Fully Charged: Sony refocusing on high-end phones, Samsung phone trade-ins surge due to iPhone 6, and Deadpool movie dated
Finish out the week strong by starting the day with a blast of breezy tech news
Amidst losses, Sony shedding mid-range devices
We’ve had kind things to say about Sony’s phones, with two models currently residing on our list of the 10 best smartphones in the world right now – but they’re just not catching on with consumers like the company wants them to.
As a result, Sony says it will post a loss of US$2.14 billion (£1.3 billion) for the fiscal year ending in March, which is about five times larger than the original projection. Sadly, that also means that Sony plans to cut about 1000 workers, or 15% of the headcount from the division.
With other companies having much more success with low-priced devices, Sony says that it will refocus its smartphone efforts on higher-end devices while cutting some of the mid-range fluff. Here’s hoping that means even more focus on great premium handsets to continue stocking our best list for some time to come.
[Source: The New York Times]
READ MORE: Sony Xperia Z3 hands-on review
Samsung phone trade-ins surge on iPhone 6 release
Device trade-in specialist Gazelle tells Bloomberg that trade-ins of Samsung smartphones tripled last week in advance of today’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus release. One-third of Android users polled by the service say they’re likely to switch to the iPhone 6, and some 39% claim the bigger screen is the primary reason why.
“We’re seeing a higher propensity to switch,” said Chris Sullivan, CEO at Gazelle, citing the larger screens and other added functionality. “This is going to be a strong and compelling product for Android users to switch.”
Still on the fence about Apple’s new handsets? Be sure to read our iPhone 6 review and iPhone 6 Plus review to find out our take on Apple’s first pushes beyond the four-inch display barrier.
[Source: Bloomberg]
READ MORE: Apple iPhone 6 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy Note 4: the weigh-in
Deadpool movie coming in 2016
After years of delays, 20th Century Fox has announced that a live-action movie based on Marvel Comics anti-hero Deadpool will hit cinemas in 12 February 2016. Ryan Reynolds, who portrayed the character in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, hasn’t yet been signed to a deal, but he’s expected to be in the role.
This summer, years-old test footage leaked (seen above) and generated a huge amount of fan appreciation, showing that it’s possible to nail the frenetic action and humour of the character on film – at least in CG. Whether or not that translates into a live-action setting, especially with a rather short timeframe between now and the release, remains to be seen.
Additionally, next year’s Fantastic Four reboot has been pushed back a couple of months to 7 August, while the Assassin’s Creed film – which was supposed to fill that late summer slot – has been pulled off of the schedule entirely. The Hollywood Reporter’s sources say a 2016 debut is now more likely.
[Source: The Hollywood Reporter]
READ MORE: Deadpool (video game) review
Andrew Hayward
Freelance Writer 
