Samsung opens new office in Silicon Valley
Samsung Electronics has just opened up a swanky new office in the epicenter of the Western tech world – Silicon Valley. Silicon Valley is home to a number of familiar names in the industry, including Apple, Facebook, Intel and Google.
Samsung first set up camp in Silicon Valley more than 30 years ago, and its new office is on the same corner as its first campus in the neighborhood. The new campus will house 700 employees, but there is enough capacity to reach 2,000 members of staff in the 1.1 million square feet of space.
The facility is built from a number of two-story buildings stacked on top of each other, which reaches 170 feet high. There are also garden spaces, a peaceful courtyard and a modern food court for staff. If you would like a little look around the inside, check out the selection of pictures below.
The campus will unify a number of company offices that have previously been scattered around Silicon Valley. The company’s components business will primarily be moving into the office, where employees will focus on research and development in semiconductors, LEDs and displays. Sales, marketing and other support staff will also be located at the site.
By unifying its development teams under one roof, Samsung is hoping to improve communication between divisions and spur on a little extra innovation and creativity.
Six-pack of tablets and the iPad Pro: the tablet market is polarizing
It’s no secret that tablets aren’t selling quite as well as they once did. Compared with last year, the worldwide tablet market declined 7% in the last quarter, and 3.9% the quarter before that, according to IDC. It looks as though tablets may have peeked around the end of 2013.
As sales dwindle, we can see two very clear strategies emerging. Manufacturers are slashing prices further and further, or they’re going the other way and offering seriously premium, expensive devices. These opposing approaches are nicely highlighted by the most recent releases from tech giants Apple and Amazon.
Apple asks for more
The new iPad Pro starts at $800, but you’ll pay over a grand ($1,079 to be exact) if you want the 128GB with 4G version. That’s enough to snag a really decent laptop or a desktop computer, both of which are going to be superior to a tablet in most respects, apart from portability.
You can buy a nice laptop for the price of the new iPad Pro, keyboard not included
If anyone else did it, they’d be dismissed as mad. In fact, when Microsoft first hit this kind of pricing with the Surface Pro it was roundly criticized. No one has had any real success with bigger tablets yet. Maybe the Pro 3, with its 12-inch display has come closest so far, but it’s taken Microsoft a few attempts to convince people.
Microsoft has made inroads with its Surface Pro line, but it hasn’t been easy
The iPad Pro stretches things a little further, with a 12.9-inch display, but both of these devices are being sold as laptop replacements. The “Pro” tag speaks to their business credentials, where there’s plenty of demand for that sweet spot combo of power and portability. If you can’t justify a bigger screen that does some of the stuff your phone already does, but nothing it can’t, then perhaps you’ll spring for one that does what your laptop can do as well.
Are they going to seep into the wider mass market? Only time will tell. But if they do, it will surely be by cannibalizing sales of ultra-books and other laptops.
Amazon practically gives it away
At the other end of the spectrum, we have Amazon offering the entry-level Fire tablet for $50. This 7-inch forked Android device is hardly the belle of the ball, but damn it’s cheap. You can even buy a six pack and you’ll get one of them free. That’s $250 for six Fire tablets. You could buy 25 of them for less than the top end iPad Pro.
The key selling point is obvious
Amazon doesn’t really care about making money on the hardware because it has a huge content ecosystem. The Fire tablet range are really designed to be windows to Amazon’s world, where it wants to tempt you into a Prime membership, and get you buying books through Kindle. As it adds in music and other content sources, the prospect for a typical family is actually really compelling. You get quite a lot for your money.
Why aren’t people buying tablets?
We know that people are still using tablets, they just aren’t buying them as often. So, why have tablet sales fallen off? A number of different reasons have been thrown up, but there’s no real consensus.
This argument that we don’t need tablets anymore because our phones are getting bigger sounds really convincing, but it also seems at odds with some of the evidence. If you take a look at this Flurry data, small tablets seem to be holding their own; it’s full-size tablets that are falling away. You’d think the small tablet category would be the most impacted by the rise of phablets.
Phablets have been taking away market share from medium sized phones, not tablets
Could it be because tablets continue to receive updates and run adequately well for longer? Anecdotally, my Nexus 7 (2013) is still going strong after more than two years, and it has the latest version of Android. Why bother buying a new tablet if the old one still works just as well? New tablets also (mostly) haven’t ushered in sexy new designs or a raft of new features. At least, not in the same way that new smartphones have. Though, it’s interesting to note that Apple’s only offering split screen on the latest iPad models and not retrofitting it through iOS 9.
