Samsung pulling away from Apple in smartphone market

It's no secret that Samsung and Apple are battling it out for smartphone dominance. But it appears Samsung is, at least for now, winning the war.
During the first quarter, Samsung shipped 42.2 million smartphones worldwide, earning it 29.1 percent market share, according to a study released today by research firm IDC. Apple, meanwhile, shipped 35.1 million iPhones, helping it to secure 24.2 percent market share.
During the same period last year, Samsung shipped just 11.5 million smartphones, while Apple shipped 18.6 million units.
"The race between Apple and Samsung remained tight during the quarter, even as both companies posted growth in key areas," Ramon Llamas, a senior research analyst with IDC, said today in a statement. "Apple launched its popular iPhone 4S in additional key markets, most notably in China, and Samsung experienced continued success from its Galaxy Note smartphone/tablet and other Galaxy smartphones."

Related stories

• Apple inches past Samsung as world's top smartphone vendor
• Samsung tops Apple in global mobile phone shipments
• CNET's review of the Apple iPhone 4S
• CNET's review of the Samsung Galaxy S II

Interestingly, not all research firms agree on the size of the spread between Samsung shipments and iPhone shipments last quarter. Although Juniper Research today stated that Apple shipped 35.1 million iPhones during the period, the research firm asserted that Samsung actually shipped 46.9 million devices, earning it 33 percent market share.
"While Apple and Samsung have taken it in turns to lead the smartphone market over the last four quarters, it seems as if Samsung may now have established a firm lead in this space, shipping 11.8 million more units than the Cupertino, California company in Q1," Juniper said in a statement today.
Apple and Samsung have become arch enemies in the mobile market. Not only are the companies vying for the top spot in sales, but they're also heavily engaged in a host of lawsuits around the world. The companies' CEOs are expected to hold mediation talks later this month to address their legal issues, but there appears to be no love lost between the parties.
Samsung might have an advantage with smartphone shipment calculations, since it sells many more devices than Apple does. Still, Apple has more iPhones on store shelves than ever, offering the iPhone 3GS for free, the iPhone 4 for $100, and the iPhone 4S for as little as $200 with two-year contracts.
But as IDC points out, the smartphone market is about more than just Samsung and Apple. It's just too bad consumers don't see it that way.
During the first quarter, Nokia saw its shipments plummet 50.8 percent year over year to 11.9 million units. Research In Motion's BlackBerry device shipments fell 29.7 percent, while HTC was down 23.3 percent. Combined, the three companies could not match either Samsung's or Apple's market share.
For the smartphone market as a whole, however, things are looking up. During the first quarter of 2011, 101.7 million smartphones hit store shelves, according to IDC. A year later, that figure soared to 144.9 million units.

Apple, U.K. regulator continue their '4G' dance

The U.K.'s advertising regulator continues to battle with Apple over its claims that the iPad 3 is 4G-capable.

A letter seen by the BBC suggests the U.K.'s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is willing to "close the file" on its investigation should Apple agree to amend its claims that U.K. customers can access the 4G network.

Two problems: first, Apple appears to be standing its ground, causing further headaches for the regulator, despite the iPad 3's inability to connect to any 4G network outside the U.S. and Canada.

And second, the U.K. doesn't even have a commercial 4G network yet.

It comes a month after the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) took Apple to court over similar claims, after the maker of shiny rectangles sold the device in the country knowing full well it wouldn't connect to its 4G networks -- while still advertising the tablet as a 4G-capable device.

The ASA warned that it was "aware of the news from Australia" and asked consumers to file a complaint. In just over a month, the regulator has received "dozens of complaints" over lack of 4G connectivity.
Related stories

    * Apple, Australia can't agree on iPad 4G issue
    * Apple's Down Under logic: Here's how 3G = 4G for the iPad
    * CNET review: Apple's new iPad

The regulator suggested Apple should remove any mentions of "4G" on its U.K. Web site, saying this would resolve the dispute. Apple said it would make "no further reference" to 4G, and would amend its advertising. The technology giant even edited a video to remove any references to the next-generation mobile broadband service, which has yet to get off the ground in the U.K.

And it did, but only to a degree. It still markets the iPad 3's "Wi-Fi + 4G" model which lies at the heart of the ASA's argument. Herein lies the problem.

Apple doesn't want to market the new iPad as anything other than a 4G tablet.

Apple said it adds footnotes to its pages for clarity. The first footnote on the U.K. store page says: "4G LTE is supported only on AT&T and Verizon networks in the U.S., and on Bell, Rogers and Telus networks in Canada. See your carrier for details," but makes an effort to bury the news further down the page rather at the stage where the user selects an iPad model for purchase.

