Samsung Galaxy Gear: Is this what we really want out of a smartwatch?

First Look at Smartwatch

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

Don't mistake Samsung's effort on the Galaxy Gear for innovation. The smartwatch it showed off on Wednesday is far from innovative. It's unimaginative, reductive and maybe even retrograde.

Sure, Samsung's Galaxy Gear is the most advanced "smartwatch" to date, but that's because only a small handful of these devices have been commercially available, and none have been spectacular.

I spent a short time with the Galaxy Gear on Wednesday, and while no aspect of the hardware performance seemed fundamentally flawed or broken, nothing felt particularly fast, responsive or intuitive. The watch doesn't appear to have any unique function. It's just mimicking the functions of a smartphone to lesser effect.

The watch isn't as big and ungainly as you might expect, but it isn't particularly minimal either. And it's pretty ugly, fitting in with the majority of Samsung's other products. A security lock made it tough to get a sense of how the watch fit, but it seemed comfortable enough.

Samsung (SSNLF) says that the Galaxy Gear battery will last all day. But after asking whether that meant 24 hours or the span of a work day, a Samsung rep instantly became squeamish. Either way, the Galaxy Gear is yet another another device that users will have to charge as frequently as their smartphone.

The most worthwhile feature is the Gear's ability to relay notifications -- emails, text messages, calls, social network alerts, etc. This is the best case to be made for the existence of the typical smartwatch. Beyond that, everything else seems like fluff.

Not only was the hardware performance of the S-Voice app hit or miss (partially due to the noise in the venue), but there's only so much you can do with it. Initiate a call, send a text, check weather, yadda yadda. You can't search the Internet, and you have to activate the voice function by hand.

You can carry out entire calls through the watch itself, from dialing, to talking, to listening. But the times when this would be an absolute necessity, and not just a novelty, seem few and far between. 

There are apps, which may have the potential to make up for Samsung's lack of vision. But based on what was shared Wednesday, the early efforts aren't all that promising.

There's Runkeeper, which can tap the Galaxy Gear's pedometer and log how many steps you take, but if you want to access the GPS data, you still have to carry your phone. Other early entries seem equally cumbersome.

The watch has a camera mounted to the side of the wristband, which is capable of snapping 1.9 megapixel photos and shooting 720p video, but why anyone would want to use this camera instead of pulling out their phone is beyond me. You'd waste just as much time and effort trying to navigate to the camera app on the Galaxy Gear.

Here's the kicker: you need a phone to make the Galaxy Gear functional at all. But the only phone it works with right now is the newly-announced Galaxy Note III phablet. Samsung won't make any firm commitment on extending compatibility to other Galaxy phones, but it cryptically implied that something is in the works. Whether or not other non-Samsung Android phones will ever work with the Galaxy Gear is unclear.

But it likely won't be any great loss.

Just like we don't need the functionality of a PC in our phones, we don't need the functionality of a phone on our wrists. We need something that enhances and compliments the phone.

Maybe some extra time with the Galaxy Gear will uncover a redeeming quality for the smartwatch, but at $300, it would have to be the world's most amazing feature to justify the pricetag.

Source: http://money.cnn.com

Vodafone Germany to Discontinue 32/64GB iPhone 5, 16GB iPhone 4S

Vodafone Germany has plans to discontinue several models of existing iPhones with the release of the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C, reports German site Flo's Weblog [Google Translation]. According to an internal email, the 32 and 64GB iPhone 5 in both black and white will be discontinued, along with the black/white 16GB iPhone 4S. 

This confirms an inventory leak from Canadian carrier Telus, which also suggested that Apple would discontinue the higher end iPhone 5 models. Both carrier leaks indicate that Apple's upcoming product lineup will consist of the flagship iPhone 5S, the low-cost iPhone "5C", and the 16GB iPhone 5.

Apple's iPhone lineup has been in question over the past several months, and it has been unclear whether the iPhone 5C will serve as a replacement for the iPhone 5 or the iPhone 4S. The cost of the iPhone 5C remains unknown, and speculation has suggested that the phone, which is said to use many of the same parts as the existing iPhone 5, may not be truly low-cost, necessitating the inclusion of the lower-priced iPhone 4S in the product line. 

An August note from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicated that Apple would discontinue the iPhone 5 in favor of the iPhone 5C while continuing to sell the iPhone 4S through the end of of the year, but the information from Vodafone Germany contradicts this theory. 

It is unclear where the iPhone 5 will fit into Apple's iPhone line in terms of price. Estimates have suggested that the iPhone 5C will retail for $400 to $500 off-contract, and it is likely that the iPhone 5 would have a similar price tag. The iPhone 4S, though, could be priced below the iPhone 5C if it remains in Apple's product lineup. 

Apple plans to unveil the iPhone 5S and 5C during a September 10 iPhone event. The phones are expected to ship to a number of countries shortly after, on September 20.

