Motorola names Rick Osterloh as its new President

Motorola names Rick Osterloh as its new President

There seems to be a fair share of uncertainty brewing over at Motorola these days. Not only did Google catch most of us off guard when it announced its plans to sell Motorola to Lenovo earlier this year, even their CEO Dennis Woodside recently announced he was jumping ship to work for Dropbox.

Despite the upcoming change of hands from Google and the loss of its CEO, Lenovo remains confident that it can help turn Motorola around quickly and has previously hinted about its plans to expand the brand into emerging markets in a more meaningful way.

Rick Osterloh is officially taking Woodside’s place as the top-dog at Motorola

As Motorola marches forward, it’s going to need a strong leader if it wants to keep up the momentum that it has generated over the last year or so. To that end, Motorola has now announced that Rick Osterloh is officially taking Woodside’s place as the top-dog at Motorola.

It’s important to note that Osterloh is not titled as CEO, however, and is instead the president and chief operating officer of the company. Osterloh is no stranger to Motorola, and previously headed up the company’s product management group.

Of course, it’s hard to say whether or not Lenovo plans to keep Osterloh as Motorola’s head once the dust fully settles, though their initial comments regarding the exec’s promotion seem to suggest it is certainly a possibility that Osterloh will continue to be a key part of Motorola during and after the transition to Lenovo.

We are pleased to learn that Motorola has named Rick Osterloh to lead Motorola Mobility, effective today. Rick has a strong track record of success and delivering outstanding innovation for customers. He is a trusted, proven leader. We’re confident in his ability to not only manage a smooth transition at Motorola from Google to Lenovo but also to lead the business forward for continued growth.
Liu Jun
Lenovo executive VP

Motorola still has a long road ahead

For Osterloh and company, Motorola still has a long journey ahead of it, and it’s still hard to say exactly what the company will look like a year from now, let alone five or ten years out.

To Motorola’s credit, they seem to be on the right path, even if it’s a slow-going one. In particular, Motorola has seen a great deal of success with its budget-oriented Moto G. Recently Motorola revealed the Moto G was the best-selling smartphone in the company’s history, beating out popular Droid devices even. Additionally, the Moto G has done very well in select European markets, with Motorola now controlling about 6% of the smartphone market in the UK.

Although the Moto 360 won’t arrive until sometime later this year, the initial excitement generated by the announcement of the company’s unique round smartwatch also seems like a good sign for the company.

What do you think, are you cautiously optimistic about the future of Motorola under Lenovo? Do you think that Osterloh is the right man to led, or do you wish Woodside would have stayed on? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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Galaxy S5 TV commercial touts “meaningful innovation”

Galaxy S5 TV commercial touts “meaningful innovation”

Samsung is about to let slip the hounds of war marketing in over 150 countries when the Galaxy S5 finally goes on sale this Friday. How many hounds, you ask? Well, Samsung spent $ 363 million on advertising last year in the US alone, and a huge chunk of that money went on TV commercials. And that’s actually down 10 percent compared to 2012, if it matters.

This isn’t actually the first Galaxy S5 commercial, with that honor g oing to the spot aired on the Oscars’ night. However, this one will probably be aired more extensively.

Samsung positions itself like an innovator in the ad â€" right off the bat, the commercial touts the S5’s “meaningful innovation”, probably to counter the idea (widespread, in some circles) that Samsung is a fast follower, or even a copier.

This clip is just an appetizer. Expect an onslaught of Galaxy S5 promotional activity over the next days, though rivals aren’t likely to just stand idle.

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Impossible Road arrives on Android after long iOS exclusivity

Impossible Road arrives on Android after long iOS exclusivity

The intense and addictive, iOS-exclusive action game Impossible Road has finally arrived on Android. The game hit the Google Play Store last Monday and can be bought for $ 1.99.

Impossible Road involves guiding a white ball, also known as “the Vessel,” along a blue, descending, infinite, and winding road. The player must guide the ball through these winding tracks without falling off. Think of the ball as the car on a roller coaster track but with the car not securely attached to the track. If you have played Mario Kart, playing the game will remind you of the stressful and frustrati ng Rainbow Road track.

