News / Samsung

Samsung to Acquire Viv

October 7, 2016

Samsung Electronics announced that it has agreed to acquire Viv Labs, the intelligent interface to everything. Viv has developed a unique, open artificial intelligence (AI) platform that gives third-party developers the power to use and build conversational assistants and integrate a natural language-based interface into renowned applications and services. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.

The deal showcases Samsung’s commitment to virtual personal assistants and is part of the company’s broader vision to deliver an AI-based open ecosystem across all of its devices and services. With Viv, Samsung will be able to unlock and offer new service experiences for its customers, including one that simplifies user interfaces, understands the context of the user and offers the user the most appropriate and convenient suggestions and recommendations.

Viv was founded by AI visionaries Dag Kittlaus, Adam Cheyer and Chris Brigham. As part of the acquisition, the founding team will work closely with Samsung’s Mobile Communications business, but continue to operate independently under its existing leadership.
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Cellphones / News

Google Announces Pixel

October 6, 2016

Google just announced for the first time a family of products that brings people the best of Google through hardware and software made by Google.

“We’re excited that the lineup features the first phone made by Google inside and out — Pixel,” said Brian Rakowski, VP Product Management Google.

With Pixel, Google obsessed over every detail, from the industrial design to the user experience. They carefully sculpted the surfaces of the phone, and rounded the edges to make it easy to grip. Pixel used 2.5D Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4 on the front display and back glass to accent the aerospace grade aluminum body. The glass on the back also features Pixel Imprint, its fingerprint sensor, which is placed on the back of the phone where your finger expects it. You can even swipe it to access your notifications. And no matter what you’re using your phone for, you’ll need a battery that lasts all day and charges fast — up to seven hours in 15 minutes.

Pixel is the first phone with the Google Assistant built in. With your Assistant, you can have a natural conversation with Google to find answers or get things done on the go.
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News / Nokia

Nokia Unveils Nokia Asha 308 and Nokia Asha 309

September 26, 2012

nokia asha 308Nokia today unveiled the Nokia Asha 308 and Nokia Asha 309, the latest additions to the Asha Touch family of mobile devices. The dual SIM Nokia Asha 308 and single SIM Nokia Asha 309 give consumers fast web access at low cost.

To create this smarter Internet experience, Nokia released a new version of Nokia Xpress Browser, which enables up to 90% more efficient mobile browsing and faster access to rich web applications compared to conventional browsers.

The new devices offer a fluid ‘swipe’ user interface and an open environment for third-party application development, characteristics that have earned the complete Asha Touch range full smartphone classification from global market research companies and analysts such as GfK and IDC.

“Our innovative Asha Touch family of devices is designed for people who want a great smartphone experience with lower running costs,” said Timo Toikkanen, executive vice president, Mobile Phones, Nokia. “By introducing the Nokia Asha 308 and Nokia Asha 309, we’re expanding our affordable smartphone lineup and bringing new mobile experiences to more people.”

nokia asha 309Nokia estimates the retail price for the Nokia Asha 308 and Nokia Asha 309 to be about USD 99, excluding taxes and subsidies, with shipping expected to start in the fourth quarter 2012.

The Nokia Asha 308 and Nokia Asha 309 are Nokia’s most affordable capacitive touchscreen devices to date. A view shared by independent analysts is that the Asha line represents great smartphones available for less than USD 99. “Nokia’s Asha Touch family delivers all the core smartphone experiences, and with the new software developer kit, provides ever-increasing flexibility for developers to build compelling new experiences for consumers,” said Will Stofega, Mobile Phone Program Director, IDC.

The Nokia Asha 308 and Nokia Asha 309 are 2G-enabled devices featuring a 3.0” WQVGA capacitive display, multiple home screens, stereo radio, loud speakers and up to 32GB microSD card support. The Nokia Asha 309 is the single SIM variant with WiFi, while the Nokia Asha 308 is a dual SIM device featuring Nokia’s industry-leading Easy Swap technology. Easy Swap enables people to switch between multiple SIM cards quickly and easily to get the best local tariffs without having to remove the battery or turn off the phone.
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Apple / News / Press Release

iPhone 5 Pre-Orders Top Two Million in 24 Hours

September 23, 2012

iPhone 5Apple® a few days announced pre-orders of its iPhone® 5 topped two million in only 24 hours, more than double the previous record of one million held by iPhone 4S. Demand for iPhone 5 exceeds the initial supply and while the majority of pre-orders will be delivered to customers on September 21, many are scheduled to be delivered in October 2012.

“iPhone 5 pre-orders have shattered the previous record held by iPhone 4S and the customer response to iPhone 5 has been phenomenal,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “iPhone 5 is the best iPhone yet, the most beautiful product we’ve ever made, and we hope customers love it as much as we do.”
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News / Nokia

Nokia Launches Lumia 610 NFC

April 11, 2012

nokia 610 nfcNokia today announced an NFC version of the recently-launched Nokia Lumia 610, the most affordable smartphone in the Lumia range and the perfect introduction to Windows Phone for a younger audience. Orange will be the first operator to range the Lumia 610 NFC, which can pair with NFC accessories and read NFC tags. The Lumia 610 NFC also has the hardware and software enablers for the implementation of NFC payment and ticketing solutions, and has been certified for contactless payments both with MasterCard PayPass® technology, and with Visa’s mobile application for payments at the point of sale, Visa payWave.

“Nokia continues to lead the field in NFC with this latest implementation on the Windows Phone platform, in which we have the full support of Orange,” said Ilari Nurmi, head of product marketing for Nokia’s Smart Devices business unit. “We’re bringing NFC right across our portfolio, and together with our ever-growing range of NFC accessories we’re making it easy for people to connect via a single tap. We’re also enabling operators and other service providers to build NFC payment and ticketing solutions on top of our smartphones.”
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