Xiaomi poised to enter North American market in 2015

While the Chinese tech brand Xiaomi might not be too familiar to ordinary people, tech enthusiasts know this brand as manufacturers of affordable but powerful smartphones in Asia. And it would seem they would make their way to this side of the planet in the coming year. According to former Google executive and now Global Vice President for Xiaomi Hugo Barra, the company is working on entering the North American market next year. They aren’t focusing on it at the moment because they are trying to enter 10 other markets this year. We will keep you posted for any updates on this matter.

Source: Android Authority

Microsoft Research aims to develop smartphones with battery life to last you one week

Battery life remains to be one of the major concerns of smartphone users today. That is why Microsoft Research are finding ways to remedy this problem. According to Ranveer Chandra, their team is exploring the possibility of creating smartphones with batteries that can last for seven days without the need to use external battery packs.

One method is to put two li-ion batteries in the phone instead of one. These batteries can split usage depending on what the users need. For example, one can provide larger supply for heavy use and the other can be for standby mode. They are also exploring software optimization through a process called E-Loupe. This will pinpoint battery hungry apps that the software can slow down or pause when not in use. The research team has been able to create prototypes that improved battery life from 20% to 50%. It’s not yet their goal but we’d take that over a lot smartphone batteries we have today.

Source: Ubergizmo

Upstart OnePlus' 'Smash your Phone' gimmick is wasteful and stupid

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

OnePlus is a new Android smartphone manufacturer that has shown a very promising flagship device, but it's gimmick is earning it some notoriety as being a wasteful and stupid. OnePlus is giving 100 of their new "One" smartphones for $1.00 to anyone who smashes their current smartphone.

The idiocy is spelled out as a 3 step process:

1. Apply - Fill out the application form and send it in.

2. Stand Out - We'll choose 100 applicants to be our smashers.

3. Smash & Share - Share a video of your smash on YouTube and the OnePlus One will be yours!

This coming from a fledgling company pushing their first product and which has zero reputation for support and reliability.

The phones the OnePlus hopes interested buyers will 'Smash' include the iPhone 5c, the iPhone 5c, the HTC One and One (M8) and the latest Samsung Galaxies, Sony Xperias and even some BlackBerry devices.

Oh, and you can select your method of destruction which can range from hammer, baseball bat, blender, fire and screwdriver.  How about just giving away phones to lucky contestants? 

Many of these listed smashable phones have a $300-$500 resale value if sold or traded. They can be handed down to family members, donated to charity, sold for cash.  A smashed smartphone is of no use to anyone. 

OnePlus began their promotion of the "One" as an exclusive, by invitation only affair. No one cared so now this is their approach.

BlackBerry Launches mobile app development award at Canada-Wide Science Fair 2014

This year, the Canada-Wide Science Fair launched the BlackBerry Smartphone App Development Award. This continues CWSF’s tradition of fostering interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) among Canadian youth, preparing them to pursue STEM careers, especially in the rapidly growing field of mobile computing. The event takes place in Windsor from May 10^th to 17^th, 2014.

CWSF is the largest science-based competition in the country, and has captured the imaginations of thousands of students since 1962 (approximately 25,000 students compete each year.

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