Apple to Unveil the Next Incarnation of iPhone series in August

Apple traditionally unveils its new phone each September but now the tech giant would be unveiling its new smartphone earlier than expected and Apple fans awaiting the two new iPhone in September will now get the same a month earlier, sooner than expected, according to a new report.

Apple it is reported will be unveiling the next incarnation of its popular iPhone series in Augustthis year a month earlier than industry watcher were expecting according to Taiwanese media report, citing unidentified supply chain sources.

The company will now be showing off its new iPhone 6 at an event to be held in August and release the device then along with larger iPhone with a 5.5 or 5.6 inch display to be launched in September. People involved in the supply chain had also confirmed to Reuter that they would be having a 4.7 inch version of the iPhone 6 as well as 5.5 inch version.

Taller/Wider/Slimmer with Fast Processor & Improved Camera

According to Economic Daily News reports which revealed without specifying which market would be receiving the phone first, a 4.7 inch screen version of the iPhone 6 would be reaching the stores in August while the 5.5 inch or 5.6 inch screen version would be released in September as the previous iPhone 5 series.

The Economic Daily News reported that together, around eighty million iPhone 6 handsets would be producedduring this year and the next generation iPhone would be taller, wider and thinner than the existing iPhone 5 models. Besides a larger screen, the next generation iPhone is expected to include a thinner profile with a faster processor and an improved camera and according to Peter Misek, Jefferies analyst, he claims that Apple had been negotiating last month with carriers to increase the price of iPhone 6 by $100.

Regain Market Share 

The iPhone’s screen size from 4 inches would also enable Apple to regain market share from competitors like Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd according to industry watchers who have stated that they have responded to consumer’s need for more screen space though Apple could not be reached for any comments with regards to this issue.

Besides, Apple, no comments were also available from representative for Taiwanese iPhone contract manufacturer, Hon Hai Precision Industry Company Ltd; as well as smartphone camera lens maker Largan Precision Company Ltd; who had been mentioned in the Economic Daily News report.

Attempts to Branch to Overseas Markets 

Images of the iPhone 6 were also posted on Chinese network Wei Feng probably from the iPhone component factories at Foxconn in China which portrays a thinner smartphone that has a wider screen. The company had sold over 500 million units of the iPhone all over the world since the product was launched in 2007 though the company is under tremendous pressure from investors as well as competitors to unveil updated types of products.

The company had also made several attempts in branching to overseas markets with its iPhone 5C, a more affordable than the iPhone 5S and without a wireless contract the cost of iPhone 5S would be $649 while the 5C was priced at $549 though it failed in the emerging markets from customers who would have been interested instead in the updated versions of phone.

Apple’s Split Screen Multitasking Feature

It is reported that Apple is likely to advance the functionality of the iPad by adding an updated split screen multitasking feature to the iOS 8 tabletsaccording to 9to5Mac and Apple’s latest mobile operating system would probably give iPad users the capabilities to use two applications simultaneously on a single screen in landscape mode with the new multi app split screen support.The new feature is believed to be in the works for iOS 8 with Apple anticipating the next major release of its mobile platform wherein the features have been designed with its full sized 9.7 inch iPad model in mind as well as the iPad Air though speculations are on, regarding the availability of its multi-application support on the 7.9 iPad mini.

Divide iPad Home Screen in Half

For a long time now, iOS had only one app which was displayed on the screen at a time and in early days of iOS, multitasking support was limited to only basic background functions for Apple built apps and multitasking support was not added till iOS 4 which was then iPhone OS 4.0 enabling developers to run specific processes in the background. This new feature would enable users to divide the iPad home screen in half using different app on each side of the partition screen. The feature according to reports will be making it easier for using the two apps together and also making it easier to interact and though this feature is not something which people are looking out for, the split screen multitasking would probably be a shot at Apple’s competition which is similar to Microsoft’s snap multitasking on the Surface as well as resembles multitasking features which have been added to larger Samsung Galaxy devices.

