Facebook Phone: History Tells Us it Will Be a Flop

Facebook has a press event scheduled for this Thursday where it’s going to discuss its position in mobile. Rumors span from an all-out Facebook phone powered by a custom version of Android—here’s what it probably looks like—to a new piece of Android software that puts your News Feed on your home screen at all times. It’s possible we’ll see both, but history tells us that a “Facebook phone” will be a flop. The HTC ChaCha and the Salsa were revealed a few years back. The ChaCha launched on AT&T as the HTC Status and was a failure – who cares if you can tap a button to update your Facebook status? Consumers clearly didn’t.

And yet Facebook appears to be stepping up to the plate for another try. We’ve published several stories on the rumored HTC Myst, which is apparently the latest “Facebook phone.” Unfortunately, the specs are mid-range at best, so we’re not looking at a device that’s going to blow our minds. Still, mid-range could be the goal, since it will open the device to a larger market of people who may not be interested in spending hundreds of dollars on asmartphone.

I’ve argued that the new focus on smartphones isn’t really about hardware anyway, and more about software and services. We see that war being waged between the HTC One and the Samsung Galaxy S4 right now. Both phones have unique features on the software side that are are added values. After all, what good is amazing hardware if you can’t do anything with it? Still, those phones, combined with the rumored iPhone 5S, will certainly give consumers a better option than the Facebook phone. Why? You can do more with them. HTC has BlinkFeed that combines all social networks as well as news feeds into the home screen. Both phones have IR blasters for controlling your TV, high-end cameras and big 1080p screens. Mark my words: you won’t see any of these features on the Facebook phone.

So perhaps the real focus will be on the Android experience and what Facebook will do to change it. My worry here is simply that I don’t care, and I doubt many do, to be bombarded by status updates and photos on my home screen. Social networks are about a piecemeal experience that can be read bit by bit. I get social network fatigue  and I don’t want political or religious rants in front of me when I’m trying to check my text messages. Worse, Facebook has ramped up its advertisements in the news feed, which means there’s a possibility I’ll see ads for free games and sales on designer jeans flowing down my home screen. How awful.

The standalone Facebook application is good enough for me right now, and I don’t need a social network, whether it’s Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, in front of me at all times. It’s easy enough to share photos, my location, and my thoughts through a single application. It takes two taps, literally one tap to open the app and another to hit the “update status” button.

So my question is this: where’s the value add? What can Facebook do that will sway not only myself, but consumers, away from other smartphones and to its own device? Will it eliminate ads? I doubt it, that’s a huge revenue source. Will it make networking easier? How can it? I don’t see a clear end goal that will not only build upon, but surpass the options that are already available on the market.

The Facebook phone is a dead-end. A cul de sac. We’ll venture down the street, check it out, and turn around back to the highway where we’ll be on our way again.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

Apple iWatch and iPhone 5S to Sport Fingerprint Scanners

Several reports have already suggested that Apple’s iPhone 5S will launch with a fingerprint scanner under the home button. The idea is what users will be able to securely lock and unlock their phone with a quick fingerprint scan, and it’s a feature that we’ve already seen in phones such as the original Motorola Atrix. Now one analyst says Apple’s iWatch will also offer the security feature.

Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White published a note to investors on Wednesday that said checks with his suppliers in Asia suggest the technology will be built into the iWatch. It makes little to no sense, however, since there’s really no need to lock or unlock something that’s constantly stuck on your wrist.

White also suggests that the iTV will launch with an “iRing” for motion controls, even though the Siri voice engine already provides plenty of control. Better yet, Apple could build a sensor into the TV, similar to Microsoft’s Kinect, that would negate any reason to wear a ring. Is April fools over yet?

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

Getting the Right Smartphone for Your Business

Smartphones have become the most common types of mobile phones owned by consumers around the world. These devices also have become the most common phone used by those in the business world. With numerous applications for their use, smartphones can allow business professionals to conduct a myriad of business activities anywhere. All smartphones are not created equal. Many have similar aspects but there are also many differences that set some parts from others. Having the right smartphone makes a tremendous difference in what a business professional can do. Therefore, when choosing a smartphone to use for business some things must be considered.

Smartphones can perform many business tasks due to the applications created for the operating system. The number or apps can vary depending upon the operating system the phone uses. For instance, iPhones and Android devices have the most apps available for their use. Some apps can help with managing customer relations. Others can help perform billing and credit card processing. Another helpful app permits the synchronization of data between one’s smartphone and personal computer. If you want a smartphone to do many tasks, then you may consider an iPhone or Android smartphone.

