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Smartphones hit 7 inches as Huawei announces MediaPad X2

Publié: mars 1, 2015, 11:49pm CET par Mark Wilson
The announcements are coming thick and fast from MWC 2015 in Barcelona. As well as the Huawei Watch, Huawei also announced the MediaPad X2. As you might guess from the name, this is a tablet, but dual SIM support means that it is essentially a gigantic smartphone with no less than 7 inches of screen to play with.

And it's more than just the dimensions that are supersized -- the 2.0 GHz Kirin930 64 bit octa-core packs quite a punch. Being a brand new device, it's little surprise that Android 5.0 Lollipop is found pre-installed, and this is supplemented by the third version of Huawei's own Emotion UI. But there is much more to this phone/tablet crossover -- perhaps the first device to genuinely justify the horrific portmanteau phablet.

This is a device that very clearly tries to bridge the gap between tablets and smartphones, and the 323ppi, 1920 x 1200 lends itself to all manner of tasks. Two versions are on the card; one features 2GB RAM and 16GB of storage, the other 3GB RAM and 32GB. Both feature a MicroSD slot that can handle a memory card up to 128GB.

Just 7.18mm thick and weighing at 239g, this is a tablet that could be easily carried around with little trouble, and the hefty 5000 mAh battery means you can last for some time between charges. Huawei is yet to reveal details of pricing and availability, but we do have the full specs to tide us over:
- Height: 183.5mm
- Width: 103.9mm
- Depth: 7.18mm
- Weight: About 239g
- Color: Silver, Gold
- Display: 7-inch 1920 x 1200 FHD IPS LTPS touch display, 10-point capacitive touch screen, 323ppi, 450 nits
- CPU: 2.0 GHz Kirin930 64 bit octa-core CPU, 4 x 2.0 GHz+4 x 1.5 GHz, GPU Mali-T628+ i3 co- processor
- Operation System: Android 5.0, Huawei Emotion UI 3.0
- Memory: RAM: 2GB/ 3GB, ROM: 16GB/ 32GB, MicroSD 128GB
- Network: LTE Cat6: up to 300 Mbps DL / 50 Mbps UL, DC-HSDPA+: up to 42 Mbps DL / 5.76 Mbps UL, Dual 4G SIM connectivity, Dual-antenna Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n, 2.4/5GHz, Bluetooth: 4.0 (compatible with 3.0 2.1 + A2D, EDR, BLE), MicroUSB 2.0, Cellular Voice, SMS and MMS, AirSharing, Wi-Fi hotspot
- GPS: GPS/A-GPS Location & Navigation
- Connectivity: Model: GEM-702L - GSM: band 2/3/5/8, UMTS: band 1/2/5/8, TD-SCDMA: band 34/39, LTE-TDD: band 38/39/40/41, LTE-FDD: band 1/3/7/8/28, Wi-Fi: 2.4 GHz/5GHz, Model: GEM-703L - GSM: band 2/3/5/8, UMTS: band 1/2/5/8, TD-SCDMA: band 34/39, LTE-TDD: band 38/39/40/41, LTE-FDD: band 1/3/7, Wi-Fi: 2.4/5 GHz
- Sensors: Ambient Light Sensor, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Gyroscope, Compass
- Camera: 13-megapixel BSI rear-facing camera, 5-megapixel front-facing camera
- Audio: Dual built-in noise reduction MIC, Receiver and Speaker, DTS sound technology, 3.5 mm stereo headset jack
- Audio formats: MP3/WMA/FLAC/APE/WAV/RA/Ogg/MIDI/3GP
- Video: 1080p full HD video recording and video playback
- Video formats: MPEG-4, 3GP, 3G2, RM, RMVB, ASF, FLAC, APE, MOV
- Battery: 5000 mAh lithium polymer, about 24 days of standby time, about 3.5 hours of charging time, reverse charge function
HP takes on Apple Macbook Air with new Spectre x360

Publié: mars 1, 2015, 10:05pm CET par Alan Buckingham

Ever since Apple introduced it's ultra-thin and light laptop competitors have been popping up with efforts to trump the notebook. While this competition has been good for the market, and hence consumers, there's little doubt that Apple's offering continues to be the standard for many people. The latest to step up to the plate is HP, announcing its version of an ultrathin device.

The company is touting a wealth of statistics, though how it all works will be for the consumers to decide. However those interested don't have long to wait -- in fact it can be purchased direct from HP today and will hit Best Buy shelves on March 15th.

