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Cortana to Come to Your Desktops With Windows 9

We all are familiar with the competition between Microsoft and Apple. Just last week we heard rumors about Apple integrating its virtual assistant Siri to its desktop. It looks like Microsoft might be planning the same thing by bringing the Windows 8.1 voice assistant Cortana to the Windows 9.

Microsoft is preparing to include its Cortana digital assistant in the next major version of Windows, Windows 9

It is said that like the Windows Phone 8.1 phone version, Cortana will be an app and not be integrated into the operating system. Unlike the Windows Phone 8.1 app, however, Cortana is not a ‘full screen experience,’ and rather, will allow users to ‘either type in your question or ask verbally inside a smallish window.’

Microsoft has been gradually improving Cortana every two weeks by adding additional data points and features, and as the service is HTML driven, these improvements can be expected to make their way over to the Windows 9 version.

windows 9 design concept

Well, we should keep in mind that a lot can change between now and Windows 9’s eventual release. Microsoft could decide to drop Cortana from Windows 9, at least at first, or reversely more updates to the virtual assistant could allow for even deeper integration into the OS.

Not too long ago, we had seen leaked images with a revamped Start Menu. Microsoft is also expected to release a preview version of Windows 9 later this year with “Metro-style” apps floating in windows on the desktop, a virtual desktops feature, and the removal of the awkward Charms bar from desktop versions of Windows.

August 12, 2014
Leaksters at it Again : iPhone 6 Box and Handset Revealed

Love them or hate them, the leaksters are out for the all-new upcoming smartphone. No other phone has seen such scrutiny or faced such regular leaks like the Apple’s iPhone 6.

Now Techradar has gone ahead and posted snaps of what they say is the next iPhone 6 along with its box. The phone they are showing off may look like a knock off but they do have a snap with the Apple logo at the start on the display. The box seems no different from the previous releases of the phone; the screen as expected is bigger than its predecessors.

Unpacked, For Real?

The Health app is absent from the Box top

Apple logo at the start screen

Techradar claims the photos are authentic and have been acquired through an Apple insider. The square at the center of the home button and the health app on the screen seems to be missing thereby fueling speculations of this being a mock product made by somebody with a lot of time on their hands. But overall the device shown in the image lives up to all the leaks and renders posted in the past few months.

The leaks have slowly started to become a menace. They were great when they used to release certain specifics of the upcoming products. They used to add to the hype around the products and in turn made us eagerly wait for the release date of the products. But now they are being giant spoilers, both for the companies as well as the enthusiasts. There needs to be a sort of leakster ethic with limits. By doing this, they’d keep some healthy surprises for all.

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August 12, 2014
Smoother Sale for Xiaomi Mi3, Flipkart Fixes Server Issues

Xiaomi was back with its big sale today bringing in about a 20,000 piece inventory for the folks who had pre-registered for the sale. The sale took place today, August 12 at 2.00 pm and the stocks flew out as soon as the sale started. Yesterday, we gave you tips on making sure you score yourself a Mi3. We tried our techniques and were amongst a fortunate few who got one.

As has been their model, the company had requested registrations from buyers interested in getting the phone. The registrations according to the company were in the 1,50,000 range. A single user could only buy one phone at a time, and the sale was on a first come first serve basis.

With such a wide gap between the demand and supply, the sale resembled a virtual knife fight and lot many folks had to go home without a phone in hand. Now, to give a fair chance to people trying their luck to give Xiaomi their hard earned money the next time, the registrations from this sale will not be carried forward. So if you were to be in line again for a Mi3, you have to re-register for the next sale that will start from 6.00 pm tonight.

Unlike the last sale when the Mi3 sale led Flipkart’s website to crash, the e-tailer seemed to have a better hang of things this time. The website performed optimally and as expected and it finished the sale without any issue, apart from the rivers of tears and expletives unleashed by folks who couldn’t get their Mi3. This time around we were able to get ourselves another Mi3 quite easily, though we did have to wait around for a bit before we could proceed to payment. Maybe this was Flipkart’s way of creating a breather space before executing orders. The website gave us time till 11.59 pm, 13th of August to execute our order, which is huge window.

