In recent years, the advancement of computer technology has had a focus on delivering more power in a smaller package, giving rise to an increasingly mobile lifestyle. Smartphones and Tablets are on the fast track to fill the role that laptop computers held for many consumers, and constantly evolving mobile Internet means that web access is practically ubiquitous. Here are some of the top stories from the past week in the world of mobile technology.
Reportedly, Apple is now working on a next generation iPad device. Reports suggest that the new iPad will feature a 9.7-inch screen. So far, Apple has stayed relatively quiet about the release of this new iPad, but experts close to the situation are claiming that the new iPad is likely to have a public unveiling either by the end of this quarter, or some time early in the fourth quarter of this year. Rumors also suggest that a new version of the iPad Mini will also enter production. Of course, there is no set release date as of yet, but the current best bet is to expect it to be available near the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Qualcomm has chosen to take a stand against so-called “battery anxiety” by developing convenient and easy-to-use wireless charging stations. Most smartphone users are unimpressed by the battery lives of their devices, but Qualcomm wants to solve the issue by making charging the battery as convenient as possible. Through magnetic resonance, these charging pads are able to charge devices wirelessly by simply laying them on top of a pad. Eventually, the company plans to team up with furniture and auto manufacturers to install the devices in their products as well.
Such pads will also do well in the increasingly mobile market, as global smartphone shipments are expected to reach 322 million by the end of the third quarter. According to the TrendForce report, much of this demand will be fueled by the iPhone 6's eventual release, which is already testing well with Chinese consumers. By the end of the year, overall shipments are expected to hit 1.2 billion globally.
Finally, recent breakthroughs in Voice over LTE (VoLTE) phone systems have resulted in higher quality audio than 3G networks can offer or even those offered by Skype HD. The study, conducted by the Signals Research Group and sponsored by Alcatel-Lucent confirmed that VoLTE calls were able to provide a higher definition service, at speeds almost twice as fast 3G circuit switched fallback networks. In the future, such a powerful phone system could be the breakthrough needed for mobile VoIP and similar calling plans to become wildly successful.
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