Apple will Remove Headphone Jack from iPhone 7

Apple Headphones – Handset without Headphone Jack

A rumour regarding the new Apple headphones have been circulating recently and the first images of what seems to be of an iPhone 7 case has emerged online and seems to confirm the rumours that the new handset would be produced without a 3.5mm headphone jack. The images found by reliable tipster @OnLeaks indicate a transparent case having spaces for two equally sized speaker grillers together with the central lightening port signifying Apple would be intending to renovate the design of the bottom edge of the handset.

After reports first came up in early January, the rumours in recent month reveal that the upcoming model would be made one millimetre slimmer on removing the jack. The choice of removing the headphone jack could be a provocative one. Forbes state that `rumours suggest that Apple seems to be working on some pretty impressive technology comprising of a dual-lens system which means the iPhone 7 camera should be comparable to high quality DSLR cameras’. The company would probably include new wireless headphones together with the new handset or a pair of headphone that could connect to the phone via a lightning connector.

Eliminating Plastic Antenna Strips – Reasonable

Taking in account, Apple’s ownership of Beats, this would not be much of an issue. Third parties have been creating lightning connector headphone since June 2014 when Apple had extended its Made-for-iPhone licensing programme.

Besides this, the report also submits that the camera lens of the iPhone 7 would also probably sit in-line with its body and the plastic antenna bands would not stretch across its surface.As per MacRumours, the rear camera would be within the aluminium casing while the antenna bands would be only on the upper and lower edges rather than extending across the width of the handset.

 Apple spectators had been amazed at the decision of the company in permitting the camera on the iPhone 6 to project from its casing, claiming that it was out of character for Apple’s careful design standards as well as exposed the lens to scratching and other damage. Eliminating the plastic antenna strips also seems reasonable.

Features – Touch ID Fingerprint Scanner/12 MP Rear Facing Camera

The company had been granted a patent, last summer, detailing a metal composite capable of replacing the strips that was essential for the antenna of the phone to send and receive signal. The company is also said to be developing a kind of wireless charging that tends to free the iPhone from the need of being placed on a charging mat, which is presently the most commonly used format, as per Bloomberg. But this is doubtful of being incorporated in an iPhone before 2017.

Meanwhile, Apple has been preparing to send invitation to the media world ahead ofthe unveiling of the reported iPhone SE, which is a special edition 4-inch iPhone envisioned to take over from the iPhone 5s as the entry level model of the company. It has been rumoured that the new handset would feature a Touch ID fingerprint scanner and a12 MP rear facing camera, a near field communication – NFC chip which would support Apple Pay. Rumours reveal that the next flagship handset of Apple’s the iPhone 7, would feature various noticeable differences when it will be launched in September.

iPhone SE Puts the Same Engine in a Smaller Exterior

Apple launch event of iPhone SE has not caused the same frenzy as the last year’s iPhone 6S launch. Rumor mills have almost killed the suspense this time by literally offering everything from the size to specifications beforehand. Apple is known to be one of the most secretive companies when it comes to launching of new devices as it tries to hold to the information till the last second.

Most of the users were left wondering by the unique name picked by the Apple for its latest 4 inch iPhone model i.e. SE. SE simply stands for the Special Edition which comes with screen size of just four inches and Apple has lastly released a four inch model four years ago in the name of iPhone 4. This time Apple is trying to woo the customers who are looking for smaller yet powerful devices at a premium range.

Intentions of Apple behind launching smaller iPhone variant

Apple is under extreme competition from the rival manufacture Samsung which has been launching slew of phones tablets at varying sizes on different price points. This has helped Samsung in having product in every price segment and at each screen size. Apple is having a tough time as it have just one iPhone 6 series which has been loved and even hated for its jumbo size. Therefore Apple has to be to bring a new advanced and powerful iPhone which has smaller size and can please the old and new consumers.

Noteworthy features in iPhone SE

iPhone SE offers better battery life than the iPhone 6S almost 30 percent better. All those users who have been slamming and complaining about poor battery life can rejoice at the thought at having better battery life on the iPhone SE.

Apple has priced the powerful and small iPhone SE as the most affordable iPhone at just $400 without a contract. For all those consumers who were looking t buy their first iPhone but couldn’t do so due to premium price point will be able to buy their first Apple smartphone. iPhone SE might be small in size but packs all the features and specification of elder sibling iPhone 6S. The new SE comes loaded with extensive range of popular features like Apple Pay, fingerprint unlocking, Hey Siri digital assistant and Live Photos.

The only thing which was missing in the iPhone SE is the acclaimed 3D Touch. iPhone 6S has a highest selling point with its coveted 3D touch which allowed users to perform different actions on the basis of the pressure applied on the phone’s screen.

A phone you will love to use

iPhone SE is as powerful as the iPhone 6s as it has the same processor which helps this small device to perform multitasking and various other activities with ease and grace. Apple even states that iPhone SE is about 70% more faster at opening apps, processing things as well as other tasks than iPhone 6S.

Apple's Crazy iPhone Plan: No major Update Until 2017, then a 5.8-in, OLED Beast

Apple iPhone rumors doesn’t seem to stop at all as one of rumor proclaims that next iPhone will feature a large display of 5.8 inches with curved OLED screen. This rumor has been circulated by the KGI’s Ming Chi Kuo who has asserted that given the stiff competition in the global smartphone market Apple will be making a significant change in its design language.

It is also known that Apple tends to make some outlandish and visible changes with the phone design with ‘each new’ iteration of iPhone. 2017 is assumed as the year where Apple will be launching its refreshing new iPhone having a different design language. So Ming believes that Apple will be bringing a big iPhone in 2017 with 5.8 inch size and having the coveted curved OLED glass screen which can only be found in the Samsung flagship S6 and S7 series.

Thinner iPhone to debut in 2017

Ming has even asserted that Apple will be launching the new iPhone based on the design theme of the popular iPhone 4 but it will come with a curved display technology. Apple will certainly be thinking about releasing next age iPhone to be thinner than earlier variants but it will keep the stand iPhone design language intact. In order to go thinner the best way is to get hold of the curved glass technology. Curved glass is already seen on the Samsung S6 and S7 Edge devices which have made it possible for the Samsung to please the consumers again. Samsung has even started offering its curved glass technology to the rival OEMs such Vivo has recently launched a device having the same curved glass design.

