Apple may combine iPhone, iPad and Mac apps for a unified user experience

NEW DELHI: Apple might be planning to go the Microsoft way. The Cupertino-based tech firm is reportedly planning to unify its iOS and Mac apps into one for a consistent user experience. As mentioned by Bloomberg, Apple could be taking first steps towards unified apps as soon as early next year. As part of it, developers will get the flexibility to create just one app that works with a touch screen or mouse and a trackpad, meaning on iPhone, iPad or Mac.


For now, developers have to design two different app versions catering to both iOS and Mac users. Introducing unified apps will be solving two problems together. It won't just make it easy and time saving for developers to create a single app, but will also indirectly result in a revival of the otherwise dead Mac app store.

Steven Troughton-Smith, a noted Apple app developer told Bloomberg that unifying iOS and Mac apps will help both platforms "evolve and grow as one, and not one at the expense of the other." He adds that, "This would be the biggest change to Apple's software platform since iOS was introduced."

This project is named as 'Marzipan' internally and will materialise as a part of the upcoming major app update strategy. The project is planned to take place over multiple years. Since it is said to kick-start early next year, we may hear something on the same lines at the 2018 Apple WWDC conference.

However, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that that all this is still not concrete and plans may change or cancel in future.

Apple's initiative comes after both Google and Microsoft announced their entry in this segment. Microsoft Store already comes with several universal single apps that are designed to run on small and large screen devices. Google is also slowly moving towards it by making its Android apps available for Chrome OS users.


Ref: TOI

Apple to allow hiding stock apps on iPhone soon

Apple is to finally allow people to hide thestock apps in the iPhone, according to newly-discovered code.


Hidden data in iTunes appears to show that the company will let people hide -- but not delete -- the pre-installed apps that come on iPhones. Currently apps like Stocks come bundled with the iOS operating systemand have to sit on the home screen -- usually being shunted into their own "junk drawer" folder so that they can be hidden.

The discovered code includes a line that checks for whether a given piece of software is "hideable". That seems to indicate that at some point soon the company will give people the option of moving the apps of their homescreen.

Included in a range of options for certain apps is a new option that allows the app to know whether something "isFirstPartyHideableApp". While there are no first party apps that can use that feature yet, the addition seems to indicate that an update is on its way.

The code does seem to suggest that the apps will only be able to be hidden, rather than fully deleted. That will mean that they'll still take up space within your phone's storage, but just not be taking up space on the home screen.

Source: TOI

Lumia 950, 950XL are here, but can they beat iPhones?

Microsoft has unveiled its first Windows 10 smartphones as it launched a series of new gadgets in a bid to win a bigger share of the competitive mobile market.


The technology giant's two premium Lumia smartphones take aim at popular devices offered by Apple and Samsung and add a few original features, such as a security tool that unlocks the phone by scanning a user's eye.

The launch marks the latest step by chief executive Satya Nadella to build on the July release of Windows 10, which Microsoft said was now running on 110 million devices around the world.

"We now begin a new chapter of Windows 10 with new devices built for Windows 10," Nadella said at the New York launch event.

"What matters most is the mobility of your experience more than the mobility of any specific device."

The latest smartphone pitch follows a bruising rethink of the technology following Microsoft's disastrous 2014 acquisition of Nokia for some $7.2 billion. Microsoft subsequently wrote down the Nokia assets by $7.5 billion and eliminated more than 25,000 jobs.

Microsoft's Lumia 950 features a 5.2-inch high-definition screen and a 20MP camera, while the Lumia 950 XL has a larger 5.7-inch screen.

The Lumia 950 will price at $549, while the Lumia 950 XL at $649. A third, more modest phone with fewer functions, the Lumia 550, will start at $139. The Lumia phones will be launched in November.

Both phones can be connected by a small portable display dock accessory into a personal computer, a large screen or another display device. A keyboard or mouse can be connected, expanding the capacity of a smartphone to operate like a personal computer.

"We want to bring Windows 10 to life in your pocket," said Panos Panay, corporate vice president for Microsoft's Surface division.

Analysts said there is little chance for Microsoft to quickly shift the dynamics of the smartphone business, in which it holds only about three percent, according to IDC.

Forrester Research analyst Frank Gillett said the phones' innovative eye-screening security and ability to link to other computing capacities were intriguing ideas, with the latter of particular interest to enterprises.

