Feb 04
Freedom! It’s been a long time coming, but following last week’s iOS 6.1 release, there’s finally a jailbreak that’ll work on your iPhone 5, and it extends to pretty much every other iOS 6.1 device out there too. More »
Feb 04
HTC delivered its financial results for Q4 2012 today, and though things are looking pretty decent, the results are actually down from the same quarter a year ago. HTC said it pulled in revenue of NT$60 billion ($2.03 billion US), which is down from NT$101 billion year-over-year. HTC says its gross margin for the quarter settled at 23%, while operating margin was at 1%.
That puts net profit at NT$1 billion ($34 million US) for the quarter and earnings-per-share at NT$1.21. Despite the drops over the year-ago quarter, HTC CEO Peter Chou said that the company will continue to focus on innovating. According to him, HTC is optimistic as it heads into 2013, thanks to its “outstanding handsets” coupled with some improvements to its marketing execution.
However, while HTC may be confident about 2013 as a whole, things aren’t projected to get much better in the first quarter of the year, which ends in March. Looking forward, HTC expects revenue to land somewhere in the range of NT$50-60 billion, while gross margin should come in between 21% and 23%. We should be seeing operating margin settle near the same area it finished Q4 at, with HTC projecting between 0.5% and 1%.
HTC said that it saw “momentum” in Japan and Taiwan during Q4 2012, while sales in the US and China met expectations. HTC has the Butterfly to thank for that momentum in Japan and Taiwan, while we’re thinking that the DROID DNA had something to do with expectations in the US being met. With a shift in focus and fighting attitude, 2013 should be a pretty exciting year for the HTC fans of the world, so stay tuned.
[via HTC]
HTC’s Q4 2012 results have revenue at NT$60 billion is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Feb 03
GLBenchmarks for five new, unannounced Samsung devices have surfaced, including model GT-I9150/GT-I9152. Recently, benchmarks had surfaced for Samsung’s GT-B9150, as well as several other devices. Four of the five new devices that have cropped up are Galaxy devices comprised of the Galaxy Pocket 2, the Galaxy Star, the Galaxy Young, and the Galaxy Frame, in addition to the GT-I9150.
We’ll start with the oddball, the GT-I9150, which features a 1.2GHz BCM28155 Broadcom processor, as well as a VideoCore IV GPU and a qHD display (960 x 540). The handset is listed as running Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, and includes the 9152 model. This is followed by the Galaxy Pocket 2, which features an 850MHz Broadcom processor, a VideoCore IV GPU, and a 320 x 240 VGA display. The handset runs Android 4.1.2.
The next three models, the Star, Young, and Frame, are all Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean devices. The Star is shown as running a Speadtrum CPU and Mail-300 graphics, and also bearing a 320 x 240 VGA display. The Young is a tad higher on the specs list, with a 1GHz Qualcomm and Adreno 200 GPU, as well as a 480 x 320 HVGA display.
Next up is the Galaxy Frame, which runs a 1GHz Broadcom CPU and VideoCore IV graphics, and likewise bearing an HVGA 480 x 320 display. The big difference with this model over the others is that it is listed in two iterations, one of which includes NFC technology. No other information is available at this time.
[via Android Community]
Benchmarks appear for five new Samsung devices is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Feb 03
It’s a rumor that never dies: Apple is working on a cheaper, “budget” iPhone that will push for market-share in markets where the company’s typically premium are especially expensive. But in the absence of hard evidence, we have soft evidence. Like this patent for a plastic iPhone. Maybe this is that rumored budget iPhone? Maybe? Ehhhh probably not. More »
Feb 02
I know that the moment the word “Quattro” crossed my mind, I would think of Audi and their delectable range of high-powered, precision German engineering rides that are tantalizing to the eyes and make the heart skip more than just a beat. Well, BLU Products must surely have figured out that there is a possibility of folks thinking about Audi when they decided to name their new range of smartphones under the “Quattro” banner. Ah well, different strokes for different folks. What can we say about the new Quattro Series of smartphone devices? All of them will be powered by an NVIDIA Tegra 3 1.5 GHz quad-core processor, which comes with a fifth battery saver core. Expect the Quattro Series to deliver flagship smartphone performance alongside console-quality gaming, amazing graphics, speedy applications and fast multitasking capabilities.
Unfortunately, you will not find the latest Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system accompany the new range of Quattro smartphones, but rather, you will be “stuck” with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Fret not though, as BLU Products has released word that they do plan to offer an upgrade to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean in due time. All the new Quattro Series devices will feature quad-band GSM and penta-band 21Mbps HSPA+, including 1700MHz AWS for the US.
First of all, the Quattro 4.5 HD will sport a stunning aluminum and glass unibody, and your eyes will be more than pleased with the vivid Advanced Super View 4.5-inch HD 326ppi display that delivers unparalleled viewing angles and contrast ratio, which are protected by the marvelously curved scratch resistant Corning Gorilla Glass. Other than that, there is an 8-megapixel camera featuring an f/2.4 large aperture lens, HD video recording capability, 16GB of internal memory, and 1GB RAM.
As for the Quattro 4.5 , it will offer plenty of bang for your buck with a 4.5-inch qHD display, a 5-megapixel autofocus camera, HD video recording capability, 4GB of internal memory, and 1GB RAM.
Last but not least, the Quattro 5.7 HD will deliver phablet-class performance with its 5.7 inch, 1280 x 720 HD display, an 8-megapixel shooter with HD video recording capability, 4GB of internal memory, and 1GB RAM.
The Quattro 4.5 HD, Quattro 4.5, and Quattro 5.7 HD will retail for $349.99, $249.99, and $299.99 in the US from this month onwards.
