Samsung takes the top spot for 2012 cell phone shipments, Nokia 2nd, Apple 3rd

The numbers are finally starting to come out for the mobile ecosystem, even though 2012 isn't quite over yet. IHS iSuppli has released its estimations for which cell phone manufacturers shipped the most devices in 2012, and for the first time in 14 years, Samsung has taken the top spot in cell phone shipments, pushing Nokia to 2nd place, and Apple held steady in 3rd place as far as total cell phone shipments, and 2nd in the smartphone segment.

According to the data, Samsung is expected to account for 29% of global cell phone shipments in 2012, with Nokia at 24%. This is almost a perfect reversal from last year when Nokia had 30% of cell phone shipments and Samsung had 24%. Impressively, Apple takes 3rd place on total cell phone shipments with 10%, even though Apple only makes smartphones, and no feature phones, unlike Samsung and Nokia. 

On the smartphone side of things, Samsung retains the top spot with 28% of global smartphone shipments, and that extends Samsung's lead over Apple, which held 20% of smartphone shipments. Last year, Samsung had 20% compared to Apple's 19%. The smartphone side also shows how Nokia lost its overall lead as it dropped from 16% of smartphone shipments in 2011 to just 5% in 2012. HTC and RIM also came in at 5% of smartphone shipments this year.

WhatsApp will not be supporting BlackBerry 10

RIM has been doing its part to keep the excitement and the anticipation levels high for the upcoming release of BlackBerry 10 next month. We have seen a lot of companies lining up to bring their applications to the new platform. 

Unfortunately, WhatsApp will not be one of those applications. WhatsApp is a nicely executed cross-platform instant messaging service that provides delivery confirmation.  It also has proven to be a consistent performer and has about 20 millions users. The app is currently available across most smartphone operating systems, Android, iOS, BlackBerry 7, Windows Phone, even Symbian and Nokia S40. After receiving an inquiry about the upcoming BlackBerry 10 release, the response from WhatsApp said simply, “We have no plans to support BlackBerry 10 at the moment, sorry.”

Okay, so you see “at the moment” and think, “Well, that means they might support it later!” We do not want to rob you of that ray of hope, so hold on to it if you want to. Alas, as it stands now, at best case, WhatsApp will not be available when BlackBerry 10 launches.  However, it is certainly reasonable to think that WhatsApp would develop their app for BlackBerry 10 if it proves to be the success that RIM says it will be.

source: CrackBerry.com

BBM on BlackBerry 10 shows you recommended contacts with BlackBerry Messenger

BBM on

BlackBerry 10 will bring a new set of features to BlackBerry Messenger, although it will remain compatible with the current version. One of the new features is called the BBM Recommended contacts tab and it provides you with a list of names from your contacts list that have BBM, Keep in mind that you won't be able to see any PIN numbers, but you will be able to invite anyone on the list to chat. It's similar to a feature on the BlackBerry PlayBook video chat app which shows you which of your contacts has the app so that you can engage in,well, video chatting.

RIM is saying to expect a number of changes to BBM with BlackBerry 10. The official introduction of BB10 is set for January 30th. Meanwhile,  RIM's shares continue to move higher as investors are voting with their cash that BlackBerry 10 will be a major success. The stock has nearly doubled off of lows made during August and September.

source: BerryReview

BBM Groups on BlackBerry 10

And that's how an iPhone 5 looks like after 2 months of use

The iPhone 5 is as sleek and beautiful as it is susceptible to dents and scratches. Even a small percentage of new units came with nicks right out of the box, which eventually led to Apple tightening up quality control measures at the iPhone 5 assembly lines. That said, can you imagine how one of them would look like after being used for a couple of months?

No need to visualize anything because someone has already done that for us. In the photos below we have two black iPhone 5 handsets, one of which has been encased since the very same day it was purchased, while the other has seen a lot of unprotected action. Both of them have been in use for about 2 months now. Obviously, it is quite easy to tell which one is which.

This, of course, is just a single case, but it clearly demonstrates that if you don't handle your iPhone 5 with care, it will get bruised sooner or later. And for most of us, paying $99 to have the damage fixed just isn't an option. But at the end of the day, do a few nicks matter? After all, despite being prone to scratching, Apple's newest smartphone is still a durable device, as those numerous iPhone 5 drop tests have shown. Perhaps you'd like to share your thoughts on this with us? If that's the case, sound it off below!

source: Gizmodo

The iPhone 5 two months later. One with a case, and one without.

Casio G-Shock watch brings iPhone connectivity to your wrist

The GB6900AA will be available in four colors.

For some people, the cellphone has replaced the simple wristwatch. However, you may be tired of whipping out the smartphone to tell time, only wishing that your watch could do more, and do all that while able to withstand the rigors of an active lifestyle.

There is a watch for that: The Casio G-Shock GB6900AA. Using Bluetooth 4.0, it syncs to your iPhone and will provide email, phone call, and calendar notifications. It is arguably not as sophisticated as some other smartphone-linking watches, but the G-Shock does make efficient use of its power, which comes from a traditional button-cell CR2032 battery.