Ming expects Apple to bring some new features like wireless charging as well as biometric recognition technology on the next iPhone and having curved glass technology seems a sensible solution.

Ming insights are quite provoking in nature

Ming is a noted and reliable Apple analyst who has been offering quite true finding on the online forums for quite some time. It is widely known that Apple will certainly be revamping its iPhone lineup in 2017 in order to remain competitive and up to date with the changing scenarios of the smartphone market. Ming even strays away from his earlier insight where he stated that Apple will be making use of AMOLED screens for iPhone in 2018 but now he is stating that Apple will be opting for the curved glass technology instead.

AMOLED screens are known to offer a greater range of colors, which has made it quite popular, and more and more number of OEMs are using it on their devices. Samsung makes a bulk of its revenue through selling the AMOLED display to the rival smartphone manufacturers. Ming has asserted that Apple’s next iPhone will certainly feature a new form factor which will be made by narrowing the bezels and offering a better and comfortable grip to the users.

iPhone Owners Receive Ghost Emails From January 1, 1970

Millions of Apple iPhone and iPads users got ghost emails dated January 1, 1970 in their inbox. However the point to be noted here is that ‘emails’ only came into being in the early 1990’s and there was not even internet in 1970. Well it is not a bug or malware which is trying to get hold of the devices by sending malicious emails to the users. Rather it is a glitch in the Apple’s iOS which is causing users to seem empty email dated January 1, 1970.

These emails are empty in nature without having any subject or sender name even opening these emails doesn’t show anything. It is has been established that the cause of these emails affecting millions of iOS users is simply a glitch in the operating system. Most of the Apple users are shown their discomfort by tweeting about receiving mails on the social media platform.

Reason behind iOS showing 1970’s dated emails

The 1970 dated emails were only received by the iPhone or iPad users when they use their device to check mails in a different timezone. In the computer language the January 1, 1970 is represented as 0 in UNIX time. This is the reason why users tend to get 1970 dated emails when they are using mails in a different time zone.

Furthermore the way computer treats time is very much different and a lot of process work towards right presentation of time on the device. Every second after the midnight of January 1, 1970 happens to be a completely different point in the UNIX time system. Therefore iPhone and iPad devices rendering the default time as zero when email is accessed in different time zone but it gets interpreted as January 1, 1970 on the device. The Apple iOS devices makes use of the UNIX time and this is resulting widespread glitch of showing ghost emails from 1970’s.

Just a month ago Apple iPhone and iPad users got a rude shock when they were simply fooled into setting their devices date to 1970 and later it resulted in rendering the devices unusable. Therefore getting similar kind of email dated into same year simply brought a warning signal for the users even though it was caused by a glitch in the operating system itself. A number of users has found a way to resolve the issue of having email dated January 1, 1970 by performing a hard reset of the device. Users can hard reset their iPhone device by holding down the lock and home button simultaneously.

The world’s first electronic message was sent in 1971 

As stated earlier there is no point one can get an email in 1970 as there was no email in that age. It should be understood that the very first electronic message transmission between two computers happened only in 1971.

Then 1990’s Microsoft came up with an email client called Internet Mail and other software like Lotus Notes followed by the emergence of web-based services. These all ushered the ear of mainstream usage of email over the years.

Intel's new Optane memory technology could lead to 1000 times faster MacBook storage

Optane Launching New Ultra-Fast Memory Technology

In 2017, Intel and Micron branded as Optane would be launching a new ultra-fast memory technology which would overlay the way for a much faster storage on Apple’s MacBooks. Optane is said to be compatible with the NVMe storage procedure which Apple tends to use in some of the MacBook, known by Macworld, which means that it can be relatively easy for Apple to change and benefit from the new technology. Optane is considered to provide speeds 1,000 times faster as well as more durable than the common flash storage on using 3D Xpoint technology which is due to its 10 times denser than DRAM.


The Non-volatile Memory Express support in new 12-inch MacBook had been launched by Apple enabling it with a software update to OS X last April. NVMe is destined to replace old AHCI technology that had been designed for maximum performance in systems utilising spinning hard drives. NVMe is adjusted for operation of lower latency provided by solid state media or non-volatile memory. NVMe, when compared to AHCI tends to reduce latency by around 50%. Intel for instance puts latency overhead in SCSI/SAS systems at 6 nanoseconds at 19,500 cycles though quotes NVMe at 2.8 nanoseconds at 9,100 cycles – PDF link.

NVMe – Designed to Scale over Next Decade

Moreover, NVMe is designed to scale over the next decade, a lifecycle which is comparable to AHCI that had been introduced in 2004. Since 2011, Apple had been using the PCIe transport procedure; the company seems to be in a good position to expeditiously extend support over the complete line-up of Mac. Regarding the super-fast Optane memory and SSD products, Intel had been silent, though some emerging details could hit at how they could be utilised in products such as Apple’s MacBooks. Optane is said to be a brand name for the latest kind of memory and SSD based on 3D Xpoint, which is a jointly developed technology by Intel and Micron that is 10 times denser than DRAM and 1,000 times faster as well as more durable than flash storage. The 3D Xpoint technology is likely to be released soon would be compatible with NVMe, which is a super-fast storage protocol that could be helpful for Optane in attaining its intense speeds.

Apple – First to Implement The Latest Laptop Technologies

Some of the MacBooks already tend to have NVMe based SSDs with Optane providing a further speed enhancement. Among the first vendors in implementing the latest laptop technologies is Apple and it could take the opportunity of putting Optane in its MacBooks. Apple had been the first to implement Thunderbolt as well as processor technologies from Intel. The first products of Optane would be SSDs; reaching supporter’s PCs next year and later would spread to the other desktops as well as mobile products. Optane memory DIMMs that can be plugged in prevailing memory slots would also be coming along. Optane products would first be based on Intel’s Skylake architecture and if Intel tends to ship memory DIMMs, they would need to be compatible with the DDR3/4 DRAM bus which is in most of the present PCs. Some of the Windows laptops also tend to have NVMe storage though most of them depend on the older and slower SATA interface. Fanatic desktop users like the gamers tend to be early adopters of the new technology and several of them would probably move over to Optane.

Device Makers Planning 'True VR Experiences' on Apple's Iphone This Fall

Virtual Reality Headset for iPhone – Fall of 2016

Piper Jaffray, investment firm held sequences of virtual reality panel recently comprising of 13 companies and one of them, IonVR, showed that they expected to have a VR headset for iPhone launching in the fall of 2016. These devices would be somewhat like the Samsung Gear VR headset that utilises Samsung smartphones as the display.

