iGyaan Network

Category: Apple

  • Teardown of 5K Retina Dispay iMac Reveals What’s Inside

    Teardown of 5K Retina Dispay iMac Reveals What’s Inside

    Continuing with its fascination for Apple products, iFixit, who are known for surgically removing all the organs of devices and laying them side by side, has acquired and disassembled the new iMac with 5K Retina display.

    Apple’s newest iMac continues to use many of the same design elements from previous iMacs, including an easily accessible RAM upgrade slot,  the same SSD, and logic board on the back of the device. With the RAM slot, users will be able to install their own RAM modules with little trouble.

    retinateardowna

    Along with an AMD Radeon M290X GPU and i5-4690 processor from Intel, the iMac contains SK Hynix 256 MB GDDR5 SGRAM. It uses the same SanDisk PCIe SSD as the late 2013 Retina MacBook Pro, with Marvell Controller, and it uses the same AirPort/Bluetooth card that was used in the 2013 27-inch iMac.

    Though, the processor, GPU, and display controller (sporting a wider display data cable) have received significant upgrades. The teardown also revealed that the 5K display, which sports the screen resolution of 5120 x 2880, has been manufactured by LG Display. It is the same supply partner that has also manufactured previous generation iMac displays.

    retinateardown1

    The 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display earned a repairability score of 5 out of 10, the same score earned by the 2013 27-inch iMac. iFixit pointed out that the RAM, hard drive, and CPU are user replaceable with some adhesive cutting, but removing the glass and LCD panel from the machine remains a difficult task.

     

  • Prices of Apple iPad Air 2, iPad Mini 3 and Retina iMac Announced for India

    Prices of Apple iPad Air 2, iPad Mini 3 and Retina iMac Announced for India

    A few days back, Apple completed the unvieling of all its latest devices. While there were several important announcements, the highlight of the event would be the release of the iPad Air 2, iPad Mini 3 and the latest iMac which carries the title of being the ‘World’s Highest Resolution Display’. And looks like the three are going to be arriving in India sooner than later.

    After releasing the latest generation iPads and iMacs, Apple has now unveiled the price of all their devices for the Indian market on their official website.

    First up, the iPad Mini 3

    The device comes in Wi-Fi + Cellular, and Wi-Fi only variants with storage options of 16, 64 and 128 GB. The Wi-Fi only models are priced as – 16GB for Rs. 28,900, 64GB for Rs. 35,900 and the 128GB variant comes for Rs. 42,900.

    For the Wi-Fi + Cellular models the pricing is, 16GB for Rs. 38,900, 64GB for Rs. 45,900 and 128GB has a tag of Rs. 52,900.

    iPad Air 2

    The bigger iPad is priced in about the same price category, just slightly heftier. The Wi-Fi only models are priced as follows: 16GB for Rs. 35,900, 64GB for Rs. 42,900 and the 128GB for Rs. 49,900.

    The Wi-Fi + Cellular models are priced at – 16GB for Rs. 45,900, 64GB for Rs. 52,900 and 128GB for Rs. 59,900.

    The new iMac is a creative professional's dream come true.
    The new iMac is a creative professional’s dream come true.

    iMac with Retina 5K display

    This was definitely the showstopper of the event. It is literally a desktop with the best display on the planet. The 27 inch 5K monster comes at a price of Rs. 1,79,900. The price is definitely justified when you check out the innards of the computer that flaunts the 3.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB RAM. It also holds an AMD Radeon R9 M290X graphics processor with 2GB of GDDR5 memory. This is a creative professional’s dream come true.

  • Apple Might Make the SIM Card Obsolete

    Apple Might Make the SIM Card Obsolete

    Yesterday Apple finally unveiled all the new generation of products from its stable. All the new-gen iPads and iMacs are here. The new iMac with a 5K display stands out amongst all the announcements as it will be a boon for creative professionals. But there was one announcement that caught everybody’s eye which was the announcement of the Apple SIM.

    Apple SIM is a reprogrammable SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) that you can use to switch from carrier to carrier, networks and pricing plans using just a user-friendly software in the device. The card will still be removable and if you buy a carrier locked device then it will carry the carriers SIM card. Though it though seems like this convenient new technology will be appreciated by people always on the move and might actually replace the concept of the SIM card in the long run.

    With Apple SIM you can switch between multiple networks and pay plans.
    With Apple SIM you can switch between multiple networks and pay plans.

    The concept of a universal SIM card sounds great, but it will come with its challenges. Presently removable GSM SIMs including the Nano-Sim and Micro-Sim are convenient and are easy to acquire. They also give the option of a removable battery which lets users carry multiple batteries always to have a charged device. Also convincing every mobile operator in every country to join in on the Apple SIM revolution would be tough.

