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Images of the Upcoming Sony Xperia Z3 Leaked Online
As per the company traditions, Sony is expected to launch Z3 at the IFA in Berlin this September. The new handset in the Xperia Z series is supposed to be a mere upgrade of its predecessor. Sony is known for releasing one high-end flagship phone every half-yearly instead of annually like most smartphone companies.

One benefit of releasing a new phone every six months is that Sony can stay ahead of the technological curve. Two new images have leaked showing the alleged Sony Xperia Z3. While the images don’t reveal much about the phone’s innards, they show the exterior, and it looks the same, if referred to earlier leaks.

The similarities run through the design and show the rounded edges – unlike the Xperia Z2, which has flatter, sharper edges. Other than a slightly larger screen, a faster processor, and what seems like a less powerful front camera, the Xperia Z3 hardly differs from the Xperia Z2.

The Sony Xperia Z3 is expected to retain the Snapdragon 801 processor and 3GB of RAM of the Xperia Z2, as well as its 20.7MP camera and probably the 1080p 5.2″ display. The water resistance is also a sure thing and perhaps only the design will be different.

If in fact these are the Xperia Z3’s real specs, they’re very similar to the hardware offered by Sony’s current flagship phone, however it wouldn’t be the first time that a company released a follow up device with minimal improvements.

Rumored Specs
- 5.15-inch 1080p
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core 2.4Ghz
- Adreno 330
- 3GB RAM
- Storage: 16GB
- 20.7-megapixel rear camera; 2.1-megapixel front camera
- Android 4.4.4 KitKat
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
Xiaomi-Competitor One Plus Might Arrive in India Soon

Just when you were thinking that Xiaomi was the kickass all-in-one package, a new competitor is raising its head at the horizon. Smartphone manufacturer One Plus is planning to come to India with its One Plus One smartphone and boy, is it impressive.

The One Plus One has an incomparable spec sheet at the price it is offered. The phone runs on CyanogenMod 11S based on Android 4.4 Kitkat. It has a heart of steel with a Snapdragon 801 2.5GHz Quad-core processor. Its graphics is powered by a 578MHz Adreno 330 GPU. The RAM on the One Plus One is a phenomenal 3 GB LP-DDR3 and comes in a 16 GB and 64 GB variants.

Everything is Awesome about the One Plus One

The camera department is as impressive as the hardware spec sheet. The main camera is 13 Megapixel with Sony Exmor IMX 214 sensors and a dual LED Flash. The front camera is a distortion free 5 MP Selfie Shooter. The camera also has a wide aperture of f/2.0. The most remarkable feature is its 4K recording capability with and its ability to record slow motion at 720p resolution at 120 frames per second(fps). Now that’s a camera!

The display on the One Plus One is a giant Full HD, 5.5 inch, Corning Gorrila Glass 3 screen. There is nothing to complain about in this phone, a true all-rounder from every angle. To power all of these epic features, this phone comes with 3100 mAh battery.

If you thought the features are impressive the One Plus One also provides impressive back panel options

Now you might be asking, how much lighter would your pockets get if you get this power packed gizmo, well the answer is: the 16 GB variant comes at $299 (around Rs. 17,900)and the 64 GB variant comes at $349 (around Rs. 20,900). Yeah, you read that right, go ahead pull your jaw up!

The company said that there is an enormous interest in their phones in India and they have heard talks of Indians importing them from the US. They would like to take advantage of this favorable situation.

Now this is a real competitor to Xiaomi, which came in and cleared the market and took the limelight away from the Moto G. Indian smartphone consumers might be feeling like a king right now in the times of heavy inflation. So what if food is expensive, you can simply distract yourself with these badass phones.

July 24, 2014
Oplus Introduces the Xonphone 5 in India

Taiwan based phone manufacturers Oplus have introduced their 5-inch smartphone by the name Xonphone 5 in India today.

The Xonphone 5 runs Android 4.4.2 out of the box. It gets it processing power from a Mediatek 1.3GHz quad-core processor. It possesses 1 GB of RAM with 16 GB’s of internal storage with expandable storage support for a 32 GB MicroSD card. The phone is powered by a 2000 mAh battery. The phone is dual sim capable with a Micro SIM and Mini SIM slot.

The display on the Xonphone 5 is a 5 inch 1280x720p HD display with an 180-degree viewing angles. The display also has a 320 ppi display which sounds impressive for the price. The main camera on the device is an 8 MP shooter with autofocus and LED flash, and the front cam is a 2 MP fixed focus selfie cam.

The makers of the phone provide a screen protector inside the box with the usual USB connector, charger and earphones. The phone provides a Yamaha professional bass speaker system which will give a good audio experience.