 IonVR, a privately held company that specializes in third-party VR hardware, hopes to have a headset in the fall which would enable the iPhone to be utilised for VR and according to Munster, would come at a price of $100 and $200. Gene Munster, analyst stated that the IonVR product is estimated to be very much advanced than the prevailing iPhone based VR accessories like Google Cardboard and Mattel View-Master.

He is of the belief that those basic products which tend to use IPhone’s Retina display for stimulating VR do not provide `true VR experiences’. However comments from IonVR at the recent panel, recommended that the iPhone could in fact do appropriate VR, with the help of third party hardware, according to Munster. He hopes that those kinds of iPhone connected accessories would start taking off later in the year.

MotionSync – Proprietary Optics System

The Idaho-based IonVR had developed a proprietary optics system known as `MotionSync’ which it claims would reduce motion sickness greatly when utilised with mobile devices like Apple’s iPhone. Unified hardware in its headset is also considered to offload some of the processing from the phone, enabling it to last longer as well as simplify the software development process.

IonVR products are also considered to be modular which means that parts could be replaced or changed out as technology progresses.Virtual reality is talked about much as a hot new technology with concerns that it could follow the boom and bust of 3D TV. Munster states that VR would not flop like 3D in part, due to the larger level of investment in VR with its augmented reality.

He adds that Facebook which owns Oculus VR is firmly dedicated to its success.He informed that, Apple, Google and Sony are expected to be making substantial investment in VR/AR for the next five years. He believes that these investments would lay the groundwork for VR/AR to be the next computing prototype.

Sony – Best Position to Capitalize on VR

Munster has commented that Sony is in one of the best position to capitalize on VR. It has the content, user base and distribution to enable VR to expand rapidly. He added that they have also been impressed with the demos of Sony on `London Heist’ and `Walk The Wire’ and the company is said to have a slate of around 80 games that would be made available at the time of the launch later this year. Oculus Rift is said to be shipped in 20 countries on March 28 including the U.S. It would also be made available at select retailers in April and would cost $599. It would need a high-end PC with graphic card. Bundles of Oculus Rift headset together with Oculus-ready PC is priced at $1,499. Samsung, in the meanwhile is endorsing its smartphone-based Gear VR that tends to use Oculus technology and the Gear VR will cost $99 which needs a new Samsung Galaxy phone.

How to verify checksums when you download an app for your Mac

Open Source Transmission BitTorrent Infected with Malware

Some of the Mac users seemed to have received a surprise last week when they discovered that a latest version of the open source Transmission BitTorrent client had infected their computer with malware, a condition which had been avoided with suitable securities. Most of the computer savvy are aware of the vigilant about where the download software are from though few of them pause to verify that the files received are the file which they are supposed to receive.

 This could be a grave last step in the prevention of malware infection seen in Transmission. Often, developers tend to post checksums or hashes together with the download links for their projects in order to simplify this type of verification. Generally, a checksum is the outcome of a mathematical calculation that tends to run a certain file, if the file has not been changed. The checksum calculated will tend to match the checksum provided by the developer.

It has not been made known how the infected download made its way on the Transmission’s website, though those who seemed to have received it first in the processhave informed that the checksum of the bad file does not seem to match the checksum given by the Transmission team.

Checksum Validator – Easy to Use Utility – Calculating/Validating Checksum

Checksum Validator is an easy to use utility for calculating and validating checksum – SHA-1 or MDS digests, for files which one downloads or uploads. On comparing a site’s published checksum with one’s calculated checksum one can verify that the download matches with the official copy of the site, which is free from corruption or tampering, unless of course the site’s checksum is also tampered.

All that is essential to calculate checksum is in MAS OS X which is quick and easy and the quicker and easier, the more possibility of actually verifying downloads. If the checksum is verified prior to installing, they would be aware of something being inappropriate. It is worth being aware that this is not a reliable process and if a website is compromised, the attacker can easily change the checksum also.

 Users can learn to verify checksum or SHA-1 which is a software update, provided on Apple software updates for those who intend to verify the authenticity of an update and is optional. Users need to note that for updates that are delivered by Automatic software Update, SHA-1 digest verification is accomplished automatically for you.

SHA-1 Secured Checksum for Data File

In order to verify a manually downloaded software update form Apple Downloads, that seems to comprise of SHA-1 digest, the following steps need to be done:

• Open Terminal which is located in/Applications/Utilities
• Type the following at the Terminal prompt
• About SHA-1

SHA-1 is a secure checksum for a data file which is based on a cryptographic average and for a given file; SHA-1 creates a 160 bit encrypted output which is known as a `message digest’. It is unlikely that a modified data set would create the same message digest. If a file seems to have changed at the time of transit, its message digest also tends to change.

Users can download manually-installable updates from Apple Downloads. Apple tend to use SHA-1 digest on definite Apple Downloads in order that users can verify with great amount of possibility that the software downloaded is the same software one intended to download. When the SHA-1 digest for the file downloaded seems to match the digest for the file displayed on Apple Downloads, one can be assured that the file is reliable. For security purpose, users can utilise the secure https download page for manual updates.

Neato adds Apple Watch control to robotic vacuum in new app update

Neato’s Latest App Release – Botvac Connect

According to Neato’s latest app release, the $699 Botvac Connect is the first robot vacuum which has the capabilities of being remotely controlled by an Apple Watch or Android Wear device. The app that runs on Apple Watch enables users to issue start and stop commands to the vacuum and monitor clean-up progress straight on their wrist. Different from the full-fledged iOS app, the small screen Watch version does not permit users to take full manual control on the movement of the robot.

Last year Botvac Connect as Neato’s first vacuum to sport anon-board Wi-Fi for communication with iOS as well as Android smartphones, providing owners remote setup together with one-touch control directly from a committed app.On-board Wi-Fi support means that Botvac Connect has the capability of receiving commands as long as it tends to be connected to a known network. Moreover the devices also has laser navigation, two cleaning modes as well as LCD screen with associated capacitive buttons intended to select various user settings. From the iOS App Store, the new Neato app version is made available at no cost.

