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.

• Smart glass market could hit 9.4M shipments by 2016

  With Google's futuristic wearable computers on the way, one research firm calculates that the worldwide market for smart glasses could reach nearly 10 million units by 2016.

• Galaxy S4 costs $US236 for materials

  The new Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone with HSPA+ costs $US236 for materials, up 15 per cent from the equivalent Galaxy S III, according to a virtual teardown by IHS iSuppli.

• 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.

• 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.

• Helium-filled hard drives may lift WD to the top

  Western Digital is expected to release versions of an enterprise-class 3.5-in. helium-filled drive this year, which could propel the company into first place for enterprise drive sales.

• 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.

• SSD prices continue to plunge

  Solid-state drive pricing has dropped about 30% this year, reaching what researchers call the magic price point of $1-per-gigabyte of capacity, according to information from IHS iSupply and Dynamite Data

• E-reader decline prompts user debate over e-reader vs. tablet

  Reports of the drastic decline of e-readers amidst an explosion in multi-use tablets re-ignited a passionate debate in technology: Is a single-purpose device better and worth the cost, compared to a multi-function device

• Last chapter for e-readers?

  It could be be the final word on e-readers. Analysts are sounding a proverbial death knell for the devices, which have declined 36% in 2012 as buyers turned instead to multi-use tablets.

• Wall Street Beat: Chips, mobile devices in spotlight as tech slumps

  Even though sales of some mobile devices are booming, overall confidence in the tech sector continues to erode as economic weakness puts downward pressure on the computer market.

• 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.