Apple iOS 6.0.1 software is released

November 5, 2012 by
However there was another bug preventing the iPhone 5 users from accessing the update over the air. Those who want to access the software over the air with using iTunes, must first download a separate patch to fix a bug that prevents them from updating to iOS 6.0.1.
The uptake of this software has been pronominal over the first 24 hours after its release.  According to the ad network and analytic s firm Chitika, the software is already making up 7.5 percent of mobile web traffic. But when you compare it with a same period after the release of the  iOS 6 which accounted for 15% of the mobile web traffic it not as pronominal, but for a small software update its pretty impressive.
So far Apple have appeared to have fixed some of the bugs, but according to macrumours, some customers are still reporting that their still having problem with the WiFi connection on the various  iPhone models and other iOS devices such as occasional drop outs.
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Apple announces the iPad mini and 4th gen iPad

October 25, 2012 by

Apple announces the iPad mini and the 4th gen version of the iPad, which was unexpected.

The iPad mini features were pretty much as expected due to various rumours. It will come with a 7.9-inch display, but to keep the cost down it will not come with a retina display instead it will have the screen resolution of 1024 x 768, which the ipad 2 has. But in reality the screen will appear sharper, due to the pixels being crammed in to a screen which is 2 inched smaller.

It comes in both black and white and measures 7.2mm thick and weighs 0.68lbs, which is 23% thinner and 56% lighter than the full sized iPad.

However the specs inside the iPad mini are also a little let down and some would say it a downgraded smaller version of an iPad 2, because it  uses the iPad 2’s A5 dual-core processor,  it also comes with the same 5-megapixel iSight rear camera, which is from the iPad 2. However there are a few differences from the previous ipad 2 model, now the face time camera has been upgraded to a new FaceTime HD front camera. The iPad mini now also comes with LTE support which now is compatible in more countries outside the US, such the UK.  The other major difference is that now it comes with the new Lightning connector port, which the iPhone 5 and iPad 4 currently has.

Some would say its a downgrade, but some things had to be downgraded to keep the cost down and to make it competitive with the Kindle fire and Nexus 7. Even with its compromises, it’s handy size and weight and it’s connection with Apples excellent eco system will make it a winner.

The Prices of a 16GB iPad mini will start at $329 (£269) for the Wi-Fi model, and $459 (£369) for cellular. 32GB and 64GB models will also be available for $429 (£349) and $529 (£429) in turn. Cellular models will be priced at $559 (£449) and $659 (£529) for the 32GB and 64GB models respectively. The wifi model will be will be available for pre-order beginning Friday, October 26 and it will be released November the 2nd and the cellular model will be available within 2 weeks time.
Apple also announced the new 4th generation iPad today, which came as a surprise  because  the Ipad 3 was only released last March.  However the iPad 4 only comes with only a few upgrades. The new iPad comes with a A6X CPU, which the company claims provides twice the performance of the iPad 3 processor. Like the iPad mini, its Facetime camera has now been upgraded to a FaceTime HD camera. The other difference is that LTE capabilities for the cellular model will now be able to support a wider range of networks across North America and Europe. Lastly  the other change is in the connector port now it has apples new Lightning connector port.

The iPad 4’s 5-megapixel iSight rear camera and the retina display is the same what is in the ipad 3.

In reality it is only worth upgrading if you are an avid gamer, because the new processor will render the gamer better. But it your an ordinary iPad user who uses  the Ipad for digital media and web browsing stick with the ipad 3, because the difference in speed will be hardly noticeable.

The 4th generation iPad will be priced the same as the previous iPad, which is a surprise with the 16GB model starting at $499 (£399) or $629 (£499) for cellular support. 32GB and 64GB models will also be available at similar prices to the iPad 3.

The 4th generation iPad will be available for pre-order starting on this Friday, October 26, the Wi-Fi model should be available on November 2. Apple said that cellular models will begin shipping in a few weeks time.