Aside from the traditional “watch” features, the G-Shock can be calibrated to vibrate on notifications which can then be silenced simply by double-tapping on the screen of the watch. The watch also serves as a tether to alert you if it should lose a connection and fall out of range of your iPhone. The G-Shock Bluetooth retails for $180.00, is available in four colors, black, brown, white and silver/blue, and is compatible with the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S.

via: Mashable

4 Great reasons to go gaga

The Gaga Andriod smartphone is Etisalat’s customized 3G-enabled smartphone for undergraduates, young professionals and other data consuming individuals with high 3G expectations. The Gaga Android smartphone, operates on android 2.2 and boasts of features including a 2.8 inch full capacity touch screen, accelerometer functionality, Wi-Fi and Wi-FI hotspot, fast internet download speed of up to 7.2Mbps, Bluetooth functionality, FM radio, a 3.2MP camera and Document viewer for word, excel, PDF, and Adobe flash. It also has the capability of downloading applications, email-on-the-go, document viewing and editing on the go, large memory size for storage, Google maps and satellite navigation. Click here to view the Frequent Asked Questions(FAQ) Prices Specification Offer Prices The Etisalat Gaga Andriod Smartphone is affordably priced at N13,999. That is not all, you also enjoy special offers including: Free monthly 50MB for 4 months (Free 200MB in total) Cheapest call rates of 20kobo/sec with no access fee for first 4 months and for subsequent months on purchase of consistent data plans.  Specification Features: Android 2.2 Smartphone 2.8 inch full capacity touch screen Accelerometer function HSDPA of up to 7.2 Mbps Etisalat customized device(Hardware & Software) Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspot Bluetooth function, FM radio and GPS functionality 3.2 MP camera. Document viewer; word, excel, PDF, Adobe flash.  Source: Abdulkadir S. Lapai

Samsung Galaxy S IV release date set for April 2013, may feature an "unbreakable" screen

Yeah, that's what we want to see - more rumors and info about the Galaxy S IV! What's undoubtedly the most successful series of Android models will surely return next year for another record-breaking launch.

The thing is that this latest rumor suggests that Samsung will be looking to release the Galaxy S IV in April 2013 - a month earlier than the Galaxy S III, which was launched in May this year. The sources do not bother to explain why they think so, but on the other hand, they let us know that Samsung might have a secret weapon in the works for the GS IV. It seems that the so-called Project J (codename for the GS IV) may come with a new type of screen, which is being referred to as "unbreakable". We have absolutely no idea how this "breakthrough" unbreakable screen has been achieved, but if this really turns out to be true, then it will be one great selling point for the Galaxy S IV.

In addition, the sources confirm our expectations of a larger and higher-resolution screen, possibly one with pixel density of 441 ppi - a big upgrade compared to the Galaxy S III's 306 ppi. If the GS IV indeed has a 441 ppi screen, then it's safe to say that it will probably feature a 5" display with 1080p resolution - same as the recently launched HTC DROID DNA for Verizon Wireless.

With such an amazing screen, if Samsung has really managed to make it unbreakable, we have no other option but to get super-excited about this eventual April release of the Galaxy S IV!

source: Reuters

Samsung may deliver flexible displays as soon as next year

We've been hearing promises and seeing demos of flexible displays for a while now. So long that it seems as though the tech may never arrive, but a new report is saying that we could actually see flexible displays as soon as next year, and that Samsung could be leading the pack, at least that's what the BBC is saying. 

Samsung is obviously not the only company working on the technology. LG, Philips, Sharp, Sony and Nokia are all working on flexible displays, but the word is that Samsung will be the first to actually ship the displays in products, and it could happen next year. According to the report, LG has already begun mass producing flexible e-ink displays, but Samsung could be the first to make a flexible smartphone display, likely using Samsung's favorite OLED tech. 

Of course, we still don't have flexible motherboards, or flexible batteries, so don't expect fully flexible phones just yet. But, flexible displays would definitely end that whole problem that we saw with the iPhone 4/4S, and that the Nexus 4 is having with cracked glass. Flexible displays are said to be virtually unbreakable. 

source: BBC

Here's a tablet that will run Android and Linux for $120

Behold, the PengPod tablet! Now, now, before you all walk away with your interest meter going sharply down, please take a moment to acquaint yourselves with the geeky concept of this gadget.

So, the PengPod! This is a crowd-funded tablet that differentiates itself with the unique ability to dual-boot Android and Linux. That is full-blown Linux we're talking about, covered with the touch-oriented KDE Plasma Active UI. Although it seems like more of a geek product with all that Linux stuff, we guess it may still have some appeal for consumers, depending on the version of Android it comes with, as well as the internals.

Finally, this device certainly shouldn't be ruled out just yet, having in mind the alluring price tag that it's going to come with: $120 for the 7" version, and just $185 for the 10" one! Now that your interest meter is back up a bit, let us tell you that you'll have to wait until "early 2013" for this product to become available.

Would you get an unknown $120 tablet with Android and Linux instead of a proven $200 Android one like the Nexus 7?

via: BGR