opportunities for our employees, customers, and partners around the world. We have shared a productive partnership with Google to advance the Android platform, and now through this combination we will be able to do even more to innovate and deliver outstanding mobility solutions across our mobile devices and home businesses.”

    Google says that over 150 million Android devices have been activated.

    More on the acquisition here.

  • New Samsung Galaxy Tab Is On The Way

    Samsung’s response to the iPad — the Galaxy Tab — is getting an update, one that Samsung hopes will better compete with Apple’s ubiquitous tablet. While the hardware improvements are pretty impressive, it’s the introduction of the Android 3.1 operating system that has provided some buzz for the update.

    Samsung has also updated their site as they await arrival on their newest tablet, and the initial look is promising. The mobile device will feature a 1 GZ dual core processor and a screen that supports hi definition resolutions (1280×800). The Galaxy Tab 10.1 also features a 3 megapixel camera — image and video — and it also has a webcam built in on the front of it.

    Does anyone want to have that “tablets will/won’t replace laptops” again, because it’s looking more and more likely?

    Other features, per Samsung, include, courtesy of the Android 3.1 update, which the 10.1 is getting:

    @blayze04 you are correct. Galaxy Tab 10.1 original was 3.0 but now it will be Android 3.1 – http://ow.ly/51E07less than a minute ago via HootSuite Favorite Retweet ReplySamsung Mobile US
    SamsungMobileUS


    The update also includes::

    * TouchWiz with L!vePanel* will take multitasking even further with continuously refreshed real-time content and rich widgets that deliver instant and relevant information to you.

    * The Quick App Tray* can float above other applications, so important tasks can always be right at your fingertips.

    * With Multiscreen Scrolling you can view up to five different screens at the same time, so you can get more done. Plus, the 1 GB RAM (max) makes multitasking seamless.

    * The Enhanced Browser includes tabbed pages, form auto-fill, bookmark syncing with Google Chrome and private browsing.

    Samsung has even produced a video for those who are interested in the Galaxy Tab, as modern marketing continues to take hold:


    While there’s no price listed for the updated Galaxy Tab, previous generations went from anywhere from $200 to $350. Expect the newest version to be in a similar price range. As for the release date, Samsung says it’s a “few days away,” so who knows when we’ll see it. It had better be soon considering how much they are pushing the device.

  • Apple and Samsung Legal Battle Heats Up

    Apple and Samsung Legal Battle Heats Up

    Apple and Samsung have an interesting relationship, which has gone from component supplier/supplyee to legal enemies. Samsung manufacturers various parts for Apple products inlcluding the famous A4 and A5 processors.

    According to Engadget, Apple actually spent as much as $5.7 billion on Samsung parts last year alone. Now, Apple is pissed that Samsung is working on products that resemble the iPhone and iPad (who isn’t?). A choice line from Apple’s complaint:

    “Instead of pursuing independent product development, Samsung has chosen to slavishly copy Apple’s innovative technology, distinctive user interfaces, and elegant and distinctive product and packaging design, in violation of Apple’s valuable intellectual property rights.”

    According to ThisIsMyNext.com, who has an extensive analysis of the case says Apple views the Samsung Captivate, Continuum, Vibrant, Galaxy S 4G, Epic 4G, Indulge, Mesmerize, Showcase, Fascinate, Nexus S, Gem, Transform, Intercept, and Acclaim phones, as well as the Galaxy Tab tablet offenders.

    Samsung has responded, indicating pending counter-action. “Samsung will respond actively to this legal action taken against us through appropriate legal measures to protect our intellectual property,” Samsung said in a statement obtained by Agence France Presse.

    Meanwhile, Apple has asked a judge to dismiss an antitrust case involving the company’s blocking of music downloads from competitors.

  • Samsung Named As Possible Google TV Partner

    Google TV got off to a rough start, but its fortunes may soon improve thanks to Samsung Electronics.  A new rumor indicates that the organization, which is the largest electronics company in the world, could start to integrate Google TV software into its products.

    A Bloomberg article stated late yesterday, "Samsung Electronics Co., the largest television maker, may use Google TV software in home- entertainment devices based on its own chips, rather than those from Intel Corp., a person with knowledge of the plans said."