Can be controlled with Smartwatch

Neato’s robotic vacuum now can be controlled with a smartwatch due to an app update announced recently. The update which is automatic enables smartwatch users to receive notifications from Neato’s Botvac Connected vacuum, a Wi-Fi connected Roomba competitors which tend to use laser scanning to map and clean spaces, besides the start and stop commands.

As per Neato, the latest update makes the Botvac Connected, the first robot vacuum to provide smartwatch functionality. The Botvac Connected owners can also monitor the progress of its cleaning on their smartwatches and receive a notification when it is finished. For added analysis of the Botvac Connected and how it tends to stack up against the competition, one could check on the last year’s review. With each passing generation, robot vacuums are getting smarter as well as easier and some of the new models tend to join the Wi-Fi network. Neato has been influencing that feature of its Botvac Connected vacuum in order that one can control and monitor the device with the Android Wear smart watch or Apple Watch.

New Feature Delivered Through Automatic Update

The new feature is said to be delivered through automatic update and would enable Botvac Connected owners to control the various process. While Roomba manufacturer iRobot tends to also offer an app, it does not support smartwatches while other competitors such as Samsung, bObsweep, PowerBot and the Miele Scout do not seem to have apps at all.

Nancy Nunziati, Neato marketing chief had commented in a press release that with the smartwatches, individuals tend to do several things from their wrist like checking for a flight, obtain directions, play music, and answer the phone and added that they are happy to be the first to add this new task of cleaning to the list. Botvac Connected is not an inexpensive way of getting into robotic vacuums, priced at $700. Neato expects that the features like the laser floor plan mapping, a larger brush together with higher capacity dirt storage would win over the customers.

Apple's iPhone 5se Due to be Revealed on March 15

Apple’s new iPhone 5se to be launched on March 15

As per reports, Apple’s new iPhone 5se is expected to be launched at an event on March 15. The 4-inch handset would be revealed at a spring event together with iPad Air as well as some new Apple Watch straps, according to sources. The iPhone 5se would come with new features comprising of an ungraded camera, Apple Pay and Live Photos providing customers who may be unconvinced by the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch displays which had been introduced in September 2014 with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

In the past, Apple was under stress in selling more affordable smartphone and had responded with the iPhone 5c that had a brightly coloured plastic case though did not feature fingerprint verification technology Touch ID. With the introduction of the latest iPhones, the 6s and 6s Plus last September, it had been quietly discontinued. 9to5Mac reporting the name informed that the employees had been referring to the `se’ as `special edition’ or as an `enhanced version of the 5s with the new model, possibly in order to avoid comparisons with the 5c and would be called the 5se instead of the 6c.

The phone was said to be revealed in March and would go on sale probably by the end of the month or in April.

Apple Watch Anticipated to be showcased with iPhone 7 in September

Apple had held a press conference to unveil officially the Apple Watch last year in early March and could use the springtime to revive the smartwatch again though reports have recommended that this could be delayed. The next generation of Apple Watch is anticipated to be showcased together with the iPhone 7 in September. According to sources the new device is basically the 2013 iPhone 5s with substantial internal hardware and software upgrades.

The case maker source informed that the product’s dimensions are vague from the iPhone 5s which means that the new device would fit inside the existing iPhone 5s cases. The systematics tends to show some changes for instance the sleep/wake/power button that has been relocated to the inside.

Apple is doubtful in offering pre-orders for the new devices as per sources who has cautioned that the plans could still change. 9to5Mac noted that it would be the first revamp to the iPad Air since October 2014, while the iPad mini got an improvement last autumn together with the unveiling of the iPad Pro.

March Event – First Event since September 2015

According to rumours the iPad Air 3 would be having a rear-facing LED flash wherein users would be capable of taking improved photos in low light as well as better speaker frills for enhanced audio.There is a possibility that the tablet would also work with the Apple Pencil that was initially intended to be working with the iPad Pro. The super-sized tablet that had been launched in November comes with a 12.9-inch screen together with 5.9 million pixels and tends to weight about 1.57 lbs – 712 grams and its thickness is 0.3 inch.The March event would be the first event of Apple since its September 2015 conference wherein the unveiling of the iPad Pro, the new TV of Apple together with the iPhone 6 and 6s Plus would take place.

New Apple Headphones Release Date and Connectivity Rumours

Apple to Launch Its Line of Beats Brand Lightning Headphone

The announcement of Apple’s Beats acquisition and Lightning module lead to assumption regarding the new headphones. On investigation the clues propose that Apple would launch its own line of Beats brands lightning headphone together with the iPhone 7. The iPhone 7 would be the next generation smartphone of Apple and would possibly be released somewhere in September 2016.

 It was reported last week that Apple may lose the Lightning port and instead would be using a USB-C port. Besides that, the unclear rumour also mentioned that the iPhone 7 would have dual cameras as well as a Touch ID which would be integrated in the display.

 It has also been reported that it would be waterproof having at least 3GB of RAM. However, another rumour indicated that the company probably would get rid of the 3.5mm headphone port in order to make the iPhone 7 much thinner. The 3.5mm headphone port is presently on every iPhone and also the iPod Touch, the iPad, MacBooks, etc. Being the standard audio port which all devices require, one can connect the headphones to go hands-free or even listen to music.

Getting Rid of 3.5mm Headphone Port

According to Macotakara, the Japanese website, Apple would remove the 3.5mm headphone port on the iPhone 7 to reduce it to few millimetres from its thickness. The headphones would have to be connected to the Lightning port or the USB-C port instead. No USB-C headphones are seen yet, but a few Lightning enabled headphones.

 The reasonable solution would be wireless headphones with Bluetooth connectivity. The website is also of the belief that Apple would have a redesigned EarPod which would have Lightning plug with analog to digital converter. Should Apple get rid of the 3.5mm headphone port on the next iPhone it would mean that the user would not be able to use their regular headphones. Several of the users tend to prefer having a different headphone while listening to the music on their iPods or iPhone.

Though many have been presuming that Apple would bundle a pair of wireless EarPods with the iPhone 7, it may not be so. In one of the note of Barclays investor obtained by Business Insider, analysts Blayne Curtis and Christopher Hemmelgarn states that Apple would be shipping the iPhone 7 with Lightning enabled EarPods instead of totally wireless headphone.

Not Purchased the Rights to Cirrus’s Noise Cancelling Technology

Further on, the note also claims that Apple had not purchased the rights to Cirrus’s noise cancelling technology which is essential though the company is said to be considering in going wireless with the iPhone 7s headphones. The Lightning headphone module had first been unveiled at the WWDC session for the developers which had been titles `Designing Accessories for iOS and OS X’.

