Author: Meenakshi Rawat

Government Puts MTNL, Air India and Other PSUs On the Sick List, Might Be Shut Down

The present Indian government had the mammoth task of bringing the Indian economy back on track. There was a need for radical reforms to pay off the country’s debts and boost the development process. There was though no mention of the radical reforms in the budget, but the government seems to be in a cost-cutting mode and has tabled a list of 65 sick public sector undertakings (PSU) in the Parliament whose future hangs in the balance.

The government has said that of the 65 heavy loss-making PSUs, it is shutting down five companies including the three HMT units. The Minister for Heavy Industry, Anant Geete informed the Lok Sabha during question hour that the employees of such PSU’s will be offered “very good” voluntary retirement schemes.

Air India, founded by J R D Tata in 1930, has been gathering huge losses

MTNL and Air India were the most prominent addition to the list of sick PSU. MTNL or the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited is the state-owned telecommunications service provider in the metro cities of Mumbai and New Delhi in India and in the island nation of Mauritius in Africa. It was founded in 1986 and had a monopoly over New Delhi and Mumbai till 1992. The company has been struggling lately due to immense competition from private operators. MTNL has said that it has sent a revival proposal that is currently under the consideration of the department of telecommunication(DoT).

Air India, on the other hand, was founded by J R D Tata in 1930 as Tata Airlines. It has been India’s national carrier since 1948. The public owned airlines has been gathering huge losses and has slipped to the third spot behind Indigo and Jet Airlines.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Mahesh Sharma said that it was important to have a flag carrier for the country and so there are no plans for shutting down Air India. He said that the government is infusing the allocated funds in Air India as a part of its turnaround and financial restructuring plan, approved by the UPA government in 2012. Shutting down the national carrier would have been embarrassing for the country’s image.

These PSUs were declared sick as they incurred losses worth 50 percent or more of their average net worth during four previous years. Some of the reasons for their losses are obsolete plants and machinery, heavy interest burden, resource crunch, surplus manpower and shortage of working capital.

Indian Government PSUs sick as they incurred losses worth 50 percent or more of their average net worth during four previous years.

The board for reconstruction of public sector enterprises (BRPSE) has recommended revival packages for 48 CPSEs, which has been approved by the government. Some of the other companies in the list are Scooters India, Hindustan Shipyard, ITI and Hindustan Cables.

This is still a news in progress, and more details will be available soon. It seems like the government is seriously considering measures to trim down the fat so the resources of the nation can be used efficiently. But the government also needs to take care of the welfare of the employees who have given their lives to these companies.

March 12, 2015

Xiaomi Launches the Mi Pad, its First Tablet in India For Rs. 12,999

Xiaomi’s launch event today wasn’t just about its new budget device, the Redmi 2. The Chinese electronics giant left the audience awestruck with the introduction of its first tablet in India, the Mi Pad. Priced at Rs. 12,999, the tablet is a direct opponent of Google’s Nexus 9.

At 9.4mm, the Mi Pad is thin and weighs just 360g. It sports a 7.9-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2048×1536 and a pixel density of 326 PPI. Corning Glass 3 protects the screen from accidental drops. The tablet is powered by 2.2 GHz Nvidia Tegra K1 SoC ARM Cortex-A15 processor paired with 2GB of LPDDR3 RAM. The MI Pad offers 16GB of in-built storage space which can be expanded up to 128GB via MicroSD card. The Xiaomi tablet runs on Android 4.4 KitKat with MIUI skin on top.

The optics of the device are great for its price. It sports an 8MP rear camera with Sony BSI sensor for full-HD resolution videos, along with a 5MP front snapper at the top of the display for selfies and video chats. The table is juiced up by a 6700mAh battery that keeps the device running all day long. Connectivity options include Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac.

The Xiaomi Mi Pad will be available for purchase on March 24 and there will be no flash sale for this device. Potential customers can buy the gadget through e-commerce website Flipkart. The Mi Pad comes in six colour options – Black, White, Red, Blue, Green and Yellow. So if you want a tablet with unique theaming options coupled with colorful exteriors, the Mi Pad can be a great option for you.

