Monday, September 28, 2015

Apple's Rapid iOS 9 Adoption Shows the Future of IT


Apple
Apple has released the latest version of its iOS named as iOS 9 just a few days back and it has seen an incredible adoption rate, which is unbelievable in itself. Within two days of its launch, more half the iOS users have installed the new iOS 9. These numbers are only expected to rise more steeply with the retail sale of the latest iPhone 6s from the Friday. This shows that Apple is simply causing a huge upside down in the technology industry and it is on its verge to dominate with a solid grasp. Apple marketing chief, Phil Schiller went on say that it is a never seen before adoption rate for new iOS in the Apple history.

The future of technology industry in next five years


Next five years will be crucial for the Apple and with the current rise in the technology market, it is widely expected that Apple will overthrow the Windows to dominate in both consumer and enterprise sector. iOS devices are already seeing better adoption rate among the younger generation and Apple is aggressively pushing its iOS devices in the enterprise sector with an aim of boosting its overall footprint.

Apple has created a robust ecosystem for its iOS platform, which features a wide number of devices from desktops, laptops, smartphone to tablets providing an opportunity to businesses to easily migrate to iOS 9.

Apple faces competition from others but keeps expanding its ground


In the wake of Apple continuous rise Microsoft is seen changing its business strategy to appear more appealing to the consumers and enterprise alike. Google on other hand is quite limited to online sphere and relies more on the advertisements. The percentage people accessing YouTube for watching videos via mobile has increased up to 50% which is an alarming sign for Google. On other hand iOS devices like iPhone and Macs are going through a boom period as more and more people are migrating to the Apple solutions and it is not far when business will also turn towards its side.


Microsoft does have a great influence over the businesses sector with a wide adoption rate but it should be noted that current millennial are expected to take reigns in future and they are happier with Apple devices at the moment. This simply translates that in future iOS devices will easily make their move in the business sector with ease and grace.

Beyond the future prospects of Apple iOS


Apple has built a robust and giant ecosystem of interconnected devices in a steady manner. More people are eagerly upgrading to its new devices such as iPhones, Macs, iPads and also happen to adopt the new operating system version quite soon than in any other platform. This shows the consumer trust in the Apple solutions and it even reveals the digital transformation, which it is carrying out in technology market.

iOS has kept the security and privacy at its heart which ensures high quality remarkable products which are not so prone to hacks than other devices. Furthermore, Apple is also aggressively setting its print in the Internet of Things segment, which will ensure a range of smart devices in ever widening iOS ecosystem.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

The Best iOS 9 Features You don't Know about Yet

iOS_9

Best Features of iOS 9 – Unknown


Apple has recently released its big software update for the iPad, iPhone and iPod with a lot of changes being done in iOS 9. Besides enhancing Siri and battery life, Apple has also upgraded on how one would interact with third party apps which supports `deep linking, apps. Deep linking enables apps to coordinate with one another and to the rest of iOS in way which was earlier not possible.

In-app Search


The built-in search tool, `Spotlight’ of Appleenables access by swiping down from any home screen or towards the top of the new Siri screen, has some new features for iOS 9. The most substantial one is the ability to navigate within third party apps which makes it easy to locate content.

When an app is updated to support the search function of iOS 9 one can type in searches quickly from any location and the in-app result will indicate alongside the standard web search results of Apple. Various app like Outlook, Dropbox, etc. have been updated already to aid the feature with expectations of many more to follow.

Phone Number Lookup 

The iOS 9 iPhone can pull data from natural Mail app to recommend who could be calling whenever an unknown call may come through and the same can be done for outgoing calls too.

Searching Settings


A quick swipe down from the top of the setting menu enables the user to locate anyone from the numerous settings which means that one could get back to scrolling through Twitter of texting much faster.

W-Fi Assist

If within the range of a free Wi-Fi location, the phone tends to ignore a Wi-Fi connection that may slow you down and will fall back to cellular which tends to be on, by default.

Bring back the all-cap keyboard

One of the greatest features in iOS 9 is the mixed case keyboard which has been introduced for the first time in the history of iPhone. However, should the user prefer to go back to the days of moving the thumb to interpret the state of the shift key, then is possible though you should not. You could go to Settings: General: Accessibility: Keyboard and even turn off the key that may popup in Settings: General: Keyboard: Character Preview.

