Hacker 'Guccifer' Jailed for Four Years

A hacker that is believed to hails from Romania who has targeted US politicians that maintain a high profile has been sentenced to a prison period of 52 months. His name is Marcel Lazar however online he is commonly known as "Guccifer". It was in May that he pleaded guilty for theft of aggravated identify as well as access of computers that were unauthorized.

Marcel Lazar is known to have targeted many individuals such as the ex-secretary of state –Mr. Colin Powell as well as many members of the Bush family. In the year 2014 Marcel Lazar was arrested in Romania for a period of 4 years on charges for his hacking. While in March 2016 Marcel Lazar was handed over to face charges in the US.

44 year old Marcel Lazar is known to have uncovered Hillary Clinton, the presidential nominees email account back in the year 2013 by breaking into Hillary's former political advisor - Sidney Blumenthal's account.

After a mere two years it has been understood that Mrs Clinton made use of her personal account exclusively and that account was connected to a server which was private at her residence in New York while she was serving as secretary of state.

A while later, it became a matter of FBI investigation that Hillarys private email was being made use of while she was at the State Department. This investigation has followed her on the campaign trail as well which is pretty recent.

Clinton's 'email gate' diced and sliced

It was some time previously in this year that Marcel Lazar stated that Mrs Hillarys private server had been hacked by him, however this claim has been denied by the Clinton campaign as there has been no breach noticed by them. At the same time, the FBI also stated that nothing has been found to state and ensure that Marcel Lazar has hacked Hillary. Marcel Lazar, prior to this, in Romania was a taxi driver by profession and in the duration of 2012-2014 is known to have hacked into approximately 100 email accounts of the US which is beyond belief.

Democratic hack: Who is Guccifer 2.0? 

It was not so long ago in June this year itself that a hacker who goes by the name "Gucffier 2.0" online claimed that he had acquired data on the Democratic National Committee as well as the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The officials of the US intelligence seem believe that there is a definite link between Guccifer 2.0 and the Russian intelligence services, they also suggest that the hacking was sponsored by the state which could lead to high levels of unrest if found to be true.

However until date there has been no connection found between Marcel Lazar and Guccifer 2.0. Nonetheless investigations regarding the same are still being carried out so as to crosscheck if there is any connection as well as work towards bringing an end to the hacking.

Apple May Launch 'All Glass' iPhone in 2017

Apple’s All-Glass iPhone – 2017

One can expect an all-glass iPhone probably by 2017. Foxconn, the supplier for Apple has been developing a glass casing for the iPhone which is likely to show up in 2017 as per a report on the Japanese website, Nikkei. The latest iPhone design of Apple is believed to have a glass chassis to enhance the slowing demand of Apple’s main products.

Reports by Apple on its first decline in the sales of iPhone in the quarter which ended in March has been considering on means of countering tough competition from its opponents like South Korea’s Samsung Electronics.

Foxconn which has been assembling iPhone presently provides the metal casings for Apple and has been developing the new glass casing that would be out in 2017 according to the website report. India, the world’s third largest smartphone market after China and US, had faced a 35% fall in the market share of Apple, where 800,000 smartphones had been shipped to India, by Apple in Q2 2016. This is in comparison to the 1.2 million smartphones it had shipped during the same quarter the previous year, as per a report from Strategy Analytics.

Featuring Curved OLED Display

The latest iPhone besides an all-glass design would also feature a curved OLED display. And an addition feature which could make an appearance is something which has been considered is possibly of getting rid of the Home button.

There have been reports regarding Apple implementing the Home key within the display though till now it has not been possible. The information tends to come from an insider having access to the Chinese production company and stated that Foxconn has been working on glass bodywork for the 2017 iPhone right from 2015 and has gone through various design models.

Moreover, the report also added that it expects the 2017 iPhone model to have a glass frame, front as well as back for the complete glass build, complete with an AMOLED display panel together with a Touch ID Home key accompanied with fingerprint scanner which is inserted below the display.

However with the arrival of 3D Touch together with the latest AMOLED display technology, getting the Home Key in the display is actually a go ahead sign for the 2017 release of iPhone.

More Multifaceted Tactile Vibrations on Display

According to BGR, the 2017 iPhone of Apple would be capable of creating more multifaceted tactile vibrations on the display due to a tiny though high-performance motor which has been equipped within. The trackpad on the revamped MacBook of Apple is entirely stationary with no `click button. On the contrary, the MacBook has a system of well-designed sensors together with vibration, providing the users with the tangible feedback they are familiar to.

Those familiar with the new MacBook could confirm that the implementation is impeccable if not strange. This is the technology which will basically enable Apple to do away with the requirements of a physical Home button. This means that for the overall design and appearance of the iPhone it is likely that the phone would look and operate extraordinarily to the earlier ones. Consumer response to the latest iPhone is yet to be seen.

Top Five Features of New Macbook OS

Macbook OS Making Way for New OS – Sierra

Mac’s operating system has been exterminated making way for a new OS nicknamed Sierra. The forthcoming OS would be a free update providing a complete new user experience. Though it would not be available to customers till later in the year, news.com.au has been playing around with the beta for the past few weeks. The following are the five most remarkable features of the new Macbook OS:

1. Notification Centre 

The first obvious modification of the OS is a new background and restored Notifications Centre which is totally customised with things that are utilised the most which means that one can search for things often, pinning them in the Notification Centre to reduce the need of searching them constantly.

2. Siri Integration 

After the success of Microsoft with Cortana, Siri had been introduced by Apple to the Mac and the features can be accessed on clicking the logo in the dock, the Menu Bar or by utilising a keyboard shortcut. Inspite of the entire regular features, Siri tends to have the latest competences that have been designed only for the desktop. In order to test it, Siri was asked to show all the word documents on the Macbook and she was capable of doing so,effortlessly. This provides the possibilities of multi-tasking together with the daily task with much easy.

3. Picture in Picture

This feature is said to be a game changer with Apple, with the introduction of the ability of watching a video while simultaneously performing another task on the Mac. Basically one can float a video window from Safari or iTunes over the desktop or a full screen app. Moreover the video can be re-sized giving more or less space in completing whatever tasks one could be working on. Only a handful of sites tend to support this feature presently, though it is difficult to believe that more would not come along when the OS would be made public.

4. Copy and Paste

The upcoming iOS 10 and OS Sierra would be providing improved communication between all the Apple devices. One of the advantages is that of having your Desktop and Document folder available on all the devices, where the folders would be stored and updated in iCloud Drive, automatically. But the Universal Clipboard here is said to be the real winner. The feature also tends to make it easy in sharing information between Apple products by enabling copying from one device and pasting it on to another.

Storing Optimisation 

Sierra tends to make it stress-free to make space on the computer through the use of four choices namely-

• Store in iCloud: It tends to store all the files as well as images in the iCloud with only the recently opened items stored physically on the Mac. 
• Storage optimise: It tends to remove all iTunes movies and TV shows one has already watched from the Mac, automatically. 
• Erase trash automatically: It erases the files that are in the Trash for over 30 days 
• Reduce Clutter: It tends to collect the older documents that have been stored on the Mac for the user to decide on deleting them.

Siri's Voice to Benefit from Machine Learning Improvements in Apple's iOS 10

Extensive Improvement in Digital Personal Assistant – Siri

When iOS 10 had been introduced earlier in the year by Apple, one of the tent-pole additions in the software of the company had been extensive improvement in the digital personal assistant – Siri. Over the years, Siri has been progressing due to a focus on machine learning and new features combined in the mobile operating system, enabling third party application developers in gaining access on stock apps as well as their features. Siri would be getting a big enhancement with iOS 10 later in the year.

