Smartphone Research and Innovation - Choosing the Right Platform(s) for Your Apps

A large and increasing share of global economic activity takes place in organizational ecosystems which consist of different groups of users conducting transactions through a technological platform. For example, mobile device application markets, such as the Apple App Store, allow device users to download applications created by independent developers. Both platform-leading firms, and those utilising it to supply goods and services, face distinctive management challenges. The performance of firms taking a leading role in an ecosystem depends not only on their management of internal innovation challenges, but also on their ability to manage the differing challenges facing their suppliers and firms providing complementary products.
While much attention has been paid to co-operation with suppliers to overcome such challenges, less is known about how firms can effectively manage complementor innovation. Ecosystems leaders must also consider direct and indirect network effects when developing strategies to attract distinct groups of users to the ecosystem, and must be wary of threats of envelopment by other platforms. Complementors, on the other hand, must make choices regarding which platform(s) to make products for, taking into account a number of considerations, including platform popularity, competition, and technology. They must also compete against other complementors, while keeping in mind the possibility that the platform leader might choose to enter into their product space should their offering be successful. So which criteria should app developers use when selecting a platform? Share your thoughts with the Smartphone and Tablet Zone.

Looking Ahead - New Smartphone Innovations for 2016

The penetration of smartphones has increased significantly, and the smartphone market is now focused on high quality rather than cost efficiency. Changing demands will transform the smartphone market in 2015. ... to included wireless power supplies. 

Enhanced camera features, foldable phones and virtual reality are some of the other cool innovations consumers should expect to see in 2016. Meanwhile, smart connected devices and wearable devices closely associated with smartphones will keep developing. In 2015, traditional cell phones will change in the following four areas: 1. Industrial Design, 2. New Trend of Hardware Configurations, 3. UI and Interaction not only for Fingers, and 4. Smart Accessories. What is on your wish list for new smartphone features and capabilities? Share your comments with the Smartphone and Tablet Zone.

Traditional phone models are no longer well-received, and manufacturers will increase their investments in design and technological innovation to reinvent the smartphone experience.

Intel Launches 'Intel Inside' Powered Tablets - Can They Compete Against Apple, Samsung?

Is Intel a real player in the tablet computing space? Though 64-bit technology isn't exactly new—it's been evolving continuously since the release of the 4-bit in 1971—this is the first time a mobile device has had the capacity to run 64-bit architecture.

That means more computing power, faster performance, and smoother multitasking; for data-intensive or computationally demanding applications, the architecture will make a world of difference. Features like Secure Boot allow you to restart your device more safely while Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) offers faster data encryption. And the best part? You can enjoy the extra boost of security without holding back performance. Intel® Tablets, you can power on longer with exceptional battery life—so you can charge up and leave your charger at home. Whether you use Windows* or Android*, that means more music, more games, and more of the tablet time you love and need with Intel Inside®. Thus, the new Intel tablet offer the power you would expect, however, how does their feature set, functionality and ease-of-use compare with other vendors? Share your comments with the Smartphone and Tablet Zone.

HTC Launches 'One A9' Smartphone - Low-Priced iPhone Copycat Design?

The new HTC One A9 smartphone is a dead-ringer for the iPhone 6S in virtually every way -- except for its price tag. It costs just $400, compared to the iPhone's $650. HTC said it was a coincidence that the new One A9 follows the same design guidelines that the iPhone (and to a large degree the Samsung Galaxy S6) hold to. "We've gotten that feedback before, but it wasn't intentional," said Drew Bamford, head of HTC's creative labs. "We view the fact that a competitor reached the same conclusion that we did as an affirmation that we are right about where this space is going."

