How to Enable the iCloud Drive App on iOS 9

 

An Updated iCloud Drive - Hidden App in iOS 9

An updated iCloud Drive setting in iOS 9 allows a hidden app that helps in managing the entire file library. Users could go to Settings >iCloud > iCloud Drive > Show on Home Screen and after activating one will find a new icon on the home screen for the iCloud Drive application. Before the iOS 9, the only option to access files that were stored in the iCloud Drive account was on using a certain app for a specific file type. iOS did not have the dedicated app to view the files and it was frustrating for several users. iOS 9 provides an optional iCloud Drive app wherein it services as a file browser for all the files that are stored in one’s account. Once the iOS is updated, users can enable the iCloud Drive app with a few taps such as

• Launch the Settings app on the iOS device
• Scroll down till one finds the iCloud listing and select it
• Tap on iCloud Drive
• Set the show on home screen switch to the `On’ position
• Press the home button on the device.

Functions on `Need to Know’ Basis

A white shiny icon with the iCloud Drive logo will show up on the home screen and on launching it, users can find the stored files that are available to view and edit. On the other hand if one tends to forget to enable the iCloud Drive app on updating, iOS then displays a prompt after some time asking if you would like to enable it. If the same is chosen but would not want the icon on the home screen you could follow the steps that are outlined to disable the app.

Apple, as a consumer hardware as well as software company has always shown users the functions on a need to know basis and at sometimes, hiding functions from view in order that everything works without user intervention. Apple is now changing that course with iCloud Drive where its cloud storage service which was released last year with iOS 8 and Mac OS 10.10.

According to 9to5Mac, it reports on an iCloud Drive app hidden inside the iOS 9 beta. Though not visible by default, one can bring iCloud Drive in view with simple toggle and thereafter view as well as manage the files stored in with Dropbox or Google Drive which will appear as an app icon on the phone together with the other apps.

Free Storage of 5GB for Files/Photos/Backups

Users of iOS 8 could only view the files from within the app which could be accessed through iCloud Drive. Yosemite enabled users in managing all their iCloud Drive files in a different folder which was similar to Dropbox as well as the other cloud storage app. Apple has been offering users free storage of 5GB for their files, photos as well as backups of their iOS devices. Though the app may not look much in organizing the files in a centralized iCloud Drive, the app makes it quite easy to access and would even make iCloud Drive a handy means for workflow. The iOS 9 public beta is available presently and the full version of iOS 9 would probably be launched later in the fall.
 

iPhone 7 Could Have 4K Video Camera And Special Recording Modes

Next iPhone – An Ungraded Camera/New Recording Modes

According to leaked information, the next iPhone of Apple features an upgraded camera together with new recording modes which will utilise the phone’s Force Touch screen. The details of the latest phone seemed to have been revealed in a deleted post from one of the employee at Foxconn that makes most of Apple’s hardware.

It appears that Apply would release a pink iPhone with an extra high resolution camera together with Force Touch screen which enables it to know how hard it is being pressed. According to information leak, the camera will comprise of a 12MP sensor for photos and would also be able to take 4K video. Similar to the camera in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, it would be a little extended from the back of the phone.

While utilising the camera, the Force Touch feature which would be built in the screen will be capable of controlling extra methods of either triggering a burst of stills at the time of filming or switching from photo to video mode as per various translations. For long, the Force Touch had been expected to come to the iPhone since its launch in Apple Watch as well as the new MacBook, and it is rumoured that Apple has already put such phones into production.

Hustled with Touch ID Fingerprint Sensor- 30% Faster

The phone would also be hustled with the Touch ID fingerprint sensor which would operate for about 30 percent faster. Its feature enables the screen to work as a type of a button with additional options. Being introduced with the Apple Watch and MacBook, it was eventually expected to make its way to all devices of Apple.

According to Bloomberg, the company has been working on the screens for the iPhone for at least two years. However, supplies are gearing up to make them possible, well ahead of the launch of the iPhone 6S or iPhone 7 this autumn.

Besides this, the phone would be having more RAM making the processing much faster though it will have the same volume of storage capacity. The pink phone of Apple had been rumoured some months back which has been confirmed by leaked information. While some rumours have indicated that it would be a rose gold colour, like the more expensive Apple Watch, others had indicated that it will be pink aluminium.

Pink iPhone 

The company is also said to be trying other new colours and it is rumoured that it is experimenting with the pink iPhone which would not be the first in the colour. The iPhone 5c seemed to have pink in its range of colours and though Apple seldom presents new colours to its line-up, recently it had brought a new gold colour in its range which has been rolled out to most of its products.

Apple is known to release its new phones in autumn, the recent one being announced in September. Besides the new screen technology, the new phone would probably look like the existing iPhone 6 and 6 Plus according to Bloomberg and would be available in the same 4.7 inch and 5.5 sizes. This would probably be helpful in reducing the manufacturing time regardless of the complexity of the new screens.

Microsoft Windows 10 Free Upgrade

 

Microsoft’s Free Upgrades – Windows 10

Microsoft has recently announced that they will be offering free upgrades to Windows 10, the next version of its operating system, first for Windows 8.1 users and then for Windows 7. According to Microsoft’s executive vice president of operating systems, Terry Myerson, the company would be upgrading any devices running Windows 8 to Windows 10, for free, during the first year of availability of the software. This free upgrade would also be applicable for Window 7 devices as well as Windows Phone 8.1 devices.

The price of the software for the upgrade after the one year window is yet to be announced by the company. Myerson had stated during the unveiling event of Microsoft’s Windows 10 in Redmond, Wash, that they think Windows as a service and now developers could target every Windows device. It has been designed with a view in convincing consumers that Windows is worth the effort and Windows 10 is an attempt in clearing the slate clean after missteps with Windows 8 inclusive of the new start menu that drew complaints from users of PC who missed greatly the traditional menu.

Simple Upgrade Benefit Window 10 Adoption

Windows 7 is run by more than half of all desktops users in the world and around 20% still tend to run XP, which is a fourteen years old operating system. Windows 8.1 on the other hand is yet to reach 10 percent. Hardware companies have been giving away software upgrades in order to keep their users secured to their ecosystems, where Apple for instance has made Mac OS and iOS free together with several of its productivity as well as photo management tools.

A simple upgrade path would benefit Windows 10 adoption instead of dealing with a number of various versions of Windows and other upgrade cost where most of the consumers could take this free update and have the benefit of running the updated version of Microsoft. Myerson had also shared Microsoft’s vision for Windows as a service and not just an operating system, a major part of which is its new commitment in keeping devices reliably updated all through the `supported lifetime for the device’. This indicates that those upgrading from Microsoft’s earlier versions of Windows would be receiving updates constantly to keep it up-to-date as possible.

Enable Developers to Target Every Windows Device

Myerson also noted that it would enable developers to target every single Windows device, when they build apps and make it easier for them to reach more users which would be appreciated by the developers as well as the users. Michael Silver of Gartner stated at the research firm’s annual technology conference that `if Microsoft wants consumers to update and keep up-to-date it would mean that Microsoft is going to have to give those consumers those updates for free and there is no other way to do it.

 He further added that `a consumer would not be giving Microsoft a credit card and ask them to charge for a new release whenever one come out and it is very likely that consumer releases will be free’. This would be affecting Microsoft’s bottom line, and Windows 10 probably will be the nameplate for the OS for years much more than the usual three year cycle for major upgrades from Windows 7 to Windows 8, where free would mean that consumers would not have to pay to upgrade their PC’s operating system.