Multiple Application Simultaneously 

The capabilities in viewing multiple application at the same time and snapping them into place on a limited screen space is presently offered by Microsoft’s Surface tablet platform where AppleInsider had the privilege to test the Surface 2 and found that the ability to run two application on the screen simultaneously was the main advantage over Apple’s iPad with regards to productivity. Apple has favoured simplicity over flexibility that has been offered in running two apps at a time and it is difficult to blame the company for this strategy since the iPad remains the most sought after and popular consumer tablet in the market. With ease of use, the iOS has been in demand and Apple is making the utmost efforts to avoid making any more complexes with its latest features.

Unveiling iOS 8 at WWDC

Tablets are excellent and many manufacturers are striving to put their creative minds at work in making them more useful and demanding. It was also reported through 9to5Mac that iOS 8 would also allow apps on screen for interaction with one another where the user would be able to drag and drop content between them. It is said that Apple would be unveiling iOS 8 at its WWDC event early this June. Its focus in multitasking is reportedly centred on iPad Air according to reports, though it is still not clear if the smaller sized iPad mini would be offering support for the feature.

Apple’s Doxie Go Battery Operated Scanner

Apple, it was reported has recently joined hands with Doxie battery powered `Doxie Go’, portable scanner which is considered to make the task of scanning much simpler. Doxie has been selling a series of portable scanners which are battery operated with a sheet feeder that could feed one sheet of paper or one photo at a time.

The scanners are pretty good for immediate and short task which promises to lighten up the function of scanning while on the go. The Doxie Go could be something useful sinceit is a small battery powered scanner which can be used in a variety of options to scan photos, sketches, book etc.

Doxie Go priced at $199 which is designed to be used on its own can occasionally be connected to a computer when its memory is full. Its unique design fits into this purpose accurately and while the scanner is made of matte, soft touch black plastic with Apple style white cover over the top, it is slightly taller and wider than the ultraportable Fujitsu ScanSnapS1100 which was used as a benchmark.

Scanner with Adequate Built-in Memory 

Inspite of its packing of a built in battery which according to the company is fairly good for scanning around hundred pages per charge, the Doxie seems to be marginally heavier than its Japanese counterpart and those dealing with adequate paper needed along with scanner around are unlikely to feel burdened by the Doxie presence.

It sports a single powered button at the upper right side which includes a built in multicolour LED that acts as the scanner’s status indicator, where a green light indicates the scanner is in its default 300 DPI mode while the orange glow indicates a higher resolution 600 DPI setting.

The scanner comprises of enough built in memory to contain around 450 pages of documents or 1800 photos in 300 DPI mode though heavy user could plug a USB thumb drive or SD card in its chassis for any additional storage. Moreover it works with Wi-Fi enabled DS cards, enabling users to eschew wires while downloading documents.

Power Brick and Interchangeable Plugs

The unit is packed with apower brick and interchangeable plugs which are used for different outlet layouts together with a USB cable for charging and sync, quick start documentation, along with a photo sleeve, a cleaning and calibration tool.

On connecting to the power, the unit takes around an hour to charge out of the box and then scanning is a very simple process with turning on the Doxie and sliding a piece of paper into the slot. The scanner can scan anything from a business card of 8.5 inch by 15 inch sheet though large documents which can be scanned was 8.5 inch by 14 inch as per U.S. legal size paper.

The process of scanning is swift, with sheets sliding in within a span of six seconds each though it seems to be nearly one second per page slower than the ScanSnap; Doxie is much preferred due to its paper handling design which does not angle the paper as in the case of the ScanSnap.

Doxie’s Software Smart Caching & Triaging App

Doxie is essentially on par with ScanSnap with regards to image quality. Colours seems to be fading slightly with some black and white documents showing odd colour in finely textured areas though none of these affect the readability of the documents.

Images can also be pulled out from the Doxie memory as from a digital camera and is more useful when combined with a software organiser. Doxie’s software offer is a smart caching and triaging app which is only available for download through the company’s site and is not included in the package. On importing, each scan shows a separate document leaving the option to the user to collate, save and export them.

It is to be noted that the Doxie gets automatically mounted in OS X once the same is plugged in and with the combination of the scanner’s power saving auto off feature, it can be a random `disk not ejected properly warning from OS X which does not seem to harm the data.

Capabilities to Export Documents as PNG/PDF/JPG

The software also enables uses to rename or even rotate their scans before deciding what needs to be done besides the individual pages of multi-page document which can be stapled back together. While Doxie could be relied as a sort of digital junk drawer, people would tend to take advantage of its various integrations.

