iPhone 6S Mini Release Date: 2015 Could See Apple Give Spec And Feature Bumps To Their Latest Smartphone [RUMOR]

source : idigitaltimes

The iPhone 6S mini release date could come in 2015, if Apple decides to give its flagship phone a spec bump next year. As is custom for Apple, the company will likely reveal a similar looking device to the iPhone 6, but with man under the hood tweaks. So before anyone can get their hands on the iPhone 7, they'll have to settle for the iPhone 6s -- according to rumors. Speed improvements are expected these days from Apple CEO Tim Cook and his crew but an update to their budget line could bring about some interesting changes...

 

 

Rumors of the iPhone 6S mini are being reported by AppleInsider. Instead of just being a simple spec bump to Apple's latest line of devices, the 6S mini could bring Cupertino's 4-inch devices up to speed with the larger 4.7 and 5.5 inch smartphones. Apple typically tends to get rid of its old phones all together when new ones can replace their spot in the "budget iPhone" area -- usually free or $99 on contract. We could see a shift around the time of iPhone 6S release in which Apple actually updates their lowest tier phones. Who knows: maybe we'll even see an iPhone 6S-C -- because one letter simply isn't enough. 

 

The iPhone 6S mini could see similar specs as the current 6. While the 6 Plus has many of the same innards as Apple's 4.7 inch device, the optical image stabilization features and 1080p screen would be unlikely to arrive on the company's 4 inch phone. iPhone 6S mini specs could bring along improvements to the front-facing and rear camera, brighter display and maybe even a slimmer design. Though with all things in the iOS world, Apple keeps a tight lid on new products.

 

While Tim Cook and company tend to stay away from joining in the spec race -- preferring to focus on user experience by tweaking their iOS software -- it would be a sensible decision for the company. The 6S mini rumors expect the device to make its way to us in 2015, but there's always a possibility it could come early. If Apple changed up their release schedule to twice a year it would be a pretty important change in the iOS world. New phone owners that got the latest device over the holidays would not be thrilled with the unsuspected change, but it would keep Apple's smartphone line current with the hardware world. We have a feeling the "iPhone 6S release date 2015" rumor meant at the usual September event, but you never quite know with Apple.

 

 

Would you want to see Apple release an iPhone 6s during 2015? Prefer they stick to their once a year schedule? Sound off and let us know in the comments!

Nokia C1 is the company’s first Droid after splitting with Microsoft

source : ibtimes

 

it's been little over a month since Nokia unveiled its first Android-powered tablet, N1. Now, the Finnish company is reportedly working on the Lollipop-based new smartphone.

A Chinese media website, TechWeb, has got hold of the internal document of Nokia containing a snapshot and internal hardware details of the the yet-to-be-launched smartphone codenamed C1.

The photo is a bit blur so we cannot infer anything other than the curved corners on the edges, single speaker grill on top (middle) of the display and a white-hued cover on the rear-side.

As far as specifications are concerned, it is said to sport a 5.0-inch screen, Android 5.0 Lollipop OS, an Intel-based SoC (System on Chip), 2GB RAM, 32GB inbuilt memory, 8mp camera on the rear side and a 5mp snapper on the front.

As of now, Nokia is yet to respond to the rumours on the Internet. Until the company comes out and clears the air over the rumours, this report will remain as pure speculations.

If the report turns out to be true, Nokia has to come up with a new game plan to launch new smartphones to market the phone cause the Microsoft-Nokia acquisition deal reportedly states that the Finnish company cannot use Nokia brand in any of its new Smart/Feature phones until Q4 2016.

[Also read: Aluminum-Clad Nokia N1 with Android 5.0 Lollipop Unveiled]

Many believe Nokia can instead collaborate with other OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) like Foxconn with whom it introduced N1 tablet last month.

Nokia logoReuters

While the world was indeed shocked to see a tablet from Nokia, it seems like the Finns have plenty of backers, which is why we now have news of a smartphone as well. Leaked images of what are supposed to be Nokia’s first Android-powered smartphone have surfaced online. The smartphone, dubbed as the Nokia C1, comes with some interesting specs as well.

For some reason it seems too early to come to conclusions that this may be Nokia’s next device. But considering that the design of the N1 tablet is very similar, it makes sense to believe that this may after all be the smartphone that Nokia fans have been waiting for. Talking about design, similar to Nokia N1 tablet, the C1 also follows the same design language and looks similar to the recently launched Apple iPhone 6.

