Flipkart 4

Monday, December 31, 2012

Apple agrees to drop patent claims against Samsung Galaxy S III Mini


A court document filed on Friday revealed that Apple is dropping all claims against Samsung's Galaxy S III Mini smartphone after the Korean company said it has no plans to formally import and sell the handset in the U.S.


Galaxy S III mini

Samsung's Galaxy S III Mini will be dropped from Apple's assertions. | Source: Samsung

In Apple's filing with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, a reply in support of a November motion to amend its claims against Samsung, the company agreed to drop the Galaxy S III Mini from the suit in response to the Galaxy maker's opposition of adding new products to the upcoming case. 

Apple looked to broaden assertions with a proposed Nov. 23 motion which added the Galaxy Note II, Galaxy S III with Android 4.1, Galaxy S III Mini, Rugby Pro, Galaxy Tab 8.9 Wi-Fi and Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 to a suit scheduled to be heard in 2014. 

Samsung countered by saying it is not “making, using, selling, offering to sell or importing the Galaxy S III Mini in the United States," and opposed the inclusion of the Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, and Galaxy Rugby Pro, because “Apple did not serve its claim charts for these products until November 30, after the November 23 date identified by the Court.”

According to Friday's filing, Apple will not contest the partial opposition and claimed it misunderstood a Nov. 15 court order regarding a limitation on assertions, a stipulation Samsung pointed to in its retort. If the Court agrees with Samsung's reading of the order, which concludes that all new contentions made after Nov. 23 are invalid, Apple "will of course voluntarily withdraw any infringement contentions" made after that date. 

As for the Galaxy S III Mini, Apple noted that the handset can be purchased at retail outlets like Amazon.com's U.S. storefront, but agreed to withdraw its claims as long as they can be reinstated if the device was to see official sale in America.

The case, which involves the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S III flagship smartphones, is set to start hearings on Mar. 31, 2014.

New York's MTA releases train-locating app for iPhone and iPod touch


The Metropolitan Transit Authority on Friday released an iOS app that will let riders of seven train lines plan their trips to the minute, a first for the largest subway system in the U.S. 

MTA Subway Time

The official MTA Subway Time app uses train location data to provide iPhone and iPod touch owners with up-to-the-minute arrival times for seven of the system's 24 lines. 

According to The New York Times, the MTA spent 11 years and over $228 million to install digital train-tracking sensors and relevant equipment required to serve up real-time location data. The iOS app taps into the system and feeds commuters with arrival times, though the service is available mostly aboveground as cellular extension networks planned for underground stations have yet to be completed. A large portion of the subway's train location sensors date back fifty years, just before the proliferation of microprocessors and digital communications. 

Among the first lines to get support for the new free service are Nos. 1 through 6 and the 42nd Street Shuttle. Two more lines, the L line between Brooklyn and Manhattan's 14th Street and the No. 7 line between Queens and Midtown Manhattan, are currently being upgraded to be compatible with the new system. Updates to the L line are expected to be completed in six months to a year, while the No. 7 won't be ready until at least 2016. 

According to the app's description, users will also be notified of service delays and reroutes prior to fare payment, a useful tool for on-the-go commuters. 

Android and Windows Phone versions of the app are in the works, but unlike the iOS app, those will be built by third-party companies. The agency is also allowing developers access to the sensor data feeds, allowing app makers to build real-time tracking programs with more robust features than those offered by the official app. 

MTA Subway Time for iOS is available now as a free download through the App Store.


-Appleinsider

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Watch as an Apple iPhone makes it through an elephant's digestive system


Watch as an Apple iPhone makes it through an elephant's digestive system
Here's an incredible video that we do not recommend to those with a squeamish constitution. Now out in Thailand, a pair of women decided that they wanted to take some pictures of an elephant using their phones. The elephant, perhaps curious to know what the fuss is all about, used his trunk to suck the device out of the hand of one of the tourists. The ladies approached the guide who looked inside the pachyderm's mouth. Sorry guys, better check the other end.

And now, this is where are story gets good. Nature calls and the animal leaves behind a quantity of dung. The other tourist has a bright idea. She makes a call to see if they can hear the sound of the other phone ringing so they can focus in on where in this pile it might be. Sure enough, the phone rings. Perhaps showing how real life imitates art, the guide decides to copy Laura Dern's scene in Jurassic Park when she sticks her hand in Triceratop poop. Lo and behold, there is the Apple iPhone. Sure it stinks, but it still works. 

The general consensus is that this is all faked,and if you look at the girls' action, they do seem to be quite 'silent movie' with the overstated physical movement. And speaking of movement, some feel that the handset passed through the elephant's system too fast. Whether it is real or faked, we don't see Apple using any of this footage in a commercial for the Apple iPhone. 

via Gizmodo

Friday, December 28, 2012

Christmas 2012: 17M iOS and Android device activated, 87% jump in App Store downloads


Christmas Day turned out to be a huge boost to the mobile device market, according to two analytics firms, as iOS and Android devices saw over 17 million combined activations while Apple's iOS App Store enjoyed a 70 percent boost in revenue boost as downloads increased 87 percent.