Siri’s voice could be more natural when iOS 10 tends to arrive this fall probably this September owing to its machine learning technology which Apple would be implementing according to an interview disclosed recently. Steven Levy had an impressive interview on Backchannel with various executives of Apple including Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services, Eddy Cue, Phil Schiller and Craig Federighi.

Plenty of focus has been drawn on Siri, with improvements and how it would impact Apple’s progress. The interview did not begin with the statement with regards to Siri but expressed as to why Siri was so important for Apple’s progress and how would the digital personal assistant become over the years as well as why iOS 10 would be a big upgrading over all that has already been upgraded over a period of time.

Replacing Earlier Licensed Implementation

With the release of iOS 10, this fall, Siri’s voice would be the last of the four components which would be transformed by machine learning and a deep neural network is said to be replacing the earlier licensed implementation. Tom Gruber, head of advanced development for Siri, observed that when the responses of the assistant are yet being darned together from the central database of recordings, the machine learning tends to smooth out sentences, making Siri sound much more human.

The robotic- sounding voice of Siri has frequently been deceived and disapproved. Recently singer Barbra Streisand had contacted the CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, complaining regarding the way Siri pronounced her last name. Cook had replied that he would look into the problem in the forthcoming update which could have been a situation to the upgrade of Siri. The interview featuring executives such as senior VPs Eddy Cue together with Craig Federighi, observed that Apple had moved the voice recognition of Siri to a neural net-based system.

Enhanced Ability of Siri in Comprehending Commands

It is said that the technology has extremely enhanced the ability of Siri in comprehending commands. Federighi has commented that Apple had plenty of people working on the machine learning technology comprising of not only Siri but also things such as palm rejection for the Apple Pencil, though there is no central machine learning group.

Apple had moved Siri voice recognition to a neural-net based system for US users late one July day which went worldwide on August 15, 2014. Few of the earlier techniques seemed to stay operative, which comprises of the `hidden Markov model, though presently the system leverages machine learning techniques, together with deep neural networks, convolutional neural networks, long short-term memory units, gated recurrent unites and n grams.

Siri will still seem to look the same when users tend to upgrade, though now it has been supercharged with deep learning.

Apple says opening up iPhone NFC would ‘fundamentally diminish’ security as Australian banks resist Apple Pay

Banks Teaming to Get NFC for Digital Wallet Application

Apple has not taken well the way banks have been teaming up to get their own products on the iPhone which became clear when three Australian banks attempted to pressure the tech giant in giving it access to the iPhone’s near-field communication – NFC, chip for their own digital wallet application. NFC enables the user to tap your iPhone at the register in order to pay for the goods and services.

Apple Pay tends to permit iPhone and Apple Watch users in making contactless disbursements at merchandising outlets in the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, France, Switzerland and Australia. Users need to just tap their devices on normal merchant contactless terminals for disbursement rather than utilising cash or debit/credit card.

Apple Pay will be coming to the web later in the year, supporting Apple Pay transaction on macOS also. Apple had made a formal complaint to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in reaction to conflict from Australian financial institutions in accepting Apple Pay. Apple has stated that the three largest banks of the country have formed an anticompetitive union and together have been dictating terms of new payment business models such as Apple Pay.

Enabling Banks – Weakens Security

Apple had responded to their request recently with strongly phrased letter which was revealed on Tuesday clarifying that enabling the banks in having their way would essentially weaken the high level of security which Apple has focused to have on the devices.

The NFC of the iPhone is said to be the critical piece of tech which tends to power Apple Pay and the company has kept it under lock and key which is utilised mainly for its own service. Apple Pay introduction had given rise to customer awareness in mobile expenses and hundreds of monetary institutions all over the world have partnered with Apple Pay to enable their customer to connect their bank accounts to their iPhone digital wallets. However, Australia tends to claim of only one participating bank, namely ANZ.

So far Apple has been unsuccessful in negotiating the terms with any of its competitors that seems to be jointly refusing the services.The National Australia Bank, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Westpac Banking Corp are making efforts of challenging the digital wallet monopoly of Apple on the iPhone by appealing to the regulator, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, of the country.

Regulator to Consider Arguments of Both Group

They desire approval to negotiate with Apple with the expectation of installing their own mobile payment scheme on the device. However, Apple is not having any of it and in its letter to the regulator has send a warning to the banks that it would not permit external parties to control its future hardware and software verdicts, particularly when they team up against the company.

It reads thus “allowing the banks to form a cartel to collectively dictate terms to new business models and services would set a troubling precedent and delay the introduction of new, potentially disruptive technologies”.

The complete letter also comprises of specific legal arguments by Apple on why the requests of the banks should not be taken ahead by the ACCC. After August, the regulator would begin to consider the arguments of the groups from both ends inclusive of Apple and the banks. No comments have been provided from the representative of the banks, to the requests for comment.

Apple Said to Plan First Pro Laptop Overhaul in Four Years

MacBook Pro Laptop – Thinner/Touch Screen Strip/Powerful/Efficient

According to some source, Apple is organizing its first significant overhaul of its MacBook Pro laptop line in over four years and will be utilising one of its older products in helping to reverse two quarters of sliding sales. The latest notebooks would be thinner, comprising of a touch screen strip for function keys and would be provided with more powerful as well as efficient graphics processors for expert users like video gamers, as per unnamed source.

The updated computers is said to be in advanced testing since early this year within Apple, as reported by some source who did not wish to be identified discussing the product before its release. As per some source, the MacBook Pros are not likely to be unveiled at an event which has been scheduled for September 7 to introduce the next-generation versions of the iPhone.

Spokesman Bill Evans of Apple refrained from commenting. Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple signalled the tablets as probable laptop replacements by stating the iPad as a `post-PC’ device when it had been launched in 2010 though products such as the MacBook Pro had portrayed amazing flexibility. The sales of Macs inclusive of Pro line had ascended by 6% to $25.5 billion in the last fiscal year, while iPad sales fell 23% to $23.2 billion.

Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

MacBook Pro’s overhaul this year is targeted at increasing notebook sales at a time when consumers seem to be taking longer in buying or replacing iPads. Apple research has advised customers to upgrade iPad approximately every three years, while purchasing new iPhones every 18 to 24 months as per source familiar with the strategy of Apple.

This helps in understanding why iPad sales had tumbled from a peak in 2013. The most noteworthy addition to the latest MacBook Pro is a secondary display directly above the keyboard which tends to replace the standard function key row. As an alternative to physical key, a strip-like screen would be functioning on an as-needed basis which seems to fit the present job or use.

The smaller display would be utilising Organic Light-Emitting Diodes, which is thinner, lighter with a sharper screen technology, as per Ming-Chi Kuo, analyst of KGI Securities who mentioned it earlier this year. The objective of Apple with regards to the dedicated function display is to simplify keyboard shortcuts which is usually utilised by experienced users.

Casing – Shallower Curves Around Edges

The panel is said to theoretically portray media playback controls when iTunes is open though it would be displaying editing commands such as cut and paste during word processing work, according to some source. Moreover the display would also permit Apple to add new buttons through software updates instead of, through more costly slower hardware recharges.

The new top-of-the-line MacBook Pros would be slightly thinner than the prevailing models though are not narrow like the MacBook Air and modern 12-inch MacBook, according to sources. The fresh MacBook Pros have a smaller footprint than the present models and the casing tends to have shallower curves around the edges.

