The Pong Research New iPad Case makes a host of lofty claims. It also protects and props up your tablet.
(Credit: Pong Research)What do you expect from your iPad case? Simple protection? Maybe a built-in stand for hands-free reading and movie watching?
Pong Research has you covered, and then some. The company's New iPad Case not only protects and props up your tablet, but also increases 3G and Wi-Fi signal strength and reduces radiation exposure.
If that sounds familiar, you might be thinking of the Pong Research iPhone case that debuted last fall. It, too, promised protection against RF energy emissions.
Of course, the debate rages on as to whether those emissions are harmful to humans. But here's the thing: the concern stems from holding a cell phone near your head for extended periods. I don't know many people who walk around with their iPads mashed against their ear.
Ah, but it's not uncommon for an iPad to spend considerable time in one's lap. And that's the second-to-last place you want to worry about radiation issues. So if your new iPad has 3G/4G, you might just want to err on the side of safety. According to Pong, the case reduces radiation exposure up to 90 percent below the international limit and 83 percent below the FCC-listed U.S. limit.
On the flip side, it magically increases your iPad's wireless acumen. Pong says you'll get a 36x boost in Wi-Fi reception and six times the Wi-Fi range. And 3G/4G models will enjoy a 10x increase in cellular signal strength and three times the transmission range. The company's own tests produced these results:
If you believe Pong's numbers, the New iPad Case will greatly improve your iPad's wireless performance.
(Credit: Pong Research)As for other features, the case combines a Smart Cover-style screen protector with a hard-plastic back that wraps around the corners and sides.
What's interesting about the cover is that it can fold into more-Origami-like configurations than Apple's, thus giving you more ways to prop up your iPad:
The Pong Research New iPad Case has a smarter cover than Apple's Smart Cover.
(Credit: Pong Research)Now for the bad news: Pong's protections and enhancements will cost you. The New iPad Wi-Fi Case sells for $119.99; the New iPad Wi-Fi & 3G/4G Case runs $10 more. Worth it? If you've suffered with low-signal issues or you're concerned about cellular radiation, it might just be.
FaceTime over 3G with iOS 6 limited to iPhone 4S, iPad 3 - Apple Insider
Another new feature coming in iOS 6 will be limited to devices running Apple's custom A5 chip or later, as FaceTime over 3G will only be capable on the iPhone 4S or third-generation iPad.
That means owners of the iPhone 4, Apple's first device to offer FaceTime, or the iPad 2 will still need to be connected to Wi-Fi in order to conduct a FaceTime video chat call when iOS 6 launches this fall. The restriction was revealed in the fine print of Apple's official product page for iOS 6.
FaceTime over 3G joins turn-by-turn directions and the new "Flyover" feature in Maps as functions in iOS 6 that will require an A5 processor or newer. The iPhone 4, first released in 2010, runs the previous-generation A4 chip.
While iPhone 4 owners won't get FaceTime over 3G, turn-by-turn directions or Flyover, they will have access to shared Photo streams when iOS 6 launches this year. iPhone 3GS owners won't be so lucky, however, as Shared Photo Streams requires iOS 6 on an iPhone 4 or later or iPad 2 or later, and a Mac computer with OS X Mountain Lion.
The iPhone 3GS will also miss out on VIP list in the iOS 6 Mail application, along with VIP and Flagged smart mailboxes. Those features will be available on the iPhone 4 or later and iPad 2 or later.
And the new "Offline Reading List" in Safari also requires an iPhone 4 or later and iPad 2 or later, meaning the iPhone 3GS, which was first released in 2009, didn't make the cut.
Finally, "Made for iPhone" hearing aids, a new accessibility feature of iOS 6, will require an iPhone 4S to work, when compatible hearing aids hit the market.
Apple's fine print for iOS 6 features makes no mention of the fourth-generation iPod touch, which will run iOS 6 when it launches this fall. The fourth-generation iPod touch features an A4 processor similar to the one found in the iPhone 4, so it's likely that the same feature restrictions will apply.
Apple's iPhone 4, 3GS to miss key iOS 6 features - Digital Spy
Chip firm Ceva sees doubling 3G market share - Reuters UK
(Reuters) - Israeli mobile chip designer Ceva Inc (CEVA.O) expects to double its share of the market for third generation (3G) mobile phones to 50 percent in three years, its chief executive said.
Ceva has a 46 percent worldwide handset market share, but in 3G, where it competes mainly against Qualcomm (QCOM.O), its share is only 25 percent.
"In 3G we are a market share gainer," Gideon Wertheizer told the Reuters Global Media and Technology Summit in Paris on Wednesday.
"In 2011 there were more than 1 billion units shipped with Ceva," he said via telephone. " Going forward, in 2015, there will be more than 1.7 billion units shipped with our technology out of 5 billion devices, which is our addressable market."
