Review » Samsung component sales to suffer in second half, exec says

Last week, Samsung announced that it will combine its LCD and semiconductor businesses. The move is expected to conceal poor LCD sales, but the head of the new combined business, Kwon Oh-hyun, has said that he expects the overall performance to falter during the second half of the year. “In the past, the semiconductor market tended to be weaker in the first half and stronger in the second half, but for this year, it is likely to remain flat throughout the latter half,” Kwon said according to The Wall Street Journal. Samsung typically sees 70% of its operating profits and 44% of its revenues from the combined sales of its semiconductor and LCD products. The South Korean firm is currently locked up in multiple legal battles with Apple — the largest buyer of its LCD products — and rumor has it the Cupertino-based firm is considering dropping Samsung as a supplier.

Review » Apple seeks preliminary injunction to halt sale of four Samsung devices

Apple on Friday asked the U.S District Court in San Jose to issue a preliminary injunction that would halt the sale of four Samsung devices in the U.S. In its filing, Apple has asked the court to halt U.S. sales of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1, Infuse 4G, DROID Charge and Nexus S 4G, alleging that the devices copy Apple’s mobile products and make use of its patents and intellectual property without authorization. Specifically, Apple claims the devices collectively infringe on three of its design patents and one utility patent. “The message that Samsung conveys to consumers with its imitative smartphone design is simple: ‘It’s just like an iPhone.’ Samsung’s Galaxy 10.1 tablet sends a similar message: ‘It’s just like an iPad,’” Apple wrote in the filing. ” With the benefit of those messages, Samsung is seeking to take market share by trading off of the popularity of Apple’s products.” The move by Apple is the latest in a series of patent-related complaints Apple and Samsung have filed against each other in the U.S. and abroad over.

Review » Samsung C6712 Star II DUOS

Seeing a large enough customer response to the dual on GSM phones seem to continue to inspire Samsung to spawn similar products. Samsung released the latest version of Duos Samsung C6712 Star II Duos. The design was different from the Samsung C6712 Star II, there was only a little difference. Star Duos II was performed with a capacitive touch screen 3.2-inch WVGA touchscreen, a little bigger than Star II (3 inches). And, to prop up his dual capacity, the battery is crammed with a capacity of 1200 mAh.

Star II Duos Samsung C6712 is not a smartphone. This phone runs the TouchWiz interface 3.0 UI, which is supported by Social Service Hub, which will bring easy access to such social networking portals facebook and twitter.

Uniquely, the Samsung DuoS immerse Star II QuickType T9 input technology for virtual keyboard, which is claimed will allow her messaging access. Another feature is the WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0 and 3.15 MP camera. While the dual on GSM phones are circulating in Eastern Europe, which for the Russian priced around $ 250

Specifications:

GSM-GSM (Quad-Band GSM); Capasitive Touchscreen TFT 262,144 color, 240 × 400 pixels, 3.2 inch, 3.15 MP camera, video (QVGA @ 15fps); sms, mms, email, IM, GPRS 12, EDGE, WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML; 30 MB memory, microSD card slot (up to 16GB), dual SIM card slots and dual on GSM, polyphonic (MP3/WAV), accelerometer sensor, TouchWiz, java MIDP 2.0, 3.0, Wi -Fi 802.11 b / g / n, Facebook, Twitter, GTalk, AIM, Facebook chat, Yahoo IM, player MP3/WAV/WMA/AAC +, H.263/H.264/MP4 player, organizer, document viewer (word, excel, powerpoint, pdf), stereo FM radio (RDS), voice memo, Bluetooth v3.0 (A2DP), microUSB 2.0 port; battery Li-Ion 1200 mAh

http://www.icellphonereviews.com/samsung-c6712-star-ii-duos-spec-price-peview.html

Sprint’s HTC EVO 3D and EVO View 4G tablet now available

The wait is over — Sprint’s brand new EVO 3D Android smartphone and EVO View 4G tablet are now available to all customers. The EVO 3D, which offers a glasses-free 4.3-inch 3D display, 4G WiMAX connectivity, a 1.2GHz processor, and the ability to record 1080p video, is available for $199.99 with a new two-year Sprint contract.

