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  • Ming-Chi Kuo Predicts Apple HDTV Set in 2015 and A7-Powered Apple TV In 2014


    There has been a lot of speculation regarding an anticipated Apple-designed TV set this year. However, research by Ming-Chi Kuo with KGI Securities notes that the much anticipated product is not set to arrive until 2015. He however indicates that a refreshed Apple TV that is powered by its 64-bit A7 processor will instead be launched in 2014.

    This news comes after a similar report undertaken by from NPD DisplaySearch intimated that a wearable iDevice and probably the much rumored iWatch is set for release in 2014. The research noted that the Apple HDTV has been shelved until 2015.

    Apple was expected to refresh its Apple TV in October this year but this did not happen and many people were left wondering whether Apple had postponed the launch of the TV or a much more advanced TV was in the pipeline to replace the $99 set-top box.

    The Apple Tv has been receiving more channels over the past few months. In July, both Eddy Cue and Tim Cook attended the Sun Valley Conference in Utah where Liberty Media Corp Chairman John Malone was said to be in a meeting with certain attendees. This indicates that a TV product from Apple could be in the making, but nevertheless it leaves all of us in a limbo about the expected release date.

    If Kuo is right, then we could be a few years off from seeing an Apple-designed TV reach the market.

    Source: Apple TV Hacks

  • Samsung Overpowers Rivals in china’s Smartphone Market

    Samsung appears to be overpowering low-cost Chinese competitors in the enormous smartphone market according to a study.

    According to research firm Canalys, Samsung, which is already the largest smartphone vendor in China saw a 21% jump in market share for the third quarter ended 30th September compared to 14% a year earlier.

    Samsung doubled its sales in the Chinese market with nearly 19 million smartphones in the quarter.

    According to Canalys, Samsung grew much faster than its close rival  Lenovo Group Ltd, which had a 64% increase in sales but its market share remained the same at 13%.

    China overtook the US as the largest smartphone market last year, and the rapid market growth is driven by demand for low cost smartphones. Nicole Peng, a research director for Canalys said that Samsung’s growth in shipment volume came mainly from the mid-range and low-end segments.

    According to Peng, many Chinese consumers would choose a Samsung smartphone if it is a little more expensive than a cheap Chinese phone. Samsung is widely known for its TV sets.

    In the third quarter, Apple’s iPhone shipments to the Chinese market grew by 32% as compared to the year earlier, though its market share shrunk to 6% from 8%. Apple’s hefty price tag for the iPhone 5C indicates that it focusing on the high end segment, where margins are stable but growth is not very robust.

    Peng noted that the battle between Samsung and the low-end Chinese companies will continue to intensify.

  • $25 Million Raised by Coho Data for Cloud Storage

    Ignition Partners, a new investor in Coho Data has helped the company to raise $25 million. Andreessen Horowitz, an existing investor was also involved in the funding round.

    With the funding, Ignition Partners has seen their managing director, Frank Artale join Coho’s board of directors.

    Coho Data is involved in the provision of cloud-based storage facilities for its clients.

    The company has just emerged from stealth mode last month and it has indicated that it will use the funds to set up research and development as well as marketing. This will be done as the company prepares to launch its DataStream product later in the year.

    The startup was launched in 2011 and has offices in Vancouver, Sunnyvale and British Columbia.

  • Apple’s 2014 Lineup includes iWatch and HDTV


    Apple’s media event on Oct. 22 turned into a bit of a damp squid with only some upgrades to the existing products being unveiled. However, reports indicate that Apple is ready with a new product line to be unveiled in 2014.

    According to CNET, Apple is also working on a HDTV. Apple may also release add-ons for its standalone TV set such as a Bluetooth controller and a gaming console to complement the former Apple TV.

    Apple’s upcoming products seem pretty interesting with amazing features such as bigger screens and finger print recognition. Amongst the most interesting products is the new Apple’s upcoming wearable tech. Apple is poised to release its wearable tech early next year, after Sony and Samsung released theirs and Google reportedly on its way. The much speculated iWatch is also set to be released next year as reports indicate that the company has been hiring employees on its engineering team.

