Category: Brands and Companies

All Brands and Company Names

Has Apple Music Already Been Declared An Epic Fail?

Apple Music was set to become the next big thing.The thought of having millions of tracks available to stream, and that could be saved online, seemed like a recipe for success. However, a recent survey conducted by The New York Post showed that nearly half of the iOS users that enthusiastically downloaded the trial version of Apple Music have shockingly, stopped using it even before their trial period gets over.

The stats revealed that 48% of early Apple Music users have given up on the service while 52% are still using it. Of those 52%, nearly two-thirds said they were “extremely or very likely” to start paying for the service once it starts charging them money. This survey was conducted by MusicWatch and if we do assume that those 52% are going to stick to their word then Apple Music should have 3.8 million subscribers once the free trial ends.

Not bad right? But MusicWatch managing partner Russ Crupnick said that it should’ve had a larger user base considering how many Apple loyalists there are, all over the world.

“In terms of benchmarking Apple Music, 40 percent of iOS users are buying digital downloads from iTunes, suggesting trial of Apple Music could be higher,” he explained.

However, Apple lashed back at these statistics via The Verge, saying that 79% of the people who’ve signed up for the service, actually use it on a weekly basis. While we would like to believe them, lets hope that their retention rate converts into actual paid subscribers, proving that Apple Music won’t be an epic fail, after all.

August 19, 2015
Panasonic Launches Three 4G-Capable Smartphones With Prices Starting From Rs. 6,999

Panasonic has announced three new 4G LTE enabled smartphones today – the Eluga I2, Eluga L2, and T45 4G . All four phones are supported by the Android 5.1 Lollipop OS and priced at Rs. 8290, 9,990, and Rs. 6,990 respectively.

The Eluga models support a dual 8MP LED flash camera and a 2MP front facing camera. It also comes with an Oncell Touch panel and is powered by a 2500mAh battery and a 2000mAh battery in the L2 and I2 models, respectively.

The L2 comes with a 5.5 inch display and comes in a gray moondust or black leatherette finish while the I2 comes with a 5 inch display and come in a gold, silver or gray metallic glaze. All three models – the Eluga I2, Eluga L2, and T45 4G, come with a 1GHz Quad Core processer and offer 1GB RAM with 8GB internal memory expandable up to 32GB.

“The Panasonic smartphone range has become synonymous with innovation and foresight in India. We always keep a track of tech trends and advancement in the mobile market. With the launch of three additional gadgets in the 4G space, we will continue to expand our product offerings with the aim to provide an uncompromised smartphone experience, at very competitive prices.” – Mr. Manish Sharma, Managing Director, Panasonic India

The display also comes in a true-colour IPS resolution, while the T45 4G is equipped with a full connectivity package – Dual SIM, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS – and is qualified with 21 regional languages to advance 4G LTE technology across India.

The phone will be available at all stores across the nation.

August 18, 2015
Apple iPhone 6s Release Date Leaked

As we get closer to the release date of Apple’s newest iPhone, there are several speculative reports suggesting the tentative day we might be able to get our hands on the smartphone. A recent report suggests that major German carriers are planning to launch the iPhone 6s on September 18th 2015. However, the companies have not been identified yet, though it is known that O2, Vodafone and T-Mobile already carry the iPhone 6.

This indicates that people living in first-tier launch countries will be able to purchase the phone from stores on 18th September. While the announcement event of the phone remains unchanged for 9th September.

According to previous reports, Apple is expected to reveal two iPhones on the 9th of September 2015 and then ship them later that month. The phone will be shipped to Apple’s ‘first-tier’ countries – Germany, Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, the U.K. and the U.S, and mainland China.

As a small recap – the device is rumoured to have a Force Touch display, an “A9” processor, and 2 GB of RAM. Watch this space for more updates.

Source: [tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://appleinsider.com/articles/15/08/17/german-iphone-6s-launch-pegged-for-sept-18-in-line-with-apples-usual-release-schedule”]Apple Insider[/tw-button]

August 18, 2015
LG Speculated to be Working on the First Nexus Smartwatch, Codenamed ‘Nemo’

New reports suggest, that LG is working on a new Android Wear watch codenamed “Nemo”. And this could be the first Nexus smartwatch. What is known about the smartwatch is that it will have the highest resolution display any Android Wear watch has ever had at 480 x 480 resolution.

The connection that has been made is the due to the codename used. In the past, Nexus devices have used a similar nomenclature. Nexus 6 was codenamed ‘Shamu’, and Nexus 9 was ‘Hammerhead.’

Other rumours suggest that the watch will have a circular 1.3-inch display size with a pixel density of around 340 to 400 ppi. The importance of this pixel density is that it should ideally be able to eliminate readability issues.