The source had also informed that the pressure-sensitive trackpad also seemed to be slightly wider. The new design would comprise of USB-C technology, a multifunctional kind of port which can manage charging, data transfers and display connectivity. Apple is also considering gray, gold and silver colours to its new line of product like the other products such as iPhone, iPad and the 12-inch MacBook. I

t is not known whether the coloured Pro laptops would be made available when the new line would be released.

Faster Apple Watch 2 With GPS to Launch Later This Year

Of news and rumours about Apple watch 2

We may already know a great deal about the next iPhone already, however, details of a possible Apple Watch upgrade have been on show by their absence keeping in mind the original model was declared more less two years ago. An investor note sent out by Ming-chi Kuo, a well-connected analyst obtained by Apple insider and Mac Rumors gave us the first clue of what Apple has in hoard. It is believed that for 2016 Apple was planning two new models of the watch.

The greater update, called ‘Apple Watch 2’ as of now, will apparently have the same common design as the present watch, but will comprise of new interior mechanisms like a GPS radio, a barometer, a sleeker display and a new and a more rapid, 16nm processor from TSMC. These features demand a greater battery life according to Ming-chi, inhibiting Apple from reducing the device’s dimensions. The second Apple Watch of 2016 won’t have much of an upgrade.

According to the note, it will not have Apple Watch 2’s new features, and the built-up design will remain the same with a few updated constituents. It may set a price cut for the series. Also, an additional model having a parallel form factor is anticipated to be launched next year in conjugation with LTE support, if one is waiting for a more significant design renovation, temporarily, Kuo debates that she doesn’t think it will happen up to 2018.In around a month’s time, Apple will possibly hold an event to launch this year’s iPhone. Any new Apple Watch models to be launched will be done at the same event.

Features of Apple watch 2

Rendering to a recent report, Apple Watch is rumoured to come with micro LED panel size varying from one to hundred microns. The production costs of these are higher than that of the OLED panels, and the usage of these could indicate to a slimmer and greater battery competent device.

While Apple fans look forward to the next Apple Watch, Cupertino keeps pushing updates to present models. Watch 0S 3 is scheduled to be launched this autumn, proudly publishing rapider app load times all credit to the new ‘dock,’ which can immediately unveil integral and third party programmes.

Pressure on Apple

Apple Watch continues to maintain their position at the top for selling smartwatch in the world, data from IDC declared. Apple’s dominance of the market of smartwatch is so solid that if the sale of their devices takes a turn south, it results in a poor quarter for the entire chain.

In accordance to the data by IDC, 1.6 million watches in q2 of 2016 where shipped by Apple, which has been the first time where deliveries have plunged for the company. The senior research analyst for IDC Mobile Device Trackers, Jitesh Ubrani said that, ‘Apple yet manages to maintain a noteworthy lead in the market and unluckily a drop for Apple indicates to a drop in the whole market. Every vendor goes through comparable challenges related to style and functionality, and although improvement is expected next year, growth in the remaining of 2016 will mostly be subdued.’

Samsung Galaxy Note7 Launch Reveals It Will Hit Australia before Apple’s New iPhones

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 – Pre-order Hits – Free 256GB Memory Card

Samsung, one of the major smartphone manufacturers in the world has launched a belligerent pitch for new users with an eye scanning, water-resisting, curved screen phone which is likely to arrive in Australia a few weeks before the new iPhone of Apple.The Galaxy Note 7 of Samsung, the new flagship smartphone would be appearing in stores on August 19 though the company has already informed buyers of probable pre-order hits due to a free 256GB memory card offer together with exceptional demand from telcos.

The company had also revealed its new flagship phone in New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom recently portraying a big-screen device which seems to be lighter than its precursor but with more storage, water resistance together with security features which comprise of an iris scanners that functions through spectacles and contact lenses.

The Note 7 is said to be the first phone of Samsung which would be featuring an eye scanner for the purpose of security besides the phone’s fingerprint scanner. In order to scan the eyes of the user, the smartphone tends to utilise a third camera having an infra-red beam to capture the detecting features in the irises.

Eye Scanning Technology – Most Secure Safeguarding Information

The scanner seems to function about 30cm away from the face of the user and thereafter the initial scan will ascertain the eyes of the user through clear prescription glasses or contact lenses. Phil Newton, chief marketing officer of Samsung Australia had stated that the eye-scanning technology was the most secure in safeguarding information in a smartphone and could be utilised also in locking down individual files or app in a Secure Folder feature within the phone.

 He commented that one does not have to use the iris scanner but it is the easiest way of locking things away. History tells that Note user have intense security requirements. Mr Newton had informed that the Note 7 would also report problem from the last model which had restricted users to only 32GB storage with no space for a memory card. He further added that the big call out for them in the Note 5 was that it has lost the capacity to extend storage which had been the huge issue for Note users and so they brought it back. As a pre-sales offer they will be giving away a 256GB card.

Launching Redesigned Gear VR Headset

He informed that the memory card for $300 would be made available with pre-orders between 5 to 18 August and demand from Australian phone carriers had been `far exceeding supply. Newton also mentioned that based on the present demand the phone, most likely would sell out.

Samsung would also be launching a redesigned $159 Gear VR virtual reality headset with the Note 7 and the phone would also be featuring a new USB-C connection. Foad Fadaghi, managing director of Telsyte had stated that Samsung Note 7 launch date would provide the company with a lead of a month on the impending iPhone launch of Apple and was a strategic move to win added attention.

He also stated that it is straight from the playbook from Samsung in trying to surpass Apple by proclaiming its handset a month earlier. According to Canaly, sales of Apple iPhone had dropped in the second quarter of the year, to 40 million handsets worldwide. The company claimed top spot with 80 million smartphones sold after the launch in February of the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge handsets.

Dota 2 Fans Now Able To Watch Games via VR

Dota 2 online gaming

The VR hall allows people to view the game with friends and can be also provide a ground view. Dota 2 online game followers can now view the largest match of the world battle by the means of digital certainty. The VR hub of Dota 2 could be downloaded free, now available under the DLC men in the game, which permits you to begin the game in virtual authenticity. The game cannot be played directly; nevertheless, you can view full size forms of the characters in the game to view as well as to observe live or recorded matches in the past of Dota 2. And doing so is enchanting.

The owners of HTC Vive headset received an update which allows them to watch via a ‘spectator hub.’ With its help, the respective players can view by moving around the in-game battle arena or via a huge virtual screen, as the players battle.Just before the International e-sports tournament commenced, the hub had been released, in which a Dota players battle to win a prize amount of $18m (£14m). Dota was created by Valve, a game developer, which is also a main partner in the establishment of the Vive headset. Dota 2 in which there are two teams, each consisting of five players, battle to control a small map, is an arena based battle game.

Complete control

The system of Valve’s hub gyrates around a simulated ‘lobby’, with the help of which, players are allowed to view an archived match or view a tournament, simultaneously as it is played. Along with that, this hub also allows the HTC Vive owners to arrange a lobby exclusively for themselves and for 16 others max.With the help of voice chat, these players can travel around the lobby and interact with other players, who like them, are virtually present.

The people or players per say, as displayed as disembodied facades and their hands as shown as gloves by the system. The system allows the viewers to watch the characters which are controlled by the players battle against each other and also against the sycophants controlled by the computer. People can either view the game from overhead or are even given the option to dive down to floor level, once in the game.

“Anybody viewing Dota games through the in-game system, would come across a sharp ‘learning curve’ in get acquainted with the animation created by the angles of the camera” was mentioned on the new site by a reporter named Sam Machkovech. Nonetheless, he also stated that, with regards to the spectating system, his early experiences were ‘totally comfortable.