    Apple does not like SIM cards and has been at the forefront of the introduction of the new age SIMs. But there is also a hope that this will usher in a new era of moving across multiple networks with ease. The folks, who travel internationally, can save tonnes of dough by switching to local networks without having to pay the excessive roaming charges.

    There is one other major issue that needs to be addressed, and that is the big Android, iOS fight that defines the present Smartphone. Both sides are equally formidable opponents to each other. While Apple has constantly challenged the market with new SIM innovation, the massive Android market has usually provided solutions. Android market would have to adopt to this SIM or maybe Google can use its sheer size to keep the SIM cards going. This might actually create a real divide between the two smartphone superpowers.

    As this is still the beginning of the Apple SIM, we won’t know its prospects as of yet. In the coming future, we’ll get a chance to reflect on the development of this innovation. We need to play with this new technology to give a definitive answer.

  • Apple Event Round Up : The 8 Most Important Things Apple Announced

    Apple Event Round Up : The 8 Most Important Things Apple Announced

    On Thursday, Apple held its second product release event in six weeks. The 90-minute event at Apple’s headquarters here was a sombre affair compared to the mega-launch of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple Watch and Apple Pay. This time the news was expected, however, Apple plenty of new hardware and software during the event.

    The company added to its product line the two new iPads, a 27-inch iMac with eye-popping Retina display, and OS X Yosemite, Apple’s latest desktop operating system. The iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3 and the devices will go on sale later next week in 29 countries (India is not on the list) while pre-orders open online today.

    We are listing the important highlights of the event that will take considerably less time than it will take you to re-watch the event:

    1. The New iPad Air is Skinnier Than Ever

    Apple has relied on its time-tested strategy for updating a offering – make them thinner. The new device is only 6.1 mm thick, thinner than the new iPhones by almost 1mm. As expected, it is powered by the new Intel A8x Chip, a 2nd gen 64 bit architecture, which is 12 times faster than the current one. Apple claims that graphics performance of the new iPad Air 2 is 180 times faster, which gives console like gaming experience on the iPad Air 2. The tablets will feature a fingerprint scanner similar to the one found in the latest iPhones. The sensor enables people to use a fingerprint instead of a passcode to unlock the device, also can be used to make purchases using Apple Pay.

    ipad air 2

    The new iPad Air 2 houses the 8MP iSight camera on the back with a f/2.4 aperture and supports HD video recording. Along with that, there is a front camera which features a new face time HD camera, burst selfie, slo-mo and more. The iPad Air 2 runs on the latest iOS 8.1 and features a LCD layer on the display and an anti reflective coating, reducing reflection by upto 56 per cent. The iPads are priced starting  $499 (16GB). The 64GB version is available for $599 and the 128GB for $699.

    2. There added a iPad Mini too, with Touch ID

    Apple confirmed the third generation iPad Mini featuring the new Touch ID fingerprint sensor during the event. iPad mini 3’s screen is at 7.9-inches with a 2048×1536 resolution at 326 pixels per inch (ppi). Apart from the Touch ID, it has the same Retina display with an aluminum coating at the back. It will be available in gold, gray and silver colour variants.

    ipad mini

    It features a 5 megapixel iSight camera and a FaceTime HD camera. The camera carries the iOS8 features such as time-lapse and panorama. This iPad features dual microphones, on the front and back. Instinctively, when you switch cameras from front to back (or vice versa), the microphones switch, too. The price starts at $399 (Rs. 24,574 approx.) for 16GB in Wi-Fi only, while the 128GB + LTE model will cost $729. Pre-orders start tomorrow and shipping starts by the end of next week.

    3. Apple Pay Will go Live on Monday (Only in the USA)

    Apple confirmed it will begin rolling out the service next week on 20th October i.e. on Monday. Apple’s payment system allows people to bump their phones to pay for items in the 220,000 stores that have NFC (near-field communication) readers, as well as pay for items in apps by using the fingerprint scanner on Apple’s newest mobile devices.

    apple-pay-iOS-8.11-640x400

    Once third-party apps also use the Touch ID features, you can use this feature on other apps as well. As far as Apple Pay is concerned, it will be available only in the US and essentially allow users to replace their credit card with their device to make actual payments.

    4. New iMacs come with the ‘World’s Highest Resolution Displays’

    Along with Yosemite,  Apple is bringing out the updated version of iOS. They’ve spent time and effort taking in user feedback and have updated the problem-prone update.  iOS 8.1 brings the Camera Roll and iCloud Photo Library in beta, a feature that allows you to store all of your photos from all your devices in the cloud. The new iMac features a 27-inch display with 5210×2880 pixels resolution, which is 14.7 million pixels, which according to Apple, “is the world’s highest-resolution display”. Seven times more pixels than a Full HD TV, 67 per cent more pixels than 4k. The display is only 5mm thin at the edge.