As for the leaked specs:

• We get a 5 inch 720p display
• An Intel chipset humming inside with 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage
• Also expected is an 8 MP camera on the back with a 5 MP front facing unit

On the software side of things it would be Google’s Android running inside with Nokia’s Z launcher. The software is based on gestures. You just have to scribble a letter using your finger on the screen, and the Launcher will bring-up the apps, contacts, and other related stuff to that query.

Since Nokia post the Microsoft split is not allowed to manufacture any smartphone until 2016, it will be Foxconn who will building and selling the units.

Apple has picked up Samsung to produce A9 processor for the iPhone 7

source : delhidailynews

iPhone 7 and iPhone 6s both scheduled for 2015 release

Apple has picked up Samsung to produce A9 processor for the iPhone 7, according to recent reports. Samsung had lost the A8 chipset manufacturing contract to TSMC of Taiwan. But this time, it will be responsible for 90 percent of A9 production, thanks to its 14nm FinFET technology. 

It has not been long since Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus hit store shelves and already the buzz about next generation iPhones is growing louder.

Apple is expected to release the iPhone 6s and iPhone 7 in 2015, but not at the same time. The iPhone 6S will be launched with Apple Watch in the first half of 2015, while the iPhone 7 will be introduced during Apple usual September-October launch spot.

Apart from iPhone 7, the company is also planning a 4-inch iPhone. There have been reports that Apple is working to launch a new, smaller 4-inch iPhone sometime in 2015 as there are still millions of customers who like smaller screens. The new device will reportedly be aimed at women.

According to one Chinese tech website, the 4-inch iPhone will have an affordable price tag. It will replace the current low-cost phone iPhone 5C.

The current iPhone 6 and 6 Plus have recorded robust sales across the world. The new devices have broken all the sales records. The iPhone 6 has captured 40 percent market share in the United Kingdom, while the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus is outselling every other phablet in the U.S. market, according to research firm Kantar WorldPanel.

It must be noted that Apple's suppliers have increased the production, but supplies are expected to remain scarce during the holiday season due to the massive customer demand.

Rumors about the iPhone 7 started days after the announcement of the iPhone 6, however Apple has not confirmed anything, but we have seen some interesting concept designs of what the iPhone 7 may look like.

According to a report, the iPhone 7 may incorporate full-screen display and razor-thin bezels, while another concept shows a 5.2-inch iPhone 7. It has thin lines on the bottom and top of the display, with sensors embedded it them. The rendering has also removed all the side buttons in favor of sensors.

Coming Shortly : Google starts displaying song lyrics on search page

source: timesofindia

 

NEW DELHI: It looks like Google wants to make searching for song lyrics simpler. In fact, the search giant wants to ensure you don't need to go to any other website to get access to lyrics of your favourite song.

It is now displaying snippets of song lyrics at the top of the search results when a user searches for "song name lyrics" as part of its knowledge graph offering. The lyrics are accompanied by a link to the song's listing on Google Play Music, the company's content marketplace. The feature is live in the US and does not offer lyrics for all songs. The move was reported by SEO Round Table. A TechCrunch report cites a Google spokesperson to confirm that the feature is indeed being implemented.

Google already summarised displays results for a large number of search terms from websites such as Wikipedia, CIA World Factbook and Freebase as part of its Knowledge Graph feature. It recently started displaying 'how to' summaries, a move that could reduce search traffic to websites publishing how-to articles.

Even the roll out of song lyrics results could lead to decline in search traffic to websites that compile and publish lyrics. Google is also promoting its own content by placing the Play Store link with the results at the top.

iPhone 7 Release Date: Features of Apple's New Device Surface, Huge RAM Upgrade Expected

source : ibtimes

The release date for Apple's next generation smartphone, dubbed as iPhone 7, may be months away but speculations have already begun and some key features have been leaked online. It has now appeared that the new device would see a huge upgrade in RAM.

Apple iPhone 6, Plus Series Smartphones, Smart-wearable Watch Unveiled; Specifications, Price Details Apple Inc.

 

Apple iPhone 6, Plus Series Smartphones, Smart-wearable Watch Unveiled; Specifications, Price Details Apple Inc.