The selling price of the device is set at Rs7,999 which is pretty competitive for the Indian market. The company has made an exclusive deal with Snapdeal to reach the consumers. If its performance matches up to its spec sheet, it might be another Asian brand that will create troubles for the Indian manufacturers like Micromax, Lava and others.

July 24, 2014
Phones With a Terabyte Of Storage To Become a Reality Soon With RRAM

Now right when you were wondering if the 128 GB expandable option would make your memory troubles obsolete, a group of scientists has something better in store for you. The researchers at Rice University have come up with a new resistive RAM (RRAM) which can be made with regular equipment at room temperature.

Several companies have been in the process of developing an RRAM, but they all have required higher temperature and voltages thereby making the production process expensive and inefficient for the manufacturers.

The RRAM acts as a flash memory and can store data without a constant influx of power. Now unlike the regular flash memory which uses transistors to save the data, this new technique uses resistance to save their bits. These bits can, therefore, be stored in a smaller area in comparison to a flash drive and hence increasing the amount of data that can be stored in a small amount of space.

Also like a multiple core processor, these RRAM’s can be stacked on top of each other so their storage capacity increases phenomenally. It is also said that RRAM performs much faster than regular flash storage, about a hundred times faster. They are apparently so efficient that they a postage stamp sized chip can hold a terabyte worth of data.

The research is being led by Professor James Tour of the Material science department. The technique is cheap and efficient as it utilizes one of the most abundant elements on the planet, Silicon. The process involves a silicon oxide with tiny 5 nanometers holes. This material acts as an active electrode and data bits can be stored by changing the conductivity of the electrode with low-voltage pulses.

Mobile technology will get a boost with this advancement. Major companies like Samsung are also experimenting with RRAM’s. While we would want our phones to be as robust and large data capable as our computers, we are restricted by the miniaturizability of the storage technology. RRAM’s and technology like it will bring us closer to achieving that. Maybe we could someday have a pro video rendering capability on our iPads.

July 24, 2014
Get Exploring with the New Google Maps Feature

Remember the time when there was a profession dedicated to guides? oh yes they still exist and Google has plans to make that job obsolete. With the new ‘Explore’ feature, exploring new places will get a lot easier. The feature will be available on Google Maps app on both Android and iOS platform.

The Explore feature will be available on Android as well as iOS

All the user needs to do with this update is to tap the new Explore button at the bottom right corner of the map to get a quick look at what’s nearby (where available). The feature will provide you information on different places and activities that adapt to each area and moment throughout the day. This also allows you to browse other neighborhoods and cities on the map so you can plan your day’s outing or daydream about your next vacation.

The feature also gives you an option of finding what is nearby the place where you’ll be in the next five minute walk or a 20 minute drive. The convenience of finding a spot that suits your taste has never been this easy. As the results change according to the time of the day and weather, you can be assured that you will find exactly what you are looking for. The feature performs optimally when the location reporting and web history have been turned on.

The Awesome functionality of this app will make it stand out.

The feature also lets you assess the reviews and relevant information about the spot you have chosen to hang at. This can be done by tapping on the ‘My location’ on an Android devices. You can also save these places for future references. Like other data analysis based system, the app will personalize itself with regular use.

On the look from, the upgrade features Google’s latest material design. The interface is simple, clean and easy to understand.

So if you have an itch to always be outdoor and exploring, Google Maps and the Explore feature was what the doctor would prescribe for you. So go ahead, get Exploring !

July 24, 2014
5 Ways Technology Can Change The Way We Shop

Guilty pleasure shopping sprees have turned into couch surfing with the increasing popularity of e-commerce websites. Some latest surveys show that the by 2020 sales in shopping centers and on the high street will have shrunk by 27%.

However, these real life retailers are prepared to fight back with the very same technology that threatened it in the first place. Retailers have only just started to explore the potential uses new technology could have. By mimicking and adapting how technology has been used in online retail, real-life retailers could combine all the advantages of online shopping with the benefits of shopping in-store.

Here are 5 ways real-world retail is using new technology to adapt to changing consumer habits.

1. Virtual Reality

With virtual reality being the next big thing in technology ecosystem, it is no doubt that it will be one of integral part of the new-age shopping. However, we have to wait till virtual reality breaks through the developer mode and comes to commercial market to explore full potential of the technology. Leading fashion brand Burberry has virtual reality mirrors in its flagship store on London’s Regent Street. The mirrors read chips hidden in each item and change instantly into a screen displaying information about the product. In a world where an item’s provenance is becoming increasingly important to the modern consumer, Burberry is providing the backstory of their products in store.

