Report: Google cans Project Ara, its ambitious attempt to build the perfect modular smartphone

Project Ara, the ambitious modular phone concept the product of Google's Advanced Technology and Project division, has been shelved indefinitely. That's according to Reuters, which reported on Thursday evening that the Mountain View, California-based company had unceremoniously suspended the years-long project in an effort to "streamline" its hardware division.

The move comes as a bit of a surprise. As late as May of this year, Google publicly projected a consumer Ara hardware launch in the first half of 2017. And at the company's annual I/O developer conference this year, Rafa Camargo, Google's engineering lead, demonstrated a functional developer version of an Ara phone.

Related: Google delays modular Project Ara phone launch, but it didn't fail the drop test

The company has decided to pursue an alternative strategy, Reuters reports. Rather than produce and release an Ara smartphone itself, it will "work with partners" to bring the project's technology to market — potentially through licensing agreements.

Project Ara was initially conceived as an easy-to-use platform with an intuitive means of swapping a phone's individual components. An Ara phone, as originally envision, would be wholly modular in construction: everything from the processor to the display would be upgradeable, swappable, or otherwise changeable.

"Most people do not upgrade their phone to get the next processor — they do not even know what that is — but they do it to get the next best camera, or fingerprint sensor, or better speaker, all in one device," Camargo told Digital Trends in an interview this year. "[We developed] a new set of technologies to create a more seamless modular experience for users …"

Related: Google Project Ara tablet rumors and news 

Google's vision was ambitious, to say the least. The company said the device was designed for the estimated "six billion people" in the world who lack a smartphone: the five billion who own feature phones, and the one billion who lack a phone of any kind. It was to be affordable — the company said consumer Project Ara starter kits. which would comprise a frame, display, battery, CPU, and Wi-Fi chip, would retail for no more than $50. And it would be "open": Google hoped to spur "hundreds of thousands of developers" to produce Ara modules from the conventional (e.g., game controller buttons and pico projectors) to the exotic (cutom medical sensors and infrared scanners).

Project Ara was announced in 2013 by phone maker Motorola, which Google had then just acquired. In 2014, the Ara team unveiled a bootable prototype at Google's I/O 2014 conference, and in 2015 launched a refinement of that design — dubbed Spiral 2 — that it intended to test publically in Peurto Rico. It later scrapped those plans, opting instead, it said, to host pilot tests in "select locations" within the continental United States.

The Project Ara team refined the platform's design in the meantime. Technical roadblocks prevented the sort of no-holds-barred modularity for which it'd hoped — the team was forced to settle on a "base frame" design comprising a mainboard and fixed display, CPU, GPU, antennas, battery, and sensors upon which mods attached. And the modules, which were planned to be 3D-printed, were simplified in form.

Related: Google's first Project Ara modular phone will arrive in 2017

Despite the ongoing changes, the newest iteration of Project Ara seemed impressively polished. And Google announced in May that companies including Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Harman, E-Ink, Cohero Health intended support the platform with mods of their own designs.

Project Ara's reported demise comes as Taiwanese phone maker HTC's modular effort, the HTC 10, performs poorly — following the handset's debut in the first half of this year, the company posted its fifth consecutive quarterly loss. And it comes on the heels of Lenovo's modular smartphone, the Moto Z.

Source: Report: Google cans Project Ara, its ambitious attempt to build the perfect modular smartphone

Olloclip's latest accessory gives smartphone and GoPro videographers a hand

Smartphones and tiny cameras like the GoPro Hero are becoming popular stand-ins for the traditional consumer camcorder, but compact cameras are literally hard to hold. Enter Olloclip's Pivot. The grip is designed to make smartphone cameras and action cameras easier to hand-hold.

Unlike most camera handles, Pivot rotates 225 degrees to provide a comfortable hold from a variety of different shooting angles. Because of the ergonomic design, Olloclip says the Pivot helps to minimize camera shake by offering a sturdier way to grip the camera.