“This mind-boggling idea of an in-game broadcasting analysis in leagues of professional sports has been a dream for many people. However, as an alternative for having complete control of how we view Messi or Lebron, viewers would be able to do that for the likeness of Admiral Bulldog and Dendi” he said.The tournament in 2015 was won by US Dota2 team, called Evil Genuises, who bagged more than $6.6m (£5m) as cash prize.

Apple OS X: Tips and Tricks for Getting the Most Out of Your Mac

El Capitan – Updated form of Operating System of Apple’s Mac

El Capitan is the up-to-date form of the operating system of Apple’s Mac and the next edition would be announced very soon, though the concluding software would not be released till autumn. A multifaceted OS such as this tends to have abundant features as well as capabilities though there seems to be plenty of secrets which need to be discovered. Some worth mentioning are:

Find the Cursor

Sometimes one may not find the cursor. In this type of OS X, a mouse wiggle tends to make the cursor increase massively so as to enable in locating it. It remains big for as long as you do so and then returns to its normal size.

Swipe to delete as in iOS

If one is familiar with the handy swipe-left-to-delete motion in the Mail app of the iPhone, one will find the same on your Mac also. Utilising a trackpad, you could bring up the familiar red `Trash’ box with a two finger left swipe, while one finger is used on an Apple Magic Mouse.One could choose a natural swipe direction for the mouse and trackpad wherein swiping down tends to move the onscreen content down which seems to happen on an iPhone or iPad though is the opposite of what happens on a computer.

Suggestions in email

When one receives an email, the program tends to search the text for new statistics like event or contact details which is not recorded. A new line seems to appear towards the top of the message stating `1 Event found in this email’ and with a single click it can be added to your calendar. It will recognise a flight number also, so clicking on the arrow which tends to appear towards the right of the words makes knownthe flight information. If it states New Contact info found in this email, you can update your contacts’ details.

Mail in full screen

Full screen apps, raised on clicking the green button towards the top left area of the document of bar application, assists in focusing on one job at a time. However if one needs to work on many emails simultaneously, you would need flexibility. You could click on the yellow button in the traffic-light three, in mail, on the new message window in order to see it glide to the bottom of the screen. Thereafter you could develop more new messages which are together ready to be called back to the main screen by clicking on them. In order to work on plenty of new messages, you could click the new message button continually which will be identified by a tab at the top of the messages and you could click between them with ease.

Smarter Spotlight

To launch Spotlight, you could click the magnifying glass towards the extreme right of the menu bar. On editing the word weather, you get to see the forecast for your area. Entering the name of a sports car, a movie stars etc. to see the latest headline. You also get the updates of sports score here and could also move the Spotlight window around the screen, resizing its depth.

Safari tabs

Should there be browser windows which are used continuously, there is an easy method rather than plucking them from the top sites which Safari window tends to provide. A right click on the tab tends to turn it into a `pinned tab which sits towards the left edge of the tab bar like a small icon. It is also easy to suppress a tab which plays audio when you don’t seem to need it. Rather than having to mute the entire computer you could go to a blue speaker icon in the browser bar to mute any kind of audio pick a selected tab to silence. It is also simple to switch between tabs and click on the tab, However you can hold down the Command key and a number key to select a tab – 1 is the left-most tab, 2 the next along and so on.

The cleanest desktop so far

For long, Apple featured an application dock which tends to sit on the bottom of the screen while in the same menu there is a check box to `automatically hide and show the Dock’. It means that the dock slides in view only when the mouse heads towards it which is useful if the screen real estate seems to be limited.

Notes

This seems to be one of the best recently introduced application which seems to be developing. If one has an iCloud account, a note made on the iPhone would seem as if by magic on your iPad and Mac. Searching the notes seems to be easy and you could also save web addresses to notes together with photos and much more. You could also display element by type portraying all the URLs that have been saved together. Besides this, it is also simple in creating list, with bullet circles that tend to be satisfying when you have completed your task. The latest on the list is a padlock icon that enables you to lock individual note or the complete lot so that no one can get hold of it without your password.

Live Photos

Shooting live photos with multiple frames as well as audio saved along with the main shot seems to be the support of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus which can be viewed on a Mac by just hovering the mouse over the thumbnail pic in Photos. On clicking on the Live logo towards the bottom left of the image, when the image is full screen, it tends to come to life.

Use Makeshift Tags

There seems to be one thing which Apple has not introduced to notes, which are tags. If these tend to be a consistent part of the workflow, one would have to do with a hack. You could use hashtags in your notes and later search for them utilising the search box in Notes by using Spotlight in order to filter notes depending on hashtags.

iPhone 7 - UK Release Date, Price, Pictures and All The Latest News

Apple’s iPhone 7 - No Major Design Tweaks/Few Changes

Apple usually seems to reveal its next smartphone in early September and it would be disclosing the new iPhone in less than a couple of months. It would probably be the iPhone 7 which has been rumoured online much ahead of its announcement. Together with forecasts and remarks from analysts in the industry as well as specialised tech media, there were also many made-up leaked images.

Several portray the casing or material which are said to be in the new smartphone. Latest images displayed tend to give some insight on what the iPhone 7 looks like. On a Chinese social media, it has been portrayed as a similar model to the present iPhone 6s. The iPhone 7 is not expected to see much major design tweaks, though with a few changes.

 The camera lens for instance is much bigger which tends to hold true to the rumours circulating that the tech has been improving the on-board snapper. Besides this, the lines across the back are removed since the antenna has been shifted to the curves of the device. Unfortunately from the images, it is not clear whether the headphone jack is in place and its removal has been the main rumour regarding the new phone where most of the supporters of Apple seemed to disapprove on losing it.

Listed to Launch Three Variants

This year, Apple is said to be taking it a bit further and is listed to launch three variants, the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and the iPhone 7 Pro/Plus/Premium. Yet another report has been listing the presence of three variants namely the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 7 Pro.

Apple would be doing away with the 16GB storage variant, replacing it with a 32GB choice. Initially the company had introduced the 16GB variant in 2008 which seemed to stay as the base model since the iPhone 5 in 2012. However with the growth of the app culture together with the capabilities of 4K recording, this moved to a 32GB base model which seems reasonable in more ways than one.

A report of July again restated the end of the 16GB variant with confirmation from people who were familiar with the matter. Besides the 32GB base storage alternative, Apple is also planning to knock up the storage on the top model taking to 256GB.

Smart Connector

A latest report informs that the iPhone 7 would be made available in 32GB, 64GB and 256 GB options while the iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 7 Pro would be offered in 32GB, 128GB and 256GB alternatives. It has been reported that the antenna band has been moved to the top and bottom edges and a recent leak has once again pointed this too.

 Some reports have indicated that the iPhone 7 would be coming with Smart Connector which was first introduced with the iPad Pro to connect the Smart Keyboard Cover together with the other accessories such as charging docks, though other disclosures have shown no existence of the Smart Connector.

We need to wait and watch to see if the Smart Connector would make its presence on the iPhone 7 or if it would just be the top end alternative.The iPhone 7 of Apple will not be easy on the wallet compared to its past alternative.

Powerful New Siri Capabilities and Single Sign-On Are Coming to Apple TV

Apple’s Powerful New Siri Proficiency

Apple recently announced a powerful new Siri proficiency, single sign-on for Apple TV as well as several more great latest features for users, enhancing the experience of entertainment in the living room. With the extended proficiencies of Siri, inclusive of searching across more app, YouTube search, and topic search as well as tuning right into more live channels, consumers tend to get to their favourite content much quicker.