2. Google Glass

Google Glass, Google’s biggest bet on wearable technology, opens up a huge number of possibilities for retailers and a guaranteed improved customer experience. In stores, Google Glass and iBeacon technology could be used to recognise frequent customers and transmit the information to employees. Virgin Atlantic, Tesco and Waitrose in USA have already begun experimenting with the technology.

3. Personalised purchases

Instead of having set prices, a number of stores are experimenting with personalised ones. US supermarket Safeway’s Just For U scheme alters prices based on the customer’s purchasing habits. Offers are loaded onto a customer’s club card that can then be used in store.

4. iBeacons

iBeacons are Apple’s low-power transmitters that are already being installed in shops. iBeacons can recognise iOS devices in their vicinity and send them specific notifications. For example, customers could enter a shop and receive messages about new products and even localised offers on their Apple devices.

5. Visual Light Communication

Emart, a South Korean megastore, has introduced a new technology to their stores that enables customers to find their way to specific offers. Called VLC (Visual Light Communication) technology was installed into the store’s lighting fixtures, which gives real-time location information to customers with the correct app on their phone. Users just have to put their smartphone in a special holder on their trolley and follow directions to the nearest deals. When they get close enough to an offer item a discount coupon appears on their phone.

July 24, 2014
Blackberry Slashes the Price on its QWERTY Smartphones

The Canadian handset maker, Blackberry’s numbers have been tumbling since the last few year. The company is going through rough patch these days, which can be further sensed with the recent drop of the prices of their QWERTY devices – 9320, 9720 and Q5 – by as much as Rs 6,000.

Blackberry Q5

The BlackBerry 9320 is essentially a 3G variant of the 9220, and was launched for Rs 15,499. With this price cut, the BlackBerry 9320 becomes the cheapest 3G-enabled QWERTY device in BlackBerry’s portfolio.

Sameer Bhatia, Director, Distribution, BlackBerry, India, said, “The classic BlackBerry Keyboard, re-engineered for the fast efficient navigation and one-handed use, has huge fan base who swear by the distinct typing experience that BlackBerry offers. These compelling price-points will enable QWERTY fans to experience the latest technology and ease of use in one device.

Blackberry 9320

The BlackBerry 9720 was launched last year for Rs 15,990 and after the price slash will retail at Rs 11,990. The Q5, on the other hand, was launched for Rs 24,990 last year. It got a 20 percent price cut at the beginning of the year, which brought the price down to Rs 19,990, and with the latest cut, the price tag is down to Rs 13,990.

These compelling price-points will enable QWERTY fans to experience the latest technology and ease of use in one device. BlackBerry’s special offer comes shortly after the company launched its Z3 smartphone for Rs. 15,990. The company has previously used price drop model to push sales of its devices.

Earlier when the company slashed prices of its devices like Z30 and Z10 under special offers, the response they got was phenomenal, often resulting in stocks running out.

July 23, 2014
NVIDIA’s New Shield Tablet Takes Portable Gaming to the Next Level

Back in 2013, we saw the launch of first end-to-end consumer product: NVIDIA Shield. Now, Nvidia has unveiled the next generation of its Shield gaming hardware.

Later this month, the company will be offering a new Shield Wireless Controller and the Tegra K1-powered Shield Tablet, changing up the formula from the original Shield clamshell portable that was announced at the beginning of last year.

The new NVIDIA Sheild will replace original Shield’s 5-inch screen in favor of a bigger 8-inch, 1080p display. The Shield Tablet is equipped with an 8-inch 1,920 x 1,200 display, a 2.2Ghz quad-core A15 CPU, 2GB RAM and Nvidia’s impressive Tegra K1 mobile processor.

On the software side, it will be shipped largely with a stock of the Android 4.4.3, with just a few gaming tweaks. Twitch is integrated into the device system, allowing players to stream almost any app, game, or part of the Android interface.

The front-facing camera can be used for picture-in-picture, with audio coming from the integrated microphone or an external headset. When plugged into a TV, the tablet automatically switches into “Console Mode,” which brings up a controller-optimised 1080p interface for launching and purchasing apps and games.

It is equipped with a pair of front-facing stereo speakers sporting a solid and sleek design. At 9.2mm thick and weighing 390 grams, it’s also small and light enough to easily toss into a bag or purse when on the go.

Some apps that come out of the box include 1080p Netflix streaming, Hulu Plus, Shadowplay for capturing gameplay footage and Gamestream for streaming PC games directly to the tablet. 11 Tegra-K1 optimised games will be available at launch, including The Talos Principle, Half Life 2 and War Thunder, complete with cross-platform online play.

