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  • OS X 10.9 rumoured to get Siri and Apple Maps integration

    Apple released version 10.8 of OS X a few months ago. Also known as Mountain Lion, it was one small step from Apple to bring features from iOS onto its desktop platform. Features like the notification centre and social networks integration. Mountain Lion was $20 update and was generally well received. Of course the world doesn’t stop turning. A few weeks ago we saw reports of OS X 10.9 being tested by Apple. It appeared in visitor logs on a few websites. Nothing was known about OS X 10.9 at that point.

    Today however we have our first OS X 10.9 rumour. The two big features in this edition are what we’re well aware of, Siri and Apple Maps. These are two of the biggest features of iOS, albeit Maps isn’t that well received, so it’s natural for Apple to integrate it in it desktop platform. OS X already has speech recognition, but nothing like Siri. It will be interesting to see how Apple blends these two features on a full fledged notebook.

    No release date for OS X 10.9 is known at this point. But with a yearly release cycle, we’re looking at a possible Q2 or Q3 2013 launch since 10.8 was launched a few months ago.

     

  • Apple to transition away from Intel CPUs in coming years

    There was a time when Apple computers ran on Motorola and IBM powered CPUs called the Power PC. Then with the MacBook introduction nearly a decade ago Apple shifted to the more mainstream x86 based chips which are also used in a wide variety of Windows based PCs and desktops. Now reports are coming in that Apple is planning on shifting away from Intel as the chipset supplier for the Mac lineup.

    Unnamed sources from within Apple have said that the company is confident enough that its current chips that power the iPad and iPhone will one day be powerful enough to run desktop and portable computers. This is part of a vision Apple has where all devices share a common platform for a more seamless experience between a laptop or a mobile phone.

    It is also reported that Bob Mansfield‘s new group is responsible for the transition between Intel CPUs and future CPUs that Apple will use. The expected timeline for this is 2017 which is still a considerable amount of time away. It’s an ambitious project, but Apple has always been a trendsetter. What will be more interesting to see how Intel responds to this considering Apple is one of their biggest customers.

  • Google Pulls 21 Apps From The Android Market!

    android virus Google Pulls 21 Apps From The Android Market!

    Google just removed 21 apps from the Android Market because of constant complaints that the apps were mallware and we rooting into the phone and stealing vital information like messages, passwords and contact information. The apps also installed a lot of other information onto the phone without the owner’s consent. According to the Android Police who were first to report the apps said that the said apps have been downloaded around 50k-200k over a span of 4 days.

    The names of the malware apps are as follows:

    • Falling Down
    • Super Guitar Solo
    • Super History Eraser
    • Photo Editor
    • Super Ringtone Maker
    • Super Sex Positions
    • Hot Sexy Videos
    • Chess
    • 下坠滚球_Falldown
    • Hilton Sex Sound
    • Screaming Sexy Japanese Girls
    • Falling Ball Dodge
    • Scientific Calculator
    • Dice Roller
    • 躲避弹球
    • Advanced Currency Converter
    • APP Uninstaller
    • 几何战机_PewPew
    • Funny Paint
    • Spider Man
    • 蜘蛛侠

  • Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will hit Sprint on October 25 for $299

    All you Galaxy Note 2 fans out there, we have got a good news for you. Sprint has announced that it will be releasing the new Samsung Galaxy Note 2 on October 25. The carrier has also revealed the price of this ‘phablet’, which starts from $299 on a two year contract. Sprint is the first carrier in the US that has officially announced the release date of Galaxy Note 2, as we still have to hear from other major carriers regarding the release of this device.

    Galaxy Note 2 will run Android 4.1.1 on launch. Samsung Galaxy Note 2 features an enormous Super AMOLED 5-inch display with 1280×720 pixels resolution, Samsung’s 1.6GHz Exynos quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM. It comes in three separate models with different storage capacities including 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB which is expandable to up to 64GB through microSD card slot. On the front the new Galaxy Note 2 is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 2 and has a 1.9-megapixel camera. It also has a 8-megapixel rear camera with autofocus and LED flash. Galaxy Note 2 will be available in Marble White and Titanium Gray color options.

    We hope that other carriers will follow the trend and will announce the pricing and availability details in the coming days.

    Do you plan to buy the Galaxy Note 2? If yes then which is your carrier of choice? Let us know in the comments below.

  • 32GB model for Nexus 7 appears again, this time on Staples Advantage website

    After making an appearance on a Spanish retailer’s website and on several other sites, the 32GB model of Nexus 7 is back to tease us all again. AndroidPolice reports that the new model of Nexus 7 tablet with upgraded storage was seen on retailer Staples Advantage’s site. The tablet appeared in a search result of Staples website for business users.

    nexus7 32 32GB model for Nexus 7 appears again, this time on Staples Advantage website

    According to the site, 32GB version of Nexus 7 will be available on October 18th and will cost $248.37. Interestingly according to Staples site the price of the 32 gig model of Nexus 7 is almost $3 less than the 16 gig model, which is really strange. One explanation for this could be that Google wants to kill the 16GB model in the coming days and sell the 32GB model at the same price. But if that’s the case then why not kill the smaller 8GB model and continue selling the better 16GB and 32GB models? Well it seems like Google does not want to miss the $199 price mark of 8GB model and cannot sell the 16GB model of Nexus 7 for that price.