Moreover, documents could also be exported directly as PNG, PDF or JPG files with provision of options of sharing through email, iMessage or AirDrop and send them to cloud service like Dropbox, OneNote or even pushing them to post processing application like Photoshop of iPhoto.

Before the entry of the Doxie Go, Fujitsu ScanSnap S1100 was used due to its portability but with Doxie Go, many prefer it, due to its paper handing, ease of use as well as the ability to run through its pile of documents without the interruption of administrative details.

Apple in Talks to Acquire Beats Electronics

Apple, it has been reported is in talks to acquire Beats Electronics, the high end headphone company and streaming music created by Dr, Dre and Jimmy Iovine, a deal which is worth $3.2 billion and according to Financial Times, the deal is likely to be announced if the negotiations works our well in the next week.

It is reported that Apple would be paying the deal amount for the company, a sum which dwarfs the $404 million that Apple spent to acquire NeXT in the year 1996 and is one of the largest purchase as of date. As per its last earnings call, Apple had around $150 billion in cash on hand with plenty for coverage on large acquisition.

Beats Streaming Service

Besides, its line of bass boasting ear pieces, Beats has been in the competitive market for subscription streaming services with mobile offering, which unlike apple’s iTunes and iTunes Radio, offers ad-free on demand music listening for around $10 per month and if the deal goes through, Apple will be acquiring the subscription business together with Beat’s hardware division accompanied with Beats management team that will be reporting to Apple CEO, Tim Cook, as reported by Financial Times.

Beats at the moment has refrained from commenting on this and CNET though had contacted Apple will get back on hearing from them. Since Apple had long favourable relationship with Beats, their branded headphones lines are featured in both its physical Apple stores as well as the accessory section of its online store where the crux of the deal may turn out to be Beats Music.

Beat’s streaming service may become a central part of Apple’s music strategy after the launch of its online radio service of iTunes Radio last year. Moreover, Beats Music debuted with billing and marketing partnership with AT&T and as per reports has been swiftly growing.

Launch of Beats Music Service

Besides producing a range of popular premium headphones and speakers which Apple has currently been selling in its stores, Beats has also launched its Beats Music service which is a direct competitors to Spotify, Pandora as well as Apple’s own iTunes Radio service and is a subscription based on demand service which would be bolstering Apple’s free station based iTunes Radio service.

Beats Electronics purchase comes as Apple has been rumoured to be working on a complete revamp of iTunes, to boost the declining sales in music. Part of this revamping would include an on demand streaming music service similar to Spotify though the company may intend to purchase Beats instead of designing its own service from the ground level. Subscription for Beats Music is available for $9.99 per month is focused on curation.

Moreover the company had also hired experts in music from popular radio station across the country to create stations and playlist from the service’s twenty million song catalogue and it is yet not clear if Apple would be keeping the Beats Music format intact if it intends acquiring the company though the curation would be fitting well with the iTunes music stores that would be offering music choice which would be picked by Apple editors. Do get back to Macmyth to get some insight on the latest information on Apple Technology.

Apple hired Senior Medical Professionals

Apple, it has been reported has hired a team of senior medical technology professionals who would be working on projects.

The technology pacesetter has hired a medical team of senior medical technology executives who had previously worked in the biotech field and over the past year, Apple has hired about six prominent experts in biomedicine as per LinkedIn profile changes and a prominent research had just moved in a couple of weeks ago with Apple recruiting other medical professionals as well as hardware experts.

It is stated by undisclosed source that the number of hires is not clear. Most of the hires are well versed and have some expertise in medical sensor technology which will enable Apple products to analyse everything right from blood sugar levels to heart rate.

Wearable Device Using Sensors

Health, fitness together with medical care has now drawn the focus of major technology companies. Samsung for instance has built up several health’s related features in its Galaxy S5, together with many wearable technology devices recently have similar elements.

Moreover Samsung also has plans of organising an event later in the month to engage in talks related to health issues. It is believed that Apple would be working on some sort of a wearable device which would be unveiled later this year.

It would be using sensors and other technology to track health though it was not initially believed that Apple’s long wait of iWatch would probably be launched this year, it seemed more likely that Apple would launch a smartband instead in partnership with Nike which would deliver those features.