See also: Best cheap Android tablets (June 2015)
Can they drop further?
That 7-inch tablet category has always been the most competitive segment of the tablet market, but you have to wonder how much lower prices can go. You could always buy a sub-standard 7-inch tablet for under $100, but being able to get one from a big name like Amazon for just $50 is surely going to blow a lot of the other budget manufacturers out of the water. These are aimed at people who look to price first, so they’re not going to care about the limitations of Amazon’s flavor of Android.
Amazon wants to secure people and get them building a library of content with Amazon, which, alongside subscriptions, is liable to tie them in for the long haul. It has the long term vision and the deep pockets to sell hardware at a loss if it has to. Maybe we’ll see a $20 tablet in a couple of years, or Amazon will start to give them away for free with every Prime membership.
Can other manufacturers compete with this strategy? Without the prospect of a long term revenue stream from content consumption, you’d have to guess that they can’t. That could seriously narrow the field in the next few years.
See also: Cheap tablets: what to avoid, what to look for
No more middle
As for everything in between the cheap and expensive extremes, will they settle into a comfortable niche or gradually fade away? Do you see a good reason to drop a few hundred on a tablet in the 8 to 10-inch range? What’s the purpose of a 10-inch tablet if you have a TV at home and a phablet when you’re out and about?
The future of the tablet is still uncertain. We may well be headed for more polarization. Cheap tablets will become impulse purchase items, and a new class of super-tablet that does everything will emerge at the other end of the market. Of course, if someone works out how to create a phone with a fold-out screen that can expand to tablet-size, we may see the end of the tablet category altogether.
This tiny nanoscale wrench can tinker with molecules
This could be the tiniest, most adorable wrench you’ll ever (not) see. A team of scientists lead by Severin Schneebeli at the University of Vermont has developed a nanoscale wrench that can control microscopic objects and will lead to making next-generation customized materials. It’s just 1.7 nanometers in length and works by the power of molecular chirality: this is where two molecules are identical in composition, yet opposite — like your left and right hands.
By experimenting with a substance found in coal, the team assembled a C-shaped strip of molecules, connecting them together like blocks of Lego. The strip is held in one geometric shape which is vastly different to other synthesized chemical compounds that can twist and rotate into a variety of forms. This means that scientists are able to use these C-shaped structures to remotely and precisely adjust a chemical in the same way that a mechanic is able to use a wrench to turn an exterior bolt to alter the performance of an engine. The discovery paves the way for next-generation polymers and materials to create future medicines that… well, aren’t quite specified in the release. We’re still waiting on news of a nano-screwdriver.
[Image credit: Severin Schneebeli, UVM]
Source: The University of Vermont
Government document reveals Channel 4 might be privatised
The UK government is considering whether to privatise Channel 4, just one month after the culture secretary John Whittingdale promised it wasn’t. Photographer Steve Back snapped a document being taken into Downing Street, which is clearly legible and confirms the controversial discussions. Addressed to two unspecified secretaries of state, it reads: “Work should proceed (to) examine the options for extracting greater public value from the Channel 4 Corporation (C4C), focusing on privatisation options in particular.”
Channel 4 is rather special in that it’s a publicly-owned, but commercially-funded public service broadcaster. It doesn’t receive a cut of the licence fee, but like the BBC it has a duty to commission shows that are creative and beneficial to the public, whether they attract enormous viewing figures or not. The company is also set up as a not-for-profit, so any surplus money it makes is pumped back into programming. Privatising the channel could help the government to reduce the budget deficit — similar measures are being considered for the BBC, which has sparked a heated debate ahead of its next charter renewal.
For the last 6 years I have been telling these public servants to cover up But still these twits keep coming ! pic.twitter.com/Zj5iDRFmjk
— Political Pictures (@PoliticalPics) September 24, 2015
A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport reiterated that the government has made “no decisions regarding reform,” but the direction it’s heading in is now clear. Public service broadcasting is a long-cherished part of British culture, but the volume, and how it’s produced could change dramatically over the next few years.
[Image Credit: Lewis Whyld/PA ARCHIVE IMAGES]
Via: The Guardian
Source: PoliticalPics (Twitter)
US will probe Google for anti-competitive Android behavior
The FTC and US Justice Department have launched an antitrust investigation into Google’s Android operating system, according to Bloomberg. US regulators reportedly decided to launch the inquiry after meeting with rival tech companies, which complained that Google limits their access to Android in favor of its own apps. The US move follows a similar investigation into the Android platform in Europe, where regulators are looking into Google’s search and bundling of apps like Gmail, Chrome and Play. The concern is that it creates a monopoly and crowds out rival apps like Microsoft’s Outlook or Nokia’s Here mapping.
