BlackBerry reportedly considers Android with new phone
When things get difficult in the mobile industry, it is time to retreat and reactivate. Companies can rebrand, overhaul lineups, and undergo a myriad of other strategies to reinvent themselves. For BlackBerry, that may happen for the second time in just a few years. The company previously known as Research In Motion (RIM) has seen BlackBerry 10, its dedicated mobile operating system, flop with consumers as it looks and feels slower than the competition. It is no surprise that the company’s hardware has also experienced lackluster sales, leaving BlackBerry’s hold on the market at less than one percent.
The once dominant team in Canada could be looking outside of Waterloo for help.
Reuters reports that BlackBerry is considering the release of a device later this year that is powered by Android. The hardware apparently debuted at MWC 2015 in the form of a sliding dual-curved display phone. So BlackBerry would continue to produce a phone with a physical keyboard, which the company is famous for, while including software that is widely acclaimed and rich with developer support. That phone is expected to be released in August.
The transition would be part of a shift for BlackBerry to focus on software and device management. Its BlackBerry Enterprise Service 12 (BES12) works across iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and a few other platforms.
BlackBerry had the following to say about the report:
“We don’t comment on rumors and speculation, but we remain committed to the BlackBerry 10 operating system, which provides security and productivity benefits that are unmatched.”
The rumored offer from Microsoft to purchase BlackBerry seems to be on hold or never existed at all. Samsung, too, was said to have put an offer on the table; however, that ended up being a hoax and a partnership between the two was reinforced. BlackBerry should act quickly with the execution of plans because cutting jobs is not a sign of a prosperous future.
Source: Reuters
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Undecided on your next Android phone? Google will help that
Choosing the perfect phone for you is no easy task. On the Android side of things, there are so many options due to the amount of hardware manufacturers. Fortunately, Google has stepped forward to help you choose your next Android phone.
Google starts with twelve categories to see where your focus is: photography, music, productivity, social media, gaming, entertainment, travel, health and fitness, messaging, calls, web browsing, style. Within each of them, Google asks questions about how important they are and in what way the phone will be used.
The recommendation engine requires you to pick at least three categories before offering any results. You can also choose your carrier to ensure the results contain phones that are capable of operating on your carrier’s network. Then benefits of each phone and a button with buying options appear.
Source: Android
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[Deal] ‘Jurassic Park’ films available for $7.99 each from Google Play
The latest film from the Jurassic Park series, based on Michael Crichton’s novels, reached theaters in the United States on Friday and Google wants to celebrate. Each of the first three films are available from the Play Store for $7.99 each. That price is for high definition versions, down from $12.99 each.
You could use the money saved, around $15, on a ticket to see Jurassic World. However, bring some extra cash if you plan on getting popcorn and a drink. Prices aren’t exactly cheap at the movies.
[Jurassic Park] [The Lost World: Jurassic Park] [Jurassic Park III]
Come comment on this article: [Deal] ‘Jurassic Park’ films available for $7.99 each from Google Play
Android One is failing, but Google won’t let it die
Google announced Android One at Google IO 2014 with the biggest hopes and dreams. This platform was to take over emerging markets with the promise of affordable smartphones with reliable service and an acceptable user experience. It was the platform for the next billion smartphone owners. Fast-forward to today and things are not looking as bright.
Though MediaTek predicted up to 2 million Android One sales in India last year, those numbers were quickly proven wrong by the end of 2014. To say that was an over-estimation is really an understatement. Even today, sales have struggled to reach even half that number, with under 800,000 Android One units roaming around India.
Things are not doing great, but Google promises they are not giving up on the platform in an interview with the Economic Times. Caesar Sengupta, vice president of product management at Google, took the stage to give Android One users, manufacturers and developers reassurance that this platform was still marching onward.
Why is Google keeping an unsuccessful project around?
While Android One continues to be a major move by Google, it is only part of a much larger idea. It is an important piece of the puzzle for getting the next billion smartphone users on board. Along with projects like Google Maps offline, YouTube offline and a focus on emerging markets with little data accessibility, Android One aims to be at the forefront of affordable devices.
The plan is to learn from their previous mistakes and bring forth a stronger wave of Android One devices to try and take on the world. They go on to focus on the fact that Google is not always playing the numbers game, and such may be the case with Android One. Their goal is to provide a good experience for the user and build a road that could later on lead to a brighter future.