You can keep the ball on the track by tapping the left or right sides of the screen. A good strategy is to keep the ball on the track at all times. You can also let the ball jump off the track and take a shortcut, but be sure to bring your ball back on track. Staying too long in midair will end the game.

Points are earned by passing through checkpoints in the track. There’s a secret way to earn more points in the game. Developers even urge players in its Play Store page to find the secret tric k and earn higher scores.

The game was released last year exclusively for iOS and has gained popularity among Apple users since its release.  It won an award as one of the year 2013′s best apps in the Apple App Store.

But Android users can now also join the Impossible Road craze.  The game has earned a 4.6 average star rating since its release in the Google Play Store and has been receiving mostly positive reviews. Some users called for gyroscope support, which will allow the ball to be controlled by tilting the Android device.

Have you tried playing Impossible Road? What’s your highest score?

 

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Startup unveils plans for wearable processor that could offer 30 days of battery life

Startup unveils plans for wearable processor that could offer 30 days of battery life

A relatively unheard of India-based start-up by the name of Ineda Systems has officially announced its own “wearable processor unit”, which could open the door to dramatically better battery life for wearable devices. 

The wearable market has yet to truly explode the way that some analysts have predicted, but that’s not stopping various industry giants and even smaller startups from giving it the old college try. We’ve seen all sorts of different wearable projects from modest devices like the Pebble Smartwatch, to Samsung’s Gear watches and the upcoming Android Wear platform. There’s also headgear such as Google Glass and the list goes on.

So are we standing at a major turning point, where the floodgates are about to burst open, taking wearables to the mainstream? That’s a good question but honestly the jury is still out, as there are still several hurdles standing in the way. Probably one of the biggest hurdles is battery life, particularly when it comes to smartwatches.

< p>Are we standing at a major turning point, where the floodgates are about to burst open, taking wearables to the mainstream?

Many early smartwatches needed nearly daily charging, and while this has improved with newer devices like the Gear 2 and power efficient products like the Pebble, the 3-7 day battery life of modern smartwatches don’t hold a candle compared to the multi-year life of a standard watch. While it’s impossible to deliver year-long battery power to a smartwatch, Ineda Systems is coming as close as humanly possible.

The newly announced Dhanush chip line is said to be able to potentially bring 30-day+ battery life to wearable devices, and will come in four different tiers, ranging from the very basic ‘nano’ to the ‘advanced’ variant. The plan is for these chips to make their way into all sorts of different products including IoT-related devices, fitness trackers and smartwatches . 

Dhanush chips can be combined with low-power MIPS processor cores and Power VR graphics in order to provide a more ‘complete’ wearable solution

The Dhanush chips offer performance anywhere from a measly 10MHz all the way to 500Mhz and will run in an-always on state, allowing them to take around-the-clock readings from sensors, push and pull info from the web at all hours, and so-much more. Dhanush also uses a patent-pending Hierachical computing architecture that is different from architectures like x86 and has its own security built right in.

If you are afraid that the low processor speeds will prevent the Dhanush from providing a quality wearable experience, you’ll be happy to know the chips are designed to be combined with low-power MIPS processor cores and Power VR graphics in order to provide a more ‘complet e’ wearable solution for higher-end devices, while still providing excellent battery life.

Dhanush sounds cool, but will the chips make their way into major devices?

Although Dhanush certainly sounds cool and could open the door to month-long battery life, we have to wonder if the company has what it takes to attract big players to the market and become a major player in the wearable space.

For what’s it worth, Ineda Systems does seem to have already attracted the attention and investment dollar of some pretty big players, with some of the company’s investors including Samsung, Qualcomm, Imagination Technologies and many others. In total, Ineda has already raised 25 million to date, has over 180 employees and has several wel l-known board members including Young Soh, president and chief strategy officer at Samsung Electronics, Krishna Yarlagadda of Imagination Technologies, and several others.

Ineda also says they have already begun conducting customer trials for the chips, and could announce product deals as early as 3 to 6 months from now. If Ineda Systems can eventually get its Dhanush chips to play nicely in wearable products from big-name companies like Samsung, could 30-day battery life be the big push needed in order to take wearables to the next level? Would you consider a smartwatch or other wearable form factor if it boasted near-month-long life without the need for charging in between?

