Archive for the 'Smartphone' Category
What is Apple’s Siri and should you be worried about your privacy?
Siri is a speech-recognition software application found on the iPhone 4S that acts as a “personal assistant.” As of right now, it’s only available in the iPhone 4S models, but it may eventually come to other Apple devices such as the iPhone 4 or iPad. Siri utilizes natural language processing to interpret questions and commands inputted through speech. There are two aspects of Siri that make it such a revolutionary technology when utilized on handheld devices such as the iPhone. First, its ability to interpret spoken natural language enables the user to give commands as if talking to a living person. This has potential to change the way in which we humans interface with computers.
Second, Siri is exceedingly observant and even learns, perhaps more observant than many of us have yet to fully appreciate. Siri knows what you ask, when you ask it, how you asked it, even where you were when you asked it; Siri won’t forget. As time goes on, Siri will grow increasingly knowledgeable about you, your associations, and your habits. The computing power behind Siri isn’t sequestered on your iPhone – it’s in the cloud and, therefore, everything it learns about you may be utilized in ways you never intended it to be. Think of Siri as omniscient personal assistant who serves each and every one of the millions of iPhone users at once. Although Siri has promised to keep your secrets – perhaps she’s even signed a confidentiality agreement – Siri may rely upon something she learned from you today to assist your neighbor tomorrow. Is this a bad thing? Well, maybe not, provided you’re aware Siri is doing this.
Siri’s ability to learn is perhaps one of the most exciting traits the technology has to offer, but it’s also potentially alarming if privacy is one of your top priorities. This is because of the way Siri relies on cloud computing to understand all of the data it learns about you, which includes information you directly input (such as a question or command) as well as other contextual data that you may not think you are sharing (such as your location or even your tone of voice). Siri processes and analyzes all of this information using an amalgam of applications, which include voice recognition and output software, natural language searching algorithms, and an iteration of Wolfram Alpha (a sophisticated answer engine) to generate a relevant and seemingly sentient response. Over time, Siri builds a contextual understanding of you and what it learns about you is ultimately stored somewhere.
Got an HTC Amaze 4G? Love the speed of the peppy network on T-Mobile? Wondering how to keep things peppy through the day without being near a wall charger? You may wish to look at PowerSkin’s new skin for the HTC Amaze camera phone and, sorry for the pun, be amazed by the extra 410 minutes of talk time. More data time, too. The skin is 100% recyclable outside of the battery and electronics so when it’s time to replace it, you can feel good about dropping it into a recycle bucket.
Modesto, CA – October 20, 2011 – PowerSkin® continues to dominate the category for Android portable power solutions with the launch of its newest battery case for the HTC Amaze 4G, featuring 1500 mAh of battery capacity integrated into its smooth silicone exterior.
Extending talk time up to 410 extra minutes, the HTC Amaze 4G PowerSkin® is not only a reliable back-up power source for all-day phone use, the skin is also 100% recycled (except for the battery and internal components) making it a green option for consumers seeking more power with less environmental impact.
“Every PowerSkin® we bring to market reflects our commitment to the highest standards of safety, quality and performance,” said David Becker, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at PowerSkin® / XPAL Power. “As the leading battery case maker for Android phones, each one of our skins provides top-notch protection and power encased in an eco-friendly design that consumers can feel good about using.”
The HTC Amaze 4G skin will be available in T-Mobile stores nationwide next week for $69.99, and is also available now on Amazon.com and www.Power-Skin.com.
To learn more about PowerSkin® products visit www.Power-Skin.com and contact Jennifer Reiss at 305-576-1171 ext. 144 or via e-mail at jenniferreiss@maxborgesagency.com.
Follow PowerSkin® on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PowerSkinCases and on Twitter.
