CE Newswire 12.31.14

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Today's Top 3 Stories #1 Microsoft Hones Its Plans To Try To Close The App Gap   As 2014 comes to a close, Microsoft still hasn't made much of a dent in closing the app gap -- at least on the mobile front -- between Windows and other operating systems. (ZDNet) Why This Is Important: Microsoft is expected to make a greater push toward recruiting app developers and students in 2015, as it seeks to close the nearly two-fold advantage Apple holds over it in terms of app quantities. #2 Apple Won Christmas By A Landslide This Year   Apple was, by far, the most popular gift choice over Christmas week, in terms of electronic devices. According to data from mobile analytics company Flurry charted for us by BI Intelligence, more than half of all the new mobile devices activated around the world — 51%, to be exact — were Apple products. (Business Insider) Why This Is Important: The iPhone 6 Plus was among the top 5 for new-device activations for the holiday season, marking consumers' eager transition to phablets. #3 Microsoft Phasing Out Original Kinect v1 In 2015   Microsoft launched its original Kinect depth-sensing gadget to a skeptic crowd and now, roughly four years later, it is ready to phase it out. (iTechPost) Why This Is Important: Although the Kinect marked a leap forward in motion- and gesture-recognition technology, the add-on device never gained traction as a mainstream hit, and most consumers opted to forgo it once Microsoft offered an Xbox without one. 4. Technology In 2015 - The New Gadgets Coming Your Way (Telegraph) 5. 4 Ways Gamers Can Keep Their Data Safer (The Street) 6. Sony Cyberattack, First a Nuisance, Swiftly Grew Into a Firestorm (New York Times) 7. Apple iPad Sales Expected To Dip (USA Today) 8. Samsung's Ativ Book 9 Ultrabook Is Thinner And Lighter Than MacBook Air (News Everyday) 9. Store Closures Are A Must For RadioShack (Seeking Alpha) 10. High-End Audio Specialist Astell & Kern Unveils Sonos For Audiophiles (Pocket Lint) "What it amounted to was criminal extortion." — Michael Lynton, Sony chief executive Blog Post of The Day Black Friday Is Dead, Long Live The Holiday Shopping Season By Laura Heller By most accounts, Holiday 2014 was a decent one for retailers. Analysts expect sales to be flat (at the worst) or up as much as 4%. All this is good news for retailers, particularly as the promotional environment and price conscious consumer remains dominant. More » Upcoming Events International CES January 6-9, 2015 Las Vegas www.cesweb.org Mega Group USA National Convention Feb. 15-18, 2015 Marriott – Riverwalk San Antonio http://www.megagroupusa.com Azione Unlimited Spring Soiree March 17-19, 2015 Nashville, Tenn. http://azioneunlimited.com Was this copy of CE Newswire forwarded to you? Start your own subscription by clicking here. TWICE Editorial Team John Laposky, Editor In Chief Phone: (917) 281-4736 | Email Greg Tarr, Executive Editor Phone: (917) 281-4760 | Email Lisa Johnston, Senior Editor Phone: (917) 281-4733 | Email Joseph Palenchar, Senior Editor Phone: (917) 281-4746 | Email Alan Wolf, Senior Editor Phone: (917) 281-4769 | Email

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