iOS Could Detect When You Hover Your Finger Over The Screen

iOS will know when you are hovering the finger upon the screen

Apple has brought the latest update to its iOS with much fan fare as it aimed towards enhancing the battery management along with slew of other tweaks. A report has emerged from the Apple offices that it has been actively working on adding new gesture controls for the iPhones. Apart from the range of normal touch gestures controls present on the iPhone now iOS will be to detect whether the users hovering the finger on the screen in order to trigger certain actions.

It is worth remembering that at the time of the launch of very first iPhone Jobs has remarkably spent quite a lot of time in showcasing the might of the multi-touch interface to the users. Touching screen by adding different level of pressure results in triggering different tasks and similarly swiping on either side of screen helps in getting different job done while the use of multiple finger in order to zoom in the photo or rotate were first seen implemented on the iPhone.

Changing the way people are interacting with their mobile screens

Apple has been a pioneer when it comes to bringing better controls and screen related functionalities to the core user experience. It is worth noting that Apple brought the famous 3D Touch gesture controls with the launch of the iPhone 6S. This features allowed users to triggers different by apply varying amount of pressure on their phone's screen. It allowed users to preview a photo or simply open an email or open the shortcut menu and much more.

These can seem like some simple touch screen enhancement performed by the Apple in the recent since the launch of the iPhone X which brought whole new range of gesture control never seen before on any smartphone. Apple also made a bold move to get rid of the staple home button which eventually made it necessary to offer advanced gesture based control for sublime user experience.

Next iPhone will be better than the before

With next generation iPhone this year Apple will bring the ability to detect the gestures right from above the screen. However there are no documents revealed by the Apple which points towards how it will be achieved on the next iPhones and some has even pointed out that features might not even debut in this year’s iPhone altogether. It has also been brought to the attention that Apple is also actively experimenting with the curved display for its upcoming iPhones.

Rather than being like the Samsung Galaxy premium devices Apple more likely want the iPhone to appear like a banana shape from top to the bottom. A number of rumors have suggested that Apple will be launching three new iPhone devices like the previous year. One of these devices will be next version of the trendsetter iPhone X followed by another iPhone X lookalike iPhone having a cheaper display while another one will be larger iPhone X for those who need larger display.

Can Apple Fix the iOS mess it has created?

Can Apple fix the mess it has created with iOS? Is the question of the moment. At first iOS used to be this great OS that helped you to get things done. It was sleek, fast, had a lot of features that were good at helping you get things done and the OS was steamlined. You could find the right thing in the right place with no hassle. But now iOS is not what it used to be. Now it has become a dish of trouble, with bugs, performance errors, stability issues and usability issues being the main ingredients.

It is even rumored that Apple is now putting on hold the many new features it has planned for iOS 12 just to correct the problems in iOS it has created. In the past, the few updates have all been about bug clearances and barely any new features and looks like this time around the next few updates might be the same. Well it is good and all that Apple wants to fix the bug issues because thast what some updates are supposed to do but what happens if such issues can’t be fixed?

Paying for a Premium product and stuck with the reality: 

Apple has never been a-just-there-brand and what I mean by this is that it is a premium brand offering you premium service. Well in theory at least. They say you pay for what you get but recently this has not been the case.

Take a look at 2017, for example, it was the year of root bugs in macOS, it’s fix seems to have broken file sharing for some, updating your macOS to 10.13.1 seemed like a logical thing to do, well wrong, it rolled the root patch back, remote access was broken with a HomeKit bug in iOS 11.2 and the list goes on and on, but you get the picture.

Apple seems to be getting more bugs and their fixes upgraded than actually giving out any new features with their upgrades.

Ok Ok, I’m not here to trash Apple, bugs do happen and as products and their software become more and more complex there is a huge possibility of bugs coming up. In today’s fast paced world in order to keep up or set the pace as for other companies, upgrades, new features and software needs to come out and it often does so in a rushed up manner and this is bound to lead to bugs and their necessary fixes.

Four areas that iOS seems to be falling back on: 

While Apple does offer you the best in tech when it comes to it, it still lacks in certain areas. While these areas may seem to be a small problem for some, for others it is a deal breaker. With frame drops and stuttering found in new hardware, apple seems to be missing out on performance standards.

Coming back to the bugs in iOS, you find them and then get it fixed until a new bug comes in its place or the fix itself gives you a new bug. Then stability, it is not the worst that is out there but for a high end product, we were certainly expecting a bit more and lastly, usability, is this really a thing now?

Apple is Ready to Fight Google Chromebooks with Cheaper iPads

Apple set to release cheaper iPads to counter the rise of Chromebooks

Apple has seen the reversal of the fortune with the rapid decline in the sales of the iPads and Mac laptops is last few years. In 2013 these reigned supreme in the schools in US by getting over the dominance of the Windows devices but in 2018 Apple iPads had simply lost its touch. Google Chromebook has made massive inroads in the US classrooms by becoming first choice for the students and Microsoft is also right behind it. Now Chromebook amounts for 60 percent of the devices sold in the US schools while iPads sales are steeply declining for three straight years. But Apple is gearing to bring back the challenge to the Chromebook by bringing a new lineup of cheaper iPads.

A low cost budget iPad is set to launch soon

This Tuesday Apple will be organizing a event focused on the special education which aims towards bringing "new creative ideas for the teachers and students". Industry wide rumors are hinting towards the launch of a low cost iPad at this event costing just about $259. The best thing about this budget iPad is that it will come with the support for a stylus. Apple Pencil support is available for the higher end iPad Pro versions which helps in boosting the productivity to the next level. Some rumors have even suggested that Apple might also release the cheaper budget version of the Macbook but doesn't happen to be the case.

It is worth noting that Apple has recently updated its main education website which 17 different devices pictures. Out of these 16 happened to be iPads and jus one Macbook. Furthermore a recent ad carried out by the Apple has asked the users boldly "What is a computer?" which indirectly hinted that the iPad will be the future of the computer in upcoming days. It is worth pointing out that Apple hasn’t had a golden run when it comes making a firm ground in the education segment. It got fined for $4.2 million in Los Angeles 2015 when it failed to provide iPads to the school kids with its lackluster $1 billion program.

Bringing the best of iOS to the students 

Apple is a quick learner and has worked towards improving the functionality and features of the iOS and in turn iPad in order to lure the students. In the iOS version 9.3 Apple brought the multi-user support on the iPads and Apple even did away with the notorious Apple ID requirement in order to use the iPads. Thirdly Apple has even worked towards bringing better management tools for the iPads. All of these features were aimed towards grabbing the interest of the students and educator and push the sales of the iPads just like earlier days but rise in the iPads pricing has become a detrimental feature. A low cost budget iPad will be a masterstroke from Apple to regain the lost ground and bring a stiff challenge to the Google’s Chromebook.

Apple MacOS 10.13.4 Brings Full External GPU Support to Recent MacBooks

The newly released MacOS 10.13.4 not only adds support for external GPU but also adds business chat and a new security feature present in iOS 11.3. First announced by Apple in the WWDC held last year, Apple now works on that promise by bringing external GPU support to MacBooks with the improved MacOS 10.13.4 update.