Flurry

Source: Flurry Analytics

On Thursday, mobile app analytics firm Flurry reported (via Venture Beat) that more than 17.4 million iOS and Android devices were activated on Christmas Day, a 332 percent increase over the December baseline average of 4 million activations per day. The number is more than 2.5 times larger than Christmas 2011, the previous one-day activation record holder which itself tripled that year's baseline.

Digging deeper into the data, Flurry found that smartphones accounted for the bulk of activations leading up to Dec. 25 with a four-to-one ratio, but tablets took the lead on Christmas Day and netted 51 percent of all activations  The firm noted that Amazon's Kindle Fire HD saw the highest single-day growth, skyrocketing several thousand percent compared to the December baseline.

App downloads were consequently affected by the mass increase of newly-activated devices, with Flurry charting a 112 percent increase in downloads on Christmas compared to the previous 20 days. Overall, a reported 328 million iOS and Android apps were downloaded. 

Building on Flurry's numbers, analytics firm Distimo broke down app downloads by platform and found those from Apple's App Store to have increased 87 percent on Christmas Day compared to the December 2012 average. While not as substantial an increase as Christmas 2011's single-day performance that tripled the baseline, this year's jump resulted in a 70 percent increase in revenue. 
Distimo

Source: Distimo

As for device growth, app download data suggests that the iPad was a popular gift as downloads and revenues rose 140 percent and 83 percent, respectively.

The firm also tracked the most downloaded non-Apple apps, with Google's YouTube and Maps topping the list, followed by perennial favorites like Skype and Instagram.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

This "IPHONE" is on sale in Brazil, and Apple can't do anything about it


This
The smartphone that you see in the photo is a run-of-the-mill Android 2.3.4 handset. It has a 3.7-inch screen, a pair of cameras, two SIM card slots, and other unimpressive characteristics listed on its specs sheet, which is why at a glance there doesn't seem to be anything interesting about this device.

However, you will surely be surprised to know that this phone is known as the Gradiente IPHONE in Brazil, where it is now on sale for roughly $285. Why hasn't Apple unleashed the hounds at the makers of this abomination? Well, it can't. That's because in Brazil, the IPHONE brand name is owned by Gradiente, which applied for it all the way back in 2000. And now that the iPhone is extremely popular throughout the world, the Brazilian company has simply decided to take advantage of its asset and cash in on the IPHONE name. 

Will the popular name have an effect on the Gradiente IPHONE sales? Probably, even though the smartphone does not look like an iPhone at all. We just hope that nobody gets tricked into buying one of these thinking that it is the real deal. After all, you just can't buy a new iPhone for $285 off contract, especially in the country where iPhones cost the most.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Apple sold 2 million iPhone 5 units in China launch weekend


Sales of the iPhone 5 topped two million units in its first weekend of availability in China, Apple announced Sunday evening.


"Customer response to iPhone 5 in China has been incredible, setting a new record with the best first weekend sales ever in China," said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. "China is a very important market for us and customers there cannot wait to get their hands on Apple products."

The iPhone 5 launched in China last Friday, Dec. 14. Apple's latest smartphones will be available in more than 100 countries by the end of December, making it the fastest iPhone rollout ever.

Apple's announcement on Sunday only disclosed sales of the iPhone 5 in China, and did not include the 32 other countries where the iPhone 5 went on sale last Friday.
iPhone 5

Some pundits expressed concern that lines for the iPhone 5 were shorter than usual at Apple's retail stores throughout China. But that was by design, as Apple switched to an online reservation system in response to rampant scalping and incidents of violence during previous product launches.

Signs of a record breaking debut for the iPhone 5 in China came last week, when it was announced that preorders for the handset through carrier China Unicom exceeded 300,000 as of last Monday. In comparison, China Unicom saw 200,000 preorders for the iPhone 4S, suggesting demand is even greater for Apple's latest model.

Availability of the iPhone 5 was also greater than previous models: The iPhone 4S launched only on one carrier, China Unicom, while the iPhone 5 debuted on two, adding China Telecom to the mix.

Apple's iPad mini already on pace to outsell Retina iPad


The iPad mini is an instant smash hit, set to quickly eclipse the full-size iPad with sales as high as 12 million units in its first quarter, according to a new report.


Apple originally expected to sell 6 million iPad minis over the holidays, but has doubled its orders with display panel makers to more than 12 million, NPD DisplaySearch analyst David Hsieh said to CNet. Demand for the iPad mini is so strong that's selling better than the new fourth-generation iPad, he said.

"It seems people especially like the size," Hsieh said. He expects Apple will adjust its product portfolio next year to accommodate for strong demand for the iPad mini.

Currently, display panels for the 7.9-inch iPad are being built by AU Optronics and LG Display. But if sales reach 50 million units, Hsieh said Apple will need to find other panel suppliers to meet demand.
iPad mini

The comments from NPD corroborate what analyst Shaw Wu of Sterne Agee said earlier this week, when he indicated that sales of the iPad mini have been cannibalizing those of larger 9.7-inch iPad. Wu said that sales of the full-size iPad have been slower than expected, while iPad mini demand has been greater than Apple anticipated.

Overwhelming demand and reported production issues continue to be an issue for Apple with only a week and a half left until Christmas. Apple's online store advertises that iPad mini purchases are available to ship in one week, indicating that supply has not yet caught up with demand.

The company has not disclosed sales of the iPad mini specifically, but announced that total sales over the launch weekend for the mini and the fourth-generation iPad reached 3 million units.


