Android Rules the World in Number of Smartphones; Apple Watch Coming to Kohl’s
Posted: November 3, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Apple Watch, Black Friday, Dick's Sporting Goods, iOS, Kohl's, Macy's, Nike, Smartphones, Tizen Leave a commentA report out from strategyanalytics.com says that Android now accounts for 88% of global smartphone shipments in the third quarter of this year, with a total of 375 million phones. Apple slipped to 12%, mainly on losing ground in China and Africa. Other operating systems only account for .3% at this point, including Tizen. Apple’s iPhone running iOS obviously does far better in the US and in the narrower market for higher priced phones.
Kohl’s Department Stores will start selling the Apple Watch at 400 locations ahead of Black Friday. 9to5mac.com says they’ll roll out the smartwatch starting November 15th. Kohl’s has 1100 stores, so you’ll have to check ahead if one near you will carry the Watch. Macy’s has the Watch, but only in 180 stores. You can get the Nike+ version of Apple Watch at Dick’s Sporting Goods and Nike stores.
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.
The Internet of Things & Your Local Watering Hole
Posted: January 11, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, Apple Watch, Beer, iKeg, Internet of things, Moto 360, Orbis, Samsung, Steady Serve, Tizen Leave a commentThe internet of things hits the local pub. Geekwire.com says Steady Serve technologies showed the iKeg at CES this week. It lets bartenders know how much beer is left in a keg. No more lifting and shaking 100 pound kegs!
9to5google.com reports that Samsung will rollout a round faced smartwatch at Mobile World Congress next month. It’s code named Orbis, and runs Samsung’s Tizen system, not Android, and is aimed ‘squarely’ at Motorola’s Moto 360.
Even though they love to hate each other, Samsung and Apple are still partners. Macrumors.com says Samsung will supply the processor, RAM, flash memory, and other internals for the upcoming Apple Watch.
The Second Coming of Palm
Posted: January 1, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Palm, Samsung, Smart TVs, Tizen, Twitter Leave a commentBefore smartphones, a lot of us had Palm Pilots. Palm may be rising again. Thenextweb.com says a Chinese company has bought the Brand, and posted ‘coming soon’ at Palm.com.
Samsung hasn’t gotten much traction using their Tizen operating system on smartphones, but reuters.com reports that their smart TVs in 2015 will be running the operating system.
Twitter is starting to roll out a ‘while you were away’ recap feature to users. Techcrunch.com says it resemble’s Facebook’s timeline, and is Twitter’s first major non-chronological feature.
Samsung Tizen Phone Coming Soon
Posted: December 22, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon, Apple Watch, iPhone, Kindle Fire HDX 8.9, Samsung, Tizen, Z-1 Leave a commentAfter several delays, Samsung will release it’s first Tizen powered phone, the Z-1, next month in India. Gigaom.com says it’s not aimed at top line handsets like iPhone and the Galaxy S5, but to break Android’s hold on the medium and lower price markets.
If you’re a procrastinator and want a full sized tablet, Amazon’s Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 is $299 today only. Theverge.com reports that’s 30% off, but you’ll have to spring for expedited shipping to get it by Christmas.
Appleinsider.com notes that a survey by Piper Jaffray indicates potential Apple Watch buyers are taking a wait and see attitude. Only 7% of iPhone buyers presently plan to buy the smart watch. Apple will need a killer app to get that number up.
Samsung Galaxy Gear Dropping Android and Name?
Posted: May 15, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Facebook, Galaxy Gear, Google Glass, iOS, Samsung, Tizen Leave a commentIn something of a big break, Samsung is moving the Galaxy Gear smart watches from Android to the Tizen operating system. Tizen may be pushed as an over the air update to Gear watches. Geek.com says they will likely also drop the Galaxy name.
A useful feature has been added to Facebook for iOS…thenextweb.com reports you can now create posts offline, and they’ll automatically upload to Facebook when you have a better signal, or switch out of airplane mode if you’ve been flying.
Cnet.com says UC Irvine Med school has handed out Google Glass to all the medical students. Irvine is the 1st med school to fully incorporate Glass into its 4 year curriculum. It could be a boon for doctors to check files or lookup info without having to use their hands. (At $1500 each, don’t hold your breath for your employer or your school to do this!
Recent Comments