Xbox One had ‘record’ amount of US sales in February but was still behind PlayStation 4
Microsoft said the Xbox One had “record February sales in the U.S.” last month, but it wasn’t enough for the game console to beat its main rival, Sony’s PlayStation 4.
That curved glass on the S6 Edge? It takes time and money
The public reception of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge has been generally favorable, enough to make Samsung ramp up production levels and promise similar designs for other products coming in 2015. The downside is Samsung may be actually having trouble meeting the demand for its new devices, in particular the Galaxy S6 Edge.
A report from Taiwanese website TechNews claims Samsung is facing issues with the curved glass covering the Galaxy S6 Edge, including low yield rates, lengthy fabrication processes, and high costs.
Reportedly, Samsung’s China-based supplier of curved glass currently works with a 50% yield rate, meaning that half of all glass sheets have to be scrapped. That’s due to the lengthy and complex “thermo forming” process that each sheet of Gorilla Glass 4 needs to go through in order to attain the needed shape. Samsung explained the process in a blog post: put simply, each sheet of glass is heated to 800 degrees centigrade (which softens it), then pressed into shape using a special mold, chemically strengthened, and finally polished using high-precision machines. The polishing step alone can take 40 minutes.
According to the sources cited by TechNews, the final cost of each curved glass can reach $25-$26. It’s not clear if this cost accounts for the current low yield (if it factors in defective products), but it’s definitely above the average price of a conventional, flat Gorilla Glass screen. One source that’s often cited on the web says a flat sheet can cost as little as $3. Even if the cost reported by TechNews isn’t as high as $25, it’s safe to say it’s significantly higher than $3, and that’s likely one of the reasons the S6 Edge is more expensive than its non-curved sibling.
Samsung’s original order was for up to 8.5 million sheets of glass in Q2 2015, but due to the low yield, the supplier won’t be able to make more than 6.5 million units, says the report. As such, Samsung is said to be looking for other suppliers to make up the difference.
To be clear, this doesn’t necessarily mean there will be a shortage of Galaxy S6 Edge in stores. Even if this report is entirely accurate, Samsung may secure additional suppliers or a breakthrough in the manufacturing process could increase yields in the future.
Samsung reportedly plans to manufacture 4 million Galaxy S6 Edge units by the end of April.
More details revealed about YouTube’s 360-degree video integration
Back in January it was reported that YouTube is planning on supporting 360-degree videos, and now we have a little more info.
Users will be able to upload these special videos from compatible cameras, which include Bublcam, Giroptic’s 360cam, IC Real Tech’s Allie,Kodak’s SP360 and Ricoh’s Theta. You will be able to watch these 360-degree videos on the existing the YouTube app for Android while moving around the 360 view will be done by moving the phone or tablet. It’s also a lock that you will see this integrated with Google Cardboard and other VR headsets.
Users on the desktop will be able to simply drag their mouse to see different views.
We are still not certain as to when this feature will launch, but YouTube will be hosting a technology showcase through April in Los Angeles , which gives consumers a chance to try out different cameras and learn how to make great 360-degree videos.
source: CNet
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Microsoft’s Digital Assistant Cortana May Be Heading to iOS and Anrdoid
Microsoft is beefing up “Cortana”, its virtual voice assistant found in its line of Windows Phones, with plans to provide her contextual reminders and various other features on iOS and Android devices later this year, according to Reuters.
Announced for Windows 10 desktops earlier this year, Microsoft is planning to upgrade Cortana’s functions even more through research from an artificial intelligence project called “Einstein.” Reuters notes that the new iteration of Cortana would double-down on her being less reactive, akin to iOS users needing to instigate Siri commands themselves, and more proactive.
The virtual assistant, named after an artificial intelligence character who appears in most of the main Halo games, could go so far as to plan out a trip to the airport. She would prep boarding passes, check traffic and flight delays, all from reading emails related to the matter.
Cortana could tell a mobile phone user when to leave for the airport, days after it read an email and realized the user was planning a flight. It would automatically check flight status, determine where the phone is located using GPS, and checking traffic conditions.
“This kind of technology, which can read and understand email, will play a central role in the next roll out of Cortana, which we are working on now for the fall time frame,” said Eric Horvitz, managing director of Microsoft Research and a part of the Einstein project, in an interview at the company’s Redmond, Washington, headquarters.
While still not officially confirmed by Microsoft, Reuters notes that a Cortana app for iOS and Android could extend the program’s reach beyond the company’s smaller share of the smartphone business, and perhaps win over converts not impressed with Siri’s functionality.
