Galaxy Note 7 Replacements In Stores; Netflix Moving to Half Original Content
Posted: September 21, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Exploding batteries, Galaxy Note 7, Netflix, Original programming, Samsung Leave a commentReplacements for the Galaxy Note 7 should be in stores today! Samsung has shipped a half million to carriers and retailers, according to 9to5mac.com. The replacement phones show the battery icon green in the bar at the top of the screen to indicate a safe battery. This is a no-no according to Google…they’re supposed to be all grey…but so far, Google hasn’t complained. Samsung has also pushed out a software update, which will nag owners of phones with the bad batteries until they take them in and exchange for a replacement.
On the momentum of House of Cards, Stranger Things, and Master of None, Netflix will move towards 50% original programming over the next few years. Arstechnica.com says they will continue to stream half licensed TV shows and movies. This is a sea change….not just for Netflix, but a king-sized cannon shot over the bow to cable and over-the-air TV when it comes to the way more and more people consume video. Right now, Netflix is already a third to halfway to the 50% original mark. No matter how you cut it, ‘cord-cutters’ are here to stay!
HP Freshens ProBook 400 Laptops; Samsung’s ‘Explody’ Phones Were Effort to Beat iPhone 7 to Market
Posted: September 19, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Business laptops, Galaxy Note 7, H-P, ProBook, Samsung Leave a commentWe tend to report pretty much ‘all mobile, all the time,’ as people don’t replace their PCs or laptops quite so often anymore. Now, zdnet.com reports that H-P has rolled out updates to its ProBook line of business laptops. There are 5 in all, with the lightest-the ProBook 430 G4…weighing in at 3.3 lbs. They are decked out in a new Astroid Silver case, and have all passed the MIL-STD 810G tests for drops, shocks, dust, and extreme temperature. The line starts out at $499.
In a report from Bloomberg picked up by 9to5mac.com, Samsung’s exploding and burning Galaxy Note 7’s were due to an effort by the company to beat what they thought would be a ‘dull’ iPhone 7 to market. In the effort to push the phone out quickly, with a more powerful, faster charging battery, testing was incomplete…and thus, the fires and explosions, and the recall of 2.5 million handsets The batteries were from one of Samsung’s own subsidiaries…another battery supplier’s batteries that are in some of the phones work fine. Still..the Note 7 has been reviewed as the best Android ever by a number of tech writers. You might wait a month or so, and see how much they have to drop the price on the corrected ones, and get a relative bargain on a great Android phablet.
Tentative Date for Tesla Autopilot Update; Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Apology & Recall; Clarkson Netflix Show November Start
Posted: September 16, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, Autopilot, CPSC, Elon Musk, Galaxy Note 7, Jeremy Clarkson, Prime, Recall, Samsung, Tesla, The Grand Tour Leave a commentElon Musk has announced that Tesla hopes to begin a worldwide rollout of V. 8.0 of their Autopilot software next Wednesday. Bgr.com says this is barring any last minute issues popping up. The revised version will utilize radar a lot more than previous versions…which primarily used it to supplement cameras. The update will be pushed out over the air as in the past.
Samsung’s president has issued a video apology for the fires and explosions of Galaxy Note 7s. According to 9to5google.com, they have replaced 130,000 of the 2.5 million bad handsets so far. They have implored people to power present devices down until they can be replaced. Since the Consumer Product Safety Commission stepped in, Samsung has said that replacement phones will be available no later than September 21st, and now you can take yours in and get your money back, then just go buy the new one when they are available.
The new car show starring the original Top Gear guys: Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond, will premiere on Amazon November 18th. It’s called The Grand Tour. If you’re a Prime member, you can watch it free, or pay a monthly video subscription of 8 bucks a month.
