Samsung

California Kill Switch Bill

September 4, 2014 — Leave a comment

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It has been cooking for quite some time. Now, it is time for us to see some actual working in this matter. California is the first state with the kill switch bill in force. You do not have to be a rocket scientist to know what is this bill all about, do you? You cannot have the absolute anti-theft guarantee.

However, you can make all smartphone thefts absolutely pointless. With this feature you can log into your web account and kill your stolen smartphone literally. Its interior will become a melted and useless material in a matter of seconds. How can you be sure with this one?

Well, for what is worth, this is supposed to be a default feature for all smartphones bought in California. Although, some elements which can survive the kill-switch can still be used for spare parts, the damage for the thieves has already been done. It is simply not worth all the risk and trouble.

On the other side, we sure hope that the feature itself is protected enough. The last thing we need is some hacker killer, who decides how many smartphones to eliminate with a simple push of a kill switch button. Let us hope that we have not created the ultimate weapon against the smartphones.

Samsung Galaxy Mega 2

June 3, 2014 — Leave a comment

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It seems that everything related to Samsung has to be mega, literally. Samsung Galaxy Mega 2 is going to definitely live up to its reputation and name. This model will redefine our ideas about the size of smartphones. With the 7-inches display it is going to be the biggest guy in the neighborhood, including the former king of king-size Smartphones Sony Xperia Z Ultra with a 6.4-inch display.

When it comes to the price itself, we can only guess based on what we know about the Mega #1. Its price was somewhere around $500 give it or take. This is definitely a refreshing surprise. Just because it is mega in its size, it does not necessarily mean that the price itself will be mega, as well. Having this in mind, we can say that everything up to $600 or $650 for this model will be hard to resist.

On the other side, if your model’s display size is your best argument, then you are very likely to fail in the market. We have every reason to believe that the guys at Samsung are pretty much aware about this simple fact. For what is worth, they will certainly do their best to include some breathtaking features in order to justify the mega name itself.

It is worth mentioning that with these gigantic models over the border line of 6.5-inches, we are really testing the patience and understanding of all potential smartphone users. What are you supposed to do with mega model of amazing 7-inch display? Do you need to have an impressive size of the-basketball-hands in order to successfully use it? We sure hope that this mega-size model will not end up as one more mega-disappointment.

James Samsung Bond

May 26, 2014 — Leave a comment

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It seems that the guys at Samsung are never bored. The great thing about the major league IT players, especially the ones dealing with the smartphones, is that you do not have to worry that your ideas are too eccentric or impossible. On the other side, it is definitely worth mentioning that from time to time you should know where to draw a line. Right?

So, what happened with Samsung? Samsung is obviously so obsessed with the concept of smartwatches that the next big thing is on the horizon, and it is called – a smart-watch-phone. What in the world is that? Well, that is a smartwatch, which can be used as a smartphone. Are you confused? Are you asking yourself, what is the catch with this one?

As you already know, in order to use your smartwatch you are required to ensure the flawless connection with your smartphones. That is the only what you will be able to make or receive phone calls on your smartwatch, including SMS, emails, and other functions reserved only for the smartphone. It comes without saying that this is an impressive effort on behalf of Samsung.

However, we cannot avoid asking one more logical question. If you can do all you want or need with your smartwatch, why would you use your smartphone in the first place? If you can trap yourself by overselling, can you jeopardize your business position by “over-inventing”? Well, that is up to Samsung to find out, this way or another.

One Month – Ten Million Deliveries

May 20, 2014 — Leave a comment

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This is really something worth of both admiration and respect. Samsung has been able to deliver 10 million Galaxy S5 devices in less than a month. Although, delivering is not the same as selling, it is still quite a remarkable figure. In addition, it is the new record for Samsung, which is unparalleled to any other similar model.

Let us compare this success with other highly successful Samsung models in order to get an idea about its true magnitude. Galaxy S model needed 7 months to hit this figure of delivered devices. Galaxy S2 required 5 months and Galaxy S3 50 days. The best result till now was the proud owner of Galaxy S4 with 27 days.

