Samsung launched the Galaxy S III, its latest Google Android smartphone, at a UK press event on Thursday. The handset offers some expected incremental hardware feature upgrades over its predecessor but the main improvements are seen through software and user interaction, including S-Voice, a Siri-like feature. Read more »
Later today, Samsung is holding a press event in the UK to introduce “The Next Galaxy.” It’s a safe bet that this will be the official introduction to Samsung’s Galaxy S III; here’s what to expect from Samsung and its new Galaxy S addition. Read more »
During the first three months of 2012, Verizon, AT&T and Sprint collectively sold 9 million iPhones. Altogether, those same three carriers sold 13.5 million smartphones, which means that for every three smartphones they sold, two of them were iPhones. Read more »
Research In Motion continued to outline its BlackBerry 10 strategy at its annual developer event, saying customers will need to buy new phones for the BB 10 experience as the company confirmed it won’t be upgrading any BlackBerry 7 phones to the new operating system. Read more »
Nokia filed claims against HTC, Research In Motion and Viewsonic in both the U.S. and Germany, saying that 45 Nokia patents were infringed. Why are the mobile patent wars raging? Major innovation is slowing down in this market; now the battles are in the courts. Read more »
AT&T’s newest LTE phone, the HTC One X, is due to hit stores May 6 for $199. The phone is similar to T-Mobile’s One S, but has a larger screen Super LCD screen. Here are my first impressions after a day with the new handset. Read more »
Own a Galaxy Nexus, iPhone or other GSM handset? If so and you’re tired of the cost and long-term contract, Straight Talk’s SIM card may be an option. The no-contract deal is $45 for unlimited voice minutes, messages and HSPA+ data on either AT&T or T-Mobile. Read more »
Research In Motion is showing off its BlackBerry 10 platform; perhaps the company’s last chance for success in the mobile market. The interface looks impressive, but there are still many hurdles to be cleared as pointed out on Twitter by those watching the demos. Read more »
LG is reportedly focused on Google Android smartphones and not new Microsoft Windows Phone handsets. LG only built two Windows Phones in 2010 and none in 2011 even though it has kind words for the platform. Unfortunately for Microsoft, actions speak louder than words. Read more »
Microsoft’s Research division is testing home automation market software it developed that makes it easy for devices to speak to each other. This HomeOS platform can help demystify smart home systems with numerous protocols. Plus it works nicely on smartphones for remote control and monitoring. Read more »
Matt and Kevin share hands on thoughts this week of the Toshiba excite10 LE tablet, HTC Titan II smartphone and Kindle Touch case with integrated light. Plus some discussion on the new $399 Galaxy Nexus that Google is selling directly to consumers. Read more »
Eighty-five percent of the global population owns mobile phones. This report forecasts the global handset market, examining the Americas; Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA); and Asia-Pacific. Drivers include an increased number of subscribers in developing countries and the rollout of 3G and 4G wireless networks. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
If a smartphone or tablet with glass that’s glare-free, repels liquids and is self-cleaning sounds appealing, you might want to start following MIT’s research. By adding layers on glass that are then selectively removed, microscopic cones are created and provide these desirable characteristics. Read more »
Casual food restaurant chain T.G.I. Fridays has become the first national chain to incorporate mobile payment option Tabbedout, which will allow diners to open a tab and pay their bill right from their smartphone. Read more »
After 14 years as the world’s biggest mobile phone maker, Nokia has lost the top spot to Korean rival Samsung. The question facing the Finnish company’s bosses now is whether they can ever regain the momentum they’ve lost. Read more »
Samsung introduced its next generation mobile chip, the Exynos 4 Quad, on Thursday, with claims of twice the processing power with a 20 percent reduction in power use. The company will use the new processor in its next Galaxy phone, debuting in a few weeks. Read more »
Taiwan-based handset maker HTC suggests that its highly profitable days in the U.S. smartphone market are in the past, mainly due to Apple’s iPhone. The HTC One series may help sales in the U.S. but like Apple, HTC is turning to China for future growth. Read more »
For developers, consumers and even carriers, Android seems irreparably broken. But Google’s not likely to “fix” Android anytime soon, because despite the fragmentation problem, the company is getting what it wants: massive amounts of user data. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Facebook may not have a phone of its own (yet), but it continues to improve its mobile clients: On Tuesday, the company outlined updates coming soon for the Windows Phone version of Facebook. The refreshed software will add threaded messaging, tagging and other features. Read more »
Google’s first Android 4.0 phone, the Galaxy Nexus, is available for direct purchase online in the U.S. Google Play store for $399. With support for two GSM networks, solid hardware, a 720p display and updates direct from Google, this may be the Android deal of 2012. Read more »
