Friday, October 27, 2017

7 Things You Need to Know About the Apple Watch Series 3

Apple Watch Series 3: Practical test of the LTE Smartwatch

The Apple Watch Series 3 is available in stores. Macmyth.com has looked at the new Cellular version with LTE. Here comes the first practical impression!

The Apple Watch Series 3 looks good on the paper: GPS sensor, barometer, pulse sensor, eSIM card. The operating system offers more fitness functions and a new Siri interface is really awesome. Visually nothing has happened compared to the predecessor, the processor is brighter. The battery life disappointed.
 
Pros
 
GPS sensor
pulse sensor
barometer
Fresh operating system
Flatterer processor
UMTS and LTE connections
 
Cons
 
Battery life only 18 hours
Music streaming does not work yet

On this day, Apple fans have waited: the 22nd of September. From then on there are the iPhone 8 models to buy - and the Apple Watch Series 3. The fresh watch closely resembles the previous model Series 2, only this time comes as a "Cellular" variant with eSIM. In Europe the mobile radio mode works only exclusively with the Telekom. Why this is so and how the Series 3 hits in the first practice test - read on!

The Apple Watch Series 3 comes in two versions: "GPS" and "GPS + Cellular". In the Cellular equipment, Apple has fixed a SIM card, which makes LTE and UMTS connections without smartphone - as with the iPad. In this way, users can make calls without the iPhone, stream music over Apple Music, and answer messages. In the practice test it was shown: As soon as WLAN or the Bluetooth connection to the smartphone is available, the Watch uses this connection. Thus, it only accesses the network independently if it is its only option. This is a good thing: the LTE connection gnaws properly on the battery. Other testers complained about problems with the telephone connection - here everything worked smoothly in the MACMYTH.COM practice test. The only drawback: With SMS the watch showed a non-notified message, although they arrived at the receiver.

Practice Test: Apple Watch Series 3

With the eSIM, the Apple Watch is more independent of the smartphone than its predecessors. However, the usage scenarios for the mobile data connection are limited; a possible situation is about a jogging round. Internet is then used to stream music or the emergency call. Already the Apple indicated recharge time is small. Other smartwatches plague this problem, some of which are now two or three days.

eSIM in Europe: Telekom tariff

To use eSIM, you need a tariff. The Apple Watch Series 3 "GPS + Cellular" does not work with any provider and not in every country. In Europe, for example, this is only offered by Telekom for its mobile customers. Reason: Telekom is here the only provider, the eSIM maps programmed. The required multi-SIM tariff at the Telekom costs depending on the mobile phone tariff up to 4.95 euros. For the first six months, telecom customers use the eSIM of the Apple Watch free of charge if they bought the device there. The tariff is booked online in the customer center or by hotline. Then the Telekom sends the QR link by mail and clears it in the online customer center. You will find the link under My contracts. Then click on the handy number with which you want to connect the SIM, scroll to My SIM cards, and click the activation code under Multi-SIM. Apple Watch and iPhone ask during setup for this QR link.

To use the Apple Watch 3 with the eSIM you will have to store a profile on it. Apple points out that when you set up the AppleWatch for the first time, you are prompted to enter a code from the vendor.
The prices for the Apple Watch Series 3 with GPS and Cellular start at 449 euros with aluminum case and sports or sports loop bracelet. If you decide to buy a stainless steel case, you have at least 749 euros. The Nike special models are available from 449 euros. And if you would like it to be exclusive, you can access the Hermes edition, which starts at 1299 euros. If you decide for the ceramic housing, which is now also available in gray, you pay 1399 euros.

Thursday, October 26, 2017

iPhone X vs iPhone 8 vs iPhone 7: Should We Upgrade?

Upgraded iPhones – iPhone X/iPhone 8/iPhone 8 Plus

 
The three updated iPhones this year are the slick all-screen iPhone X, the latest iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, made available with wireless charging.

 

How does the latest iPhone tend to differ?

 
The iPhone X has a different appearance in comparison to the other iPhones. It’s more like the Essential Phone and the Samsung Galaxy S8 though with an increase in screen-to-body ratio. On slimming down the bezels and eliminating the home button, Apple seems to have packed a 5.8-inch OLED display in a reduced body than the iPhone 7 Plus together with the iPhone 8 Plus. Towards the top of the display is included an IR camera, for the front facing camera together with an array of sensors - `Dot Projector’ and 1Flood Illumination’.