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The iPad mini is expected to be launched at an apple press event on October the 23rd

October 20, 2012 by

The new iPad mini that is rumoured to come with a 7.8 inch display is expected to be launched at an apple press event on October the 23rd, because Apple have issued invites to media product launch event on October 23rd  

If it is the iPad mini that is being launched at this event. Then it is expected to go on  sale on November, according to various rumours. One rumours comes from a website called 9to5Mac in a form of a tweet, that says that it has heard “whispers” that the iPad Mini release date has been pegged for November 2. 

 

Whilst the technology site noted that nothing was confirmed, it said that the date would “make sense” as “we know the stock is ramping”.

The site however does note that nothing has been officially confirmed, but the site goes on to say that ” it would make sense” as “we know stock is ramping”. “We’ve heard whispers of Nov. 2 iPad Mini release date but nothing confirmed. Date makes sense (Friday) and we know stock is ramping,” the tweet stated.

These rumoured product launch and release dates are most likely to be correct, because Apple wants to steal the limelight from Microsoft, who will be releasing their new Windows 8 software that will be powering a raft of new tablets on the 26th of that month. 

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Rumours intensify on the imminent release of Google maps on iOS

October 16, 2012 by

Rumours have intensified on the imminent release of Google maps on the iOS platform after a developer called Ben Guild posted images of the alleged replacement app on his website. He goes on to explain in his blog, that this version will have the elements that were missing in the previous version, such as two-finger map rotation and vector-based graphics that will reduce the amount of data that is used. Also he claims that it will be super fast and it will be optimised to work with the iPhones  5’s new 4 inch screen.  It’s also likely if the new app comes to iOS it will also come with other features that Android devices had such as turn by turn directions.

 

 

If all this is true then, it will come as a relief to many iOS users, who felt that apples replacement was an underwhelming experience, due to the app being plagued by various issues that have been discussed here.

There could be an element of truth in this rumour, due to the head of Google Eric Schmidt recently commenting about it by downplaying  the prospect of a release of Google maps for iOS. But he did remain hopeful that their will be future collaborations with Apple which gives us a glamour of hope that there is perhaps a iOS version in the works.

 

 

 

 

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Flaws have emerged in the iPhone 5

September 30, 2012 by

Courtesy of Mashable

The iPhone 5 was first launched just over a week ago. Flaws have emerged in the iPhone 5, these flaws range from these phones being bought new with scratches to purple flares appearing in photos that have been taken near to a bright light or the sun. Some users have reported that they have found light leakages coming out of the casing on the white version of the device. This is problem seems to be occurring between the display glass and the aluminium antenna. According to the website BGR, there is a small small crack on some new iPhone 5 units located just below the power button is causing the light leakage.

 

 

 

Users have also found even when the phone is shipped in perfect condition. It is not long until the first scratches emerge on the  black model, According to AllThingsD it seems to scratch more easily than the white model that is due to the fact that the iPhone 5’s case is made out of anodized black (coated) aluminium, which is why it is also lighter than its predecessors, the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. However the white version still does scratch more easily than the iPhone 4 and 4S that due to the material being softer than previously used materials. 

On the MacRumours forum, one user who has been affected by the iPhone 5 scratch gate issue makes a valid point by stating: “If I were selling this phone on eBay or to Amazon or some other third party place, they would ask for the condition of the phone. I would only be able to list it as used/good (even though it is brand new) and the buyer would therefore not give me full retail price right?

“So why then should anyone else expect me as the consumer/buyer to give Apple the full retail price of a phone that is only in good condition? This is the real crux of the matter… You should not expect a like-new product to look used.”

If your still interested in buying the iPhone 5, avoid the black version and pre check it in the shop for any flaws before buying it, otherwise it will mean an unnecessary journey back to the shop for an exchange.  