View selfies or screenshots at once


In Photos, one will find two new sections namely selfies and screenshots wherein the selfies folder could be amazing to browse through, though it is the screenshots section which could be important for tech enthusiasts. The need to navigate through the complete photo stream to locate and accidental delete or old screenshots is not essential. You could swipe over them all and delete which is another new photos feature.

Headphone smart

When a pair of headphones or earbuds is plugged in, a new icon tends to appear towards the lower left of the iPhone/iPad lock screen. iOS 9 is now aware that the presence of the headphones indicates that the user intends listening to music and automatically recommends the app used recently.

Double tap for Apple Pay


Earlier the physical button for Apple Pay was not available. In iOS 9, one can double tap on the home button without the need of a passcode or fingerprint recognition and you can arrive instantly into Passbook with Apple Pay. However, to process the payment, fingerprint would be essential. The option of turning it off in the Settings panel under Wallet and Apple Pay could also be used if this seems like an unwanted security risk.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Ad blockers top Apple Charts as iOS 9 Debuts

Ad_blockers

Ad-Blocking – Top of Apple’s Store Charts


Following the recent launch of iOS 9, ad-blocking apps have gone to the top of Apple’s Store charts. According to App Annie, mobile analytics firm, a $2.99 app, Peach that tends to block` most ads as well as privacy invading trackers on web pages seem to be the top paid app in the App Store.

 Purify Blocker; a $3.99 app is at No 4 on the paid apps chart, while a 99 cent Blockr app is No. 17 on the charts. The sudden interest in ad blockers is due to Apple’s new iOS 9, software which tend to power iPads and iPhones adds features that enable the Safari Web browser to tap into content blocking from third party apps.

Users could just install this type of an app and set Safari to use it in order to block advertisements as well as similar content while surfing the web. Ads can be offending spot for people surfing the Internet and blocking ads helps users in quickening the Web performance as well as keeping ads from coming up on the screen. Advertisers tend to use ads in order to generate income and several websites which are free depend on ads to get some revenue.

Ads on Web- Intrusive/Annoying/Trespassing on Privacy


Arnent, Peace developer is known for his creation of Instapaper, an app which enables readers to save articles for offline reading and often strips ads in the process. He had partnered with ad blocking company, Ghostery, for Peace, that gives the app the benefit of a well-established database. Besides ad blocking, Peace also disables slow loading fonts, blocks social widgets as well as hides common sections towards the bottom of the sites and includes a straightforward feature for whitelisting sites.

The counter debate from the user point of view is that several ads on the Web seem to be intrusive and annoying, trespassing on privacy. Advertisements tend to use video, animation and other techniques to draw the attention of the audience.

 However, the privacy issue seems to be one of the most important with people very much concerned over the data collected by advertisers. Marco Arment, developer of Peace has mentioned in a blog post recently that `web advertising and behavioural tracking is getting out of control.

Flare-up of Ads blocking – Bitter debate


They are unacceptably creepy, bloated, annoying and insecure and seem to be getting worse at alarming pace’. He states that people who use ad blockers should not feel guilt-ridden that they could be offending advertisers and websites which depend on ad revenue.

 He add that if publishers prefer to offer free content funded by advertising, the burden is on them to choose ad content as well as methods in which readers would tolerate and respond. By integrating ad blocking, Apple the California based company is clearly supporting the users. We need to now wait and watch on the reaction of the advertisers.

 Publishers are envisaging a growing percentage of their web traffic from smartphones, however, mobile ads seems to be making much less revenue than those on desktop and till now, only desktop browsers have good or reliable potentials to block ads.

This flare-up in popularity of blocking ads has given rise to bitter ethics debate between those who view them as an existential threat to the free Internet and those who are fed up of barrages of horrible and at times harmful ads and arrays of trackers who tend to trace their online movements to target ads better.

Burberry Becomes First Major Fashion Brand with an Apple Music Channel

Burberry

Burberry – First Major Worldwide Brand with Apple Music Channel


`Curators’, Apple Music’s playlist till now have been directly significant brands like DJ Mag or Shazam and hence Apple has been in collaboration with Burberry wherein the luxury fashion house will be the first major worldwide brand in launching a curated channel on Apple Music making it the first luxury fashion house to do so. However, it is not unusual choice due to its Burberry Acoustic campaign that supports new British music talents and also features acoustic tracks recorded exclusively for Burberry.

Burberry hires a full time music team which works on Burberry Acoustic and matches up artists having record labels. The Burberry Apple Music channel has been listed under `Curator Playlists’ comprising of contents from brands as well as media sites like GQ, Wired, Rolling Stone and Pitchfork.The maker of £1000 trench coats would be using the channel to showcase its partnerships with the British artists like James Bay and George Ezra together with playlist that will reflect the fashion label’s taste.