Moreover, Apple has also switched the aluminium frame utilised from the time of iPhone 6 with a glass back though has maintained the comfortable curved edges that are now of `medical grade’ stainless steel on the iPhone X. Regardless of the claim of Apple that the glass tends to be most durable in a smartphone, glass tends to be a fragile material which would mean that the user would not only have to cope with the likelihood of cracking the display when the phone tends to fall but the rear as well.

At first glance, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus tends to look similar to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus which seems to appear like the iPhone 6, with chunky bezels together with home button/fingerprint reader. Apple has also included a glass back to the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus which tends to make it more delicate than its precursors.
 

What is the size of the iPhone X in comparison to other phones?

 
Some users have the penchant to the tiny, easy to use one hand dimensions. The amazing news is the `no bezel’ design which shows that the iPhone X is somewhat the same to the iPhone 8 than the Plus irrespective of its big screen. With regards to statistics, the iPhone X is said to be about 5.2mm taller than an iPhone 8 though the iPhone 8 Plus tends to be a substantial 14.8mm taller than the iPhone X. Moreover the iPhone X also tends ot be the same size as the Samsung Galaxy S8.
 

How does the iPhone X tends to work without a home button?

 
In order to get to the Control Centre, user could swipe down from the top of the screen towards the left, swiping down from the right side opens the notifications. These are small changes and not too complex. TouchID that are in-built in the home button have been replaced by FaceID on iPhone X tough TouchID tends to remain on the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus.
 

What is Face ID?

 
Since the home button has been eliminated from the iPhone X together with the fingerprint sensor by Apple, it has come up with a standby in the form of Face ID which is a facial-recognition security process enabling the user to unlock their phone with their face. Face ID, unlike Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7, utilises the new depth sensing camera of iPhone X for verifying the features which means that it is unable to be fooled with an image, the way the system of Samsung tends to do. It functions by utilising a `Flood Illuminator’, which provides adequate light for infrared camera as well as `Dot Projector’ for firing `30,000 invisible IR dots’ at one’s face. Thereafter the IR image together with the dot pattern is moved through neural networks for the creation of mathematical model of the face and is then matched to a stored 3D model. The information related to facial is protected by same `secure enclave’ utilised by TouchID while at the same time the data processing is carried on-device rather than of the cloud. Apple has stated that its tech is good enough for FaceID to function in the dark and also if one intends to improve on their looks like grow a beard, wear glasses etc. It’s left to be seen if FaceID would be living up to the promises made by Apple.
 

Should we care if iPhone X has OLED screen?

 
The iPhone X is said to be the first phone of Apple to have OLED display though Samsung had been utilising the same in its devices for several years. Apple’s IPS LED displays utilised tend to be good though OLED technology enables richer colours together with deeper blacks which is owing to the ability of turning each single pixel on or off whenever required. Considering stability, OLED seems to be a good upgrade due to its fantastic contrast of OLED screens which seems excellent for videos as well as photos and this is the reason people prefer an OLED TV. Hence it is good news that Apple has made the switch even though it has come up with this idea a bit late.
 

Are the latest iPhones faster?

 
The iPhone X and iPhone 8 features a new six-core A11 system-on-a-chip –SoC, comprising of four low-power core together with two performances cores which tend to build on 10nm FinFET manufacturing system rather than the 16nm process of A10 Fusion in the iPhone 7. Apple, on decreasing the process, has filled more transistors in a smaller space enhancing the performance as well as the battery life. Apple has claimed that the iPhone X has the potential of lasting for two hours longer on a charge than the iPhone 7 as well as it is 25% faster on performance cores and 75% faster on the energy efficient cores. In the meanwhile Apple has created its own Graphics Processing Unit – GPU for the A11 SoC breaking off with Imagination Technologies. Both the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus tends to have the same A11 SoC like the iPhone X. But the A11 seems to be a tough sell if one is a user of iPhone 7 and are also new to the features.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Apple TV 4K arrives, now Apple's finally ready to play the Ultra HD game

Apple TV 4K – Streaming Video-Player
 
The long-awaited streaming video-player of apple tv 4K is getting a renovation as the iTunes store squeezes Hollywood for an improved deal on Ultra HD movies. Since the prices of Ultra HD television has dropped they have been replaced by full HD as the default choice while shopping for big screen for the living room. Australians could overlook the Ultra HD broadcasting for the predictable future.

