Category: Apple

Apple Upgrades MacBook Pro with Retina Display to Better Processors

Today Apple refreshes its premium MacBook Pro with Retina display lineup, bumping up the CPU speeds and RAM, as well as dropping the prices of the high-end models.

Prior to this upgrade the base version of the 13.3-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display featured a 2560 X1600 resolution at 227 pixels per inch retina display, 2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 CPU, 4GB of 1600MHz DDR3L RAM, and 128GB of PCIe-based flash storage and it had a price tag of $1,299. For the same price this model now comes with a 2.6 GHz Intel Core i5 chip and 8GB of memory.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display features dual-core Intel Core i5 processors up to 2.8 GHz with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.3 GHz and 8GB of memory, up from 4GB in the entry-level notebook. The 13-inch model can also be configured with faster dual-core Intel Core i7 processors up to 3.0 GHz with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.5 GHz.

The top-of-the-line 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display has a new, lower starting price of INR 179,900. The 15-inch model features faster quad-core Intel Core i7 processors up to 2.5 GHz with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.7 GHz, 16GB of memory, up from 8GB in the entry-level notebook, and can be configured with quad-core Intel Core i7 processors up to 2.8 GHz with Turbo Boost speeds up to 4.0 GHz.

“People love their MacBook Pro because of the thin and light, aluminium unibody design, beautiful Retina display, all day battery life and deep integration with OS X. The MacBook Pro with Retina display gets even better with faster processors, more memory, more affordable configurations and a free upgrade to OS X Yosemite this fall.”said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing.

iLife and iWork come free with every new Mac. iLife lets you edit your favorite videos with iMovie, create new music or learn to play piano. iWork on the other hand, allows productivity apps, Pages, Numbers and Keynote, which make it easy to create, edit and share stunning documents, spreadsheets and presentations. OS X Mavericks, the world’s most advanced operating system, also comes free with every new Mac. With more than 200 features, OS X Mavericks is designed for ease of use while taking full advantage of the powerful technologies built into every Mac, including core technologies designed specifically for notebooks to boost performance and improve battery life.

MacBook Pro with Retina display and MacBook Pro are available today through select Apple Authorised Resellers.

The pricing is as followed:

Description	Price
The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is available with a 2.6 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.1 GHz, 8GB of memory, 128GB of flash storage and Intel Iris graphics.	94,900 (inc VAT)
The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is available with a 2.6 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.1 GHz, 8GB of memory, 256GB of flash storage and Intel Iris graphics	109,900 (inc VAT)
The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is available with a 2.8 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.3 GHz, 8GB of memory, 512GB of flash storage and Intel Iris graphics	129,900 (inc VAT)
The 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is available with a 2.2 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.4 GHz, 16GB of memory, 256GB of flash storage and Intel Iris Pro graphics	144,900 (inc VAT)
The 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is available with a 2.5 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.7 GHz, 16GB of memory, 512GB of flash storage, and Intel Iris Pro and NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M graphics	179,900 (incl VAT)
The 13-inch MacBook Pro is available with a 2.5 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.1 GHz, 4GB of memory, Intel HD Graphics 4000 and a 500GB hard drive	78,900 (inc VAT)

This update to the MacBook Pro line comes ahead of the release of OS X 10.10 Yosemite, which is scheduled for release this fall, and brings a number of new features to users, including much closer integration between Mac and iOS devices.

July 30, 2014

Thermal Imaging is Finally Available For Your iPhone With FLIR ONE

Remember watching the Predator and thinking how cool it would be to see the world around you in thermal imaging? Though the technology has been around for quite a while and has been proactively used by militaries around the world. And we know consumer versions have been out for the benefit of campers and hikers, but nothing can come close to what FLIR ONE claims to offer.

FLIR ONE lets you use your iPhone as a thermal imaging camera. All you need to do is get the FLIR ONE case and the companion app and you are good to go do some predating. The FLIR ONE case itself comes with a thermal imaging camera which slides on behind the iPhone. The case is good to look at and bulks up your phone by just 110 grams and also makes the phone look good.

