Watch out Alexa: Google’s AI assistant’s been released into the wild at MWC integrating with Nokia, Samsung, Huawei and more February 26, 2017 Google's voice assistant has been released into the wild, making an appearance in several blockbuster smartphones unveiled at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. The Siri-like assistant will feature in the latest flagship phones from Nokia, Samsung, Huawei LG, Sony and HTC. It's the first time the artificial intelligence (AI) powered Google Assistant has featured in any non-Google [...]
Samsung just launched an iPad Pro and Microsoft Surface rival at MWC 2017 as we wait for the Galaxy S8 February 26, 2017 Samsung is taking on Apple and Microsoft in the premium tablet stakes, unveiling a wannabe laptop replacement – the Galaxy Book. Vying for a slice of a market dominated by the iPad Pro and Microsoft Surface, the device is a full PC running Windows 10 and comes with a keyboard and stylus. The announcement, along with an updated [...]
Blackberry’s famous qwerty keyboard is back, resurrected by TCL at MWC 2017 February 26, 2017 If you miss the feel of a proper real-life keyboard rather than a touchscreen, there's a new phone for you. Blackberry has resurrected its much-loved qwerty keyboard in its latest phone, the KeyOne. Hang on… didn't Blackberry say it was ditching making smartphones altogether? Yes it did. After models like the Priv fell flat, failing [...]
5G to come to central London in 2017: New routers could spell the end of fixed line broadband February 24, 2017 5G networks will be trialled in central London later this year with telecoms infrastructure firm Arqiva teaming up with boffins at Samsung to develop the new technology. Britain is in the process of dragging itself into the 21st century by developing the country’s fixed line superfast fibre access. But fixed access 5G points to be tested by Samsung [...]
Two Samsung execs stand down amid a corruption scandal that led to boss Jay Y Lee’s arrest February 24, 2017 Two senior Samsung executives have offered to resign, taking responsibility for the mobile phone giant's involvement in a scandal involving South Korean President Park Geun-hye. According to a report by the Yonhap news agency, vice chairman Choi Gee-sung and president Chang Choong-gi have offered to resign. Both were already identified as suspects by the South Korean special prosecution [...]
Samsung boss Lee Jae-yong formally arrested by South Korean police over corruption allegations February 17, 2017 Samsung boss Lee Jae-yong has been arrested by police overnight over his role in corruption allegations, but the the mobile phone behemoth promises the truth will be revealed if Lee’s case goes to court. The news caps a torrid time for the world’s largest manufacturer of smart phones and South Korea’s biggest company, after the disastrous roll [...]
Huawei Mate 9 review: The latest Huawei flagship fills the phablet gap left behind by Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 February 8, 2017 Having had its reputation scuttled by the exploding Galaxy Note 7 – a phone that’s now as welcome on an aeroplane plane as a wet fart – Samsung has left a slightly singed gap in the phablet market. Men and women with very large hands who need giant telephones to make them feel momentarily normal [...]
Do strong brands make good investments? Brand Finance certainly think so February 1, 2017 When purchasing consumer goods, we’re attracted to brands we know and love. We buy Coca Cola, rather than an own brand product. We prefer Ray Ban sunglasses, Colgate toothpaste, Apple’s iPhone. And we’re willing to pay a premium for the privilege. Consumers have an affinity with the real thing, not just through overt awareness – [...]
Apple’s shares have gone bananas on recovering iPhone sales February 1, 2017 Shares in Apple jumped almost six per cent as the market opened in New York this morning, after stellar earnings revealed record iPhone sales. Shares were up 5.7 per cent at $128.23 after figures published last night showed it sold 78.3m iPhones. The figure smashed analysts' expectations of 76m. The Christmas period was seen as crucial for [...]
Back to life, back to virtual reality: Xiaomi’s international boss Hugo Barra joins Facebook’s VR unit Oculus January 26, 2017 Hugo Barra announced he was leaving Xiaomi to make a Silicon Valley return a few days ago and now we know where he was headed: Facebook. The ex-Google executive who led international expansion at Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi has left the company to take up a role as vice president of virtual reality at Facebook's VR [...]