Tech Biz – The Diplomat

Samsung Galaxy Round: The Dawn of Flexible-Display Smartphones?

Sun, 13 Oct 2013 00:40:09 +0900

From rumors to reality, Samsung has produced the first truly curved handset.

Taobao to Crack Down on Fake Louis Vuitton Goods

Fri, 11 Oct 2013 12:02:42 +0900

The world’s biggest online marketplace is teaming up with the world’s largest luxury brand.

Foxconn Under Fire: Interns Forced to Make PlayStation 4 Consoles

Fri, 11 Oct 2013 10:04:28 +0900

University forced student interns to work, said they wouldn’t graduate otherwise.

Sony Xperia Z1F: A Powerful Android Handset for Smaller Hands

Thu, 10 Oct 2013 11:41:34 +0900

The 4.3-inch Z1 “Mini” may be a Japan-only exclusive.

Samsung Launching Another (Gold) Flip Phone – With High-End Specs

Thu, 10 Oct 2013 07:15:36 +0900

Classy clamshell will sport a Snapdragon 800 CPU and a 13MP camera.

iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2: Rumor Roundup Ahead of October 22 Event

Wed, 09 Oct 2013 07:19:03 +0900

Apple is preparing to release a duo of new iPads – what has changed?

Samsung’s New Camera Promises Better Photos for Future Handsets

Tue, 08 Oct 2013 06:42:08 +0900

13MP shooter offers image stabilization and better low-light performance.

LG Nexus 5 Service Manual Leaks: Full Specs Revealed

Mon, 07 Oct 2013 07:31:24 +0900

New Nexus will sport high-def screen, 8MP OIS camera, Snapdragon 800 CPU.

Apple iPhone 5s vs HTC One

Sun, 06 Oct 2013 22:34:19 +0900

One excels in social interaction and entertainment, the other has the edge in performance.

Samsung HomeSync: An Android-Powered Set-Top Box on Steroids

Fri, 04 Oct 2013 23:02:41 +0900

The South Korean tech giant will release HomeSync on October 6.

LG “Flexes” at Samsung – Designs a Rival Curved-Display Smartphone

Fri, 04 Oct 2013 05:07:24 +0900

Report: Inside sources release a sketch of LG’s G Flex prototype.

Apple Patents Cylindrical Glass Entryway at Shanghai Store

Thu, 03 Oct 2013 13:51:41 +0900

The Cupertino tech giant has already patented the design of their retail shops.

Leaked Image of Logitech’s iPhone Gamepad Surfaces

Thu, 03 Oct 2013 07:00:19 +0900

Tech leak extraordinaire @evleaks posted pictures of the svelte new controller on Twitter.

Taiwanese Animation Company Responds to Viral “I Quit” Video

Wed, 02 Oct 2013 07:07:52 +0900

Snubbed boss of Next Media Animation counters with “We’re hiring” video.

New Xbox Kinect Can Understand Two People Talking at Once

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 22:59:10 +0900

Upgrades to Microsoft’s popular sensor may set it apart from PS4.

DoCoMo Smart Glasses Project Virtual Touch Display, Translate Menus

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 04:49:48 +0900

Japan’s largest mobile carrier takes augmented reality glasses a step further.

Following Gold iPhone 5s Hit, a Gilded iPad Mini 2 Coming Soon?

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 05:44:46 +0900

Leaks point to gold, silver and “Space Gray” iPad Mini 2s by month’s end.

Nexus 7 (2013) vs. Kindle Fire HDX (7 inch)

Fri, 27 Sep 2013 12:14:26 +0900

Two new hi-res tablets made for two kinds of users: Which is for you?

Nissan’s Autonomous Car Cleared for Public Road Testing in Japan

Fri, 27 Sep 2013 05:56:51 +0900

The Japanese government issues its first license for a self-driving vehicle.

Amazon Unveils $139 Kindle Fire HD, Premium Kindle Fire HDX Tablets

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 06:24:20 +0900

The online retailer also introduced a 24-hour virtual help desk called MayDay.

