Rolling Stone Magazine is Coming to the Google Play Store
Rolling Stone magazine has been a cultural force for years, but only last year did the company realize that online mobile distribution can be a potential money-maker. That’s why Rolling Stone will now be available on the Google Play Newsstand. The magazine will feature some archive articles for free, but you will have to pay to see more.
One of the justifications for taking advantage of the Google Newsstand is the massive growth the Android operating system has seen the past few years and the increased amount of money being spent on the store. Google is also notorious for treating content providers fairly and beneficially for both parties, which is why The Rolling Stone will be working with Google.
Are you a Rolling Stone reader? If so, what to you think about its arrival on the Google Play Store Newsstand? Leave a comment below and let us know what you’re thinking.
Via: Android Authority
Source: Fast Company
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Samsung’s Q4 profits continue to slide, but still land above analyst expectations
Samsung posted some good news and some bad news today. The bad news for the company is that their fourth quarter profits for 2014 dropped 27%, which is a fairly significant slide for the holiday months. The bright side, however, is that this drop was smaller than what analysts were expecting.
A big reason that Samsung didn’t have a bigger decrease was thanks to their component business, which is still doing exceptionally well thanks to the general popularity of smartphones and tablets. Sales of the Galaxy Note 4 also increased during Q4, so it held its own against other flagship devices and Apple for Christmas. Total sales for Samsung ended up between 72 and 75 million smartphones, while Apple shipped about 74 million. Those numbers make it pretty clear that 2014 was kinder to Apple than it was to Samsung.
For the quarter, Samsung still managed to pull in about $4.9 billion, and compared to previous quarters, Samsung’s numbers are decreasing slower than they were towards the end of 2014. Samsung has an opportunity with the Galaxy S 6 to finally turn things around and stay competitive at the high end against Apple, but they’ll need a strong 2015 to make that happen.
source: ABC News
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Google Chrome Beta for Android gets Update
Google’s hardworking Chrome team has officially completed Chrome 41 Beta and is prepping it for release. Within the next few hours, you should be able to update your version to Chrome 41.0.2272.34 via the Google Play Store.
The release is mostly bug fixes, and performance improvements, but the ability to refresh a page by swiping down from the top of the page is a clever and simple addition to improve your browsing experience. The new update may have some issues, so if you come across any, help us all out by filing a bug report. For more information about specific tweaks and changes, check out the Git log.
Go ahead and update your app, and leave a comment below to let us know how well it is (or isn’t) working!
Source: Google Chrome Releases
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Dropbox now reports when non-US governments want your data
While Dropbox was quick to embrace transparency reports, it’s been pretty opaque about data requests from outside the US. How do you know which countries want your info? You don’t have to wonder any longer. The cloud storage outfit has published its first transparency report revealing data requests from beyond American borders. There aren’t many at all (just 20 in total), but it’s clear that some governments are nosier than others. Half of all requests came from France and Germany, while the rest are spread between nations as far-ranging as Australia and Brazil. The report now covers the number of accounts affected by these demands, too. More detailed stats won’t do much to end intrusive surveillance, but they’ll at least let you know who might be poking around your online files.
Filed under: Storage, Internet
Source: Dropbox Blog
Huge Deal: HTC One M8 and Galaxy Alpha refurbished for $299 each
Looking to pick up a high-end unlocked phone that won’t tear your wallet to pieces? A retailer on Ebay is selling both the HTC One M8 and Galaxy Alpha, both refurbished, for $299 each. They both have at&t radios and are the 32GB versions. The bonus? FREE SHIPPING, if you choose economy.
Deals like these only come so often, and even though Samsung and HTC both have flagships planned to be announced in the coming weeks, these are both still fantastic phones. Hit the links below to check out their Ebay pages.
Samsung Galaxy Alpha $299 sale
The post Huge Deal: HTC One M8 and Galaxy Alpha refurbished for $299 each appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Vector 75: HoloLens, VR ads, and YouTube alternatives
Vector is a news and analysis show focusing on the biggest stories, hottest trends, and most important issues in technology and popular culture. On this week’s show, Microsoft has HoloLens, Google has Glass, Facebook has Oculus — what does Apple have or need? Also, what would ads in AR/VR be like, when YouTube makes demands are there alternatives, and the search for Guy. With Dave Wiskus, Georgia Dow, Rene Ritchie.
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Question, comment, recommendation, or something you want us to follow up on for the next show?
- Email vector@mobilenations.com or leave a comment below.
Apple and Samsung Tied as World’s Largest Smartphone Makers in Q4 2014
The latest numbers from Strategy Analytics reveal that Apple tied Samsung during Q4 2014 to become the world’s largest smartphone maker based on global shipments. According to the report, both Apple and Samsung shipped 74.5 million smartphones during the three-month period of October through December. Apple’s number is an official figure from its financial results, while Samsung’s number is an estimate since the company stopped reporting smartphone shipments a few years ago. The research firm adds that Apple and Samsung were last tied in smartphone market share in Q4 2011.
Apple experienced a record-breaking first quarter of the fiscal year because of strong demand for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The larger screen sizes of the two new smartphones were a major selling point for many consumers, attracting more new customers and Android converts than ever before. Meanwhile, Samsung reported a 27% quarterly decline in earnings earlier today amid tough competition from both Apple and up-and-coming Chinese rivals such as Xiaomi and Huawei.
Strategy Analytics claims that global smartphone shipments grew 31% annually to eclipse a record 380 million units in the fourth quarter. An estimated 1.3 billion smartphones were shipped worldwide in 2014, with strong growth in emerging markets such as China, India and Africa. Apple has experienced a lot of momentum in China, noting that its online sales in the region for 2014 were more than the previous five years combined.