With LG catching up in the smartwatch race with the anticipation of its new smartwatch, you can watch this space for more details about this new device.

August 18, 2015
Galaxy O Series : Samsung Expected to Launch Yet Another Line-Up of Devices

According to reports, Samsung is currently working on two new smartphones, called the SM-G550 and the SM-G600. These two new devices are said to be released under the new Galaxy O series. Therefore, it has been concluded that SM-G550 will most probably be named the Galaxy O5 and the the SM-G600 will be called the Galaxy O7.

In 2014, Samsung had begun improving their smartphones by grouping all the new launches under different letters of the alphabet such as – Galaxy J, Galaxy E, Galaxy A, Galaxy O, Galaxy S etc. The market is currently flooded with Samsung smartphones available in all sizes and prices. The only unchanged factor amongst the large variety of smartphones is its form factor. It is still to be seen whether the Galaxy O series comes with a new design that would be easier for users to differentiate it from other smartphones made by the company.

Apple on the other hand (Samsung’s direct competitor), has only one solid line of smartphones and more often than not, have higher profits than Samsung. This happens regardless of whether Samsung occupies a larger market share or not.

However, no confirmation about the specification or release date of the devices have been made by the company itself.

Source: [tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.sammobile.com/2015/08/17/exclusive-samsung-galaxy-o-series-of-smartphones-is-coming/”]Sammobile[/tw-button]

August 18, 2015
Google to Make Us Wait Another Year For Project Ara

One of the most futuristic innovations till date, Project Ara, set tongues wagging all across the world due to its sheer concept. The fact that one could have a smartphone with detachable components that can be replaced, seemed novel and right out of a sic-fi movie. However, once Google took this initiative under its belt, there was no looking back.

Although, we were all waiting for this lego like phone to hit the markets starting in Puerto Rico, this year, it looks like we are going to have to wait at least another year. A launch Puerto Rico might not happen at all. Reports suggest that the prototyping phase of the phone has taken longer than was expected and Google is now looking at locations in the United States to launch the phone.

August 18, 2015
Google Hangouts Breaks Free from Gmail, Gets its Own Website

The successful Google Hangouts has now been given its very own space by Google. As of last evening, the messaging service will not be restricted to just Google+ and Gmail. You can just go to hangouts.google.com to start talking.

The site puts Hangouts’ three key features — instant messaging, voice calls, and video chats — front and center, with big buttons to start up each of them. Thus, this change is going to allow every type of user to be on hangout in comparison to just those, who were always on Gmail and could hence use the facility.

It is natural for Google to have invested their time into giving Hangouts its own web service and a modern design. There are a large number of people using Google accounts and it only made sense for the company to pick up on that and make it easier and convenient for everybody, just like Facebook did, by separating its messenger.

The Verge stated that the Hangouts app has been overhauled on both iOS and Android, bringing it up to date with Google’s Material Design style and making the service a bit easier to use. So now, anyone can use Hangouts in any manner they wish, without its strings being attached to Gmail or Google+.

August 18, 2015
Apple iPhone 6S Prototype Leak Confirms 2GB RAM

An Apple iPhone prototype has reportedly been created, and the new device is said to come with a tri-core CPU on the Apple A9, a single-core number of 1811 and a multi-core score of 4577. These statistics are more than the HTC One M9, out of water.

More reports by Geekbench reveal that the iPhone 6S might have 2GB of RAM with a tri-core CPU running at 1.5 GHz.

The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus are said to release on the 9th of September 2015. Stay tuned for more updates like these.

Source: [tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE02″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://vr-zone.com/articles/apple-iphone-6s-tri-core-a9-chip-gets-benchmarked-beats-android-flagships/97085.html”]VR Zone[/tw-button]

August 17, 2015
New Documents Confirm the Apple Car; Company Hunts for Test Locations

Up until now, all we knew about Apple’s mysterious car project is that the company had been on a recruiting spree, hiring about a hundred new professionals from Tesla, Ford, Mercedes-Benz and the like. They have also hired former deputy director of the Autonomous Systems Lab at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Paul Furgale.

These are several factors which strongly indicate that the iPhone manufacturer may soon be bring out its very own iCar. Now, a recent report by the Guardian confirms that the iCar is not just a baseless theory and is indeed in the works. The reports speaks of Apple’s execs meeting with GoMentum Station, a 2,100-acre former naval base near San Francisco. The base is closed to the public and is guarded by the military. These factors alone make it the perfect secure environment Apple needs to test its upcoming project.

This, at the same time indicates that Apple may already have a car which is ready to hit the roads.