Ref - TOI

#Idea hikes prepaid data tariffs by 18% in #Delhi

Idea Cellular prepaid customers in Delhi and NCR will now have to cough out more for using data as the company has increased rates by over 18% with effect from June 3.

The company has made changes in most of the recharges and vouchers for 2G and 3G services.

According to industry sources, the company also plans to increase the data tariffs in five-six more circles in the coming days.

When asked to comment on the matter, the company did not reply.

According to information taken from customer care of Idea Cellular, the company has increased 3G data tariffs by over 18% and 2G tariffs by 11%.

A customer care executive said the 1 GB pack of 3G with a validity of 28 days will now come for Rs 295 compared with Rs 249 earlier, while a 1GB, 2G data pack for will now come for Rs 195 with 28 days validity as against Rs 175 earlier.

The company has also reduced validity of various packs. For instance, customers will now get a validity of 7 days with a recharge of Rs 247 for 1GB, while earlier it used to cost Rs 249 with 28 days validity.

Idea is the first telecom operator, which has increased data tariffs after the March spectrum auctions.

Idea was successful in securing spectrum in all the nine telecom circles (which account for 69% of its revenues) that came up for renewal. The company had paid over Rs 7,000 crore of the overall outgo of more than Rs 30,000 crore.

In a bid to improve profitability, telecos have been cutting back on discounts and freebies. Last year also, firms including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea had increased data as well as call tariffs.

After the March spectrum auction, industry associations had said there would be hike in tariffs as operators have to pay about Rs 1,09,874 crore to the government.


Ref- TOI

#Apple Ranks 5th on the 2015 Fortune 500 List

Apple has been ranked fifth on the 2015 Fortune 500 List. Companies are ranked by total revenues for their respective fiscal years. Included in the survey are companies that are incorporated in the U.S. and operate in the U.S. and file financial statements with a government agency. 

Apple was also ranked 5th on the list last year.

After a bumpy start to 2014, Apple's stock finished the year up 40%, adding nearly $200 billion to the company's market value. A product pipeline that's gotten Apple fanboys lining up all over again has certainly helped reenergize revenue growth: In addition to unveiling new categories like Apple Pay and Apple Watch, the company launched the iPhone 6, selling a record-breaking 10 million units in the first three days. As CEO Tim Cook recently told investors: "It's tough to find something in the numbers not to like." The normally low-profile Cook is breaking new ground in other ways too—in October, 2014 he came out as the first openly gay CEO of a Fortune 500 company. 


Ref - iClarified

First look: #Microsoft Surface Pro 3

To appreciate Microsoft's latest tablet computer, you need to accept the notion that one device can do it all. 

The Surface Pro 3 works as a tablet when you want to watch video or read e-books. It works as a laptop when you need to get serious work done. The Surface delivers on both, though it falls short of meeting Microsoft's claim to do so without compromising on either. 

The Pro 3 runs a full version of Microsoft's Windows 8 system, the same as you get on a traditional desktop or laptop computer. That means that, unlike other tablets, it can run just about any program designed for Windows: Microsoft Office, Photoshop and more. 

The Surface has a touch screen like other tablets, but it also has an optional cover that opens to reveal a physical keyboard and touchpad. It has a USB port and one for external displays, both of which are rare on tablets. 

It also matches laptops in price. Although the new Surface starts at $799, the keyboard cover is $130 extra. As a laptop replacement, you'll want a faster processor and more memory. Configurations run up to $1,949, or $2,079 with the keyboard. A comparable MacBook Air laptop costs $1,749 — though buying a separate tablet will run you a few hundred dollars more. 

The mid-range configuration comes out June 20, with the rest coming out later this summer. Microsoft began taking orders Wednesday. I've had about a day with the Surface since Tuesday's announcement. 

I wrote this story with my feet on my desk and the Surface on my lap. The previous model had a kickstand that rests in two positions - one for the desk and one for the lap. The new one gives you a range of angles, akin to adjusting a laptop screen on its hinge to any position. I was able to adjust the angle to reduce glare from overhead lights. 

Of course, the MacBook also does all that, while allowing me to hold it in one hand. When I try to do that with the Surface, the keyboard or screen moves back and forth like a swing. 