The upgradeable external GPU with the MacOS update increasingly solves most problems when it came to professionals using MacBooks. As MacBooks moved more towards the customer end of the table, professionals like video editors, 3-D modelers, VR Developers and the like were left with often mediocre and un-upgradable GPUs which was a major setback for these kinds of professionals. Another major disadvantage was that these professionals were stuck using 15 inch MacBook models and the 12 inch MacBooks and the 13 inch MacBook Pros still relied on an integrated graphics card.

What’s great about the MacOS 10.13.4 update bringing external GPU support? 

For those professionals who are video editors, 3-D modelers and the like, this MacOS 10.13.4 update brings in the necessary horse power without compromising on battery life, form factor and while also keeping the price of the MacBook models low for non- professional users.

What was the problem before MacOS 10.13.4 update? 

Prior to the MacOS 10.13.4 update, many professionals had to add graphics cards to their systems but even adding a high end graphics card to their system gave mediocre results. While the external graphics card gave the necessary horse power and was excellent for gaming, it still felt as an add- on as compared to a seamless feature of the MacBook. Apart from this, users also complained of glitches and bugs even in popular games like FinalCut.

The new Thunderbolt 3 with MacOS 10.13.4: 

With the new Thunderbolt’s 40 Gbps transfer rate and some other Apple updates, Professional users can now enjoy better external GBU support than before. Although these transfer rates are not the best that is out there, they still are capable when it comes to most uses. This solution is better for those who do not want to move over to other powerful PCs like Linux or Windows.

The Drawbacks: 

As of now Apple only supports AMD graphics cards so getting support for the industry leading graphics card- GTX 1080 TI for example would need hacking and some other methods if you are to get around to using it. This still leaves the RX Vega 64 and some other cards that could provide amazing graphic capabilities without any support.

Besides not having support for non-AMD graphics cards and if you do decide to get one such card then you have to also think of getting a dedicated enclosure for it. The non- AMD graphics card as well as the enclosure for it are not going to come cheap and what makes it an even steeper buy is the fact that you would have already forked over quite a bit of money when it came to buying the MacBook in the first place.

Apple iOS 11.3 Update – What to Expect from the Major Upgrade

Apple iOS 11.3 Finally Comes to the iPhone Today

iOS updates are both a time of rejoice and suspicion for the iPhone all over the world alike. The last major iOS update didn't went well with the users as Apple got embroiled in the controversy of slowing down the iPhone devices deliberately which didn't even came to notice for almost a year until a clever tech enthusiast blew the lid for Apple. iOS 11.3 promises more new features like every other major update but this time around Apple is looking forward to enhance the battery performance.

iOS 11.3 release date is just round the corner

Apple will be releasing the iOS 11.3 update on Tuesday March 27 on global scale. It will be made available on the iPad, iPhone and even the iPod Touch. The best thing about the release date of iOS 11.3 is that it is carefully planned to coincide with the "Let’s Take A Field Trip Event" where industry experts speculate that Apple will be launching first ever Budget iPad variant.

iOS 11.3 will also offers a new set of emoji along with an a unique option which allows users to boost teh iPhone performance to the next level. Now users will be able to fasten the performance of the iPhone in order to job done quickly than earlier by giving a simple tap on this every exquisite option.

Better performing Health app

iOS 11.3 version will boost the capability of the Apple Health app by allowing users to look through their medical records on the go. However the medical records availability is dependent on whether your medical institution is a partner of the ‘Apple Health’. In order to keep the user data secure Apple is encrypting the data with a passcode.

New AR experience for everyone

With iOS 11.3 is bringing the Augmented Reality features baked into its varied range of devices. Virtual Reality needs specific headgear in order to enjoy and interact with the virtual images but AR doesn't require any additional equipment. Rather users can enjoy the computer generated images on their real surroundings using the phone's camera.

The latest iOS 11.3 update will allow iPhone camera to recognize as well as virtual objects right on the vertical objects present in the real world like doors and walls. Secondly Apple has made some serious development in the recent times which allows iPhone to recognize 2D objects with greater perfection.

Keen to reduce the battery woes

Apple is finally doing something about the battery issue which plagues the iPhone for a really long time with iOS 11.3 update. Now iOS users will be able see their battery health and receive suggestion to improve the battery performance. iOS 11.3 will also give some genuine advice about taking the battery for service at Apple Store.

In order to make use of these features users are simply required to go to the Settings followed by selecting the option “Battery on an iPhone 6 or later”. Users can even check whether the iPhone’s power management feature is activated or not with the iOS 11.3 update.

Patent Office Grants Apple 6 iPhone X Design Patents that Protect the Controversial Display Notch

Apple gets six iPhone X Designs Patented and it all has to do with the Notch

Recently Honk Kong’s Patent Office granted Apple with patents for six iPhone X designs. Seemingly, Apple has gone and gotten its famed “notch”, seen on the iPhone X, patented. The patent consists of six images that protect the entire iPhone X design. This patent covers the backside dual lens camera and the front TrueDepth camera space or what we know as the “notch”.

The rest of the patent covers each and every aspect of the iPhone X design to ensure that every aspect of the iPhone X design is protected. Apart from other patent applications, patents dealing with designs do not cover a whole range of details concerning the patent. You apparently just get the bare figures as they stand and not much more.

Apple discontinuing its famous notch on the iPhone X? 

In the U.S. Apple has got a single patent for its iPhone X design, granted to the company in Jan of this year.

Those companies out there waiting to jump in on the Apple notch trend in their iPhone X design may want to take care. A poll shows that Apple users were split between liking the notch trend and not. While most users found the notch a tad unnecessary, others felt that the notch on the iPhone X design was a clear design flaw.

Apple competitors may want to give the notch a skip when it comes to their next phones. As some of them love to copy what Apple has to offer, it may not come as surprise if you see new phones with the notch scheme on the front. Reports shows the notch trend is on the downward spiral, meaning that competitors may want to steer clear of the unholy notch or “design flaw” on the front of their phones.
Apple too seems tired of their notch trend and is planning to drop the same in their iPhone design in 2019. Apple plans on releasing an OLED iPhone which will not have the notch on its design in 2019. This may be a strategy in which Apple is trying to differentiate itself from a Chinese manufacturer who took the notch trend a little too seriously and went in for its next phone’s manufacture with the notch.

Apple has also had discussions with its various companies about the new iPhone design, that involves not having a notch on its front screen. The Cupertino company feels that having a full screen, unobstructed by any notch or other “design flaw” will give the iPhone a more complete design.

Samsung too has skipped the notch trend on the iPhone X design when it came to their Galaxy S9 offering. They took the Apple route when it came to 3D face recognition and Emoji AR but skipped out on the infamous notch design. This maybe because the company would face a backlash from having copied a not- so – necessary- feature in their design.

Apple may plan to drop their notch completely from their iPhone X designs but for now, if these patents are anything to go by, the notch maybe here to stay.

Samsung Galaxy S9 Vs Apple iPhone X

It’s the battle of the phones coming in from one side is the S.Korean Company Samsung, from the other side is the Cupertino company Apple. For both companies the S9 and iPhone X are their flagship phones and also the most expensive than whatever they’ve previously offered. While Apple moved from 8 to X directly, Samsung did not skip the 9 bump up from S8.