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Target offering Samsung Galaxy S5 for $100 with contract, after trade-in

Target offering Samsung Galaxy S5 for $100 with contract, after trade-in

The Galaxy S5 is getting ready to touch down in the United States, with the average price somewhere between $ 199 and $ 249 with a contract, depending on the carrier. Of course just because that’s the ‘set’ carrier pricing, doesn’t mean there isn’t deals to be had.

For those willing to purchase the handset from Target, you can get the Galaxy S5 for just $ 100 after signing a two-year contract with AT&T, Sprint or Verizon. The catch? Target is actually selling the phone for $ 200, but if you trade-in your existing handset you’ll get at least $ 100 off.

As you might expect, Target isn’ t taking just any phone, though all devices found in their database will be excepted and given the $ 100 discount — provided it still powers up and has no broken components. This includes handsets like the HTC One X, which normally only nets $ 50. Some other qualifying devices include the Galaxy S3, the original Galaxy Note, and even several ‘ancient’ devices like the Sony Xperia Play 4G.

Target’s promotion officially kicks off on April 11th and ends on the 19th, though you’ll have to do the trade-in directly at a Target store to qualify for the guaranteed $ 100 discount. So is the discount worth trading in your phone for? Really it depends on what handset you are giving up. If it is something 2 years or less in age, you probably could get more by selling it online, though some folks might find it easier to just hand it over to Target and be done with it.

Still not sure if the Samsung Galaxy S5 is the right handset for you? Be sure to check out ou r full review for more details!

What do you think of Target’s promotion, interested in picking up the Galaxy S5 while getting rid of an older handset?

Android Authority

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StoreDot promises 30 second phone charging by 2016

StoreDot promises 30 second phone charging by 2016

Phone makers have increased battery capacities over the last few years, but the rise of Full HD displays and other power hungry components means that battery life is still a daily concern for most of us.

If you can’t increase battery capacity, the next best option is to speed up the charging rate, and that’s exactly what Israel-based startup StoreDot is hoping to do.

StoreDot is developing a technology that could bring breakthroughs in battery design, but also in storage and display manufacturing. The startup is working with tiny particles of an organic material called peptides, which are molecules of amino acids, the building blocks of all life. (In fact, StoreDot’s research is based on discoveries made by scientists at the Tel Aviv University that were studying Alzheimer’s disease.) Peptides self-assemble in tiny spheres of about 2 nanometers in diameter that exhibit some remarkable properties, including the ability to store a lot of energy for a brief period.

StoreDot essentially found an affordable and efficient way to create organic quantum dots. You may already be familiar with quantum dots from Sony’s Triluminos technology present on the Xperia Z Ultra, Z1, and Z2, which allows the display to show richer color compared to regular LCD. But Sony’s inorganic quantum dots are toxic, expensive, and hard to manufacture. StoreDot doesn’t have the same drawbacks.

What StoreDot did is create a battery made of alternating layers of organic quantum dots and conventional lithium electrodes. Acting like a supercapacitor, the organic layers are able to store energy in as little as 30 seconds, and then slowly release it to the lithium layers. From there, the device draws the energy it needs from the lithium layers, just like on a regular battery.

< p>Currently, the technology is limited in terms of capacity and size. A modified Galaxy S4 can charge in just 30 seconds, but the battery is the size of a laptop power adapter. However, StoreDot is confident that, in as little as three years, it will be able to create flash-charging batteries of capacities and sizes that are comparable to today’s conventional units. This will make it possible to charge our smartphones, tablets, or laptops in minutes, rather than hours. And the technology is not prohibitively expensive â€" StoreDot batteries would cost about twice the cost of a regular smartphone battery, which is currently $ 30.

News of breakthrough battery technologies surfaces regularly, but in most cases, commercial deployment is years away, if any timeline is given at all. We hope that’s not the case with StoreDot, which seems an extremely promising development. The company is currently looking for investors, and Samsung is rumored to have offered strategic funding i n 2013.

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Best LG G Flex cases

Best LG G Flex cases

The current crop of smartphones from LG feature an unique rear button layout that was first introduced with the LG G2, but not surprisingly, that isn’t the most noteworthy design feature of the LG G Flex, which is one of the first commercially available phones to feature a curved display. While the G Flex might not boast the best specifications, it is definitely no slouch, and it’s distinctive look and feel is more than enough if you’re hoping to stand out in a crowd.