Galaxy S8 Rumors; iPhone 7 Models Sold Out in Stores
Posted: September 15, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Dream, Edge, Galaxy S8, iPhone 7, Jet Black, Lightening, Proprietary connector, Samsung, USB-C Leave a commentBattery fire issues on the Note 7 aside, Samsung is pressing ahead with the Galaxy S8 series. According to 9to5google.com, there are now official code names of Dream and Dream2, and it looks like the whole Galaxy line will go to wraparound Edge screens. On the down side, Samsung is probably going to not only ditch the headphone jack like Apple, but roll out their own proprietary port like Apple’s Lightening. That would allow them to charge accessory makers a licensing fee…and irritate all of us, who will now have to carry around Lightening, USB-C, and Samsung adapters everywhere. Since the Note 7 battery fire issue, it’s looking like Samsung will move the rollout up a week or two…maybe even to a month ahead of Mobile World Congress.
Yes, there’s very slim inventory of iPhone 7 models for stores tomorrow. TechCrunch.com says no Jet Black phones are available, and iPhone 7 Plus models are completely sold out. Your best bet is to order online and wait. If you really want one tomorrow, try a phone carrier store or other non-Apple store…they sometimes have a few phones early in the morning.
Some iPhone 7 Plus Models Sold Out in Hours; FAA- Advises Against Galaxy Note 7s on Planes
Posted: September 9, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple, Backorder, Exploding batteries, FAA, Galaxy Note 7, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, Jet Black, Samsung, Sellout Leave a commentApple put the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus on pre-sale at midnight Friday morning. In less than 4 hours, according to bgr.com, some models were sold out. The 2 larger capacity iPhone 7 Plus models in the new glossy Jet Black are now backordered until November. Plus models in black or silver, it’s a 2-3 week wait. The Jet Black 128 gig iPhone 7 is also looking at a November ship date. Most of the iPhone 7 models can still be ordered for delivery next Friday. Of course, with Apple, it’s always a question of whether a shortage is from high demand, Apple’s mis-calculating demand, or artificially caused to keep the ‘reality distortion field’ going! I went with black over the Jet Black, which Apple warned may scratch more easily.
The gift that keeps on giving from Samsung. The FAA has strongly advised not to use or charge a Galaxy Note 7 on planes, due to possible battery explosions. Recode.net says it’s not an outright ban. That’s good, since Samsung is recalling the recently released handset that’s been reviewed by many as the best ever Android device. Fliers are also advised not to place the phones in checked baggage. The recall just days before Apple’s iPhone 7 rollout has to have Samsung reeling. Still, it remains the best Android handset, and with the company in the process of replacing 2.5 million of them, the problem should clear up relatively quickly.
New iPhone Color; Google Maps & Pokemon; Galaxy Note Blows Up in Samsung’s Face; Google Self-Drivers Spot Cops; Netflix Grabs 3 ‘Mythbusters
Posted: September 6, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Exploding batteries, Galaxy Note 7, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Google, Google Maps, iPhone 7, Kari Byron, Mythbusters, Piano Black, Pokemon Go, Police detection, Recall, Samsung, Self Driving Cars, The White Rabbit Project Leave a commentTomorrow, we’ll know for sure, but for weeks, the tech media has been complaining that there’s nothing cool about the upcoming iPhone 7…not even a dual lens camera that may allow focusing after the fact. Now, they’re all excited about a….color. Mac rumors.com says there will be a glossy ‘piano black’ color. Never let it be said the tech media isn’t shallow!
Google Maps has added a Catching Pokemon feature to the timeline. According to thenextweb.com, you can now show in Maps when and where you’ve been Playing Pokemon Go.
In an amazing gift to Apple, Samsung is recalling all Galaxy Note 7’s..up to 2.5 million, due to batteries that can explode when charging! What has been reviewed as the best Android ever will now be recalled just as the iPhone 7 is rolled out. Bgr.com reports that you can either take it back to where you bought it, or call Sammy at 1-800-SAMSUNG. Whether you decide to swap it for a less ‘explody’ one, or trade for a Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge, Samsung will throw in a $25 gift card.
A couple of quick notes….Google has gotten a patent for self-driving cars detection of police vehicles. Thenextweb.com says it picks up on the flashing lights. The cars will automatically move to yield.
