Survey: Most smartphone users aren't pleased with their wireless carrier and are ready to switch

Survey: Most smartphone users aren't pleased with their wireless carrier and are ready to switch

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According to a survey conducted by Accenture, the majority of smartphone users are not pleased with their wireless carrier, and are ready to switch. A few years ago, consumers didn't know what they should expect from a wireless provider. But with the number of global consumers sporting a smart device rising from 26% in 2012 to 80% currently, most consumers now know exactly what they should be getting from a wireless carrier. As a result, the survey shows that 60% of those surveyed are not happy "with their connectivity," and are ready to switch.

Other results of the survey reveal that 62% have concerns about the security of their financial transactions. Not surprisingly, a whopping 83% are not happy about ads ruining their mobile experience. It seems hard to believe, but only 47% are concerned with privacy and security on their wireless device.

With smartphone sales growth expected to register a figure under double digits this year, the survey revealed that in 2015 only 13% were planning on buying a new smartphone, tablet, laptop or PC over the coming 12 months. That was a 60% decline from the 33% that were planning on making such a purchase during 2015. 41% of those buying a new phone this year are doing so in order to snag the "newest and most innovative features."

Here is the challenge for carriers in the years ahead. 71% of those surveyed said that they would pay a carrier higher rates for better connectivity. Some might argue that this is Verizon's business plan in the U.S. This shows why Verizon continues to grow despite being one of the costliest wireless providers in the states (if not THE highest priced carrier). And 83% stated that they would buy more products and services from carriers if they could speed up the pace of problem resolution.

Other results of the survey show that 81% are watching online movies, and 69% are playing online games. And Good news for Apple, Samsung, Google and LG. 50% are already using a mobile payment service.

Accenture survey reveals that the majority of consumers are ready to switch to another mobile operator

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source: Accenture

Deal: Unlocked Microsoft Lumia 950 now available for $499.99

Deal: Unlocked Microsoft Lumia 950 now available for $499.99

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Originally released in November, the Microsoft Lumia 950 can be bought in the US via AT&T, as well as unlocked from Microsoft and various retailers. If you want to get the handset unlocked, we're happy to inform you that B&H Photo is now selling it for $499.99. That's $49 off the original price of $549 (which is still in place at Microsoft Store) - not a huge discount, we know, but still a deal that you may want to consider if you're in need of a high-end Windows 10 phone that's not as big as theLumia 950 XL.

With its 5.2-inch Quad HD display, the Microsoft Lumia 950 is about as large as most flagship smartphones of today. The handset is among the first to receive the latest Windows 10 updates (directly from Microsoft), so you will have the newest software on it for a couple of years. Besides the sharp 5.2-inch screen and Windows 10 (with support for Microsoft Continuum), the highlight features of the Lumia 950 include an iris scanner, a 20 MP PureView rear camera, 3 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of expandable storage space. For a detailed look at the handset, check out our Microsoft Lumia 950 review.

Update: an unlocked Lumia 950 XL currently costs $529.99 at B&H.

Microsoft Lumia 950

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Cortana celebrates her second birthday as a personal assistant by adding new features

Cortana celebrates her second birthday as a personal assistant by adding new features

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Blow out the candles on the cake, Cortana is now two-years old. Microsoft's virtual voice-activated personal assistant was introduced on April 2nd, 2014 at the BUILD developer conference. Cortana first appeared on Windows Phone 8.1, handling search requests and certain operations via voice. Since then, she has branched out to Windows 10, Android and iOS, and can now handle cross-platform tasks.

Recently, it was announced that Cortana will be able to keepAndroid users up-to-date about their notifications across various devices. The personal assistant will also help you to send texts from your PC. Other new features include the Cortana Collection, which will appear in the Windows Store. This is a series of apps recommended by the virtual personal assistant. In addition, Cortana will now make suggestions during the course of a day. She will offer to phone in a lunch order for you, or arrange a cab or other form of transportation.

While testing alongside Siri and Google Now usually results in a third-place finish for Cortana, the other two virtual personal assistants are much older and more mature than she is. It is usually considered bad form to broadcast a woman's age, but in this case we don't think that Cortana will mind. And thanks to the iOS and Android apps, and her inclusion on Windows 10 PCs, it appears that Cortana will be around for some time to come regardless of what happens to Microsoft's smartphone business.

source: MSPoweruser

One Drive for iOS receives update; save multiple pictures and videos with one tap

One Drive for iOS receives update; save multiple pictures and videos with one tap

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Microsoft's cloud storage system OneDrive has updated its app for iOS to version 6.13.1. With the update, users can now save multiple photos and videos from their camera roll, using one click. Select the files that you want to store in the cloud, tap share, and you will be given the option to "Save Photos and Videos."