When conducting business, many people must travel overseas or to other countries. If you do not select the correct smartphone, you may find your phone inoperable when abroad. A GSM or Global System for Mobile Communications phone may be the better option than choosing a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) phone. Generally, GSM is accepted in more places around the world. Also, along with business travel, make sure the carrier you select has 24 hour customer service. When traveling, you will be in different time zones so the times you may need help will vary. You can find some great Orange, Samsung and vodafone pay monthly deals, perfect for a suitable smartphone for your business needs and with Phones 4 U, they make it easy to compare various phones to help make choosing easier.

iOS 7 Running Behind, Rumored to Have Significant Visual Makeover

In a Branch chat, which at the time of this writing is still going on, Daring Fireball's John Gruber says, according to what he's heard, iOS 7 is running behind schedule and that it will bring a significant user interface (UI) refresh. 

What I've heard: iOS 7 is running behind, and engineers have been pulled from OS X 10.9 to work on it. (Let me know if you've heard this song before.)

Gruber went on to say that he's heard that iOS 7 is a "significant system-wide UI overhaul" and the iOS engineers who are allowed to carry around devices with iOS 7 on them even have special privacy filters on their devices which reduces viewing angles. This is to prevent others from accidentally getting a glimpse of the new iOS design. 

Back in 2007, Apple delayed the release of OS X Leopard to concentrate work on iPhone. Gruber hints that this could be the case with Mac OS X 10.9 and iOS 7.

iMore's Rene Ritchie follows up Gruber's comments, saying that he's heard that Ive's work with iOS 7 is "making many people really happy, but will also apparently make rich-texture-loving designers sad." 

His comments come during a Branch talk that includes Gruber, Ritchie, TechCrunch's MG Siegler, Engadget's Tim Stevens, The Next Web's Matthew Panzarino and more. 

Ritchie follows up his earlier predictions, noting that he's heard that an event for a new, 9.7-inch iPad is or was planned for April, but it was contingent upon the new iPad being ready for release. He also notes that he's hearing the iPhone 5S will arrive in August, although Ritchie also says it could be a July/August window rather than a specific month. 

As for what could be on the iPhone 5S, both Siegler and Panzarino say they've heard a lot about biometrics on the new device. The feature would apparently be used for payments and identification. Panzarino notes it wouldn't be surprising to see AuthenTec's biometric technology in Apple devices so soon after Apple purchased the company last July because of the urgency of the deal. 

Finally, Siegler says he's heard "a whisper" that Apple's Passbook team is due for a shakeup and is in "shambles," though Ritchie points out that Forstall's departure could be the reason for the Passbook team's troubles.

[Source: MacRumors]

Updated Nexus 7 with new screen and Qualcomm CPU coming in July, says Reuters

"Power reasons" force the switch from NVIDIA's Tegra platform to Qualcomm according to the source

A report from Reuters earlier says that come July, we'll have a new version of Google's popularNexus 7 tablet. ASUS will still be the manufacturer, but a few key things will have changed. Expect a higher resolution screen with smaller bezels, and concerns over "power" (we take that to mean battery power) have forced a switch to Qualcomm for the CPU.

Pricing is said to still be in limbo, but the $199 figure has been mentioned. This is the same base priceas last year's Nexus 7, and a key to its success. 

If this rumor turns out to be true, a July release would work well with an unveiling at Google I/O this May. ASUS sold an estimated 4.6 million Nexus 7s in the second half of last year, and updated specs at the same price will draw plenty more interest. We're keeping an eye on this one.

[Source: AndroidCentral]

Firefox 20 for Mac Adds Download Manager and New Private Browsing Features

Mozilla has today launched Firefox 20, adding a number of significant improvements to the browser. Users are now able to initiate private browsing without the need to open a new window or close a current browsing session. 

There is a new function in place that allows users to close a hanging plugin without the need to shut down the entire browser, and the update also includes a new download manager in the Firefox toolbar. 

The download manager can be accessed by clicking on the down arrow button on the right side of the search bar. When clicked, the arrow will show the drop down file manager, displaying all downloads and providing a progress bar for files that are in the process of downloading. Tools allow users to pause/resume downloads, cancel, go to the download page, and open the downloads folder. 

Firefox version 20 also includes several bug fixes, performance improvements, and new tools for developers. This version of Firefox comes approximately six weeks after the release of Firefox 19. 

[Source: MacRumors]

Are iTunes Links Being Downranked by Google?