The yet to come of the TV is apps and with single sign-on, customers could authenticate all the video channels for their pay-TV providers by signing only once in order to enjoy the benefit of their network TV apps. Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services, Eddy Cue stated that `the future of TV is apps and Siri on Apple TV has changed the way we interact with our television and these long-drawn-out features will continue to deliver viewers what they want to watch even faster.

 There are more than 6,000 apps to be enjoyed on your Apple TV including over 1,300 video channels, which are even more fun to watch with the new Siri features united with single sign-on’. Siri has become more powerful since the launch of Apple TV, presently searching over 650,000 TV events and movies. Siri is made available to more countries with expanded abilities

Some Features & Functions

Some of the features and functions are:

• Topic search for movies – Having the skill of asking Siri for a movie by topic or theme, user has many options of locating the films they prefer to watch like `Show movies about baseball, Find documentaries regarding cars, etc. 
• YouTube search – Later in the month user can ask Siri to search YouTube for instance `Search YouTube for attractive wrestler videos’. 
• Live tune-in – You could ask Siri to go directly to a live channel within a supported app like `Watch CBS News or Watch ESPN’ 
• Achieve HomeKit accessories– Apple TV provides users’ control of HomeKit enabled accessories so that you can ask Siri to `turn on the lights’ or `set the temperature to 70 degrees. Apple TV also enables users to control KomeKit accessories when they tend to be away from home or utilise it for home computerization together with the Home app on their iOS device.

 

Simplified Way of Enjoying Pay-TV Video

Customers in the US, for the first time have a simplified way of enjoying pay-TV video channels by utilising single sign-on and beginning this fall, they will only have to sign in, once on Apple TV for the facility of immediate access to their favourite video channels which are included as part of their subscription for pay-TV. When the user tends to sign into a network app, any other app on Apple TV from participating pay-TV provider will inevitably log the user in all the other supported app needing verification.

During the process of the single sign-on, customers can view a page of all the verified apps which a pay-TV provider offers to determine, download easily and enjoy their favourite video channels. Any of the network-TV app could have the benefit of this technology enabling single sign-on, simplifying the process for their audiences. Single sign-on would be made available on Apple TV as well as iOS.

Apple Launches iOS 10 Beta Version to the Public

Biggest iOS Release - iOS Beta Version

A beta version of Apple’s latest mobile and desktop software, iOS 10 and macOS Sierra has been released by the company. Promoted by the company as `the biggest iOS release ever’, the latest software is said to be intended for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch featuring a revamped lock screen inclusive of the removal of `swipe to unlock’, customisable widgets as well as lively add-ons to iMessage.Though Apple is likely to release the update together with the iPhone 7, users could download the early version of the software using their Apple ID.

The company has been motivating users of beta to report on any bugs or errors they may come across in the iOS, which is not the confirmed version and would be updated all through the testing period before its general release. In order to download the software, the user is required to sign up to the Beta Software Program of Apple utilising the Apple ID.

When the user has signed up they can register the device they would like to upgrade to iOS 10 or macOS Sierra to be able to download the same. Apple has recommended consumers to backup any device they may be utilising for the beta and emphases that since the software is in its testing stage, it may feature malfunctions and viruses.

Altered the Way Users Open their Phones

You can back up the device in Settings by using iCloud or by connecting it to a computer. For those having over one Apple device, the iPhone maker states that it is better to download the beta on a secondary one and once the backup of the device is done, if you would like to update, it can be done by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

The iOS 10 is said to be the most essential change that Apple has released for the software in a few years. To be precise, it has altered the way users tend to open their phones. Picking up a device which runs iOS 10 mechanically lights up the screen showing notifications, weather information, calendar appointments and news updates.

From there, the `swipe to unlock’ feature has been removed by Apple which has been a basic since the first iPhone, the pressing of the home button was the only function needed to unlock the phone. Other useful alteration comprise of customisable widgets, the capability of deleting default apps and voicemail transcription.

Modification in Mac OS Sierra – Assimilation with Sri

To the developers, iMessage has also been opened who can now develop apps within it, which means that users can now order food, send money or shop within messages. The biggest modification in macOS Sierra is the assimilation with Siri that also tends to work now with third party apps.

Siri has got a huge makeover and is much smarter which includes writing your messages, performing image searches as well as transcribing voicemails. Apple Music has brought back useful iTunes features, comprising of the `Recently Added and Recently Played’, segments.

 It has also included statistics in Browse and For You, which has daily playlists, top charts as well as radio, somewhat like Spotify Discover Moreover the computer software also comprises of updates to the Photos app, tabs for every app and Apple Music.

Why You Should Care About Four Apps from Apple That You Can’t Download Yet

Apple’s Four Apps Which Possibly Can’t be Downloaded Yet

Apple had recently released four apps which possibly cannot be downloaded yet and which are the first signal of a big shift in the core messaging product of the company. The apps are said to be four sticker packsfor iMessage from Apple which tends to feature various smiley, hands, hearts and some throwback Mac iconography which may bring joy to Mac fans especially children of the 1990s.

While the apps are available at the store presently, they are supported only for iOS 10 and greater and if one is aware, the iOS 10 is not out yet to anyone but Apple developers.This month, a public beta period is anticipated but has not yet begun, which means that Apple has released four apps which cannot be utilised yet by anyone.

This seems an odd decision but one could take it as an indication that the public beta is pending. The crazy sticker packs tend to represent a part of greater ambitions for messaging by Apple as a part of the tech world which is getting progressively competitive. Since Apple in the past has been clung for not jumping properly on the social networking trend, the wheel has turned in making a most important social force.

Apple – Developing Software for Latest Products

But beta operating system could be insecure, crash abruptly, act unpredictably and also probably reduce the phone as useless. However if one tends to have an older phone or laptop there are greater chances of something going wrong since Apple intends starting developing software for its latest products first and will be working back from there.

 Even if there are no bugs in the operating system of Apple, one could find that not all of the apps are compatible with iOS 10 still, since several developers seem to be working on the upgrading of their apps before the full launch this coming fall. Sam Williams of Quartz who had co-developed the iOS app has held back from downloading the latest operating system stating that `most developers are not installing it yet on their personal phones and if they are not willing to risk it, best if everyone else holds back’.

If one is willing to take a chance, they will have to register with Apple first as a public beta tester and the company would be sending instructions on how to install the software. The user would otherwise have to wait a couple of more months till the software seems to be ready.

Apple Keeping Pace with Other Innovators

Messaging is now something that Apple has done impeccably in its modest form. However it seems to need a little more style in competing with the other messaging apps and is unwilling to open Messages up to other apps and developers to be there. The sticker packs coming from Apple though are the first of several add-ons which can be made by any other developers. That changed the benefits of Apple as it tends to keep pace with the other innovators in the field like WeChat.

At its June developers’ conference, Apple had already announced that it would add a multitude of features to Messages inclusive of the ability to hand-write notes, to obscure parts of messages as well as to automatically erase them a la Snapchat. These in-house features tend to enhance Messages though the stickers together with the other app which tap into iMessage to take it from a product to a platform.

How to find out if your Mac is infected with Backdoor.MAC.Eleanor

Malware – Backdoor MAC Eleanor

Bitfender had recently announced that its researchers had found new malware which tends to target Macs. The malware is referred as Backdoor MAC Eleanor and has the potential of compromising your system completely. While the malware exists, attackers can steal files, execute code, and control the webcam and much more. Hackers regularly check for exploits with the slightest resistance and in several cases its users seem to be taken unaware.

It tends to come packaged inside what seems to be a legitimate file converter application known as EasyDoc Converter. But the application does not tend to work essentially.Once it is installed, it seems to run a malevolent script that installs a Tor hidden service enabling attackers to access remotely and control the infected machine.