Want a new iPhone, but not sure which U.S. carrier is best suited for your needs? Enter CarrierCompare, a free iPhone app that uses real network tests in your location combined with crowdsourced data to help you choose the carrier that’s right for you. Read more »
Enthusiast site T-Mo News has two bits of evidence suggesting that T-Mobile will have it’s own version of the 5.3-inch handset; currently an AT&T exclusive in the U.S. market. Aside from a similar product number, an alleged screenshot from a Galaxy Note shows a T-Mobile app. Read more »
Boston rail commuters will soon have the ability to use their smartphones to buy and display their train tickets. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will launch the U.S.’s first smartphone rail ticketing system this fall through a partnership with London-based Masabi. Read more »
By integrating the touch sensor and display on the next iPhone, Apple could shave half a millimeter of thickness from the handset. Reverting to a metal back would also reduce thickness. But it makes far more sense to use that space savings for a higher-capacity battery. Read more »
HTC is planning to develop its own application processors for smartphones and could partner with ST Ericsson. The company’s new HTC ImageChip works great in the new One handsets, but why reinvent the wheel for smartphone silicon; especially if these will go in low-end Android handsets? Read more »
The Asus Transformer Prime tablet now has a cheaper cousin called the Transformer Pad TF-300 and reviews are starting to trickle in. The Pad starts at $380 and has a $150 dock option. My look at the HTC One S smartphone shows a premium handset experience. Read more »
The smartphone of tomorrow may give you the ability to have X-ray vision. That’s the implications of a breakthrough at the University of Texas, Dallas, where researchers are a big step closer to enabling a phone to see through wood, walls, plastics and other objects. Read more »
Media issues like advertising and discovery along with commerce dominated the activity in social and real-time Web technologies during the first quarter. Google raised some hackles, Facebook responded to demands from traditional advertisers, and Yahoo got a new chief executive. Read more in the full report. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
The first commercially available Intel smartphone debuts in India this month with the launch of the Xolo X900. The Android 2.3 handset with high-resolution screen looks quite capable with a 10 frame per second burst mode. Has Intel licked the power challenge of mobile devices? Read more »
The T-Mobile HTC One S launches on April 25 with Android 4.0 and Sense. The phone is a supposed triple threat in the areas of design, audio and camera capabilities. I’ve been testing the HTC One S to see if it lives up to that billing. Read more »
AT&T’s first Android 4.0 smartphone arrives on May 6: The HTC One X will cost $199.99 with 2-year contract. The dual-core, 4.7-inch handset with Beats Audio supports AT&T’s new LTE network in 32 markets and falls back to HSPA+ where LTE coverage isn’t yet available. Read more »
Depending on whom you believe, Microsoft will either offer Windows Phone 8 as an upgrade to all current Microsoft-powered handsets or it won’t provide the software to any of them. Windows 8 could be the issue here, but Microsoft needs to publicly state its intent. Read more »
In the first quarter of 2012 all eyes were on the screen, both big and small. Apple’s new Retina display pushed video streaming, and broadcast-TV streaming service Aereo’s launch was quickly followed with litigation. These events and more are discussed in a new quarterly report. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Google’s Chrome browser for Android is still in beta, yet it keeps improving quickly; the latest update is now available. The browser, only supported on Android 4.0 smartphones and tablets, gains support for 31 additional languages and adds new features making a great browser even better. Read more »
Here’s a nifty Japan-only product that looks like a small wireless keyboard. But it pulls double duty: Hold the device up to your ear and it works as a wireless handset for VoIP, Skype or other audio chat applications on mobile devices. Read more »
Research In Motion is reportedly weighing options with financial advisors in an effort to stem the company’s continued fall from grace. RIM doesn’t plan to sell itself, but is considering a strategic investment and would lean towards licensing its BlackBerry software. But who might want it? Read more »
Samsung Galaxy S II handsets not tied to a carrier no longer have to wait for their Android 4.0 upgrade. Unlocked Galaxy S II phones can now download and install the software, known as Ice Cream Sandwich, which also includes a fresh version of Samsung’s TouchWiz. Read more »
Smartphone sales surged both in the U.S. and worldwide, carriers struggled to cope with the ever-increasing consumption of mobile data, and the fight for spectrum remained front and center in the first quarter. Our latest quarterly wrap-up analyzes these trends and more. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Google can’t keep fighting against Apple and Microsoft with just Android, when both rivals have a mobile and a desktop system. ChromeOS could be that system for Google, but it’s not a hit yet. What might help? Motorola’s LapDock system to pair up Android and ChromeOS. Read more »
