Hasta La Gadget!

If there is one thing that cannot be disputed, it is that both iOS and Android have more apps in their app store compared to Windows Phone. This is hardly surprising as Windows Phone is not the most popular platform, so why would developers want to bother? In a way it almost feels like Windows Phone is like the Wii U of smartphones, where despite it being a decent platform, it commands a lower user base due to there not being enough apps (one of the reasons), and its low user base has discouraged developers from creating for it. That being said, Statistic Brain has put together some numbers which might surprise you.

According to their data, they have found that Android is the leader in downloads, however despite that, their app revenue is around $1.2 billion. This is no small figure but in contrast to Windows Phone whose app downloads is only a fraction of Android, their app revenue is at $0.95 billion, which is pretty close to what Android is making. Statistic Brain breaks it down further and finds that Windows Phone developers essentially make on average about $0.23 per download, versus Android developers who only make $0.04. As for iOS, they are leading in app revenue at $6.4 billion which puts them at $0.24 per download.

Windows Phone Store Revenue Almost On Par With Android original content from Ubergizmo.

As you may have seen Google is working on a cool project called Tango which allows smartphones and tablets (and possibly Google Glass down the road) to not only see, but understand your environment. This is made possible by computer vision techniques not unlike what is used in Kinect 2 today. To make that possible at a scale and power consumption that is compatible with the battery capacity of a phone, Google has partnered with Movidius, a semiconductor company that builds Myriad 1, a vision processor that was designed from the ground up for this task. (more…)

Movidius Myriad 1 Vision Processor Powers Google’s Tango original content from Ubergizmo.

So we’ve seen phones that resembles a chocolate bar, and we’ve also seen iPhone cases which have been designed to smell like chocolates, but wouldn’t it be so much cooler if the case were to be made from chocolate itself? That does sound a little weird but it’s apparently an actual thing, thanks to a collaboration between Grove, the company known for its wooden smartphone cases, and Charley Wheelock of Woodblock Chocolatete. These chocolate cases will be compatible with the iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, and the iPhone 5c although expect too much protection from them!

As expected of most iPhone cases, they will provide access to the various ports and buttons on the iPhones and according to its creators, it has been described as smooth to the touch. According to Grove’s co-founder, Ken Tomita, “This was a great opportunity for us to team up with another locally owned business and combine our crafts to create something even Wonka would be envious of. They’re not for sale, mainly because we can’t keep making them without gunking up our machines, but don’t worry, all the manufacturing waste is being recycled in our bellies.”

As Tomita states, these cases aren’t actually for sale, but they are a pretty clever idea and it might actually make for a great present to that special someone on Valentines Day, no?

Edible Chocolate iPhone Case Looks Delicious original content from Ubergizmo.

Unfortunately unlike most companies, Oppo has chosen to reveal the Find 7 at their own event which will be held on the 19th of March in Beijing. In a way it makes sense as it would allow the hype of MWC to die down before they can refocus the attention on themselves, but given that we would have to wait almost a month, it would allow the competition to gain a slight upper hand. Well whatever Oppo’s reason is, we’re sure many of you guys can’t wait to see what the Find 7 looks like, right? (more…)

Oppo Find 7 Photos Surface original content from Ubergizmo.

While Android might be available for OEMs to install on their phones, if they are hoping to be able to use Google’s services, like access to the Play Store, for example, they will require permission from Google. Unless of course you were to run a forked version of Android which is what companies like Amazon have done, and also appears to be what Nokia will be doing. That being said, it looks like there is one company is that is hoping to encourage Android OEMs to take the forked route, and it is none other than Russian giant, Yandex.

According to TechCrunch, they have reported that the company has recently released a Yandex.Kit which will basically help OEMs create a forked version of Android.They are also appearing to offer up their own services in place of Google. We’re not sure if there is an advantage here to using Yandex’s services over Google’s more established ones, but we’re guessing countries, such as China, where Google isn’t allowed, Yandex could be an alternative to China’s own range of services from Baidu and so on. Some of the services and features Yandex plans on offering includes search, mail, an app store of their own which boasts over 100,000 apps, a 3D home screen launcher, and more. Some of Yandex’s partners include Huawei and Explay who will be demonstrating Yandex-based devices at MWC 2014.

Yandex Wants To Encourage More Forked Versions Of Android original content from Ubergizmo.