Rogers Upgrading Moto G LTE to Android 5.1 in June

Canada based network Rogers will be updating the first gen Moto G LTE directly to Android 5.1 sometime during June. The information was leaked on a company list showing that the LG G3 and the original Moto X will be getting Android 5.0.2 Lollipop during the coming month too.

As for the Moto G LTE, it is currently still back on Android 4.4.4 KitKat (which actually feels very old post Android M announcement), but the device will miss out on Android 5.0 Lollipop altogether and will move straight to Android 5.1. Motorola is doing that with several of its devices, like the already mentions first generation Moto X and the Verizon exclusive DROID Turbo.

John Chen Explains Why BlackBerry Hardware is still made

A familiar suggestion when BlackBerry fell into trouble a few years back was that the company should simply stop making smartphones and concentrate on its software business. While the Canadian brand has followed the latter advice, BlackBerry is still very much in the hardware game, and has launched a number of new products recently. While the company’s smartphones are not selling very well, CEO Jon Chen has explained to USA Today exactly why the company still makes handsets.

Chen is of course the man who was brought in to steady the sinking ship, something he managed to do and even took BlackBerry back into growth. It is still a long road ahead (Morgan Stanley described BlackBerry’s shares as “underperforming” today), but for the most part Chen’s tenure has been a triumph. Sure, the Android and iOS fans will scoff at such a claim, but by using BlackBerry’s reputation in enterprise and security, Chen is making the company viable again, while there is $3 billion sitting in the bank.

So, why continue with smartphones when market share is simply through the floor? Well, Chen points out that there is plenty of money to be made from smartphone hardware if you can sell enough numbers. Sure, BlackBerry is not moving units at the moment, but it seems there is a philosophy that the company needs to maintain a presence and one day could reap rewards.

There is another, more pertinent, reason though. Chen believes that the best way for BlackBerry to show off its software and security features is with its own hardware. That will not stop the company farming out services to other platforms, but if you want the full experience you need a BlackBerry device.

We also made our device more secure than everybody else's. A lot of people ask me why I'm in the device business. First, it's a good business to be in if you can make money. Second, it's our first entry point of security. If we can secure the device, it makes securing the software and the data management and the collaboration and file sharing and content and pictures and videos and everything that much more easier."-John Chen, CEO, BlackBerry

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Have an iPhone? Here’s How to Stop the Text Hack

It has come to light recently that there is a text message hack that can shut down any iOS device and there is seemly nothing that you can do about it.  Now Apple has released a work around until they can figure out a way to patch this hole in the software.

Here's what Apple suggests you do....

• ask Siri to read unread messages.
• use Siri to reply to the malicious message
• Once you reply, you will be able to open Messages again.
• go to Messages and swipe left to delete the entire thread. Or, you can long press on the malicious message, click on "More" and select delete.

There is a patch coming "shortly" put hopefully this helps for now.

VIA

OnePlus One Reduced by $50 Starting June 1st

OnePlus is expected to launch the OnePlus Two next week, the highly anticipated sequel to the “Never Settle” OnePlus One, a handset that offered flagship specs and build at a fraction of the normal price. The Chinese company has scheduled a June 1st media event and while the OnePlus Two is unlikely to land until later in the year, its announcement next week will mean a price cut for the outgoing OnePlus One.

It’s worth noting from here that the OnePlus One is already a bargain, a $300-$349 handset with true flagship specs and a premium feel. Next week though it will move into genuine bargain territory and becomes something of a must have. That’s because OnePlus is slashing $50 off its smartphones, with the 64GB Sandstone black model that will now be just $298 (previously $349), while the 16GB Silk White Model will now be just $248, down from $299.

Obviously, if you were planning on buying the OnePlus One during this weekend, we would strongly advise you wait until this new price kicks in. Sadly the cut will not include India, where the One will retain its normal pricing. The only reason we can think of is because the device only launched in the country late last year and is still fresh on the market.

HTC One M9 and One M9+ Getting Android M

A year ago, Google raised the curtain on Android L (Lollipop) during its I/O developer conference and shortly after HTC said its high end smartphones would be getting the software when it launched (six months later). A similar story played out this year because minutes after Google announced Android M at I/O 2015, HTC was back to say that two of its flagships will be getting the update when it lands (third quarter of this year).