The case brings thermal imaging right on your phone

The technology can come handy in day to day use too and is not just limited for the outdoorsy folks. It can help people living in cold areas to find thermal leaks and make their heating more efficient. It will make it a lot easier to find your lost pet at night; it might make you feel a predator looking for its prey. It can also be used for driving on a foggy or rainy day.

FLIR ONE also has options for time lapse capture, paint and panorama functions. Apple might bring the time lapse feature with the iOS 8 update which might challenge the developers of this app to compete with Apple’s official offerings.

FLIR ONE will be available on Apple Stores and online retail portal in August. The pre-orders on the website will begin tomorrow. The case comes in Space Gray and will come with silver or gold versions later. It costs $349.99 and at this price only the serious enthusiasts will give it a try. Android users may have to wait for a while before they have an thermal imaging case, but maybe soon the technology might arrive pre-built into the future mobile phones.

July 29, 2014
Apple to Buy Radio Curation App Swell for $30 Million

In the year of acquisitions, Apple’s latest is a $30 Million purchase of a Radio curation service called Swell. The report was brought out by Recode which said that Apple is close to buying the service.

Swell is a Radio and podcast compiler app which is currently available to iOS device users. It is a great service which is often compared to Pandora but for talk radio. The service offers access to major talk radio content providers.

It is said that under the clauses of the agreement, the team behind Swell will also come work for Apple. Apple might want to utilize their talents to better their own streaming service which is one of their least appreciated products. Swell’s app developers were also working on an Android version of their app, but with this acquisition, that project is probably out the window.

Apple has been seen this year going on a spending spree with a major Beats Audio purchase and other such smaller ones. In total the company has completed about 30 plus acquisitions in the past nine months. With this latest purchase of Swell, the app will now be taken down from the app store by the end of this week. It might be reintroduced with the new iOS 8 release.

July 28, 2014
Rumor : Apple To Launch an iWallet With The iPhone 6

We have been waiting to get our hands on the Apple’s new iPhone 6 with its new design. But while we wait, there are many other rumours flying high. Most recently, the rumors are that along with the launch of the highly anticipated iPhone 6, Apple will also launch a Google Wallet rival.

According to these rumors, Apple is in talks with major credit card company Visa to collaborate and create an iWallet technology that could revolutionize the way consumers pay for goods. As noted by the publication, a direct partnership with Visa — or any similar company — would be a huge step in bypassing the payment processing chain, saving both merchants and customers money.

Apple is aiming to proceed with its payment system without handing over any control to wireless carriers, which may allow it to avoid difficulties that its competitors have faced. It has been expected for some time now that Apple would step into the mobile wallet sector and use the millions of shoppers who already store their card information with its iTunes Store and App Store. The iPhone maker has had to be cautious after seeing Google Inc. and others fail to rally users to make payments using their phones.

With partnership talks ongoing, Apple is also working out the technology behind a mobile payment system. The reports illustrate that the company at one point planned to integrate Near Field Communication (NFC) modules in its iPhone lineup, though other rumors claim the system will rely on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

In either case, sensitive customer information is likely to be stored in the iPhone’s secure enclave or alternatively in the cloud.

July 25, 2014
OS X Yosemite Public Beta Released, Here’s How You Can Get it

Apple first showcased their latest version of Mac OS, labeled OS X Yosemite, earlier this year at WWDC. It featured a completely redesigned user interface and better OS X to iOS integration. A lot of users have been waiting patiently to get their hands on it ever since. While developers have had access to the all new versions of Mac OS X ever since the announcement, Apple are finally allowing the general public to get a taste of Yosemite starting Thursday, 24th July.

To know about its various new features and their functionalities, follow this link to read more.

So here’s how it works. All users who signed up with their Apple ID on the beta program website (its still not too late to do so) will get an email with a link and an activation code which will allow them to download the latest build.

Users should keep in mind that this beta build, while fairly stable, might (and will) still contain bugs and errors. Apple clearly states that the software is still in development, which means some applications and services might not function properly. Also, some of those awesome new features require an iOS 8 device, which is not part of the program. The beta version has a built-in Feedback Assistant application, if users want to report any bugs or provide any feedback on the build as they’re using it.