Microsoft definitely sees Siri as a competitor, releasing a string of advertisements last year pointing out Cortana’s biggest features still unavailable to Siri users on iOS, like mapping out traffic patterns to provide a user alerts and contextually aware reminders
Disney releases Cinderella Free Fall matching game for iPhone and iPad
Disney has released Cinderella Free Fall for iOS, Android and Windows Phone. The title takes the iconic princess on a puzzle matchmaking adventure in the enchanted world of. Prepare yourself to connect and match luminous butterfly jewels in 100 levels.
The game is much like other titles in the jewel-matching genre, tasking the player to create the longest lines possible in a single swipe to unleash some powerful magical effects. Moves not only include straight lines, but circular connections too. Cinderella’s animal friends are also around to lend a helping hand.
In anticipation for the upcoming Cinderella movie, now is a perfect time to pick up the game and relive some of those magical memories. It’s worth noting that, just like Frozen Free Fall and Maleficent Free Fall by Disney, while this title is freely available for download, you’ll be greeted by in-app purchases.
- Free – Download Now
64GB HTC One M9 confirmed during Taiwan launch
Following the official unveiling of the One M9 at MWC, the company held another event in Taiwan to announce the launch date in the country. The One M9 will go on sale in Taiwan on March 16th, with the rest of the world to follow shortly afterwards.
HTC has already dished out the specifications and we’ve been hearing a few leaks about the price, but in Taiwan HTC’s Dong Junliang also confirmed that there will be two variants of the M9, each with different storage options. The 32GB model, which was already confirmed, is to be joined by a 64GB internal memory option, both of which also come with microSD card slots for an additional 128GB of space.
As for pricing, the 32GB One M9 will cost 21,900 TWD (roughly $693), while the 64GB will retail for 23,900 TWD (approximately $756), so there isn’t a huge price gap between the two. HTC did not confirm if the 64GB model will be made available in other regions, but we did see two options appear globally with M8.
Has double the internal memory made the HTC One M9 more appealing, or do storage options not matter so much in smartphones that have a large microSD capacity?
Evernote’s Android app gets Material Design update
Evernote has released a major update for its Android app, bringing all of the Material Design goodness to it. Countless apps have received Material Design updates since Google announced its design guidelines for Lollipop last year.
The major update has completely changed the look and behaviour of the Evernote app making it much more easy to use, says the firm. The key updates include a flatter look, bolder colors, and improved typography. Even the note editing and viewing experience has improved considerably as the cleaner layout brings simplified controls to allow you to write and edit more efficiently.
The new app has customizable floating action buttons, which allow you to easily create text notes just by tapping the new note button. Also, the update has improved the navigation drawer can be personalized as per your liking. You also get a new notebook covers that help you differentiate your notebook note lists from your normal note lists. While the new update is not really a groundbreaking one, it certainly has made the note-taking experience much more flexible.
Source: Evernote blog
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Google Flight Search gets Happiness Factor integration from agreement with Routehappy
Flight amenity data such as Wi-Fi, in-seat power, and seat type, comes to Google Flight Search results thanks to a new agreement with Routehappy.
Routehappy has two proprietary systems. Flightpad researches and verifies flight amenities by aircraft, cabin, schedule, and route while Flightmatch is a set of algorithms that scores Happiness Factors, duration, and ratings for billions of possible flight combinations.
“We know people are looking for more information about the flights they’re taking before they buy, so integrating Routehappy Happiness Factors is a great addition to Google Flights. Now even more people have access to comprehensive flight amenity data and useful flight search information,” said Gianni Marostica, Director Business Development, Travel, Google.
Full Press Release:
Routehappy Integrates Happiness Factors Into Google Flights Results
Routehappy and Google sign worldwide data licensing agreement for use of Routehappy Happiness Factors in Google Flights
NEW YORK, March 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Routehappy, the product differentiation platform for air travel, today announced a worldwide agreement with Google to integrate flight amenity data from its Scores & Happiness Factors API into Google Flights results. This integration will allow Google Flights users in all geographies to see and compare amenities by flight, including seat type, in-seat power, and Wi-Fi.
“We know people are looking for more information about the flights they’re taking before they buy, so integrating Routehappy Happiness Factors is a great addition to Google Flights. Now even more people have access to comprehensive flight amenity data and useful flight search information,” said Gianni Marostica, Director Business Development, Travel, Google.
