iPad mini release date, news and features

Apple has sent out an invite for an event taking place today on October 23 and as we reported earlier, the event will also be live streamed on Apple TV. The invite states "we've got a little more to show you" - which we're assuming refers to the iPad mini.
We'll be at the event, covering all the announcements live when it kicks off at 10:00 PST / 18:00 GMT on our iPad mini launch live blog, and we'll be posting links and summaries of all the key stories below.
In the meantime, why not read on for the rumours we've reported on leading up to today's event?
The new iPad has been and gone, sporting a chunkier and heavier build than the iPad 2, which left some wondering: what's with all the extra weight?
However, it looks like Apple may be about to aid those conscious of extra grams in their bags, as rumours hot up about a potential iPad Mini (or iPad nano, if you prefer) as the Amazon Kindle Fire, Google Nexus 7 and Nook HD steal the budget tablet show.
TechRadar's video team has pulled together all the rumours below and created a 3D render of what the iPad Mini could look like.

iPad Mini overview

Back in 2010, former Apple CEO Steve Jobs said that smaller screened tablets were not "sufficient to create great tablet apps" and would be "dead on arrival", so the suggestion that a new iPad mini is in the works reveals a potentially new direction for the firm in its post-Jobs era.
There's certainly a lot of chat surrounding the iPad Nano, so we've scooped it all up, mushed it all together and expelled it into a handy round up, allowing you to keep track of every twist and turn.
If you're pressed for time then check out our iPad Mini rumour roundup video below.

According to analyst Ben A. Reitzes, the iPad Mini would not be a threat to Apple's current domination with the new iPad, and is likely to be a favourite among gamers as well as educational institutes, particularly with the electronic textbooks introduced earlier this year.
And if you were ever wondering, will Apple really go with the iPad Mini name, an "Asian source" quoted by a Japanese site seems confident that yes, it really will be called the iPad Mini. Wow.
Of course there's always the chance it won't be, with iPad Nano another naming contender for Apple's smaller slate.

iPad Mini release date

Update: And this is a big one folks - Apple has sent out an invite for an event on October 23.

iPhone 5 review

The new iPhone is here – but is Apple in danger of delivering too little with its latest upgrade?

Design

We'll begin in the traditional manner: how the thing actually feels in the hand. With the iPhone 5 there will be many types of prospective buyer: the upgrader from the 4 (or more-money-than-sense iPhone 4S upgraders), those tired of their Android handset and those taking their first steps in the smartphone market and want to get one of them iThingies their friend/child has.

Well, all of those picking up the iPhone 5 will have the same reaction: this thing is amazingly light. You've probably heard the numbers by now (20 per cent lighter than the predecessor, as well as beating most of the opposition too at 112g
You'll obviously see the change in height too – the iPhone 5 stands 123.8mm tall to allow for the larger 4-inch screen. In truth, those not familiar with the iPhone 4S probably wouldn't notice the difference, which is why it's a good move from Apple to include the larger screen if it's not going put people off that hate larger phones.

The decision to stick at 4-inches is Apple's admission that while it recognizes people are all over the idea of having more screen real estate to play with it doesn't want to move away from the thumb-friendly nature of the device.
Through a mixture of moving the center of gravity slightly as well as repositioning the screen within the bezel, it's still possible to scroll your thumb mostly around the whole display one-handed, which Apple is clearly keen to keep hold of.

However, we're not convinced of that argument any more, and the power button was still a little out of reach when using the phone normally, as was anything in the top left-hand corner of the screen. #
This was no issue in reality, as scooting the phone down a touch in the palm is a natural action. But if that's the case, then why not offer a 4.3-inch screen at least?
There's more to a phone than a screen these days (although increasingly less and less) and the general construction of the iPhone 5 is excellent to say the least.

We've tested both the ceramic white version and the anodized black, and the two tone effect on the back of the phone is stunning, both visually and under the finger.
It doesn't beat the sheer beauty of the HTC One S, with its micro-arc oxidised back and rounded lines, but it's well-set in second place.

You always get the feeling that Apple saves what it can for the next iteration of the iPhone, and while there's nothing wrong with the current construction we can see the edge-to-edge screen becoming something amazing on the iPhone 6.

New ipads coming ?

Apple rumors never rest. Ever.
In the recent past we’ve been told something new is coming— from Digitimes — talk of a smaller sized ipad at just under 9″ inches and a potential market date of early 2012. The idea of a small iPad from Apple is a somewhat hard to fathom. Apple already said they think their pad is the right size. Period. And, we’re Apple. All knowing, and powerful, etc.