Specs	Mi Pad
Display	7.9-inch IPS326 PPI
Processor	2.2 GHz Nvidia Tegra K1 SoC ARM Cortex-A15
RAM	2GB
Inbuilt Memory	16GB
Expandable Up to	128GB
Rear Camera	8MP
Front Camera	5MP
Operating Stystem	Android 4.4 KitKat
Battery	6700mAh
Price	Rs. 12,999

March 12, 2015

Xiaomi Redmi 2 Launched in India, Priced to Compete With Moto E (Gen 2)

Chinese smartphone brand Xiaomi, has today launched the new Redmi 2, a successor to the popular Redmi 1S. The smartphone packs some amazing specifications and is a budget superhero with a price tag of Rs. 6,999.

The Redmi 2 sports a 4.7 inch (720×1280 ppi) resolution display just like its predecessor. The device runs on MIUI 6 based on Android 4.4 KitKat. Powered by a 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 410 processor, the handset comes with 1 GB RAM. the phone has 8GB of internal memory storage, which is expandable up to 32GB.

On the camera front, the device sports an 8 MP rear snapper on the back and a 2 MP selfie shooter on the front. The phone gets its juice from the 2200mAh battery.

The company is holding the first flash sale on 24^th of this month and registrations for the sale begins today from 6pm onwards. Xiaomi hasn’t introduced the coloured variants and the device will be available only in white and grey colour options in India.

Just like last year, the Redmi 2 is directed towards capturing the Motorola’s budget market. Xiaomi has priced the new device at par with the new Moto E(Gen 2). The arrival of the Redmi 2 has raised the stakes in the brutal affordable smartphone landscape and poses a serious challenge to its competition.

March 12, 2015
New Chromebook Pixel Takes On MacBook With Two USB-C Ports And Fast Charging Feature

Google has something in store that may give Apple a shiver; well, to some extent. The Mountain View based tech giant discreetly expanded its web store the previous day with the addition of an updated Chromebook Pixel. Priced at $999, the Google’s new netbook resembles the original edition but overcomes the glitches reported in the 2013 version of the Chromebook Pixel.

The sturdy machine has an aluminium finish and packs some top features equipped in the new MacBook. The latest Chromebook Pixel sports two USB-C ports, first introduced by Apple just a few days back. The new Pixel sports two multi-functional USB C-Type ports, while Apple’s 12-inch MacBook offers just one. Google has an upper hand in here as users have two connectivity options rather than one. One port can charge the device and at the same time connect the laptop to another external device like a phone or hard disk. Apple has been heavily criticized for offering just one port.

Furthermore, Google claims that the upgraded Chromebook Pixel has a 12-hour battery life, another advantage over the lightweight Mac that lasts for 10 hours at most. Google has provided a fast charging option with the new Chromebook, which can pep up the laptop for 2 hours of usage in just 15 minutes. Now, that’s what Google can tap on to topple Apple’s fresh mean machine.

The Chrome OS-powered Pixel, comes in two variants. The first variant, priced at $999 is powered by Intel’s Core i5 processor (2.2 GHz Broadwell-U). It features 8GB RAM along with 32GB onboard storage capacity. The other version costing $1,299 is a bit high on specs and equips an Intel Core i7 processor. It offers 16GB of RAM and 64GB SSD storage.

Rest of the specs of the device are similar. Both the versions have 12.95-inch (2560x1700p resolution) touchscreen display and weight 3.3 pounds (1.5kg). The Wi-Fi only models house a conventional 3.5mm headphone jack. The netbook also features many Android apps.

The laptops are completely revamped, and the inclusion of battery indicator in the form of LED strip is entirely original. The new Chromebook Pixel seems to be a worthy contender to the new Macbook.

March 12, 2015
Leaked Photos Suggest the Upcoming LG G4 is All About the Curves

The Korean smartphone producer LG was amongst the few major smartphone vendors that skipped the Mobile World Congress 2015. Samsung, Huawei and HTC came out with their best offerings. On the other hand, very less is known about the forthcoming flagship from the tech giant LG, the G4.

