Monday, November 13, 2017

Oreo reaches 0.3% of the Android market in latest distribution chart

Oreo reaches 0.3% of the Android market in latest distribution chart


At this point, the slow growth in distribution numbers for the latest version of Android is nothing new the fact is, it's always been like this. It's still pretty funny to see Oreo at a whopping 0.3% of the market at the moment, growing from . When interpreting those numbers, remember that Google released Android 8.0 Oreo back in August but even so, it was nowhere to be seen in the chart in September. Anyway, this also goes to show how few Nexus, Pixel, and Sony devices are out in the wild, because up until now only (some of) those launched with or got updated to this iteration of the OS. Nougat on the other hand keeps growing steadily, reaching 20.6% of the pie this time around, up from 17.8% in October. Marshmallow is losing some traction but remains the most used version of Android right now, with 30.9% of the market. With 27.2%, Lollipop is still close by. KitKat is the oldest one that still nets double digits at 13.8%, while all the others combined merely reach 7.2%.


Apple to launch three new iPhone X-like devices next year

Apple to launch three new iPhone X-like devices next year


Now that even the last of Apple's 2017 iPhones is finally available, it's time for the rumors about the company's 2018 lineup to start. Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities is leading the way as always, today releasing a report about the specific smartphones that he expects Apple to unveil next year. The first thing you'll notice about all of them is that they're keeping the design of the intact, bezel-less screen and controversial notch included. Thus, all the iPhones of 2018 will be similar in the looks department and similarly devoid of a fingerprint sensor. They will also all feature the TrueDepth camera system on the front. Kuo says the two models with OLED panels will basically have the same top of the line innards. The smaller of these will be the same size as the iPhone X basically, while the other adds an option for people who like bigger devices. The 6.5 behemoth will come with an even higher resolution than the X, aiming for up to 500 ppi pixel density. Sitting in between these size-wise, the 6.1 iPhone with an LCD screen will become Apple's entry-level smartphone, expected to be priced from $649-$749. Its display will be lower-res and thus have a smaller pixel density than its siblings. There are probably also going to be internal differences aimed at making this particular handset cheaper than the other two. The materials used could be cheaper too. While Kuo is usually pretty reliable, note that none of this information has been confirmed in any way at this point, so it may be advisable to take all of it with a decent dose of salt.


Google Assistant now broadcasts messages throughout your house on all speakers

Google Assistant now broadcasts messages throughout your house on all speakers


Starting today, Google Assistant just became even more useful than ever. From this point on, you can use it to broadcast messages throughout your house stuff like it's time for school or breakfast is ready, you get the gist. You can create such a broadcast message from any device with Assistant say your phone or a Google Home device. The message will be broadcast by all the Assistant-enabled speakers in your home. Simply say Ok Google, broadcast immediately followed by your message. There are special effects for some things if you say Ok Google, broadcast it's dinner time a dinner bell will ring on all your Google Homes. To make sure all of this works seamlessly make sure that you're signed into all your devices with the same Google account. The new feature starts rolling out today if you use English in the US, Australia, Canada, and the UK. Support for doing this in more languages is coming soon.


Deal: Google drops Pixel C price to 299

Deal: Google drops Pixel C price to 299


You may have forgotten all about it, but Google also makes tablets. The last one came out in 2015 so it's hardly cutting edge anymore, but a solid price cut aims to retain its relevance. The has been dropped to 299 on the company's UK store. The only version on sale has 64 GB storage since the 32 GB version . The tablet got an update to Android Oreo 8.0, which a real rarity for a slate. The Google UK store also has a deal on the detachable keyboard. Instead of the usual 119, it is now priced at 73. The stock might be limited since the 64 GB version is unavailable in the US, so shop quickly.


College football fans troll Apple

College football fans troll Apple


Recently that Apple addressed in the latest iOS 11 update. When users had enabled autocorrect, the feature changed the letter i to a weird A[?] combination. Still, fans of the college football team Ohio State Buckeyes were quick enough to feature the issue with a choreography of cardboards that depicted the exact same sign combo instead of the letter i in Ohio. Buckeyes fans are known to chant O-H-I-O with every side of the stadium getting one letter. A block of fans though decided to show the letter A followed by a question mark in a box during the Saturday game against MSU. The mockery got some laughs on the stadium and across social media. The joke was also seen on the other end of the country where Notre Dame faced the University of Miami and one fan showed a sign saying A[?] hate Notre Dame. Apple may have fixed the issue, but only time will tell if the meme will stay.


Qualcomm will reportedly reject Broadcom's offer

Qualcomm will reportedly reject Broadcom's offer


Inside sources claim that Qualcomms board of directors will reject to acquire the Snapdragon chip designer. The board has not made any official statements, but has allegedly met on Sunday to discuss the offer. Broadcoms offer was for $70 a share valuing Qualcomm at just north of $100 billion dollars (the deal would include $25 billion of debt). Qualcomms stock closed at $64.57 a share on Friday, however the board of directors believes Broadcoms offer undervalues their company. Meanwhile, Qualcomm is trying to acquire NXP for $38 billion but NXPs shareholders are reluctant. Its own board similarly thinks that the offer undervalues the company and NXPs shares were trading above Qualcomms offer. Broadcom doesnt care about the outcome of that deal it has stated that it wants to acquire Qualcomm with or without NXP. More importantly, Broadcoms CEO is allegedly willing to renegotiate the deal that Apple has with Qualcomm for modems used in iPhones and iPads. Apple is currently suing because it for those modems. Apple is already buying chips from Broadcom (e.g. for Wi-Fi connectivity).