iPad That Finally Breaks The Mold of 7" Tablets

Conceived from its sleek, glossy 10" counterpart, the new iPad Mini boasts one gigantic new trait over the full-sized iPad: the ability to hold it in one hand. This almost revolutionary twist on the device that sparked a frenzy in the tablet world has finally brought joy to those that have held out hope of such higher portability in an iPad for so long. But does the iPad Mini live up to the hype? Absolutely.

Turns out, the iPad mini is indeed more than simply a shrunk-down iPad, though there may be an argument for it actually resembling something more along the lines of a blown-up iPod touch. In any case, the big question: is the iPad mini right for you? I'll endeavor to answer that for you here by taking you hands-on with the new model, plus I'll share from my past few years of iPad ownership experience altogether, especially for those who haven't yet had an iPad to call their own.

Plus, in hopes of making this the most helpful iPad mini review on Amazon, I'll also reveal a treasure trove of info on how you can legitimately download tons of quality apps and games for free!

My reviews tend to run long, so I've organized information by section, with headings, to help you quickly locate any specific info you're after. For example, see the heading "Downloading Apps and Games" for the info on obtaining free apps and games!

First, let's compare hardware specs between iPad mini and iPad, and what each means for you:

• Device: iPad mini vs. iPad (4th gen)
• Weight: 0.68 lbs vs. 1.44 lbs -- over twice as light as the iPad
• Thickness: 0.28" (7.2mm) vs. 0.37" (9.4mm) -- thin as an iPod touch
• Display: 163 vs. 264 pixels per inch -- less-crisp text, but equally long life for a smaller battery
• Resolution: 1024 x 768 vs. 2048 x 1536 -- half as many pixels as the current iPad, but still sharper than an iPad 2
• Battery: 10 hours (16.3 Wh) vs. 10 hours (45 Wh) -- smaller, lighter battery lasts just as long as the iPad
• Processor: A5 (dual core) vs. A6X (dual core with quad core graphics) -- same as the new iPod touch, but not quite as powerful as the latest iPad, yet it doesn't need to be because the iPad mini display totes a quarter as many pixels!
• Price: The iPad mini has a price tag that is indeed much more attractive than the 10" iPad. It's actually closer to that of the iPod touch.

===== First Impression =====

At first sight, there's a feeling of novelty to the iPad Mini, especially if you've used a 10" iPad or tablet. The more you use it, however, the more you realize that this is the size an iPad was meant to be: perfectly portable. The 10" iPad is so bulky and heavy in comparison, and I felt uncomfortable, embarrassed and awkward taking it with me and using it places, especially waiting in line. Not so with the iPad mini! It's super light, more than half the weight of the 10" iPad, and its sleek rounded edges are much more comfortable for carrying than the sharply-tapered edges of the iPad.

My initial reaction to the unveiling of the iPad mini was one of slight disappointment, mainly because it was closer to 8" than to the desired 7" of other tablets in its class. Why would Apple bother bringing a smaller iPad to market that's still not quite as small as some of the other 7" tablets floating around? Ah, but I was wrong.

Until I held it in my own hand, I failed to realize that Apple had made better use of the iPad mini's size than most 7" tablets do. What matters in a 7" tablet class isn't the screen size but the actual device size. The iPad mini is 3mm shorter and 7mm wider than the 7" Kindle Fire HD, yet it touts nearly an inch more of physical screen size.

===== Interaction Experience =====

Naturally, the iPad mini shares the iPad's same phenomenal multi-touch interface that is undisputedly second to none. Android tablets and other devices may tout "multi-touch" support, but usually this just means they support 2-finger gestures like pinch-style zooming. Apple, on the other hand, gives a whole new meaning to the term, supporting up to ten simultaneous touches, and app developers have certainly leveraged that capacity. For example, one popular app supporting ten simultaneous touches is the Piano app.

===== So What Can the iPad mini Actually Do? =====

Naturally, there are things you can do with the iPad mini right out of the box. You can browse the Web with Safari, set up your email, download your photos and videos from your computer via iTunes, as well as shoot new photos and videos using either of the two built in cameras. You can also surf YouTube via Apple's built-in YouTube app. There's also an iPod built in, so you can listen to your favorite tunes via the Music app, or download new music, movies and media via the iTunes app. Another popular app is iBooks, which lets you download and read e-books on your iPad mini. You can also jot notes, manage your calendar and contacts. You can even chat face-to-face with other Apple-device users via FaceTime.

Of course, the fun and usefulness of the iPad mini doesn't stop there. The App Store app is your portal to unending games and utilities. One thing Apple has been really good at is showing off just what you can do with an iPad, and the same goes for the iPad mini. All iPad apps work on the iPad mini. After all, the iPad mini is still an iPad. App developers have undoubtedly been busy creating unique experiences through their iPad apps, most of which have yet to be rivaled by (or ported to) Android and other tablets.

When Apple first announced the iPad they didn't tout it so much as an ebook reader as they did a "netbook killer" (due to its ability to surf the web, check email, watch videos, listen to music, and do a lot of the simpler tasks that netbooks were originally designed to do. But along its path to success, it sparked a revolution in the publication and delivery of full-color magazines, news and now even ebooks via Apple's iBooks app. Now, it's quite clear that Apple had the goal of a much more comfortable ebook reading experience in mind when they set out to create the iPad mini. You can easily hold it in one hand, just like a real book, and it's as light as a real book, two traits many users have been hoping to see come to fruition soon.

On the other hand, to use the iPad mini for more productive purposes, such as editing office documents, you'll need to download Apple's productivity suite iWork, a trilogy of apps including: Pages (word processing), Numbers (spreadsheets) and Keynote (slideshows). Each of the three apps can be downloaded separately for $9.99 each. Completely reworked for the iPad, the complete iWork suite will set you back a whole thirty bucks. So be aware of that before you go ahead and grab the iPad mini for use with work-related document editing, and so forth.

Also note that if you do intend to use the iPad for heavy writing or word-processing purposes, you'll find that your ability to type quickly will be greatly inhibited by the virtual keyboard. Thus, you should snag the external keyboard as well (Note: I'll also explain some typing techniques below). Either way, be prepared to pay more than merely the price for the iPad mini alone. There's clearly more than meets the eye if you intend to transform the iPad mini into something a little more productive than it might be for you out of the box.