    RETINA-iMac-2015

    The Oxide TF and a new low-power backlight helps it use 30% less energy despite the large display and heavy resolution. The base model runs on a 3.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, AMD Radeon R9 M290X graphics card,  has 8GB of RAM, and a 1TB Fusion drive. The iMacs are priced starting $2499 (Rs. 1,53,913 approx).

    5. Developers can Start Working on Apple Watch Apps Next Month.

    File picture shows the new Apple Watch during an Apple event at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts in Cupertino

    Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook remained vague about when the company’s smartwatch will go on sale, saying only that it will be early next year. But the company is releasing WatchKit, software that will let developers start working on apps for the devices.

    6. Yosemite is already available

    Taking continuity to the next level. Apple definitely is the first company to benefit from this because of its enormous hardware ecosystem. OS X Yosemite is the upcoming eleventh major release of OS X, Apple Inc.’s desktop and server operating system for Macintosh computers and it will be available from today. It can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for Free.

    Yosemite gives you mirrored access across all Apple platforms for instant access. For example, the iPad recognizes what you’ve been working on and prompts you about it. You can stop working on the Mac, pick up your iPad and start working on your project right way without a second of lag. There is no need for third party apps. There is no need to open a cloud app and download the file, it’s always there.

    7. iOS 8.1 Will Roll Out on Monday

    Along with Yosemite,  Apple is bring out the updated version of iOS. They’ve spent time and effort taking in user feedback and have updated the problem-prone update.  iOS 8.1 brings the Camera Roll and iCloud Photo Library in beta, a feature that allows you to store all of your photos from all your devices in the cloud.

    8. Apple SIM is a new iPad Air 2 hidden feature

    Perhaps the most interesting news about Apple’s new iPad Air 2 tablet is buried at the bottom of one of its marketing pages: It will come pre-installed with a new “Apple SIM” card instead of one from a specific mobile operator.

    ipad-sim-apple

    Apple explains, “The Apple SIM gives you the flexibility to choose from a variety of short-term plans from select carriers in the U.S. and UK right on your iPad. So whenever you need it, you can choose the plan that works best for you—with no long-term commitments. And when you travel, you may also be able to choose a data plan from a local carrier for the duration of your trip.” So far, Apple lists three of the top four US operators—AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile—as partners. In the UK, there’s EE, a joint venture between T-Mobile and Orange. Apple says participating carriers may change.

  • Nexus 9 vs iPad Mini 3: Which One Got it Right?

    Nexus 9 vs iPad Mini 3: Which One Got it Right?

    Apple has finally unveiled the new generation iPads and iMacs. The company had earlier “accidentally” released some information about the new generation products from its stable. Seems like Apple has put some real challenge for Nexus.  Both the iPad Mini 3 and the Nexus 9 are priced close to Rs. 24,000 ($400).

    Now that we have the knowledge of the juicy bits  of these devices that make them tick, we’d like to take them for a spec comparison.

    Specs

    Nexus 9

    iPad Mini Retina
    Display 8.9-inch QXGA 7.9?inch Retina display
    Processor 2.3GHz, 64-bit NVIDIA Tegra K1 Dual Denver A7 Chip
    RAM 2 GB 1 GB
    Storage 16/32GB 16/64/128 GB
    Expandable Upto – –
    Main Camera 8 MP 5 MP
    Front Camera 1.6 MP 1.2 MP
    Battery 6700 mAh –
    Operating System Android 5.0 iOS 8.0.1

    Overall, on the spec sheet, it looks like the Nexus 9 is beating Apple’s latest offering quite easily; Google and HTC together have formed a good device. Apple’s Handoff features though will be truly appreciated by the fans, and thus the device will find many takers. The features can still be up for debate, and we’ll get you the full story once these devices are available.

  • Apple Brings Out the iPad Mini 3 with Touch ID for $399

    Apple Brings Out the iPad Mini 3 with Touch ID for $399

    Apple has confirmed the third generation iPad Mini featuring the new Touch ID fingerprint sensor during an event at its Cupertino headquarters. The device is identical to the latest 7.9-inch tablet and the iPad Mini with Retina Display that was unveiled last year. Apart from the Touch ID, it has the same Retina display with an aluminum coating at the back and will be available in gold, gray and silver colour variants.

    It features a 5 megapixel iSight camera  and a FaceTime HD camera and carries iOS 8 features such as time-lapse and panorama. This iPad features dual microphones, on the front and back. Instinctively, when you switch cameras from front to back (or vice versa), the microphones switch, too. iPad mini 3 promises lightning-quick Wi-Fi performance using its two antennas and MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) technology. With dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi and MIMO, download speeds can reach up to 300 Mbps.