Apple are currently looking into all the problems that have been raised. Hopefully they will begin shortly to resolve these problems as quickly as possible. Lets hope for Apples sake the camera purple flaring issue is only a software issue. If it is a hardware issue that relates to the new sapphire crystal lens cover that they now use, they will have to have a product recall that will likely cost them millions and a lot of bad publicity.

 

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Apple maps are a let down here is how to get Google maps back

September 23, 2012 by

Since the update of iOS  6 Apple user have lost the familiar Google maps software on their apple devices only to find out that apples replacement map service is an inferior product. Many users are finding that the new maps are lacking in detail and are sometimes not even completed. For example some of the London maps are missing the tube stations and other vital landmark points that are essential for navigation. Some of the digital maps are also incomplete and blurry. Also another major complaint is with the maps location feature, some users have reported that it does not  always locate you accurately.    

If you want to revert to Google maps service a website called Pocket lint has found a temporary solution, while we wait for Google to bring out an iOS map app. Here is how:

Step 1

Open up Safari, and enter the url maps.google.co.uk or maps.google.com

Step 2

Click okay when the Notification pop up appears asking whether you are happy for “https://maps.google.co.uk” to use your current location.

Step 3

When the page finishes loading, click on the share icon in the centre of the menu bar at the bottom and click on the “Add to Home Screen Icon”, on the next pane click “Add” in the top right hand corner.

Step 4

You are done. When you want to find yourself you can simply click on this icon and as long as you have internet access you’ll be able to use the Google Mapping service.  

Source: Pocket lint

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The iPhone 5 launched last night

September 13, 2012 by

Most of the iPhone 5 rumours about the specs of the phone have turned out to be mostly true, after its announcement last night at the special event special held by Apple in  San Francisco California.

The only rumour that did not come true was the use of NFC technology. The rumours  that did come true were, 4 inch screen, faster processor, smaller dock connector and LTE technology. 

The iPhone 5 in fact looks identical to the leaked photos that have been previously floating around the inter net. 

The iPhone 5 will be a phenomenal success, because it’s design is revolutionary. It will easily be able to compete with likes of the Samsung Galaxy s3, due to it having a super fast dual core A6  quad core cpu, a much better form factor and a better display that will offer an unmatched, 4-inch Retina display that is capable of displaying 326 pixels per inch with a resolution of 1136 x 640. This phone will be one of the worlds thinnest phones at just at 7.6mm in depth. The phone will also be 12 grams lighter and 20% lighter than the iPhone 4S and it will be also lighter than the Samsung Galaxy S3 too. 

Apple have also announced that this device will also come packed with a new nano sim format, which could course potential problems. Because it not known at the moment if it will be possible to cut a regular sim down to that format. If you cannot cut your regular sim down  to that format then its possible that the iPhone 5 will not be available on certain telephone companies, due to them not intending to sell the new sim format.  It would have been better for Apple to stick with the new micro sim format, this could potentially cost apple money in terms of sales. 

 

The iPhone 5 will likely course controversy within the UK, because the 4g will only work on some of the networks, due to the phone only being capable of receiving certain 4g frequencies. Vodafone and  02 seem to be the ones left out in the cold, while 3 UK and Orange/T-mobile owned by Everywhere and Everywhere will work on the iPhone. 02 and Vodafone customers will need to wait until the iPhone 5S comes out, which will probably support all 4g services.

 

The new iPhone 5 will be available from September the 21st  from various countries such as the UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore. Then after that date it will ship to 22 more countries from the 28th of September. These countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.  No other announcement has been made concerning other countries around the world. This phone will also come with iOS 6 pre installed. 

 

 

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The iPhone 5 world release date is now sooner than thought

September 12, 2012 by

The iPhone UK release date could now be as soon as September 21 according to insiders in the mobile industry, who have informed the The Telegraph.

It was previously thought that it was being released in the US on the 21st of September and in the UK and in other countries around the world sometime in October. 