Dolby Audio^™ Surround and an all-new enhanced, high-output amplifier also help deliver the best sound quality on the market.  To ensure you enjoy the full package, the HTC One A9 comes with 6 months of free music streaming on Google Play^™ Music.  Higher power output means higher fidelity sound. With the built-in headset amp you’ll enjoy a greater dynamic range than you’d expect from a smartphone. Pair it with HTC Pro Studio earphones for extended bass, high-pitch audio capabilities and a wide frequency range, for an in-ear performance that’s every bit as profound and moving as being at a live studio recording. Starting at $399 USD can the HTC One A9 effectively compete with the Apple iPhone and Samsung S6 Edge+. Share your comments with the Smartphone and Tablet Zone.

Smartphone Trends in 2015 - Benefits and Challenges for Users Worldwide

CES has never been a showcase for new smartphones, but it always features several interesting announcements that highlight big trends for the next 12 months, and this year was no exception. Smartphone manufacturers are struggling to get people to upgrade because new models lack earth-shaking features. But these new devices will still offer significant improvements, including powerful processors, better screens and enhanced cameras, as seen at CES.Samsung's Galaxy Note Edge has a curved side. Even though it wasn’t a trend at CES, more high-end smartphones will get screens with a 2560 by 1440 pixel resolution (also known as QHD), like the ones already available with Google’s Nexus 6 and LG’s G3. High-resolution screens are also trickling down to cheaper smartphones.

The basic model of the LTE-equipped ZenFone 2 costs $199, but packs a 5.5-inch screen with a 1080p screen, which is impressive. It also has a 13-megapixel camera on the back and a 5-megapixel camera on the front. In general, buyers of phones that cost under $200 without a contract will get more bang for their buck this year with better screens, cameras and LTE support. What will be the impact of these trends on the global smartphone market? Share your comments with the Smartphone and Tablet Zone.

ADVERTISING Lets look at what some specific makers are doing. LG isn’t giving up on the idea of curved smartphones with the launch of the G Flex2, which is curved from the top to the bottom. Interestingly, LG has decreased the screen size from 6 inches to 5.5-inches, while at the same time increasing the resolution to 1080p. is more useful: it lets users access and see more information and features alongside the main screenIn fact, LG’s display team showed a side-rounded screen as well, so this is a concept that seems to be catching on. The key is to come up with applications that make good use of the rounded edge, so that whatever is displayed there is helpful and not distracting.

Samsung Galaxy Note5 Feature Set - A Closer Look

With the recent introduction of the Note5 Samsung's goal is to capture greater market share among smartphone users who prefer to use  a stylus. You can use the S Pen to effortlessly navigate between screens. The Air Command menu ensures that S Pen features are easy to find and use from any screen or app. Jot down a quick note or number or edit a PDF file for work when you’re on the go. Key features include:

• Crystal clear detail. 5.7" Quad HD Super AMOLED display.
  
• Great shots anywhere, every time. 16MP rear-facing camera.
• More fun in every frame. 5 MP front-facing, wide-angle camera.
• Stay connected longer. Ultra Power Saving Mode.
• Transfer data with ease. Samsung Smart Switch  
• Built-in wireless charging, you have the freedom to recharge

Will the new Samsung Galaxy Note5 feature set entice users to upgrade from their current devices? Share your comments with the Smartphone and Tablet Zone. Read the complete Note5 specs at: Note 5 Specs: http://www.samsung.com/us/explore/galaxy-note-5-features-and-specs/

Android's Market Share Increased to 79.3% in Q2 2015 as Apple iPhone Dipped to 13.2%

Smartphones using Google's Android software increased their global market share as iPhones lost ground in the absence of new models being unleashed by Apple, the International Data Corporation reported Wednesday. Android's share of the smartphone market grew to 79.3% in the second quarter while that of iPhone slipped to 13.2% from 16.6% in the same three-month period last year, according to IDC figures. "The iOS decline in the second quarter aligns with the cyclicality of iPhone," said IDC mobile phone research team manager Ramon Llamas, referring to the software platform on which the Apple handsets are built.