Samsung Will Show Off a Curved-Display Smartphone Next Month

Wed, 25 Sep 2013 12:04:41 +0900

Company executives confirmed the unnamed handset at an event in Seoul.

It Only Costs Apple $199 to Build an iPhone 5s, $173 for 5c

Wed, 25 Sep 2013 04:04:16 +0900

Both new iPhones are cheaper to produce than the competition’s handsets.

Premium Over Plastic: iPhone 5s Outselling 5c More Than 3-to-1

Tue, 24 Sep 2013 06:24:35 +0900

Apple’s iPhone 5s has proven more popular than the 5c, even in China.

iTunes Radio Review: Unsocial Pandora With a Twist of Spotify

Mon, 23 Sep 2013 21:58:37 +0900

iTunes Radio will do nothing to dispel concerns that post-Steve Jobs Apple is struggling to innovate.

In Photos: Tokyo Game Show 2013

Fri, 20 Sep 2013 07:29:00 +0900

Asia’s biggest video game expo returns to Japan, bringing with it next-generation consoles.

Hiroshi Yamauchi, Nintendo’s Video Gaming Pioneer, Dies at 85

Fri, 20 Sep 2013 04:43:33 +0900

Ex-chief was the force behind Nintendo’s transition from playing cards to video games.

Sony Commits to Indie Developers; “Real Name Registration” for PS4 Accounts

Thu, 19 Sep 2013 08:34:44 +0900

The new PlayStation Camera will support voice and facial recognition.

Tokyo Game Show 2013: Sony Expects to Sell 5 Million PS4 Consoles

Thu, 19 Sep 2013 04:52:08 +0900

SCE President: PlayStation 4 is “consumer focused, developer inspired.”

LG G Pad vs. Nexus 7 (2013): Small But Powerful Android Tablets

Wed, 18 Sep 2013 13:14:19 +0900

LG’s upcoming slate will be a worthy challenger to Google’s popular Nexus 7.

iPhone 5s Expected to Sell Out on Launch Day

Wed, 18 Sep 2013 06:27:39 +0900

Limited inventory of the new iPhone 5s will lead to early shortages, with the gold model likely to be first to go.

iTokyo: Do Apple’s Most Die-Hard Fans Shop in Ginza?

Tue, 17 Sep 2013 05:33:00 +0900

Even a typhoon couldn’t stop some of Apple’s most faithful Japanese supporters.

Haswell Chromebooks: More Power and Extended Battery Life

Fri, 13 Sep 2013 13:14:22 +0900

Acer, HP, and Toshiba will offer three new Chrome OS-powered clamshells by year’s end.

New Asus PadFone Infinity: Smartphone-Tablet Hybrid

Fri, 13 Sep 2013 05:06:52 +0900

Refreshed version of the current PadFone Infinity will sport a Snapdragon 800 CPU.

Asus Transformer Book T100: A Laptop-Tablet Hybrid for $349

Thu, 12 Sep 2013 12:03:34 +0900

The T100’s average specs may not impress, but its 11 hour battery life will.

Another iPhone, Another Missed Opportunity to Include NFC

Thu, 12 Sep 2013 05:54:23 +0900

Apple remains the only major smartphone manufacturer to shun the technology.

iPhone 5C and Moto X: Are These “Budget” Handsets Too Expensive?

Wed, 11 Sep 2013 08:29:01 +0900

Both colorful plastic handsets cost more than $500 off contract – far more than predicted.

Apple Unveils iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S at Cupertino HQ

Tue, 10 Sep 2013 18:20:51 +0900

As expected, Apple will offer a plastic model and a gold model with improved specs.

High-Tech Tokyo Taxis Will Sound an Alarm for Left-Behind Luggage

Tue, 10 Sep 2013 14:31:11 +0900

A camera system will alert Tokyo’s taxi passengers about forgotten items before they walk away.