Then again, the MacBook isn't convenient to open on a crowded subway or bus, and it isn't comfortable for watching video in bed. The Surface, without the keyboard, is ideal for those situations. 

Apple's iPad is good for that, too, and it has a greater range of tablet-specific apps unavailable for Windows or even Android. 

The Surface and other Windows tablets have the benefit of being able to run multiple apps side by side, something I long for in the iPad when I want to check e-mail or Facebook while watching video. The Surface also has a bigger screen, at 12 inches diagonally, compared with the iPad's 9.7 inches. 

The Surface comes with a stylus that feels like a real pen. Clicking on it takes you to Microsoft's OneNote app, where you can start handwriting or doodling, just as you would on a pad of legal paper. The screen is sensitive enough to tell whether you're pressing lightly or hard, and what appears adjusts accordingly, just like real paper. 

One potential annoyance: The pen doesn't have a rechargeable battery. You need a AAAA battery (the first time I've heard of that size) plus two wristwatch-type coin-cell batteries. And you need a small screwdriver, not included, to replace the coin-cell batteries. 

The new Surface departs from most other tablets, including previous Surface models, in adopting a screen ratio of 3:2. Most tablets use 16:9 for widescreen television. The iPad uses 4:3, which is common for older TV shows and standard digital photographs. 

That means you'll get wasted space whether you watch 16:9 or 4:3 video. It tends to be one or the other on other tablets, though the amount of wasted space is larger when you do have it. Microsoft says the 3:2 ratio is the "sweet spot" that covers both types of content. It's also good for photos from single-lens reflex, or SLR, cameras. 

A bigger consideration than the screen ratio is whether you need a single device that does all things. 

There are plenty of professions that don't involve sitting at desks all day: health care, retail and teaching, to name a few. A hybrid might make sense in those cases. 

But I'm not one of those people. 

When I'm reading e-books on a train or a bus, I prefer a smaller tablet or dedicated e-reader. When I'm editing photos or writing, I prefer a laptop with a larger screen. When I'm watching video, I prefer a streaming device attached to a big-screen TV. 

The Surface is good for those who want just one device, but there are trade-offs, notwithstanding Microsoft's insistence otherwise.

Ref - TOI

#Moto E vs #Nokia X vs #Lumia 520: Which one to buy

Moto E has become a runaway success in the Indian market, giving buyers a viable option against the multitude of low-cost but barely functioning smartphones from the likes of Micromax, Lava, Samsung, Sony etc.

While there is no doubt that Moto E is the best ultra-cheap Android smartphone, many still believe that Microsoft's Nokia Lumia 520 — despite being over a year old — is still THE phone to beat in the entry-level segment. Adding to the options is the recognition for Nokia X, the company's cheapest Android phone, albeit with a lot of Microsoft flavour and sans Google Play Store.

We take an in-depth look at the three to decide which among the three — Moto E, Lumia 520 and Nokia X — is the best entry-level smartphone in India.

READ ALSO: Moto E review
READ ALSO: Nokia X review
READ ALSO: Nokia Lumia 520 review

Design


Moto E sports the curved design that was introduced with Moto X and feels very ergonomic. With the rounded edges, it is easy to grip in one hand and feels pretty solid. The back cover features matte finish that feels good to hold. 

Moto E is, however, the heaviest of the lot at 142gram, especially considering its overall size and despite lack of any hardware keys in front. Motorola has used a nano-coating to protect the smartphone from damage if it gets a little water. 

In contrast to Moto E's rounded edges, Lumia 520 has sharp edges on corners. Thankfully, the back panel has a slight curve to it at the sides so that it can be wielded pretty comfortably in a way that you don't feel the sharp edges. 

On the other hand, Nokia X is all edges and no curves. It has a pretty boxy look to it and appears quite similar to the cheaper Asha phones. Nevertheless, it also feels pretty solid and can be held in one hand comfortably. Both Nokia phones also feature matte finish on the back, but it doesn't feel as good when compared to Moto E. 

Verdict: Riding high on the back of an ergonomic design and (limited) water resistance, Moto E wins this round with ease.