Apple Inc has never made news for RAM, unlike its rival Samsung, despite claims that enhanced RAM betters performance, but it seems to have finally decided to take the plunge. EMSOne reports (via TechnoBuffalo) that Apple's upcoming flagship smartphone, iPhone 7, would come with 2GB RAM, which is double that of its predecessor, iPhone 6. The website also went on to say that RAM in its new iPad would be upgraded from 2GB to 4GB. 

Increasing the RAM will be a welcome move for Apple fans, as it will improve multi-tasking, improve speed and allow the company to introduce new features that take more space among other benefits.

Not much was reported on specifications of iPhone 7, but some key features have surfaced over the past few weeks. iPhone7update website reports that the new device would be powered by an A8 processor, come packed with 256GB or more internal memory and feature a 14MP main camera and 4MP front snapper. It added that the device would have screen protected by sapphire crystal glass and chassis made of liquid metal.

John Gruber had earlier revealed on the latest episode of The Talk Show (via The Tech Block) that Apple Inc was working on improving the camera quality for its next-generation smartphones with an aim to enable users to take high quality pictures. Unconfirmed reports also state that the device would be powered by A9 processor.

The transparent Fx0 will finally make you want a Firefox OS phone

source : The Verge

Designed by Tokujin Yoshioka for KDDI, this LG handset is the prettiest Firefox OS phone ever made

 

Firefox OS is coming to Japan and doing it in style.

Announced at a KDDI press event in Tokyo today, the Fx0 is a striking 4.7-inch smartphone with a transparent shell and a home button decorated with the golden Firefox logo embracing the Earth. It runs the latest version of Mozilla's web-centric mobile OS and was designed by noted Japanese designer Tokujin Yoshioka, whose previous collaboration with KDDI produced a phone worthy of making it into the Museum of Modern Art's collection. With the Fx0, Yoshioka has worked around the familiar outlines of LG's G3 design (LG is the silent partner producing the device) and adapted them to a smaller size while producing a delightful aesthetic in the process. Like a watch with a window showing its internal mechanism, this phone's exposed electronics are a subtle reminder of its technical sophistication — plus, that Firefox home button is just plain cool.

The Fx0 marks a break from Mozilla's established strategy of making the cheapest possible phones and dares to stray into the middle of the smartphone price and spec range. At a cost of 50,000 yen (roughly $420), this smartphone is significantly more expensive than the average Firefox OS handset, but it seeks to justify that price rise with its good looks and greater capabilities. NFC, LTE, and other widely adopted features are making their Firefox OS debut on the Fx0, making it a much more competitive and compelling proposition for buyers that are less constrained by their budget. Still, Firefox OS shouldn't be confused as any sort of competitor to the smartphone high end, and the base specs of the Fx0 are relatively underwhelming: a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, 1.5GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, and a 2,370mAh battery.

How do you spell geek chic?
The device is built by LG, and it embodies the next big step for Firefox OS, but KDDI is the company in charge of its fate. Together with Mozilla, the Japanese carrier hopes to promote the concept of "a new worldwide WoT (Web of Things) experience, which connects various objects using Web technology regardless of PC or smartphone." KDDI has created a dedicated Fx sub-site and is encouraging developers to get involved and build out the Firefox OS software ecosystem, marking a significant investment into helping the platform prosper and grow. The Fx0 goes on limited sale this Thursday, December 25th, and will be available across Japan from January 6th. It's unlikely that the custom KDDI design will ever go global, but it certainly sets a beautiful tone for future devices in the Firefox OS family.

This large 'stick bug' robot has a name, and it's Hector

Imagine a giant, mechanical stick bug that comfortably traverse small steps and rough rough terrain like loose gravel. In other words, all the normal accommodations that'd hypothetically keep these creatures from coming into your house through the backyard.

It's the results of a research project from Bielefeld University to emulate the movement of a stick bug — and yes, that means the video above includes footage of a stick bug covered in motion capture balls, suffering the same humiliation as Andy Serkis in behind-the-scenes featurette.

Scientists have named the proof of concept Hector. Here's a bit more detail: all six legs can move independent of one another, and each limb can alter its movement while already in motion if it detects any potential collision. This decentralized control system is being called the Walknet.

Honestly, it's an impressive demo video, so contain any inherent revulsion to insectoid movements and enjoy the science.