    It starts at $399 (Rs. 24,574 approx.) for 16GB in Wi-Fi only, while the 128GB + LTE model will cost $729. Pre-orders start tomorrow and shipping starts by the end of next week. Meanwhile, the previous generation iPad mini with Retina display — now called the iPad Mini 2 has received a price cut and can now be bought for as low as $299.

  • It’s Official! The 27-inch iMac with ‘5K’ Retina Display is Here

    It’s Official! The 27-inch iMac with ‘5K’ Retina Display is Here

    At a mega event held in Cupertino Apple finally unveiled the long awaited its 27-inch Retina iMac. The event carried several announcements; the company announced the date of the Apple Pay launch, the revealed the new upgraded iPads and finally, then showcased the ‘World’s Highest Resolution Display.’

    The Retina iMac features a 5K display, has new Operating System Yosemite, which includes aesthetic changes along with new functionality. This next generation Operating System has enhanced sync abilities with iOS devices.

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    The new iMac features a 27-inch display with 5210×2880 pixels resolution, which is 14.7 million pixels, which according to Apple, “Is the world’s highest-resolution display”. Seven times more pixels than a Full HD TV, 67 per cent more pixels than 4k. The display is only 5mm thin at the edge. The Oxide TF and a new low-power backlight helps it use 30% less energy despite the large display and heavy resolution.

    The base model runs on a 3.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, AMD Radeon R9 M290X graphics card,  has 8GB of RAM, and a 1TB Fusion drive. The iMacs are priced starting $2499 (Rs. 1,53,913 approx).

  • Apple Unveils the Super Skinny iPad Air 2

    Apple Unveils the Super Skinny iPad Air 2

    It has been a year since the launch of the iPad Air, and now Apple has finally pulled the curtains on the long awaited iPad Air 2 at an event tonight at its Cupertino headquarters.

    The new refreshed Air is 18 per cent thinner with a thickness of just 6.1 mm. As expected, it is powered by the new Intel A8x Chip, a 2nd gen 64 bit architecture, which is 12 times faster than the current one. Apple claims that graphics performance of the new iPad Air 2 is 180 times faster, which gives console like gaming experience on the iPad Air 2.

    The tablets will feature a fingerprint scanner similar to the one found in the latest iPhones. The sensor enables people to use a fingerprint instead of a passcode to unlock the device, and also can be used to make purchases using Apple Pay.

    ipad air 2

    The new iPad Air 2 houses the 8MP iSight camera on the back with a f/2.4 aperture and supports HD video recording. Along with that there is a front camera which features a new face time HD cam, burst selfie, slo-mo and more. In terms of connectivity it offers faster WiFi, better LTE connectivity of upto 150 Mbps. It can provide a battery back-up of upto 10 hours once fully charged.

    The iPad Air 2 runs on the latest iOS 8.1 and features a LCD layer on the display along with an anti reflective coating, reducing reflection by upto 56 per cent. The iPads are priced starting  $499 (16GB). The 64GB version is available for $599 and the 128GB for $699.

  • Apple Event : Yosemite to be Available from Today and iOS 8.1 from Monday.

    Apple Event : Yosemite to be Available from Today and iOS 8.1 from Monday.

    Taking continuity to the next level. Apple definitely is the first company to benefit from this because of its enormous hardware ecosystem. OS X Yosemite is the upcoming eleventh major release of OS X, Apple Inc.’s desktop and server operating system for Macintosh computers and it will be available from today. It can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for Free.

    Yosemite gives you mirrored access across all Apple platforms for instant access. For example, the iPad recognizes what you’ve been working on and prompts you about it. You can stop working on the Mac, pick up your iPad and start working on your project right way without a second of lag. There is no need for third party apps. There is no need to open a cloud app and download the file, it’s always there.

    iOS 8

    Along with Yosemite,  Apple is bring out the updated version of iOS. They’ve spent time and effort taking in user feedback and have updated the problem-prone update.  iOS 8.1 brings the Camera Roll and iCloud Photo Library in beta, a feature that allows you to store all of your photos from all your devices in the cloud.

  • Apple Pay to Launch on 20th October

    Apple Pay to Launch on 20th October

    Apple Pay, Apple’s NFC and Touch ID-based mobile payment solution, might arrive sooner than anyone expected. Apple had announced its first mobile payment system will launch this month. Today at the mega event, Apple confirmed it will begin rolling out the service next week on 20th October.