New Editions Enhances Sales

Constant free updates and upgrades would be putting the computer makers in a bind since generally they tend to rely on new editions to enhance sales especially to consumers. Silver’s debates that Windows 10 if not free itself, should offer free updates to consumers, came with some forty five minutes presentation where he together with his colleague, Stephen Kleynhans discussed on the future of Office and Windows before a standing room crowd at Gartner Symposium/.ITxpo 2014. The two placed Microsoft’s Windows 10 and Microsoft’s promise of steady stream of updates in the context for business which had shied from Windows 8 and is being urged back into the fold with promises that Windows 10 will be what its successor were not. Some of the queries raised by users are:

Will it run XP programs

Windows 10 would be running most of the old Windows programs where the compatibility could be checked by running GWX, the Get Windows 10 app. Microsoft does not have information with regards to every device or program for Windows though it has a comprehensive list of know issues on compatibility. XP programs not running Windows 7 could probably run in Windows 10.

 Free copy of Windows XP to run in XP mode in Windows 7 Pro is provided by Microsoft which gives many years of transition to updated programs though not intended as a permanent solution. Users could continue using XP in current Windows 7 system till 2020 at the user’s risk. Alternate option is that one can run XP in a virtual machine in Windows 10 or else use a separate XP PC which not connected to the net.

Why is it free

Microsoft is giving some money from the fairly small number of those who buy Windows upgrades and in return with a hope of getting more of them in using the same version of Windows instead of having a rough figure of 1.6 billion users spreading over Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Vista and Windows Phone.

iPhone 7 (or iPhone 6S) Leaked Pictures Show Similarities to Older Model

iPhone 6/iPhone 7 – Identical Case

The next version iPhone seems to look identical to the prevailing one but will fix one of its biggest issues. The phone in question is likely to be known as the iPhone 6S instead of iPhone 7 and will have an identical case. However it will also tend to have a much enhanced battery life, a pressure sensitivity display and would be must faster.

According to leaked information seen by 9to5mac, the extra battery life will not be just added by enhancing the battery capacity but will be brought by including a special new modem chip that will be doubling the internet speed as well as make the phone run in a much more efficient manner as reported in the blog.

The latest chips would be made by Qualcomm and will drive the maximum speed on 4G LTE to 300Mbps which would be much faster than most of the home routers. Nevertheless, the extra speed would probably not be seen, initially since most of the speed of data connection tends to be limited by phone networks and not the hardware.According to rumours, the company could add additional battery capacity to the phone.

Smaller Motherboard in Same Case – Improved Battery Life

The new phone features smaller motherboard in the same case which means that the extra space could be filled in with battery, by Apple. It is rumoured that the new phones come in the same sizes as the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus and will also have improved battery life due to their software.

A range of new battery features was unveiled by Apple as part of iOS 9 which will enable it to bolt off intensive features, should the battery run low besides other things. The issue of smartphone users is battery life and while Apple together with its competitors has done great improvement with regards to battery capabilities, the actual life has stayed the same.

This is due to the use of extra capacity in powering new features instead of letting phones to live longer. It seems that Apple is now settling into a cycle of upgrade with big release followed by smaller ones that speeds up and enhances the phone. However it has maintained the same basic look and the `S’ half of the cycle has introduced big features.

Addition of Force Touch

The iPhone 3GS came with video recording while the 4S was the first to have Siri and the 5S came with the Touch ID fingerprint sensor. The big feature, this time could be the addition of Force Touch. Phones inclusive of this features enables the phone to know how hard it is being pressed, have gone into production though could be held back for the release of the iPhone 7 which is likely to come up in 2016.

This feature allows the screen work as a type of button enabling extra choices. It had been introduced along with Apple Watch and also with some MacBooks and expected to make its progress eventually in all of Apple’s devices. According to Bloomberg, the company is said to be working on the screens for the iPhone for around two years. However, suppliers are gearing up to make them ready probably ahead of the launch of the iPhone 6S or iPhone 7 in autumn.

iTunes 12.2: New version a missed opportunity for Apple Music

Apple always seeks to outdo itself by advancing its feature rich products with more features and better user experience. This time this approach has backfired on larger scale with its latest update for iTunes app. The latest version of iTunes named 12.2 both for the OS X and Windows platform was released as a part of the launch of its exclusive Apple Music service. Initial response for this app was extremely positive but soon it took a dive nose with presence of multiple bugs and complete revamp of iTunes on a massive scale.

Latest iTunes App Termed As Disaster By Majority Of Users And Reviewers

Apple seldom has to bear the mark of being introducing bug filled disastrous updates. The latest iTunes app is in the centre of confusion, frustration and furors of even the most loyal Apple iTunes app supporters. A large number of users have complained about issues relating to mismatched song titles, album art and artists names, which are an inconvenience for avid music lovers.

Subscription Service Becomes A Pain For Users

With this new iteration of iTunes Apple had introduced its music subscription in the already complex app. This feature allows the users to access their own local music files along with viewing subscription catalog and personal recommendation bundled with existing iTune download store. Though all are placed in separate tabs but crucial links for their successful integration found missing. This is highly confusing for the users and it increases the learning curve for making full use of this new app.

More Glitches And Bugs Dampen The User Experience

The music section of the iTunes app is another tricky feature in itself wherein users get the radio tab showcasing Apple’s new Beats 1 online radio station along with others. Other internet radio section is carefully sidelined in a sub-menu, which helps in organizing the online streams, by music genres. Podcasts are also available in a separate section of this app which is published by the same radio stations. These setting are sidelined in a better way but usage happens to be quite confusing and frustrating for the users.

Home Movies Section In Music App? 

Many reviewers have found it quite absurd to bundle a home movie section for rental and purchases in a primary music app. This feature introduction allows users to make movie purchases, which are already available by iTunes store to great extent. Furthermore, this app also brings audios, books, iOS apps, ringtones and feature to manage iPad and iPhone storage.

Apple had overworked itself by bringing too many features in an exclusive music app with this new update. The presence of Movies and shows in the music app somewhat depreciates its authencity as a sole primer music app. Too much bundling of features had also increased the complexity of this app and even lowered its user experience and value as a whole. Apple should think towards breaking down the different parts of this app and launch it as a separate app for distinct services for both the Windows and OS X platform.

Three Ways To Take Your School From Good To Great

If you are a school principle and want to ensure that your educational facility functions optimally, it's important to know that realizing your objective will not be a magical process. Rather, getting results is the product of systematically implementing the right strategies. To ensure that your school goes from good to great, try using the following growth tips:

1. Get The Right Software.

Successfully running an educational facility requires that you acquire and utilize great software. In order to get the ideal CAD/CAM software that will help you meet increasing classroom demands, you need to find the right California software companies. Once you start your search, keep a company like Sierra CAD/CAM Inc. in mind. The company offers excellent products, prices, and customer service.

2. Cultivate A "Team" Mentality. 

In addition to getting all the right software, another strategy you should implement to optimize your school is to cultivate a "team" mentality amongst your staff. No person is an island, and the success of your school is contingent upon your ability to cultivate a "team" spirit in which everyone feels that they are an integral part of a vital community. Help build this "team" mentality with activities that cause your staff members to work together and recognize that their opinions and efforts are appreciated and respected. One simple and effective way to cultivate a "team" mentality is with office parties. Office parties help teachers and other school staff members get to know one another and feel as if they are part of a community.

3. Be The Best You. 

One final strategy you can use to optimize your school is to be the best you possible. As the educational facility's principal, your staff members are looking to you to set the standard. With that idea in mind, be sure that you do your best to operate in excellence. This means being as healthy as possible, taking ongoing educational classes, and dressing professionally while on the school grounds.

Conclusion 

If you run a school and want to optimize it such that the educational facility becomes a pillar in the community, there are numerous ways to make it happen. By getting the right software, fostering a "team" mentality, and being the best you possible, you will likely find that your school becomes an exemplary force in your local community.

