Archos could launch smartphones running Windows Phone

In the future, Archos could start manufacturing smartphones with Windows Phone. However, the majority of its mobile and tablet remain driven by Android.

 When he was questioned by TrustedReviews site, Loic Poirier, the boss Archos has announced its intention to launch in the future of smartphones with Windows Phone.  It considers that the related mobile operating system market Microsoft is now mature enough to be able to invest. Apart from Nokia, which has Windows Phone "DNA" of the Lumia, other manufacturers of smartphones good markets, as Alcatel and ZTE, also eyeing this system.

Recently, Sony has also confirmed it was in talks with Microsoft to use Windows Phone on a smartphone. At the moment, Archos does not deliver precise date and he will choose the best time to get started. Furthermore,  the manufacturer will not drop so far that Android will remain the preferred system for its smartphones and tablets. In all cases, the emphasis on Windows Phone will be secondary.

 

A French Inventor Has The Projectionist Robot Keecker At CES 2014

At Consumer Electronics Show 2014, Pierre Lebeau, a former French Google presented a strange robot named Keecker. With its amazing speed curve, more than a robot, it is actually a remote video projector that moves with a rolling system. It measures 60 centimeters high and 40 centimeters wide and therefore has a projector in order to project videos or images, on any wall or surface of the house.

It also encloses a 1TB hard drive for storing videos and also has a video sensor and a sound system to 360 degrees. To be operated, is connected to the Keecker a smartphone or a tablet, and can be used for projecting the information displayed by the apparatus. At the moment, it is only a prototype and its inventor plans to start a campaign crowdfunding in order to commercialize the end of 2014 the estimated price of $ 4,000.

ZTE Will Present New Smartphones, A Phablet And Shows Connected In CES 2014

ZTE Grand S II CES 2014

The manufacturer ZTE has already given some details about the new products that it will unveil at the Consumer Electronics show 2014 early January(7-10). Like several of its competitors, ZTE takes a bit of advance unveiling new present it at CES 2014 who stands from January 7 in Las Vegas. Among the products advertised include 5 smartphones with a phablet, and shows connected. First presented the Grand S II is the high-end phone of the brand.

ZTE did not give details on specifications but features with the ability to unlock the phone or take a photo with the voice. A triple microphone with ambient noise reduction is also part. There are more details about nubia 5S and nubia 5S mini both equipped with a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. The biggest offer a 1080p display on a 5 inch screen (against 4.7 inch mini) a camera 13 million pixels and can shoot Ultra HD. 

Finally, the Sonata 4G is equipped with a dual-core processor 1.4 GHz, 1 GB of RAM, camera 5 million pixels capable of shooting 720p all on a 4 inch screen. As its name suggests, it is compatible with the 4G plans. 

ZTE Iconic phablet, mi tablet mi smartphone has a screen of 5.7 inches, a dual-core processor on a HD screen and has the capacity to display two applications simultaneously through integrated functionality. The phablet can be recharged through a wireless system. 

Other products are advertised as a mini-projector Wi-Fi Hotspot or a watch connected The latter name ZTE BlueWatch and includes a pedometer and computing capabilities fat mass It connects to smartphones via Bluetooth to control calls, photos and other content as those from social networks. 

All these products ZTE will be presented in more detail next week at CES 2014 the booth of the manufacturer ...

CES 2014 Archos Unveils Two 4G Android Smartphones (Helium)

The 2014 edition of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is an opportunity for Archos introduce two smartphones Archos  45 Helium & Archos 50 Helium under Android. They are both 4G compatible.

Last fall, Archos introduced its new series of smartphones Titanium, the entry-level models with a fairly light configuration. The French manufacturer going to the speed higher at the Consumer Electronics Show 2014 (January 7-10, Las Vegas) with the Helium series, with 4G.

Smartphones Archos 45 Helium 4G and Archos 50  Helium 4G are indeed have, as their name suggests, of a chip 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution). Developed in collaboration with Qualcomm, they include a chip Cortex A7, namely the MSM8926 four cores clocked at 1.4 GHz, accompanied by an Adreno 305 graphics processor with 450 MHz and 1 GB of RAM.