About PowerSkin®
PowerSkin® silicone cases with built-in batteries provide twice the power for your smartphone, featuring sleek, protective designs that fit your phone and fit your style. PowerSkin® is XPAL Powered, meaning it’s charged by patented battery technology that reflects the highest standards for safety, quality and performance. Designed to be your go-to, go-anywhere, go on-and-on power source, PowerSkin® has got you – and your phone – covered. For more information, visit: www.power-skin.com.
About XPAL Power
XPAL Power, a subsidiary of TennRich International, is a California-based corporation with its sales and marketing team located in the United States. The TennRich design team is located in Taiwan, and the company-owned factory in Shenzhen, PRC is the first factory in China to focus on rechargeable lithium polymer batteries and is currently one of the largest manufacturers of portable power packs in Asia. The XPAL Powered™ seal stands for quality, safety and efficiency – a guarantee that these traits are inside every product that authenticates through the XPAL verification service. XPAL Verified™ is an authentication process that underscores our commitment to quality, using complex algorithms to detect and transfer battery serial numbers to verify its legitimacy – a safeguard customers can trust. For more information, please visit www.xpalpower.com.
Hey keyboardists of the world, it’s time to grab your iPhone or iPad and let it help you excel in your playing. With the new SampleTank free app for the iPhone or iPod touch, it will give mobile musicians more sounds to grove it to via the iRig MIDI interface. You can get 8 instruments which gives you 400 rhythmic and melodic patterns that will round out anything that you may be playing. In essence, you’ll have the entire band packed into your iOS device and keyboard!
October 2011, Modena, Italy – IK Multimedia is proud to announce that SampleTank® Free for iPhone/iPod touch is now available in the iTunes App store. Together with the newly-released regular version of SampleTank, the two apps are the first pro-quality, sample-based sound and groove modules available for the iOS mobile platform.
Both can be played using the built-in keyboard and patterns, but they truly excel when used with an external keyboard controller and a MIDI interface – like the newly-released iRig™ MIDI – to replace older hardware sound and synthesizer modules for live performance. Together with iRig MIDI, SampleTank offers the most portable and best quality sound and groove module solution for mobile musicians to date.
SampleTank sounds are known for their high quality and extreme variety that is unmatched on the iOS platform. For the first time in a mobile device, users are able to experience the same quality of sounds they are used to from the most sophisticated software or hardware instruments like IK’s range of virtual instruments for the Mac and PC.
SampleTank Free users can immediately start using 8 instruments (4 + 4 by registering) on their favorite iOS device including Drums, Bass, Electric Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Synth Lead and Woodwinds. The instruments also come with over 400 rhythmic and melodic patterns so that anyone can compose high-quality grooves in seconds right out of the box.
Users can expand their sonic palette to over 400 instruments and 900 patterns by accessing the in-app store where they can find 16 categories of sounds covering the entire set needed for the most demanding live players and producers: Pianos, Organs, Strings, Basses, Guitars, Drums, Synths, Woodwinds, Brass, Ethnic Instruments, Percussion and more all instantly accessible from right inside the app. Single instruments categories can be added for only $4.99/€3.99 or as a complete collection for a discounted price of only $39.99/€31.99, a fraction of what instruments with an equivalent quality would cost as regular software or hardware instruments. Free version users can also upgrade to all the sounds included in the regular version of SampleTank for only $9.99/€7.99.
Both in the free and in the regular version, users can access three main sections of the app:
The Sounds page is where users can quickly browse and audition the hundreds of available sounds and patterns which are organized in easily recognizable icon-based categories. Both the included instruments and the add-on instruments can be auditioned here making it easy to choose what the user prefers. Here users can play up to 4 simultaneous instruments and save or recall them using the built-in preset system.
The Edit page is where the user can personalize the sound and effects parameters through easy-to-understand knobs for immediate sound and effect parameter tweaking. Each SampleTank sound is “production-ready” since it comes with pre-programmed built-in effects of the highest quality for the platform to further emphasize the musicality and character of sounds.