Caesar Sengupta partially credits low availability from retail channels for the lackluster sales. Is this the case? I wouldn’t be so sure, to be honest. Let’s keep in mind that competition is fierce in this industry. There is a plethora of affordable smartphones out there, especially in markets like India, where over 1200 handsets were announced in 2014. There is no shortage of $100 phones!
The solution?
Are timely updates really enough to keep customers forking out money for Android One phones? We can’t say for sure, but we do know Android One devices are pretty limited, and that could also be a factor in this issue.
Meanwhile, Google stresses the fight is not over and we hope this is the case. They promise next-generation devices coming from almost 20 OEMs and state they will come in both low and mid-end price points. In fact, Caesar claims $100-$200 devices are growing faster than $70-$120 devices, as people who buy a second phone tend to go for more powerful options. Yet he does fail to address those next billion users who are not getting their first $70-$120 phones yet.
It seems Google needs to do more than just sell phones at more retail locations, wouldn’t you agree? Please do sound off in the comments!
Steam summer sale arrives with deals on ‘Grand Theft Auto’ and ‘XCOM’
It’s time once again for Valve to kick off its annual Steam summer sale — and as is the custom, there are some huge bargains to be had, even on day one. The sale (which runs from June 11th through June 21st) is starting by knocking 25 to 75 percent off the Grand Theft Auto games, 50 to 83 percent off the alien-hunting XCOM series, and a hefty 75 to 80 percent off the post-apocalyptic Metro franchise. Indie hits like The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth and Don’t Starve are decidedly more affordable, too. Steam is rotating deals on a daily basis (faster than that for flash sales), and there’s even a web-based game you can play that helps unlock discounts for the following day. There’s no guarantee that you’ll like all those impulse purchases, but that buyer’s remorse is why Valve just introduced refunds, isn’t it?
Filed under: Gaming, Internet, Software
Source: Steam
Virgin America’s in-flight entertainment will run on Android
To call most in-flight entertainment systems old and crusty would be generous when even the more advanced systems typically pale in comparison to your laptop or tablet. Virgin America might just narrow that gap, though. It’s rolling out a beta version of its Red seatback platform that runs Android on a multi-touch screen, much like many mobile devices. The modern input gives you more sophisticated flight maps and games than you’re used to seeing in mid-air — you can play Pac-Man while you’re waiting for your meal, if you like. The devices also have three times as much storage as before, which will let you watch 720p videos including Netflix staples like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black.
You’ll have to get lucky to try the new Red tech in the near future. Only three aircraft will have it this month, and 18 will get it by the end of the year. It won’t be until 2016 that you can assume that every Virgin America flight has the upgrade. All of the fleet is getting headphone-based surround sound for certain content (such as the first two episodes of Game of Thrones season five), however, so you’ll still have something to look forward to on your next long-haul trip.
Filed under: Transportation
Source: Virgin America
Is BlackBerry making an Android device?
BlackBerry has stayed committed to its operating system, which is safe, secure and has been greatly improved with its latest iteration (BlackBerry 10). It’s not a bad platform, in all honesty, but all that glorious pride probably won’t get their reach above the measly 1% market share the platform currently holds. A change has been due since years ago, and it seems they may finally be ready to take the plunge and step into the better side… the Android side.
Four sources “familiar with the matter” are telling Reuters the Waterloo, Ontario manufacturer is getting ready to release an Android device. These internal sources claim BlackBerry is likely to release a phone running the Android OS this autumn. It’s said to come with a touchscreen and one of those physical keyboards that continue to keep the few BlackBerry fans around using this dying platform. It wouldn’t be your usual BlackBerry Bold-like device and keyboard, though. This unique BlackBerry phone is said to have a slide-out keyboard you can opt to use or ignore.
Both Google and BlackBerry were approached for an official statement:
“We don’t comment on rumors and speculation, but we remain committed to the BlackBerry 10 operating system, which provides security and productivity benefits that are unmatched.”
Why would BlackBerry do this?!
One might argue this is a desperate attempt to gain more market share, but that seems to be far from the case. The idea is probably to promote BES12 security services running on other platforms. BES12 works not only with BlackBerry 10, but also with Android, iOS and Windows Phone. And since Android is the most proliferated mobile OS in the world, it only makes sense to try and show the world how well BES12 can handle it.