Having the latest OS X Mavericks is a prerequisite for the installation of this build. We also recommend that you first back up your Mac using Time Machine before installing this build. Also, if you have a secondary Mac, you should install the beta onto that, rather than risking your primary machine.

Now, if at any stage, users feel that they do not want to be part of the program, Apple will also give instructions to revert back to OS X Mavericks. So, if you just can’t wait till Apple officially releases the latest Mac OS X this fall, hit this link.

By Pranav Arora

July 25, 2014
Apple Reportedly Working on a 12-Inch Macbook and a 4K iMac

Apple is surely going to have a good this year. With the mega buzz around the new operating system, the OSX Yosemite and the iOS, Apple is confident of its hands being full with cash by the end of this year. Now the company is planning to bring out a 12-inch Macbook and a new iMac with 4K display or a standalone 4K monitor.

The 4K display would be immense step forward for the company and for the graphical and entertainment industry. An entire industry thrives on Apple systems and by having an iMac with 4K display will really speed up the content production for that medium. This will also help in bringing in these advanced displays to the lower mediums like the Macbook Pros.

The new Macbook is described to have a thickness between the Macbook Air and the Macbook Pros. This laptop computer will come with an intel processor instead of the Apple A8 processor. Though this started off as a rumor last year but its validity is getting established with each new report.

This report coming from Mark Gurman at 9to5Mac, is definitely going to make a lot of people happy. The software prowess of the Mac’s is the best in business and when united with superior displays, it’s going to be magical. Let’s hope these come out as soon as possible. They will surely obliterate the competition.

July 24, 2014
Apple’s iTime Patent Strongly Hints Their Entry into The Wearable Market

While iPhone 6 is making rounds on the internet with new renders and rumours everyday, Apple’s much-awaited smart watch seemed to have gotten lost in the crowd. But recent evidence of Apple’s interest in wearable devices surfaced on Tuesday with the publication of the company’s latest U.S. patent.

Apple has never publicly acknowledged that it’s working on a smartwatch, although it’s widely expected that an “iWatch” could be introduced as soon as this September. On Tuesday, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted a patent to Apple for a smartwatch concept referred to as ‘iTime’. The documents was first spotted by AppleInsider, disrupting the secrecy code regarding company’s wrist-based ambitions at least a little bit.

Unlike the all-in-one smartwatch devices already revealed by Samsung and LG, the iTime will actually feature two main components: a smart strap, which can apparently be swapped out to change functionality, and a small touchscreen media player reminiscent of the sixth-generation iPod Nano, which is mentioned by name in the patent. Although, you can certainly expect the display technology used on the iTime to be vastly superior to the old Nano.

Based on the patent, Apple envisions a smartwatch with a range of functions, including notifying the user of incoming messages and allowing a user to remotely control other devices. “An incoming phone call, a text message, a social network post, or a news feed directed to a user’s electronic device (e.g., mobile phone) can cause a notification to be provided to a nearby electronic wristband of the user,” the document said. The electronic wristband can also “provide remote controls to a user.”

Apple is widely expected to introduce a wearable device with functionality very similar to that described in the patent. According to the most recent speculation, Apple’s first attempt into the wearables game may sport a “slightly curved” 2.5-inch OLED display and could come in three sizes. The device is also said to have a heavy focus on health and wellness, with possible fitness tracking functions built-in.

Based on what Apple told us at WWDC of company’s plans for health, fitness and home automation, a new wearable (or wearables) could fit perfectly into the its grand scheme of things. And if this patent is any indication, they’ve already been devising that scheme for years.

July 23, 2014
Apple Releases Its Q3 Results And It Looks Good

Apple released its third quarterly results and it looks good for the company. The Cupertino based tech giant saw quarterly revenue of $37.4 billion and quarterly net profit of $7.7 billion, or $1.28 per diluted share. This growth was mostly powered by iPads, Mac sales and services. The Earning Per Share (EPS) has increased grown by 20 percent. The company saw an increase of about $2 billion in revenue over last year’s $35.3 billion with net profit of $6.9 billion.