Apple also surpassed Microsoft to become the world’s second largest mobile phone vendor on the strength of the United States and China. Apple’s 74.5 million smartphone shipments placed ahead of Microsoft’s 50.2 million units shipped, but were behind Samsung’s market leading 95 million units shipped. Apple and Samsung have global mobile phone market shares of 14.5% and 18.4% respectively.
LG Display posts impressive Q4 profits while operating costs continue to increase
LG Display has just posted their earning results for Q4 2014. While interest in LG’s display technology has seemingly been growing drastically, the company’s operating costs may be dragging it down.
Overall revenue for Q4 totaled 8,342 billion won, which is a 27% increase from Q3 2014 and an 18% increase from Q4 2013. Operating profits for Q4 2014 totaled 626 billion won, which is a 32% increase from Q3 of 2014 and a year-on-year increase of 144% from 257 billion won in in Q4 2013. LG explains that these increases are largely due to more shipments of larger size panels overall, and an increase in small/medium displays through the peak season through the end of the year. LG also mentions that larger, more inexpensive displays have a lot to do with the profit.
Additionally, LG Display’s net income increased by 10% to 389 billion won in Q4 from Q3. This is also a massive 448% increase from Q4 2013. LG Display’s year-over-year net income has increased 119% from 2013. Annual revenue decreased by 1 trillion won from 2013 to 2014. TFT-LCD panels for TVs accounted for 36% of revenue in Q4 2014, mobile device panels for 23%, tablet panels for 19%, computer monitors for 14% and notebook PCs for 8%.
With more interest in LG’s display technology growing worldwide, operating costs will obviously increase. LG has displayed leadership in the market with P-OLED and OLED panels, and the company is confident that they will continue to see profits throughout 2015 and will work to keep operating costs to a minimum.
Revenue in the fourth quarter of 2014 increased by 27% to KRW 8,342 billion from KRW 6,547 billion in the third quarter of 2014 and increased by 18% from KRW 7,079 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Operating profit in the fourth quarter of 2014 recorded KRW 626 billion, a quarter-on-quarter increase of 32% from an operating profit of KRW 474 billion and a year-on-year increase of 144% from the operating profit of KRW 257 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013.
EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2014 was KRW 1,532 billion, compared with EBITDA of KRW 1,295 billion in the third quarter of 2014 and with EBITDA of KRW 1,124 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Net income in the fourth quarter of 2014 amounted to KRW 389 billion, a quarter-on-quarter increase of 10% from KRW 354 billion in the third quarter of 2014 and a year-on-year increase of 448% from KRW 71 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013.
LG Display posted its eleventh straight quarterly operating profit at KRW 626 billion and quarterly revenue exceeding KRW 8 trillion resulting from increased shipments reflecting a continual trend towards larger size panels and new product launches in the small and medium display segment through the peak season at the year-end. Favorable pricing condition, particularly in large-sized panels due to the above trend, also contributed to the improved results. LG Display recorded an annual net income of KRW 917 billion in 2014, a year-on-year increase of 119% from the net income of KRW 419 billion in 2013. Annual revenue slightly decreased to KRW 26.456 trillion compared with revenue of KRW 27.033 trillion in 2013. The company expanded its portion of high value-added panels such as those for large-sized, high resolution TVs and mobile devices based on an efficient operational production strategy to proactively meet market demands. Accordingly, despite the decreased annual revenue due to the changes in the business structure towards increased Cell business1 , profitability improved significantly.
In providing a return to the shareholders, LG Display declared a dividend of KRW 500 per common share at the Board of Directors meeting held on the 27th of January. The decision will be finalized after approval at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting of Shareholders.TFT-LCD panels for TVs accounted for 36% of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2014, mobile device panels for 23%, tablet PCs 19%, monitors 14%, and notebook PCs 8%. With 95% in the liability to equity ratio, 122% in the current ratio, and 16% in the net debt to equity ratio as of December 31, 2014, the financial structure of the company remains stable.
Semi-finished panels without backlight module Outlook The following forecast is based on information as of January 28, 2015. The Company does not expect to update its estimates until the next quarter’s earnings announcement. However, the Company reserves the right to update its full business outlook, or any portion thereof, at any time and for any reason. “Shipments in the first quarter are expected to decrease by a mid-single digit percentage, less influenced by seasonality compared with other years, due to steady market demand and the company’s efficient operational production strategy, while overall panel prices are expected to remain stable although they may vary by product segment,” said Don Kim, CFO of LG Display. “LG Display expects a quarter-onquarter decrease in profits given that the first quarter is an off season, but we’re committed to continually enhance our profit competitiveness through technology differentiation and cost reductions.”
Electronic Arts charging players for gas in Need for Speed: No Limits
This spring, Need for Speed: No Limits will be available on Android and iOS. The only problem is that there will actually be limits in the game. Electronic Arts, the company behind the Need for Speed franchise, will utilize in-app purchases with this installment. The in-app purchase that will make players very angry is to fill a vehicle with gas. Yes, Electronic Arts wants you to pay for gas like you already do with your real car. Of course, there is the option of waiting on a timer to countdown until the gas tank is refilled at no charge. Furthermore, Electronic Arts has in-game currencies. So you can actually pay for in-game money to pay for the gas to play the game. Makes sense, right? Sure.
Hit the break for the game’s trailer.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Via: Android Police
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Qantas will soon offer Gear VRs for first class lounges and in-flight entertainment
Getting ahead of the game on innovative in-flight entertainment, Australian airline Qantas has announced it will equip two of its first class lounges and select flights with Samsung Gear VRs. The small-scale three-month trial period will offer first class customers flying on Qantas the 360 degree virtual reality experiences in its Melbourne and Sydney lounges as well as A380 flights from Australia to Los Angeles.
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