Xiaomi’s strategy of limited product offering has made many folks angry. The company has made its name in the market with its exceptional products and should just clear out its inventory instead of pitting its consumers against each other keeping folks in uncertainty of getting a product. After successfully introducing their product, the company should follow Motorola’s path wholly and bring a bigger inventory for the next sale if it wants to prevent negative perceptions of itself in the Indian market.

August 12, 2014
Moto X+1 and Moto G2 Might Launch On 10th September

We have been waiting to get our hands of Motorola’s two new devices Moto X+1 (X2) and Moto G2. Now it looks like we can expect the devices to hit the market in September. Over the course of the last few months many rumors have pointed out that a successor to the popular Moto X called the Moto X+1 was expected and now we have a release date.

Motorola had released the Moto X full of customization options for buyers. Those included 18 different colors, accent colors, engravings, and even wood backs made from Bamboo or Walnut. However, the new Moto X2 will have all that and more, with talks of a bigger display and leather options.

According to reports, the next generation phone will feature quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, which will facilitate better multitasking and improve user experience. Motorola plans to use Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor for X+1, which currently features in HTC One M8, Samsung Galaxy S5 and LG G3.

The phone is also expected to feature 32GB storage and a 5.2-inch display, which is bigger than the Moto X, which features a 4.7-inch display. Also, it is expected to fashion a 12MP rear camera with dual-LED flash and 5MP front camera.

While most the rumors have been regarding the new Moto X+1, a new exclusive report surfaced today suggesting Motorola will actually have two smartphones launching next month. The Moto X2 and a successor to Motorola’s most popular smartphone of 2013, that being the Moto G.

According to one retailer, as reported by Gottabemobile, that received details directly from a Motorola representative, the company plans to announce, and then release both the Moto X+1 as well as the Moto G2 on September 10th. This means we can expect more details and an event in which they’ll be revealed sometime in August, followed by a global launch date on September 10th.

At this point these are only rumours. However, last year the original Moto X was announced in August and arrived shortly thereafter, and we can expect the same type of announcement and rollout for this new lineup of smartphones.

August 12, 2014
Top 5 PS4 Games We Can’t Wait to Get Our Hands on

There are plethora of PlayStation 4 games coming in 2014. Lots of indie titles are going to debut as well as some big franchises come up with their annual releases.While there are still games out there with a rumored 2014 release date, we’ve decided to only include games that have been confirmed for a 2014 release.

We’ve rounded up 5 of most anticipated pS4 games of 2014:

5. Final Fantasy XV (Fall 2014)

When Final Fantasy XV is released this Fall, it will have officially been in development for 8 years. The game started production back in 2006 and features a darker and more realistic atmosphere than previous Final Fantasy games. The game was originally meant for release on the PS3 under the name “Final Fantasy Versus XIII”. For years, many thought the game was cancelled, but then Square Enix surprised everyone at the E3 2013.

4. Destiny (September 2014)

From the makers of Halo, Destiny is a first person action role play game, set in a vast science fiction world. Destine is built on a brand new engine by developer Bungie, who has been working on the game since 2010. It is one of the most hyped-up games this year, and there’s a lot at stake for developer Bungie and publisher Activision.

Pre-Order now:

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3. Batman Arkham Knight (Fall 2014)

Revealed just days ago, Batman Arkham Knight is the latest entry in the Batman Arkham series, which have been tremendously successful for Warner Bros. Arkham Knight takes things to the next level, both visually and gameplay wise — the open world will be five times larger than in previous games.

Pre-Order Now:

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2. Deep Down (Fall 2014)

Deep Down is arguably the best looking PlayStation 4 game we’ve ever seen. So far Capcom has shown us glimpses of gameplay that surpass even the tech demos we’ve seen of the Unreal Engine 4. Deep Down is a fantasy action RPG, an ode to the classic dungeon crawlers, with all sorts of dragons and creatures looming deep down.

1. The Order 1886 (Fall 2014)

The Order 1886 is set in an alternate history in a Victorian-war London, where an old order of knights protect the city (and the world) from monsters. The game reminds us a lot of Van Helsing, and has a unique art style, not to mention some gorgeous visuals. The Order 1886 has been in development since 2010, but Sony kept things under wraps until E3 2013 with the reveal of FFXV.