The hardware maker promises 12.5 hours of battery life, which is quite a lot. It also touts Intel Core i5 and i7 models, with the i5 version coming with a 128 GB SSD and 4 GB of RAM. Meanwhile the flagship i7 will sport 8 GB of RAM and be available in both 256 GB and 512 GB models for storage. All models feature a 360 degree hinge for screen rotation.

"Customers are looking for beautiful devices that deliver quality, versatility and portability,” says Mike Nash, vice president of portfolio strategy and customer experience at HP. “The HP Spectre x360 is transformational as it has the productivity of a high end notebook, tablet mode for on the go, tent mode for play and stand mode for watching entertainment in a stunning ultra-thin device".

Pricing isn't unreasonable for a notebook computer such as this. The low end model runs $899, while i7 devices come in at $1,149 and $1,399 respectively. If you'd like to grab your wallet now then head over to HP to place your order.
There's something HTC should learn from the M9 launch

Publié: mars 1, 2015, 10:05pm CET par Joe Wilcox

Some advice for HTC and other mobile device makers: You need to adapt your PR strategy to the modern web. Seeding devices to so-called professional reviewers is a lose-lose strategy. There you should take cues from Motorola, which marketing strategy, while by no means perfect, depends more on the many rather than the few.

Today, as expected, the HTC One M9 launched on Mobile World Congress Day 0. I am struck by two early reviews, which couldn't be more different in their assessment—and one surely is quite damaging to perceptions about the smartphone: "HTC One M9 hands-on: Improved craftsmanship, camera, and HTC Sense are compelling" by Matthew Miller for ZDNet and "HTC’s One M9 is the world’s most beautiful disappointment" by Vlad Savov for The Verge. Miller had the device for a day and Savov for a week. Neither narrative is ideal for HTC, although ZDNet's is closer to identifying benefits that matter, as opposed to The Verge highlighting features that aren't.

Benefits, Benefits, Benefits

Phablets and smartphones are the most personal computing devices anyone has ever purchased. Personal is the keyword. What appeals to one buyer won't to another, when comparing benefits. But benefits often are lost in the quest for features, something to many geek bloggers or reviewers obsess about. As I have repeatedly expressed as analogy: The holder that wraps around a Starbucks cup is a feature. Protecting your hand from burning is a benefit. While related, the two are different.

Problem: Carrying forward PC-era thinking, too many professional reviewers obsess about specs. Faster this. More that. But what matters more is the balance of benefits—how all the pieces fit together. To its credit, Apple is among the best mobile device makers with respect to balancing benefits rather than over-emphasizing features—many of which people don't need or will use. Motorola gets this, too, but does better in social marketing.

Ahead of today's M9 launch, HTC faced several challenges. The most difficult: Crazy rumors driven by click-crazed blogs like BGR that set expectations either too high or too low. Too high is the problem, because people expected more getting less will be disappointed.

In reading the two reviews, Miller better sees the benefits for what they are and in the broader context of HTC's sensible strategy for the One. Savov represents the disappointed camp. But neither really gets to the benefits that matter to the broadest group of potential buyers.

Contrasting Viewpoints

Here's example of how the reviewers differently see the HTC phone. Savov writes:

I don’t find the new One M9 more desirable or ergonomic than the iPhone 6. The sharper contours of the M9 feel less refined and less friendly to the palm, while its prominent BoomSound speakers extend its height without adding anything as useful as Apple’s Touch ID home button.

Miller, by contrast:

HTC has reached a high level of emotional appeal again with the One M9 design. While the edges may be a bit sharp for some, the M9 feels much more secure in my hand than the M8...I dropped the HTC One M8 quite a bit and still find the need to carry it in a case since it is very slippery. The M9 fixed that with less back curvature and sharper edges while also improving the rock solid feel of the hardware.

In reviewing iPhone 6, I faulted Apple for the curvy frame that helps make the device unnecessarily slippery. How well a mobile grips in the hand, thus preventing drops that break the screen, is a huge benefit. Something else: Many users will want front-facing speakers—something not available on the Apple handset.

Since the Pros Aren't...

The strategy of seeding phablets or smartphones to tech bloggers is archaic. For starters: There are no cellular device experts. But there are plenty of geeks obsessed about features, or whose device bias preferences taint their reviews. How can the iPhone 6-using reviewer really be fair when evaluating an Android, for example. These writers cannot be trusted to be impartial, and I don't mean Miller or Savov but everyone. Their writeups are just examples.

By contrast, Canon or Fujifilm can seed cameras to photographers, who are more likely to rightly assess benefits. They are experts. But even their opinions are skewed, because most people buying digicams are amateurs. The benefits they need often differ from the professionals.