Some images are making the rounds on Twitter, which claim to be early press renders of the unannounced phone. These pictures depict very much about the forthcoming device, and as we can see in the images, the new phone features a curved body just like LG Magna and LG G Flex 2. The device looks bigger in size and sleeker from all areas.

If you look at the backside of the device, the curve is clearly noticeable. Also, one can spot the tweaked power key and camera button. The camera lens is significantly bumped up and on its right is a dual-LED flash.

At a closer look at its side, you will notice a divot indicating that the back lid can be removed. That means the battery of the device is detachable, and the memory can be expanded through a slot.

The front is a full glass display from top to bottom, and the top of the screen houses a front-facing camera and earpiece strip. The bezel of the device has been reduced to a minimum, but nothing can be said about the display dimensions.

Putting together the innards of LG G4, the phone is anticipated to equip a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 SoC, QHD display, 16MP rear shooter and a 5MP secondary camera. The device is speculated to arrive in May this year.

March 12, 2015
Timex Run x50+ is a Training Tool That Works With Both Android and iOS

Major smartphone brands like Sony, Samsung, Motorola, and recently Apple, have jumped into the smartwatch division and have left behind the traditional watchmakers. The iconic timepiece brand Timex is putting all efforts to restore its image and has added a device to its connected devices portfolio.

The new Timex IRONMAN Run x50+ is a tech-driven smartwatch made especially for athletes. It is basically for folks who undergo aggressive training and want the features of a smartband in a smartwatch.

The International Marketing Manager of Timex Sports & Outdoors, Bart van Schijndel, said –

For nearly three decades, Timex has provided athletes with technology solutions to enhance their training experiences. The brand is excited to launch the new Run x50+ watch – an evolved training tool for runners of all levels.

The Run x50+ sits comfortably at the wrist and connects to your phone, whether Android or iOS. It lets you stream and control the workout information through the fitness apps in the smartphone. For now, the feature is limited to iOS only, but it will soon arrive for Android handsets as well. One can get notifications like incoming calls, text alert, Facebook notifications, emails, and more on the sunlight-readable display.

Other pivotal features include volume control, pause, play option that can be controlled through the Run x50+ on a smartphone. The free Timex Connected app lets you set watch features. You can set appointment reminders, phone finder and watch finder as per your convenience. The latest addition to the Iron Man series can survive water splashes and go deep in water up to 5 metres.

Timex hasn’t provided any information on the price and availability of the watch, but we expect it’ll arrive in India soon.

March 11, 2015
Apple Wins Patent for Flexible Sidewall Display That Can Replace Physical Buttons

Just when we thought Apple had revealed everything they built recently, an interesting piece of news surfaced that brought the tech giant back into the limelight. A patent has been granted to Apple Inc. by the USPTO that speaks of a device with a flexible sideway display.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a series of granted patents to Apple that highlights a flexible sidewall display equipped with a mobile device. The patents were originally filed back in 2013. This flexible side display could replace physical buttons with virtual buttons in future devices.

The patent says that the new flexible display may include one or more flexible layers, which may be mounted under a transparent screen cover of clear glass or plastic. There would be a touch-sensitive layer at the bottom of the flexible display for users to provide input, and also it will give users a clue of what the buttons are or what would be its functions.

The patent also notes that the flexible surface will be flat and can be placed anywhere on the front, rear, or sidewall surfaces. It is also said that the tech can replace the physical buttons or may act as a dummy structure. The functions of the virtual buttons will not be fixed, and their operations may be altered based on user input.

March 11, 2015
Google to Finally Add That One Important Missing Feature on Android Wear Smartwatches

Google has decided to fill the gap that makes its Android Wear software fall second in the wearables segment. According to a report by The Verge, the search giant is planning to bring Wi-Fi support to Android Wear software running on smartwatches. If the report is to be believed, then the extended support may come with the next software update.

The next update will diminish the fine line between the Apple Watch and Android Wear-powered wearables. Users can turn on Wi-Fi, and the Android Wear-powered smartwatches will get notifications and run Google Now even if the Bluetooth connection is not available. The new update will bring two additional tweaks – gesture control and improved UI.