 In the meantime Ultra HD Blu-ray disc players have been gradually taking off though the easiest method of getting Ultra HD movies to your living room is through the internet where one would be having your home broadband connection. Bandwidth is obviously less scarce in US and so Apple watchers had been amazed two years back when the Apple TV 4th gen did not make the leap to Ultra HD.

 American at that point of time already had access to a range of Ultra HD capable streaming services comprising of Netflix, YouTube and Amazon though not the iTunes stores of Apple. If Steve Jobs had been around, he would have described Ultra HD as a `bag of hurt’, which is Apple-speak for `it doesn’t suit the business model at least not yet’ Ultra HD support back then would have benefitted Netflix more than Apple when Apple had been working on its own streaming video goals.
 
Ultra HD Trend
 
Two years thereafter, Cupertino is eventually taking on the Ultra HD trend so that apple tv 4K will show up on sign. The latest apple tv 4K had been put on sale in Australia on September 22 with pre-orders on September 15 priced at $249 for 32GB of storage for $279 for 64GB model.

The old Full HD apple tv 4K will fall to $209. Apple does not sell the earlier apple tv 4K models anymore which had not permitted the user to install third-party apps. In the meantime, Ultra HD movies will be coming to iTunes stores mainly for sale instead of rental. The most amazing thing is that the user will pay the same price as HD movies with a cost free upgrade for any of the HD movies one may have purchased earlier if they are made available in Ultra HD.

Apple is not taking a risk here. On the contrary it played hardball with the movie studio in making a better pricing deal rather than other video services which is a part of the continuing power struggle of Apple with content providers.
 
Support High Dynamic Range – Standard HDR10/Dolby Vision
 
Competitors such as Google Play in the meanwhile have been compelled to charge additional for Ultra HD movies not that there is much Ultra HD content in Australian store in spite of the launch of the Chromecast Ultra player. The apple tv 4K would be obtaining the support for Ultra HD Netflix shortly.

 The good news is that the player is said to support the High Dynamic Range for standard HDR10 as well as the advanced Dolby Vision chosen by Netflix HDR provides more vivid colours together with additional detail in the brightest highlight and deepest shadows. Amazingly Dolby Atmos audio support has not been mentioned.

Monday, October 16, 2017

Why Apple Won't Move the Mac to ARM

Apple

Why MacBooks won’t run on an ARM Processor

 
While there is certainly talk of Apple gaining independence and making its own ARM based processor for MAC, this is not really a good move for the company. Recently there were reports about Apple moving away from Intel processors for its Macbook and instead installing macbooks on ARM based processors.

ARM based processors have their own advantages. Apple will be able to integrate fingerprint, display and touch functions with the ARM based processor. They are power efficient, fast, will make computers lighter and thinner while at the same time running on a processing power equivalent to other processors.

ARM based processors are being thought of for only macbooks at present. All other devices such as mac pro, mac mini or Imacs will run on intel processors.

All this said and done, having an ARM based processor is not an ideal situation for Apple as then macbooks would not run on current versions of macOS.

This means that one of three things could happen. Either Apple does away with its desktop line of business or has macbooks made that are actually a little bigger than an Ipad or alternatively make new versions of macOS for various of its products.

Macbook as a Giant iPad- If Apple is really considering taking up to making Macbooks with ARM based processors then their macbooks are going to start looking like oversized ipads.

This is not altogether bad since Apple knows that inspite of an iPad coming with multiple apps and quality processors it is still unable to match up with the functioning of a notebook.

However if Apple does proceed with this step it will need to adapt its MacOS to the new processor. Basically the ARM based processor will require new architecture in which to function.

This processor would require professional software to run, this may not be a very cost effective way to implement the processor and sales of macbooks installed with such a processor would not do well.
Maintaining two processors- If Apple goes ahead with this move, it is going to have to create two macOS, one for ARM based processors and one for intel processors. As mentioned earlier only macbooks would run on ARM processors while all the rest would run on intel processors.

Having different processors means that the macOS would have to be configured to meet both processors different needs and architecture. This is a difficult process not to mention the fact that both these different operating systems would have to be maintained, what with all the updates and such.

No desktop line of business- Instead of all the hulabaloo of adjusting and maintaining different macOS for different processors, Apple can consider getting rid of its desktop line of business.

But would you get rid of something that may not be a major profit earner but still giving you good returns, well no and with apple recently unveiling a new mac pro and imac this even more does not seem to be the case.

With the new ARM processor apple would be able to take a step away from intel at present but it would also have to contend with the added workload of having to maintain two varieties of macOS while the macbooks with newly installed ARM processors might not even do well in sales. Basically the move to ARM processors does not make any real sense.