The first model has a 4.5-inch IPS screen, defined in 854 x 480 pixels, than 4 GB of storage memory a camera sensor 5 megapixel rear and a VGA webcam on the front. The second model is better with a 5-inch IPS screen, defined in 1280 x 720 pixels, 8GB of storage, a photo sensor 8 million pixels and a 2 million pixel webcam.

Besides 4G, these two smartphones integrate Wi-Fi connectivity and Bluetooth 3.0 and share the same version of Android, namely 4.3 Jelly Bean, knowing that an update to 4.4 KitKat may be made thereafter. Their price is already announced: $ 200 for the Archos 45 Helium 4G and $ 230 for the Archos 50 Helium 4G.

A universal charger for tablets and smartphones ... yes but in 2017

Finally, the European Parliament will impose a universal charger manufacturers of tablets and smartphones. But what connection type is passed? That of Apple?

For years, consumers juggle easily with their different chargers phones or tablets. So in order to reduce costs, massively reduce electronic waste (we're talking 50 000 tonnes) especially taking into account user dissatisfaction, Parliament and the European Council have agreed to impose a single charger to manufacturers.

"This agreement increases security. I am pleased that we have managed to agree on the introduction of a common charger, while the Council and the Commission were hesitant initially. Consumers can take advantage " said rapporteur Barbara Weiler, after successful negotiations with the Council.

Even if in recent months harmonization seems to point to the micro USB connection it is still impossible to recharge his iPhone with a Samsung or Sony charger. Because the firm at the apple still does not abandon his famous charger Lightning. The solution? Pay 19 euros for Apple Adapter "Lightning to Micro USB." A position that strongly dislike the European authorities.

The adoption of this text will thus unify all refills smartphones and tablets. But the tentative agreement must be formally adopted by all Member States in March 2014. And it will take another two years for manufacturers to adapt to the new rules. In short, nothing concrete before early 2017. But what connection is really adpotée? The micro USB preferred remains mainly with the presentation 

early December, the new USB "type-C" connector. Smaller USB ports that connect in both directions as the current connectors ... Apple!

And other equipment? This European directive concerns not only chargers mobile devices. The text provides for the harmonization of marketing of radio equipment such as devices for opening car doors and modems. Commendable measures will have to be debated next year but also that will arouse intense lobbying on the part of manufacturers.

Smartwatch Connected Pebble

For your iPhone or Android smartphones, Pebble smartwatch this is from a Kickstarter project and promises to be the favorite watch geeks. As we have appreciated but are a little less appreciative that his first testers.

Watch connected Pebble: not as "brilliant" as the geeks shoutAfter two weeks of use, our conclusions on the Pebble shows are mixed. Effective in its simplicity, it is still frustrating in many areas.

Pebble More Details

Launched on Kickstarter Pebble show was a hit with fans. Geeks have paid to have it on their wrist preview, and they are of course! amazed by the object of their investment. We wanted to havenet heart, and appreciation is a little less enthusiastic.

Side finish, it is far from the Gear from Samsung or even the Sony Smartwatch 2. The watch case is assembled very acceptable manner, but some are rough-machined ends. Its design is very basic - simple - but not really sexy. Materials exclusively plastic, are even less charming. 

The rubber strap is not really comfortable. The advantage is that the watch is very light and thin (although it is still a bit cumbersome). It remains far from manufacturing quality watches classic brand: Pebble is regarded more as an infringement of Swatch summarily made ​​in China ...

Pebble surprised us in several ways. First of all, it crushes watches Sony and Samsung in terms of autonomy. It has survived more than 7 days (180 hours) on the first cycle battery and instead appears to calibrate 5 days after a few recharges. This watch is really tight then 5 atmospheres. It is therefore possible to swim or take a shower with no worry. Watches with Samsung and Sony, the shower is just accepted.

