Apple’s iOS 8 - Message App – Various New Features

Messages are always stored by default on the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch and sometimes the text, images, video and other media is viewed after a long time. Keeping all these could take up valuable storage space on the device.

The new feature option in iOS 8 now enables users to select the duration of messages that can be stored on the devices and the new setting will be useful in controlling the time limit of text messages and picture messages which get stored on the device.

Too many messages, a backlog of messages could accumulate over a period of time and take up a considerable amount of space not only on the iPhone but in the form of iCloud backups as well. Apple has provided an option in the first iOS 8 beta by including a `Store Messages’, option which is found in the message section of the app setting.

The message app provides various new features with the upgrade of Apple’s iOS 8 especially for those who participate in group messages which might take up a lot of space or even tend to get annoying. Users have the option of choosing to save the messages forever, for a year or just for 30 days. As of iOS 8, `Store Messages’, default setting is forever.

Message History Setting – 30 Days/Year/Forever

Long text message thread especially those which are accompanied with images tend to utilise more space on an iPhone and Apple taking this into consideration has addressed this problem in iOS 8 by including a new `Message History’ setting. By launching the Setting app, users can customize this, choose messages and change the `keep messages’ option according to their requirements of 30 days, a year or forever.

Selecting the option of 30 days or one year warns the user that the setting would delete all text messages and attachments from the device permanently once it reaches the expiration date. With regards to threads which may remain active, Apple has provided an easier option to go back and view the older attachments and access the unique functions which are available by going to the `details’ menu that is at the upper right area of a message thread.

Functions - `Leave this Conversation/Do Not Disturb’ 

User can then scroll down to the attachments section and view the pictures, video and the other media which have been sent and can also add a name of the group message thread if they intend to do so. If the group message thread tends to get annoying, a new ‘leave this conversation’, function is also available in iOS 8.

Besides this, iOS 8 also enables users to send current location of the conversation to members or even share their location for three different option of time, of one hour, until the end of the day or indefinitely. Sometime, conversation could be unwelcome or bothersome and for this issue, Apple has included a `Do not Disturb switch’, and on enabling this, notification will go on mute mode for on-going conversation making sure that the phone is not buzzing when new messages come in.

These features are besides the new quick sharing functions in sending video, audio images together with text in the new iOS 8.

Apple Watch with 512MB RAM, 4GB Storage

According to recent report regarding the latest Apple Watch which was announced at an event, there seems to be some specifications for the Apple Watch which has been rumoured to be offered with 512MB of RAM together with 4GB built in storage.

Apple was light on its technical specifications and on checking with the company’s supply chain it was found that the product would be included with the said RAM and the GB internal storage. Its details were given in a new research report to investors, recently by Timothy Arcuri of Cowen and Company, which was provided to AppleInsider.

The note claims that the 512 megabytes of mobile DRAM would most probably be supplied by Hynix, Micron and Samsung. Regarding internal storage, Timothy Arcuri is of the opinion that Apple is likely to offer another version of the Apple Watch which would be an 8 gigabyte version in addition to the standard 4 gigabyte version though he states that the choice on larger capacity would not be the default configuration and expects the memory would come from most of the major NAND suppliers.

Wireless Combination Chip

With regards to other internal components, he also expects that the Apple Watch would be featuring a wireless combination chip which would be similar to the Broadcom BCM43342 that is found in iPhone 5s.

 Moreover, the chip also includes a GPS radio which Arcuri states is `somewhat at odds’, with the announcement of Apple, wherein the company states that the Watch would need being tethered to an iPhone to offer GPS data.

No explanation was offered for this discrepancy though there could be a possibility that the chip could be a modified version which lacks GPS or it could be that Apply may have decided not to enable the function, with the aim on improving battery life.

Users would be expected to recharge the Apple Watch every night. Several other companies in the supply chain of Apple Watch is stated to be a wireless charging integrated circuit from Integrated Device Technology, NFC chips from NXP as well as AMS, power management integrated circuits from Maxim Integrated Products and Dialog Semiconductor, a MEMS sensor from Invensense, Wi-Fi front end by Skyworks and microcontroller by STMicroelectronics.