    Then the article continued, "Samsung had previously considered using the Google Inc. software and balked after Google required use of Intel’s Atom chips, said the person, who declined to be identified because Samsung’s plans haven’t been made public.  Google lifted the restriction."

    So it’s perhaps not too difficult to imagine that the two sides would come together, even if no official confirmations have been issued.

    What remains to be seen (aside from whether anything happens at all) is how many products would be affected.  Getting Google TV into one $400 Blu-ray player wouldn’t count as much of a victory for the search giant.

    On the other hand, if Samsung really embraces the tech, Google TV could gain a presence in pretty much every product category, helping it reach a lot more consumers.

  • 2 Million Apps Downloaded for Samsung Smart TVs

    A rep for Samsung emailed WebProNews to tell us that Samsung has reached 2 million apps downloaded for its smart TVs in 53 days. Not quite as impressive as Apple’s Mac store hitting a million app downloads in a single day, but the connected TV industry is a bit of a different beast. The rep writes:

    Samsung Apps continues to gain significant traction among consumers – in a short span of 53 days, over 1 million apps were downloaded to Samsung smart TVs globally. This means that over 2 million apps have been downloaded to date with the one millionth app downloaded in November, and 268 days after the store’s launch last year. 

    In the US, people can choose from more than 180 applications from a wide variety of content and service providers. The most downloaded applications from Samsung Apps include YouTube, Hulu Plus, ESPN Next Level, AccuWeather, Google Maps and Texas Holdem, showcasing the wide variety available.

    Samsung Apps create an inclusive experience that brings people together in the home. We continue to lead the industry by partnering with apps developers to deliver the best entertainment experiences on their TVs and make them smarter. For example, as a result of our partnerships and the recent Samsung Free the TV Challenge, people will have access to apps that allow them to explore the universe in 3D, take a Pilates class together, track live sports scores, play games or search out the latest online video – including in 3D.

    Samsung TV Apps

    Many of Samsung’s apps are free, ad other cost anywhere from 99 cents to $4.99 (at least that appears to be the range so far). 

    While Samsung’s App store only consists of TV and video apps for the time being, the company does indicate that cell phone apps will be coming soon. 

  • Netflix Button Coming To New Remote Controls

    Netflix said today it is working with major consumer electronics makers to develop  a Netflix-branded one-click buttons on remotes that operate Internet connected TVs, Blu-ray disc players and other devices.

    Beginning this Spring, buttons that specify "Netflix" – including some featuring the red Netflix logo – are planned to be on remote controls that operate certain new Blu-ray disc players from a variety of companies including Best Buy’s in-house Dynex brand, Haier, Memorex, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, and Toshiba.  Sharp, Sony, and Toshiba also will place the Netflix one-click button on remote controls for select new Internet-connected TVs.  Remote controls for the Boxee, Iomega and Roku set-top boxes also will feature the Netflix one-click remote.

    Netflix-Remote "For members who want even more convenience when instantly watching TV shows and movies streaming from Netflix, the answer is about to be right in their hands," said Netflix Chief Product Officer Neil Hunt.  

    "No more turning on the TV, going to a home screen and searching for the Netflix icon.  With the Netflix one-click remote, it’s simply a matter of pushing the Netflix button to instantly watch any of the vast selection of TV shows and movies available to stream from Netflix."

    Netflix said there are now more than 250 Netflix ready devices on the market and it has more than 16 million members in the United States and Canada.

  • ESPN Introduces ScoreCenter For Internet Enabled TVs

    ESPN is making its mobile ScoreCenter application available on Samsung Internet-enabled televisions.

    The ScoreCenter app will be available in the Samsung App store and allows users to view scores from a variety of sports. Personalization features allow users to customize the app by highlighting their favorite teams and leagues.

     

    ESPN-ScoreCenter

     

    Users can also adjust the app to be displayed across the top, bottom or sides of the TV screen. Video images are displayed accordingly, depending on the placement of the app.

    “Sports fans are passionate consumers who often demand the best entertainment and media experience in their living rooms.  With the release of ESPN ScoreCenter app, our second collaboration with ESPN, Samsung continues to deliver on its commitment to give people the flexibility to enjoy a quality media and content experience when and where they want it,” said Eric Anderson, vice president of content and product solutions, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. 

