Samsung dominates as smartwatch market doubles in size

Samsung dominates as smartwatch market doubles in size

Samsung Galaxy Gear watches made up 70 percent of the smartwatch market as shipments more than doubled in the first three months of 2014.

The market for smartwatches like the Samsung Gear 2 more than doubled in Q1 2014.Sarah Tew/CNET

Half a million Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatches have been dispatched into the world this year, with Samsung hogging 70 percent of the fast-growing market for connected timepieces.

Analysts Strategy Analytics have crunched the numbers for the wrist-worn wearable devices set to be the next big thing in gadgetry, and in the first three months of the year, shipments of smartwatches have grown by a whopping 250 percent.

The figures only cover Q1 2014, so the numbers don't include the new Gear 2 smartwatch, the cheaper Gear 2 Neo watch or the Gear Fit fitness tracker bracelet.


These figures cover devices shipped, not sold -- that is, devices sent to shops rather than actually sold to customers like you and me. They're still significant, though, for two reasons: firstly, shops don't make a habit of ordering stuff they don't think they can sell. And secondly, it shows how Samsung dominates the market for smartwatches.

That dominance may slip as more companies race to wrap smartwatches round your wrist, but with Samsung's deep pockets for advertising, rivals will have their work cut out.

Various companies including Sony already make smartwatches but it seems no-one's buying them. Perhaps that will change when Google's Android Wear software comes along, probably beginning with the LG G Watch. It remains to be seen whether Android Wear will give smartwatch manufacturers like LG and Motorola the boost that original Android gave phone manufacturers like HTC and latterly Samsung.

Other rivals include assorted smaller manufacturers, the best-known of which is Pebble. But that's not to mention the elephant in the room: Apple. It was rumours of an Apple iWatch that kicked off the latest round of interest in smartwatches, but as yet there's been no official word on a wearable device from Jobs' mob.

Analysts have previously predicted that wearable shipments are set to triple this year, and could hit as many as 112 million shipped by 2018.

Google's Big Plan To Change Android May Come In Early 2015

Google's Big Plan To Change Android May Come In Early 2015

Google could launch its rumored Android Silver program in February 2015, according to a new tip from Twitter account @evleaks first spotted by 9to5Google.



The rumor comes just after @evleaks also tweeted that Google is finished releasing Nexus smartphones, adding that there's "a silver lining to this cloud."

This isn't the first time we've heard that Google may axe its Nexus line.

Back in January, Russian tech blogger Eldar Murtazin tweeted that Google will cut its Nexus line in 2015 and replace it with Play Edition smartphones-in other words, handsets from prominent Android smartphone vendors that run the pure version of Android.

Murtazin added that these Play smartphones would be rebranded, which sounds a lot like what we've heard about Android Silver so far.

The program, if previous leaks and rumors prove legitimate, would signify a complete overhaul of Android from Google's perspective. As previous rumors have hinted, Google would kill its Nexus brand in favor of Silver in an effort to establish Android as a more premium player in the smartphone market. The Information reported much of this last month.

Google will reportedly partner with Android smartphone manufacturers to sell their phones under the Silver brand. Google would limit the number of third-party apps on these handsets, hinting that they'll run the on stock Android rather than modified versions of the software.

Google could even pour millions, maybe even $1 billion, into promoting Silver devices through ad campaigns and kiosks at carrier retail locations, The Information reported.

A large part of Android Silver would also be customer support, as a leak from Android Police hinted in early April. Android Silver customers would have 24/7 access to support services through Google Hangouts, and Google may even offer loaner devices through the program for those who have had their handsets lost or stolen.

If the rumors hold up, Android Silver could be Google's attempt at wrestling Android back from Samsung while also positioning it as a top-tier competitor to the iPhone. If Google is planning some radical changes for Android, we may hear some details at its annual developers conference, Google I/O, next month.

Samsung's Gear Range Will Now Support 20 More GALAXY Devices

Samsung's Gear Range Will Now Support 20 More GALAXY Devices

Samsung has announced that its recently launched range of the Gear devices, will now support a more handset and tablets from Samsung. There are about 20 new devices that Samsung will add Gear compatibility to, which we guess will simply increase the number of Gear devices that will be sold for the Korean electronics giant.

