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.

Apple patents fingerprint sensor

Apple has filed a patent application for a fingerprint sensor, suggesting the firm is planning to add biometric technology to future devices.
The move comes just months after the iPhone maker acquired mobile security firm AuthenTec, which holds an array of fingerprint recognition patents.

Apple's recent patent filing describes a hardware "window" that can become selectively "transparent or opaque", to reveal an "image capture device, a strobe flash, a biometric sensor, a light sensor, a proximity sensor, or a solar panel" as a means of unlocking a handset.
AuthenTec has developed a patented swipe sensor system that reads the live layer of skin beneath the actual fingerprint to make it accurate "for everyone every time".
In theory, this could enable users to unlock their devices by placing or swiping a single digit against the screen, and have specific commands mapped to another finger for one-touch execution.
Apple is yet to officially outline its plans for AuthenTec, but there were rumours that the iPhone 5was to feature its biometric secure ahead of its release.
Watch video review of the iPhone 5 below:

 

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.

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.