The update also exterminated a bug that played havoc with the VoiceOver and album features. Microsoft also points out that if you're having sync issues, or any issues with the app, all you need to do is shake your phone and a request will be sent to Microsoft engineers to investigate the problem(s).

OneDrive is a freemium app, which means that it is free to download and install, but there are optional in-app purchases you can make to enhance the OneDrive experience on your iPhone or iPad. For example, you can purchase 100GB of cloud storage for $27.99.

To install OneDrive for iOS on your iDevice, click on the sourcelink.

OneDrive cloud storage for iOS receives update

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source: OneDrive (iOS|Android|Windows) via MSPoweruser

How to quickly access display settings on Android Marshmallow and Lollipop phones

How to quickly access display settings on Android Marshmallow and Lollipop phones

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Everyone (probably) knows how to access their Android phone's display settings - and we're not talking just about the brightness slider here. But what if you want to have access to these settings the fastest way possible? Well, if you own a device running Android Lollipop or Marshmallow, you can place a shortcut on your home screen to help you in this regard. With this shortcut that we're talking about, you'll always be able to access display settings (including enabling or disabling adaptive brightness, changing font size from small to huge, adjust screen sleep time, and so on) right from your home screen. Thus, you'll no longer need to access your phone's main Settings menu in order to reach the Display sub-menu.

Spotify stops support for Windows Phone app

Spotify stops support for Windows Phone app

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The update that Spotify sent out for its Windows Phone app in February 2015 will be that app's final update. The music streamer has decided that it no longer is worth it to add the newest features for the small number of Windows Phone users. Yes, that hardy bunch will still have access to the app, but it will continue to fall behind the capabilities of the iOS and Android versions of Spotify.

Take $100 off both Core i5 powered Surface Pro 4 models via the Microsoft Store

Take $100 off both Core i5 powered Surface Pro 4 models via the Microsoft Store

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Take $100 off both Core i5 powered Surface Pro 4 models via the Microsoft Store

Looking to pick up the Surface Pro 4 tablet at a discount? Then you should check out the Microsoft Store which is running a sale on certain models of the device. From now until March 26th, you can save $100 on the versions of the Surface Pro 4 that feature the Intel Core i5 processor under the hood. There are two such models.

Microsoft polishes its plans to nix Windows Phone app gap, Android apps may be part of solution

Microsoft polishes its plans to nix Windows Phone app gap, Android apps may be part of solution

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Windows Phone has made a lot of progress in just a couple short years, with much thanks to Nokia’s embracing of the platform and working in its hardware finesse to make the Lumia series and extremely capable smartphone, no matter if it is an entry level Lumia 520 or a banner waving Lumia 930.

Microsoft could add firmware to the Windows Phone Developer Preview

Microsoft could add firmware to the Windows Phone Developer Preview

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As a way to bypass slow moving carriers (Verizon, is that you?), Microsoft offers the Windows Phone Developer Preview program. While the "wink, wink" reason for its existence is to give developers a heads up on the next update of Windows Phone, it is also used by non-developers to get access to the next build of Microsoft's mobile OS before an actual OTA update is pushed out by a carrier.

Telstra testing in-flight LTE service

Telstra testing in-flight LTE service

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A few years ago, Qantas airlines conducted some trials with in-flight internet access for flights over Australia, but has pretty much abandoned offering the service due to lack of usage. In-flight Wi-Fi is offered on some international flights, but the experience is not what one would call consistent.

Windows Phone will get a proper file manager

Windows Phone will get a proper file manager

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 Joe Belfiore, Microsoft’s VP of Windows and User Experience held his “Ask Me Anything” on Reddit today. There was a very active flow of information, but one item in particular stuck out about imminent plans for Windows Phone 8.1, and that was the deployment of a full file manager for the mobile platform.