===== Downloading Apps and Games =====

Downloading apps on your iPad mini couldn't be easier. Once you set up your iTunes account with a password and credit card (or iTunes gift card), all you need to do is launch the 'App Store' app, browse or search to find the app you want, tap the download button (usually it says the price rather than 'download', which then changes to 'install app' after you tap it), then tap again to confirm. Enter your password, and voila, you just bought an app. Behind the scenes, Apple then charges your card (or deducts from your gift card balance) the amount of the app plus tax, while you're already off enjoying your new purchase. This ease of access is a blessing and a curse, because you can easily empty your wallet if you're not carefully considering each purchase.

All apps in the App Store range in price from Free and 99 cents on up, always incrementing in whole dollar amounts (1.99, 2.99, 3.99, etc). The maximum price for an app is set to $999.99, of which there are only eight currently priced so outrageously. And don't even think of toying with them. Apple does not allow refunds on apps you have purchased--all sales are final!

Now for the juicy money-saving secrets of the App Store! With the proper resources, you can legitimately download thousands of high quality apps for free. I do it all the time and it's perfectly legal. You see, Apple allows developers to temporarily put their apps on sale (and even drop the price to free). Usually they do this in hopes that you'll write a rave review for the temporarily-free app. The secret to your success here is having the resources to help you spot these special app sales--so you know when and where to get them during these often extremely-limited-time promotions.

In hopes of making this the most helpful review on Amazon for the iPad mini, here's how to obtain these special promotional-sale and temporarily-free apps for yourself! - source

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Apples Lifting The Ban On VoIP Over 3G

A new iPhone developer SDK is bringing us VoIP over cellular networks. Few iPhone applications have that feature built in, but will the iPad get it as well?

Apple Lifts 3G VoIP Restrictions, iCall with 3G Support Available Immediately

iCall VoIP services for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch are now available for use over 3G networks such as AT&T wireless.

GREENWICH, Conn., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ — Apple Computer, Inc. has updated the iPhone developer SDK to allow VoIP over cellular networks. iCall is the first and only VoIP application that functions on the iPhone and iPod Touch over cellular 3G networks.

iCall is a market leader in desktop and mobile-based desktop calling platforms, including its highly popular version for the Apple iPhone. Until today, restrictions imposed on developers prohibited VoIP functionality on any 3G network.

VoIP on the iPhone has been the source of many debates with companies such as Google being denied access to the platform and the FCC inquiring as to the restrictions in the Apple App Store; iCall is one of the few VoIP applications that has been permitted by Apple to operate on the iPhone platform.

With the latest revisions Apple has made to the iPhone developer agreement and Software Development Kit, iCall for the iPhone and iPod Touch now enabled unrestricted free local and long distance calling over 3G data networks. iCall with support for VoIP over 3G networks is now available in the App Store for download. iCall is the first and only VoIP application available for the iPhone platform that allows use over 3G networks. iCall for the iPhone and iPod Touch may now be downloaded from the App Store here.

iCall CEO Arlo Gilbert is quoted as saying, "I applaud Apple's decision to allow iCall to extend its functionality beyond Wi-Fi and onto the 3G networks. This heralds a new era for VoIP applications on mobile platforms, especially for iCall and our free calling model. I hope that now more developers will begin using our VoIP as a platform to integrate VoIP into their applications."

About iCall, Inc.:
iCall is a privately held company providing a free and low-cost VoIP calling platform that is currently available for your desktop PC, iPhone and iPod Touch. iCall saves consumers money on phone calling through ad-supported calling.

iCall was founded in 2005 by Arlo Gilbert and Andy Muldowney with the goal of providing low and no-cost calling services to consumers. In January 2006, iCall first released its iCall Free Calling desktop application. iCall's free calling network now boasts over more than 4 million unique downloads.

In addition to consumer products, iCall offers wholesale VoIP solutions and a developer platform through iCall Carrier Services. iCall's private network carries over 350 million minutes of voice traffic per month to destinations around the globe. - source

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iPad Mini

The iPad Mini (stylized and marketed as iPad mini) is a mini tablet computer designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. It was announced on October 23, 2012, as the fifth major product in the iPad line and the first to feature a reduced screen size of 7.9 inches, in contrast to the standard 9.7 inches. It features similar internal specifications as the iPad 2, including its display resolution.

It was released on November 2, 2012 in nearly all of Apple's markets

History

Speculation about the iPad Mini began as early as April 2012, as competition rose from 7" devices such as the Kindle Fire and the Nexus 7. Rumors initially suggested it would feature a 7.85" display at 1024 × 768 pixels. It was originally thought to be announced at the Apple Special Event on September 12.

On October 16, 2012, Apple announced a media event scheduled for October 23 at the California Theatre in San Jose, California. The company did not predisclose the subject of the event, but it was widely expected to be the iPad Mini. On the day of the event, Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced a new version of MacBook family and new generations of the MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, and the iMac before the fourth-generation iPad and the iPad Mini.

Software

The iPad Mini shipped with iOS 6.0.1. It can act as a hotspot with some carriers, sharing its Internet connection over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB, and also access the App Store, a digital application distribution platform for iOS that is developed and maintained by Apple. The service allows users to browse and download applications from the iTunes Store that were developed with Xcode and the iOS SDK and were published through Apple. From the App Store, GarageBand, iMovie, iPhoto, and the iWork apps (Pages, Keynote, and Numbers) are available.

The iPad Mini comes with several pre-installed applications, including Siri, Safari, Mail, Photos, Video, Music, iTunes, App Store, Maps, Notes, Calendar, Game Center, Photo Booth, and Contacts. Like all iOS devices, the iPad can sync content and other data with a Mac or PC using iTunes, although iOS 5 and later can be managed and backed up with iCloud. Although the tablet is not designed to make telephone calls over a cellular network, users can use a headset or the built-in speaker and microphone and place phone calls over Wi-Fi or cellular using a VoIP application, such as Skype. The device has dictation, using the same voice recognition technology as the iPhone 4S. The user speaks and the iPad types what they say on the screen provided that the iPad is connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network.

