After announcing the release of Apple Music for Android, Apple has gone even further by posting a job listing, looking for a software engineers to create products for Android users.
This new position is reportedly not for the Apple Music but for new mobile products that Apple plans to launch for Android users. Some of the speculated apps that might be in for this project are – the iWork, iCloud, iMessage, Safari, iTunes etc. It is said that releasing iCloud on Android would give users another option to access their files.
However, it seems like Apple’s iOS is finally facing the Android challenge head-on by expanding its accessibility, especially after reports have shown them losing numbers in markets in USA and China. No further information is available on what these new mobile products are going to be.
KGI Securities analyst Ming Chi Kuo, has reportedly said that the mass production for the Apple iPhone 6s and 6s Plus will be delayed by one or two weeks. The orders for iPhone 6 are said to have been cut in order to allow the new models to sell faster.
However, it is said that the delay in mass production will not affect the dates when Apple introduces and launches the new smartphones. The dates are rumoured to be September 11th 2015 and September 18th 2015, for the unveiling and the launch, respectively.
Both the new devices are expected to be made of Series 7000 aluminum, a 12MP camera, a 2GB of DDR4 RAM, along with the Force Touch technology present in the Apple Watch.
Earlier, it was reported by MobileNews that the Apple iPhone 6S would be releasing on 25th September this year. Although Apple had not confirmed anything about the dates, pre-orders were about to start from 18th September, and would have gone live physically on 25th September.
But, latest reports from John Paczkowski of Buzzfeed suggest that the new iPhone will be released as early as 9th September. John Paczkowski is known to be quite accurate when it comes to the release dates of Apple products, and he has said the event will happen in the week of 7th September. In addition to the next iPhone, it is also possible that the event may witness the launch of the iPad Pro and the new Apple TV hardware.
September is the month that Apple released its last three flagships in their respective years. So, we are optimistic to see an Apple event next month.
It is highly unlikely that Apple will go for a significant design change for the upcoming iPhone since it went through a major makeover in its last release. Some of the changes that the ‘iPhone 6s’ is said to include is a new design using an improved casing material and a newly resurrected inner design. One more microphone is said to be added near the new handset’s speakers in an attempt to improve the sound quality. Kuo also said the device will come with 2 GB RAM and a 12MP camera. Kuo also reveals that Apple’s upcoming iPhone 6s models will be powered by a next-gen A9 processor. Another highlight of the new iPhone would be the inclusion of Force Touch, a feature that we’ve recently seen on the Apple Watch and MacBook.
The company has assigned the task of assembling 85- 90 million handsets to its manufacturing partners and may release a larger ‘Plus’ version too.
The new iOS 9 beta showed us two new interesting features – firstly it allows your phone connectivity to switch to your data connection, when the Wi-Fi signal is low and secondly, it allows Wi-Fi calling for AT&T subscribers.
As of now, the iPhone can connect, or attempt to connect to a known Wi-Fi hotspot that is within range, even if the connection is too weak to transmit data. So, the solution to this problem has been to disable the iPhone’s Wi-Fi radio. However, with the the “Wi-Fi Assist” option in the iOS 9 beta, one can go to the “Cellular” menu in the Settings app, and enable the feature, it will then force your device to switch to a 3G or 4G connection when the Wi-Fi signal drops. The feature also notifies you by making the icon turn grey, indicating that the Wi-Fi is being switched off.
Reports also suggest that the iOS 9 beta enables Wi-Fi calling for AT&T subscribers, providing them with incoming and outgoing calls to a local wireless network, and thereby offering a more reliable connection, enhanced audio quality and better battery performance.
However, the iOS 9 beta is exclusive to only developers, for now. Reports suggest that this has been done in order to “avoid causing too much aggravation with bugs or poor performance.” Therefore, one might have to wait for a few more days/weeks until the iOS 9 becomes public.
Toshiba and SanDisk have unveiled the first 256Gb 48 layer BiCS 3D flash memory. How is this connected to Apple? Both these companies are the two major flash providers for Apple’s iPhone 6. With this announcement, reports suggest, that the iPhone 7 which is expected to launch next year, could come with this hardware.
