Category: Articles

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Amazon Writes Off $170 Million During Earnings Call Following Weak Fire Phone Sales

I’m not sure what Amazon could have done to be honest. Even if they had been substantially more proactive, putting people on the ground, building a grass roots fan base, courting influencers and creating evangelists, instead of the top-down marketing and outreach they decided on, it still might not have meant success for their first phone outing.

Launching a new phone in this market is a near guaranteed failure. While Amazon has found quite a bit of success with their Kindle series, tablets are companion devices. Second screens. Phones are mission critical communication devices for most folks. That makes consumers far more conservative. We’re a lot less likely to take a risk with a phone.  Continue reading “Amazon Writes Off $170 Million During Earnings Call Following Weak Fire Phone Sales”

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Microsoft Doubles Quarterly Surface Sales, Moves 9.3 Million Lumias

Microsoft CEO Satya NadellaDuring their earnings call, Microsoft had some good news for their hardware divisions.

Redmond managed to more than double their revenue on the Surface line up of tablets, reaching $908 million over last quarter’s $400 million. Lumias also had their best quarter yet moving 9.3 million phones, built largely on the popularity of low cost handsets. In all the Devices and Consumer Hardware division revenue grew 47% over last quarter to $10.96 billion.

However, following restructuring costs and Nokia’s hardware integration, Microsoft’s stock is down $0.11 a share.

While it’s not earth shaking news, it is positive growth, and any positive traction in this market means we’ll be seeing more competition moving forward. Fingers crossed this means we’ll see new Microsoft Branded Lumia phones sooner rather than later.

Microsoft Earnings Report

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LG Confirms G Watch R European Release In November – Still No Pricing Info

GWatchR1The G Watch R is drawing eyes as another fashionable option designed to compete against watches like the Moto 360 and the Apple Watch. It’s pricing and release date have been shrouded in mystery. Tonight we at least have half of that mystery answered.

The G Watch R will hit select European and UK markets the beginning of November, with the United States and Asian markets to follow “soon after”. When it does drop we can expect to see it for sale on Google Play, but we still don’t have any official word on pricing. As it’s the more fashionable option opposite the terrifically inexpensive G Watch, I would expect pricing to be comparable (if not higher than) the Moto 360.

(Via LG UK Blog)

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AT&T offers up iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 for $0 Down

ns_ipad_tablet_oct_silver_gold_2If you’re looking to score one of Apple’s new iPads with LTE and WiFi connectivity, Big Blue will be offering up these new tablets for $0 for those customers using a Mobile Share Plan.

The tablet installment plan runs twenty months with the iPad Air 2 divided up into twenty payments of $31.50 and the Mini 3 costing $26.50 per month.

You can get the full scoop from AT&T’s press release below.

Continue reading “AT&T offers up iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 for $0 Down”

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Gear Review: IntoCircuit PC11200 Power Bank

WP_20141007_015Today we are taking a look at IntoCircuit’s 11200 mAh portable power bank! As you may or may not know, we here at Some Gadget Guy are not into unboxings, however I really do like the packaging and colors that this battery is packed in. With that being said, let’s jump right into the review!

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Upon opening the box and pulling out the power bank, you will immediately notice that this power bank has a hefty feel (278G), and it has a very nice brushed aluminum case. The design is simple yet rugged looking and measures 4.3” X 2.8” X 0.9” . There is a nice bright LCD screen that will light up for 30 seconds so you can see the progress of your devices being charged. The display will also show you which port is being used. The IntoCircut PC11200 has one button to turn the power bank on and off. When you double press the button, you will activate the flashlight. Yes, the IntoCircuit PC11200 has a bright flashlight which would come in very handy for multiple situations. I really like the flashlight option on this power bank because you never know when you will need a flashlight in case something goes awry. (power outages, zombie apocalypse  or when you go camping.)

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Continue reading “Gear Review: IntoCircuit PC11200 Power Bank”

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It’s Official! Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 First to Launch with Android 5.0 Lollipop! !

Lollipop ForestAnnounced on today on the Google Android Blog, version 5.0 of their newest operating system will be called Lollipop. Featuring the new Material Design we’ve all been drooling over. With thousand of new API’s, it’s also built to be developer friendly, and to integrate with a number of new services and devices.

Of course the first devices to run Lollipop will be Nexus phones and tablets. We also finally have confirmation that the Nexus 6 is the 6″ Motorola we’ve seen leaks of, and will feature a QHD screen, front facing stereo speakers, a 13MP camera, and a turbo charging feature which provides six hours of run time after only 15 minutes of charging.

Nexus-FamilyOn the tablet front HTC is behind the new Nexus 9 with a brushed aluminum shell and an 8.9″ screen with an optional keyboard folio dock case.

Nexus 9 will be available for pre-order October 17, while Nexus 6 will follow later in the month in time for the holidays. Pricing, availability, and carrier info to come soon. You can see Google’s teaser vid below!

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AT&T Announces Chicago and Atlanta Next Two Cities to Get Gigabit U-Verse

Progress people! Big Blue is rolling out more gigabit fiber, and the next two cities on their list will be Chicago and Atlanta.

Gigapower U-Verse is currently available in the Austin, Dallas, and Fort Worth areas, and will also be launched soon in Atlanta, Charlotte, Cupertino, Greensboro, Houston, Jacksonville, Fla., Miami, Nashville, Overland Park, Kan., Raleigh-Durham, San Antonio, St. Louis and Winston-Salem markets.

1000Mbps broadband folks. ONE THOUSAND! Remember that every time you see a cable or DSL ad…

AT&T PR below. Continue reading “AT&T Announces Chicago and Atlanta Next Two Cities to Get Gigabit U-Verse”

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Verizon to Retire Lumia Icon Eight Months After Release?

nokia lumia icon rear panel long term review somegadgetguyA frustrating development for Windows Phone fans on Big Red. It looks like VZW is pulling the plug on the Lumia Icon only eight months after the phone was launched.

Internationally known as the Lumia 930, Verizon was the exclusive carrier to offer it here in the United States. While the rest of the world has officially been updated with Windows Phone 8.1 and Nokia’s Cyan software, the Icon has languished under Verizon’s ultra-strict and very slow upgrade approval process. Galaxy Nexus owners likely understand the frustration of watching the rest of the software world pass you by.

Now with word from @VZWSupport on Twitter, that the Icon is retired, it seems even less likely that there will be an official 8.1 update for the Icon. I also doubt that we’ll see a 930 variant arrive on any of the other carrier with AT&T focusing on launching their HTC One W8 and the Lumia 830 mid-ranger. As it pertains to Windows Phone, T-Mobile largely seems content at the entry level with the Lumia 635.

Very frustrating indeed as the Lumia Icon/930 is a solid flagship phone, but all smartphones are only as good as their support, and this move removes one of the precious few options for a WP flagship here in the States…

(via WPCentral)

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