But recently,  Digitimes recanted from its recent ipad announcement with a refreshed note: Forget the small ipad: Apple will announce 2 fresh Retina-type iPads to serve the luxury segment, while the current iPad will do battle with the kindle and nook.
Apple’s products are often a bit more expensive than the competitors, but Apple likes to battle in accordance. Compare all of the different options Apple has with the ipads, iphone, ipods etc.

Digitimes claims that the new models will stay with Apple’s 9.7-inch screen, but with an improved resolution and better light bars. And if Digitimes can be believed, Sharp is now handling the panel supply, along with LG  and Samsung.
Said source has also touched on some new iPad batteries, saying that they should be roughly at the level of 13,000-14,000 mAh. And if even more: Digitimes says they know the launch date: The Iworld Conference in January, 2012.
Sure, this is quite a large sum of data and I’d bet that it’s not all perfect and 100% accurate. That being said, improved ipads to fit the market do make sense. The Kindle Fire is killing the market at it’s current price, and Apple is always dedicated to owning the market for it’s products. But Apple isn’t going to copy anyone any time soon.
The true war wager will be a price dump due to the recent economy, and from what we’ve seen occur with the iPhone 4 in the past it wouldn’t be shocking to witness the  iPad drop a few coins.
In order to battle with the $200 Kindle Fire, it’d might need to.

THE most expensive phone in the world is..

When an Australian businessman calls you and says he doesn’t mind spending
$2m on a phone: would you do it for him?
The answer is YES. I will.

UK designer Stuart Hughes spent almost a year designing and constructing the phone in 2009. The casing of the phone was crafted out of solid gold. The cover holds 136 flaw-less vv diamonds equaling a ridiculous 68 carats while the Apple logo on the reverse side is made from a an additional 53 diamonds. The navi button is also, of course, crafted  from a solo diamond over 7 carats.
This diamond i-Phone is known as the most costly phone around the world.
Aussie businessman must be proud.

Face recognition is coming

And you thought your face was just for your identity..now it might be for security too, if Apple Inc. has anything to say about it. Now it might allow you to access your Apple products, such as iphone, ipod,  iPad etc. An Apple patent app released recently tells of a facial comparison system that requires small computational energy, and works in most light conditions conveniently.

The system works by showing a recent image of your cute face to a profile made using sections of the human face, such as eyes and nose etc. It basically will take a snapshot and compare in the database. It is just an app, so it won’t be part of the actuial iOS anytime in the near future.

Noteworthy::  Apple beat Google and Motorola to the punch  (Android) with this patent application a long time ago.

Best accessories for your new iPad or iPhone

We love the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
The things you can do with them are nothing short of incredible: watch TV; find the nearest fine dining establishment; record and edit HD video… the list goes on.
But these devices can be even better. With the correct accessories, you can push your kit to new limits.

iPhone speaker docks 

 

01. Gear4 Angry Birds Speakers
Price: £50 - £70
URL: gear4.com
Works with: Everything
Aux in: Red Bird only
These aren't going to compete with the others here in the sound stakes, but just look at how cool they are! As well as the Red and Black birds, you can get a green Helmet Pig. The Red Bird has a 3.5mm jack, so you can connect other audio sources too.
02. Logitech S715i
Price: £99
URL: logitech.com Works with: iPhone, iPod touch
Aux in: Yes
As well as pumping out the best sound you're going to get for under £100, Logitech's dock has a built-in battery and comes with a carry pouch, making it the perfect portable sound system whether you use it in the house or outdoors.
03. Philips Fidelio DS3020
Price: £49
URL: philips.com
Works with: iPhone, iPod touch
Aux in: Yes
At its modest price point, this diminutive and stylish dock blows the competition clean out of the water with its audio prowess. A great choice for listening to your music in a small room, such as your study, student halls or bedroom.
04. Klipsch iGroove HG
Price: £100
URL: klipsch.com
Works with: iPhone, iPod touch
Aux in: Yes
If you listen to a lot of music that benefits from powerful, thumping bass, look no further than this speaker, which lets you enjoy dance and R&B at its most immersive. And we love its unassuming, swept-back form.
05. Memorex Mini Alarm Clock Radio
Price: £47
URL: memorex.com
Works with: iPhone, iPod touch
Aux in: Yes
This is the perfect size for a bedside table. Dock your iPod touch or iPhone, and wake up to find it fully charged with your own music playing. The audio is quite good considering it's coming from such a small unit, and the 3.5mm aux-in jack means you can connect your iPad for its tunes too.

iPhone speaker docks £100+ 

 