The Play page is where every type of musician finds a convenient play environment directly in their iOS device with a dual piano-style keyboard, a scale-based keyboard or drum pads.
SampleTank features
4-part multi-timbral professional quality sound and groove module
Expandable sound library with more than 400 instruments in 16 categories
Huge selection of melodic and rhythmic patterns for accompaniment or groove creation
Built-in insert effects and master reverb
Easy-to-use, intuitive mobile interface
Sound and effects editing with multiple parameters
Play interface with piano keyboard, scale-based keyboard and drum pads
Compatible with iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPod touch 4th and 3rd generation, iPad 2 and iPad with iOS 4.3 and newer
Designed in concert with iRig MIDI interface for iOS devices
Pricing and availability
SampleTank Free for iPhone/iPod touch is now available on the iTunes App store. < http://itunes.apple.com/app/sampletank-free/id464775965?mt=8>
The regular version of SampleTank with 72 built-in sounds is also available for an introductory price of only $9.99/€7.99. < http://itunes.apple.com/app/sampletank/id464783893?mt=8>
A universal iPad version of SampleTank is also in development and will be available soon. Current users of SampleTank for iPhone / iPod will be able to update to this version for free when it becomes available.
iRig MIDI, the Core MIDI interface for iOS, is already shipping and is available for only $69.99/€54.99 in selected music instruments and electronic retailers. Owners of iRig MIDI also get an exclusive sound-set of 48 sounds to use in SampleTank for free simply by registering.
The Android onslaught will continue and it will do so with low-cost smartphones says the latest In-Stat report. While rumors proceed Steve Jobs autobiography of his betrayed feelings of Google’s Eric Schmidt concerning Android, it looks like there really is little to stop it from conquering the world. Either Apple needs to continue its innovation or kill Android.
In many parts of the world, the typical Android smartphone, selling for $400 to $500, is out of reach for many consumers that currently have a feature phone or perhaps no phone at all. These potential smartphone owners currently only have one OS choice in the low-cost category, (under-$150) and that is Android. New In-Stat (www.in-stat.com) research forecasts that unit shipments for low-cost Android smartphones will approach 340 million worldwide in 2015.
“The low-cost Android handset segment will cause some fragmentation in the Android platform,” says Allen Nogee, Research Director. “Most low-cost Android smartphones are likely to be released with Android 2.2 or 2.3, since these versions are a good blend of features with modest memory and processor usage. The Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) step-up in memory and processor demands makes this release less attractive for low-cost Android devices.”
Recent In-Stat research found:
The low-cost smartphone area is Android’s to lose. This market could get much more competitive, especially as other OS vendors begin to target the space.
The low-end low-cost smartphones generally stick with EDGE and processors running at 600MHz speeds or less, and a single-core EDGE chip sells for well under $10. For our purposes, low-cost means smartphones that are $150 or less.
Smaller phone manufacturers will sometimes purchase from the “gray market” where component manufacturers typically don’t pay licensee fees, royalties, and taxes for the products they produce.
Early competitors in the market include Huawei, MicroMax, Motorola, Samsung, Spice, and ZTE.
Recent In-Stat research Less is More: The Worldwide Emergence of Low-Cost Android Smartphones (#IN1104911WH)looks at the history of the low-cost smartphone market, and how we got where we are today. The report looks at Android in-depth and the problems that Google faces as it moves into the low-cost arena. The obstacles are also explored in-detail, as are the markets where low-cost Android smartphones will dominate.
Forecasts include:
Smartphone shipments
Android smartphone shipments
Low-cost Android smartphone shipments by region
Bill of materials (BOM) for processor, touchscreen, other components
Country-by-country view of the smartphone market
About In-Stat
In-Stat’s market intelligence combines technical, market and end-user research and database models to analyze the Mobile Internet and Digital Entertainment ecosystems. Our insights are derived from a deep understanding of technology impacts, nearly 30 years of history in research and consulting, and direct relationships with leading players in each of our core markets. In-Stat provides its research through reports, annual subscriptions, consulting and advisory services to inform critical decisions. Technology vendors, equipment manufacturers, service providers and media companies worldwide rely on In-Stat to support critical business, product and technology decisions. For more information, contact us or visit www.in-stat.com.