This means that with these 32GB flash modules the iPhone 7 would be potentially, faster and more efficient than anything else in the market. Reports also say that the new chip is-built on a 15nm process technology and will have twice the capacity of the most compact memory available in the markets today.
This new product can be used in smartphones, tablets, memory vards, SSDs etc. It is based on the 3D Bit Cost Scaling technology which enhances the write or erase reliability and can boost write speeds as compared to a 2D memory. It is also said to be able to store 3 bits of data per transistor.
However, neither Toshiba nor Apple have confirmed anything. The hardware company has not mentioned any potential clients for this product, although reports assume that Apple might stick to its usual suppliers and hence incorporate the new type of 3D NAND flash in their new device next year.
Toshiba has said that they will be sampling the new flash memory in September and announced that they are preparing for mass production of the device. This collaboration between SanDisk and Toshiba is said to be completed next year.
Reports suggest, that the “iPhone 5c successor” will be launched in the second quarter of 2016. This report comes from Digitimes, who also points to the rumoured iPhone 6c, said to arrive with a 14/16nm FinFET chips from TSMC and Samsung, in order to provide a better performance and lower power consumption to the new lower range devices.
“The 14/16nm FinFET chips will be manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and Samsung, the sources said. The original plan was to equip the devices with chips built using TSMC’s 20nm SoC process, said the sources, but the adoption of FinFET processors would enable specs upgrade and lower power consumption.”
Other sources like KGI’s Ming-Chi Kuo also state that Apple is planning to launch a new 4 inch iPhone in 2016. Other rumours suggest that the iPhone 6c might be similar to the size of an iPhone 5s and will have a similar hardware vein as that of the iPhone 6. The smartphone is said to come with a full metal unibody construction in comparison to the plastic iPhone 5c.
Yesterday, we reported that Apple was looking to start a mobile wireless service. However, in a statement to CNBC, Apple has clarified and said that it “has not discussed and is not planning MVNO cellular service following reports saying it was planning on doing that.”
This statement crushed all rumours that Apple was looking to expand by exploring to become an MVNO. Besides, Google had also announced their own MVNO initiative, Project Fi. However, Apple has clearly rejected all rumours surrounding their own so-called initiative and has no plans to offer consumers an MVNO cellular service.
Even Tim Cook, had earlier stated that Apple doesn’t need to “own the pipe” and that their aim was to focus on making great and efficient devices while leaving the cellular issues to “people who own it” and “who know more about it than we do”
Good news for those who would like a high definition desktop computer but one that is less expensive than the iMac 27-inch, 5K retina. Recent reports claim, Apple is said to bring out a new desktop computer with a 21.5-inch display and a 4K resolution. This new iMac has a 4096X2304 display and is said to release in a few months.
The previously launched 27 inch iMac is priced at $1,999 (approx. Rs. 1,27,640) which is cheaper than when it first came out and was $2,499 (approx. Rs. 1,59,511). However it is said that even with a $1,999 computer, one might still have to spend more money in order to get an SSD or fusion drive.
A French website has discovered some new images in the El Capitan beta, two of which are said to show a new 5K iMac and the third one, showing a new image of a 21.5 inch iMac with retina display. While the current 21.5 inch iMac has a 1920X1080 display the new display (4096 x 2304) will allow one to watch a 4K video in its native resolution.
However, the design of this new iMac seems to be the same as before. Currently, the 21.5-inch iMac is priced at $1,099 minimum (approx. Rs. 70,160), however, the new 21.5-inch with 4K display will be slightly more expensive. It will remain a lot cheaper than the 27-inch with 5K display iMac.
Do you think this device will be accessible enough? Let us know.
We all have an impression that Apple’s ecosystem is supported by the most secure operating system in the world. But, this statement may not be considered true anymore. The myth has been broken today by a team of hackers who have developed the world’s first virus for Mac and named it Thunderstrike 2.
