4 Reasons Why iOS 7 Beta Adoption is Soaring Months Ahead of Release

When Apple revealed iOS 7 at WWDC in June, on the whole, most people were impressed with what they saw.  The number of downloads is double that of iOS 6 in the same month of 2012. Here are 4 of the reasons why:

1.      iOS 7 is better than iOS 6

Apple’s disastrous foray into Maps proved to be a huge downside to iOS 6. On the other side, iOS 7 is full of new features, such as Control Center and updated stock ones like Notification Center, on top of a complete design overhaul.

2.      Easy to Access

Officially iOS 7 is only available to registered developers and Apple has seen an unprecedented rise in the number of people paying $99 a year just to get hold of iOS 7 before its official release in the fall. $99 is a small price for people to pay to get their hands on what is purported to be Apple’s biggest release of the year.

3.      Media Hype

There are so many articles, blogs and reports about iOS 7 that it’s hard not to notice them. The more people read about it the more they want it, especially when they hear about the new features and the fact that a jailbreak utility will be available for it.

4.      iOS Growth

Beta releases of any iOS software are timed so that developers get the maximum amount of time to make sure their own apps fully support the firmware. iOS is expanding on a daily basis and more features are finding their way onto it. There are also a number of new devices due out in the fall that will be running on iOS 7 so adopting it early means getting a good head start for developers to make sure their software is ready for the new firmware and the new devices.

Low Cost iPhone to be called iPhone Mini

We have all heard the talk, and possibly even participated in some of it ourselves, about the budget iPhone. We’ve seen leaked images, of its low-cost plastic casing, in a multitude of different colors. We’ve even seen images that are apparently a completely assembled display module and some that show the fittings for a dual LED flash.  What we haven’t seen, or heard, is anything from Apple about it.

This is quite normal for the Cupertino Company – they tend to  stay pretty quiet about their new devices until they are ready to release them.  However, a document has been seen, an OLED Forecast Investment Plan and, for the first time ever, the budget iPhone appears to be in print. It’s named in the document as the iPhone Mini.

We don’t know very much in the way of fact about the budget iPhone, only what the analysts and rumor-mongers tell us.  We do know that it will be made of a cheaper poly-carbonate shell. Other specs that we think might be present are:

• 4” standard LCD display
• 1136 x 640 resolution – 326ppi
• A7 processor
• 1.2GHz Quad Core CPU
• 2GB RAM
• PowerVR SGX 554MP4 GPU
• 12 megapixel rear camera
• Duel LED Flash

We have not even been given any clues about a time frame for release although current rumors say the budget iPhone is in full production at the moment. This seems to be backed up by the images that we have seen as well.  The price tag will apparently be somewhere between $300and $400 SIM free and its thought that the handset is going to be aimed initially at the emerging markets in India and China. These countries are not too big on contracts and find that the cost of purchasing an iPhone SIM free is extremely prohibitive. However, these are the countries that Apple needs to court because, right now, most phone sales are for the cheaper Android handsets and, if Apple wants a slice of that particular pie, this is where they need to be focusing their efforts.

It’s widely believed that the iPhone Mini will be launched in September or October, around the same time as the new iOS 7 firmware. We’ll keep our finger on the pulse and pass on the news as it happens.

Source : OLEDDisplay.net

App Store at 10: Apple's appy revolution

The App Store, opened five years ago this week, sparked a revolution, says Matt Warman

Apple's App Store launched five years ago this week 

On July 10 2008, Steve Jobs announced that Apple would start a whole new kind of shop – not the bricks and mortar Apple Stores, whose blond wood tables and airy atmospheres have done much to change the direction of high street retail. The App Store was a virtual shop, selling exclusively virtual goods. Five years on it has distributed $10bn (£6.7bn) to developers, and seen 50bn apps downloaded to iPhones, iPods and iPads.

But at its launch, the App Store was not greeted with universal comprehension, still less enthusiasm. It offered just 500 titles, compared with today’s more than 900,000. And the idea, which debuted along with the iPhone 3G, was so new that many questioned whether it would ever catch on. It had not been long since phones could scarcely do email.

App developer Shazam has been involved with the concept since the very beginning. One of just a very few ideas that has become a verb – “to Shazam” means to hold up a phone, use its microphone to listen to a track and then identify it by comparing it with an online database, hosted on servers in Lodon. Although Shazam existed before the iPhone, it was as a service that had to be built into the device.

