Motorola’s venture into the wearable market is not to be taken lightly. The MOTOACTV was one of the first major smartwatches, but its health focus kept it limited, resulting in an unsuccessful launch. Now they are back at it with the Moto 360, a device that took the smartwatch idea and literally turned it 360 degrees.
The Moto 360 is all but guaranteed to be a hit, and Motorola knows it. The company is so confident about their upcoming smartwatch that they have put every other competitor to shame!
We look at the 360 and we look at what everyone has done in that space. To be honest we think they are all pretty crappy.
Mark Randall
Motorola SVP of Supply Chain and Operations
Those are some fighting words, Motorola! And to be honest, I could not agree more. Whether we like the Moto 360 or not, there is one fact we can’t deny – the smartwatch market is currently a failure. It’s a total mess, and this is due to multiple reasons.
The smartwatch market is full of ugly devices. The best-looking ones are the Pebble Steel series, which were just released! Aside from that, all I have seen (and used) is a cluster of bulky smart watches that make you look like a 60′s movies cyborg.
Most comes with a square, thick body and a construction that is simply not very appealing. This would be ok if these devices were helpful, but is that the case?
Don’t get me wrong, some of these smart watches do offer great functionality, but they continue to be limited due to lack of support. The problem here is inconsistency. No two smartwatches offer the same software and compatibility.
Every smartwatch manufacturer is trying to do their own thing, making it very hard to get real developer support. We have Samsung’s Tizen, Pebble OS, Sony’s Micrium and many Android-based modifications. Each support different apps, are built on different ecosystems and have their very own protocols.
Do we really think developers want to make apps for every single one of these? Smartwatch manufacturers struggle to sell devices, meaning there’s probably not enough users in any single one of these platforms to bring interest. The real solution would be to bring them all together.
In comes Android Wear, the smartwatch platform we were all waiting for…. One OS to rule them all, and based off Google’s Android. This platform will cover all smartwatches under the same blanket and create consistency.
What makes Android Wear awesome is that it is an operating system with wearables in mind. It offers a simple and uncluttered interface, which was much needed. Smartwatches are currently the main target, but this should change in the future.
The first two Android Wear devices announced are the Moto 360 and LG G Watch, both of which are great on their own merits. I may agree that the Moto 360 is the best one around, simply due to its looks.
Another huge problem I have seen with smartwatches is that they don’t offer great battery life. This may not be an issue the new Android Wear devices fix, though. Even if they did mention battery would be “made a priority”.
Regardless, most smart watches feature an LCD display. Not only is this bad for outdoor reading, but it burns through your battery like no other. Most LCD smartwatches won’t even take you through a full day, and this is why I really like Pebble and Qualcomm. They have used the energy-efficient E-Ink and Mirasol display technologies.
While Android Wear and Motorola improve upon most of these problems, they are definitely not perfect. We will find more issues when we get to test these devices. Meanwhile, tell us what you hate about current smartwatches.
What can Android Wear fix in the near future? What could manufacturers change to make the smartwatch market boom? Conversely, do you disagree with the idea that all current smartwatches aren’t good enough?
Monument Valley is an atmospheric puzzle platformer that was just released for Android. The premise is fairly simple. You play as a princess named Ida who must wander around a strange and captivating world filled with puzzles and little crow people. It sounds easy but thanks to some creative level design, it’s actually quite the challenge.
Let’s first talk about the level design. Each level is a captivating mix of retro graphics and optical illusions. The beauty isn’t so much in the graphics but rather how the puzzles, the graphics, and the level design all work together to create a cohesive and undeniably elegant experience. In other words, the way the levels are set up are pretty much going to blow your mind more often than not.
Okay so here’s how you play. You start out on a level and you must make it to the end. At first glance it looks impossible, but there are various levers, wheels, switches, obstacles etc that you can hit that alter the level. This is where the elegance sets in. The game uses carefully crafted optical illusions to create steps where there weren’t steps before. Thus, if something looks ridiculous, then it is likely that there is part of the level you haven’t altered yet in order to continue.
