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AfterDawn: News

It's official: Nokia is the only Windows Phone maker that anyone cares about

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 28 Nov 2013 9:18

It's official: Nokia is the only Windows Phone maker that anyone cares about According to the latest figures from AdDuplex, Windows Phone is now dominated by just one manufacturer, Nokia.

The Finnish smartphone maker (soon to be part of Microsoft) controls 90 percent share of the OS, followed by HTC at 7 percent and everyone else at a measly 3 percent.

As far as devices go, the cheap but excellent Lumia 520 continues to take share, now at 26.5 percent share, far and away the most for an individual model. The more powerful (and larger) Nokia Lumia 920 and 620 follow with 8.8 and 8.6 percent share, respectively. The Nokia 521 (which is the same device as the 520 but optimized for T-Mobile in the US) has another 3.5 percent share, effectively giving the Lumia 520 a massive 30 percent share of current Windows Phones.

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AfterDawn: News

CyanogenMod Installer app taken down from the Google Play Store

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 28 Nov 2013 9:02

CyanogenMod Installer app taken down from the Google Play Store Cyanogen Inc. has confirmed that their CyanogenMod Installer application, which we reviewed here, has been removed from the Google Play Store.

Reads the post:

Today, we were contacted by the Google Play Support team to say that our CyanogenMod Installer application is in violation of Google Play's developer terms.

They advised us to voluntarily remove the application, or they would be forced to remove it administratively. We have complied with their wishes while we wait for a more favorable resolution.

To those unfamiliar with the application, it has a single function – to guide users to enable "ADB", a built in development and debugging tool, and then navigates the user to the desktop installer. The desktop application then performs the installation of the CyanogenMod on their Android device.

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AfterDawn: News

SSD maker OCZ declares bankruptcy, has offer from Toshiba for assets

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 27 Nov 2013 9:48

SSD maker OCZ declares bankruptcy, has offer from Toshiba for assets SSD hard drive maker OCZ Technology Group has announced bankruptcy, also confirming it has received an offer from Toshiba to buy the company's remaining assets.

OCZ had a market value of $43 million before the news but the company's stock fell 75 percent, leaving it with a capitalization of just $11 million.

The company will file its official bankruptcy after completing the asset purchase agreement with Toshiba and Hercules Technology Growth Capital Inc, one of their current lenders. If the deal falls apart, the company would immediately file for bankruptcy and liquidate.

OCZ has been hit with a shortage of NAND flash memory storage chips for the last year, and has not had a full-year profit in over five years.

Majors players in the industry such as Seagate, Western Digital and Micron had long been rumored to be acquirers for the struggling SSD maker, but it seems Japan's largest chipmaker, Toshiba, stepped in.




AfterDawn: News

Intel looking to sell its DOA Internet TV service for $500 million

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 26 Nov 2013 11:36

Intel looking to sell its DOA Internet TV service for $500 million Intel, which has been working on their OnCue Internet TV platform for two years, is looking to sell the project for $500 million and to complete the deal before the end of the year.

The service, which has been delayed three times as Intel struggles to close deals with content providers, could be sold in part to Verizon Communications.

In 2011, Intel began its venture into Web TV by hiring Erik Huggers, who previously led web video for the BBC. Huggers was put in charge of creating an Intel-built set-top box and an Intel-branded pay TV service that could be accessed via desktops, the set-top or other Internet-connected devices.

As expected, Intel had issues gaining content for the "OnCue" service due to its lack of connections in the industry, and a mid-July 2013 launch was pushed back indefinitely.

Intel then began looking for strategic partnerships to help distribute OnCue, talking with Netflix and Amazon to no avail. Verizon, on the other hand, already offers pay TV via FiOS and also offer Redbox Instant, a movie rental service.




AfterDawn: News

Microsoft making tiny profit on Xbox One hardware sales

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 26 Nov 2013 10:04

Microsoft making tiny profit on Xbox One hardware sales According to research firm IHS, Microsoft, just like its rival Sony and its Playstation 4, is making a very tiny profit on each unit sold of the new Xbox One.

The Xbox One, which costs $499 to consumers, costs $471 to build, not including R&D and advertising costs which could certainly add up to $20 or more per unit.

Sony, which sells its PS4 for $399, spends $381 to build the console.

Microsoft's added costs come mainly via the Kinect motion control sensor, which costs $75 and the AMD CPU/GPU at $110.