Jeff Gordon, the company’s Senior Global Communications Manager revealed that both the HTC One M9 and One M9+ flagships will be getting the bump to Android M. There were no three month promises like other years, but we suspect the company will stick to that timeframe and have Android M on those handsets within 90 days of its launch. As for other smartphones, Gordon said "more devices" will be "announced soon".

Asus to Unveil ZenFone Selfie at Computex (Official)

Yesterday there were reports regarding Asus and a new handset the company is working on, one that will appeal to the selfie crowd. Imaginatively called the ZenFone Selfie, the new smartphone will essentially be a mid-range device with a spiffing front camera, just like other devices trying to appeal to the selfie trend. Just a day later, Asus has all but confirmed the ZenFone Selfie and even told us when it will launch.

Asus revealed "a new ZenFone family member" will make its debut at Computex 2015, the trade expo that is held in the company's Taiwan homeland during the first week of June. Asus didn’t stop there and added that the handset will "Illuminate the beauty that's in you through the front camera of the ZenFone --------".

Asus even added an image, although it is vague in the extreme, showing just the front facing camera sensor. As for that lens, it is expected to be a 13 megapixel shooter with dual LED flash. In terms of other specs, we are expecting something similar to the normal ZenFone 2, which means a 5.5-inch 720p screen and an Intel processor coupled with 2GB of RAM.

Lenovo Debuts ThinkPad 10 Windows 10 Tablet

Lenovo used its TechWorld event in Beijing to launch a new ThinkPad 10 tablet, and like the first generation it is a potent cross between a tablet and a laptop. It is also something of a first as this is the first device that has been launched that will specifically be marketed as a Windows 10 slate. It is worth noting that it currently runs Windows 8.1, but Lenovo is playing the long game and is talking the ThinkPad 10 up as a Windows 10 tablet.

As we have seen in the high end Windows tablet market, Microsoft’s Surface gets so many things right that it is hard to beat. Lenovo brings little new to the party with the ThinkPad 10, but it is a match for the Surface 3 and indeed a solid alternative. The slate can be used as a laptop thanks to full Windows and the ability clip on an optional keyboard, while the 10.1-inch Full HD screen with 16:10 aspect ratio and 224ppi is likely to be very good.

Lenovo does not push design too much with its Windows slates and that continues with the rather bland ThinkPad 10. That said, this is oriented to serious users and even businesses, so we shouldn’t rage on its basic functional design too much, but nevertheless the Surface remains the aesthetic standard bearer on the Windows platform.

In terms of specs, the ThinkPad 10 comes with a choice of processor, customers can have either an Intel Atom Z8500 (1.44 GHz quad-core processor with burst frequencies of up to 2.24GHz) or an Atom Z8700 (1.6GHz quad-core CPU with burst frequencies of up to 2.6GHz). There are other configuration options too; there is a choice of 2GB or 4GB of RAM, and a choice between 64GB and 128GB storage versions.

While camera tech is bottom of the list for this kind of tablet, Lenovo has still pasted a 5 megapixel main shooter with LED flash on the rear and a take it or leave it 1.3 megapixel lens at the front. There is LTE connectivity available, a micro SD card slot, and a 32Wh battery. The ThinkPad 10 will be launching in August and will cost $549.

Sony will continue to Shy Away from Quad HD Screens

The smartphone market is making the move to Quad HD screen technology, a growth that will likely continue over this year. LG was the first to adopt the tech with the G3, but now most major Android companies (Samsung, HTC, Xiaomi, and Motorola to name a few) have at least one device with 1440p resolution. However, Sony is still holding out on Quad HD and sticking to 1080p Full HD for its flagships. The company recently unveiled the Xperia Z4 and Xperia Z3+, both arrive with Full HD but no Quad HD, and Sony says that tactic is unlikely to change in the near future.

The Japanese electronics giant is reported to be launching another flagship at the end of the year, with an announcement at IFA in September likely. Interestingly though; will almost certainly lack a Quad HD (1440 x 2560 pixels) screen as Sony does not think the tech offers anything on screens so small (a valid debate we think).

