News
Apple is still the number one smartphone vendor in the US
While Samsung and Huawei dominate the rest of the world, Apple is still holding its top spot in its home turf based on the latest report for the third quarter of 2017.
According to the estimates of Strategy Analytics, the Cupertino-based company maintained the number one position in the US smartphone market during Q3 2017, although both shipments and market share were down compared to the same quarter last year. Shipments are at 12 million (down from 13 million), while market share was at 30.4 percent (around two percent lower).

Apple releases only a couple of new smartphones a year — sans 2018 with their 10th-anniversary phone, the iPhone X, on hand. This makes their shipments concentrated on just a few devices, unlike other brands.
South Korean companies also dominated the US market with increased numbers. Samsung placed second with 9.9 million units shipped and 25.1 percent market share, while LG is in the third spot with 6.8 million shipments and 17.2 percent market share.
Chinese tech giant ZTE has a stronghold in the US with an impressive 4.6 million shipments and market share of 11.6 percent. The company is benefiting from the strong demand for prepaid units.
Motorola continues to get better with 2.1 million shipments and 5.2 percent market share. While they are in the fifth spot, the company almost doubled its numbers from last year.
From a more general scope, Ken Hyers, Director at Strategy Analytics, said that United States smartphone shipments fell two percent annually from 40.1 million units in Q3 2016 to 39.5 million in Q3 2017. The slowdown is mostly due to the mixed demand for the new iPhones.
SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy commercial throws shade at Apple’s iPhone
[irp posts=”23582″ name=”Samsung Galaxy commercial throws shade at Apple’s iPhone”]
News
Lionel Messi’s face just unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra early
Technically, it’s a custom Caviar phone with Messi’s face on it.
And just like that, the World Cup season is over. Spain prevailed over Argentina in a 1-0 caper. Despite the loss, however, Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi is (indirectly) leaving us a little surprise by spoiling the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra a few days early.
Technically, it’s not Messi himself doing the spoiling. Caviar, the infamous luxury smartphone company, has revealed an extravagant Lionel Messi-themed edition of the unannounced Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.
As with the brand’s other creations, the special smartphone is covered in 24-karat gold plating. The design is styled to look like Messi and the colors of the Argentinian football team.
Now, before you say that this design is worthless now after the loss to Spain, the edition is meant to celebrate the 2022 win, exemplified by the badge on Messi’s shirt saying “2022”. And even then, Messi is still one of the most globally recognized sports personalities in the world, making this quite the collector’s item.
However, if you’re looking for any hardware leaks, you’re out of luck. The listing has no mention of specs, except for the storage, which includes options for 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. Other than that, you’ll have to wait like the rest of us.
Additionally, if you’re interested in the Messi-themed edition, it will cost you a fortune. Caviar’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will start at a whopping US$ 13,130.
Besides its nature as a special edition, this phone is the most official thing we’ve seen of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Samsung is still scheduled to launch the new foldable, along with other models, in a few days. The brand is also rumored to launch a wide version of this model.
SEE ALSO: New leak reveals first look at Samsung’s wide foldable
Automotive
Mercedes-Benz celebrates 140th anniversary at the Presidential Car Museum
A generation’s worth of presidential Benz models under one roof
Last month, Mercedes-Benz Philippines kicked off its 140th -anniversary “Welcome Home” campaign. Designed to celebrate the iconic Chedeng and introduce a new generation to the brand, the campaign attracts old and new customers alike. Now, the brand’s 140th year is also hitting history buffs with a special showcase at the Presidential Car Museum in Quezon City.
Since President Cory Aquino’s term, the official presidential car has been a Benz, offering comfort and protection for the current head of state. It is here where Mercedes-Benz wants to celebrate the legacy of the brand, especially in the annals of Philippine history.
Amid the cars of Presidents Aquino, Ramos, Estrada, and Macapagal-Arroyo, Mercedes-Benz is displaying a replica of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen Replica, which is the world’s first automobile introduced by Karl Benz in 1886. The replica will be on display until December 2026.
Outside the Presidential Car Museum, Mercedes-Benz is running discounts through the end of July. There are also special aftersales services for those who already own a Benz. Finally, the brand will continue to run activations throughout the anniversary, so expect to hear a lot more about the Chedeng throughout the year.
SEE ALSO: Mercedes-Benz holds a Welcome Home campaign to celebrate 140 years
News
Samsung releases teaser with Spider-Man: Brand New Day Easter eggs
Spot also teases upcoming Galaxy foldable devices
Samsung has just premiered a new spot that showcases clips directly from Spider-Man: Brand New Day, just a few weeks before the movie hits cinemas later this month.
The clip showcases Spider-Man as he fights crime and puts his phone through the wear and tear of superhero life.
In the spot, the Fabricator creates a number of devices for Spider-Man built to stand up to the pace and unpredictability of life behind the mask. This includes what clearly looks like a Galaxy Z Flip phone.
This provides a behind the scenes look into how Peter Parker ultimately landed on a Samsung phone — as fans speculated from the first trailer.
Meanwhile, Ned can also be seen using the Spidey Tracker to try and catch Spider-Man throughout the city on his Samsung phone.
The campaign pretty much formalizes Jacob Batalon — who plays Ned Leeds — as Samsung’s Team Galaxy’s newest ambassador.
The clip ends with the text “A brand new shape for a Brand New Day”, which is also a callback to what the brand has been teasing regarding the future of its Galaxy foldable devices.
Samsung to release latest devices at Galaxy Unpacked
Next week, Samsung is set to launch its latest devices at Galaxy Unpacked 2026.
Ahead of the launch, customers who wish to reserve as early as now can get a US$ 30 credit during pre-order, for a total of up to US$ 1,230 in savings.
Customers can also enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win one of 10 US$ 500 Samsung.com gift cards towards their purchase.
-
News2 weeks agoNew York becomes first state to ban smart glasses
-
Singapore1 week agoSony launches IER-M500 in-ear monitors
-
Gaming2 weeks agoMicrosoft dictates that a new Fallout game is coming
-
Computers2 weeks agoGIGABYTE releases new AORUS RTX 5080 INFINITY graphics cards
-
Gaming2 weeks agoHoYo FEST 2026 details announced; tickets on sale from July 16
-
Reviews1 week agorealme C100: Enduring and durable in spite of entry-level realities
-
Gaming2 weeks agoAssassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced available worldwide now
-
News5 days agoSamsung releases teaser with Spider-Man: Brand New Day Easter eggs