You don’t have to look at our drop test of the LG G Flex to know that it’s probably a good idea to pick up a case for it. Be it for style, convenience, and of course, protection, today, we roundup some of the best cases for the LG G Flex. Let’s take a look!

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Slim Fit Cases

GreatShield Guardian S-Series

The GreatShield Guardian case is a TPU case that will withstand shock and impact from everyday use. The case features a distinctive S design at the back that enhances the look, is very slim, and adds practically no bulk to the smartphone. Precise cutouts give you easy access to all ports, the camera, and the rear button layout, and comes with studded ridges along the sides that help with grip, and proves to be very helpful with holding on to such a large phone. Different color options available include black, red, and purple. Buy now on Amazon for $ 6 .99.

Incipio Feather

The Incipio Feather Case features a rigid Plextonium frame that adds protection while remaining slim and inconspicuous, and like the other slim fit options, adds minimal bulk and thickness to the device. The soft touch finish allows for enhanced comfort and grip, and its snap-on design makes the case very easy to install and remove. It has to be mentioned though that there are a few open areas at the front and so, this case might not be as protective as the others on this list, but if you’re not very clumsy, you get a very sleek and stylish option with the Incipio Feather. Buy now on Amazon for $ 17.42.

TUDIA Melody Bumper Case

The TUDIA Melody Bumper Case are made from shock absorbent and scratch resistant TPU, and adds practically no bulk to the device, while adding some protection from accidental bumps and spills. A raised bezel around the front protects the screen from scratches if the device is kept face down. Precise cutouts allow easy access to all ports, the camera, and the rear buttons. The TUDIA Melody case is available in multiple color options, including black, blue, pink, and purple. Buy now on Amazon for $ 9.90.

Honorable Mentions:

• MPERO Flex S Series ($ 8.95) & #8211; Buy now on Amazon
• Boxwave Blackout ($ 12.95) - Buy now on Amazon
• Nilkin Curved Shield with free screen protector ($ 8.99) – Buy now on Amazon
• Diztronic Matte Back Black TPU case ($ 9.99) – Buy now on Amazon

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Hybrid Cases

Incipio DualPro

The In cipio DualPro case offers dual layer protection with its impact resistant silicone core and a hard shell Plextonium frame. The case also features protection for the button layout at the back of the device, without affecting response, but does cover up the flashing notification around the power button as well. The case offers great overall protection without adding too much bulk. The Incipio DualPro is available in multiple color options, such as white, black, pink, and cyan. Buy now on Amazon for $ 17.44.

GreatShield FUSION

The GreatShield FUSION case offers dual layer protection with a combination of hard durable poly carbonate and soft shock absorbing silicone, and is ideal to easily protect your device from bumps and scratches. The corners of the interior silicone layer are reinforced for extra cushioning, as well as for grip. A bumper around the front keeps the display free from scratches when the phone is kept face down, and while the rear button layout and camera are exposed, a slightly raised bezel around it does offer some protection. The GreatShield FUSION case is available in while, black, green, and red. Buy now on Amazon for $ 7.99.

Honorable Mentions:

• CY Store Hybrid Mesh Armor case ($ 5.49) – Buy now on Amazon
• Aero Armor Cubed ($ 9.99) – Buy now on Amazon

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Flip/Wallet Cases

E LV Deluxe Wallet

The E LV Deluxe Wallet is made from the highest quality PU leather, and features a built-in snap on case that holds the phone securely in place. Easy access to the headphone jack, microUSB port, camera, and rear button layout is available, and you will be able to charge your phone without needing to take it out of the case. The stylish wallet comes with two slots for credit cards or ID, along with a long pocket for cash. A magnetic clasp keeps the flip cover closed in case of an accidental fall. Also included in the package is a stylus and an microfiber cloth. The wallet case is available in dif ferent color options, including black, hot pink, white, and red. Buy now on Amazon for $ 9.99.