Then she does a good job, however limited it may be. It vibrates for all notifications smartphone, without exception: LinkedIn, Google+, Facebook, Twitter, SMS, call, etc.. This feature is very convenient, because it avoids having to leave his smartphone from his pocket every 5 minutes. It is possible to read on the dial of the bulk content of notifications, only long messages are not displayed in full. Only problem: it is difficult to effectively control the notifications to display or not. All basic applications loaded on the standard watch, work well, even if they are very limited. On the software side, Pebble is closer to the Sony SmartWatch 2, uverte all developers and a similar simplicity. At Sony, applications are more numerous (Android) although not consistently accomplished.

Last good surprise: permanent connection (Bluetooth 2.1) to the smartphone hardly consumes battery (5% at most). To be honest, our Galaxy S3 testthe impact of Pebble self smartphone was totally imperceptible.

The defects: not really necessary, still limited

Overall, Pebble let the user hungry. Typical example is the application control the music player does not even leave the possibility to adjust the volume of the device, or even navigate in the list of albums.  We can just pause and move to next and previous tracks. You have to pay $ 1.42 on the Play Store for more features (for Pebble Boss Music application).

The display of the watch is simple and almost no energy, but its quality is really too basic and does not touch. The equipment of the watch, meanwhile, is very poor, especially compared to the Gear Samsung and Sony Smartwatch 2. It is possible to install only eight applications simultaneously. Many of them are still in development and have a lot of bugs (on Android). Furthermore, it is terribly easier to list the 10 most useless than the 5 most essential applications applications! Then note that each application installed on the watch also runs continuously on the smartphone. The assembly thus consumes a lot of RAM. Devices with 1GB of RAM could then suffer (our Galaxy S3 would often charge the home menu rather annoying).

While the charging cable is magnetized, and very convenient to use. But its proprietary format imposes never lose! A micro-USB cable would certainly simplified things. Many other small details, yet easy to fix, have embarrassed us. For example, the watch does not follow the time change of the smartphone when changing time zones. Orit becomes impossible to read the contents of SMS as soon as it happens more than one.

Finally, the biggest problem this watch DIY is the basis for its operation on Android: it uses the system accessibility (for the disabled) developed by Google. With a Samsung smartphone, this causes a trick that enables voice synthesis for blind bug. A bug that can bypass it seems, but the procedure did not work (obviously) not in our Galaxy S3. Google would have to organize a special communication interface for watches connected to Androidunless the firm prefers to reserve for glasses?

Our Opinion

 In short, this watch Pebble be, cause it is ultra-simple, is one of the most effective time. With its autonomy, it surpasses Gear Samsung and Sony Smartwatch, yet they have a much greater potential in terms of features. It is hoped that the software environment Pebble improves rapidly on Android (it is already more successful on the iPhone, but also more systematically fee). Available around $ 150 for a European (shipping and customs included)this watch is a little too expensive for our taste. A price of $ 119.99 seems better suited to its materials, finish and functionality.

Here are the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom Surfing the Web

Here are the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom Surfing the Web, watch videos, call ... you can do anything with smartphones. And with the new Samsung device you can even take pictures with zoom.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom

Definitely, Samsung keeps on launching new products. After the Galaxy S4 mini and Galaxy Ace 3, here comes the Galaxy S4 Zoom. The manufacturer shall submit, on 12 June 2013 this unit as successful between a smartphone and a compact camera marriage. « The Galaxy S4 Zoom is a step in the work done by Samsung to make life easier for users, said JK Shin, Samsung Mobile boss in a statement. It combines the advantages of the Galaxy S4 with those of a quality camera. » This new device incorporates an 10x optical zoom, a sensor 16 million pixels and a Xenon flash.

The part smartphone Galaxy S4 Zoom equipped with a 4.3 inch screen, a dual-heart processor, 1.5 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage space. All run Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. A new interface, Zoom Ring, give access to the main functions will take a picture during a call and replace traditional buttons and knob on the camera with touch capabilities. Obviously, the pairing gives a smartphone a little heavier (100 g more) and slightly thicker (6.5mm) than the Galaxy S4 mini which it resembles. Samsung has indicated price $499.99 and availability date on June 20 .

