Kamis, 17 Januari 2013

Google miscalculated Nexus 4 numbers, French LG exec says

Google miscalculated Nexus 4 numbers, French LG exec says

LG is suddenly rather talkative about what's going on with supplies of the Nexus 4, a phone it makes in partnership with Google that's harder to find by the hour.

Following comments allegedly made by an LG spokesperson to a Korean site that there was nothing on LG's end causing the handset hold up, Cathy Robin, director of mobile communications for LG France, chatted with Challenges.fr about the 4's supply issues.

"Supply problems are not necessarily completely related to LG," Robin, as translated by Google, said. The issue, at least to some degree, has to do with poor math by Mountain View.

"Google has presented forecasts calculated according to their previous sales history of Nexus. But they have been less [in] demand."

Regional differences

LG continues to make Nexus 4 deliveries on a regular basis, Robin continued, but "it is lean."

According to Robin, the supply problems are at least partially to blame on inaccurate country-by-country allocations of the handset. France, for example, got too few phones while too many were sent to the U.K. and Germany.

Despite what can't be a pleasant time for either company's customer service or PR departments, Robin said there's no bad blood between LG and Google and the relationship between the two is "going smoothly."

That's a little surprising, considering not just what LG has said but the comments its comrade has made.

In December, Dan Cobley, Google UK and Ireland's managing director, took to Google+ to write: "Supplies from the manufacturer are scarce and erratic, and our communication has been flawed. I can offer an unreserved apology for our service and communication failures in this process."

While Cobley doesn't quite lay it on LG, the implication is that the latter was an unreliable manufacturer and difficult to talk to about what was holding up phone orders. There's blame on Google's end, but hey, look to the other guy.

TechRadar asked Google for its take on the Nexus 4 supply situation and will update this story if and when the company responds.

Asus already sold out of Google Nexus 7 dock in UK

Asus already sold out of Google Nexus 7 dock in UK

Google Nexus 7 owners were forced to wait months for the long-promised docking station for their prized 7-inch tablet and, as a result, have wasted no time in exhausting ASUS' initial stockpiles.

The dock went on sale at the official ASUS online store for £24.99 earlier this month, following its official launch at the CES expo.

The manufacturer has confirmed to Pocket-Lint that all current supplies have already been extinguised, but promised more are on the way.

An ASUS representative said: "It's sold out already, but more stock should be landing shortly."

Viewing angle

The dock features a USB charging port as well as an audio out and enables the tablet to be displayed at a neat viewing angle when sat on a desktop or coffee table.

As well as a dock for the award-winning Nexus 7 tablet, a station for the larger Nexus 10 is also thought to be on the way.

A festively-themed Android promotional video showed off both the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 docks before their official announcements

Via Pocket-Lint

Apple wants Siri to evolve into a more friendly lady

Apple wants Siri to evolve into a more friendly lady

Even though she's already starred in a handful of commercials with some of entertainment's biggest names, Siri could still use a little work.

The hit-or-miss voice activated search function proudly touted by Apple as a key feature in its newer iOS devices like the iPhone 5 and iPad mini may be popular for parlor tricks, but Apple has grander plans for Siri.

While Siri's appeared helpful to the likes of Sam Jackson and Martin Scorcese, Danny DeVito was overheard by TechRadar calling the faceless voice a "ball-breaker" at CES 2013.

That's just the kind of sentiment Apple is hoping to avoid in the future and, according to a new job listing, is looking to rectify rather quickly.

Siri Poppins

In a twist only the best fairy tales could have predicted, Apple is currently searching for a new writer to transform Siri from the blunt, brash femme vocale she is today into a more sophisticated and charming leading lady.

The job listing hopes to wrangle a writer who will "help the Siri team evolve Siri as a distinct, recognizable character," and that would "develop and write original dialog to support new Siri capabilities."

Additionally, Apple is hoping the writer will be able to maintain Siri's ability to "explain things in engaging, funny, and practical ways," as her personality is what Apple hopes will set Siri apart from the competition.

Apple claimed in the posting "Siri is known for 'her' wit," but her laconic delivery makes even Steven Wright look like the most jovial and outspoken comedian on the circuit.

Whomever lands the job certainly has quite the task in front of him or her, but the prospects of creating an entire persona that will "live" inside millions of smartphones around the globe should be more than enough motivation for any writer to apply for the opportunity.