Both console makers lost significant money for their PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles, respectively, with Sony losing as much as $300 per unit for over a year. While they may not be making more than a few pennies this time around, the figures certainly seem better than a loss.




AfterDawn: News

Low-cost but powerful Moto G reaches the U.S. much earlier than expected

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 26 Nov 2013 9:35

Low-cost but powerful Moto G reaches the U.S. much earlier than expected Motorola Mobility has made the new Moto G available in the U.S. a lot earlier than expected, with pre-orders now being taken directly at Motorola.com.

The unlocked global GSM-based phone sells for just $179 without contract but still packs a punch, especially at that price. The change in plans is significant as CEO Dennis Woodside had originally planned a January launch for the device.

For your money, you get a 4.5-inch 720p LCD TFT display, a quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB internal storage and dual cameras, 1.3MP/5MP. On the design side, the Moto G looks just like its more powerful and expensive brother, the Moto X with some minor cosmetic differences.

You cannot use the Moto Maker customization site for the Moto G, but the backplate is removable and blue, teal, red, yellow, purple, white, and black covers are available at launch. Additionally, there are rugged versions and flip-style portfolio covers. Although you can take off the cover, the battery is non-removable.

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AfterDawn: News

Petition to turn Winamp into open-source software hits 25,000 signatures

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 26 Nov 2013 9:01

Petition to turn Winamp into open-source software hits 25,000 signatures Our most read article of the past week was the news that AOL had announced the shutdown of popular cross-platform media player Winamp.

Despite rumors that Microsoft may come to save the day, one fan took matters into his own hands, starting a petition on Change.org the day of the announcement begging AOL to make the software open-source rather than shutting it down for good.

The petition has now reached 27,000 signatures, with 35,000 being the necessary minimum for "change."

Reads the page:

After more than 15 years and millions of users worldwide, Winamp Media Player will cease forever as of 20th Dec 2013.

Winamp is the best media player ever built. If there were other alternatives that would be fine. But there is nothing that can do what Winamp can do. It is the most versatile media player on earth.

It can't be left to die. It must live on.

If AOL allows it to go open source it WILL live on forever and be in the hands of people who love it and use it every day.

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AfterDawn: News

Galaxy S5 to feature 2600x1440 display?

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 26 Nov 2013 8:32

Galaxy S5 to feature 2600x1440 display? After hinting during their annual Analyst Day that an upcoming device would feature 560 ppi, reports are claiming that device will be the upcoming flagship Galaxy S5.

Samsung Display CEO Kinam Kim made a whole presentation on the company's 2014 lineup, and with it he confirmed a 560 ppi Super AMOLED phone display.

At an expected 5.3-inch screen, that would suggest a resolution of 2600x1440. Samsung calls that display a WQHD resolution, and the standard calls for a 2560x1440 resolution (3.7 million pixels).

Additionally, the slideshow includes plans for bending, foldable and stretchable designs that will likely be the first of their kind.




AfterDawn: News

Report: Apple strikes deal with China Mobile for iPhones

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 25 Nov 2013 8:59

Report: Apple strikes deal with China Mobile for iPhones According to reports from the Chinese government, Apple has struck a deal with China Mobile to finally bring 4G-capable iPhones to the world's largest carrier.

The reports say China Mobile will start 4G services on December 18th, announcing the iPhone deal on that date, as well.

China Mobile uses TD-LTE, and Apple received the final government license needed to run their phones on that network back in September.

The carrier has 745 million subscribers, making it far and away the largest carrier on the planet.




AfterDawn: News

Hundreds of Xbox One users: Our disc drives don't work

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 25 Nov 2013 8:39

Hundreds of Xbox One users: Our disc drives don't work According to Kotaku, there are at least hundreds, if not thousands of new Xbox One owners whose disc drives simply don't work.

Microsoft does not have any response other than to contact customer service.

Angry customers have begun calling the drive the "Disc Drive of Doom," as it does not read discs and produces a loud grinding noise when optical media is inserted.

As even more proof of the issue, launch edition consoles sent to major gaming outlets IGN, Polygon and GamesRadar all had faulty drives.

Adds Microsoft: "The issue is affecting a very small number of Xbox One customers. We're working directly with those affected to get a replacement console to them as soon as possible through our advance exchange program. Rest assured, we are taking care of our customers.

Customers have the option for us to send a replacement console right away without waiting until they have returned their old one. This means a customer only has to wait a matter of days, rather than weeks to get back up and running."