    With the new iPhones, Apple introduces the NFC radio on their phones. With Apple Pay all you need to do for paying at stores is bring your phone near the payment sensor, and that’s it, your payment is done. Apple pay is available on both, the iPhone 6 as well as the iPhone 6 Plus. It uses the Touch id for secure payment.

    apple-pay-iOS-8.11-640x400

    The company has inducted a security chip called the Secure Elements on the phones. Not just that, with this new technology, even your name and purchase details remain hidden from the cashiers at the store. You simply pay by keeping your thumb on the touch ID sensor.

    Apple has also take special care that your financial data such as Credit card and account details from falling into the wrong hands. All your credit cards are stored in the Passbook app that doesn’t store any physical data on the device like credit card number and the CVV number. Instead, what you get is a One Time Payment(OTP) number for every transaction that gets transferred to the bank, so neither Apple  nor the merchant gets to know your details.

  • Apple Stocks Up 55,000 iPhone 6 Units for Tonight’s Midnight Launch in India

    Apple Stocks Up 55,000 iPhone 6 Units for Tonight’s Midnight Launch in India

    In order to ensure adequate supplies in the first batch, Apple has reportedly shipped around 55,000 iPhone 6 units to India for tonight’s midnight launch. The report, published by Economic Times, says that the handsets will be available beginning tomorrow and there is anticipation of high demand for the Indian market. The first lot of shipment should be sufficient to meet the demand, as there have been over 21,000 pre-orders for the device.

    iPhone 6 Plus 13

    This initial supply is way much better compared to last year’s iPhone 5s and 5c launch where only around a mere 20,00 units were shipped in the first phase, which created excess demand, particularly in the case of the iPhone 5S. All top retailers and Apple stores across India will launch the new iPhone 6 today at midnight and will be given only to customers who have placed pre-orders, while regular sales begin tomorrow morning.

    Samsung will also take on Apple head on with the launch of their flagship Galaxy Note 4 tomorrow. Check out our first impressions of the Galaxy Note 4.

  • Apple Leaks the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 just ahead of Tomorrows Launch

    Apple Leaks the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 just ahead of Tomorrows Launch

    Call it a co-incidence, a mistake or a planned move, but just after Google’s hot Nexus 9 announcement, Apple’s updated User Guide for iOS 8.1 has leaked and in it are details of the next iPads. Yes the new iPad Air 2 and the iPad Mini 3, but no, you do not get any juicy information except the fact that both the new tablets will get a tTouchID sensor in place of the home button and thats about all the information you get in this leak.

    Everything else is just a bunch of screenshots showing of the OS, and the new improved features. However you put it, in an attempt to out do each other, Google announced the Nexus line up a day earlier to the big Apple announcement, and Apple leaked the documents right after the launches. The tech giants need to curb their enthusiasm if they want our brains to rest easy.

    The Book has been pulled from the App Store (See source link), but not before some folks downloaded it, and the website link below still has the screens.

     

    ipad user guide

  • iPhone 6 Plus vs Note 4: Which Giant is Right for You?

    iPhone 6 Plus vs Note 4: Which Giant is Right for You?

    The cards have been dealt, and now the markets all around the world are ready to choose between the latest offerings from the two giants of the smartphone business. Apple and Samsung will be taking on each other with their flagship offerings. Samsung’s behemoth will take on the first big screen outing from Apple’s stable. Flagship battle doesn’t get bigger than this. So without wasting a beat, let’s get into it.

    Design

    The Galaxy Note 4 takes on the usual Samsung design patterns but with edgy design features. The phone gets a metal frame to strengthen the device. The massive display has always been the Note series’ USP. But this time they take it much further by introducing the 5.7 inch Quad HD Display with a pixel density of 515 ppi. This display is stunning, and high-quality content on it looks mesmerising. Note’s unique feature, the S-pen also gets some considerable improvement over its predecessors.

    The Note 4 Flaunts its metal frame based design and Super AMOLED Quad HD Display.
    The Note 4 Flaunts its metal frame based design and Super AMOLED Quad HD Display.

    Apple’s iPhone 6, on the other hand, comes with a 5.5 inch 1080p HD display with a pixel density of 401 ppi. The phone has an Aluminum body which was recently in the news for its bending issue.

    Hardware

    The innards on the Note 4 are top of the charts. The phone is powered by a Quad-core 2.7 GHz Snapdragon 805 processor. It comes with 3 GB of RAM. The internal storage on the device is 32 GB and has options for expandable storage up to 128 GB. Along with the massive QHD display, the Note 4 is a mobile multimedia powerhouse.

    The bigger iPhone comes with a new generation Apple A8 processor clocked at 1.4 GHz along with 1 GB. But we found that even with the seemingly low specifications the phone brings out a smooth and zippy performance. The phones come in three storage options of 16/64/128 GB.