Source: http://www.macrumors.com

Nexus 5 Render Brings Leak to Life

When Google announced Android 4.4 KitKat, it also erected a statue to commemorate the occasion. And while the company wanted the focus of the raising of the Android 4.4 KitKat statue to be the focus, the event also seemed to reveal an unknown Nexus smartphone that some believe could be the rumoured Nexus 5.

The video, which showed Google putting the Android 4.4 KitKat statue up on its campus, showed a man holding a Nexus device that didn’t and doesn't resemble any known Nexus smartphone on the planet. The brief sighting led Google to mysteriously pull the Android 4.4 KitKat video for unexplained reasons, leading many to wonder whether it had just shown off a new Nexus smartphone.

Rumours have been swirling in regards to a Nexus 5, possibly built by LG, possibly built by Motorola, that will be coming later on this year with a new version of Android. Whispers have suggested a launch in October and thus, this sighting has brought about a ton of excitement in the Android world.

While we still aren’t sure if the device in question is the Nexus 5, Yugatech has created a Nexus 5 render that is based off of the device that we saw emerge in the video. The device features the large Nexus lettering on the back, a large camera sensor in the top left corner, and it even features the disputable LG logo that many believe was on board the device in the video.

The device features a black finish like the device from Google’s video and ultimately, it offers a fantastic up close look at what might just be Google’s new Nexus smartphone.

Of course, this is still unconfirmed and it could be that the device was a prototype or a device within a protective shell to shield the actual design from view. it could also have been Google trolling ahead of the real Nexus 5 unveiling. It is, however, telling that the company took down the video shortly after the device was discovered and started making the rounds.

Whatever the case may be, Google typically announces and releases a new Nexus smartphone in the fourth quarter of the year so we should get a glimpse at the actual Nexus 5 in the weeks ahead.

Rumors suggest that it will either be a Motorola Nexus that isn’t like the Moto X or perhaps an LG Nexus 5 that is based, in part, upon the LG G2 that is scheduled to hit the United States in the month of September.

Source: http://www.gottabemobile.com

New version of Android sweetened by KitKat

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• New version of Android mobile operating system will be named KitKat
• Surprise announcement is consistent with Google's theme of sweet treats
• Older Android versions include Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Jellybean
• Deal with Nestle reportedly was struck in 24 hours

(CNN) -- And here we were expecting a slice of key lime pie.

Google has surprised the tech world by announcing that the next version of Android, its mobile operating system, will be named KitKat -- in honor of the candy bar developers munched on while they were creating it.

"We couldn't imagine a better name for our Android K release than the tasty chocolate that's been a favorite among the team since the early days of Android," said Marc Vanlerberghe, Google's marketing director for Android.

The name keeps with a Google tradition, established in 2009, of naming versions of the industry-leading system after sweet treats. But it's the first time one of the nicknames has been a trademarked product and, as such, KitKat maker Nestle was needed to sign on.

The Swiss food and drink maker did -- and in a big way.

More than 50 million KitKat bars, specially branded with Google's green Android robot on their packaging, will be released, giving customers a chance to win prizes that include a Nexus 7 tablet and credits to the Google Play store. A small number of robot-shaped KitKats will also be shipped as surprises for customers.

The company also got in on the act with its KitKat website, which has been overhauled to look like the site of a tech company rolling out a sleek new piece of electronics. That includes an earnest promotional video that could easily be read as a swipe at Apple, Google's chief mobile rival.

"Every corner, every edge, every finger of every bar has been carefully considered and crafted to create a beautifully immersive and multisensory experience," Chris Caitlin, Kit Kat's "chief breaks officer" says earnestly over a swelling orchestral arrangement not unlike the ones Apple uses to build excitement for new products.

If there's any remaining doubt, the slogan "There's a KitKat for that" appears briefly on a tablet screen in the video.

John Lagerling, director of Android global partnerships, told the BBCthat the Nestle deal is "not a money-changing-hands kind of deal," but was dreamed up by developers who kept KitKats, along with other snacks, in their break room while coding.

He said the Android team didn't even know which company owned KitKat and that he cold-called the switchboard of Nestle's advertising agency in November to float the idea. The next day he was on a conference call, and the deal was sealed 24 hours later.

To maintain the element of surprise -- an increasingly tough ask for big tech companies whose every move is scrutinized -- the Android team continued, even internally, calling the upcoming system "Key Lime Pie," which had been the presumed name for months.

Android has been developed by the company's engineers under dessert names ever since the release of Android Cupcake in 2009.

The other iterations have been named Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich and Jellybean.

Google is not the only tech company to name its products along a consistent theme. But Apple appears to have recently abandoned a similar practice with its Mac operating system -- OS X.

In a departure, Apple's next Mac operating system will not be named after a cat. Instead, the 10th iteration of OS X will be called Mavericks, named for a popular surfing spot in Northern California. Previous version names have included Mountain Lion, Snow Leopard, Tiger, Lion and Cheetah.