The former tool allows users to swipe notifications and Google Now cards on the screen of the device without using the other hand. Despite, one can flick their wrist to do the same. The redesigned user interface was much needed in the Android-powered wearables. With the help of the tweaked UI, one can have easier access to applications and contacts. It will also get easier to switch between apps.

There are certain devices that come with built-in wireless, but because of this missing feature, the use of Android Wear-based wearables is limited. The new update will give a new dimension to a broad range of smartwatches like the Moto 360, the Asus ZenWatch, and the Samsung Gear Live.

This makes the upgrade of the Android Wear software much more crucial as users may consider switching to Apple Watch. Meanwhile, there is no information on when the company planning to release an update.

March 11, 2015
Why Apple MacBook’s Force Touch is the Trackpad of the Future

Steve Jobs had a vision, years ago, that the mouse needed only one button, and it seems his vision is finally realised with the newest addition to its ecosystem, the Apple MacBook. One of the most nerdy aspects about the newly unveiled device is the fact that it comes with a Force Touch trackpad. Force Touch was first introduced months ago with the Apple Watch.

So, what exactly is ‘Force Touch’ technology?

Simply put, it is the mechanism which senses pressure. It is an entirely novel innovation that merges the previously released Multi-Touch with force sensors. That means besides sensing the multiple points of contact on your screen, the new feature can also gauge the amount of pressure put on each contact; detecting the subtle difference between the quantity of pressure imposed. This makes the technology infused devices smarter than any other smartphones and smartwatches in the world.

The current generation of MacBook’s use a ‘Diving Board’ design. The top part of the trackpad remains stable, any part of the lower end can be used to click or right click. The new Force Touch trackpad, gets four new sensors – allowing you to click using any part of the designated surface.

Through the sensors on the trackpad of the gadgets, it can judge a light tap and a deep press, bringing a broad range of contextual controls right to your fingertips. The actions can be categorised in three forms: Force click, Accelerator and Pressure-sensing drawing.

The Force click gives users access to different websites without switching to the other pages. It can bring up the Wikipedia by clicking a word, preview a file in the Finder, and create a new Calendar by applying a little push on the trackpad. You will be in control of adding new shortcuts to apps, such as bringing up the a map of the location just by force clicking the address.

The next is accelerator that accelerators the speed of a QuickTime movie. Press harder to fast-forward the shot quickly and if you wish to proceed gradually, steadily apply force on the trackpad. One can also zoom in Maps through the same tactic.

The next forte of Force Touch trackpad is pressure-sensing drawing. Draw a signature on the device just like a pen on paper. Put more pressure for a bold stroke and press lightly to get a thin line. This drawing can be used as an attachment for emails.

Apple has slipped the technology in Macbooks and the Apple Watch for now, but it has been learnt that the next iPhone is likely to come with the same feature.

March 11, 2015
Report : Next iPhone to Come in a Pink Colour Variant and Feature Force Touch

The Apple event on Monday saw the introduction of new Force Touch technology on the MacBook. The revolutionary tool is incorporated on the Apple Watch and the new 12-inch MacBook, that looks insanely sleek and light. The tech giant has plans to expand the responsive touch technology to the iPhone lineup and according to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal, users may see the new Force Touch in the next iPhone.

Force Touch uses tiny electrodes around the flexible Retina display to distinguish between a light tap and a deep press, and trigger instant access to a range of contextually specific controls. This new addition brings the possibility to spawn fresh applications to the device.

The news of Force Touch inclusion on the next-gen smartphone is not much a surprise as the company has followed the same approach for multi-touch display debuted in 2007. Post the launch of multi-touch technology on iPhone, MacBook joined the league to enclose the same mechanism.

The international publishing daily also mentioned the new colour option Apple may be offering with the next-gen iPhone. The report stated that users may choose a pink iPhone this time, but it is presently in testing mode.

