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iPhone 5S Worst For Consumers - Solavei CEO
Samsung Brings 6.3-Inch HD Screen Galaxy Mega Phablet to U.S. Consumers
Free NARR8 Launches on iPhone to Bring Huge Stories to the Small Screen
Barnes & Noble Announces Free NOOK Video Apps for iOS, Android and Roku Devices, along with Specially Designed Apps for NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color
AutoMile 1.3 Mileage Logging App Now Available with Support for Alternative Routes At 50 Percent Off Regular Price
SAVANT Introduces Apple iDevice Controllable SmartLighting Wi-Fi Lighting Control System
OtterBox Earns Another Victory Against Knock-Off Counterfeiters
iPhone 5S Worst For Consumers - Solavei CEO
As the hype builds for the new iPhone announcement on Sept. 10, smartphone users are checking their contracts for available upgrades, and preparing to lock themselves in for yet another two-year contract with AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile or Sprint.
However, especially with a lower cost iPhone on the way, the timing is better than ever to consider a prepaid phone option according to Solavei, a prepaid carrier with 25 percent of its current 100,000-member base using the iPhone, and looking to change the consumer mindset on mobile phone upgrades.
"The iPhone 5S will be the worst thing for consumers and best thing for the traditional wireless carriers,” says Solavei CEO Ryan Wuerch. “Many consumers blindly purchase the latest iPhones around the hype of a launch and lock themselves into high-priced, two-year contracts with hidden phone subsides. They will end up paying more than $1,000 for a phone that will ultimately be two generations old by the time they pay it off. By going with a prepaid carrier with a lower monthly service charge and buying the phone outright, consumers can save hundreds.”
To help the shift in mindset to prepaid, Solavei is offering $39/month service for unlimited voice, text and data for the first three months for those signing up by September 3.
For more information, visit:
http://www.solavei.com/
Samsung Brings 6.3-Inch HD Screen Galaxy Mega Phablet to U.S. Consumers
Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC (Samsung Mobile) has announced the release of the Samsung Galaxy Mega for the U.S. market. The 6.3-inch Galaxy Mega is a hybrid mobile device popularly referred to as a "phablet," that combines smartphone portability with the immersive experience of a tablet.
The Galaxy Mega combines features from the Samsung Galaxy smartphone family with a 6.3-inch screen, making it a crossover device for both telecommunications and for consumption of movies, books, music and games.
"We continue to bring innovation with our Galaxy family of devices, with the Galaxy Mega representing a manifestation of consumers enthusiasm for our thin, large screen designs," says Nick DiCarlo, vice president of product planning and marketing at Samsung Mobile. "The Galaxy Mega combines exceptional features from the Samsung Galaxy smartphone family with a 6.3-inch screen, making it an optimal device for movies, books, music and games."
Galaxy Features
The Galaxy Mega allows users to enjoy many of the benefits of Samsungs latest flagship device, the Galaxy S4, on an even larger screen. The Galaxy Mega's big-screen experience enhances (at least in the viewing context) everything you do on a smartphone whether its watching a video, browsing web pages or composing an email.
Air View: Explore information and content on your Galaxy Mega without ever touching the screen. Simply hover your finger an inch above the screen to preview emails and photos, initiate speed-dial and even magnify text.
Multi Window: Multi Window split screen multitasking allows users to seamlessly run multiple apps on one screen simultaneously (something Apple's iOS devices can't do), and is now better than ever on the 6.3-inch HD screen of the Galaxy Mega. Watch a movie and check email at the same time, all by dragging and dropping apps on the same screen.
WatchON: Control your television using the Galaxy Mega as a remote control. Discover a rich TV viewing experience with the Integrated Infrared (IR) controller that makes Smart Remote functional with any IR capable TV or Set Top Box. Users can share content from the Galaxy Mega to a TV easly, as well as channel surf in a way that lets you browse by genre, search by title or receive recommendations based on your interests.
Easy Mode: Helps smooth the transition for first-time smartphone owners by simplifying the home screen layout, camera, calendar, messaging and the internet browser to make the settings menu easy to navigate. Once a user is more comfortable with their Galaxy Mega, they can easily switch back to the standard home screen interface.