Headphones to Monitor Heart Rate/Blood Pressure 

Although the company has not declared any formal announcement with regards to a smart watch product, Apple is said to have registered the trademark `iWatch’, in Japan.

Most of Apple patents focus on wrist worn devices and in February, the company had filed a patent for a smart ear bud patent which could track steps as well as detect gestures of the head. Recently, a poster on anonymous secret sharing app Secret, revealed that Apple had plans on releasing a set of headphone which could monitor heart rate as well as blood pressure.

The earpods would be using Apple’s iBeacon technology in order to locate them just in case they would be misplaced and would need the lightening jack to work, as reported through a source. Besides, the phone would store the data in a similar way to thumbprint point data, fully encrypted and nothing identifiable.

Recruiting Engineers with Experience in Monitoring Body’s Perimeter

A mobile health executive informed Reuter that he had recently sat down with Apple executive from the iWatch team and said that the company had aspirations beyond wearable devices and speculating on a full health and fitness service platform which would be modelled on its apps store.

The med tech community is hoping on Apple to develop the apps store style platform in order that start-ups can make their own software and hardware mobile medical applications. According to Ted Driscoll, a Silicon Valley based partner at Claremont Creek Ventures that specializes in digital health and medical devices, states that Apple seems to be focussed on recruiting engineers with experience in monitoring the body’s perimeter.

Apple Invented Touch Sensitive Button to distinguish Accidental or Actual touch

An updated Apple patent published by the U.S Patent and Trademark Office reveals that the touch sensitive button would be capable in distinguishing from an accidental activation and an actual finger touch. Apple being a pioneer in touchscreen devices has come up with this new entry where the concept comes from a patent continuation and discovered by AppleInsider entitled `Configurable Buttons for Electronic Devices,’ A

pple’s invention is related to a touch sensitive depressible button which can generate input based on a depression of the button or based on a gesture performed on a surface of the button. Moreover, the button can generate input based on the depression as well as the touch event.

Physical Button – Associated Touch Sensor

The Touch ID featured first in the iPhone 5s and recently, a hacker group showed that the biometric security function could be tricked with a fake finger. In spite of the risk and according to findings being negligible, this feature will be making its appearance very soon.

This invention by Apple has a physical button with an associated touch sensor, touch sensitive buttons, which could detect instantly when the user is touching it.

In doing so, the button would be capable of knowing when it is being activated by a finger or an accidental touch and with this method; Apple has made it possible in identifying an accidental touch from a real finger press touch on portable device.

Beneficial to Users

These functions would be very beneficial especially with wearable electronics like the company’s latest rumoured iWatch, a portable device which is susceptible to accidental touch as it is being worn by the user. Apple’s patent provides a method by which the system can detect that the touch is unwanted and can ignore the same.

The patent includes illustration for what seems to be an unused design for the wearable clip on iPod shuffle and an example of one is that the buttons on the device are temporarily disabled when the clip on the rear of the device is squeezed enabling the user to place the device on their clothing without the need of activating the buttons in the front.

Avoid Unintentional Operation

The invention takes into account the need to avoid unintentional operation of button which is applicable to all portable electronics which include smartphone, media players, tablets, as well as notebooks. Some examples given by Apple include sleep, menu, power, volume and multipurpose buttons. Since Apple has a touch sensitive button of sorts on the iPhone 5s as the smartphone’s home button which includes the touch ID fingerprint scanner.

With the use of the Touch ID, users can now securely unlock their iPhone once the handset identifies their fingerprint from an actual finger when placed on the button. In continuation of the patent it is also revealed that more basic touch sensing possibilities could also be used on other buttons for future portable devices likely to come up from Apple as indicated by the USPTO recently. And inventors like John Benjamin Filson, Stephen Brian Lynch, Emery Sanford and Pinida Ian Moolsintong have been credited by U.S. Patent No 8,717,199. Do get back to Macmyth and get acquainted with the latest updates on Apple Technology.

SCiO turning Apple iPhone into molecular scanner

To get to know of the nutritional value of a restaurant meal or even slicing into an unripe fruit may soon be a thing of the past with the entry of SCiO, which is a pocket sized spectrometer that enables user to analyse the molecular structure of any substance from plants to food and even the human body giving the results on their iPhone device.