مايكروسوفت تعمل على هاتف Lumia Superman يساعد على التقاط صور سيلفي

مايكروسوفت تعمل على هاتف Lumia Superman يساعد على التقاط صور سيلفي

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كشفت مصادر موقع The Verge بإن هناك هاتف قادم بإسم سوبر مان من مايكروسوفت .. وبحسب المصدر فإن مايكروسوفت سوف تركز في هذا الهاتف على مصطلح سيلفي الذي انتشر بصورة كبيرة مؤخراً حيث سيحمل هاتف Lumia Superman كاميرا أمامية بدقة 5 MP للمساعدة على زيادة جودة اصور الكاميرا الأمامية .. كما أن هناك شاشة بحجم 4.7 انش وسيعمل الهاتف بنظام ويندوز فون 8.1 الجديد دون كشف أي تفاصيل أخرى .

PNC Bank decides against a Windows Phone app

PNC Bank decides against a Windows Phone app

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Pittsburgh based PNC is one of the largest banks in the U.S. As such, it happens to have an iOS, Android, BlackBerry and even a Windows Mobile app. But when it comes to Windows Phone, the bank looks the same way at the platform as it would a counterfeit $100 bill. That's despite word last July that the financial institution was working on an app for Windows Phone that was scheduled to launch last September.

Accessories for a Microsoft Surface Mini up for sale on Amazon

Accessories for a Microsoft Surface Mini up for sale on Amazon

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The Microsoft Surface Mini tablet has been in the rumor mill for a while now, but we have learned very little about the purported tablet. It might have a 7-inch or 8-inch display, it might have a kick-stand, or it might not.

IE11 on Windows Phone 8.1 allows users to watch videos on the mobile YouTube site

IE11 on Windows Phone 8.1 allows users to watch videos on the mobile YouTube site

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 YouTube and Windows Phone have a history like, well, the Hatfields and McCoys. Every time Microsoft has tried to add a YouTube client for the platform, along came Google to block it. And while the Windows Phone Store is loaded with third party YouTube players, there is some good news on the YouTube front, thanks to the update to Windows Phone 8.1.

U.S. manufacturer BLU enters the Windows Phone market

U.S. manufacturer BLU enters the Windows Phone market

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BLU is known as a low priced manufacturer of Android powered handsets. But with Microsoft seeking to widen the availability of low priced Windows Phone models, BLU is tossing its hat into the Windows Phone market after claiming sales of 10 million Android flavored phones. Friday, on its Facebook page. the Florida based manufacturer teased its new Windows Phone by posting a picture of it with the caption, "Sneak peek... What's this I see, that's different from the others?"

Microsoft to send out update to fix 80188309

Microsoft to send out update to fix 80188309

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Microsoft has admitted that there is a problem that is preventing some Windows Phone 8 users from updating to the Windows Phone 8.1 Developer Preview. While the update does download on the handset, it won't open and cites error 80188309 as the reason. Some Windows Phone 8 owners are stating that they faced the same issue when the GDR3 update was first pushed out, and that the update will have to be fixed for certain models. 

شركات الهاتف تتبنى تقنيات لحماية الهاتف من السرقة

شركات الهاتف تتبنى تقنيات لحماية الهاتف من السرقة

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بدأ من العام 2015  وتحديدا في شهر يوليو كافة الهواتف المحمولة من سامسونج وأبل و HTC ومايكروسوفت وقوقل و واوي و نوكيا وموتورولا وكافة شركات الأتصالات سيستخدمون تقنية عالية لمالك الهاتف المحمول الذكيّ من التحكم بهاتقه ومسح كافة المعلومات بحيث لاتصل إلى اللصّ وستكون هذه التقنية أو الخاصية متواجدة بشكل أساسي ومفعلة بشكل تلقائي وليست خيارية

.[CTIA]

You can teach Windows Phone 8.1 to cuss

You can teach Windows Phone 8.1 to cuss

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We've all had the same problem at one point or another. You are trying to send a message to a friend, and rather than what you had intended to say, your text ends up being autocorrected to something like, "That is some bull shot. He should be run out of town for the ducking shirt he did." Obviously, this is not the intended message, and it loses its meaning when you autocorrect the swear words.

Microsoft Surface Pro 2 64GB and 512GB models now back in stock at the Microsoft Store

Microsoft Surface Pro 2 64GB and 512GB models now back in stock at the Microsoft Store

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Good news for those looking for the 64GB or 512GB Microsoft Surface Pro 2. Both slates are now back in stock at the online Microsoft Store. The tablets are priced at $899 and $1799 respectively. The Microsoft Surface Pro 2 is equipped with a 10.6 inch LCD screen with resolution of 1920 x 1080. Driving Miss Daisy is a dual-core 1.6GHz Intel Core i5 CPU with 4GB of RAM. A microSD slot is available. Front and rear-facing cameras are included.