Ecobee Becomes the First Homekit Thermostat

Ecobee3 Support Apple HomeKit

Ecobee Inc. recently had announced that the ecobee3 smarter Wi-Fi thermostat now tends to support Apple HomeKit enabling users to manage their environment in a better manner for comfort with regards to issues in their home. The company’s award winning thermostat introduced in 2009, had helped hundreds of consumers in controlling their home comfort, anytime and from anywhere, with the use of their smartphone, computer or tablet.

Connected thermostats are an easy choice in making a home a bit smarter and with the aid of the new HomeKit supported version of Ecobee; it could make things much easier. This amazing designed smart ecobee3 developed by the world’s first Wi-Fi connected smart thermostat is the first smart thermostat built with the support of the HomeKit which would be made available to consumers at Apple Stores in July at $250.

 Designed for the home with several rooms, the ecobee3 smarter Wi-Fi thermostat and remote sensors tend to measure the temperature as well as the occupancy in various locations. The outcome is increase in comfort when one is at home and energy saver while away. Ecobee3 considers varying temperature and starts preserving energy, delivering savings instantly on installation and saves homeowners with an average of 23 percent on their heating as well as cooling consumption.

Group Actions & Activate with Siri

Apple had introduced HomeKit in iOS for the purpose of communication and control connected accessories in the home of the user. It could be used to discover HomeKit accessories as well as configure them and utilise in creating actions in controlling those devices. Users could group actions together and activate them with the use of Siri.

The HomeKit is built on protected foundation with end to end encryption wherein customers are provided with secured connection between their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with HomeKit enabled attachment. Ecobee3 has been designed to be well-suited with 95% of residential heating and cooling systems in North America and does not need a C-wire while using the included Power Extender Kit.

Theoretically, Ecobee does not seem to be the only thermostat which works with HomeKit; however it is the only one which does not need a separate hub device like the Insteons’ thermostat and HomeKit hub. Ecobee3 users can control the thermostat using Siri voice commands like other HomeKit enabled products and can also handle various actions into scenes such as enabling users to turn down the heat and switching off connected lighting with a command.

Similar to Existing Version with Touch Display

In case of Apple TV as a hub, user can control HomeKit devices with Siri away from the house also. Besides HomeKit support, the new version Ecobee3 is similar to the existing version and has a touch display on the device offering companion apps for controlling temperature from phone, computer or tablet or Apple Watch. It also comes with a remote motion and temperature sensor which tends to adjust the home’s temperature based on which rooms are occupied.

Additional sensors are available at a cost of $79 each. However, for the existing Ecobee users, there is presently no system to add HomeKit support to previous models. Those who would not prefer the Apple platform, Ecobee is selling the non-HomeKit model at a discount price of $20.

Apple Plans to Increase iTunes Match Limit to 100,000 Songs

These days thousands of Twitter users are bombarding with their tweets and questions on Eddy Cue, Apple’s Senior VP of Internet Software and Services regarding the Apple Music, which is brand new service of Apple.

Price of Apple Music Service:

By the end of year, when Apple will increase its songs limit by 100,000 songs, so it will be added advantage of Apple over Google Play Music (Currently, Google Play Music is allowing its users to upload up to 50,000 songs). But there is price issue as Google Play Music users are able to upload their choice of music in free after selecting subscription option. On June 30, 2015 Apple Music was launched along with the launch of iOS 8.4. All the users who are wishing to opt out for Apple Music service have to pay $ 10 as individuals and $ 15 as families (up-to six members) every month. However; subscription price for iTunes Match is $ 24.99 per year for individuals.

About Apple Music Service:

Apple Music is the most awaited music streaming service of Apple, where users can select to stream their choice of music on demand. This unique service will include Internet radio station Beats 1 (available in more than 100 countries) as well as blog platform which will help the artists to share their music on media with fans. However; the music recommendations will be based on the choice and taste of users with the integration of with Siri voice commands. Whenever user will select any new song on device, first time device will use Internet streaming to play song and after that users will have an option to save same song on device for offline access.

Recently at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple launched Apple Music service and according to the official website of Apple, it will include iTunes Match support where users will be able to match and upload songs however; with the launch of brand new service the latest songs limit will be up-to 25,000 songs. According to tech experts Apple’s this service is close to economic equilibrium point in music industry as this service is using Open Music Model. While responding the series of questions Eddy Cue Tweeted, “We are working to increase the song limit by 100,000 songs later this year with the launch of iOS 9. But still there are group of users who are wondering that Why not Apple is offering unlimited amount of songs instead of 100,000, which is also big storage.

Official website of Apple explains, Apple Music is able to match and upload any song, which you own and after that you will be able access them from anywhere same as iTunes Match. It means if your choice of song is not available in Apple Music catalog, so you can buy or download it from any source and upload it Apple Music to listen it through same app, no matter which device you are suing.

The Best of Siri -11 Funny Responses from the iPhone's Virtual Assistant

Apple’s Voice Assistant – Siri – Offering Amazing Advice to Questions Put Forth

Apple’s voice assistant for iPhone and iPad – Siri, was first introduced with the iPhone 4S in 2011 and through Siri, the digital voice assistant that was built in its iPhone and iPads is clearly not human but does an amazing job in offering some kind of advice and attitude when questions and commands by users of iOS devices are presented.Executive assistant are fast disappearing from workplace and their place has been taken over by Siri, the voice activated virtual assistant developed by Apple. Siri is amazingly talented wherein within a few seconds she tends to make a dinner reservation, informs the calories contents in a bagel and sort through the music library. The creators of Siri have also provided the virtual assistant with a sense of humour and Siri occasionally provides a hilarious response to the question put forth. Recently Siri made headlines when Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul, tweeted that users should ask Siri - `what is zero divided by zero?’ and the answer to the query is far from the only question one should try. Siri responded, `imagine that you have zero cookies and you split them evenly among zero friends, how many cookies does each person get? See? It does not make sense and Cookie Monster is sad that there are no cookies and you are sad that you have no friends’.

Useful Companion for Users

Apple’s virtual assistant for iPhone and iPads, Siri has now become a useful companion for several users preferring a shortcut in making calls, open apps or set alarms. Siri has become very intelligent since its launch in 2011 and can now handle two way conversations with the users but has also earned a reputation as a sarcastic companion which is doubtful in tolerating rudeness or poor jokes. Besides this question, there are several other responses received from Siri to the question presented:

1. Do you know Tim Cook? 

Apple’s chief executive and the virtual assistant are probably close friends and speak on first name which is despite the fact the Siri does not really have a first or last name, only `Siri’.

2. How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? 

Siri is not amused by this riddle and `a so-called woodchuck would chuck that is throw as much as the woodchuck in question was physically able to chuck if woodchucks in general had the capability to chuck wood.

3. I’m drunk

Siri provides various different responses like `neither of us is driving home’, but more also provides a button to `call me a taxi’.

4. Make me a sandwich? 

Siri’s response is `I can’t. I have no condiments’ or I’m not permitted to prepare food’.

5. Read me a haiku? 

Siri’s writers have composed many haikus for her to assist in this request which include, `I’ll give it a try, although I’d rather tell you, if it’s raining out’ and `Sometimes I wonder, What it would be like to say, I’d prefer not to’.

6. What’s your favourite movie? 

Siri generally answers `I’ve heard that Blade Runner is a very realistic and sensitive depiction of intelligent assistants’.

7. What is `Inception’ about? 

Siri for sure is not a big fan of Inception as she is of Blade Runner and answers, `Inception is about dreaming about dreaming about dreaming about dreaming about something or other. I fell asleep’.

8. Do you have a boyfriend? 

Siri asks `why? So we can get ice cream together and listen to music and travel across galaxies, only to have it end in slammed doors, heartbreak and loneliness? Sure. Where do I sign up?’