Related: Hanstrap straps on phones for shooting photos and video

The Pivot includes a universal smartphone clamp as well as a traditional tripod screw that allows it to work with a variety of different cameras. A GoPro adapter is also included. The cold shoe lets you attach accessories like a lamp or microphone.

Small action cameras like the GoPro are easier to pack and durable enough to take anywhere, but difficult to use handheld. Adding a hand grip like the Pivot makes it easier for users to shoot with a small action camera like they would a traditional consumer camcorder, Olloclip says.

Since the Pivot is designed for use with the GoPro as well as a number of other cameras, it's also water resistant for underwater shoots. And Pivot is also compatible with Studio Cases, the brand's case that allows users to easily attach different smartphone lenses.

Olloclip is largely known for its smartphone photography accessories. "Pivot is an important addition to the mobile photography accessories category," Olloclip founder Patrick O'Neill said in a press release. "It's compact and travelable [sic]. And with its unique hub design, it allows you to capture stunning video with confidence at any angle and in any environment — on land or even in water."

The Pivot grip is expected to retail for $50 in October, with pre-orders available at Olloclip's website and Best Buy.

Pre-order at Olloclip

Source: Olloclip's latest accessory gives smartphone and GoPro videographers a hand

Rumors suggest ‘Nexus’ brand may be retired for new Google smartphones

In what will probably be seen as a major change for Google and their efforts to provide hardware to consumers, sources are indicating that the company may be abandoning the "Nexus" brand for the next round of smartphones slated for release this fall. According to a variety of sources and leaks, Google is planning to move their own brand to the forefront, although it is unclear whether "Google" will take the place of "Nexus" or some other brand will be used. In any case, indications are that the Android purists' favored brand is on the verge of retirement.

In addition to the dropping of the Nexus brand for their line of devices, Google is apparently going to add software and interface tweaks to the new devices at a level unseen in the past. One of the hallmarks of the Nexus brand of smartphones and tablets was the plain "vanilla" version of Android. This was especially appealing to users who were not interested in unique interface features or additional apps or bloatware. Google has slowly been moving away from this with recent models and the new versions for 2016 are expected to push this to the limit. This may not be entirely bad as manufacturers like Motorola have shown that a stock-ish Android install can work with just a few add-ons that help enhance the user experience.

Some of the signs pointing to these changes for the HTC manufactured devices include button layouts, colors, and a Settings app that differ from what users see in Android 7.0 Nougat installed on existing Nexus devices. Sources also point to comments made by Sundar Pichai, Google's CEO, who said the company would be "more opinionated about the design of the phones." This could have been a reference to Google being more aggressive with dictating the design of the devices and forcing the manufacturer to eschew any of their own branding.

Thus far all of the rumors surrounding the dropping of "Nexus" as a brand name have centered on smartphone devices. There is no indication at present that Google is working on any tablet devices as part of the Nexus line, but there have been reports that Google plans to introduce their own Android Wear powered smartwatches.

Some have described these proposed changes as the most significant for Google since the beginning of the decade.

What do you think about Google possibly abandoning the "Nexus" brand and following a more mainstream route when it comes to the installed software and user interface on their devices?

source: Android Central

Raised in North Carolina, Jeff Causey is a licensed CPA in North Carolina and possesses the CAPM credential from PMI. Jeff's past Android devices include an HTC EVO, a Samsung Note II, and an LG G3 along with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet 10.1. He currently uses a Motorola Moto X Pure Edition and (very rarely) a Nexus 7 (2013). Jeff used to have a pair of Google Glass and a Moto 360 Sport in his stable of gadgets. Unfortunately, his wife and kids have all drunk the Apple Kool-Aid and have i-devices. Life at home often includes demonstrations of the superiority of his Android based devices. In his free time, Jeff is active in his church, a local MINI Cooper car club, and his daughter's soccer club. Jeff is married, has three kids, and a golden retriever.