    In September, Apple released the iPhone 5S and 5C models, which retained the screen size of 4 inches like their predecessors. Global smartphone leaders Samsung, Nokia and Sony are releasing smartphones with larger screens, which may provoke Apple to build their next generation iPhones with larger screens. An iPad maxi is also said to be in the lineup and is set to be accompanied by a keyboard cover.

    Images: Federico Ciccarese/Ciccarese Design

  • 3D VoIP Video Calling Technology Announced By Ozeki


    Ozeki has announced its next generation VoIP technology Ozeki Phone System XE, a software that made the company the first in the world to offer 3D video calls utilizing VoIP.

    With Ozeki's precision-engineered software, the scene is set for VOIP telephone providers and other companies to offer 3D video calls to their customers.

    The new technology is poised to transform visual industries such as online conferencing, product shows, sports broadcasting and many others.

    3D video calls on the Ozeki software can be initiated from any windows PC. For the calls to be made, you need Cyan/Magenta 3D glasses as well as two ordinary USB webcams. The 3D video calls can be made and viewed on PC, mobile phone or from any web browser. The 3D sound and video can be seen and heard simultaneously in several browsers, enabling users to reach a wide audience. This greatly increases the usability of the new system across many fields, especially product shows and broadcasting sports events.

    VOIP providers can offer 3D video calls and broadcasts to their clients through Ozeki Phone System XE software as well as a windows server. 

    You can find more info here. 

  • Smartphone Market Share Held by Samsung; 2.5x Apple’s


    Samsung's sales per quarter have reached 90 million for the first time. This means that Samsung Electronics has beat Apple with over 50 million units of sale. On the other hand, China’s Huawei is now in the third place after LG electronics showed some slowdown in sales in its third quarter smartphone sales.

    According to an American market survey company, Strategy Analytics, Samsung sold 88.4 million smartphones in its third quarter. This saw it clinch the first place in sales with 35.2% of the market share. This means that one in every three smartphones sold was made by Samsung.

    Apple sold 33.8 million units after the release of the iPhone5S. This saw a 2.6 million increase in sales compared to the second quarter. However, its market share dropped by 0.2%. Neil Mawston, SA Analyst indicated that Apple is poised to get back on its track in Q4 with sales from its iPhone5S.

    Huawei ranked  in third place with 12.7 million units, representing 5.1% market share. LG, which was in third place in Q1 and Q2 sold 12million units, representing 4.8% market share. Meanwhile, China’s Lenovo closely follows LG with 10.8 million units representing 4.3% market share.

    Neil Mawston indicated that Samsung’s Galaxy S4 had a reduction in sales, but the Galaxy Y and Galaxy Note 3 had good sales.

    He also indicated that the global smartphone market in the third quarter is 251.4 million, which grew by 45% as compared to last year. He asserts that six out of every ten mobile phones sold around the world are smartphones.

  • Just A Handful of Passes Remain for Europe’s Largest Ever Connected Car Forum – Telematics Munich 2013

     
    Telematics Update have revealed today that less than 17 passes remain for access to Europe’s most trusted and largest forum for the connected car space, Telematics Munich (Nov 11-12, Munich, Germany). Giving exclusive admittance to hear the ‘big three’ German automakers BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes and 9 other OEMs address an audience of over 800 senior leaders from across the automotive, telecoms, insurance, M2M, government, ITS, transport and fleet industries, the forum is set to be the biggest in history, with 750+ delegates already registered.

    BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen Lead the Telematics Discussion

    Telematics Munich has now established its place as Europe’s most influential event to unite the entire connected car ecosystem, discussing the breakthrough technologies, market penetration strategies and next-gen business models to deliver mass uptake of telematics systems across the automotive value chain. Not just the BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen will be present, but more than 9 others who are aiming to grab as much telematics market share as possible, such as Nissan, Scania, Volvo, KIA, Hyundai, Renault, PSA, Toyota and FIAT.

    Rory Menage, Project Director for Telematics Munich, stated, “In less than 2 weeks we will be hosting the European telematics community in a brand new venue – with Volkswagen discussing car-sharing and mobility, Daimler revealing their augmented reality strategy, and BMW showcasing their ConnectedDrive solution, the line-up and attendance is already looking fantastic”. With the automotive market often getting the headlines this year, now is the time to understand the latest market trends, OEM activities, and anticipation of massive growth in this industry, and this event  looks like one ‘not to miss’ at all.