While marketing any product for any company is a huge deal as it defines their place in the market, it is no different for Samsung or Apple in this regard. Both are keen on showing off their flagship phones and maintaining or maybe even increasing their market share.

Photos on both phones: 

What is similar between these two phones is that they both have 2 cameras, both these flagship phones have a telephoto camera while the Samsung S9 has a wide angle camera as well. Another common feature on both phones is that both these cameras are at a resolution of 12 megapixels.

Now here comes the difference: with the Samsung S9, the phone actually takes 12 pics simultaneously and then selects one with the level of detail you require, less noise and as little grain as possible. The iPhone X on the other hand takes 3 pics and does the same instead of 12 pics.

Display and Design: 

While the S9 has a screen size of 5.8 inches and the S Plus has a screen size of 6.2 inches, the iPhone X has a 5.8 inch screen much like the S9.

iPhone X has got a notch on the top part of the display but Samsung took a different route by making an uninterrupted rectangular screen. For a person who buys a phone based on screen size they will have to decide carefully between a screen with a notch but smaller bezels or a screen without a notch and larger bezels.

Processor on both phones: 

The Samsung S9 will come out in two models one with a Snapdragon 845 chip that will be available in the US and the other model will have Samsung’s own Exynos processor that will be available in Europe.

The snapdragon 845 looks good on paper with a 2.8 GHz of processing power and 8 processing cores.

The iPhone X uses an A11 Bionic chip that has a 2.4 GHz processing power and 6 core processing units. While this may look not-as-good-as the Samsung S9, Apple has a way of making the processors work well with their software and their iOS. Apple might not be behind Samsung when it comes to the processing department with the iPhone X.

Storage: 

While Samsung Provides an option of additional storage with the S9 having a built-in storage of 64 GB and an additional capacity of up to 400GB.

Apple’s iPhone X has no option of additional capacity and the maximum they offer you is 256 GB.
The S9 uses both finger scanning and iris reading as methods of security while iPhone X has gone the facial recognition route.

Apple Granted a Patent for a Dual Display MacBook or Second Generation iPad Pro

MacBook or Second Generation iPad Pro to have Two Screens?

The US Patent and Trademark Office recently published two new patents filed by the Cupertino company in 2015. Apple may be on to making a device with dual screen. The so-called-device seems to be in the form of a notebook with two screens that is attached by a hinge that allows one of the screens to be used as a keyboard, gaming console or sketch pad. In another scenario the hinge used to secure the two screens together could be detachable and the likely device could be used as a second generation iPad Pro.

The device is said to have in one case a permanent hinge while in next case it could also have a detachable magnetic kind of hinge that will lead to apple making a dual device with two screens. This dual screen tech that Apple has going will be also usable with the user wearing a pair of sunglasses too.

Non-reflective dual display: 

With this multiple use screen that may double as a keyboard or gaming console, apple has used tech that prevents the screens from reflecting off one and another. Apple has used polarized layers and some other optical layers in making their iconic dual display. This tech is to allow the wearer of vertically polarized sunglasses to view material on the dual display with a minimum of reflection. Another possible use of this tech is to minimize reflections from the first screen onto the second screen.

Apple may not have been the first company to go in for dual screen devices as Lenovo has already entered the market with its sleek dual screen notebook. According to reports, the first display could be a liquid crystal display that has an inner and outer liner polarizer.

The second display may come in an organic light- emitting diode display. The second display having organic light emitting diodes could have pixels that contain thin film- like transistors and these organic diodes that emit light. The second display may also come with a circular polarizer which is used to cover the pixels to suppress ambient light reflections.

The patent termed as “dual screen with enhanced visibility and suppressed reflections” may come in a device that has the first screen and then directly below it the second screen as a horizontal strip while the rest of the base may be a keyboard or trackpad. In another likely scenario both the screens may take the form of a device which has one screen used as the monitor and the other that functions as a keyboard or a large trackpad.

Apple Launches iPhone 7 Repair Program for Models Showing 'No Service'

Apple comes up with Repair Program for iPhone 7 suffering from “No Service” issue

A number of iPhone 7 devices were suffering from a technical glitch wherein devices showed no services right in the status bar. Apple’s Repair Program will help all the users with the faulty iPhone 7 to get respite from being unable to call others in need. Apple became aware of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus loss of cellular service issue and started the investigation immediately. . This issue was quite annoying for the users as there was nothing wrong with the tower reception the cellular coverage are available to the users without any interruptions.

Apple has investigated this problem in the iPhone 7 devices and came up with the conclusion that one hardware component has simply malfunctioned. Apple has even advised the authorized service providers to aid and instruct customers how to deal with their affected iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 plus models. The usual way of fixing any cellular reception related issue is to remove and reinsert the devices’ SIM card but that wouldn’t be much avail in this case.

Component malfunction is the reason

The investigation conducted by the Apple sheds light that a small percentage of the iPhone device manufactured specifically in-between September 2016 and February 2017 has suffered from this issue. In order to appease the customer Apple has decided to launch a Repair Program wherein it will be repairing iPhone 7 free of charge after checking it for the symptoms.

The reason behind the issue is mainly attributed to the failure of a hardware component present on the main logic board. Since it is hardware issue it is possible to fix by sending out an OTA update rather it will need proper repairing which isn't cheap either.

The model number of iPhone 7 affected by this issue and which happens to be eligible for the Apple's Repair Program includes

•  A1660, A1780 - China 
•  A1660 - Hong Kong, Macao, US 
•  A1779 - Japan

Keeping customers happy with Repair Program

Apple has promised only to invest its time and resources in repairing the affected iPhone 7 models which has been manufactured ion the last two years. These models comprise of the iPhone 7 devices which came out after the successful reception of the first retail sales of the units globally. It should be noted that the iPhone Plus is not the part of the Apple's Repair Program.

The silver lining here for the customers is that Apple is willing to reimburse the amount for those who had already paid to get their iPhone 7 repaired prior to the commencement of this Repair Program.Way back in 2016 Apple has made internal inquiry into the wellbeing and performance of its iPhone line-up and it was found that the iPhone 7s was suffering from this bug issue. Afterthe dismal performance of the Apple iPhone X in terms of units sold has left Apple no choice but come up with a customer friendly Repair Program for the faulty iPhone 7.

How to Turn Off iPhone Throttling in iOS 11.3

iPhone Throttling: iOS 11.3 will allow to accelerate or decelerate old iPhones voluntarily

A little more than a month ago, Apple recognized that it slows down the iPhone through software updates (iphone throttling), a situation that has generated several headaches for the company and that has even caused several complaints from disgruntled customers. Following this, Apple decided facilitate its users by voluntarily turn off iphone throttling. It sent an iOS update to accelerate the processors of old iPhones with degraded batteries, but to leave the issue in the hands of the users themselves, the company confirmed last week that it will launch an iOS update which let's choose whether or not they want to slow down their iPhones in favor of greater security.

