Tag - Qualcomm
Report: most US iPhones will use Intel, not Qualcomm, modems
For the first time, the next iPhone from Apple will reportedly use modems provided by Intel, rather than Qualcomm, for its US and some overseas versions of the smartphone. The sale marks the first time Intel mobile chips have scored a major sale to a dominant mobile player. Qualcomm's modems will continue to be used for iPhones sold to Verizon customers in the US, and most other overseas markets -- crucially for Qualcomm, including China, which is Apple's second-largest market.
Florida firm sues Apple, Samsung, LG, Qualcomm over patents
A small Florida company, ParkerVision, has sued several tech giants and filed a US International Trade Commission (ITC) complaint alleging that Qualcomm specifically, and smartphone makers Apple, Samsung, and LG more generally, have been infringing on four of Parkervision's patents regarding wireless networking. The involvement of Apple and LG only comes via their use of allegedly-infringing Qualcomm chips in their products; Samsung is also alleged to be infringing with its own in-house Shannon 928 RF chip.
Major job losses expected at BlackBerry, Qualcomm
Two major employers in the tech industry are preparing to make significant cuts to its employee numbers in the near future, according to reports. BlackBerry will be shedding staff as it attempts to turn its financial fortunes around, while Qualcomm is reportedly planning to cull a considerable number of positions as part of a review of its current strategy, with up to ten percent of its workforce potentially facing the sack.
Qualcomm reportedly switching from TSMC to Samsung for manufacturing
Qualcomm is looking to switch producer of its Snapdragon mobile processors, a report claims. The Snapdragon 820, a 64-bit chip expected to be provided in samples to manufacturers before the end of the year for use in devices in early 2016, will allegedly be made by Samsung's processor production lines instead of its long-term partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC).
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 teased, manufacturer samples end of year
Qualcomm president Derek Aberle laid out the company's future System on a Chip (SoC) offering in a presentation at the Mobile World Congress today -- the Snapdragon 820. The new chip, unveiled as devices with the Snapdragon 810 are just now seeing release, features a 64-bit CPU, and will be sampled to device vendors before the end of 2015.
Qualcomm agrees to pay $975M fine to end Chinese antitrust case
Qualcomm has agreed to pay a fine to end an antitrust investigation in China. The settlement, which involves the chip producer handing over 6.09 billion yuan (approximately $975 million) to China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), as well as performing other actions, after the NDRC declared Qualcomm had violated an anti-monopoly law.
Samsung to switch to in-house chips for Galaxy S6, report says
A new report citing unnamed sources has claimed that Samsung will discontinue use of the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor in the forthcoming Galaxy S6 due to quality control issues. The Snapdragon 810 reportedly overheated in testing by Samsung, prompting the switch to the company's own Exynos line of processors, which it has used for certain editions of the flagship phone in the past.
Qualcomm adds SafeSwitch kill switch to Snapdragon 810
Qualcomm is going to add a "kill switch" to its mobile processors in the future, with the Snapdragon 810 being the first to receive it. Dubbed Qualcomm SafeSwitch, the technology will allow device producers to offer users the ability to lock down the smartphone or tablet at a deeper level than current equivalents offered in apps or within the operating system.
Audi talks self-learning cars at CES, perfecting HMI
After the smoke cleared, strobe lights dimmed, and high-energy music stopped at Audi's morning press conference at CES on Tuesday, the German automaker promised evolutions of its in-car tech, going as far as to introduce a concept that would drive and park itself, with no occupants at all. To drive the point home, Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, the Board Member for Technical Development of AUDI AG, started the company's updated, 690-horsepower Prologue concept with an LG smartwatch, pressed another command, and the car drove itself onto the stage.
Monster announces fresh product collaborations, new gear at CES
At its pre-CES conference on Monday morning, AV accessory manufacturer Monster revealed a number of new products and collaborations. The focus was on diversity, as presentations from representatives at partners Adidas and Qualcomm were made, along with a few celebrity appearances in the form of Nick Cannon and Shaquille O'Neal. New offerings included iSport and Adidas Performance headphones, a Bluetooth speaker, and new cables for AV enthusiasts.
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Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit
Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj
Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket
The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]
Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera
Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94
Apple employees testing wheelchair features
New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa
SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards
SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If
Apple's third-quarter results due July 26
Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm
Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users
Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE
