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

#Apple to unveil #iPhone 6 in August, earlier than expected

Apple will unveil the next incarnation of its popular iPhone series in August, one month earlier than industry watchers were generally expecting, Taiwanese media reported on Friday citing unidentified supply-chain sources.

A 4.7-inch screen version of the iPhone 6 will reach stores in August, the Economic Daily News reported without specifying which markets would receive the phone first.

A 5.5-inch or 5.6-inch model will be released in September, the newspaper said, as the iPhone 5 series was previously.

People involved in the supply chain had earlier confirmed to Reuters that there will be a 4.7-inch version of the iPhone 6 and a 5.5-inch version.

Together, the Economic Daily News said 80 million iPhone 6 handsets would be produced this year.

Industry watchers have said increasing the iPhone's screen size from 4 inches would help Apple regain market share from competitors such as Samsung Electronics, who they say have responded to consumer desire for more screen size.

Representatives for Apple could not be reached for comment.

Representatives for Taiwanese iPhone contract manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry and smartphone camera lens maker Largan Precision, both mentioned in the Economic Daily News report, had no comment.

Ref - TOI

#Sony #Xperia Z1 Compact vs #Apple #iPhone 5C

Android smartphone manufacturers started offering compact versions of their large screen flagship phones in 2013, but most were underpowered, mid-range devices that didn't sport top-end specs. If you were looking for a smartphone that you could use with one hand, but didn't want to compromise on hardware specs, or had a budget of around Rs 40,000, the only good option was Apple's iPhone 5C.

But if a buyer didn't want to step into Apple's walled garden, and yet wanted a powerful, compact phone, there were hardly any choices. Sony has answered this need by launching its Xperia Z1 Compact - the mini avatar of its Xperia Z1 flagship, that doesn't compromise with features. Priced in the same range, Sony's compact smartphone brings in the much-needed punch to rival Apple's iPhone 5C.

We pit the two hot compact smartphones against each other to help you make a buying decision.




Build & Design

When Apple first announced iPhone 5C, many felt that the 'unapologetically plastic' phone did not look like an iPhone and did not feature premium materials like glass and aluminium, so associated with Apple's flagship phones since the iPhone 3GS. However, iPhone 5C is still a solid phone with a reinforced metal frame supporting its plastic chassis from inside. It offers five colour options and sports a glossy finish.

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact sports a one-piece aluminium frame with a glass panel at the back, somewhat reminding us of the iPhone 4/4S. The phone follows Sony's OmniBalance' design philosophy which is minimalist, yet premium. It is also available in four colours, including lime and pink.

One advantage that the Xperia Z1 Compact has over iPhone 5C is its water and dust-resistant body. Sony has used protective flaps over all ports (barring the headphone jack) to achieve this. Some users may find it cumbersome, but the flaps offer a big utility. We found Sony Z1 compact's back prone to smudges and even scratches so you'll be better off with a protective guard or cover.

The 3.5mm headset jack is placed at the top on the Xperia Z1 Compact, while the same is located at the bottom on the iPhone 5C. We prefer the top placement.
Sony Z1 Compact sports a hardware button for the camera. Apple iPhone 5C also allows you to use the volume rocker keys to trigger the camera shutter in camera mode, but there's no dedicated camera button. iPhone 5C's power button is placed at the top edge while the Z1 Compact's power button is at the right edge. Since the phones sport a compact form factor, it doesn't really make a difference.

There's not much difference in the dimensions and weight though the Xperia Z1 Compact is considerably wider and thicker. iPhone 5C measures 124.40 x 59.20 x 8.97mm and weighs 132gram whereas Xperia Z1 Compact measures 127 x 64.9 x 9.5 mm

The two smartphones are the best sub 4.5-inch phones available when it comes to the overall design and construction.





Display

Apple iPhone 5C features the same 4-inch Retina display seen in iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S with a resolution of 640x1136p and pixel density of 326ppi. Sony Xperia Z1 Compact sports a 4.3-inch TRILUMINOS display with a resolution of 720x1280p and pixel density of 341ppi.