-Appleinsider

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Chinese iPhone 5 preorders soar past 300,000 ahead of launch


Just days before the iPhone 5 is set to go on sale in China, the nation's second largest carrier announced on Monday that preorders for the device have reached over 300,000 units less than a week after initiating reservations.

Order Breakdown

Source: China Unicom

In a post to its official Sina Weibo microblog (via MacWorld), China Unicom said pre-sale orders for Apple's newest handset now stand at over 300,000, meaning the telecom added some 200,000 reservations to the 100,000 recorded a day after reservations went live. 

The 16 GB is the predominant favorite among preorder customers with 85 percent opting for the most economical model, while the 32 GB and 64 GB versions accounted for 12 percent and 3 percent, respectively. Distribution of orders saw Beijing racking up the most orders, followed by Guangdong, Shandong, Shanghai and Liaoning. 

A further breakdown of orders shows some 74 percent of reservations come from males, with the provider suggesting that many will be given as gifts to girlfriends. As for purchases by age, the 20-year old to 30-year old demographic accounts for the bulk of preorders with 52 percent, followed by those aged 30-years old to 40-years old with 34 percent. 

China Unicom is Apple's largest partner carrier in the country, with China Telecom coming in second. Both telecoms are readying to start sales on Dec. 14 as part of the fastest rollout in Apple's history

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Leaked Gameloft mobile games titles


List leaks with names of new Gameloft games for 2013
If you love mobile gaming, Gameloft is probably a company that's on your radar. The company has a solid stable of titles that span the gamut from casual to hardcore on multiple platforms. Now, a list has leaked revealing the names of all of the new games that Gameloft has planned for release in 2013. The leak happened last night, and Gameloft actually scrambled to have sites take down the list, which seems to add credibility to the leak. 

Apparently, the leak included names of every game on Gameloft's 2013 roster, plus descriptions, screenshots, and even video, but all we've got are the names of the games. There are a total of 30 games scheduled for release, but the only names that are still floating around are: 

• Asphalt 8: Infinity
• War Boys
• Total Conquest
• Dungeon Hunter 4
• Gangstar Vegas: City of Sin
• Brothers in Arms 3
• Order & Chaos Duels
• Modern Combat 5: Last War
• Iron Man 3
• My Funny Hospital
• GT Racing 2: Motor Academy
• Despicable Me 2
• Fast and Furious 6
• Tank Battles
• UNO & Friends
• Slots
• Epic
• Crystal Monsters
• Gangstar Tycoon
• Space Horror
• Die Hard 5
• Pocket Dragon
• War of Nations
• Temple Run
• Dragon Souls
• Diamond Blast

Many aren't new, and quite a few of them are movie tie-in games. Some will be iPad-only, but many will be cross platform with iOS and Android. All in all, a pretty solid list of games

- Phonearena

Friday, December 7, 2012

Apple hires former Windows security hacker to strengthen OS X


It was discovered on Thursday that famed hacker and former Microsoft employee Kristin Paget is now working for Apple as a core operating system security researcher, suggesting the Cupertino company is beefing up OS X safeguards amid recent Mac-directed malware attacks.


New Apple hire Kristin Paget. | Source: Jean-Philippe Martin via Wired


When employed by Microsoft, Paget workedalongside a small team of hackers tasked to find security holes in Windows Vista before the OS was released to the public in 2007, reports Wired. The group apparently found so many flaws that Vista's launch date was pushed back while fixes were put in place. 

According to her LinkedIn profile, as of September Paget is listed as being a "Core OS Security Researcher at Apple" based out of Cupertino. Previously, she held the position of chief hacker at security firm Recursion Ventures, but said in June that she wanted to find a job building "security-focused hardware."

Paget, formerly known as Chris Paget, gained notoriety for a number of hacker feats of strength, including a cellphone call-intercepting station at the Defcon hacker conference and a long-range RFID identifier duplication device. 

While the hacker's responsibilites at Apple remain unknown, it can be speculated that she will be working to thwart future attacks like the Flashback trojan that affected an estimated 600,000 Macs in April. Most recently, a piece of Mac-targeted malware similar to Flashback was found embedded in a webpage dedicated to the Dalai Lama. 

Tim Cook - Apple's 'laser focus' will keep it from becoming Sony


In an extensive interview with journalist Brian Williams, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said why he believes Apple will remain relevant for years to come, rather than slipping into irrelevance like companies that became cultural phenomenons in the past.



Williams asked Cook whether it's possible for Apple to stop from becoming Sony, noting that when he was a child, having a Sony Trinitron TV in one's home was a big deal.

Cook declined to refer to Sony by name after the question from Williams, but did discuss how some companies in the past decided that they could do everything. Apple won't do that, he said.



"We have to make sure at Apple that we stay true to focus — laser focus," Cook said. "We can only do great things a few times, only on a few products."

NBC revealed that it took months of meetings and negotiations to get Cook on the record for Thursday's interview. It was the first time he had appeared on television for such a discussion.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Apple officially opens iTunes Music Store in 56 countries including Russia and India.