Tentatively titled ‘iPhone 6s’ is anticipated to house the same features found in the other ‘s’ iterations. It will sport an upgraded 2GB RAM and will be shipped with an Apple SIM. With revamped features and improved tools, the next smartphone can establish as a milestone for Apple just like iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

March 11, 2015
On its Journey Around the World, World’s First Solar Powered Plane Lands in India Today

Solar energy is finally getting the attention it should have gotten about 30 years back. As environmental predictions grow dire, innovations in the field of sustainable transport mediums have been gaining steam. We have seen cars running on electricity, hydrogen and solar power. We have also seen efforts by researchers to develop airplanes powered by renewable fuels. One such audacious effort called the Solar Impulse 2 is undertaken by Swiss aeronaut Bertrand Piccard, and businessman André Borschberg. The solar-powered plane will be landing in Ahmedabad tonight at around 10 PM.

Solar Impulse 2 is on a trip around the planet with multiple stopovers on the way. It started its journey from Oman on the 9th of March and will take 16 hours to reach the Indian city of Ahmedabad. The distance of 1,465 kilometers between Muscat and Ahmedabad will be covered without using a drop of fuel.

The flight path of Solar Impulse 2’s circumnavigation mission.

Solar Impulse 2 has a wingspan of 72 meters that makes it wider than the 60 meter wingspan of the Boeing 747. The wings are covered with 17000 solar cells that recharge the battery of the plane. The plane weighs around 2,300 kilograms and flies at an average speed of 25 knots or 45 Kmph with a maximum speed varying between 90 to 140 Kmph.

On its circumnavigation trip across the planet, Solar Impulse 2 will travel a distance of 35,000 kilometers. During this trip, it will make 12 stops. During these stops, the innovators will organize various awareness programs like conferences, visits of schoolchildren and information exchanges. After Ahmedabad, the plane will make a stop at Varanasi. The two innovators will take turns to pilot the single seater plane in its mission around the planet.

The success of this trip will be a major boost for renewable energy technology. Solar power is a major source of energy that has unlimited potential for providing free and clean electricity. Let’s hope the success of this mission leads to a radical increase in the research of solar powered planes that may someday lead to entire passenger jets powered by the sun.

March 10, 2015
Telecom Minister : India to Play an Important Role in the Future of the Internet

The internet is in a process of updating itself. ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is the non-profit organization that is responsible for overseeing the growth of the internet. Its primary mission is to make sure that every domain has a unique identifier or URL, and that each domain has a unique IP address. The organisation was under the influence of the US government but considering the importance of the internet, it is now shifting to model where it will be answerable to multiple stakeholders and not just the US government. The CEO of ICANN recently said that India’s role is central in the conversation about the future of the internet.

ICANN CEO Fadi Chehade made the comments during an event in New Delhi where he said:

[quote text_size=”small” author=”Fadi Chehade” author_title=”CEO, ICANN”]

I know everyone speaks about Digital India, but the digital world without Digital India simply loses its digital way. India is not simply getting into the digital world; India is already an incumbent, a driver in the Digital world in every sense of the word.

[/quote]

The US government decided to let go of the stewardship of ICANN last year in the month of March. ICANN’s contract with the US government expires in September of this year. The organization is looking at multiple transitional plans for the future. It has welcomed governments, civil societies, and other internet organizations to discuss the future of the internet architecture.

The Minister of Communication, Mr. Ravi Shanker Prasad was also at the event. He said that the future architecture of the web isn’t a prerogative of a few and should be open to all. He also added that the Internet must be equitable, effective, open-for-all, and no one should be able to claim an early arrival benefit.

At present, the official policy of the government of India on the future of the internet is yet not clear. The various ministries of the government have varied views the matter that has lead to a delay in talks. Industry experts and activists have stressed that it’s high time India makes its stand clear at global platforms. Mr. Chehade said that India has to engage now to have a greater say in the future. The government should take his suggestion and work towards making India an important decision maker in the future working of the global internet.

March 10, 2015
All the Important Announcements From Apple’s Mega Event in One Place

The ‘Spring Forward’ event held by Apple last evening was the exhibition of the finest innovations by the tech giant. The company disclosed some presumed devices along with other unpredictable technologies. The highlight of the show remained the Apple Watch, the most expensive smartwatch, and light weight 12-inch MacBook.