 Apple’s manager of platform accessories, Robert Walsh had explained during the session that there were many advantages of utilising the Lightning connector instead of the 3.5mm audio jack. It provides richer controls for playback and volume with more bandwidth together with other benefits. Walsh had informed developers that if the headphone supports for instance, the noise cancellation, one can suggest an app on the device which communicates with the headphone that controls its operations.

iPhone 7 to Do Away with Antenna Bands and Protruding Camera

iPhone 7 – Rear Camera in Aluminium Casing/Antenna Bands Upper-Lower Edge

According to news reports, the camera of iPhone 7 will be in line with its body and the antenna bands will now not stretch along its surface. The latest lustrous design would represent a move towards a much more uniform streamline presence.

 According to sources, the rear-camera would be within the aluminium casing and the antenna bands would be only on the upper and the lower edges rather than extending across the width of the handset. Several of the consumers were amazed at the decision of the company in enabling the camera on the iPhone 6 to protrude from its casing.

It is both out of character for the particular design standards, exposing the lens to scratches together with other damages. Doing away with the plastic antenna strips also seems reasonable. The company had been granted a patent last summer, specifying a metal composite capable of replacing the strips that are essential for the antenna of the phone in sending and receiving signal. The latest casing can be adequately thin to enable radio waves to pass through eliminating the need to coat the strip segment with plastic for the handset to send and receive signals.

Removal of Headphone Jack

Other rumours with regards to iPhone 7 comprise of removal of the headphone jack in order to develop a thinner body. The plan to eliminate the headphone jack to develop a slimmer body could be a provocative idea and the company could apparently include new wireless headphone with the new handset or probably a pair of headphones which tend to connect to the phone through a lightning connector. Since June 2015, third parties had also been creating lightning connector headphones when Apple had extended its made-for-iPhone licensing programme.

The company has also reported to be creating a type of wireless charging which tends to allow the iPhone from the need to be replaced on a charging mat, which is the most common format used presently, as per Bloomberg. But it is doubtful to be assimilated into an iPhone prior to 2017. The latest iPhone scheduled for release in September signifies and important moment in the history of Apple and the company has apparently reduced the production levels of iPhone 6 as well as 6s Plus by a third owing to fears of slowing demand for the unused year’s models inspite of early sales of over 13 million units within the availability period of three days.

More Advanced Hardware Changes – Encourage Consumers

iPhone 7 should have more advanced hardware changes in order to encourage consumers to buy it since the developing markets tend to reach increasing levels of saturation as the economy seems to shift from a buy to an upgrade cycle. The iPhone 5se, the next iPhone will probably be launched on 15 March at an event according to reports where the 4 inch handset would be revealed at a spring even in San Francisco together with the iPad Air 3 as well as some new Apple Watch straps.

The iPhone 5se is anticipated to have new features comprising of an upgraded camera, Apple Pay accompanied with Live Photos, for customers who tend to remain unconvinced by the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch displays which had been introduced with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in September 2014.

New iOS App Airmail Gives You Hardcore Control over Email

Airmail – New Email App

Apps are progressively being dominant in their design. Airmail of iOS which is a new email app is the perfect opposite. The amazing beauty of Airmail is that the user is in charge of the colours, the icons, the way one reads and responds to messages, what tends to occur when you swipe a little or when one swipe a lot, which order of conversations display, what one can do to an email.

 It seems like each individual Airmail user, gets to go back in time and be with the company’s designer in the creation of the precise email client they want to use. It comes at a cost of $4.99. The app, by default is a bit messy and complicated, the same way several email apps are.

It tends to feel as it is that way knowingly, so that one would look for means of turning off that red stripe near every single message in Gmail and discover the wealth trove of choices in store for the user. Airmail tends to act like it is aware that email is messy as well as complicated and its job is to support in various ways as possible.

Inbox is Limitless Filterable

The inbox is limitlessly filterable and one can see unread messages only or those with attachments or only emails, all with a single tap. While composing, an email has adequate formatting choices to choose from. User can connect Airmail to the other apps on the phone with the ability of moving stuff around.

Airmail for iOS has great number of options and it enables you to do anything one could imagine doing with email, it has snoozes, filters as well as third party app combinations and other things one may not have thought of , from setting per inbox notification sound to bouncing emails as well as change Gmail folder mapping.

Most of the things in Airmail could be changed according to one’s choice wherein you can change what tends to happen when you swipe an email, you could enable or disable the look of actions such as starring and sharing and can even reorder various core menus.

Airmail Has No Agenda

Leonardo Chiantini together with partner Giovanni Simonicca who developed the app state that the comprehensive options of Airmail tends to come by design. He had commented that `people seem to have different needs and they think that with emails, everyone takes a very different approach.

Airmail is to address the needs of professionals who tend to work regularly in their inbox. Presently it functions on the iPhone and Apple Watch and Chiantini informs that an iPad version would be coming later. Airmail is not an app which everyone should be using.

 It is big, dense and rarely rough around the edges. Airmail could be the precise option if one tends to have a lot of email to go through,causing a hindrance with the prevailing app of choices that may not let you function as one may desire. Airmail for iOS is amazing since it has no agenda. It is like a scrapyard for email to deal whichever way one intend to. For any query, a live chat option on the official site of the app is available for those interested.

iOS 9: The Best Hidden Features

With the introduction of the Apple iOS9, tons of new features and functionality were discussed on various platforms when it was unveiled to the public. However, people are still wondering as to which could be the most exciting feature o fall. Not to worry, we would be covering on a lot today.

There will be a new Home Screen on the device. Users will get all the stories that they are interested in or they like in one place. This will ensure that there is absolutely no need to hunt around sites and applications to get what one might be interested in. The specific information is pulled out from various places as per the taste and specification and arranged in a fashion as preferred by the user. So, when it comes to going through information, it is definitely a beautiful experience irrespective of the type of device being used for the same.

Improved note taking and updation: 

Taking down notes has been a time tested activity and its app format – The Notes app is simply great for taking down notes. Additionally, one is also able to add pictures, site links or maps to the notes. It is even possible to draw a sketch using the finger. And, using the iCloud, any change done would be updated across all the devices that are linked. This ensures that there is only one standard version of version of information, thereby ensuring real-time updation of information and eliminating the chances of any misinterpretation.