This initiative from Apple Inc. comes at a time when many other software companies are looking at opportunities in the automobile industry by creating software savvy, driver-less cars. Google and Uber have also been reported as developing and testing what might be called the next-gen automobiles.

Source : [tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/aug/14/apple-self-driving-car-project-titan-sooner-than-expected”]The Guardian [/tw-button]

August 17, 2015
Leaked: Google’s New Nexus 5 Built By LG

Google stopped selling its 2014 Nexus Flagship earlier this year, and all tech fanatics are now looking forward to the possibility of a new and improved version of the Nexus 5 releasing. A rumour of course, stated that Google along with its partners LG and Huawei were working on producing two new Nexus phones this year.

A photo leaked via twitter showed us what could possibly be a peak at the new Nexus 5. The picture simply shows the back of the device that has a red circle at the end, which is probably the LG logo suggesting that it isn’t a Huawei collaboration, this time. Also can be seen, is a camera lens and similar sized circle that looks like a fingerprint scanner.

https://twitter.com/MKBHD/status/633092867670544384/photo/1

Renders also showed the rumoured Huawei Nexus 6, that was leaked around the same time. If these rumours are to be believed, then this new upcoming Nexus could actually prove as a boon for not just just Google in its forbidden territory, China, but will also help Huawei to establish a hold in the United States.

There are no official statements issued by either of the companies as of now, and report suggested that the phones are likely to hit the market, this fall. Watch this space for more updates.

August 17, 2015
Along with iPhone 6s, Apple Expected to Reveal New Magic Mouse and Keyboard

With Samsung’s major Unpacked event out of the way, we now have two big events to look forward to in September – IFA Berlin and Apple’s iPhone unveiling. Apple’s annual event, held in September, usually showcases the latest iteration of its flagship smartphone, along with which Apple also throws light on several other peripherals. Last year, along with the iPhone 6, 6 Plus all the attention was grabbed by the Apple Watch.

We’re now hearing that this year we can expect to see the upgrades to Apple’s Magic Mouse and Wireless Keyboard. According to a FCC filing, the two accessories will see a major overhaul in the connectivity department. They will get rid of the Bluetooth 2.1, and jump to the latest, Bluetooth 4.2. This should smoothen the interaction between the main device and the accessory.

Along with this, there is also a mention about the battery used within the two devices. According to the reports, the company may include rechargeable batteries, instead of the swappable kinds that are currently in use. All in all, the AA batteries will be replaced by integrated lithium battery packs.

Source : [tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.slashgear.com/new-apple-mouse-keyboard-incoming-with-bluetooth-le-14397335/”]Slash Gear[/tw-button]

August 17, 2015
Here’s How You Can Have a Dual-SIM Feature Even On Your iPhone 6

The Apple iPhones seem to be very efficient in every respect, except for the fact that they do not ever come with a dual-SIM feature. This may or may not be a huge factor for many people, but there are a select few perhaps,s who would like to use just one phone for their work as well as their personal calls/messages/emails.

Kickstarter has the perfect solution to your problems, if you are in the latter category of users. They aim to launch a product called Piece that allow the iPhone 6 and other older iPhone models to handle two different SIMs on one phone.

The gadget is small enough to fit in a wallet, without jutting out and can connect to the iPhone via Bluetooth. It is said to have a slot for your second SIM and has a battery that lasts for up to 150 hours.

To activate this, there is a special iOS app that lets you manage the Piece SIM. This device also allows you to locate your handset when the two devices are more than 30 feet apart. So in case you forget to carry your Piece, your iPhone automatically beeps, in order to remind you that you’re forgetting something important and vice versa in case you leave your iPhone – then your Piece starts beeping.

The campaign has is around the corner and has already amassed a healthy amount of $35,000. The device is small and affordable at $70, that is, around Rs.4,533, and is said to start shipping sometime around September.

The Piece is also compatible with Android devices and will also release an Apple Watch App as soon as it crosses $100,000 in funding.

Watch the Kickstarter video below:

Source:[tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/35224746/piece-change-the-way-you-use-smart-phones”] kickstarter.com[/tw-button]

August 15, 2015
BlackBerry Doesn’t Want to Quit; Launches Porsche Design P’9983 Graphite for Rs. 99,990

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you would know the key smartphone buying trend these days; people want their money’s worth, it’s as simple as that. BlackBerry ran a winning streak at the beginning of the noughties, however it is currently struggling to keep up with a market dominated by companies selling affordable smartphones.

Today, BlackBerry announced the addition of another smartphone in its range of Indian offerings – the BlackBerry Porsche Design P’9983 Graphite, priced at Rs. 99,990.

If anyone ever decides to buy this phone it will surely be for its design. According to the company’s statement the device has been created by Porsche Design and uses quality materials. It includes a graphite stainless steel colour frame and keypad features crafted glass-like keys.