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Apple to fix iOS 11 Reachability Bug that Restricts Cover Sheet Pulldown

Apple’s Reachability Bug

Reachability Bug
 
User’s of Apple’s iOS 11 are now encountering a Reachability Bug problem in using the reachability feature. The reachability feature allows the user to reach the top screen and its apps by double tapping the home button, thereby allowing ease of access to any user. Right now users are encountering Reachability Bug problems when coversheets clashes with reachability.

The notification feature in Apple is now called as cover sheets. Cover sheets is used to combine your lock screen with your notifications. Now a user can get their notifications on their lock screens with all the other lock screen features such as the time and other lock screen info. The notifications are shown in chronological order and are not grouped according to app. Although it is very similar to the old notification center there appear to be differences in the notification options.

The Reachability Bug has only arisen with the iOS11 edition when the reachability feature and cover sheet features have been introduced together. At present it is not known if the bug is a software glitch or otherwise. Apple’s chief software engineer says that they are working to remedy the situation. This has led to hopes that the company intends fixing the bug in future revisions to iOS 11.

Apparently, In iOS 11 the user could access reachability by double tapping the home button and getting all their apps which were on the top of the screen closer to their finger tips. This could be done for easier one-handed access. After this they could swipe down just below the app line instead of all the way up to access all their notifications. But it seems this feature is not present or has been overlooked by the Apple team in iOS 11. Therefore the user would have to reach all the way up to access those notifications. This has severely hampered user’s utility. Such a Reachability Bug has not been seen in previous IOS versions.

The recently launched iphone X does not come with the reachability feature. But an Apple developer has seen the code work for reachability support, thereby hinting at the new iphone X coming with the reachability feature in the near future.

Recently Apple has released iOS 11.1 beta version for developers and individuals alike for testing. Apparently the reachability and coversheet glitch namely Reachability Bug has not yet been addressed in this newer version. The 3d touch multitasking app has been brought back in the beta 2 version of iOS 11.1

Apple is now working to remedy the Reachability Bug which will come in the near future.

Friday, October 13, 2017

Apple Patents Self-Adjusting Apple Watch Bands

 Apple has quietly filled the patent for the self-adjusting Apple Watch bands

Apple has again taken every major player in the wearable gadgets market by surprise successfully securing patent for wide range of self-adjusting Apple Watch bands. As the name suggest this patent will allow the bands to tighten and loosen automatically in order to provide a perfect fit. This patent is formally called US Patent No. 9,781,984 which brings dynamic fit adjustment for wearable electronic devices and band s in question is made of leather or simple rubber materials. This patent showcase that Apple is actively looking for a new technology which allows it provides a more innovative product to the users.

Apple Watch going through the best phase

 

Just a month ago Apple has launched the Apple Watch Series 3 which brings the LTE support on the smartwatch for the first time. At the launch event it was announced that Apple Watch had grown by a massive 50% on year-on-year basis. This is remarkable feat for the Apple Watch as the market for wearable never really took off and for quite sometimes the sales in their area were slowing down. It would also come as a surprise that Apple Watch Series has the Apple Watch the number one watch in the world by taking the crown from Rolex which has almost surprised every critic and fan.

After the success of the iPhone, Macbook and Apple Watch, Apple has become quite repetitive in terms of design and innovation for some time which started questioning its ability to bring better design or new innovative product. This year Apple has put on the innovation hat by bringing the whole new mix of design and innovation with iPhone X leaving everyone spell bounded by its stunning design, form factor and impressive performance.

With Apple Watch Series 3 Apple brought the LTE support allowing using to take and make calls using their smartwatch. The best thing about the LTE support is that users wouldn’t have to manage a second SIM card or phone number rather Apple Watch Series will make use of the same number used by the iPhone. Now it seems Apple is innovating at a break-neck speed with the news of patent filling for the self-adjusting Apple watch bands.

 

New exciting way of using Apple Watch


The proposed patent has shown some new ways in which users will be able to use the Apple Watch in future. The self-adjusting Apple Watch bands when this patent is implemented on it then the band will be able to expand or contract with electric signals. This band will come with a shape memory wire running through it allowing it to know when to expand and contract. It will also feature a fluid or gad filled bladder as well as lags which are most likely to retract right back into the watch body.

