Update your AT&T Galaxy S III to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean now

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Handhelds, Software,

If you're an AT&T customer sporting a Samsung Galaxy S III, today is the day that you finally get to update your smartphone to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. This means you get access to Google Now, better notifications, low light photo mode, as well as all the fixes and knowledge that you're on the (almost) latest and greatest. Get the Android 4.1 update now by hitting the source link.

Read More | Samsung

Watch every Apple commercial from 1977-2012

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, PC / Laptop, Portable Audio / Video, Videos,

Speaking of marketing, watch every Apple commercial from 1977 to present day. There's about 485 commercials, which includes the famous Mac vs PC, the technicolored hipster iPod dance ads and, of course, the iconic 1984 Macintosh SuperBowl spot directed by Sir Ridley Scott. One of my favorites, the first iPhone ad 'Surprised' from 2007.

Click to continue reading Watch every Apple commercial from 1977-2012

Marketing Samsung Galaxy Devices visualized

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News,

There's a high cost for making Samsung Galaxy devices. Horace Dediu, from Asymco, breaks down the math and visualizes them into nifty graphs. There's no question that the mobile Galaxy line embedded with Android has been a success for the South Korean conglomerate but, apparently, it comes at a cost of marketing the products. Sales, general and administrative (SG&A), is part of the equation being extrapolated for the results for past trends from 2009 to 2012. In other words, Samsung basically spends roughly four times more on marketing than its most rival mobile competitor. A good marketing example is seeing a payed advertisement for the Samsung Galaxy S III at the top of the Twitter Trend. Or those now infamous "Next Big Thing is Here" commercials basically trolling Apple customers at a line for a faux launch.

Click to continue reading Marketing Samsung Galaxy Devices visualized

Read More | Asymco

Apple now selling unlocked iPhone 5

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News,

Apple has begun selling unlocked iPhone 5 smartphones in the U.S., starting at $649. The unlocked and off-contract iPhone 5 works on GSM, HSPA+, and LTE networks in certain countries.

The subtle move popped up in a low-key option on Apple's iPhone page, and doesn't offer any extra perks for the hefty price tag. Besides that, you can expect the same colors and features you're used to in the standard carrier models.

Read More | Apple Store

Merril Lynch Analyst: T-Mobile possibly getting iPhone next week

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Rumors,

Apple could get access to an additional 33 million users as speculation circulates that T-Mobile could get the iPhone by next week. Scott Craig of Merrill Lynch is saying "speculation is heightening" as parent holder Deutsch Telecom is slated to ink a deal with Apple to bring iPhone to T-Mobile stateside. This past year, T-Mobile has been very busy making its networks iPhone-compatible to utilize HSPA+.

Perhaps this is a change of heart as just last week T-Mobile COO Jim Alling stated, "Make no mistake about it: We would love to carry the iPhone," … "However, we want the economies to be right for us." Still, it's a double edge sword not having the iPhone. "We recognize that it has been a point of churn for us".

T-Mobile would have had the iPhone last year if the U.S. Dept. of Justice hadn't opposed AT&T (T) proposed acquisition of the company on antitrust grounds. - Philip Elmer-Dewitt, CNN Money

Read More | CNN Money

Microsoft readying OTA update remedy for Windows Phone 8 reboot epidemic

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Smartphones, Microsoft, Software,

Microsoft has gotten to the bottom of the random Windows Phone 8 reboots, and is issuing an OTA update by December. The company, however, won't reveal the problem.

Here's what Microsoft had to say: “We’re continuing to investigate some reports of phones rebooting and have identified a cause with our partners. We are working to get an over-the-air update out in December.”

If you're currently one of the people with affected phones, let us know in the comments what model you have, as Microsoft hasn't detailed the types of phones affected or whether it's all Windows 8 devices.

Read More | AllThingsD

Microsoft releases native Outook app for Android

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Google, Microsoft, Software,

Microsoft has given relief to Android business users as a native Outlook.com app made its way to the Google Play Store. The Exchange ActiveSync protocol is standard for business and Enterprise professionals. Unfortunately, the functionality is lacking in many older Android handsets. So, the initial user reviews of the app seem mixed but it's better than nothing. Check out the features after the quick jump.

Click to continue reading Microsoft releases native Outook app for Android

Read More | Google Play Store

Apple profits conceptualized

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News, PC / Laptop,

Here's a clear example of The Street missing the woods for the trees when it comes to valuing Apple stock while giving companies like Amazon high volume and low profit yield a free pass.

Notable Highlights between Oct 2011 - Sept 2012:

• Apple record breaking profit of 41.7 billion.
• Apple revenue is 156.5 billion.
• Combined profit of Facebook, Google Microsoft, Yahoo! and Amazon is 34 million.
• Combined profit of the PC industry of HP, Lenovo, Acer, IBM ASUS, Dell, and Intel is 19.3 billion.

One could extrapolate that the major Android OEMS combined makes less profit than Apple makes from the iPhone alone.

Read More | Statista

Siri’s Eyes Free Integration coming to Chevy Sonic LTZ / RS and Spark

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Portable Audio / Video, Transportation, Wireless / WiFi,

GM is the first to announce Siri integration with two new car models: the Chevrolet Spark and the Sonic Drive. The feature was dubbed "Eyes Free" and was announced at Apple's World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June by former iOS chief, Scott Forstall.  Basically, "Eyes Free" will be integrated via the car's Bluetooth functionality and the iPhone itself. The user can then initiate Siri's voice command by tapping a button on the steering wheel, and Siri's responses will be played over the car's audio system. Other car manufacturers such as Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, Jaguar, Audi, Land rover, GM, BMW and Mercedes are slated to incorporate Siri's "Eyes Free" as well.  Check out the full press release after the break.

Click to continue reading Siri’s Eyes Free Integration coming to Chevy Sonic LTZ / RS and Spark

Read More | GM

Black Friday 2012: Best Buy

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cameras, Smartphones, HDTV, Home Entertainment, Hot Deals, Smart Home, Movies, PC / Laptop, Portable Audio / Video, Video Games,

Details of Best Buy's Black Friday 2012 sales have just been released, and we've got a links to all the highlights you can expect to see throughout Thanksgiving weekend. Doors will open right at midnight on November 23rd, and tickets for the doorbusters will be handed out as early as 10:00 pm on Thanksgiving Day. If you'd rather do all your shopping online (which is what we're doing,) here's your guide to all the Best Buy deals, after the break.

Click to continue reading Black Friday 2012: Best Buy