Microsoft removes unofficial Snapchat apps from the Windows Phone store

source: The Verge

Photo messaging service disables unofficial API to increase security

 

Microsoft has removed a host of third-party Snapchat alternatives from its Windows Phone store after the photo messaging service indicated that it would start cracking down on unofficial apps in a bid to tighten security. Rudy Huyn, the developer of popular Windows Phone Snapchat alternative 6snap, confirmed on Twitter that his app — and all other third-party Snapchat apps previously available on Microsoft's operating system — had been removed.

There's no official Snapchat app for Windows Phone

In a blog post written in November, the company said that while it had "enjoyed some of the ways developers have tried to make Snapchat better," some creators had built services that would compromise the user's security. Snapchat has come under fire from security researchers and developers who argue that the company's security is too lax and user information is accessible through a widely circulated unofficial API. As part of a new effort to counter these claims, Windows Central reports that Snapchat has also threatened to lock the accounts of some people who have continued to use third-party alternatives.

A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed to The Verge that the apps were removed at Snapchat's request "following Snapchat's decision to disable APIs used by third party apps across platforms." It's not clear why Microsoft is taking the Snapchat-a-likes down themselves, but with no official Snapchat app on the Windows Phone store, their removal means users of Microsoft's mobile operating system now have no way to access the photo messaging service on their phones.

 

iPhone 7 Release Date: Apple Preparing 2 Devices in 2015; iPhone 4s and 5c Could be Discontinued

source : ibtimes

Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are still going strong after breaking records set by iPhone 5c and 5s but the Cupertino giant is reportedly prepping for release of two devices – the iPhone 6s and iPhone 7 – in the coming year.

Apple iPhone 6, Plus Series Smartphones, Smart-wearable Watch Unveiled; Specifications, Price Details Apple Inc.

 

It is reported that the iPhone 6s will be released along with the Apple Watch in the first half of 2015 before launching its flagship device, the iPhone 7 in the third quarter of the year. The iPhone 7 is expected to be unveiled in September like its predecessor, the iPhone 6.

However, nothing is confirmed as of now, because Apple Inc. is yet to reveal any information about its upcoming device and is very unlikely to do so like in the past.

Reports are also doing the rounds that Apple is planning to discontinue the iPhone 4s and the iPhone 5c, and that production of the devices would be stopped in the second half of 2015 though the company is yet to confirm.

Meanwhile, a few features of Apple's upcoming smartphone have been leaked to the media in the last few weeks. John Gruber had said in the latest episode of The Talk Show (via The Tech Block) that Apple is working on extensively improving the camera of its next smartphone, something that can take pictures of DSLR quality.

Camera upgrade would be welcomed by Apple fans for the simple reason that the iPhone 6 has an 8MP main camera and 1.2MP front snapper, when its rival Samsung Galaxy S5 has 16MP camera.

Another website, iPhone7update has also claimed that the iPhone 7 would have a 14MP main camera and 4MP front snapper, powered by a quad-core A8 processor, come packed with 256GB or more internal memory, screen protected by sapphire crystal glass and chassis made of liquid metal. There are also reports that the device would have an A9 processor though nothing is confirmed.

Dropbox's Carousel adds Flashback photos to help you relive old memories

source:The Verge

The iOS version of Carousel, Dropbox's photo organization app, has received a hefty pre-holiday update. The app now lets you quickly delete reams of pictures from your camera roll if they've been uploaded to cloud storage, and will sift through your old photos and videos to provide you with "flashbacks" — images and clips dredged up from your camera history that Dropbox says will help you "relive your memories." Currently only the camera roll cleanup feature is live on the Android version of the app, but Dropbox says the flashback feature is coming soon.

The app first launched back in April on Android and iPhone, but reportedly disappointed Dropbox executives with its performance as it struggled to attract users. Later coming to iPad and web, Carousel was fairly simple to use, but The Verge's Casey Newton noted that it lacked a unique selling point, and didn't understand the emotional importance of old photos. The new features turn Carousel into a more enticing prospect, making freeing up space on your phone a breeze, and bombarding you with slices of nostalgia.

Tile’s tiny Bluetooth stuff-tracker now works with Android

source : The Verge

Tile's promise to track your stuff with small Bluetooth squares last year made it one of the biggest crowd-funded successes ever, raising nearly $2.7 million worth of orders in just a month. What's taken the company a lot longer is making enough Tiles for all the people who bought it, as well as getting them to connect to something other than Apple's iPhones and iPads. Today the company says both those problems have been solved, with it fully catching up on preorders, and with a new app for Android users that lets them connect with their Tiles.

