Huawei's had it rough in 2020 — and 2019, for that matter. But somehow, well thanks to sales in China, it's shipped more phones than anyone else. More than Apple, more than Samsung. That's in the face of US bans, its own conservative sales estimates and the whole lack-of-Android-on-its-flagship-smartphone… thing.
Engadget
Huawei's sales declined by only five percent to 55.8 million units, compared to a huge 30 percent drop for Samusung, down to 53.7 million smartphones shipped. While smartphone sales dropped significantly in the US and elsewhere due to the coronavirus, sales in China suffered far less, and 70 percent of Huawei's sales are now in its home country. It helps that devices like the P40 Pro are incredible phones if you ignore the whole Android / lack of Google element.
Huawei's time in the top spot may be short: Samsung, naturally, thinks sales will rebound in the next quarter.
— Mat
Apple confirms its new iPhones will be delayed by a 'few weeks'
The company's CFO was very candid about the delay on a conference call.
Engadget
New iPhones appear in September, typically weeks after a splashy press conference at Apple HQ. Not so, this year. During the company's post-earnings conference call, the company's Chief Financial Officer, Luca Maestri, confirmed that Apple's new iPhones would be arriving later than usual, something Qualcomm had hinted at earlier this week.
"As you know, last year, we started selling new iPhones in late September," Maestri said. "This year, we project supply to be available a few weeks later." In these times of COVID-19-related delays, a few weeks really isn't too bad. Unless things change — it is 2020. Continue reading.
Google posts its own Pixel 4a 'leak'
Expect to see it revealed on August 3rd.
Google
We've seen hints and renders of Google's next budget phone floating around for months, and now Google is getting into the conversation. Headers on its social media pages and a dedicated website introduce some placeholder text, and if you manipulate the colors to match Google's logo, the page reveals a launch date for its "Just What You've Been Waiting for Phone." Continue reading.
The launch was successful, with the team announcing it received telemetry from the spacecraft and sent commands back to it. A few issues did arise during launch, but they have been dealt with. According to Deputy Project Manager Matt Wallace, "With the understanding of the causes of these issues, we are conducting the operations necessary to move the spacecraft back out of safe mode and into normal cruise mode." Continue reading.
After Starship test fire, Elon Musk expects 150-meter hop 'soon'
Stay tuned.
Elon Musk / SpaceX
Elon Musk's hopes for SpaceX's Starship reaching orbit before this spring didn't quite pan out, but a recent test firing has the SpaceX CEO expecting to see the company's new vehicle take flight shortly. On Thursday, he tweeted that its new SN5 build completed a full duration static fire and said a 150-meter test hop will happen "soon." Continue reading.
Motorola Edge review
A great value option, but only for now.
Engadget
Chris Velazco already reviewed Motorola's new flagship, the Edge+, and now it's ready to release a stripped down version. The base Edge is still 5G ready — unless you want mmWave support — and features a similar curved 6.7-inch Endless Edge display. However, instead of being a $1,000 Verizon exclusive, it's a cheaper option for unlocked use on pretty much any network.
To get the price down, it uses a less-powerful Snapdragon 765G CPU, has a smaller 4,500mAh battery, halves the RAM to 6GB and loses wireless charging. Even with those compromises and a finicky in-screen fingerprint sensor, Chris calls this device a "no brainer" — as long as you can get it for the temporary launch price of $500. At its $700 MSRP, similar midrange 5G phones, including the Galaxy A71 5G, OnePlus Nord and LG Velvet, start to look like better options. Continue reading.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 leak shows improved hinge design
A punch-hole replaces the camera notch on the inner display.
MySmartPrice
Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Z Fold2 has leaked in full, with what appears to be a more robust-looking hinge. The renders, found by MySmartPrice, show that the Z Fold2 has completely lost the original Fold's cutout selfie camera notch on the interior screen — it's now replaced by a hole-punch.
The most important changes we could spot are on the hinge, though. The original Galaxy Fold had some janky seals to close off gaps, but dust and other particles still got in. The Fold2's sides appear to enclose the hinge structure more completely. The inside corners are also square instead of rounded, so there's no longer a small gap at the top and bottom when it's opened. Continue reading.
Digital Sales Boom Puts Spotlight on Fraud Control Systems
The move by retailers to online and mobile selling to survive the pandemic has resulted in a significant increase in digital fraud activity. The "2020 True Cost of Fraud Study: E-commerce/Retail Edition" by LexisNexis Risk Solutions found this to be partly because some fraud control systems are outdated, and partly because of increased transaction volume.
Website Development Contracts, Part 5: Mediating Disputes
Contract disputes do arise from time to time. Whether the issue is early termination, delay of deliverables, breach of performance, or the like, it is best to plan for the worst and hope for the best. When there is a dispute, whether the contract contemplates this or not, either party should consider a legal process called mediation to avoid the time and cost of fighting in court or in arbitration.
Garmin Confirms Services Upended by Ransomware Attack
Garmin on Monday confirmed that many of its online services have been disrupted by a cyberattack on its systems that occurred on July 23, 2020. Services disrupted by the attack, which encrypted data on the systems, included website functions, customer support, customer facing applications, and company communications.
Victory Gardens 2.0: Gardening in the Pandemic Era
The pandemic era has seen a resurgence of interest in growing, tending, and harvesting fruits and vegetables from one's own patch of land or city balcony. Home gardening offers a sense of security and independence. Even when the world has been upended, a home garden can provide a bit of food insurance.
Panic buying and competition for consumer attention between in-store and online transactions have created a brave new world of retail that is bound to continue into a post-pandemic reality. The E-Commerce Times reached out to several firms that guide brands on how to prepare for, and adapt to, changes in consumer behavior and product demand -- and what this means for the future of retail.
Recent research shows that employees are well aligned with the directions and goals of their companies, and that they are competently led and respect their bosses; but the technologies they use leave a lot to be desired. This includes CRM, and too often the functionality that their currently installed CRM doesn't offer. Consequently, the changes Salesforce just introduced in its Marketing Cloud could not have been more timely.
If you conducted e-commerce transactions since the pandemic struck, you have probably been the target, or even a victim, of online fraud. A report from Sift titled "Q2 2020 Digital Trust & Safety Index" details a 109 percent increase in content...
Uber Eats Postmates for $2.6B, Bolsters Ground Game
Uber is looking to food delivery for rescue from falling revenues caused by people staying at home because of the pandemic. Gross bookings for Uber Rides have decreased by three percent year over year, the company noted in its Q1 2020 financial...
The University of Cincinnati online program is ranked 10th in the country by U.S. News & World Report (2020). Enjoy the flexibility of a schedule built for working professionals. Learn from educators with decades of experience in the field of IT.
Women in Tech: 20 Trailblazers Share Their Journeys
Successful women in the tech trenches share their insights and tackle subjects ranging from how to search out a strong mentor to how to be one -- from how to advance in a large company to how to start your own firm.
This book is an excellent guide for students considering STEM courses, graduates pondering job choices, and career changers at any stage in life. It's also a useful tool for school and career counselors, recruiters, and HR pros eager to diversify their workplaces.
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