Jonathan Lin, general manager of Sony Mobile Taiwan, told Focus Taiwan that the company will only make the move to Quad HD when it "can make significant improvements in display quality and digital image processing technology."

It is also worth considering that Quad HD drains battery much more than a standard 1080p panel and as Sony is a leader in smartphone battery life, the company is unwilling to lose one of its main distinctions over its rivals.

LG and Verizon Partner for G Pad X 8.3

LG has partnered with Verizon Wireless (the biggest carrier in the U.S.) and announced a new tablet, the LG G Pad X 8.3. The slate is an updated sequel a true to 2013’s original G Pad 8.3. While that was the big news, Verizon also confirmed that it will begin selling LG’s G4 flagship, with the handset landing on Big Red June 4th.

The G Pad X 8.3 lands with solid specs, such as an 8.3-inch IPS screen with Full HD resolution, providing the computing power is an eight core processor clocked at 1.5GHz, which is probably Qualcomm’s 64-bit Snapdragon 615 chipset although LG did not name it. Other specs include an 8 megapixel rear camera, a 2 megapixel front lens, LTE connectivity, a full USB port, 16GB of on board storage, micro SD card support, and a 4800mAh juicer.

The new slate is available today (May 28) on Verizon for $129.99 on contract, or $299.99 without a commitment. You can also choose Verizon Edge as a payment method and get the G Pad X 8.3 for $12.49 over 24 months. As for the G4, the largest carrier in the United States will offer the flagship for $22.91 per month over two years, or $549.99 upfront.

“Buy Button” Coming Soon to a Google Ad Near You

I can't speak for the rest of the world but if they are anything like me the days of going to an actual store and buying things are  almost completely gone.  (well I still go the store to get food)  Amazon and ebay pretty much get all of my online purchases. (in 2014 alone I place 136 orders from Amazon)  Google now wants a bigger piece of this pie for itself.  To this end they are going to introduce a "buy button"

What is a "buy button"?  Well according to Re/code’s Jason Del Rey described it, the button would appear on Google’s paid product listing ads. Shoppers who click on the ads on their phones will be directed to a Google webpage to make a purchase of that single item.

It's simply a button that takes all the thinking out of buying something online...you want it inside 30 seconds it's yours!!! While I don't think I'd use this feature it's an idea who's time as come and will to a smartphone near you soon.

VIA

Motorola Moto X and Moto E LTE Receive Android 5.1 with U.S. Cellular

Motorola's concise dealing with Android Lollipop has meant a large number of the company’s portfolio is rocking the newest Android build. Indeed, many of Motorola’s handsets are making their way to Android 5.1, such as the U.S. Cellular versions of the second gen Moto X and the Moto E LTE. The Moto X is receiving software version LPE23.32-21 while the 4G packing Moto E gets software version LPI23.29-15.

As we write, both devices are getting the update over the air, although as usual you may have to wait a few days as the upgrade is rolling out in stages. U.S. Cellular insists that you pull in the update with a Wi-Fi connection.

Android 5.1 is more of a subtle change than the major overhaul that Android 5.0 was, but it does add more to the Lollipop experience. New features include support for HD calling, support of dual SIM devices, new Quick Settings icons. The update also adds nifty new security features like the ability to stop a device being unlocked if it has been stolen or lost, with only the user signing into their Google account unlocking it.

OnePlus Two Launching June 1st

OnePlus has been vocal about the fact that it will be announcing a sequel to the OnePlus One during 2015, and it seems that the OnePlus 2 (OnePlus Two) is going to land soon, true to the company’s word. The Chinese took to Twitter and its website with "time for change" alongside an image of the OnePlus One being erased in a design sketch manner. As well as that, the company announced a media event on June 1st to unveil the OnePlus Two.

Of course, the company's original OnePlus One landed with a splash and done a lot to change the smartphone market. It was a true flagship spec’d (and designed) handset, one that just happened to cost $300. While OnePlus as a company struggled with making the device widely available, the OnePlus One has been a well-received success. The company is promising to once again "shake up the tech industry" although it is worth noting that the OnePlus Two is unlikely to be available until the end of the year.

The OnePlus 2 is reported to come with a 5.5-inch Quad HD screen, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and a fingerprint scanner. While the original OnePlus One cost $299 when it launched, the OnePlus Two is expected to be more expensive, but still a bargain with a mooted price of $400.

