Computerworld: Matt Hamblen

Round smartwatches arrive, but users still waiting for Apple to join fray

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 18:02:00 GMT

LG's new video teaser showing off a round-faced smartwatch to debut next week at the IFA show begs a central question: What do users want in a smartwatch?

What matters in the fall smartphone lineup: brand, display size, battery life, LTE

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 10:12:00 GMT

Given that at least five top-flight smartphones will be launched in September, would-be buyers will have plenty of choices.

Sprint drops second shoe: $60 unlimited voice, text, data plan

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 18:08:00 GMT

Sprint on Thursday announced a $60-per-month unlimited talk, text and data plan -- its second price cut in four days -- that's designed to undercut competitors.

Uber builds on being 'best' by linking its ride requests to other mobile apps

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 15:25:00 GMT

The Uber mobile app was already gaining popularity with smartphone users looking to find a ride in a big city, but now the app is on the verge of getting much bigger.

AT&T to get the M8 for Windows, too; it's not just Verizon

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 19:18:00 GMT

Less than a day after the HTC One (M8) for Windows went on sale "exclusively" on Verizon Wireless, AT&T also said it will carry the new smartphone, too.

Sprint's cut in data prices won't help its network woes

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 10:15:00 GMT

Sprint's new lower-priced shared data plan sounds ambitious, but analysts say it doesn't go far enough and won't address the carrier's network performance sore spot.

Why HTC put Windows on its M8 smartphone

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 16:24:00 GMT

HTC announced the HTC One (M8) smartphone for Windows todayl it's available exclusively at Verizon Wireless for $99 on a two-year contract.

Verizon is tops in network performance, reliability, speed in 2014 tests

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 10:00:00 GMT

Verizon Wireless beat out the other three national carriers for overall network performance, reliability and speed in the first half of 2014, according to an analysis by RootMetrics released Tuesday.

Sprint slashes shared data plan prices

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 01:40:00 GMT

As promised by its new CEO, Sprint announced late Monday it will lower its shared data plans to prices below those offered by other national carriers starting on Friday.

Sprint plans price cuts and eventual layoffs, new CEO tells workers

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 16:08:00 GMT

Sprint's new CEO Marcelo Claure addressed employees for the first time Thursday and promised price reductions as soon as next week, according to a report.

AT&T beats other carriers on customer purchase satisfaction

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 19:37:00 GMT

AT&T topped all four national carriers for the third time in a row for customer purchase satisfaction in-store, on the phone or on the Web, according to market research firm J.D. Power.

The news isn't good for Windows Phone

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 16:49:00 GMT

As global smartphone shipments hit a historic high of 301.3 million in the second quarter, the third-ranked operating system, Windows Phone, saw its share of that pie stumble to well below 3%.

Mobile testing for Ebola gains renewed urgency as outbreak grows

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 19:23:00 GMT

Developing a mobile test to quickly detect the presence of the deadly Ebola virus in a patient has become a priority for medical technologists.

Former Sprint CEO's severance could top $38M

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 10:16:00 GMT

Former Sprint CEO Dan Hesse, whose last day was Monday, could get more than $38 million in severance pay.

Messenger app users worry how Facebook uses a device's phone, camera

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 10:30:00 GMT

Facebook ignited a flood of criticism last week when it began requiring mobile users to load its Messenger app for Android and iOS separate from its basic Facebook app.

How Claure can fix Sprint as it battles T-Mobile

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 17:05:00 GMT

What incoming Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure can do to reverse the carrier's declining subscriber base and turn the company around.

Big tech firms back Wi-FAR for remote broadband

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 10:30:00 GMT

Google, Microsoft and Facebook are cranking up an emerging wireless technology known as Wi-FAR to help reduce the digital divide in remote and unconnected regions of the world.

Sprint confirms new CEO amid reports of abandoning T-Mobile merger

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 15:50:00 GMT

Sprint confirmed today that CEO Dan Hesse will be replaced by board member Marcelo Claure, effective Monday.

Timex set to join smartwatch fray with $399 Ironman One

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 15:29:00 GMT

Timex will ship its Ironman One GPS+ smartwatch in November, starting at $399.