With the aid of Consumer Physic, SCiO’s creator, one can have a Star Trek experience with this device and users can focus the Zippo sized scanner at a fruit and find out its ripeness without the need of even touching or peeling it. Moreover, the SCiO could also be used to analyse a meal to determine its calories as well as its fat content, thus making the tracking of the meal much easier than before.

Providing Nutritional Information

It is a device which provides the nutritional information on the food we consume without the need of entering most of it and is the first portable spectrometer for consumers offering a greater versatility of application. It could help users in checking soil conditions alert gardeners on their plants for sufficient water or ensure their medication is authentic.

Dror Sharon, CEO of Consumer Physics informed CNN that it is the first application for consumers who would be interested in knowing the nutritional value of what they are consuming, adding further that she often came across people who did not know the contents in cheese, fruit or vegetables thus having a hard time in discerning what should be eaten.

This device according to her would be empowering if consumers would want to change their intake, either for medical reasons or training thus providing education in teaching to make better nutritional options.

Endless Applications 

According to Co-founder of Consumer Physics, Damian Goldring in a promotional video for the gadget, he states that the applications are endless. The SCiO can be connected to a smartphone through the Bluetooth Low Energy which works in tandem along with a custom companion application where SCiO directs its raw data to the cloud for analysis with the results available on the user’s handset.

The readings taken by SCiO is done through a method known as infrared spectroscopy wherein the light reflected from an object is analyzed by a sensor called the spectrometer. Due to the different molecules interaction with light in unique way, the spectrometer is capable to determine which molecules would be responsible for the light signature that it envisages.

SCiO, Low in Cost with Advance Algorithms

Though handheld spectrometers operating on this method do exist, they are generally big and bulky items would be costing a large amount of money. Consumer Physics had stated that they use low cost optics with advance algorithms in order to make SCiO smaller with significant low in cost when compared to other NIR spectrometers.

SCiO technology which seems to be similar to anapproachApple is rumoured to be studying for its `iWatch’, Apple though focused on health benefits like non-invasive blood oxygen and glucose monitoring instead of the general purpose spectroscopy.

Apple Making The MacBook Air Cheaper And Efficient

Apple the Cupertino tech giant, the finest laptop and computer making company is all set in making its smallest Mac available to users at reduced price with upgraded processor ina bid to attract new buyers. It has been reported that Apple has dropped its prices on the laptops and will now be selling the cheapest 11.6 inch MacBook Air Model at $899 instead of $999 making the MacBook

Air a lot cheaper and efficient. This means that all Apple fans can now opt for a lighter, cheaper alternative to the MacBook Pro with this price cut with an additional $100 for Retina display if they desire the same.Besides the entry level 13.3 inch Air also saw a $100 slash to $999 from $1,099 and all Apple users in UK now will be getting an even better deal of £100 price cut in the Air line.

The 11.6 inch Air will now start at £749 and the 13.3 inch model will be at £849. These entry models come with 128 GB flash storage and 4 GB of memory and the higher end version comes with a 256 GB solid state drive which also comes with a price cut of $100 in US and £100 in the UK.

The New Air Models Standard and Faster

The new Air models will now come with a standard and faster 1.4 GHz Intel Core i5 processor instead of the 1.3 GHz chip being a minor performance upgrade though the fourth generation Intel Core Haswell process would be more efficient in various ways like power efficiency or cooling with these manufacturing improvements.

Intel’s latest Haswell processor offers a great boost in speed and its main advantage is that it conserves power where the 11 inch and 13 inch MacBook Air notebooks offer around nine to twelve hours of battery life respectively.

Better Battery Life

The main upgrade versions are better battery life with additional iTunes and free iLife together with iWork according to Apple. iTunes movie playback times increases to 12 hours on the 13 inch notebook while the 11 inch will get 9 hours adding to two additional hours of playback time with the updated MacBook Air.

The iLife and iWork comes free with every new Mac.Besides the price cut and the upgrading of the processor, the MacBook Air line remains unchanged though speculations are on that a redesigned Air would be coming up later this year with NPD DisplaySearch and many others hoping that Apple would release a thinner, 12 inch MacBook Air model along with a Retina display, since the Apple’s most portable laptops of 11.6 inch and 13.3 inch are non-Retina resolution displays powered by Intel’s HD 5000 graphics. Most of the users would find the new starting price an attractive offer with both a price drop and a processor boast.