Google Launching Android M Tomorrow, Following Yearly Launch Cycle

Google’s I/O developer conference will get underway tomorrow and top of the agenda will be the first official details about Android M, the next version of Google's mobile platform. I/O will be the place where Google announces the software, with Android M set to launch to devices later in the year. That will only be one year after the launch of Android 5.0 Lollipop, and Google says that yearly Android launches are something we should get used to.

The new build is currently known as "Macadamia Nut Cookie" within the walls of Google, but it is unlikely to have that name when it launches in November. Regarding releasing a new Android build every year, it is official from Google, with Hiroshi Lockheimer, the VP of Engineering for Android (in the process of confirming Android M for tomorrow) confirming that the company will launch Android N in 2016 and Android O in 2017.

That’s nothing new in this industry obviously, Apple has been doing yearly roll outs with iOS for years, although we think Android should take a slightly different approach. The platform already struggles with fragmentation across aging versions and a new release every year will only exasperate the divide. While Apple and indeed Windows can boast 80% or more adoption numbers during a yearly life cycle of iOS, Android lags way behind. As Android fans, we would prefer Google to let each build have at least 18 months on the market to allow it to take hold and become dominant on the platform, giving more users a new experience. There are hundreds of millions of Android devices out there still not even on Lollipop, or even KitKat, but here Google is with a new build.

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How Big Should a Smart Phone Be?

Smart phones have a come a long way since I started covering them professionally back in 2009 they have a ton of new features, GPS, 41mp cameras, fingerprint sensors, heart-rate monitors, etc...  They have also in increased in size perhaps a little too much even.

 

When the HTC Titan came out it was well...HUGE at the time.  I remember opening the box to it's massive 4.7 inch screen.  That's right massive!  People made fun of me for how large my phone was and asked how it was even useful at that size.  Now devices that are under five inches are "mini" devices.  Which begs the question what is the idea smartphone size?

Up until two weeks ago I'd be firmly in the 5.7 inch plus camp.  I mean honestly how often do you use your smartphone as phone?  Five percent of the time?  Most of the time it's more of tablet. Playing games, texting, watching Netflix, showing of pictures to your friends, etc... All of this stuff is best done on a larger screen.

However I recently went back to my Lumia 1020 from a six inch device and I find the 4.5 inch screen to be more useful to me.  Even with my small hands most of the screen is reachable and I am using it one handed all of the time now.  It pockets in/out like a breeze and feels more natural in use.  This isn't saying I don't miss my large phablet device sometimes because I do however I have the tradeoff isn't worth it anymore.

So what's the correct screen size?  That depends on how you use your device but I think ASUS has the answer to this problem and no one is simply paying attention to it.

Asus Padfone line is the answer.  A 4.5 to 5 inch device that docks into a 7 to 9 inch tablet.  Yes please!! This allows it to be portable enough as a phone yet relax at home like a tablet.  I have no idea why others have not jumped on this form factor.  The hardware itself if not great, a mid-range at best however the idea is sound.  Rumor has this device getting refreshed in a Android and a Windows Mobile version.  If indeed the update version is Windows based I will be first in line.

Best Buy: Motorola Moto G now $19.99 Off Contract

If you desire an affordable handset that is a genuinely good smartphone, then the original Moto G is still one of the most potent options out there? It has always been a bargain since launch, but thanks to Best Buy and Motorola the original Moto G is now a must have device. The retailer is offering the Verizon variant of the smartphone for just $19.99 off contract.

For a cent under twenty bucks, you can walk away with a very solid smartphone, and at this price we suspect the Moto G will fly off the shelves as it is a perfect intro into smartphones for teenagers, kids, or just someone who wants an affordable device.

This is a true bargain. The Moto G comes with a 4.5-cinh 720p HD screen, a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of storage, and a 2070 mAh battery. There is an 8 megapixel camera around the back, while the device is even upgradeable to Android 5.0 Lollipop.