Both the phones don't come with a full-HD display, but you're not likely to notice any difference as the screen size is less than 4.5-inch. The two phones are endowed with displays that offer good viewing angles and vivid colours. Text and graphics look crisp and sharp, and brightness levels are optimum. In fact, Xperia Z1 Compact's display is the company's best ever. Despite the low resolution, iPhone 5C offers a brighter screen and better sunlight legibility.

Software

Xperia Z1 Compact runs Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and Sony has already announced the Android 4.4 KitKat update for it. Sony has skinned the user interface and has added its own apps for music, videos and gallery. The Indian edition of the phone also comes with additional content stores for downloading music and streaming TV shows.

iPhone 5C runs iOS 7.1, the new version of iOS that fine tunes iOS 7. The design elements of iOS 7 - colourful, flat icons and translucency complement the iPhone 5C's playful design. To be honest, it feels like Apple designed iOS 7 keeping the iPhone 5C in mind.
Both software platforms offer a great ecosystem of third party apps and content. Although you'd get deep integration with Google services and apps on the Xperia Z1 Compact with Android, most major Google apps are also available on iOS. For maps and navigation, Google Maps is the go-to service on both mobile platforms as Apple's Maps doesn't offer detailed maps in India, leave alone directions.

Google Now, Google's personal voice-based assistant is also miles ahead of Apple's Siri voice assistant.



However, if you're invested in Apple's ecosystem - buy music and movies from iTunes, use iCloud for backing up photos and use Apple's iWork and iLife apps, you'd feel at home using the iPhone 5C.

Camera

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact sports the same 20.1MP rear camera with Sony's G lens that the company offers on the Z1. The camera app offers a plethora of settings in addition to Sony's Superior Auto mode that chooses the best settings as per the ambient light. On the other hand, iPhone 5C comes with an 8MP rear camera and offers Apple's simple camera app that doesn't feature many options.

Shot with Apple iPhone 5C

Shot with Sony Xperia Z1 Compact

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact takes great pictures in daylight and good quality albeit noisy pictures in low-light. The phone's Superior Auto mode which takes pictures in 8MP can be a hit or miss. At times, we encountered problems with focusing. Also, the phone over-processes images, making them loo artificial in order to highlight details.

Shot with iPhone 5C

Shot with Xperia Z1 Compact

iPhone 5C's camera is more consistent and is still one of the best smartphone cameras around. It struggles in low-light situations, but offers better results using the flash compared to the Xperia Z1 Compact. It also offers better colour reproduction and contrast in bright light.

Performance

Sony has made no compromises with the Xperia Z1 Compact when it comes to hardware. The phone comes with a 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor and 2GB RAM. We did not experience any lag whatsoever while using the phone and were able to play graphics-intensive games like Riptide GP2 and Asphalt 8 without any frame drops or delays. It's a smooth performer.

iPhone 5C is just iPhone 5 packed into a new form factor so the phone sports an year-old hardware. The Apple A6 processor is said to clock 1.3GHz, accompanied by 1GB RAM. iOS 7.1 is optimised for iPhone 5C and offers good performance. Games like Asphalt 8 and Infinity Blade 2 run smoothly.

Both the phones offer good voice quality, are able to work even under poor network conditions, and lock to GPS satellites in a matter of seconds. Xperia Z1 Compact offers NFC connectivity for initiating file transfers, expandable storage via a microSD card and FM radio.

These features are missing from iPhone 5C, but the Apple phone offers support for Indian 4G bands, allowing users to connect to high speed internet where available. In the same price range, iPhone 5C only offers 16GB storage capacity.

The phones offer great performance even though the iPhone 5C comes with older hardware.

In terms of battery backup, iPhone 5C and Xperia Z1 Compact are just above average on 3G and full brightness. Both the phones will last you just about a working day (9-10 hours) and you'll need to charge them before you go to bed.

Verdict

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is a great alternative to iPhone 5C if you want to buy a compact Android smartphone. It's without doubt the best Android compact smartphone.

Barring the colourful plastic shell which erodes its premium quotient, iPhone 5C is still a great compact phone. It offers a consistently good camera and a great app ecosystem. While the boundaries are blurring, a large number of developers choose to bring their apps to the iPhone before porting them to Android. Apps like Tweetbot and games like Infinity Blade are exclusive to iPhone. While Android is now more refined than ever, the stability and finesse offered by iOS apps is still unparalleled.