    While there is a lot of confusion regarding the pricing and availability of the 32GB Nexus 7, as October 18 launch date does not seem possible as this leak suggests at this point of time, we certainly know that the 32GB model of Nexus 7 is coming following all these leaks thanks to the retailers from around the world.

  • AU Optronics making up ground on iPad mini display production

    iPad mini is quickly turning out to be one of the most anticipated launches of this year. And the most interesting thing about it is that we barely know anything about the device apart from some leaked pictures and some rough specs. Apple seems to be doing a better job of hiding the specs at least than they did with iPhone 5. The report that comes in today is regarding the production levels of iPad mini.

    AU Optronics is one of the companies responsible for producing the display for the iPad mini. They make up 40% of the targeted 5 million panels for this quarter. LG being the other 60%. There were reports coming in that AU Optronics is having some difficulties to maintain such high levels of yields which resulted in the company only proving 400,000 units instead. This was going to result in a severe shortage of supply for Apple.

    Fortunately for future buyers, the company has resolved whatever issue was plaguing production. AU Optronics is now producing two million panels per month to three million at Apple’s request. Usually products are available a week after Apple announces. Let’s hope this production boost has not come too late and there won’t be any shortages of iPad mini.

  • Apple files patent for biometric security

    Biometric security is not a new concept. It has been used in business class laptops for a very long time, and we even saw Motorola give it a go on their first Atrix smartphone. Fingerprint security is not commonly found on Apple hardware that usually prides itself on minimalistic designs. But this new patent filing from Apple might be an indication of a change to come.

    bio 376x480 Apple files patent for biometric security

    Without going into too much technical detail, the patent is essentially a hardware window that can be transparent or opaque. In its transparency mode it can be image capture device, a strobe flash, a biometric sensor, a light sensor, a proximity sensor, or a solar panel, or a combination thereof. All these as methods of unlocking the phone. The patent also includes information about face recognition and eye recognition technology for unlocking the device as well as when doing online transactions.

    The patent is quite new and is not yet official yet. When we will be able to see this technology in an actual Apple device is anyone’s guess. Many a times patents remain patents and never make it to end hardware. Biometric security for online shopping is certainly a novel idea and something we can’t wait to see in a phone or tablet.

     

  • 7th gen iPod Nano software update now rolling

    One of the announcements last month from Apple that didn’t receive the same limelight was the 7th gen iPod Nano. iPod Nano receives a hardware revision almost every year but this time around Apple has made some major changes. It now comes with a touch screen, has a limited functionality OS running with an iOS like home button.

    12.10.11 iPodnanoUpdate 7th gen iPod Nano software update now rolling

    It hasn’t been long since Apple made this particular iPod available for purchase. Despite that the 7th gen iPod Nano gets its first software update. This 7th gen iPod Nano software isn’t a major release and only update the OS to version 1.0.1. The new software only mentions “Support for iPod nano (7th generation)” in its release notes, giving no other information. Speculation leads towards a better compatibility towards the latest version of iTunes and other minor bugs and fixes. Users will be able to update their iPod by plugging it in their computer. iTunes will then prompt them to update their device. You can also go to the iPod nano manually under Devices, choose the Summary tab, and hit the Update button under the Version section.

    7th gen iPod Nano software update might not be a big update, but it’s good to see Apple taking a proactive approach towards ironing out bugs in its software through quick software updates.

     

  • Nomura’s work on Lightning Returns is complete

    Square Enix’s Tetsuya Nomura’s work on the upcoming conclusion to the Final Fantasy XIII saga, Lightning Returns, is now complete.

    Nomura’s work on this game was quite minimal, just like with the previous two games. He is handling the designs of the main characters, such as Lightning, Snow and Hope who will all appear in the game.

    “For Lightning Returns I created new costumes for Lightning and Snow. My work on the project is already finished,” said Nomura. Perhaps now he can get back to work on Final Fantasy Versus XIII. 

    Making of Nomuras work on Lightning Returns is complete

    However, Lightning’s new look is not being revealed as yet. Apparently, in this new title, Lightning will be “stronger than ever”. Her story will finally be coming to a close, so they want her to be determined and strong. Lets hope her new design can be a reflection of those traits.

    The release date for Lightning Returns has not been revealed as yet, but it can be expected to release in 2013.

    Thanks, Sokuhou@Hokanko.

  • HTC has no plans of releasing a new Android tablet in the near future

    If you are a die hard HTC fan and were looking forward to buying an HTC branded Android tablet in the near future you are out of luck. In a disappointing announcement, the company’s global online communications manager Jeff Gordan revealed that HTC does not plan to release any new tablets in the near future. He in an official statement said that the company had a great learning experience by releasing the few tablets it released over the last few years and they met the their expectations. HTC released several unique Android tablets in the market including HTC Flyer, Evo View 4G and Jetstream that although offered something new to the market, they failed to create any disruption in the tablet space that has been long dominated by Apple’s iPad.

    Jeff Gordan of HTC also said that his company will be watching the development in the tablet industry very closely. While Jeff did not reveal when HTC will attempt to strike back in the tablet market, we certainly hope to see a HTC produced Android or Windows 8 tablet at some point next year because it will be a shame to see a company like HTC leaving the tablet arena for good.