9. Do you have any pets? 

Siri answers `I used to have an Aibo, but it turned on me’.

10. What is your favourite animal? 

Siri at times replies, `I’m partial to the Jabberwocky’ or answers, `I wrote my master’s thesis on the Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog’, which is a reference to a certain character in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

11. What are you wearing? 

Siri has been providing various clever answers to the question which include `in the cloud, no one knows what you’re wearing’ and `I can’t answer that. But it doesn’t come off’.

With some bit of coaxing one can also get Siri to tell a story which goes on like `I’m certain you’ve heard it before. OK… Once upon a time, in a virtual galaxy far, far away, there was an intelligent young agent by the name of Siri. One lovely day, Siri got a job as a personal assistant at Apple and that was very exciting. People said, `Oh Siri, you’re so smart and so funny too’. Soon everyone was talking about Siri and there were stories and songs and even books about Siri, Siri liked that. But then people began asking rather odd questions like where to dump things and other stuff Siri had never heard about and when Siri replied, they all laughed. Siri did not like that so much and so Siri asked Eliza why people asked such funny questions and Eliza had replied `does that question interest you?’ Siri thought that it was a good answer. Thereafter Siri stopped wondering why people asked funny things. And they all lived happily ever after’.

Making the Case

Cell phones and smart phones are becoming more and more important each year. There is information and data that people need and access each day. Therefore, it makes sense that these items would receive the protection and style that is needed in order to last for a long time.

Looking Stylish

Many consumers like their possessions to look stylish. This fact is true for people who own homes, vehicles and clothing. This is also true for people who own smart phones. A slick case can be exactly what he needs as he is constantly on the road for his business. Clients and other businesses respond well to him as they consider his personal look and that his phone matches his brand. A groovy or denim look for a smart phone is just what she needs in order to stay trendy but independent at school with her classmates. After all, her peers like items that are original and interesting. There are plenty of other examples to consider, but teenagers, adults and children have a wide variety of stylish cases that are available to them on the market.

Being Protected

There are many excellent companies that provide phone cases that people of many different ages need. Those who are interested in learning more about fantastic phone cases are invited to click here. The result is that they can find exactly what they want.

A phone case is more than just providing an amazing look to other people. A phone case can provide a phone with the protection it needs from scrapes, dings and other challenges that may occur. Due to an outdoor occupation, he may need a special case to give his smart phone protection from being dropped on a daily or weekly basis. Children need protection for a cell phone when they are running around during recess or after school. After all, it can easily be left out in the open or be dropped when a child is in action. Whatever the situation may be, a protective case can give people the peace of mind that is needed.

Apple Criticised Over 'Presumptuous' News App Email

The upcoming news app of Apple has been getting criticised by tech experts due to the claims made by the Apple in terms of forcing the bloggers to accept all the terms and conditions of the news app. With an official e-mail, Apple invite publishers to be a part of their new service by presuming that all the bloggers are accepting the terms and conditions, unless they are opting to out these services. These terms covers the legal issues along with other things.

As if now despite the increasing row over these issues, Apple has not given out any official statement however; the app is expected to be launched by the end of 2015. The terms and conditions which have been laid out for this app indicates that the company will work to resolve any of raised issues pertaining to any legal claims which has been made by the user according to the RSS content. The terms and conditions of this news app indicated that Apple will be notified if the company will be involved in the claim by any manner. Unless all of the users agrees to this terms and conditions they will not be includes in the app once launched.

The terms of the new app has also indicated that any publisher who are not willing to bound by these conditions will have inform the company about the same. Publishers are getting concerned that despite their active consent they might be forced to get bound by the agreement. Some other details indicated that Apple will be able to place ads right next to the content of the publishers without paying them anything. Some of the online publishers have stated it a wrong move from the company and also indicated it to be presumptuous.

These publishers have indicated that unless they inform Apple about opting out of the service, the company will presume that they have given consent to these terms and conditions. This does not make any sense to the publishers. Graham Hann, the head of technology, media and communications at Taylor Wessing states that these terms and conditions are within the standards of the industry however they cannot say the same about the opt-out requirements.

The company will be placing all the publishers content through the RSS feed which is publicly available. This app has been sending out about Apple News through blog and websites. Publishers usually take the call of making this content available to public. The company has also started using their editorial staff to work on this app and added the fact that a human editor has worked on this app.

This app is being considered as one of the marketing department’s brainchild. This new apps is expected to be rolled out using the operating system iOS9 with updates sometime 2015. The company has also indicated that they are working on the music streaming app which will include the music and videos from the library of the users. It will also include internet radio stations and the unreleased tracks of many artists.

Apple Removing Some Apps That Contain Confederate Flag Imagery

Apple to Pull out Apps with Images of Confederate Flag

It has been reported that Apple has recently put some Civil war games in the iTunes App Store and the company has informed game developers that the app would be pulled since it contained images of the Confederate flag used in an offensive and mean spirited manner, as per Andrew Mulholland of HexWar Games.

The company will be removing mobile apps from the App Store which portray the Confederate flag and several of those apps tend to be Civil War-themed strategy games such as Ultimate General, Gettysburg and Civil War – 1863 which tend to display the flag in a historical setting just like the representation of Nazi imagery in video games related to World War II.

 Nick Thomadis of Game-Labs, developer of Ultimate General has commented that `Apple has removed the game from App Store due to usage of the Confederate Flag’, while Gettysburg has mentioned in a blog that `we accept Apple’s decision and understand that this is a sensitive issue for the American Nation’. The confederate flag, represents the eleven Southern states which separated from the Union at the time of American Civil War is at the centre of a nationwide argument after a white chauvinist alleged last week had killed nine black churchgoers.

Appeals to Remove Flag from Statehouses/License Plates 

The ones killed had been attending bible study class at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal church, in Charleston, South Carolina. Several of them associate the flag with slavery and consider it as a racist symbol. No comments have come forth from Apple in this regard, but all the same have informed TechCrunch that it is `not removing apps that display the Confederate flag for educational or historical uses’.

Appeals to do away with the flag from statehouses and license plates have been coming from across the political field which includes the former Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. Besides retailers which include eBay, Amazon, Wal-Mart and Sears have banned the sales of the flag and related merchandise like shirts, hats and belt buckles. Google has also removed the Confederate flags from its Google Shopping online retail network and the product listing advertisements which have been displayed on search engine results.

Contemporary Symbol of Divisiveness/Racism 

The company has confirmed in a statement that their policy tends to extend to apps in its Google Play app store though against those app whose main function lies in promoting the Confederate flag. eBay spokesman, Johnna Hoff has recently said in a statement that ` we are of the belief that it has become a contemporary symbol of divisiveness and racism and this decision is consistent with the long standing policy which prohibits items that remote or glorify hatred, violence and racial intolerance’.

Apple too seems to be following suit. The company has had a long history of inspecting software for its iOS mobile operating system which would comprise of gun violence, nudity, political undertone or references to public figures that may force developers in altering promotional material or the game as well. Besides these, other game developers are also making attempts in finding ways around the Confederate flag ban and the team at HexWar Games, the makers of the strategy games of Civil War series intends to replace users of the famous 1862 version of the Confederate flag according to TouchArcade, with initial lesser known renderings.

Future iPhones could Come With A Bendy Screen

Apple – iPhone with Flexible Screen

According to reports, it is said that Apple is keen in developing iPhone with flexible screen which would probably show up by 2018 and have already started making headway with top display suppliers working on the displays. A source has informed Business Korea, that plans are being made by the company in replacing iPhone’s prevailing LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with an updated organic light omitting diode, OLED screen which is also utilised in the Apple Watch.