01. B&W Zeppelin Air
Price: £499
URL: bowers-wilkins.co.uk
Works with: iPhone, iPod touch (docked), iPad (AirPlay)
Aux in: Yes
This king of iPod docks may have a royal price tag to match its stature, but it really is worth every penny. It looks great, sounds awesome and - thanks to AirPlay - works wirelessly with your iPhone, iPod touch and iPad too. Your ears will thank you forever for getting one of these.
02. Altec Lansing Octiv 650
Price: £130
URL: alteclansing.com
Works with: iPhone, iPod touch
Aux in: Yes
Don't be fooled by its minimalist, understated exterior - the Octiv 650 is a great value dock that packs in a brace of video outputs so you can enjoy your favourite flicks and programmes from your iPod or iPhone on a regular TV. The on-board EQ helps you tweak the sound output to match what you like to listen to. It's cleverly packaged too.
03. Creative Ziisound D5x and DSx
Price: £280 (D5x), £140 (DSx)
URL: uk.creative.com
Works with: Everything
Aux in: No
Meaty, beaty, big and beefy, this dock and subwoofer combo is the perfect partner for enjoying music and movies on your iPad, iPod touch or iPhone. Because it's completely wireless, you can listen cable-free. This also gives you the option of adding extra speakers - making it ideal for multi-room or even home cinema set-ups.
04. Arcam rCube
Price: £350
URL: arcam.co.uk
Works with: iPhone, iPod touch
Aux in: Yes
Thanks to a £150 price drop, the cleverly packaged rCube is brilliant value for money, combining portability and flexibility with hi-fi quality sound. The best thing about the rCube is that you can daisy chain additional units together cable-free; all you need to add are the optional rWave USB Music Streaming Dongles (£80 each) with Kleer wireless tech.
05. Revo Axis
Price: £200
URL: revo.co.uk
Works with: iPhone, iPod touch
Aux in: Yes
Armed with DAB, DAB+, FM and internet radio, the Revo Axis is so much more than a regular iPhone or iPod dock. The front panel comes complete with an easy-to-use touchscreen display and menu system, which is matched by a great audio performance that belies its size.

iPad docks 

 

01. Altec Lansing Octiv 450
Price: £82
URL: alteclansing.com
Works with: iPad
The Octiv 450 is a great little charging stand for your iPad, and its built-in speakers are perfectly competent for playing back music or TV programmes, say. Its meagre footprint makes it perfect for small desks or kitchen worktops.
02. iHome iD9
Price: £97
URL: ihomeaudio.com
Works with: iPad
The sound from this smart, compact speaker isn't as full as even the slightly cheaper Octiv 450, but it's by no means bad - and it has great stereo separation. It has a great hidden feature, though: a 10-hour built-in battery for tunes on the go.
03. Philips Fidelio DS9010
Price: £349
URL: philips.co.uk
Works with: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad
Our current favourite speaker system for iPhones, iPads and iPods - bar none. Yes, you can spend more and get even better, more balanced sound, but for our money, the richness and punch of this dock is well worth the significant cash investment.
04. Apple iPad Dock
Price: £25
URL: apple.com/uk
Works with: iPad
Apple's official dock for the iPad doesn't have any speakers in it - it's just a handy place to put your device to charge it and keep it at a useful viewing angle. Yes, it's expensive, but its simple good looks and surprising level of stability means it gets the nod.
05. KitSound iPad Dock
Price: £6
URL: kitsound.co.uk
Works with: iPad

iPad 3 Release Date & Features – Sizzling Rumors

An increasing number of rumors have begun springing up – expediting iPad 3 release date (from an earlier rumor of late summer 2012 to early March 2012). Could that be true?

A lot of factors have changed right now. A lot of guesstimate material comes from manufacturers and leaks from those involved in making the components of the iPad 3. A recent Wall Street Journal report mentioned some source from the supply chain claiming that Apple has ordered about a million or so components to be made (it’s mostly the displays or the panels). Another report says that a market analyst suggests iPad 3 would be out by the end of March 2012 – or sooner – and asked investors to invest accordingly.

None of the info is final – but it increases the amount of speculation on iPad 3 release date.

For starters, iPad 3 release date would and should be beyond March 2012 – considering the fact that it would be strategically positive for Apple. The iPad 3 has been in the news ever since the iPad 2 – and more so in recent times after numerous references to the device were found hidden in the codes of iOS 5.1 beta release.

iPad 3 features have been rumored to be widely based on the display features and the processor.

First off, the A6 processor is rumored to be on board. The A6 processor – which is widely believed to incorporate several changes to the architecture and performance – has been called for as a need considering the various features and enhancements the devices will contain. The iPhone 4S is a standing proof for that. Also, besides this, the processor is required because of several additions to the iPad 3 specs in software and apps.

