Samsung Galaxy Prevail leads the way for Samsung in the U.S. from June 2010-2012

Thanks to the Apple v. Samsung patent trial, both firms have been forced to open up their books for examination, something both are usually quite reluctant to do. Apple and Samsung both filed some interesting info with the court on Thursday. Looking at U.S. sales from June 2010 through June 2012, the Korean based carrier revealed that they sold 21.25 million phones to bring in $7.5 billion. At the same time, 1.4 million Samsung GALAXY Tab and Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 tablets were sold accounting for $644 million in revenue. 

During the two year period from June 2010 to June 2012, Samsung's  number one seller in the States based on units sold was the Samsung Galaxy Prevail which rang up 2.25 million handsets. That was followed by the 1.89 million units of the Samsung Epic 4G that were purchased, and the 1.67 million units sold of the Sprint version of the Samsung Galaxy S II (Samsung Epic 4G Touch). When talking dollars, it was the Samsung Epic 4G that ruled the roost in those 24 months, lining Samsung's coffers with $855 million. Because many Samsung models were exclusive to one U.S. carrier, like the Epic 4G, the bottom line is that many of them did quite well.

Internal Samsung sales document

Apple's figures revealed that from 2007 through the second quarter of 2012, the Cupertino based firm sold 85 million Apple iPhone units in the States which brought in $50 billion in revenue. During the same period, 46 million Apple iPod touches were sold worth $10.3 billion in revenue. Since the product's launch in 2010, Apple has sold 34 million Apple iPad tablets, adding $19 billion in sales.

Both sides have had to release information that they normally would jealously guard. Apple has turned over internal customer surveys for the Apple iPhone and Apple iPad and has asked the court to keep the information private. So far, Judge Lucy Koh has denied that request and Apple is appealing. Giant tech firms like Ericsson, Intel, RIM, Nokia and Microsoft have asked the court to keep certain information sealed that they provided the court, although Reuters America is trying to get that information publicly revealed.

After two days of recess on Wednesday and Thursday, the trial resumes Friday with more testimony from Apple's expert witnesses.

Alleged iPhone 5 battery leaks, capacity barely changed

In addition to all the leaked bits and pieces, supposedly belonging to the iPhone 5, we now have a photo of what is speculated to be the smartphone's battery. This new cell pack has a capacity of 1,440mAh, a voltage of 3.8V, and is rated at 5.45 watt hours. According to its labeling, the battery has been manufactured in June of 2012, which lines up nicely with the rumored iPhone 5 release in September.

However, something does not seem quite right. If rumors are to be trusted, the next iPhone will have LTE connectivity. We all know that LTE smartphones tend to be battery hogs, which is why their makers put bigger batteries in them. But this alleged iPhone 5 battery has a capacity of only 10mAh more when compared to the one inside the iPhone 4S. Moreover, all those leaked iPhone 5 components suggest that the smartphone will be taller, which would theoretically leave more room for a bigger battery pack to be installed. 

Of course, Apple could have used its witchcraft to make the LTE radio inside the iPhone 5 less power-hungry than we might think, which could potentially eliminate the need for a bigger battery. Besides, this is just a rumor we are dealing with here, and this battery pack could not be meant for the next iPhone at all. It might be a revised version of the iPhone 4S battery, so the iPhone 5's pack could be bigger after all. We will probably know with certainty sooner than later, since the iPhone 5 announcement is likely scheduled for September.

Apple iPad Mini releasing Sept 15. Price US $249

All you need to know about Apple's tiny tablet

The new iPad has been and gone, sporting a chunkier and heavier build than the iPad 2, which left some wondering: what's with all the extra weight?

However, it looks like Apple may be about to aid those conscious of extra grams in their bags, as rumours hot up about a potential iPad Mini (or iPad nano, if you prefer) arriving later this year.

As the Amazon Kindle Fire steals the budget tablet show and with more small, cheap tablets on the horizon, such as the Google Nexus tablet, Apple may well want a bite of the, well, apple.

Back in 2010, former Apple CEO Steve Jobs said that smaller screened tablets were not "sufficient to create great tablet apps" and would be "dead on arrival", so rumours suggesting a new iPad mini is in the works reveals a potentially new direction for the firm in its post-Jobs era. Believe it or not, there's certainly a lot of chat surrounding the iPad Mini, so we've scooped it all up, mushed it all together and expelled it into a handy round up, allowing you to keep track of every twist and turn. 

Update: A new report has examined the prospects for an iPad Mini - and how it might contribute to the company's bottom line, particularly with gamers and the educational market.