Companies like HTC need to get their products in front of real people across different demographic groups before launch and more aggressively promote the honest writeups via social media. Not everyone will like the devices, but the reviews are likely to be believable. Where do you go to research something before buying? Me: Amazon, other retail sites, and product communities to read what real users have to say.

Of course, those aren't available when something new is launched, but some can be if a product is made available to a larger group than select reviewers. Sure, some information will leak out. Let it. Rumors will fly anyways, and it's better they realistically set expectations rather than over-inflate them.

Change the Rules

I like how Motorola maximizes social sharing, as well as so-called professional reviewers, in introducing new devices and churning up ongoing interest. The strategy is broad, ranging from the choices given to consumers customizing devices, to frequent YouTube video posts, or to short-time sales events that keep people sharing online about devices like Moto X.

As I often say, enthusiasts are every company's best evangelists and marketers. Motorola embraces them, and could do better by offering more of them discounted or free devices, while reaching out to others ahead of device launches. These people also are a lot closer to the average buyer than geeks writing for gadget blogs.

I'm being a big vague about Motorola's social marketing approach, saving the punch for a separate post. But the point is this: Companies like HTC can't trust so-called professional reviewers to either be objective or to examine products based on benefits that matter most. So don't.

You think you need the so-called pro reviewers to promote your product. Actually, they need you more. Because if they don't have devices to write about, their readers, listeners, or viewers will go somewhere else. Change the rules of marketing engagement, by better embracing the people who will buy your products. I'll have more to say about this in a future post.
Huawei Watch could be the first smartwatch you actually want to wear

Publié: mars 1, 2015, 9:39pm CET par Mark Wilson

At MWC 2015, Chinese manufacturer Huawei announced its first foray into Android Wear. The company unveiled the rather predictably-named Huawei Watch today, and it's already got tongues wagging around the world. The screen is a 1.4 inch, 400 x 400 pixel AMOLED affair which is, importantly, completely round.

Packing 286 pixels per inch, the Sapphire crystal screen has a higher resolution than the Watch Urbane launched by LG today. The stainless steel case gives the watch a quality look and feel, and the device boasts a bevy of on-board sensors for tracking different activities. What is likely to prove the Huawei Watch's key to success, however, is the fact that it so closely resembles the look of a regular watch.

It's difficult to believe that this is the first smartwatch Huawei has released -- it's seriously sexy, so it seems that biding time has worked in the company's favor. Borrowing from traditional watch design, the Huawei Watch features a crown that can be used to access the app launcher. This can also be accessed by swiping to the left on the screen, while a right swipe calls up a list of frequently used contacts. Customization is a key feature of the watch. There's a choice of black, gold and silver cases, stainless steel and leather straps, and more than 40 built in watch faces so you can create something perfect for you.

In terms of specs, you'll find 4GB of built-in storage, 512MB of RAM and a Qualcomm 1.2GHz processor. There's also a 6-axis gyroscope, a barometer, and a heart rate monitor, while charging is taken care of by a magnetic cradle. It does not matter what Android phone you have, as the Huawei Watch can pair with any one over Bluetooth.

There's no word on pricing at the moment, but here are the full spec to mull over until we have more details:

Size: 42mm diameter by 11.3mm thickness

Color: Silver, Black, Gold

Display: 1.4-inch full circle AMOLED display 400x400, 286ppi Sapphire crystal

Material: 316L Stainless Steel

CPU: Qualcomm APQ8026 1.2GHz

Operation System: Android Wear

Memory: 512MB RAM + 4GB ROM

Network: Bluetooth 4.0/4.1

Sensors: Gyroscope + Accelerometer, PPG, Barometer, Vibration Motor

Audio: Built-in MIC

Battery: 300mAh
Samsung announces Galaxy S6, S6 Edge and Samsung Pay at MWC 2015

Publié: mars 1, 2015, 8:16pm CET par Brian Fagioli
Mobile World Conference 2015 is here, and the news is coming fast and furious. The most anticipated announcement, however, has been Samsung's Galaxy S6. As expected, the smartphone is here, but so is its more beautiful sibling, the S6 Edge. Potentially more important though, is Samsung Pay -- a mobile payment system to rival Apple Pay and Google Wallet.

Unfortunately for Samsung, pundits and analysts have been talking all doom and gloom for the company, something else Apple has had to face. Much like Apple, the analysts are dead-wrong to count out Samsung in the mobile market. Quite frankly, the Android market is the Samsung market -- no other brand of smartphone is more ubiquitous in public. So are these announcements enough? Are they enough to finally make the doom and gloom pundits zip their lips?

