Christmas Shopping Begins at the New Smartphone and Tablet Emporium

The Smartphone and Tablet Emporium offers a wide variety of Apple, Samsung, LG, Motorola, Google and HTC smartphone and Apple, Dell, Sony, HP and Samsung tablet to individuals and small businesses worldwide.  While we commit to keep any posts which are actually "commercials" to an absolute minimum we greatly value your feedback on this one-time basis.

Our goal is provide top quality products We are just launching this new eCommerce store and encourage all of our readers to visit and send us your feedback on which additional security products will best suit your needs. If you are shopping for a new Apple iPhone 6S or 6S Plus, Samsnung Galaxy 56 Edge+ or Samsung Note 5 or perhaps a new tablet from Microsoft, we have them all and much more. Visit the Smartphone and Computer Emporium  at: http://smartphonetabletemporium.com/

Smartphone Shipment Projections for 2016

Shipments for smartphones are expected to reach over 1.7 billion by 2018, a tenfold increase from the amount of shipments in 2009.

This means that by 2017, an estimated 34 percent of the world’s population will have a smartphone, a figure that was at less than 10% in 2011. This upturn in the smartphone market has developed it into a multi-billion dollar industry with revenue projected to top 272 billion U.S. dollars in 2015. The global success of this industry can be attributed to the growing popularity of several key operating systems, namely Android and iOS. By the end of 2013, these two companies held over 90 percent of the global smartphone market share, with Android alone controlling almost 80 percent. This amounted to 226.1 million Android units and 51 million iOS units being shipped in the final quarter of CY2013.  The domination in the market from Android looks set to continue with the shipment of Android phones in 2016 expected to hit around 680 million units.  However, despite both Apple and Android being based in the U.S., it is the Chinese smartphone industry that looks set to dominate the market in the coming years. Forecasts predict that China will control just under a third of the smartphone market in 2017, in comparison to the US estimated market share of 12.1 percent. Share your views on the outlook for 2016 by sending a comment to the Smartphone and Tablet Zone.

Tablet Introductions - A Round-up of New Apple, Microsoft, Samsung and Google Devices

There have been many tablet introductions this year so here is a round-up of the most popular devices. he iPad Pro is now available to buy direct from Apple. In the US the Apple tablet starts at $799, which gets you 32GB of storage. . "The dedicated home screen for videos showcases various content services all in one place, making it easy and convenient for people to enjoy the latest entertainment," says Samsung. And the Galaxy View's 5,700mAh battery should offer a full 8 hours of video playback. A 2.1Mp front-facing webcam lets the Galaxy View record full-HD footage. It can also stream video at full-HD 1080p, and play back audio formats including MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, WMA, AMR, AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI and XMF. So which of these new tablet offers the best functionality and value? Share your comments wit the Smartphone and Tablet Zone.

You can pre-order it now from Microsoft's store.  The Surface Pro 4 will in the UK ship from tomorrow (12 November). However, if you want a Core i7 model you'll have to wait until December 10. The Pro 3 cost is a little more expensive. The Surface Pro 3 is still available at a lower price. Google's major Android OS upgrades haven't always come annually, but in May 2015 Google VP of engineering Hiroshi Lockheimer told Fast Company that "As we've grown as a platform, we realize that to some extent predictability is important for the whole industry: developers, manufacturers, operators, and consumers, frankly. So we've landed with sort of a yearly cadence of big releases, so, for instance, one year we release J, the next year we release K, and then the year after that L, and then this year we'll launch M, and so you can predict what will happen next year.  First teased during its Gear 2 announcement at IFA, the Galaxy View is a large-screen Android 5.1 Lollipop tablet, with a 18.4in screen, and dimensions measuring 17.79x10.86x0.47in. This is a full-HD touchscreen display, with the interface, powerful stereo speakers and battery primed for media consumption. However, if you pay more at $949 then this jumps to 128GB.There's one more model available if you want mobile data connectivity – the iPad Pro with 128GB of storage and 4G LTE support will cost $1,079. Microsoft's Surface Pro 4 is available in various models. So which new tablet offers the best functionality and value? Send your comments to the Smartphone and Tablet Zone.

Choosing a Smartphone OS Which Meets Your Holistic Needs

When it comes to choosing a smartphone consumers and businesses need to carefully consider which OS is most compatible with their overall needs. Apple, meanwhile, increased its global market share from 12.2 percent to 14.6 percent with sales of 48 million iPhones.