According to analyst Ben A. Reitzes, the iPad Mini would not be a threat to Apple's current domination with the New iPad, and is likely to be a favourite among gamers as well as educational institutes, particularly with the electronic textbooks introduced earlier this year.

iPad Mini release date

There's not even an official sign from Apple that the iPad Mini/iPad nano is even in the works, so a release date for the tablet is even more up in the air.

Although if the rumours turn out to be true, we can expect Apple to start rolling out the iPad Mini very soon after a extraordinarily over-hyped launch event.

According to a Digitimes source the iPad Mini/nano could start production in the third quarter of 2012.

Analyst Shaw Wu says the "exact timing" for an iPad mini release date "is difficult to predict", but said its launch is a "question of when, not if." Pretty confident then, are we, Shaw?

A report straight out of China suggests that key Apple manufactures Foxconn and Pegatron have started to receive orders for the new iPad mini. It goes on to say the factories will have 6 million units ready for a launch in Q3 of 2012.

When Apple announced its annual WWDC event running from June 11-15, which sold out in just two hours, there was some speculation that we could see the Cupertino firm announce the iPad mini there, but no new iPad broke cover at WWDC.

Update: A iMore source claims that the iPad Mini will be ready by October 2012. Hold on to your hats people!

Update: A Taiwanese source has claimed that the mini iPad will be in the hands of consumers before Christmas, with a third quater launch on the cards.

Update:According to Bloomberg an unnamed source said a tablet with a screen size of "7 to 8 inches diagonally" will arrive before 2012 reaches its close.

Update: The Wall Street Journal reports that sources in Apple's Asian supply chain have revealed the iPad Mini will go into production from September.

Update: The latest rumour in the mill of iPad Mini release dates comes from an unknown source (*sigh*) - which claims we'll see Apple take to the stage on September 12 to show off the next handset, alongside theiPhone 5.

Update: Or... the iPad Mini may be getting its own launch event in November, as stock of the tablet won't be ready for a September release.

iPad Mini price

Apple is known for its extravagant products, launch events and pricing policies, but the iPad Mini may herald a new era for those who long for an Apple device, but simply can't part with an arm and a leg to buy one.

It's thought that Apple's idea behind the iPad nano is to tackle the budget end of the market, where the Amazon Kindle Fire is currently king, and a Digitimes source predicts it could land with a very reasonable sub £200 ($249-$299) price tag.

Update: Could the iPad Mini be a super cheap tablet contender? It can according to one source, who claims it will land with a price tag between $200 and $250 (around £150) - we certainly hope this turns out to be true!

Update: Those famous "various analysts" and "industry sources" havespoken out again, confirming that the iPad Mini should arrive on the market for $249-$299 (around £159-£190).

Update: On 9 July, we covered a report from Japanese blog Macotakara which said that the iPad Mini price would be in the region of $250-$350 (around £160-£230).

Update:The New York Times has spoken to people "with knowledge of the project" - who claim the iPad Mini will be significantly cheaper than the current iPad.

iPad Mini display

As the name suggests, we're looking at an iPad which will be sporting a screen smaller than the stock 9.7-inch display found on the first three Apple tablets.

In February we saw a report from the Wall Street Journal claiming a source from an Apple component supplier had confirmed it was testing a smaller screen for Apple, in the region of 8-inches with a similar resolution to the iPad 2.

At the start of March, Digitimes reported that the new iPad Mini would actually come with a 7.85-inch display – a tad bigger than the 7-inch screen found on the Kindle Fire.

April saw Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu reveal that Apple had been testing devices with screens ranging from 4 to 12-inches and highlighted that the 7.85-inch format would be most likely "when, not if" the iPad mini is launched.

Wu also predicted the iPad nano would sport the same resolution as the original iPad and iPad 2, at 1,024 x 768 – meaning developers wouldn't have to tweak their apps.

Update: According to an iMore source, the mini iPad will sport a 7-inch screen with the same retina display as the iPhone 4S and new iPad.

Update: The 7.85-inch screen rumour gets ever stronger as industry sources claim the iPad Mini will sport IGZO display panels, which are capable of delivering a retina-quality display.

Update: According to Bloomberg's sources, the iPad Mini will not arrive packing the Retina Display featured on the new iPad 3.

Update: According to sources "with knowledge of the project", the iPad Miniwill indeed sport a 7.85-inch display.

Other iPad Mini specs

To help keep the cost of the iPad Mini down, one source reckons it will ship with just 8GB of internal storage - the same amount as the Amazon Kindle Fire.