"Carefully crafted from metal and glass, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge blend purposeful design with powerful features. The Galaxy S6 edge, particularly, shows unique and outstanding beauty while also providing a solid grip and an immersive viewing experience with the world’s first curved display on both sides. Its glass body, made from the toughest glass to date, Corning Gorilla Glass 4, is available in an array of colorful jewel tones, including White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Blue Topaz and Green Emerald, which elicit a unique visual texture as it reflects natural light. This timeless design required first-of-its-kind glass crafting technology and unmatched quality control, setting the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge apart from every other mobile device on the market. The premium device aesthetics deliver true value and are complemented by a totally new and lighter interface that greatly enhances usability and functionality. A refined and fully optimized user experience simplifies applications and offers features and settings in a more intuitive way", says Samsung.

The manufacturer further explains, "the thin and lightweight Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge integrate the most advanced, cutting-edge, Samsung core technology available today. The world's first 14nm mobile processor with 64-bit platform, new LPDDR4 memory system and UFS 2.0 flash memory provides higher performance and enhanced memory speed with lower power consumption. Moreover, the world’s first 1440P/VP9 hardware based codec enables users to enjoy high resolution streaming video while also using less power. In addition, the 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED screen offers users the highest pixel density of 577ppi. Enhanced outdoor visibility with a brighter display (600cd/mm) lets consumers experience content without compromise -- anywhere, at any time".

While pricing and availability are not yet known, below are some notable specs.
- Display (S6): 5.1 inch Quad HD(2560x1440) 577ppi, Super AMOLED
- Display (S6 Edge): 5.1inch Quad HD(2560x1440) 577ppi, Super AMOLED, Dual edge
- Processor: Quad 2.1GHz + Quad 1.5Ghz, Octacore application processor
- OS Android 5.0 (Lollipop)
- Camera 16MP OIS(rear), 5MP (front)
- Connectivity: WiFi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), HT80 MIMO(2x2) 620Mbps, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Mobile hotspot, Bluetooth: v4.1, A2DP, LE, apt-X, ANT+
- RAM: 3GB, LPDDR4
- Internal Memory: 32/64/128GB, UFS 2.0
- Wireless Charging: WPC1.1(4.6W Output) & PMA 1.0(4.2W) compatible
- Dimensions (S6):143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8mm, 138g
- Dimensions (S6 Edge):142.1 x 70.1 x 7.0mm, 132g
- Battery (S6): 2,550mAh
- Battery (S6 Edge) 2,600mAh
Unfortunately, there are two aspects of these phones that the Galaxy S fans will consider huge disappointments -- gone are removable batteries and microSD card slots. In other words, you need to pick the size you need when purchasing. Luckily, unlike Apple there is no laughable 16GB version to be found, as it is offered in 32, 64, and 128GB of storage. Obviously, most tech nerds, including myself, will want the 128GB model.

The real win on the hardware front, however, is the improved fingerprint reader. No longer must you clumsily slide your finger to unlock your device. Instead, you simply place your finger on the sensor like Apple's Touch ID. This was my biggest gripe with the S5 and Note 4.

While both the S6 and S6 Edge are beautiful, the Edge is clearly the more attractive option, so I wish Samsung would have only offered it as the "S6". With that said, giving consumer choice is not a bad thing, but it can sometimes confuse shoppers.

Both models come in multiple colors, which are, according to Samsung, "White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Blue Topaz (Galaxy S6 only) and Green Emerald (Galaxy S6 edge only)". Maybe I'm alone here, but Green Emerald is my favorite of the bunch, making the phone stand out among the typical smartphone colors. Hopefully an Emerald Green S6 Edge 128GB is in my future!

While Touchwiz will be on board, there is a far more important software solution included too -- Samsung Pay. This is to compete with Apple Pay and Google Wallet, obviously, but will consumers take notice?

"Samsung Pay has the potential of being accepted at approximately 30 million merchant locations worldwide, making it the only mobile payment solution with near universal acceptance. Samsung offers this capability by deploying a groundbreaking technology called Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST). Consumers can use Samsung Pay in merchant locations regardless of whether the terminals support NFC or traditional magstripe, which is the vast majority of existing terminals".

This new technology comes from Samsung's acquisition of LoopPay. How does MST work? According to the LoopPay website, "MST technology generates changing magnetic fields over a very short period of time. This is accomplished by putting alternating current through an inductive loop, which can then be received by the magnetic read head of the credit card reader. The signal received from Loop emulates the same magnetic field change as a mag stripe card when swiped across the same read head. Loop works within a 3-inch distance from the read head. The field dissipates rapidly beyond that point, and only exists during a transmission initiated by the user".