Here’s a compiled list of announcements made by the Cupertino-based company yesterday:

1. ResearchKit

ResearchKit is an open source software framework designed for medical and health research, helping doctors and scientists gather data more frequently and more accurately from participants using iPhone apps. It is made specifically for medical researchers.

ResearchKit and HealthKit work hand in hand. Simply put, the ResearchKit turns iPhones and HealthKit into power diagnostic tools. An mPower app is built that uses ResearchKit to detect the most core and fatal diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and breast cancer.

2. New 12-inch MacBook

The Apple event got gargantuan with the introduction of the new sleek and stylish MacBook. The 12-inch gadget comes with Retina display and weighs a mere 2 pounds. The laptop is thinner than MacBook Air at 13.1mm. Even if it’s slimmer and lighter, the build and internal quality of the machine is uncompromised. There is a full-sized keyboard redesigned to fit the smaller size.

Other than that, the new notebook features Force Touch trackpad that senses pressure, telling the difference between a light tap and a deep press. Also, it sports next-gen USB-C port, a third of the size of standard USB cable. It supports fast charging, quick data transfer and is all in a single connector.

The all-new MacBook comes in two variants. Both of them will be available from April 10. The one will bit lower specifications comes at Rs. 99,990 and is embedded with 1.1 GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 2.4 GHz, bundled with 8GB of memory, 256GB of flash storage and Intel HD Graphics 5300. The higher version holding 1.2 GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 2.6GHz, 8GB of memory, 512GB of flash storage, and Intel HD Graphics 5300 is priced at Rs. 119,900.

3. Next-Gen Reversible USB-C

The new MacBook comes with one single port. Which means that if you want to charge your laptop and transfer documents at the same time, you need to invest in an external attachment. USB-C was undoubtedly biggest announcements of the night. The next-gen USB Type C is slim and sturdy, and is one-third the size of a traditional USB port. Apple’s new MacBook is the first one to incorporate the smallest ever USB.

The revolutionary technology solves the purpose of having too many USB ports. The new connectivity standard gives you five ports in one – power, USB data transfer, DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA capabilities. The reversible Type-C connector is roughly the same size as the existing Micro-USB connector at the bottom of your smartphone, but it’s reversible. Also, it facilitates faster charging and quick data transfer. While some may consider it tedious, Apple has taken a major step towards removing the excessive wires/cords in our lives.

4. MacBook Pro and Air Upgraded with faster processors

The tech biggie has updated the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the fifth generation Intel Core processors, Intel Iris Graphics 6100, two times faster flash, and longer battery life. The upgraded 13-inch MacBook Pro features fifth generation Intel Core processors up to 3.1 GHz, Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.4 GHz, along with faster flash and better battery, as stated above. The new version ranges from Rs. 94,900 to 129,900.

On the other hand, the 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air are upgraded with the fifth generation Intel Core processors, Intel HD Graphics 6000, Thunderbolt 2, and up to two times faster flash. The updated 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air now feature fifth generation Intel Core processors up to 2.2 GHz, Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.2 GHz, bundled with Thunderbolt 2. The 11-inch notebook comes at two price points depending on configuration, Rs. 65,900 and 79,900. However, the 13-inch MacBook is priced a little higher at Rs. 72,900 and 86,900.

5. Force Touch trackpad

Force Touch trackpad has brought a new dimension to the Mac interactivity. It is highly responsive and feels your touch more than ever. The new trackpad features built-in force sensors that monitor the amount of pressure released in each click. One can customize the feel of the trackpad by changing the amount of pressure.

Force Touch trackpad enables a new gesture called Force Click. A click followed by a deeper press for tasks like pulling up the definition of a word, quickly seeing a map or glancing at a preview of a file.iOS 8.2

6. iOS 8.2

Along with gadgets, Apple event saw the launch of a new software upgrade – iOS 8.2. The new operating system is out for its compatible Apple products like iPhone 5 and later, Apple Watch and more.

The upgraded version is more stable and comes with bug fixes. Mail, Music, and Maps have got a significant boost along with iTunes. Moreover, one can download third-party health apps to keep themselves fit.