The device has an optional iBooks application, which displays books and other ePub-format content downloaded from the iBookstore. Several major book publishers including Penguin Books, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Macmillan have committed to publishing books for the device. Despite being a direct competitor to both the Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook, both Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble offer e-reader apps for the iPad.

Hardware

The iPad Mini features partially the same hardware as the iPad 2. Both screens have resolutions of 1024 x 768, but the iPad Mini has a higher pixel density than iPad 2 (163 PPI vs 132 PPI). Unlike the iPad 2, it has 5 MP and 1.2 MP cameras and the Lightning connector. The audio processor in iPad Mini is the same found in iPhone 5 and iPad 4th generation, which allows the iPad Mini to have Siri and voice dictation unlike the iPad 2. The iPad Mini has a revised version of the PowerVR SGX543 series, with dual core graphics. The Graphics processor is similar to the one in the iPhone 5. - source

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Exploring the new iOS 7 features, changes, and interface

Later today, September 18, Apple will release iOS 7 — the biggest update to iOS since the first iPhone launched way back in 2007. In some ways, iOS 7 merely brings Apple’s mobile OS up to feature parity with Android and Windows Phone — but in other areas, iOS 7 leaps ahead of the competition. If you want to find out more about iOS 7′s new features and changes, read on. If reading isn’t your thing and you own an iPhone or iPad, go ahead and download and install iOS 7 today, ahead of the official release.

iOS 7′s radically different new look

After six years of looking exactly the same, iOS 7 finally delivers a massive visual overhaul that will make your iPhone or iPad actually look modern. In general, iOS 7 is flatter, more colorful, and lacks skeuomorphism (interface elements that resemble real-world objects/materials, such as wood paneling or a leather ledger). Despite the new look, though, iOS 7 still feels very familiar; everything’s still where you expect it to be. It just looks fresher. We’ve been using various beta versions of iOS 7 for a few months, and while there’s a bit of an adjustment period, Apple has somehow ensured that almost everything is surprisingly familiar.

In-line with newer versions of Android and Windows Phone, iOS 7 also now makes much more significant use of typography; in many cases, where there used to be an icon, there is now simply a label with the action/function spelled out. Underlying changes have been made to iOS 7 to give developers easier access to advanced typography features, too, such as kerning and ligatures.

iOS 7 is also more dynamic. The new Control Center (more on that later) is semi-transparent, allowing you to see the colorful Home screen beneath. Likewise, the Notification Center (which is significantly upgraded) is semi-transparent. When you tilt your iDevice, your Home screen icons move independently of the background, creating a cute parallax effect.

iOS 7 Control Center and Notification Center

Once you look beyond the visual overhaul, which actually provides very little in the way of new functionality, the most significant changes in iOS 7 are the new Control Center and the updated Notification Center. Control Center is a new panel that is revealed by sliding up from the bottom of the screen. Control Center finally lets you configure iOS without heading deep into Settings. You can enable airplane mode, toggle WiFi/Bluetooth, change screen brightness, control music playback, use your camera’s LED as a flashlight, and more.

Notification Center has been significantly updated in iOS 7, so that (just like Control Center) it provides much the same functionality as Android. Instead of a single panel, you now have three — Today, All, Missed — that show you your notifications, appointments, emails, stock tickers, and so on.

iOS 7 Multitasking

Always one of iOS’s weaknesses, version 7 also improves multitasking. Now, instead of just a small tray at the bottom of the screen when you double tap the Home button, you get a full-screen interface with app thumbnails. Instead of having to push-and-hold to close programs, you can just swipe the preview image off the screen.

Apple also claims that iOS 7 can learn your app usage schedule, and trigger updates just before you open an app. If you always check Facebook at 9am, iOS 7 will apparently check Facebook for updates just before, so that your feed is ready and waiting. Presumably this will save some battery life over the conventional method of constant push notifications — though, to be honest, these are probably still turned on by default anyway.

iOS 7 Camera and Photos

As much as the tech press hates to admit it, faster processors and fancy features are really rather superfluous: What the vast majority of iPhone users really care about is the device’s ability to snap photos. In iOS 7, the camera app now lets you shoot in square format (ideal for Instagram), and a range of filters can be applied in real time — and you can remove filters from images later, if you don’t like it. If you have an iPhone 5S, Camera also lets you shoot in slow motion, which is pretty awesome (but the question is, will it still be awesome once you’ve seen a million slow-mo videos on Vine, Instagram, and YouTube?)

The Photos app (pictured above) has been significantly overhauled to introduce Years, Collections, and Moments — essentially new ways of viewing your photos that have been automatically organized by certain criteria. Collections and Years are self-explanatory (iOS automatically collates your photos), and Moments tries to highlight important photos, such as your visit to Times Square. If you snap a lot of photos on your iPhone, these new views provide some much-needed organization.

iOS 7: AirDropiOS 7 AirDrop

AirDrop closely mirrors Samsung/Android’s S Beam, but with the usual dollop of Apple flair and polish. Basically, AirDrop lets you easily share any file on your iPhone or iPad via WiFi or Bluetooth, with any other iOS 7 device that’s in range. Discovery of other devices is very slick and quick, and you can remain invisible if you prefer. This is obviously a lot easier than emailing a file, or sending a low-res photo via SMS/MMS.

Other changes to iOS 7

Siri has been updated so that it checks more sources for information, and so that it can interact with new features such as iTunes Radio (pictured below) — which, incidentally, is essentially free Pandora radio for every iOS user, and ad-free if you sign up for the $25/year iTunes Match.

The App Store now has Apps Near Me, which shows you apps that are relevant to your current location — and, more importantly, the App Store can now automatically update your installed apps!

Find My iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch has been updated, so that it requires your Apple ID and password to turn the feature off, or to erase or activate your device.

Safari has been significantly updated, too — now it feels a lot more like a modern browser, such as Chrome. There’s a unified search box (a la Chrome’s omnibar), and the tab switcher is very slick. Though it won’t be ready for release, iCloud Keychain will allow you to securely store/share your passwords and credit card details between your iOS 7 and OS X Mavericks devices.

All in all, iOS 7 is one of Apple’s largest and best software updates. In testing, we have found iOS 7 a lot easier and quicker to use than its predecessors. One of the biggest complaints — that too many features are buried away in menus — has been soundly addressed. In a story later today, we’ll be investigating whether iOS 7 compares favorably against Android 4.3, or whether Apple still has some ground to cover.