This is a game changer, as Samsung Pay will work in places where Apple and Google's solutions cannot. Until merchants switch entirely to NFC-styled transactions, MST is a great stop-gap.

Which model do you prefer, the Samsung Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge? Tell me in the comments.
HTC unveils One M9 Android smartphone, Grip wearable, and Vive virtual reality mask

Publié: mars 1, 2015, 6:53pm CET par Brian Fagioli

HTC is the company many Android-purists root for. Besides the Nexus line of device (which HTC has participated), going with HTC gets you a fairly stock experience with some useful additions. Its "One" line has been massively popular with both users and the media, thanks to its great performance and solid build quality. Just feeling the metal in your hands lets you know thought and care went into the design.

Today, HTC announces an all-new addition to its smartphone lineup; the One M9. This is an evolutionary upgrade from the M7 and M8, which finally drops the controversial dual-rear-camera design. While this smartphone was expected, some other new hardware was not -- HTC also announces a wearable called "Grip" and a VR-headset called "Vive".

HTC One M9

"Building on a three-year pursuit of excellence, the HTC One M9 melds the best of the award-winning HTC One M7 and HTC One M8 into a stunning, iconic design. Distinct metal edges combine perfectly with graceful curves for a jewellery-grade look. Small and easy to hold, the crafted, all-metal unibody design is highlighted by an exquisite dual-tone silver and rose gold finish that is as distinctive, as it is durable. Mirror-polished gold sides cascade effortlessly into a hairline brushed silver back panel, encasing a bright and vivid display", says HTC.

The manufacturer further explains, "your phone should make a statement about who you are, and the new HTC Sense 7 experience puts you in control of everything. Highly customizable and intuitively you, Themes puts you at the center of the smartphone experience, intelligently analyzing your favorite photos to modify the look and feel of your apps, color scheme and backgrounds".

Wow, it sounds like HTC hired a poet for this announcement! I've never though of a smartphone as jewelry, but hey, what do I know?

Well, what I do know is that we tech-nerds love specs, so please check the notable ones below.

PROCESSOR
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core CPU
• 4 x 2GHz + 4 x 1.5GHz
• 64-bit processing

MEMORY
•   Total storage: 32GB, available capacity varies
•   RAM: 3GB
•   Expandable: microSD expansion supports

OPERATING SYSTEM
•   Android 5.0 (Lollipop) with HTC Sense 7

REAR CAMERA
•   20MP with sapphire cover lens
•   Auto-focus, BSI sensor
•   f/2.2, 27.8mm lens, 4K video recording

FRONT CAMERA
•   HTC UltraPixel
•   BSI sensor
•   f/2.0, 26.8mm lens, 1080p video recording

BATTERY
•   Capacity: 2840mAh
•   Talk time: Up to 25.4 hours for 2G / 21.7 hours for 3G
•   Standby time: Up to 391 hours for 2G / 402 hours for 3G

An octa-core CPU and 3GB of RAM? Where do I sign up? What really makes this stand out from the Nexus line is the microSD slot. This is a huge advantage for those that like taking a lot of pictures and videos. Heck, with 4K recording as an option, you need all the space you can get! Hopefully we will know pricing -- both on and off contract -- soon.

HTC Grip

Wearables are all the rage these days, although smartwatches have not really caught on. This may change with the Apple Watch, but we will have to see if consumers embrace it beyond the initial hype. HTC wisely launches the Grip wearable, which is not a competitor for smartwatches, but more for activity trackers like Fitbit.

"Powered by UA Record, the new health and fitness network from Under Armour designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts, Grip fuses HTC’s renowned design with powerful, accurate tracking across a range of sports and activities, allowing athletes to set personal goals, then smash them. Compatible with Android and iOS devices1, as well as Bluetooth-enabled accessories like heart-rate monitors, Grip extends its functionality, providing additional performance data to the Under Armour Connected Fitness platform", says HTC.

The manufacturers further says "Grip is designed to comfortably support even the most extreme training regimes. The contoured, waterproof band conforms to your wrist without pinching your skin or catching on clothing during workouts. The curved PMOLED display also makes it easy to read time, distance and notifications on the move. Available in three sizes, to ensure a perfect fit, Grip complements even the most advanced training equipment and apparel in both style and performance".