Amazon Fire dubbed an 'experiment in e-commerce' with lessons for future phones

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 16:30:00 GMT

The Amazon Fire, which finally arrived on July 27, has been nothing but controversial.

Samsung, Apple still dominate smartphones, but their shares slip

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 20:49:00 GMT

Samsung and Apple, in the second quarter, sunk to their lowest shares of the global smartphone market in recent years as Chinese smartphone vendors came on strong, market research firm IDC said.

Amazon Fire teardown pegs parts cost just below 32GB iPhone 5S

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 14:56:00 GMT

Parts for the 32GB Amazon Fire smartphone cost $201, just shy of the cost of parts of a similarly configured Apple iPhone 5S and well below the Samsung Galaxy S5, both with the same 32GB storage tally.

Is the Samsung Z smartphone just delayed -- or doomed?

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 16:10:00 GMT

The launch of the Samsung Z, the first smartphone to run the Tizen OS, has been delayed indefinitely.

How Microsoft's CEO sees growth for Windows Phone and Lumia

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 16:03:00 GMT

During an earnings call this week, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella repeatedly promoted Lumia smartphones running on the Windows Phone platform. The call was just five days after the company announced a record 18,000 layoffs that raised concerns about Microsoft's long-term commitment to its phones.

Deep-dive review: The Lumia 635 smartphone -- a study in contrasts

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 10:30:00 GMT

Nokia's new low-cost Lumia 635 smartphone makes some unfortunate hardware compromises, but on the plus side it comes with the excellent Windows Phone 8.1.

Sprint to resell Google Apps for Business cloud service

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 18:57:00 GMT

Sprint announced a partnership with Google to offer the Google Apps for Business cloud service, adding that customers of the service won't be required to use Sprint's wireless network or Android devices.

Small cell device tech set to connect workplace Wi-Fi with 3G and LTE

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 18:34:00 GMT

Cisco says small cell technology is primed for explosive growth as it plans to connect 3G and LTE cellular networks to Wi-Fi access points that are already widely deployed in many enterprise facilities.

Red Alert app warns of imminent missile attacks in Israel

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 20:27:00 GMT

Red Alert: Israel is a free app for both iOS and Android that provides real-time alerts when missiles or rockets are fired into Israel. It's also become a specialized kind of social network.

As it lays off workers, Microsoft also kills its low-end Nokia X smartphones

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 15:41:00 GMT

In addition to announcing its largest job cuts ever, Microsoft today also signaled a retreat from its low-end Nokia X line of Android phones.

Visa launches 'Checkout' for quick and easy payments from any device

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 19:56:00 GMT

Visa announced a new simplified digital payment service called Visa Checkout, which is designed to allow customers to pay quickly for goods online on any connected device.

Apple-IBM deal threatens Android's enterprise push

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 16:15:00 GMT

The new Apple-IBM partnership seems sure to help Apple sell more iPads to businesses, but it may also be setting off alarm bells at mobile device management companies large and small.

Motorola unveils speech input tool for warehouse workers

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 10:07:00 GMT

Motorola Solutions on Tuesday unveiled a speech technology upgrade targeting mobile device workers in warehouses and distribution centers.

Wi-Fi, like ice cream, is coming in many flavors

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 10:32:00 GMT

Wi-Fi technology continues to evolve as wireless devices proliferate and demand for video and other data explodes.

Why Samsung needs to move beyond Android -- and Google

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 17:03:00 GMT

Samsung depends on Google's Android OS, but needs to find a way to differentiate itself from rivals who also use Android if it's to grow and thrive.

Verizon gets top ranking for network performance in U.S. cities

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 19:53:00 GMT

RootMetrics gives Verizon Wireless a big thumbs-up in its latest biannual ranking of wireless network performance in U.S. cities.

Sprint to exclusively sell ZTE mini Android projector

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 17:10:00 GMT

Gone, at least potentially, are the days of salespeople having to lug around a 4-pound projector to make presentations to potential customers.

Smartwatches at work: Boon or bane for IT?

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 17:17:00 GMT

It's hard to assess how popular smartwatches will be for business users, or how much of a pain they'll be for IT to support. But don't surprised when they start showing up in the office.