August 12, 2014
More Details About the Android L Powered Nexus 8 Revealed

Google is rumored to be working with HTC for the Nexus 8 project. The release date of this device is most likely approaching with newly leaked out information suggesting that the powerful Android L tablet was recently certified.

Since last month, numerous reports cited that the new Google Nexus device, which is believed to be HTC Volantis, will be released around October or November time. The release date may help the company to hit the sales periods when more people are going to look for tech gadgets.

The device certification took place in South Korea, according to G4Games, which added on its report that HTC is building the stock Android tablet and it goes by the internal name ‘Volantis’ or ‘Flounder’. Also in the latest information, the device model number 0P8210000 emerged, which G4Games noted first came into tech consciousness back in June and courtesy of well-known gadget leaker @evleaks.

Though, the supposed South Korean certification lacked most the important specifications and other features. Another leaker by the name of @UpLeaks claimed that the Nexus 8 is a beastly rival for Apple’s iPad Air and Mini.

HTC T1(a.k.a Flounder/Volantis) 64Bit Tegra processor, MDM9x25 modem(for cellular model), 4GB RAM(Elpida 2GB*2), NFC, GPS, Android L

— @upleaks (@upleaks) August 8, 2014

The new Android L tablet is said to slate NVIDIA’s latest 64-bit Tegra processing chip that is paired with 4GB of RAM. This combo will fire up the Nexus 8’s very able 8MP rear cam shooter that will work with a 1.6MP front facing camera. Also, according to PhoneArena, there will be a metal chassis surrounding the 8.9-inch screen that many users are opting for to add more protection to the devices.

Despite there being no confirmation, many reports claim that HTC will unveil the new Google Nexus device this month. It is mainly due to the fact that the Nexus 7 has reduced in price on the Google Play Store. It is common for companies to reduce the price of devices when a newer one is about to be released in an attempt to get rid of old stock before the newer one comes

August 12, 2014
Buy a Xiaomi Mi3 In The Next Sale Using These Tips to Better Your Chances

The Xiaomi Mi3 has been a drop of evil for a lot of people, some have waited through the three sales patiently trying to get one of these chinese “wonder phones”. On August 12th 2014, at 2:00 pm the Xiaomi Mi3 will go on sale yet again, this time with a proported 20,000 handsets, says online shopping website Flipkart.

If you really want to buy a Xiaomi Mi3 this time around, here are a few tips to better your chances of scoring one of these budget bad boys.

1. Pre Register

Possibly the most obvious tip, you need to pre register to buy the phone, so go ahead and do it by : Clicking Here

2. Know the Time

The Xiaomi Mi3 will go on sale at precisely 2:00 pm IST on the 12th of August, so try and reach the buying page at least an hour earlier, even though it seems like overkill.

3. Multiple device logins

Try being online from multiple devices, preferably on different internet connections; in order to have different I.P. addresses accessing the site, this will improve your chances and bring to one step closer to buying a Xiaomi Mi3.

4. Flipkart App

The Flipkart app uses a separate server and has a higher chance of “not failing” at the time of sale. If you want to buy a Xiaomi Mi3 the app might prove to be easier, “might being the key word.

5. Super Refresh times 40,000

When the sale starts, most people are struggling to open the webpage, ctrl+R / f5 (refresh) is your best friend, hit it till you get a page to buy a Xiaomi Mi3. (cmd+R on a mac). Other people have reported opening several tabs being helpful.

6. Cart it!

If you do get a page loaded, add that phone to the cart like there is no tomorrow, once you have the handset in your cart, your chances have just gone up from 1 in a million to 50:50 in order to buy a Xiaomi Mi3.

7. Patience

Once you have it in your cart, attempt payment by refreshing several times, in most cases you won’t be able to make payments due to overloads on the server so keep trying.Here the app helps too.

Also, if the website fails completely, there is a very high chance that the phone is in your cart when Flipkart comes back online, thats the perfect moment for you to buy a Xiaomi Mi3.

Once you do get through to the payment section and make your payments in whatever the mode you select, pat yourself on the back sir, you my friend are a lucky owner of the coveted Xiaomi Mi3.

Yay!

Now watch our Review Here:

August 11, 2014
New Samsung Galaxy Alpha Image Leaks its Full Specifications
Last week we saw some raw footage of the metal-clad phone which has been taking rounds on internet since January. Earlier, some pictures of black version of Samsung Galaxy Alpha were also released by Sammobile. The images confirm earlier reports that the Galaxy Alpha will sport a 4.7-inch screen and have a metallic construction.