So will consumers embrace Grip? Maybe. HTC is smart to support both iOS (7 and above) and Android (4.3 and above), as it does not limit the market. With that said, HTC will be competing with the Apple watch with iOS users, whether it likes it or not. Sadly, pricing and availability were not yet announced.

HTC Vive

This is a risky product for HTC, as it is not the company you think to associate with virtual reality. However, the company has made a smart move by partnering with Valve on the project; surely making gamers giddy.

"Through a strategic partnership with Valve, HTC promises to transform the way in which consumers interact with technology and the world around them with the debut of HTC Vive. HTC Vive Developer Edition will be launched this Spring, with the consumer edition available by the end of 2015", says HTC.

The company further explains, "Vive offers the most immersive experience of any VR package, plunging people into other worlds at a moment’s notice. HTC and Valve have introduced a Full Room Scale 360 Degree Solution with Tracked Controllers, letting you get up, walk around and explore your virtual space, inspect objects from every angle and truly interact with your surroundings. Setting a new benchmark for performance, the headset features high-quality graphics, 90-frames-per-second video and incredible audio fidelity".

The offering sounds impressive, but won't be available to consumers until the end of 2015. As we in the tech world know, that could easily be pushed into 2016. Developers, however, can start experimenting with the mask "in the spring".

Of course, with VR -- like many things -- content is king, so great hardware on its own won't sell. Don't worry, as HTC lists some impressive content partners in "Google, HBO, Lionsgate and the National Palace Museum in Taiwan".
Lenovo announces new Android and Windows tablets at MWC 2015

Publié: mars 1, 2015, 6:19pm CET par Brian Fagioli

Lenovo is a manufacturer under a lot of scrutiny right now. While the Superfish debacle may be fresh on your mind, the company is much more than that onetime mistake. The company's hardware is legendary; well built and respected by both home users and the enterprise alike. The company has since apologized and vowed to stop loading bloatware on machines. In other words, while Superfish was bad, the fallout is benefiting consumers, as the new PC experience will be improved. Kudos to the company for learning from its mistakes and actually improving as a result.

Moving beyond mistakes, Lenovo is at Mobile World Conference 2015, where it is announcing new products. Today, the company announces three new tablets; one is running Windows 8.1, while the other two are running Android. Which OS do you prefer on a tablet?

"As a leader in building devices for the uniquely personal ways people use technology today, Lenovo has created three new consumer tablet choices: a pair of A Series Android tablets, the Lenovo TAB 2 A8 and A10-70, and a Windows tablet, the ideapad MIIX 300. Debuting at Mobile World Congress 2015, these different devices help meet consumers' desire for entertainment and portability at prices set for universal appeal", says Lenovo.

The manufacturer further explains, "the all-new A Series proves affordable tablets can go big for entertainment capabilities with their high speed LTE connectivity and Dolby Atmos technology. These tablets not only keep people connected virtually anywhere, but they also make movies, TV shows and music more enjoyable with astonishing clarity, richness, power and depth over their built-in speakers. Meanwhile, the 8-in ideapad MIIX 300 offers Windows users pocket-sized productivity".

TAB 2 A10-70

The Tab 2 A10-70 offers a roomy 10.1 inch display, with 1080p resolution. It is rather thin at 8.9mm, and will be available in either blue or white. I am usually a sucker for white tablets and smartphones, but I really like the shade of blue

Android fans may be dismayed to know that it will ship with Android 4.4 KitKat and not the newer Lollipop. This is ponderous for a tablet shipping in April of 2015.

The device is powered by a 64-bit Quad-core MediaTek processor, which has historically offered average performance. Unfortunately, a 64-bit chip is of no benefit on the 32-bit only KitKat. Hopefully a 64-bit Lollipop upgrade is scheduled for the future.

Strangely, RAM is not disclosed, so I would guess it is only 1GB -- a larger number would likely be shared by the company.

The Tab 2 A10-70 will also feature an 8-megapixel rear-shooter and Dolby Atmos sound. Lenovo makes it a point to mention the multi-speaker soundbar, and that is appreciated. Unfortunately, the speakers are rear-facing, so sound is pointed away from the listener.

If an older OS and fairly average hardware doesn't worry you, the price is actually very good. It is only $199 for Wi-Fi and $279 for LTE.

TAB 2 A8

The TAB 2 A8 takes things smaller with an 8 inch screen, this time apparently at 720p. Lenovo again touts the MediaTek 64-bit Quad Core processor, but this time the tablet can actually make full use of it, as it will run Lollipop 5.0. Believe it or not, this will be Lenovo's first tablet running the new OS. With that said, I can't understand why the A10 is not shipping with Lollipop too, but C'est la vie!