Apple has made no comments about the patents and of this information has been taken from the patent filing itself. As in the past this self-adjusting Apple Watch bands patent doesn’t mean that we will get to see the in the actual product next year.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Pixel Buds Vs Apple AirPods

Google’s Pixel Buds gives stiff competition to Apple’s Airpods

Google launched the new lineup of Pixel devices just a few days ago. With this new lineup Google is expanding it hardware line with bringing more new products under its umbrella. Google Pixel Buds vs Apple Airpods has become the talk of the technology industry at the moment. Google Pixel Buds is the first of its kind from Google which happens to resemble more like the Apple’s Airpods. Google has followed the patch of Apple and has simply done away with the headphone jack on its Pixel smartphones for good. Therefore it came up with its own wireless headphone called Google Pixel buds to sell along with the Pixel smartphones. Quiet incidentally Google has priced Pixel Buds at $159 which is exactly the same price quoted by Apple’s Airpods. Here is detailed breakdown of features to showcase the battle of Google Pixel Buds vs Apple Airpods.

Impressive Battery backup and usability

Google Pixel Buds vs Apple Airpods, it has been seen that both the devices offer similar level of battery life. Google Pixel Buds offer five hours of battery backup and its carrycase has the ability to recharge the battery almost four times. But Apple Airpods happens to be very small and are quite simply & easy to carry around.

When the battle of design emerges in between Google Pixel Buds vs Apple Airpods then again Pixel wins it by a massive margin. Pixel Buds makes use of an open-air design which means this wireless headphone sits against the ear not right in the ear.

Better controls and impressive compatibility

When it comes to controls comparison in-between Google Pixel Buds vs Apple Airpods, Pixels simply offers more number of controls than Airpods. Users can play and pause music, adjust volume by swiping across and double tap to read out the notifications. While Apple Airpods only offers limited tap controls which isn’t as good as the Google Pixel Buds.

Comparing Google Pixel Buds vs Apple Airpods, the Google counterpart again wins the race on the compatibility front. Google Pixel Buds can be used with other phones apart from the Google Pixel smartphones. It can work with any smartphone which has Google Assistant features in it and possess the Android version Nougat and above. Sadly Apple Aiorpods can only be used with the Apple iPhone. Just like Apple Airpods users are asked to make use of Pixel smartphone in order to get the so called complete experience.

It’s just wireless headphone

While comparing Google Pixel Buds vs Apple Airpods we cannot miss the point Google has somewhat blurred the line between a wireless headphone and a ‘true wireless headphone’. Google Pixel buds are wireless earbuds as there is no plug running right to the phone but these pods do have wires running in between. This is the first time Apple Airpods wins the battle in Google Pixel Buds vs Apple Airpods as it offers truly wireless earbuds to the target audience. Google Pixel buds has came as a winner on a number of occasion and it surely appears to be the first massive competition for the Apple Airpods.

Monday, October 9, 2017

Boot Bug in Macs and PC’s

 Mac
Your Mac or Pc could be at risk. Duo security a leading security agency has recently reported that a number of computers could be at risk from sophisticated attacks on personal data stored in computers due to outdated tech.

Many macs were the subject of this research, with many found not to be updating core firmware. This poses a major problem as these computers could be the subject of organized hacking. Although the software, that is operating systems, are being updated on a regular basis especially with prompts given by the computer itself, the basic firmware is not being updated in some computers.

This firmware is known as Extensible Firmware Interface or EFI in short. What it does is to ensure that the computer starts up and runs the main operating system. What it basically means is that it is the foundation for all the rest of the software programs. Of course this is not a problem that relates to only Apple computers but also to windows run computers. Research shows that windows run computers may be even adversely affected due to the fact that computers are made by a range of manufacturers thereby making it difficult to bring all the security for the firmware under a single umbrella or to follow common standards.

Research of more than seventy thousand has showed that some computers could be at risk from a well- resourced and organized hacker such as foreign governments, for espionage purposes. While it may not pose so much of a threat to house users, it could cause serious problems for big players in the field such as government bodies running on outdated versions, banks, top companies and the like.

The boot bug problem is even more serious because of the fact that it does not inform the user of updates to the firmware. Duo security was alarmed to see that so many macs were susceptible to boot bug. They had to go back and double check the results to ensure that they had reached the right conclusions.

How boot bug came into focus is when researchers studied mac computers to see whether they updated firmware when software was updated, which is supposed to be done automatically when software is updated (No prompts are given to the users to update firmware separately) , they found that few computers were not doing the same. At least 4.2% of the computers tested were not being updated. This led to the question as to why this was not happening. Till date no conclusive answer has been reached.