In Australia, Apple is trying to change the term "3G" into "4G" to circumvent the complaints. Terms like 2G, 3G, and 4G are not industry-defined, and speeds can vary.

But because U.K. consumers "know" what 3G speeds are and have been used to such speeds for over a decade, Apple will have a hard time convincing the regulators and the British public -- just so it can keep its advertisements intact.

Apple declined to comment.

iTunes users griping about Apple's security questions

(Credit: Apple)

A handful of iTunes users aren't too happy about the security questions being thrown at them to verify their accounts.

Apple recently ramped up stricter security measures for iTunes and iOS users in an attempt to prevent accounts from being abused or compromised. Beyond just entering a password, some users are now being asked to choose three security questions and a backup e-mail address when they try to download content.

But it's the selection of questions themselves that appear to be upsetting some of the Apple faithful, according to The Register.

Users are being asked to choose from a tight list of questions, including:

    * "What was the first car you owned?"
    * "Who was your first teacher?"
    * "Who was your best childhood friend?"
    * "In which city were you first kissed?"

Some people chiming in on Apple Support Communities say the answers to certain questions are too easy to figure out or are public knowledge. Others are saying they don't even know the answers to certain questions. A few have suggested that Apple let users choose their own questions. And some are upset that there was no advance warning of this added security measure.

"The questions are not secure, some are public knowledge and some I don't even know the answer to myself," one user wrote, "so I would have to fake an answer, which then I won't remember."

Another person complained that "someone certainly didn't put much thought into creating the questions or ability for users to be able to find a question they really could answer."

And a third apparently young user said that "these questions are ridiculous, and impossible for me to answer. I haven't had a job, a car, or my first kiss yet, making it impossible for me to answer three of the five questions. Now I can't download anything from iTunes."

The security questions appear to be directed at users who may have raised a red flag for one reason or another. Picking the questions themselves is a one-time task. But after you've chosen your three questions and answers, you may at some point have to remember and enter the answers to again verify your account.

I recently received this added security and did have a difficult time choosing the security questions. Some of them I couldn't answer, and others struck me as odd or too easy for someone else to guess.
Related stories

    * Apple ratchets up App Store security
    * iTunes customers reportedly under threat from digital thieves

Apple certainly can't be faulted for wanting to ratchet up security. The accounts of iTunes users have increasingly been compromised and victimized by phishing attacks.

Apple has little choice but to step in and make things tougher for the bad guys, even if it inconveniences some of its users.

But perhaps a better choice of questions would make the medicine go down a little bit easier.

Get a Creative D80 Bluetooth speaker for $29.99

Once upon a time, I thought Bluetooth was a useless technology that would never catch on.

Turns out it's awesome for one thing: sending audio from your smartphone to a speaker. For instance, my car has a Bluetooth-capable stereo, and I revel in being able to beam podcasts, playlists, and Pandora from my iPhone -- no wires required.

I'm also a huge fan of Bluetooth speakers, which let you bring music just about anywhere -- the den, the bathroom, the garage, the patio -- without a bunch of extra gear.

All you need is your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or similar device -- anything that supports A2DP, the Bluetooth protocol that allows for the transmission of stereo audio. Most modern gadgets do (notable exceptions being the Kindle Fire and Nook Color/Tablet).

If you've been wanting to dip a toe into the Bluetooth-speaker waters without spending a lot, today's deal is for you. While supplies last, TigerDirect has the Creative Labs D80 Bluetooth speaker for $29.99 shipped. That's after applying coupon code SAA60388 at checkout.

Normally priced at $49.99, the D80 is the low-end model in Creative's Bluetooth speaker lineup. The only difference between it and the pricier D100? The latter can run on batteries, meaning it's a lot more portable. The D80 requires an AC outlet.

That's not a huge deal if you're primarily planning to use it around the house. And if you check the 30 or so user reviews, which average out to 4.1 stars, you'll see that most buyers couldn't care less about that. They liked the D80's sound quality, ease of use, and versatility.

I have a sneaking suspicion that these will sell out quickly, so if you're looking for a good Mother's Day gift or you just want to see what all the Bluetooth-speaker fuss is about, grab this quick.

Bonus deal: I'm not above a little nepotism when the deal is this good. While supplies last, CNET has an exclusive offer from RapidBuyr.com: an iPhone survival kit for $15 shipped. The bundle includes a car charger, AC adapter, sync/charge cable, and extra set of earbuds. Great gift item for Mom...or just a handy batch of spare accessories for you.

Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers.

Curious about what exactly The Cheapskate does and how it works? Read our FAQ.

