Google will call its MVNO carrier ‘Google LTE-A’
On Monday, Sundar Pichai confirmed that Google is indeed developing its own MVNO carrier. We have learned today that the service, backed by existing wireless carriers, will be called Google LTE-A. The company launched a Twitter account for the MVNO carrier and that exposed the name and the image seen above. It is rather generic; however. Google likely wanted to keep things as simple as possible for consumers.
The following was the description provided by Google before being removed:
With @googlefiber, LTE-A will be the next generation cellular network, brought to you by @google.
Source: @GoogleLTE
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Prepare for Google Contacts to be refreshed on the web
Many of the services that Google operates have been given a new look over the last few months. Providing users with the same look across different services allows for easier use and, of course, it looks great. An area that has seriously lacked for Google is Google Contacts. Finally, Google has redesigned Contacts on the web to feature contacts, circles, and frequently contacted people.
Hit the break for the a list of the new features:
- Easily get rid of duplicates: Identify duplicate contacts and the dismiss, merge, or remove them
- Keep your contacts up to date automatically: All contact information offered at a glance with an option to edit
- See your recent emails & meetings: Collect information from recent emails and meetings to attach with a contact
The new Google Contacts can be explored by clicking here.
Source: Official Gmail Blog
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Google putting Chrome on Ice Cream Sandwich in the freezer
Citing the movement of users to newer versions of Android and the increasing complexity to support older devices, Google’s Chrome team announced today they will bring development of updates for the Chrome browser on Ice Cream Sandwich to a halt. The change in status for the browser will take place with Chrome’s 42nd release after which the browser will be put in the virtual deep freeze on Ice Cream Sandwich. Users will be able to continue to use Chrome on their devices, but there will be no more updates.
Google software engineer Aurimas Lutikas noted that since Chrome was first made available on Android 4.0, there have been three new versions of Android released including Jellybean, KitKat and now Lollipop. During that same period of time, there have been 24 new releases of Chrome. As users replace smartphones with newer devices running newer versions of Android or upgrade their devices, the number of users with Ice Cream Sandwich has dropped by thirty percent in just the first year. This shrinking base makes it hard to justify continued development and support for older devices instead of building new features and capabilities used by the majority of users.
source: Chromium Blog
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Apple Watch Wins Renowned iF Design Award Before Release [iOS Blog]
While Apple Watch could be more than a month away from a public release, it has won a 2015 iF Gold Award from the International Forum (iF) Design in its annual industrial design competition. The jury called the Apple Watch design “an icon”.
The idea of combining classic materials such as leather and metal with state-of-the-art technology to create a very individual fashion accessory has resulted in a delightful product offering a holistic user experience. The Apple Watch scores highly for each design detail and is an altogether extraordinary piece of design. For us, it is already an icon.
Apple Watch was one of only two telecommunication products out of 64 recipients to earn the “Gold” designation. Out of the 1,624 products recognized, only 75 of them received a Gold Award.
The iF has been hosting its renowned design awards since 1953, and its jury evaluates products on a set of criteria that includes workmanship, choice of materials, environmental friendliness, design quality, safety, brand value, ergonomics, workmanship, degree of innovation and functionality.
Apple has won a number of iF Design Awards, for major products like iPhone 6, iPad Air and iMac to accessories like EarPods and Apple Keyboard. In total, Apple has won 118 iF Design Awards, but only 44 have earned a “Gold” designation, with Apple Watch being the most recent.
The design of Apple Watch is one aspect of the device that Apple has been marketing thus far, with design chief Jony Ive talking about the challenge of designing the smart watch and it appearing on fashion magazines in both interior multi-page spreads and cover features.
Apple will provide more information about the Apple Watch at its March 9 media event.
Sony announces Theme Creator for Xperia devices
Today, Sony announced a new project that will allow Xperia device owners to create their own themes. The project, which is currently available in beta form, is called Theme Creator and hands users control of over three-hundred graphical system assets. These items include icons, buttons, colors, and assets.
Those interested can download and install the Theme Creator BETA, take advantage of Sony’s directions (or go alone), and have it operating on a device.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Source: Sony
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Apple Watch wins iF Design Gold award ahead of April launch
The Apple Watch hasn’t even shipped yet, but it has already picked up the prestigious iF Gold award from the iF International Forum Design.
In a statement explaining its choice to award the Apple Watch with the Gold design award, the iF jury said the following:
The idea of combining classic materials such as leather and metal with state-of-the-art technology to create a very individual fashion accessory has resulted in a delightful product offering a holistic user experience. The Apple Watch scores highly for each design detail and is an altogether extraordinary piece of design. For us, it is already an icon.
Overall, out of a total number 1,624 recognized products over 52 categories, only 75 received the Gold designation.