The Android app, which hits Google's Play Store today, will work with every Tile the company has shipped so far. It's a different story in terms of what phones it works with, with the app requiring Android 4.4 KitKat or higher, as well as Bluetooth 4.0. Tile says it's also only optimized its software for a handful of phones, including Samsung's Galaxy S5, the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, HTC One, and HTC One M8.

Not every feature is there just yet

This first Android version is also not quite on par with the one Tile made for iOS. You're only able to connect it to between four and six Tiles at any given time because of the differences in Bluetooth radios that ship on some of the supported devices, versus iOS' eight. And missing is the option to mark one of those Tiles as lost, so that it will send you notifications if it's picked up somewhere (by another Tile user, for instance). Tile's VP of marketing Brian Katzman says the company is trying to bring this to Android as fast as possible, but notes that Tile didn't have it ready in time for its launch on iOS either. That software update is set to be released sometime in the next three months, but in the meantime you can still track 

your stuff.

Tile is mum on how many orders it's received in total, with Katzman saying only that the company received more than 50,000 pre-orders, totaling $2.68 million. Since then, the company's taken and fulfilled many more orders, he said, as well as expanded its sales to Amazon. It's also grown its team to include Android engineers who will work to optimize the app for more devices.

Tile still can't help you from being stupid

Tile is far from the only company building these tiny Bluetooth trackers, and faces a growing number of competitors that recently began to include very large companies like Motorola, Nokia, and HTC. Tile's big sell over these has been that its trackers talk to one another over Bluetooth to let the tags stay in contact with its network, making features like the lost mode possible — and effective. But even with that feature, Katzman says, Tile's technology can only do so much to help forgetful humans.

"In Seattle, a guy parked his rental car and left, and when he came back his car was gone. He marked it as lost, filed a police report, the whole thing," Katzman says. "A couple of days later, he got a notification from his Tile. It turns out he'd parked it one block away and didn't bother to look."

Microsoft preps for Lumia Denim with intro vid, support docs

source : pocketnow

All the way back in September, when Microsoft was introducing new Windows Phone hardware like the Lumia 830, it also had an announcement to make about new firmware on the horizon: Lumia Denim. The update was set to deliver features like 4K video recording – when it got here, that is. Word was that Denim would hit WP8.1 Lumia handsets starting sometime this quarter, but it’s been seriously slow to arrive; so far, there’s some early evidence for distribution to phones in China, but users in the West remain out of luck. However, that may be just about to change, as Microsoft’s spotted getting its ducks in a row for Denim’s arrival.

What’s changed? Over on its Lumia WP8 support page, Microsoft is now updating its online assets to switch from talking about Lumia Cyan to Lumia Denim. The market-by-market ETA pages are still in Cyan-mode, but the main update page now addresses the imminent arrival of Denim.

There’s even an update video (embedded below), going over the basics of upgrading to Denim. It’s nothing Windows Phone users haven’t dealt with before, but the mere fact that this video’s now been published really has us thinking that Denim updates are about to start hitting handsets in a big way. That should mean flagships like the 930 and 1520 seeing it arrive first, with other Lumias joining as we start getting into 2015.

Video : How to Update to Windows Denim

BlackBerry officially launches the Classic, a smartphone for yesterday

source : The Verge

"A full QWERTY keyboard and physical navigation keys round out the Classic's throwback design"

BlackBerry today announced the BlackBerry Classic, making official the smartphone that CEO John Chen has teased for the better part of a year. The Classic has a throwback look, as its name alludes, with a full QWERTY physical keyboard, physical navigation keys, and a nearly indistinguishable design from BlackBerry smartphones from years ago, such as the Bold. The Classic is significantly smaller than the Passport, which BlackBerry launched earlier this year, and is actually possible to use in one hand, unlike the gargantuan Passport. BlackBerry says this phone will appeal to those looking for the traditional BlackBerry experience that made those devices so popular so many years ago.

The Classic has a square, 720 x 720 pixel, 3.5-inch touchscreen perched above the keyboard and navigation keys. It's a bit smaller than the 4.5-inch screen on the Passport, and much smaller than the average smartphone's display, but it makes it possible to use the Classic in one hand and still have the physical QWERTY keyboard. The phone is powered by an aging dual-core Qualcomm processor from 2012 paired with 2GB of RAM. That likely won't cut it for modern mobile gaming, but it should be fine for plowing through thousands of emails a day, which is what BlackBerry expects Classic users to do. There's an 8-megapixel camera on the back of the phone, with a 2-megapixel unit on the front.