Well, Galaxy S5 made it in 25 days. How about that? However, there is a dark cloud above this shining success. As you probably know, there are so many users, who are not thrilled with its “plastic” shell. Therefore, we have to ask ourselves how many S5 Prime models would be necessary to deal with this serious critique.

For what is worth, Samsung can be more or less relaxes as long as it hits dozens of millions in deliverables when it comes to the new models. On the other hand, when you are selling more than you ever hopped you should make your products to be the best ever in performance, not the cheapest ever in production.

TINSTAFL Version for Smartphones

May 12, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Do you know what does TINSTAFL stand for? There Is No Such Thing As Free Lunch. Although, this may seem a little bit heartless, we are talking about one of the leading principles in capitalism. Now, let us apply this one to the fascinating world of smartphones. Who should we call to demonstrate this principle in real business life?

How about Google? It seems that some dirty laundry has surfaced during the second legal clash between Apple and Samsung. Google’s Mobile Apps Distribution Agreement is really something. If you want to make smartphones based on Android, then there are so many things you have to accept unconditionally. Let us start.

When it comes to this, Google Search Engine and Google Play are the absolute must. Do we have to mention that Gmail and Google Maps are almost impossible to avoid. As you can see, Android platform comes with a certain additional “price”. Who is to pay for it eventually is a completely different question. In most of the cases the users themselves.

It comes almost without saying that Google can stand aside in this legal conflict between Apple and Samsung. Having in mind that Samsung is its biggest customer and Apple the most formidable adversary the things just could not be clearer for Google in this matter. Let us wait and see, if this unprecedented legal conflict is to include more than just two parties as originally planned.

The Smartphone Which Knew Too Much

April 8, 2014 — Leave a comment

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It comes without saying that while two parties are fighting the third one takes an advantage. It is hard to believe, but Samsung actually used one of Apple’s intern document which includes Android. How about this one? This already sounds like an excellent crime story. So, what is so special about this allegedly top secret document?

It seems that Apple was terrified that Android could seriously damage iPhone’s sales. Apple’s sales team was worried that cheaper phones with bigger screens have better chances in the market compared with the smaller more expensive models. On the other hand, it is “refreshing” to see how Apple criticizes Samsung’s enormous marketing budgets.

For what is worth, even Apple can be petrified for a moment when it comes to the positioning troubles on the market. Even Apple has some serious difficulties to convince itself about its superiority. Its sales team has revealed with this document that Android got an unexpected recognition for the quality from the most formidable adversary in the market.

From this perspective, we can only wish for more trials of this kind in the future. Who knows what more can be revealed? Unfortunately, we need an official court procedure to learn more about the truth behind the high walls of our favorite IT giants. It seems that we definitely need some kind of WikiLeaks business or even smartphone edition.

Temptations of the Benchmark Tests

April 1, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Benchmark test temptations are so hard to resist, aren’t they? So, how we are supposed to trust them after all what have happened recently. Remember, Samsung was messing up with these tests. Now, it seems that HTC just could not say no to some “adjustments”. Samsung’s disclosure has collapsed the entire benchmark test’s structure. Now, everyone’s performance is under a big question sign.

The repeated tests have shown a dramatic change in the HTC One performance results. And now, they are in trouble just like Samsung once was. When you hear something like this, you have to ask yourself why some of the Smartphone major league players allow themselves a luxury to fake more or less the results of benchmark tests? Are we paying enough attention to these tests in the first place?

There is one more test, which is absolutely reliable. You can’t even dare to cheat on this one. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to guess that we are referring to the customers’ tests. The market itself always says with a guarantee who is who and which model deserves our admiration. Therefore, the producers should worry more about what customers have to say and not some tests.

On the other side, it is more than obvious that the producers of Smartphones are apparently trying to influence our impressions about a certain device with these benchmark tests. However, let us face it who needs these tests for real, when we can try a phone ourselves. That is the best possible guarantee we can get that a certain model will match our expectations. Happy testing!