About The NPD Group, Inc.
The NPD Group is the leading provider of reliable and comprehensive consumer and retail information for a wide range of industries. Today, more than 1,800 manufacturers, retailers, and service companies rely on NPD to help them drive critical business decisions at the global, national, and local market levels. NPD helps our clients to identify new business opportunities and guide product development, marketing, sales, merchandising, and other functions. Information is available for the following industry sectors: automotive, beauty, commercial technology, consumer technology, entertainment, fashion, food and beverage, foodservice, home, office supplies, software, sports, toys, and wireless. For more information, contact us or visit www.npd.com and www.npdgroupblog.com. Follow us on Twitter at @npdtech and @npdgroup.
A lot has been made of the iPhone 4S star studded feature named Siri. She’s the helper inside Apple’s new smartphone that can take actual natural speech questions and give you an answer in return. Web sites, Twitter, and Facebook all have postings of the whacky and funny things Siri answers to such as marriage proposals and requesting to be beamed up. Many, however, are scratching their head how Siri knows who your wife is or sibling or parent. You know that video where Apple shows the iPhone 4S user calling “mom” and Siri dials it for the person? Man, Siri IS pretty smart, but how does she know my mom from any other women on my phone? Well, she doesn’t until you tell her.
The secret lay in a new field in your Contacts. It’s called Related People, as seen in the above screen capture. Simply find your mom, or any other relative, in your address book and tap the Edit button and then scroll down to “add field” to which brings up another window. At the end of it, you will find “Related People”. Tap it and up comes a relation, maybe mother, and a blue arrow. Tap this arrow to find your mother and select her. If you need to change the relations, tap the name for a list of other labels. You are not limited to family either as you can select assistant and manager as a relation. So if you want to tell Siri to call your boss, she may figure that out by the manager mark, too. 
Don’t forget to select yourself in the Mail, Contacts, Calendars in the “My Info” section under Settings so the bond is obvious to Siri.
On the heals of Apple’s record breaking weekend of a reported 4 million iPhone 4Ses sold, Verizon and Motorola today revived the RAZR name and brought it to the Android 2.3.5, Gingerbread, powered device. Don’t let the name fool you, unlike its predecessor, this does not look razor thin but thankfully Motorola didn’t slice out features as this is packed with them. Putting an HD camera both in the front and rear, 8-megapixel on its backside, 1 GB or RAM, Bluetooth 4.0, 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot ready, and an 1780 mAh battery for longer life, the Droid RAZR is impressive. Lack luster is the storage with only 16 GB internal and expandable via the microSD to another 16 GB makes the fractured storage less desirable than that of the iPhone 4S internal one-stop storage.
Get the full details below for more information on this $299 device that Motorola hopes to challenge the iPhone 4S with this Christmas.
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – Today, Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) and Verizon Wireless announced DROID RAZR™ by Motorola, the world’s thinnest 4G LTE smartphone. A true marvel of design, this smartphone packs strength and smarts into a stylish package offered exclusively from Verizon Wireless.
Measuring 7.1 mm thin, made with KEVLAR® fiber for strength and Corning® Gorilla® Glass for scratch resistance, the DROID RAZR is ready to face the elements. Speed limits are just an illusion with a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor and Verizon Wireless 4G LTE. DROID RAZR customers can expect to rip through the Web with speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G.
“DROID RAZR by Motorola combines style, performance and the power of Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network into one innovative device,” said Marni Walden, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. “These are two iconic brands that separately symbolize the best technology available today. The combination will provide an unsurpassed wireless experience for customers.”