Routehappy’s Scores & Happiness Factor data is derived from two proprietary Routehappy systems, Flightpad and Flightmatch. Routehappy researches and verifies flight amenities by aircraft, cabin, schedule, and route on a constant basis from hundreds of disparate sources to create Flightpad, the most comprehensive, accurate comparable product attribute dataset for flights worldwide. Flightmatch is a set of powerful and intelligent algorithms that dynamically match and score Happiness Factors, duration, and ratings for billions of possible flight combinations.
“Air travel has never been more differentiated, with airlines investing billions of dollars in their products and fundamentally changing how they sell flights. Airlines and distributors need data, content, and tools to manage their product differentiation,” said Robert Albert, Routehappy CEO. “Google Flights is innovating flight search in powerful new ways, including offering lightning fast search and now more comprehensive amenity data for flyers. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Google in bringing useful information to flyers everywhere.”
For more information on Routehappy, including a demo flight search application, information on products, and recent company news, please visit http://www.routehappy.com.
ABOUT ROUTEHAPPY
Routehappy is the product differentiation platform for air travel, providing the industry with data, content, and tools to improve flight shopping. Routehappy’s Scores & Happiness Factors API rates flights worldwide and provides Aircraft, Seat, Layout, Entertainment, Wi-Fi, Power and Fresh Food data by flight. Routehappy Hub is a SaaS platform that enables airlines to organize, target, and deliver their product attributes wherever flights are sold, helping airlines better monetize their products. Routehappy recently announced data licensing partnerships with Expedia and Serko, and released a Global State of In-flight Wi-Fi. Routehappy is based in New York. For more information, visit http://www.routehappy.com.
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Samsung commits to premium designs and high-res screens across its range
Samsung held its yearly shareholder meeting today in Seoul, and one of the hottest topics was the performance of the mobile unit and what Samsung is doing to reverse the decline from 2014.
Speaking to shareholders, head of mobile unit JK Shin said Samsung would double down on premium features in 2015, in a bid to make Samsung devices stand out against a resurgent Apple and the assault of cheaper Chinese competitors.
“Samsung Electronics aims to consolidate its leadership in the premium market and plans to newly change the smartphone line-up to strengthen competitiveness,” the executive said.
- Samsung is already ramping up Galaxy S6 production – report
- Samsung reportedly has 20 million pre-orders for the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge
- What the tech world thinks about the Samsung Galaxy S6 and HTC One M9
- Samsung Galaxy S6 hands-on and first impressions
- Samsung Galaxy S6 officially announced: here’s what you need to know
Samsung will focus on three core aspects: metal casings, slim designs, and high-definition displays, according to Shin, and interestingly, these features will be used across Samsung’s range of models. That’s a clear sign that Samsung intends to employ metal designs in more devices this year, joining devices like the Galaxy A series and, of course, the new Galaxy S6.
Samsung Electronics Vice-Chairman Oh-Hyun Kwon reiterated the focus on premium devices in his letter to the company shareholders:
“For our core businesses, we will focus more on developing premium products and reinforcing technology leadership to secure competitive advantage. By doing so, we will maintain our absolute superiority not only in advanced markets but also in growth segments such as emerging and low-priced markets.”
Samsung’s newfound focus on premium designs has likely been bolstered by the warm reception that its new flagship is enjoying – regular customers, pundits, and carriers have showered the Galaxy S6 and the S6 Edge with praise, prompting Samsung to increase the initial production run by a million.
Do you think a bigger focus on premium features will be enough for Samsung to resume growth?
23andMe plans to use your genetic data to create new drugs
For over a year now, 23andMe has been stuck in a regulatory quagmire with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although it’s still able to sell its personal DNA kits, the company is effectively banned from offering health-related genetic tests in the US. A few weeks ago it was given the go-ahead for a single check, a rare disorder called Bloom syndrome, but it’s only a small step towards the broader health reports it provided before. While it waits for wider FDA approval, 23andMe has decided to enter the drugs market. The company already works with major pharmaceutical firms including Pfizer and Genentech, but now it’s prepared to go it alone. The startup has accrued a vast amount of health-related information from its users, so there’s an obvious opportunity to apply that database to the field of medicine. Instead of just looking for health-related ailments, and offering users the results, 23andMe wants to go one step further and develop the cures too.
According to Bloomberg, 23andMe hasn’t decided on any specific diseases or types of drugs to target first, and it hasn’t ruling out working with other, more established pharmaceutical companies in the US either. Regardless, the direct relationship 23andMe has with its customers could be a potent combination. “By engaging [our users] and giving it to them as a prize, saying, ‘You’ve powered this study and you’ve made this happen,’ we can do things in a different way,” 23andMe chief executive Anne Wojicki says.
Filed under: Misc
Via: The Verge
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