The other area of interest is the iPad display.

Quite a lot of people seem to think that the iPad 3 will surely have a very powerful display – with almost twice the resolution of iPad 2. That would put the iPad 3 display resolution at 2048×1536 px – and because the dual-LED light problem was fixed in the design, the physical dimensions of the iPad 3 are unchanged from the predecessor. This means, Retina Display – a prominent feature of iPhone 4S – comes to iPad 3 too.

Update (24th Dceember 2011): Report sugests that Apple is Pushing to Introduce iPad 3 on February 24th, Steve Jobs’  Birthday.

Update (14th Dceember 2011): Looks like iPad 3 is now confirmed. More references to iPad 3 have been found in the recently released iOS 5.1 beta 2 code. Read on to find out more about it.

Update (10th Dceember 2011):As per the latest reports that iPad 3 will be launched in spring 2012 and it will surely have some great features along with retina display.

Update (30th November 2011): iOS 5.1 Beta Reveals iPad 3. Here is more on that.

Update (24th November 2011): Report suggests that Apple may lauch iPad 3 in March 2012. Read more on that.

Update (23rd November 2011) : Some concrete update on the iPad 3 release was recently posted on CultofMac. Here is more on that.

Update (19th November 2011): iLounge reports that its very reliable source has got us some credible information about iPad 3 release date, specs, and more news. Here is more on that.

Update (18th November 2011): Digitimes has reported tell-tale signs of Apple pitching in for the next gen iPad – the most-awaited iPad 3. Here’s more on it

Update (4th November 2011) : Report suggests that Apple may release iPad 3 or upgraded version of iPad 2 in March 2012. Here is more on that.

Update (23rd Octoer 2011): Latest report suggests that Apple may release iPad 3 i n first quarter of 2012. Here is more on that.

Update (20th August 2011): Is iPad 3 release date set for early 2012 with retina display? Here is detailed report from The Wall Street Journal.

Update (16th August 2011) : Has Apple cancelled iPad 3 supply orders for 2011? Find more in details.

Update (1st July 2011): Apple is planning to gear up iPad 2 shipments for the third quarter of this year. Does this mean we are not going to see iPad 3 this year? Find out more.

Update (2nd June 2011): According to DigiTimes, iPad 3 release date should be scheduled to somewhere in 2012. However, Apple has already started certifying process of components for the iPad 3. Here is you will detailed update on iPad 3 release date.

iPad 3 Features & Specs Expectation

• Retina Display: People were expecting a retina display with the iPad 2; but the iPad disappointed them with the same display of the previous iPad. Now followers are waiting for an iPad 3 with a retina display. There is a rumor that the iPad 3 may offer a resolution of 2048×1536 pixels.
• SD Card Slot: People are expecting a revolution in Apple iPad 3 with an SD card slot. Hopefully Apple may introduce SD card slot with the third generation iPad.
• Improved HDMI: Yes iPad 2 also supports HDMI playback but you need to have Apple digital AV adapter, and that comes at an additional cost of $39. So it is much expected from iPad 3 to have an HDMI port that eliminates additional requirement of the HDMI cable.
• Camera Flash: A camera with flash is a much-waited feature of the iPad; people were expecting iPad 2 to have camera flash; now we would be wondering if iPad 3 will have camera with flash.
• Thunderbolt: The iPad 3 may have a Thunderbolt port. That will offer power, video and data connectivity using the same connector at lightning speed.
• Wireless Synchronize: People are expecting iPad 3 to offer wireless sync of content rather than the traditional wired connectivity.

7-Inch iPad Not Coming Next Year, Cheaper iPad 2 Instead of iPad Mini?

The world has recently viewed the launch of several 7 inch tablets from various companies of the world, the same was also expected from Apple this year and as most of the experts believed that Apple too was prepared for the launch of the same, but recently there has been a shift in the plans of Apple as the company believes in setting up trends rather following trends from any other companies.

The latest sensation from Apple is the iPad mini which is a smaller version of the iPad and is expected to be launched by Apple at a lower price to cover the lower segment in the market. In such context, Blair had to state that the 7 inch iPad moreover was not on the cards for Apple in recent launches however, the glimpse for iPad mini was reflected in his conversation.“One naturally thinks that a 7-inch screen would offer 70 per cent of the benefits of a 10-inch screen,” Jobs said during a 2010 earnings call. “Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. … The reason we [won't] make a 7-inch tablet isn’t because we don’t want to hit [a lower] price point, it’s because we think the screen is too small to express the software. As the software driven company, we think about the software strategies first.”