The ‘Mythbusters’ build team is getting a show on Netflix. According to bgr.com, Kari Byron, Tory Belleci, and Grant Imahara will star in ‘The White Rabbit Project,’ which will start airing on Netflix December 9th. They’ll investigate things from science, pop culture, and history…and it’s a good bet some things will blow up. Hopefully, not any Samsung batteries.
New Google Phones & 4K Chromecast Roll Out in October; Samsung May Recall Galaxy Note 7 Models
Posted: September 2, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Batteries, Chromecast, Daydream VR, Exploding, Galaxy Note 7, Google, Pixel, Pixel XL, Recall, Samsung, Smartphones Leave a commentGoogle will hold a media event in October that will include new phone branding— Pixel and Pixel XL, and will also debut 4K Chromecast. Cnet.com says Android Police tout October 4th as the date. We had just reported this week that Google would drop the Nexus brand, and this is another confirmation of that. We may also see the design for its Daydream VR, a hardware and software platform to help any Android smartphone manufacturer create a VR headset themselves.
There have been several reports the last few weeks of Samsung Galaxy Note 7’s exploding while charging. Now, according to 9to5google.com, the company says that.1 of 1% of the batteries may be bad, and they may go ahead and do a full global recall. Samsung says simply replacing the battery will fix the problem, but they want to err on the side of caution. Until more details on the problem and recall come out…probably next week…don’t use off-brand chargers or accessories with a Galaxy Note 7.
iPhone 8 May Get Iris Scanner; Samsung GearS3 Smartwatch Gets LTE Cell Connection
Posted: September 1, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Cellular, Galaxy Note 7, Gear S3, iPhone 8, Iris Scanner, LTE, Samsung, Tizen, Touch ID Leave a commentAccording to macrumors.com, citing a Chinese source, Apple will give the 10th anniversary iPhone iris scanning. It’s not clear if this would add an additional layer of security, or replace Touch ID. The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 just rolled out with an iris scanner a few weeks ago. Some sources think it will be additional deeper security, as it takes at least as long to line up the eyes with the scanner as it does for Touch ID to read your fingerprints. This is also the approach Samsung has taken.
Speaking of Samsung, they announced the Gear S3 smartwatch yesterday. It’s something of a monster watch at 46mm, but does have optional LTE cellular ability. Arstechinca.com reports Samsung is sticking with their Tizen operating system. The biggest Apple watch is 42mm. Samsung promises 3-4 days per charge, and the watch can use your current cell phone number on most systems, and whether your cell phone is Android or iOS. they also continue with a smaller, more svelte model with no cellular. Pricing is yet to be announced.
Facebook’s Firing Trending Editors Brings SNAFUs; Future iPhones May Get Better Than OLED Screens; Amazon’s Amazing Numbers
Posted: August 30, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Algorithms, Amazon, Best Buy, Editors, Facebook, iPhone 8, LuxVue, Micro LED, OLED, Online sales, Retail sales, Samsung, Target, Trending Topics, Walmart Leave a commentIt didn’t take long….barely half a week has passed since Facebook canned 18 editorial contractors and went algorithm only for its Trending Topics. There have been some obvious goofs, like wrong videos linked to stories, but yesterday a completely made-up story made it and stayed for hours. Theverge.com says the fake story about Fox commentator Megan Kelly’s secret affinity for Hillary Clinton sat in the trending topics for hours…proving that algorithms and engineers make lousy news editors! The story, by the way, came from libertarian source End the Fed.
We’ve reported that the iPhone 8 may switch to OLED screens. Now, according to thenextweb.com, Apple may already be looking at a better tech in the next couple years. It’s micro LED. Cupertino bought LuxVue two years ago, and a secret Taiwan facility is working on the tech…which supposedly combines the best advantages of LED screens with OLED ones. It would also be another way for them to cut a further tie with Samsung, which makes OLED screens.
Just how big a gorilla is Amazon online? More than 800 pounds! Businessinsider.com reports that Amazon sold 6 times more online than the next 8 biggest retailers COMBINED! That’s 59 billion worth of stuff in the 2nd quarter of the year, while Walmart, Target, Best Buy and the rest totaled $10 billion together. The Department of Commerce calculates Amazon generated around 30% of US retail sales growth by itself!


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