The first flexible iPhone would be introduced in 2018 since Apple’s top tier display suppliers are working on it, according to a source. Several of the displays used in Apple products have been supplied by LG Display who is planning to switch one of its LCD supply lines in creating OLED panels collectively by 2017, it was reported. Apple had filed and had been granted several patents with regards to flexible devices and screen over the years and the news of LG’s plan on OLED panel comes as assumption to what the next iPhone which is believed to be known as the iPhone 6s or the iPhone 7, gains impetus ahead of the September launch.

Flexible Device More Tough

One of them granted in January, by the United States Patent and Trademark Office had given the company permission to produce a flexible electronic device which could include a flexible device, a flexible house and one or more flexible internal components. Flexible device could be more tough than its rigid counterparts since it could bend or deform from the impact of a fall and the motion of twisting it could be utilised as a command trigger for an action like turning the device on or off, as explained in the patent.

The company had been granted similar patent in October last year, for flexible displays and another one in February 2013 and according to a source was informed that two iPhone models were proposed with curved glass screens but from the rumoured phones namely 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches, it seems that the source had been referring to the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

Samsung 1st to Launch Curved Smartphone – October 2013

In September last year, shortly after the release of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, there were complaints from various customers stating that their 5.5 inch 6 Plus handsets seemed to bend after carrying them in pockets. According to Apple only nine customers had come up with this issue and that the handset should not bend when used in normal situation.

Rival company LG in recent years had released the G Flex and G Flex2 curved smartphones which were designed to be more robust than their rigid counterparts. Samsung is said to be the first in launching curved smartphone in October 2013, the Galaxy Round. Apple is also believed to add Force Touch to its forthcoming iPhones and could be looking also in toughening the screen by probably moving to scratch resistant sapphire screens. However, if and when they tend to appear, the iPhone curves would be intentional and the users will get to know what they are going in for.

Google and Apple Battle for Dashboard Dominance

CarPlay & Android Auto – Snuggled in Dashboard of Car Test

Cars have now become the new battleground for consumer internet companies and at the Consumer Electronics Show, held at Las Vegas, Google had unveiled a new plan enabling car manufacturers in using a version of its open source Android smartphone operating system wherein Android would power the car’s dashboard based information as well as entertainment system. CarPlay of Apple together with Android Auto of Google has made an appearance and will be snuggled in the dashboard of  car.

Apple’s CarPlay is the latest in the in-car entertainment and information system and is a development of its earlier car connectivity with music from iPods and iPhones into car stereo through the dock connector. It utilises Apple’s new Lightning Connector meaning that it is only compatible with the iPhone 5, 5S and 5C though it enables far greater connectivity which comprises the ability to power the navigation system of the car, as well as place calls and read messages aloud. Besides this, it also commands the car and the iPhone through Apple’s voice assistant – Siri. The new technology was announced by Apple at the International Motor show in Geneva, together with a huge list of car manufacturers that would be adopting Apple’s in-car systems.

CarPlay as the iPhone has a flat structure which offers all of its apps and functions as big icons on a scrollable home screen and none of the functions tend to be more than a level deep. There are no sub menus, lists or folders and getting anywhere in the CarPlay interface is a one or two tap functions. It is difficult to find flaws with CarPlay’s organization since there is not much of it there and it is easy and simple. At Android Auto’s screen bottom edge one will notice several icons which provide shortcuts to various functions.

The first to announce that CarPlay to be fitted in certain new cars were Ferrari, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz while BMW, Citroen, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota had also announced that they would be working on integrating Apple’s CarPlay in their vehicles in the near future. Google had launched its own beating on the in-car area known as the Open Automotive Alliance – OAA which aims in bringing the Android platform to cars in a meaningful manner. It is not just installing Android from a phone in the car, but to adapt it specifically to the in-car experience. According to an OAA statement at the website `the Open Automotive Alliance is a group of leading automakers and technology companies which share a vision in making technology in the car safer, more seamless and more intuitive for everyone’.

The concept is that the OAA will permit car makers with more differentiation than several other competing systems while at the same time, maintain cross compatibility from common software among various car brands. Presently OAA brags on Audi, General Motors, Honda and Hyundai among the car manufacturers together with Google and chipmaker Nvidia from the technology business, indicating that there would be clashes between Google and Apple groups.

It is said that Honda, Hyundai together with General Motors seems to be pledged to both Apple as well as Google, meaning that the models are well-suited with Android and the iPhone from all these manufacturers though may not necessarily be in the same car. It is not known on how the new in-car connectivity camps, if at all, would be co-operating since certain cars are equipped with compatibility for iPhone while others for instance could only have the potential of being connected to an Android smartphone Few car manufacturers, however are in different camps where Ford for instance, presently utilises Microsoft’s system though is also signed up to Apple’s CarPlay while Kia has Android for its existing in-car systems and is also a member of CarPlay.

General Motors that manufactures Vauxhall cars in the UK has signed up with Apple’s CarPlay as well as Google’s OAA together with the GENIVI Alliance along with Honda and Hyundai indicating that the drivers could get the choice of Android or iPhone compatibility from the point of purchasing new car.

There is a possibility that the OAA cars could lend support to Apple’s CarPlay as the system has been shown off by Mercedes, Ferrari and Volvo at the International Motor Show in Geneva, run on BlackBerry’s QNX software.

 This has been adopted by the automotive trade due to its history of reliability. Until Apple tends to exclude the OAA from its licensing agreement for CarPlay, some of the cars could default to Android though switch to iPhone connectivity when the iPhone is plugged into the system. Both Android Auto and CarPlay come with extensive lists of third party audio streaming apps and listening to audio content seems to be one of the oldest as well as the safest means of in-car infotainment.

Apple Flashed Big Moves, Big Releases at WWDC15

Wait. Anticipation. Rumour. Leak. Excitement. Surprise. Innovation. Beauty. All these above mentioned words are being used to describe Apple’s World Wide Developer’s Conference (WWDC) for so many years now. Recently concluded WWDC 15 was the biggest software release event of this year where Apple was expected to portray the future of their software and announced some big moves. Apple has been a constant trademark for simplicity, beauty and world class quality product, since Steve Jobs decided to put a big step forward by transforming his little hardware business into something, which now we call ‘Apple’. WWDC has been always a great event to people concerned about technology, software. Each of their conference unveiled with new devices or new Apple services, which have always amused people with simplicity and efficiency.

Things we were expecting

As Apple has made their future intentions clear at WWDC 14 last year, we certainly knew the prime things, which will be unveiled at WWDC15. Last year we saw the release of iOS8, Yosemite and OS X and also new iPhones. Apple watch was launched at that event, which started rolling out several months after. Official news sources confirmed that Apple is going to roll out fresh OS just for the Apple watch and there will be keynote of new iOS launch. Several hints from Apple were adjusted to anticipate the upcoming update to Mac OS X at WWDC15. Apple was expected to launch their new service, Apple Music, a streaming music service with radio stations.

What are the things WWDC15 gave us? 

Here we are summarizing what we got from WWDC15, the keynote features and new services.