We ran our review earlier this month and called it our “favorite Sprint phone, hands down.” The EVO View 4G, which we also recently reviewed, is powered by a 1.5GHz processor, has a 7-inch display, 4G WiMAX connectivity, and runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread. It’s available for $400 with the Scribe pen for a limited time. Hit the jump for the full press release from Sprint.

Exclusively from Sprint and Available Today: HTC EVO 3D, America’s First 3D-Enabled Smartphone in the United States, and HTC EVO View 4G, with New Digital Pen Technology

Sprint Stores nationwide open at 8 a.m. local time for customers to get a jump-start on purchasing this summer’s hottest devices

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Two of the most highly anticipated wireless devices of 2011, HTC EVO™ 3D and HTC EVO View 4G™, debut today, exclusively from Sprint (NYSE: S). HTC EVO 3D, America’s first glasses-free 3D phone will cost $199.99 and HTC EVO View 4G, the first 4G-enabled tablet in the United States, will cost $399.99. Both prices exclude applicable taxes, and the devices require a new two-year service agreement or eligible upgrade.

“When it comes to gaming on the HTC EVO 3D, I am impressed.”

Sprint Stores nationwide will open at 8 a.m. local time. HTC EVO 3D and HTC EVO View 4G will also be available through Sprint Business Direct Sales, www.sprint.com and Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1), as well as RadioShack and Best Buy stores.

“HTC EVO 3D brings to life a visual experience that comes alive in front of the viewers’ eyes and offers crisp, clear pictures on the large display that showcases yet another new innovation from Sprint; and HTC EVO View 4G combines a wonderful tablet experience with the ability to use the optional HTC Scribe digital pen to take notes on web pages, e-books, PDF documents and more, in an easy and natural way,” said Fared Adib, vice president – Product Development, Sprint. “We’re looking forward to seeing our customers’ reactions to the glasses-free 3D experience when they get their hands on these exciting new devices today.”

Glasses-Free 3D plus Sprint 4G

HTC EVO 3D takes the mobile multimedia experience to a new level, providing the ability to capture and view in 3D and share at 4G speeds while offering consumers the ultimate glasses-free 3D experience. Built with the Android™ 2.3 operating system (Gingerbread) with the latest version of the acclaimed HTC Sense experience, HTC EVO 3D features America’s first 4.3-inch, qHD 3D display and a powerful 1.2GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon® dual-core processor. HTC EVO 3D also features dual 5-megapixel cameras, which can be used to capture high-quality conventional and stunning 3D images and videos, opening up new frontiers for user-generated content, social networking and streaming video.

Respected technology media agree Sprint has done it again with HTC EVO 3D. Here are a few accolades from early reviews:

“A lot of the hype on this phone will be centered on its 3-D capabilities. But take away the 3-D and you still have one of the better smartphones in the market.” – The Wall Street Journal
“When it comes to gaming on the HTC EVO 3D, I am impressed.” – TheGamerAccess
“So, if the way you use your phone and ease of navigation and functions is important, you want the best Mobile UI on the market, and you love glasses-free 3D technology, get the only phone that has them both, the HTC EVO 3D 4G for Sprint.” – VideoGamingPros
“The HTC EVO 3D builds on the original EVO 4G in every way possible. It’s thinner, it feels better in the hand, and it’s way more powerful.” – BGR
“The EVO 3D is more or less the same ass-kicker its 2D predecessor was, but a year later and faster.” – Gizmodo
“There’s no question that the 3D powers are an appealing feature of the EVO 3D. Taking 3D images and 3D video offers that ‘wow’ feeling almost each and every time, and makes even the most mundane subjects somehow more interesting. It helps that the EVO 3D’s camera is top notch. Even if the EVO 3D were a 2D-only shooter, it would be worth recommending for the camera performance alone.” – Phonescoop
“So let’s ignore 3D for a second. The EVO 3D is fast, sleek, up to date, and packs a pretty great qHD display.” – This is My Next

HTC EVO 3D requires activation on one of Sprint’s Everything Data plans plus a required $10 Premium Data add-on charge for smartphones. Sprint’s Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM includes unlimited web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $69.99 per month plus required $10 Premium Data add-on charge – a savings of $39.99 per month versus Verizon’s comparable plan with unlimited talk, text and web or $9.99 per month versus Verizon’s 450-minute plan with unlimited text and web. The Mobile Hotspot option is available for an additional $29.99 per month supporting up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously. (Pricing excludes taxes and surcharges.)