7. Apple Watch

The main highlight of the show, Apple Watch, as beautiful as ever, is now officially the most expensive smartwatch ever. It’s a personalised device and comes with different watch faces. The Watch supports iOS 8.2 and comes with many pre-installed apps like Uber, Shazam, WeChat, Twitter, Apple Pay and health apps.

The built-in speaker and microphone on the Watch that lets you receive calls on the go. Apple Pay is embedded in the device that allows you to pay money through the Watch on wrist. The battery life of the wearable is decent at 18 hours. The Apple Watch comes in three variants – Sport, Regular and Gold Edition. It starts from $549 and goes as high as $1700. HBO Now Coming to Apple TV

8. HBO Now Coming to Apple TV

The company launched the new exclusive device Apple TV and announced the subscription service of HBO for the users. The service is restricted to Apple TV users as of now, but soon the company will extend it to iPhone and iPad. Subscribed viewers can watch the channel through web browsers and can access the entire library of original shows and feature films catalogue of HBO.

The service is coming next month and will cost $14.99 per month. For those who sign up for the Apple device in April will get it free for one month.

March 10, 2015
New iOS 8.2 Comes With a Pre-installed Apple Watch App That Cannot be Removed

Apple announced the new software upgrade in the Apple event yesterday and declared that the new software will be available for iPhones 5 and above. The upgraded version is revamped but if you have it installed on your iPhone, the first thing that might catch your attention is the non-removable Apple Watch app.

The application sits on the screen and if you click the Apple Watch icon, it will take you to the company’s website. According to Business Insider, it is an empty screen for now, but soon the tool will showcase the Apple Watch applications. Looks like, Apple is trying to advertise its first smartwatch to every user through iPhones.

Not only the promotional Apple Watch app comes with the iOS 8.2, there’s a number of apps you can’t remove once the latest operating system controls your device. The apps encompasses Passbook, Tips, Stocks, Weather, Calendar, Clock, FaceTime, Contacts, iBooks, Compass, Maps, Health, Newsstand, Photos, Camera, Notes, Messages, Voice Memos, the iTunes Store, and the App Store.

Besides few downsides, the new software has some advantages as well. The upgraded version is more stable and comes with bug fixes. Mail, Music, and Maps have got a major boost along with iTunes. Moreover, one can download third-party health apps to keep themselves fit.

In case you missed any announcement about the Apple Watch event, do check it here.

March 10, 2015
New MacBook is the First Apple Device to be Powered By Intel Core M Chipsets

Apple’s new product lineup unveiled at the recent ‘Spring Forward’ event. As expected, the event was mostly dedicated to Apple’s new product family, the Apple Watch. Apart from the Watch, Apple also brought out the new powerful yet slimmer MacBook, which is powered by Intel’s fifth-generation Core M processor.

Intel Core M processor was previously called Broadwell-Y. It is a dual-core chip based on 14 Nm architecture. It has 1.3 billion transistors on its tiny surface. The Core M chipset was launched to reinvent the notebook and looks like Apple has taken a lead in that game with the new MacBook.

Core M is claimed to be one of the most energy efficient processors in the market. It requires 5 watts of power to perform its tasks. On the MacBook, it comes along with Intel HD Graphics 5300. The processor also helped to create a fanless device that would that you won’t be troubled by the never-ending buzz of the notebook’s fan ever again. The logic board is seated on top of an anisotropic graphite sheet, which helps disperse any heat that is generated out to the sides, thus removing the need for the fan.

Core M processor helped in creating miniaturized logic board and offer rest of the space to the battery.

This new processor also helped Apple to miniaturize the hardware components of the MacBook so that the maximum amount of space can be freed up for battery storage. The MacBook comes in two variants in India; one with a 1.1 GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 2.4 GHz while the other is offered with 1.2 GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 2.6GHz.

With this launch, Apple has put in its contender in the Intel Core M powered device market. Brands like Lenovo, Dell, HP, Asus and others have already introduced their Core M offerings. Samsung had already gone ahead and launched their fanless notebook called Ativ Book 9 in the market. Now with the Apple MacBook coming into the arena, this space will see some intense competition.

March 10, 2015