Therein lies the challenge. Even when you figure out where all of the illusions and switches are, you have to make them work in accordance with one another to reach the end. It also helps that the game comes with a soothing, atmospheric music that is augmented by the actions you take. For instance, if you swipe to lower or raise a ledge, you may hear some guitar strumming. Using music and sound, the developers found a way to merge the game play with the music and graphics to turn it all into one big experience.
On the outside of the magic, you’ll no doubt notice that this game supports Google Play Games services. In this game, only achievements are supported. The settings menus are extremely bare bones and include the ability to reset the game (and delete the save data), sound and music settings, Google+ sign in, social media links, and the credits.
Overall, Monument Valley is an amazingly beautiful title. It’s a lot like Osmos HD where the fun isn’t necessarily in the game play but rather the experience of the game as a whole. It’s sound almost spiritual but that’s what makes it so much fun. The care and cleverness of the developers when designing the levels is clearly evidence and the nearly seamless merging of music, sound effects, level design, and game play is truly a sight to behold.
It is a little short, but depending on how clever you are, levels can take a long time to beat. Also, it is a puzzle game and a platform game and there are people who don’t enjoy those genres even if it’s a truly unique title. It’s $3.99 which may be a little steep for some people but if if you’re in the mood to play something unique and different, we consider it $3.99 well spent. Click the button below if you want to see more.
Check out the last indie app of the day: Make It Rain
Rumors of Samsung’s plans to return to producing more tablets with AMOLED displays go back as far as last year, but more recently things have really started heating up. Just last week we got our first look at the 10.5-inch Galaxy Tab S, and then shortly after this we also learned that an 8.4-inch and 13.3-inch variant were in the works.
As reports related to the Samsung Tab S family continue to increase in intensity, it seems pretty obvious that Samsung is moving closer towards an actual unveiling event. The big question is when. Within a recent WSJ interview with Samsung execs including JK Shin, we might have found the answer.
While the bulk of the article deals with the Galaxy S5 and its currently strong sales, it’s the very last sentence of the interview that has us really interested:
Samsung is also planning to launch a new line of tablets for the first time in New York on June 12 at Madison Square Garden as it attempts to catch up to rivals like Apple Inc.
While neither Samsung nor the WSJ say for certain what the tablet event will showcase, it does say its a new line of devices. Putting two and two together, it seems rather likely that the Galaxy Tab S family could be at the core of this announcement. To our knowledge, Samsung has yet to reveal any other details about its plans for a tablet-related press announcement June 12th event, though we’ve reached out to Samsung for additional details and will update if and when we hear back.
If you interested in learning more about what to expect from the tablet, you’ll want to check out some of our previous Tab S coverage. So what do you think based on what we currently know, excited for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S series or not?
Yesterday Motorola formally unveiled the Moto E and the Moto G 4G LTE, bringing us two new extremely affordable smartphones that offer a fair amount of punch for the price. If you’re at all interested in picking up either device, you can do so now through Amazon or directly through Motorola’s website.
While both phones can be purchased immediately, it’s important to note that the Moto G 4G LTE won’t actually ship until June 3rd. The Moto E does appear to be in stock and ready to go on Amazon, however.
So which device is right for you? Depends on what you’re looking for. If you are simply looking for the cheapest phone possible and don’t mind making a few concessions to get there, the Moto E is a solid choice. With it’s Snapdragon 200 dual-core CPU it’s not exactly a powerhouse, but still worth your consideration at the price of just $130.
For more details on what to except from the Moto E, be sure to check out yesterday’s coverage as well as our hands-on look at the device:
Meanwhile, if you don’t mind spending a bit more, the Moto G 4G LTE offers a more powerful quad-core Snapdragon 400 processing package, a front facing camera, flash on its back cam and a slightly bigger 4.5-inch 720p display. Overall it’s the same device as the original Moto G albeit with microSD card expansion and the addition of LTE support. While the 3G version of the Moto G is as little as $180, the 4G variant comes in at $220.
To learn more about the Moto G family, you’ll want to check out our full review for the OG Moto G. Also be sure to check out the Moto G 4G LTE’s original announcement page for more details.
So how about it, planning on picking up either of these handsets? What do you think of Motorola’s recent budget offerings, are they game-changers? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
If you doubt Sony’s ambitions in the smartphone market, then you should go and get your hands on the Xperia Z2. It exudes premium Sony style and has the hardware specs required to beat the competition, on paper at least. There’s just one problem — if you’re in the US, you can’t buy it.