    “Fans no longer need to step away from their Samsung TV to check the latest sports scores and stats because of this innovative app.”

     

  • Can Microsoft Compete with the iPad?

    Can Microsoft Compete with the iPad?

    Reports indicate that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is expected to unveil some new slates from Samsung and Dell at CES next month that are designed to compete with Apple’s incredibly popular iPad. 

    The company has not confirmed, and the sources of the info are unnamed, but evidently trusted by the New York Times, which reports: 

    The Samsung device is described as "similar in size and shape to the Apple iPad, although it is not as thin. It also includes a unique and slick keyboard that slides out from below for easy typing."

    The people familiar with this device said it would run the Windows 7 operating system when in landscape mode, but will also have a layered interface that will appear when the keyboard is hidden and the device is held in a portrait mode.

    Apple’s iPad has been a huge seller. Can Microsoft’s platform attain similar success? A keyboard and familiar Windows interface would no doubt be appealing to a lot of users, particularly if it is just an option that is available alongside a more iPad-like touch interface. This could provide the best of both worlds if it’s done right. 

    One of the biggest complaints about the iPad is that it’s not the easiest thing to type on, particularly if you have large hands. 

    Microsoft is a little late to the market in this space, but apparently not as late as it was to the smartphone market (with the recent launch of Windows Phone 7). Granted, we don’t know when these knew slates would actually see the consumer market. 

    Steve Ballmer Shows off Slate at CES

    Microsoft is of course not just competing with Apple, but all makers of tablets and mobile computer operating systems, and that includes Google, which is gearing up for the consumer launch of its Chrome operating system next year. It’s not on tablets, but it’s still going to be an option for consumers looking for a new mobile computer. Most people aren’t going to buy a tablet and a notebook. Google has the tablets covered with Android, however, like with the Samsung Galaxy Tab, and more to come. 

    No matter how you slice it, iPad sales are bound to be affected, simply based on the fact that it won’t be the only option in its class anymore. It will be particularly interesting to see how big of a hand Microsoft has in the competition. 

  • Yahoo Expands Connected TV To Europe With Samsung

    Yahoo and Samsung have expanded the availability of Yahoo Connected TV to 26 countries in Europe, bringing the total to 39 countries globally.

    Yahoo Connected TV on Samsung televisions allow people to access video content on YouTube, view headlines and videos on Sky News and Bild news, view photos from Flickr, find travel deals on Teletext Holidays, shop on eBay, play games from PlayJam, create a personal channel of music videos on Putpat, or connect with friends on Facebook and Twitter.

     

     

    “Europe is at the forefront of interactive TV, and together with Samsung we are increasing the availability of Yahoo Connected TV,” said Rich Riley, senior vice president and managing director Yahoo EMEA.

    “Yahoo connects consumers to the information and services they love regardless of the device. We’re delivering the right Internet-connected TV experience across Europe and opening up a new and robust channel to publishers and developers looking to bring their services into millions of living rooms.”

    The extended partnership with Samsung is the latest step in the global distribution of Yahoo! Connected TV, which is currently in use in 135 countries. Yahoo and its partners will continue to bring the TV Widget experiences to more televisions and other consumer electronic devices in the near future. 
     

     

  • Nexus Two Rumored To Be Coming In Less Than 2 Weeks

    Rumor has it that the Nexus Two will be announced at a press conference on November 8th in New York. The announcement would come from Google and Samsung together, and the device would be he first to ship with the next version of Android – version 2.3 aka: Gingerbread. It would also be available on more than one carrier. 

    Again, this is all rumor, coming from Taylor Wimberly at Android and Me, who says he has spoken with "multiple, trusted sources familiar with the project who have shared the same story with me. They wish to remain anonymous."

    Today, Verizon Wireless and Apple began selling iPads at over 2,000 Verizon stores. Verizon is offering three bundles, all featuring an iPad Wi-Fi model and a Verizon MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot, for a suggested retail price of $629.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 16GB + MiFi, $729.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 32GB + MiFi and $829.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 64GB + MiFi. Verizon is offering a monthly access plan to iPad customers of up to 1GB of data for $20 a month. In addition, Verizon is offering all three iPad Wi-Fi models on a stand-alone basis.

    iPad availability expanding

    AT&T is trying out direct carrier billing with Zong, BilltoMobile and Boku, according to GigaOm. "This could be a major turning point in helping accelerate the growth of mobile payments, a market that could be worth an estimated $633.4 billion by 2014," says Ryan Kim.