Captivating Camera: At 8-megapixels, the Galaxy Mega rear-facing camera has zero shutter lag to capture lifes memorable moments without delay. The Galaxy Mega is equipped with the easy-to-navigate Galaxy Camera user interface which supports numerous shooting modes such as Beauty Face, Best Photo, Sound & Shot, Panorama and more, to enhance photos taken by even novice photographers. Galaxy Mega users can also create photo albums on the fly with Story Album - a unique way to group content by event or date. With the spacious display and a variety of filters and editing tools, smartphone photos have never looked better.
Powerful Performance
The Galaxy Mega has 6.3 inches of screen real estate with a HD Super Clear LCD (720x1280) display that beautifully showcases photos, e-books and magazines, or PowerPoint presentations. Wide viewing angles mean that users can maximize productivity and never sacrifice their experience.
The Galaxy Mega runs Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), powered by a 1.7 GHz dual core CPU and 1.5 GB of internal RAM. Users can store large libraries of photos, music and videos with expandable storage of up to 64 GB of memory with an external microSD card.
The Galaxy Mega is also SAFE (Samsung for Enterprise), allowing users to work and play with confidence that their photos, emails and contacts are protected. Built with enough power to get you through the longest work days, the Galaxy Mega is powered by a removable 3,200 mAh battery for extended use on a single charge.
You can protect the Galaxy Mega with an assortment of cover options, such as the S-View Flip Cover, a specially designed flip cover with a clear window to answer or reject a call and view battery status. The traditional Flip Cover provides similar functionality without a viewing window, and the Protective Cover + fits snugly around the Galaxy Mega to protect against bumps and falls. Sold separately, the S-View Flip Cover, Flip Cover and Protective Cover + come in a variety of vibrant colors to add personality and style, all while protecting the Galaxy Mega.
The Galaxy Mega comes in Nova Black and Polaris White color options and will be available beginning this month. AT&T, Sprint and US Cellular will carry the device - each carrier will announce their specific availability, colors and timing.
For more information on the Galaxy Mega and accessories, visit:
http://www.samsung.com
Free NARR8 Launches on iPhone to Bring Huge Stories to the Small Screen
NARR8 continues its expansion into the mobile market with the release of its free-to-download, free-to-use digital comic application on Apple's iPhone.
An application that blurs the boundary between books and television, NARR8 is a creative content channel that delivers one-of-a-kind content in the form of motion comics and interactive nonfiction series in a slew of different genres. With its release on Apple iPhone, NARR8 will offer a redesigned interface to improve readability on the small screen. The app offers a huge variety of original content that springs to life with a tap of the touchscreen with fluid animations, full music soundtracks, HD effects, and interactive features.
"When we first launched NARR8 on IOS devices, we hit the #1 position for Entertainment Apps on iPad in the US and Russia, and the #6 position for free iPad Apps," says NARR8 President and Founder Alexandr Vashchenko. "It was then that we knew the launch of iPhones would offer potential for even greater success. We love creating unique and incredible content for our readers, and we're ecstatic that we can now bring NARR8 to an even larger audience on iPhone."
NARR8 has experienced considerable success since its launch in November 2012, having not only hit the top charts in the US and Russia, but also having expanded to Spanish- and Korean-speaking markets, going on to hit the #1 position in 10 Spanish-speaking countries including Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, El Salvador, and Venezuela.
The iPhone version of NARR8 will launch fully compatible with all the app's available content so far, including their newly launched four new educational nonfiction series: Alma Mater, Micro, Biographics and Eureka, to their mobile platform. As well as their first 2 kids series, Panda's & Boom and Qumi-Qumi, both interactive content, as well as fun and educational content and a new motion comic Prime Blood & Agency. This is all part of NARR8's expansion to provide diverse types of content for their readers
For more information, visit:
http://narr8.me/
NARR8 is free to download through the Amazon Appstore, Apple App Store and on Google Play.