Most of the iphone users were forlorn with the disclosure, furthermore Apple react by reducing the cost of an iPhone battery replacement from $79 to $29 along with vowing to provide users the facility to turn off the iphone throttling. That knack has currently available here in adaptations of iOS 11.3 rolling out; it be supposed to come to open beta testers contained by some few days, as well as it will to be expected be accessible in a concluding release contained by the coming weeks — at whatever time it does pull in on your phone, here is how to bring into play the iPhone throttling manually.

Initially, the users will require to be administrating iPhone throttling — that, by this position, have need of a quantity of waiting as well as a small number of additional steps. Apple has not alleged while the absolute adaptation will be released, however any person can roll their gadget to take delivery of beta erect of the software. The battery administration attributes were only appended in the second beta edition, so users will call for to keep informed yet if they downloaded the foremost iOS 11.3 beta the previous month.

Although it was not certain when this option would come, today the company has announced that iOS 11.3 is the version of firmware that will add a switch to perform iphone throttling i.e., to disable processor acceleration and reduce performance decelerated in old iPhones with naturally degraded batteries. According to the company, the controversial feature was added to prevent the old iPhones from being accidentally turned off when the processor was under heavy load, which caused a peak of energy that the battery could not handle.

To do this, Apple accelerated the processor on those devices with the idea of making sure there was not a peak of power large enough so that the battery could not handle it. This hinted that Apple was reducing the performance of older iPhones to force users to buy newer models, so Apple has had to apologize.

Returning to the theme of iOS 11.3, Apple said that this next update will provide the possibility of opting not to receive this functionality when the software update that will arrive in the spring is released. Once users install the update, they can see if the power management feature that dynamically manages maximum performance to avoid unexpected stops is turned on and you can choose to turn iphone throttling off.

Apple in Talks for First Order from Chinese Chipmaker Nikkei

Apple soon going to get chips manufactured from Chinese firms

Apple has been developing its own chips for quite some time and but the rising costs in last few years has finally made it give away the manufacturing to China. Currently Apple is in talks with a Chinese firm named Yangtze Memory Technologies to buy storage chips as per report from Nikkei.

This would also be marked as the first when Apple is indulging in buying chips from the Chinese manufacturers. It is worth noting that these chips will be used only for the new iPhone models as well as other products which will be sold exclusively in the Chinese market only.

Apple performance in Chinese market

As per the Nikkei report Apple has a quite profitable and influential share of the Chinese market. In 2016 Apple market share went down to 9.6 % from 13.6% which was attributed to the rise of the local players like Oppo, Vivo and Huawei who had brought high end specifications to the budget segment.

Things weren’t good just a couple of years for Apple in the China market as it market grew just by 9%. Apple iPhone 6 and 6S variants of iPhone were the best performing device from the Apple so far while iPhone 7 simply failed to capture the attention of the users. But the launch of the iPhone X has simply turned the tide in favour of Apple by bringing back the high end innovation right into the play.

Apple relies on China for manufacturing

Apple has boosted its growth in terms of unit sales with each passing thanks to the efficient manufacturing capabilities of its Chinese partners. It can be easily said that China has played a vital and crucial role in the rise of the iPhone is the last decades due to massive on time production capabilities.

Apple supply chain is quite complex as it brings together different for its iPhone specifically from different parts of the world namely France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Italy, Netherlands and others. Apple does stick the made in China label in all of its devices as the majority of the parts are sourced locally in China while some of the part is outsourced to Taiwan as well.

This year round Apple has relied on the China to produce the iPhone 8 and iPhone X devices along with the others. Apple’s iPhone X also became the first flagship device from Apple to break the one grand dollar price tag barrier which resulted lower than the expected sales in later months but it didn’t put any dent to the overall revenue of the firm.

The decision of sourcing storage chips seems to be a good move on part of the Apple to save more on the chips so it can keep offering the next batch of devices without causing a steep increase in the sale price. Both Apple and Yangtze Memory have refrained to provide any information or comment on this development as reported by the Nikkei.

Apple Invents an Optical System for a Future VR and AR Headset

Apple’s concocting a New Optical System for VR and AR Headsets

Looks like the Cupertino based company, is planning something for their VR and AR headsets. Recently there was news of a patent being published in which Apple seems to be cooking up a new optical system design for their VR and AR headsets and if this news is to be believed, then Apple may be coming up with a lighter and more comfortable VR or AR headset.

This new patent is all about bringing down the weight in using an AR or VR headset. It’s not certain as of now when products bearing this patented tech will be released, it could be months or years or maybe not ever, only time will tell and of course Apple will when they are ready. It’s no surprise that the company has ambitions to deliver a new VR or AR headset in the future but will this new AR or VR headset bear this new optical system or not is the question.

What is the optical system patent actually about? 

Recently the United States Patent and Trademark Office recently published a patent in which Apple has come up with a new optical system that is aimed at making AR or VR headsets much more comfortable and lighter to use. Although the end product maybe years away from the production line, it still helps to know what Apple is up to at the moment.

Microsoft’s HoloLens and Facebook’s Oculus VR Rift Headsets all share something in common besides that they are meant for VR, they can be heavy and uncomfortable to wear. Long hours wearing such a device on the head can become tiring and cumbersome to wear. Apple has even called some of the headsets out there having optical systems that are bulky and not that comfortable to wear.
What is Apple’s new Optical System About?

The published patent details an optical system in which Apple has come out with a new technique/ optical system known as the Catadioptric system. This optical system is not all together new, it has been used as a basis in optical telescopes, telephoto lenses and microscopes. But it is the first time that such an optical system will be thought of for AR or VR headsets.

The catadioptric System is an optical system that uses a combination of curved mirrors and lenses to create a mix of refraction and reflection that does away with magnifying lenses which are used to make visual content larger in the standard optical systems used in AR or VR headsets and that is the primary reason why standard headsets bearing this type of magnifying lens is heavy and cumbersome to use.

With this optical system in mind, Apple can not only reduce the weight of its AR or VR headsets but also slim down the size of the Headsets too.

Until now it is not clear whether and if Apple will ever come to use this optical system in their VR or AR headsets. Right now Apple is playing a waiting game to see how the market will play out and whether VR headsets are here for the long haul or not.

Apple Says a Processing Error Led It to Send Developers Wrong App Install and Ad Spend Details

The recent past, we distinguished and stated on how Apple was conveying developers’ emails by means of a regular set up as well as ad pay out niceties for some developers’ applications. In the present day, Apple has hurl out a memo to developers to articulate that a dispensation error grounds the quandary, as well as that in the upcoming it will barely fling alerts through email, however that developers will need to record in to their reports to make out a few real figures or else other particulars. Louis D’hauwe - one of the developers, distributed a message from Apple express regret for the boo-boo, which come into sight cramped merely to a number of developers by means of the company’s new-fangled Search Ads Basic rank of promotion:

The corporation believed that to steer clear of whichever tribulations such as this in the upcoming, developers will require signing into their accounts to inspect their control panel with particulars. The recent past mess exposed particulars on the subject of apps by the Search Ads Basic check, together through how various bed in every app was receiving, the outlay per set up, as well as the entirety used up. At the same time as called attention recently, not merely might developers not would like to contribute to perceptive info such as this among new developers, however they may be for the most part dejected if the information was shared in the midst of straight players.