 The contents that have been provided by Burberry comprise of selections from Burberry chief executive, Christopher Bailey with music played on the Burberry runway along with a selection of emerging British talent, in an effort to entangle the world of fashion and music.

Lead Other Companies to Use Apple Music


This move is not at all surprising, since various big; non-music brands have made their presence on competing services like Spotify. It is also not shocking that Burberry seems to be the first in line for an Apple Music partnership. Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts as its senior retail VP, back in 2013, had been hired by Apple and the two firms had been collaborating prior to the change in career being official.

This would lead other companies to use Apple Music channels for promotion and Apple will not mind extra subscribers coming along the way. Bailey who had taken over as Burberry boss after Ahrendts had left to become head of retail and online at Apple in 2014, has commented that there are several unusual British artists and that it is a pleasure to have the occasion of working with them and showcase their incredible talent and that music has always been inherent to what we tend to do and is excited with the partnership with Apple on this amazing platform’.

Launched with Exclusive Videos/Performance – Burberry Show Sept 21


Burberry would be launched with exclusive videos from developing artists like Lila Vargen and Georgie together with a performance from Alison Moyet which would be filmed at the upcoming Burberry Womanswear show in London on September 21.

The subscribers to Apple Music would be able to locate and follow Burberry in the `Curators’ section. The Apple Music streaming service had been launched in the summer with the expectations of competing with companies like Spotify. Apple and Burberry have been in long partnership first in 2013 to show off the photographic potentials of the iPhone 5s.

Angela Ahrendts, the current head of retail for Apple was also the CEO of Burberry till the springs of 2014 when she joined Apple. The new Apple Music channel of Burberry is the first collaboration between Apple and Burberry since her departure.

Have an Edge Over the Competition


cart
Whether you're an entrepreneur or an established business, you always need to be one step ahead of the game if you are going to have staying power. The competition is fierce in today's economy and many businesses fold on a daily basis. To keep yourself in the running, be savvy and consider possibilities that can give you an advantage so that your company stands out in a crowd.

Brand Yourself

You need to become a household name. To do so, you are going to need to choose a brand that makes a splash. You'll want a logo design with attractive graphics that will catch consumers' attention. Get with a graphics design team to help you establish your brand. If you have a brick and mortar establishment, turn to a quality signage company in order to create a sign that will represent your business in a positive way. You'll want to carry that logo over to your business cards, brochures, and website.

Go Viral

If you haven't set up a website, get it done. This is the age of technology and everyone is connected. All they need is a personal computer, a laptop, or a mobile device. You want to be accessible to anyone on the go and break out of your geographic area. This is not the ideal, do-it-yourself project. Hire a web design team that can take the essence of your company and capture it on a site that is attractive. You'll also want it to be easy to navigate so that you'll draw customers in and keep them.

Don't Forget Your Shopping Cart

Tap into online shopping cart software from SecureNetShop.com to give consumers the opportunity to shop online. People love the convenience that comes with buying on the Internet. They can shop when they're on the bus, taking a lunch break, or sitting at home. With a simple click of a button, your product will be on the way to customers' doorsteps. Your online shopping cart is a great feature that can help you to increase your sales. Offer a rewards programs and promotions to attract more consumers. When you have special sales that are only offered online, your shopping cart software will go to work for you. Pull all of your efforts together, pay attention to current trends, and it is going to pay off.

Monday, September 14, 2015

Samsung Galaxy A8


Samsung
Samsung has been actively promoting its latest smartphone in the Galaxy series named A8. This model itself feels like a flagship premium device with its bit different design and refreshing looks. Samsung Galaxy A8 has been pitched as a mid level premium device which aims at offering high end features which is just little bit short of the Samsung’s own premium S series. Samsung Galaxy A8 offers top of the line features and specifications at fair price which might give a serious competition to the Chinese rivals not on the price front but on the brand front.

Samsung Galaxy A8 Features


Samsung had long been using the similar designer and look which makes it tough to distinguish one phone from the other. But this time Samsung has opted for refreshing design which makes it standout from the dozens of Samsung handsets. Samsung Galaxy A8 uses a thin bezel design with signature Samsung looks attributes coupled with premium metallic finishes and an impressive 73 percent body to screen ratio. It features the latest Android 5.1 Lollipop on the top of Samsung’s TouchWiz UI along with a hybrid card slot.