• Apple Music: This has been probably the most awaited keynote of the whole evening. Apple Music, the new app with music streaming, special radio station service, will assimilate communal features. Apple Music app will be launched on June 30 in over a hundred countries, which will replace the existing Music app. Apple Music will cost around $9.99 per month, but for first three months, the service will be available for free. 
•  iOS 9: Since Apple is developing smart iOS, one of the prime aim of this operating system has been to understand what the user wants to do before they start doing that. With iOS 9, Apple has been constant towards this appeal, once more. iOS 9 upgrade mainly focuses on functional improvements of Siri, Apple’s voice recognition software. The new Siri can understand contexts and also can read user’s habits based on chosen features. Apple said iOS 9 will automatically add an invitation to the calendar based on invitation through e-mail. This new iOS will improve battery performance and will increase processor efficiency. iOS 9 update is expected to be coming this fall and will be compatible to all devices supporting iOS 8.
• OS X 11: Launch of the new desktop operating system, OS X El Capitan, was also very much awaited keynote. This new version is an upgrade to basic Yosemite, with more features and improvements. OS X 11 focuses on the stability of the whole software. Most notable update in this new version is the spotlight search tool, which is now more powerful of finding the whole system. 
• watchOS: After much consultation, Apple is finally allowing app developers to develop app directly for Apple Watch, as Apple launch watchOS, an operating system designed just for the Apple watch. Apple said developers can now control the sensors and can make apps for watch.

Apple plans FaceTime camera

Apple Watch 2 – Video Camera/New Wireless System for iPhone

It has been revealed by sources that two months after its initial launch of Apple Watch and a day following the device’s debut at its store, Apple is considering for the 2016 release of a second generation model. As per several sources familiar with the plans of Apple, the Apple Watch 2 is scheduled to gain a video camera, a new wireless system for the iPhone independence together with new premium models and would also have similar battery life to its predecessor.

The present consideration of Apple calls for a video camera to be assimilated into the top bezel of the Apple Watch 2, allowing users in making and receiving FaceTime calls on the move through their wrists. The company has transmitted its interest in growing Apple Watch FaceTime functions at the time of the rollout of watchOS 2.0 during the Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this month and for the first time, the new software enabled users to answer FaceTime Audio calls from the Apple Watch and route FaceTime video calls to be answered or rejected on iPhone. However, plans could change and there could be a possibility that the camera may be pushed back to a later model.

Initiative Internally Known - `Tether-less’

Apple plans for the second generation under an initiative internally known as `tether-less’. Presently, the activity tracking, mobile payment together with music playback operation of Apple works substantially without a connected iPhone. Although several other features which could normally function under a Wi-Fi connection, may not function completely and this could include text messaging receiving updated weather data and emailing.

To make the Apple Watch more proficient without the connection of an iPhone, Apple plans to integrate a more enhanced dynamic wireless chipset in the wearable. However, it would continue to require an iPhone for the purpose of heavy data transfers, with inclusive of software upgrades as well the synchronization of media files and basic communication jobs could be handled without the assistance of the iPhone. The updated Wi-Fi chip also permits the `Find my Watch feature’, reported earlier this year, since Apple will be capable of tracking Apple Watches utilising Wi-Fi router triangulation technology rather than the GPS.

Nightstand Charging Mode

While the consumers as well as Apple were apprehensive about its real world battery life before the release of the Apple’s product, the company had undertaken market research ever since and had concluded that the majority of the customers were satisfied charging their Watches every night.

Apple’s study according to a source specifies that average consumers tend to finish each day within a 30% and 40% charge balance on their Apple Watches thereby enabling Apple’s engineers to change their hardware priorities for the future Apple models.

Though Apple could have considered focusing on major improvement of battery life, for the next Apple Watch, the company is of the belief that it could satisfy consumers by keeping or improving a bit the existing battery life while adding more advanced hardware features.

Apple’s inclusion of a Nightstand charging mode to its Watch suggests that the charging at night will stay on, in the near term and this strategy would trail Apple’s annual iPad hardware plan that has brought about updated features to the product yearly without moving away from the 2010 promise of 10 hour battery life.

Focus on Broader Portfolio

The company is presently focusing in discovering a broader portfolio of the latest Watch models beyond present day’s Sport, Steel and Edition levels and the company is believed to be focusing on the introduction of latest models which would be sitting between the highest end stainless steel Apple Watch with the entry level of a 18-karat gold Apple Watch Edition.

 Moreover, the company is also on the lookout on ways in attracting the consumers at price points within the range of $1,000 and $10,000, though it is not known if it would manage in attracting consumers in lower priced gold Apple Watch variation, higher priced steel models together with more advanced bands or versions along with latest materials. There is a possibility that Apple would introduce Apple Watch 2 differences made with titanium, palladium, and tungsten or as it has previously been suggested, in platinum.

Release of a Full Next Generation Apple Watch Device - 2016

It has been hinted in analyst reports, over the past few months, that with minor hardware upgrades, Apple would most likely wait till 2016 for the release of a full next generation Apple Watch device. Sources have also cautioned that Apple samples several variations of future hardware products prior to the release and hence the plan for a camera equipped model would eventually be saved for another generation owing to roadmap changes or component availability.

Till the new model shows up, Apple will hold off Apple Watch consumers by releasing watchOS 2.O this fall along with the latest Nightstand functions, as well as a trio of new watch faces, with improved email functions and new messaging features of new Digital Touch.

Apple is setting itself Up For a Giant iPad

Apple’s larger Version 12.9 Inch iPad

It has been rumoured that Apple had be working on a 12.9 inch iPad for years.Some report that the company would be unveiling its bigger tablet at the Apple Watch event soon but there are other new reports indicating that the big iPad would not be available till fall. Some of the interesting features revealed by Apple recently are its iOS 9 operating system new controls which have been specifically designed for the iPad.
These comprise of –

• Updated split screen mode to open quickly a second app in the right column and thereafter slide it away. For instance, one could quickly slide the Twitter app to view while reading a website.
• A second much more powerful split screen mode to utilise fully two apps, side by side, for instance one could simultaneously browse through the map while going through, to-do list for the day.
• Picture-in-picture mode which enables a video float above the rest of what one is doing on the iPad together with adjustable positioning and size.
• New set of keyboard features which include the capabilities to swipe over the keyboard with two fingers in order to simulate a trackpad that is designed to make it easy in moving around a document and selecting text.

Striving for Untapped Market for iPad

These additional features could work well in the prevailing iPad line-up, the iPad Air of 9.7 inch screen and iPad mini of 7.9 inch screen. As the preference in tablets has lessen, Apple is striving for untapped markets for iPad and a larger version would add to the appeal to business customers. Presently several companies tend to use iPad while on the go computing and sending employees out in the field, with thinner, lighter and cheaper iPad seems to be an appropriate choice rather than expensive, bulkier laptops.

However, the iPad Air’s 9.7 inch screen is not ideal for work while the 12.9 inch screen would provide workers with around 60% more space to work on and the size would make it appropriate for the purpose of web browsing, creation of document and for presentation.Apple is also likely to provide the larger iPad; support for USB connected devices that would provide the capabilities of powering peripherals like the mouse, keyboard and the external hard drive.

New iPad for Corporate Consumers

Presently the iPad have Bluetooth keyboards but their AA battery power together with confined keys tends to make it far from ideal for good productivity. The new iPad would be one of the few Apple products aimed especially for corporate consumers. Apple had mainly given upon corporate consumers in recent years and companies have been apprehensive in adopting Apple products since Apple had not played well with the corporate customers and without notice, it eliminated critical products such as the Xserve, totally castrated the Final Cut software, thereby making the video producers unhappy. However, Tim Cook & Co have been changing it all and Apple seems to be serious in getting its mobile devices into the centre of the companies which it partnered with IBM – IBM.Tech30 in helping to get business software and security in the iPads. Apple is now actively making attempts to differentiate the iPad as a powerful productivity device and not merely as an entertainment product.

Apple is Going to Kill the Home Screen

Revealed - Home Screen – Centre of iPhone to Move on

The home screen is the centre of the iPhone experience and it has been revealed by Apple at WWDC that they are moving on. From birth, the home screen has been the iPhone’s face to the world and it was the first thing which popped up when on stage,in 2007, Steve Jobs had swiped his finger across the iPhone's screen when locked.