As many as 16 models of Apple macs have been affected by boot bug. Duo security is now providing various tools to be used to identify boot bug in various organizations. Apple has not only appreciated the finding but is also working alongside the security firm to analyze the cause of boot bug. So far both companies are not able to find the answer for such a problem. Shell scripting for network engineers helps both new and experienced professional network engineers to Bash shell scripting on the Linux operating system.


Apple has addressed the problem by releasing a feature known as High Sierra which is a software that runs in the background and checks every week to see if firmware is being updated. If this is not happening then the user is informed to contact the company.

Apple said in an interview that it is committed to providing the best security possible to their users and is taking steps to rectify the issue.

Apple Investigates Reports of iPhone 8 ‘Splitting Open’

Splitting Open
Image Credit: Magokoro
No Software to fix Static Cracking Sound of Earpiece – iPhone 8

New reports have come up regarding problem that no software update would be capable of fixing the complaints of static cracking sound coming from the earpiece of iPhone 8 users. With the recent release of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, two different cases have been exposed of the splitting open of the phone. An owner of the iPhone 8 Plus in Taiwan had stated that her phone had opened up, shortly after it had been kept to be charged. As per local media, Ms Wu, who had purchased her 64GB rose gold phone, Ms Wu, five days earlier, had plugged the device in her charger and three minutes thereafter the the panel towards the front area had started to bulge and had given way. She had been utilising the appropriate Apple supplied charger cable together with the adaptor during the time of charging. She had shipped over the split phone back to Apple in order that the experts could evaluate the strength of the damage and determine the cause for the same. Another report of the iPhone 8 busting open had come from Japan with Twitter user @Magokoro claiming that his phone had been broken already when he had received the same.

Unverified Rumours on Battery

The images which had been posted to Twitter seemed to portray an iPhone 8 Plus that had the front panel somewhat separated from the phone. The next day, more images of the phone had been posted portraying the damages had got even worse with the screen almost totally moved away from the body of the device. This is definitely not the first time Apple faced problems with one of their latest models. With the release of the iPhone 6 in 2014, there had been several reports that the phone had been vulnerable to bending, which resulted in the hashtag #bendgate trending on social media. As per The Next Web, there had been unverified rumours on the battery which had been utilised in the latest iPhone 8 had been built by the same company which had made the battery for Samsung Galaxy Note 7 and Samsung had to recall after various rumours of explosions.

Consistent With Swollen Battery

Some related that the damage caused to the iPhone 8 seems to be consistent with swollen battery though Apple has still to make an official announcement regarding the matter. Though some of the users have been fast in labelling these instances as #splitgate, they have probably been too quick to jump to conclusion. No visible burn marks has been located on the iPhone 8 which may provide any indication of an explosion similar to the one experienced with the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. Moreover, any phone which has been manufactured as well as distributed on a massive scale would definitely include some of the defective models. One would probably not wake up to find out that the new iPhone 9 has split up, till Apple intends to resolves the issue or more cases similar to the earlier two reports, may probably come up.

Friday, October 6, 2017

Biological Clock Discoveries by 3 Americans Earn Nobel Prize

Nobel Prize

Biological Clock – Complete New Field of Research

 
Recently, three American received the Nobel Prize for their discoveries in Physiology or Medicine with regards to the biological clock of the body which gave rise to a complete new field of research, bringing about awareness on the importance of obtaining adequate sleep. Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash together with Michael W. Young had won the 9-million-kronor ($1.1 million) award for their work on discovering genetic mechanisms behind circadian rhythms that gets accustomed to the working of the body to various stages of the day, manipulating sleep, behaviour, hormone levels together with body temperature and metabolism.

The Nobel citation had stated that they were capable of peeking within the biological clock and shed light on its inner workings. As per a Nobel background report the Circadian dysfunction has been connected to sleep disorders and depression, bipolar disorder, cognitive function, together with memory formation as well as some neurological diseases.

The effort of the awardees tends to stem back to 1984 when Rosbash together with Hall while at Brandeis and with Young, had isolated the `period gene’ in fruit flies. Rosbash and Hall had discovered a protein that was determined by a gene accumulated during night and degraded in the daytime. Young had located another `clock gene’ a decade later.
 

Utilising Fruit Flies

 
The work on biological clock had been carried out utilising fruit flies. Rosbash, a 73 year old professor at Brandeis University had informed The Associated Press that he was very pleased for the fruit fly. He stated that he obtained the call regarding the award just after 5 a.m. and when the landline tends to ring at that hour, generally it is because someone had died.