Searching for direct links is a popular way to locate apps, but it appears that Apple's App Store links are being downranked by Google. As TechCrunch points out, a search for "Whatsapp iTunes" or "Whatsapp iPhone" would normally rank the target URL high on the search results page, but that doesn't seem to be the case any longer. 

Searching for Whatsapp's iTunes link with those aforementioned phrases does not return an iTunes URL on the first page of results, and the same goes for many other popular apps like Facebook and Twitter for iOS. Even Apple's own Keynote and Numbers apps do not show up on the first page of results with search terms like "Keynote iTunes."

When searching for "Numbers iPhone," in fact, the iTunes link does not show up until the eighth page of search results. The results can vary slightly depending on whether one is logged in or out of Google, but for affected apps, the links remain low in the rankings. 

Not all apps appear to be suffering from the search bug. For example, a search for “Temple Run: Oz iPhone” returns a top ranked iTunes link, as does a similar search for Minecraft: Pocket Edition. 

Both TechCrunch and The Next Web have gone through several other examples of apps that appear to be suffering from downranked search results. There's no specific workaround for the search result mystery, but as noted by TechCrunch, adding "iTunes" to queries usually works to provide the proper links, though as seen above, that's not always the case.

For most apps, adding "iTunes" works to deliver the iTunes URL results, whether logged in or out. It's the other types of queries that are difficult, and it's difficult to pinpoint an exact time when these changes began. Because Google is constantly refining its algorithms, and many users are on Google while logged in, tweaks to search rankings are rarely spotted immediately, unless it's a case where a URL has been banned entirely, whether or purpose or by accident.

According to AppsFire co-founder Ouriel Ohayon, the search issue began recently, possibly just today. While Google has been contacted, the company has yet to issue a response on the odd search results. 

Update: A Google spokesperson issued the following statement to The Verge: "We've been having some issues fetching pages from the iTunes web servers, and as a result some people may have had problems finding iTunes apps in search easily. We're working with the team there to ensure search users can find what they're looking for."

[Source: MacRumors]

Wii U Sales Jump 125% in UK

Here’s some good news for Nintendo’s offices in the European region: the Wii U enjoyed a 125 percent sales jump in UK during its most recent week at retail.

The cause for the upshot in sales? Blame it on Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate and a price cut by retailers in the region. The new software and the adjusted cost pushed consumers to head out to shops and pick up the Wii U.

While 125 percent sounds like an awesome figure for Nintendo’s brand new console, it’s important to consider that the Wii U has been performing horribly in the UK. A more than double jump in sales still doesn’t make the machine as popular as the big N needs it to be.

Still, a positive is a positive, and hopefully this sales boost is a sign of things to come for Nintendo’s hardware. I’ll stick by my original perception of the Wii U: give it great games and it will sell.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

Windows 8.1 is Official Name for Microsoft’s Project Blue

Microsoft recently confirmed that it’s working on new developments for its Windows Phone and Windows 8 platforms under the code name “Project Blue.” The company hasn’t revealed much about what Project Blue will entail, but ZDNET’s Mary Jo Foley has learned from inside sources that the Redmond-based company will ultimately call the release Windows 8.1. A similar update called Windows 8.1 RT is also scheduled for Windows RT.

Foley said Microsoft is currently planning to push the update in August, but that Microsoft will continue to call the operating system “Windows 8″ to avoid confusion among consumers. That’s a similar approach that the company took when it released service pack updates to its earlier operating systems. Foley isn’t aware of any pricing for the cost of the planned upgrades, if there’s any cost to consumers at all.

It’s unclear how Windows Phone will play a part of Project Blue, although we suspect an update for the platform is also in the works.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

When Technology and Fashion Collide

Both fashion and technology are linked in that they rely on ingenuity and innovation. As long-term trends emerge in fashion, many of them rely on advances in technology, both in terms of the customer’s taste and the elements of the pieces themselves. Let’s take a closer look at how fashion and technology intertwine.

Designer iPhone Cases

Because innovations in technology are expensive to fund, having the latest gadget has always been associated with status and wealth. This trend is also apparent in fashion, and many people choose to display their wealth in the form of clothing. But items like smartphones, though expensive, are becoming more and more widespread and are losing their association with extreme wealth. If everybody has a fancy smartphone, then these items lose their ability to stand alone as a fashion item.