In terms of thickness, Japanese blog Macotakara cites an unknown source, claiming the iPad Mini will be a 7.2mm thick.

Macotakara also wrote that the iPad Mini would come with 3G functionality.

iPad Mini early verdict

Well, we're still unsure whether Apple will go down the iPad Mini route. Steve Jobs made his stance on smaller tablets quite clear and it would be a daring move by the Cupertino-firm to go against its popular former boss.

The budget tablet market is one which is definitely growing, and one which Apple is currently not part of, so it won't be too much of a surprise if the firm does decide to go down this route.

We'd love to see a new iPad Mini come to market, as it would certainly give Amazon and co a run for their money... plus it would be intriguing to see what Apple would do with the smaller format.

iPad Mini release date, news and rumours

The new iPad has been and gone, sporting a chunkier and heavier build than the iPad 2, which left some wondering: what's with all the extra weight?

However, it looks like Apple may be about to aid those conscious of extra grams in their bags, as rumours hot up about a potential iPad Mini (or iPad nano, if you prefer) arriving later this year.

As the Amazon Kindle Fire steals the budget tablet show and with more small, cheap tablets on the horizon, such as the Google Nexus tablet, Apple may well want a bite of the, well, apple.

Nokia to Launch Android Device in end of 2012

If rumor mills are to be believed, Nokia is all set to join hands with Google's Android OS , to make a new range of devices starting end of 2012, We all know how Nokia has managed to stay aloof from Android and stick to Symbian OS, which eventually led to there sales figures coming down like the elevator in Burf Khalifa! Then we know the story of what went wrong with the MeeGo and MeeMo OS and how Nokia finally turned to Windows Mango to salvage the situation. That hasnt helped much either. So if we keep a count, Nokia has launched devices in almost four OSes till date, so frankly this news doesn't come as a surprise. The device is called the Nokia AIR.

Instagram Socialmatic Camera

Instagram Socialmatic Camera Goes Real

Try to think to pick the Instagram App icon and try to make a real camera…

This is the main idea at the base of Instagram Socialmatic Project.

I want to pick some points
1) 50.000$ is for project startup and to allow "us" to have a real good partner to finalize the project;
2) Your contribution will be used to guarantee you a massive discount on final price of the Camera and to create the first crowd sourcing based photo camera!
3) Final price of the product need to be under $350;

----

Since Facebook has bought Instagram for nearly a billion dollars in cash and stock, many users, bloggers, economy experts have thought Instagram could build its first real photo camera.

So, that's is!

Socialmatic is the first Instagram photo camera, with a lot of amazing features:

- 16 GB mass storage;
- Wifi and Bluetooth;
- 4:3 touchscreen;
- 2 main lens, first for main capture, second for 3D filters, webcam applications and QR Code capturing;
- Optical zoom;
- Led Flash;
- Internal printer to make your Instagram photos real;
- Paper cartridge with Instagram Paper Sheets;
- Dedicated 4 colors ink tanks;
- InstaOs 1.0, which put together Facebook and Instagram App feature;
- Pairing with iPhone and Android App;

Take your shoot with Instagram Socialmatic, make your photo cool as you want and share it directly on Facebook trough the powerful InstaOs.

If you want, you can print it directly on Instagram Paper Sheets, thanks to the internal printer.
Every Instagram printed photo reports on front side your Instagram nickname and a QR code, to be followed by another Instagrammer, simply pointing his/her Socialmatic on your printed QR Code.

This because Instagram Paper Sheets has a retro side with a glue strip, just like a post-it.
You can share in the real world your photo, printing your emotions and sensations.

And if you want, on the bottom of front side of your printed photo, you've a dedicated space to write something, just like to comment a photo on Facebook, but in the real world...Do you remember the old Polaroid photos?

Instagram Socialmatic is only a concept...
But, maybe, it could became real...

Canon details 4K video-capable EOS 1D C DSLR

Canon has just brought 4K video recording to the world of digital SLR cameras in the shape of the EOS 1D C. Developed to support the broadcast quality TV, motion picture high-resolution production industries, the new EOS family member is based on the core specs of the EOS 1D X (which has just been confirmed for a June 2012 release), with some features from last year's C300 cinema camera thrown in for good measure.
The new EOS 1D C is capable of recording Motion JPEG 4K (4096 x 2160 pixel resolution) video at 24 frames per second (fps) with 8-bit 4:2:2 color sampling or 8-bit 4:2:0 Full HD 1920 x 1080 (H.264 format) at frame rates of 24, 25, 30, 50 and 60p. Users can opt to save the 4K or Full HD recordings to the camera's CF memory card or output HD movies to an external recorder via the built-in HDMI terminal using an uncompressed YCbCr 4:2:2 signal.