    Camera

    The Galaxy Note 4 sports a 16 MP camera on the front with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). On the other hand, the iPhone 6 Plus gets OIS too on its 8 MP camera. This device will be loved by selfie enthusiasts. Not only does it give a 90-degree selfie, but using its wide selfie feature you can get an even wider 120-degree selfie which is great for a “Groupfie/Weefie”.

    The camera on the iPhone 6 Plus offers amazing shooting features like Time-lapse and slow motion capture.
    The camera on the iPhone 6 Plus offers amazing shooting features like Time-lapse and slow motion capture.

    iPhone’s features such as time-lapse shooting, Slow motion capture and superior burst mode give it an edge over Note 4’s bigger sensor. Using the multiple features you can almost shoot a professional looking film using the device’s camera.

    Battery

    Both companies have put focus on making these devices with mammoth screens to give more efficient battery backup. Note 4 sports a 3220 mAh battery which tries to quell the hunger of the massive QHD display. Samsung has also added some internal tweaks to make the phone more juice efficient.

    Both phones deliver a good battery backup even with their massive displays.
    Both phones deliver a good battery backup even with their massive displays.

    Samsung’s unique Ultra Power Saving mode is a standout feature for the phone. Using the feature you can use limited features on the phone and extend the life of the phone to multiple days.

    The iPhone 6 Plus comes with a slightly smaller 2915 mAh battery. The phone churns out a good battery backup over the previous outings. It provides a talk time of 6+ hours on LTE networks and 7+ hours on 3G networks, with a switch to 2G we saw upwards of 8 hours. The display consumes the maximum juice on this phone.

    Price

    Note 4 will come to the market at a price of Rs. 61,500 which like in the past may go down even further in a few weeks.

    The iPhone 6 Plus doesn’t come cheap.  The base 16 GB variant will start at Rs. 62,500 which considering the lack of expandable storage is a rough deal. If you are a multimedia enthusiast, the 64 GB and 128 GB variants are quite a hefty buy.

    Special Features

    The S-pen, of course, is the feature that sets the Note as a different smartphone species. Samsung has upgraded the feature of the pen with this outing. With better touch sensitivity and handwriting recognition, the pen will become more of a handy utility than just a gimmick. With options of using calligraphy pens, it brings a more native writing experience.

    Note 4 Stylus come with improved upgrades making it more efficient to use for everyday use.
    Note 4 Stylus come with improved upgrades making it more efficient to use for everyday use.

    Apple though is flaunting its new Apple Pay feature which works using an NFC radio and the Touch ID Sensor on the phone. The single hand mode will also make a lot easier to use the phone and will free the other hand for your tasks.  The landscape options also offer good multitasking options. The system will take some time to come to India but till then you can us the sweet camera on the device to make some great feature style home videos with cool time-lapse and slow motion.

    Conclusion

    The Diwali season will see and enthusiastic rivalry between the two tech giants. Samsung will leave no stone unturned to reach out to new consumers; Apple will have to match up to Samsung’s marketing if it wants to entice the Indian market during the peak spending period in the country. Both phones offer some unique features which cannot be compared but they seem like winners in each of their segments. Now its all up to the market to decide the real winner because only the market has the right to choose that. In the words of the Grail Knight from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade; Choose Wisely.

  • iPhone 6 Plus : Bigger Than Bigger May Be Better or Bendier

    iPhone 6 Plus : Bigger Than Bigger May Be Better or Bendier

    This is the first time Apple has gone this big with a phone, usually pinging their traditional theories that the phone needs to be designed for one handed use. The iPhone 6 Plus has been the preferred of the two (6 and 6 Plus) by buyers worldwide, simply because those who were using large Android phones could switch to a similarly large iPhone 6 Plus.

    The iPhone 6 Plus on paper is the better bet, a full HD screen, bigger battery, larger display, optical image stabilization and landscape mode etc.  However that all changes when you first hold the phone and the immediate reaction is “wow its huge”. Does it make a big difference, to the way we use smartphones and is the iPhone 6 plus actually a better phone? Let’s find out!

    iPhone 6 Plus 2

    Overview

    The iPhone 6 Plus is the largest phone Apple has ever built, but there is good reason that they did it now, when people wanted it more than ever. The bendgate phenomenon has actually added to the existing hype of the iPhone 6 Plus, making people more aware of the existence of the phone. The idea behind the bendgate died as soon as it emerged simply because it didn’t affect users as much. The phone is essentially a bigger brother of the iPhone 6, but Apple may have done the right things to leverage the bigger size.

    iPhone 6 Plus 1

    Build Quality and Hardware

    The iPhone 6 Plus is built on a single rounded piece of aluminum, this not only makes the phone look good but adds a good resistance to damage. The phone however is not as strengthened on the smaller phones, hence bendgate exists. No but it’s not as easy as it looks, the phone does not bend as easily as it appears to on screen, and only under certain circumstances. It is an issue and if you are worried about that happening, you should skip the rest.