MacBook Air has not seen any major redesigns since 2010 and the new price drop MacBook Air is now available online and in stores for interested users. Macmyth provides the latest updates on Apple technology; do visit the site to get acquainted with the latest updates on technology.

Apple’s minor update for mobile operating system

With regards to Apple technology, it has been reported that Apple has recently released iOS7.1.1, a month and a half later after releasing its first major updates of iOS7.1with minor update for its mobile operating system with a purpose to address a few bugs inclusive of issues that would affect keyboard responsiveness while at the same time be improving theperformance of the iPhone 5s Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

The latest entry follows March’s release of iOS 7.1 which is a significant upgrade that will be addressing a variety of issues which had remained pending since the debut of iOS7. It fixes various crash related issues where users of iPhone and iPad had envisaged at the time of using the multi-tasking view and browsing the web in Safari.

The iOS7.1.1, labelled as build 11D201, comes with additional improvement to the Apple’s Touch ID, fixing a bug which impacts the keyboard responses where fixing a bug would involve Bluetooth keyboards.Some users had experienced gradual worsening of the Touch ID sensor’s ability in recognizing existing fingerprints and hopefully this could help those who envisaged having this problem.

Bug Fix making iOS Keyboard Responsive

Moreover, iOS7.1 brought about much improvement for Siri and Touch ID while setting the stage for the launch of CarPlay in supported vehicles as well as aftermarket install kits, later that year. It had been reported that Apple had previously been preparing updated software to improve this problem.

According to software’s release notes, the bug fix should make the iOS keyboard more responsive as well as fix issues affecting the use of Bluetooth keyboards when Voiceover accessibility features would be enabled. Users could check out the Software Update submenu in `Setting’,application on the iPhone or iPad, or it could be plugged into the computer and iTunes, to update the device.

Documentation with the update states that it contains – improvements, bug fixes as well as security updates. From the security point of view, the update includes a number of fixes for issues which would enable an attacker to obtain website credential, capture date, change operations performed in SSL protected session or also install malware on vulnerable device.

For additional information, users could also check out Apple’s security notes for iOS7.1.1 and 1.2GB storages would be needed for update.

Introduction of Eight Generation Mobile Operating System

As Apple continues improvement for the next major update to iOS, it would be introducing its eight generation mobile operating system at the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference to be held in June this year and it is likely that the conference will kick off with a keynote presentation to formally unveil iOS8 as well as other products which the company may have in store.

The next generation OS would help to name the tune due to integration with Shazam as per Bloomberg and is already available to download on the Apple Store and if the deal with Apple come through, iOS users need not download a separate app but will be able to tap into the service’s technology.

Apple has stated that iPhone 5s users will also see more improvements to Touch ID fingerprint recognition after the installation of update, which the company has always seemed to be doing since the launch of the handset earlier this year. You could visit us at Macmyth for more updated technology news.

NikeFuel Ecosystem in Partnership with Apple

With Nike’s focus on digital sport software, it was reported that Nike CEO, Mark Parker has plans for expansion of the NikeFuel ecosystem with partners like Apple. In a recent interview, the CEO had said that his company would not be giving up on its digital sport after the end of FuelBand.

Moreover he stressed the importance of its existing relationship with Apple and was looking forward to future relationship with its partner. It was also reported that Nike had laid off its Fuelband team and had stopped building new fitness tracker hardware which is a strategic way of opening up Nike software to other wearable platforms.

Moreover the source also implied that one of these upcoming iWatch or iBand would be from Apple. With the discontinuation of the Fuelband line as well as laying off most of the team, it seems like a failure for Nike, while Fuelband software also called NikeFuel would get a huge push from Apple customers with their sights set on the iWatch.

Focus on FuelBand software

Parker, it was reported saying that they were focusing more on the software of the Fuelband experience making it a part of wearable going forward which would be integrated into other products that were created and then they would be expanding their partnership in order to create more reach for the Nike Fuel and Fuel system that they had.

According to him the best way to do it was to get involved with good partnerships. He had also informed CNBC regarding Nike’s laying off of its Fuelband hardware team that the company was planning to expand the reach to Nikefuel by getting into partnership with other companies.