The Gross margin also increased to 39.4 percent compared to 36.9 percent from last year. International sales accounted for 59% of this quarter’s revenue.

These favorable figures lead the board of directors to declare a cash dividend of $0.47 per share of Apple’s common stock.

With Yosemite and iOS 8, the future looks good for Apple

Apple’s CEO Tim Cook sounded rather elated when he said “Our record June quarter revenue was fueled by strong sales of iPhone and Mac and the continued growth of revenue from the Apple ecosystem, driving our highest EPS growth rate in seven quarters. We are incredibly excited about the upcoming releases of iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite, as well as other new products and services that we can’t wait to introduce.”

Apple’s target for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2014 are:

• revenue between $37 billion and $40 billion
• gross margin between 37 percent and 38 percent
• operating expenses between $4.75 billion and $4.85 billion
• other income/(expense) of $250 million
• tax rate of 26.1 percent

Considering the hype generated by Apple’s phenomenal show this year at the WWDC and the regular product leaks, these targets are definitely realizable. With the release of the new generation OSX and iOS 8 later this year and Apple’s enterprise tie-up with IBM, it seems like this will be the year of the Apple.

July 23, 2014
Fresh Renders Surface of The iPhone 6 And Retina iPad Mini

We have seen a plethora of dummies of the much-awaited iPhone 6 over the span of the past few months. However, it has been reported that the existing iPhone 6 dummy mockups have had major design flaws.

A graphic designer, Martin Hajek, popular for his various dummy mockups, has created beautiful renders of the two upcoming Apple products.

“Based on rumors and images of the purported iPhone 6 all over the internet, I decided to do a concept study of what an iPad mini would look like with this new, soft and round iPhone 6 design ‘language’ slapped all over it,” Hajek wrote on his blog while publishing his most recent work.

For example, a number of reports suggest that the tablet will indeed feature Apple’s Touch ID fingerprint scanner beneath the home button. However, the iPad mini case is not expected to feature any major design changes, so we will most likely have to wait until next year before we see anything that might resemble Hajek’s design.

As far the much anticipated iPhone 6 is concerned, this mockup seems like the closest we got to the real device. It shows a thick black plastic line on the top and bottom at the rear-side of the phone. However, many reports point out that those lines are from the leaked iPhone 6 schematics and they actually designate areas on the back of the phone that contain glass panels, similar to the ones on the back of iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s.

Well, again, we can’t help but point out that these render simply based on rumors and are subject to change.

July 22, 2014
Launch of MacBook Air With Retina Display Might Be Pushed to 2015

Recent report by Taiwan’s Economic Daily News said that Apple is going to launch two new Macbook Air variants; 11-inch and 13-inch in coming months. The report also added that the upcoming redesigned 12-inch MacBook with a Retina display is expected to ship later than expected, as late as early 2015.

The publication reports that the updates to both current MacBook Air sizes have entered production with Apple partner Quanta Computer and the new computers will boost Quanta’s 2014 notebook shipment numbers by 15%. The new devices are said to sport new chassis, screens, and chipsets. It is also said that the shipments are due in late-August.

Apple’s 12-inch MacBook with Retina display was initially reported to hit the marketplace sometime in the earlier part of the third quarter. This device will mark the first expansion of Apple’s Mac line since the MacBook Pro with Retina Display product line was introduced in mid-2012. According to the report, the new MacBook’s launch is glued to Intel’s power and performance-efficient 14-nanometer Broadwell part.

Any more specific hardware details for the new 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air laptops have not been revealed.

Apple has already refreshed its MacBook Air line a few months ago, updating its two models with slightly faster and more efficient processors, and dropped the prices across the line by $100. Apple will launch its OS X Yosemite update at some point in fall, likely alongside new hardware. In addition to the rumored new MacBook Air models, it is said that Apple might update its MacBook Pro family later this year, too.

July 21, 2014
Google Play Store Beats iOS App Store in Number of Downloads, Lags In Revenue

An app analyst at App Annie have compiled their data for Q2 2014 and have come out with the results. For the months of April, May and June, the Android Play Store has again surpassed the iOS App Store in terms of app downloads. In raw numbers, the Android Play Store registered about 150 million app downloads as opposed to 100 million app downloads against its iOS counterpart. This means a 60% increase from the previous quarter for Android, and a 45% increase for iOS.