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Asus Acer Netbooks End Life

The last two major netbook manufacturers, Acer and Asus, are closing the doors on these mini-laptops. According to Digitimes' Monica Chen and Joseph Tsai, Acer "has no plans to release more netbook products" such as its Aspire One, while Asus has already ended its Eee PC line.

Other netbook manufacturers, such as Samsung, have long since abandoned the market.

Why netbooks failed to catch on

Netbooks were "still enjoying strong sales" as late as 2010, according to an optimistic report by ABI Research. But the growth trend which it predicted flattened out and declined, thanks to four factors pointed out by the Guardian's Charles Arthur.

Not worth it for many, compared to notebooks

One is that the original, Linux-based netbooks failed to catch on, as they had trouble running Windows PC software. But Microsoft charged between $30 and $50 for each netbook's Windows license, and insisted that the new crop of Windows netbooks be larger and more expensive than the original Linux-based models. This placed them in close competition with low-end laptops, the prices of which were going down instead of up.

The rise of the iPad

The other biggest factor is that the iPad and Android tablets took the place of netbooks for many buyers. While Apple's iPad was the price of a full-sized laptop, the company soon introduced discounted or refurbished versions ... as well as the smaller, $329 iPad Mini, which doesn't cost much more than most netbooks. Besides that, the whole iPad line was even lighter than netbooks and had longer battery life, besides being more responsive and having more popular apps.

Meanwhile, companies like Amazon and Barnes and Noble made $199 Kindle and Nook tablets, which beat out even the original $249 Linux-based Asus Eee's price tag.

A little bit bigger, a lot better

During the netbook's heyday, many called for Apple to make one of its own. As Apple tech expert John Gruber pointed out, however, netbooks were "cheaper, not better," which contradicted Apple's business model of selling high-margin, premium products.

When Apple did release a small laptop computer, it was the $999 11-inch MacBook Air, which went on to be a best-seller. Other PC manufacturers tried to follow in Apple's footsteps with Intel's "Ultrabook" specification, which is basically a recipe for MacBook Air clones that run Windows, but so far have failed to make a dent in the market.

Taking the place of netbooks

Besides Ultrabooks, the other notable netbook-like computers on the market right now are Chromebooks, ultralight laptops which start at $199 and run a slimmed-down OS based on Google's Chrome web browser. Former netbook manufacturers Samsung and Acer are both making Chromebooks, while Asus manufactured Google's popular Nexus 7 tablet.

Jared Spurbeck is an open-source software enthusiast, who uses an Android phone and an Ubuntu laptop PC. He has been writing about technology and electronics since 2008. - source

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Smartphones soon to replaced your wallets

If there are two things that most of us carry with us every waking moment of the day, it's our phones and wallets. So, in the name of convenience, some of the biggest technology companies are hard at work to combine the two. By giving your smartphone the ability to make payments at retail locations, you may never have to fumble with physical cash or credit cards during checkout ever again. So, just how close are we to a world of virtual wallets? Let's take a look.

How it works

The technology powering smartphone payment systems is called "near field communication," or NFC. It is essentially a short-range radio transmission. Devices with NFC capability have a special chip that sends signals to other NFC-equipped devices within an inch or so. The short range helps ensure security and streamlines the digital payment: You just touch your phone or tablet to the payment terminal and voila you’ve paid.

The NFC payment software works just like a built-in smartphone app and can be loaded with multiple debit and credit cards, which allows you flexibility at the register. This payment information is typically stored in the cloud, and can be accessed on any device that uses near-field communication for payments.

Because your information is stored on a server, you have to enter a passcode to access your payment information. This makes the system far more secure than a standard credit card. For instance, if your phone is stolen, the thieves won’t be able to use it to make payments without your passcode.

When tapped against an NFC-enabled payment receiver at a retail store, your credit and debit card information is transmitted securely. Digital wallets save you time at checkout and because your payment information is kept secure behind online firewalls, it can be safer than the tradition of credit cards and cash payments.

When will it get here?

Actually, it's already arrived. Android devices are currently leading the virtual wallet movement, and there are currently a dozen or so smartphones and tablets that offer the feature. Google Wallet has emerged as the frontrunner of NFC software, and has already reached agreements with more than two dozen merchants to carry NFC terminals in their stores. Foot Locker, Old Navy, CVS, RadioShack, and Macy's are just a few of the retailers where you can use your smartphone to make purchases.

However, Google isn't alone, and a number of companies are attempting to carve out a piece of the virtual wallet pie all for themselves. Google Wallet may currently have the most promising — and widespread — approach, but PayPal, Visa, American Express, and even wireless carriers want to offer their own versions of NFC payment software. Verizon even prohibits its customers installing Google Wallet due to the competition between the companies.

The competitive approach to NFC payments isn't helping any of the various companies gain a decent foothold. And while the concept of a virtual wallet can be confusing on its own, having multiple versions to choose from exacerbates the problem further.

Apple's approach

The company's trademark approach to new, unproven technology has always been to sit back and see whether it floats or sinks before making a move, and virtual payment technology is no different. Because of this, Apple has yet to release iPhones with NFC chips.

Apple launched its Passbook app last September, which helps organize coupons, gift cards, and event tickets from select retailers like TicketMaster, Starbucks and more. The information stored in Passbook is scanned instead of transmitted like the NFC system. Because of that, the app can't be used to make payments from debit or credit cards, so the chances of it replacing your wallet are low.

If Apple were to jump in the mobile payment pool with its own NFC model phone, it would not only mean including the technology in a future iPhone in the first place, but also be the launch of something much bigger: Apple's own payment software. Based on its Maps fiasco, it’s clear Apple would not leverage the NFC path forged by competitors like Google.

An uncertain future

At this point, it's difficult to predict whether virtual wallet technology will indeed kill off physical debit and credit cards anytime soon. With so many companies interested in profiting off of their own NFC offerings, it's likely going to be a number of years before a dominant platform emerges.

Until then, make sure you don’t lose your old reliable wallet. - source

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How-To install iOS 7 on iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad, and iPad Mini

Apple has just officially released iOS 7. If you have a compatible device (listed below), simply visit your device’s Settings menu, click to General, and then Software Update. You can also update to iOS 7 via iTunes 11.1, which was just released on the Apple website (and you will need it if you wish to sync your device via USB.) The original post is below, if for some reason you wish to download iOS 7 in a different way.

