Mobile Forward

Thursday Assorted Links

1. Samsung Galaxy S7 to have versions with curved and flat displays  I wouldn’t be surprised if this happens. Usually, when Samsung sees a fork in the road, they take it.

2. Xiaomi fast expanding ecosystem raises concerns, say sources  Concerns about Xiaomi, that is. Jingyue Hsiao, Monica Chen, and Steve Shen, for DigiTimes:

Market watchers have become more conservative about Xiaomi’s development potential because the vendor will constantly need more funds and resources for tapping new markets or product segments, commented the sources.

3. Pebble Is Trying to Run Circles Around Apple

4. The gen-two Moto 360—a beautiful, compact design without much new tech  Ron Amadeo, for Ars Technica:

It doesn’t move the needle much, but design is what really matters in wearables.

5. Bosch invents new electric car battery to double mileage  Always take claims of battery advances with two grains of salt, but FYI.

Report: LG will Supply Foldable Display to a “Global Business in the US”

Matthew Benson, for Android Authority:

Korean IT site etnews has stated that not only has “LG Display [started] mass-producing foldable display products” but “it decided to supply its foldable display products to a global business in the U.S. and started its preparation to produce them.”

The source goes on to explain that “It is likely [LG’s] first customer will be a global software (SW) business, and this business’s goal is to challenge Samsung Electronics’ and Apple’s strongholds in high-end Smartphone market with foldable Smartphones.” […]

The report also reiterated the belief that Samsung plans to introduce a foldable smartphone in January 2016, and added that LG’s business partner is “also planning to release its products at the similar time.”

Samsung Foldable Smartphone Chatter

From GforGames.com:

As some of you might recall, back in March, a Samsung Display official was quoted saying that “the commercialization of foldable smartphones will be possible in 2016”. A couple of months or so later, the guys over at SamMobile revealed that Samsung is working on a new prototype codenamed “Project Valley” or “Project V”, with a unique design and a foldable dual screen. […]

According to a leakster with in-depth knowledge regarding Samsung’s plans and the industry, in general, Samsung might unveil the fabled Project Valley foldable smartphone next January. The handset is allegedly undergoing testing […].

There’s a saying in the military: “early reports are often wrong”. 10x if you don’t know the source. But, it’s interesting to monitor the chatter on this. If Samsung does unveil a device, it could range from a demo (to show off Samsung Display’s latest capability) to a high-tier product. Generally, as the mobile industry looks to advance smartphones beyond glass rectangles, this looks to be one of the most promising directions. It if works well, at a reasonable price, it helps alleviate the standing tension between display size and pocket-ability. And it makes a broader range of proportions and products possible. Apple has shown some interest, too.

Apple, Stanford, Defense Dept. among Investors in Flexible Electronics Initiative

Troy Wolverton, for the San Jose Mercury News:

On Friday, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter will announce the creation of a new institute in San Jose to develop manufacturing techniques and new applications for flexible electronics. The Defense Department will invest $75 million over five years in the initiative. The institute will receive an additional $90 million from a coalition composed of Apple and other tech companies; the city of San Jose and other local governments; and academic institutions, including Stanford and San Jose State. […]

While prototypes of flexible electronics have been around for years, manufacturers are still trying to figure out how to mass produce them, said Malcolm Thompson, who will be the executive director of the new institute. That’s where the institute will step in.

Advances in flexible electronics are critical if we want to get past the tension between display size and pocket-ability. To-date, we have nice “segmented” electronics, like this LG keyboard, but we don’t have truly foldable electronics, where the display, circuit board (at least portions), and perhaps other components bend.

Polyera: “The World’s First Flexible Display Product”

From the web site of Polyera, which aims to introduce a flexible display product in 2016.

In mid 2016 Polyera will begin shipping the Wove™ Band, the world’s first flexible display product you can wrap around your wrist. […]

User Experience Design

The novel shapes, sizes, textures, and functions enabled by flexible electronics means more than just taking the same electronics we’ve always had and making them flexible – it means creating entirely new experiences. We’ve developed novel approaches to interaction design, information architecture, and visual design to fully leverage the unique properties of flexible electronics.

A sign of exploration underway and much exploration still to come.

Market Scan Highlights

Peruse the whole thing here (it’s easy). Some highlights, with my comments.

1. Microsoft will bundle its apps on Cyanogen’s Android OS (The Verge)

  • Raises Cyanogen’s credibility, visibility, and viability. Seems like low risk for Microsoft… no?

2. Apple Acquires Array Camera Developer LinX (Image Sensors World)

  • Neat improvement in quality (see link). Looks like Samsung and LG couldn’t afford the price. Apple doing more and more with Israeli co’s. Amazing high tech density.

3. Apple Invents a Simple Voice Command to unlock your iPhone (Patently Apple)

  • Yes, it’s just a patent. But more and more dots point toward “always on voice” coming to Apple products. At least that’s what Amazon Echo tells me.

4. Apple to equip next iPhone with Force Touch technology (DigiTimes)

  • You’d heard that, I know. But the article mentions other vendors using the technology, in 2016.

5. Samsung “will focus its efforts on flexible smartphone units” in 2015 (DigiTimes)

  • Just good to watch this topic.

6. Xiaomi Finds Themselves On The Receiving End Of Counterfeit Products (Ubergizmo)

  • Oh, the irony.

[Read more…]

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