Search Ads Basic was commenced merely some months before, during last year, as well as is meant on together new developers and persons who are in a minute opening out by search ads. Apple is having a jiffy level of tune-up that is meant at better ad buys, among additional statistics spots as well as charged on a cost per impression charge fairly than cost-per-install.

In cooperation products give emphasis to a pair of motivating tendency just about Apple as well as the App Store. In the company of millions of application at present on the marketplace athwart together web along with indigenous set-up, notice vestiges a test for a lot of developers, as well as in suspense for virility or else advertising in added types unaided to endorse an app may not be sufficient for the most part.

Attached among that, in a backdrop endemic by means of devious “development scythe” system, Apple has detained the flash to offer somewhat that it could be in command of more itself, as well as create a small income from it to boot. Its incentive: beds in put on from these ads are prejudiced more greatly than further set up from other promotional way, as Apple believes them “Top class.” In receipt of the protection for developers exactly around those ads as well as ad services must and will be measured element and tract of whether Apple beyond doubt is distributing on that value oath.

Apple Watch Series 3 Smartwatch to Launch

Apple launched the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) on 9th Feb. The GPS version of the Watch Series 3 was launched in Singapore in September 2017.

The Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) version can be used while you are on the go. It does not need to be connected to the iPhone all the time.

The Apple Watch Series 3 built-in cellular allows you to stay connected. You can receive notifications, answer calls and lots more without actually having the iPhone near at hand. Payments too can be made using Apple Pay with this watch.

As of now, the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) can only be used with the Singtel mobile line. Singtel is offering the NumberShare plan ($6.90 per month) whereby the phone number, data and talktime are shared with the cellular watch.

Features 

The Apple Watch Series 3 comes in two models, the GPS and the other; the GPS and Cellular version. Both the versions have a 70 percent faster dual-core processor for downloading apps at a faster rate, smoother graphics and allowing the use of Siri through the built-in speaker. Apple Watch Series 3 has a new wireless chip whereby the WiFi speed is enhanced by 85 percent and the Bluetooth and WiFi are more power efficient. The Apple Watch Series 3 will be beneficial to health and fitness enthusiasts. There are coaching features added like water resistance 50 meters and a barometric altimeter to measure relative elevation, outdoor exercises and flights climbed.

The Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) has a full LTE and UMTS cellular radio which switches to cellular when the iPhone is not near at hand. The number for the watch and the iPhone will be the same. When the 3rd generation Apple Watch is paired with AirPods, one can enjoy the wireless experience. The display of the watch acts as an antenna to transmit and receive calls for LTE and UMTS, and has an in-built eSIM, little over one-hundredth the size of the regular SIM, so that over-the-air activation is possible without compromise on the space.

The Apple Watch Series 3 comes in varied colours and styles. The Apple Watch Series (GPS + Cellular) comes in Grey, gold or silver aluminium or with silver or black stainless steel cases along with various bands. The (GPS) version is available in gold, silver or grey aluminium cases with a Sport Band. They are lightweight and designed to provide a comfortable fit to the wrist.

If you want to take your fitness to the next level, stay in good health, be more connected and active, then Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) is the watch for you. It provides smart coaching, has a heart rate app, you can listen to your favourite tunes and also have an interactive Siri experience. It can be used while swimming, can track a casual jog or an intensive workout, track activity levels.

All-in-all, the Apple Watch Series (GPS + Cellular) makes your body your main priority.

The Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) comes at a price of $598.

Why iPhone Night Shift Mode is Big Deal

Night Shift Mode in iPhone and how it could improve Your sleep

We sometimes or maybe always use our phones before we sleep, although we have tried hard to kick the habit. This so called habit of ours leads to us getting very bad sleep. Our phone screens emit a light known as blue light that helps us see the screen in bright sunlight. This feature seems to work in the night also. Blue light has a way of affecting our melatonin production which causes us to get very bad sleep in the night. iPhone’s night shift mode hopes to change all that.

The blue light that phones emit in the night causes our brain to get mixed signals and that is when our melatonin production is affected. Melatonin is a hormone that gives our body sleep cues. Without it, we have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep leading to a host of health problems. With iOS 9.3’s night shift mode the blue light on the iPhone screen is toned down.

How Blue Light Affects the Brain and how night shift mode helps us? 

Blue light basically affects an individual’s melatonin production that makes it difficult to not only get sleep but also to stay asleep. But the blue light on our screens can harm us in other ways too. By not getting proper sleep your neurotoxin levels are affected and this in turn will make it even harder for a person to fall asleep.

Not getting a good night’s rest will affect your memory in the long run and make it harder to remember things too. The blue light in our phones, by affecting melatonin production, also takes a toll on our mental health. Besides being fatigued, low melatonin levels increase the chances of depression.

Causing disruption to melatonin levels will in fact affect other hormones too such as those that control hunger causing associated problems like obesity. The other problems that can result from the harmful blue light could be cataract, cancer and could also affect the retina in a person’s eye.

iPhone users that can’t use F.lux, a feature that allows you to tone down blue light levels when needed, don’t need toworry. With iOS 9.3, users get something that is known as night shift mode. With night shift mode a user can control the blue light setting on your iPhone. Night shift mode allows you to set a timing when your phone will start dimming the blue light emitting from the phone.

The screen becomes warmer as the blue light is dimmed by the night shift mode on the phone. Many users who updated to iOS 9.3 feel their eyes less stressed with the night shift mode. Although how much the night shift mode is going to help a person sleep when they have other sleep related problems is anyone’s guess.

Anxiety, stress related issues and other problems from using a phone at night all can affect an individual’s sleep pattern, this makes it difficult to see whether the night shift mode is effective or not.

Apple iOS 11.2.5 Has A Great Secret Feature

What’s New in iOS 11.2.5?

 
Apple has just released the official version of iOS 11.2.5. This new version of iOS is all set to introduce Apple’s HomePod support, as usual some bug fixes and also is supposedly causing problems for some other users. Apple has jumped directly onto iOS 11.2.5 missing 11.2.3 and 11.2.4.
iOS 11.2.5 is actually a maintenance release which is larger than the average maintenance releases.
 

Downloading iOS 11.2.5:

 
If you are currently on iOS 11.2.2 then downloading iOS 11.2.5 will take you a matter of only 10 minutes and maybe even less with speedier networks.

This version of iOS is a bit bigger than the previous two versions and can take up to a few minutes to update and install. The time may vary according to the Apple device and network connection. Updating from iOS 11.2.2 will be faster than updating from a much older version.
 

Battery life after iOS 11.2.5:

 
While some report no problems after updating to iOS 11.2.5 others are experiencing various problems and one of them relates to battery life.

While on the other side of the same coin, users are stating that they have experienced improved battery performance after downloading iOS 11.2.5. This occurrence seems to be unpredicted for, as Apple has not listed battery fixes as a fix when updating to iOS 11.2.5

New features in iOS 11.2.5:

iOS 11.2.5 brings users a new Siri feature whereby the voice assistant can be asked about news podcasts. Apple started introducing the feature a while back with iOS 11.2.2. Now with iOS 11.2.5 the news podcasts are available to the US, Australia and the UK.