Display
Moto E comes with a 4.3-inch screen, offering display resolution of 960x540, something that India's entry-level segment has not seen yet. The colours appear punchy and sunlight legibility is pretty good. However, Moto E's viewing angles are a bit dodgy and you would not be able to enjoy videos from an off-centre position as it loses colours then. The screen of Moto E is topped with Gorilla Glass 3 so that it is better protected against scratches. 

Both Nokia X and Lumia 520 feature a 4-inch display with 800x480p resolution and have better viewing angles than Moto E. In comparison to Moto E, the display quality is not as great, even though there is only a small difference in the pixel density of the three (256ppi for Moto E vs 233ppi for the Nokia phones). 

Lumia 520 and Nokia X's colour reproduction capabilities are similar to that of Moto E, but the Motorola phone gets the edge in sunlight visibility. 

Verdict: Moto E is the winner here, trumping the rivals with a bigger screen, Gorilla Glass 3 protection and better overall quality.

Hardware



Moto E runs on a dual-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon 200 with 1GB RAM. It is the only smartphone in Motorola's international portfolio that supports microSD cards (up to 32GB) and comes with 4GB in-built storage. The dual-sim device has a 5MP rear camera, 1,980mAh battery, 2G, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and microUSB 2.0. 

Lumia 520 is powered by a dual-core 1GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, backed by 512MB RAM. This single sim phone comes with a much higher 8GB internal storage, supports 32GB microSD cards, 5MP rear camera and a lesser 1,430mAh battery. Its connectivity features are same as that of Moto E. 

Nokia X too packs a dual-core 1GHz Snapdragon S4 Play chipset, with 512MB RAM. This smartphone supports dual sim cards, has 4GB internal storage, supports storage expansion via microSD cards (up to 32GB) but features only a 3MP rear camera and 1,500mAh battery. It comes with Bluetooth 3.0, but the rest of the connectivity options are same as that of Moto E and Lumia 520. 

Vedict: Spec sheets don't tell the real story. Sure, Moto E has the best hardware of the three at first look, but Lumia 520 does not need as much RAM and as big a battery to deliver similar performance. In the Performance section below, you will read in detail how Lumia 520 is able to match Moto E despite less powerful hardware.

Software
Moto E comes with the pure, unadulterated version of KitKat, the latest version of Android. There is a reason why Android is so popular: You get the best of apps without paying a bomb. That's where Moto E scores. On the other hand, Windows Phone is still getting there and has a fair bit of catching up to do. Motorola has also promised an upgrade to the next version of Android for its latest phone. 

Nokia Lumia 520 runs on Windows Phone 8 operating system, and will get the WP8.1 update once it starts rolling out globally only later this year. But the Windows Phone app store is pretty limited even though it is over three years old. You will get most of the popular apps on this platform, but major updates come last to Microsoft's OS. 

Nokia X is the most interesting case here. While the other two phones run on stock versions of their respective platforms, Nokia X is powered by Android, but with heavy customization such that it does not feel like an Android phone at all. The default software is overlaid with a tile-based skin that is reminiscent of Windows Phone, and a swipe to the left or right will bring you to the Fastlane multitasking system that was introduced with the Asha range. 

But the custom skin comes with problems of its own. It trades Android's default Google suite of services for Microsoft's, making common apps like Gmail, Search, Maps etc inaccessible to most users. You can, however, sideload them by installing a third-party app marketplace. 

The problem with this approach is that many, if not most, users who buy Nokia X as their first smartphone may not be aware of how to add an extra app store. Therefore, they will be stuck with Windows Store for apps. 

Verdict: Moto E wins this round hands-down as it gives access to the best apps and the best version od stock Android for an overall well-rounded operating system, and a great multitasking experience at the lowest price. 

Performance



The user interface is pretty fluid and there is no lag when you open multiple apps in quick succession. Web pages and apps open swiftly, giving a pretty good user experience despite the low price tag. 

While there is nothing remarkable about the hardware of Moto E, but the integration of the hardware and software makes it a winner. There were a couple of times when the phone slowed down under heavy usage, but there was never an instance of the handset freezing completely. 

Moto E can teach even top-end phones a thing or two about battery life. Its processor is not resource-consuming, so the battery life was expected to be good. But what's surprising is that it consistently delivers battery life of over a day once the battery is fully charged. 