Videographers choosing the 4K format can expect to capture the action on roughly an APS-H sized portion of the sensor (1.3 crop factor) while those opting for HD can choose between the full 36 mm width of the sensor or a Super 35 crop setting that enables users to match the industry-standard imaging format and angle of view achieved by traditional motion picture cameras.

The EOS 1D C is also said to retain highlight and shadow detail while providing a high level of color grading freedom thanks to the inclusion of Canon's Log Gamma (as seen on the C300). There's a built-in mono microphone or external mic connection via a stereo audio jack for Linear PCM recording quality, and a built-in headphone jack for audio monitoring.

Although optimized for high quality video capture, the EOS 1D C is by no means a slouch in the photography department. It features an 18.1 megapixel full-frame (24 x 36 mm) Canon CMOS sensor and high-performance Canon Dual DIGIC 5+ image processors delivering continuous shooting of up to 12 fps and an ISO sensitivity range that can be notched right up to ISO25600 for low noise low light video capture and up to ISO51200 for photography. Sensitivity can be further expanded from the LO setting of ISO50 to an H2 max of ISO204800.

The DSLR captures stills in RAW or JPEG image format, with simultaneous recording of both formats also possible, benefits from a 61 point AF system and can be powered by an optional AC adapter for long haul sessions or via the same LP-E4N battery pack used with the EOS-1D X. There's a pentaprism viewfinder with 100% frame coverage and 0.76% magnification and users are able to view the camera's 3.2-inch, 1,040,000 dot resolution Clear View II LCD display even while the camera is connected to an external monitor. The new camera is also compatible with over 60 Canon EF and EF Cinema lenses.

The EOS-1D C digital SLR has very portable body-only dimensions of 6.22 x 6.44 x 3.25-inches (158 x 163.6 x 82.7 mm) and will be available later this year for a suggested retail price of US$15,000.

Canon has also announced the development of four new Cinema lenses, two wide-angle cinema zoom lenses - the CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 L S (EF mount) and the CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 L SP (PL mount) - and two telephoto cinema zoom lenses- the CN-E30-105mm T2.8 L S (EF) and CN-E30-105mm T2.8 L SP (PL).

When all's said and done, it's not a bad answer to RED's Scarlet X, but will it be enough to draw industry professionals back over to the Canon camp?

Striking a balance: Honda unveils UNI-CUB mobility device

Honda has released details of a new personal mobility device dubbed the UNI-CUB. An evolution of the U3-X unicycle EV that has been shown globally since the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, the UNI-CUB employs the same impressive balance control technology and omni-directional wheel as its predecessor, with the biggest differences appearing to be the addition of an extra wheel, a comfier perch and optional user control via a mobile phone or tablet.

• Like the U3-X, the UNI-CUB allows the user to move in any direction, control speed and stop by simply shifting their weight, while the second wheel moves laterally to accommodate turning. The device can also climb gradients, has a range of 6 km (3.7 miles) and, while it's not going to keep pace with power-walkers, can reach a top speed of 6 km/h (3.7 mph).
  The compact form factor and the orientation of the rider also seems to give the UNI-CUB an advantage in the emerging field of "transport appliances." A Segway, for example, tends to clear the decks fairly quickly in a pedestrian space, but the UNI-CUB is designed as an unobtrusive addition to foot traffic that maintains eye-level height and works in harmony with other pedestrians.
  Honda says it will begin demonstration testing of UNI-CUB with Japan's National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation from June with a view to exploring applications for the device.
  UNI-CUB key specifications
  • Size (L x W x H): 520 x 345 x 745 mm (20.5 x 13.6 x 29.3 inches)
  • Seat height: 745 - 825 mm (29.3 - 32.5 inches)
  • Battery type: Lithium-ion battery
  • Maximum speed: 6 km/h (3.7 mph)
  • Range: 6 km (3.7 miles)

Amazon 'to launch new Kindle in July'

Amazon plans to launch new versions of its Kindle ereader this summer with front lighting, it has been claimed.

Amazon hopes to have the new Kindle ereader on sale in July, Reuters reports, citing a source with "direct knowledge of the matter".

