News tagged ‘smartphone’
iOS and Android Account for 96.3% Smartphone Market Share in Q4 2014
According to the latest report from a research firm called IDC, the combined smartphone market share of iOS and Android accounted for 96.3% in the fourth quarter. Apple’s share managed to reach 19.7% and the share of Android equalled to 76.6%. Just for you to compare: n the last quarter of 2013, Apple’s iOS grabbed 17.5% of the smartphone market and Google’s Android occupied 78.2%. As we see, iOS products become more and more popular, making users change their Android devices to iPhones. The guys from Cupertino managed to sell as many as 74.5 million iPhone units in the fourth quarter. The shipments of all Android smartphones combined accounted for 289.1 million units.
Apple Releases Second iOS 8.3 Beta to Developers
Apart from releasing the second beta of OS X Yosemite 10.10.3, the guys from Cupertino have recently seeded the second beta of iOS 8.3 with Xcode 6.3 beta 2 to developers. The release of this version of Apple’s mobile operating system comes about two weeks after the release of the very first iOS 8.3 beta, which contained several new features, namely, a brand new emoji picker, the support of wireless CarPlay connectivity, Google’s two-step verification as well as Apple Pay support of UnionPay in China.
New iPhone 6C Concept Created by 3DFuture [Images]
Almost every week, a new rumor about Apple’s next-generation iPhone appears on the Internet. Some insiders believe this will be a smartphone very similar to the existing iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus. There are also such people, who don’t wait till Apple announces a new smartphone. They just imagine, how the new handset may look like and create their own concepts.
Below you may take a look at the new concept of the device called the “iPhone 6c”, which features a colorful plastic back panel reminiscent of the one Apple’s iPhone 5c had. The concept was created by 3DFuture and I must admit it looks impressive.
Apple to Invest €1.7 Billion in New Data Centers in Europe
Apple has once again proved that it is doing its best to change this world. This time not only in terms of inventing new computers, tablets and smartphones, but in terms of saving nature. According to what Tim Cook has announced today, the guys from Cupertino are currently planning to invest €1.7 Billion (or about $1.93 billion) in the development of new data centers, which will be powered fully by the electricity produced using renewable sources. These data centers will be reportedly located in County Galway, Ireland and central Jutland in Denmark. This data centers are expected to power Apple services used by European customers.
Samsung to Acquire LoopPay Soon - Official
According to reliable insiders, Apple’s South Korean rival Samsung has recently announced its plans to purchase LoopPay, a firm behind the technology, which may become a rival of Apple Pay payments service. Back in December, it was reported that two firms had been in talks over a partnership. Well, the talks turned out to be successful and LoopPay will soon become a part of the South Korean tech giant, responsible for the development of secure mobile payments system.
Steve Wozniak Talks About Apple Watch and Other Interesting Things
A new interesting video has been recently uploaded to YouTube. This time it’s a BBC News interview with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, who tells us about the Apple Watch, his own watch, addiction to smartphones and the upcoming Steve Jobs movie. The short interview with a BBC journalist Mark Lobel is available below, so you can take a look at it right now.
Apple Finally Stops Signing iOS 8.1.2
I have got some bad news for all the users of jailbroken iPhone, iPad and compatible iPod touch models. The guys from Cupertino have recently stopped signing iOS 8.1.2. What this means is that it is now impossible to restore your device to this version of iOS without losing jailbreak. That is why I suggest that you should be very careful and make sure you do not update your smartphone, tablet or portable media player to the latest version of iOS.
iPhone 6s to Feature 8-Megapixel Camera - Analyst
According to what Taipei-based analyst Jeff Pu has recently written, Apple will equip its next-generation iPhone with the same 8-megapixel rear camera, which is currently used in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Unlike all the other smartphone manufacturers on the market, the guys from Cupertino have decided not to use photo sensors with increased megapixel count. However, Apple may improve the camera by adding new lenses or other hardware and software enhancements.
Here's How to Destroy Your iPhone 6 Using Molten Aluminum [Video]
A new video showing a rather creative way to destroy a brand new iPhone 6 has recently appeared on the Internet. Unlike other clips found on YouTube showing the smartphone smashed by a hammer, or boiled in Coca-Cola, or shot with a rifle, this one gives us a closer look at what happens when you pour molten aluminum over the device. The video is available below, so you may take a look at it right now.
Next-Gen iPhones to Be Equipped with New Type of Corning Glass?
A firm called Corning, which produces Gorilla Glass for modern smartphones and tablets including those manufactured by Apple, has recently announced a new type of glass, which will be used in the smartphones and wearable devices later this year. This glass is reportedly called “Project Phire” and it can boast of the scratch resistance similar to the one sapphire has, but is far better than this material in terms of drop performance. It is currently unclear what smartphones will get the new glass, however, I’m almost certain that these will be Apple’s iPhones and other flagships from top vendors.
iOS Market Share Is Higher Than Android Market Share in America
For the first time since 2012, iOS market share in the USA has beaten the market share of Google’s Android, Kantar Worldpanel ComTech reporters write. Moreover, they also claim that the share of Apple’s mobile operating system has grown in Europe and China as well. The reason for such an impressive result is the immense popularity of the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus among the users.
Average Selling Price of the iPhone Is $687, Price of Android Devices - $254
According to what reliable insiders write, the average selling price of the iPhone grew to enormous $687 last quarter. Well, that is not strange, especially if to keep in mind that Apple has always been making the most luxurious and the most expensive handsets in the world. What is interesting and a bit shocking is the fact that the average price of the Android smartphone is $254. As it turns out, Apple’s smartphones are 2.7 times more expensive than those with Android OS on board.
Samsung Profits Continue to Fall Steadily
While Apple’s profits continue to grow, its main market rival keeps losing its share, customers and money. According to the most recent earnings report published by Samsung earlier this week, the company saw a 36% decrease in profits in Q4 of 2014 in comparison with the year-ago result. Moreover, Samsung’s mobile division saw even greater decline - 64%. The net profit in the latest quarter accounted for 5.29 trillion won (about $4.84 billion).
Foxconn to Reduce Number of Employees at Its Factories
Despite the fact that this year Foxconn may assemble a record-breaking number of iPhones, it looks like the main Apple supplier is currently planning to reduce the number of employees working at its factories. However, as noted by the Reuters reporters, this will be people working on the production of non-Apple gadgets.
Top 10 Stories of the Week
It is Sunday today, that's why I've made up a list of the most interesting posts of the last seven days. This week was full of events worth your attention, so make sure you check out all of them.