Specifications of Samsung Galaxy A8


Samsung has provided a relatively larger display to A8 model with 5.7 inch full HD Super Amoled Display. This smartphone is powered by Samsung Exynos 5430 processor coupled with a 2 GB RAM along with a robust internal storage of 32 GB. Users can easily bump up the storage on this phone up to 128 GB through the use of micros sd card. Camera is worth mentioning as it features one of the fastest and beautiful snapper with 16 MP auto focus rear camera with wider lenses, optical image stabilization and a flash. And for selfie Samsung had provided a real sharp and awesome 5 MP front shooter.

On the connectivity front, this phone offers options like Bluetooth 4.1, WiFi, Glonass, GPS and LTE support. Samsung had packed this device with a large battery of 3050 mAh which easily offers more than a day usage to the users.

Few minor issues in Samsung Galaxy A8
 
Samsung had brought some high end premium features in its A8 smartphone but it still has a few numbers of issues of its own. The finger print scanner is highly touted to be the one of the premium feature but it is extremely frustrating to set this feature up in the first place.

 It possess a hybrid sim card slot which simply translates either the user has to sacrifice on the advantage of dual sims or to rely on a micro sd card for extra storage. Certainly one cannot have both which means dual sim and extra storage at the same which is a letdown.

More color options for Samsung Galaxy A8
 
Glaxy A8 happens to be the slimmest smartphone ever made by the Samsung with a thickness of just 5.99 mm. Galaxy A8 will be made available in different options of eocnic Wite, Black and premium Gold colors.

Buy Mobile Accessories Online At Best Prices

Power_bank

Multifunctional Power Bank

Gadget lovers interested in purchasing branded gadgets and accessories could check on some amazing products which comprise of smartphone, car electronics, smart watches, LED flashlights, consumers electronics and much more. Provision is made available on a large selection of updated gadgets with the best prices offered to consumers all over the globe. The portable mobile-power-bank, MIPOW SPL05 5200mAh is MFI certifiedbuilt-in 8 Pin and USB Male input Interface Cable Battery Charger, comprising of LED Power Indicator Light for iPhone 6/6 Plus Samsung and others.

Besides this, an extra USB output port is also available, ensuring compatibility with the other mobile devices while also permitting the user to charge a second device at the same time.

Its special JuiceSync marks it as an efficient and exceptional power device. Once you download the app, the Power tube 5200 tends to wirelessly connect to mobile phones or tablet enabling the user to read the balance battery temperature as well as the distance between the device and the Power tube 5200.

It also provides an alarm when the temperature tends to go beyond 55 degrees and when the distance between the power bank and the device is more than a limited range; it sends a reminder to the user who will not forget to carry it along. It is a multi functional power bank which is worth your pennies spent and a perfect choice for field work, business trips and travel etc.

Accessories with Best Offers – Deals/Sales/Presales ….

For iphone-accessories, in the form of iPhone selfie monopod, headsets, cases/covers, mounts and holders, cables and adapters, with an assurance of locating some of the best accessories accompanied with the best offers to all to their consumers where most of the products come along with free shipping, an added advantage to the consumer.

For further benefit on purchases, users could also narrow down on their search on the sale and presale, price range on the products available at the portal. Besides these one could also check on the available deals which are listed from time to time and benefit from online purchases at the site. Deals are listed by categories, from the latest to the expired one, discounted etc. wherein users could navigate through their search and make a choice as per their requirements.

Users can shop with confidence at the site and obtain some of the best deals on iPhone accessories for their mobile devices on some of the top branded products made available at this platform. The benefit of a live chat is also made available at the site, wherein the consumer can indulge in a live chat with their sales associate, prior to purchase or after sale of products to get their queries, if any, resolved by them.

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Hands on- iPad Pro with Apple Pencil

Apple_Pencil

Apple Pencil for Pressure Sensitive Drawing/Painting


The new big screen iPad Pro of Apple has been expected for some time and bears some resemblances to the present products in the market. The iPad Pro introduced at the media event recently is a 12.9-inch screen with the potential of running two apps alongside each other without either of them getting cramped.

The iPad Pro weighs 1.54 pounds and is much bigger and can be held easily. Its screen is amazing and at 2732x2048 resolutions, it has 5.6 million pixels and the short side has several pixels as the longer side of an iPad mini. The Apple Pencil is not a stylus and is not focused at pointing and tapping things which one can reach, but is for pressure sensitive drawing and painting in app as Apple’s own Notes app or as complex and professional as the demonstrated Procreate or AutoCAD.