"Without a new product launch since the debut of the iPhone 5 nearly a year ago, Apple's market share was vulnerable to product launches from the competition." Apple is "well positioned" to recapture market share with the release later this year of a new iPhone and the next-generation iOS mobile operating system, according to Llamas. IDC reported that 187 million Android-powered smartphones were shipped in the second quarter of the year as compared to 31.2 million iPhones. Smartphones powered by Microsoft Windows software showed the biggest jump, hitting 3.7% of the market in a 77.6% rise that "re-enforced" the mobile platform's third-place position, according to IDC. "Last quarter we witnessed Windows Phone shipments surpassing BlackBerry and the trend has continued into the second quarter," said IDC mobility tracker program manager Ryan Reith. Will Android continue to take market share from Apple IoS iPhone? Share your comments at the Smartphone and Tablet Emporium.

Qualcomm to Launch New Snapdragon Chip Powered Smartphone and Tablet Products

Qualcomm® introduced Snapdragon™ processors and LTE modems support breath-taking speed, jaw-dropping graphics, ultra-fast connectivity and longer battery life on your mobile device so you can do more of the things you love. any Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ processors and modems have 4G LTE connectivity built right in – and that’s just the beginning.

Some Snapdragon processors and LTE modems even support 4G+ connectivity, enabled by LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation. Carrier Aggregation (part of LTE Advanced), and it’s supported by many Snapdragon processors and LTE modems. Snapdragon processors and LTE modems also support all major 4G, 3G, and 2G cellular technologies, which lets your device automatically connect to the best available signal. That means fast download and upload speeds, quick network response times, access to rich app content and fast speeds with fewer bars. Google, LG, HTC, Kyocera, Motorola, Samsung, Sony and ZTE are among the manufacturers using the Qualcomm Snapdragon chip. 4G+ also means that you can get faster speeds with fewer bars. That’s because 4G+ networks can use up to three connections at the same time. How will these devices stack-up against comparable solutions from Apple and Samsung? Share your comments with the Smartphone and Tablet Zone.

Microsoft Enters the Global Tablet Market With its New Surface Book Devices

In recent years Microsoft has said that its Surface tablets would replace traditional laptops, but now the company has a backup product. The Microsoft Surface Book looks like a MacBook at first glance, but how it works is much more interesting. Just like the Surface, the new Surface Book can be used as a full-powered laptop or as a tablet. You can also snap the display screen to the back of the keyboard so it acts like a clipboard, thanks to a unique mechanical hinge.

Surface devices are  crafted by Microsoft using PixelSense™ displays with image quality that rivals real life, incredibly powerful 6th Gen Intel® Core™ processors, and Surface Pen makes each member of the Surface family into a category redefining device.  Each Surface is built with the power of a fully functioning laptop under the hood.  But the Surface Book isn't just another Surface tablet with a better keyboard. The monitor contains the latest Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, and the keyboard base has a graphics processing unit (GPU) that boosts the laptop's performance. In addition, about three-fourths of the device's battery life is stored in the keyboard. (A fully charged battery can last 12 hours, Microsoft says.)  Will the new Surface tablets enable Microsoft, coming late to the tablet party, to effectively compete against the likes of Apple, Samsung and Dell? Share your comments with the Smartphone and Tablet Emporium.

IDC Reports Decline in Global Tablet Shipments of -7% Year over Year

According to the IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Tablet Tracker worldwide tablet market declined -7.0% year over year in the second quarter of 2015 (2Q15) with shipments totaling 44.7 million units. Marked by little hardware innovation and limited vendor portfolio updates, the market also declined -3.9% compared to the first quarter of 2015.