NexStar WiFi docking station to share his hard drives in wireless

The Taiwanese company Vantec introduces a new docking station for hard disk: the NexStar WiFi. 

Like its counterparts, this one feeds on the sector and can use multiple external hard drives in without passing through a box. It is indeed enough to insert the hard drive, 2.5-or 3.5-inch, then access its contents via a USB 3.0 interface.

Compared to other, it has more of a Wi-Fi N, which allows access to data in wireless, from a PC / Mac, of course, but also from a smartphone, a tablet, a connected TV and a DVD player. For smartphones and touch pads, this will require dedicated applications - Android and iOS only for now, whereas televisions connected and the turntables lounge, will be possible with the implementation of the UPnP technology.

Samsung Galaxy Grand Android Smartphone 5 inch but WVGA resolution

Continuing the expansion of its Galaxy range, Samsung announces Galaxy smartphone with Android 4.1 Grand Jelly Bean, display with a 5 inch but the resolution is 800 x 480 pixels. Riding on the success of its Galaxy series, the Galaxy S models succeed each year with increasing presence, Samsung also offers variants on the same theme. Samsung Galaxy Grand, barely announced, therefore takes the general appearance of the Galaxy since the launch of Galaxy S III is positioned in the category of large smartphones. Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, this new smartphone has a display 5 inch 800 x 480 pixel resolution and a 1.2 GHz dual core processor with 1 GB of RAM, to take advantage of the Multi activating Windows applications at the same time on the screen thanks to multitasking.

On the back, there is an 8 megapixel camera with BSI sensor and rapid activation can take pictures in low light and make video recording in Full HD 1080p. At the front, a 2-megapixel sensor allows video conferencing. Samsung Galaxy Grand is WiFi compatible, Bluetooth 4.0, A-GPS / Glonass and has an internal memory of 8 GB expandable microSD memory card. The smartphone is HSPA 21 Mbps and is only 9.6 mm in thickness for 162 g.

We find some interface elements specific to Samsung, as Direct Call, Smart Alert S Voice or AllShare Play, well as the Samsung Hubs. Samsung Galaxy Grand is available in single and dual SIM. Samsung does not yet have pricing or availability for the Samsung Galaxy Grand with WVGA resolution for a screen so big, while several smartphones 5 inch 1080p should soon make their appearance, and at a time when the 720p is more rare, risk of being compromise a little too fierce for the most discerning the consumers. HTC might finally be able to still offer a large screen smartphone with Windows Phone 8, even with the same WVGA resolution ...

13 Megapixel Sensor Toshiba The Renewal For Future Smartphones

Toshiba has developed a new CMOS sensor for digital cameras smartphones. The Toshiba T4K37 will sign the massive 13-megapixel sensors on mobile devices in 2013. In 2012, the AFN smartphones remained glued to 8-megapixel sensors (iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S III, Nexus 4, Samsung Galxy Note II ...). But things should change with the new sensor Toshiba signed.

The sensor Toshiba CMOS T4K37 is able to scan photos of 13 megapixels. It has excellent performance in low light and in terms of noise reduction in color (CNR for Color Noise Reduction). It is also said display (ISB for Backside Illumination). The module measures 8.5 mm by 8.5 mm and incorporates sensors measuring 1.12 um (micron). Thanks to ISB and high CNR, Toshiba has indeed been able to reduce the size of the sensor without sacrificing sensor performance. Better: it has a signal to noise ratio 50% higher than a sensor does not have the CNR. Samples will be delivered to manufacturers next month. They should bloom in smartphones next spring.

Samsung Launches Flexible Displays For Smartphones

The Next Revolution Of Samsung Is Flexible Displays For Smartphones

The next revolution of smartphones could affect the screens, Present at CES Samsung flexible displays for its Galaxy range. There is no doubt that the market for flexible displays will be a major challenge coming legal battles which we should attend.
 

As we see every day Apple and Samsung fight to dominate the mobile phone market and the tablet, Samsung provides according to some sources to get these screens for mobile phones in the current 2013. However, the Vice-President of the display unit of Samsung, Lee Chang-hoon, has not confirmed this information and does not take on a date.