The Pencil feels great like a pencil and very natural wherein the sensors tend to detect the pressure and angle and effortlessly create lines of various thicknesses. The Notes app even has a ruler which enables perfectly straight drawing. Utilising the side of the Pencil’s tip one can also create realistic shading like using the side of a pencil lead.

Lightning Connector at End of the Pencil for Charging


A Lightning connector concealed at the end of the Pencil enables plugging right into the iPad Pro for charging. According to Apple rep, a quick charging provides enough juice for an hour or so of work in a few minutes while a full charge could last all day.

Besides this, Apple has also developed its own Smart Keyboard identical in appearance to the Touch Covers which Microsoft made for the Surface tablets and closes around the front of the iPad Pro. It tends to flip back to form a stand like the Smart Covers Apple had made for a while, though it has a built-in fabric surface keyboard having short key travel like the new MacBook.

Third-party keyboards would be capable of using the iPad Pro’s Smart Connector that power as well as pairs the keyboard. Logitech has already planned to introduce its own `Create’ keyboard in November.

No Buttons, Detects Pressure/Angle/Orientation


The Apple Pencil does not have buttons and besides detecting pressure, it also detects angle and orientation enabling it to perform more than just a simple stylus and follow more closely the behaviours of a pencil, brush or charcoal. That is the reason, why Apple chose the name `Pencil’ instead of a pen or stylus, both of which have induced an earlier generation of input sticks.

Adobe, for instance had demonstrated a watercolour brush effect for Apple Pencil which changes the paint-to-water mixture as one change the tilt of the Pencil enabling the artists in adjusting how much colour they have put down mix on making a stroke.

Another difference in Apple’s Pencil is that it tends to use a male Lightning connector in order to plug in the iPad Pro, once for initial automatic Bluetooth setup and subsequently to recharge. According to Apple it takes 15 seconds to charge the Pencil for 30 minutes usage and a full charge tends to last for 12 hours.It now remains to be seen if the Apple Pencil would be significant drivers of sales of iPad Pro or would remain a niche tool for certain classes of education, business and artist users.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

iPhone 7 'will be as Thin as an iPod Touch'

iPhone_7
Apple is set to host its mega September 9 event where it will be releasing the latest iterant of iPhone dubbed as iPhone 6s. But rumor mills are working overtime to second guess the specifications and features of next generation iPhone7 devices. On such rumor which is worth considering comes from a analyst at KGI Securities named Ming Chi Kuo who believes that next generation iPhone device will be as thin as the current iPod Touch.

The latest iPhone 6 and 6Plus, which was released last year was quite think device and bigger devices features 6.9mm and 7.1 mm thickness respectively. This analyst is predicting a further decline in the iPhone devices in upcoming generation in the range of 6mm to 6.5mm, which means will have to stick with its cell panel display technology over the glass screens.

Apple has made a trend to release thinner devices

Apple has long been following its self-made trend which focuses on developing more thinner and studier devices than before especially in the Smartphone segment. Thinner iPhones had earlier raised the concerns over the durability of handset but Apple has been able to bring the enhanced durability to its sleeker phones with reliance on studier materials.

It should be noted that a recent testing conducted on the iPhone 6s anodized aluminum shell had found that the device possessed the ability twice much amount of pressure the iPhone 6. The latest version of iPhone to be more precise the iPhone 6s was able to withstand 80 pounds pressure quite easily, which is good sign for the iPhone lovers.

Engadget Japan reports a thicker iPhone 6S

Engadget Japan had earlier suggested that iPhone 6s will be 0.2 mm thicker than the earlier iPhone device due to use of a new alloy. Analysts had made a lot of predictions about iPhone 6s which includes it might come with a relatively new rose gold design. Rumor mills even proclaims that iPhone 6s and 6s Plus will feature a relatively new 12 mp camera shooter with the capability of 4k video recording. Even the front facing camera will have the top notch imaging quality and video reproduction ability with 1080p videos at 60fps along with a flash support.

Force touch technology on new phones will be norm

Apple will be upgrading its new generation of iPhones with much acclaimed Force Touch technology, which will enhance the user experience. Force Touch technology can easily detect between the different kinds of presses on the screen and can offer different actions on basis of it with ease and grace. Reports suggest that this technology will help the users in enabling the menu shortcuts by performing different kind of simple presses right on the screen.