The smartphone comes with a 3.1-inch display, 720×720 resolution and 330ppi. It is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 (MSM8960) processor complemented by 2GB of RAM. Storage capability is 64GB which is expandable up to 128GB. Camera-wise BlackBerry is offering a measly 8MP rear camera, and 2MP front camera. The smartphone is fuelled by a 2100mAh battery.

Note to BlackBerry: If you do decide to offer a smartphone which is priced a lakh, the least you can do is offer top notch specs.

August 14, 2015
Deal of the Day : LG G4 Gets Cheaper Than the Rest

LG in an official press statement revealed, that the LG G4 will now be available at a cheaper price. The smartphone which was only made available in India by the end of June, is already facing a price cut. LG’s flagship for 2015 which was initially launched with a price tag of Rs. 51,500, is now available for Rs. 45,000 for the Leather back cover variant and Rs. 40,000 for the ceramic white variant. The company also stated that the LG G4 Stylus is now available for Rs. 21,000 (down from Rs. 24,990).

The company says that the promotion is for the upcoming festive season, with no mention if the price cut is temporary or permanent. It looks like LG is following in the footsteps of Samsung, which is notorious for slashing prices of their devices soon after the launch. This is one of the reasons we wouldn’t recommend anyone to pick up the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 at its launch price.

Coming back to the G4, it features a 5.5-inch Quad HD IPS LCD display (2560x1440p resolution) that uses quantum dot technology. The screen is protected by a Gorilla Glass 3. The processor fitted on the device is a 1.8GHz Hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor with an Adreno 418 GPU. The device also come with a 3GB RAM, an internal storage space of 32GB, which can be expanded via a MicroSD card up to 2TB. The smartphone runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop.

It boasts a 16MP camera with f/1.8 aperture (widest aperture on any smartphone camera) equipped with Optical Image Stabilization 2.0, color spectrum sensor, and Laser Auto Focus functionality.

The camera on the phone offers a manual operation mode which brings in a variety of options like exposure, white balance, color temperature, ISO, aperture, RAW mode and many other features. The front facing camera with 8MP also with f/1.8 aperture. The handset is powered by a removable 3,000 mAh battery.

With a 10k price cut, now would be the right time to pick up the LG G4. Its main competitors at the moment, Samsung Galaxy S6 and the iPhone 6 are available for a price of Rs 41,900 (32GB variant) and Rs. 45,830 (16GB variant), respectively.

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August 14, 2015
5 Major Announcements You Missed From Samsung’s Big Event

Last night, Samsung unveiled its newest flagships at a grand event held in New York. Other than the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 Edge+, there were several major announcements which caught our attention.

Here’s a quick wrap up of everything important the company announced:

The Physical Keyboard Accessory

This one is a welcoming addition for anyone who misses punching on good old buttons while texting. At the event, Samsung announced a strap-on keyboard for the new S6 Edge Plus and the Note 5. The built-in keyboard which also works as a cover and has been aptly named ‘Keyboard Cover.’ When the keyboard cover is strapped on the screen, the smartphone automatically recognises it and the screen is adjusted accordingly.

The company hasn’t revealed the cover’s availability or pricing, just yet.

Samsung Pay Takes a Leap Ahead

Samsung has taken a big step forward in the e-payment game. Unlike its competitors, which only work on specific card terminals, the company claims that their phones will be able to entirely replace the credit card system. They’re no longer solely relying on the NFC system for payments, hence you can swipe for a payment anywhere you want. The addition of magnetic secure transmission tech will make it usable with any store’s standard credit card swipe reader. Along with credit cards, it will also store memberships cards. The only question remains is if it’s secure.

Samsung Pay will launch in the US on 28th September.

Directly Broadcast to YouTube

Live streaming is one of the current tech trends and Samsung has found a unique way to use the feature on its new phones. Instead of downloading a third-party app, you can use a feature on the camera terminal to directly stream to YouTube. With this, Samsung jumps ahead of apps such as Meerkat, Periscope etc.

Samsung Finally Makes Good Use of the ‘Edge’

Other than a few nominal features on the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and S6 Edge, there was not much value to the curved edge display. Now the company has added an extremely useful functionality to the display. You can pin your most used apps on the edge, and swipe to launch. The feature is called ‘Apps Edge’.

The Gear S2

Samsung chose the Unpacked event to tease the new Gear S2 smart watch. The model seems to have stylised itself quite a bit, with a round face, metal body and new user interface. It likely to run on Samsung’s Tizen OS rather than Android Wear, like the original Gear S. It will be unveiled on 3th September.

Read more about the Note 5 here and for the S6 Edge + here.

August 14, 2015