    Up-to-Date Topics Addressed by Europe’s Most Elite Speakers

    The 80+ hand-picked speakers at Telematics Munich 2013 will dissect key topics including:
    • Smart Billing to Transform the Car and Driver Relationship
    • Car-Sharing as the Future of Mobility
    • The Dealer as the Missing Link for Effective CRM
    • 4G Deployment: Know the Nuts and Bolts
    • Integrate Infotainment with the Consumer Electronics World
    • And more sessions addressing insurance telematics and UBI, intuitive HMI, the effects of eCall, emerging markets and autonomous mobility
    More Automakers and Associations Attending Than Ever Before
    The increase in overall attendees is also reflected in the largest auto OEM presence at the event to date, with several global automakers including Ford, BMW, Hyundai, Audi, Daimler, Renault, Volkswagen, Honda, PSA, Scania and Toyota already confirmed to attend, along the European Commission and the Car2Car Consortium. Telematics Update’s Europe Specialist Shreya Ganapathy stated, “This really does reflect the sense of excitement currently surrounding the connected car across the European continent”.

    She continued, “Major OEMs have thrown their hat in the telematics arena, but there still isn’t one stand-out player. I look forward to hearing the industry’s biggest movers and shakers at this year’s forum”. The full agenda and speaker line-up is available on the website.

    Key Endorsements from the Industry

    Mercedes-Benz stated on Telematics Munich, “This show is a great place to get an accurate pulse on the telematics industry and to meet or keep in touch with industry leaders.”
    Indeed, Volkswagen declared “For an OEM the conference was invaluable – extremely professionally run, delivered relevant content through knowledgeable speakers and presented excellent networking opportunities.”

    Register your place at Telematics Munich 2013

    Register via the secure link below book your place amongst 800+ senior telematics execs.

    About Telematics Update:
    Telematics Update Conferences are the most prestigious in the industry. We produce the largest telematics events in North America, Europe & Asia, and attract the most influential speakers providing a rich environment for establishing strategic relationships and networking.

    Contact:
    Rory Menage
    Project Director | Telematics Update
    E: [email protected]
    T: (UStf) 1 800 814 3459 ext 7546 | (Global) +44 (0)20 7375 7546

  • Displays for 4.7-Inch iPhone, Apple HDTV, Retina MacBook Air and iWatch Predicted by NPD DisplaySearch


    NPD DisplaySearch is a reputable source of supply chain chatter. They are currently making predictions on Apple’s future iOS device line up. These include the Retina MacBook air, Apple HDTV, iPhone 6 as well as the iWatch. NPD is indicating that Apple will certainly release a larger iPhone. Infact, they are of the view that Apple’s products across the board are set to have massive improvements. 

    Apple is poised to revamp almost all their displays according to NPD DisplaySearch blog. This will cut across almost every category in its product line. Apple has always had a unique way of doing things including doubling pixels and improving resolutions on its devices.

    NPD DisplaySearch believes that Apple will adopt both 5.7-inch display and 4.7-inch display for the iPhone 6. These will be running on 1080p and 720p displays. They also think that a 13 –inch iPad will be released running on oddball 2732 x 2048 resolution.

    NPD DisplaySearch also believes that a bizarre 2304 x 1440 display will be available on the new MacBook Air.

    The research company also predicts that the Apple HDTV will be a 4K set and will come in 55 inch and 65 inch varieties. As for the iWatch, they believe it will be a flexible AMOLED affair and will have a wimpy 320 x 320 display.

  • Co Star LT Stream Player Debuted By Vizio


    A new streaming media player was recently released by Vizio. The Co Star LT Stream Player is a small $80 box that is able to upgrade any HDTV into an internet connected app hub.

    The Co Star LT when connected brings Vizio apps including Hulu plus, Amazon instant video, iHeart Radio, Netflix, Vudu, You Tube and M-Go to any HDTV with an HDMI port. The set top box has a built-in WIFI and allows the users to watch TV live while browsing apps. It also features a second screen interactivity function for smartphones and tablets.

    Vizio CTO Matt McRae said that the latest generation of Vizio internet apps is a culmination of years of forward looking design and development. The app provides more power through a new full screen mode. It also has an enhanced multi screen viewing feature. The platform also offers a seamless entertainment experience as that is incredibly intuitive.