Lumia 520 matches the performance of Moto E, giving a smooth performance. The well-optimized Windows Phone 8 OS does not consume too many resources either, so you do not have any instances of freezing. But compared to Moto E, apps and web pages load a tad slower. 

The difference is not much, but you would want the most responsive phone, not just one that works well. You can leave home with Lumia 520's battery fully charged and there would still be some left when you get back home after a standard work-day. 

Nokia X comes a distant third in the performance race, giving a relatively slow performance from the word go. Web pages on the browser load fast enough, but opening the browser itself takes a lot of time (compared to the other two phones). 

Apps are slow to start and multitasking is not as easy. Each time you want to switch between apps, you need to exit the app you are using and then head to Fastlane in order to open a previously used app. The battery life of Nokia X is dismal; it lasts just over half a day even with moderate use. 

Verdict: Moto E notches up another win, with a stellar performance and excellent battery life that puts even some Rs 10,000 smartphones to shame.

Multimedia and gaming
When it comes to multimedia and gaming, Moto E is a pretty good performer. Not only can it play popular games like Temple Run 2 and Subway Surfer with ease, it can also handle graphics-intensive games like Dead Trigger 2 and Real Racing 3. We use the word "handle" here because you will notice some lag while playing these games, even though the game remains playable. 

Moto E can play 720p videos, but our reference 1080p videos were a no-go. For those who play music a lot, the front-facing speaker of Moto E is a treat. The mono speaker is pretty loud, but you can notice some cracking at high volume. 

Lumia 520 delivers a similar performance here. Most high-end games on Windows Phone platform are inaccessible to this smartphone because of the limited RAM, but you can still go for Jetpack Joyride and Rail Rush, which play without even a hint of lag. 

Audio output of Lumia 520 is pretty decent but the speaker not as loud as that of Moto E. It was able to play some of our 1080p videos but there was noticeable choppiness, so you are basically limited to 720p here as well. 

Nokia X comes with 512MB RAM, making it ill-equipped to play games like Asphalt 8 and Real Racing 3. Even Temple Run 2 saw a lot of frame drops, but playing Angry Birds was a breeze. Speaker output here is good as well, but again not as great as that of Moto E. Playing 720p videos on the phone is smooth, but 1080p is a problem here too. 

Verdict: The race between Moto E and Lumia 520 is pretty tight here, as the winner will depend on what you like. If you are not much of a gamer, then Lumia 520 should suffice, but Moto E definitely does a better job at gaming and audio output. Our pick? Moto E. 

Camera



Moto E and Lumia 520 feature 5MP rear cameras, while Nokia X has a 3MP camera on the back. None of them comes with LED flash or front camera and the rear cameras are of the fixed focus variety. 

In a bid to keep costs to a minimum, Motorola has put the camera right at the end of its priority list, which is evident from the images this phone clicks. Photos are noisy and don't show much detail at full zoom. Colours are pretty accurate, but we noticed that some photos tend to blur despite a very steady capture. 

Lumia 520 comes with a host of Nokia Lenses (as the company calls its shooting modes) in the default camera app. This gives users much more choice while taking photos. Images taken with Lumia 520 offer great detail, much better than what Moto E can manage. Colours, however, don't appear as warm, but the contrast level gets a big thumbs-up. 

Nokia X is also poor in the camera department. Noise is a problem here too, but colours are warmer compared to Lumia 520. Contrast level is okay at best. 

Verdict: Lumia 520 wins the race in the imaging arena by a big margin. Moto E and Nokia X simply cannot compete with this smartphone here. 

Price
Moto E costs Rs 6,999 and is available via online retailer Flipkart only. Lumia 520 is available at best price of Rs 7,499 on e-commerce sites in India, but its average price is around Rs 8,000. Nokia X is the cheapest of the lot at Rs 6,499 (via online retailers), but average price stands around Rs 7,000. Both Nokia phones cost a little more if bought from brick-and-mortar stores. 

Conclusion
Moto E ticks the most boxes in this comparison, delivers consistently good performance on all parameters, except camera. It is no surprise therefore that it is best smartphone available under Rs 10,000. Lumia 520, albeit much older, is a close second, delivering pretty good performance that can (almost) rival Moto E's. 

However, it is the subtle differences in performance that puts Lumia 520 behind. Nokia X, on the other hand, stands last and does not offer much value for money.

Ref - TOI