Updated: If your iPhone or iPad won’t download iOS 7, it’s almost certainly because Apple’s servers are being completely hammered. We finally managed to get a device to update, though it took quite a few failed attempts. It’s probably worth waiting a few hours until the deluge has calmed down, unless you want to sit there and constantly hit retry. Once you’ve installed iOS 7, check out our guide to all of its new features.

While iOS 7 won’t be released until September 18, it’s possible to download and install iOS 7 today, and install it on your existing iPhone or iPad. You can install iOS 7 on the iPhone 4, 4S, and 5, the fifth-gen iPod Touch, and every iPad and iPad Mini except the original iPad. Installing iOS 7 will give you access to some exciting new features, such as improved multitasking and AirDrop, and the complete visual overhaul will of course make your Apple device look completely different (and cause all of your friends to gape jealously).

There are two routes that you can take to install iOS 7 on your iDevice: You can either sign up for an Apple developer account, which costs you $100 per year, or you can install one of the leaked iOS 7 golden masters. The safest option is to sign up for the developer program, and if you split it between a few friends (you can install iOS 7 on up to 100 devices), it can be very cheap. Once you’ve signed up, you need to add your device’s UDID as a registered test device, and then go ahead and download the correct iOS 7 image for your device from the Apple developer portal. Once you have the image, skip to the installation section below.

If you don’t have $100 to spare, downloading a leaked golden master is a good second option — and, depressingly enough, it’s actually easier than installing the legitimate version. To install iOS 7, grab the correct image for your device from the list below, and then proceed to the installation section.

iOS 7 and iTunes 11.1 golden master images

If you don’t know which model you have, the model number can be found on the back of your iDevice. Bear in mind that some of these links may not work by the time you read this story (but a bit of googling can usually find you an alternative link). Also note that you will need iTunes 11.1 (link below) if you want to sync to your computer — but if you don’t want to install it, iCloud sync works just fine.

• iPhone 4 (GSM)
• iPhone 4 (GSM Rev. A)
• iPhone 4 (CDMA, Model A1349)
• iPhone 4S (Models A1431 & A1387)
• iPhone 5 (Model A1428)
• iPhone 5 (Model A1429)
• iPad 2 (WiFi)
• iPad 2 (Rev. A)
• iPad 2 (WiFi + GSM, Model A1396)
• iPad 2 (WiFi + CDMA, Model A1397)
• iPad 3 (WiFi, Model A1416)
• iPad 3 (WiFi + GSM, Model A1430)
• iPad 3 (WiFi + CDMA, Model A1403)
• iPad 4 (WiFi, Model A1458)
• iPad 4 (WiFi + GSM, Model A1459)
• iPad 4 (WiFi + CDMA, Model A1460)
• iPad Mini (WiFi, Model A1432)
• iPad Mini (WiFi + GSM, Model A1454)
• iPad Mini (WiFi + CDMA, Model A1455)
• iPod Touch (Fifth-generation)
• iTunes 11.1 Beta

Installing iOS 7 beta

Before you continue, make a backup of your device using iTunes. If anything goes wrong, you will want to boot your phone into DFU mode and then restore the backup. These images seem to be the real deal and safe to use, but we haven’t tested all of them, and of course you use them at your own risk.

With your iOS 7 image downloaded (if it’s a DMG file, you will need to open it up and extract the IPSW file), plug in your iDevice, and then open up iTunes. Select your device’s Summary tab. Under OS X, hold down Option and click Restore; in Windows, hold Shift and press Restore. Select the IPSW file from the dialog that pops up, and voila: Your iDevice will update to iOS 7. Once the update has completed, you may need to restore your device from a backup (and remember, you will need to update to iTunes 11.1).

Voilà: Your iPhone or iPad is now running iOS 7. Be sure to read our iOS 7 guide so that you don’t miss any of the cool new features.

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Apple ‘cuts order for iPhone5 parts’ on 2013

Apple has slashed orders for the screens used on its iPhone5 because of weak sales while arch-rival Samsung has sold its 100 millionth Galaxy S device, in a sign of changing fortunes in the mobile market.

The iPhone maker has almost halved its order of liquid-crystal display panels from key suppliers, according to the Japanese newspaper the Nikkei.

Apple has told three suppliers, Japan Display, Sharp and LG Display, that it requires fewer screens, after previously requesting as many as 65 million units for the January to March quarter. Japan Display’s plant in Nomi, a key iPhone supplier, is expected to reduce output temporarily by between 70% and 80%, compared with the October to December period.

The iPhone5 is longer and lighter than previous models, but consumers have been underwhelmed and there have been glitches, notably the flawed maps function.

Apple has dominated the smartphone market with iPhone since its launch in 2007, but Samsung has caught up in recent years, following the launch of the Galaxy S series in May 2010. Last year, the latest model, the Galaxy S III, helped the South Korean firm to leapfrog its US rival to become the world’s top-selling smartphone manufacturer.

Sales of Samsung’s Galaxy S series have reached 100 million in under three years — faster than Apple’s iPhone, which took nearly four years.

Apple’s share price has tumbled by a quarter since September when iPhone5 debuted. In contrast, Samsung’s shares powered to a new record last week.

Both companies are benefiting from the mobile boom as consumers prefer smartphones and tablets to the traditional desktop or personal computer. Research firm Gartner reported today that global sales of PCs slumped 5% in the last three months, to 90.3 million. Gartner said the launch of “compelling low-cost tablets” — such as the Google Nexus and Amazon Kindle Fire — was helping to drive the shift from PC to tablet. - source

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Apple Apps Reaches 40 Billion Downloaded?

Despite struggling to maintain its once-pristine public image following the death of Steve Jobs, Apple is still the industry leader when it comes to must-have personal technology and overall customer loyalty. On Monday, Apple announced that its users had downloaded over 40 billion applications from the App Store between 2008 and 2012. Over 20 billion of those downloads occurred in 2012 alone. With the proliferation of iPhones and iPads, in particular, Apple users have shown an insatiable hunger (or App-etite) for the apps from the App Store.