The new Kindle will have a monochrome E Ink display, like existing models, but will add a front light for reading in the dark. Kindle users who want to read in poor light or in the dark currently have to buy an external light.

The new Kindle will have a touchscreen and will come in 3G and WiFi versions, the report says. The addition of a light will reduce the battery life of the Kindle, which currently lasts for up to two months.

Reuters said its source also claims that Amazon will update its Kindle Fire tablet in the autumn, increasing the size of the display to 8.9 inches.

The Kindle Fire, which is not currently available in Britain, launched late last year. Initial sales were high, with reports suggesting close to five million sold in the final quarter of 2011, but demand seems to have dropped off significantly.

Apple Wants iPhone 5 Domain Name, Asks UN Agency to Shut It Down

Will the next generation iPhone be officially known as theiPhone 5? That’s what a recent complaint Apple filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) hints at.

WIPO is a United Nations agency that protects intellectual property including instances of alleged cybersquatting. Apple’s claim, first reported by Fusible, concerns the iphone5.com domain.

The iphone5.com domain name was registered in Feb. 2008 through a registrar based in Australia. The site currently hosts smartphone advertisements and iPhone-related message boards.

One thread, started Sunday afternoon, urges iphone5.com visitors to help prevent an Apple takeover. A user called Morphius writes:

Yes, You as the community can play a huge part in all this. we as members here before the 4s was even released at iphone5.com should stand our ground against Apple. We have every right to be a fan of the iPhone and to talk and discuss about it. THEY WIILL NOT SHUT US DOWN!!!!!

Call Corporate Of Apple and tell them to stop there persuit!! Blow up there phones, Spam there emails, call there Administration! Do something to get our point across.[sic]

Another thread contains a poll asking whether Apple should take be able to take control of the domain. At time of writing, 23 votes split 60-40 in Apple’s favor.

Apple Releases Flashback Fix for OS X Leopard

After issuing similar fixes for Lion and Snow Leopard in April, Apple has now released an Flashback removal security update for OS X Leopard.

Apple describes the update as follows: “This update removes the most common variants of the Flashback malware. If the Flashback malware is found, a dialog will notify you that malware was removed. In some cases, the update may need to restart your computer in order to completely remove the Flashback malware.”

Flashback is a malicious program which uses a Java vulnerability to track Mac users. At one point, more than600,000 Macs were estimated to be infected.

The 1.23MB Flashback removal update can be found here.

Apple also released a 1.11MB Leopard update which disables versions of Adobe Flash Player which don’t have the latest security updates. You can find this update here.

AMD Launches Ultrabook-Ready Trinity Chips

AMD just unveiled its latest processor, called Trinity. Meant for Ultrabooks, regular laptops and all-in-one designs, the new chip boasts better multimedia capabilities, at less power than the previous generation, Llano.

With Trinity, AMD aims to satisfy both PC gamers in need of a mobile system as well as anyone who works with professional multimedia software like Photoshop or Sony Vegas. AMD says Trinity’s performance on a per-watt basis is actually double Llano’s, although the overall boost is about 29%.

Because of its compactness and lighter power demands, Trinity is made for three types of PCs in mind:Ultrabooks, all-in-one desktop models and traditional laptops. Hewlett-Packard‘s recently unveiled Sleekbooks, for example, will have Trinity chips as an option.

AMD packed Trinity with many enhancements to beef up the multimedia experience — applications that are heavily focused on photos or video. Trinity’s Media Accelerator tries to improve video playback with color adjustments, noise reduction and image stabilization of shaky video. But even better, the chip can prioritize video streaming over poor Wi-Fi connection, ensuring you don’t get that “buffering” message unless you absolutely have to.

On the production side, AMD says Trinity has more than 30 hardware-accelerated features for Adobe Photoshop, speeding up certain filters — like Blur, Warping and Liquify — on high-resolution photos. Besides that, Trinity also supports HD video chats with up to four people.

Trinity is a 32-nanometer chip technology (the measurement refers to the distance between discrete elements on the chip), which, in terms of Moore’s Law, is a generation behind Intel‘s recently unveiledIvy Bridge tech, a 22-nanometer tech. However, AMD claims Trinity performs better than comparable Intel processors, and AMD components tend to offer better value.

Laptops equipped with Trinity have the potential to enjoy up to 12 hours of battery life, AMD says, but obviously that will depend greatly the other parts of the hardware (notably the screen) and how it’s used. There are five different models of the chip, three quad-core and two dual-core. They run on power supplies between 17 watts (for Ultrabooks) to 35 watts (for all-in-ones or laptops).