iOS Xbox app upgraded to SmartGlass

Typing in download codes made easy 

 

Microsoft's solution for a secondary screen for its Xbox 360 console reached another milestone today with the availability of its SmartGlass app for iOS, following the launch of Xbox Smartglass on Android last month.

The free app - which is an update to the previous iOS Xbox app - allows Xbox owners to control their consoles with their iDevice, from navigating through the various tiles to entering download codes on a virtual keyboard.
As well as offering remote control functions for the gaming console, Microsoft has launched a SmartGlass SDK for developers to integrate the second screen into its gameplay.

No iPhone 5 support

While the release of the app on Apple's rival platform is welcome, SmartGlass on iOS is far from receiving universal acclaim, thanks to the lack of iPhone 5 support.
Still, the arrival of the iOS app marks the company's platform-agnostic approach to the whole "second screen" gaming experience, which should give it an advantage over platforms like the Wii U and the Playstation 3.

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.

Top 10 Fun Iphone apps for 2011

Top 10 Fun Iphone apps for 2011
This post will make you happy when you are looking to spend your time in a much more interesting way. Here we are showcasing some fun apps for your iPhone or iPad to enjoy.

Hair MakeOver Lite

Do you want to find out what is the best hairstyle for you and your friends? With Hair MakeOver you can try on many different kind of hair styles and hair cuts in less than a minute on your iPhone. There are 32 32 hairstyles that you can try in this app. Def something my wife needs to check out.

Friends Around Me

Friends Around Me is a free app for locating friends 24/7 across social networks and for meeting new people nearby or across the world through an interactive location-based search. Also available in Spanish,  and Portuguese.

Mirror Mirror

A handy and FREE mirror application. Unlike other apps this has no bothersome frames to reduce your viewing area. Can you say: “where’s my makeup”?

Lie Detector Scan

I know I know..not always something everyone needs..I just do because I am SURROUNDED by liars..but, I digress: Lie Detector Scan can tell if a person is lying by the pulse and body heat from fingertips, not unlike a real lie detector. You can have your friends and family put their fingers on the scanner and start the interrogation.

Age Calculator

Want to know how TRULY old you are? You can now calculate your age in: Years, months, days, hours, minutes, or even seconds. Also equipped with Facebook, Twitter and Email options to share with significant (older) others.

Impossible-magic challenge

This could be your one of the best fun app in this list. You choose 1 out of six cards, The special magician located inside the app will read your mind directly from your iPhone, and then removes your card from the pile.

PhotoChop  (Editors fave!)

This app makes crazy funny pics of your friends or yourself in wild places. You can put them next to a wild bear, sumo, super hottie or wherever you desire.

Compass

 

Compass is a measuring tool which indicates the specific points under the sunlight. Perfect
for sailors or those who get lost often..

Voice Changer Plus

Would you like to change the sound of your voice in strange and crazy way? Voice Changer Plus lets you do this and more. Just pick a voice and make it work. If you want to try a different sound, there’s no need to do it again. Just pick a new voice and roll with it.

6501 Crazy Facts

 

6001 Crazy Facts are packed with more than 6001+ of facts, going from science to people and beyond, from weather to the human body, from animals to just weird facts.  And since there is no need for an internet connection for this app, you will always have these facts ready and waiting.

The iPhone 4S Is Finally Cleared For Launch In Mainland China

Here in the States we’ve been chatting it up with Siri on the iPhone 4S for months, but the folks over in mainland China — the biggest mobile market in the world, mind you — have yet to hear that 42 is the meaning of life. The 4S launched in Hong Kong just last month, and since then we’ve heard that it would show up on the mainland in December.
People’s Daily is now reporting that a phone with the model number A1431 has passed the final hurdle in its Chinese certification. That’s the same model number that Apple used to get a network entry permit for the 4S from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on December 6, so all signs point to iPhone.
Considering the timeline, that means the iPhone 4S will likely launch in China before the Chinese New Year on January 23, which is the equivalent of our Black Friday.
Seeing that the iPhone is basically a smash hit in China — over 10 million iPhones are in use on China Mobile’s network (even though it isn’t an official iPhone carrier) — Apple will likely be breaking even more records with the iPhone 4S come 2012. Especially if the alleged talks between China Mobile, the world’s largest mobile carrier, and Apple lead to something a bit more official.