AfterDawn: News

Samsung shows off mid-range Galaxy Grand 2 smartphone

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 25 Nov 2013 8:19

Samsung shows off mid-range Galaxy Grand 2 smartphone Samsung has announced the launch of the Galaxy Grand 2, another phablet to round out their line of Galaxy smartphones.

The Grand 2 features a 5.25-inch 720p display, a quad-core 1.2GHz processor, 1.5GB RAM and a 2,600 mAh battery. For cameras, the smartphone has two; an 8MP AF/LED Flash rear camera and a 1.9MP front camera.

Running on Android 4.3, the phone has 8GB internal storage, a microSD slot, WiFi a/b/g/n, BT4.0, GPS + Glonass along with dual-SIM capabilities.

"This evolution of the Galaxy Grand series brings meaningful upgrades to its predecessor including an improved HD viewing experience, enhanced performance, and many other intuitive features," Samsung adds.




AfterDawn: News

Next Amazon Kindle Paperwhite to have 300 ppi screen?

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 25 Nov 2013 7:50

Next Amazon Kindle Paperwhite to have 300 ppi screen? According to sources, Amazon is preparing a new Kindle White for release in the Q2 2014, one that includes a high-end 300 ppi display.

Besides the upgraded display, the e-reader will also move to matte glass instead of plastic and the front screen will be "flush with the edges of the device, rather than recessed."

Current model Paperwhite have a 212 ppi screen but others in the market, such as the Kobo Aura HD, have higher pixel density at similar prices. E Ink, the company which manufactures the Pearl E Ink, is said to have drawn the ire of Amazon after the Aura HD hit retail shelves with a 265 ppi display.

Outside of the display, there is not expected to be any other updates to the Kindle software except that it will be upscaled properly for the new pixel density. Additionally, Amazon will be working on a custom-built font that is supposedly better for reading.




AfterDawn: News

Apple confirms purchase of 3D gesture tech maker PrimeSense

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 25 Nov 2013 4:57

Apple confirms purchase of 3D gesture tech maker PrimeSense Apple has confirmed their purchase of PrimeSense, the Israeli 3D sensor startup.

The reported price was about $360 million for the company that created the tech behind the original Microsoft Kinect.

Says Apple: "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans." PrimeSense was a bit more forthcoming: "We can confirm the deal with Apple. Further than that, we cannot comment at this stage."

There had been reports of Apple purchasing the company since July, at prices varying from $280-$360 million.

PrimeSense has been working on creating new, smaller sensors more a wider variety of devices, with the expectation that 3D gesture based tech will eventually be added to smartphones.




AfterDawn: News

Developer ports iOS core to Nokia N900

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 25 Nov 2013 10:16

Developer ports iOS core to Nokia N900 The well-regarded developer Winocm has been quietly working on porting Apple's iOS to non-Apple hardware, and he appears to have succeeded in achieving the first "core milestone."

Winocm has now managed to port the core elements of iOS, getting them to work on a Nokia N900 phone.

As of writing there are really no benefits for the average user, but as a basis for future development it could be huge. The hardware was released in 2009 by Nokia, running the Maemo 5 OS. Additionally, the port will work on the following hardware:

ARM RealView Emulation Baseboard (ARMPBA8_ALT)
ARM RealView Platform Baseboard for Cortex-A8 (ARMPBA8)
Texas Instruments OMAP3530 (BeagleBoard/BeagleBoard xM) (OMAP3530)
Texas Instruments OMAP3430 (Nokia N900) (OMAP3430_RX51)
Texas Instruments AM335x (BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black) (OMAP335X)

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AfterDawn: News

Microsoft: There will not be three versions of the Windows in the future

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 25 Nov 2013 9:29

Microsoft: There will not be three versions of the Windows in the future Windows RT, the failed experiment that has cost numerous companies, including Microsoft, billions in writedowns, may be at the end of its life.

Microsoft's EVP of the Devices and Studios Julie Larson-Green has fueled the rumor while speaking at the UBS Global Technology Summit.

When asked about the future of Windows, Larson-Green responded: "We have the Windows Phone OS. We have Windows RT and we have full Windows. We're not going to have three. We do think there's a world where there is a more mobile operating system that doesn't have the risks to battery life, or the risks to security. But, it also comes at the cost of flexibility. So we believe in that vision and that direction and we're continuing down that path."

The important quote to take from her speech is the fact that she says "we're not going to have three." It's quite clear that Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 are going nowhere so that leaves Windows RT as the odd man out.





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