China Mobile to Carry iPhone 5C

Tue, 10 Sep 2013 13:26:15 +0900

A new report says the long-standing dispute between China’s largest carrier and Apple is coming to an end.

Will New iPhone Help Apple Challenge Android’s Dominance?

Tue, 10 Sep 2013 06:07:57 +0900

Android still tops the iOS, but the new iPhones could give Apple a boost.

Sony Japan Press Conference: PS4 Domestic Release, Redesigned Vita, Vita TV

Mon, 09 Sep 2013 08:38:49 +0900

Sony spills the beans on a new set-top box and a thinner, lighter Vita.

Lumia 1520 Leaks: Nokia’s Windows Phone 8-Powered Phablet

Mon, 09 Sep 2013 04:12:19 +0900

Consumers love oversized Android smartphones, but will they fall for Windows?

Panasonic Toughpad 4K: A 20-Inch Tablet with Ultra-HD Display

Sat, 07 Sep 2013 00:57:15 +0900

A new Panasonic slate continues the expensive 4K trend at IFA. It will cost $5900.

New Galaxy Note 10.1 vs. iPad 5: Full-Size Tablet Showdown

Fri, 06 Sep 2013 12:09:35 +0900

Fresh slates from Samsung and Apple will go head-to-head by year’s end.

LG-Made Nexus 5 May Have Appeared in FCC Authorization

Fri, 06 Sep 2013 03:29:50 +0900

Back plate photo aligns with recent Google HQ KitKat video slip-up.

UK to Prosecute Olympus for Fraud

Thu, 05 Sep 2013 23:34:16 +0900

Olympus sees its share price take a tumble as a scandal resurfaces.

Sony’s QX10 and QX100 Lens Cameras: Better than Point-and-Shoot?

Thu, 05 Sep 2013 13:21:24 +0900

Whether using Android or iOS, shutterbugs can snap away with Sony’s attachments.

Galaxy Gear Smartwatch at IFA: Is the Wrist Relevant Again?

Thu, 05 Sep 2013 05:45:07 +0900

Samsung throws down the gauntlet for an upcoming smartwatch showdown.

Google Glass: Dedicated App Store Coming in 2014

Wed, 04 Sep 2013 12:48:29 +0900

Developers may eventually be able to monetize their Google Glass apps.

Android 4.4 KitKat: Google Shocks with Name Change

Wed, 04 Sep 2013 03:53:47 +0900

Passing on “Key Lime Pie,” Android chooses Nestlé’s famous chocolate treat.

Sony Lens Cameras: Full Set of Press Images Leak Just Before IFA

Tue, 03 Sep 2013 22:53:56 +0900

Tech watchers expect Sony to announce two “lens cameras” at IFA on Wednesday.

Acer Liquid S2: The First Smartphone to Shoot 4K Video

Tue, 03 Sep 2013 12:30:18 +0900

The Liquid S2 can take ultra HD video – but will that matter to consumers?

Lenovo CEO to Share $3 Million Bonus With 10,000 Employees

Tue, 03 Sep 2013 03:55:49 +0900

More than 85 percent of the redistributed bonus will go to Chinese workers.

LG G Pad: Officially Announced Ahead of IFA Trade Show

Mon, 02 Sep 2013 12:44:13 +0900

New South Korean slate will hit major markets by the end of the fourth quarter.

Samsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch: Photos Leak Ahead of Launch

Mon, 02 Sep 2013 03:35:14 +0900

Tech analysts expect the Android-powered watch to be released on September 4.

iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2: The Latest News and Rumors

Fri, 30 Aug 2013 12:26:06 +0900

Leaked images of the iPad 5 front, the iPad Mini 2 back, and a mistaken release date.

Pressy: A Physical, Programmable Button for Android Devices

Fri, 30 Aug 2013 05:17:48 +0900

The tiny button, which fits in the headphone jack, has gone viral on Kickstarter.

Android’s VP of Product Management Moves to China’s Xiaomi

Fri, 30 Aug 2013 00:43:33 +0900

Hugo Barra will lead rising smartphone maker Xiaomi’s overseas expansion.