Older Sony Xperia Z and Xperia Z1 Smartphones get Android Lollipop

Sony has already updated its flagship Xperia Z3 devices to Android 5.0 Lollipop and now the company is bringing the software to its older Xperia Z devices. The company has started rolling out Android 5.0.2 Lollipop to the Xperia Z, ZR, Z1, Z1 Compact, and Z Ultra starting this week. The firmware builds in question are 14.5.A.0.270 for the Xperia Z1 devices and 10.6.A.0.454 for the Xperia Z series smartphones.

Sony has published the changelog (see below), while the update also comes with the full Android Lollipop goodies such as Material Design, Project Volta, Quick Settings, Notifications, and the ability to move apps to the SD card. This is a huge 1.2GB file, so you will have to have a Wi-Fi connection to hook up to it. The update is being rolled out over the air now, however you can also use Sony’s desktop software to pull in the upgrade.

Ensured the lock screen / notification bar doesn’t indicate “no service” when the device has coverage

Added a Sony feature; bringing back the “close-all-button” in the activity menu, so you can easily close all apps at once

Unblocked devices with server policies (such as Exchange Active Sync for e-mail), to enable the new Lollipop lock-screen notifications

Ensured the LED light is lit across all sound modes – and no longer offset by “silent”

Made the necessary fixes to enable the easy movement of content from internal memory to external microSD card (something we saw affecting a few devices)

Improved messaging functionality in Ultra stamina mode – some conversations could not be opened before in Ultra stamina mode

Here’s Why Phone Design Doesn’t Matter

If there is one thing I use to LOVE about new devices when they first got introduced was design.  There are magic designs out there.  The HTC One is still a piece of art work, the latest Galaxy device is nice, iPhone's (while I hate the OS) are very well crafted and designed devices.  But something has changed in the past few years that made all of this design obsolete.

Yup that's right somewhere along the way smartphone OEM's have started a war about how thin a device is, how little bezel it has and how light the phone is.  These phone are very, very pretty and impressive.  This thinness comes with the price of weakness and lets face it's an expensive device to produce.

Thin, expensive, frail device the needs to last consumers at least 18 months?  Only one thing left to do that's case up the phone.  Face it when you get a new device if you don't buy a case at the store you have already ordered it online and treat the phone like a newborn till said case arrives.  In reality most people buy their device look at it's prettiness for oh three minutes case it up and never see the naked device ever again.

Here's my call out to OEM's stop the nonsense!  Make a reasonably thick device, make it a little more durable and put a bigger battery into it.  A device like that would sell like hotcakes!!  Or perhaps I am just a little too old school here.

Android Wear 5.1.1 Lands on Compatible Smartwatches

The company said the upgrade will be rolling out in stages so you may not be seeing it right away. However, Mountain View pointed out that some may be waiting days or even weeks to get the newest build of Android Wear.

As we have written before, this is the build that brings with it Wi-Fi support, with users able to sync to their smartphones without using a Bluetooth connection. It is worth mentioning that only four current Android Wear products will support this Wi-Fi connectivity, the LG Watch Urbane, Sony SmartWatch 3, Samsung Gear Live, and the Motorola Moto 360.

If you are running something else, such as the LG G Watch R or ASUS ZenWatch, you can still pull in the update and have the other new features. They include a new always-on feature for apps, a new left swipe gesture to access contacts and apps, as well as the ability to change font size, and emoji drawing support.

Sharp Announced AQUOS Crystal 2

Last week Sharp announced the hugely impressive AQUOS ZETA smartphone and tablet, devices that caught our eye with premium build and strong specs. The Japanese electronics giant has been doing well with its smartphones recently, and arguably the most impressive device was the bezel free AQUOS Crystal. That smartphone has now received an update in the shape of the AQUOS Crystal 2.

Last year the AQUOS Crystal landed in two variants, a high end flagship handset and a more modest version, it was this latter one that found its way to Sprint and Boost in the U.S. While we guess a flagship AQUOS Crystal 2 is on its way, Sharp has launched the device in a mid-range flavour, but luckily it retains the cool design. That means, save for the bottom bezel the smartphone is all screen (all 5.2-inch of it), and in person it really is a striking product.

As for specs, the AQUOS Crystal 2 is modest and comes with a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage (sadly no micro SD slot), a 2030mAh juicer, LTE connectivity, an 8 megapixel rear camera, a 2 megapixel front facer, and NFC connectivity.