Apple on Tuesday announced it has opened the digital doors to its iTunes Store in 56 countries, including Russia, India and Indonesia, taking the total number of markets in which the service is offered up to 119.

iTunes India

Apple's Indian website promotes the new iTunes Music Store. | Source: Apple

The near doubling of iTunes Store coverage comes hours after reports trickled in claiming that iTunes was being activated in Russia, Turkey and South Africa, with users in those countries able to purchase music and videos from Apple's online store. Apple sent out invitations on Monday saying the iTunes team would be "holding a musical evening" in Moscow on Tuesday. 

While all of the 56 newly added countries will be getting access to the iTunes Music Store, only Russia, Turkey, India and Indonesia will support movie and video purchases. Apple said the service will be made "available in select additional countries," but didn't offer a specific rollout timeline. 

As reported by AppleInsider on Monday, the iTunes Store will not only feature music form top U.S. acts, but will also offer tracks from local artists.

From Apple's announcement: 
The iTunes Store features local artists including Elka in Russia, Sezen Aksu in Turkey, AR Rahman in India, and Zahara in South Africa, international artists including The Beatles, Taylor Swift and Coldplay, and world-renowned classical musicians including Lang Lang, Yo Yo Ma and Yuja Wang. Customers can choose from over 20 million songs available to purchase and download on the iTunes Store.

The huge roll-out is evidence of Apple's continued work to expand the reach of world's largest music store by striking deals with regional music publishers and extend current licenses overseas.

Via Appleinsider

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Apple iPod nano (2012) 7th generation review


In some ways, the iPod nano is Apple's most difficult child. Not because it's a bad product, on the contrary, it's a great idea, sensibly priced and with the all the features you might reasonably want in a basic MP3 player. What's more, it sells well too. The problem seems to have been that Apple just can't decide on what form factor the nano should be.
It's gone from tall and thin, to short and fat and even had a spell as an upmarket Shuffle with a full-colour, high-resolution screen. But now, Apple has returned to the shape it's used most over the years - tall and thin.
There's little doubt that the iPod nano is a great music player - Apple has perfected it over a good many years - but the question is, does anyone want a "dumb" MP3 player these days, or are they all about iPhones and iPod Touches?

Design

The iPod nano might be one of Apple's oldest products, but the firm seems to have kept learning with each new release. It seems a bit daft to say, but this nano is the best yet, and that is, in large part, thanks to the new design.
The seventh-generation nano is really like a tiny iPod touch in design. There's the all-dominating screen on the front, that home button - the icon is round, unlike the iPhone/iPod Touch where it's square. On the left-hand side, there's a volume control but this button does more than just volume, it's also able to speak the track name if you press and hold the middle. A short press pauses or resumes the track while a double click advances to the next track.
The idea behind this multi-function button is that it can be used while you're exercising. You simply hold the nano in your hand, and there are all the key controls ready and waiting. And, as with most recent iPods, you can give it a shake to shuffle in a random track.
On the bottom of the iPod are both the proprietary Lightning port, and the standard headphone jack. Users of previous iPods could bemoan the new Lightning socket, but honestly, when you see the thing, you can't help but think Apple has done the right thing. It makes the old port look idiotic, and the new design should last for a long time to come.
As with the iPod Touch, Apple throws in a pair of its EarPods. These are a massive improvement on the old Apple headphones. They are, however, still white, which we despise. They are comfortable, but also a bit leaky, and prone to fall out when you exercise. They are also very bass-heavy, which will suit some, but not all. Overall though, they're not a bad inclusion, and are easily as good as headphones that cost twice as much.

Video! FM!

That's right, having removed it in the last generation, the new nano has some pretty hefty video playback credentials. It can show you 720 x 576 resolution video, at 30fps with no drama.
On the nano's tiny screen, that's more than enough quality, and although the screen is a little on the small size, it's fine for the occasional movie trailer, home movie, or perhaps a TV show. To be honest though, video will kill your battery really quickly, so we can't see ourselves using it much. We loaded on a movie from iTunes though, and crucially it looked great. So if you're very bored, it could help the situation.
But, honestly, we're more excited about the FM radio. For a very long time, people who didn't like Apple would always chuckle at the fact the firm seemed incapable of putting a radio chip in its MP3 players. In fact, Apple was probably right not to bother, because those small radio chips were never really much good. But, something has changed, because the FM radio in the nano is phenomenally good.
We test the radios in a lot of mobile phones, and across the board they have improved enormously over the past few years. But we've yet to hear any as clear and interference-free as the nano. That's a surprise too, because it still uses the headphone cable as an antenna. And, so thorough is our testing, that we've used it in both London and New York, and it works equally well in both places.
As a bonus, Apple also lets you rewind live radio by 15 minutes - assuming you've had it on and running for that long, or you can jump back to live playback at any time. It's a simple enough system, but it works well enough for us to use it. And, in all honestly, use it over almost any other portable FM radio we've seen.

Sound quality

We've tested the nano with the Apple EarPods, our own reference Phonak headphones and some new Sennheisers. Three different sets of cans, and three different listening experiences.
Overall though, the nano is a lovely sounding MP3 player. If we had to criticise, we think it's a little bass heavy, but it's quite marginal if that really is the case. There is tonnes of detail in all the various music we tested: we heard country FM radio in New York, and heavy Euro-dance in London. All sounded great to us.
We do urge caution with the EQ though. As with the iPod Touch, these settings are pretty poor. There's no manual option, and while it doesn't matter for most things, there's always some time where you're going to fancy a bass kick, or a tweak to the mids. Android does this quite well, but has its own set of faults too.
There's plenty of power too, and we never felt like there wasn't a bit more oomph if we needed it. It is worth remembering that too much volume for too long is bad, but everyone likes a nice loud session every now and then.