The Classic runs BlackBerry 10, which offers productivity tools like the Hub, Assistant, and Blend. It also can run Android apps, which are accessible through the Amazon Appstore that's preloaded on the device. BlackBerry diehards will be happy to know that the BrickBreaker game is also available on the Classic and can be played like it was on older BlackBerry smartphones.

The Classic is a very specific device for a very specific smartphone user

Appropriately, BlackBerry announced the Classic in the heart of New York's Financial District, an area of the country where BlackBerry smartphones are still a fairly common sight.  Perhaps even more so than the Passport, the Classic isn't a device that's going to appeal to the mainstream smartphone consumer, but rather it's for people who like BlackBerry devices and aren't looking to browse the web or play a lot of games on their phones. BlackBerry hasn't been on the minds of consumers for years, so now the company is doubling down on its core business users, and the Classic looks like the strongest play for that field yet.

BlackBerry says the Classic is available starting today "through local carriers around the world," and AT&T and Verizon have confirmed they will sell the device in 2015, though carrier pricing has yet to be announced. The Classic is also available unlocked through BlackBerry and Amazon's online stores for $449.

 

iPhone 7 to hit market before next Christmas with $849 price tag

NEW YORK: Though the iPhone users have not bored of the Apple’s latest gadget iPhone 6 so far, yet this one of the biggest IT companies is going to release new model of iPhone series. Hopefully, iPhone 7 would hit the limelight across the world before the next Christmas by third quarter of 2015.

Having powerful processor, additional features, better specs and impressive display, this new handset would cost at around US$649 to US$849, which excludes a possible contract fee.

To provide better viewing experience, it is expected that the iPhone 7 might have a screen size bigger than that of the iPhone 6 Plus. Avoiding past mistakes from the iPhone 5, the company will make sure that its future release will be equipped with a screen with superior clarity. There are also talks that the usual physical home button will be removed due to the inclusion of TouchID sensor. The feature will enhance the user-friendly touch navigation for users if such will materialize. Users can also expect the device to use face recognition method to unlock the phone.

Apple iPhones are known for its exceptional camera specs and the tech company will make sure that you will have no need for a digital camera. To be equipped of a 14 megapixel camera is also speculated.

Apple strives to provide the best performance for its devices and iPhone 7 will be no exception. Speculations of having a quad-core A8 processor or even higher is expected which will allow the device to perform and multi-task to a higher level.

iPhone 6 Plus is already available in 128GB memory, which makes it rather impressive. So expect the upcoming iPhone version to set a higher benchmark which will give its competitors a hard time to beat. iPhone 7’s memory could be 256GB or even higher.

The new device is also expected to be 4G equipped providing better connectivity for smoother internet streaming. Other applications are also expected to be injected in the new iPhone version.

Given the powerful new features and specs, the device would definitely need the support of an equally powerful battery. A new battery technology is expected to be in the works to provided extended hours of usage for the new device in a single charging.

Let’s hope for the best.

Microsoft building service to stream apps and games to phones and tablets

source: The Verge

"Arcadia could bring a world of new apps to Windows"

Microsoft is continuing its experimentation with streaming apps and games on Windows. ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley reports that the software maker is building a service codenamed Arcadia, a reference to a planet in the Halo game series, to stream apps and games to Windows. Microsoft previously demonstrated a similar streaming service at the company’s annual internal meeting last year, but that largely games-focused technology has reportedly been discontinued in favor of a renewed focus on apps and games. Microsoft is currently developing Arcadia, and a recent job posting hints that the work is part of the operating systems group (Windows) at the company.

While Microsoft continues to work on potentially bringing Android apps to Windows, ZDNet reports that the company floated its upcoming streaming service as a way for consumers to access additional apps that aren’t available on Windows and Windows Phone. The streaming idea has reportedly been tabled, but Microsoft’s work on running Android apps on Windows continues. It’s not clear when Microsoft will bring app and game streaming to Windows, but the job listing also mentions that iOS and Android experience "is a plus," suggesting that the company could launch its future service across multiple platforms. That would make sense given Microsoft’s focus on Android and iOS, but the service won’t likely launch soon as it’s only in the early development stages.