Google gets into the weeds of Android Work

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 10:17:00 GMT

Google has revealed more about how its new enterprise security and management framework -- otherwise known as Android Work -- will function when the next version of Android rolls out.

Samsung Gear Live unveiled as latest Android Wear smartwatch

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 22:29:00 GMT

Google gave about 6,000 developers attending its I/O conference on Wednesday two Android Wear smartwatches -- one for now and one for later -- as a not-so-subtle invitation to get developers to build more apps for those devices and their connected smartphones.

With Android L, Google makes pitch for enterprise users

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 20:37:00 GMT

Google will provide enterprise-focused security and management features to its entire Android showcase of mobile devices, including features reserved only for Samsung devices running Samsung security software called Knox, a Google executive announced during the Google I/O keynote address Wednesday.

Verizon's videoconferencing offers virtual doctor visits via smartphone

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 09:30:00 GMT

If you've ever been sick with a cold or the flu while traveling, Verizon's new videoconferencing technology could help you reach a doctor for a quick consult from a smartphone or tablet.

Police test smartphones over cellular for undercover use during Boston Marathon

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 13:51:00 GMT

During April's Boston Marathon, police in Brookline, Mass., piloted a wireless system that let undercover officers use ordinary iPhones and Android devices to communicate with rugged Land Mobile Radios over LTE and other commercial cellular networks.

Watch out for these smartwatches

Tue, 24 Jun 2014 10:30:00 GMT

With Apple expected to launch an iWatch in October, other vendors including Samsung, LG and Motorola, are getting a headstart with smartwatches in varied shapes and colors.

Google I/O looks to be about more than Android

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 09:57:00 GMT

Google's annual I/O conference kicks off tomorrow amid widespread expectations that a new version of Android will be unveiled, along with discussions of smartwatches and, perhaps, security.

The UPC bar code arrived 40 years ago; now, they're ubiquitous

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 10:26:00 GMT

The first bar code was used in 1974 to scan in a pack of gum. Now they're used for everything from flight check-ins to patient records and warehouse inventory. They've even been used to track bees. Yes, bees.

A closer look at the new technologies in Amazon's Fire smartphone

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 19:16:00 GMT

By leveraging the Fire smartphone's Firefly and Dynamic Perspective technologies, Amazon could help online buying evolve in a variety of new directions, an IDC analyst predicted.

Amazon's Fire phone is 'Prime' example of customer first

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 23:30:00 GMT

With its new Fire Phone, Amazon is primarily interested in connecting to its 250 million Amazon and Prime customers with a phone that makes it quick and easy to shop over the Web.

Amazon's expected smartphone already faces skeptics

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 19:35:00 GMT

If Amazon announces a smartphone on Wednesday, as is widely expected, it will face an avalanche of skeptics.

Amazon says the Mayday button on its Fire HDX is a hit

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 16:49:00 GMT

Amazon bragged that the Mayday tech support button on the Fire HDX tablet has become the most popular way to get tech help, with an average response time of just 9.75 seconds.

Getting fit this summer? Here's an app place to start

Fri, 13 Jun 2014 10:00:00 GMT

Do you want to get fit but don't know where to start? Here are some fitness apps that can help get you on your way.

Update: Tizen OS declared 'dead in the water'

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 21:20:00 GMT

Days after Samsung introduced a Tizen OS-based smartphone, a UK-based analyst declared the operating system a non-starter, despite its backing by a consortium of heavyweights including Intel, Samsung and LG Electronics.

SwiftKey is free for Android, as predictive keyboard competition grows

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 15:54:00 GMT

Innovations for predictive virtual keyboards used in smartphones and tablets keep rolling in. SwiftKey said its Keyboard app for Android smartphones and tablets that allows predictive typing would be free on Google Play.

Apps that make your phone a wallet

Fri, 16 May 2014 10:00:00 GMT

Here are several apps worth knowing about.

Your car as smartphone: In-car tech at Mobile World Congress

Thu, 27 Feb 2014 11:00:00 GMT

Cars are the new smartphones, one GM official said at Mobile World Congress, and these prototype models show some of the possibilities of in-car infotainment systems that will soon be connected to the Internet via wireless networks.