Source: Rumors suggest 'Nexus' brand may be retired for new Google smartphones

iPhone 7 Release Date, Features: Apple To Host September 7 Event

Apple announced Monday it will host an event Sept. 7 in San Francisco, presumably to unveil the latest incarnation of the iPhone, the iPhone 7. Could the Cupertino-based company have any surprises up its sleeve?

The timing of the event is in keeping with earlier speculation from technology insider Evan Blass, who predicted the latest iPhone would hit stores around Sept. 16 after an official unveiling about a week and a half prior.

Check out the image from Apple's announcement below:

Apple's event announcement Apple

We're expecting the reveal of two devices come Sept. 7: the iPhone 7 (which could be called the iPhone 6 SE) and the larger, dual-camera Plus version. The entry-level version of Apple's upcoming smartphone will likely feature a 32 GB storage capacity, while the top-end model may offer up to 256 GB of storage space.

The Next Web speculates Apple might use the event as an occasion to "simply dump all of its hardware in one fell swoop," possibly including the long-anticipated update for the MacBook Pro.

With the recently released Samsung Galaxy Note 7 seriously upping the stakes for what constitutes a must-have smartphone, the new iPhone needs to be more than the humdrum update some industry observers have predicted.

Are you excited to see what Apple will announce on Sept. 7? What do you think we'll see? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Source: iPhone 7 Release Date, Features: Apple To Host September 7 Event

Hot Season for Premium Smartphones

LG will unveil its premium V20 smartphone on Sept. 7 in both Seoul and San Francisco around the same time as Apple's new iPhone.

The Korean electronics giant changed the location of the U.S. launch from New York to San Francisco, the better to challenge the American market leader on its own turf.

Samsung, Huawei and Sony are also unveiling their latest strategic smartphones amid intensifying competition in the market for premium models.

Samsung already unveiled its Galaxy Note 7 earlier this month, while Huawei is launching its latest model at the IFA 2016 in Berlin in September.

The battle for the dwindling high-end market began with Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 on Aug. 19. Samsung pushed the date forward to get a head start on Apple, and sales have been excellent amid rave reviews. The Chinese launch is next month.

Apple is set to launch the iPhone 7 next week. The company's second-quarter net profit fell 27 percent on-year due to weak sales of the iPhone 6S and iPhone SE as customers waited for the new model.

Then new phone reportedly features new shock and waterproof functions along with a dual camera. Other changes are also expected, including wireless headphone connectivity.

LG's V20 reportedly focuses on sound technology though a tie-up with Danish high-end audio firm Bang & Olufsen.

LG hopes strong V20 sales will make up for the weak performance of the G5. Sales of last year's V10 totaled 450,000 units in the U.S. just 45 days after its release in late October.

Sony and Huawei plan to unveil the Xperia XR and Mate 9 at the IFA, which opens on Friday. Both companies sent out invitations to the launch, but details of the products have yet to be revealed.

Apple's weakening dominance has intensified competition even further. According to market researcher IDC, Apple's global market share stood at 50.9 percent during the second quarter, down 9.2 percentage points compared to last year.

Meanwhile Samsung's market share rose to 35.9 percent narrowing the gap quickly. Huawei, which has rolled out mainly mass-market smartphones, grabbed more than three percent in the global premium market.

By Kim Bong-kee / Aug. 29, 2016 13:27 KST

Source: Hot Season for Premium Smartphones

iPhone 7 release date, specs, price: New smartphone may face supply shortage

Apple is keeping mum on its upcoming flagship devices, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, but almost all details, including release date, availability, pricing and specifications have been leaked over the last few weeks. Now, it is learnt that the company may face a supply shortage of the device over low yield from suppliers.