The script tends to set up a web service giving attackers the capability of manipulating files, access a list of running processes and application, execute commands and scripts as well as send emails together with attachments. The malware also tends to utilise a tool known as `wacaw’ which enables an attacker to seize videos as well as images by utilising the built-in webcam.

Packaged in EasyDoc Converter Application

On utilising this software, Bitdefender cautions that an attacker could `lock you out of one’s laptop and threaten to blackmail in restoring your private files or transform your laptop into a botnet in order to attack other devices. Observing that the malware has only been discovered packaged in the EasyDoc Converter application the user needs to download the application, install and run it for the machine to have been affected by it.

An extra security measure by Macs known as Gatekeeper located in System Preferences under Security & Privacy could be helpful. It stops unsigned applications from unidentified developers by default, from running. If an unsigned application, outside the Mac App Store is downloaded and tried to run it, you would come across a prompt stating the application can’t be opened.

If you tend to download the application presuming that you do not have Gatekeeper disabled, a prompt would appear while attempting to run the application. In order to open the app, you will have to intentionally supersede the security settings for running the application the first time.

Malwarebytes/Sophos – Detect Backdoor MAC Eleanor

Your Mac will not be infected with the Backdoor MAC Eleanor malware, if you have not downloaded the application or did not bypass the Gatekeeper setting in order to run it. On the contrary, if you did it either, your Mac could have likely been infected. If one still has access to your Mac, there is Malwarebytes and Sophos which have already been updated in detecting Backdoor MAC Eleanor and any anti-virus software which tends to scan for malware would soon come up.

 In order to free your Mac of the malware, you could download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware application for Mac or Sophos Home and run a scan instantly, deleting any related files. To evade such situations in the future, one should ensure that Gatekeeper settings are set only to permit applications from Mac App Store and identified developers. If it is essential to install an application from an unidentified developer, ensure that it is from a trusted source.

Apple to Encourage Organ Donation with Health App

Apple’s Attempt on Easy Procedure of Organ Donation

Apple has been making attempts in making organ donation an easy procedure. The company had mentioned recently that the updated Health app, will be made available as part of iOS 10 and would be providing latest option which would enable users to sign up to donors of organ. Apple wants to motivate millions of iPhone users to register as organ donors through its software update which will add an easy sign up button to the health information app that is installed on every smartphone made by the company.

The app’s Medical ID feature that tends to keep track of the medical and health information includes the capability of registering as a donor of organs, eyes and tissues. The registrations which are sent in via your iPhone or iPad would be forwarded to the National Donate Life Registry, which is an organization handled by Donate Life America. The Health app introduced with iOS 8 in 2014 is Apple’s way of assisting in keeping tabs on one’s health and fitness and is more than just about keeping track of your daily stats. With the combination of a huge selection of data, the app can be time consuming.

One Donor – Saves Life of As Many As Eight

With a feature which is quick and easy it portrays how the app can extend its utility without getting too difficult. The Associated Press explained that if one desires to volunteer as an organ donor, you need to tap the registrations button in the Health app.

This adds yours status as a donor to an `emergency information’ screen which can appear even when the phone tends to be locked. On tapping another button would provide the information on organ donation. According to Apple, presently over 120,000 Americans are waiting for a transplant and every 10 minute, addition of new person is added to the waiting list. Donate Life America President and CEO; David Fleming had stated the demand for organs is greater than the supply which leads to the death of the person in need of a transplant, every hour in the US.He added that one donor could save the life of as many as eight lives.

Easing a Critical & Longstanding Shortage of Donors

The new feature is said to be presently available in the developers’ beta of iOS 10 though it will be more universal when the public beta of the new iOS version tends to roll out. The iOS 10 will be launched for all the mobile device users of Apple, this fall. Tim Cook hopes that the new software would help in easing a critical and longstanding shortage of donors.

 He stated that the issue made an impact when his friend and former boss, the co-founder of Apple, Steve Jobs had endured agonizing wait for a liver transplant in 2009. He informed The Associated Press that `watching and seeing him every day waiting and not knowing, it stuck with me and left an impression that I’ll never forget’.

He was very much concerned that he offered to donate part of his own liver though Jobs had refused. Jobs had died of complications from pancreatic cancer in 2011, two years after receiving a liver transplant in Tennessee which had attributed in extending his life span. He had enrolled in that state’s registry when doctors had advised him the lengthy waiting list in California. This meant that he would not live long to get one in his home state.

Apple Patents Technology for Deactivating iPhone Cameras at Live Concerts

Apple’s Patent – Block Camera Feature of iPhone

Now recording plays on phones would soon be a thing of the past since Apple has patented a technology that tends to block the camera feature of the iPhone. The invention of the company enables venues to utilise infrared beam to disable photography on devices, avoiding users from taking photos and videos. The California-based US firm company had been awarded the patent recently in the midst of mounting hindrance which intimates live events being ruined in various screens as the visitors record videos for the purpose of sharing them on social media.

A recent request had been made by actor Benedict Cumberbatch to fans to stop filming while he performed in Hamlet and Adele a pop singer had informed a female fan filming on her mobile at a concert in Italy to enjoy the same in real life instead of the camera. The patent of Apple explains how the iPhone would be temporarily disabled at the time of the rock event and would need an infrared transmitter to be installed during shows.

It states that `an infrared emitter can be located in areas where picture or video capture is prohibited and the emitter can generate infrared signals with encoded data which includes commands to disable the recording functions of devices. An electronic device can then receive the infrared signals and temporarily disable the recording function of the device, depending on the command’.

When Switched on – Phone Displays `Recording Disabled’

The patent states that when switched on, the phone seems to simply display a `recording disabled’ message when the audience members try to take images or videos. On the other hand, a watermark or blur effect could be applied to disappoint people from sharing them.It is not certain if Apple plans to apply the technology to the iPhone since companies regularly patent innovations without utilising them.

However, securing down on recording would be appreciated by several artists and venues. Besides this, other advantages comprise of shining lasers on visitors who use mobile phones at the time of the performances which has become a well-known approach in cinema in China and also adopted recently by London’s Jermyn Street Theatre.

Should the technology of Apple be introduced, it could lead to uncertainties that it could be utilised by oppressive regimes as well as law enforcement in avoiding citizensin documenting oppression. It is not known whether Apple intends to put the patent in use and the company has not commented in response for comment.

Concern on Technology Stating to be Indiscreet

Actors and musicians have been regularly complaining that the increasing use of mobile phones and selfie tend to stick at live performances and sharing the content through media sites for millions who did not really pay for the tickets. Several civil liberty advocates have conveyed their concern on the technology stating it to be indiscreet. They claimed that the same technology could be utilised in blocking out the covering of live protest by the activists. Though the technology would be focused on preventing copyright infringement, it would also come with additional advantage of improving the experience of concert going.

Apple reveals ‘smarter’ Siri at WWDC conference in San Francisco

Apple’s Smarter Siri/Message App

At WWDC in San Francisco, Apple released a smarter Siri together with a Message app to take on Facebook Message and Snapchat’s filters in the wrap of latest features shown recently. Tom Cook CEO of Apple had started the WWDC keynote with a tribute to the victims of the Orlando shooting before beginning a list of the new software features which users would see later in the year. Apple launched the latest iOS 10; MacOS and an upgraded Siri at the event together with latest versions of Watch OS and tvOS.

 As expected, Siri seemed to be among the highlights with Apple introducing it up for third party app developers. Siri would also be available on macOS with the Sierra update. Apple supporters expecting new hardware were dissatisfied though there were main changes to the operating systems for Macintosh computers, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and Apple Watch.