Improved options for navigation: 

Travelling will be a new experience with this new OS. The Transit view displays routes, lines and tracks for trains, buses, ferries, etc. in the form of a map. This implies that travelling from one point to another is going to happen in a smooth way, even if it is a new place. Though this feature is available in a limited cities, however, things are expanding pretty fast. The application will show different categories like Food, Fun, Drinks, etc. and users will have to make the selection accordingly to get what they want.

Pay the bills or make purchases conveniently: 

The Apple Pay is another useful feature to make payments using the credit card. The Wallet function is simple to use and easy to access. Even the Kohl’s Charge card can be used with the Apple Pay. Things are underway to include store credit cards along with a range of reward cards so that everything can be managed by a single tap of the Apple Pay app.

SIRI enhancements: 

There have been dramatic improvements and Siri is able to fetch information, much like google, even if there’s no command given. Moreover, it can now recognize the pattern of usage and function accordingly. SIRI has been improved with voice command recognition as well. The notification and alert features too, have been updated.

iOS9 has brought key enhancements for the apps that one frequently uses like email, text messaging, maps, Internet or site browsing, taking notes and a lot of other things. Hence, those equipped with iPads and iPhones are bound to have a good experience once they start using their favorite apps.

Apple Invention Uses Spherically Curved Photosensor for Smaller, Better iPhone Camera

Apple’s Curved Photosensors – Smaller iPhone Cameras

Latest Apple patent discloses that the Cupertino Company would soon employ curved photosensors in creating smaller iPhone cameras which can capture improved photos. The design would aid Apple in its task of making the forthcoming smartphone much thinner.

The U.S, Patent and Trademark Office had recently published `Small form factor high-resolutions camera’ describing a cutting edge mobile camera module which utilises complex optics in delivering a much compact footprint with enhanced performance digital shooter suitable for placement in iPad and iPhone.

This exclusive arrangement offers a comparatively small ray fan spot size for all kinds of field heights at the image plane enabling a sharp low-distortion image. Apple has informed that employing curved array limits diffraction across image field, enabling smaller photosensor with equally smaller pixels. Moreover, with an axial length of two millimetres or less, the total camera package is extremely compact.

Sensor Refracts Light Through Trio Lenses

Apple has illuminated how the sensor tends to refract light through a trio of special lenses on a concave surface causing a sharp, low distortion image. The curved array limits diffraction, enables the use of smaller sensor with smaller pixels. AppleInsider has explained that to correct the diffraction as well as the visual aberration which tends to propagate within small cameras, the proposed lens system comprises of three lenses, two of which are convex or considerably convex.

A third meniscus lens or a lens with opposing convex as well as concave surfaces is placed between the first two lens components and the spherical photosensor. However the design seems to have its limitation like barrel distortion and Apple has described how it could use software in correcting the unwanted effects that tend to appear in various degrees of severity based on focal length, aperture as well as other system settings. It is not known whether Apple plans to apply its curved photosensor patent for its future iPhones since the company has relied for long on Sony’s stellar backside illuminated modules for its imaging requirements.

iPhone Thinner/Higher Battery Capacity

The patent had first been filed in 2013 and there seems to be no reason to think that Apple would be willing in replacing the Sony built imaging system already in use. Apple iPhone has been considered as having one of the best smartphone cameras all along. On the contrary, Apple has been looking for means of making the iPhone thinner with a higher battery capacity.

Credit for the patent filed goes to Xi Chen, David S. Gere and Matthew C. Waldon as its inventors. The technology could delay the unavoidable while Apple tends to cram more components in a shrinking device line-up. As in the case of every patent, there is no guarantee that this technology would show up in the near future devices though it is good to know that Apple tends to keep pushing the boundaries with its technology.

With rumours of a FaceTime camera set to make an appearance with the Apple Watch 2 this year, 2016 could probably be the year Apple may come up with one of the smallest and the highest quality cameras one has ever seen.

Future iPhones could feature Li-Fi, a technology 100 times faster than Wi-Fi

Li-Fi Transfer Information at Over 100 Gigabits

Due to the researchers at universities which include St. Andrew, Cambridge, Edinburgh and Strathclyde, Li-Fi has been in development for many years which uses light emitting diodes – LEDs in order to beam information through air and the same is received by a light sensor.

In 2011, Professor of the University of Edinburgh, Harald Haas had been credited with its creation, when he had demonstrated it with a flickering light from a single LED wherein he could transmit more data than a cellular tower. While the out-dated Wi-Fi has the capability of transmitting data around 7 gigabits per second –Gbps, Li-Fi test have portrayed that it can transfer information at over 100 Gbps, with theoretical productivity of 224 Gbps.

This means that high definition films can be downloaded on device through Li-fi connection within seconds. Fitting any type of light device comprising of a humble light-bulb with a microchip can transform the same into a wireless data transmission point according to Professor’s Hass in his TED talk. Presently Li-Fi is in highly progressive stage which means that it is very unlikely to feature in the iPhone 7 that is expected to be released in September.

New Li-Fi to Overtake Wi-Fi Connection

The new Li-Fi technology is being geared up to blow the prevailing Wi-Fi connection by providing speeds of up to 1 Gbps. It tends to work by transmitting information through light rather than radio waves which means that it needs light source, like an LED light bulb together with an internet connection.

The term had been introduced initially by Professor Harald Haas and is presently being tested in Europe and is expected to be available to consumers within four years. The possibility of the technology is that it is restricted in its present form as visible light is unable to travel through walls and a device is needed to be within direct sight of a receiver, within a radius of about three meters. It also means that it could only be utilised in rooms that are lit.

According to Spectrum IEEE, devices in future would be capable of sidestepping this limit by using a tracking as well as location system which means that a user can place a laptop at a spot on a table and allow the system to locate it and create a link.

Pilot Project in Various Industries

Presently, Estonian company Velmenni is testingthe product and it has stated that it has been tested in an office as well as in an industrial space. Deepak Solanki, Chief executive had informed International Business Times that they were doing a few pilot projects in various industries wherein they could use the visible light communication – VLC technology.

Presently a smart lighting solution for industrial environment has been designed wherein the data communication is being done through light. A pilot project with a private client is also being done where setting up a Li-Fi network in order to access the internet in their office space. But the system seems unlikely to completely replace Wi-Fi and it could be utilised along with the prevailing technologies in order to provide more efficient systems.