An Unparalleled Tablet Experience

HTC EVO View 4G brings the best of the EVO experience to a tablet design with a 7-inch touchscreen, 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and latest version of HTC Sense. It will launch with an Android 2.3 operating system (Gingerbread) with a future update to Android 3.0 (Honeycomb). As the perfect combination e-reader, media player and portable computing device, HTC EVO View 4G offers a premium entertainment experience with HD-like quality video and a rich web-browsing experience with the ability to browse the web on Flash-enabled sites.

Here are a few nice things industry experts had to say about HTC EVO View 4G:

“I love the form factor and absolutely solid build quality of the View 4G. It’s a top notch tablet, the size is great, and it’s lovely having 4G WiMAX data speeds wherever I go.”2 – BGR
“The EVO View’s 7-inch, 1024 x 600-pixel glossy display is one of the brightest and most vibrant we’ve seen on a tablet. With the brightness turned up, images appeared bright and colorful even at 90-degree viewing angles.” – Laptop Magazine
“The HTC EVO View 4G for Sprint adds a fast 4G connection to the HTC Flyer, an already capable tablet with excellent pen input options.” – PC Magazine
“The HTC EVO View 4G is undeniably fun to use. The interface is fast and responsive.” – CNET

Additionally, for a limited time, any customer who purchases HTC EVO View 4G will receive the HTC Scribe™ digital pen (otherwise sold separately) at no additional charge, while supplies last, with a two-year service agreement – providing an additional savings of $79.99 on their purchase.

Rate plans for the HTC EVO View start as low as $34.99 per month for 3GB of 3G data and unlimited 4G data usage while on the Sprint network, when bundled with an eligible handset plan3. Unlimited text, picture and video messaging are included at no additional charge. Additional plans, including 3G-only plans, are available to meet customers’ needs. Optional add-on services include GPS Navigation for $2.99 per day or $9.99 per month and the Mobile Hotspot option for $29.99 per month supporting up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously. (Pricing excludes taxes and surcharges.)

For an all-star look at HTC EVO View 4G, tune in to the BET Awards at 8 p.m. Eastern Sunday, June 26. Celebrity presenters will forego the traditional envelopes during the awards presentation in favor of HTC EVO View 4G tablets. During the live telecast from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, the presenters will be using Sprint’s latest tablet to announce the winners.

Sprint was unbeaten among major wireless carriers for customer satisfaction according to results from the 2011 American Customer Satisfaction Index. In addition to tying for first place among wireless carriers, Sprint was also the number one most improved company in customer satisfaction, across all industries, over the last three years, according to the survey.

As the first national wireless carrier to test, launch and market 4G technology, Sprint made history by launching 4G in Baltimore in September 2008. Sprint currently offers 4G service in 71 markets in 28 states. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4G.

Review » Card.io Turns Your Smartphone Camera into a Mobile Payment Tool

Not liking how you would have to purchase a separate device to scan that credit card for your mobile payments? Does typing all the credit card information onto the phone too time consuming for you? Card.io has heard you! This SDK utilizes the smartphone cameras to accept credit cards. All you have to do is to pull out the credit card, get the Card.io running (which would automatically turns on the phone’s camera), out pop a little green rectangle, frame the card into it, and snap a photo.

The credit card info is then processed by a third-party merchant. The details are then deleted from the phone once transaction is complete. The Card.io for iOS is now available for developers who are interested in using it for their apps. An Android version of the kit will be released soon after.