Cook had calculated up the significance of the development community to Apple. There were now two million apps in the App Store that have been downloaded around 130 times with US$50 billion which had been paid to the developers. Apple Watch app would eventually be more usable with new control centre, which will make it easy to switch between apps as well as a new way of opening app seven times quicker.

Siri Added to Mac – First Time

Apple’s voice-based virtual assistant, Siri, was added to the Mac for the first time with the ability to pay utilising Apple Pay. Option to use the payment facility would be appearing on the websites together with confirmation requests sent to a user’s phone wherein they could use their fingerprint to permit them.Mac users would be able to utilise their Apple Watch in unlocking a Mac when they tend to be in close proximity of their laptop.

Between Apple devices like iPhone’s Touch ID, there will be better incorporation for the purpose of online purchases with your Mac computer and copy and pasting from one device of Apple to another. Together with the software changes, Apple had also mentioned a free app in order to encourage children in learning programming. He had stated that they believe that technology should lift humanity.

Information regarding improvements on how the app seems to run on Apple Watch was also acknowledged by the audience of developers at WWDC in San Francisco with the potential of Apple Watch OS3 making apps to open faster by seven times.

New SOS Feature in Watch

One of the main figures behind Apple Watch, Kevin Lynch had announced a new SOS feature in the watch that tends to call an emergency number, sending a text message with the location to the emergency contacts, automatically. In order to activate the emergency call, you could hit and hold the button towards the side of the Watch.

Other developments to the operating system of the Watch comprise of a new control centre, a much simpler way of responding to text messages together with new Watch faces. The capability of swiping between open apps in the way identical to using apps on the iPhone seems to be the major modification to the Watch.

The fitness section of the Watch also tends to get a renovation under the latest operating system wherein you can compete with family and friends on number of steps taken, minutes of exercises and calories burnt. A new fitness app known as Breathe has been designed to encourage people to lessen stress by regular sessions of deep breathing. The latest version of Watch OS is said to be released in spring.

Apple has Removed its Most Annoying Feature from iOS 10

Apple Confirms – Default Apps Can be Deleted

When faced with shortage of storage space, it tends to be quite frustrating. You are unable to take a photo or download a new song. You tend to be incapable of streaming anything since your phone seems to get too slow. Useless apps which are never used such as Wallet, Find Friends, Tips, and Stocks are not removable and are just there. Till now, Apple had announced a host of new features at the WWDC Conference, ranging from smarter Siri to bigger emojis. But what was not mentioned was the fact that you would soon be capable of deleting default apps in order to save space. The supporters of Apple had observed these default apps are now made available for download on the App store which means that beginning with iOS 10, Apple would be permitting iPhone and iPad users to delete any built-in apps which users may not need and download them again later if the need arises. Those who have downloaded the developer beta have tweeted the change, observing that a bunch of default apps like Weather, Music, Calendar, Mail and Stocks can now be deleted though there seems to be some exceptions, such as Messages, Photos, Camera, Health, Settings, Safari together with clock,that are still stuck probably since they seem to be too integral to the system.

Guidelines for Saving Space 

A full help page, had been released by Apple confirming the apps that could be removed from your home screen with the iOS 10 update. All these apps tend to use less than 150 MB and it is always good to avoid unwanted clutter on the home screen. The following are the guidelines to make space on your iPhone –

Know your stats

Under Settings > General > Storage & iCloud Usage, one can see precisely how much space is available and a list in descending order on which apps have taken the maximum space.

Stop Storing Texts

Texting could take up much space than one may realise, particularly if you tend to send a lot of photos and videos. Besides deleing threads, one could go to Settings > Messages > Keep Messages and select 30 days. Your iPhone tends to set it to Forever by default.

Getting Rid of Temporary Files 

It is essential to purge cookies, browsing data and your dingy browser history in Safari which can be done by going to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Date. This would instantly free up the much required space.

Beware of Internal Downloads

Those using Spotify or Podcast would observe that they seem to be the biggest offenders.Plenty of files downloads on the phone offline could utilise plenty of gigabytes of space. You could delete you may not needs or go to the app’s settings, de-selecting any option to download files for use whenever your phone seems to be in offline mode. You could also check through ebooks, notes and voice memos.

Scrap Photo Stream 

Photo Stream tends to automatically sync up your last 1000 photos across your devices which means that 1000 of the photos seems to be taking up double space. In order to turn this feature off, you could go to Settings> Photos & Camera and toggle off My Photo Stream.

Maintain a Regular `App Cleanse’

Maintain a monthly cleansing by going through and deleting any app you may not use or have forgotten that it is there and has been occupying valuable space.

Turn Off `Save Original Photos’ 

If you are utilising photo-based apps such as Instagram, there is no option to save whatever photos that are published to Camera Roll. In the case of Instagram, it is switched on automatically which is meaningless if the image is already uploaded. In order to turn this off, you could open the app and go to its Settings, turning off `Save Original Photos’.

iScout ‘Head up Display’ Helps Drivers with Directions and Blind Spots

iScout Head-Up-Displays for Safe Driving

Having no standouts on the markets, Heads-Up Displays – HUDs for cars did not catch up and a new competitor, iScoutis making attempts in addressing several of these issues. iScout is a patent that is pending HUD which develops all information needed for driving like fuel level, car speed, GPS navigation as a floating virtual image before the vehicle. It syncs to the smartphone displaying incoming calls, reminders, messages, social media content together with notifications and several other features like blind-spot view accompanied with an integrated dashcam.

 It shows notifications from apps such as WhatsApp, rejects or takes call with a hand-wave and tends to have blind-spot cameras. The purpose of HUD is to make driving much safer wherein the driver will not have the need to take his eyes off the road for any information needed while driving. Recent study indicates that it takes less time for the driver to get this information from a HUD as against looking at a conservative display – phone screen/GPS device, as it takes substantially lesser time for the eye to move the focus from the road to the display and back. This warrants that the attention of the driver is on the road and hence tends to lessen the accident risks.

Photochromic Display Works in Day/Night Conditions

It is launching on Kickstarter and may never be shipped. With this bit of doubt out of the way, the company tends to have a solid-looking sample together with plenty of good features. The `photochromic display works in both day and night conditions and seems to have its own app and GPS to display heads-up route direction. Moreover the device also tends to connects to the smartphone over Bluetooth, enabling the user to accept or reject calls by waving your hand, for instance while keeping the GPS on the screen.

 The user can also compose text through voice dictation and view notifications from apps like WhatsApp and Twitter or even control music from Spotify etc. Since iScout has the capability of connecting with the OBD plug of the vehicle, you could also view information such as fuel level, speed and maintenance problems. Should you be running short of gas, it could indicate an alert, guiding you to the nearest service station.

Premium Model – Blind Spot Cameras

Premium model tend to have blind spot cameras which activates automatically when turn signals are used helping to keep the eyes on the road. With regards to the camera, the device has a forward looking dashcam in the event of any accidents. The product is being marketing by the company as a safety device. However, receiving notifications on the device could be as distracting as checking the same on the phones. According to the company, it’s about as safety-friendly as one is going to get in a connect car.

The display for instance `is focused into the distance and shown just below your line of sight, which means that it will need very little of your attention to check your GPS, speed together with the other information compared to in-car on-dash devices. The iScout is on pre-order for basic edition, starting at $269 and $299 for premium model with blind spot cameras.