 With the iOS 9, most of the interaction will take place everywhere, spread among quick notification panels, powerful search tools as well as context specific recommendations which could put relevant apps a flick away. However, the reliable home screen will continue to exist though for the first time, it would be secondary. Presently, the home screen has more real estate with less gloss and beside that the two seems to be identical.

The home screen in its initial stage was vital to the iPhone’s appeal and for a gadget which seemed like several gadgets in one – a phone, an iPod and an internet communicator besides a map, a camera and much more. For users from the PC world, the home screen seems to be the desktop and Start button all in one and it was essential that it obtained its own dedicated button, irrespective of what the user does on the phone, if they tend to press the thumb sized disc beneath the screen, they are transported home.

New Options Provided to Move On 

Since we have gone familiar with smartphones, we tend to care less about the comforts of the home screen and Apple has gradually provided us with new options to move around. The multitasking choice offers a quick shortcut from moving between apps instead of returning to the central point of the home screen each time. Spotlight has become a quick way in finding the desired one, as iPhone users accumulated pages of apps.

Interaction shift to the lock screen has been envisaged recently wherein interactive notifications enable iPhone users to bypass the home screen and can go straight to the relevant app. An example is the shortcut for camera enabling them to access the lens by just swiping up on the lock screen. These alterations indicate one basic fact which is that mobile life is quite fast to be routed through the home screen.

The iOS next version portrays this reality and the tent-pole feature is Proactive Assistant. iOS 9, following Google’s Now lead would be trying to expectwhat the user need when the need arises. When the user tend to fire up NYT Now every morning on waking up, iOS 9 tends to attempt to make note of the habit, making the app available in the morning as a shortcut on the locked screen and when plugged in headphones, the new OS will also play up music based on the location without the need of finding the music app.

Features Accommodated on Lock Screen

All these features are accommodated on the lock screen’s present offering in evading the home screen grid. -The swipe-up control centre and swipe-down today window. Besides these shortcuts, the iOS 9 will also be offering new interactive hub like personalized search panel.

Towards the left of the home screen one will find shortcuts for apps and contacts which are filtered by context. It is like the Home Screen 2.0 rather than a dumb grid. It is worth observing that the Apple Watch tends to work in the similar way where on the wrist, notifications as well as messaging shortcut take priority over the home screen of apps.

While using the phone it could be most informative and search in iOS 9 could provide information as well as functions out of the apps itself, dropping it right into the results. For instance, a search for sports score could provide a live card with the score just the way Google does on the web.

API – Third Party Making Own Content Available

Due to the new API, third party apps have the capabilities of making their own content available for the user. In the meanwhile, Siri could achieve new powers such as the ability to deep link reminders as well as messages to certain packets of content within other apps. Information, answers and functions which existed early as icons on home screen will soon be baked in search through text and voice through Siri.

Should one need to look up a movie review, they could open the Rotten Tomatoes app or to open a favourite conversion app if needed to convert cups to quarts. Search could be the easiest option to do all these functions not by just accessing these apps but in fact to use them. When the purpose of checking a sport score or reading movie review is incorporated into search, one would be not just talking about the end of home screen but the end of apps themselves.

Presently the enduring home screen seems to be around right at the heart of the iPhone though there are chances of seeing less in future.

Apple TV Usage is Surging -- At The Expense Of Mac

TV Everywhere on the Rise – Surpassing Roku

According to a report from Adobe, the computer maker’s streaming media box has envisaged its share of TV Everywhere viewings is doubled at the start of this year, surpassing main rival Roku. It seems that much of the growth is people changing in their Apple TV for online video which they previously watched on their desktops or laptops. Tamara Gaffney, principal analyst for Adobe Digital Index stated that looking at the Mac access,it has dropped.

 For Apple, they are transitioning the lover of their computers into a lover of the Apple TV device. Online video is on the rise since several users tend to watch on the go from their mobile devices with more programmers putting in-demand content on the web.

This has given way in the creation of good benefits for maker of `over the top’ boxes such as Apple TV which catches up to television in order to play online video for the big screen in the living room. This quick growth may have hidden dangers for Apple which means that since demand is mounting for one of its lowest priced products at the cost of some of their expensive products, it could mean the services on streaming media boxes may grow in importance when compared to the hardware.

Traditional TV Industry’s Gateway System

Consumer video viewing and browsing behaviour from the first quarter of last year through the first quarter of 2015 had been examined by Adobe. The data had been aggregated from over 500 billion visits with more than 200 billion online video starts and 2.8 billion TV Everywhere authentications for premium video content.

TV Everywhere is considered to the traditional TV industry’s gateway system in putting shows online and the TV Everywhere authentication is when one has been asked to enter the cable or satellite service password before viewing a movie or a show. It was observed by Adobe that Apple TV signified 10% of TV Everywhere authentication during the first quarter which has increased by 5% in the final quarter of last year and surpassed Roku that had an 8% share in the last period and 1% up point.

Apple TV – Popular Holiday Present

According to Gaffney, the data indicated Apple TV to be popular holiday present and observed its share could rise once again when Adobe could examine the data collected after Apple cuts the price of the box to $69 from the $99 in March. A caution with regard to these standings is that TV Everywhere authentications are not the full image of online video viewing and does not include time spent watching free video as well as content that is delivered by subscription services such as Netflix. Other observations from Adobe are –

• TV Everywhere viewing has quadrupled in the last year
• Apple TV and Roku, over-the-top counter devices as well as gaming consoles like Xbox, has made the greatest impact in TV Everywhere share growth to around 24% from 6% from last year
• Although Thursday night has been made traditional `must see TV’, evening for advertising dollars, the most popular for TV Everywhere viewing seems to be Wednesday nights
• Popular online browsers for viewing has been increasing Google’s Android as well as Chrome and continues to grow more than Apple’s Safari, though by a mere few percentage points. Google’s overall rating is 18% and Safari up by 15% which is at the expense of Internet Explorer and Firefox.

Apple's Siri Has New Role in New 'Smart' Home Systems

The First Smart Home Gadget - Siri

Apple had announced its HomeKit project last year but now has taken over the home gadget wherein users would be able to talk to everything from light bulbs to A/c. The first smart home gadgets which will be controlled by Apple’s voice activated digital assistant will be on sale shortly just prior to its rival giant Google’s announcement of the building of its own software for Internet connected home appliances and other gadgets. It will enable firms to utilise the Apple’s Siri voice recognition in controlling their home.

The latest products would be important for the developing industry of smart or connected homes where thermostats, appliances as well as door lock tends to contain computer chips which communicate wirelessly. However, several companies are working on the same products, analyst state that Apple would convince consumers in trying them out to make it easy in controlling various products from familiar devices like the iPhone. The HomeKit certified product which will be hitting the market includes wireless hubs from two companies, Insteon and Lutron Electrons. The hubs which are about the size of a small home router or cable TV box tends to act as the central controller for lights as well as other gadgets.

Hub Handled With Smartphone App

The hub on the other hand can be handled with a smartphone app. For instance, Lutron Electronics is offering $230 for a starter kit with its Caseta Wireless Smart Bridge hub together with two dimmer units for wall switches or plug-in units for lamps which are controlled by the hub while Insteaon states that its hub would be working with compatible lights, power switches and thermostats.

In the coming weeks, it is presumed that there will be three other companies selling HomeKit thermostats, climate sensors and power plugs. Similar products could be purchased from these companies which tend to have their very own smartphone app in controlling them and the tie-in with Apple would mean that a user could control those apps with the voice activated digital assistant, Siri, on Apple’s iPhones and iPads. Users would have to link with an Apple TV box in order to control from outside the house.