It is not a mystery that Apple has been secretly working on the 7 inch iPad too, but at this point of time the same looks to be a far sighted approach as it now aims for the lower range market. This iPad Mini is moreover a cheap iPad 2 which shall range in between $ 249- $ 499, providing the lower segment of the market to have a share of its quality. Another reason can also be that Apple is looking forward to build something new and extraordinary as usual for which the 7 inch iPad has been put to halt in the recent time and instead the access of mini iPad is being access.

In words of Blair,“We believe Apple is highly likely to keep the iPad 2 on the production line after the launch of iPad 3 and offer it at a lower price point in an effort to address demand at the mid-tier, what we view as the $249 to $499 range. We believe iPad 2′s price could drop to the $349 to $399 range with Apple offering a single 16GB model.”

This however ensures that iPad mini release date is very short form the current date. The model is expected to be a single 16 GB model which shall cater the needs of the people who mainly belong to the student and small businessmen section. The iPad Mini is expected to hit the markets in upcoming April- May.

Instagram, The iPhone App of The Year

Apple has just published the yearly top of the most popular music, movies, TV shows, podcasts and apps. At a first glance over the list with the most downloaded apps we notice Angry Birds taking almost every trophy available. Rovio’s beloved game, managed to rank highest in the lists of top paid iPhone apps as well as top paid and free iPad apps. Facebook won the top position in the free iPhone apps list.
On the other hand, Instagram, the photo sharing and manipulation app was declared “the iPhone app of the year”. this free app allows users to apply filters with a retro style. Another feature appealing to the users is the option of sharing pictures on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and other social networks. According Kevin Systrom, Instagram’s CEO Chief Executive, this app already reached to 14 – 15 million users. Kevin Systrom also suggested at the LeWeb conference in Paris that an Android version of Instagram is in the works and it will be released soon.

When explaining the company strategy related to Instagram development, Kevin Systrom pointed out that membership will be important. This will only be part of the company’s revenue, the other part will come from advertisement. Brands like Audi, Kate Spade, and Burberry joined Instagram in hope of exploiting new marketing tools to reach to the consumers. “They’re sharing pictures of products and the message of their brands. That shows we’re at the beginning of what will come with brands,” explained Systrom.
Apple used its privilege to choose its favorite apps from iTunes in different categories and declared Tiny Tower as the preferred game for iPhone. In the iPad category, Apple’s selections were another photo app, Snapseed, as the “iPad App of the Year” and Dead Space as “iPad Game of the Year.”

iTunes Match now official in the UK

Sign-up now for £21.99 a year

Apple has now officially rolled-out its iTunes Match subscription service in the UK, following 24 hours of confusion surrounding the launch.
iTunes Match appeared briefly to users in the UK, France and Australia on Wednesday before it was quickly pulled, with Apple promising to refund those who'd signed-up.
However, iTunes users in multiple territories are reporting that the iTunes Match tab has returned offering a year's subscription for £21.99 a year.
Not only is the service live but, lo-and-behold, it's actually working, users have told the MacRumors and Macgasm blogs.

Your music on the go

iTunes Match went live in the US last month.
The service scans your hard-drive for music and replaces your tired old MP3s with high-quality 256kbps tracks from iTunes.
Members can then stream their collection from iOS devices, Apple TV and iTunes-enabled Macs and PCs.
Apple hopes the service will keep users in the iTunes ecosystem rather than switching to alternative cloud lockers from Amazon and Google.

Apple iPad 3 'to launch in February 2012'

Apple will launch the third generation of the iPad in early 2012, an analyst has claimed.

Citi analyst Richard Gardner cited "several sources" as indicating that the iPad 3 will be officially confirmed by Apple next February.

Business Insider reports Gardiner as saying that the much-anticipated tablet will sport a screen resolution double that of the current iPad 2.

He added that "there do not appear to be any significant technical hurdles remaining" to prevent the launch of the iPad 3.

The claim about screen resolution dovetails with previous reports about the iPad 3, indicating that the product will have a 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution, a massive rise on the 1024 x 768 in the current model.

It is thought that this will mean the iPad 3 will be 0.7mm thicker than the iPad 2 due to the need for stronger backlighting technology.

However, the iPad 3 could be up against a considerable competitor next year in the shape of a rumoured 11.6-inch tablet from Samsung, which could offer a whopping 2560 x 1600 resolution.

Meanwhile, Gardiner has also predicted that Apple will sell 12-13 million iPads in the final quarter of 2011, a big increase on the 7.33m sold in the same period in 2010.