“DROID RAZR by Motorola is a testament to the innovation and design possibilities that stem from a strong partnership between Motorola Mobility and Verizon Wireless,” said Sanjay Jha, Chairman and CEO, Motorola Mobility. “We set out to design the best smartphone on the planet and delivered DROID RAZR which is thinner, smarter, stronger than any device on the market.”
Not only does DROID RAZR by Motorola deliver heart-pounding speed, but it has a mind-bending 4.3-inch hyper-vibrant display with more colors than most LCD HDTVs. The Super AMOLED™ Advanced display with qHD resolution dishes out beautiful images and smooth action so on-the-go movies and TV shows aren’t a blur, whether customers stream from Netflix™ or rent from Android Market™. It’s the first smartphone capable of streaming movies and TV shows through Netflix with up to HD resolution.
DROID RAZR customers can take advantage of the Super AMOLED Advanced display and 4G LTE speeds to stream videos with NFL Mobile, only from Verizon. Fans can stay up to date on news, schedules and scores from their favorite teams on the go. NFL Mobile is included at no additional charge for 4G LTE customers for the remainder of the 2011 season.
If cutting-edge visuals are its beauty, apps on DROID RAZR are its brains. Enter MotoCast™, the free Motorola app that lets you stream or download your music, pictures and more from your PC to your phone. The Smart Actions app helps automate everyday tasks and optimizes battery efficiency by letting customers create rules, such as automatically setting the phone to vibrate during work hours or dimming the display at a specific battery level. The revolutionary webtop application allows customers to combine the device with separately sold accessories, like the Lapdock™ 100 or HD Station, unleashing the power to edit documents and browse the Web with a full Firefox® browser on a larger screen – all while charging the device.
Additional features:
· Powered by Android™ 2.3.5, Gingerbread
· 1 GB RAM for a fast user interface and multi-tasking
· 8-megapixel rear camera with 1080p HD video capture and image stabilization technology for crisp and clear videos
· Front-facing HD camera for video chat over 4G LTE, 3G or Wi-Fi
· 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot capable so customers can share 4G LTE speed with up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices
· Water repellent nanocoating protects the phone, and even the inside components, against everyday spills
· Remote wipe, pin lock and government-grade encryption for email, calendar and contacts as well as voice and video chat conferencing
· Use Quickoffice® to view, create and edit Microsoft® Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents on your mobile device from anywhere at anytime
· Bluetooth 4.0 low energy
· 32 GB memory: 16 GB on board and 16 GB microSD™ card pre-installed (actual formatted capacity is less)
· Powerful 1780 mAh battery
The DROID RAZR will be available in early November for $299.99 with a new two-year customer agreement at all Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at: www.verizonwireless.com; as well as at authorized retailers. Customers can visit www.droiddoes.com/droidrazr to pre-order DROID RAZR beginning on October 27. For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 106.3 million total wireless connections, including 89.7 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
About Motorola Mobility
Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE:MMI) fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people’s lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visit motorola.com/mobility.
MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC. DROID is a trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd. and its related companies. Used under license. Android Market is a trademark of Google, Inc. KEVLAR(R) is a registered trademark of DuPont used under license by Motorola Mobility, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2011 Motorola Mobility, Inc. All rights reserved.
Smartphones are quickly becoming the phone in everyone’s pocket and purse and with that comes the availability of music, GPS, and other aids for you to use while on the road. Car mount kits are very popular but finding a good one is much tougher. Every one I have used with the long goose necks never give me a steady way to hold my iPhone and many other cradles seem to make things more complex with too many elbows to tighten down. Today Bracketron releases the Cradle-iT Dash Mount that not only locks down your iPhone but does it for Blackberry and Android devices as well. The universal mount will either mount to your dash or windshield without the need for tools or surface mounts. This makes it perfect for using between more than one vehicle and its small sized easily lets you travel with it in a purse or bag as well as for allowing for easy storage in today’s modern tiny glove box. For $30, this isn’t a bad deal at all, though I wished it had a dock connector port. More deets below.