# No new devices, but RIM talks up its virtual BlackBerry keypad

ORLANDO, Fla. -- BlackBerry maker Research In Motion officially took the wraps off its new BlackBerry 10 software here at the company's annual meeting with customers, developers, and press. And it showed off some key new features, including an improved virtual keypad with added smarts for easier and more accurate typing.

BlackBerry 10 reference device
(Credit: RIM)

Today, at its BlackBerry World confab, CEO Thorsten Heins took the stage to officially introduce its BlackBerry 10 software to developers. The software, which has been in closed tests with a select group of developers for months, will now be available to all developers. To help spur developer interest and adoption of the new platform, RIM is also giving away prototype smartphones that run the new software to developers registered for the show.

As expected, RIM didn't showcase any new hardware here at the conference. The company says it will introduced new devices running the BlackBerry 10 OS in the latter part of 2012. But some rumors suggest the company may have new devices on the market as early as August. Company executives have been tight-lipped about the specifics of these new devices, but here at the show they've hinted that the first devices will likely come with virtual keyboards instead of the physical QWERTY keypads that many loyal BlackBerry fans have come to know and love.

RIM has been careful to point out that these reference devices will never be sold commercially. They are only for developers to test new applications using the new software. But executives believe that seeding the market now with devices loaded with the BlackBerry 10 software will ensure that there is a robust market of apps for its new BlackBerry smartphones when these devices are released later this year.

While some BlackBerry fans may be disappointed to learn that RIM may ditch the physical keyboard in some new models, Alec Saunders, vice president of developer relations for RIM, insisted in a meeting before the launch of the software that BlackBerry users have nothing to fear. The new virtual keyboard is much improved in BlackBerry 10, he boasted, saying it's unlike any other such virtual keyboard offered by its competitors.

"We don't even call it a virtual keyboard," he said. "It's simply the next substantiation of our keyboard technology. It draws on what's core to our DNA as a company. And that's about making the BlackBerry a communication and productivity device."

Saunders claims that consumers are frustrated by the experience that's offered on the iPhone and Google Android devices when it comes to tapping out messages, whether they be text messages, emails or updates to Facebook or Twitter. The new BlackBerry 10 software, which was highlighted at the morning keynote event offers smartphones subscribers an alternative.
Related stories

    * New BlackBerry phones a no-show at BlackBerry World
    * BlackBerry 10 devices set for August unveiling?
    * RIM taps law firm to help with restructuring

Like other virtual keyboards, the one offered by BlackBerry 10 is intelligent, and it can learn a user's patterns so that it knows which words to suggest. But the BlackBerry 10 virtual keyboard goes beyond simply learning which words people use more often. It actually learns how users tap the screen. And it adjusts how it renders certain letters based on someone's typing patterns.

For example, if someone mistakenly taps the "R" everytime he means to type an "E," the software shifts its rendering slightly to the right toward the "R" so that "E" is registered instead of the mistaken "R."

Another helpful trick that's built into the new BlackBerry 10 software keyboard is that when it's predicting possible words a user might be typing it displays those words over certain letters. And the user can simply flick the word with his finger in an upward motion to send it into the display.

RIM has also aimed to ensure that heavy-duty BlackBerry users can tap out messages on this virtual keypad as quickly and effortlessly as they can with the physical keyboard. As part of that challenge, the company reduced the latency in displaying the letters to nearly zero. This allows people to quickly tap one letter right after another as they bang out messages.

RIM execs say there are plenty of other enhancements to the new BlackBerry 10 software. So stay tuned for updates to this story with more information about the highlighted features and functionality from the BlackBerry World opening session.

Akamai: U.S. Web speeds fast, but not blazing like South Korea's

A look at average Web connection speeds around the world. The lighter the color, the faster.
(Credit: Akamai)

We all want faster Web connections. But those connecting to the Web in South Korea are actually getting what they want, according to the latest State of the Internet report from Akamai.

According to the network solutions provider, South Korea is putting most other countries to shame with average Web connection speeds of about 16Mbps. The U.S., on the other hand, offers average connection speeds of 5.8Mbps, putting it behind a host of countries, including Japan, Romania, and Switzerland, among others.

Akamai also found that cities in the Asia Pacific region are far more likely to have fast Web connection speeds, with 61 cities in Japan featured in the list of fastest connections for cities.
Related stories

    * Former Akamai exec 'will not be' Yahoo CEO
    * Apple.com down after iPhone announcement
    * Akamai says it can defend against Anon attacks
    * Report: Netflix sidelines Akamai in favor of rivals
    * Akamai employee charged with wire fraud

Akamai releases its State of the Internet report each year. The company's findings this year are based on fourth-quarter data it collected from its worldwide network. According to a "Facts & Figures" page on its Web site, 15 percent to 30 percent of all Web traffic is delivered through Akamai's service, and the company delivers over 2 trillion daily Internet interactions. So, while it might not be able to speak for the entire Internet, its reach is extensive and its data can be relied upon.

