Almost Nobody Is Using The Latest Version Of Android (GOOG)

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/android-lollipop-adoption-is-abysmal-2015-1

Almost nobody is using Google’s latest and most ambitious update to its Android operating system. Based on the company’s latest numbers charted for us by BI Intelligence, less than 0.1% of all Android devices are running the latest version, called Lollipop. It doesn't even appear on the chart, because we don't show distributions with less than 0.1% adoption.

Most Android users are still on Android Jelly Bean (46% of devices), followed by KitKat (39.1%), the most recent version of Android that came out before Lollipop. Android suffers from a ton of "fragmentation" — that is, many different versions of the software out at the same time — because Google gives third parties like hardware makers and carriers lots of leeway on what they can do with the platform. It’s difficult to roll out new updates since each new software edition must pass through so many different channels before it reaches the end user. Unfortunately, this makes it hard for developers trying to build Android apps — which version do they build for?

SEE ALSO: Mobile Shopping Grew Like Crazy Last Year

Join the conversation about this story »

Read More...

Summary only...

This Tabletop Gadget Steers Light with a Wall of Sound

Source: http://gizmodo.com/this-gadget-steers-light-with-sound-1677843443

Our collective Holodeck-Danger Room fantasies are one step closer to reality thanks to a new acousto-optic device described in the latest issue of the journal Optics Express. It can manipulate laser beams in near real time using nothing but sound waves.

Read more...

Read More...

Summary only...

Samsung's latest SSD is absurdly fast and uses virtually no standby power

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/08/samsung-sm941-pcie-ssd/

Samsung has started manufacturing a PCIe (M.2) SSD that pulls off a rare trick -- it'll be the fastest drive your laptop has ever seen, while consuming almost no power in standby mode. The new SM951 SSD succeeds the Korean company's XP941, a drive that can already read data at a mind-melting 1.4 gigabytes per second (GB/s) clip. On newer laptops or desktops, its successor will shame that with 2.15 GB/s read and 1.55 GB/s write speeds (on PCIe Gen 3 tech) using new 10-nanometer-class MLC flash tech. It also sips 50 percent less power and only consumes a negligible two milliwatts in standby mode. The SSDs will come in 128, 256 and 512GB sizes, but only to major laptop and workstation manufacturers to start with. If it follows the XP941's footsteps, however, you'll be able to supercharge your own laptop later on.

Filed under: Storage, Samsung

Comments

Via: The Register

Source: Samsung

Read More...

Summary only...

Sony's new 4K projectors: choose between 'cheap' or lasers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/07/sonys-new-4k-projectors-choose-between-cheap-or-lasers/

Sure we can spend all day at CES checking out ridiculously large UHD TVs, but if you want to max out your home theater then a projector is the only way to go. Luckily, Sony has two fresh choices here at CES 2015 if you can afford them. First up is its VPL-VW350ES, which qualifies as the value option by bringing its 4K capabilities for under $10,000 -- hardly cheap, but until now the cheapest option has been the $15,000 VPL-VW600ES. On the opposite end of the spectrum is the laser-powered VPL-GTZ1. We saw it last year as a part of the Life Space UX concept, but for the last few months, New York's well-heeled customers have been able to pick one up for just $50,000. Naturally, Sony brought two of them to CES, showing off their "ultra short-throw ability" to beam a 4K image on a wall from just a few inches away. Perhaps the perfect choice for someone with more money than space, we will sadly have to pass on taking either one home, for now.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Sony

Comments

Source: Sony

Read More...

Summary only...

Stock Market Returns In Years Ending In 5

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/stock-market-returns-in-years-ending-in-5-2015-1

From MKM Partners' Jonathan Krinsky: "There are likely different explanations for this, and while the results span 130 years, the actual number of samples is quite small. With that said, the results are quite remarkable. Since 1885, there have been 13 years ending in “five.” The Dow Jones Industrial Average has been up 12 of 13 times, for an average return of over 28%. Only 2005 closed down, and it was a modest -0.61%. The SPX was up 3% in 2005. As you can see below, the average returns for the DJIA in years ending in five are 4x the average year. Of course we would never recommend an investment strategy based solely on this phenomenon, but it certainly doesn’t hurt the bull case."

Join the conversation about this story »

Read More...

Summary only...