CES 2015
The mother of all trade shows, the Consumer Electronics Show takes over Vegas for the first week of January. A few major phones are usually announced, and we'll have hands-on reports for each one, plus hands-on details of other interesting apps, services, and accessories in the world of phones.
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TCL to Revive Palm with Help from the Tech Community
TCL Communications, the parent company of Alcatel OneTouch, today confirmed to Phone Scoop that it has acquired the Palm brand and plans to revive the failed tech company. "We are interested in the brand because we believe the brand has value," said TCL CEO George Guo. "It was once a very strong brand and there are many fans of this brand around the world, including people at TCL." TCL intends to resurrect Palm with new hardware, software, and services — but not on its own. It will ask the community to contribute ideas for potential new devices, operating systems, and apps. It will commit engineers and its manufacturing resources to the project, but hopes much of the R&D will come from the tech community at large. TCL said it hasn't worked out the details of how this community-driven revival will function, but it is confident it can restore luster to the brand. "Palm was an original pioneer and we want to keep it that way. We want to attract the people who have ideas on how to revive the brand in a meaningful way." Guo shot down the idea of using webOS, which is owned by LG, and ran on the Palm Pre, Pixi, and other phones. "We are open to all ideas, but probably not webOS," said Guo. "Palm built by Palm fans is the intent." TCL expects to eventually offer both Alcatel- and Palm-branded products in the US. TCL said it couldn't comment on the terms of the acquisition. It will provide more details as they are developed.
Hands-On: Alcatel Watch Series
Alcatel believes its Android- and iOS-compatible smartwatch will outgun the competition with a low price point. Here are our initial thoughts.
Alcatel's Smartwatch to Work with Android and iOS
Alcatel today provided more information about its forthcoming Watch Series and said the wearable is compatible with both Android and iOS. The Watch Series does not run Android Wear, but instead uses a proprietary operating system that Alcatel claims is simpler to use than Android Wear. Users of Android 4.3 devices or iOS 7 devices and newer will be able to download an accompanying app from the Play Store or iTunes App Store, respectively, to interact with the wearable. The device has a built in accelerometer, gyroscope, heart rate monitor, altimeter, and e-compass. Alcatel says owners will be able to track fitness (steps taken, distance traveled, etc.) and sleep cycles, as well as manage incoming notifications and even remotely control media. The Watch Series, which comes in several different styles, has a 1.22-inch circle display, Bluetooth 4.0, and a 210mAh battery. The USB charge port is built directly into the end of the strap. Alcatel claims it takes only an hour to charge the watch, which can then run for one to two days per charge. The Alcatel Watch Series goes on sale later this year for $149.
Alcatel to Bring Innovation Center to San Francisco
Alcatel OneTouch today announced the expansion of its innovation accelerator program to North America. The company believes the new San Francisco-based center will encourage developers and startups to use its resources to create apps and services. Developers who take advantage of the innovation accelerator program will have access to Alcatel's partners, suppliers, and customers. Alcatel hopes to foster collaboration and sustainable relationships with the developer community, which could lead to better apps and services on its handsets down the road. Alcatel didn't say exactly how soon the innovation accelerator will open its doors.
Alcatel OneTouch Pixi 3 Can Run Android, Firefox, or Windows
Alcatel OneTouch today announced the Pixi 3 series, an affordable selection of smartphones that is among the first to run one of three different operating systems. The Pixi 3 series can be loaded with the Android, Firefox, or Windows Phone platforms. Consumers won't be able to switch/load the operating system themselves; rather, the devices will be programmed by carriers. Further, the series comes with four different screen sizes (3.5, 4.0, 4.5, and 5.0 inches). With the variety of operating systems and screen sizes available, consumers can find the perfect device for their needs. The Pixi 3 series also supports 3G and LTE 4G for many regions around the world. Alcatel did not provide more details about the Pixi 3 series, such as specs, pricing, or availability. Alcatel OneTouch also launched its foray into wearables today with a new smartwatch. The Alcatel Watch Series promises to offer elegant and affordable wearables that undercut the competition. According to Alcatel, the Watch Series is packed with sensors and apps that can monitor daily activities. It connects to Android devices and can be used to control music, take photos, and receive notifications. Alcatel did not say what platform the Watch Series runs, nor did it provide any specs or other details. Alcatel OneTouch has more news planned for the days ahead during the Consumer Electronics Show.