"Apple recorded strong iPhone replacements in both emerging and mature markets — and particularly in China," Gartner said. "Total iPhone sales in China grew 68 percent to 11.9 million units." Google enthusiasts might want to turn to Android, given that Google apps are deeply integrated into the OS.  Google Now is an amazing personalized and location-based app that learns your search habits and serves up the right results at the right time. Another benefit to the Android OS is the availability of apps—there are more than a million of them in the Google Playstore. With Android, you have a customizable Home screen and the ability to add widgets, like a fun weather or clock widget. Keep as many or as few apps as you want on your Home screen, and you can even create folders to house multiple apps for easy access and organization. Microsoft enthusiasts may want to go with a Windows Phone. With the familiarity of Microsoft products and services—including Microsoft Office and Xbox apps—there’s a smaller learning curve and more comfort in a familiar ecosystem. With bright colors, sharp visuals and a smooth user interface, the Windows Phone operating system is an ideal move for people who are looking to purchase their first smartphone. Share your comments on mobile operating systems here at the Smartphone and Tablet Zone.

The Best Smartphone Apps for 2015 and Most Desired New Apps for 2016

Regardless which smartphone you own or are choosing to buy, the apps that are available for it can have an enormous influence on whether you're ultimately happy with your phone. For every app store across every phone and mobile operating system, there are plenty of excellent apps that we recommend people download.

And among that superb selection, there's always a remarkable sub-selection of apps that are totally free. A list of the top 100 free apps for your phone covers four of the most popular operating systems: Apple's iOS (iPhone), Google's Android, Research in Motion's BlackBerry OS, and Microsoft's Windows Phone 7. While the iPhone has the lion's share of the market, with more apps in its app store than any other competitor, phone running Google's Android are catching up. BlackBerry doesn't make up quite as large a percentage of the mobile market as it used to, but anyone still loyal to the once-business-focused suite of phones and operating system will testify that some great, free apps are still being supported (although you may have to visit several different marketplaces, from the official BlackBerry App World to indie store GetJar, or even the developer's own website before finding them). Windows Phone 7—an impressive successor to the rather awful Windows Mobile platform—is estimated to have around 25,000 apps, which sounds like a big number, though it’s a scant five percent of the more than 500,000 apps in Apple's App Store. Which apps have been most valuable to you in 2015? And furthermore, which apps would you like to see come to market in 2016? Send your comments to the Smartphone and Tablet Zone.

Tablerts: Comparing the Apple iPad Pro vs. the Samsung Galaxy View

The new Apple iPad Pro is the biggest and fastest Apple tablet to date. The pressure-sensitive Pencil stylus offers superior sketching and drawing, and the Pro's gorgeous giant screen and quad speakers are ideal for split-screen apps, multitasking and watching movies. 

At launch, very few apps are currently optimized to take advantage of the iPad Pro's full potential. Its large size makes it less portable than other iPads. Once you've paid for the Pencil and keyboard peripherals, the iPad Pro costs as much as a good laptop, but lacks its flexibility. The iPad Pro is a dream machine for graphic designers and media mavens, but this elegant tablet needs more optimized apps and accessories before it can fully achieve laptop-killer status. The Samsung Galaxy View has a big, bright screen with a useful built-in stand and handle for carrying around. Its homepage aggregates popular streaming services to make watching video easy. Its plastic kickstand feels cheap and slaps violently into the chassis when changing the angle. There are no ports for connecting devices like game consoles. If the high price doesn't scare you off, the Samsung Galaxy View's large size and practical interface makes for a good alternative to a TV, if not a replacement. Which tablet - Apple, Samsung or other - do you believe is the best device in its class? Share your comments with the Smartphone and Tablet Zone. 

Will Tablets Such as the Apple iPad Pro Replace Laptops ... Near or Long Term?

Replacing replacement is just one of many use for tablets from Apple, Samsung, Dell and other top vendors. They have the required processing power and a stunning screen, but as a serious work device, it's not there yet. Currently laptops appear it's a better fit for more casual laptop users.

