Google CEO Sundar Pichai: We Won't Make Smartphones

Mr Pichai also unveiled "Google Home" - a voice-activated product that brings "Google Assistant" to any room in your house, a new messaging app called "Allo" and video calling feature "Duo" at the "Google I/O", its annual developer conference recently.

"Android is a very open ecosystem, the answer may not be a global one player answering it every part of the world", Mr Pichai told the gathering.

Google has reportedly scheduled the Nexus 2016 release date with the official Android N rollout, which reports said will happen no later than August 2016 or earlier. "I look at it and say Android is a large scale, open platform", he said.

"Today, when we ship Nexus phones, we just ship stock Android", Pichai said.

The Google Assistant is conversational - an ongoing two-way dialogue between you and Google that understands your world and helps you get things done, it said.

In addition, the newest Google Nexus devices will be feature rich and will also consist of fingerprint scanners, and they might also contain upgraded spec components, according to Tech Radar.

We've seen hints of a Nexus 6P sequel already, but by all accounts, HTC is going to be in charge of creating two Nexus device this year, supposedly while working more closely with Google. In most cases, the 6P price cuts range from $50 to $80, and like in the Play Store the starting price for the Nexus 6P has been adjusted down to $449, which is for the basic 32GB model.

As for the design on the new Nexus devices, Pichai said Google will "be more opinionated about the design of the phones".

Google licenses Android for free to handset makers such as Samsung, LG and Lenovo.

Why Google would alter its strategy at this point in time seems a bit of a mystery, but it could be that its OEM partners are pressing for more software input in exchange for their hardware efforts. That's why it's no surprise to hear that Huawei, along with HTC, is very much in the Nexus conversation again this year. It's a big new step for the company and a signal that Google is getting more serious about competing with Apple in the high-end smartphone market.

Source: Google CEO Sundar Pichai: We Won't Make Smartphones

WhatsApp Releases Update For Nokia Asha Smartphones

When Microsoft bought Nokia, it stopped the release of any new Nokia Asha phones. However, WhatsApp developers still released updates with 2.16.6 being the latest. The update is geared toward Symbian 40 phones with a new security option that can be found through Settings, Account and Security.

WhatsApp will no longer support Blackberry, Nokia Asha or other iOS and Android version by year's end. However, the application is still usable on the platforms. WhatsApp will continue to update its app until year's end.

People who have installed the update will notice they have the ability to enable or disable their security notifications. They are also notified with a security code that contact has changed. It's a 1Kb installation file with more than 450 modified files. With so many files being altered, it's proof that developers tirelessly worked on bettering the app's speed and performance.

While many bugs have been fixed and performance has been improved, they're still no Voice Calling feature available. And, it's unlikely Nokia users will have this ability.

The WhatsApp 2.16.6. sis file can be found and downloaded from the app store. However, if users want to use the beta updates, they'll need to manually download the files from whatsapp.com/nokia. Once downloaded, users will need to tap the file so the installation process will start.

WhatsApp is about a billion active users, but only a minute number of folks use the Nokia Asha smartphone.

Source: WhatsApp Releases Update For Nokia Asha Smartphones

Backflip and Space Ape release Transformers: Earth Wars on smartphones

Paper Toss developer Backflip and UK studio Space Ape have released a new game based on Hasbro's lucrative Transformers IP.

Transformers: Earth Wars follows the Clash of Clans formula but injects a big dose of Autobots and Decepticons. A host of familiar faces feature, including Optimus Prime, Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Wheeljack, Jetfire and Devastator, to name but a few.

The free-to-play release also boasts the voices of long-term voice actors Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime) and Frank Weller (Megatron).

The designs of the bots seem largely original, although fans of the brand will recognise some of the influences – Megatron and Breakdown, for instance, use models sourced almost directly from the outgoing Combiner Wars toy line. Optimus Prime, meanwhile, looks like a new design whereas Grimlock looks quite faithful to his G1 self.

"The Transformers franchise is one of the most iconic in the world, so it is exciting to include these characters in such a compelling mobile gaming experience," Backflip CEO Julian Farrior said.

"We are thrilled to partner with Hasbro and Space Ape Games to launch Transformers: Earth Wars and think that Transformers fans are going to love teaming up with their favorite Autobots or Decepticons in these highly engaging mobile battles."

Hasbro's senior VP of digital gaming and corporate development Mark Blecher added: "Transformers: Earth Wars offers players an engaging storyline and incredible gameplay experience. The game harnesses the unique strengths and abilities of hundreds of characters from Transformers lore, which really helps it to stand above existing real-time combat strategy games and delivers on the Transformers promise of More than Meets the Eye."