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.

iTunes launches 12 Days of Christmas giveaway

Apple iTunes will be running a 12 Days of Christmas event which will see users offered some brilliant content – including apps, TV shows, movies, books and music.
The 12 Days of Christmas offer will run from 26 Dec to 6 Jan and include high-profile content, with each offer available for just 24 hours.
Apple's iTunes is starting its offering with a Day Zero offer where Soundhound Infinity is being offered for nothing

12 Days of Christmas App

Apple has also made a special 12 Days of Christmas app to support the offering and make it easier to find them.
"Get our special 12 Days of Christmas app to make it even easier to access your gifts while you're on the go," adds Apple
"Don't have an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch? Don't worry. Come back 26 December to download gifts from your computer."
So – while you while away the time until the launch – you can download the official 12 Days of Christmas app.

Send Big Files From Your iPhone With Kicksend

Kicksend tries to emerge itself into the fabulous mobile world. So, it has jus released an app, to give users a quick, painless way to share files online. All you need to do is follow three simple steps. Open the application, then add your email address and drop the file you want to send. The files can be sent to any email address and the recipient doesn’t necessarily has to have a Kicksend account. Users can send files to more than one person, by clicking on the add button, before sending the actual file.
The big improvement this app brings is the fact that it lets you send bigger files as well as batches of files. If you have received some files, Kicksend will automatically download them as they arrive in your inbox and will sort them for you. And because everything today, incorporates a social media aspect, the user can comment or have a conversation about a certain file (or not) through the application.

Kicksend is a company that was founded in March of 2011 by Pradeep Elankumaran and Brendan Lim. The app has been reportedly receiving good feedback. It’s not the first application to offer file storage, but it’s a convenient way to do so and incorporates a lot of neat features. The downside, many users feel, is linked to the fact that even though the subscription isn’t expensive, most users won’t be in need of the full set of feats everyday. So, before you decide to go with it, maybe you should research other options as well.

iPhone 5′s Chip to be Made in Texas?

We all know the fact that Apple has been relying on its secret Asian manufacturers when it comes to production and assembly of its popular gadgets, but as it turns out, it looks like some important parts of the iPad and iPhone are actually made closer than anyone would have been expecting.
So what does closer to home actually mean? Well, the components are being manufactured by a $3.6 billion facility located in Austin, Texas. It seems that the A5 processor, the component responsible for all the actions of the iPhone 4S and the iPad 2 is the piece built in USA.
And surprise, surprise, who do you think is assembling this major parts? Well, it’s Apple’s sworn enemy, with whom it has been battling in courts around the world – Samsung. The A5 processor is built in a newly constructed $3.6 billion non-memory chip production line that reached full production in early December. Rumor has it, that Samsung started shipping from Austin this year.

When asked, Apple didn’t want to make any comments, on account that it’s not “polite” to reveal information about its business with suppliers. Samsung didn’t break the trust, and also declined to comment about any details of the chips that are being developed in Austin.
Companies seem to be attracted to Austin because of the big numbers of educated individuals the University of Texas is putting out on the market. Samsung added about 1,100 jobs which produce about 40,000 silicon wafers every month. Plus another 2,400 employees in Austin who work in its NAND flash memory factory by the logic chip factory. It seems the Korean company hasn’t wasted any time. The factory dates back from 1996.

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.”

New upcoming Iphone 5 features

Iphone 5 Features: What is expected with the new and upcoming iphone 5?
Apple fans are whining about iPhone 4S’ half-fudged Siri, the personal, voice-controlled, intelligent assistant, urging everyone to wonder when the technology monster will unwrap iPhone 5 and what added features it will have.
Rumors on iPhone 5 have become crazy on the Internet, especially after it was reported that Apple is going to nab Israeli flash storage maker Anobit for about $500 million. Naturally, many people are wondering whether this is the reason why iPhone 5 launch got shelved.

Dreams of iPhone fans were crushed when iPhone 5 didn’t get released in October this year and Apple pundits began predicting that iPhone 5 will come in the middle of 2012 – pobably in late spring or early summer.
#1 Siri- better.