App revenue, however, is a completely different story. iOS has a huge lead in this department with $100 million in app revenue as compared to $60 million for Android. Again, that is an increase of 45% for iOS from the previous quarter as against a 30% increase for Android. Now there can be a number of reasons for this, but the primary reasons being ‘free-medium’ apps on Android, which actually cost a few dollars on Apple’s iOS platform.

However, it is predicted by analysts that the Android Play Store will actually surpass the iOS App Store even in revenue by 2018. Android already dominates about 80% of the smartphone market, and app revenues are expected to reflect that soon.

In terms of app downloads by categories, both platforms are dominated by Games, Tools, Communication, Entertainment and Social applications. This is not news as these categories were dominant in the previous quarter as well.

The role of low-priced Android phones in emerging markets also makes a mark on these rankings. India jumped up two spots to claim the third overall spot in total app downloads on Android, behind the United States and Brazil. On the iOS platform, Japan, United States, South Korea, Germany and Taiwan continue to dominate the top five nations in terms of downloads.

Apple is presently preparing for the launch iPhone 6 which is said to be more expensive than the iPhone 5s, while on the other hand Google has recently announced the Android One, a cheap mobile platform for budget phone in India . It will be interesting to see how both companies with different marketing strategy compete with each other in this volatile technology market.

By Pranav Arora

July 21, 2014
A New Round of Rumors Emerge About The iPhone 6

With the release drawing close, rumours about the iPhone 6 are on its peak these day. Recently, a report revealed iPhone 6 battery details, suggesting that Apple’s 2014 models may offer better battery performance than the last iPhone.

Image of the battery leaked by French publication Nowhereelse

The 4.7-inch iPhone 6 was expected to have a battery capacity of 1,800 mAh to 1,900 mAh, while the so-called 5.5-inch ‘iPhone Air’ was said to have a 2,500 mAh battery. Now, French publication Nowhereelse has disclosed an image of the purported 4.7-inch iPhone 6’s battery, which may confirm that the battery has a capacity in line with previous reports.

The image revealed by the publication shows a battery assembled in China by Huizhou Desay Battery, which has 1,810 mAh capacity. What’s interesting about the battery maker is that Desay was mentioned in a recent report as one of Apple’s iPhone 6 battery suppliers. The report mentioned the company that is able to meet the iPhone’s battery size requirements for this component.

The iPhone 6 which is said to be launched later this year is expected to be 7mm thin. It was also reported that Apple has placed orders to battery suppliers for 2mm-thick batteries, which are one-third thinner than the batteries found in the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c. Another report illustrates that Apple suppliers encountered challenges mass-producing slimmed-down components for the iPhone 6, including batteries, which could affect their gross margins.

There were images which were previously leaked showing a batch of purported iPhone 6 batteries, although their capacities were not revealed in those leaks. This appears to be the first purported iPhone 6 battery picture that actually lists the capacity of the battery, an important hardware detail, especially considering this year’s models will have significantly bigger displays.

According to Taiwan’s Economic Daily News, the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 will enter mass production starting next week, while the 5.5-inch model will go into mass production almost a month later, during the second week of August. Which means the rumored September release of the device may come true. The publication has also reported that Foxconn will hire 100,000 workers to meet Apple’s iPhone demands this year, which is in line with the unconfirmed reports which said that Apple placed a heavy order. Pegatron, the other iPhone 6 maker, has also hired more than 10,000 additional workers to manufacture the new iPhone, as Apple is rumored to sell up to 70 million iPhone 6 units this year.

July 19, 2014
Apple and IBM Join Hands for Enterprise Mobility Solutions

Apple and IBM announced an exclusive partnership to enhance their market in Enterprise Mobility. The goal is to use each other’s strengths to take on the competition. Apple intends to use IBM’s big data and analytics capabilities on its mobile platform of iPhones and iPads.