Via 9to5Mac

eBay sales are up, and it's all thanks to mobile

eBay sales are up, and it's all thanks to mobile

eBay's Q4 2012 report, issued on Wednesday, saw sales up but profits down from the same period in 2011, and there's a simple explanation for that.

Profit dropped off a seemingly massive 62 percent from 2011, down to $757 million (UK£472 million, AU$718 million), but last year's figures were reportedly inflated by eBay's sale of Skype to Microsoft.

Sales revenue, on the other hand, rose 18 percent to $3.99 billion (UK£2.49 billion, AU$3.78 billion), with PayPal seeing the largest jump.

And Google's report said that increased mobile payments, which "exceeded expectations," deserved the credit.

Thanks, mobile

eBay chief executive John Donahoe told the BBC that "mobile continues to rewrite the commerce playbook."

Indeed, eBay is a popular choice on the biggest mobile operating systems - on Android, eBay is the 27th most popular free app, while it sits at 60th in Apple's app store.

eBay's Q4 report also claimed that growth of active users during 2012 was driven by mobile, as well as enhancements to the site and increased use in new, emerging markets.

The growth of PayPal

The online auction site also reported that PayPal saw the biggest growth of all.

PayPal payments in the fourth quarter rose 24 percent from 2011, while eBay's marketplace division revenue increased by 16 percent.

Between end-of-day Wednesday and Thursday morning, eBay shares rose 2.7 percent.

Via BBC

Google CEO: Facebook doing a 'really bad job on their products'

Google CEO: Facebook doing a 'really bad job on their products'

Google is seemingly everywhere these days, and it's expected the company will only grow bigger in 2013 and beyond.

From its social networking with Google+, to mobile and tablet Android devices like the Nexus 4 and Nexus 7, to the widely used search engine, there's nary an area of daily life that Google doesn't have a hand in.

That's not to say Google is the leader of the pack, or without its fair share of competition from the likes of Facebook and Appple.

With just a few elite companies vying for that all-important user base, you would think Google CEO Larry Page would be more concerned with the opposition.

However, based on statements given in a recent interview, Page believes Google succeeded in spite of competition, merely because they're "doing something different."

Faced(book)

Speaking with Wired, Page discussed the genesis of Google+, and though Facebook was already well-established in the social networking landscape, he believed there was space for another option.

"We had real issues with how our users shared information, how they expressed their identity, and so on," Page said.

"And, yeah, [Facebook is] a company that's strong in that space. But they're also doing a really bad job on their products. For us to succeed, is it necessary for some other company to fail? No. We're actually doing something different."

Page likened the situation to the early days of Google itself, when nobody believed another search engine could survive in an already crowded arena.

"I think it's outrageous to say that there's only space for one company in these areas," Page continued.

"When we started with search, everyone said, 'You guys are gonna fail, there's already five search companies.' We said, 'We are a search company, but we're doing something different.' That's how I see all these areas."

As for what Page thinks of Google+ as it stands right now, the CEO added he was happy with its progress, and he could tell they were doing a good job based on competitors aping what Google was doing.

How do you like them Apples?

Facebook wasn't the only company Page skewered in the rare interview, as he took the chance to throw a few barbs Apple's way as well.

When discussing how he felt companies only failed because of lack of ambition, not litigation or competition, Page brushed off the idea Apple's iOS was any competitor to Android.

Told Steve Jobs claimed to "go to thermonuclear war" on the Android operating system, Page merely replied, "How well is that working?"

As of November, Android sat atop the market with a 75-percent share, while iOS had fallen far behind with just under 15-percent.

Page also discussed how he thought a less-open operating system hindered innovation, and though he didn't single out Apple specifically in that case, the point was clear.

"Our philosophy has always been to get our products out to as many people as possible. Unfortunately that's not always easy in this day and age," Page said.

"Now we're going backward with a lot of the platforms that are out there. Companies are trying to wall everything off, and I think that impedes the rate of innovation."

Google 20XX

With Page at the helm, Google appears to be headed in the right direction in leading technology and its users further into the future.

There are rumors about Google X, a new phone and tablet line sprung forth from the acquisition of Motorola Mobility.

There's the continuing evolution of the Android OS, with Key Lime Pie's release just off the horizon, and a whole slew of Android gaming devices slated to arrive at some point in the next year.

The company's annual event, Google IO, is set to go down in May, and Page and co. will likely have plenty of new innovations to show off then as well.