Press Release
[ BLU Products announce new Quattro range of smartphones copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Feb 01
As smartphones and the apps we run on them become more and more popular, concerns over privacy are growing as well. The FTC has taken a pretty strong stance on privacy issues throughout the years, and today it delivered a list of recommendations to pretty much everyone involved in the smartphone business. These recommendations give platform holders, app developers, and advertisers suggestions on what they can do improve mobile privacy, and we have to say that there are some pretty good ideas in the report.
Starting right off with mobile platforms, some of the things the FTC recommends include providing “just-in-time” disclosures and asking for a user’s “affirmative express consent” before allowing apps to access sensitive information. It would also like to see mobile platforms require app makers to make privacy discloses, and recommends an icon or something similar that can show when user data is being transmitted. One of the most intriguing recommendations is a “Do Not Track” list users can add their name to, saying they don’t want to be tracked by ad networks as they use apps.
On the app developer side of things, the FTC would like to see privacy policies that are accessible via app store listings, along with more just-in-time disclosures when an app is about to collect data. The FTC also recommends that app developers join self-regulatory programs that can help them make privacy policies that are clear and easy for users to read. The list of recommendations for app developers is quite a bit shorter than the list for mobile platforms, with the FTC clearly thinking that most of these privacy concerns can be solved by platform holders.
While mobile platforms and app developers play a big part in privacy concerns, there’s also advertising networks to worry about. The FTC suggests that ad networks and other third-parties work with app developers to make sure users are seeing truthful privacy disclosures. The organization is also pushing for advertising networks to implement the aforementioned Do Not Track list and make it work.
The FTC “strongly encourages” everyone in the mobile space to begin following these recommendations, but whether or not developers, mobile platforms, and ad networks will listen is another story entirely. The FTC makes some good recommendations in its report, but in the end, they don’t mean much if the parties at the heart of the privacy debate don’t follow them. There are more recommendations other than the ones mentioned here, so if you have a moment to read through the entire thing, you can find the FTC’s release through the source link below.
[via Federal Trade Commission]
FTC releases long list of mobile privacy recommendations is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Feb 01
If mobile phone contracts just aren’t your thing, then you’re most likely on a prepaid plan, and Verizon Wireless has just rolled out two new options for 3G-enabled smartphones of “budget-minded” consumers. Both plans offer unlimited voice and texting, and the 500MB option will cost $60 per month, while 2GB of data will cost $70 per month.
If you didn’t already catch it, these new plans are only for 3G smartphones, meaning that newer devices with LTE capabilities are out of the question, which means you’ll have to be rocking an older Android device or an iPhone 4 or 4S in order to take advantage of these new plans. That’s certainly not terrible news by any means, considering that you probably have an older device anyways if your current contract is about to expire.
While these new prepaid plans still might feel like highway robbery, the carrier only had one prepaid plan available at the time, which was an $80-per-month plan that got you unlimited talk and text, but only 1GB of data. This time around, you can get 2GB of data for $10 less per month. That still might not be the greatest deal, but it’s a much better option for those looking to save a bit of cash.
Personally, 2GB of data for $70 per month isn’t that bad, but considering how you could get unlimited data for $30 per month (on top of your voice and text plan, of course) just a year ago is pretty sad. Many people are switching to regional carriers in order to save cash, and many smaller wireless providers, like Straight Talk or Pure Talk, offer unlimited everything for under $50 per month.
Verizon offering new prepaid plans for 3G phones is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Feb 01
Apple has gained the title of the world’s largest mobile phone manufacturer in the US during Q4 2012. According to Strategy Analytics, Apple maintains 34% of the mobile phone market share, which gives the company the largest piece of the pie, beating out Samsung who has 32.3% of the market share for Q4 2012.
This move up to the top of the list marks the first time that Apple has taken the crown. The Cupertino-based company shipped an estimated 17.7 million phones in the fourth quarter, while Samsung shipped 16.8 million handsets. Third place went to LG, but with only a 9% market share, and shipments of 4.7 million units.
However, while Apple might have taken the fourth-quarter crown, Samsung ended up shipping more phones throughout the entire year of 2012, taking 31.8% of the market share, while Apple owned 26.2%. Again, LG came in third with a 12.4% share of the phone market. Samsung ended up shipping 53 million phones during 2012, while Apple shipped 43.7 million.
Strategy Analytics says that the release of the iPhone 5, as well as assistance from carriers helped Apple claim the US mobile market share title in Q4 2012. Previously, Samsung had worn the crown since 2008. The Korean company still had a good quarter, though. Its market share rose 5% from a year ago, and they made over $8 billion in pure profit last quarter as well.
Apple now largest mobile phone manufacturer in US is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Feb 01
Verizon just launched two cheaper prepaid plans with unlimited talk and text messaging. The $70 plan offers 2GB of 3G data and for $60 you get 500MB. Previously, Verizon only had an $80 prepaid plan, that offered unlimited talk and text and 1GB of data. More data for cheaper? Good! The only thing is that the plan is only available with “many” 3G smartphones like for example that Samsung Illusion, the HTC Droid Incredible 2, and most BlackBerry models. So, basically, unforgivably terrible phones. More »
Feb 01
Sweet relief from Gingerbread is finally here for HTC Thunderbolt owners who haven’t jumped ship or upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich without Verizon’s blessing. Big Red’s finally approved Android 4.0.4 laced with Sense 3.6 for the device and is serving it up for download. In addition to souping up the hardware with increased stability and the features you’ve come to expect with ICS, the upgrade removes the Verizon, BlockBuster, Rhapsody, and Mobile IM apps from the smartphone. Ready to welcome your lightning rod for bad luck phone to 2011? Mosey over to your handset’s system update section to check for the fresh build.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC, Verizon
Via: Droid-Life
Source: Verizon (1, PDF), (2, PDF)
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