The phone has been criticized of being another look-alike of Apple’s iPhone. Now, a new leak from TecMundo is giving us a glimpse inside this iFacade. The first leak originates from Brazil, where an anonymous reader sent the image below.

Since the picture quality makes it hard to read the specs, read them here:
- 4.7 Super AMOLED Display
- 12 mega-pixel rear camera and 2.1-megapixel front camera
- 2GB of RAM, 32GB of Storage (64GB rumored to be available), No MicroSD
- 1,860 mAh (marked with a big ole TBD)
- Fingerprint sensor, heart rate monitor, nano SIM, USB 3.0, 4G LTE
- Android 4.4
Earlier Leaked Image Of Samsung Galaxy Alpha

The specs listed on the billboard bring no surprises – the leak confirms the Galaxy Alpha’s screen size and resolution, 1,860 mAh battery, as well as the inclusion of a fingerprint sensor and heart rate monitor. It’s the second time we hear the Alpha would feature an approx 1850 mAh battery; the relatively small capacity is likely a downside of the phone’s very thin profile of just six millimeters. Well, only time will show if Samsung managed to optimize the Alpha well enough to ensure a decent battery life.
August 11, 2014
Microsoft’s New Surface Pro Ads Taunt the MacBook Air

In a desperate attempt to promote its Surface Pro 3 tablet, Microsoft today launched three new ads targeting Apple’s MacBook Air and comparing the two devices. The new ads focus on the tablets multi-tasking, touch features and expandable hardware.

The advertisement titled ‘Crowded’ focuses on two narrators and how the Surface Pro 3 is a tablet and a laptop. When told about the Surface Pro 3 by the first narrator, the second claims that the tablet doesn’t have the power of the MacBook Air’s Intel i5 processor. The first narrator states that the Surface Pro 3 does have an equal processor, and shows off Microsoft Office, Photoshop, pen support and its touchscreen. The second narrator counters with showing off his own touchscreen (an iPad), and exclaims “I have a lot of stuff to carry.” The ad ends with the first narrator saying “You are more powerful than you think”, referencing Apple’s recent “Powerful” ads for the iPhone 5s.

Second advert called ‘Head To Head’ directly compares both the devices. The ad draws a parallel between the 128GB of storage and 4GB of RAM on each device. However, Microsoft keeps on emphasizing the Surface Pro 3’s touchscreen, pen support and detachable keyboard, while the MacBook Air is shown to have none of those features.

The third ad “Power” starts off with a Mac user curious about a full version of Adobe Photoshop running on the Surface Pro 3, once again demonstrating the device’s laptop and tablet capabilities. The narrator claims that the Surface Pro 3 is just as fast as the Mac, boasting a touchscreen with a kickstand along with a Mini DisplayPort and a USB port. The ad ends when the Mac user states “So you’re saying it does more than my Mac?”, and the Surface Pro 3 user going “Well, technically you said it.”

August 11, 2014
XOLO Brings Out its Gaming Phone, The 8x-1200

Just few days after releasing their propriety user interface, HIVE, Xolo today released the 8x-1200, their gaming phone. The phone will adorn the XOLO Play series. It is Xolo’s priciest phone yet.

The phone gets its processing capabilities from a 2.0 GHz True Octa-Core Processor with Mali 450 GPU clocked at 700MHz. It has 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. The phone runs Android KitKat 4.4 OS. The display is a Full HD 5-inch screen with 441 PPI density. Xolo also included OTG support for expanding storage.

The main camera on the device is a 13 MP shooter with a dual LED flash. The phone is selfie friendly as it has a 5 MP front shooter with LED flash, so those night parties are now going to get better lit Facebook albums. The phone is powered by a 2300 mAh which will primarily service the Octa Core Processor.

The Front LED flash may attract selfie enthusiasts to the device.

The phone is priced at Rs.19,999 which makes it the most expensive phone in Xolo’s lineup. Given its massive processor and game centric marketing, XOLO could have brought in a bigger battery. Xolo has grabbed some attention since its HIVE UI release and it was a good opportunity to launch the phone while the hype is still alive.