Apple App Store:
https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/narr8/id559770353
Barnes & Noble Announces Free NOOK Video Apps for iOS, Android and Roku Devices, along with Specially Designed Apps for NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color
NOOK Media LLC, a subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products, has launched a suite of free NOOK Video Apps for iOS, Android and Roku devices. The apps enable customers to watch movies and TV shows from NOOK Video instantly on a wide variety of mobile devices, including iPads, iPhones, Android tablets, Android smartphones, as well as on a TV through Roku streaming players. In addition, customers with the award-winning NOOK Tablet and NOOK Color will now have access to NOOK Video through a specially designed app that will automatically appear in customers lockers starting today.
"With the new NOOK Video Apps, customers can now easily access the thousands of movies and TV shows available from major studios and content partners on their TV and mobile devices," says Jonathan Shar, Vice President & General Manager, Emerging Digital Content, NOOK Media LLC. "Combined with the built-in NOOK Video offering on the critically acclaimed NOOK HD and NOOK HD+, and NOOKs seamless UltraViolet integration, we are offering customers one of the most dynamic and accessible movie and TV show stores available."
NOOK Video delivers a growing and diverse catalog of favorite HD movies and TV shows from all the major studios, as well as many leading edge independent studios. Titles can be easily purchased or rented from the NOOK Store with no subscription required. Customers can shop and add new releases, blockbuster movies, popular television shows, classics films and more to their NOOK Library, then instantly stream or download their purchases on NOOK tablet devices or through a NOOK Video App. Additionally, customers can easily shift their viewing experience across their connected devices by starting a movie or TV show on one device and then picking up exactly where they left off on another device linked to their account.
NOOK Videos UltraViolet integration provides customers the ability to view their previously and newly purchased UltraViolet-enabled movies and TV shows on all NOOK tablet devices, and through the NOOK Video Apps. In addition to purchasing UltraViolet movies and TV shows through NOOK Video, customers can also shop for DVDs and Blu-ray Discs with the UltraViolet logo in Barnes & Noble and other retail stores, add them to their digital collection, and instantly watch compatible titles on a NOOK tablet device or through a NOOK Video App, as well as on other UltraViolet-enabled devices.
For more information on NOOK Video and the free NOOK Video Apps, customers can visit http://www.nook.com or visit the NOOK Digital Shops and displays in any of Barnes & Nobles nearly 700 bookstores.
You can follow Barnes & Noble on Twitter (http://www.bn.com/twitter), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/barnesandnoble) and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/barnesandnoble).
AutoMile 1.3 Mileage Logging App Now Available with Support for Alternative Routes At 50 Percent Off Regular Price
Cleveland, Ohio based indie developer Brian Toth has announced AutoMile 1.3 for iOS is currently on sale for half-price. AutoMile for Mac OS X provides a unique take on mileage logging apps. With AutoMile a user records the places they went - rather than their odometer readings - saving time and offering greater flexibility and convenience. The AutoMile 1.3 update adds support for alternative routes for more accurate distance calculations.
AutoMile 1.3 Change Log:
(*) Alternative routes for trips!
(*) Bug fixes.
(*) Built-in crash reporting. (For more accurate reporting of problems.)
AutoMile Features:
(*) Record mileage when it's convenient.
(*) Can record mileage for past years.
(*) Import locations from Address Book, Outlook, or vCards.
(*) Export reports to a CSV formatted file for Excel or Numbers.
(*) Reports include monthly and annual totals.
(*) Designed for quick data entry using drag & drop and handy keyboard shortcuts.
(*) AutoMile will use kilometers if the user's Mac is set to use metric units.
(*) Choose from alternative routes for each trip. (New!)
System Requirements:
(*) Mac OS X Version 10.7.5 Lion or higher
(*) Internet connection for maps and directions
A free demo version is available from Brian Toth's website. AutoMile is available for purchase through the Mac App Store or direct from Brian Toth's website. Regularly priced at $29.99 (USD), AutoMile is currently on sale for $14.99 (USD) for a limited time.