Would people like an Android BlackBerry device?
BlackBerry fans are plentiful, and we can’t deny the manufacturer makes some rocking phones. And those keyboards… oh, those keyboards! They are gorgeous and feel amazing to type on. But do they help at all?
Let’s put it how my beloved friend and fellow writer Cristina Mora laid it out when I let her use a BlackBerry Classic review unit for a bit: “This keyboard is like a good-looking lover you have a one-night stand with; it feels good to the touch, but that doesn’t make it the best alternative in the long run”. It’s amazing how I answered with a chuckle and knew exactly what she meant.
This keyboard doesn’t really make me (or my friend) faster at typing. And you can always benefit from the extra screen real estate. Or in this case BlackBerry could make the phone thinner by removing the slide-out keyboard, or maybe add in a much larger battery.
What do you think, would you consider a Blackberry device running Android? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Google Slides updated bringing Chromecast support and more
Google Slides is Google’s free alternative to Microsoft PowerPoint, and while it was already a compelling option, it has become even better with a new update, which brings support for Chromecast. With this new update you will be able to show off your presentation on the big screen by casting it to any display with an HDMI port. Also new in the update is the ability to add images to your presentation from your phone or tablet, and the ability to insert tables. With this update Google Slides became a lot more powerful.
If you have been considering making the switch from PowerPoint to Slides, now is a great time to do so. Two of the biggest complaints about Google Slides was the inability to add images and tables from mobile devices, something that mystified me for a long time. This update brings those features to the mobile app.
Microsoft’s mobile version of PowerPoint gives them a major advantage because the full power of the desktop program can now be taken anywhere. It also contains a lot of features that Slides doesn’t have, such as the familiar ribbon and many of the detailed animations and formatting options. But if these things don’t matter to you, then Slides might be a better option. Some higher education teachers even pride Slides on its simplicity, saying that less options creates simpler, more professional presentations.
In the end it’s a matter of preference. Both Slides and PowerPoint are available on nearly every platform and both will ultimately give you stunning presentations if used to their full potentials. Let us know in the comments which you prefer: Slides or PowerPoint?
Twitter removing 140-character limit… for DMs
Twitter’s 140-character limit is likely what has taken the popular social network to the top. These short posts are great for expressing your thoughts promptly and sharing web content effectively. There’s no crazy 1000-word rants on Twitter, and that is what makes it such a good place to spend your precious time on.
Would’t you agree that their messaging service is a bit broken, though? It’s hard to have a conversation via Direct Messages, knowing you will hit a limit and need to start a new DM. This is why most of us switch to other messaging services when we want to discuss anything, even if it may be something we saw on Twitter.
This will no longer be an issue, as the popular social network aims to keep its users around more by removing that 140-character limit on DMs. I am not sure if this means DMs can now contain unlimited characters (which could probably also be bad). Twitter is not crystal clear about this part yet, but nothing is pointing toward a higher character limit either. What we do know is these changes will come into effect starting July, which is coming very soon.
Twitter has provided a new API to make sure developers are on board with these changes. Hopefully all (or most) apps will support longer DMs by the time Twitter upgrades their system. If you are a developer, you can get all the API files and details straight from Twitter’s official page.
As for consumers, all you will notice is that now your DMs can be much longer; regular Twitter posts will stay the same. Not so long ago Twitter added the ability to create group DMs, and now they are handing us the key to longer messages. Sure is refreshing, but what do you think? Would you agree that Twitter DMs have been broken until now? I am personally really looking forward to these changes coming in July.
Netflix pushes ‘OITNB’ release six hours early during primetime
We were expecting season three of Orange is the New Black to become available for streaming at about 3AM ET tonight, but Netflix surprised everyone and released it at about 9PM. That was during its “OrangeCon” event in New York City for fans, but really raises an interesting question. What if Netflix bumps its all-at-once original series releases from those early morning hours to right in the middle of primetime? There’s not much on tonight other than the NBA playoffs, but pulling such a stunt in the think of the fall TV season could be an interesting experiment — if Netflix ever does it again.
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/vbyLDR3mD3A?rel=0
Attention inmates! Orange Is the New Black season 3 is out on early release. #OrangeCon
– Netflix US (@netflix) June 12, 2015
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Source: Netflix
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