From the time they are evoked flexible displays are considered a sea serpent, The Wall Street Journal, this futuristic technology will soon become reality. Indeed, the newspaper claims that the Korean manufacturer unveiled a prototype at CES in early January 2013 and will phase of industrial production in the first half of the year.

Far from being simple gadgets these screens, the flexible display area is made ​​of plastic, will not degrade the display quality. They use a OLED as other devices (smartphones, tablets, TV). The Wall Street Journal, this material should both lower the weight of the equipment, but also the cost of production.

Samsung used OLED technology in the manufacture of their Flexible Displays Smartphones

OLED technology is slim and can be used in flexible displays. Many producers are to work on the topic (eg, Sony Corp. and LG Display Co.), however, manufacturers are still unable to start their study results in mass production due to several technological barriers still impassable.

Sony is working on the subject since 2002 was presented two years ago at a screen OLED flexible 4.1 ". His spokesman said Monday any time to be able to predict when they would be able to market it.

«The main reason for Samsung to use plastic rather than glass classic is to produce screens that are not fragile. The technology could also help Samsung due to lower manufacturing costs and differentiate products of its rivals. » said Lee Seung-chul, an analyst at Shinyoung Securities. Remember that Samsung saw its profit year on year to the end of the third quarter jump 91% to about $ 6 billion. This allows Samsung to invest in its mass display industry.

Samsung Flexible Display Comparison

What date of marketing the Flexible Displays Smartphones ?!

For availability, we would obviously expect. Tests are underway. On this point, the vice president of the unit Samsung flexible Display , Lee Chang-Hoon, said to be «currently sampling with some customers.» And, for the moment, «the release date has not yet been determined.»

The new smartphones Fujitsu at MWC 2012

Two new smartphones Arrows have drawn our attention to the Fujitsu stand. A large 4.6-inch Tegra processor fitted with a 3 and a 13.1-megapixel photo sensor, especially a second model much more subtle, Arrows on U. This smarpthone only 6.7 mm thick and has a AMOLED screen 4 inches diagonally. These two models are both completely waterproof and features a small antenna to receive digital television. Some ideas that will inspire certainly competition. Note that Fujitsu is currently negotiating with several operators to try to market his smarpthones in Europe and U.S.

Mercedes Wants To Make His Cars Smartphones On 4 Wheels

The brand with the star, who had been in the first ones to integrate the iPhone into his cars, will propose a kit that allows customers who have an Apple smartphone to use with a range of services, including voice recognition Siri. The service will initially be offered on the Class A, then a few months later on Classes B, C and E. This "Drive Plus Kit" will be different, from the kit for iPhone already developed at Smart. The firm intends to star in the investments in applications and regularly offer new services to its customers remain connected.

Mercedes Wants To Make His Cars Smartphones On 4 Wheels

The Geneva Motor Show will be an opportunity to discover this new interface - that Mercedes calls a revolutionary Class A. With this kit, which doubles as an application, developed internally, drivers will have access to all content on their iPhone with a screen display of the vehicle and a wheel on the center armrest. In addition, the system is controlled by voice. He takes into effect the smart companion SIRI of the iPhone 4S. Natural language, we can thus select music, check weather forecasts or dictate text messages and e-mail.

The kit of Mercedes, which is compatible with the input audio range, offers the following services:

- a bouquet of web radios with Aupeo
- Access to social networks (Facebook, Twitter)
- The stock price
- A Garmin navigation system with 3D maps and real-time traffic
- Automatic memory of the location of the vehicle (Car Finder).

The other new feature is contextual display and location-based content of the menu under "social", "Media" and "Places." This is a continuation of what was shown at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas.



In addition to the iPhone kit, Mercedes also intends to propose applications for customers using the multimedia system COMAND Online, via a smartphone connected by Bluetooth. Starting from a online store, users can expand the navigation system, which already offers innovative applications like Google Local search, including Google Street View and Panoramio. Daimler, which plans to offer a dozen new applications a year, has set up development groups both in Palo Alto, California, and Bangalore, India.