This is a huge deal as this brings two of the industry giants together in a landmark partnership. This alliance is almost relatable to an international treaty. The companies will try to redefine the workflow process, address key industry mobility challenges and inspire mobile-led business evolution.

Apple has struggled for long to make its mark in the enterprise space

With this partnership the companies plan to develop a new class of more than 100 industry-specific enterprise solutions including native apps, developed exclusively from the ground up, for iPhone and iPad. They also want to incorporate IBM cloud services optimized for iOS, including device management, security, analytics and mobile integration. Also, a new AppleCare service will be introduced, and support offering tailored to the needs of the enterprise will be provided. Finally, a new package will be offered from IBM for device activation, supply and management.

IBM will introduce its MobileFirst Platform for iOS that will aim to provide comprehensive business related solutions. From analytics, workflow and cloud storage, to fleet-scale device management, security and integration. It will also provide private app catalog, data and transaction security services, and productivity suite for all MobileFirst systems.

Businesses will get a boost with iOS 8 features like Handoff

iOS 8 will also play a major role in this relationship. Apple has provided lots of features for developers to create new apps. This will give a lot of freedom to enterprise developers to build a new IT model for a mobilized workforce by improving the way users are informed of how their devices are configured, managed or restricted. It will also have expanded security, management and productivity features.

IBM has a huge resource of about 5000 mobile experts who, using its 4,300 patents, help in easing the adoption process of mobile solutions. Along with the operating system support from Apple, enterprises might get a good bargain shifting to an advanced Apple based workflow.

Even though, this is a mobility partnership it will be a huge boost for Mac OSX ecosystems too. As Apple has provided some great interlinking features between the iOS and Mac, enterprises might shift entirely to Apple systems. This will be a huge challenge for Microsoft’s Windows systems which have had an almost monopolistic rule in the enterprise computing space. The Windows mobility options are still not evolved enough to take on Apple, so there might be trouble for Windows ahead. This of course will not happen immediately as Windows systems are a lot cheaper and enterprises have invested huge amounts on their computers, but mobile is the way forward. Apple might have finally got the advantage it has been waiting for over 30 years.

July 16, 2014
What the iPhone 6 Needs to Take on The HTC One M8

Ever since its release, the HTC One M8 has been one of the most admired flagships. With its aluminum unibody metallic design, the phone announces its distinguished class. Now HTC has decided that it will be giving LTE support to the One M8, making the phone future proof and a serious contender for a good while.

Now we see what the next version of the Apple iPhone needs to have to take on the HTC One M8.

Display:

The HTC One comes with a spectacular 441 ppi display

The HTC One M8 comes with a 441 ppi dense 1080p HD screen, with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. In comparison, the iPhone, with its bigger sized display is speculated to come with a Sapphire Glass, which is one of the toughest glass out there. The glass is literally capable of surviving not just key chain scratches, but a full on knife assault.

Design:

Now here’s an impressive update for you. Apple has won a patent to make a casing of the Sapphire Glass. This might just be for the next iPhone outing. Unlike the glass design on the iPhone 4S, this one will be an unbreakable version and will prevent your precious iPhone and your emotional stability from shattering. According to the abstract on the patent document, the design might have multiple glass pieces fused together for overall protection of internal components.

The next Iphone might be entirely made of Sapphire glass casing.

In comparison, HTC’s Aluminum casing is one of its most appreciated features. Apple will own the flagship casing fight if they integrate Sapphire Glass casing, but that will raise the price of the device significantly.

HTC has also evolved their dual speaker Boomsound feature quite efficiently on the HTC One M8. Also special mention should go the Dot Cover as its visually appealing.

Camera:

With its dual camera feature, HTC has pioneered selective focus ability in the smartphone space. The phone also gives a brilliant software support to its camera system. Though some of the features are a bit gimmicky, but the average user will be able to add some incredible effects on their photos.

With the iOS 8 update the iPhone will get new composition tools, easy adjustment features, new filters and editing tools, and the best of all is a Time-lapse feature. After the slow-motion update in the previous generation, time lapse seems like the next logical step for the iPhone to take.