You can now control your Nest thermostat with your voice

source : The Verge

"Google app gains ability to change temperatures, monitor Nest thermostat systems"

Nest thermostat owners with Android or iOS smartphones are getting a treat today: Google has enabled Nest thermostat control within the Google app, letting you change the temperature with just your voice. Android Police reports that standard commands such as "OK Google, change temperature to," "set Nest to," "turn the thermostat to," and others followed by a numerical degree will adjust the system. Presumably, voice commands through an Android Wear smartwatch will also let you change the temperature in your home. Android Police also says that Google Now will display cards when the system adjusts itself automatically. Droid-Life first reported that this functionality was close to launch late last week.

Owners of Nest systems will have to opt-in to provide Google with access to their accounts, as well as enable Google Now cards for Nest. It doesn't seem like you can do as much with just your voice as you can with the full Nest app, but it can make you feel like your house is the bridge of the Starship Enterprise.

Correction: This post has been updated to reflect that Nest functionality is available on both Android and iOS. It's also clarified that the function worths through the Google app, not only Google Now.

Sony Pictures is being sued for failing to protect employee data

source : The Verge

 

A group of former and current Sony Pictures employees are suing the company for failing to protect their data, according to a complaint filed today in California District Court. (A second suit has also been filed according to The Hollywood Reporter, alleging that the choice to name North Korea put employees in danger.) The group is led by a former employee named Michael Corona, who worked for Sony between 2004 and 2007, and is currently spending $700 a year for identity theft protection. Sony has reportedly offered to provide identity theft monitoring services to current employees, but many previous employees like Corona have been affected by the leak and left to fend for themselves.

"An epic nightmare, much better suited to a cinematic thriller than to real life."

The complaint opens dramatically, describing the hack as, "an epic nightmare, much better suited to a cinematic thriller than to real life...unfolding in slow motion for Sony's current and former employees." The complaint alleges that Sony failed to adequately secure its systems despite years of warning signs, making a "business decision to accept the risk." Once the hack was under way, the complaint says Sony didn't do enough to protect employe information after the fact, despite multiple warnings from attackers.

The case focuses particularly on the leak of 47,000 social security numbers from current and former employees, which occurred more than a week after the initial attack. It's unclear when the affected employees received credit monitoring services to help mitigate the effects of the leak, although Sony should have had ample warning that such a leak was possible. In a strange twist, the complaint seems to rely heavily on other leaked documents. Leaked emails help establish that executives were aware of the vulnerabilities in the computer system, and chose not to improve it after previous attacks. It's unclear whether these documents will ultimately be seen as admissible in court.

 

Huawei's dual-lens phone lets you get artsy, shoot in the dark

source : engadget

 

Judging by Huawei's latest smartphone unveiled in Beijing today, it looks like someone has taken a leaf out of HTC's. The Honor 6 Plus -- a follow-up to the reasonably priced Honor 6 -- is all about its dual rear 8-megapixel cameras, which claim to boost the effective pixel size to 1.98 microns for improved sensitivity and thus cleaner images. By comparison, this almost matches HTC's 2-micron UltraPixels. And similar to HTC's Duo Camera feature, Huawei's dual-lens setup lets you refocus the captured photos, adjust their aperture (you can go from f/0.95 all the way to f/16) and apply fun filters like tilt shift, sketch and comics. Even the front-facing camera has an 8-megapixel resolution to give you the "888" blessing (it implies "triple the fortune" in Chinese), along with the usual beautification feature for photos and videos -- both recording and live chat. 

Despite stuffing three 8-megapixel cameras into the phone, Huawei didn't make much compromise elsewhere. At least that's the case on paper, anyway. The metallic device comes with a vibrant 5.5-inch 1080p JDI negative LCD, Huawei's own Kirin 925 octa-core chipset, a low-power I3 coprocessor (for fitness tracking), 3GB of RAM, up to 32GB of internal storage, a 3,600 mAH battery, NFC, TD/FDD-LTE Cat 6 connectivity and dual-SIM slots -- one of which doubles as a microSD tray, supporting up to 128GB of expansion. Like its recent sibling devices, the Honor 6 Plus has an infrared transmitter to let you control your TV, Hi-Fi system and air conditioner. Just to give its competitor a quick jab, Huawei pointed out that its latest phone is lighter, runs cooler, has less bezel space and yet has more battery juice than Apple's similarly-named iPhone 6 Plus.