On the other hand, Android is more customizable. While it's a good thing for power users, new smartphone converts may find the learning curve a bit hard.

Sony Xperia Z Compact is available at Rs 36,990 while iPhone 5C is priced at Rs 41,900 (but available for much lesser online).

Ref - TOI

#Apple may launch #iPhone 6 in September: Report

Apple is likely to release its newest iPhone globally in September with a higher resolution and bigger screens, Japan's business daily reported on Friday. 

The handset, expected to be called the iPhone 6, is expected to come in two versions with a 4.7- or 5.5-inch screen, up from the current four-inch panel, the report said, without citing sources. 

US-based Apple is ordering its higher-resolution liquid crystal display screens from Japanese electronics giant Sharp, Japan Display and South Korea's LG Display, it added. 

Taiwan's Commercial Times reported earlier this month that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has started producing chips for Apple's next iPhone. 

Apple released its current iPhone 5 in September 2012 and newer versions in the series last year. 

There was no immediate comment from Sharp, whose shares rose 1.96% morning after the news as the broader market was flat. 

Ref - TOI

#Apple Releases #iOS 7.0.5 for #iPhone 5s, #iPhone 5c

Apple has just released iOS 7.0.5 via Software Update to resolve network provisioning issues for some iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c models sold in China.

iOS 7.0.5
Corrects network provisioning issues for some iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c models sold in China.

For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

Ref - iClarified

#Apple has finalized #iPhone 6 design, screen size: Analyst

While the launch of the next-generation iPhone is months away, the model is still keeping the rumour mill running. And Applemay have finally decided how its upcoming smartphone will look. 

According to a research note by Cowen & Co analyst Timothy Arcuri, Apple has "locked down" the design for iPhone 6. He says that the model will have a 4.8-inch screen and will be compatible with the faster Wi-Fi 802.11ac wireless standard. 

Citing sources in the supply chain, the analyst also says that though the launch of iPhone 6 is likely to be in September, a June roll out is also "not out of the question." Several earlier reports have claimed that Apple may unveil the next iPhone in May or June this year, around the time that it hosts the WWDC developer conference. 

Arcuri says that Apple will introduce "key software innovations" with the next iOS update as well. Prominent among them is expected to be mobile payments, which will use existing technologies like Passbook, Touch ID and iBeacon. 

He also said that the iPhone 5S, with technologies like fingerprint scanner and 64-bit processor, was a "set-up" for the next generation smartphone. He said that these technologies will enable the iPhone maker to debut new services that will give it an edge in the smartphone market. 

Apart from iPhone 6, Arcuri also mentioned the next-generation iPad in the research note. He wrote that the next model will have a 13-inch screen and will "blur the lines between tablets and PCs." This is in line with previous reports about a large-screen, professional-grade iPad that will replace the Macbook Air.

Ref - TOI

How to make #iPhone a #BlackBerry 'clone'

If you love your iPhone but would prefer a physical keyboard, Typo could be for you. 

But you might want to order soon. BlackBerry, the company that made physical typing on mobile devices an addictive craze, is suing Typo Products LLC, accusing it of copying its world-famous keyboard. 

The idea's great: With BlackBerry's ongoing struggles and the rise of touch-only iPhones and Android phones, physical keyboards on mobile devices were headed to obsolescence. That's a big loss for people who can use their thumbs to type as fast as 60 words per minute on a physical keyboard. 

Enter the Typo Keyboard, a Ryan Seacrest-backed phone case that was showcased at this week's International CES gadget show in Las Vegas. 

How it works
Typo's keyboard slips over an iPhone 5 or iPhone 5S like a protective case. 

Its similarities with BlackBerry phones are notable: It has angle-cut keys suitable for thumb-typing. The keyboard layout is nearly identical - for example, with parentheses above the "T" and "Y" instead of the "9" and "0" on a typical keyboard. Thick silver bars separate rows of keys. 

Physically, there are a few differences. Because the Typo case covers the iPhone's home button, it added one with the same function on the bottom right. There's a Bluetooth function on the "0" key so the Typo can connect to the iPhone wirelessly. A light bulb key on the bottom left gives Typo's keys some lighting to use in dark environments. 