August 11, 2014
Xiaomi Releases a Fix to Address Privacy Scares

Xiaomi has faced all the spectrums of media coverage. From the good ones such as the phenomenal praise for being an innovative handset and equipment maker to the bad ones such as being an Apple copycat. Recently the company faced allegations of privacy lapse from its cloud messaging service. Some even alleged that Xiaomi was spying for the Chinese government. Xiaomi was fast on their feet to release an update that will try to put the hysteria to rest.

Here’s for some perspective on the news. A Finnish online security and Privacy Company called F-secure took it upon itself to inquire into claims of Xiaomi sending cloud based messages back to its servers in Beijing. What was more infuriating was the fact that the data that was being sent back was unencrypted, so anyone could intercept and sell it for profit. The data sent to the servers included phone’s carrier name, phone number, IMEI and even numbers and text messages back to HQ in Beijing.

The allegations were huge enough to harm the company’s potential consumer market, and hence, Xiaomi brings out this new upgrade. The MIUI cloud messaging service is a free SMS service. By routing messages via IP instead of using the carrier’s SMS gateway, the SMSes are sent free of charge. Xiaomi says it needs the data packets to determine if the message can be routed over the internet for free.

The issue was that the phone’s cloud messaging was enabled to be always on sync. Now with the new ROM update, folks who buy fresh Xiaomi or factory refresh their phones will have the option to enable cloud messages manually. So if you don’t want to use Xiaomi’s cloud service you can turn it off. The update also encrypts the data that is sent to servers so that it can’t be sniffed out for unscrupulous purposes.

Xiaomi’s VP Hugo Barra took to Google Plus (in an act of corporate transparency rarely seen) to explain the entire issue. He posted an in-depth FAQ’s in which he mentions that no user data or social graph is stored, and the messages leave the servers immediately to ensure quick delivery of the message. Hopefully with the new encryption and security update, Xiaomi can return to being a giant pain to competing smartphone manufacturers and an angel in consumer’s eyes.

August 11, 2014
Sapphire Glass Troubles Apple, iWatch Release Date Delayed

Rumors of the release of Apple’s iWatch have been flying high for a long time. Seems like we’d have to wait a little while longer before we have the device wrapped around our wrists. The latest speculation suggests that the device could be delayed from September to October, while some even believe that it might be slated for a November release.

Apple has supposedly been working on their version of a smartwatch since 2011. Well, it has taken them way too long, hopefully they’re working on something substantial and path-breaking, which would be worth the wait.

Meanwhile, Apple refuses to confirm the development or the existence of the smartwatch. Re/Code, independent tech news reporters, which are considered reliable sources, said the rumored wrist item would be introduced in October. “People familiar with Apple’s plans tell Re/code that the company hopes to schedule a special event that month to show off the device,” their website quoted. It is also purported that the iWatch will likely to be integrated with the new Healthkit app that is to be introduced with iOS 8. It is said to display all the essential health-related information recorded by the watch.

Apple’s iwatch concept

In June, Reuters revealed the Cupertino-based company’s plan on making multiple screen sizes and designs for market release this fall, which was supported by a leaked patent from USPTO indicating a multitude of smartwatch devices. The patent mentioned of a device called “iTime” that deals with convertible and removable parts from a central unit. Apple has also allegedly sought an “iWatch” patent in Japan recently.

According to KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who also, has been a reliable source for predicting Apple product plans in the past, said that the iWatch is believed to debut later than expected, due to complications related to both the new hardware and software. “We have pushed back our estimated time of iWatch mass production from late-September to mid/late-November. We also lower our forecast of iWatch 2014 shipments by 40% to 3 million units,” said Kuo.

The reason, Kuo pointed out, is the ongoing issue of sapphire glass covered lens production. This suggested further that Apple could only be shipping half of the targeted units with sapphire-covered features while the other half with the old Gorilla Glass close, at the end of the year.

It is also reported that Apple is taking the luxury route, targeting the “geek to chic” market by wooing Swiss watchmakers ‘Swatch’ to partner with them. “Fashion is the name of the game; most expensive model is likely to be priced at several thousand US dollars. Referring to the rules of the fashion market, we predict the iWatch casing and band will come in various materials. The most expensive model of the iWatch line will carry a price tag of several thousand US dollars,” Kuo added.

