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Samsung’s Galaxy S21 Will Cause New Problems For Apple, Google – Forbes

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The 2020 smartphone launch calendar should be done and dusted, but a new report suggests Samsung might have other ideas. A story from Korean publication MTN, citing supply chain sources, claims that Samsung is bringing forward production of the next Galaxy flagship by six weeks. 

An earlier release date is in mind, with the report even claiming December 2020 as an option. The logic behind the move appears to be poor Samsung S20 sales and the Korean company seeking to “proactively respond to rapidly changing market conditions”, the story explains. SamMobile‘s own sources backed up the MTN report of an early release date with January 2021 apparently pencilled in for the Galaxy S21 launch. Whether it’s December 2020 or January 2021, it is looking likely that Samsung’s flagship will arrive earlier than normal. 

Google’s Pixel 5 has just landed, but is it any good? Watch my review here.

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An early launch of the Galaxy S21 is both a wild rumour and entirely feasible. I’d also be willing to bet on Samsung making some drastic pricing changes to go along with its new release date. This would be unusual, or even unlikely, in any other year but 2020 is a different beast. The intensifying battle for your money means OEMs have shocked us with unusual moves this year. Apple launched four iPhone 12 models to hit (almost) every price range, Google stepped away from making a top-tier flagship for the first time in years and Samsung released a surprise upper mid-range phone just ahead of Google’s and Apple’s releases. Release dates for almost all companies have shifted because of Covid-19 too.

The S20 FE is a good example of how aggressive the Korean company can be. Not only did it appear from nowhere, it was also surprisingly cheap for its specifications in the display, camera and processor department. Samsung also isn’t shy about going all out to pry customers away from Apple.

Five years ago the Korean company briefly ran a high-profile promotion which let iPhone owners “test drive” the new Note 5 and Galaxy S6 for $1 for 30 days. Then there’s the company’s generous trade-in program, which happily overpays for iPhones, including $400 for the 2017 iPhone X and $350 for the iPhone 8 Plus. On promotions, the company is currently giving away three months free of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and the Moga XP5-X Plus controller with all Galaxy 2020 5G purchases (a total of $115 worth of free stuff). 

It’s not hard to make an argument that the company’s all-out strategy has a hint of desperation, which isn’t surprising considering the difficult economic times all OEMs find themselves in. So an early release of the Galaxy S21 doesn’t seem too far fetched.

I suspect Samsung will price the Galaxy S21 much more affordably than its predecessor. The Galaxy S20 landed before the worst of the economic fall out of Covid-19 hit. That eye-watering $1399 price tag for the S20 Plus Ultra won’t be repeated any time soon, not when almost all of the competition is cutting prices to stay afloat. 

The MTN report also spectacularly claims that the top Galaxy S21 model will come with an S Pen, with the Note range being discontinued. In effect this would streamline Samsung’s bloated product library. We’ve heard rumours about Samsung merging the Galaxy S and Note lines before, but it makes a lot more sense in the current climate. 

The perfect combination of a new Galaxy S phone that adds the best of the Note range, priced more affordably, arriving far earlier than expected – alongside all of the generous trade-in and Xbox bundle deals – could well cause problems for rivals in a year when competition for your remaining disposable income is particularly fierce. 

Got a tip, thoughts or something to complain about? Let me know.

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Record low prices hit Apple's M3 MacBook Pro 14-inch, now on sale from $1,399 – AppleInsider

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B&H has dropped MacBook Pro prices further as March comes to a close. Pick up an M3 MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM for just $1,549 — or opt for the M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14-inch for $1,699. Both are record-breaking deals.

14-inch models

16-inch models

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There are numerous MacBook Pro deals on upgraded configurations, so if you’re looking for an M3 Max configuration or extra storage, it’s worth checking out our Mac Price Guide to shop the latest sales.

Even more month-end deals on Apple

Best Apple prices

Aggressive savings are in effect now on nearly every current Mac. You can also find discounted prices on streaming services, closeout models and software. Here are a few of the top deals going on now:

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Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) New iPad Pro and iPad Air to Hit Markets Soon – TipRanks.com – TipRanks

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Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is likely to introduce its new iPad Pro and iPad Air as soon as May. The much-anticipated product launch will come just ahead of Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.

End to a Long Wait

As the much-awaited moment draws near, Bloomberg reports that the tech giant’s suppliers have already ramped up production of the devices. For Apple’s devout customers, the introduction of the revamped iPads marks the end of a nearly 18-month drought of major new releases from the company. The iPads are expected to boast features such as new OLED displays for the Pro model and an option for a 12.9-inch screen for the Air model.

Revamped iPads Unleashed

The long wait for new iPad models has resulted in sluggish tablet sales for Apple in recent times. Consequently, the company will likely look to the revamped versions to boost demand. Additionally, Apple is introducing more processing power to the new versions. The Pro models will feature a new M3 chip. Similarly, the iPad Air is also receiving an upgrade with a new processor, moving from its last version’s M1 chip to the latest technology.

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What to Expect in June

Importantly, the product launches are scheduled just before Apple’s highly anticipated annual Worldwide Developers Conference. This event is slated for June 10. The iPhone maker is widely expected to unveil its AI strategy as well as software updates for its range of products at the event. 

Is Apple a Buy, Sell, or a Hold?

Apple’s share price has corrected by nearly 11% year-to-date. The Street has a cautiously optimistic stance on the stock with a Moderate Buy consensus rating. Furthermore, the average AAPL price target of $203.40 points to an 18.6% potential upside in the company’s share price.

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Take-Two Interactive to Acquire 'Borderlands' Developer Gearbox From Embracer Group for $460 Million – Yahoo Canada Sports

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Take-Two Interactive has acquired video game developer Gearbox, the maker of the “Borderlands” franchise, from Embracer Group for $460 million.

Per Take Two, the company “expects the transaction to deepen its successful relationship with Gearbox Entertainment and to provide increased financial benefits through a fully integrated operational structure.”

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As part of the deal, Take-Two will acquire Gearbox IP, including “Borderlands” and “Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands” franchises, games published by Take-Two’s 2K Games, as well as “Homeworld,” “Risk of Rain,” “Brothers in Arms” and “Duke Nukem.”

Currently, Gearbox has six “key interactive entertainment projects in various stages of development,” per Take-Two, which includes five sequels, two from “Borderlands” and “Homeworld” universes, and at least one “exciting new intellectual property,” all of which have been acquired in the sale.

Take-Two’s purchase of Gearbox is expected to close in June, pending regulatory approval. Upon completion, Gearbox will operate as a studio within 2K, continuing to be led by Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford and his management team.

Former Gearbox owner Embracer, a Swedish gaming conglomerate who snapped up the rights to “Lord of the Rings” two years ago, has undergone a severe restructuring program over the past year, which has seen the company shut down or dispose of dozens of games studios and titles and lay off hundreds of staff, resulting in aftershocks that have reverberated throughout the games industry.

The sale of Gearbox marks the latest insistence of Embracer unloading assets, following the company divesting Saber Interactive.

“Our acquisition of Gearbox is an exciting moment for Take-Two and will strengthen our industry-leading creative talent and portfolio of owned intellectual property, including the iconic Borderlands franchise,” Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said. “This combination enhances the financial profile of our existing projects with Gearbox and unlocks the opportunity for us to drive increased long-term growth by leveraging the full resources of Take-Two across all of Gearbox’s exciting initiatives.”

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