Apple Warns Snoopers' Charter Will Spark Serious International Conflicts

Consumers at Risk by Snooper’s Charter

According to Apple, millions of consumers would be at risk by the Snooper’s Charter while the hackers and the terrorist would tend to continue in the operation unrestricted. Scrutinizing the Investigatory Powers Bill that had been submitted recently to MP, the Californian giant informed that the proposed laws would be sparking serious international conflicts by imposing non-UK companies to break data encryption, violate international laws and hack their customers in their home countries.

As per the bill, data encryption can only be broken under a warrant received from the intelligence agencies, however Apple cautions that a `key left under the doormat could not just be there for the good guys, but the bad guys would also find it’.

Tim Cook, the company’s chief executive had stated in an exclusive interview with the Daily Telegraph last month that `we do not think people would want us to read their messages. We don’t feel we have the right to read their emails and were of the belief very strongly in end to end encryption with no back doors’.Most of Apple features in fact such as iMessage and FaceTime have already had end-to-end encryption, which means that it is impossible for Apple to comply with the law in its prevailing form.

Committee to Accumulate Evidence/Suggest Changes till Mid-February

To conform to a warrant presently, the company will have to build a completely new service which could be greatly impractical. Apple is also apprehensive that the law reaches beyond UK borders, needing any overseas company with British consumers to fulfil even if their home countries tend to have conflicting laws like the one United States does.

This could give rise in paralyzing most of the multinational corporations, especially the ones in the tech sector who would have to contend with dozens of opposing country specific laws. Apple has informed that `for the consumers for instance Germany, it could represent hacking of their data by an Irish business on behalf of the UK state under a bulk warrant activity, which the provider is not even allowed to confirm or deny.

Maintaining trust in these circumstances would be very difficult’. Till mid-February, the committee has time to accumulate evidence and suggest changes to the proposed law.

Sparking Serious Global Conflicts

Numerous major technology firms including Microsoft, Google and Apple all tend to operate on a global scale that has left many apprehensive about having various laws applicable to different regions which could immobilize substantial sectors of the tech segment, sparking serious global conflicts and paralyze multinational corporations’.

 It was also pointed out by Apple that submitting to regulations issued by one overseas country would give rise to other countries, for instance Russian Federation or China, a cause to demand the same treatment. The technology giant boss has already cautioned against providing spies with a `back door’ to read people’s emails since weakening data security could help the criminals.

Though the company could harbour some insignificant flaws, it is unlikely to have a substantial impact on results and everyone prefers to crack down on terrorist. Cook had also mentioned that he was optimistic, that pressure from the public as well as the press would lead Theresa May and the government to rethink the proposed plans on encryption.

How to Free Up Space in iCloud

Deletion of backups – Helpful in Conserving Valuable Storage in Apple’s iCloud

Deletion of numerous backups could be helpful in conserving valuable storage in Apple’s iCloud which is Apple’s cloud based content storage system for its Mac and iOS products. iCloud storage service of Apple can be utilised to stack photos, videos, device backups and much more in the cloud. Free space of 5GB is offered by the company to the users but since it is 5GB of space as per Apple ID and not per device, one may find themselves running short of space faster.

Though extra storage could be purchased from Apple, there are options of making up free space in the iCloud account prior to purchase of additional storage. In order to check how much space is being utilised, one could enter Setting on the iPhone or iPad and opt for `iCloud’ then click `Storage’ followed by `Manage Storage’.

There could be a possibility that the backups could be utilising most of the space and if the user has backups from the old device either from an iPhone 4 or iPad 2, which is no longer in possession, they could go ahead and delete the same, by clicking on the backup scroll which is towards the bottom, tap the `Delete Backup’.

Unwanted Items - Deleted

There could also be chances of backing up items which may not be needed and have it saved in the cloud. You could go to Setting and click on iCloud from where you could choose items which you would like to be saved to iCloud and delete whatever is not needed. This will ensure that it is not backed up when you perform a backup the next time.

A stress-free option to free up space in iCloud is to delete photos from backups and instead of having photos stored in iCloud, you could use one of the several third party cloud service which tend to provide more free space than Apple. Google Photos tends to offer unlimited storage for free. Besides this there is also Yahoo’s Flickr app, DropBox, Microsoft One Drive as well as Amazon Cloud Drive.

User could install these apps which automatically back up your photos and have the app start backing up the photos to a separate pool of storage. User would have a backup copy of the photos stored online and get to keep all of it in the iCloud storage whenever needed.

Disable Camera Roll Backups

Users may also disable Camera Roll backups wherein the photos are backed up to a different service. iCloud’s Manage Storage screen enables the user to manage `Document and Data where these are documents, settings, save games besides other bits of data which iCloud syncs between the various devices.

They depend on iCloud storage and files which are not of much importance can be deleted. One could tap an app under `Document & Data’ on the Manage Storage screen to see the files occupying space. User could swipe a file to the left and tap `Delete’ in order to erase it from the iCloud storage.

The user needs to be careful while deleting files since there could be a possibility of deleting important documents together with other files which could be of great importance.

Apple Launches Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock

Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock – New Larger Pad

Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock, a new larger pad based with the same design like its inductive charging puck was launched by Apple enabling it to charge on its side and lying flat. The dock is designed to be used for both 38mm as well as 42mm models and tends to charge the Watch lying flat on the surface or on its side while in Nightstand mode.

Since its update of the operating software in September, the Nightstand feature meant that plugging the Watch in overnight could turn on a special screen wherein the time is displayed in such a manner that when the Watch is placed sideways, one could still read the time. Moreover, it also gives Snooze and Dismiss functions to the side buttons which are convenient on top in night time positioning.

Embedded in the centre of the dock is a charging pad which can be flipped up to charge a Watch placed on its side. It is accompanied with a lightning to USB cable though a power adaptor has not been included. Taking into consideration where some docks have been of uncertain built quality, Apple Watch is perfect with a white polyurethane circle holding a central chrome ring inside that is the Apple magnetic charging puck.

First Venture in Wearable Technology

This can be placed flat so that the Watch can lie on top with the strap open. It also effortlessly folds up for side-on-use purpose. The underside tends to have a soft, fuzzy surface which does not scratch whenever anything stands on it. Besides this, there are cheaper models though this one has simplicity of design together with elegance.