Accessibility

It's worth giving Apple a bit of extra credit here, because its accessibility for people with visual impairment is very good. There's the option to invert the colours, if you need too and the menus can all be spoken to you as well. If you have hearing problems in one ear, there's also the option to send the audio from both channels to just one earpiece.
These additions may not help everyone, but they make a little bit of a difference. Plus, Apple is one of very few manufacturers that takes accessibility seriously, and for that, they should be praised.

No apps here

Because the iPod nano isn't an iOS device, there's no access to the Apple store's comprehensive app library. To be honest, this is less of a problem than you might think. As the device doesn't have Wi-Fi, most apps would be pointless, perhaps bar a few games. But making the nano and iOS device would almost certainly push the processor and power requirements too high to maintain the device's small size.
What you do get are some Apple features. For example, there's a dedicated podcasts area now, which syncs to your iTunes podcast library. It's not essential, but it's sort of nice to have them ring fenced.
You can also store photos on the iPod, so there's a dedicated button to get straight to those, which match the Video and Music menu items. There's a clock too, which also has a stopwatch and countdown timer too. These could be handy if you're working out, but perhaps not as useful as the Nike+ or "Fitness" option.
Here, you can keep track of your workouts. There are two possible options, either walking or running, and the iPod has everything it needs for monitoring. There's a pedometer too, which means you don't need the Nike+ shoe widget either. Everything you do, in terms of walking and running can be recorded, and synced back to Nike.com. There is also the option to use a heart rate monitor, should you be very in to monitoring stats, plus, you can use the Nike+ shoe thing, should you wish. 
If you want to record voice memos, that's possible, but you need to connect some headphones with a microphone first. When you do, a little icon magically appears on the second app screen. It's quite cool, and almost James Bondy in its secrecy! 

Battery

Here's where the lack of apps, Wi-Fi and a petite screen all start to make a difference. The iPod nano will last a quoted 30 hours for audio according to Apple. We've been using the thing quite a bit, and leaving it on and wandering off. It's done well. We can't claim to have clocked up 30 hours yet, but we can't honestly see that being far off the number.
Bear in mind though, using the nano to watch video will kill the battery quickly, and using Bluetooth will speed up the consumption too, although only by a modest amount.

Verdict

The nano has always been a popular MP3 player. It's cheap enough to make it a spontaneous purchase and have wide appeal to people who aren't necessarily heavily into technology. The multitude of colours is nice, and you'll certainly find one you like. Plus, it's tiny, and has a very decent capacity.
We like the sound too, it's clear and clean. The EQ settings are, honestly, not up to much. For this reason, we suggest you find headphones with a sound profile you like, and use them with the iPod EQ off. This is by far the best way to listen.
The iPod isn't "cheap" but it's not expensive either. It's a device that you might buy on a whim, or give to a friend for Christmas, but whoever ends up with it, they will end up adoring this capable and brilliant-sounding device.

Via Pocket-Lint

Apple recognizing World AIDS day


A number of Apple Stores across the world have changed their usual white logo to red in recognition of World AiDS Day, while added to the company's homepage takes users to the official PRODUCT (RED) website, of which Apple is a partner.

Apple (RED) Webpage


With Saturday being World AIDS Day, the switch in Apple's logo color is a symbolic reference to the PRODUCT(RED) initiative, which hopes to end the propagation of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Various partner companies are involved in the project, each donating a portion of (RED) branded merchandise to the cause, with Apple being a longtime supporter. 

In addition to the logo change and prominent display of PRODUCT(RED) iPods and accessories at its retail outlets, Apple added a JoinRed.com "card" link to its homepage, directing users to the (RED) website where they can make PRODUCT(RED) purchases, including the Dance (RED) Save Lives compilation album presented by Tiësto and sold through iTunes. The record is associated with special World AIDS Day performances at the Stereosonic Music Festival in Melbourne, Australia from artists including AVICII, Calvin Harris and Tiësto, which will be live-streamed on YouTube.

According to Apple, the (RED) campaign has generated over $190 million since its inception in 2006, with more than $50 million coming from Apple products alone.

From Apple's PRODUCT(RED) informational page:
The Global Fund
The numbers don’t lie: Every day more than 900 babies are born with HIV. By 2015 that number can be nearly zero. (RED) works with companies like Apple to fight for an AIDS-free generation by 2015 by creating (PRODUCT) RED merchandise. A percentage of gross profits from the sale of those products goes to the Global Fund to help fund AIDS programs in Africa. Since its introduction, (PRODUCT) RED has generated more than $190 million — more than $50 million from Apple alone — for the Global Fund. Now you can make an impact, too, by purchasing a (PRODUCT) RED iPod shuffle, iPod nano, iPod touch, iPad Smart Cover, iPad Smart Case, or iPhone Bumper.


Apple's iTunes and Starbucks recently collaborated on an eGift basket that included a $15 digital coupon for both stores, with 5 percent of the purchase price going to the Global Fund AIDS research foundation.