It is reported that the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be up for pre-orders on Sept. 9 before hitting the stores on Sept. 23. The reports seem to hold some water, as the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s were also released around this time. However, it contradicts earlier reports that the flagship handsets will be unveiled on Sept. 12 and released into the market on Sept. 16.

In what could cause disappointment for Apple fans on the day of iPhone 7 release, Nikkei Asian Review has reported citing an industry source familiar with the issue that the Cupertino giant could face a supply shortage with some suppliers not being able to fix low yield rates of their components.

Jeff Pu, an analyst at Yuanta Investment Consulting, too has cut his forecasts for iPhone production from 120 million to 114 million citing issues with dual-camera module and waterproof speaker.

Appl is expected to release two variants – iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus – with the former to have a 4.7-inch screen, and the latter a 5.5-inch screen with dual cameras. The two devices are expected to share other specifications like an A10 chip, an iOS 10 operating system, a 3GB RAM, a camera with OIS (optical image stabilization, and a lightning jack.

Interestingly, MobiPicker has reported that the iPhone 7 will be priced at 5258 Yuan (around $802) for the 32GB, 6088 Yuan (around $924) for the 64GB, and 7088 Yuan (around $1075) for the 256GB model, as against 5,288 Yuan for the 16GB model of iPhone 6s. The report has also claimed that the iPhone 7 Plus will come with a price tag of 6088 Yuan (around $924) for the 32GB model, 6888 Yuan (around $1045) for the 128GB, and 7888 Yuan (around $1197) for 256GB, compared to 7,788 Yuan for the 128GB model of the iPhone 6s Plus.

Source: iPhone 7 release date, specs, price: New smartphone may face supply shortage

‘It Just Works?’ Not quite: iPhones crash more than Android phones, study finds

One of Apple's catchphrases for its devices in years past was "It just works." That might not be as accurate anymore, according to a new study by Blancco Technology Group. In its latest quarterly "State of Mobile Device and Performance" report, the company claims crash reports have nearly doubled quarter over quarter, suggesting that Apple has its work cut out to improve its software.

Blancco says 58 percent of all Apple devices with its mobile diagnostic tools installed failed at some point during the quarter, compared to only 35 percent of all Android devices, up from just 25 percent last quarter. Sixty-five percent of the crashes on iPhones were due to apps, while Wi-Fi issues accounted for 11 percent of crashes. Headset or data connectivity issues crashed four percent of devices each.

What's the cause of this dramatic increase in crashes on iOS devices? That's difficult to ascertain, as Blancco provided little data on the phones in the test themselves. One possibility is a large number of iOS devices participating in the iOS 10 Public Beta were plagued by many of the issues that Blancco found as the most common early on, but have gotten dramatically better with successive releases.

Related: iOS users outspend Android users in in-app purchases, study says

Among the biggest offenders when it came to apps that caused crashes on Apple devices were social media apps, including Snapchat (17 percent), Instagram (14 percent) and Facebook (9 percent). Android, on the other hand, seemed to have more problems with apps native to the OS itself, including Google Play Services (12 percent), Google Contacts Sync (5 percent) and the Address Book (5 percent).

As a whole, crashes on Android devices actually dropped 9 percent quarter-over-quarter, possibly indicating that Google itself might be starting to get a handle on the bugs that seem to plague some of its native apps. It did, however, have a greater rate of hardware-related issues, according to Blancco's study.

In any case, third-party app stability seems to be much better overall on the Android platform, possibly due to the fact that Android places less restrictions on app developers in how they build their apps for the platform — and that shows in the fact that apps are at fault for crashes 50 percent less of the time than their iOS counterparts.

By device, the iPhone 6 and 6s were the most crash-prone on the iOS site, and Samsung devices fared the worst on the Android side. With Samsung, that might be more of a function of its massive market share. Other poor-performing devices were generally low-cost smartphone purveyors like Lenovo and LeTV. In other words, you get what you pay for.

Source: 'It Just Works?' Not quite: iPhones crash more than Android phones, study finds