Regardless of the competition, it seems Page is content to allow Google to march to the beat of its own drum, and he has high hopes for what lies ahead.

"We're one of the bigger companies of the world," Page said. "And I'd like to see us do more stuff—not just do what somebody else has done, but something new."

Via Wired

Apple, Samsung throw additional devices into patent Thunderdome

Apple, Samsung throw additional devices into patent Thunderdome

Rather than spark new lawsuits down the road between Apple and Samsung, a U.S. patent judge has ruled the two companies are permitted to toss additional gadgets onto the fire burning between them in court.

SlashGear reported Thursday that U.S. District Court Judge Paul Grewal has once again allowed Apple and Samsung to introduce more devices into their ongoing patent spat.

Judge Grewal ruled that denying additional products to be included would simply lead to new lawsuits further down the line, in keeping with an earlier decision in November.

While the two companies remain publicly mum on the latest ruling, Samsung has added a single new device, while Apple is proving the more aggressive of the two by introducing five new products to the proceedings.

Five to one

Among Apple's newly-added devices is the Android 4.1 version of the Samsung Galaxy SIII along with the Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, Rugby Pro and the Wi-Fi only Galaxy Tab 8.9.

By comparison, Samsung showed a bit of restraint by adding only the iPhone 5 - hardly surprising, given the sheer volume of devices the Korean manufacturer produces compared to Apple.

The next round of Apple v. Samsung won't go to trial until March, 2014, which gives each company plenty of time to add even more devices to the legal mix before everything is said and done.

Via SlashGear

Top 210 best Android apps 2013

Top 210 best Android apps 2013

Android is no longer the poor relation of iOS when it comes to apps - whether you've got the latest Android-powered tablet or an older Android phone, there's plenty of choices when it comes to loading your device with extra software.

The Google Play Store is stacked with loads great stuff. But it does have a downside - it can be a problem to separate the wheat from the chaff.

That's why we're here. Whether you're after the best free Android apps or the best paid ones, we've rounded up the top Android apps for 2012 in the articles below.

If you're short on time then you can also check out our brief video run-down of ten great Android apps for your consideration

70 best free Android apps

Most of the good stuff on Android is free, thanks to the work of developers who do it for love alone. These 60 free Android apps should be any Android owner's Day One installs...

Best free Android apps

Read 70 best free Android apps

60 best free Android games

We've worked our way through a whole load of Android games to reveal the ones you should download to your phone.

free android games

Read 60 best free Android games

18 best Android apps worth paying for

Don't panic because we're mentioning money here - the average cost of this little lot is around two dollars a pop. In return, you're able to tether, customise, share data and more, all in incredible style, thanks to the work of Team Android's finest people.

Paid apps

Read 18 best Android apps - paid apps

Top 10 best Android paid-for games

Android's a world of bargains - most of the finest examples of paid-for Android games come in around the psychologically negligible 'micro-transaction' cost level, with the majority of developers selling their works for a couple of dollars, tops. So, now you've been gently acclimatised to the possibility of having to pay for something, pay for these things - the 10 best paid-for games on Android today.

best paid android games

Read Top 10 best Android games - paid apps

10 best alternative Android apps

Even if you're using a phone layered down with a custom user interface like Sense or TouchWiz, there are many alternatives to your pre-installed tools and settings. These are our 10 favourite alternate Android apps.

Read 10 best alternative Android apps

10 best free Android apps for kids

There are plenty of child-friendly apps in the Android Market. From educational apps to fun apps, we've rounded up 10 your kids will love.

best free android apps for kids

Read 10 best free Android apps for kids

10 best office apps for Android

Android has a wealth of productivity tools at its disposal, ranging from free and simple text editors and "to do" lists up to impressively feature-packed and rather costly suites of document management apps that promise PowerPoint and Excel editing on your mobile.

Read 10 best office apps for Android

And there's more...

Best Android browser: 8 compared for speed and features

8 best Android keyboard apps reviewed and rated

10 best Android music players

10 best Android movie player apps

Nokia to cut 300 jobs in IT reshuffle

Nokia to cut 300 jobs in IT reshuffle

Nokia is the latest tech company to suffer from the current economic climate, as it's just announced it'll cut 300 jobs globally and outsource up to another 820 to consultants.

The job losses will be in the company's IT operations. The changes will "increase operational efficiency and reduce operating costs, creating an IT organisation appropriate for Nokia's current size and shape," according to the Finnish phone maker.