Microsoft, of course, was itself dinged heavily in EU for pre-installing Internet Explorer on Windows 7 without giving consumers other browser options. Google’s situation with Android is similar, given that it owns over 50 percent of the smartphone market. However, consumers have realistic options to Android, like iOS, Windows Phone and Blackberry, so according to US law, regulators may not have a case. For now, the FTC and DoJ have reached a “clearance agreement,” that lets the FTC take charge of the query.
Two large regulatory bodies — the FTC and European Commission — are now investigating Google’s Android practices.
The proceedings, of course, may never amount to anything. In fact, the FTC launched a similar probe into Google’s search business in 2013, but elected to not bring any charges. However, the FTC was heavily criticized for that decision, especially after it accidentally posted a document leaking the names of the complainants in the case. This time, however, two large regulatory bodies — the FTC and European Commission — are investigating Google at the same time (though not exactly for the same thing). It could get awkward if they arrive at different decisions. There’s no word about the investigation yet from Google or the FTC, but we’ve reached out for more information.
Source: Bloomberg
Amazon gets hacker drama ‘Mr. Robot’ as a UK Prime exclusive
Netflix has a large roster of exclusive TV shows and documentaries to attract new subscribers, so to compete, Amazon has started doing the same for Prime Video. The latest show to join its UK library is Mr. Robot, a 10-episode thriller about a cybersecurity engineer turned vigilante hacker. Think Batman, if he decided to do all of his crimefighting with code instead of fisticuffs and gadgets. The show isn’t technically an original — it aired earlier this year on the USA Network in North America. It’s never been shown (legally) in the UK before though, so it could be an important exclusive for Amazon next Spring. The company has had limited success with its originals — Transparent is the only show to achieve true breakout success — so picking up proven series in this manner could be smart. The deal with NBCUniversal means Mr. Robot will also be a streaming exclusive for Amazon in the US, Germany, Austria and Japan. It’s an uphill battle, but with a Top Gear successor on the horizon Amazon is slowly accruing the firepower needed to launch a legitimate offence.
[Image Credit: USA Network]
Source: Amazon
Android Marshmallow update for the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 should arrive Oct 5th
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();
Google is holding an event on September 29th, and while most of the attention will be on the new Nexus smartphones, the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, owners of the older Nexus devices are mostly just interested in when they’ll be getting the next version of Android, Android Marshmallow. Thanks to Canadian mobile provider, Telus, we might have a tentative date for the Android Marshmallow update for the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 – October 5th. The information was available for all to see on the Telus forum earlier today, but has since been taken down – naturally, we have a screenshot of the information in case you don’t believe us:
If that’s the timing of a carrier-based update to Android Marshmallow, the update to unlocked devices should be even faster – whether it will be available as soon as Google says the word on September 29th seems doubtful, but it does seem like it will only be a matter of days. It’s also important to keep in mind that carrier updates take a few weeks even if they start quite early, so don’t get your hopes up too high just yet.
What do you think about the timetable for the Android Marshmallow update for the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Telus via Android Police
The post Android Marshmallow update for the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 should arrive Oct 5th appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
The NoPhone ZERO is the perfect upgrade for a smartphone addict
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();
We’ve had a look at the NoPhone before, and it appears that its creators are about to release an upgrade called the NoPhone ZERO – actually, should we be calling it an upgrade? Anyway.
The pledge tagline is:
“The NoPhone ZERO is a plastic rectangle that replaces the need for smart rectangle device interaction.”
Is unplugging from your smartphone the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do? Do you miss the reassuring weight of an object in your pocket if you leave your phone somewhere? Well, the NoPhone ZERO could be the product for you, or that person in your life – we all have one. And if you don’t know one, it’s probably you.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nophone-usa/the-nophone-zero/widget/video.htmlThe NoPhone team promise that this isn’t a joke (for the second time), but they’ll probably forgive people for thinking that. The campaign is asking for $5 USD per NoPhone ZERO, which makes it a perfect present this Holiday season with shipping to start in November 2015, joke or not. The campaign is already past its $500 target, so you want to get in on the fun involved in the extremely serious problem of smartphone addiction, pledge away.
