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Apple Top Smartphone Vendor; Android and iPhone Account for More than 92 Percent of U.S. Market
Should Microsoft Kill the Surface?
Apple's 64-bit A7 Already Powering Advanced New Audio, Video Features In Apps And Games
Supply Chain Sees Weak Demand For Notebooks In Q4/13; Expects Big Things From Apple's fifth-gen iPad
What To Expect With The Next Generation iPad
Maxthon Cloud Browser Universal 4.31 For iPhone and iPad Web Browsing Released
BlackBerry Faces Shareholder Class Action Suit In U.S.
Apple Top Smartphone Vendor; Android and iPhone Account for More than 92 Percent of U.S. Market
Market metrics form comScore, Inc. has released data from their comScore MobiLens and Mobile Metrix, reporting key trends in the U.S. smartphone industry for August 2013. Apple ranked as the top smartphone manufacturer with 40.7 percent OEM market share, while Google Android led as the #1 smartphone platform with 51.6 percent platform market share. Google Sites ranked as the top mobile media property, while Facebook was the top individual app.
Smartphone OEM Market Share
145 million people in the U.S. owned smartphones (60.8 percent mobile market penetration) during the three months ending in August, up 3 percent since May. Apple ranked as the top OEM with 40.7 percent of U.S. smartphone subscribers (up 1.5 percentage points from May). Samsung ranked second with 24.3 percent market share (up 1.3 percentage points), followed by HTC with 7.4 percent, Motorola with 6.9 percent and LG with 6.7 percent.
Smartphone Platform Market Share
Android ranked as the top smartphone platform in August with 51.6 percent market share, followed by Apple with 40.7 percent (up 1.5 percentage points), BlackBerry with 4 percent, Microsoft with 3.2 percent (up 0.2 percentage points) and Symbian with 0.3 percent.
Top Smartphone Properties & Apps
Google Sites ranked as the top web property on smartphones, reaching 92.2 percent of the mobile media audience (mobile browsing and app usage), followed by Facebook (84.6 percent), Yahoo! Sites (83.2 percent) and Amazon Sites (68.6 percent). Facebook ranked as the top smartphone app, reaching 75.7 percent of the app audience, followed by five Google-owned apps: Google Search (53.9 percent), Google Play (53.2 percent), YouTube (52.8 percent), Google Maps (46.1 percent) and Gmail (44.3 percent).
comScore Mobile Metrix provides mobile audience measurement across smartphones and tablets. Using a combination of panel and census-based measurement methods, Mobile Metrix offers an unduplicated view of mobile browsing and app audiences at the media property, website and individual app level. MobiLens data is derived from an intelligent online survey of a nationally representative sample of mobile subscribers age 13 and older. Data on mobile phone usage refers to a respondent's primary mobile phone and does not include data related to a respondent's secondary device.
For more information, visit:
http://www.comscore.com/
Should Microsoft Kill the Surface?
Motley Fool's Ashraf Eassa observes that it's clear Microsoft is serious about its Surface tablet PC products. However, he notes that while Microsoft's Surface efforts are good, it looks as though devices coming from Microsoft's longtime hardware partners are even better, and that Dell's new Venue tablet lineup in particular looks great.
Eassa cites in particular that the Dell Venue 8 Pro and Venue 11 Pro look to be even more attractive than Microsoft's own offerings - both freaturing the full version of Windows 8.1 and not the scaled-down Windows RT that can't run legacy applications or work with many legacy peripherals. Which means that users - particularly those interested in the 11 Pro - can run all of their standard desktop applications while at the same time running the latest touch-enabled "Modern UI," and while Microsoft's bulky and expensive Surface Pro 2 can also claim this functionality, it does so at nearly twice the price.
As we reported here Friday, the Dell Venue 8 Pro and Dell Venue 11 Pro Windows 8.1-based tablets combine the ability to integrate into an existing corporate environment with full compatibility with current Windows applications and Microsoft Office integration.