AutoMile:
http://briantoth.com/automile
Download Demo:
http://briantoth.com/automile/download
AutoMile on the App Store:
https://itunes.apple.com/app/automile/id540367247
Twitter Profile:
http://twitter.com/briantoth
Trackback URL:
http://goo.gl/RWMfhC
SAVANT Introduces Apple iDevice Controllable SmartLighting Wi-Fi Lighting Control System
Savant Systems, LLC has announced the introduction of their SmartLighting Wi-Fi 802.11-based lighting control products, delivering a versatile solution that can be used as both a standalone lighting control platform or as part of a complete Savant automation system. Featuring a dimmer inside each Wi-Fi-connected keypad, Savant has created the ultimate customizable solution ideal for both new construction and retrofit lighting control that can be integrated without rewiring the home or commercial facility. Savant's SmartLighting technology expands the brand's presence in the growing connected home marketplace with a versatile Wi-Fi-based lighting control system.
Once the Wi-Fi lighting control keypads have been connected to existing line voltage and lighting load wiring in the wall, they become a powerful and secure networked device that can be controlled using Savant's new standalone lighting control iOS app or as part of a larger Savant ecosystem. Savant's double gang keypad features its own internal processor, eliminating the additional installation expense associated with external hardware and related wiring. Additionally, the Savant SmartLighting Wi-Fi keypads deliver real-time energy usage data, providing home and/or business owners instant access to energy savings data based upon dimming or turning off lights.
"The elegance, simplicity and versatility of Savant's Wi-Fi lighting products make lighting control a viable option for a broad new category of consumers," explains Jim Carroll, Executive Vice President Corporate Strategy & Business Development at Savant. "Now, the luxury and convenience of sophisticated and scalable lighting control can be achieved by leveraging an existing Wi-Fi network," Carroll added. Initial system setup is fast and easy as well, which integrators can efficiently manage using an Apple iOS device.
Savant's networked lighting control solution is ideal for the commercial marketplace, suited to such applications as event scheduling; having your conference room lights turn on just before a meeting, or having predetermined facility lights turn off once the security system has been activated, reducing energy costs. And because these lighting control devices operate on the network, Savant integrators will be able to offer remote system maintenance, control and diagnostics with maximum efficiency utilizing Savant's Enterprise Management System to be introduced later this year. "Our Wi-Fi lighting control solution is yet another in a series of intelligent devices designed by Savant to bring more features and functionality to a controlled environment," says Mr. Carroll.
Savant's Wi-Fi lighting control system including a standalone lighting control iOS app will become available October, 2013.
For more information, visit:
http://www.savantsystems.com
OtterBox Earns Another Victory Against Knock-Off Counterfeiters
OtterBox, maker of premium protective cases for mobile technology, has won another battle in the ongoing war against counterfeiters. A U.S. District Court judge recently issued a permanent injunction against a New York-based company and ordered it to pay OtterBox $2 million related to the sale of counterfeit cases.
The court found that S & P Trading Inc. violated provisions of the Lanham Act when it purchased and then sold no less than 146,025 counterfeit cases, infringing on federally registered trademarks for which OtterBox owns all rights. This is the latest judgment in a series of actions OtterBox has taken to protect its brand.
Counterfeit consumer product goods continue to be a drain on the global economy. Last year, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized counterfeit goods totaling $1.26 billion in retail value.(*) Like so many other premium consumer brands, OtterBox aggressively fights against intellectual property theft.
"OtterBox was built on bringing our customers innovative, first-to-market products," says OtterBox CEO Brian Thomas. "A lot of design, engineering and testing goes into each of our custom protective cases, which is why we take a hard line with companies creating and selling fake cases, as well as those infringing on our patents and trademarks. Counterfeit products damage our reputation for delivering premium quality products because many consumers aren’t aware that they purchased a fake OtterBox. If a deal seems to be too good to be true, it probably is."
OtterBox currently has more than 110 trademark registrations worldwide with several pending. Additionally, the company holds more than 190 patents in the U.S., placing it among the top innovators in the wireless communications space just between Apple Inc. and BlackBerry. In 2012, OtterBox, in collaboration with CBP, confiscated more than 118,000 counterfeit items and was awarded judgments and settlements totaling nearly $11 million.
For more information, visit:
http://otterbox.com
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