 He was still a little overwhelmed. However, he added that he tends to stand on the shoulders of giants and that this is a very humbling award. Young who is at Rockefeller University and Hall formerly had been a visiting professor at the University of Maine stated that his prize work had been done at Brandeis.

Hall ironically noted that he had been awake when the call came through regarding the prize for the biological clock, due to age-related changes in his own circadian rhythms. He had checked with the AP through phone from Cambridge, Maine if it had been a hoax. Juleen Zierath of the Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute that chooses the laureates had commented that the winners had raised awareness on the importance of appropriate sleep hygiene.
 

Circadian Rhythms

 

Another assembly member, Carlos Ibanez had stated that the research is significant in comprehending how humans tend to adjust to shift-work. A scientist at the U.K Medical Research Council, Michael Hastings had commented that the discoveries had given rise to a complete new field of research for biology as well as medicine.

Hasting had informed the AP that till then the biological clock had been observed as a kind of black box and that they were not aware about its operation. However, what they did came to understand was that the genes which made the body clock and once you tend to get the genes, you can take the field wherever one desires to do so.

He further informed AP that that it is a field which had blown up tremendously, driven by the findings by these Americans. According to Hall, scientist had been aware about circadian rhythms right from 1700s though the research team viewed the mechanics together with the underpinning regarding its operation. He stated that understanding can provide the researchers with an opportunity of addressing the circadian rhythms disorders which tends to contribute to the sleep issues.
 

How Genes Controlled Biological Clock

 
Young had informed that their research had revealed an amazing mechanism for how genes controlled the biological clock. When questioned at a New York news conference regarding the probable medical breakthroughs from the work, he informed that they were working on it. However, he noted that a genetic mutation had been discovered in some individuals who had chronic issues in getting sleep at night.

Explaining the research, the Nobel statement said that their wellbeing has been affected where there is a temporary mismatch between the external environment and the internal biological clock, for instance while travelling across various time zones and experience `jet lag’. There had also been indications which chronic misalignment between the lifestyles together with the rhythm spoken by inner time keeper is related with increased risk for various diseases.

The misalignment could be related with diseases comprising of cancer and degenerative neurological conditions. Hall commented that if one tends to comprehend how the usual process of biological clock tends to function, it provides an opportunity not inevitability though a chance to influence the internal workings of the clock and probably enhance the well-being of a person. Rosbash informed that he is of the opinion that most of its practical application lies ahead.

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Apple Releases iOS 11.0.2 Software Update

 iOS 11.0.2

iOS 11.0.2 For Fixing Crackling Sound On iPhone 8


The iOS 11.0.2 has been made available to Apple users on their iPhones, iPod touch and iPads. The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus users experienced crackling sound during calls.

It was not clear what caused the crackling sound. The earpiece seemed to work fine even on affected iPhones, but during calls , there seemed to be a faint crackling sound, which was annoying to the users. They took to social media to report this problem and seek help. Apple confirmed the problem and said it affected a few of its users. To fix this problem, Apple has come out with iOS 11.0.2. It also fixes other minor bugs as well.

Apple did not release any betas before the iOS 11.0.2. It is the second update since it launched iOS 11 on 19th September.

The iOS 11 included additional features to the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. It included Indoor mall and airport maps, Do Not Disturb while driving, Live photos editing, multitasking features in the iPad, new files app, document scanning in notes.

The iOS 11.0.1 also aims to fix certain issues which the users have complained about. It fixed the Exchange email server problem. There improvements in performance as seen in the iMessage app Drawer, App Explorer and Springboard.

The iOS 11.0.2 is focused on fixing up the iOS 11 and iOS 11.0.1 problems. It seems to be a solution for bug fixes and improvement in performance, also including the crackling sound during phone calls.

Initially, the problem of the crackling audio was believed to be a hardware issue. Apple released the beta version of iOS 11.1 last week and the problem was resolved with a software update. In order to expidite the fixing of the bug, it released the iOS 11.0.2. The iOS 11.0.2 also fixes two other issues. The one that could cause the photos to be hidden as well as the problem where attachments in S/MIME encrypted emails would not open. It does not have any additional security content , it includes the same security from iOS 11.0

The iOS 11.0.2 is a maintenance update with a fairly big download of 278MB . It should take about a minute or two to download if you have a fast Wi-Fi network.