A quick glance at comment sections and forums suggests that there is plenty of demand. Frustrated Americans aren’t used to having to wait for the latest electronics. So, why isn’t Sony taking their money?
At MWC, back in February 2013, Sony announced the Xperia Z. After a major restructuring, and its first modest profit for several years in 2012, the Japanese manufacturer was ready to renew its focus on the smartphone market. Ericsson a fading memory, the Xperia Z offered cutting edge specs and an impressive waterproof USP. The idea that this was a one-off was laid to rest six months later when Sony unveiled the improved Xperia Z1, and at MWC this year we got the Xperia Z2.
A major update every six months shows a real commitment to gaining market share and Sony’s sights are firmly set on the premium end of the market. Amid all the plaudits and the suggestion that this sleeping giant might be waking up, there was one big surprise – where was the push for the US market?
In October last year Sony CEO Kaz Hirai admitted that Sony was focusing on Japan and Europe, because it wasn’t yet ready for the US market. It took around six months before the Xperia Z landed on T-Mobile and the “Uncarrier” now offers the Xperia Z1S as well, but there’s no sign of the Z2 yet. Sony is selling some of its devices unlocked for full price stateside, and they aren’t cheap. In terms of carriers, T-Mobile is the only one to have picked up a Sony smartphone.
Clearly something is a bit wrong with this picture. Sony isn’t an unknown Chinese brand looking for a way to break in. It’s a well-respected name in the US, but there are some compelling business reasons for Sony’s strategy. It hasn’t given up on the American market; it’s just biding its time for the right moment.
Sony is a behemoth and it has been at the top of the consumer electronics industry for decades. Any company that’s this big is inevitably slow-moving and resistant to change. The financial results for 2013 marked a return to the red. As a whole, Sony has made a loss in six out of the last seven years. The mobile and gaming divisions are profitable, but the Vaio PC business had to be sold and the TV division has been problematic for years now. The restructuring process is ongoing.
If we look at the smartphone business in isolation then we find that Sony sold 33 million smartphones in 2012, 39 million in 2013, and it’s aiming for 50 million this year. Not only are sales rising, but the ASP (average selling price) has gone up as well.
According to IDC, Sony was 6th for 2013 with a worldwide market share of 3.7%. It started out the year weak and finished it strong, but 60% of its smartphone sales are in Japan and Europe. Sony is building on its base, or as Hirai put it, talking to Reuters , “It’s not realistic to try to do everything at once. In the U.S. we’ll start gradually.”
Carriers in the US wield an unusually large amount of power over the smartphone industry if you compare it with other nations. They expect manufacturers to spend big on their products. They want huge marketing campaigns, promotions, low wholesale prices, and exclusive versions. Presumably there’s an expectation there of a major financial commitment that Sony isn’t really in a place to make right now. There were also rumblings about problems in Sony’s supply chain which caused delays for the Xperia Z2.
There’s another issue with the US market which is particularly problematic for Sony and that’s Apple. According to NPD, the iPhone has a market share of 45% in the US. In some ways, looking at the premium market, Sony’s biggest opposition is Apple. That’s despite the fact that Steve Jobs was a huge Sony fan and the Japanese company was an inspiration for him.
In Sony’s home market of Japan, Apple’s deal with NTT DoCoMO was a major assault. Apple captured a share of 36.6% for the last financial year and that compares to 12.3% for Sony, according to a Bloomberg report. Sony has its work cut out increasing that share in Japan, where you would imagine it’s easier for it to get a good ROI on marketing campaigns. If it works out to be more expensive on average to capture a new customer in the US and Sony is still making gains in markets like Japan, then it makes sense to pick the right battles.
Android accounts for almost 70% of devices in Europe, and Apple is much weaker with an 18.5% share, so it also represents a better opportunity for Sony. In the first quarter of 2013, Sony claimed third place behind Samsung and Apple in Western Europe, and Kantar found that many Samsung smartphone owners were switching to Sony in the UK. A full 38% of Xperia Z buyers were ex-Samsung owners.