Whether the apps are free and popular or paid and well-reviewed, Apple users continue to download applications at an increasing pace. One of the least discussed components of Apple’s stranglehold on the app market is the fact that so many parents use their various "iDevices" to entertain (and sometimes educate) their young children. As a result, a family with two or more toddlers or preschoolers could be downloading dozens of apps over a given month. At least a few of those are likely to be "paid" apps, often for no more than $1.99 for the installation.

And while Steve Jobs surely never envisioned millions of children as his de facto sales force, that is exactly what has evolved. There is nothing on the planet more likely to sell a parent on a $1.99 impulse App Store purchase than a 5-year-old kid who will promise to play quietly on an iPad while Mommy gets some work done. Some will point to that as poor parenting, which may be the case. But it's the American reality and the kids are helping to drive app purchases ever higher.

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iPhone 5 vs Nokia Lumi 920

It’s that time again; consumers worldwide are going to have to make a concrete decision as to which of the new smartphone behemoths to buy. It is true to say that the world of smartphones is expanding; what once was a market ruled by Apple, in 2012 other companies have wedged their foot firmly in the door. The Android phones and Samsung Galaxy S III are all firm competitors that the common consumer may be well acquainted with…but what about the Nokia Lumia 920? This well-timed new release from Nokia could be the wild card of the deck; but will it trump the iPhone 5? Read on to find out.

Design

Apple has always prided themselves in the visual aspect of their products; utilising ‘less is more’, beauty in simplicity. The iPhone’s design exudes class and chic without being showy; and the iPhone 5 is the thinnest and lightest to date. iPhone coined (and invented according to their website) round rectangular edges and now has a 4” screen – claiming if you expand the screen too much for the sake of it; the end product is oversized and makes it awkward and difficult to use.

The Nokia Lumia 920 is made out a mixture of glass & polycarbonate and visually looks like a serious contender when placed next to the iPhone. Compared to the iPhone 5’s black and white, the Nokia deals with quirky, vibrant colours – possibly attracting a new range of consumers. However, the iPhone is actually smaller and lighter than the Nokia. Have a look at these stats:

iPhone 5 (Height, Width, Depth) 4.87 x 2.31 x 0.30 Weight – 3.95 ounces

Lumia 920 (Height, Width, Depth) 5.12 x 2.78 x 0.42 Weight – 6.52 ounces

The size of the Nokia Lumia screen is 4.5” compared with the iPhones 4”. This means that Nokia have managed to obtain a higher resolution, but not by much. What it really comes down to is which of the phones will sit more comfortably in your hand?

Technical

The new chip which Apple are using is called the ‘A6 chip’, which apparently is twice as fast the A5 in the iPhone 4S. The Nokia Lumia has utilized the use of the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 chip. The Samsung Galaxy S III uses the very same chip; and the Samsung Galaxy S III is super-duper speedy.

Camera-wise, the iPhone still uses an eight mega-pixel camera (which is to slight dismay of the general public). However, the camera is forty percent faster and performs far better in lower light than its predecessors. All the iPhone camera’s inner workings can also be used to create seamless panorama photos also.

The Lumia 920 has an 8.7 megapixel camera which features Nokia’s PureView technology. Nokia claim that the camera can capture up to ten times the amount of light surrounding the lens through ‘floating lens technology’. Although Nokia ended up upsetting many people with a certain advert which was apparently showing the camera in all its glory…but got caught out faking the shot with a professional camera. Spot the cameraman/lights.

Other Spec

The overall spec of the phones are pretty similar, where iPhone has Siri, Nokia has TellMe; and both phones sport seemingly good battery life, 4G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth & storage space. A big calamity the iPhone 5 may face though is through the controversy surrounding iOS 6, which was released on September 19. Many people have suffered problems with their iPhones running iOS 6; especially with the new iOS 6 Apple Maps (Apple’s attempt to replace Google Maps), which are already renowned for being absolutely terrible and problem-ridden. The Nokia Lumia will operate using Windows 8, which will be released on October 26th – time will only tell how well it runs.

Conclusion

It basically boils down to if you can wait until the Nokia Lumia 920 comes out to make your decision. Yes, the iPhone 5 boasts a world of a billion apps and is an improvement on the phone we all have grown to love….but do we yearn for more? Has the iPhone done enough to keep the public content? The Nokia be the next smartphone you didn’t actually know you were looking for; but it could easily find its way into your pocket.

Author: Alfie Davenport works in the technology department at Ladbrokes Roulette. He has owned Nokia, Apple, and Android smartphones over the past 6 years and is currently a huge fan of his HTC One X.- source

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Budget iPhone rear plastic shell?

Earlier this week, case manufacturer Tactus was one of several sources to share photos of cases reportedly designed for the fifth-generation iPad, once again showing that the device is expected to be smaller than the existing iPad and take design cues from the iPad mini.

Today, the company shares a photo of what is said to be the rear shell of Apple's rumored lower-cost iPhone. In line with previous rumors, the part appears to be manufactured from plastic.

The part is also consistent with iLounge's January description of the device, carrying a design somewhat similar to the iPod classic with a flat back and curved edges, as well as a shift to elongated volume buttons along the left side.

The report also shares a number of other claimed details about the device, including word of an A5 chip, a 5-megapixel rear camera, and five color options of black, white, blue, red, and yellow. The device is also claimed to carry a 3.5-inch Retina display rather than the 4-inch display seen in the iPhone 5, although that detail conflicts with reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's claims of a 4-inch display for the lower-cost iPhone.

Finally, Tactus claims that the lower-cost iPhone will launch on October 15 and be priced at $300, although we place little faith in those details given that any source for part leaks likely coming through Apple's supply chain or accessory manufacturers would not be aware of Apple's specific launch plans. The report also claims that the rear shell is 0.4-0.6 mm thick, which is obviously not an accurate measurement and is likely a misreporting of previous claims that it would be 0.4-0.6 mm thicker than the iPhone 5.

We also can not verify whether this is indeed a legitimate rear shell for Apple's lower-cost iPhone. It could simply be manufactured based on circulating rumors, but even if fake it could be an accurate representation if it is based on design specs leaking through case makers. Case makers have a number of times created accurate physical mockups of Apple's upcoming devices, although they have on occasion been incorrect.