August 11, 2014
Samsung to Launch Stand-Alone Smartwatch ‘Gear Solo’ This September

We think the idea of stand-alone smartwatches is not yet feasible in the present market scenario, but Samsung thinks otherwise. Reports indicate that Samsung is moving ahead with plans for a smartwatch with its own SIM card and hence, doesn’t need a paired phone. It seems likely that we’ll hear about it as soon as next month.

Korean newspaper The Chosun Ilbo reports that Samsung intends to unveil the Gear Solo watch at the big IFA conference in September. As speculated, the Gear Solo will not require a smartphone for communication functionality, and will be able to place calls, send texts and emails, and perform other tasks with its own SIM card, cellular radio, and service plan.

Samsung Gear 2 Neo

The inclusion of SIM support in a smartwatch would enable users to make phone calls from the device, but it is yet to be revealed how Samsung has tackled the issue of heavy battery drain. Samsung has launched three Tizen-powered versions of its Gear smartwatch to date, and one Android Wear model in the form of the Galaxy Gear Live.

Samsung released the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo at this year’s MWC, less than six months after their predecessor. The logic of releasing a smartwatch alongside a smartphone makes sense, but in this case the Gear Solo won’t depend on tethering itself to any other device, hence will get a different sort of treatment in the market.

However, Samsung used last year’s IFA to launch the original Galaxy Gear, so it seems a good time as any to unleash a new smartwatch frenzy. Timex Group also announced a smartwatch with its own cellular connection, letting it transmit data without needing to be connected to a smartphone. The company calls it the Ironman One GPS+, and while it may have features commonly found in a smartwatch, it is made mostly for athletes like its predecessors.

August 11, 2014
Disney Can Help Auto-Edit Holiday Videos Into a Movie

Remember that time you went on a trip with all your mates and got hours and hours of footage? Unfortunately, which is still lying untouched, stored in all your phones. How cool would it be if you could compile it into one awesome professionally cut movie, which you could then share with your friends and on social media. The only issue with that is finding an editor capable of editing the footage and he might charge a huge amount per hour bounty on the video. Well it seems like Disney may have an easier solution.

Engineers at Disney have created an algorithm through which a software would be able to auto edit your footage. Yes you may soon be able to save a lot of useful hard drive space by cutting off the footage into a video and getting rid of all the other thrash. The algorithm, if its beta videos are to be believed, is capable of delivering professional grade videos by using the set cinematography rules followed by professionals everywhere.

Disney’s algorithm scans the footage for lighting conditions, continuity angles, cinematography rules and more. It can sense what footage would look the best in the timeline. It can pick up on actions that will suit the video well. The users will have the options of selecting the length of the video and the algorithm will create it accordingly.

The engineers at Disney are so confident of their find, that they say their process can actually assist professional editors too. By trashing out unneeded footage the editor will have more control over the content and create better videos in less time. The algorithm based process still takes its own sweet time to give the final output but it’s still faster than the time an editor needs to scour through the entire footage to find the meaningful shots.

Though it may take some time to reach the users, it seems like once again technology is getting ready to take over a profession. Editors, beware!

August 11, 2014
YouTube Gives 1440p Option For 2K Displays

You bought that expensive phone with an eye popping 2K display but cannot find content that does justice to that phenomenal screen. Well everyone’s favorite video streaming address has now come up with a solution. YouTube is giving a scale up option for smartphones with superior displays.

Although Oppo’s Find 7 and Lenovo’s Vibe Z2 had brought their phones with 2K displays, the market started to heat up following the launch of the LG G3. The phones spectacular display and flagship performance was unanimously appreciated.

The issue with screens with such high definition is that there isn’t enough content for these screens. Of course there is some phenomenal HD content that will keep you mesmerized but they don’t unleash the screens full potential.

Now YouTube will provide a higher 1440p output for such screens, thereby giving you a one source option for high quality content. This will of course apply to content that can be presented at that resolution.

This is a great opportunity for other handset makers to bring in the displays and use them in their marketing strategy. It is speculated that Samsung might enter the 2K space with the upcoming Note 4. At a time when companies are actively trying to make smartphones capable of competing with computers, a superior display can be a good selling point.

August 11, 2014