    Hardware wise you get a bumped up Dual Core 1.4 GHz Apple A8 chipset with the Quad Core Graphics, same 1 GB of RAM as the little brother and a M8 motion co-processor that also ties into the health app on iOS 8. The battery is a large non-removable 2915 mAh, and you get the three storage options, 16GB , 64Gb and 128 GB.

    The front has a massive 5.5 inch with a 1920 x 1080p resolution which feels a little more fulfilling than the resolution on the iPhone 6 although you get the retina display at 401 ppi. Even though its massive in size it is only 7.1 mm thick, making it exceptionally sleek and pocketable.

    iPhone 6 Plus 14Here is how it stacks up with other big boys !

    Specs

    Samsung Note 4

    Sony Xperia Z3

    iPhone 6 Plus

    LG G3

    Galaxy S5
    Display 5.7 inch QHD 5.2 inch Full HD 5.5 inch Full HD 5.5 inch QHD 5.1 inch Full HD
    Processor  2.7GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 805 2.5 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 801 1.4 GHz Dual-core A8 chipset 2.26 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 801 2.5 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 801
    RAM 3 GB 3 GB RAM 1 GB 3 GB 2 GB
    Storage 32 GB 16/32 GB 16/64/128 GB 16/32GB 16/32GB
    Expandable Upto 64 GB 128 GB – 128 GB 64 GB
    Main Camera 16 MP 20.7 MP 8 MP 13 MP sensor 16MP sensor
    Front Camera 3.7 MP 2.2 1.2 MP 2.2MP sensor  2 MP
    Battery Removable 3220 mAh Non-removable 3100 mAh Non-removable 2915mAh 3,000mAh 2,800mAh
    Operating System Android 4.4.4 Android 4.4.4 iOS 8 Android 4.4.2 Android 4.4.4
    Price Rs. 61,500 Rs. 51,990 Rs. 62,500 for 16 GB variant Rs. 44,100 Rs. 37,000

    Performance

    The iPhone 6 Plus is no underdog when it comes to performance, and just because it is running relatively low spec’d hardware doesn’t mean that this guy doesn’t pack a punch. Apple has managed to make it work, they own the architecture and the hardware and have optimized the OS to run zippy smooth on hardware which in Android terms would be lame and notoriously dated, props to Apple for this.

    Everything from playing games, to multitasking to going about your day, works well on the iPhone. Some of the Apps have been designed to leverage the large screen size of the iPhone 6 Plus improving the overall experience by a lot.

    iPhone 6 Plus 0

    Camera

    This is a big mention, and no not because Apple added a might big sensor but because two amazing things happen with the iPhone 6 Plus. First the video is absolutely stunning with the optical image stabilization, you can walk about and get almost steadicam like shots on your iPhone. The phone also shoots brilliant 720p 240fps slow mo that looks absolutely stunning in low light or otherwise.

    Images are sharper and there is definitely less hunting thanks to the on-sensor phase detection that has good and accurate focus capabilities. This overall improvement in focus results in sharper images and better results. The camera on the iPhone has been best in class, the new improved sensor and image processing will only carry that into the next year.

    The large screen on the iPhone 6 Plus makes for a good viewfinder for the camera, and especially in video mode it comes in handy to pick and select your focus points. The fact that you can adjust the brightness on the fly will be appreciated by a lot of people, you can also lock in your points before you click a picture or shoot a video.

    Phone Networks and Battery Life

    The one thing that you immediately notice is the battery life of the iPhone 6 Plus, it will practically last you a day and a half. Even more if you are a light user. The networks are sustained and solid through areas with weak reception. Mostly in areas that we would notice weak reception with the iPhone 5 and 5s we saw great network reception with the iPhone 6 Plus, better than the iPhone 6 even.

    Battery will last you 6+ hours with talk time on LTE networks and 7+ hours on 3G networks, with a switch to 2G we saw upwards of 8 hours which is impressive. The biggest drain on the battery is the display, so if you have less screen on time, then you get more talk time, and vice versa.

    iOS 8

    [pullquote_left]Apple’s biggest strength is the lack of weakness in iOS[/pullquote_left]

    Apple’s biggest strength is the lack of weakness in iOS. Despite a few initial bugs on iOS 8, the next versions have been tweaked and work as flawlessly as any other iOS release ever. There is no denying that iOS is the best if not one of the best mobile operating systems, and also one of the reasons that iPhones have seen success through the years.