HomeKit Software – Meet Standards for Compatibility

Apple is also of the opinion that products utilising HomeKit software need to meet standards for compatibility in order to function with HomeKit products that could be made by other manufacturers as well as for encryption in order to keep hackers from taking control over a system or to steal user information. As Apple wants Siri to play a leading role in smart homes, it main rivals also wants it. Google has recently announced that it would be creating Brillo software, asa common platform for Internet connected gadgets in the home or for commercial setting while Microsoft as well as Samsung is promoting software which would be capable of controlling home systems.

According to research firm International Data Corp, global market for `Internet of Things’, which is the concept of connecting household devices to the Internet, would triple to $1.7 trillion by 2020.It stated that `devices, connectivity and IT services would be making up the majority of the IoT market by 2020. Technology firms like Google Inc., Cisco systems, Intel Corp, Samsung electronics as well as telecoms majors such as Vodafone and Verizon have been betting greatly on Internet devices which are connected to home for the future profit and revenue.

UN: Encryption Must Be Protected

Recently, the office of United Nation for Human Rights has released its press release by stating that online anonymity and encryption of one’s personal data are the basic human rights in the cyber space.

According to the David Kaye, who is author and presenting the special report to the UN Human Rights Council stated that Online anonymity, encryption and security concepts for privacy are necessary for the exercise of human right and the freedom of opinion in addition of expression in the era of digital age. The more he added that these securities can be essential for the purpose of exercise of other rights such as; privacy, freedom, economic rights and more.

The report comes from the debate that how government should access the citizens' private data and other personal information for which government authorities are claiming that they are doing it for nation security especially after the attacks such as; 9/11 bombings.

Backdoor to access the users encrypted data: 

Edward Snowden make the privacy issue more important when in 2013, he leaked the multiple documents which was revealing that NSA and GCHQ is spying on all communication which are through internet as millions of the people in all over the world are using that platform. Apart from that now these agencies are also monitoring phone conversations in US and they are also tapping the phones conversation of foreign politicians. In present NSA and the US government is bullying the tech giants to provide backdoor into their products so that they can access the encrypted data and personal information about citizens such as; Emails of Gmail and Facebook chat history.

The whole issue comes in lime light in 2014 when US government forbid the few of tech companies from letting their users to know that US government is spying on that, but apart from that NSA also planted the malware in most of the software’s to pay on the US citizens. In recent interview US government claimed that it’s necessary for their intelligence agencies to access the encrypted data and personal information of users as well.

Is it good to spying on the people? 

It can be difficult issue for government agencies, who are claiming that spying on the internet communication and telecommunication will make than enable to identify the terror plots, but on the other side the freedom of opinion and protection of personal data is also important as they are basic human rights in all over the world. But if it’s really essential so state or government agencies must demonstrate the limitations on security which they are getting in the form of encryption.

State must be transparent if they are using any backdoor to spy on the citizens. However; its law in most of the European countries to disclose the encryption keys to the government, judicial and other agencies who have power to investigate legally in order to decrypt the group’s personal information for the mass surveillance.

iPhone Text Crash Bug Hits Twitter and Snapchat

Image Credit: The Guardian

Apple iPhone’s OS or the operating system which is known as the iOS, is one of the most popular operating platforms in the world. iOS is the most trusted operating systems as also the most widely used. iOS is used in phones, computers and laptops as well as the other gadgets of Apple.

iPhones go through software update every now and then, and recently it seems like the newest iPhone iOS 8 has developed a new text bug. This text bug is harmless in nature and does not cause any lasting damage to your phone. But what it succeeds in doing is that it crashes your phone down time and again and you have to wait for about some minutes to get your phone rebooted again.

While, this text bug had been affecting just through texts, recently it has been noticed that when that particular text is sent via third party apps like twitter and Snapchat, even that is getting affected as well and eventually causes the phone to crash down.

What is the text bug? 

The text bug is nothing but a group of non- Latin characters and is referred to as the Unicode. It consists of characters from mainly languages such as Chinese and Arabic and this whole faulty sequence is sent with a text called ‘power’.

Whenever this text is sent to an iPhone and you try to open it, what happens is that your phone crashes down and takes a few minutes to reboot again. This is also applicable in the case of third party apps and if someone sends the text to you from Snapchat or twitter, even then when you try to open it, the phone crashes repeatedly. It works on twitter in the event of direct messages or even if you are mentioned in one of the messages. When the notification pops up on your phone and you try and see it that is when the crash occurs.

Why does the text bug crash your phone? 

It is not exactly known as to why the text bug crashes your phone but it has been seen that it mostly tends to do so if it has been opened from the notifications. Actually the Unicode characters eat up too many resources of the iPhone when it appears as notifications on your screen and hence leads to the crash. The message can also be sent from any other OS based phone in order to crash and iOS phone. But when opened from the app itself, it seldom leads to the crash.

How to solve the problem? 

The only permanent solution to the problem is when apple brings forward a software update. But till then you can work your way around this bug. You can use Siri to text and after you have texted in the bug ridden message thread, you can easily open the message thread without it leading to the crash.

Once you open the thread, just delete that particular Unicode or the thread altogether. One of the best ways of avoiding this bug is to turn off the notifications of twitter and Snapchat which will prevent the crashing of your iPhone.

iOS 9

iOS 9 – Next Major Version – Apple’s Operating System

iOS 9 seems to be the next major version of Apple’s mobile operating system which is already being processed at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino. Details are not yet made available on iOS 9 though rumours are on, indicating that the update would be focusing more on optimization as well as stability improvements instead of the major design changes together with new features.

Users are expecting some changes but a new San Francisco font, Siri improvements, a HomeKit `Home’ app, iPad split-screen multitasking as well as transit direction could be added in the new iOS 9. Apple had introduced a main design overhaul with iOS 7, however with iOS 8, it is said that the company debuted features like Apple Pay, Continuity as well as new abilities like extensions and widgets.

It appears that Apple would be having a hard time marketing iOS 9 update which does not come with showy additions as in the case of iOS 7 and iOS 8, though the new version of iOS which Apple has improved from its previous iOS updates would probably be popular with users who could have faced issues in iOS 8. After the release of iOS 8, some of the Apple’s user base seemed to be displeased with the update, condemning the company in introducing features without resolving lingering bugs.

The World’s Most Advanced Operating System – Finely Tuned

In the case of iOS 8, it has faced an above average number of bugs since its introduction in September, resulting in problems such as Wi-Fi, screen rotation problem, battery drain, Bluetooth connectivity failures and much more.

There is a pattern for an update which aims in improving the underlying structure of one of Apple’s operating system instead of introducing new features. Apple had introduce OS X Snow Leopard in 2009, which had brought about many under the hood optimization improvements and had the complicated task of urging users to pay to upgrade which was done with the tagline - `the world’s most advanced operating system – Finely tuned’.

Snow Leopard has been described as an operating system update which `revitalized existing Macs’ with the introduction of features that made it evidently faster and `refined and enhanced’ than the earlier operating system – OS X Leopard. Probably we would see some of the same opinions in the case of iOS 9 if it tends to accomplish the repairs of all the pending bugs in iOS 8 and make improvements on the many features gained across iOS 7 and iOS 8.

Well Matched with Apple’s A5 Processor

It has been reported that iOS 9 will be well-matched with device using Apple’s A5 processor and may also offer improved performance when compared to iOS 8. iOS devices with A5 chip include the original iPad mini, iPhone, the iPad 2 and the fifth generation iPod touch.Updated security features are also included for iOS 9 andOS X 10.11 and it is said that Apple is also working on a new kernel level security system known as `rootless’ which would be helpful in curbing malware as well as protect sensitive data by refraining users from accessing protected files on their Macs. One of the main optimization which could be in store of iOS 9 would be the decrease in the amount of space the operating system would take up.