Also coming with iOS 11.2.5 is support for apple’s HomePod. You can now transfer all your Apple id, music and Siri and WiFi settings to HomePod and get it set up.

The HomePod is due to be released in Febuary of this year.
 

Issues in iOS 11.2.5:

 
Many users after downloading the iOS 11.2.5 update are encountering problems relating to frozen downloads, problems with third party apps, battery drain, issues concerning connectivity whether to WiFi, data or Bluetooth connectivity. Additional issues relate to face id and touch id.

Apple is also offering users a chance to drop back to iOS 11.2, iOS 11.2.1 or iOS 11.2.2 if they are not happy with the iOS 11.2.5 download.
 

Security patches with iOS 11.2.5:

 
iOS 11.2.5 has also brought with it security patches including one relating to chaiOS link. Those devices running on iOS 11.2.2 or older and receive a GitHub link as a message in your messaging app, it can mean that your device will respring or lockup. Brsides this, the messaging app may also cease to function.

Another security release relates to spectre. iOS 11.2.5 brings a security improvement for WebKit and Safari which protects users from spectre.

If you do not have the current version of iOS 11.2.2 and have some older version then downloading iOS 11.2.5 will come with a lot more security fixes than updating directly from iOS 11.2.2

WhatsApp Messenger Now Officially Supports Apple CarPlay

WhatsApp Messenger now compatible with CarPlay

WhatsApp is the first messenger app that is now also supported by Apple's CarPlay system: This was previously Apple's own messaging service iMessage (which can also send and receive SMS), reserved. With the update to WhatsApp version 2.18.20 WhatsApp but to bring the necessary support. After pairing the iPhone then appears WhatsApp icon on the car display.

Anyone who knows how to use and appreciate the comfort of Apple's CarPlay in the car will have missed a comprehensive compatibility with the WhatsApp Messenger in many a situation painfully. That could finally change - thanks to a nondescript WhatsApp update.

WhatsApp is supposed to be able to interact with Apple's CarPlay. Accordingly, the innovation does not fall directly on, because the CarPlay icon for the messenger apparently not in the foreground. But at least by looking into the CarPlay settings of the iOS options, it is clear that the messenger has actually been integrated into the system. More safety and comfort On the Apple devices, the feature was probably in the wake of the just-rolled WhatsApp update for iOS with the version number 2.18.20.

However, official information on this not insignificant innovation does not appear to be provided by WhatsApp yet. Also in connection with the recent update for the messenger only "bug fixes" the speech, so the correction of minor errors. A circumstance that is at least surprising, since many iPhone users have been waiting almost eagerly for the feature. From now on, you can use it to read WhatsApp messages from Siri and answer them directly, without being distracted while driving - exactly as it is the case with conventional messages.

Feature is missing? Manually trigger WhatsApp update

If the feature has not arrived yet, you can simply manually update WhatsApp via the App Store. Once done, the function should be directly integrated and the corresponding CarPlay icon will appear as soon as you connect your iPhone to a CarPlay-compatible car.

Supporting CarPlay lets you read incoming messages or dictate new messages to Siri - and the icon also shows you how many unread messages there are. However, the news can only be read out in sequence - scrolling through the individual messages is not possible. However, with Siri you can read the last messages of a person as before: "Hey Siri, read the WhatsApp messages from Martin!".

When you receive a new message, it will now also be displayed on the CarPlay screen so that you can respond directly and have the message read to you. New in the WhatsApp update is also a search function in the group members: If you click in a group chat on the group name, can now also search for participants in a large group - WhatsApp itself writes to the new features of the update, however, only "bug fixes".

What Can We Expect From Samsung Galaxy S9?

With news buzzing about the Samsung Galaxy S9, what can be expected from the phone that will be launched by Samsung?

Some hints were passed by Samsung in its 2017 year-end Financial Report about the Samsung Galaxy S9. The camera and Bixby assistant will be the main features that will strengthen its top of the range Smartphones.

Release Date

Samsung will launch the Galaxy S9 on 25th Feb 2018 at the Mobile World Congress. March 2 is the date for pre-orders and it will be shipped in mid March according to ETNews.

The Design

The Samsung Galaxy S9 will maintain the S8 look. The front of the Galaxy S9 has same sized bezels above and below the display as that of the Galaxy S8. It will have the “edge” curved design with a single camera lens on the rear. There is also the fingerprint sensor, flanked by a flash unit and other sensors on the rear.

Based on a leaked image of the package, the Samsung Galaxy S9 comes with a USB Type-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack at the bottom of the phone. It also seems that the phone will have the IP68 rating.

The Camera

The camera will be the main focus of the Galaxy S9. The ability to capture motion with rapid shutter speed or depth of field and different lighting will be the additional features. The Galaxy S9 may use the Samsung Isocell image sensor for better images in low light by creating a large pixel.

Video can be shot in 1080p at 460fps. According to the leaked image of the package, Samsung Galaxy S9 will have a super speed Dual Pixel 12MP OIS (F1.5/F2.4). It will have a variable aperture that will switch between F1.5 and F2.4 depending on the lighting. The leaked image of the package shows the Samsung Galaxy S9 will have an 8MP AF Selfie camera.

Features

The Samsung Galaxy S9 will come with a 3,000mAh cell which is similar to that in the Galaxy S8. Samsung Galaxy S9 will most probably have two different chips. For the US markets, the model will feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chip and the other international models will run on Exynos 9 Series 9180.

The Galaxy S9 will be the first to have the Snapdragon 845 chip. The Snapdragon 845 will enhance image processing, an improved Gigabit LTE capable modem with 20 percent faster speeds than the modem on the Snapdragon 835. Besides the usual upgrades, the processor will have an AI processing platform called Hexagon 685 DSP.

As far as storage is concerned, the Galaxy S9 may have 8 times the storage capacity of its predecessor. According to reports from Geekbench and a leaked image on Reddit, the Galaxy S9 is slated to have 64GB storage and 4GB RAM.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 is likely to have the 512GB flash storage, as indicated by a December 2017 announcement by the company.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 will have the band 71 support according to a Federal Communications Commission filing. Band 71 is basically a low frequency (600 MHz) band for better coverage in rural areas and large buildings. Since T-Mobile owns the 600 MHz spectrum, they will benefit from it.
Reddit has posted an image of the packaging, which shows the Galaxy S9 with stereo speakers. Samsung in partnership with AKG will enhance the audio of the Galaxy S9. The headphones too are in collaboration with AKG.

Cost of the Samsung Galaxy S9

It may be in the range of $880 to $920.

Apple's iPhone Battery 'Slowdown' to be Optional

Apple is making the feature to slowdown the battery on iPhone an optional

After dealing with huge backlash for slowing down the iPhone Apple has decided to bring new software which will make this feature optional. This update will effectively result in switching off the “battery saver” feature which was the major cause of slowing down some of the Apple models. This option will be made available in the following smartphone models namely iPhone 6+, 6 Plus along with the S editions as well as smaller iPhone SE model. This would also be applicable for the iPhone 7 and 7Plus editions.

Apple has to deal with huge backlash month for slowing down the smartphones deliberately and it has apologized for the same. Customers and fans were angry with the Apple for not accepting this fault and before its discovery were made. Over the years it was suspected that Apple used to deliberately slow down some of its devices in order to push the need to upgrade.

Apple has maintained that it has slowed down some of the phones due to their ageing batteries and it was done in a bid to prolong the life of the iPhone devices. Users will get the ability to get rid of the battery performance throttling on these models with upcoming iOS 11.3 software update. With this update users will get the ability to switch off the battery saver on their iPhone. Apple has asserted that battery saver feature was designed to ringing dynamic management of the resources on the iPhone to offer maximum performance in order to prevent any kind of unexpected shutdowns.

Apple understands that its battery management code will remain under close scrutiny by the computer engineers, fans and tech enthusiasts in the upcoming days. Therefore Apple will be showing more information related to the battery and any kind of the path to the code will be displayed instantly.

Drop in price for the battery replacement

Simply by replacing the battery on their iPhone, users will be able to get same old performance without any issues. Apple has stated that it will be lowering the price for the out-of-warranty batter replacement service from hefty $79 to just $29. This price drop is available for the iPhone users in the US territory and it is applicable for devices like iPhone 6 and later models. Similarly in UK Apple has lowered the price from £79 to £25. A number of tech enthusiasts has complained that the issue related to the battery performance issue is quite rampant across the varied iPhone variants present in the market and it is a cause of concerns for millions of users worldwide.

As the long standing myth Apple deliberately goes on slowing down it older devices in order to boost the sales of the new one has been busted. Apple has come under scrutiny of the regulators, fans and customers therefore it is actively indulging in offering as many options as possible to enhance their battery performance on the iPhone models.

Why You Should Invest in a Blog for Your Website

Are you looking for a way to start generating more traffic to your website? Maybe you have seen a dip in traffic due to search engine algorithm changes or you have generally struggled to maintain the numbers of visitors you want? There are so many different marketing strategies out there to try but you don’t want to waste time on ones that won’t get results. You want to make sure you are investing your time in marketing techniques that are going to help you to achieve your business goals. You want to increase your website traffic and drive more conversions.

If you haven’t already tried blogging as a marketing strategy, the first question is -why not? Websites with a blog tend to have 434% more indexed pages and more indexed pages mean that your website will perform better in organic search results. If your website features higher up in search results then you are going to get more website visitors. Just make sure that your web hosting plan will be able to support increased levels of traffic before you start. Most shared web hosting plans often include “unlimited” bandwidth but we all know that’s a false promise!

Attracting blog readers

Blogging also allows you to provide expertise on subjects that people search for, which are related to your business. For example, if you run a hair salon, a good way of attracting visitors to your website might be to write a blog on how to copy a celeb’s hairstyle or covering different hair trends that are emerging in the industry.

Or if you are a builder, you could do a regular blog providing tips on smaller DIY jobs like tiling. Once you have attracted them to your site with your expertise, you have the opportunity to showcase your services. So they might have a look at an extension you recently completed or a new kitchen that you fitted. Or they may decide that tiling is actually too difficult for them to do themselves and contact your company to do it instead. Creating useful blogs will enable you to build up authority – recognition that you know what you are talking about and that people find your website to be of great use.

Whatever type of industry you work in, blogging is one of the best ways to generate organic traffic to your website. Also, if you add social media sharing buttons onto your blog, when you write something that someone really appreciates, they might share it with their friends on Facebook, Twitter etc. That means that your audience reach increases and more people might start following your blog, looking out for your useful tips and advice.

Interaction and engagement with audience

You can also open up comments on your blog to enable a two-way communication with your website visitors. Maybe there is an issue with your website that is stopping people from contacting you, or a user is struggling to find a specific product, they can use the comments to raise this. Or they might want you to go into more detail about a specific topic, enabling you to reply to them and start building that relationship.

They might suggest another topic for your next blog that would help them and many other people. You might not have any idea that people need help with a specific task unless they ask you. Then that could open up a huge opportunity if there is a big demand for people to learn about your next blog topic.

One thing that sometimes puts people off blogging is that they think it takes up too much time. It doesn’t have to take up hours of your day, most blogs are around 600-1000 words long which shouldn’t take too long if you already have an idea of what you want to cover.

If writing isn’t your strong point or you really don’t have the time, then you can always employ a freelance writer to do it for you. You can provide them with some bullet points of what you want to cover and they will write the blog for you. Or you can simply ask them to research the topic themselves and produce a blog. There are lots of ways to get a blog created, so don’t worry if you’re not a wordsmith or you don’t have the time to write your own blogs.

HomePod Apple Smart Speaker: Features, Release Date And Everything We Know

Everything you need to know about the Apple HomePod

We have been waiting long for the Apple’s HomePod as it makes its debut about six months ago. In June Apple unveiled its very first smart speaker in a bid to give a stiff competition to the ever popular Amazon’s Echo speaker but apple has been quite shy to bring to the market by postponing the launch date again and again. Apple HomePod worked just like any other smart speaker where it brings a wireless audio experience powered with the voice control offered with the help of Siri. Apple promised that it will bring a premium sound experience which will be coupled with the enhanced voice-control functionality with Siri support resulting in a much better experience than the Amazon Echo speaker. Being an Apple product it is designed to work seamlessly with the Apple Music along with some advanced features like smart home integration, multi-room audio as well as voice messaging.

Apple HomePod Key features you would love

Apple is coming quite late into the category of smart home speaker which is led solely by Amazon with its Echo and Echo dot models. Now the major competitor for HomePod includes the Alexa powered Echo series made by Amazon and the Google’s very own Home speakers. Apple has spent a huge time with several of years of research and development in order to come up with its own version of the smart speaker. It had given two years of free reign to the Amazon while it kept on developing the smartphone therefore it will come with a premium price tag along with some cool features baked right into the smart speaker.

HomePod becomes the first smart speaker from Apple which gets powered by Siri. Apple has baked in a number of features based its voice and smartphone assistant Siri into this smart speaker in a bid to give competition to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Siri will allow users to send messages, play a podcast, set a timer or even check the news. Furthermore it will allow users to link a wide range of HomeKit smart home tech appliances with it to turn it a true smart home. Apple has brought the HomeKit ability right into the smart speaker to bring the function of controlling multiple devices or home accessories by simply saying “Hey Sir, I am Home”. You can turn on and off the lights, set up the temperature and perform other smart home automation right by speaking to the HomePod.

Finally the wait is over for the Apple fans

The HomePod will be making its available for pre-order on January 26 in the UK and it will be realizing worldwide on 9the February 2018. A number o fans had gone ahead and waiting whole night for the HomePod sales to begin but they were left disappointed. Apple had announced it at the WWDC developers conference in June but it kept getting delayed from November to December then finally to New Year. Apple has priced the HomePod at just $319 in the US while in UK it will cost around £ 319.

The Cool Stuff in iOS 11.3

The iOS 11.3 beta version has just been released recently with a lot of cool stuff for developers to check out. No one expected the .3 version of the OS to contain a lot of improvements to the overall OS. Besides the smoothing up of edges and giving everything a more polished feel, Apple has also gone the extra step in introducing a lot more features than before in iOS 11.3.