Sony has no interest in the budget end of the market, but aiming for the high-end makes a head-to-head with Samsung and Apple inevitable. Coming from a weaker position, with some dead weight dragging the smartphone division back, Sony simply can’t afford to open up too many fronts.
All of this news is not going to serve to comfort Americans looking to buy the Xperia Z2 right now. It will undoubtedly land at some point, but it could be months away, and there’s a chance the Z3 will be out by then. In the meantime what can you do? Petition your carriers to strike a deal, order it online, or drive across the border and pick one up in Canada. If you’re put off by the price tag then take a loan, after all, that’s effectively what you’re doing when you sign up to a two year contract with a carrier.
If Sony smartphone’s business continues to grow and it can get the other divisions sorted out, then rest-assured it will return to the US market all guns blazing.
Over the weekend LG revealed it had three new tablets in store for us, expanding the G Pad series with the Pad 7.0, Pad 8.0 and 10.1. What they didn’t tell us was pricing, release targets or even the specs.
Leaving us in the dark, LG merely promised that they would tell us more in the weeks to come. Thankfully we might not have to wait any longer to get a hint at what’s to come, as a new AnTuTu benchmark has shown up for the LG V400, which is believed to be the LG G Pad 7.0.
While the G Pad 8.3 had some of the most impressive specs in its class, the 7.0 doesn’t follow in the same footsteps. Instead, the V400 offers a modest 1.2Ghz Snapdragon 400 CPU with an Adreno 305 GPU and just 1GB of RAM. Other specs include a 7-inch display with a modest 1280×800 resolution, a 3.2MP rear cam, 1.3MP front cam and 8GB storage. As you can see the specs here don’t exactly scream powerhouse, but at least the tablet’s benchmarks indicate it will ship with Android 4.4.2 KitKat.
With modest hardware under the hood, it’s likely that LG is positioning the G Pad 7.0 as a low cost tablet, though we really can’t say how cheap they are aiming for. It’s also important to note that this doesn’t mean the G Pad 8.0 and G Pad 10.0 will offer the same frugal specs as their small-sized brother. Of course it doesn’t mean they won’t either, for now we can’t say for sure one way or another.
What do you think, if LG can get the pricing right, could the LG G Pad 7.0 be a sold choice for those looking for an entry-level tablet or are the Snapdragon 400-powered specs just too low?
Samsung announced it broke a new record with the release of the Galaxy S5, for the fastest rollout of a single smartphone model ever.
Concluding the rollout that started on April 11 is the version of the Galaxy S5 pictured above. Dubbed “Sweet Pink” or “Sweet Metallic Rose”, this version of the flagship is headed to Japan’s NTT DoCoMo. Not to be mistaken with the “Warm Shiny Gold” version offered by rival carrier KDDI, “Sweet Pink” will be exclusive to DoCoMo, and Samsung did not specify whether other markets would eventually get it.
Getting back to the record, Samsung claims that the 35 days rollout of the Galaxy S5 (completing tomorrow, May 15) is the fastest rollout ever for any single smartphone model. Counting Japan, the number of countries where the Galaxy S5 is available is now 150.
Information on worldwide rollouts is hard to come by, so we’ll have to take Samsung’s word on it. But if there’s any company in the world that would be able to pull off this feat, it’s Samsung, with its carrier clout, global presence, and unmatched logistic expertise.
We've come a long way
Just a few years ago, such an achievement would’ve been a pipe dream for Samsung. For instance, the company announced the Galaxy S2 in February 2011 and only released it in the United States from September. The release of the Galaxy S3, while far smoother, was spoiled by problems with the phone’s plastic back cover; the mistake reportedly cost Samsung sales of two million units. As sales rose, so did Samsung’s ability to ship devices in record time. By the time the Galaxy S4 was released, Samsung was already a well-oiled machined, and the company further improved its game with the Galaxy S5.
While the S5 release was smoother than ever, Samsung may be having a harder time selling its flagship. According to a report from South Korea, the company shipped 10 million units of the device in 25 days, two days less than in the case of the Galaxy S4. Compared to past milestones, that is a sign that Samsung’s ability to sell smartphones is approaching a plateau, and market saturation is likely one of the main reasons.