Nintendo 2DS: Made for Kids … and a Pokemon Renaissance

Thu, 29 Aug 2013 12:36:08 +0900

Launching the 2DS on the same day as Pokemon X and Y is no coincidence.

Web Anonymity: Tor Use More Than Doubles Since PRISM Revelations

Thu, 29 Aug 2013 05:15:28 +0900

Users are hoping to hide from the government’s prying eyes.

Kobo: Three New Tablets and an eReader Arriving October 16

Wed, 28 Aug 2013 12:04:32 +0900

New “Reading Mode” will put the emphasis on reading first and apps second.

Nissan: “Affordable” Self-Driving Cars to Hit Market by 2020

Wed, 28 Aug 2013 03:50:14 +0900

Self-driving automobiles could reduce accidents caused by human error.

Nintendo Pulls Zelda Trailer after Wii U Bundle Reveal

Tue, 27 Aug 2013 22:52:51 +0900

Also: 3DS outselling all other gaming hardware in US, Metroid fan flick shut down.

Will NTT DoCoMo Finally Embrace the iPhone?

Tue, 27 Aug 2013 03:36:00 +0900

DoCoMo stock rises after CFO expresses interest in future Apple agreement.

Moto X: Wood Back Plates to Cost $50, Dev Edition Teased

Mon, 26 Aug 2013 13:21:34 +0900

Premium look will get a premium price tag, developer edition coming “in days.”

Steve Ballmer to Retire After $900M Microsoft Surface RT Write-Down

Mon, 26 Aug 2013 04:00:03 +0900

CEO Ballmer will leave Microsoft within 12 months.

Will the Affordable iPhone 5C Make Apple Number One in China?

Fri, 23 Aug 2013 12:43:55 +0900

Analysts predict success for iPhone 5C in China, Apple stock forecasts increase.

Sony Teases Xperia Honami with Twitter Photo Upload

Fri, 23 Aug 2013 03:56:02 +0900

Official announcement seems imminent after power button photo appears online.

Ubuntu Edge Crowd-Funding Campaign Falls Short of $32M Goal

Thu, 22 Aug 2013 21:41:55 +0900

Undeterred, company founder vows to bring Ubuntu Mobile to the masses.

App Store and Google Play Gaming Revenues Crush 3DS, Vita Spending

Thu, 22 Aug 2013 04:25:30 +0900

Consumer spending on iOS and Android games pushes traditional handhelds to third place.

Sony’s Gamescom 2013 Presentation Roundup: PS4, PS3, and PS Vita

Wed, 21 Aug 2013 12:53:23 +0900

Sony reveals PS4 launch dates, PS3 “upgrade program,” and a PS Vita price cut.

LG Announces World’s Highest Resolution Smartphone Screen

Wed, 21 Aug 2013 05:07:36 +0900

LG’s “Quad HD” display panel is also the world’s thinnest and narrowest.

Samsung’s “Galaxy Gear” Smartwatch Set for September 4 Unveil

Tue, 20 Aug 2013 12:01:03 +0900

The South Korean tech giant is in a race with Apple to hit the market first.

China: Full Broadband Coverage by 2020, Gigabit Internet for Major Cities

Tue, 20 Aug 2013 03:37:36 +0900

The “Broadband China” initiative also hopes to attract investors in the domestic IT sector.

7-inch Android Tablets: New Nexus 7 vs. Kindle Fire HD 2

Mon, 19 Aug 2013 13:46:27 +0900

According to leaked benchmarks, Amazon’s Kindle Fire HD 2 could be a Nexus 7 killer.

Gold iPhone? Apple Reportedly Making a “Gilded” iPhone 5S

Mon, 19 Aug 2013 04:09:07 +0900

Leaks, analysts indicate that the iPhone 5S will be offered in gold.

Nexus 5: Will It Be Based on the LG G2?