"Beyond the decline, we're seeing a profound shift in the vendor landscape as the top two vendors, Apple and Samsung, lose share in the overall market," said Jean Philippe Bouchard, IDC Research Director for Tablets. "In the first quarter of the year, Apple and Samsung accounted for 45% of the market and this quarter, with the growth of vendors like LG, Huawei, and E FUN, their combined share dropped to 41%. Each of the growing vendors managed to address available pockets of growth in the market; connected tablets for LG and Huawei, larger tablets and 2-in-1s in the right price bands for E FUN. This trend is also something we see on a wider scale with the top 5 vendors accounting for 54% of the market, down from 58% last quarter. It is worth mentioning that Huawei enters the top 5 ranking for the first time, while E FUN has re-entered the top 10 after more than a year, further indicating that the vendor landscape is indeed evolving." Despite a continued decline in shipments for its iPad product line, Apple maintained its lead in the worldwide tablet market, shipping 10.9 million units in the second quarter. Samsung held its number 2 position in the market with 7.6 million units shipped and 17.0% market share in 2Q15. Lenovo maintained its third position with 2.5 million units and 5.7% share of the market. LG and Huawei ended the quarter in a statistical tie* for fourth place, rounding out the top 5 with each shipping 1.6 million devices. As previously mentioned, share outside the top 5 continued to outgrow the market, representing 46% of total tablet shipments in 2Q15. What are the implications of this report for future tablet shipments? Send your comments to the Smartphone and Tablet Emporium.

Taking a Closer Look at the Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950X

The new Microsoft Lumia 950 (codenamed Talkman) and 950 XL (codenamed Cityman) will be among the first Windows Phones to run Windows 10 mobile. No longer rumours, here's the Microsoft Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL UK release date, price and specs. Also see: Best Windows Phones 2015 and Best smartphones 2015. Microsoft is expected to launch the Lumia 940 and 940 XL but, a bit like the jump from Windows 8 to Windows 10, we instead have the Lumia 950 and 950 XL. These are flagship phones which command flagship prices. Microsoft is aiming them much more at business users than consumers, mainly thanks to all their productivity features which include the abiltiy to use them like a desktop PC with a big screen, keyboard and mouse.

More powerful chips and USB-C mean that Continuum is possible via a Microsoft Display Dock. This optional accessory lets you hook up your phone via USB, and a keyboard, mouse and monitor to the dock (there's HDMI and DisplayPort support). You can even connect a USB flash drive and use the setup just like a Windows 10 PC. You get a desktop that looks just like a Windows 10 PC, and the Start menu is just the same home screen you'd see on your phone screen. But you can launch a universal app, such as Word or PowerPoint and it will scale to look like the desktop version. For more see: How to use Universal apps in Windows 10.  Will the Lumia 950 and 950X be breakthrough products for Microsoft? Share your comments with the Smartphone and Tablet Emporium.

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China Sets iPhone Unit Shipment Records According to Apple and IDC

China drove sales of Apple’s latest iPhone to a record 13m units last weekend, topping last year’s record of 10m, when the manufacturer’s popular phone was held up in China by regulators. Analysts put sales in China at between 3m and 4m units, leaving sales elsewhere essentially flat year-over-year. The company allowed 16 days for its presale period (last year it gave itself 10) and the phone officially went on sale 25 September. It will continue to roll out around the world through October. “Sales for iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus have been phenomenal, blowing past any previous first weekend sales results in Apple’s history,” wrote Apple CEO Tim Cook, in a press release.

 The devices’ success is a testament to the reliability of Apple’s user base, said Ramon Llamas, a mobile market analyst for International Data Corporation (IDC). “The fact that this is an S version and not a whole new body type version speaks to how much clout Apple has with end-users out there,” Llamas said. “People usually wait for the new version, but there’s a sizable number that says: ‘No, we’d rather have the incremental version and move forward.’” The popularity of the devices is also likely to make for greater Apple Watch adoption, Llamas said – or at least to remove a barrier to Apple Watch adoption, since the watch only works with iOS devices. The phone’s major upgrades include what Apple is calling 3D touch, in which the touchscreen responds not solely to touch but to pressure, as well, and the standard camera megapixel and processor improvements. Llamas said he expects to see the “home” button disappear before long. Will the iPhone continue to dominate the Chinese market? Share your comments with the Smartphone and Tablet Zone.


http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/sep/28/iphone-6s-apple-breaks-record-sales-china