Launch in Early 2015

Some information with regards to the display of the new Apple Watch was also said to be displayed last week, indicating it to be a flexible OLED display with glass as well as plastic versions for various models of the Apple Watch.Apple has not released any details with regards to its launch though all that has been said is that it would be sometime in early 2015 and consumers could expect the launch before the end of the first quarter.

Though the Apple Watch was announced early this month, the company had focused on the design as well as the level of customization which was available in its upcoming wearable device instead of specifications and storage capabilities.

The pricing remains a mystery, but the company had stated that the Watch would be starting at $349 without any breakdown of sizes or collections.

Apple using TSMC for 20nm A8 chip in iPhone 6, not Samsung

Apple’s iPhone 6 & 6 Plus built by TSMC

According to recent reports, the latest 64 bit A9 system-on-a-chip of Apple’s latest iPhone 6 and 6 Plus is said to be built by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and not Samsung, its long-time partner. As the iPhone device made their worldwide debut, the team at Chipworks disassembled the models to have a closer look at the components inside, which revealed an A8 processor that had been built by TSMC.

This discovery confirms the rumours of last year that Apple would be switching away from Samsung foundries to TSMC which employs a 20 nanometer CMOS process for the present generation. Aseries SoC. As per Chipworks, the A8’s contacted gate pitch of 90nm conforming to Qualcomm’s MDM9235, which is a chip built by TSMC.

The change from Samsung to TSMC for fabricating the A series chip powering the iOS device tends to be significant since Apple had relied on Samsung earlier for the task. Besides this other discoveries include the unannounced NFC controller made by NXP dating back to 2012 with Chipworks cities insiders stating that the design was built by Apple exclusively indicating that the company had access to the silicon for around 18 months.

New Chip Power and Energy Efficient

The discovery of the A8 chip that is found in both the updated iPhone models confirms the use of 20 nm process as The Journal’s July report had indicated which compares to the 28 nm processor of the A7 chip that is found in the iPhone 5z, iPad Air as well as iPad mini together with Retina display, built by Samsung, thus making the new chip more efficient with regards to power and energy.

At the launch of the iPhone, Phil Schiller, Apple SVP of Marketing, had stated that Apple was capable of fitting the 2B transistor of the A8 in less space than the 1B transistor in the A7.

Apple’s decision to use TSMC instead of Samsung for the new A8 chip is considered to have affected the profits of Samsung earlier this year though Samsung could return to produce the chips in future. For some time now, TSMC had been expecting to replace Samsung in the A8 fabrication process.

Faster CPU Performance & Graphics

Besides this, InvenSense has also been tapped by Apple for the new iPhones’ six-axis accelerometer and gyroscope, taking over the supplier STMicroelectronics while Texas Instruments also showed up with haptics driver that were used to control the vibrator unit.Sony is also supplying the iSight chip which in iPhone 6 and 6 Plus is the company’s Exmor RS back illuminated CMOS image sensor which previouslyindicated that the chip featured 1.5 micron pixels on a die size of 4.8 mm x 6.1 mm.

Moreover, Chipworks also discovered that Apple’s phase detection system or `Focus Pixels have been implemented in the green channel. By preferring a different company in the production process, Apple’s A8 processor in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus has a faster CPU performance of about 25% and up to 50% faster graphics as informed by Apple during the September 12th iPhone 6 announcement. Consumers, recently got the glimpse of the components used in the building of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

How to Back Up Data to New iPhone 6

Apple’s latest entry, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are now available to consumers and one of the first options for these owners would be to move all their contents to their new device. Apple has provided the support with the process of backing up as well as restoring the data with the use of iCloud and iTunes.

Getting the data over to the new device is a simple process irrespective of which iPhone model the user may previously haveand they could use either of the options of iCloud or iTunes. Most of the iPhone users probably have enabled automatic backups through iCloud but if one is not sure, the status could be checked by navigating to Settings, then iCloud and finally storage and backup.

If iCloud backup has already been enabled, users could check on the `last backup. The iPhone performs automatic backups when it gets locked, or plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi and while the latest backup may be around two weeks old, user would want to run a new one before going ahead by using the option of `backup now’.