 It is the first time that Apple has come up with a Watch charging dock following several third party accessories. The latest dock can be purchased from Apple’s website at a price of £65 and would be available in Apple retail stores. The Apple Watch is said to be the first venture into wearable technology of Apple and is offered in three versions namely Sport in anodized aluminum, Standard in stainless steel and Luxury in 18 carat yellow or Rose gold.

Front-Facing Camera for FaceTime Calls/Inbuilt Wi-Fi

According to a report released earlier this month it claims that the device is believed to have sold about 7m units, since its launch earlier this year, which is more than its rival vendors combined together. Apple does not tend to release official sale figures for the Watch; however Canalys, the report by independent analyst company, claims that Apple seems to be the only smartwatch manufacturer to deliver over 300,000 units in the third quarter of this year.

As per Canalys, Pebble, its nearest rival saw deliveries reaching 200,000 in the third quarter due to the launch of its Time Steel smartwatch manufactured from stainless steel together with a colour e-paper display. Apple had released the latest software upgrade watchOS2, lending support for the third party native apps, new watch-faces as well as improvement to Siri.

 It is said that the second generation of Apple Watch is in progress for release next year with rumours featuring a front-facing camera for FaceTime calls as well as inbuilt Wi-Fi together with new superior models

Apple may Launch Macbook Air 2016 on Black Friday Weekend

Apple’s launch – Macbook Air 2016 Laptop on Black Friday Weekend

It has been rumoured that Apple intends to launch its Macbook Air 2016 laptop on Black Friday weekend falling on November 27 this year. If the rumours tend to be true, the latest Macbook Pro may have several problems with good sales inclusive of great deals for earlier Apple devices together with other products, according to online sources.

 The report by the source states that Apple would be releasing its lightweight laptop early to match up with the beginning of the festive shopping season in the US. But a Black Friday release would be taking away the response from Apple’s new Macbook model since several of the shoppers would be looking out for some appealing deals during the shopping weekend.

It is said that Apple has delayed the launch of the new varieties of Macbook Air as well as Macbook Pro in order that the laptops do not tend to dominate the company’s latest gadget, the iPad Pro. It is likely that theMacbook Air 2016 would pack an Intel Skylake U-chipset under the hood and would be running El Capitan, which is the latest version of Apple’s desktop OS.

Powered by A9X Processor – Various Storage Options

The iPad Pro is provided with a 12.9 inch display together with a stylus known as the Apple Pencil, along with a woven nylon keyboard called the Smart Keyboard. It is powered by an A9X processor with 4 GB of RAM and would be made available in various options of storage.

The Macbook Air is said to be the most powerful laptop of Apple’s till date besides being powered by Intel’s Skylak U-chipset as well as run on El Capitan which is the tech giant’s new operating system. There are plans also that the latest models would be much sleeker which would not be surprising, but would be provided with a Type-C USB port.

 Talks are also on that the new models would be having more powerful RAM as well as Force Touch technology. The Macbook Pro 2016 is also likely to comprise of the same Skylake processor but would probably come in December due to chip found under the code AAPLJ951 in El Capitan.

Two Display Options/Improved Battery/Retina Display

Besides this, others rumour that it includes two display options, a 13 inch screen and a 15 inch screen with improved battery life. MNR Daily has also added that it would most likely be provided with Retina display also.Since Apple had decided to skip their announcement at the time of the company’s unveiling of latest products in September, the new laptops have been subjected to rumours.

 It was earlier reported that Macbook Air 2016 would be launched in time this Christmas while the Macbook Pro 2016 would be made available in spring 2016. Besides this there are reports also that the two new Apple laptops had been delayed to make way for the newly released iPad Pro.

MNR Daily noted that Apple did not desire that the Macbook 2016 should compete with the new iPad which would affect the sales from it.According to the Vine Report, Apple supporters have been wondering on the official launch Macbook Pro 2016 and the Macbook Air 2016since then, making predictions ranging from November to January 2016.

Apple Pencil Gets a Twisty Torture Test

Apple Pencil – Concern Due to Awkward Position while Charging

The Apple Pencil could be a smart piece of technology though one thing that several people have been speculating is how susceptible it could be at the time of charging. At first glance, it tends to stick out of the iPad Pro which does not seem to be a clever idea. It has sparked some concern due to its awkward position while being charged. The Pencils placed into the power port on the iPad Pro, sticks out from there, open to the world where anyone passing could bump into it.

However, it looks like Apple had given it a though and there is a pivot mechanism within the connector created to take the strain should the pencil be knocked. Zach Straley, video blogger, tried his utmost in breaking it putting it through a gradual torture tests, ramping and though he eventually succeeded, he had to work hard in doing so.

Torture test is an evaluation of the ability of an item to endure extreme condition and such types of test can be conducted by product manufacturers, reviewers as well as end users. A torture test usually focuses the element to various severe trials which surpasses anything it would probably encounter in the real world practice.

Sporting an Unintentional Angle

Straley started off with an unboxing and a quick demonstration on the working of the Pencil and began with some wiggling, followed by more rigorous twists and tugs.

At one stage of time he could hear it cracking as he picked the iPad up using the Pencil as a lever, The Pencil had the tendency of popping out of the port when pressure was applied. Moreover it also performed some gymnastics when tugged from side to side.

Straley states that it is like they have created a hinge within the pencil in order that it would actually bend. The torture test processes to a set-up wherein the Pencil extends in the air when the iPad is placed on the table and this high tech writing device tends to end up sporting an unintentional angle. This means that one would have to take care while charging the Pencil.

Implemented for Marking/Drawing/Sketching/Taking Notes

Tim Cook and Jony Ive have been debating that the Pencil seems to be much more than a stylus even if the others may have to wait for some time to find out. The Apple Pencil is not intended to be utilised as a stylus which acts as a replacement for the finger.

 Ive is of the opinion that the design makes it clear that the Pencil could be implemented specially for marking, drawing, sketching and taking notes. He informed that the Pencil is a natural extension, in some ways of Apple’s iOS progress and the multi-touch user interface needs only fingers for operating and making it instinctive. However, assured activities such as drawing or sketching could be accomplished better with a tradition type factor tools.

There seems to be a familiar history of torture test for tech objects. Apple Watch had been subjected to drowning; boiling as well as dropping earlier in the year which makes the Apple Pencil’s trials to be a bit tame.