The lightweight Dell Venue 8 Pro is powered by an Intel Atom Quad Core processor with 2 GB of RAM, runs Windows 8.1, has an 8-inch 1280x800 (same resolution as the 13-inch non-Retina MacBook Pro) HD IPS display, has advanced connectivity options and is claimed to provide long enough battery life that range anxiety is no longer an issue, and is available with 32 GB or 64 GB data storage capacity. Its front/rear cameras support 1.2MP/5MP respectively Users can also stay productive with Office 2013 Home & Student, included with the device, and the optional Dell Active Stylus. The Venue 8 Pro will be available in either black or red.
The Dell Venue 11 Pro, also based on Windows 8.1, provides 2-in-1 flexibility with the power of an Ultrabook, convenience of a detachable keyboard and experience of a desktop.
Intel Core processors (up to Core i5) and 2 GB of RAM provide desktop application performance. Unlike Apple's iPad tablets, it has a user removable/replaceable battery, a large, 10.8-inch 1920x1080 full HD display with wide viewing angles, front/rear cameras of 2MP/8MP respectively, and is available with 32 GB or 64 GB data storage capacity and a variety of keyboard and stylus options. On the downside, the Venue Pro models are available only in black, but this still has to be the most attractive cost/benefit value available in a tablet for production oriented use.
The Dell Venue 8 Pro will be available from October 18 on http://www.dell.com in the United States and select countries around the world. The Venue 11 Pro, XPS 11 will be available in November. Starting prices are:
• Venue 8 Pro: $299.99
• Venue 11 Pro: $499.99
For more information, visit:
http://goo.gl/1QIzuU
Further, Eassa notes a clear trend toward smaller tablets, and Dell's launch of an 8-inch, $299 tablet that comes with an Intel quad core Atom, full Windows 8.1, and a copy of Office Home & Student really seems to hit exactly what customers are likely to want from a pure tablet. And while there's little doubt Microsoft will roll out its own 8-inch device, it will likely again come packed with Windows RT (not full Windows 8.1), which could damage the value proposition.
Eassa observes that it looks as though Dell has done a great job, and that if marketed correctly, its new table products should help drive share for Dell, Intel's tablet processors, and Microsoft's Windows 8.1 OS, and moreover seeing Dell execute so well on these devices seriously calls into question the need and the viability of Microsoft's Surface strategy.
For the full commentary visit here:
http://goo.gl/FQupdk
Apple's 64-bit A7 Already Powering Advanced New Audio, Video Features In Apps And Games
Appleinsider's Daniel Eran Dilger notes that while debut of Apple's new 64-bit A7 Application Processor has been assailed by more than one industry figure insisting that the new chip isn't anything special, a number of iOS developers are reporting huge performance gains and already using the new chip to accomplish "desktop class" tasks that were not previously possible on a mobile device. Dilger also reports that the A7 isn't just faster than the previous A6; but faster without requiring the additional cores and ramped up clock speeds of competing chips like Samsung's Exynos 5 Octa, and that engineering efficiency contributes to faster performance in a lighter, smaller device because it doesn't have to pack a larger battery to power a hot, high-revving brain that rapidly drains the battery.
For the full report visit here:
http://goo.gl/tGlVwy
Supply Chain Sees Weak Demand For Notebooks In Q4/13; Expects Big Things From Apple's fifth-gen iPad
Apleinsider's Neil Hughes reports that as the PC market continues to slump, the outlook for traditional notebooks this holiday season is weak, while tech supply chain sources in Taiwan reportedly expect a "major upgrade" to Apple's full-size iPad to arrive this month according to analyst Brian White of Cantor Fitzgerald who is currently on a tour of technology suppliers in China and Taiwan and has been told by a leading display technology supplier that while the overall tablet market is softening, big things are expected from Apple's fifth-generation iPad.
For the full report visit here:
http://goo.gl/ZIyyDQ
What To Expect With The Next Generation iPad
AFP/Relaxnews advises that if you're contemplating the purchase of a new tablet and leaning toward the iPad, you should hold off buying until the next-gen models launch, which is believed to be imminent.
The note that at minimum the fifth-generation iPad is expected to be powered by a 64-bit rather than 32-bit processor and thereby to be able to fully support better graphics, faster app-loading times, and a "whole new slew of apps" that could start rolling out over the coming weeks and months, optimized for the much beefier processor.