Source: Backflip and Space Ape release Transformers: Earth Wars on smartphones

LeEco releases new OTA update for 'superphones'

NEW DELHI: Chinese internet and technology conglomerate LeEco on Thursday announced a new over-the-air update (OTA) to enable Le 1s Eco users to view their favourite channels and movies on the go.

An OTA is the wireless delivery of new software or data to mobile phones and tablets.

"The new OTA update 'eUI 5.5.014S' will also enhance the battery life of 'superphones' besides ironing out minor glitches faced by some users," an official statement said.

The Levidi app, powered by Eros Now, will allow LeEco members to access over 2000 movies across different Indian languages.

Users will also be able to browse and watch over 100 Live TV channels through the LIVE app powered by Yupp TV.

LeEco Drive and LeMusic services will be available in the third quarter this year with further OTA updates.

Source: LeEco releases new OTA update for 'superphones'

LG to Launch Six X-Men Themed LG X Smartphones in July

LG seems to be following on the footsteps of market giant Samsung and is working on a superhero themed premium series of smartphones. LG posted on its German Facebook account promotional images hinting towards new smartphones boasting the X-Men theme. It seems that the premium series will be centered on LG X variants.

The post reveals that LG will be launching the X-Men themed LG X series in July, making them available to fans in Europe, the US, and Latin America.

The two new phones launched yesterday, the LG X Power with a 4,100mAh battery and the LG X Style are linked to Professor X with the tagline Long Lasting Power. The second smartphone is linked to Mystique and the poster reads Fabulously Flawless Looks.

Cyclops will be the main theme for the LG X Cam while Nightcrawler will feature the LG X Screen case. The next two phones that haven't been officially announced yet, LG X Max and LG X Mach, will also be part of the LG X themed series, one centered around Beast, while the other around Quicksilver.

LG X series will further come with the LG X Max and LG X Mach phablets

The LG X Max is shaping up to be a large-screen phablet, while the LG X Mach should have a powerful processor and fast camera. However, there are few details on the two upcoming smartphones.

It seems that LG picked Marvel's X-Men to promote the LG X series and release a premium edition, one that also celebrates the launch of X-Men: Apocalypse the movie.

In a similar move, Samsung picked DC Comics and announced the launch of a Batman-themed Galaxy S7 Edge limited edition. The series was teased in late May, but there's still no word on when it will be made available and fans in which countries will be able to get their hands on the limited edition.

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Source: LG to Launch Six X-Men Themed LG X Smartphones in July

Worldwide Smartphone Growth Forecast to Slow to 3.1% in 2016 as Focus Shifts to Device Lifecycles, According to IDC

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01 Jun 2016

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. June 1, 2016 – According to a forecast update from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, smartphone shipments are expected to grow 3.1% in 2016, which is a substantial slowdown from the 10.5% growth in 2015 and 27.8% in 2014. Shipments are expected to hit 1.48 billion in 2016 and grow to 1.84 billion in 2020. The new forecast is 2.6 percentage points lower than IDC's previous forecast for 2016 on the basis of the continued slowdown in mature markets and China.

IDC expects large markets like the United States, Western Europe, and China to see low single digit growth rates in 2016 while Japan and Canada are expected to contract by 6.4% and 6.9%, respectively. In all these markets, smartphone buying behavior is changing in many ways. In operator-driven markets the transition away from two year subsidized contracts toward monthly installment plans are slowly taking place. Meanwhile, many retail heavy markets are seeing a surge in the eTailer channel, better known as online marketplaces.

"Consumers everywhere are getting savvy about how and where they buy their smartphones, and this is opening up new doors for OEMs and causing some traditional channels to lose some control of the hardware flow," said Ryan Reith, program vice president with IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. "Smartphones sold into eTailer channels grew 65% in 2015 and are expected to account for roughly 12% of smartphone shipments in 2016, up from just 4% in 2013. Consumers are having more say over which brands they want and at the same time able to bargain shop."

Outside of the few remaining markets with low smartphone penetration, the focus has shifted toward trying to ensure that smartphone life cycles aren't extended further. IDC believes early trade-in programs, much like the one Apple is facilitating, as well as the broader range of cheap unlocked devices, will play a significant role in keeping mature market life cycles close to two years.

"Despite single-digit growth for the overall smartphone market throughout the forecast period, Phablets (devices with 5.5-inch screens and larger) are expected to have double-digit growth until 2019, then slowing to 9.2% growth in 2020," said Anthony Scarsella, research manager with IDC's Mobile Phones team. "Vendors continue to push larger screened devices at a variety of price points that feature big bold displays as well as powerful multimedia capabilities in both mature and developed markets. We are witnessing a plethora of vendors shifting their flagship devices towards the Phablet category as the average selling price for a Phablet will remain significantly higher than a regular smartphone ($383 vs. $260 in 2016) through the forecast period."

