Aug 14

OEMs to spend more on semiconductors for wireless devices than computers in 2011

Posted in: PC, slate, smartphone, tablet, Today's Chili

Well, if you didn’t believe that we live in a post-PC world before, the latest report from IHS iSuppli should help persuade you. According to its research, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will have spent $55.4 billion on semiconductors for phones and tablets in 2011, as compared to just $53.1 billion on PC silicon. Of course, as the chart above shows, OEMs spent more money on wireless devices in 2008 and 2009. But, after an interlude of PC primacy in 2010, it looks like mobile’s where the money’s at for the foreseeable future — can’t say we didn’t warn you.

Continue reading OEMs to spend more on semiconductors for wireless devices than computers in 2011

OEMs to spend more on semiconductors for wireless devices than computers in 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Aug 2011 06:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 13

Comscore finds 6.2 percent of smartphone users scan QR codes

Posted in: smartphone, Smartphones, Today's Chili

QR codes may be turning up in more places than ever these days, but are people actually using them? According to market research firm Comscore, at least some of them are — 14 million in June in the US alone, to be specific, or about 6.2 percent of all smartphone users. As for who makes up that slice of the smartphone market, Comscore says that just over 60 percent are male, 53 percent are between the ages of 18 and 34, and 36 percent have a household income of $100k or more. Folks are also apparently more likely to scan QR codes at home than at a retail store, and magazines and newspapers edge out websites or product packaging when it comes to the top source of the QR code being scanned. So, not exactly an explosion in use, but still fairly impressive for a weird-looking barcode that was rarely seen outside of Japan until a few years ago.

Comscore finds 6.2 percent of smartphone users scan QR codes originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Aug 2011 07:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 12

HTC Bliss stops by the FCC dressed in Verizon red (update)

Posted in: Android, bluetooth, cdma, gingerbread, HTC, mobile, phone, Phones, smartphone, Smartphones, Today's Chili, verizon, vzw, wifi

Looking for a little FCC Friday rapture? HTC’s rumored “women only” smartphone, the Bliss, just passed through the Commission’s gates for a bit of strut and tell. Sporting the model number PI46110, the handset seems destined for a Big Red debut with CDMA 850MHz / 1900MHz bands, WiFi and Bluetooth on-board. The carrier looks to be continuing its recent trend of global-capable phones, as the device also packs a GSM 900MHz radio. While we weren’t able to dig out any concrete dimensions for the phone, we’d err on the side of a 4-inch or below display, considering VZW’s past dalliances with gender-specific marketing — no, we haven’t forgotten those Pre Plus ads. If that leaked roadmap is any indication, you ladies can expect to see this stylish (we assume) Android 2.3 accessory hit on September 29th.

Update: A Verizon mailer has popped up over at xda-developers, and while the camera placement certainly seems to conflict, some folks are suggesting that what’s shown there (and after the break) might just be the first legitimate shot of the Bliss. Here’s hoping, right? Thanks, Liam!

HTC Bliss stops by the FCC dressed in Verizon red (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 12

Samsung plans August 29th mobile launch… Galaxy S II finally landing in US?

Posted in: Android, galaxy, galaxy s ii, GalaxyS, GalaxySIi, mobile phone, MobilePhone, phone, samsung, smartphone, Today's Chili


Well, we have few other details beyond what you see in that invite above, but you better believe we’ll be in New York City on August 29th. We’re definitely expecting Samsung to announce a Galaxy S II launch in the US, especially given Samsung Mobile President Shin Jong-kyun’s promise of a release “sometime in August” — along with that intriguing II graphic in the invite up top. We also have on good authority that the S II will be launching on several carriers at once, which likely explains why Samsung is putting on the show, rather than deferring to a single partner. Check back on the 29th for the full scoop, and head on over to our full review to whet your appetite in the meantime.

Update: We noticed that the invite image itself is named “Galaxy_S_II_Invite_v2.jpg,” so we’re gonna go out on a limb here and say that the S II will definitely be released.

Samsung plans August 29th mobile launch… Galaxy S II finally landing in US? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 11

Dell quietly kills Streak 5 while nobody’s looking, mourns end-of-life status

Posted in: Android, Google, smartphone, Smartphones, streak, Today's Chili
The Dell Streak 5 has always been an outlier, and it’s traveled a bumpy road ever since the unveiling when Dell insisted its smartphone was in fact a portable tablet. From the delayed launch in the US to its $549 price for a SIM-locked unit — not to mention the uncomfortably long dance with Donut — perhaps this moment has been coming for a while. That’s right, folks, the Dell Streak 5 is no more. Last month we reported it had been taken off the market while it received a software update, but the hive mind in Round Rock must have changed its sentiments along the way. The company now hosts a web page that declares its spacious smartphone / compact tablet has met end-of-life status, and it’s offering little information other than the ominous phrase, “Streak 5 is no longer available.” Perhaps spinners such as DJ_Steve will keep the misbegotten wonder alive with projects like StreakDroid, but for the time being, we’re forced to hang our heads to honor the Streak’s passing. It’s been a great ride, indeed.