#2 Larger screen. Think 4″++

#3 4G LTE Compatibility and World Phone.   Think globally. Act locally.

#5 Quad-core Processor A6 .  Gaming. Video.  More raw power.

#6 NFC (Near Field Communication).  Think radio. Think communication between devices.
IF just a portion of these new features come, the iphone 5 is sure to be a smash.

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 iPhone 5 second 'fastest rising' search term on Google

Apple's yet-to-be-released iPhone 5 was the second "fastest rising" search term on Google in 2011, while users were also keen to learn about cookies and copyright.

Google has released its annual Zeitgeist report on the most popular search terms of this year.

The royal wedding in April between Prince William and Kate Middleton was the "fastest rising" search term of 2011, followed by "iPhone 5".

Apple was widely expected to launch the fifth generation of the iPhone in October, but the California technology giant instead launched the iPhone 4S, an update on last year's iPhone 4.

There has been further speculation that the iPhone 5 will follow next summer, so it is likely that the term will also feature highly on next year's Google Zeitgeist report.

Other technology terms in the "fastest rising" list included daily deals service Groupon, which is being investigated by the UK's Office of Fair Trading, and Apple's iPad 2, the tablet computer launched in March.

The full list runs as follows:

1. Royal wedding
2. iPhone 5
3. FIFA 12
4. Groupon
5. iPad 2
6. Ryan Dunn
7. Adele
8. Minecraft
9. Rebecca Black
10. Ed Sheeran

Google's top 10 "fastest rising" searches for consumer electronics or gadgets in 2011 was also led by a rumoured Apple product, the iPod Touch 5G.

The fifth generation of the market-leading multimedia player is expected to launch in March 2012, potentially alongside Apple's hotly-anticipated iPad 3.

Also on the list was the HP TouchPad, the tablet computer given a dramatic price cut following sluggish sales, and the ASUS Transformer, a hybrid between a tablet PC and a laptop that has received rave reviews this year.

The full list runs as follows:

1. iPod Touch 5G
2. HP Touchpad
3. Acer Aspire 5742
4. ASUS Transformer
5. Dell Inspiron Duo
6. Acer Iconia
7. Beats Headphones
8. Epson Printers
9. Netgear Router
10. 32-inch TV

Technology also featured in the 'What is..?' list, covering the most popular questions submitted by users.

This included an interest in internet cookies due to the new guidelines on how websites can use them, along with questions on copyright following various legal efforts to fight online and digital piracy.

The list also featured 'What is iCloud?', referring to the new cloud storage service introduced by Apple for iPhone and iPod users in the autumn.

Read the full list below:

1. What is AV?
2. What is scampi?
3. What are truffles?
4. What are piles?
5. What is 4D?
6. What are cookies?
7. What is copyright?
8. What is Zumba?
9. What is iCloud?
10. What is probate?

Apple releasing 7.85-inch mini iPad in late 2012

Apple is preparing to launch a smaller screen iPad in late 2012 as a response to competition from products produced by Amazon and Samsung, a report has claimed.

DigiTimes quoted "sources in the supply chain" as claiming that the US firm is working on a 7.85-inch screen iPad for release "prior" to the fourth quarter of next year.

The website said that the 'mini' tablet would be launched in addition to the rumoured full-size iPad 3, which is expected to be announced at the end of first quarter.

Research has suggested that global shipments of tablet computers will reach 60m units in 2011, of which Apple holds a dominant 70% share.

However, the firm is facing increasing competition from Samsung's range of Galaxy tablets, covering models featuring seven-inch to 10.1-inch screens, but also Amazon's already popular Kindle Fire, a seven-inch screen tablet available for just $199 (£127).

DigiTimes's sources have indicated that Apple is to release its next-generation of iPads in the first quarter of 2012 to maintain its position as the market leader.

The website said that Apple has already purchased 7.85-inch touchscreens from LG Display for the 'mini' iPad, and it will soon buy further panels from AU Optronics (AUO).

