Archos unveils budget-friendly dual-SIM Titanium smartphones

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/18/archos-dual-sim-titanium-smartphones/

Archos has revealed not one but four budget smartphones with humble specs to join its tablets in the Titanium line, making us want to break into song. The new Android Jelly Bean devices are named after their screen sizes -- models 40, 45, 50 and 53 have displays that measure 4 (800 x 480 resolution), 4.5 (854 x 480), 5 (960 x 540) and 5.3 (854 x 480) inches, respectively. They have dual SIM slots that allow them to support 850/900/1800/1900MHz GSM, as well as 900/2100 WCDMA bands, and they connect to the internet via HSDPA+/HSUPA.

On the inside, you'll the find the phones running on 1.3GHz dual-core MTK6572w processors with 512MB of RAM and, sadly, only 4GB of storage that makes their microSD card slots more valuable than ever. While the devices don't boast any fancy add-ons, they at least come with 5-megapixel rear and 0.3-megapixel front cameras. Availability seems up in the air at this point, but the phones' prices will range from €100 ($137) to €160 ($219) when they come out. Those who'd like to know more about the company's new set of quadruplets can head past the break for more info.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google

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Source: Archos

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Insert Coin semifinalist: Smart Power Strip helps you do home automation yourself

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/17/smart-power-strip/

Seems like everyone's trying to get a piece of the home automation action these days. Question is, however, if pricey catchall systems are really the answer. Smart Power Strip offers a simple, affordable solution, letting you control and monitor appliances in real-time using your smartphone. The power strip has outlets that can be managed individual via your handset both at home and remotely. The strip also features two USB ports for charging -- because it's 2013, after all.

You can see all of the Insert Coin semifinalists here.

Filed under: Peripherals

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Motorola Is Just Burning Cash For Google (GOOG)

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/motorola-is-just-burning-cash-for-google-2013-10

Google's smartphone company Motorola is just burning cash.

According to Google's earnings report, Motorola lost $248 million last quarter, which is up from $49 million loss when Google first took over the smartphone maker. 

In total, Motorola has lost $1 billion since Google officially acquired it. That's in addition to the $12.5 billion Google spent to get Motorola in the first place. 

These loses remind us a little bit of Microsoft's online division, which just burns cash.

It's unclear how Motorola is going to fix this problem. The Moto X is a very good phone, but sales seem to be light. To crank up sales, Google will have to invest in marketing, which means more loses. And there's no guarantee that more marketing means more sales.  

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You'll Barely Notice the World's Smallest USB 3.0 Flash Drive

Source: http://gizmodo.com/youll-barely-notice-the-worlds-smallest-usb-3-0-flash-1446986913

When it comes to prolonging the life of your laptop, there's no easier upgrade than adding an ultra-compact USB flash drive to expand its storage capacity—particularly if it's got a small SSD on board. And a company called PKparis is now laying claim to the title of 'world's smallest USB 3.0 flash drive' with its new K’1 that more than looks the part.

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A stable version of Ubuntu's mobile OS is available now... if you own a Nexus 4

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/17/a-stable-version-of-ubuntus-mobile-os-is-available-now/

After a long period of developer (and enthusiast) previews, Ubuntu 13.10 for smartphones, as well as desktops, is finally available as a stable release. The gesture-heavy, Linux-based mobile OS still doesn't have an official hardware home -- if you'll remember, Canoncial's Indiegogo bid for the Ubuntu Edge failed to meet its lofty goals -- but there are a couple of devices that can run the OS. Google's Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4 are both officially supported, so owners of those handsets with the right know-how can head to the company's site now for instructions to flash the OS. That doesn't mean we won't someday see a dedicated Ubuntu device -- the company's still in talks with OEMs. For now, though, you can at least enjoy the fruits of Canonical's mobile labors while holding fast to the Edge of hope.

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Google

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Source: Ubuntu (G+), (2)

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