Besides the basic fixes and patches, Apple has also introduced a new animoji, a fix for that battery fiasco and AR upgrades. Apple iOS 11.3 will be available for iPhone 5 and upwards.

That Battery Fiasco and iOS 11.3: 

So a while back Apple had to disclose a feature that makes your IPhone’s processing slower due to an ageing battery, Apple had to apologize for secretly doing this and now has released a way to take control of your own battery through iOS 11.3.

As of iOS 11.3 you can switch off this battery feature or check out your battery’s health by going to Settings>Battery. With iOS 11.3 your IPhone will inform you if you need a battery swap and for a limited period only, and by that I mean a year, you can get a battery swap at just $29.

Adding more to AR with iOS 11.3: 

Although Apple’s ARKit can do a lot, it still had some limitations in that you couldn’t add stuff in vertical terms. You could add for example a sofa against a wall but you couldn’t stand a cabinet against the wall.

Now all that is changed in iOS 11.3. The newer version of iOS can not only recognize vertical spaces but also oddly shaped items as well. Besides this, the ARKit can now also recognize pictures or posters and give out AR content.

More Animojis and iOS 11.3: 

Users with an IPhone X may be aware of animojis, the floating avatar that you can control with your face when you want to send those emotion filled messages.

With iOS 11.3, Apple has added a few more to the floating avatar group, namely a dragon, a skull, a lion and a bear.

Once deleted Stays Deleted in iOS 11.3: 

In iOS 11.3 you can now read and delete your messages from any Apple device and what’s more is that if you delete a message from your laptop then it will be deleted across all other Apple devices as well.

Introducing business chat in iOS 11.3: 

iOS 11.3 is also introducing business chat where you can chat with businesses on business chat instead of phoning them or looking them up online for any enquiries. You can even stop chats whenever you like and you don’t even have to send your personal info to them.

All your medical records in one place: 

Visiting a number of doctors and hospitals all requires you to make several folders and whats more is that you have to lug these medical files to every doctor visit you make. With iOS 11.3 all that is in the past with all your medical files stored in one location.

5 ways to adapt your online store in 2018

The new year has arrived, and with it comes an opportunity for change. So, take a look at your online store – what can be done to elevate it into the future? These five ways to adapt it will ensure it strives in 2018 and the years ahead.

Is your hosting provider good enough? 

Think about how your store is doing. Are you receiving more and more traffic as time goes on? Are you unhappy with the reliability and/or support of your hosting provider? If so, it might be time to reconsider. Begin the year with a new hosting provider that fulfils your demands and meets your needs.

Shared hosting is ideal for small online stores, as highlighted by Ecommerce Guide, but if your store is beginning to grow bigger, it may be time to make that step up and invest in a dedicated server. It’ll cope better with larger audiences, with faster speed times and a much lower risk of any downtime.

Ensure your design is set for the future

One of, if not the most effective way of getting customers to stick around on your store is through its design. Consider your store’s ease of access – can customers find their way around easily? Or are vital links and features hidden behind a garish, difficult design?

Although it’s good to be independent and innovative, look at competitors to see where their designs succeed. Flat design is often the way forward and looks to be so for the significant future, so ensure your online store brings your products and services to the forefront, with a minimal design to prevent any distractions or confusion.

Think about mobile browsing

Online shopping via mobile is becoming more popular than ever, and so it’s important your mobile design is just as forward-thinking and easy to use as the desktop version. 62% of e-commerce shoppers used their mobile phones to make purchases in the last six months, which means it’s definitely a priority.

Upon mobiles, online stores should be quick, simple and striking, bringing the product to the forefront and omitting any unnecessary steps – the process from browsing to buying should be minimal and fast. As handheld devices begin to overtake desktops, it’s important to be prepared.
Consider changes in the market

Make sure you remain vigilant and prepared for any shifts or changes in the market. Trends often change and phases of popularity for certain products can be short-lived, and so it’s crucial you remain a frontrunner and get ahead of the competition – innovation is key. Observe the market and be prepared for the tides of new demands and expiring products, and be prepared to reinvent and introduce new ideas to keep customers coming back. Remember – if you’re not forward-thinking, they’ll likely end up looking elsewhere.

Employ new levels of security

Hackers and attackers are always finding new ways to breach the security of online stores, so make sure you’re prepared for any eventuality. Ensure your security is top-level – especially when dealing with a large number of customers – as confidential details could easily be discovered should an attack be successful.

SQL injection is a common threat in e-commerce, but thankfully there are many methods of prevention that’ll protect you from any harm. This is crucial – should a customer fall victim to a hack, they’ll likely never shop with you again.

Do you have any more tips for adapting an online store for the future ahead? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.

The Battle of the Voice Assistants: Google Assistant or Alexa

The recent CES saw a lot of new and innovative products, but most importantly we are now seeing trends where various gadgets whether it is house hold gadgets or otherwise, are adopting voice assistants into the mix. A common standard against which to measure performance of a voice assistant is how many products come with a particular voice assistant.

Currently there are many voice assistants out there, but the more prosperous of the lot seems to be the ones made by Amazon and the Google voice assistant. So who will take the lead in being the best voice assistant out there?
  
The Battle Between Alexa and Google Assistant Begins…
  
Talking of house hold appliances, at the recent CES Amazon’s Alexa has been inserted into a bathroom mirror whereby you can pass commands to the other house hold appliances through Kohler Konnect.

At the CES a number of products have built in voice assistants which you guessed right- Alexa and Google assistant being at the forefront.

Many smart speakers have a built in Google assistant like JBL, Altec Lansing and LG. Apart from speakers two leading TV brands have also adopted the Google assistant which are Sony and LG.

Getting into cars is another place where you’ll find the Google assistant courtesy of the new android auto.
  
YouTube Between Alexa and Google Assistant:
  
A little set- back for Amazon’s Alexa is that Google has recently blocked Alexa powered echo Show devices from YouTube. While this might be a deal breaker for some, Alexa is still ploughing on with house hold appliances such as fridges that dictate recipes to you while you cook, to bathroom mirrors that can control your other appliances.

In other news, Whirlpool remains non –committal when it comes to the best voice assistant out there. The users are given a chance to pick their favorite voice assistant on their microwave and/or oven appliances.

One of the most talked about gadgets at the CES this year has been the $1000 Vuzix smart glasses and these too feature Amazon’s Alexa to browse through the net for you.

  
So who’s the Winner?
  
While some say that hands down Amazon’s Alexa is the winner, others are a little dubious about the same.

Amazon is a long way off when it comes to countries outside Europe and the US; this may slow down its progress as compared to the Google assistant. The Google assistant too has more language support as compared to Alexa giving it a head start in world markets.

For now voice assistants are a novelty to a great many and while Google and Amazon do have their loyal fan base getting others to use voice assistants and their advantages stills remains a challenge.
What about other company’s voice assistants?

Coming to Apple’s Siri, Microsoft’s Cortana and Samsung’s Bixby, all seem a far way off when it comes to the reigning champions Alexa and Google assistant.

But you got to hand it out to Samsung for remaining loyal to its own voice assistant by seeing bixby into its fridges, TVs and Smartphones.