    According to Stacey Higginbotham, also at GigaOm, sources inside European carriers say that Apple has been working with SIM-card manufacturer Gemalto to create a special SIM card that would let people in Europe buy a phone no the web or at an Apple Store and get phones working using Apple’s App Store.   

    Roku will reportedly start licensing its software, and NetGear will be the first partner to take advantage. According to Silicon Alley Insider, Roku was forced into this strategy, but it could ultimately mean more people using Roku’s service. 

    Gawker’s Valleywag reports that Google is providing "servants" to its employees. Actually, Google is providing "runners" to help employees with errands. Employees get credits on TaskRabbit, which brokers odd jobs. 

    Oracle has already had a lawsuit against Google for Java code used in Android. Now, the company has reportedly updated the suit, saying that Google "directly copied" code. 

    A company called Proview has threatened to sue Apple over the iPad name. The company tried to market a tablet computer called the I-Pad over a decade ago, according to Financial Times.

    Mozilla announced that Firefox 4 won’t be available until next year, according to ComputerWorld. 

  • Samsung Reportedly Dropping Symbian Support By End of the Year

    Samsung is reportedly dropping support for the Symbian operating system. According to Engadget, the company sent an email to Symbian developers saying they are closing its Symbian forum and removing all Symbian content before the year is over. 

    While perhaps not entirely unexpected, as Engadget points out Samsung hinted at such a move last year, it is interesting timing. Symbian has recently revamped its OS. 

    Marketers may want to take note of the decreased support of Symbian. Recent research from Smaato indicated that Symbian beats all other mobile operating systems when it comes to ads clicked. 

    "Symbian and Feature Phones continue to perform well with a CTR Index of 130 (145 in July) and 120 (118 in July) respectively," the company says. "RIM passes Android in performance, with its strongest month since Smaato’s metrics began. Apple overtook Windows Phone, as it fell by almost half from 98 in July to 58. The Index consists of the average CTR of all devices and this number is set to 100." 

    "Symbian remains the leading OS in both regions [USA and Europe] as Windows Phone and Android both dropped by around 40% in the US (Windows 153 in July 80 in August. Android 103 in July to 60)," says Smaato. "In Europe, Windows Phone and Android dropped in performance, but while Windows remains the second best OS, Android fell to last place."

    Symbian CTR

    That research comes from a company that serves over 16 billion ad requests from over 7,000 publishers over 50 ad networks. 

    A couple weeks ago, Nokia announced a new family of smartphones powered by Symbian. 

  • Google Android Closes In On Apple

    Google Android Closes In On Apple

    Samsung was the top handset manufacturer in the U.S. in July with 23.1 percent market share, while RIM led the smartphone platforms with 39.9 percent market share, according to the latest report from comScore.

    For the 3-month average period ending in July, 234 million Americans used mobile devices. Device maker LG ranked second with 21.2 percent share, followed by Motorola (19.8% share), RIM (9% share) and Nokia (7.8% share.)

    In the U.S. 53.4 million people owned smartphones during the three months ending in July, up 11 percent from the corresponding April period. RIM was the leading mobile smartphone platform in the U.S. with 39.3 percent share of U.S. smartphone subscribers, followed by Apple with 23.8 percent share.

    Google saw significant growth during the period, rising 5.0 percentage points to capture 17.0 percent of smartphone subscribers. Microsoft accounted for 11.8 percent of Smartphone subscribers, while Palm rounded out the top five with 4.9 percent. Despite losing share to Google Android, most smartphone platforms continue to gain subscribers as the smartphone market overall continues to grow.

     

    comScore-Smartphones

     

    comScore found in July, 2 out of 3 U.S. mobile subscribers used text messaging on their mobile devices, up 1.4 percentage points compared to the prior three month period, while browsers were used by 33.6 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers (up 2.5 percentage points). Subscribers who used downloaded applications comprised 31.4 percent of the mobile audience, representing an increase of 1.6 percentage points from the previous period. Accessing of social networking sites or blogs increased 1.9 percentage points, representing 21.8 percent of mobile subscribers.
     