    Apple has taken iOS 8 and moulded it well for the iPhone 6 Plus, and it works great. The iPhone 6 Plus essentially behaves like a mini-iPad, so you get landscape mode on the desktop as well as some essential apps like messaging and mail. Apple’s reachability with the use of the touch-id sensor makes a lot of sense on this gigantic phone. Third parties can leverage the large size of the display to their advantage and we have yet to see unique use case scenarios. However, Apple has updated the dev kit to make this work well.

    Conclusion

    Apple has made a big iPhone and there is no denying it, infact people said the same thing about the iPad when it was first released, and it went on to become the most selling tablet ever. Apple has given the market what they needed, a large size iPhone option. While the 4.7 inch iPhone may be the right size for most people, the iPhone 6 Plus, is just that big boy of a phone which comes with its perks. The large battery life will be a boon to any iPhone user of the past as, chargers will become a thing of the past. Those with a camera fetish will love the slow-mo capability that looks as juicy as the apple being sliced in slow motion. The optical image stabilization, large viewfinder for the display, and excellent use of the large screen to show landscape options truly adds to the already awesome iPhone experience.

    For those looking for a little extra, the Note 4 rival launches the same day as the iPhone 6 Plus in India, so take a healthy pick.

    [tw-column width=”one-half”]

    GOOD THINGS

    • Excellent Battery
    • Solid Networks
    • Wow Camera
    • Slo-Mo video at 240 fps

    [/tw-column]

    [tw-column width=”one-half” position=”last”]

    BAD THINGS

    • It Bends!
    • Seriously, it bends!

    [/tw-column]

  • Everything We Know About Apple’s Upcoming iMac

    Everything We Know About Apple’s Upcoming iMac

    Back in June, Apple unveiled a new cheaper iMac, but that wasn’t the one we were waiting for. Apple is expected to launch its first iMac with Retina screen on 16th October. The company’s last big update for iMac came last year in September when Apple added the Haswell processor, new graphics, next generation Wi-Fi and faster PCIe flash storage options.

    As reported by 9to5Mac, which cites sources that have used the desktop, the rumored new iMac with Retina display will feature a thin profile similar to the current generation of iMac machines, alongside faster processors and improved Wi-Fi connectivity.

    Retina Display

    According to the multiple reports, Apple will launch a 27-inch iMac with a 5K ‘Retina display’ screen. The screen will have a 5120 x 2880 resolution. This resolution is mentioned in the OS X Yosemite code. Earlier this year, French site, MacBidouille claimed that the developer preview of Yosemite includes a file that refers to a display scaling resolution option for the iMac. Apparently, the file includes a collection of scaling resolution options for the new iMac. They max out at 6400 x 3600 pixels.

    Also, the recent announcement of DisplayPort 1.3, which can support 5K (5120×2880 pixels) monitors using a single Display Port cable without the use of compression, can also make the 5K resolution in the high-res iMac models a reality. If you compare, the existing 21.5-inch iMac flaunts a 1920×1080 pixels resolution display, while the 27-inch variant boasts a 2560×1440 pixels resolution screen.

    There were previously suggestions that to qualify for the ‘Retina display’ definition, the resolution would only need to be 3,840 x 2,400 if Apple used ‘pixel doubling’. The cost involved in producing a 27-inch iMac with Retina display may also prove prohibitive, resulting in higher prices.

    RETINA-iMac-2015

    Innards

    According to leaks, new iMac will use the Haswell i7-4790K, with a base clock speed of 4.0GHz. We know, you are waiting for the Broadwell processor to arrive in the Mac, but those new Intel processors will “likely be added in an update next year. Also, it is said that the new iMacs will have AMD graphics rather than the Nvidia graphics of the current generation. Little is known about which graphics processor Apple has in mind, but it’ll need to be quite beefy if there is any hope at running 3D games at the native resolution of the display. Apart from this, some sources also hinted an upgrade in iMovie and Final Cut Pro video editing softwares. The software are likely to feature improved tools for editing 4K footage.

    Low-End iMacs

    Well, it is said that the 21.5-inch model won’t be getting any considerable amount of iterations. We can expect the smaller iMac to be pretty much same as the previous generations at 1920×1080 (102 PPI), however, we can expect minor changes in CPU and GPU . While it’s disappointing that only the biggest model is getting a Retina update, it’s not particularly surprising. High-res displays are still very expensive, so it doesn’t make sense for the cheaper low-end iMacs. For now, 5K displays are still a rare and premium feature.

    apple_imac

    When Does it Arrive?

    All the rumors regarding the new iMac have hinted that Apple will launch a new iMac, with a Retina display, at Apple’s confirmed special event on 16 October, which is expected to also see the launch of new iPads.

iGyaan Network
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