The new Shield Controller is similar to the game pad found with the current Shield portable, but features a smoother attractive design. Its layout features a pair of analog sticks at the bottom, a directional pad on the top left, four face buttons to the right and a set of dual-shoulder buttons that are perpendicularly-aligned, not unlike those on the Xbox 360 controller. In the center of the controller are buttons that are used to navigate around Android and Nvidia’s software, as well as launch voice-activated commands.

Nvidia’s new Shield Tablet will be available for an affordable $299 USD with 16GB of built-in storage and Wi-Fi connectivity. Doubling the storage and adding LTE will cost $399—the tablet is compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile in the United States. The Shield Controller will be sold for $59, and a cover for the tablet that can also be used as a kick stand is priced at $39.

July 23, 2014
BenQ Launches a New 24-inch Monitor For Competitive Gaming

BenQ, a renowned digital lifestyle provider and professional gaming monitor pioneer, announced a new addition to its RL Series: the RL2460HT. Company said that RL2460HT is a fully optimized monitor for high-speed PC and console gaming — perfect for RTS- and MOBA-style games, as well as fighting games.

The new addition to RL series is packed with exclusively designed Fighting Mode and HDMI Output for console games, as well as all the latest features from 1ms GTG to Flicker-free Technology, Black eQualizer, Low Blue Light Technology and Height Adjustment Stand with Precision Scale System, the 24” novelty is the world’s first-ever professional gaming monitor dedicated to optimize the experience of high speed gaming. This is also BenQ’s first time to work with professional gamers of this exciting genre, inviting console game legend, Justin Wong of Evil Geniuses, to co-develop the new Fighting Mode.

“With the launch of RL2460HT, BenQ aims to offer exciting special features for some of the professional gaming industry’s most popular titles, played by millions of in-person and online gamers,” said, Rajeev Singh, Country Head & General Manager, BenQ India. “The RL2460HT has been engineered in collaboration with the world’s top professional fighting game champions enabling it to deliver the precision, speed, and market-first innovations needed to provide gamers with a memorable experience”.

The RL2460HT now features a built-in HDMI output, which eliminates the risk of system input lag and delay by allowing for action to be captured after rather than prior to going through the monitor. This ensures an ultra-smooth, distortion-free gaming experience and uncompromised streaming while also enabling easy head-to-head setup capabilities for multiplayer games using a single screen – giving gamers a solid combination of game play supremacy and setup satisfaction.

With the RL2460HT’s HDMI Out port, pro gamers can stream their game content after it goes through the monitor so that the audience sees exactly what the player has seen, without risk of lag or delay to the player. In this manner, pro gamers can preserve monitor speed and performance regardless of the streaming system used. The monitor provides a height-adjustable stand with a precision adjustment marker system that makes setup fast and easy, enabling the player to duplicate the precise setup every time and everywhere.

The RL2460HT is available at a price of Rs.17,500 across India.

July 23, 2014
Microsoft’s Nokia Lumia 530 Officially Arrives

After taking in the Nokia brand and completely trashing away the Android based Nokia X series, Microsoft Mobility has come back with their Lumia series. The new phone known as the Lumia 530 will come in single and double Sim variants.

The Nokia Lumia 530 will come with a 4-inch FWVGA (480x854p) display. It gets its processing power from a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 200 quad-core processor with a 512 MB RAM. Though the phone comes with a 4 GB internal storage but is expandable upto 128 GB which is definitely welcome. The device is juiced up through a 1430 mAh battery which seems good enough for a 4-inch screen.

The camera on the phone is a 5MP fixed focus shooter without an LED Flash. The phone also lacks a front facing camera so that might be a dissuading factor for prospective buyers. Connectivity wise, the Lumia 530 offers Bluetooth 4.0, FM Radio, Wi-Fi, 3G and A-GPS.

Lumia 530 comes with Multi color Flip cover options

The phone comes preloaded with Microsoft Office apps and provides 15GB of free cloud storage space via OneDrive. Storage wise the phone is a warehouse but might lose in the feature race. The phone comes with multiple back panel color options like Orange, Green, Black and White. The company also provides multicolored Flip covers which is known as Flip shells.

Lumia 530 will be released globally and selective roll-outs will begin in August 2014. The expected price of the device is around 6,900 which is pretty steep when compared to what the competition offers at that price.

Considering this was the first independednt release from Microsoft they should have offered a lot more instead of a generic release. This phone doesn’t even match its predecessor, the Nokia Lumia 525 in terms of specs. A Moto G or E like release would have really set brand Microsoft in the Phone business. This phone seems inadequate except in terms of storage.