What makes this tablet very interesting, is that the LTE model is apparently a large phone. It features dual sim card slots; one for voice and the other for data.

The TAB 2 A8 features a 5-megapixel rear-shooter, but like its 10 inch brother, the front-facing specs are not disclosed. Luckily, a micro SD card slot is included, so if you do take photos and videos, you can expand the storage as needed.

I am excited to see front-facing speakers on the A8; a wise decision to say the least. This should hopefully create an above-average listening experience.

This tablet will also come in blue and white, and pricing is extremely competitive. The Wi-Fi model is a paltry $129, while the dual-sim LTE model is a steal at $179. Unfortunately, this will not ship until June; an eternity in the tech world.

ideapad MIIX 300

But enough about Android, you love small Windows tablets, right? No? Oh. True, small Windows tablets have not been popular, mostly due to a lack of "Modern UI" apps, there are many legacy Windows programs available. Unfortunately, those are usually not optimized for touch or such a tiny screen. Who should buy such a tablet? Only those with an absolute need for legacy Windows programs in an extremely portable package should take notice.

The ideapad MIIX 300 features an 8 inch screen with a 1920x1200 resolution -- not bad. Unlike the aforementioned Android tablets which run fairly average ARM chips, this tablet runs an x86 Intel Atom processor. Sadly, which model is not disclosed.

As far as storage, it can get be equipped with up to 64GB, but you can expand that with a micro SD card. This can be good for loading movies for a long trip. If nothing else, a small-screen Windows tablet is a superb multimedia machine.

The saving grace for such a boring tablet is the price. At $149 you get the ideapad MIIX 300 and a one year subscription to Office 365. That subscription costs around $69.99, so if you look at it that way, the tablet itself only costs about $80 -- if you needed Office 365, that is.

Conclusion

Of these three tablets, the one I am most excited for is the blue dual-sim LTE TAB 2 A8 at $179. I just wish it was launching today and not in June!

Which one do you prefer? Tell me in the comments.
Thousands of online accounts fall victim to Chinese censorship

Publié: mars 1, 2015, 4:22pm CET par Mark Wilson

Censoring of the web in China is nothing new. Services like Gmail often find they are blocked, and there are constant battles on both sides of the Great Firewall of China to get information in and out of the country. The most recent battleground has been online usernames, and new regulations have come into force that dictate what is acceptable, and what is not.

China has long tried to force internet users to use their real names online and just before the new regulations took effect, more than 60,000 online accounts were deleted because they failed to comply. The Cyberspace Administration of China said that big names including Alibaba and Baidu had removed the accounts which infringed the guidelines for various reasons.

There are various reasons usernames have been deemed unsuitable for use. Some are considered misleading because they impersonate famous people, others have been jumped upon because they are parody accounts. But there are some which have been deleted because they are thought to be engaged in rumor-mongering, pornography, violence and other activities.

The regulations were put in place by the Cyberspace Administration of China, the body which oversees all online content in China. Online services such as Weibo now have dedicated teams working to seek out illegal account names and behavior.

Photo credit: karen roach / Shutterstock
IKEA announces furniture with integrated wireless charging for phones

Publié: mars 1, 2015, 12:20pm CET par Mark Wilson

Starting in April, IKEA will start to sell furniture with integrated Qi wireless charging points. The Scandinavian flat-pack furniture store, famous for the likes of the BILLY bookcase, plans to launch a range of home furnishing in North America and Europe, before extending the rollout worldwide.

You might expect that sofas would be a natural home for wireless charging -- just pop your smartphone on the arm so it can power up while you watch your favorite shows -- but in fact it is tables, desk and, surprisingly, lamps which will boast the feature. It's not just phones like the Galaxy Note 3 and Nexus 5 that can take advantage of wireless power, but also tablets like the Nexus 7.

The collection is called HOMESMART, and it hides wireless charging pads into everyday objects, eliminating the spaghetti wiring that plagues all too many homes. Coffee tables, desk lamps, and even floor lamps feature Qi pads, so there's no need to fumble for the end of a cable, just pop your phone down and start juicing up.

Jeanette Skjelmose, Business Area Manager Lighting and Wireless Charging, said:

Through research and home visits, we know that people hate cable mess. They worry about not finding the charger and running out of power. Our new innovative solutions, which integrate wireless charging into home furnishings, will make life at home simpler.

So the tangle of cables could become a thing of the past, but now all of the phones in a house will be fighting for space around a lamp or on a desk.

