Microsoft to Lay Off 7,800 Employees ‘Primarily’ in its Phone Business
In a letter to Microsoft employees sent out this morning, company CEO Satya Nadella confirmed that over the next few months Microsoft will undergo a massive restructuring mainly focused on its phone business and which will see the loss of “up to 7,800 positions globally.”
In addition, the company will take a $7.6 billion impairment charge and an estimated restructuring cost of $750 million to $850 million as Microsoft attempts to rebuild its phone hardware division after its 2013 acquisition of Nokia’s hardware units that has failed to generate momentum.
In his letter to Microsoft employees, Nadella reaffirmed that he doesn’t take such changes lightly, and that the company has plans for its future, with Microsoft moving from a hardware-focused phone strategy and pivoting to the building of a “vibrant Windows ecosystem.”
I don’t take changes in plans like these lightly, given that they affect the lives of people who have made an impact at Microsoft. We are deeply committed to helping our team members through these transitions.
I am committed to our first-party devices including phones. However, we need to focus our phone efforts in the near term while driving reinvention. We are moving from a strategy to grow a standalone phone business to a strategy to grow and create a vibrant Windows ecosystem that includes our first-party device family.
As the iPhone and Android devices have taken increasingly large shares of the smartphone market, Microsoft’s Windows Phone division and BlackBerry have struggled to compete, seeing their market shares fall to the low single digits in many countries. Nadella’s suggestion of Microsoft’s phone business shifting to a more software-focused angle could point towards services like Cortana — already announced to be coming to iOS later this year — seeing an increase in attention and focus from Microsoft in the coming months.
Samsung starts pushing out Lollipop update for the Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 Wi-Fi
If you’re the owner of a Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 Wi-Fi (SM-T330) and reside in the United States, you may want to listen up, as Samsung has just started rolling out the long-awaited Android 5.1.1 update to the slate. In terms of added functionally, the upgrade brings the latest build of Lollipop to the device, in addition to a redesigned user interface, better notifications and performance improvements.
The full changelog can be seen below:
- OS Upgrade – Lollipop 5.1.1
- Security Enhancements
- Improved User Interface
- Stability Improvements
- Further Improvements to Performance
- Enhanced Features
As usual, the upgrade is being rolled out in stages, but if you don’t feel like waiting for a notification confirming that it’s ready for your device to hit your unit, you could always search for the update manually.
To do so simply open the Settings app, scroll to the bottom and tap on “About Device”, hit “System Updates”, then select “Check for updates”. Once done, the upgrade will start downloading from Samsung’s servers.
Come comment on this article: Samsung starts pushing out Lollipop update for the Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 Wi-Fi
Price points for upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab devices leak
Source are reporting they have obtained pricing details about several Samsung tablet devices that should be hitting the market sometime this summer. It has been a year since Samsung released their Galaxy Tab S, the last major upgrade for the company’s high-end tablets. Samsung has several variants of a successor line of tablets, Galaxy Tab S2 devices, in the works along with an entry level Galaxy Tab E. This is the first word we have seen regarding pricing for the devices.
The new Galaxy Tab S2 devices are slated to come in either an 8-inch or 9.7-inch size. The smaller of the two, in a WiFi only configuration, is expected to be priced at €399 ($442 USD) while the larger screen will add an extra €100 bringing the price up to €499 ($553 USD). Adding in support for 4G LTE connectivity to the 9.7-inch version will result in a price tag of €589 ($652 USD).
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Tab E budget-oriented device running Android KitKat is expected to be priced at €199 ($220 USD) in international markets.
The Galaxy Tab S2 devices were expected to have been announced in June. Having missed that deadline, it is unclear when Samsung will actually launch the new line of tablets. The Galaxy Tab E was already announced in India and is expected on shelves in Taiwan before the end of the month, but availability in other markets has not yet been announced.
source: SamMobile
Come comment on this article: Price points for upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab devices leak
Apple to Order Record-Breaking 85-90 Million Force Touch-Equipped ‘iPhone 6s’ Models
Apple plans to order a record-breaking 85 to 90 million units of its next-generation iPhone models combined by the end of the year from manufacturing partners including Foxconn and Pegatron, according to The Wall Street Journal. The report reiterates rumors that the so-called “iPhone 6s” and “iPhone 6s Plus” will feature both Force Touch and a new color option, likely rose gold or pink.