LG QuickWindow Folio Case

The LG QuickWindow Folio case helps to keep the phone protected and the screen covered, along with the added convenience of a “window” that gives you access to basic information without needing to open the flip cover every time, which does get somewhat tedious with other flip cases after a while. Through the QuickWindow, you can answer or decline incoming calls, snooze or dismiss alarms, and view notifications for text messages and missed called. You can also swipe through various widgets, and a lso displays a clock or the weather, and you can also get access to the camera while the cover is closed. It is a sleek and stylish case that adds minimal bulk, and adds greatly to protection and convenience. Buy now on Amazon for $ 48.99.

Honorable Mentions:

• Amzer Flip Case ($ 14.95) – Buy now on Amazon
• CaseFlex Vertical Flip Cover ($ 12.99) – Buy now on Amazon

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Cases with Kickstand

MPERO IMPACT X

The MPERO IMPACT X features dual layer protection, and is made using the highest quality polycarbonate plastic and shock absorbing silicone, giving your device maximum protection and enhanced grip. Precise cutouts give you easy access to all ports and the rear button layout. The outer shell comes with a kickstand feature which makes it ideal for watching videos, movies, reading, and browsing the web, in both landscape and portrait orientation. The MPERO IMPACT X case is available in various color options, including black, hot pink, red, blue/grey, teal chevron, teal green, and glow in the dark green. Buy now on Amazon for $ 4.95.

Body Glove Fusion

The Body Glove Fusion Case with Durastand for the LG G Flex gives your phone the protection it needs, with its hard shell exterior that shields your phone from scratches and scuffs, while the inner gel layer absorbs the shock from impacts and diffuses it. This durable case slides easily into a pocket or purse while the stand conveniently pops out when desired for vertical or horizontal viewing. You do gt an additional layer of protection with the rear button layout being covered, but remember that this takes away from the notification LED around the power button. Buy now on Amazon for $ 29.99.

Honorable Mentions:

• CY Store Armor Case with Kickstand ($ 5.79) – Buy now on Amazon
• BoxWave Colorsplash ($ 14.95) – Buy now on Amazon
• Amzer Double Layer Hybrid Case ($ 7.95) – Buy now on Amazon

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Cases with Beltclip/Holster

Otterbox Defender

Otterbox is well known for its rugged cases, and the Otterbox Defender offers the ultimate protection. The Defender case is made up of a two-piece polycarbonate inner shell that deflects impact force, a built-in clear membrane screen protector that guards against scratches and scrapes, and an outer durable synthetic rubber slip cover that absorbs impact. Port covers block dust and debris from entering and accumulating in jacks and ports. Every Defender Series case comes standard with a belt-clip holster. The clip rotates to any position and holds the device face-in or face-out. Locking the clip in place allows you to use it as a kickstand as well. Buy now on Amazon for $ 59.95.

Honorable Mentions:

• E LV Armor Shell Holster Case ($ 7.99) – Buy now on Amazon
• PDAir Genuine Leather Cover ($ 37.99) – Buy now on Amazon

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Rug ged Cases

Trident Aegis

The rugged Trident Aegis Case meets military standards for vibration and drop (26 drops on concrete from 4 feet) tests, and features a silicone skin with double-thick silicone corners, along with anti-skid pads, to protect your device from bumps and shock. A sleek hardened-polycarbonate outer frame provides even more protection. The charging port and headphone jack are covered with silicone plugs, keeping dirt and debris out, and the case features high-quality dust filters that prevent dust particles from entering smartphone through the speaker bays and other ports. The case features a raised protective bezel around the front of the device to prevent damage from face down drops, with the package also including a screen protector for more display protection. Buy now on Amazon for $ 20.43.

Otterbox Commuter

Unlike the heavy duty Defender cases, the Commuter series offers the perfect compromise between protection and form factor. The case features dual layer protection, silicone plugs to cover all ports, and easy access to the rear button layout, which remains uncovered, but is protected by a thick raised bezel around it. If you’re worried about dropping your device often, the Otterbox Commuter will provide more than enough protection. Buy now on Amazon for $ 44.95.

Honorable Mentions:

• JKase DIABLO ($ 5.98) – Buy now on Amazon
• HHI Dual Armor Case ($ 6.99) – Buy now on Amazon
• Caseformers Duo Armor Case ($ 10.99) – Buy now on Amazon

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