The Apple Watch isn’t set to ship until April, but the wearable has already started popping up in magazine spreads from the likes of Vogue, Self Magazine, and Hong Kong-based publication East Touch. Apple is set to hold a “Spring Forward” event on March 9, where it’s expected we’ll get many more details concerning the Apple Watch’s release date and pricing.
Source: iF Design Awards; Via: 9to5Mac
Android 5.0 Lollipop rolls out to HTC One M8 on Verizon
Attention HTC One M8 owners on Verizon: it looks like it’s your turn to grab a piece of the Android 5.0 Lollipop action. According to the carrier’s support page, the update should be rolling out to devices now.
Apple exploring potential settlement with battery manufacturer in employee poaching suit
According to a new court filing, Apple is appears to be engaged in settlement talks with A123 Systems after the battery manufacturer filed suit against the tech giant for allegedly poaching its employees.
The court filing was originally spotted by Reuters, which reported the following:
In a court filing on Tuesday, Apple asked a Massachusetts federal judge for an extension of time to respond to the A123 lawsuit because “they are exploring potential resolution.”
For some background, A123 filed suit against Apple early last month claiming that the latter hired five engineers away from the company even though the employees’ contracts contained noncompete clauses.
At the time, it was unclear what the employees were working on at Apple, but it’s speculated that they could be involved with new battery tech for its rumored Apple Car. Whatever the case, it looks like Apple is exploring ways to avoid what could potentially turn into a drawn-out legal battle.
Source: Reuters
Samsung unveils a new 8MP ISOCELL image sensor for front-facing cameras
Samsung has just taken the wraps off of its new 8MP image sensor made specifically for front-facing cameras. Dubbed the S5K4H5YB, the new sensor is made using the company’s in-house built ISOCELL technology, along with its newly-developed RWB (red-white-blue) color pattern filter. Samsung hopes that the combination of ISOCELL’s advanced light sensitivity tech and RWB’s color fidelity enhancements will produce a much clearer low light shot.
The company is planning to mass-produce the S5K4H5YB sensor beginning in Q2 of 2015, so we will likely see the new sensor on smartphones released in the later half of the year.
The last time we saw Samsung’s ISOCELL tech in a flagship smartphone was in the Galaxy S5, but the company seemingly went back to the drawing board after that. The Galaxy Note 4, which was released over five months after the S5, carried Sony’s IMX240 camera sensor instead of an ISOCELL sensor. Additionally, Sony’s sensors also come in the recently-announced Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge handsets.
Last year, the company talked a lot about ISOCELL, so it was clear that they wouldn’t just ditch the technology after putting it in only one smartphone. Now it’s apparent that Samsung was bettering their camera tech before releasing it to another flagship. And who knows, maybe they’ll release an improved rear-facing ISOCELL sensor in time for the Galaxy Note 5 launch.
Huawei planning to take on the U.S. market
Huawei has managed to stake a claim as China’s second largest smartphone manufacturer, yet it is a name most U.S. consumers have probably never heard. If they are aware of Huawei, there are decent odds it stemmed from action by Congress a couple years ago to label Huawei a national security threat amidst concerns they would use network hardware for spying purposes. Despite that incident and the potential stigma of being seen as a producer of cheap Chinese goods, Huawei is indicating they have plans to step up marketing and try to make a push into the U.S. market during 2015.
One clue to the company’s plans to expand may be seen in their announcement of the Huawei Watch at MWC 2015 this week. As part of the reveal of their entrant into the wearables market, Huawei included the U.S. in the list of the initial 20 markets where the device will be sold. Huawei also recently took out a billboard in Times Square touting the Honor 6 Plus smartphone, a move Huawei’s U.S. spokesman Bill Plummer described as “a sing of things to come.” Among the marketing avenues available for Huawei in the U.S., one might be a tie-in with a sports team similar to their sponsorship of the Arsenal soccer team in London, cricket teams in India and rugby clubs in Australia.
For the short term at least, it appears Huawei may have to focus on advertising efforts that are aimed directly at potential buyers. The majority of smartphones sold in the U.S. are sold through the major carriers, none of which carry Huawei devices and may be reluctant to add them to their portfolio. The carriers seem to favor major brands like Samsung, Apple, and HTC. Even a company like Sony has been challenged to get their devices carried by the big four.
One path Huawei could take would be one employed by ZTE, which started striking deals with lower-tier carriers like Boost to make their devices available in the prepaid space. That might be a way to get a foot in the door. Eventually Huawei will want to get their higher end devices into the market though, which would probably be welcomed by some buyers who know Huawei has a reputation for producing some attractive higher-end handsets.
Are you interested in seeing Huawei enter the U.S. market?
source: Reuters
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