Dell quietly kills Streak 5 while nobody’s looking, mourns end-of-life status originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 22:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 11

BMW’s Ultimate Drive app lets you share your favorite routes, crowdsources day tripping

Posted in: Android, app, car, iPhone, navigation, smartphone, Today's Chili
Are you driving to get somewhere, or are you driving to drive? That’s the fundamental question behind BMW‘s Ultimate Drive — a new app that allows iPhone and Android users to share and rate their most enjoyable routes. With this arrow in your smartphone’s quiver, you can create and upload your favorite paths using Google Maps, while evaluating other user submissions based on traffic, scenery and that ever-elusive thrill factor. As CNET points out, the app won’t let you upload maps from your computer, nor does it allow for Yelp-style ratings of locations along the way, though those features may only be an update away. Check out the source links to download the free app and enjoy the journey. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading BMW’s Ultimate Drive app lets you share your favorite routes, crowdsources day tripping

BMW’s Ultimate Drive app lets you share your favorite routes, crowdsources day tripping originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 11

Samsung Gravity Smart review

Posted in: Android, froyo, review, samsung, slider, smartphone, t-mobile, TMobile, Today's Chili, video

In this age of ever-expanding screen real estate, dual-core processors, and 3D cameras, the push to pack more features into every smartphone seems an irresistible force. But this technological ratcheting-up effect isn’t absolute, and in fact, there are plenty of people who prefer a more pedestrian device. One that simply gives them access to email, social networks, and apps without forcing them to pay an arm and a leg for hardware they’re in no position to appreciate. It’s these folks who Samsung’s after with its new Gravity Smart, as it gives you a bowl full of Froyo at a bargain basement price. However, the question remains whether Sammy can provide an agreeable Android experience at a sub-century price point. Read on to find out if this budget-minded slider is a worthy addition to the legion of phones powered by Google’s little green bots.

Gallery: Samsung Gravity Smart review

Continue reading Samsung Gravity Smart review

Samsung Gravity Smart review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 11

HTC Mazaa’s awarded in dev contest, winners promptly splay (and auction) them to world

Posted in: contest, developer, developers, HTC, mango, Microsoft, qualcomm, smartphone, Smartphones, snapdragon, Today's Chili, windows phone, WindowsPhone, Wp7
What would you do if you’d won an unannounced smartphone that sported Windows Phone Mango? Naturally, we hope you’d first send us the dirt, but what if you were a college student and knew the weekend was rapidly approaching? Undergrad winners of Microsoft’s WPAppitUp competition are facing this smartphone / cheap beer conundrum, as they’re now holding HTC Mazaas as prizes, yet many are selling them for cash instead.

If you’d like to adopt an orphan, the phones come with Qualcomm’s MSM8655 SoC — the same as the Thunderbolt and Droid Incredible 2 — which supports (but may not feature) dual mode GSM / CDMA for world roaming. A 1GHz Scorpion CPU and the Adreno 205 GPU are in the mix, and while the over-sized earpiece seems to indicate that this is the same 12-megapixel monster previously shown off by Eldar Murtazin, one of the contest winners, Heedeok Lee, informed us that the camera is actually of 5 megapixel resolution only. Frankly, it’s unclear whether the Mazaa is heading for retail shelves at all, but if you’re wanting an early taste of Mango, you should consider befriending a thirsty student developer.

Gallery: HTC Mazaa

HTC Mazaa’s awarded in dev contest, winners promptly splay (and auction) them to world originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 06:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 11

LG, Sony drop patent infringement lawsuits, strike cross-licensing agreement

Posted in: lawsuit, LG, money, patent, playstation 3, Playstation3, ps3, smartphone, sony, Today's Chili
The testy patent battle between LG and Sony has finally come to an end, now that the companies have decided to lay down their arms and call a truce. In a statement issued today, an LG spokeswoman declared that the two parties have “agreed to drop patent infringement lawsuits against each other,” adding that they’ve struck a cross-licensing deal on the TVs, smartphones and other gadgets in question. A Sony representative confirmed this, but did not offer further details. The spat began back in December, when Sony filed a complaint with the ITC over a handful of allegedly patent infringing LG mobile devices. The Korean manufacturer later struck back with an ITC complaint of its own, targeting Sony products like the Bravia and PlayStation 3. Now, however, the two have apparently learned how to play nice, though details on their settlement remain scarce. As soon as we have them, we’ll pass them along.

LG, Sony drop patent infringement lawsuits, strike cross-licensing agreement originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 02:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 10

Photovoltaic polarizers could make self-charging smartphone dreams come true

Posted in: Apple, Displays, iPhone, LCD, smartphone, solar, solar power, SolarPower, tablet, tablets, Today's Chili

There’s nothing worse than losing the charge on your iPhone at the company picnic. But fear not, you won’t be stranded Twitter-less next to the potato salad if UCLA’s new energy recycling LCD technology ever makes it to market. According to its inventors, the traditional LCD polarization process loses as much as 75 percent of light energy — something that eats around 80 to 90 percent of the device’s power. By using polarizing organic photovoltaic cells, however, the LCD-packing gizmo can recycle its own lost backlight energy, keeping itself charged for longer. What’s really cool is these cells can recycle indoor or outdoor light as well, so you will essentially never lose a charge — or have to speak to another human IRL again. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Photovoltaic polarizers could make self-charging smartphone dreams come true

Photovoltaic polarizers could make self-charging smartphone dreams come true originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 01:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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