Source: PC Mag

Review » Google Wallet introduced, and PayPal is upset

Google has recently announced their new mobile payment system with Google Wallet. It is a free Android Android App that will arrive sometime this summer that will allow users to make payments for products and/or services.

Google Wallet, which is open platform software, was officially unveiled at a massive event a few days ago. This deal has been in the works for a while, and a lot of big companies like MasterCard, Citi, Sprint, and First Data have invested in it. In order to encourage more growth an usage of this unique program, Google Wallet is going to encourage a lot of deals like discounts, promotions, loyalty rewards, and the like.

It sounds like a terrific deal for consumers, but you know who isn’t happy about it? PayPal. Yeah, they are suing Google, accusing Google Wallet’s project leader, Osama Bedier, of “feeding confidential PayPal information to Google so that it can develop the NFC mobile payment system”.

Apparently, PayPal and Google were trying to make a deal so that users could pay the Android Market via PayPal. However, it Google has their own mobile payment system, that seems like that deal is off. Something tells me that we are going to hear a lot about this in the near and far future.

However, if you need some serious open payment payment system, you’ll need to wait. I wish I had a more exact date.

http://www.ubergizmo.com/2011/05/ebay-and-paypal-to-sue-google-with-google-wallet-launch/

Review » ASUS shows off Padfone at Computex

It is a good time to be a tablet or smartphone right now, so I don’t see any reason why in the world someone couldn’t combine them. It looks like ASUS is doing that with the Padfone, and they showed it off at Computex Taipai in Taiwan.

As you can see, the Padfone tablet opens up in the back so the Padfone smartphone can nestle safely in the back. Not much else is known about this, but the smartphone should have a 3G connection.

Another feature is that the smartphone can charge itself inside the bigger battery in the tablet. Of course, I think we all know what we really want, which is data sync between the smartphone and the tablet.

After all, why have all that data in so many dang places? There is no point in doing that whole “oh, where did I put that document” game. Just put it all in one place by plugging the phone into the tablet, and you have your data in both places.

The ASUS Padfone is planned on being out some time around the holidays. I believe that the operating system is going to be Android, but who knows who the carrier is going to be.


http://www.crunchgear.com/2011/05/30/padfone-asus-officially-announces-its-android-tabletphone-combo-videos/

REVIEW >> Nokia C2-03 announced, ushers in new age for S40 phones

There is a new Series 40-powered feature phone from Nokia known as the Nokia C2-03, where it will merge Dual-SIM functionality with Touch and Type technology. Carrying a couple of SIM cards is getting more and more common these days, but what you need to do is make sure your phone is able to handle more than one SIM card slot so that both numbers can be reached at any one time, and the Nokia C2-03 intends to fulfil that role – with aplomb, I might add.

What makes the Nokia C2-03 so special? Well, for starters this is Nokia’s third Touch and Type phone and will be the first of its kind that features Dual-SIM. Normally, Dual-SIM phones will need to be switched off while getting the battery removed, in order for the SIM card to be inserted. This time around, the Nokia C2-03 will feature Easy Swap that lets you open the slot on the side of the phone, followed by inserting the new SIM card without having to reboot it at all.

Just in case you happen to have more than a couple of SIM cards, the Nokia C2-03 is more than capable of remembering the settings for up to five separate cards. The moment you have personalized your SIM (through naming it and adjusting its calling settings), you need not have to do so ever again. Measuring a mere 103mm x 51.4mm x 17mm, it will tip the scales at 118 grams. With a standby time of up to 400 hours and a talk time of up to five hours, you will get a display of up to 240 x 320 resolution at 65K colors.

Apart from the above mentioned, what makes the Nokia C2-03 special? It will be one of the few feature phones out there that have Nokia Maps, letting you get to a particularly unfamiliar destination without incurring expensive data charges, and best of all is, there is no need to throw in a GPS chip inside the phone since it will rely on triangulation to get the job done – even delivering turn-by-turn navigation.

The Nokia C2-03 will arrive in India, China, South East Asia Pacific, and Eurasia sometime in Q3 this year, where it will cost €77 prior to taxes and subsidies.