It was also reported that the move would be similar to the way most of the consumers were now accessing the Kindle store through a tablet and not a Kindle. With Nike and Fuelband software, it would be similar to Apple’s fitness ecosystem featured on the iWatch.

Strong Push on the Software

When Parker was asked if Nike had plans to exit the wearable hardware market, he stated that they were focusing more on the software part which according to him would be part of wearable that would be going forward.

Though the Nike chief refrained from confirming the Fuelband’s death he commented saying that there would be a strong push on the software of the company’s proprietary Nikefuel activity quantification as well as measurement system.

He had commented saying that they were just looking forward in continuing the relationship between them and personally they were very excited about what laid in store for them. Recent estimates from market research group NPD reported by MobiHealthNews informed that Nike’s fitness tracker accounted for only ten percent of $330 million in fitness tracker sales for the year 2013 and in a price tag of $150, Nike had sold last year around 220,000 Fuelbands.

Nike and Apple had collaborated on Nike + iPod projects, the most recent being Nike + app integration and Apple CEO had participated in Nike’s board for nine years which played a role in the brand’s ability to be on the cutting edge of fitness software which was incorporated in Apple products.

Apple’s Renewable Energy Sources for Data Farm

NBC’s News `Today’, recently, revealed a segment covered by the network’s chief environmental correspondent, Anne Thompson, on Apple’s push for environmental friendliness, an all renewable energy sources for its data farm. The report, a two and a half minute long, showcased the solar energy and fuel cells which were used at the iPhone maker’s Maiden, North Carolina centre and seems to be the main resource for iCloud and Siri among various internet related services.

It highlighted on the special segment known as a new kind of Apple farm with focus on its data centre along with solar array. Apple’s NC data centre is entirely powered by reusable energy which includes the massive solar farm and on site biogas cells.

According to Thompson, she states that `all the cool convenience of smartphones and tablet will now come with a hidden price – power, where downloading apps and information in the cloud would no longer mean polluting the air’.

Apple Reducing Footprint

While walking the huge solar panel farm, Thompson interviewed Lisa Jackson, Apple Vice President of Environmental Initiatives, where the former EPA administrator informed that with clean energy such as the nation’s largest end user owned solar farm, Apple would now be capable of growing a variety of connected devices and simultaneously be reducing its carbon footprint thereby making its contribution on a cleaner environment.

Jackson has also been heard commenting that they should take this opportunity to help people to convert to a cleaner energy without even knowing they are doing it. She has also noted that Apple at times had been generating more solar power than needed enabling the excess power towards supplying energy to the city’s power grid.

Saving on Power Usage and Expenses

This facility creates additional power than needed and returns the excess back to the grid for use by other consumers, though usually by law, energy companies should be paying individuals and companies that return more power than their consumption but the money incurred would not be significant when compared to the initial cost.

In the long run, Apple would be able to save on power usage as well as expenses connected with environmental offsets and generate additional jobs in the maintenance and management of combination of solar arrays and biogas fuel cells

Expanded Global Recycling Program

The interview provided an insight into Apple’s data centre which consists of servers and telecommunication equipment which were responsible for iCloud, Siri as well as other online assets. Moreover a major part of the energy provided by the on-site solar farm and biogas generators was used in cooling the machines.

Thompson has stated that while other tech companies like Facebook, Yahoo and Google used clean energy at their own data centres, it was only Apple who were using hundred percent of renewable energy and who had been announcing it environmental initiatives with the launch of `Better’ campaign on an eco-friendly tear recently.

Apple has been promoting its environmental effort more forcefully as the ambitious project of its Maiden plant are on its way to success. Moreover it has also recently launched an expanded global recycling program putting pressure on suppliers to adhere to earth friendly practises, with their plans in making its retail stores that will be running on renewable power wherever possible.

Siri Voice Control Support For Apple TV

Recent report states that Apple will be working on building its voice activated application Siri into its Apple TV to rival Amazon’s Fire TV.

Apple’s Siri, the virtual personal assistant which is presently available on the company’s mobile products will be making headway to the Apple TV set top box. Pierre Blazquez, the French software developer had found reference to Sirisupport for Apple TV in a section of iOS 7.1 code recently wherein the code refers to the device family `3’ that has been the number for Apple TV since the set top box began running iOS.