Its sources claimed that the Cupertino-based firm will most like start production on the smaller tablet at the end of the second quarter of 2012.

iPhone 5 Features & Specifications – What the World Is Talking About Right Now

So, finally, there’s some solid confirmation (in the form of references in iOS 5.1 Beta code) that iPhone 5 does exist – and could very well be out before the end of next year.

Quite a lot has been rumored about the iPhone 5 features and iPhone 5 specs so far. Even though there isn’t enough proof for any of that, the speculations are all through some kind of a research into the existing trend at the fruit company’s quarters in Cupertino. We all expected the iPhone 5 to be released this October, but in the end, we all had the iPhone 4S instead.

It’s almost quite certain that the next iPhone to be released would be the iPhone 5 – although it would be the 6th gen iPhone (considering 3GS and 4S on the line). As to the sentimental factor, the iPhone 5 was probably the last iPhone project Steve Jobs was working on. Something on the lines of Steve’s disapproval for a 4-inch screen on the iPhone was heard on many websites recently – indicating something about the iPhone 5 specs. More on that in this post!

Okay, so let’s do a complete round-up of all the rumored iPhone 5 specifications that we’ve been seeing so far. This is a comprehensive list, and in all probability, many of these features might actually end up being on the iPhone 5 features list!

1. iPhone 5 Form Factor Could Be Bigger Than iPhone 4S?
Unlike iPhone 4, we’ve not had any testing prototype leaked out accidentally. This means all we have is speculation built upon speculation. Still, there are certain clues – like the 4-inch iPhone 5 screen – which could give a bit of a hint as to the form factor. We’re expecting a normal, iPhone 4S kind of a form-factor. All those rumors about a curved-glass display are out the window. In a lawsuit between Apple and Samsung, Apple suggested Samsung to go for curved-glass form-factors – which kind of proves that Apple isn’t taking that up for its iPhone 5.

Of course, we could expect the iPhone 5 to grow a bit bigger than the palm-friendly iPhone 4S or iPhone 4. There has been a constant need raised by iPhone users as to the screen size – and this 4-inch thing could probably be the answer to the need. But then, as we had posted earlies, the iPhone 5 could only have the display screen larger – not the whole body. That would make UI bigger, but the palm-friendliness remain unaltered.

2. iPhone 5 Could Come With a Greater Resolution
Another rumor that’s been doing the rounds recently is the resolution on the iPhone 5. Of all the iPhone 5 specs we heard, this was very impressive enough because so far, we thought the Retina Display was the state-of-the-art resolution one could ask for! Perhaps, with an increase in the UI size, the resolution could get stronger and users could expect a more brilliant video-watching experience. For the moment though, there’s not much cooking on this issue.

3. iPhone 5 Could Have A Quad-Core Processor
This would mark the beginning of a new CPU-arms race in the market. A dual-core processor for a smartphone has become a common thing these days. One of the chief competitions between Samsung smartphones running Android and Apple smartphones running iOS is the processor each boasts of. The A5 has outdone most Android-supporting processors that other companies have come up with, but according to certain rumors, Apple could be one-upping the race with an all-new, better-than-A6, quad-core processor!

Users have often complained that iPhone 4S is sometimes lagging in speed, and as a fix to this issue, Apple could be trying for the quad-core processor on its next-gen iPhone.

4. iPhone 5 Could Have 4G / LTE Capability?
We wrote on this sometime back. Will the iPhone 5 have 4G capability? Most likely, because Samsung got its Infuse 4G launched already!

In the network race, it would only be logical if Apple got an iPhone 5 specs sheet that had 4G support. As to LTE, that’s doubtful. But bringing out an LTE iPhone 5 would be a great boon for buyers.

Okay, so let’s do a complete round-up of all the rumored iPhone 5 specifications that we’ve been seeing so far. This is a comprehensive list, and in all probability, many of these features might actually end up being on the iPhone 5 features list!

5. More Gesture-based – No Home Button
Oops! No home button? Well, yeah, quite possibily. Apple has moved to improved gesture based controls through its iOS 5. So it is quite possible that the home screen might be dropped for enhanced gesture-controls – one large interface change in iPhone 5 specifications.