Moving away from connection speeds, Akamai reported that it cataloged over 628 million unique IP addresses from 236 countries during the fourth quarter, representing a 2.1 percent gain over the third quarter of 2011. Web penetration was up 13 percent compared to the same quarter in 2010.

Still, few people have access nowadays to high broadband speeds. In fact, Akamai found that just 27 percent of all connections it tallied came from speeds of 5Mbps or higher. On the mobile-connections side, it saw a spread of between 5Mbps and 163kbps, but found that the vast majority of mobile connections averaged speeds of 1Mbps.

One other important note from Akamai's study: average peak connection speeds are up 55 percent in Africa and 238 percent in South America over the last four years.

# 'Avengers' accidentally deleted at press screening

(Credit: Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET)

It wasn't the evil god Loki who defeated the Avengers last week; it was the slippery fingers of a projectionist.

The new film ran into a slight glitch at a recent press screening, according to The Verge. The digital file of the movie being readied for the press was accidentally deleted by the projectionist. Though one would hope certain safeguards would be in place to prevent such a hiccup, apparently deleting a digital copy of a film is no different than deleting any other type of file.

No word on why the file couldn't be recovered (probably too large) or why there was no backup. But the press had to wait more than two hours for the film to be downloaded again.

Film critic Eric Kohn tweeted about the incident, while another critic Lisa Schwarzbaum confirmed the more than two-hour wait for a fresh digital copy to be downloaded.

Written and directed by Joss Whedon, "The Avengers" teams up famed Marvel heroes Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, the Hulk, the Black Widow, and Hawkeye as they battle the forces of Thor's evil half-brother Loki. The film, which has already drawn rave reviews overseas, will hit theatres in the U.S. this Friday, where hopefully the projectionists will keep their fingers away from the delete key.

# 'Avengers' accidentally deleted at press screening

(Credit: Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET)

It wasn't the evil god Loki who defeated the Avengers last week; it was the slippery fingers of a projectionist.

The new film ran into a slight glitch at a recent press screening, according to The Verge. The digital file of the movie being readied for the press was accidentally deleted by the projectionist. Though one would hope certain safeguards would be in place to prevent such a hiccup, apparently deleting a digital copy of a film is no different than deleting any other type of file.

No word on why the file couldn't be recovered (probably too large) or why there was no backup. But the press had to wait more than two hours for the film to be downloaded again.

Film critic Eric Kohn tweeted about the incident, while another critic Lisa Schwarzbaum confirmed the more than two-hour wait for a fresh digital copy to be downloaded.

Written and directed by Joss Whedon, "The Avengers" teams up famed Marvel heroes Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, the Hulk, the Black Widow, and Hawkeye as they battle the forces of Thor's evil half-brother Loki. The film, which has already drawn rave reviews overseas, will hit theatres in the U.S. this Friday, where hopefully the projectionists will keep their fingers away from the delete key.

Hands on with the BlackBerry 10 keyboard and Dev Alpha phone Read more: http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-57424560-85/hands-on-with-the-blackberry-10-keyboard-and-dev-alpha-phone/#ixzz1tcqQaBi0

Heaven knows RIM has taken a quite a beating these last few years. Here at BlackBerry World 2012 in Orlando, a gathering of the RIM faithful, the company says it's on the mend and wil


Meet the BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha
If you've lost hope that RIM smartphones running the promised BlackBerry 10 operating system would ever happen, you're not alone. That's why I was pleasantly surprised when the company showed off its newly-minted reference gadget, the BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha. Of course seeing the gizmo for the first time didn't give me as much of a thrill as say a real device slated for actual production. That's right, the Dev Alpha is as its name suggests merely tool for developers to test their fledgling BlackBerry 10 OS app creations.

Despite its official pedigree, the Dev Alpha handset I saw was running the BlackBerry PlayBook OS and not BB 10. In fact, RIM representatives I met with explained that none of the Dev Alpha units attendees of BlackBerry Jam (a sister developer-only event also happening at BB World 2012) will take home will run the anticipated OS.

