Research firm estimates one million Apple Watches pre-ordered on day one in the US
Research firm Slice Intelligence estimates Apple received just shy of one million Apple Watch pre-orders on Friday’s launch day in the US alone.
According to the report published by Slice Intelligence:
“According to ereceipt data from 9,080 online shoppers, each Apple Watch buyer ordered an average of 1.3 watches, spending $503.83 per watch. Those ordering an Apple Watch Sport spent $382.83 per watch and those ordering the Apple Watch spent $707.04.”
Slice Intelligence notes that from a panel of two million online shoppers, 957,000 US consumers pre-ordered the Apple Watch on launch day, with 62 percent of those who placed an order favoring the more affordable Apple Watch Sport model. The larger 42mm variant also proved to be the popular option for consumers while 39% opted for the smaller 38mm casing.
“The Black Sport Band was by far the most popular among both Apple Watch and Apple Watch Sport buyers, with 49 percent overall pre-ordering one, followed by the White Sport Band at 16 percent and the more expensive Milanese Loop ($149 versus $49 for the black Sport band) rounding out the top three at around 10 percent. “
Shortly after going live on Friday, Apple started rolling back the pre-order shipping dates for the Apple Watch models. Tim Cook said while chatting to CNBC that pre-orders numbers were “great”, failing to elaborate by revealing figures.
Source: Slice Intelligence, via: Apple Insider
Samsung publishes kernel source code for Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge
So, you’ve just got your hands on a Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge smartphone and you’re already wondering how you can remove some of the bloatware or maybe even install firmware developed by a third-party such as Cyanogen. Thanks to Samsung publishing the kernel source code for both handsets, this possibility is now a step closer.
The source code for the following models can be found at Samsung’s Open Resource Release Center:
- SM-G920F
- SM-G920K
- SM-G920L
- SM-G920S
- SM-G920t_NA
- SM-G925T_NA
- SM-G925F
- SM-G925K
- SM-G925L
- SM-G925S
Just because the source code has been released doesn’t mean that there will be a wide choice of custom ROMs or mods available right from the word go. The use of the Exynos processor in the Galaxy S6 handsets also means that AOSP development will be a little slower than you might find with handsets using Qualcomm’s offerings. Remember to be patient with the developers, the custom goodies will arrive soon enough.
Source: Samsung Open Resource Center
Come comment on this article: Samsung publishes kernel source code for Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge
Supernovae suggest the universe is growing slower than expected
Don’t look now, but what you know about the universe’s growth might have been turned on its ear. University of Arizona scientists have learned that a certain type of supernova (Ia) isn’t the reliable measuring stick for universe expansion that previous data would suggest. By comparing optical and ultraviolet images (such as in the hybrid image you see above), they found that older, farther exploding stars aren’t behaving in the same way as newer ones closer to our own star. In other words, the ancient supernovae aren’t necessarily as distant as you’d think — and if they aren’t, the universe isn’t growing as quickly as textbooks say.
The tricky bit is finding out just how inaccurate our existing model might be. It’ll require combing through legions of optical and UV images to get a clearer answer. When that happens, though, researchers will have a better understanding of what’s happened since the Big Bang, including the amount of dark energy that exists in the cosmos.
[Image credit: NASA/Swift]
Filed under: Science
Via: EurekAlert, Slashdot
Source: University of Arizona
Photoshop Express for Windows Phone gets updated, premium filters free for a limited time
Adobe Photoshop Express made its debut on Windows Phone last year, but there hasn’t been much to talk about in the way of updates. Until now, that is. The app picked up an update to version 1.1.0.17 that brings new functionality to the image editing utility, including a Defog filter that joins the Looks and Noise Reduction filters.
Blackmagic launching a tiny, drone-friendly RAW cinema camera
Hollywood feature films needs better quality than a GoPro can deliver for aerial footage, but heavy cinema cameras demand really expensive drones to lift them. Blackmagic Design clearly thought all this through and is about to launch a Micro Cinema Camera, judging by a banner glimpsed at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention. It should suit high-end producers’ needs with a Super 16 sensor (30 percent smaller than a Micro Four Thirds sensor) and RAW video with 13 stops of dynamic range. A giant nod to its intended usage is built-in PWM and S-Bus drone radio control protocols, as well. There’s no word on what size of drone you’ll need to lift it or other specs, but Blackmagic is likely to reveal the camera later on today.
[Image credit: Zak Forsman]
Filed under: Cameras
Via: No Film School
Source: Zac Forsman
Sprint will send executives to your location to deliver and set up your new smartphone
Sprint is rolling out a more personalized customer service program that involves its executives visiting a location of your choosing to deliver and configure your new smartphone.
Sprint will send executives to your location to deliver and set up your new iPhone
Sprint is rolling out a more personalized customer service program that involves its executives visiting a location of your choosing to deliver and configure your new iPhone.
The initiative, called Direct 2 You, includes the transfer of content such as contacts, pictures, videos and apps from your old device to the new one. The service is available for free to all customers upgrading their handsets, and is aimed at alleviating any issues encountered when switching from another platform.