Therefore, designers swooped in with pricey iPhone cases to raise the bar even further, as if to help buyers proclaim that not only can they afford an expensive phone, but they can also afford to cover it with an equally pricey case. In fact, Mischa Barton just released her newest iPhone case that carries a retail value of 302,985 USD! That would certainly be a way to express your individuality on the back of your ubiquitous iPhone.

Solar-Power Bikinis

With the growing interest in harnessing the sun for energy, some well-known designers are experimenting with using fabric that contains solar cells. For example, Andrew Schneider has designed a bikini that comes with a plug that you can use to plug in your phone while you work on your tan. That way, you can turn your day at the beach into a way to charge your devices in a pinch.

An Environmentally Responsive Fabric

Designers are also utilizing the public’s growing interest in climate change and environmental impact. One interesting example is the climate dress by Diffus, which consists of many tiny lights and serves to measure air quality. If sensors in the dress detect elevated levels of pollution in the air, the lights respond by lighting up, thereby warning others of toxins in the air. This piece would certainly make a bold statement on the Red Carpet if the wearer wished to raise awareness about environmental degradation.

Recycled Materials

With advances in recycling coupled with concerns about the sustainability of producing new materials, it’s now possible to find the latest fashions made of recycled materials. SegraSegra, for example, uses recycled bicycle tire tubes to make pleather jackets. Other designers are experimenting with creating eveningwear out of recycled materials. Imagine being able to shop for cocktail dresses, suits and fashionable gilets made out of things we used to throw away, and have them be seen as haute couture.

These are just a few of the remarkable advances that have occurred due to the collision of fashion and technology. It will certainly be interesting to see other developments in these two fields.

Mystery Nokia device leaks, new Asha incoming?

Now this is a bit of a head-scratcher. A mystery new Nokia device has leaked online, but there's no word of what it is, or when we'll see it.

It comes from the usually reliable @evleaks Twitter account. All @evleaks says on the matter is, "remember that Nokia Asha design language preview?" This is a hint that there could well be another budget smart phone winging its way here soon.

From the image we can see the handset will come in a selection of colours, just like Nokia'sLumia range. It looks like it's running the Windows Phone operating system, though it's on the lock screen, so there's no sign of the Live Tiles. Other than that, there's not much to go on. The date on the phone's screen is given as 17 August 2012, which could be when the handset was conceived.

Traditionally Nokia Asha handsets have fared pretty poorly in our reviews. The Asha 302 was the most recent one we got our hands on, but it suffered from a lack of a touchscreen and the fiddly Series 40 software. Still, not as bad as the Asha 306, which comes with no 3G and a price that's not even all that low. Let's hope Nokia can pull its socks up. Using Microsoft's Windows Phone software instead of Series 40 would be a good start.

Just recently, Nokia boss Stephen Elop said the company was focused on "taking [Windows Phone] to lower and lower prices", and that its budget Windows Phone blowers would "over time compete with Android". It's got quite a fight on its hands, considering Android's star player is theNexus 4, which manages decent specs and the latest software for not much money at all.

[Source: CNET]

Windows Phone handsets outselling iPhone in 7 countries

Windows Phone may not be challenging the likes of Android or iOS in most places, but devices running Microsoft's mobile OS are actually outselling the iPhone in some countries.

That's according to IDC, a market research company. Frank Shaw, corporate vice president of corporate communications at Microsoft, quoted the research in a blog post, and now the New York Times has followed it up and found exactly which seven countries they are.

More Windows Phone handsets were shipped than iPhones in Argentina, India, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine, and a seventh area that's actually a group of smaller countries that the IDC lumps together. The numbers count handset shipments in the last quarter of 2012. 

But that's not to say Windows Phone is racking up huge sales. Three of the countries where it's outshining Apple are so small that fewer than 100,000 Windows Phone handsets sold in the quarter. Not that the numbers reflect sales -- they only show how many smart phones were imported into the countries too. IDC analyst Kevin Restivo notes that some countries have a huge grey market for smart phones, due to high government taxes, so it's tricky to pin down exact sales figures.

Windows Phone 8 is on the rise on these shores as well. According to analytics firm Kantar, WP8 grew from 6.2 per cent to 6.7 per cent market share in the UK in a month, eating into BlackBerry and Symbian.

The countries where WP8 does best tend to be strongholds for Nokia, due to the iPhone being too expensive, and the networks not offering much in the way of deals. The Lumia 620 is one of the best budget smart phones we've ever had our hands on, so it deserves to be a success. It's just a shame Windows Phone 8 is struggling against the might of Android and iOS in bigger markets.

[Source: CNET]