“At the time we had to make a tough call to build an app into the App Store,” says the developer’s David Jones. “The way we could provide a different user experience was the beginning of a whole new wave of better user flexibility. It gave us a broader canvas to paint on.” Today Shazam has 70m- active users around the world each month.

Apple’s approach was to curate a carefully controlled experience, with each app reviewed before it was offered to users, either free or for a charge. “Suddenly any app developer could go build an app and let people vote with their finger,” observes Jones. “It was revolutionary and it was so easy for people to make software where users could suddenly add a new feature, and it unleashed all this innovation.”

Angry Birds and Facebook are the two top paid and free apps respectively – Facebook and Twitter are the two apps that an iPhone user is most likely to have downloaded. Indeed, while they may not have bothered to change the homescreen, studies say, most users have made the effort to download at least one of these applications.

But if Apple in 2008 was the beginning, the future for the app store ranges some way beyond the California-based company. Google’s own app store for Android is of an equivalent size, although it has been troubled by accusations that it is plagued by malware. Yet the app trend continues to spread: even by 2010 Samsung was parading the 1m downloads for its smart TV platform. Today commentators talk about the “appification” of a host of devices. It started with phones, but Apple’s revolution now even runs to robotic vacuum cleaners.

Massive Android Flaw Lets Hackers Hijack 99% of Android Devices

in the last few years Android has certainly upped its game to bring it into line with the iOS user experience. However, one area that they cannot compete in is security. It’s well known that the iOS firmware is one of the most secure in the world whereas Android, partly because it is open source, is full of holes that make security breaches easy.  Indeed, last year alone the mobile platform was the recipient of 96% of all mobile malware attacks.

Now, another breach has been discovered, one that allows your Android device to be potentially taken over and controlled by some-one who has less than honest intentions. The vulnerability makes use of the way in which Android apps are signed for authenticity purposes – this stops users from downloading and installing apps that have been modified by someone other than the developer.  Bluebox, a security firm have picked up that this security breach has been in existence since Android 1.6. That’s getting on for 4 years old now and, at that time, there wasn’t any need for verification signatures.  What is really worrying though is the fact that 99% of all Android devices currently on the market are open to this breach.

Should this breach be used any malicious apps would be able to be treated as legitimate ones, meaning that anyone downloading them without realizing could be in some serious trouble. What’s even worse is if apps that have been modified by these hackers are released as stock apps, they could be nigh on impossible to get rid of.  Many native apps cannot be installed or moved and can make whatever changes they like without a license so if similar malicious apps are being downloaded there is no telling what the consequences might be.

According to BlueBox this is because these apps are able to access your emails and SMS messages and, if they could be found also things like your bank details. On top of this, there’s also the issue of an invasion of your privacy.   However, even that is not the worst it can get. With a bit of time and effort an individual could build a silent botnet – for those that don’t know, this is a network of computers or programs connected via the internet and infected with malicious software.  The consequences of that scenario do not bear thinking about.

The safest way to steer clear of this type of breach is to  stay away from third-party apps and only use Google Play Store to download from. In the meantime we can only hope that Google are taking the matter seriously enough to do something about it.

Apple's iPhone 5 the Most Hated Smartphone While Galaxy S4 been loved & appreciated

Apple's iPhone 5 The Most Hated Smartphone While Smasungs Galaxy S4 Being Loved & appreciated due to its unique Features.

Detail.. 

According to new study survey people hate Apple's iPhone 5 while being attracted by Samsung Galaxy S4 due its new features like Air Gestures and other features while in the speed test Galaxy's Speed was double of iPhone 5 battery timing is unmatchable and that's the reason behind people are attracted.

-----> The Most criticised Smartphone on the Social Media.
-----> Most Complaints recorded
-----> While Galaxy S4 complaints were not that much

Apple's iPhone 5 received the biggest customer backlash following its launch in 2012, according to new research.

One in five posts on social networks were critical of Apple's most recent handset, with the majority of people complaining about the introduction of a new power socket, the inaccuracy of Apple Maps and how similar the phone was to previous models. 

Samsung's Galaxy S4 received the least complaints - just 11 per cent - according to figures from analysts We Are Social.  

