Analyst firm IDC released a forecast report Worldwide Quarterly Tablet Tracker, which deals with the world's supply of tablets. So, in 2016 the volume of the world's supply of tablet computers fell to 195 million units. This is 5.9% less than last year. IDC predicts that the tablet market will return to positive growth dynamics due to the growing demand for devices with removable elements. For example, on Microsoft Surface products line.

IDC expects the volume of deliveries of hybrid devices will grow from 16.6 million in 2015 to 63.8 million - by 2020. Analysts also believe that such devices from Microsoft will take market share from other vendors and platforms. First of all, Android.

This significant shift in form factor will lead to a substantial increase in the influence of the first devices based on Windows tablet computers on the market, - said Ryan Reith, senior analyst at IDC. - Windows 10 is making progress in the PC market and tablets mainly due to the gadgets with a large screen diagonal. Despite the free licensing of computers with a diagonal of up to 9 inches, height of tablets Windows-base will be primarily achieved through a device with a display diagonal of 9 to 13 inches. Until the day when the sensor technology is integrated with Mac OS X, and attempts to combine Android with Chrome will become more interconnected, we believe that Windows will be the logical choice for fans of Transformers.

A source: techguide.us

It often happens that a user can not sort out any functions of your smartphone. This is not surprising, because in recent years, mobile systems, "overgrown" a large number of additional features and those who went with older devices, such as feature phones, is quite difficult to understand in all this. Samsung understands this and updates the firmware application Samsung +, so that now the owners of smartphones can get consultation of employees in real time.

Through Samsung + can call the customer support service or install video to Samsung employee could more clearly explain the decision of a problem. If the user in this case, can not deal with the problem, you can use a new feature Assist customer service representative can remotely take control of the device and correct any faults or show how to activate the desired function.

Unfortunately, Assist function only works with the new Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge.

Source: engadget.com

Apple is exploring new ways to make the screens on its iPhones even larger.
A patent filed by the Cupertino-based firm has revealed designs for a bendable handset that you can fold in half and carry in your pocket.

This is the second patent Apple has filed for a foldable phone, and reveals new details of how "overlapping hinges" could be attached to "flexible displays" to allow the device to bend. 

“The hinge may be configured to allow the flexible display to be placed in a front-to-front configuration in which an active side of the display faces itself or a back-to-back configuration," the patent says.

Apple isn't the only one betting on a foldable device. Samsung has said it is planning to demonstrate a flexible smartphone as early as the end of this year. In an interview, Samsung Mobile head DJ Koh said it was "time to deliver" on a handset.

Meanwhile Richard Yu, chief executive of Huawei, told reporters at his company's device launch on Monday: "We have a product in the lab for a 5G foldable phone in progress for next year."

Yu said high-end consumers were demanding larger smartphones. His company released one of the largest new smartphones on the market, the Mate 20X, which features a 7.1-inch screen.

Some smaller smartphone companies have shown off concept smartphones that use new technology in thin, flexible  screens to create bendable devices. Others, such as ZTE, have launch smartphones with two screens.

Smartphone companies have been jockeying for innovation in a slowing market. Apple launched its new iPhone XS smartphone earlier this year, while Chinese rival Huawei launched its new Mate 20 Pro.

Nick Clegg has been hired to lead Facebook’s battle over regulation and fake news scandals despite being a previous critic of the tech industry’s “jiggery-pokery” over tax avoidance.

The former deputy prime minister and LibDem leader was wooed personally by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg to take the lucrative  job as head of global affairs and communications based in California.

As an ex-minister and Brussels insider who campaigned to remain in the EU, he will provide the company with access to politicians and civil servants in Westminster and the EU as both gear up to tighten regulation on fake news, online harm and privacy.

Labour said it was "a damning indictment of the sorry state of our country's politics" that he was becoming a lobbyist for the firm while it was under investigation both in the UK and by the European Union. Other critics questioned how he could be independent against charges of political bias.

Sir Nick initially rejected it in early summer but was contacted by Ms Sandberg while on holiday walking in the Alps before being flown to San Francisco to meet Mr Zuckerberg in his garden. He decided to take the job after dinner with his wife Miriam and the pair at Mr Zuckerberg’s house, according to the BBC.

Sir Nick, who took a prominent role in the campaign for a second "People's Vote" Brexit referendum, will move permanently to the firm's Menlo Park headquarters in California's Silicon Valley with his wife, a lawyer, and three sons in January, two months before the UK leaves the EU.

Experts estimated he could be in line for a salary of at least $350,000 a year plus 50pc bonus and stock options. “It’s not cheap living in the Valley but it could easily add up to $1m," said a partner at a London recruitment firm.

Two years ago, following the controversy over the role of fake news on Facebook in swinging the US election, Sir Nick criticised the “messianic” and “touchy feely” culture of the company as well as its tax arrangements.

“The jiggery-pokery of tax planning by the large multinational tech companies is also guaranteed to inflame public opinion. It may all be impeccably legal but the impression that less tax is being paid than can reasonably be expected remains,” he said.

Philip Hammond has threatened a digital tax on tech giants. Company accounts released earlier this month showed Facebook paid £15.8m UK tax last year despite recording £1.3bn in British sales.

Sir Nick who will become the most senior politician from Europe to work in Silicon Valley will replace Elliot Schrage who stepped down in June and report to Sandberg. According to the BBC, he sought reassurances that he would be in the inner circle, "in the black box"

He said he would not speak out on Brexit once he started the job in London later this month. “I hoped I wouldn’t have to make this move until Brexit had happened or perished in Parliament."