You need to go to the Settings app on your iPhone, click ‘General’ and then ‘Software Update’. This update can be downloaded from your computer as well. You need to plug your iPhone to the computer and go to iTunes to update. It would be safe to backup your device in case anything should go wrong. Make sure that the iCloud backups in your device settings are working or backup can be done using iTunes.

For data protection on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, you need to have the iOS 11/iOS 11.0.2 . This is especially essential for those using the older versions of iOS.
 
In a gist
 
iOS 11.0.2 includes bug fixes and performance improvement in iPhones, iPads and iPod touch
  1. The crackling audio during phone calls for the iPhone8 and iPhone 8 Plus has been fixed. 
  2. It solves the problem where some photos become hidden. 
  3. The attachments in S/MIME encrypted emails would not open and this problem too is resolved.

Sunday, October 1, 2017

How the iPhone's Do Not Disturb While Driving Feature Works



Apple’s Sage Driving Mode

The `Do Not Disturb While Driving’, safe driving mode had been announced by Apple in June at the Worldwide Developer Conference, a feature that is focused in fighting the hazardous practice of using the device for safe driving which tends to switch off other alerts, enticing users in viewing their phones while on the run.

People distracted while driving has become a safety crisis since the entry of smartphones and as per statistic from U.S. Department of Transportation, around 10% of deadly crashes, 15% of injury crashes and 14% of overall police-reported motor vehicle traffic crashes are the result of distracted driving. Utilising your device while on the move especially while driving could be a dangerous issue and for the first time, Apple had now introduced a safe driving mode for iPhone in iOS 11.

The feature disables the users from receiving messages and calls forsafe driving and provides their contact with the awareness that the recipients are occupied. The safety addition,`Called Do Not Disturb While Driving’, would be added to all phones running iOS 11. The new mode has received the approval of the police and road safety advocates who state that this could help in the prevention of accidents due to the distraction of people while driving. The following would provide some insight on how it functions and how to turn it off:

When is `Do Not Disturb While Driving turned on? 

The toughest warning that a person is in his car is if their iPhone has been linked to a car Bluetooth network and since no one tends to have Bluetooth in their car, Apple has come up with other indications where one could be driving. The safe driving mode tends to utilise various signals like the accelerometer of the iPhone, the rate wherein it tends to find and loose the Wi-Fi network in the vicinity together with the GPS in trying to detect when it assumes one would be driving.

Since it has been turned on by default and tends to get activated mechanically, it could affect the public transport users as well as passengers. Over a period of time, the feature is said to be more precise as Apple intends to obtain more date regarding who is and is not at the wheels. This feature can also be mechanically activated from the new control centre of iOS 11. Initially one would have to add the option through Settings> ControlCentre > Customise Controls and then add Do Not Disturb While Driving, thereafter you could turn it on swiping up from the bottom of the screen and opt for it.

What occurs when it is turned on? 

The safe driving mode of iOS 11 has the tendency of detecting when the iPhone user seems to be driving and silences the notifications in order to avoid disturbing the user. Moreover it is also likely to turn the phone’s screen dark, making it more difficult to unlock the device. Users could set up the automatic iMessage replies in order to send it to their contacts when they may be driving and opt to receive the notifications for the message which may be crucial.

Besides this, the app also has the possibility of stopping users from receiving phone calls though they could opt to take the calls from some of the contacts as well as receive alert if the number tends to try again within a span of three minutes. Calls still have the potential of going through in-car Bluetooth system even though Do Not Disturb While Driving has been activated. Siri tends to work in Do Not Disturb While Driving mode though the same could only answer voice command with audible replies.Apple Maps also tends to have the same lock screen presence since it does when the mode is not initiated.

How to turn it off? 

If the phone tends to inform that it is in driving mode when it is unlocked, waking up the phone would only display the Do Not Disturb driving notification while everything else seems to be blocked. On pressing or swiping on the notification would enable the user to say one is not driving if the need arises of turning it off. In order to stop the same from turning on, when it is not needed, you could change the feature by going to Settings > Do Not Disturb, where one could control if the safety mode is activated mechanically, when the same has been connected manually to the car Bluetooth.

Phone calls are enabled when an iPhone is connected to the Bluetooth of the car or a hands-free accessory enabling the user to respond with picking up the phone. The calls tend to get blocked like text messages and notifications if the same is not connected to Bluetooth or a compatible accessory. This is a totally optional feature wherein the driver has the choice of not using or could toggle off at any point of time, though it is an essential feature which one needs to consider turning on to eliminate distractions for safe driving.