Here’s how the program works, as detailed by Sprint:
- Qualified customers receive an offer via text or email to upgrade their phone.
- Customers call the Sprint phone number in the text or email to take advantage of the offer and schedule an appointment for this free service.
- A Direct 2 You Expert arrives when and where the customer requests, sets up and activates the new phone, transferring all contacts and data from the old phone, then personalizes the new device to the customer’s specifications.
- Customers can choose to turn in their old phones for recycling or reuse.
Direct 2 You is now live in Kansas City, and will launch in Chicago and Miami by April 20. Sprint is planning to reach 10 cities by end of August, and a further 30 cities by the end of September. The carrier has stated its intent to rollout the service nationwide by the end of the year.
Source: Sprint
Google’s “Trusted Voice” search feature beginning staged rollout
Google has been testing out a “Trusted Voice” feature for unlocking and navigating your phone with specialized voice recognition, similar to the trusted places feature that’s already present in Google Now. It looks like that feature is starting to rollout to devices now.
The feature supposedly will only respond to your voice and no one else’s, but Google suggests that this feature isn’t as secure as other security features in the app. If you aren’t particularly worried, though, you’ll be able to say “Okay Google” to unlock your device and begin using Google Now.
Like all of Google’s other updates, expect this one to hit devices in stages. If you don’t have it yet, keep an eye out for it.
source: Android Police
Come comment on this article: Google’s “Trusted Voice” search feature beginning staged rollout
Apple Watch Received Estimated 1 Million Pre-Orders in U.S. on April 10
Apple Watch received an estimated 957,000 pre-orders in the United States on April 10, the day the wrist-worn device became available for purchase, according to Slice Intelligence (via Quartz). The digital commerce tracking firm claims that nearly two-thirds of customers purchased the Apple Watch Sport model, with the 42mm space gray case the most popular version sold on the first day.
Slice Intelligence’s sales projection is based on e-receipt data from 9,080 online shoppers that opted-in to have their inboxes tracked for email receipts. The report finds that 71% of Apple Watch pre-orders on April 10 were for the larger 42mm case, with 32% of aluminimum Sport customers purchasing the smaller 38mm version compared to 24% of stainless steel Apple Watch buyers.
“Slice Intelligence estimates that 957,000 people in the U.S. pre-ordered an Apple Watch on Friday, the first day the watch was available for sale. According to ereceipt data from 9,080 online shoppers, each Apple Watch buyer ordered an average of 1.3 watches, spending $503.83 per watch. Those ordering an Apple Watch Sport spent $382.83 per watch and those ordering the Apple Watch spent $707.04.”
The report adds that 40% of pre-orders were for the Apple Watch Sport with space gray aluminum, followed by the silver stainless steel Apple Watch at 34%, silver aluminum Apple Watch Sport at 23% and space black stainless steel Apple Watch at 3%. Apple Watch Edition sales were not disclosed, with Quartz claiming that the expensive 18-karat gold model did not represent enough pre-orders to be included in the report.
Slice Intelligence also revealed that 28% of Apple Watch pre-orders included a black Sport band, making it the most popular option among customers on April 10. The steel Milanese Loop trailed in second at 25%, while the Link Bracelet (14%), black Classic Buckle (12%) and white Sport band (8%) rounded off the top five. The next seven most popular bands were split between different colors of the Leather Loop and Modern Buckle.
The shopping firm did not provide Apple Watch pre-order data for the other eight countries where the wrist-worn device became available Friday, including Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, China and Hong Kong, and it is likely that sales numbers will vary greatly in each of those regions. In China, for example, the Apple Watch Edition is predicted to sell considerably better than in most other countries.
Saw the estimates of 1M Apple Watch pre-orders in my inbox. Won’t be surprised by an official Apple statement tomorrow saying 2M.
— Kevin C. Tofel (@KevinCTofel) April 13, 2015
There are a number of variables to consider when interpreting these Apple Watch pre-order estimates, including that data was limited to the United States and likely extrapolated based on a relatively small pool of consumers. Apple has not provided official sales figures for the Apple Watch, nor did it provide comment on the accuracy of this data, so the exact number of pre-orders Apple received remains to be seen.
Daimler is using EVs and ridesharing to teach teen drivers
The days of learning to drive in your family’s ancient sedan might soon be over. Daimler is running a pilot program that teaches German teens to get around using electric versions of the Mercedes B-Class and Smart Fortwo. According to the company, an EV’s smooth automatic transmission lets students focus on the traffic around them, not the basics of getting from A to B. They only move on to gas-powered cars when they’re ready to master stick shifting.
Young drivers will have an incentive to practice their skills once they get their license, too. The trial lets those over 18 sign up for Car2go’s ridesharing service for free, with 100 minutes of driving included. Ideally, this eliminates the risk that they’ll wreck a parent’s car while they’re still new to the road. Here’s hoping that this combination of EVs and hired cars catches on elsewhere — it could give rookies (not to mention nearby drivers) a lot more confidence.
Filed under: Transportation, Internet
Via: Autoblog
Source: Daimler
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