News

• Galaxy S4's U.S. version needs added image processor for eye-tracking

  Samsung has built several different Galaxy S4 smartphones, including a U.S. version running a Snapdragon processor that requires an extra image processor to enable heavily promoted user functions such as eye-movement recognition.

• China's unique PC buying trends revealed in survey

  China took the title of world's largest market for PCs in 2012, and a survey by IHS iSuppli revealed that computer buyers in the country had unique preferences compared to counterparts worldwide.

• DRAM trends herald a slowdown in PC uptake

  With accelerating growth in tablets and smartphones and a maturing of OSes, PCs are seeing far less growth in DRAM use.

• Apple doubles down on iPad by doubling max storage to 128GB

  Apple today doubled the maximum storage space of its fourth-generation iPad to 128GB, and announced it would start selling the new tablet next week.

• SSD market revenue set to more than double

  Just as MP3 players, and in particular iPods, boosted NAND flash sales from the mid-2000s through last year, ultrabooks are expected to lead a more than doubling of global shipments of SSDs in 2013.

• Analyst pegs 'iPhone Mini' price at between $299 and $349

  Apple may be able to build a cut-rate iPhone for $144, which would let it price the device between $299 and $349, hundreds less than the unsubsidized price tag of its flagship smartphone, an analyst said today.

• Ultra-hyped ultrabooks ultra-flopped in 2012

  Just 12 months ago, the ultrabook was widely regarded as the PC market's savior. Since then, it's become more of a punch line.

• Apple wins top score for App Store

  Apple's App Store had the top score among mobile application storefronts ranked by ABI Research, but Microsoft's Windows Store narrowly beat the field for its degree of innovation.

• Samsung ships more mobiles than Nokia and Apple in 2012

  Samsung has taken out the top spot for global mobile phone shipments, according to American research company IHS.

• Mobile pushes Qualcomm to third place in shaky chip market

  Qualcomm Inc. showed a double-digit increase in sales this year that will make it the world's third-largest chip maker in 2012, according to analytics firm IHS iSuppli.

• Downgraded chip industry may signal tech transition

  The worldwide chip market dropped from being labeled 'stagnant' to 'in a slump' this year, with one analyst firm downgrading its forecast to a level that puts the entire year in a decline.

• Doctors prescribe iPad Mini - a perfect lab coat fit

  In a survey, physicians revealed they're excited about the iPad Mini because the smaller-size device fits into their lab coats, yet retains a familiar interface.

• Surface's high profit margin reveals Microsoft's ape-Apple strategy

  Microsoft makes more than $300 on each Surface RT tablet it sells, showing that the company has adopted the business model of its rival, Apple, analysts said.

• Apple's iPad Mini margins run between 40% and 55%

  The new iPad Mini costs Apple just under $200 in materials and manufacturing, an analyst said today, putting an exclamation point on the company's devotion to high profit margins.

• Thai floods hit Q4 hard drive production, says research firm

  The devastating floods in Thailand will cause a 28 percent quarter-on-quarter drop in hard disk drive (HDD) production in the fourth quarter, potentially affecting notebook production in early 2012, research firm IHS iSuppli said on Monday.