The dispute
In a federal lawsuit filed Friday in San Francisco, BlackBerry alleges that "Typo chose to copy BlackBerry's iconic keyboard design" and is making money off of BlackBerry's widespread recognition and goodwill. 

Typo responded in a statement that BlackBerry's claims "lack merit" and that the company is excited about its "innovative keyboard design." 

Look and feel
In my hands, the Typo works fine - just like a BlackBerry - except it is blocked from using AppleInc.'s autocorrect function while typing. So that means you have to tap misspelled words that are underlined in red later and choose from options to fix them. If you have an iPhone 5S, the fingerprint sensor will be covered up, so you'll have to resort to inputting a passcode. 

Development
Laurence Hallier, the CEO and co-founder of Typo, said testers of the device included BlackBerry users and others. 

"We wanted that thumb-typing like the BlackBerry," he said. "We went out and priced it out. We built prototypes. It took us 18 months." 

Typo Products is a Los Angeles startup co-founded by Seacrest and Hallier. 

Availability
Typo sells for $99 and is expected to start shipping on Monday. It works only with the iPhone 5 and 5S, not the 5C or older iPhones.

#iPhone 6 Concept Features Three-Sided Display

Iskander Utebayev has posted a new concept for the iPhone 6 featuring a three-sided display.

The concept puts quick launch icons on the side display along with controls for the music player.

It's unlikely that Apple will release such a design for the iPhone 6. However, Samsung is reportedly planning to release a Galaxy smartphone with a three-sided display that wraps around the edges of the device. In fact, a patent recently surfaced which demonstrated how the interface would work. You can check that out here.

Take a look at the iPhone 6 concept below.

#Apple iPhone 5S again goes out of stock in India

Every day Himanshu Chakrawarti'siPhone gets flooded with SMSes and calls with personal requests for speedy delivery of iPhone 5S. But the CEO of India's largest cellphone retail chain The MobileStore is unable to pay heed because he says the waiting list for Apple's top-end smartphone is more than twice the number he has sold till now.

The story is no different in other leading retail chains such as UniverCell Telecom, PlanetM Retail, Future Group and Videocon Group's Digiworld.

iPhone 5S is out of stock in almost all retail outlets about three weeks after its launch due to huge demand as well as limited supply.

Two senior trade partners of Apple in India said the company has not been able to keep pace with iPhone 5S demand in India since the company is sending more stock of its best-seller to western markets ahead of the year-end Christmas shopping season starting with Black Friday on November 29.

"There is acute shortage of supply of iPhone 5S in India, with consignments coming mostly once a week and that too only 2,000-3,000 units at best," one of them said.

Apple iPhone 5S out of stock in India as supplies head west Retailers say whenever fresh stock of iPhone 5S hits the store shelves, they get sold off within 24 hours due to pre-booking. CEO of a leading mobile phone retail chain said Apple is providing just one-third of the requirement. "It's like a daily call to their distributor for fresh stock, but they are not able to guarantee much," he said.

Gartner principal research analyst Vishal Tripathi said Apple might have underestimated demand for the Rs 40,000-50,000 smartphone in India, which is considered a low-cost device market. "The demand surpassed what it anticipated and therefore allocation is also taking time," he said.

An email sent to Apple spokesperson in regional headquarters in London was not answered till late on Wednesday. Jessica Kwee, analyst at market researcher Canalys, said the poor supply may hurt Apple's sales and market share in the country, but some other analysts and retailers said lack of availability is only fuelling consumer interest in iPhone 5S.

Manasi Yadav, senior analyst at market tracker IDC India, said that while there has been a global supply shortage of iPhone 5s, it looks like Apple is now using this as a covert marketing strategy to propel demand further.

"This scenario will ensure Apple maintains its niche brand positioning and also keep prices intact, which usually tend to dive once the launch craze is over," Yadav said.

D Sathish Babu, CEO of the country's second largest cellphone chain UniverCell Telecom, said iPhone 5S consumers are dedicated Apple fans who would rather wait than move to another brand due to unavailability of the model. "The shortage is creating a viral effect which is creating demand even in smaller towns," he said.

In India too, where there is huge demand for iPhone 5S, the plastic-body iPhone 5C is not selling much. This has prompted Apple to launch a buyback, cash back and zero-interest EMI scheme on iPhone 5C and its now entry-level iPhone 4S models this week.