Also expected is a more compact physical form factor with a new bezel design that would make the tablet narrower and lighter while still sporting a 9.7-inch Retina display, and anticipated being available same range of livery themes - Space Grey, Silver and Gold - as the iPhone 5s and bigger, better cameras (possibly up to 8 megapixels) and better battery life. The latter would be a challenge with the physically smaller device size.
Relaxnews thinks the iPad mini 2 will get a higher resolution Retina display to match specs with the best 7-inch Android tablets currently on the market, but note a recent Reuters reportsuggesting that availability will initially be scarce due to panel production bottlenecks over the rest of 2013 or even non-existent until 2014. The report suggests Tuesday, October 22 as the probable new iPad anouncement date.
For the full report visit here:
http://goo.gl/KtDS5m
Maxthon Cloud Browser Universal 4.31 For iPhone and iPad Web Browsing Released
Maxthon has released an updated version of its iOS browser, featuring speed and performance enhancements, shake and send sharing capabilities and localized content in 15 languages.
"Web browsing on iOS is the poorer relation to an otherwise strong iOS feature set," says Jeff Chen, CEO of Maxthon. "Maxthon's new iOS browser fills those holes and then some. Its a faster, more convenient and user-friendly way to experience the web on your iPhone or iPad."
Maxthon Cloud Browser for iOS saves and syncs key settings, content and features to your own private cloud across multiple platforms and other devices. Unique gestures make it easy to open and switch between tabs for an easier-to-use experience. Other cool features include Reader Mode - for easier-on-the-eye reading - and Undo, a one-click way to restore the last web page closed. All of this is presented to you in a simple and original design.
Maxthon Cloud Services
• Cloud Push: supports sending text, images, websites/links and tabs to Mac, Android and Windows operating systems.
• Cloud Share: Supports sharing text, images, websites/links and files with friends.
• Cloud Download: supports downloading files in various formats and uploading them to 'My Cloud' for backup on any device.
• Cloud Tabs: Lets you pick up where you left off by automatically syncing your tabs to Mac, Android or Windows devices.
• Sync Bookmarks/Favorites: Sync Favorites across Windows, Mac and iOS devices.
Fresh User Interface
• Easy-to-use interface offers an innovative, touch-sensitive browsing experience.
• Full-screen browsing mode maximizes screen size.
Reader Mode
• Makes it easy to view articles by adjusting font sizes and removing ads.
• Built-in Night Mode protects your eyes in low light situations.
More Cool Features
• Brightness Control: Adjust screen brightness within the browser.
Portrait Orientation Lock: Supports switching the screen orientation in Maxthon Browser.
• Privacy Protection: Lets you browse the web without being tracked.
Maxthon's new iOS browser also features:
• Superior Social Integration: With just the click of a button, easily share content to social channels anywhere and anytime from within the browser.
• Optimized Sharing, Shake and Send: Push content to the cloud and access multiple sharing options, such as shake and send that enables users to easily share content by simply shaking their device.
• Localized Content: Local news, content and services available in 15 languages will give users easy-to-access and relevant information on-the-go.
• Optimized One-Handed Use: Elegant features, such as the Push Away Menu, allow users to easily view content and navigate the web seamlessly with one hand.
"Every day the focus of web browsing and content consumption shifts away from desktop computers and more towards mobile," says Karl Mattson, VP of Maxthon's International Division. "Web browsers need to change to become more optimized for mobile. Maxthons updated iOS browser is a reflection of our larger vision to shift with that migration and continue our history of making the web easier, faster and optimized for whatever device our customers use."
You can download Maxthon here:
http://www.maxthon.com/
BlackBerry Faces Shareholder Class Action Suit In U.S.
The Canadian Press's David Friend reports that BlackBerry and some key executives are facing allegations they misled investors on the state of the company's future, and how its BlackBerry 10 would fare against competitors, and that a class action lawsuit filed by one BlackBerry shareholder claims BlackBerry smartphone maker failed to tell investors that "the company was not on the road to recovery and reemerging as a lead player in the wireless communications industry."
"In reality, the BlackBerry 10 was not well-received by the market," said the lawsuit, filed in a Manhattan court by shareholder Marvin Pearlstein on Friday alleging that BlackBerry executives misrepresented the parlous state of BlackBerry's operations.
For the full report visit here:
http://goo.gl/TLHJAD
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