What do you think about the NoPhone ZERO? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Kickstarter via TalkAndroid
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nophone-usa/the-nophone-zero/widget/card.html?v=2
The post The NoPhone ZERO is the perfect upgrade for a smartphone addict appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Grab a 16GB Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0” for only $160 on eBay (open box)
Normally, a 16 gig Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 will run you $230. Right now, an eBay seller is doling them out at the low low price of $160. It is, however an open-box item. The seller is promising that the device will come in the packaging it was purchased in, but that you may find your box “lightly distressed,” but since they are also offering a full-year warranty, that should be plenty of time for you to make sure the tablet is fully functional.
Click here to head over to eBay and check it out!
The specs of the 8-inch Galaxy Tab A include 2GB of RAM, a 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 processor, 16 gigabytes of internal storage, a 2 megapixel front-facing camera and a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera. It has a slick, metal chassis that makes it feel more upscale than the normal Samsung Galaxy Tab.
Although the package is previously opened, the seller claims that the Galaxy Tab A comes with all of its original accessories including the USB cord and power adapter as well as the original startup guide. The device has seen some previous use, but the product description says that it’s nearly impossible to tell and that the tablet has been restored to its original factory settings.
If you’re in the market for an Android tablet and getting a previously used device is worth the $70 discount, you’ve just found what you’ve been waiting for!
Hong Kong’s iPhone grey market cashes in on the 6s
Whenever a new iPhone launches in Hong Kong, local folks would seize the opportunity to make a quick profit from the grey market. They would get their brand new phones from either Apple or local carriers, and then sell them off to specialists who would later offer bulk orders to mainland Chinese buyers. The quicker they act, the more cash they get. The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus are no exception. This morning, I was the first customer to pick up my 128GB rose gold 6s Plus from a carrier store (the shop assistants even took a photo to mark the occasion), but I quickly sold it for HK$10,000 or about US$1,290 at the Sincere Podium mobile phone mall just around the corner. That’s roughly a US$250 profit based on the device’s local price, which isn’t bad at all.
In general, such iPhone opportunists prefer getting their devices directly from Apple, as they can then walk out of the Apple stores with the packaging still shrink-wrapped. On the contrary, getting an iPhone from carriers would require in-store activation, which would give grey market specialists an excuse to lower their offer; not to mention that you’d also have to buy a cellular plan to go with the device. Had I been able to up my 6s Plus from Apple instead, I would have gotten an extra US$65 for the intact shrink-wrap. I did try placing an order on Apple’s website two weeks ago, but as usual, it was near impossible to load due to heavy traffic. Clearly, many want in on the easy money.
Inside the shop that bought my brand new iPhone 6s Plus.
Hong Kong’s active iPhone grey market is largely fueled by the fact that mainland China imposes an import tax on foreign consumer goods, whereas Hong Kong doesn’t. In the case of the iPhone, China’s prices cost about 15 to 17 percent more than their Hong Kong counterparts, which is why smugglers do their best to dodge the so-called “Apple tax” at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen border. Of course, some eventually get caught because of their hilariously poor attempts. The more professional smugglers hide their goods inside vans, trucks and even boats, but even they get caught once in a while.
On launch day, the iPhone grey market trade-in prices may fluctuate by the minute, depending on the demand from mainland China and the number of units already received. Those specialists would use WeChat or make quick phone calls to check with whoever is in charge of their operation. After a quick observation in Mongkok and around the Apple Store in Kowloon Tong this morning, it’s clear that the new rose gold color is definitely a hit, though the trade-in prices are still much lower than what the iPhone 6 saw at launch last year.
Business is good for this street vendor in Mongkok.
According to ePrice, the first round of iPhone 6 Plus managed to rake in a profit of between a whopping US$1,110 to US$1,290 per unit in the grey market, which is a stark contrast to the measly US$250 I made with the 6s Plus today. The smaller 6s took a hit as well, making just US$90 instead of US$340 with the iPhone 6 last year; and that’s if you were even lucky enough to sell yours before the specialists stopped accepting the 6s. In Mongkok, crowds formed around some of the street vendors, mostly because they were waiting for the specialists to start accepting the 6s or the 16GB 6s Plus again.
The lower demand this time round comes as no surprise. Unlike last year, this time both Hong Kong and mainland China are on the list of first wave launch markets. And judging by the availability status on the earlier pre-order pages, Apple has allocated plenty of stock to mainland China, so it’s just a matter of whether the folks over there mind paying the slight premium. If it was Apple’s intention to cull the iPhone grey market, then it’s safe to say that it won this round.
AIVAnet 