6. iPhone 5 Features – Storage Capacity, Battery Problems and OS
This one is an actual bummer. With iPhone 4S, we heard the 64GB getting the face-lift. It was being marketed well on par with the 32GB and 16GB. So having an iPhone also means having a smartphone with huge memory capacity. The iPhone 5 specifications might very well include 64GB versions too – considering the sales reports of the iPhone 4S 64GB version – but going beyond that would probably not be a reality for now.

The iPhone 4S still has battery issues and even with the updates on the iOS, there’s no reprieve out of that. It would be natural for the engineers to work on the battery issue fix – and it would only be logical for them to get an iPhone 5 which is not ridden with battery issues.

7. Fire-proof iPhone
Stunned with this iPhone 5 feature?? Well, why not to be… New iPhone 5 is likely to be the fire-proof and the company has organized a patent app for highly developed material which is halogen-free flame retardant. It could be incorporated in the iPhone 5 specifications to build this new iPhone 5 and other Apple products.

8. Wireless Charging
Well… this iPhone 5 specification would give you another break! But you never know the wireless charging is really creating a mass appeal. It could be possible with the inductive wireless charging technology. If you could juice up the battery of iPhone 5 then this will be a big hit. So until iPhone 5 release date comes and the Apple release new smart phone with super cool iPhone 5 features, imagine charging this smartphone without cable.

9. More Speed
4G technology, the latest standard in network technology will help to build up the network fourth generation that will give you more speed…more fun on the fly with outstanding iPhone 5 specs!

10. NFC Payment
According to the reports, this NFC (Near Field Communication) technology is under testing and if it comes, then user will be able to make countless payment through scanner. However, according to the ibtimes, the analysts at Jefferies are expecting that this NFC technology will be revealed in the iPhone 5S (probably next version of iPhone 5). Such iPhone 5 features will definitely create waves in the market.

11. iPhone 5 and Nano-SIM?
Way back, sometime before the rumors began spreading like wildfire, there was this strange but thoughtful remark about iPhone 5 supporting Nano-SIMs to make the design compact – or keep it unaltered (from iPhone 4S) despite a size-increase in the display.

A Nano-SIM would actually be a thing of the past even in 2012, considering the developments and supporting devices that we’ve got so far. Still, there’s no saying what Apple is up to!

The iPhone 5 Release Date Speculations
iPhone 5 is in development, quite obviously, considering the references in iOS 5.1 Beta code. There are no leaks or confirmed sources from manufacturers as yet – which could help us fix a possible date of release. But, we can make a safe guess with a late-2012 release (much like iPhone 4S which got a late 2011 release). Of course, this would depend on Apple’s iPad 3 plans too. Is Apple eying for a simultaneous release of iPad 3 and iPhone 5?

BBC finally unveils iPlayer for iPhone app

iPad also gets 3G streaming and AirPlay update

The BBC has finally released an official iPlayer app for iPhone – bringing streaming over 3G and WiFi and AirPlay compatibility with it.
Although the BBC has had an iPad and Android app available for some time, it's almost a surprise that the iPhone has only just got a version for itself.
The iPlayer for iPhone app – compatible with iPhone 3GS, 4 and 4S, brings a channel switcher allowing you to flick between TV and radio channels – and the AirPlay compatibility means you can stream to your Apple TV and send programmes to your TV.

In touch (ahahah)

"The BBC iPlayer app for the iPhone and iPod touch puts all of the BBC's national television channels and radio networks in your pocket. You can now watch live television channels and listen to live radio stations wherever you are," blogged the BBC's David Madden.
"The app is available to download in the Apple App Store now and is compatible with iPod touch or iPhone 3GS and above, running iOS4.3 and above."

iPad update

Also significant is the arrival of 3G streaming in the new iPhone update and also, for the first time, the iPad app which has been updated to incorporate both 3G streaming and AirPlay support.
Interestingly, the mobile web version of the BBC iPlayer will also support 3G streaming for the more modern devices.
"We have worked closely with the network operators to introduce 3G streaming and create a great mobile experience so you can watch your favourite TV programme wherever you are or listen to the radio when you are out and about," added Madden.
"3G streaming is enabled in the iPhone and iPad apps and will shortly be coming to the mobile web version of BBC iPlayer for allsupported devices."

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.