An enhanced Apple TV is also coming
 
Apple TV will be making a new move with featuring a one-of-a kind touch pad remote along with extra inbuilt storage and presence of Siri in it. Siri will help users in browsing content and selecting from different programs and it will also suggest the content to watch from.

Monday, September 7, 2015

Chinese iPhone Users Hit by 'KeyRaider' Malware

Keyraider
iPhone had commanded a safe and sound to be true a secure history in its eight years of history. It happens to be the most secure smartphone till now. Most of the people resort to jailbreak the iPhone in order to download mobile apps from other online play stores. This seriously limits the security level by removing the system security features, which are made available on the iPhone by Apple. A malicious software had been successful in stealing a wide number of login names and passwords from more than 225,000 Apple accounts in China.

A security firm finds a rogue malware in iPhone devices

A security firm named Palto Alto Networks was investigating the suspicious activity found a wide number of Apple devices. During the investigation, it came across a malicious software family, which was specifically targeting the Jailbroken Apple iPhones devices for some time.

This malicious software is being KeyRaider and it has affected a large number of iPhone users in China along with 17 other nations.

How KeyRaider affected the iPhone users?

Once an iPhone user downloads and install the malware which remains hidden in the packages of codes and it offers a number of tweaks to the iPhone’s operating system. The Keyraider is designed in s such a way wherein it can easily intercept the user’s iTune’s login details and then store the same data on a remote server.

After stealing the user’s iTunes payment information and other details, attackers use it to install paid apps on other iOS devices. Palo Alto Networks had even found a separate app, which allows the users to install paid apps from the Apple app store of cost and till now this app has been downloaded more than 20,000 times. The payment from this free app is being done by the KeyRaider’s victims.

How serious is this attack?

For most of the iPhone users KeyRaider is not a big issue as long as they install only those apps, which are approved by the Apple’s app store. It should be noted that most of the iPhones are not Jailbroken but users who had already jailbroken their devices should certainly worry about the KeyRaider as it can easily steal their lognames and passwords and other things.

People who had already suffered from the damage of KeyRaider will find themselves being charged for someone else’s stolen iPhones apps. The security firm had even stated that in some cases it found evidence wherein malware was used in locking up the phone and asking for ransom.
Beware of third-party app stores
Apple devices are third most popular brand in China after the Huawei and Xiamoi as per the reports by IDC. Apple app store has a wide number security checks in place, which helps in thwarting the malicious apps from listing in the store and helps in safeguarding the iPhone users. But the third party app store doesn’t offer similar kind of security checks and controls in place which results in the distribution of malicious software.

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Apple Files New Patent For Fuel Cell Battery That Could Last Weeks

Mac

Apple Files Patent for Fuel Cell Battery

A renewed patent for fuel cell battery has been filed by Apple which could power its devices `for days or weeks’ a probable step to end battery life problem and an attempt to use more environmentally friendly ways of empowering creations. Initially revealed by source, the patents clarifies that the batteries would be better for Mother Nature as well as last for days or even weeks with a single charge.

The two filings states that `our country’s continuing reliance on fossil fuels has compelled our government in maintaining complicated political and military relationships with unstable governments in the Middle East and has also exposed our coastlines as well as our citizens to the related hazards of offshore drilling. These problems have led to an increasing awareness and desire on the part of consumers to promote and use renewable energy sources’.

It further states that `due to this increased consumer awareness, electronics manufacturers have grown interested in developing renewable energy sources for their products and have been exploring various promising renewable energy sources like hydrogen fuel cells.

 Hydrogen fuel cells have various advantages and such type of fuel cells and associated fuels could probably gain high volumetric as well as gravimetric energy densities that could possibly permit continued function of portable electronic devices for days or even weeks with the need of refuelling.

Designing Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems – Challenging

But it is quite challenging in designing hydrogen fuel cell systems that could be adequately portable as well as cost effective to be used with electronic devices. As per the filing, Apple has been investigating on various kinds of fuel cells. Hydrogen fuel cells are the types found often in cars.

However, Apple points out in the filing that building a hydrogen fuel cell which could fit in a laptop could be quite a challenge, but something that Apple would work on. The patent application which was published by the US Patent and Trademark Office defines a `portable and cost effective fuel cell system for portable computing device which could be utilised in various energy sources in providing long term power.