But that does not rule out the possibility of bona fide laptops "replacement" in the years to come. When you're in the zone on a laptop, your arms barely move and your fingers fly across the keyboard and trackpad, executing familiar shortcuts and movements. On the iPad Pro, you're constantly pausing to reach up. It sounds minor, and maybe it will become second nature over time, but it's a distracting and unfortunate design. Developers love to make iOS and Android apps. Unfortunately, they're usually lightweight versions of popular professional software. Adobe has multiple Photoshop iOS apps. They're great for someone dabbling in photography, but they won't work for professional photographers. Same goes for other industries. Really great mobile versions are just not good enough to use full time for work. The latest versions of iOS and Android have made huge strides in productivity, and the iPad Pro has some multitasking options. If you want to run two apps side by side or watch a video while you work, then the iPad Pro is a good option . But for most, these features aren't enough to mimic the laptop experience.What does the future hold? Share your predictions with the Smartphone and Tablet Zone.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Smartphone - On the Horizon (Transforming Vision into Reality)

Although the Samsung Galaxy S6 flagship just recently launched, there are already reports beginning to pop up about its successor: the Samsung Galaxy S7.    Samsung tends to keep its phone-naming conventions pretty steady, and we're also pretty sure we know when the Galaxy S7 will release (again, based on history/Samsung's pattern of releasing flagship smartphones). S7 feature? What does it look like? What kind of specs does it have? As we learn more about Samsung's next phone, we will update this piece. This is your go-to place for finding the latest answers to all your Galaxy S7-related questions The Galaxy S6 launched at MWC 2015, while the Galaxy S5 launched at MWC 2014. We therefore think the Galaxy S7 will release during MWC 2016 in February 2016. If that happens, you can then expect the phone to hit store shelves five weeks later, toward late March or early April. A source from Twitter claimed Samsung’s plans do coincide with Mobile World Congress 2016, scheduled to run from 22 February to 25 February, with the an event set for 21 February.  Some of the expected specifications include up to 128 GB memory, 4 GM RAM and 64-bit processor. What are your expects for Samsung's next generation smartphone? Share your comments with the Smartphone and Tablet Zone.

Apple iPhone - Google Maps App Upgrade (New Navigation Features)

Google will soon be bringing a major new feature to its Maps app for iOS: full offline support. Google Maps has some utility already when used offline, but an upcoming update will make it much more robust when used without Internet access. For example, before you could see an area on Google Maps offline but not do much else with it.
Coming soon, Google will enable features including navigation and business information lookup without requiring an active Internet connection.Google Maps has learned to show and tell: the app will now use spoken traffic directions when you are about to hit a slowdown ahead.Before you begin your trip, it will give you a verbal summary of traffic conditions. While you're moving, Google Maps will help you avoid tunnels that are overcrowded and highway routes with accidents. The app will speak to you mid-journey to notify you of any incidents that will lengthen your journey, and it will give you the option to reroute. Before you begin your trip, it will give you a verbal summary of traffic conditions.  Reminiscent of its secondary community-based navigation app, Waze, Google will heavily integrate real-time information with explanations for what is causing the delays in Maps so drivers will be able to avoid slowdowns more seamlessly than before. How beneficial will this Maps upgrade be to drivers worldwide? Send your comments with the Smartphone and Tablet Zone.

Blackberry Launches its New Priv Smartphone - Does it Matter?

BlackBerry lags Apple and the army of companies that make phones which run on Google's  Android mobile operating system in global smartphone market share. Microsoft -- thanks to its Windows Phone OS -- is ahead of BlackBerry too.
The stock is down more than 25% so far in 2015 and nearly 90% in the past five years! So the pressure is on BlackBerry to launch a phone that consumers might actually want. CEO John Chen hinted in several interviews last month that BlackBerry may stop making phones if it can't sell 5 million of them a year. That's the level he thinks is necessary for the hardware business to be profitable. So BlackBerry has done something that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago -- it's selling a phone that runs on another operating system. The Priv is an Android phone. Yes, it still has a slide-out keyboard with actual buttons for the CrackBerry addicts. But you can use a touchscreen too. And because it runs on Android, Priv owners will have access to many more apps than they would on a typical BlackBerry phone.Blackberry undoubtedly faces a major uphill challenge to remain a viable phone (smartphone) vendor. Will it succeed? Share your comments with the Smartphone and Tablet Zone.

Future Smartphone Innovation and Features - What's Lies Ahead?

In the last three months consumer and business worldwide have seen the introduction of the Apple iPhone 6S, 6S Plus, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Note 5. Six key areas of innovation are likely to come to market over the next 3-5 years, perhaps sooner. 