The next-generation iPhones, which will reportedly enter mass-production starting next month, are expected to retain the same 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screen sizes with the same display resolutions. Apple may add a third assembler, Wistron, to help fulfill the record-breaking amount of iPhone orders, which tops the 70 to 80 million units Apple ordered for the initial production run of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
Samsung preparing a Snapdragon 808-powered flip phone for Chinese markets
Samsung has been known to dabble in the Android flip phone market occasionally (I guess someone is buying these things?) and it looks like they’ll be testing a high end Snapdragon processor in one of their upcoming flip phones. Does that make any sense to you? No? Me either, don’t worry.
A new phone has appeared in a TENAA listing with the model number SM-G9198. It looks like it sports a clamshell flipping design and some seriously high-end hardware, including a Snapdragon 808 processor and a 16 megapixel camera. That’s roughly on par with LG’s flagship G4, for reference.
The flip phone features two 3.91-inch screens with 1280 x 768 resolutions, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage and a microSD card slot. On paper, this thing is competitive with some of the high-end devices being released this year, so apparently Samsung believes there’s still a market for cutting edge flip phones somewhere.
You can expect the SM-G9198 to be released in China sometime soon, but don’t hold your breath on seeing it anywhere else.
source: TENAA
via: Fone Arena
Come comment on this article: Samsung preparing a Snapdragon 808-powered flip phone for Chinese markets
The official Star Wars app brings the light side and dark side to your mobile device
If you’re looking for an easy way to stay up to date with all things Star Wars, you’re in for a nice surprise. Disney has just released an official Star Wars app to the Google Play Store that acts as your connection to a galaxy far, far away.
Once you jump in to the app, you can choose between Droid, Light Side and Dark Side themes that will change up the app’s interface. When you get to the application’s main screen, you’ll be presented with a slew of Star Wars related content including official videos, news, GIFs and much more. You can also take advantage of a few unique features like the ability to take a selfie with various costumes and backdrops, and even unlock 3D characters from The Force Awakens by using the special Augmented Reality camera feature. Seriously, there’s a lot of content available in this app, and you should definitely check it out if you’re a fan of the series.
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With that said, the app doesn’t perform all that well, even on some of the more capable devices out there. The interface is quite slow and can be a little confusing to navigate around at times. I’ve also run into some trouble with the camera when trying out the Star Wars selfie and Augmented Reality features on my Nexus 6. There are quite a few release day bugs, but we’re sure die hard fans won’t mind.
The app is now available for free in the Google Play Store. Be sure to check it out by following the link below.
Verizon will release the Sony Xperia Z4v on August 13th
If you’re going to be late to the party, it’s best to make a grand entrance. Such is true in life, and indeed for smartphones as well. Sony’s latest flagship, the Xperia Z4/Z3+ has already seen release across the globe, with the solid exception being North America. Now granted the device can be had from some established marketplaces, but those looking for an on-contract deal have nowhere to turn. Thankfully, Sony itself has confirmed that Verizon Wireless is set to release the Sony Xperia Z4v in a little over a month. August 13th to be precise.
While the Xperia Z4/Z3+ has received more than its fair share of publicity (most of it not good), the Verizon-variant is quite possibly the feature flagship that Sony could have and should have released around the world. Included is the first – and so-far only – QHD (2560X1440) display on an Xperia smartphone at 5.2 inches, a slightly larger battery than the standard Z4/Z3+ at 3,000mAh, and dual-mode Qi and PMA wireless charging, also absent from the standard model. Aside from those three unique points, the Z4v also includes a Snapdragon 810 SoC, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of on-board memory, a 20.7 megapixel rear/5 megapixel front camera, IP65 and IP68 ratings for water and dust protection, and microSD card support.
Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful: the Verizon Xperia Z4v has a gorgeous QHD display to offer its potential purchasers. Sony fans around the world may look on it with immense envy.
Pricing on the device is still up-in-the-air, but Verizon will likely supply the cash-factor details as we get closer to the launch, as well as the possibility of any tie-in promotions or such that could theoretically be offered.
Given that Sony Mobile’s CEO has recently informed the world that his company has no plans to disappear, the Xperia Z4v looks like an even stronger offering. The question is, however, just how many takers it will get being carrier exclusive. At the very least Sony should have offered a device with similar specs for the global market, though perhaps that’s the plan for the Z5. Any Verizon customers planning to pick this up? Leave us a comment below and let us know!
Tidal is the latest streaming service to offer a family plan
Following in the footsteps of Spotify, Rdio and, most recently, Apple Music, Tidal has announced a family plan of its own. With this new pricing scheme, Jay Z’s music-streaming service will allow a primary account holder to have multiple people, up to four, under one roof. Tidal’s discount is fairly simple: you get 50 percent off for each person added to your main subscription, including both the Premium and HiFi options — which are $10 and $20 per month, respectively. A few weeks ago, Tidal also introduced student pricing, in an effort to match what competitors are offering. The real value to listeners, however, may ultimately come down to Tidal’s exclusive content, as evidenced by the recent news from Prince and Weezy F. Baby.
[Image credit: Getty Images for Live Nation]
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio/Video, Internet, HD, Mobile
Source: Tidal
‘Dragon Quest’ spin-off borrows a few blocks from ‘Minecraft’
Square Enix has just revealed Dragon Quest Builders, a version of its fantasy RPG set in a Minecraft-style world. The company didn’t provide many details other than the screengrab above, which bears a strong resemblance to Minecraft‘s Lego-like world. However, it did say that it’ll be a “block-building RPG” set in Alfegard, the (blocky) 8-bit playground from the original 1986 Dragon Quest NES title. That, plus the ‘Builders‘ title, definitely makes it sound like the spinoff will marry sandbox-type gameplay with Dragon Quest role-playing. If so, we’re not sure if that’s a brilliant idea or a cynical money grab, but it’ll be coming to PS4, PS3 and PS Vita at an as-yet unknown date.
Filed under: Gaming
Via: Kotaku
Source: Square Enix
Future commercial satellites will be launched from New Zealand
New Zealand has been chosen as the home for what’s likely to be the world’s first private satellite launchpad. Rocket Lab, makers of the first 3D-printed rocket engine, has announced that it’ll build a facility on the Kaitorete Split near Christchurch. It’s a popular location for space launches and has been used by NASA to get craft into suborbital flight. Rocket Lab’s idea is that a permanent base in the area will enable it to offer satellite launches for a fraction of the going rate.
CEO Peter Beck told New Scientist that, if you want to launch a satellite into space, “you pretty much have to write a check for a billion dollars.” In addition, there’s normally anything up to a year’s wait should you wish to use a facility that’s owned and operated by the big boys of space exploration. By comparison, Rocket Lab wants to run 100 trips a year, using those economies of scale to bring the cost down to just $5 million per launch.
The company was originally founded in New Zealand, but it’s not home pride or a Lord of the Rings-based reason why the location was chosen. Instead, the country’s “high inclination and sun-synchronous orbits” make it ideal to get spacecraft up and away quickly. In addition, New Zealand doesn’t have excessive amounts of air and sea traffic, so the company doesn’t have to worry too much about imposing on the locals.
If everything goes to plan, the base will be up and running by the end of this year, after which point the company will start testing the Electron. That’s the launch vehicle that’s being powered by Rocket Lab’s Rutherford Engine, which uses 3D-printed components and a battery to increase the efficiency of its liquid fuel propellants.
Filed under: Transportation, Science
Via: New Scientist, Bloomberg
Source: Rocket Lab
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