-Appleinsider

Play store shows fake apple apps


Fake
Apple apps in the Google Play Store? Obviously they have to be fake, right?Right. Six apps that come from "Apple Inc." somehow made their way into the Google Play Store, even priced the same as the legit apps in the Apple App Store. The six fakes included the incorrectly spelled "Garage Band" (as opposed to the correctly spelled Garageband), iPhoto, iMovie, Keynote, Numbers and Pages.

The real Garageband
The real Garageband
Somebody at Google must have been tipped off because all of the fake apps have been removed. But the real question is, how did they get into the Google Play Store in the first place? This would be an excellent time for Google to do some investigating. In the meantime, if you did purchase the apps, you might just have to write them off as a loss or perhaps an email to Google will result in the charges being reversed. Whatever you do, you need todelete the apps immediately and pass the word on to your Android totin' buddies.

Before they were taken down, one purchaser of the fake iPhoto app gave it a 1-star review and said, "Wont open says not connected to internet when i am [sic]." If you did happen to purchase one of the six apps, or more, let us know what your experience was if you opened them, by leaving your comments in the box below.

Source : Phonearena

Friday, November 23, 2012

iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT



Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Introduction:
Finding itself in a new venture with its first all in-house tablet, Microsoft finds itself in a unfamiliar position in being the underdog – whereas in the PC industry, they have a dominant presence. Now that the fourth-generation iPad is making the rounds, it’s going to be one very interesting showdown between it and theMicrosoft Surface RT. Sporting the same starting price points, these are arguably the most highly prized premier tablets at the moment, so we’re all dying to find out how they fare against one another head on. Let’s start, shall we?


Design:

Utilizing all the best ingredients that are required to make them stand out above the heap, it’s rather difficult to concretely specify which of the two has the better design. In all seriousness, we love each of their distinctive looks, as they both employ premium materials and solid constructions to appease our desire for quality gadgets. Plainly different from one another, the iPad 4 has a more rounded feel in the rear, which is further aided by the clean look of its brushed aluminum casing. At the same time, the Microsoft Surface RT has a unique look as well with its tapered edges and its choice of using a magnesium composite dubbed by Microsoft as “VaporMg.” Sharing the same thickness of 0.37-inches, they’re definitely skinny in frame, but the Surface RT opts for a wider look with its 16:9 aspect ratio – while the iPad 4 goes for the somewhat more boxy appearance.

Below their displays, when they’re held in their appropriate orientations, we find their respective home buttons – the familiar recessed button of the iPad 4 and a capacitive Start one for the Surface RT. Although they’re different, we didn’t experience any accidental presses. 

The Apple iPad 4 (left) and the Microsoft Surface RT (right) - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Home buttons - The Apple iPad 4 (left) and the Microsoft Surface RT (right) - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Front cameras - The Apple iPad 4 (left) and the Microsoft Surface RT (right) - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Home buttons
Front cameras
The Apple iPad 4 (left) and the Microsoft Surface RT (right)
Looking around the trims of both tablets, they obviously share many commonalities – like their 3.5mm headset jacks, power buttons, volume controls, microphones, and proprietary power ports (Lightning docking port for the iPad 4 and a magnetic power connector on the Surface RT). However, it’s worth pointing out that the Surface RT has more benefits with its stereo speakers, full-sized USB port to accommodate accessories/peripherals, and an always-useful microHDMI port for quick video-out functionality. And finally, we surely appreciate the kickstand on the Surface as well!

Complete in every way imaginable, these two are sporting both front and rear facing cameras. Although it’s a close race in the front, as the iPad 4 sports a 1.2-megapixel snapper and the Surface being outfitted with a 1-megapixel one (both of which can shoot videos in 720p), there’s a huge disparity with their rear cameras. In fact, the iPad 4 flexes its muscles with its higher count 5-megapixel auto-focus camera, which so happens to feature an F2.4 lens and 1080p video recording. Meanwhile, the Surface is given a paltry fixed focus 1-megapixel camera that’s able to record video in up to 800p resolution.

The sides of the Apple iPad 4 (top, left) and the Microsoft Surface RT (bottom, right) - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The sides of the Apple iPad 4 (top, left) and the Microsoft Surface RT (bottom, right) - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The sides of the Apple iPad 4 (top, left) and the Microsoft Surface RT (bottom, right) - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The sides of the Apple iPad 4 (top, left) and the Microsoft Surface RT (bottom, right) - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The sides of the Apple iPad 4 (top, left) and the Microsoft Surface RT (bottom, right) - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The sides of the Apple iPad 4 (top, left) and the Microsoft Surface RT (bottom, right) - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The sides of the Apple iPad 4 (top, left) and the Microsoft Surface RT (bottom, right)



Display:

Visually, the Surface has the more ideal display for watching videos, due to the 16:9 aspect ratio of its 10.6-inch screen. However, we can’t argue the fact that the
iPad 4’s 9.7-inch Retina Display is the sharper looking one between the two, since it’s flaunting the higherresolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels, which absolutely crushes the Surface’s scary low 1366 x 768 resolution. With their homescreens, it’s hardly noticeable from a normal distance away as to which is more detailed, but upon opening up the web browser, it becomes evident that the iPad 4’s details are unmatched. Beyond resolution, they’re both quite pleasant to use, since they exhibit vibrant color tones and wide viewing angles – though, the iPad 4’s has more accurate colors and is is slightly more visible outdoors with the sun’s presence. 