This virus can be transferred via USB sticks or even email phishing. This then bypasses the Mac’s Operating System and directly attacks the BIOS – the software that appears before the main operating system after the system boots up. The worm then targets a machine’s option ROM or lives in the option ROM of peripherals.
Worse, because of living within the ROM of peripherals, the Thunderstrike 2 can spread from one Mac to another without even having to connect to a network. Anti-Virus programs are useless as the malware cannot be detected at the hardware’s BIOS level. Thus, checking for infection is very difficult.
The only way to remove this virus is to open up the hardware parts of the Mac and manually re-flash the chip. Xeno Kovah, co-founder of a security training firm called LegbaCore, who developed the worm says:
For most users, that is really a throw-your-machine-away kind of situation. Most people and organisations don’t have the wherewithal to physically open up their machine and electrically reprogram the chip.
Kovah and his partner Corey Kallenberg uncovered a series of firmware vulnerabilities that affected 80% of the systems they had, including HP, Dell, Lenovo and Samsung. These vulnerabilities, as found by the researchers, allowed them to bypass the firmware and reflash the BIOS to plant malicious code within the firmware. Kovah and Kallenberg tried to test the same vulnerabilities on MacBook boot flash firmware and found out that almost all the attacks on PCs and laptops could be replicated for Mac too.
The first version was fixed with OS X 10.10.2 and required the hacker to have physical access to the computer. The new version is incorrigible because the malware can be transferred via a link. The latest OS X security update (10.10.4) seems to try and resist the bug to a certain extent, instead of being engulfed by it completely.
So, what can you do to protect your Mac? All we can do right now is hope Apple rolls out a BIOS update soon.
Earlier this year, Google surprised us all by bringing out Project Fi – the company’s own cell service. The Google-run network service is a customizable package that switches between Wi-Fi and multiple cellular networks. We’ve now seen reports that claim that Apple is also planning to launch a service, similar to what Google already has to offer.
According to the reports, the Cupertino-based tech giant is currently in talks with telecom companies in Europe to work with them on their very own Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) service. In the States, the service is already in trial mode.
It’s operation may be similar to Google’s Project Fi. Apple would chalk out a deal with multiple carrier services so that once you opt for Apple’s MVNO service, it would provide you the best service available in that particular area – hence, switching between multiple carriers. And with this switch, you would also begin paying Apple for your texts, calls and data usage, instead of your current network provider. When Google launched its cell service, it claimed that it was the ultimate way to make sure you get the best possible network connection available.
Again we should remember that this isn’t new territory for Apple. In September 2014, along with new iPads and iMacs, Apple had also announced the Apple SIM, which is a reprogrammable SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) that you could use to switch from carrier to carrier, networks and pricing plans using just a software in the device. The card is removable and if you buy a carrier locked device, it will carry the carrier’s SIM card.
The recent report states that Apple might take upto five years to launch this new service. We have no doubt that this service would be exclusive to Apple devices only. The company seems to be dabbling with multiple projects, and making its way towards the future.
New leaks about the iPhone 6S have given us details about the design of the phone. The rendered leaks show us, that the iPhone 6S could be a thicker version of its predecessors.
Here is a closer look:
The drawings imply an almost specific measurement of 7.1 mm thickness as compared to the iPhone 6, which is 6.9 mm. The iPhone 6S Plus is also said to be thicker than the 6S, at 7.3mm. These leaks also suggest that the phone could have a Force Touch feature – this feature senses the amount of force used when users press their touchscreen while the phone accesses the different functions based on the touch. It is also reported that the iPhone 6S could offer faster LTE speeds and an improved chipset. Moreover, other iPhone 6S leaks have also suggested, that it might come with an improved NFC and 16GB storage.
As reports from Buzz feed suggest, Apple Inc will launch a new generation of Apple TV set-top boxes, in September. This new version is said to come with a new remote with touch-pad input, an increased on-board storage, and an operating system that will support Siri.
The Apple TV was last refreshed in 2013, and was expected to unveil a new version in June at its Annual Worldwide Developers Conference, but instead launched Apple Music. The company is rumoured to be announcing the unveiling of this new Apple TV along with the new iPhones.