They're part of the firm's downsizing strategy it announced last June, involving 10,000 job cuts before the end of this year. But Nokia says these are the "last anticipated reductions", so hopefully there won't be any more job losses.

Outsourcing

The 820 jobs will be outsourced to two Indian companies, while the majority of the 300 redundancies will be workers in the company's Finnish operations. Those made redundant will be offered financial compensation and a support program.

Nokia already closed its mobile production plants in Salo in Finland, losing 4,000 jobs, and sold its Espoo headquarters for 170 million euros, leasing it back in an attempt to cut costs. So it's batten the hatches time.

The company's fourth quarter of last year was surprisingly good though, with the Lumia and Asha smartphones outselling expectations. So it's not all bad news.

Via The Next Web

Sony's slinky Xperia Tablet Z to launch in Japan next week?

Sony's slinky Xperia Tablet Z to launch in Japan next week?

A Japanese network let slip some more details about the rumoured Sony Xperia Tablet Z, including the fact that it will launch in Japan on January 22.

Although DoCoMo hastily took the offending info down, it didn't escape the notice of Android Authority who grabbed and translated the data.

DoCoMo's site also revealed that it would be showcasing the tablet in-store until January 27; it's not clear if that means it will be a DoCoMo exclusive or if the wider release date will be January 27 or if the tablet will make it out of Japan anytime soon.

Slim jim

Still nothing official from Sony itself, but we did see some specs leak on to the web yesterday.

If these are to be believed, we're looking at another water- and dust-proof tablet from the Sony stable, with a 6.9mm-thin chassis (at its slimmest point, presumably) and a full-HD 10.1-inch display. It will likely launch running Android Jelly Bean.

We'll be keeping a close eye on January 22 for hide or hair of the Xperia Tablet Z - meanwhile, amuse yourself with tales of the Sony Xperia Z smartphone equivalent that we got our hands on at CES 2013.

From Android Authority

Top 200 best Android apps 2013

Top 200 best Android apps 2013

Android is no longer the poor relation of iOS when it comes to apps - whether you've got the latest Android-powered tablet or an older Android phone, there's plenty of choices when it comes to loading your device with extra software.

The Google Play Store is stacked with loads great stuff. But it does have a downside - it can be a problem to separate the wheat from the chaff.

That's why we're here. Whether you're after the best free Android apps or the best paid ones, we've rounded up the top Android apps for 2012 in the articles below.

If you're short on time then you can also check out our brief video run-down of ten great Android apps for your consideration

70 best free Android apps

Most of the good stuff on Android is free, thanks to the work of developers who do it for love alone. These 60 free Android apps should be any Android owner's Day One installs...

Best free Android apps

Read 70 best free Android apps

50 best free Android games

We've worked our way through a whole load of Android games to reveal the ones you should download to your phone.

free android games

Read 50 best free Android games

18 best Android apps worth paying for

Don't panic because we're mentioning money here - the average cost of this little lot is around two dollars a pop. In return, you're able to tether, customise, share data and more, all in incredible style, thanks to the work of Team Android's finest people.

Paid apps

Read 18 best Android apps - paid apps

Top 10 best Android paid-for games

Android's a world of bargains - most of the finest examples of paid-for Android games come in around the psychologically negligible 'micro-transaction' cost level, with the majority of developers selling their works for a couple of dollars, tops. So, now you've been gently acclimatised to the possibility of having to pay for something, pay for these things - the 10 best paid-for games on Android today.

best paid android games

Read Top 10 best Android games - paid apps

10 best alternative Android apps

Even if you're using a phone layered down with a custom user interface like Sense or TouchWiz, there are many alternatives to your pre-installed tools and settings. These are our 10 favourite alternate Android apps.

Read 10 best alternative Android apps

10 best free Android apps for kids

There are plenty of child-friendly apps in the Android Market. From educational apps to fun apps, we've rounded up 10 your kids will love.

best free android apps for kids

Read 10 best free Android apps for kids

10 best office apps for Android

Android has a wealth of productivity tools at its disposal, ranging from free and simple text editors and "to do" lists up to impressively feature-packed and rather costly suites of document management apps that promise PowerPoint and Excel editing on your mobile.

Read 10 best office apps for Android

And there's more...

Best Android browser: 8 compared for speed and features

8 best Android keyboard apps reviewed and rated

10 best Android music players

10 best Android movie player apps