Minneapolis, MN – October 17, 2011– Bracketron, the leading manufacturer in mounting solutions for mobile consumer electronics, announces the retail availability of the Cradle-iT Dash Mount, a powerful suction mount that uses patented technology to secure your mobile device in a safe and convenient position on your vehicle’s dashboard. The Cradle-iT mounts your mobile device with or without a case, and easily pivots and rotates to maximize your viewing angle. The mount offers 360-degree adjustability and can be easily switched between vehicles or even used on your office desk and other flat surfaces. The Cradle-iT Dash Mount is available now for $29.95 at national retailers and Bracketron.com.
“The Cradle-iT Dash Mount is an extremely versatile universal mount for handheld mobile devices,” said Mark Mandel, Executive Vice President of Bracketron. “This innovative product is one of many Bracketron mounts that help drivers to responsibly use their mobile devices in their vehicles, ensuring that GPS applications can be viewed at an optimized angle and the device is in a secure position.”
The Cradle-iT Dash Mount’s innovative design consists of three main parts including a powerful suction cup, an arm with a ball and socket joint, and a flexible cradle holder. The suction cup features a polyurethane ring with Bracketron’s groundbreaking, patented Temporbond technology. This adhesive-free grip technology provides the ultimate hold without leaving a sticky residue. The suction cup also features a lever that is pushed to install the mount and pulled up to remove it. The combined technologies of the suction cup result in an unbelievably strong grip, while Temporbond also allows you to mount the suction cup to almost any surface whether it is smooth or textured.
The arm of the Cradle-iT mount includes a ball and socket joint that allows for 360-degree rotation of the cradle holder, letting you to maximize your viewing angle for complete comfort and ease. The holder was designed to fit most handheld smartphones so that device controls are easily accessible. Its universal design is compatible with iPhone®, Blackberry, Android and more. Different handheld mobile devices can easily be switched in and out of the universal holder, providing incredible flexibility. Installation takes seconds and requires no tools. The mount is also compact and fits easily in a bag, glove compartment or purse when not in use.
Features
• Unique cradle design securely grips your device, with or without a case
• Innovative design features a patented polyurethane ring for secure hold
• Mounts to most hard or textured surfaces, including your windshield
• Cradle design allows full access to all device controls
• Pivots and rotates for multiple viewing angles
• Portable design for easy installation and removal
• Fits most handheld smartphones
About Bracketron
Founded in 2001, Bracketron is the industry leader in universal mounting solutions and accessories for many of today’s most popular mobile and handheld technologies, including GPS, smartphone, iPad/tablet, MP3, satellite radio and PC. Bracketron offers a broad selection of mounting configuration options designed to offer an optimal level of flexibility and functionality. The company has broadened its product line to include a variety of flexible mounting options designed to extend the use of the device and enhance the overall user experience.
For more information about Bracketron, visit www.bracketron.com.
So you didn’t stay up until nearly 3:00 am last Friday morning to pre-order your iPhone 4S like I did, huh? Well, you missed out on all the fun! So there you are contemplating if you should go stand in lines Friday at one of the three cellular carriers or at the Apple Store. What to do? If you’re thinking, ‘No way I’m standing for hours only to be told there are none left,’ then you have the online alternative. BUT, which one should you go with? Best Buy? Radio Shack? AT&T? Verizon? Sprint? Take a look at STELLAService found before making your next click below and do it the easy way!
New York City (October 13, 2011) – For consumers seeking to avoid lines by purchasing the iPhone 4S online, a report out today says Apple.com is hands down the best choice over the four other online resellers thanks to its consumer-friendly services and policies, including the superior quality of its customer service phone support and its expansive AppleCare+ warranty program.