July 23, 2014
Google Play Store 4.9.13 with Material Design Comes To Your Phone

We saw material design at Google I/O and it was impressive with its minimalistic and clean user interface. Now Play Store Version 4.9.13 has been rolled out by Google and it has got the material makeover.

The new Play Store gets a visual makeover and this one does look more appealing. The app view especially looks much cleaner and better organized than its predecessors. The books, album and movie listing pages are much easier to move around in.

The material design elements, with drop shadows, add dimensional features to the interface which is fun to move around in. There is a lot of moving around that needs to be done as the bigger cover designs introduced by this update so that’s a tiny downer. Though the new animations and introduction of a lot more color, covers up that flaw.

Overall, this is a great new update from Google and we can’t wait for material design to now come to our phone and the entire Google ecosystem.

Our latest update is rolling out right now! We’re excited to share a sneak peek of what you’ll get in the coming days pic.twitter.com/k5BidxR4Vu

— Google Play (@GooglePlay) July 23, 2014

July 23, 2014
Sennheiser Launched a New Range of Lightweight Headphones For India

The German audio giant, Sennheiser has announced a new range of headphones, PX 95 mini-headphones, rotatable neckband earphone PMX 95 and the in-ear PCX 95 in India. The new headphones targets the new-age Indians who need their personal entertainment on the go.

Sennheiser PX 95 Mini headphones

The three new audio devices are said to have been made specifically for Indian consumers, and are rated to be highly durable and lightweight. Available via the Sennheiser India online store, the PX 95, PMX 95 and the PCX 95 are priced at Rs. 3,990, Rs. 4,990 and Rs. 5,490 respectively.

The PX 95 mini-headphones provide a detailed stereo sound reproduction, while still being light enough to wear comfortably for hours. The audio device is equipped with slender steel headband is amazingly flexible, thus providing a proper fit. The headphone’s earpad foam and quality fabric mesh enhances acoustics and the adjustable ear cups ensure a personalized fit.

Rotatable neckband earphone PMX 95

The Sennheiser PMX 95 comes with uni-sided anti-friction cable that the company says provides better handling, and with rotational ear cups for a better fit. The headphones also feature an ergonomic neckband and weigh only 54 grams.

PCX 95 is company’s first ever in ear neckband design. The audio device is capable of delivering detailed, bass-driven sound with amazing depth, as explained by the company. The device also have a single-sided cable same as the PXM 95 to better mobility.

Sennheiser in- ear PCX 95

“In this day and age of mobile infotainment consumption there is a need for good quality audio to supplement HD video and the new age Indian customer is telling us that they want a brand that is relevant to them and makes products that cater to their needs while offering great vale to them. Sennheiser is extremely excited to launch this new range of headphones created especially for the new age Indians keeping in mind the requirements of the Indian consumer,” stated Kapil Gulati, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Consumer Segment, Sennheiser Electronics India during the launch.

The company is providing 2 years of warranty with each handset and are compatible with iPods, MP3, iPhones and other portable media players.

July 23, 2014
Sony Launched 7.7mm-Thin Xperia T3 in India

Sony, refreshing its mid-range smartphone segment, launched the Xperia T3 in India and the phone will be available starting Monday, 28th July.

It runs Android 4.4 KitKat OS out of the box, and has been launched in a single SIM variant, with no word on if a dual-SIM variant will be available soon. The company is proud of the large-screen smartphone’s slim design, giving it a thickness of 7.7mm, and a weight of 148 grams.

The T3 is a distinct looking device and it features a stainless steel frame around the sides, which immediately sets it apart from other mid-range Sony phones, which normally feature matte plastic on the sides. The Android smartphone from Sony features a 5.3-inch (720×1280 pixel) HD Triluminos display powered by a BRAVIA Engine 2. The display offers a pixel density of 277ppi. A quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (MSM8228) processor powers the device, clocked at 1.4GHz, with 1GB of RAM.

The smartphone sports an 8MP rear camera with auto focus Sony Exmor RS for mobile image sensors. The Xperia T3’s rear camera comes with features such as scene detection, HDR, face recognition, red-eye reduction, sweep Panorama and geo tagging. It also houses a 1.1-megapixel front-facing camera.

In terms of connectivity, Xperia T3 supports Wi-Fi, Miracast, NFC, LTE and A-GPS. It comes with 2500mAh battery promising standby time of up to 688 hours and talk time of up to 12 hours 46 minutes. It will be available in three colour options including Black, Purple and White.

The high pricing of the device may cost them some of their potential buyers, especially when there are so many great alternatives available. The Nexus 5, LG G2 and the Galaxy S4 come within the same price range and feature better specs.

July 23, 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