The earlier GALAXY Gear smartwatch, did not see good sales, mainly because of its price and then its device compatibility. Samsung seems to have learnt from its previous mistakes and has included a wide range of GALAXY devices which even includes its prodigal son the GALAXY S3.

The devices that will soon receive Gear support for the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo and the Gear Fit are as follows:

Phones:
Samsung GALAXY S5
Samsung GALAXY S4
Samsung GALAXY S4 Zoom
Samsung GALAXY S4 Active
Samsung GALAXY S4 Mini
Samsung GALAXY S3

Phablets:
Samsung GALAXY Note 3
Samsung GALAXY Note 3 Neo
Samsung GALAXY Note 2
Samsung GALAXY Grand 2
Samsung GALAXY Mega 6.3
Samsung GALAXY Mega 5.8

Tablets:
GALAXY Tab4 series
GALAXY TabPRO series
Samsung GALAXY NotePRO 12.2
GALAXY Note 10.1 2014 Edition

All the above devices and some of their Korean counterparts will now get smart notifications and will be able to receive fitness data as well—adding value to older devices. This also means that you will now be able to download the Gear Manager or Gear Fit manager to your GALAXY device and stay fit.

Samsung's 'ChatOn' now available on major mobile platforms

Samsung's 'ChatOn' now available on major mobile platforms

Samsung Electronics launched 'ChatON Version 3.5', a free messaging application, across all major mobile platforms - Android, iOS, Windows and Blackberry - with largest file sharing capacity of 1 gigabyte.

"ChatON Version 3.5 is available on all major operating systems-- Android, Apple's iOS, Windows and Blackberry - from today and for use across different kinds of devices. Users need not pay for it at present," Samsung Director, Media Solutions Centre, South West Asia, Tarun Malik said here.

Indian Actress Nargis Fakhri poses with a Samsung smartphone during the launch of ChatON in New Delhi. Photo: AFP/Prakash Singh

He said the company may think of monetising 'ChatON' in the future depending on company's policy but at present there is no such plan.

"In the latest version, we have added many new features. It will allow users to share a file with a size of up to 1GB , the largest allowed by any instant messaging platform and the same can be send to 1,001 users at one-go," he said.

Samsung did not disclose the number of users ChatON has in India, but said it has 200 million subscribers globally.



Indian Actress Nargis Fakhri poses with a Samsung smartphone during the launch of ChatON in New Delhi. Photo: AFP/Prakash Singh





The company has added a message translation feature that can facilitate people speaking different languages to chat with each other.

"ChatON is also India's first messaging application to feature English-to-Hindi and Hindi-to-English instant translation feature. Version 3.5 has also introduced a local language translation feature for incoming messages, which supports 14 Indian languages," Malik said.

Samsung has integrated SMS mode, video and voice over internet calling feature in the new version as well.



Indian Actress Nargis Fakhri (R) and Samsung's Director of Media Solutions Centre - Southwest Asia Tarun Malik (L) pose during the launch of ChatON in New Delhi.



ChatOn 3.5 also will provide access to content from various genres like news, entertainment, games, health and others through multiple devices and platforms.

2014 GALAXY Note 10.1’s Wi-Fi Variant Finally Gets A Taste Of KitKat

2014 GALAXY Note 10.1’s Wi-Fi Variant Finally Gets A Taste Of KitKat

Brings standard KitKat features and performance improvements to Note 10.1’s Wi-Fi variant.

Updates have begun rolling out from Samsung’s servers for the Wi-Fi variant of the Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1; bringing some added features and some-much needed performance improvements.

SamMobile reports that the new update which has started seeding to Note 10.1 tablets in Columbia brings smoother performance, faster yet stable processing and a the white highlight theme that is prevalent in all KitKat devices. Also included is wireless printing support which comes as standard in all KitKat updates. The lock screen now gets full-screen album art and a new camera shortcut as well. Apart from all of the above mentioned features, the Note 10.1 Wi-Fi also gets enhanced sound controls for specific apps.