Software:

Inter connectivity with OSX is the cornerstone of iOS 8

HTC has announced that the HTC One M8 will be one of the first devices, along with some more from the HTC family, to get the Android L update. The L comes with significant visual overhaul along with many functional changes making the system a lot more user friendly.

Apple, on the other hand, has packed the iOS 8 with some visionary features. The revamped notification center would make your life easier as you can access to all your important updates at one place. The interconnectivity features between the iOS and OSX devices are pioneering, and we saw Google showcasing something similar between the Android phones and Chromebooks.

Battery:

As the HTC One M8 will be one of the first devices don the Android L apparel, it will be the beneficiary of project Volta. With this new feature developers will be able to extend the life of the battery considerably. The 2600 mAh battery on the One M8, gives a day’s worth of charge but the web browsing coupled with the giant screen drains out the battery real fast.

iPhones batteries have always faced criticism for their dispiriting performance. Recently Samsung took a shot at iPhone users and called them “wall huggers.” Apple conceded and agreed that some of its phones faced reduced battery life. Now it’s to see if Apple makes the correction in the latest version, or the wall huggers will again be on their quest to find the charging sockets.

Conclusion:

Overall, with increased screen size and hopefully better battery backup, the iPhone 6 will be capable of taking on the HTC One M8. HTC might hit back with a better user interface using the new Android L. On the software front though both OS are competitive with Apple getting the advantage for its better interconnectivity feature with the OSX. Even if you don’t have a Mac OSX device, the iOS would be suitable as a standalone device too. HTC should definitely gear up for the upcoming war.

July 16, 2014
The 5 Things You Should Expect From The Upcoming iPhone 6

Everyone is certain we’re going to see the new iPhone in 2014. It’s also looking pretty certain that Apple might follow its own footsteps by releasing two iPhone handset, instead of just one. Rumours suggest there will be two versions available with two different sized screens: 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch. And the rumors are, it’s likely to be called the iPhone Air. Though we have to wait till it releases to see what Apple planning to do with next instalment of iPhone. Until then, we are listing 5 things about iPhone 6 that you should expect from the next iPhone:

1. Improved Camera

Its the feature everyone looks for the most, and Apple’s always put huge resources behind improving its cameras. More importantly, Apple’s filed a patent for a particular kind of image stabilization in a smart phone; it will reportedly increase the size of the pixels in its 8-megapixel sensor; and apparently there’s a “Super Resolution Mode” in the next version of the camera app. We have something something remarkable heading our way.

2. Online Payments Using TouchID

Apple has almost 800 million iTunes accounts and hundreds of millions of credit cards on file, and all working towards larger option for users to buy things on their phone. It would take on PayPal and Google Wallet, and could launch alongside the new iPhone. TouchID would be Apple’s ultimate weapon, paying for everything online with your fingerprint is both secure and simple, and a “Pay with iTunes” of sorts could be a huge revenue magnet for Apple.

3. Lightning Port Headphone Jack

There is a possibility of Apple killing classic 3.5mm headphone jack in favor of the company’s propriety Lightning Port. The company has introduced a new design for manufacturers in its made-for-iPhone (MFi) program that will let them to produce headphones with Lightning connectors. The new type of headphones will be able to make the change between analogue to digital audio with an elevated lossless stereo 48 kHz digital output, it would in addition convert the traditional headphones into a smart device.

4. Placement of Buttons

With the flood of iPhone 6 mockups there is a good idea of what the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 might look like. Expect a thinner iPhone between 6-7mm and more metal with curved edges that make it look more like an iPad Air or mini. The new volume buttons are slimmer to fit on this new edge and the power button is now on the right side. This new power button placement is crucial as it allows users to reach the button more easily.

5. Hiked Price

There’s one thing we can be sure about when it comes to the iPhone 6 – it won’t be cheap. Apple’s legacy is a long line of premium devices sporting premium price tags and you can expect that trend to continue with the iPhone 6. One analyst even goes as far as predicting that Apple will hike up the price of the iPhone 6, possibly by as much as $100. With a larger screen, new glass covering the front and possibly even a new, more impressive, material used in construction, we can already foresee the price being hiked.

July 14, 2014