A joint statement from Google and Nestle did not give a release date for Android KitKat, although some observers expect it to be launched this fall.

Source: http://edition.cnn.com

8GB Nexus 4 sells out on Google Play, and it isn't coming back

After Google gave its Nexus 4 a $100 price cut last week, the 8GB version of the phone is now sold out on the Play store. It appears that the price reduction was more of a clearance sale, however, as Google tells The Verge that the cheaper model will not be restocked.

The 16GB variant is still available for $249, and the 8GB version may remain on the Play store in other countries while stocks last, but it looks like those in the US have missed their chance to pick up a sub-$200 smartphone from Google. The Nexus 4 was originally announced last October and lacks LTE connectivity, so a future update could well be in the cards.

Source: http://www.theverge.com

Apple confirms Sept. 10 event, expected to reveal new iPhone

Apple has confirmed that it is holding an event on Sept. 10, sending out media invites for what is widely expected to bring the launch of at least one new iPhone model.

The event will be held on the Apple campus, starting at 1 p.m., ET, and will present a key moment for Apple to fight back growing concern that it is losing its innovative touch, nearly two years after the death of its iconic co-founder and chief executive, Steve Jobs.

The company’s smartphone is just about due for its annual refresh, but analysts are expecting that the firm may have at least one extra surprise up its sleeve in the form of a cheaper iPhone aimed at more price-conscious consumers.

The “iPhone 5C”, as alleged leaks have reported, could come in multiple colours, much like Apple’s iPod Touch line. The phone is also expected to use the same processor chip as the current iPhone 5 and have the same size screen.

Apple is also expected to offer a new colour — a sort of champagne-tinted light gold -- for its upgraded iPhone 5, nicknamed the “iPhone 5S” in keeping with Apple’s product naming habits. 9 to 5 Mac has also reported that some developers have spotted references to a fingerprint scanner on the iPhone, which could be located in the home button, in preview builds of the company’s next mobile operating system.

As for the internals, Business Insider reported that the phone could sport a larger battery and faster processor than its predecessor, while keeping the same specifications for its outside case. With the iPhone 5 launch last year, Apple made its first major change to the device’s overall form, by bumping the screen up from 3.5 inches on the diagonal to 4 inches. The change gave Apple the real estate for another row of apps on the home screen and also — at least in part — nodded to the trend toward the larger-screened “phablets” taking over the rest of the industry.

Given Apple’s track record on smartphone development, the “5S” probably won’t sport a major external revamp. But that doesn’t mean it won’t have new features to tempt those looking for an upgrade, particularly when it comes to software.

For proof, look no further than the company’s iPhone 4S, which was the first phone to include Apple’s Siri personal assistantsoftware and has gone on to become one of the best-selling devices in Apple’s history.
Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com

Google Announces 1B Total Android Activations, Names Next Version ‘KitKat’

Apple made waves this morning when it announced its oft-rumored September 10 event, but Google isn’t giving up the day’s limelight without a fight — according to a post on Sundar Pichai’s Google+ page, more than 1 billion Android devices have been activated to date. That’s not exactly a shock considering the sort of momentum we’ve seen in activations over the past few months. CEO Larry Page said there were 1.5 million Android activations a day back in July and Android device activations hit the 900 million mark earlier this year.

Even more puzzling than that is the name of the next version of Android, which bucks the long-standing trend of generic dessert names. As it turns out, Android 4.4 is going to be called “KitKat”and not “Key Lime Pie” as earlier thought, though at this point there’s still no official word on when we can expect to see the build go live. KitKats are of course a popular chocolate treat made by Nestle, and at this point we’re trying to determine how much this crazy little deal is worth, but the promotional blitz has already begun.

UPDATE: Google has confirmed to the BBC that the idea for the name originated with them, and that no money is changing hands as part of the deal.

Nestle has already kicked off a bizarre cross-promotion strategy that will bestow Nexus 7s and Google Play credits on those who find specially branded Kit Kat candy bars emblazoned with the Android logo, à la Willy Wonka. Yes, this is really happening. Apparently the agreement was finalized behind closed doors at this year’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, and all parties involved amazingly managed to keep the name under wraps (I slay me) for six months despite the fact that Nestle has been churning out that Android-laden packaging for 50 million candy bars.

Though the name itself is enough to get Android fans and mobile pundits talking, Google may be looking to expand its scope with this latest update. The newly anointed Android KitKit landing page claims that it’s the company’s goal “to make an amazing Android experience available for everybody,” which may hint at an expansion into different hardware segments. Google already has some skin in the smartphone and tablet games thanks to its acquisition of Motorola Mobility and hardware partnerships with Asus and LG, but it’s possible we could see Android KitKit powering a smartwatch — a move made partially possible by Google’s quiet acquisition of WIMM Labs last year.

Source: http://techcrunch.com