New Cheaper iCloud Storage Plan 

Apple has recently launched a new, cheaper iCloud storage plan for their consumers. If the iPhone is too big to back up a free 5 gigabyte account, one could add additional space to ensure that precious data does not get lost but restored.

Users could also use the option of iTunes if they do not want to upload their data to the cloud by connecting the iPhone to the computer with the Lightning cable and open iTunes wherein they can either sync the device or open File, then Devices followed by Backup to bring up the backup menu. To begin the backup, a right click on the iPhone and selection of Backup Now can be done.

 Restoring data from iCloud is done straightforward wherein during setup and after signing in to iCloud, iOS poses a question on the user’s desires to restore the device from a backup or set it up as a new iPhone. The option of `restore from backup’ shows up a list of the latest backup enabling the user to make a choice on what needs to be restored.

Backup & Restore Process Easy and Simple

On doing so, it will allow you to set up the iPhone without the need of connecting it to the computer and based on the size of the backup, it could take a significant time limit for download. User need to make sure to start the restore when the phone is plugged in to an external power source.

Restoring from iTunes back is also equally easy and you need to update iTunes to the latest version before connecting the iPhone to the computer with the included Lightning cable, then Choose File, Devices, Restore from Back up followed by the on screen prompts to opt for the backup and start the restore procedure.

Movies, music and photos that are synchronized from the computer are not included in the backups and hence one will have to resynchronize their handset after restoration is done. You could also subscribe to iTunes Match, Apple’s cloud-based music locker, for music wherein the service comes at a cost of $24.99 annually providing download of any song which is available in local music library from the iTunes Stores as well as those which are not sold in iTunes could be uploaded and made available to the user.

Apple's iOS 8 Released With New Features

Provision with Tips & Tricks for iPhone/iPad

Apple has granted access to Touch ID with its latest iOS with third party apps such as 1Password which could take advantage over the fingerprint reading hardware. With the preparation of the iOS 8 release, Apple has provided a set of tips with tricks to help users of iPhone and iPad enabling them to take advantage of the new functions and features offered in the latest development of mobile OS.

The much awaited feature rolled out in iOS 8 was initially introduced along with the iPhone 5s which had been opened only to developers. It has the ability to swap out keyboards for third party solution and though earlier Apple had restricted users to the main iOS soft keyboard because of security issues, now with iOS 8, users can download and check out custom solutions like SwiftKey and Fleksy.

In iOS 8, users can access few more features on a locked phone if one intends to do so. They can toggle on the Today and Notification view screens for Notification Centre. With Apple’s iOS release, its privacy expands and diversifies and this new entry is not exception where its biggest addition to privacy settings screen is in the Location Services sub menu. You have a new subsection on sharing the location with more refined control for the apps as well as new system services toggles.

Option to Permit Third Party Apps Access

Moreover in iOS 8, users also have the option to permit third party apps access to Camera, HomeKit, Health as well as Motion Activity data and the apps enabled would appear in new Privacy menu which has been named after each of these features.

The Usage as well as the diagnostics submenu which appears at the bottom of the privacy screen has a new toggle like Share with App Developers and if turned on, it enables third party developers to see anonymized crash data and the statistics on the usage of the apps.

From the point of view of app, Apple’s first party titles have updated features such as in Messages section, quick image and audio/video sharing together with deep email management in the Mail section. Besides this, Apple has also made some more addition of new Camera features enabling the world’s popular shooter up-to-date inclusive of time lapse functions, advanced exposure controls and shutter timers,

iOS 8 Features Siri

The iOS8 also features Siri which has been improved to a great extent with the virtual assistant presently supporting `Hey Siri’, hands free operation when it is plugged into a power source. While audio response has been tweaked to sound more natural, the backend is enhanced with HomeKit integration in order to control smart home products.

Besides Siri, they can also customize Notification centre with widget which have been created by third party app developers and powered by corresponding app, widgets could enable information displayed in Notification centre with the lock screen, from surf reports to sports scores which can be done with a swipe.

With the release of OS X 10.10 very soon, iOS 8 would be able to integrate through `continuity’ features namely answering the calls on their Mac, continue with text conversations as well as open Web pages and documents through Handoff with Apple’s iOS 8 now being available as a free over the air software update.