Viewing angles - Color productionThe Apple iPad 4 (left) and the Microsoft Surface RT (right) - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Viewing angles - Color productionThe Apple iPad 4 (left) and the Microsoft Surface RT (right) - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Viewing angles - Color productionThe Apple iPad 4 (left) and the Microsoft Surface RT (right) - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Viewing angles
Color productionThe Apple iPad 4 (left) and the Microsoft Surface RT (right) - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Color productionThe Apple iPad 4 (left) and the Microsoft Surface RT (right) - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Color productionThe Apple iPad 4 (left) and the Microsoft Surface RT (right) - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Color production
The Apple iPad 4 (left) and the Microsoft Surface RT (right)


Interface and Functionality:

Hardware aside folks, the biggest thing you’ll need to consider is to figure out which will be the more suitable platform experiences for you. On the iPad 4, we’ll give it credit for its simple and straightforward approach that enables first-timers to easily get themselves situated thanks to its low learning curve. However, it’s still lacking personalization to stand out against its rival, which is most evident by the typical and boring grid-like styling of its homescreen. Naturally, that’s not a problem with the Surface and its brand spanking new Windows RT experience, as it features a more snazzy and dynamic look with its live tiles. For a version 1.0 of a new platform, Windows RT definitely shows its worth against the iOS 6 experience of the iPad 4, but still, it needs further refinements to make it more complete. Case in point, iOS employs the better notifications system, but we do appreciate how the two takes care of quickly switching between opened apps with their specific gestures.
The interface of the Apple iPad 4 - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The interface of the Apple iPad 4 - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The interface of the Apple iPad 4 - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The interface of the Apple iPad 4

Interface of the Microsoft Surface RT - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Interface of the Microsoft Surface RT - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Interface of the Microsoft Surface RT - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Interface of the Microsoft Surface RT - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Interface of the Microsoft Surface RT

Placing our attention on their core organizer apps, we really can’t say that one tablet does a better job, but more importantly, Siri on the iPad 4 is there to help us in being organized – plus, she’s always great to answer simple questions, which is something that’s not offered by the Surface. Furthermore, since iOS is a mature platform, it benefits more with a ton of tablet-optimized applications.
Apple iPad 4 - Core organizer apps - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Core organizer apps - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Microsoft Surface RT - Core organizer apps - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Core organizer apps - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Apple iPad 4
 
Microsoft Surface RT
 
Core organizer apps

Sending emails is a breeze with these two, seeing that they employ very similar layouts and functions – meaning, there’s not one that’s delivering the goods over the other. Likewise, we can also say the same thing about typing stuff up with their respective keyboards, especially when they’re spacious and responsive. Yet, it’s worth noting that the Surface also has handwriting recognition as an option too.
The keyboard of the Apple iPad 4 - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The keyboard of the Apple iPad 4 - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The keyboard of the Apple iPad 4 - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The keyboard of the Apple iPad 4 - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The keyboard of the Apple iPad 4

On-screen keyboard of the Microsoft Surface RT - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
On-screen keyboard of the Microsoft Surface RT - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
On-screen keyboard of the Microsoft Surface RT - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
On-screen keyboard of the Microsoft Surface RT


Processor and Memory:If we were to base everything purely by their specs sheet and nothing more, most people would assume that the Surface is getting more bang for the buck with its beefier specs. Ticking inside of the Surface is a quad-core 1.3GHz NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor coupled with 2GB of RAM, while the iPad 4 is running a dual-core 1.4GHz Apple A6X processor with half the RAM at 1GB. Without a doubt, the thing that counts most to most people is their real-world performance, and not surprisingly, they perform in the same manner. Specifically, that entails smooth operations with nearly all basic tasks – so there’s not one showing us that it’s the better performer. Additionally, we can see their processing prowess in other intensive tasks, like playing 3D games.

Checking out the base versions of the two tablets, which are priced at $500, the Microsoft Surface seems to have the edge with its 32GB of storage – with the iPad 4 at 16GB, though, it’s also available in 32GB and 64GB capacities. However, the microSD card slot put into the Surface is a huge benefit, as well as having that USB port to connect flash drives and external drives.


Internet and Connectivity:

Honestly, you can’t go wrong surfing the web with either tablet, since they feature smooth navigational controls and fast page loads – albeit, we notice that the iPad 4 is faster with its rendering. Frankly, they’re more than suitable for our general web surfing needs, but considering that the Surface also packs the standard desktop version of Internet Explorer 10, we find it more beneficial with other tertiary things that tablet browsers are unable to accomplish – such as being given the option to attach ANYTHING stored locally on the tablet when sending an email.
Safari on the Apple iPad 4 - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Safari on the Apple iPad 4 - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Safari on the Apple iPad 4 - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Safari on the Apple iPad 4 - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Safari on the Apple iPad 4

Internet Explorer 10 on the Microsoft Surface RT - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Internet Explorer 10 on the Microsoft Surface RT - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Internet Explorer 10 on the Microsoft Surface RT - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Internet Explorer 10 on the Microsoft Surface RT - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Internet Explorer 10 on the Microsoft Surface RT

Currently, the Surface is only made available in Wi-Fi form, while the iPad 4, as we’re all aware, is outfitted with various cellular connectivity – like having models that support the LTE networks of AT&T, Verizon, and most recently, Sprint. In addition to Wi-Fi, they both feature aGPS and Bluetooth 4.0.

