Samsung digs into Apple at airport wall outlets

This week we’re seeing Samsung extend their "wall huggers" campaign for those smartphone users who hang out around power plugs with some "wall hugger" advertisements. You may see these little signs appearing near or directly around wall outlets in airpots, showing consumers what they’re missing, so to speak.

Below you’ll see the advertisement spot that started this campaign. Digging in on iPhone users specifically, Samsung suggested that an extra battery and a power saving mode inside the Samsung Galaxy S5’s software made for a far better device than the Apple-made smartphone line.



Here we’re seeing the extension. Below you’ll find several photos taken by Samsung of their wall decals as they appear in a number of airports across the United States. These signs are ready to let those sitting at said plug stations know what they’re up against.

They’re letting Apple know what they’re up against, that is to say. Apple’s next-generation advertising is tipped to roll with an in-house crew rather than the same agency Samsung currently uses. Perhaps for the best.







Source : slashgear.com

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iPhone 5C demand lower than expected, says Tim Cook

It is rare for Apple, especially its CEO, to admit to some level of error so when it does, everyone is all ears. This has happened yet again as Tim Cook admitted that they might have overestimated the popularity of the iPhone 5C, whose market performance wasn't as they had expected.

To be fair, the brightly colored plastic-backed mid-range iPhone didn't flunk sales. At the end of the quarter, the iPhone 5C sold 51 million units. Unfortunately, Apple expected it to sell for around 55 million. Cook believes that this was because consumers gravitated towards a more interesting, but also more expensive, iPhone 5S.

Cook says that the features on the iPhone 5S, particular the Touch ID, ended up grabbing more attention and thus majority of the sales. The iPhone 5S is also a premium device with high-end hardware. The iPhone 5C, on the other hand, was almost similar to the iPhone 5 and its biggest marketing stunt was the colorful design, yet another Apple first since the company left the colorful iMac era.

This was also the first time that Apple introduced two new iPhone models at the same time, which could have led to a slight confusion among Apple fans. Apple doesn't usually reveal its per-product sales numbers, but it has reduced orders for the mid-range smartphone, prompting many to speculate on the veracity of reports about the iPhone 5C's weak sales.

Now the fate of the iPhone 5C remains unknown. Some think that Apple will soon scrap the device. Apple is also believed to be revising its iPhone strategy and might no longer introduce a plastic, mid-range variant when it unveils its next iPhone generation.











VIA: Apple Insider

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iPhone 6 camera tipped to retain 8-megapixel sensor

It’s been suggested this week by suppliers overseas that Apple’s next iPhone will continue to work with an 8-megapixel sensor. While this - for those of you only counting these megapixels - means that the end resulting photos will be the same amount of pixels wide and tall, there’s still plenty of room left for improving the resulting images therein. It’s also been suggested that Apple’s current OIS - optical image stabilization - will be improved in their upcoming engine.

The tip comes from Nomura Securities in China where the China Post reports their chat with the team - apparently there’s been a rumor of similar parts being used in the next iPhone compared to the one that’s out right this minute. This bit of news apparently had adverse effects on Largan Precision, suppliers of Apple’s camera module.

Stocks “tumbled” for Largan once it was suggested in China that Apple’s next iPhone will not work with a 16-megapixel camera as it’s been anticipated by “industry observers”. Instead it could very well be that Apple’s improvements in the camera environment will be to the image quality, not the size of the image.

In other words - the misconception that the amount of megapixels you’ve got is the most important factor in the quality of your camera prevails. Apple’s mod recent camera works with larger pixels and a new and improved flash module - next we’ll likely see tweaking in the pixels and the delivery once again. Stick around as the iPhone 6 rumors and leaks continue for the next several months at least!





VIA: MacRumors

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Fitbit iPhone 5s update teases wearable data without the band

In a move rather similar to Nike’s efforts with their own wearable sports tracker and app, Fitbit has updated their app to give basic fitness data without the Fitbit band itself. You’ll be seeing basic data with the help of what Fitbit doesn’t directly suggest is the iPhone 5s’s M7 motion co-processor, but gives a bit wink towards nonetheless.

This move allows users to get in on and get a taste for the Fitbit universe without jumping all the way in with the Fitbit wearable itself. This version of the app’s new feature goes by the name MobileTrack, while normal connectivity still works with Fitbit’s full line of activity trackers and he Aria Smart Scale.

If you happen to have a new iPad, you may very well find your data reacting the same way with this newest update as they too work with the same M7 architecture inside. You’ll find this app just as free as it’s ever been, too.

This update to the iOS app also brings a collection of other connected oddities as well. Users can now work with a redesigned set of tracker settings as well as sign-up and sign-in portals. You’ll find the ability to see people’s profiles in the Friend Finder list, while swiping on friends in your leaderboard now allows you to cheer, taunt, or message them.

The newest version of Fitbit (2.1) works with a redesigned set of Silent Alarm settings including set, switch, edit, and remove, and you’ll find a new ability to set your own custom water goal. Have at it!

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