Companies such as Intel (INTC.O), Broadcom (BRCM.O), Spreadtrum (SPRD.O) and ST Ericsson (STM.PA) (ERICb.ST) license Ceva's technology to build chips known as digital signal processors (DSP).
Emerging economies transitioning from 2G to 3G phones and from feature phones to smartphones will be the key growth driver for Ceva. In China alone, 3G is expected to grow to 773 million by 2016 from 128 million today.
Wertheizer sees strong demand in emerging economies for smartphones that cost less than $150.
"Going forward I would not rule out a $50 smartphone," he said.
Ceva is also offering products for voice and audio clarity, improved quality photos and video, and "vision" applications such as gesture and face recognition, which he believes will be available in smartphones 2015 or 2016.
Another growth engine for Ceva will be the faster fourth-generation LTE (Long-Term Evolution) mobile technology.
"We are licensing technology and early next year lead customers will start going into production and when this market will become mainstream we will see more and more customers taking share," Wertheizer said.
He downplayed Ceva's absence from the latest 4S version of Apple's (AAPL.O) iPhone, saying the models are now less than 10 percent of the market.
In May Ceva cut its earnings and revenue estimates due to weaker-than-expected sales at Nokia (NOK1V.HE). Though Ceva had originally included in its forecast a ramp-up of chips in 3G at Nokia, Wertheizer said he understood from Ceva's customers that this has been pushed out to next year.
"There is different speculation as to what this means. If you ask me, Nokia is still a key player and they can drive volume," he said. But he added that if Nokia keeps losing momentum, a competitor such as Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) would pick up the market share.
Ceva now expects earnings per share excluding one-off items of 87 to 99 cents in 2012, below a prior estimate of $1.02 to $1.06. Ceva shares had tumbled on the news, hitting a year low of $15.12 on May 21. They closed at $17.92 on Nasdaq on Tuesday.
Wertheizer said it was too early for Ceva to revise its outlook again, even though there have since been some positive indications, such as customer Samsung releasing its high-end Galaxy S3 smartphone earlier than expected.
"We have to get our report by the end of the quarter. We will be the first one to revise our guidance if we think this is sustainable," Wertheizer said.
Over time, Ceva's customers will take market share from 3G pioneer Qualcomm, especially at Samsung, he said, explaining that the rationale for using Ceva chips was when a mass market is reached and costs start to play a major role.
"When the market becomes mainstream, this is the strength of our customers. They can drive prices down, they can create more derivatives at a faster pace than Qualcomm," he said.
Wertheizer also said its key customer Intel, which recently launched handsets in China, India and Europe, was a serious contender in the market.
"They are doing the right things in terms of customizing their technologies to mobile," he said.
(Reporting by Tova Cohen; Editing by Steven Scheer and Hans-Juergen Peters)
(For other news from Reuters Media and Technology Summit, click here)
Motorola’s Droid RAZR Maxx Now Top Seller at Verizon - Gotta Be Mobile
It appears that Apple’s iPhone is beginning to lose momentum at Verizon Wireless where Motorola’s Droid RAZR Maxx smartphone is now the top selling smartphone as of the June quarter, edging out Apple’s iPhone models. Though the Android-powered Droid RAZR Maxx has gained the top seat at Verizon Wireless, the iPhone is still the top selling devices at other U.S. carriers where it is available.
Likely, Verizon’s heavy marketing muscle behind 4G LTE and the Droid RAZR campaigns have helped the RAZR Maxx. The device is an evolution of the Droid RAZR, sharing many of the same design and aesthetics as the slimmer RAZR but the Maxx has a much more capacious battery that will last longer coupled with 4G LTE.
According to Barron’s, analyst Anil Doradla continues to recommend people buy Apple’s stock as Doradla believes that the next iPhone to launch this fall will have 4G LTE network capabilities and will level out the playing field.
Since Apple’s iPhone launch in North America, we believe this was the first quarter where the iPhone was not the best‐selling smartphone at a North American mobile operator (where it was available). While Apple continued to maintain its top position at AT&T and Sprint, Motorola’s Droid RAZR MAXX was the best‐ selling smartphone at Verizon. Our checks also indicate that at this stage consumers are not pausing in front of the iPhone launch as it is not influencing their purchasing decisions (but we expect it to start impacting over the next couple of months). Despite the “increased competitive landscape from 4G devices (and the iPhone 4S is not 4G),” Doradia is “not worried” as the next iPhone model, a true 4G phone, “will be an important catalyst for the company,” he believes.
That device has also been rumored to have a slightly larger display to compete in an era where Android smartphones are getting bigger and bigger screens.
According to that analyst, Samsung holds the third spot at Verizon Wireless with the Android 4.0-powered Galaxy Nexus trailing the Droid RAZR Maxx and the iPhone.
Category: Mobile
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