Bringing many improvements to the UI, the KitKat update for the GALAXY Note 10.1 Wi-Fi 2014 Edition is must have. As mentioned earlier, the update is seeding for devices in Columbia for now and will make its way to other regions soon. If you have not received the update you can always check into the Settings and then click on About Phone. In there you will find a Software Updates menu which you can click on to manually check for your KitKat update.

The GALAXY Note 10.1 2014 Edition was launched last September along with Samsung’s GALAXY Note 3 flagship. The Note 3 has already received its KitKat update here in India which also contains the above mentioned improvements.

Tencent launches Candy Crush game in China

Tencent launches Candy Crush game in China

Mascots dressed as characters from the mobile video game ''Candy Crush Saga'' pose outside the New York Stock Exchange ahead of the IPO of Mobile game maker King Digital Entertainment Plc March 26, 2014.

CREDIT: REUTERS/BRENDAN MCDERMID


(Reuters) - Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings Ltd will launch a Chinese version of King Digital Entertainment Plc's explosively popular "Candy Crush Saga" game in China, as the UK-based mobile games maker looks to woo new users to support flagging sales in the United States and Europe.

The web-based game, which involves lining up colourful candies, will roll out through Tencent's Mobile QQ and Weixin platforms. Weixin, or WeChat, had 225 million active users in January, according to Beijing-based consultancy iResearch.

"Tencent has the largest mobile social network in China," King Digital Chief Executive Riccardo Zacconi said in a statement, adding that he hoped the tie-up would make Candy Crush "as popular in China as in the rest of the world".

Candy Crush, which brought in about $493 million in the last three months of 2013 alone, has topped sales charts around the world and was one of the most downloaded apps in 2013, according to King Digital's IPO registration filing this year.

The tie-up will also help Tencent, China's biggest listed Internet company, attract users to its wide array of online and mobile offerings, ranging from social media platforms to online finance.

Tencent is locked in a fierce battle for online supremacy in China with IPO-bound rival Alibaba Group Holding.

Tencent has also been making forays into the online game market, snapping up a stake of 28 percent in South Korean mobile gaming firm CJ Games for $500 million in March.

Candy Crush, a free game that makes money by selling virtual items to gamers, has suffered a fall from grace. Its gross bookings have started to dwindle, significant because it accounts for close to 80 percent of King Digital's total.

Shares in King Digital fell as much as 16 percent when they debuted in late March, underscoring investor concern about the company's reliance on the game and wider scepticism over a notoriously fickle and volatile market.

The New York listing was the largest U.S. tech initial public offering since gaming company Zynga Inc went public in 2011.

But with around 93 million daily average users last year, the game could help lure China's more than 500 million mobile internet users to Tencent's platforms. Tencent is more than one-third owned by South African publishers Naspers Ltd.

The collaboration "will combine King's enjoyable mobile gaming experience and Tencent's strong game publishing and operation capabilities in China," Tencent Senior Vice President Steven Ma said in the statement.


"We are looking forward to bringing great moments of fun to Chinese users soon."

Sony Adds New Features To Its Lens-Style Cameras Via A Firmware Update

Sony Adds New Features To Its Lens-Style Cameras Via A Firmware Update

We had reviewed the Sony QX10 and QX100 a couple of months ago and we were quite satisfied with the point and shoot like performance they delivered. What impressed us more is how Sony managed to bring Cybershot performance to almost any mobile phone which had Wi-Fi and NFC built in. This meant that you could take quality photos with these two lenses and share them the way you wanted, straight from your phone. Well, it has been quite some time since Sony released an update for these lenses. Yes, there was a previous update which added manual ISO settings and Full HD video recording the last time. This time around, Sony’s update will give better control while delivering better performance.

The update brings one very important feature related to the hardware shutter button—a half press mode. For those of you who do not own one, both of Sony’s lenses did not come with it. This is sad because most camera phones out there do offer the same functionality out of the box which allows one to focus before shooting.

The second change is related to NFC performance. Thanks to the update, the connection speeds have now been given a boost and your lens will now pair quickly with your NFC-enabled smartphone. Oh yes, you have to install the latest version of Sony’s PlayMemories app to take advantage of the performance gain.

All-in-all two much needed improvements that will improve your QX10 and QX100 shooting experience by a large margin.