They include: Flexible Screens, Built-In Projectors, Virtual and Augmented Reality (VAR), Seamless Voice Control, and 3D Screens and Holograms. There is significant flow of R&D and venture capital into these design areas. Thus, a next generation of smartphones which will come to market will offer greatly expanded functionality than the devices we know today. Which innovations would you like to see in future smartphone releases? Share your thoughts with the Smartphone and Tablet Zone. As with any technology and product segment vendors large and small are planning new features to address both known and unrecognized needs.

Mobile Application Development Methodologies - The New MobileSmith Method

App developers around the world use differing methodologies for creating and testing their software for IOS and Android platforms. MobileSmith has recently published a six-step process for app development including: 1) Design and Build Native Apps in AppCanvas, 2) Build Apps for iPad and Smartphones Within the Same Project, 3) Streamlined App Versioning in your Enterprise App Store, 4) Manage App Development Projects Easily in AppOffice™, 5) Platform Extensions: Include Existing Native or HTML5 Code, and 6) Seamlessly Integrate Apps with the Data Sources.

Data streaming is set up directly between your backend system server and the mobile devices, bypassing the MobileSmith server. MobileSmith provides a simple set of instructions to help you deliver your data in the XML format the apps require.  When you assemble your app, the AppBlock intended to interface with your system is configured with a URL that pulls that data from the backend server. Your AppBlock becomes “RSS on steroids” as data is pulled directly into the mobile device and displayed in the app UI according to the data mapping rules you define. MobileSmith can provide secure and reliable SOAP and REST connectors to your web-based or legacy systems. Our modular adapters will utilize your existing APIs to quickly access and translate your data into the XML format used by our platform. You can configure the MobileSmith CMS to automatically refresh your data at various intervals (daily, weekly, etc.) or you can refresh your content on-demand in MobileSmith AppOffice™ (your cloud-based CMS). Which methodology offers the most effective means for app design and testing? Share your comments with the Smartphone and Tablet Zone.

comScore: U.S. Smartphone Subscriber Market Share for July 2015 - Apple Gains Share

comScore released data from comScore MobiLens and Mobile Metrix, reporting key trends in the U.S. smartphone industry for July 2015.

Apple ranked as the top smartphone manufacturer with 44.2 percent OEM market share, while Google Android led as the #1 smartphone platform with 51.4 percent platform market share. Facebook ranked as the top individual smartphone app. 191.4 million people in the U.S. owned smartphones (77.1 percent mobile market penetration) during the three months ending in July. Apple ranked as the top OEM with 44.2 percent of U.S. smartphone subscribers (up 1.1 percentage points from April). Samsung ranked second with 27.3 percent market share, followed by LG with 8.7 percent (up 0.3 percentage points), Motorola with 4.9 percent and HTC with 3.5 percent. Can Apple continue to increase its market share growth over Samsung, LG and Motorola  in 2016? Share your comments with the Smartphone and Tablet Zone. Data source: comScore.

Google's NexGen Android Release - Naming Scheme - Does it Matter?

Google's major Android OS upgrades haven't always come annually, but in May 2015 Google VP of engineering Hiroshi Lockheimer told Fast Company that "As we've grown as a platform, we realize that to some extent predictability is important for the whole industry: developers, manufacturers, operators, and consumers, frankly.

So we've landed with sort of a yearly cadence of big releases, so, for instance, one year we release J, the next year we release K, and then the year after that L, and then this year we'll launch M, and so you can predict what will happen next year. You can expect Android O in 2017, Android P in 2018, Android Q - that's going to be difficult to name - in 2019 and so forth.
With the exception of KitKat, the naming schemes of all previous Android OS updates have been food stuffs rather than brands. But this naming scheme may create a problem for Android N. How many food stuffs can you think of that begin with N? For now, our money is on Android 7.0 Nectar. It's sweet, it begins with an N, and it's already the stuff of goodness as the name of a UK-based loyalty scheme for shoppers of Sainsbury's, eBay, Argos, BP and more. But that's just our guess. Some other suggestions include Android Nacho, Android Nougat (Android Nugget anyone?), Android Neopolitan and Android Nuts (probably a no-go). And if Google does once again go down the branded route, we love Android Nutella and Android Nerds. How important is the branding of Google's next generation Android and related products? Share your comments with the Smartphone and Tablet Zone. Interview notes care/of Fast Company.