     

  • Samsung May Make Android TVs

    Earlier this year, an anonymous Samsung executive indicated that his (or her) company might build TVs based on Android.  Now, although Samsung hasn’t exactly released a list of shipping dates, an exec has at least gone on record saying that the possibility remains.

    According to Jun Yang and Pavel Alpeyev, Yoon Boo Keun, President of the Visual Display Division at Samsung, made the comment offstage at a forum in Seoul, South Korea.

    Google Android(Some of) his exact words amounted to "we will have to see, but we are reviewing" whether or not to power televisions with Android.

    That could be good news for Google, since a "maybe" at this point is arguably closer to a "yes" than a "no."  Samsung’s had lots of time to reject Android, after all.

    And since Samsung is the world’s largest television maker, a partnership would count as a huge win for Google.

    Jun Yang and Pavel Alpeyev reported, "Samsung aims to sell 35 million liquid-crystal-display TVs and 4 million plasma TVs this year, including more than 2 million sets that offer 3-D features.  The company, which started offering 3-D sets in the U.S. in March, sold more than 1 million units by Aug. 31, giving it an 88 percent share of the U.S. 3-D TV market."

  • Kobo Emerges as the E-Reading App for the Samsung Galaxy Tab

    Samsung has unveiled its Galaxy Tab tablet device, and Kobo announced that it is supplying the e-reader technology for it.

    "After much speculation, the new Samsung GALAXY Tab has just been announced by Samsung’s CEO in Berlin, and Kobo is THE eReading application powering the ‘Readers Hub’ on the new Android tablet," says Kobo. "This partnership is an industry first for Kobo and Samsung, offering the first eReading experience on an Android Tablet to readers worldwide."

    "This is a HUGE WIN for Kobo!" the company proclaims. "Samsung is a global leader – a world class organization that touches billions of consumers worldwide.  The GALAXY Tab is an amazing device and will be a real contender in the marketplace as consumers everywhere adopt tablets. To have been selected as THE eReading application that powers the ‘Readers Hub’ on this device is simply incredible."

    Samsung Galaxy Tab

    The announcement comes at a time when not only is the competition heating up in the tablet space, but it’s also heating up in the e-reading space, led by Amazon’s Kindle, which offers apps on other platforms as well as its own. This is going to be another space (in addition to the connected-TV space) to keep a close eye on over the next year or so.

    Kobo’s store has over 2.2 million popular titles, including new releases and 1.8 million free books. The company also says its adding thousands more each week. Apple announced yesterday that it has 35 million books in iTunes.

  • Facebook Goes Back to the University, A New Spin on Online Charities

    Facebook Goes Back to the University, A New Spin on Online Charities

    Facebook has launched a "Universities on Facebook" page to "help students and campus organizations discover how to take full advantage of Facebook’s features to publicize events, distribute content, and foster community and school spirit."

    The company has also acquired an interesting search patent for ranking based on click frequency.

    With regards to the suit from the guy who claims to own a majority stake in Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg’s lawyers are quoted as saying, "They filed this remand motion to harass defendants under the pretext of obtaining jurisdictional discovery into Zuckerberg’s private life."

    Digg announced its new CEO today – Matt Williams, who has been with Amazon for over a decade. He joins the company as the site is overrun by content from competitor Reddit. Reddit, by the way is showing off its traffic numbers since that takeover.

    A site called Endorse for a Cause was launched today. It’s described as "a new and easy way to make a difference." This video describes how it works:

    Samsung has gathered developers to work on its Smart TV product. The company is holding a Developer Day in San Jose.

    According to Engadget, Archos has unleashed five different Android Froyo tablets. They explore these (with videos).

    Yedda is being renamed AOL Answers. AOLanswers.com is live. AOL has also acquired Rally Up, according to TechCrunch.

    Bloomberg reports that former HP CEO Mark Hurd is leaving the News Corp.’s Board of Directors. He will reportedly no longer serve following the company’s October 15 meeting.