 Apple had filed patents on the same topic many years back and very often patents ideas do not surface in their products. Though the new patent application suggesting various different energy sources from sodium borohydride to liquid hydrogen differs little from its previous filings, its renewal could indicate that Apple is keen on the idea.

Continued Operation of Portable Electronic Devices for Days/Weeks

The filing state that fuel cells could probably permit continued operation of portable electronic devices for days or also weeks without the need for refuelling. Recently revealed in The Telegraph was a major breakthrough by British firm Intelligent Energy stating that it had installed a hydrogen fuel cell in iPhone which had the potential of powering it for a week without any recharging.

The patent seems to relate to MacBooks and constantly mentions that MagSafe connector utilised on laptop computers does not name check the `Lightning connectors used on the iPhone and iPad. Moreover, the patent also mentioned that the energy could come from a `fuel cartridge which is detachably affixed to the fuel cell system which means rather than recharging, one simply replaces the devices’ cartridge when it runs out.

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Apple Patent Application Ups the Ante on Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Apple_Patent

Apple’s Patent Application on Bone Conduction for Voice Communications

According to US Patent and Trademark Office revealed on Thursday, Apple had applied for patent for technology on bone conduction for voice communications. Apple's patent application which was filed in February 2014, though not published till recently defines a method of improving voice quality in wireless headset using freed earbuds of a mobile device.

As defined by Apple Insider, it terms a system, where the voice input is accepted by one of the two earbuds and depending on the perceived quality, it is then passed on to a mobile device. Inertial sensor which tends to monitor the vibrations in a user’s bone structure as well as the range of other sensors helps in informing which signal to use.

Bone conduction tends to transmit sound via subtle vibrations instead of through speakers generally with an increase in clarity. The patent tends to follow the design model which Apple had attempted in bringing about to most of its devices and accessories – simplicity. It could also propose a natural progression with the company’s 2014 acquisition of headphones maker Beats, while enhancing the earbuds contributions.

Earbuds Accountable for Noise/Wind level

According to research manager of wearable and mobile phones for IDC, Ramon Llamas, has mentioned in an email that `this is something like Apple taking a hint from what the other vendors have done earlier and which has been Apple’s mode of operation in the past – to see who does it well and then attempt to do it better than the others.

We have seen this with smartphones and are now seeing it with watches and if the product reaches market, Apple will be doing the same to the Bluetooth headset industry’. Apple had noted in the patent application that its earbuds would be accountable for noise and wind level identified by internal earbud microphones.

Moreover, the earbuds could combine the information with accelerometer output battery level as well as earbud position data as per the application. Apple has mentioned in its patent application that `the invention usually relates to improving the voice sound quality in a wireless headset with untethered earbuds of electronic devices by determining which of the earbuds should transmit the acoustic signal and the inertial sensor output to the mobile device’.

Environmental Noise – User’s Speech Incomprehensible

Using the acoustic signal as well as the inertial sensor output received from one of the earbuds, user’s voice activity could be detected to perform noise reduction and generate a pitch estimate in improving the speech quality of the final output signal’.

As per the application, a shared complain with hands free devices is that speech caught by the microphone port or the handset comprises of environmental noise like the secondary speakers in the background or it could be other background sounds.

 Environmental noise tends to make the user’ speech incomprehensible and hence tends to degrade the quality of the voice communication, which is a problem that Apple intends to solve. Apple had declined from commenting on the patent application.

The present patent shows on-going work in bone conduction technology as Apple had filed a similar application for accelerometer assisted noise cancellation last September and the company is yet to bring in such a device to the market. Its most innovative earphone designs tend to rely on cables, excluding devices that are developed by Beats.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Apple will host next iPhone launch Sept. 9


Apple_invitation
The most awaited event for this year is finally here, Apple will be launching its next iPhone on September event in San Francisco. Exactly a year ago, Apple had launched the bigger iPhone 6 and now it is time to launch new devices with tradition. Invitation for this event started coming out on Thursday with simple tease: “Hey Siri, give us a hint.”

Apple hoping to boost its sales

It should be noted that two third of the Apple’s revenue comes from the sales of iPhone followed by its other devices and web based services. In order to keep the revenue steady it is necessary for the Apple to keep introducing new devices in order to generate desire among the consumers. Apple has been selling millions of mobile devices each but in the recent times it has seen slowing down of sales largely due the rise of Chinese Smartphones manufacturers and saturation in the world mobile market.

The other major device in Apple’s portfolio is the iPad, which is going through a bad phase in sales. The quarterly sales of Ipad are declining with each passing year and Apple had recorded six periods of low sales in a row, which is highly alarming.