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Huawei is 3rd in global smartphone shipments, LG grows, Apple slows, Samsung leads

A new report by research and consulting firm Strategy Analytics outlined global smartphone shipments for Q3 2013. Total smartphone shipments reached a record 251 million last quarter, a rise of 45 percent overall. Here are some of the firm’s findings:

Huawei

China’s Huawei smartphone shipments grew 67 percent since this time last year to 12.7 million units. That makes Huawei the third-largest smartphone manufacturer in the world, confirming IDC’s findings in Q4 of last year.

Huawei might still be hitting hurdles from government regulators (most recently in Taiwan), but the company is steadily expanding its global reach.

Samsung

Samsung (KRX:005935) leads the pack with a 35 percent share of all smartphone shipments worldwide. It grew 55 percent annually and shipped 88.4 million smartphones, increasing its lead from 33 percent.

Apple

Apple (AAPL) sits in second place, but only grew half as much as the industry average. It shipped 33.8 million iPhones, but only grew 26 percent. Apple just released a decidedly weaker earnings report today.

LG

LG (KRX:066570; LSE:LGLD) actually grew the fastest of any smartphone maker, putting it in fourth place, according to the report. The South Korean smartphone maker has been expanding rapidly in Europe, growing 71 percent overall.

Lenovo

Lenovo (0992.HK) took fifth place with 10.8 million smartphones shipped and a four percent market share. Even with Huawei and Lenovo’s combined market shares, Chinese smartphone makers still trail far behind Apple and Samsung.

(Source: Herald Online)

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World's Smallest Android Set-Top-Box

Chinese handset maker Xiaomi revealed the Mi Box Mini, an Android TV-like device that can play games. Everyone and their mother (in Tech News) is monitoring Xiaomi, the *fourth largest smartphone maker in the world behind Samsung, Apple and Lenovo (owners of Motorola). But that doesn't mean everything they put out is gold.

Xiaomi's been at the TV game the longest after it's smartphone when they first released the Mi Box, their answer to Apple TV. Like the Apple device, the Mi Box could play games, download apps, and stream content. However, unlike the Apple device, the content supported by Xiaomi is mostly China-centric, and this is no different with the Mi Box Mini.

Let's a take a step back and look at the Mi Box Mini. The thing is small, sleek, and did I mention small? At the size of a smartphone charger, the Mi Box Mini only has a plug and an HDMI output. It connects online via Wi-Fi. Xiaomi is offering "1.4 million hours" of content to go with it.

Of course, since it's an Android device, and similar to Android and Apple TV, the Mi Box Mini also has another feature going for it: gaming. The Mi Box Mini's specs surpass those many early Android consoles:

Most of the content available on the Mi Box Mini, and the Mi Box, for that matter, is in Chinese. Some of it might also be illegal and unlicensed content, but I did find Archer in English.Most of the content available on the Mi Box Mini, and the Mi Box, for that matter, is in Chinese. Some of it might also be illegal and unlicensed content, but I did find Archer in English.

Okay, enough about the video, onwards to video games! Sadly, like its predecessors, the Mi Box Mini isn't a gaming machine, even after the various deals that Xiaomi has made, including the one with Ouya. Part of the problem of the device as a gaming platform is Xiaomi's own lackadaisical offerings.

The company has on its store, free of charge, games like Timberman, Flappy Bird and Plants Versus Zombies. Of course there are also loads of Chinese-made mobile games. The games are simple casual titles that would find their way onto many a smartphone, mine included (I really liked Timberman).

Now, according to Xiaomi's forum's and Engadget, there's a way to side load apps onto the Mi Box Mini. I haven't figured out how. There's no Micro SD or SD slot anywhere, so the hardware is limited to 2 GB of usable memory. The Mi Box Mini should also connect to any Bluetooth controller, however it's not connecting to my Moga Pro.

However, at a price of about $30, the Mi Box Mini is incredibly attractive for people looking for a media solution to terrestrial and cable TV. With Xiaomi supposedly slated to hit State-side in the coming year, they may work out something with the Mi Box Mini for Western audiences. I still can't get over how tiny the box is.

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Goophone i5 The Cheapest iPhone 5 Clone Dual Core Android 4.0

While we can’t really claim secrets are better kept in the Android décor than in Apple’s world, especially now, we can’t help but laugh our behinds off whenever iPhone clones looking exactly like the originals come out before the authentic devices.

But iPhone 5’s launch was even more special and amusing than usual. And not just because we saw Apple stoop to one of its lowest levels ever by calling the new device a major upgrade for simply featuring a bigger display and “groundbreaking” 4G LTE speeds.

No, the thing that made the release special was the preceding unveiling of the GooPhone i5 and the threats that came with it. For a second there we even thought GooPhone would go through with it and sue Apple for copying.

Of course, that never happened, but that doesn’t mean GooPhone can’t still be a worthy adversary for Apple, if not in a court of law then on the actual market. Because guess what, the i5 is out and about, and, according to a GizChina review, it looks pretty awesome.

But before getting down to the actual review, let’s have a quick rundown of the specs:

• 1 GHz dual-core MT6577 CPU
• 1 GB of RAM
• 4-inch 960 x 540 pixels resolution screen
• Android 4.0 ICS with iOS 6 skin
• Dual 8 MP/1.3 MP cameras
• 32 GB of on-board storage
• GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz and 3G WCDMA 850/2100 MHz support
• 1,522 mAh battery

Okay, so that’s definitely not an ideal set of features, right? The processor is very last year, the display’s resolution is so far off today’s greats that makes even the original iPhone 5 look good, the battery is measly at best and not even the cameras are awfully special.

Moving on to the display, performance and cameras, we’ll find a number of things off with GooPhone’s i5, which considerably bring down the device’s overall value. Then again, this is a Chinese clone after all, so if you’re looking for perfection you’ll have to knock on other doors.

We however are in a good mood and we’d rather focus on the good things. Like the fact that the i5 is unlikely to cripple sales of genuine Android devices and will instead grab the attention of Apple fanboys looking to save some dough while still feeling good about themselves. Ah, the little joys of life!

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Budget iPhone for $330 without contract

At last there is somewhat authentic report about Apple’s much anticipated low-cost or budget iPhone amid a flow of clues about iPhone 5S and iPhone 6.