The handset is being listed by SoftBank in Japan and it appears to be a carrier exclusive. No price details have been offered yet, but the handset will be rolled out by the end of July, and we are hoping the AQUOS Crystal 2 can find its way to other markets.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini Getting Android 5.0 this Quarter

Samsung has done a good job updating a lot of its devices to Android 5.0 Lollipop, but the company has a huge array of smartphones, many of which are still lacking Lollipop. For example the Galaxy S5 Mini has yet to get an upgrade to Android 5.0 and is still knocking around on good old Android 4.4.2 KitKat. That is about to change though as Samsung Denmark confirmed the software is imminent on the device.

It was already known that the mid-range handset would get the software eventually, the Galaxy S4 Mini is barely one year old and Samsung also confirmed Lollipop would land on the smartphone back in February. The Danish division has not offered an exact date but the update is expected to land something during the second quarter, which would be during the next five weeks.

The Galaxy S5 Mini is a watered down flagship that we are generally down on, but it still remains a solid enough mid-range handset. It comes with a 1.4GHz quad-core processor paired with 1.5GB of RAM, while there is also a 4.5-inch Super AMOLED 720p panel, an 8 megapixel camera, and 16GB (expandable to 64GB) of storage on board.

Samsung Galaxy S6 Sells 10 Million Units Slower than Predecessors

Samsung's Galaxy S6 could well be the best smartphone available right now (sure, it’s debateable) and has given the Korean giant a flagship that ticks all the right boxes. Indeed, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge have been pointing to a sales increase for Samsung after a disappointing 2014, but the reality seems different. That’s because the Galaxy S6 has passed 10 million unit sales, but interestingly the devices have reached the milestone slower than previous S smartphones.

However, we should say that Samsung has not said when the Galaxy S6 passed this particular number, but it seems it did not match to the Galaxy S4 or Galaxy S5. We think the company would be happy to brag about the new flagship getting to 10 million units before its predecessors. The Galaxy S4 managed the feat in 27 days, while the Galaxy S5 made 10 million in 25 days. The S6 and S6 Edge were both launched April 10th and have been on the market more than a month.

It’s not really bad news for Samsung though as while the Galaxy S5 outsold the Galaxy S4 during the first month, the latter device actually managed to outsell the former through its cycle. The S6 is expected to outsell both, so there are plenty of good times ahead for Samsung and its flagship.

Free LG Leon Lte Coming to Pre-paid on T-Mobile

T-Mobile continues to do things that shake up the industry and now they doing it again with a free phone!  Ok that's not that new and exciting unless of course it's for a pre-paid plan.  Naturally it's not a flagship by any stretch but it is a nice low to mid ranger with a 4.5 inch screen and a quad core processor. It's the LG Leon LTE.

 

According to T-Mobile experts at TmoNews here's how it breaks down:

Prepaid customers will see the price dropped down to just $50 at checkout and then be able to claim the $50 back online as a promotional rebate. Customers on the no credit Simple Choice plans, however, pay $149.76 up front and then claim that amount back as a rebate online at http://ift.tt/1zkOWPB.  In the end, neither customer pays for the device, they just get different amounts as a rebate to take their effective tally to $0.

While the device itself is not that impressive it is free device with no contract.  Lets see if the other major carriers follow suite on this one.

Samsung Gets a HUGE Break in it’s Apple Settlement

Way back in 2012 Samsung and Apple had a court dispute in which Apple got award a whopping $930 million dollars in damages.  This was for "violating Apple's intellectual property."  Well that ruling was partly reversed. It seems that Samsung did not violate Apple's trade dress — broader elements of design and aesthetic that dictate the presentation of Apple's gadgets.  This got the damages dropped... a lot all they way down too $548 million from $930 million.

While that's still a great deal of money it's a $382 million discount for Samsung.  What is exactly is "trade dress"?

Design elements that are nonfunctional and these design choices were seemingly made for the sake of customer comfort.

Apple claimed that "a rectangular product with four evenly rounded corners," "a flat, clear surface covering the front of the product" is trade dress and had no impact on functionally.  The court disagreed and tossed that part of the law suit out.

Need more info on this ruling?  You can see the whole thing here.