Apple launch event will brings tweaked iPhone

Just a year back Apple had launched new bigger iPhone which boasted huge advancement in the hardware and design but this year focus will be bringing tweaks and functionality enhancement as seen earlier with ‘S’ cycle launches. The major example of ‘S’ cycle change or tweaks is the introduction of Siri, Apple’s voice assistant with the launch of iPhone4S few years back.

It is expected that Apple will be bringing its relatively new ForceTouch technology to its other devices. ForceTouch technology debuted last year with the iPhone 6 allowing it the ability to differentiate between the hard and light taps on the screen. Apart from this Apple will be bringing tweaks with a fast processor, better camera and more color options for the users.

Apple TV can even make a debut

We had long being hearing about the Apple TV and last time it was expected to be revealed at the annual developer’s conference in June but it was pushed back for unknown reasons. Later on it was revealed that Apples had failed to broker any deals with the TV programmers to bring some content in time. This time Apple is expected to launch the Apple TV box along with an internet based television service for its users. Apple was first to pioneer the thought of binging a service of internet delivered TV but it kept pushing it back and now this service has grown considerably with increased accessibility.

Apple might reveal new bigger iPads

Apple had long kept the tradition of holding separate events for its tablets and smartphones. And usually iPhones are announced in September followed by iPad in October. This time they might surprise us by launching both the devices together and users will be able to see the upcoming 12.9 inches iPad Pro in September event.

iPhone 6S to Feature Animated Backgrounds Like the Apple Watch

iPhone

Apple Watch’s Animated Wallpaper in iPhone 6s & iPhone 6 Plus

As per the latest news, Apple has plans in bringing the Apple Watch’s animated wallpapers in its upcoming iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. According to source, Apple Watch owners have the option of animated jellyfish, butterflies and flowers backgrounds, the new phone wallpapers is stated to feature koi fish, flowers and coloured powdery smoke.

Images of what seem to be yet-to-be-assembled iPhone 6s Plus box has been posted online on Chinese site – cnBeta, which is complete with image of a gold and black butterfly koi. The latest models tend to benefit from a new 12 MP camera with potential of shooting 4K video with the front camera capable of recording 1080p video at 60fps, 240fps in slow motion mode together with flash support.

The updated phones would also be having Force Touch technology that can detect how hard the user is pressing and enable various actions that need to be carried out. The technology, according to the reports will permit menu `shortcuts’ which enable users in discovering options on menus, quickly. The most widespread rumour is that the new generation iPhones would see the introduction of new rose gold model.

New Box – Touch Pad Remote/Extra Inbuilt Storage/Siri

Media invitations for press event for September 9, have been sent by Apple, where chief executive Tim Cook is expected to introduce a revamped Apple TV box set together with the new phones. The new box is said to feature a touch pad remote, with extra inbuilt storage together with Siri voice control for browsing as well as selecting programs and films to watch, in light of latest patent filing.

It is expected to run a TV optimised version of iOS 9 together with a refreshed interface and for the first time it would be opened up to the app group. Apple is predicted to unveil a software development kit – SDK which would enable developers in building apps. Presently only a few of the third party programs tend to feature on the Apple TV and introducing a SDK and App Store would probably expand this considerably.

Moreover, it would also be supporting HomeKit once Apple confirms that Apple TV would be acting as a central hub for connected home appliance which includes ecobee thermostats, lighting kits as well as smart sensors.

Animated Flower Wallpapers – Hand Sculpted Resin Model

Internal email leaked from Vodafone staff indicates that the new handsets would be going on sale on 25 September with pre-orders which would be accepted from September 18. Recently, Apple had brought the Watch’s animated flower wallpapers to life with hand sculpted resin model in all the 24 windows of Selfridges in London.

 These ranged from 200mm to 1.8 metres in height, wherein the flowers comprised of purple passion flowers, pink peoneys as well as white nigella. According to a report by 9To5Mac, there is a possibility that the new iPhone would be featuring animated wallpaper and if this turns out to be true, they would be of the same family as the `motion’ wallpaper that are found on the Apple Watch.

An image of the new iPhone 6s Plus box had been leaked recently featuring a picture of a golden koi fish as the phone’s background. Source 9To5Mac warns that the animated wallpaper feature may be dropped before the iPhone 6s is formally introduced though the site speculates that the existence of the fish on the packaging materials indicate that the feature has been confirmed.