Fri, 16 Aug 2013 12:52:55 +0900

New rumors claim that the Nexus 5 will be a scaled-down G2.

Samsung Flexible Display Contest: Cash for Ideas, Business Plans

Fri, 16 Aug 2013 04:14:00 +0900

Envisioning the “next big thing” with a flexible screen could win you $10,000.

LG G Pad: An 8.3-Inch Tablet That Can Fit in Your Back Pocket

Thu, 15 Aug 2013 23:53:00 +0900

Sources claim that LG’s new slate will be extremely thin and lightweight.

Flip Phone Flashback: Samsung Unveils Dual-Screen “Hennessy”

Thu, 15 Aug 2013 13:25:52 +0900

The old-school handset will be sold in China, where flip phones remain popular.

Chinese Scientists Are 3D Printing Ears and Livers – With Living Tissue

Thu, 15 Aug 2013 04:34:11 +0900

Specially modified 3D printers use live cells that could theoretically be transplanted.

Haswell Gaming Laptops: Razer Blade Pro vs. MSI GS70

Wed, 14 Aug 2013 14:03:18 +0900

Say goodbye to Alienware-like thickness and weight with these new machines.

Sinking Blackberry Attempts to Sell: Too Late?

Wed, 14 Aug 2013 04:13:02 +0900

With few people buying Blackberry handsets, will anyone buy the company behind them?

Sony “Lens Cameras” Leak, Attached to Rumored Xperia Honami

Tue, 13 Aug 2013 22:20:46 +0900

New peripherals could turn your smartphone into a powerful camera.

North Korea Begins Producing Android-Powered “Hand Phones”

Tue, 13 Aug 2013 12:35:57 +0900

Kim Jong-Un recently toured the Hermit Kingdom’s first smartphone factory.

LG G2: Future PR Events Cancelled After 20 Injured at Handset Giveaway

Tue, 13 Aug 2013 03:46:14 +0900

Participants came armed with BB guns, attempted to shoot coupon-bearing balloons.

Sony Xperia Honami Likely to Boast an S4-Crushing 20MP Camera

Mon, 12 Aug 2013 12:28:47 +0900

Alleged camera sample adds credibility to previously leaked specs and photos.

Save the Date: Sept 10 Rumored for New iPhone Event

Mon, 12 Aug 2013 03:29:23 +0900

Bigger screens and biometric security may be coming to iPhone next month.

Draw-On Portables: Samsung ATIV Q vs. Microsoft Surface Pro

Fri, 09 Aug 2013 12:57:43 +0900

Both of these tablet-laptop hybrids run Windows 8 and accept styluses.

Apple Board Questions Innovation, Lengthy Gap Between New Products

Fri, 09 Aug 2013 03:47:10 +0900

Tim Cook’s leadership called into question as Apple stock, market share plummets.

Apple’s Shrinking Market Share: Android Broadens Mobile Device Lead

Thu, 08 Aug 2013 03:43:51 +0900

Long product cycles are causing a slowdown of iPad, iPhone sales.

Korea’s Electric Buses Bring Wireless Charging to the Streets – Literally

Wed, 07 Aug 2013 12:46:17 +0900

A pair of electric buses in Gumi can recharge by driving over special roads.

Firefox 23: Deeper Social Site Integration and Security Upgrades

Wed, 07 Aug 2013 03:03:48 +0900

An updated version of the popular web browser was released on Tuesday.

LG G2 User Manual Leaks Two Days Before NYC Event

Tue, 06 Aug 2013 13:41:10 +0900

The high-end phablet will have rear buttons; support nano-SIM and microSD.

Apple Initiates iPhone Charger “Takeback Program” Following Electrocutions

Tue, 06 Aug 2013 03:22:33 +0900

Tech giant will accept third-party chargers; provide an official Apple charger for $10.

Microsoft Surface: Pro Price Cut to $799 Follows $900M RT Write-Down

Mon, 05 Aug 2013 13:25:10 +0900

The $100 price cut for the i5-powered slate will run through the end of August.