Camera:

Before taking our first snapshots, something in the back of our mind was telling us that we’d get better results with the iPad 4 – especially knowing that there’s a significant size disparity between their cameras. Rightfully so, that’s the case here, as the iPad’s 5-megapixel camera delivers the sharper looking details by far. However, it’s rather interesting to find that they both produce colors that are natural in tone and a balanced exposure. In low lighting situations, though, it’s again the iPad 4 getting the nods thanks to its superb handling of exposure to draw out details.
Apple iPad 4 - Microsoft Surface RTOutdoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Apple iPad 4 - Microsoft Surface RTOutdoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Apple iPad 4 - Microsoft Surface RTOutdoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Apple iPad 4 - Microsoft Surface RTOutdoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Apple iPad 4 - Microsoft Surface RTOutdoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Apple iPad 4
Microsoft Surface RT - Microsoft Surface RTOutdoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Microsoft Surface RT - Microsoft Surface RTOutdoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Microsoft Surface RT - Microsoft Surface RTOutdoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Microsoft Surface RT - Microsoft Surface RTOutdoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Microsoft Surface RT - Microsoft Surface RTOutdoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Microsoft Surface RT
Apple iPad 4 - Microsoft Surface RTOutdoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Apple iPad 4 - Microsoft Surface RTOutdoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Apple iPad 4 - Microsoft Surface RTOutdoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Apple iPad 4 - Microsoft Surface RTOutdoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Apple iPad 4 - Microsoft Surface RTOutdoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Apple iPad 4
Microsoft Surface RTOutdoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Microsoft Surface RTOutdoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Microsoft Surface RTOutdoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Microsoft Surface RTOutdoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Microsoft Surface RTOutdoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Microsoft Surface RT
Outdoor samples

Strong - Apple iPad 4 - Microsoft Surface RTIndoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Medium - Apple iPad 4 - Microsoft Surface RTIndoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Low light - Apple iPad 4 - Microsoft Surface RTIndoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Strong
Medium
Low light
Apple iPad 4
Microsoft Surface RTIndoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Microsoft Surface RTIndoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Microsoft Surface RTIndoor samples - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
Microsoft Surface RT
Indoor samples

Likewise, there’s no competition with video recording quality too, which is hardly a surprise knowing you get 800p recording on the Surface and 1080p with the iPad 4. Standing out the most is the iPad’s superior details, which demolishes the dull and soft tones produced by its rival. Additionally, there’s just a heavy presence of artifacting with the Surface when panning – making the iPad 4’s results far more pleasant.

Apple iPad 4 Sample Video:



Microsoft Surface RT Sample Video:




Multimedia:

For the iPad 4, it surely makes good use out of the old adage of “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” Well, that’s plainly obvious seeing that it’s still sporting the same music player interface that was employed by the original iPad. Certainly, it’s functional in what it does, but it lacks the dynamic look of the Surface’s music player. Interestingly enough, the iPad 4’s single speaker actually pumps out stronger tones than the stereo speakers of the Surface – with the two producing pleasant tones that don’t have a hint of distortion.
The Apple iPad 4’s music player - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The Apple iPad 4’s music player - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The Apple iPad 4’s music player - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The Apple iPad 4’s music player - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The Apple iPad 4’s music player

The Microsoft Surface RT integrates XBOX MUSIC with its music player - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The Microsoft Surface RT integrates XBOX MUSIC with its music player - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The Microsoft Surface RT integrates XBOX MUSIC with its music player - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The Microsoft Surface RT integrates XBOX MUSIC with its music player - Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
The Microsoft Surface RT integrates XBOX MUSIC with its music player

Mainly due to its 16:9 aspect ratio of its display, we undeniably prefer using the Surface for watching videos – even more when it supports a wide variety of video codecs out of the box. Of course, it’s still pleasant over on the iPad 4, but we’re left to deal with seeing those typical black bars above and below the video.

Battery:
Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT
If there’s one thing we can agree upon, it has to be that they have above-average battery life – better than most other tablets in the same size category. In fact, we’re able to get up to 1 ½ days of mixed usage with Wi-Fi only connections. Of course, you’ll get lower results if you happen to use the iPad 4 with LTE connectivity.


Conclusion:

There’s good reason why these two are regarded by many as the two most outstanding tablets on the market right now. Every way we dissect it, there’s no arguing that they exhibit all the qualities we look forward to seeing on premier tablets. If you are willing to try something fresh, you really want to check out the Microsoft Surface, since it has a very compelling experience right out of the gate – combined with its handful of useful features, but of course, it’s slim pickings when it comes to number of apps at the moment. Conversely, the iPad 4 is undoubtedly the more well-rounded performer between the two. Specifically, its Retina Display shows off its superior detail, captures the better photos/videos, and that it has an extensive ecosystem of optimized apps. Whatever the case, your hard earned $500 will be invested in top-notch tablets that have a lot to offer.


Apple iPad 4 vs Microsoft Surface RT:


Reviewed by Phonearena