Platform Highlights

Android: Devices powered by the Google operating system are expected to grow 6.2% in 2016 with 1.24 billion shipments, increasing to 1.57 billion in 2020. Android continues to be the dominant platform in most markets and with Microsoft's ongoing struggles with Windows Phone, it should remain the go-to platform for affordability. Android is expected to grow from 81% of all shipments in 2015 to 84% in 2016 with an average selling price of $218 and dropping below $200 in 2019. Despite having the lion's share from a platform perspective, OEMs continue to try and differentiate by building UI skins to offer a different look and feel.

iOS: Apple is expected to face its first down year for iPhone in 2016 with shipments dropping from 232 million in 2015 to 227 million in 2016. The expected decline of 2% year over year is a significant change from past years' growth and marks a pivotal moment for the company. IDC believes Apple can bring iPhone back to growth in 2017 and beyond supported by its early trade-in program as well as the lower cost iPhone SE. It continues to make inroads in China with development in tier 1 cities and is actively trying to penetrate higher growth markets like India and Middle East. The larger screen iPhone 6 Plus and 6S Plus will continue to grow its share of all iPhones shipped, increasing from 26% in 2016 to 32% in 2020.

Windows Phone: Microsoft's recent sell-off of the remaining Nokia assets and its announcement to continue support for Windows Phone but focus on enterprise users paints a clear picture that the platform won't see a significant ramp shortly. Partner OEMs have been few and far between, and this announcement certainly won't change that. Whether or not we see a Surface Phone one day is still anyone's guess, but even if so it is likely to be a high-end device and not one with a mass market focus.

Worldwide Smartphone Shipments by OS, Market Share, and 5-year CAGR, 2015-2020 (shipments in millions)

Platform

2016 Shipment Volume*

2016 Market Share*

2016 Year-over-Year Growth*

2020 Shipment Volume*

2020 Market Share*

2020 Year-over-Year Growth*

2015-2020 CAGR*

Android

1,240.5

83.7%

6.2%

1,565.3

85.1%

5.3%

6.0%

iOS

226.8

15.3%

-2.0%

267.1

14.5%

3.5%

2.9%

Windows Phone

11.2

0.8%

-61.6%

6.8

0.4%

-9.5%

-25.3%

Others

4.0

0.3%

-55.7%

0.5

0.0%

-9.7%

-43.1%

Total

1,482.5

100.0%

3.1%

1,839.7

100.0%

5.0%

5.0%

Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, June 1, 2016

* Forecast data

This chart is intended for public use in online news articles and social media. Instructions on how to embed this graphic are available by clicking here.

About IDC Trackers

IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, vendor share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC's Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly excel deliverables and on-line query tools. The IDC Tracker Charts app allows users to view data charts from the most recent IDC Tracker products on their iPhone and iPad. The IDC Tracker Chart app is also available for Android Phones and Android Tablets.

For more information about IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, please contact Kathy Nagamine at 650-350-6423 or knagamine@idc.com.

About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter at .

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Acer Liquid Zest Plus release date, specs: $199 smartphone to arrive in North America in July

Acer

Acer Liquid Zest Plus

Acer has released its latest smartphone, called Liquid Zest Plus, ahead of the Computex 2016, which is currently ongoing in Taiwan until June 4. The 5,000 mAh battery-equipped smartphone will arrive in North America in July and sell for US$199.

The Acer Liquid Zest Plus's impressive offering does not end with its humongous battery, which is said to last up to three days and can be quickly charged up to 50 percent in less than an hour, or its very enticing price tag. The latest smartphone also offers impressive camera features. The company has equipped their latest smartphone with "an ultra-fast hybrid tri-focusing system which intelligently focuses various scenes in 0.03 seconds" with its 13MP main camera. It also comes with "Pause-N-Shoot" selfie feature that will respond to a simple shake from its user. This is aside from the automatic face-detection of its 5MP front-facing camera with an 85-degree shooting angle.

Additionally, the Acer Liquid Zest Plus offers a 5.5-inch IPS HD display screen that gives a 720 x 1280 screen resolution and is loaded with a MediaTek MT6735 processor with a Mali-T720 GPU. It also comes with a 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage and a microSD slot for an extra storage space.

The Android Marshmallow smartphone is also featuring dual-SIM capability, LTE, FM Radio and BluelightShield technology, which will help minimize blue light emissions coming from its display screen during the night. Music aficionados will also appreciate the DTS-HD Premium Sound and 3D audio feature that the phone can offer, and the FlipUI will work flawlessly with its optional flip case. It is also featuring a USB OTG (On-The-Go) technology that will let its user charge other device.

The Acer Liquid Zest Plus will be offered in two colors, Moroccan Blue and Andes White. European countries can also expect to see the phone's arrival any time in July, with a starting price of €199.

Source: Acer Liquid Zest Plus release date, specs: $199 smartphone to arrive in North America in July