“Apple.com outperformed its reseller partners hands down when it comes to customer service, and we found no reason that consumers should look anywhere else,” said STELLAService co-founder and CEO Jordy Leiser. “With pricing for the iPhone 4S uniform across all online sellers, the overall quality of customer service should be the deciding factor in choosing where to buy the iPhone 4S online”
For the report, STELLAService looked at the five retailers and carriers offering the iPhone 4S online – Apple.com, BestBuy.com, VerizonWireless.com, ATT.com, and Sprint.com. In addition to evaluating key policies and features, such as return and warranty policies, STELLAService rated the quality of customer service phone support by placing ten phone calls to each retailer and asking ten questions — from how to buy insurance to how to change a pass code lock.
Dedicated to helping consumers make more informed buying decisions, STELLAService is an independent company that leverages a nationwide network of full-time mystery shoppers to evaluate online retailers across more than 350 customer service metrics, including shipping, returns, and customer support.
Leiser said STELLAService conducted the study to provide consumers with clear guidance in light of unclear policies, misinformation, rumors, and scams relating to online retailers selling Apple products. Leiser points out that Apple.com, which provides a list of authorized online resellers for its popular products, such as the iPod and iPad, does not provide a list of authorized online sellers for the iPhone.
Other findings from the study include
To evaluate the quality of customer service phone support, STELLAService rated each seller based on factors such as product knowledge, issue resolution, and overall tone and attitude of the customer support representatives. Apple.com’s representatives earned the highest score overall (4 out of 5), significantly outpacing others when it came to their ability to address questions (4.4 for Apple vs. 3.6 for AT&T and Verizon). STELLAService said the average customer service quality score for consumer electronics retailers was 3.7.
While BestBuy.com allows customers to purchase the iPhone 4S online, it does not offer shipping and delivery. As of the days leading up to the iPhone 4S release, customers could only pick-up the product in stores.
Apple.com’s AppleCare+ warranty program is by far the most cost-effective. Even though it does not cover loss and theft, the monthly fees and deductions for BestBuy’s Geek Squad and AT&T’s and Verizon’s Asurion warranties come close to the cost of buying a completely a new iPhone.
Apple.com and BestBuy.com offer the most generous return window for a refund (30 days) versus 14 days for AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon
Apple.com and BestBuy.com do not charge customers for returning an iPhone 4S, while AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon each have a $35 restocking fee.
AT&T is only online seller that does not allow customers to trade-in old phones by mail. AT&T customers can only trade-in phones in-store.
About STELLAService
Dedicated to helping consumers make more informed online shopping decisions, STELLAService is the first and only independent provider of customer service ratings for online retailers. The company leverages a nationwide network of full-time mystery shoppers to evaluate each site undercover, ensuring findings that are unbiased and true to the shopping experience. STELLAService has been profiled in Advertising Age (“STELLAService strives to give e-tailers credibility”) and its data has been featured in outlets such as Time, SmartMoney, Consumerist, and CBS Money Watch . Based in New York City, the company also publishes reports and other research to help companies worldwide improve their service operations. For more information, visit http://www.STELLAService.com. Follow us on Twitter at @STELLAService. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/STELLAService
The first thing I thought when I saw this was, ‘Wow, that looks like my old HTC Windows Mobile smartphone from 2007.” The Keystone ECO Slider gives you a slide-out keyboard connecting to your iPhone via Bluetooth. Like some of the Android and yesteryear smartphones, Keystone brings to the iPhone the ability to always have a keyboard with you in a small and compact form. Take a look after the jump for more details.
Sunrise, FL – October 12, 2011 – Concord Keystone announces the launch the Keystone ECO Slider, a compact, ultra-thin and lightweight slide-out physical keyboard for the iPhone® 4S/4.
The Keystone ECO Slider connects to the iPhone wirelessly using Bluetooth® technology and is an alternative to the virtual on-screen keyboard. The Keystone ECO Slider answers the need of users who prefer a physical keyboard to quickly and easily type emails, text messages, and notes with accuracy and speed.
