Skip to main content

Samsung rides Galaxy S7 sales to record profits

Samsung is doing a bit of a celebratory end-zone dance thanks in part to the success of its Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge smartphones. On Thursday the Korean tech giant announced preliminary earnings that show a 17 percent jump in profits year over year. This is a stark contrast to Apple’s earnings report in April that showed the company’s first revenue decline in 13 years. So at this point time let’s go ahead and crown Samsung the smartphone champion. The S7 phones are awesome devices and they’re being purchased at record rates… but Apple isn’t taking this lying down. Or maybe they are. iOS users gobbled up the iPhone 6 a mere  two years ago, but the 6s didn’t set the world afire. Will the iPhone 7 flip the script and put Apple back on top? We’ll find out in 2 months.

Facebook’s desire to spread internet access into developing countries took another step forward this week. OpenCellular is Facebook’s open-source system to boost cell coverage in the rural villages and towns of developing nations. It centers on this inexpensive and rugged base station. It’s built to withstand extreme weather conditions and temperatures, and can be affixed to practically any tall structure, a tree, or even from a pole just a few feet off the ground. The base stations handle signals from 2G and LTE to Wi-Fi and can be powered from a wide variety of sources.

The MicroSD is indispensable if you’re using a GoPro or want a smartphone with removable storage. Now Samsung just fit 256 gigabytes of flash storage in a card just as small — that’s basically the hard drive of an entry-level MacBook packed into a device about as big as your thumbnail. It’s called Universal Flash Storage, and Samsung says they boast performance that’s five times faster than the best MicroSD card. These cards are going to make recording and accessing large files like 4K and 360 degree video lightning quick. The only problem is, there aren’t any devices out there yet that can actually use them right now. But don’t worry, we’re guessing the next generation of GoPros and the like will get this all figured out in time for Christmas.

Greg Nibler
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Greg has worked as a Host, Producer, and Writer in radio and television since the early 2000s, working for such companies as…
Apple One, Ubisoft Forward wrap-up, life on Mars, and more | Digital Trends Live
digital trends live episode 457 curiosity at work on mars  artist s concept

On this Digital Trends Live, host Greg Nibler talks the top tech stories of the day, including how Twitter and Google handle preelection misinformation, Apple's accidental reveal of Apple One, an Ubisoft Forward wrap-up, the Mars Curiosity rover begins its search for life, and more.

 

Read more
Work/Life: How to remain focused during times of distraction
worklife episode 26 featured

On this episode of Work/Life, Ciara Pressler, author of Pregame and Game Plan, talks with Greg Nibler about how to remain focused during the constant distractions, chaos, and confusion of the current climate, whether it’s pandemic fatigue, protests, wildfires, the election, or any number of other things out of our control that can take our attention or bog us down.

“There’s a lot going on,” Pressler said, “so how do we focus when there’s so much going on?” The first step of gaining focus, she says, is to acknowledge what’s going on -- not just with the constant barrage of news, but with yourself. “You might not be feeling like working at 100%, and that’s ok!” she says.

Read more
Oracle eyes TikTok, Oculus 2, LG’s dual-screen phone | Digital Trends Live
The Oculus Quest 2 on a table.

On this Digital Trends Live, host Greg Nibler takes on the top tech news of the day, including Oracle’s bid for TikTok, Facebook removes false fire posts, LG’s dual-screen smartphone, Oculus 2 is coming, and more.

John Velasco joins the program to rate the various models of robotic vacuums on the market, including the Shark IQ, the Roborock S6 Max V, the iRobot Roomba S9+, and more.
Julia Daviy

Read more