Photo credit: IKEA
Windows 8.x still nowhere near as popular as Windows XP

Publié: mars 1, 2015, 9:06am CET par Wayne Williams

It’s fair to say, Windows 8.x has enjoyed something of a rollercoaster ride when it comes to usage share. While it’s never been a popular operating system (quite the opposite in fact), share has gone up and down, with gains one month being wiped out by losses the following month.

NetMarketShare’s monthly usage share figures provide a decent guide as to how Microsoft’s tiled OS is doing, and it’s usually pretty interesting, although February was a fairly unexciting month.

Windows 8.1 went from 10.04 percent share to 10.49 percent, and Windows 8 went from 3.79 percent to 3.55 percent. In total 8.x gained 0.21 percentage points.

Windows 7 refuses to yield any ground and in February gained 0.07 percentage points, going from 55.92 percent to 55.99 percent. It remains by far and away the dominant operating system, and it’s Windows 7 users that Microsoft will need to target with Windows 10 as I suspect a large portion won’t upgrade to the new OS even if it is free.

Windows XP remains impressively resilient, and actually gains a modicum of usage share this month going from 18.93 percent to 19.15 percent.

All in all, February turned out to be a rather static month, with no real gains or losses to speak of which isn’t really surprising as anyone thinking of changing operating systems is likely now waiting for Windows 10 to arrive. Talking of which, the Technical Preview now has 0.08 percent share of the desktop OS market.

Image Credit: racorn/Shutterstock
Google, mobile and the next billion

Publié: mars 1, 2015, 12:45am CET par Sameer Singh

The change in Google's narrative over the past few months has been very interesting to watch. The recent "Peak Google" proclamations remind me of Facebook's post-IPO narrative in 2012. Conventional wisdom back then was that Facebook's decline was imminent as mobile was not a meaningful part of their revenue. Of course, Facebook's app install ads and other mobile initiatives disproved that narrative in short order.

Some observers even make it seem as though Google's growth has seen a major slowdown in 2014. Interestingly, both Google's revenue and operating profit growth accelerated in 2014. This isn't to say that mobile does not pose a challenge to Google. It does, but it is important to understand exactly what those challenges are and the way forward. By looking at Google's financial reports, their biggest challenge is a decline in operating margins. This has been triggered by increase in search advertising on mobile, which delivers lower CPCs. While consumers used search on PCs for more involved research on products/services, the interaction window for mobile search is shorter. Lower ad engagement led to fewer bids on keywords and consequently, lower CPCs and margins.

While there has been talk of "brand advertising" being the next big opportunity on mobile, a look at Facebook's mobile growth suggests that transactional opportunities remain massive. Facebook used app login data to create a targeting engine for app install ads, which drove a significant portion of their growth on mobile. As the app economy continues to grow and extend its economic influence beyond app store revenues, app install (or engagement) ads will remain a lucrative opportunity on mobile. This is one area where Google has been a laggard, even though they clearly have the assets (app usage data, access to developers/brands, Google Play, Google Now) to be a market leader.

Unsurprisingly, we now have evidence that Google has not been ignoring this opportunity -- the company just announced the launch of app install ads on Google Play. In my opinion, this is Google's first step towards a major opportunity, i.e. contextual app install or "access" ads implemented via Google Now.

This should provide a counter-argument to one segment of the current narrative surrounding Google. I have also heard another, more puzzling argument that goes something like this -- The next billion smartphone users will experience the internet for the first time. These users (e.g., a farmer in Africa or India) will have very different needs and far lower purchasing power, which could challenge Google's business model. It's not that I don't agree with this argument, I do. It's just that this argument is applicable to every tech giant in the world, from Google to Facebook to Tencent. These consumers may use Google search, Facebook, Whatsapp or a host of other apps. But they aren't valuable to Google or Facebook's advertisers and they aren't likely to be major in-app purchasers. How exactly are WeChat or Snapchat going to monetize these users? The answer I hear most often is "services". But which services? And how will they be monetized?

In my opinion, there are business models that could cater to this segment (e.g. monetizing usage data directly through by-products of usage), but they seem to fit smaller services companies like Duolingo or Opensignal. As a result, I expect to see a split in companies that cater to today's mass-market consumers and those that cater to "the next billion". And that isn't necessarily a risk for today's tech companies (for now) because these monetization models also require very different businesses.

This story was reposted with permission from tech-thoughts.

Sameer Singh is an M&A professional and business strategy consultant focusing on the mobile technology sector. He is founder and editor of tech-thoughts.net.

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