The updated Apple TV will feature SIRI and an App Store.
The new version is said to launch with its own App Store and software development kit for app developers. However, Apple has declined to comment on any rumours or speculation.
The answer to this question could be, yes. The iPhone could finally have a wireless charging pad and here is how. The WiPower, discovered by Qualcomm will help in the process:
“WiPower has added the ability to have the device itself made of metal. This advancement maintains WiPower’s existing ability to charge devices requiring up to 22 watts today, at speeds equal to or faster when compared to other wireless charging technologies.”
The main reason why Apple never released a wireless charging pad was because all its iPhones came with a metal body which interfered with any wireless charging pad. But now with the WiPower, which is itself made of metal, will help solve this problem. The WiPower is supported by the Rezence standard, which uses different technology than the more commonly used Qi standard. Although this shouldn’t be a problem for iPhone and iPad users, since their software is compatible with Rezence.
It is said that with the use of this technology could help you charge both a WiPower enabled iPads and iPhones, simultaneously. It can also use the bluetooth smart connection to determine the proper charging requirements for devices.
Rumours suggest that the iPhone 6 and 6Plus will also have metal backs although they may not support wireless charging. However, an iPhone 7 with a metal body could include the wireless charging software.
In an earlier article, we showed you the rumoured leaked images of the iPhone 6C, and according to other reports and rumours, Apple was meant to launch 3 iPhones this year. But, on 27th July 2015, an update by digitaltrends said that the 4-inch phone had been scrapped and that a picture of what might have been the iPhone 6C’s battery pack had also been removed.
This rumour began when sometime in January, Timothy Arcuri, of Cowen and Company hinted that he saw signs of a smaller iPhone being in production. Later, in July, he stated that plans for a 4-inch iPhone 6C have since been scrapped, attributing one of the reasons to the successful sales of the iPhone 6 and stating that the launch of a new phone would be self-destructive. However, another leaked image of a smaller 1715 mAh battery, that appeared on a website called nowhereelse.fr, sparked rumour mills again.
Image Source: nowhereelse.fr
Most sources deny the launch of a new iPhone 6C, however, reports have found, that along with the launch of the Apple 6 and 6 Plus, Apple revealed a brightly coloured phone that looked exactly like the 5C, but had one small difference. If one looked at the Home Button, one would see a chrome surround and an absence of a square icon, that gave the impression of a Touch ID sensor. Since then rumours have been afloat, as to whether, Apple might have leaked its own phone. These rumours could be false, since the images could also have been a poorly constructed press render.
Yu Televentures has launched the Yu Yureka Plus, the successor to Yu Yureka, priced at Rs. 9,999. The phone comes with a 5.5 inch FHD display and Qualcomm Snapdragon 615. Check our review of the new phone and find out whether it is worth your money.
According to a report, Amazon will launch its Prime service in India later this year. It is the membership program that offers unlimited free shipping on most deliveries with no minimum order size, unlimited backup for photos, access to streaming movies and music, free books from the Kindle Lending Library and more, for an annual fee.
In a bid to connect with their audience and to up their usage, Google has finally decided that it will be shutting down Google+ photos and making way for Google Photos by August 1st.
After announcing it in CES, Las Vegas, earlier this year, Sony has finally rolled out the Android TV in the Indian market at a starting price of Rs. 69,900.
Details about Micromax’s next ultra budget phone has been leaked. It will apparently be the next big thing since Canvas. The phone is expected to be below the 10k price bracket and will use a Snapdragon 615 processor.
Apple has posted its third quarterly results for 2015 and the company has performed better than the previous quarter, but apparently it wasn’t enough for the investors. Apple’s performance is based on the rise in iPhone sales and its increasing popularity in China.
Samsung has announced the launch of Galaxy Tab S2, which the company says is “the most immersive Samsung tablet to-date” . The Galaxy Tab S2 is available in two sizes – 9.7-inch and 8.0-inch.