VIA

Tablet Sales Fall Again in the United States

Apple's iPad has been suffering a sales decline that has encompassed numerous quarters, although CEO Tim Cook says he is not worried. Cupertino claims that it knew iPad sales would fall as consumers to not recycle tablets like they do smartphones. That seems to be the case across the entire market as it was revealed that slate sales in the United States continued to fall last quarter.

Overall tablet sales in the U.S. market, like the iPad, have been on the decline for around two years, although it is quite interesting that cellular tablet sales increased during the first quarter of this year. Tablet sales fell by as much as 7% in the United States during the first quarter of 2015 from 13.8 million last year to 13.4 million in 2015 according to Strategy Analytics. IDC however says the number is 8.9 million units, down from 9.6 million during Q1 of 2014.

While the two firms disagree on the units sold, both reveal that sales are on the wane. As for cellular connected devices, they enjoyed growth from 2.2 million last year to 3.2 million this year, and increase of 45%, while the four major carriers in the U.S. (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile) all showed increased revenue from postpaid tablets in their Q1 financials.

Amazon Giving Away Free App Games, Including Game of Thrones

Amazon offers a fantastic accompaniment to the Google Play Store with its own Appstore. In our opinion it is the best third party app store on the market, and while we would still use the Google Play Store more, Amazon provides a fantastic service to supplement it. The great thing about the Appstore is that it is available on Android and BlackBerry devices, and Amazon often has amazing sales and even flat out giveaways.

Such as this week where the company is offering a plethora of free games that usually cost money. Interestingly, these are not throwaway titles either and include some meaty stuff like Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series, Five Nights at Freddy's 3, Sorcery! 3, Angry Birds Seasons, Bloons TD 5, Fleksy Keyboard, and many others. You can check out the full list by hitting up the source below.

The giveaway is lasting until the end of Saturday (May 16th) so if you do not already have the Amazon Appstore you should head to the company’s page and download it.

Amazon

HTC Announced Third J Butterfly

HTC's Butterfly J series has often been used to showcase the best specs the company can offer, although they are launched as Japanese exclusives, sadly for the rest of us non-Japanese consumers. The new J Butterfly (Butterfly 3) is the newly launched model and it the most highly spec’d smartphone HTC has made so far. Yes, the company that has been launching flagships for fun has topped itself again.

The J Butterfly is better than the One M9 and One M9 Plus in a side by side specs comparison and is a mix of the pair, but it certainly lags behind in terms of design. That's the main difference to consider here as well as that Japan exclusivity. This is probably the most boring looking flagship quality smartphone HTC has made for some time, and it lends weight to the opinion that the company is losing its design touch.

So the looks are nothing to get too excited about, but the specs might be if you’re into that kind of thing. Qualcomm's headline making 64-bit Snapdragon 810 is the processor of choice in the Butterfly 3. The 810 has been overheating according to many reports, while Qualcomm says this is not the case it has had a controversial start on the market. The J Butterfly will provide another test for the chip, hopefully it will be more of a powerhouse than a heater for your pocket.

The 5.2-inch Quad HD screen we first saw on the One M9+ has made the journey to the J Butterfly, with a pixel density of 565ppi we should add. 3GB of RAM provides the grunt for the handset, while a 2,700 mAh battery will hopefully keep the high end hardware running for long periods. Elsewhere there is a 20 megapixel rear camera with dual lenses, and a very enticing 13 megapixel front facing snapper; take that selfie phones. Out of the box the HTC J Butterfly comes with 32GB of built in storage, but it also comes with a micro SD card slot so you can expand the space if you need. As you would probably expect, this LTE device comes with Android 5.0 Lollipop with HTC's own Sense 7.0 UI on top.

Iron Man Galaxy S6 Edge Confirmed by Samasung

Samsung has their hands in the new blockbuster movie hit the Avengers which lead to rumors that they will be making special edition Galaxy S6 Edge devices.   There was even fan made concepts on what this device would look like.  Now Samsung has confirm indeed this device is coming.

The above photo was posted by the official Samsung Tomorrow Twitter page. While it's only a box for now it's proof that at least an iron man device is "coming soon".  There was no word when soon was, how much it would cost or if there other Avengers edition coming.

Anyone out there waiting to buy a new device for limited edition?

VIA