The pairing of the Bluetooth keyboard with the iPhone is easy. Just press a few buttons and wait for the 4-digit pin appearing on the phone screen, key them in the keyboard and the connection is established. No software installation is necessary. The ECO Slider is slim and adds little to the outline and footprint of the iPhone 4S/4 and maintains the minimalist design of the phone. The ECO slider keyboard boasts a sturdy hard-click, fifty key configuration and comes in a 2-level sliding case. The top case is a protective case for the iPhone, which allows full access to volume control, mute switch and ports, and unobstructed use of the camera. The Bluetooth keyboard is hidden neatly beneath the top phone case when it is not in use. With a flip of the finger, the keyboard quickly slides out and the virtual keyboard vanishes, leaving more visible screen space, which is an added advantage for people who routinely receive and respond to longer emails. The keyboard is powered by a built-in rechargeable battery, which can be recharged with a mini-USB cable that is included with the Keystone ECO Slider. Users can expect up to 30 hours of use before recharging.
The Keystone ECO Slider is compatible with both AT&T and Verizon iPhone 4S/4 and is available at http://www.concordkeystone.com
Everyone seems to have at least a smartphone now if not at least an iPod or other music player. CDs are so 1999 and now with the ability to put your entire library into the palm of your hand, getting it on the car stereo is a dream for any commuter. JBL helps you make that happen minus the difficult installation or messy wiring or purchasing a new stereo. The JBL device also sets on the tones just right for your device and car stereo so premo sound is all you hear. Take a look at the jump.
STAMFORD, Conn. – HARMAN International Industries announced the availability of the innovative JBL® MS-2 music accessory, a plug-and-play car stereo component engineered to vividly improve car audio performance from any portable music player or smartphone. The JBL MS-2 uses digital signal processing to optimize the sound emanating from existing speakers in any car, making it the perfect iPod, iPhone or Android™ smartphone accessory for music fans.
The JBL MS-2 is a deceptively simple device that packs the punch of a new car audio system. Requiring no installation, the JBL MS-2 plugs into the auxiliary jack available in most factory-installed and after-market car audio decks* and then connects to an Apple iPod or iPhone, Android smartphone or other portable music player. Once connected, press the Setup button and the JBL MS-2 will automatically tune the tonal balance, bass impact and sonic clarity across a car’s existing speakers. It adjusts each speaker to optimize the sound quality and includes separate buttons for bass, treble, impact and image to allow for fine-tuning music based on individual sound tastes.
“This is the ultimate portable music accessory, specifically designed to improve the sound in any car – regardless of the audio system that’s already installed. You can even use it in another car or with a music player in your house,” said Sachin Lawande, EVP and co-president of HARMAN’s Lifestyle and Infotainment divisions. “We think music fans will love this simple, lightweight device. In fact, we are so confident the JBL MS-2 will dramatically improve car audio that it includes a ‘defeat switch’ to turn it off so you can compare the performance with or without the MS-2.”
The JBL MS-2 uses digital signal processing, known as DSP equalization, to automatically compensate for the sonic characteristics of your car’s existing electronics, speakers and interior. The MS-2 works with all car and home audio systems that include a 3.5-mm auxiliary jack – standard on Apple’s iPod, iPhone and iPad, as well as the majority of digital music players and smartphones from leading brands.
The portable JBL MS-2 weighs 3.2 ounces and easily slips into a pocket. It ships with input/output cables and a 6-volt DC power supply to plug into a car’s cigarette lighter adapter (CLA). A separate 6-volt DC power supply is needed for home use (not included).
Pricing and Availability
The JBL MS-2 has a suggested retail price of $239.95. For additional information or to purchase, visit www.JBL.com.
*According to the Telematics Research Group, more than 150 million cars will include an auxiliary jack by the end of 2011.