The iPhone 5 is expected to be revealed tonight at a special event in San Francisco along with the release dates of the device. Tonight we will finally find out if all the rumours that have been flying around concerning the devices specs are true or not. Don’t be shocked if many of the rumours turn out not to be true.  The rumours  that have the highest chances of getting to the new iPhone 5 are a 4 inch screen, faster processor, smaller dock connector,NFC and LTE technology. 

Anyway we don’t have much longer to wait now.

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The bbc iPlayer now offers down loads on its iOS app

September 6, 2012 by

The bbc iPlayer app now offers downloads on the iPhone, ipad and iPod, users will have 30 days to view the downloaded programmes.

The newly added download option will be welcomed by many users, previously the download option was only available to some Nokia Symbian devices, Windows users and Apple Mac users.  Now people will be able to load their mobile device up with programmes before they go out via their WiFi connection, which will save them a bundle. It’s worth pointing out that users will also have the option to download via a 3g connection too.

 

Daniel Danker who is the general manager of BBC programmes on-demand told the bbc that: 

“With mobile downloads for BBC iPlayer, you can now load up your mobile phone or tablet with hours and hours of BBC television programmes, then watch them on the road, on the tube, on a plane, without worrying about having an internet connection or running up a mobile data bill,” said Daniel Danker, the general manager of BBC programmes on-demand. 

“Viewers have up to 30 days to begin watching a downloaded programme, so you can even fill up your device and take the BBC with you on holiday.”

 

The bbc says its move to update it’s app with the same usability as it’s pc app is more about moving beyond the pc into newer platforms such as the mobile device market, due to the ever growing importance of other ways of accessing on-line content. Since the bbc iPlayers 5 year launch on the pc it has been a success, it has in fact seen an impressive year-on-year growth of 142% in numbers since its launch.  In July alone the bbc had over 30 million request from tablet users and smart phone users for its iPlayer service.  The bbc now hopes by moving fully into other platforms, they will be able to continue it’s pronominal success its has had in recent years.

 The bbc has also announced that it is working on a Android version of the iPlayer iOS app, that can offer downloads.  The bbc has also announced that it is also on the new Android iPlayer app that will also work without the need to install flash. This move was prompted by adobe stating that it will not be supporting the latest OS from Android called jellybean with their flash player.

 

 

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Apple wins the US patents case against Samsung and Samsung declares that its a sad day for innovation

August 26, 2012 by

The court said that Samsung infringed on two major iPhone design patents that has been used on every iPhone model since its  launch. This includes the D’677 patent, which is concerned with the design of the front fascia of the iPhone. Apple was also successful in convincing the US court that Samsung had deliberately copied the design and layout of the iPhone’s home screen , which constitutes a breach of another design patient of the iPhone. It was also declared that Samsung has also breached all of the patients that relate to the iPhones software, which account for in total three patients. 

 

There is not doubt that this US courts decision has come as a big blow to Samsung, to add injury to insult the company will have to further pay out in damages to the sum of $1.04 billion to Apple. It also may have to withdrawn some of its products within the US, which Apple is now calling for.  For Samsung to possibly avoid having to withdrawn some of its products it would have to alter their products so much that it would make them virtual unrecognisable. 

 

Samsung says its a sad day for innovation following the US courts decision to favour Apple over concerns of infringements of its patients rights.  However Samsung are planning on launching an appeal against this decision. In reality this battle could go on for years in the courts , which is likely to benefit no one but the lawyers. It could in fact deter Android manufacturers from bringing out new innovative models, which would mean the biggest losers in this would be the consumers. However this ruling could give a leg up to some of Apples other competitors such Nokia in terms of getting a bigger foothold within the marketplace, because Apple dose not seem to have any issues with the designs of their products. Whether Apple has a personal vendetta against Android who knows, only Apple can answer that question. Anyway keep your eyes peeled, because we are sure to see some more interesting developments to come relating to the battle between these two giants of the mobile tech world as they battle it out for supremacy.

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