Microsoft has been launching some very in-your-face ads, and they continued to do so recently with a campaign intended to promote the ASUS VivoTab Smart as a great Windows RT iPad alternative. The problem, though, is that Microsoft has drastically exaggerated the tablet’s screen size and has even stated clearly false information as fact–saying that the ASUS tablet “has a bigger touchscreen.” (more…)
Render of a potential low-cost iPhone
We’ve heard plenty of rumors about a lower-cost iPhone that would combat the low-cost Android handsets that are so popular across the world, so the latest developments shouldn’t come as a surprise. Coming by way of Macotakara, an accurate source for such rumors, are reports that the iPhone 5S and an upcoming low-cost iPhone will be available in various colors. (more…)
Apple confirmed on Thursday that the opening keynote for its annual Worldwide Developers Conference will take place on Monday, June 10th at its usual Moscone Center venue in San Francisco. This is a rather unsurprising announcement, considering that virtually every other WWDC keynote has been held on the opening day of the conference.
A list of speakers at the keynote was not provided, although it’s highly probable that we’ll hear from CEO Tim Cook, marketing chief Phil Schiller and other senior executives at the Cupertino-based corporation. It would also be nice to see design head Jonathan Ive on stage in his new expanded role. The focus of the keynote will be on the future of iOS and OS X.
Taiwanese handset maker HTC is in trouble, with declining revenues and internal struggles, but its flagship HTC One has been one bright spot for the ailing corporation.
HTC One shipments are now approaching 5 million since the smartphone was released in late April, an impressive number for a company that also has a dud called HTC First on its hands.
Despite its success, the HTC One isn’t the top-selling Android smartphone. That crown goes to the Galaxy S4, which is about to eclipse 10 million shipments according to Samsung.
Nevertheless, iFans strongly believes that the HTC One is the best Android smartphone released to date, outshining the Samsung Galaxy S4 in a number of areas: physical design, software features and low-light camera performance.
[CNET]
Mailbox [iTunes link], a popular third-party mailing solution for iOS devices, has been updated with support for the iPad. The app has larger panels that are optimized for the full-sized tablet, with the same swiping gestures as on iPhone for organizing your inbox.
Mailbox, which was recently scooped up by Dropbox in a multimillion dollar acquisition, still requires a Gmail account to function. The mailing platform gained a lot of notoriety for implementing a first-come, first-serve reservation system upon launch, which at one point had over 600,000 users queued in line.
Yesterday, Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One, the successor to the 8-year-old Xbox 360. The console’s reveal has been met with a wide variety of criticism and praise, but there’s one thing that can’t be denied. Xbox is aiming to make this box the purveyor of big-name content, and wants to expand deep beyond gaming. Microsoft–obviously–wants the Xbox One to be your living room set-top box.
Most gamers aren’t happy with these countless new “bloat” features. They just want to play games. If you’re one of these people, you’ll probably find the above video humorous, as it plainly demonstrates the countless pushes Microsoft is making to see that the Xbox is more than just a gaming machine. On top of that, it dramatizes the fact that a new Xbox can’t be announced without a new Call of Duty. The two are synonymous.
Hilarious. How do you feel about the Xbox being expanded to provide even more non-game content?
It seems that one major tech corporation bashing another is becoming the norm in TV advertisements that Samsung, Microsoft, Nokia and other companies have released in recent months. In this latest Microsoft ad, the Redmond-based giant uses Siri as a voice-over to promote Windows 8 tablets over the industry-leading iPad.
Microsoft mocks the iPad for its lack of Live Tiles and PowerPoint support. Moreover, the ad promotes the $449 price tag of the 64 GB Asus VivoTab tablet versus $699 for the 64 GB model iPad. Microsoft finishes the 30-second spot with the tagline, “less talking, more doing,” a subtle jab at the Siri voice assistant. (more…)
OtterBox, as most will know, is famous for their bulky protection cases for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and other devices. Almost every accident-prone iPhone owner has an OtterBox, and the line of cases do their job well. Until today, their main competitor went by the name of LifeProof, adding water resistance to the list of benefits OtterBox cases offer. LifeProof announced today via press release that they have been acquired by OtterBox and that, over the next 30 days, the latter will begin incorporating the LifeProof brand into its family. (more…)
The HTC One may be slowly gaining traction in the market, but it doesn’t seem as if HTC’s problems are quite over. The Verge today reported on various talented executives fleeing the company, and apparently those leaving the company are doing so under rather poor circumstances. Eric Lin, previously a product strategy manager, tweeted the following:
To all my friends still at @htc – just quit. leave now. it’s tough to do, but you’ll be so much happier, I swear.
— eric L (@ericlin) May 20, 2013
It seems as if most of these departures are occurring in the marketing side of the company. Rumors state that HTC has begun moving some of their marketing operations back to Taiwan, which would certainly help account for many of these departures. However, the ominous warnings from Lin, among others, would seem to suggest that the issue may be more extensive than many believe.
Apple’s USA Mac to be Built in Texas
“We’re investing $100 million to build a Mac product line here in the U.S.,” Cook said. “The product will be assembled in Texas, include components made in Illinois and Florida, and rely on equipment produced in Kentucky and Michigan.”
Tim Cook confirmed before the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations that its Made-in-USA Mac will be manufactured in Texas. This makes sense considering Foxconn has facilities there as well as the fact that they are building a campus in Austin. Definitely good news for the already economically strong state of Texas.