Apple is on way to test its new budget iPhone in end of this year with a focus to target emerging markets like China and India besides gadget lovers with poor income in United States and Europe.

“Apple plans to launch an inexpensive model targeting emerging markets with initial quarterly shipments of only 2.5-3.0 million units to test market response,” DigiTimes reported.

The report claims that Apple is working with Foxconn to bring a 4 inch display powered with A6 processor. Besides, plastic chassis, of course cost effective material, is likely to be used for the budget iPhone.

Earlier reports suggest that budget iPhone, keeping in view of emerging markets, will cost around $330 without contract.

However, PatentlyApple while doubting over the rumour said that Apple had never ‘tested’ a device in the market before.

“it’s this point that makes the rumor sound invented,” it further said.

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Apple iPhone 6 vs Huawei Honor 6 Plus Camera Review

The Huawei Honor 6 Plus made the headlines a few days back with its variable aperture dual rear camera setup. We have already added a few samples from the phone in our previous article and today, we have some more camera samples which are compared with Apple iPhone 6 camera samples. 

Variable aperture is made possible with the help of the advanced algorithms inside the Honor 6 Plus. Using the feed from both the 8MP rear cameras, the phone lets the user control aperture ranges from f/0.96 to f/16. In the camera menu, there is a slider which changes these aperture levels, even after the image has been captured. The two 8MP symmetrical cameras at the back along with the powerful 3IE algorithm make this all possible. The primary 8MP camera in the setup features auto-focus with f/2.0 aperture and the secondary 8MP has a fixed focus with f/2.4. 

The primary camera focuses on nearby objects and the secondary fixed-focus camera captures a flat image. With a combination of the two sensors, the Honor 6 Plus offers features such as variable aperture, depth of field and faster HDR. This also helps in better low light performance, which you'll clearly see in the pictures given below.

Huawei Honor 6 Plus

Apple iPhone 6

Huawei Honor 6 Plus

Apple iPhone 6

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iPhone 5 Nokia Lumia 920 Comparison

Earlier, we brought you the ultimate battle of the two most popular smartphone vendors and their flagship devices. Having assessed the iPhone 5 of Apple and Samsung’s Galaxy S III, we found both to be technically advanced, and the differences between the two – such as screen and device size – are only important if one prefers a large display, or a smaller one.

To spice things up a little, we’re now going to pit the iPhone 5 up against another to-be-released beauty – Nokia Lumia 920. Announced last week, it offers a dual-core processor, Windows Phone 8 and a camera which – by the looks of things – will be the best smartphone snapper available on the market.

Yes, it does look a great deal like its predecessor, the Lumia 900 but hey, doesn’t the iPhone 5 as well? Here, we run over the key tech specs, and if you’re in the market for a new smartphone this fall, you’ll certainly want to check out these two:

As you can see, there is once again very little to choose between these very adequately-equipped smartphones. The iPhone 5 offers an Apple A6 processor, which is quite a bump from the Lumia’s dual-core Qualcomm composition, but with both the iPhone 4S and Lumia 900 as smooth as butter on iOS 5.x and Windows Phone 7.x respectively, such features shouldn’t make or break your choice.

Both pack in LTE, and the Lumia has the advantage of packing in NFC – something expected of the iPhone 5 right up until the last moment.

Nokia’s high-end devices have always packed in a decent camera (the N97′s snapper still looks rather good for a device five years of age), and with Apple having already shown us what the Sapphire-encrusted rear-camera can do, both will be perfect for those using Instagram or Flickr on a frequent basis.

Wireless charging offered by Lumia 920 is another plus over iPhone 5 if you are into that sort of thing.

The most decisive segment of the chart has to be the apps section, and for all the promise both Nokia and Windows Phone 8 offers, the success of the device and its platform will rest firmly on getting the developers’ backing. 100,000+ sounds like a lot, but with Apple almost at three quarters of a million now and counting, the Windows Phone Store needs filling up with Apps. Pronto.

In the end, it really comes down to the platform and ecosystem that you want to go with. - source

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A Pirate iOS App Store in China Will Let You Installs Pirated Apps Without Jailbreak

Chinese pirates have taken downloading cracked iPhone and iPad apps to the next new level. A new desktop software called “KuaiYong” (literally means “use quickly” in Chinese) will allows pirated iOS apps to be installed on non-jailbroken devices. It has been around on Chinese internet world since June 2012, being only in Chinese seems to have caused the software to go under Apple’s radar for so long.

KuaiYong is basically using bulk enterprise licensing to bypass Apple’s safeguards. So the Chinese service is essentially distributing the exact same app – with the same license ID – over and over again. And now the same team has launched a web version of its pirate iOS app store. The online store is full of pirated iOS apps and games available for free. It makes the service more accessible to potential new users who can browse the available apps in their web browser. To download one of the iOS apps or games from the site, it’s actually downloading the “KuaiYong” PC software …

The pirate iOS app store over at 7659.com seem to be using a geolocation detect to hide itself from those outside of China. So, only user within China will see the store. For those outside of the nation, you’ll either see an error message or it’ll just redirect to the KuaiYong official homepage. So far we can access the site over here in Hong Kong. Aside from this new web store, KuaiYong is planning to launch its piracy-pimped iTunes alternative app internationally, a English version only for Windows user will be available soon.

The KuaiYong software doesn’t support Mac OS.

The team behind the pirate service claimed that they have five million users, and listed some righteous notice on their website. They indicate that most Chinese Apple users are not familiar with iTunes system and how to effectively manage it. So they developed its own method of giving users access to thousands of free apps without having to jailbreak their devices. They further pointed out the number of jailbreak in China has started to decline is because of the introduction of their KuaiYong software. In the mean time, English-speaking user can find some instructions guide in order to use the Chinese service.

A game page on the new pirate store.

Actually this might be a good way for KuaiYong to distribute malware to iOS devices. Specialized malware could be developed for certain popular apps that collected information and logged activity on to the device. The Android eco-systems in China are working in this way. And there’s a strong likelihood that whatever the pirate team is doing is using illegally obtained licenses at the least, and credit-card fraud at the worst. It remains to be seen whether KuaiYong will be hit with a lawsuit from Apple.

Source: TechAsia via Shanghaiist

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