The New Sacai Apple Watch and Other Very Stylish Tech Accessories

The expression, `tech case’ tends to be a developing market with more options. For instance it could displease your attention to know that the floral pouches that are seen at Gucci’s recent catwalks had been made to be precisely spacious enough to slot in an iPad. Other advanced brands have been developing ladylike bags, pochettes and briefcase which are useful besides looking stylish. For instance, Knomo tends to offer `power clutch bags’ in its line of organisers which tend to feature padded tech segments with unique MyKnomo ID codes to assist reunite owners with lost belongings. Its power pouches tend to incorporate a portable battery pack in order to keep your device charged while on the go. Aspinal of London has also transformed its classic bags by converting them into `tech totes’ while Marylebone style stocks bonus internal pockets, cable paths as well as a 3700mAh battery which tends to provide over double the regular battery power of a Smartphone or iPhone. Moreover it also tends to come in a somewhat smooth monogrammed case. The following are the five accessories which tend to make your work day extra efficient:

The Clever Clutch Bag 

The Enomo’s Elektronista clutch bag is said to be a modern dream of woman. It is encased within the pastel leather with more pockets than one will know what to do with them and a compact battery. One will never have the opportunity of losing anything.

The Briefcase 

It is not manly or old-fashioned and has several pockets as well as device compartments within its glossy, slim frame and the blue hue means that it can be used for weekend excursions without being incompatible against denims.

New Designer Apple Watch 

One of the favourite cult designers in the fashion industry has partnered with the biggest technology company in the world and has come up with a fat sensual watch strap. The attractive Chitose Abe of Sacai is perceptive behind the crisp cotton shirts with flowing pleated backs all across the high street why the puffa jacket seems to be having a stylish moment this winter. Sacai has now turned out to be the second luxury house after Hermes to assist Apple fashion up its lustrous watch. While Hermes had created a stealth leather addition, Abe has engaged her trademark wit turning the watch into a glossy jewellery piece, black faces which tend to come with customised screensaver front by Abe in order that the screen as well as the strap blends effortlessly into one. The strap is pleasantly coarse, in black, gold or black and silver chain repetition on one side, with crocodile embossed leather on the other side.

Punchy iPad Case 

The inside of the dark, cavernous tote bags is brought to life with a colour-pop iPad sleeve and investing in a leather style would ensure that your case stays punchy for long, which means that it would be easier to find whiledelving through everything in search of one’s gadget.

Crafty Organiser

This hard-working case which has the look of a diary, tends to have your iPad mini together with an additional notepad and card slots and seems impeccable in putting together and super-organised for meetings.

The Smart Earplugs That are Giving 20,000 US Soldiers 'Super Hearing’ and They Could be Coming to Your iPhone

Smart Earbuds to Diminish High-Level Instinct Noise

With more than half of the troops returning from battle zones having some kind of damage to their hearing now around 20,000 military members seem to be using earbuds which tends to diminish the high-level instinct noises while intensifying very low signature kinds of sound for great hearing capabilities. The military device known as Tactical Communication and Protective System – TCAPS, can be utilised in headset for all ranges from construction workers to music lovers.

TCAPS tends to reduce noise to 85 decibels, enabling soldiers to hear as well as communicate over loudnoise of gunfire which is at least 150 decibels. When placed in the ear, the tip of the earbud tends to sit for 15 to 20 seconds to enlarge to full capacity for comfortable fit where the tips can last from a week to a month based on how clean the ears may be as well as the fit, as reported by Leesville Daily Leader.

The unit tends to bear a resemblance to a traditional pair of earbuds together with some additional high tech features and some of the models can connect to the communication gear of the soldier. TCAPS was first developed in 2007 by Army’s Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Monroe.

Earbuds – Solve the Problem of Hearing Damage

Captain Jack Moore, part of the Project Manager Soldier Warrior team stated that the team wished that these earbuds would solve the problem of hearing damage by actively decreasing damaging battlefield noise as well as enhancing the hearing and communication in delivering tactical advantage.

He added that over the years, they have seem a large amount of dollars being spent in benefiting the soldiers who had lost their hearing in training or battle and that they are now attempting to resolve the problem in a way which they can not only get improved hearing protection but also an improvement in communication competences integrated too. Lt. Col Kristen Casto, audiology consultant to the Army’s surgeon general had informed NPR that `your ears cannot handle loud sounds without suffering mechanical damage to the inner ear which results in permanent hearing loss’.

Adjustable Volume Knobs

Casto explained that the soldiers have turned to a simple way of protecting their ears by sticking a piece of expandable foam in the ear though when the need to maintain auditory awareness arises, it is not the proper hearing protector. TCAPS could only provide soldiers with protection from high ambient sounds as well situational alertness though the device permits clear two-way audio communication between the radio and the user.

Doug Brungart, chief scientist at the audiology and speech pathology centre at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre informed that the technology is not actually that complicated and adds that you can think of the system as having adjustable volume knob. The louder the sound tends to get outside, the more it seems to turn down the volume and the person wearing the device could still hear the sound though it will never get so loud that it would cause any kind of damage.

8 Reasons you are finally Going to Wear Your Apple Watch

The Next Software Update of Apple Watch 

Apple had made an announcement at its yearly developer conference on Monday and renamed OS X to MacOS showing off new features on TVOS. The succeeding software update for Apple Watch - Watch OS 3 drew a lot of attention and tends to look exceptional. The following are the eight features which seem to make the Apple Watch a lot better:

1. No staring blankly at the wrist

The Apple Watch from the first day, has been overwhelmed with slow loading time for apps and presently the process goes thus - one can raise their wrist and tap on an app icon, the circular, spinning dots start up and with the wrist raised, on can walk the dog, take out the trash, or take a nap and then the app tends to eventually load. According to Apple, with WatchOS 3, the mostly used apps seem to load seven times faster. The onstage demo of app launching seemed to be inspiring and if it tends to work the same after the WWDC stage, loading the app faster would be making the watch very helpful.

2. Apple Watch gets an app dock

Now with the loading of app being much faster, it could be reasonable to have a quicker access to these apps. Apple presently has included an app dock which is similar to MacOS or iOS and you could set some apps to reside in the dock and open the dock quickly on pressing the side button of the watch. On scrolling through the previews of the apps, you could tap on the respective card in launching the app which is much better than using the side button as a shortcut for digital touch.

3. In fitness, compete with friends 

Tracking of activities on the Apple Watch has been remote since the same cannot be shared or the stats sent to family members or friend and to motivate them for improvement. Apple seems to bring friends on the Activity app wherein one can cheer on or trash talks with those on your list of friends based on their regular activity status.

4. Scribble

Apple has the potential of writing on the watch utilising the finger when at times, one is unable to dictate a message to the watch. Apple has a feature known as Scribble and when it is activated, you can write the message one letter at a time on the screen of the watch. The watch will then identify the handwriting, translating it into text which is ready to be sent as a message.

5. More Apple Pay 

With the launch of WatOS 3 this fall, one will not only have the option of using Apple Pay on tapping your wrist on compatible terminal for payment but also complete purchases directly on your wrist with the help of the app.

6. Improved switching between watch faces

The procedure of switching between watch faces has been enhanced which needs a simple swipe to the right or left across the prevailing watch face. Besides this, the Apple Watch app on the iPhone would now display the complication an app tends to have which would be helpful in making a purchase decision, on being aware precisely what an app seems capable of doing on the wrist.

7. Just Breathe

A health app known as Breathe will alert you to take a moment and breathe and the thinking here is that you take some minutes daily to clear your mind and be more conscious of your breathing to relax and reduce stress levels.

8. Accessibility 

Apple has created a wheelchair mode for the Apple Watch and when activated, user would get credit for activity as they move around in a wheelchair. Instead of getting hourly alert to stand up, wheelchair user would be informed that `it’s time to roll’.