 It was reported that for some time Apple’s settop box would get Siri support and with this move many companies including Samsung and LG would be offering voice control for their television software.

Launch in Early June

This upcoming miniature set top box would be unveiled early this June with features like voice commands and games console and will become a serious Apple product in its own right. This hockey puck sized device which plugs at the back of the television set connecting to the internet with dedicated app will enable the streaming of content from other Apple products like Mac, iPads, or iPhones which till now has been considered as just interesting hobby of the company but will now be making a change for the better.

New Set Top Box with Fast Processor

Amazon too had earlier announced its launch for Fire TV set top box inclusive of remote control with a built-in microphone in order to enable users to speak the name of a move, TV show, actor and director, into the remote with Fire TV displaying the list of the results.

It could stream video and audio from services like Netflix and Pandora like the way other gadgets were functioning but unlike several of its rivals, the Fire TV has voice search as well as the capabilities to play video games.

It was also reported that Apple would be releasing a new set top box which would have a faster processor accompanied with an updated interface enabling users to navigate with ease between TV shows, movie together with other online content.

Siri Voice Assistant – Upgraded Version 

According to reports, it was stated that the new code found within Apple’s software indicates that the tech giant would be bringing its Siri voice assistant to an upgraded version of the Apple TV which would seem that Apple would be competing for consumers on high end of the video streaming market with the new Amazon Fire TV.

With regards to Fire TV, user can hold a button on the remote control to search content by taking the name of a movie, artist or a TV show where the device would display results to the user’s audio query. Moreover the Amazon streaming box also enables the user to play video game which can be downloaded from the app store of the company.

With their focus on being competitive with Amazon Fire TV, it is reported that Apple is considering in bringing about many features to its device which would be costing $99 meaning that Apple would be gearing up in improving its gadgets with more feature if it intends to remain competitive against its rival.

Apple Stores Now offer Free Recycling of Old Apple Products

In continuation of its environment conscious announcement, Apple has revealed a new plan in accepting all used products of Apple for free, to cut down on pollution which is being caused by manufacture and use of the devices.

The iPhone and iPad manufacturer is striving to cultivate a greener Apple Inc. in an environmental section of the company’s site which was debuted recently wherein the site highlights the ways in which Cupertino, California Company will be increasing its support on alternative power sources with less electronic junk to landfills.

With regards to this, Apple has already started distributing gift cards with third party companies like PowerOn, in exchange for iPhone and iPods which are in good condition and can be resold, at some of its 420 global stores.

Apple will not be offering gift cards in exchange for old products with little or no reselling value, this free recycling is with a purpose to keep the electronics out of landfills according to reports received by The Associated Press. This initiative on the part of Apple is to make its company’s operation an environment friendly one, which would be beneficial both to mankind and the planet earth.

Most of the devices together with the products sold by Apple do contain toxins that remains in the ground if they are not properly recycled or disposed and Apple is striving hard to lend its support in environmental responsibility towards a cleaner business model in making use of all innovation with the help of expertise, making the planet more secure bringing about some improvements in the environment.

The firm states that besides, iPhone or iPad, any Mac or PC desktop or notebook can qualify for reuse or free recycling, keeping in mind that Apple had in the past seven years sold around one billion iPhone, iPad, iPods and Macs.

According to Greenpeace’s estimate the tech gadgets and online services had accounted for about two percent of the world’s emission in 2012 somewhat similar as the airline industry.

Customers can now avail this opportunity towards new iPhone or iPad irrespective of the devices they may trade with and can also combine iPad and iPhone credits for a limit on one device to apply for the purchase of a new device. With all Apple stores now accepting old devices which may not have any resale value due to their age, customers will not be receiving any money for these devices but the firm will be accepting them to recycle them for free.

 Apple has been offering this program to the customers in order to help them in disposing their old devices in a responsible manner. This endeavour is part of Apple’s Earth Day celebration which began with the company’s `Better environmental campaign’, highlighting Apple’s environmental contributions to its supply chain, data centres as well as in its new Apple Campus 2 project.

Moreover, Apple is also contemplating commemorating Earth Day at its retail stores with the placement of a green leaf on its traditionally white Apple logo together with a green t-shirt to all its retail employees.