The days of the ordinary feature phone are numbered with consumers rapidly upgrading to 4G feature phones, led by the JioPhone, that offer a much richer data and video experience, forcing plain vanilla handset makers to review their production plans. CyberMedia Research (CMR) data shows that market share of 2G phones has plunged 17 percentage …
Behind Google’s Pixel Play
The Pixel 3 is the latest generation of Pixel smartphones from Google, building on the 2017 edition of the Pixel 2. Just like previous years, the Camera and Google’s software prowess takes the center stage. Hardware is still work-in-progress. So, what explains Google’s persistence with the Pixel smartphones? Beginning with its very initial foray into …
What the Google Pixel 3 portends for Google?
The Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL were launched yesterday at a global event. Google’s third tryst with smartphones reveals that the new Google Pixel is all about the true AI under the hood, and one that is integral to winning the smart home of the future. 1. The Pixel 3 is integral to Google’s …
Pixel 3 will be Google’s ultimate test to break into the hardware game
Despite all the attention and hype, Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL won’t be the best-selling smartphones to be released this year. Yes, they will be acknowledged as the best Android devices to recommend, but many people would rather buy a Galaxy S9+ or the Note 9. Does that matter to Google? “Since its very initial …
Why it makes sense for camera makers to create lens for smartphones?
Smartphones, which are constantly threatening a whole bunch of devices around us, have now turned their focus on eliminating conventional cameras that have been part and parcel of our lives for years. Last year, nearly 1.3 trillion photos were taken globally — up from 660 billion in 2013 — and most of the images were …
Nokia 5.1 Plus: Affordable, yet Premium-like
HMD Global, the home of Nokia smartphones, has in partnership with Google built its latest mid-range devices with stock Android as part of the Android One program. With its new Nokia 5.1 Plus, HMD can now stake claim to the iconic Nokia brand, with its design craftsmanship, promise and performance. While Nokia’s competitors, such as Xiaomi, …
Amazon’s 2018 Hardware Event: First Impressions
Yesterday, at an event in Seattle, Amazon announced four different categories of products, including its smart speakers, Echo; Accessories and Echo companion devices; smart home control; and smart home monitoring. In all, Amazon introduced 15-new Alexa enabled products, with expected upgrades to the Echo, and a surprising line-up of products that included microwaves (AmazonBasics Microwave), …
Apple’s new, compelling iPhone X Proposition
Yesterday, Apple announced its 2018 lineup of smartphones— the iPhone XS Max, iPhone XS and the iPhone XR. All three iPhones retain the essential design and marquee features of last year’s iPhone X, including all-screen and a notch. The key takeaway from Apple’s new iPhones is Apple’s continued dominance when it comes to “industry first” …
Here’s why Apple’s iPhone Xs series could trigger upgrades by iPhone 6, iPhone 7 users
Apple’s next lineup of iPhones, scheduled to be unveiled on September 12, could attract a bunch of customers who previously owned the iPhone 6 and 7 series phones. The expansion of the iPhone X lineup with brand new models and price points may help Apple to reach out to a new set of consumers who …
Has Xiaomi’s POCO F1 played safe?
With the POCO, its new aspirational premium sub-brand, Xiaomi seeks to disrupt the India market redefining the premium segment in India. The Poco F1 comes with all the specs that a “premium smartphone” boasts about, at a price unheard of. The question remains: Has POCO played safe with its pricing? From a strategy …