That's a shame because the BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha's hardware looks and feels premium. When I held it in my hand I was struck with its solid -- even, dare I say, expensive -- feel. With blunt rectangular edges, the handheld sports an aesthetic akin to the PlayBook tablet. You'll even find a similar black rubberized material coating the phone's sides and back. Also like the PlayBook, the Dev Alpha features a micro USB port and HDMI out as primary connections.

RIM confided that the BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha uses a 4.2-inch, 1280 by 768 resolution screen which looked sharp and colorful enough but not absolutely vibrant. One big departure from current BlackBerry products is the lack of real physical keys.

Do it don't say it
Hardware aside, the slickest aspect of the Dev Alpha device was a prototype of its keyboard software. Now I've used many virtual keyboards in my day, from multiple versions of stock Android, the iPhone, Windows Phone, to ones created by Samsung and HTC. I've even messed with compelling 3rd party options like Thumb and SwiftKey. I have to say though, the prototype RIM cooked up is pretty sweet. Sadly RIM didn't allow any photos or video of the keyboard, so I'll paint you a picture.

At first glance it doesn't look like much, just a standard layout with not many options for dual-functions. When you start typing, though -- that's when the magic happens. Each letter you tap will cause the phone to display suggested words above the letter it thinks you're most likely to type next. I tried my hand at banging out a few messages and I often found myself staring right at the word sitting on the tip of my tongue. It's honestly an uncanny feeling, almost as if the device was reading my mind.

Also nice is how you can flick suggested words up to the text field, sort of like a reverse Tetris game but your reward as I experienced first hand is swift sentence building. If you make a mistake, just swipe your finger horizontally across the keyboard to make quick deletions.

What's more, the RIM explained that the keyboard is designed to learn how you specifically punch keys, where exactly you tend to place your fingers etc, and will adjust itself to you over time "like a glove".

RIM Execs made it clear this approach is symbolic of the BlackBerry culture of getting things done and not merely talking or reading about it on the Internet. Of course if RIM doesn't ship these BB 10 products soon -- well, let's just say that will speak volumes as to who's doing and who's just talking.

Contour launches activity-specific camera mount kits

(Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET)

0x404.jpg" width="320" />

One of the draws of HD sports cameras like the ContourHD series (or the GoPro HD Hero) is that they feature a wide variety of mounting options, making them useful in a wide variety of activities. However, purchasing all of the available mounting accessories can get expensive, which is why Contour has announced a series of activity-themed mounting kits that bundle specific mounting accessories at a 10 to 20 percent discount over buying the bits separately. Elastic band mount

This flexible strap mount allows the Contour camera to wrapped around a roll cage or handlebars.
(Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET)
rail mount

Any Contour camera can be attached to the suction cup mount using the rail adapter.
(Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET)

The Moto mount kit that Car Tech fans are no doubt most interested in sells for $99.99 and features a rotating surface mount, two adhesive low profile mounts, a suction cup mount, and a flexible strap mount. This kit gives automotive and motorsports enthusiasts multiple options for attaching their Contour camera to a windshield, sheet metal, a helmet, or roll cage. We got our hands on the Moto mount kit--which you can see in the photos above and below--and found that it also includes a nice bonus feature: an adapter that allows the suction cup mount to be used with any camera that accepts a tripod screw.

The Snow mount kit also features low profile mounts and a rotating surface mount, but swaps in a pole mount and a Goggle mount, both of which should be useful to skiers, snowboarders, and snowshoers. This kit goes for $69.99.

A kit targeted at bicyclists includes a vented helmet mount, a flexible strap mount, a bar mount, and, of course, a pair of low profile mounts for $69.99.

A general Outdoor mount kit features a headband mount, hat mount, and the flex strap mount. Finally, a Helmet mount kit features a pair of low profile mounts, a rotating flat surface mount with a pair of extra adhesive patches, and a vented helmet mount. These kits go for $49.99 each.

Each of these kits is compatible with the ContourHD, the Contour GPS, ContourROAM, and Contour+ HD cameras and comes packaged with a weatherproof bag for carrying all of those mounting bits and the Contour camera to the track, up the mountain, out to sea, or wherever you plan to capture the action. You can find each of these kits on Contour's web store. The rail mount can be removed from the suction cup and replaced with this threaded head.
(Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET)
weatherproof bag

All of the mounting accessories can be toted around in the included weatherproof bag.
(Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET)

Contour's "one more thing" is the announcement of a ContourROAM Watersports Kit, which bundles a surfboard mount, a ContourROAM HD video camera, and a buoyant and waterproof case that keeps that camera dry up to a depth of 60 meters. Users will be able to pick up this all-in-one wet recording kit for $249.99. The Contour Watersports Kit includes a camera, a waterproof case, and a surfboard mount.
(Credit: Contour)