On the software side, the Honor 6 Plus runs on a heavily-customized EMUI 3.0 Android ROM which has some nifty features, especially for when the screen is off. For example, you can double-click the volume-down button to instantly take a photo; double-click volume-up to start recording a voice memo (great for us tech reporters); and draw custom gestures to trigger your desired apps.

As part of the package, Huawei is offering 100GB of lifetime cloud storage, free access to over 8 million WiFi hotspots globally (7 million of which in China) and the company's own SoftSIM data roaming subscription service (about 80 cents per 20MB or about $4.5 per day; commencing in 2015 Q1) to Honor 6 Plus users. Alas, these services are likely limited to users in China.

As before, pricing isn't a concern here. The Honor 6 Plus will come in two editions: the 16GB, 3G-only and NFC-less version will cost just CN¥1,999 or about $320 unsubsidized, and you can get it in either black or white; whereas the 4G premium edition will cost CN¥2,499 or about $400, and you get an additional gold color option.

 

Apple reportedly testing its next version of iOS silently

source: pocketnow

 

Apple has had its good batch of ups and downs with iOS 8. On the positive side, the company has launched a more mature version of the operating system, and has addressed a lot of the things we asked for with iOS 7. That being said, its initial launches led to some bricked iPhone 6 units, and some slow legacy devices. iOS 8.1.2 was recently launched with some silent bug fixes, but it seems that was just part of the story.

Apple hasn’t really seeded iOS 8.1.3 to developers as is customary, but some activity logs are already claiming its existence. This wouldn’t be the first time that Apple launches a dot update silently and without passing it through the developer community. Usually Cupertino does this in order to patch major issues that it silently detects, and who knows, it might even be to cover its tracks for the recent Jailbreak of iOS 8.1.2 on every single iOS 8 compatible device in the market.

Whatever the case may be, we could be just a few days away from this launch, so stay tuned.

 

Leaked Windows 10 build shows Cortana, new Xbox apps and Windows Store

source : Geek

 

Development continues on Windows 10, and things are changing at a rapid pace. A new snapshot, Windows 10 build 9901, has been leaked and it’s the first to feature Cortana and a redesigned Windows Store.

It’s been known for some time that Microsoft planned to integrate their virtual assistant into Windows 10, and what you see above gives you a brief glimpse. Right click the taskbar in build 9901, and you’ll see a new entry on the context menu for search. You choose to display the icon only, the full search box, or to hide it completely. Clicking the microphone icon (or saying ‘hey Cortana’) tells Cortana you’re ready to issue a voice command. Users with preferences set on a Windows Phone will find that they’re automatically synced to the desktop search app in Windows 10.

Microsoft has also made some major changes to the Windows Store app. First and foremost, they’ve smartly decided that having separate stores is a bad idea. In Windows 10, apps, games, music, and videos will all be sold within the Windows Store. Clicking a store link to purchase something from another app will open the Windows Store in the appropriate category. For example when you click on a game in a banner ad in the new Xbox app, you’ll be taken to the games section.

In build 9901, the Xbox app looks like it’s focused on communicating with your Xbox Live friends for now. It’s an early build, though, and the app itself mentions that they’re updating it regularly. There’s plenty of time to add more functionality before the Windows 10 launch.

Winbeta posted a video walkthrough of the leaked build, which is a safer way to get a look at all the changes than downloading an unofficial installer from somewhere. In it, you’ll also see how Microsoft is integrating Metro design on the desktop and how they’re streamlining access to settings in Windows 10.

Windows 10 is expected to arrive in about six months, but Microsoft may offer up a new preview build as soon as January.

source : The Verge

Apple's new holiday ad is another heartwarmer

Apple's been no stranger to iconic commercials over the years, and its newest holiday ad looks to follow in those footsteps. This year's 90-second spot, titled "The Song," features a girl using various Apple products to transform a vinyl recording of her grandmother's voice with music of her own, creating a decades-spanning collaborative gift. It's not meant to sell a specific product so much as it's meant to tug at the proverbial heartstrings just as those last-minute holiday purchases are being made.

The ad is sure to bring up memories of last year's popular (and Creative Arts Emmy-winning) holiday commercial, which followed a seemingly phone-obsessed boy throughout his family's Christmas celebration only to reveal that he was making a home movie the whole time. Both commercials use the same cinéma vérité look and feel that Apple has adopted for many of its commercials in the last few years, a shift that has let the company advertise how its products are used instead of just being loud and colorful like the style that was so popular in the iPod era.