Tips Smart: 2014

Showing posts with label 2014. Show all posts

Friday, May 22, 2015

Apple Reportedly Launching Larger iPad in October 2014 Larger iPhone in May 2014

Following a report last month stating that Apple supplier Quanta Computer had landed the contract to mass-produce a larger-sized iPad for late 2014, Digitimes is reporting that the 12.9-inch tablet will be released in October 2014 and will target North Americas educational market. Apple is also said to be examining the possibility of replacing the 11-inch MacBook Air with the larger iPad.

Apples large-size tablet will be manufactured by Quanta Computer, and was originally expected to adopt either 12.9- or 13.3-inch panels, with recent rumors indicating that 12.9-inch has a better chance to be picked, the sources noted.

The report also states that Apple is planning to release a larger size iPhone in May 2014, using a 20nm processor manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). Reports of a next-generation iPhone featuring a larger screen have surfaced occasionally throughout the past year, while the claim of an A8 processor made by TSMC is follows a report in June stating that the company had struck a three-year deal with Apple to produce A-series chips starting in 2014.

However, a May 2014 release date for the next iPhone would be somewhat of a surprising move by Apple, considering that the most recent reports have stated that the larger-screened iPhone will debut in late 2014. A release then would be in line with the October 2011 launch of the iPhone 4s, the September 2012 launch of the iPhone 5, and the September 2013 launch of the iPhone 5s and 5c.

A report last month from The Korea Times indicated that production of a 12.9-inch Retina Display to be used in a next-generation iPad was already underway at an Apple supplier in Korea, with a target date of early 2014. The larger tablet is also said to carry an improved display nearing ultra high-definition (UHD) quality, which would be significantly bigger and contain more pixels than Apples current 9.7-inch iPad Air.

Data source: via MacRumors (By Richard Padilla)

Pebble Opens Developer Portal Appstore Coming in 2014

Pebble, the company behind the popular Pebble Smart Watch, today announced the opening of its new Pebble Developer Portal. With the Developer Portal open, Pebble app developers can upload apps that will be distributed in the company’s upcoming Pebble appstore, slated to launch in early 2014.

The appstore, which will function similarly to other app repositories from companies like Apple and Google, will allow Pebble users to download an array of apps for their smart watches, from watch faces to more complex applications developed especially for the device.

When it launches in early 2014, the Pebble appstore will be a first-of-its-kind wearable tech application directory—giving Pebble users a one-stop-shop for searching, browsing, and installing Pebble watch faces and apps directly from the iOS or Android Pebble smartphone app.

Pebble’s Developer Portal comes after the November release of its Pebble SDK 2.0, which added four new APIs including Javascript, Accelerometer, Data Logging, and Persistent Storage. Pebble also recently gained support for iOS 7 notifications via the Pebble Smartwatch app, greatly enhancing the functionality of the device.

The Pebble Smart watch can be purchased from the Pebble website for $150. The accompanying Pebble Smartwatch app can be downloaded from the App Store for free.

Data source: via MacRumors (By Juli Clover)

MediaTek will overtake Qualcomm in 2014

According to Digitimes, Qualcomm will likely give up its crown of top chip maker.
MediaTek is known for their mid end SoC (System on Chip) which have been chosen largely by Chinese Makers (iOcean x7, Umi X2, GooPhone, ainol, etc...) with models such as the MTK6589 and MTK6589T.

But their upcoming high end Octo Core MTK6592 is said to rival the Gods themselves ! Ahem... not exactly, it will only rival the S800 of Qualcomm which is already good enough. In this leaked image, the latest chip score around 30 000 on AnTuTu.

Imagine this power available to everyone at a very affordable prices. Here are some official documents by MediaTek.

Motorola Moto G 2014 review Baby steps

As a successor to the most successful smartphone in Motorolas history, the second generation Moto G surely has hefty expectations to meet. A year after the XT1032 redefined the budget smartphone category by combining high-res screen, quality hardware, and up to date Android build, the newcomer aims to build on its success.

Moto G (2014) official photos

In line with the trends in the smartphone world, the new Moto G boasts a significantly larger display than the model it replaces, as well as beefed up camera. We also get a microSD card slot for cheap memory expansion and front-facing stereo speakers - their presence is hardly believable considering the unchanged starting price tag of the device.

New features aside, the 2014 Moto G offers similar hardware to the model it replaces. Take a look at it in our traditional list of key features below.

Key features

Quad-band GSM/EDGE/HSDPA
Available in dual-SIM variant
5" IPS 720p capacitive touchscreen of 294ppi, Gorilla Glass 3
Android 4.4.4 KitKat and a fast track update program
1.2GHz quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU; 1GB of RAM; Adreno 305 GPU; Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset
8MP camera, LED flash, 720p video capture, 2MP front-facing camera
8GB or 16GB of built-in memory, expandable via microSD card slot
Active noise cancellation with a dedicated microphone
FM radio
2,070mAh battery
Optional battery covers in various colors

Main disadvantages

No LTE connectivity at launch
Hardware could have used a bump, especially in terms of available RAM
Battery size has remained unchanged despite the larger display
Camera doesnt record 1080p video

The presence or a larger display in the new Moto G is surely going to be a welcome sight for many users who cant stretch their budget towards a 5" flagship. Coupled with the stereo speakers and the microSD card slot, the quality IPS screen truly transforms the new model into a wallet-friendly multimedia powerhouse.

With stock Android 4.4.4 dressed in Google Now launcher, the 2014 Moto G delivers a true Nexus experience with a few nice extras on top. Timely update to Android L is promised as well.

The chipset surely could have used a refresh in the second generation, though Motorola has decided to focus on improving other areas and it obviously ran out of budget for a beefier SoC. Also, to be fair, despite being a year old, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 silicon is still a popular option in its segment - so maybe Motorola can get away with it for another cycle.

Our main concern about the new Moto G has to do with its battery. The non-removable 2,070mAh unit has been carried over from the first generation, yet it has a larger display to power up now, which may turn an average performance into a disappointing one.

Increased competition is another factor the 2014 Moto G has to face. A year after its predecessor caught the industry by surprise, entry-level and lower mid-range smartphone segments have emerged as the next major battlefield.

Moto G (2014) live photos

Does the new Moto G have what it takes to stay on top of its class? Read on to find out! As always, we will kick off our review with an unboxing, followed by a design and hardware inspection.

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