Apple's iPhone 5, pictured, was the most criticised handset on social networks after its launch in 2012, according to research by analysts We Are Social. One in five people complained about the device's power socket and lack of innovation

HOW DID THE FOUR MAJOR PHONE LAUNCHES COMPARE?

Number of launch day conversations

iPhone 5 – 1.7 million

BlackBerry Z10 – 300,000

Galaxy S4 – 140,000

Lumia 920 – 45,000

Brand appeal: conversation based around the brand itself

iPhone 5 – 42%

BlackBerry Z10 – 41%

Lumia 920 – 41%

Galaxy S4 – 20%

Brand criticism: comments about the brands with a negative connotation

iPhone 5 – 20%

BlackBerry Z10 – 18%

Lumia 920 – 15%

Galaxy S4 – 11 %

Features: discussions about any new and different features of the handset

Galaxy S4 – 56%

Lumia 920 – 37%

iPhone 5 – 29%

BlackBerry Z10 – 27%

We Are Social scanned Twitter, blogs and forums following the launch of four major handsets - Apple's iPhone 5 in September 2012, Samsung Galaxy S4 in March this year, the BlackBerry Z10 launch event in January and Nokia's launch of the Lumia 920, first announced in September 2012. 

 

The iPhone 5 came in for a barrage of complaints for everything from its lack of innovation to its new power connector socket and its mapping application.

Apple added a Lightning to 30-pin power socket to the iPhone 5, which meant previous Apple users couldn't use their older chargers to charge the new device. 

Apple then charged extra for an adapter. 

Previous iPhones used a Google mapping application but this was replaced with Apple Maps in the iPhone 5. 

This led to complaints about misplacement of landmarks, poor satellite images and wrong directions.

Less than a fortnight after the launch, Apple issued a statement apologising for the frustration Apple Maps had caused customers and recommended they try alternative mapping apps.

There were also complaints about picture quality of photos taken on select iPhone 5s, with some customers saying there was a purple discolouration on images.

Other iPhone 5 owners were left angry when the coating on their handset chipped off, exposing bright aluminium underneath. 

Samsung's Galaxy S4, pictured, was the least complained about handset on social networks after it launched in March this year. Figures from We Are Social claim that only 11 per cent of posts about the S4 contained negative comments

More than 300,000 conversations about the BlackBerry Z10, pictured, took place following its launch in January. This was more than the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the Nokia 920

This became known as 'scuffgate' when Apple refused to acknowledge the problem.

Other iPhone 5 users reported that white handsets leaked light behind the screen.

Ed Kitchingman, senior analyst at We Are Social, said: 'Brands were often on the receiving end of criticism for their handsets offering nothing new to the previous model. 

'The most successful launches were those that captured the consumer's imagination by talking about the handset's new and innovative features.

'And while leaks can be an important tool in building success, give away too much and the handset loses its 'wow' factor upon launch.'

He said Samsung had the most 'wow factor' with 56 per cent of discussions being about new or different features with a particular emphasis on its eye tracking.

In contrast, only 29 per cent of conversations about the iPhone 5 launch were focused on different features as dissent grows about the lack of innovation at Apple.

However, the iPhone 5 was by far the most talked-about launch on social media, with around 1.7 million conversations, compared to 300,000 mentions of the Z10, 140,000 references to the Galaxy S4 and 45,000 comments about the Lumia 920.

Nokia launched its Lumia 920, pictured, in September 2012. According to We Are Social there were only 45,000 social network conversations about the device after launch. However, the brand came second in a customer satisfaction survey by JD Power in March, beating Samsung

APPLE TOPS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY

Apple's iPhone topped the J.D Power and Associates list of best smartphones for the ninth consecutive time in March.

J.D. Power's scores are based on customer experiences with certain products. 

In the most recent report, customers said that their phone's performance was the most important feature, followed by its design and features. 

How easy the phone was to use also played a part. 

The Californian-based firm took the top spot with a score of 855 out of 1,000.

Second place went to Nokia with 795.

Samsung came in a third at 793, followed by Motorola and HTC with 792 and 790, respectively. 

The average score was 796, while BlackBerry only scored 732. 

The research claims Apple still has the strongest brand loyalty, though, due to 42 per cent of conversations about the iPhone 5 launch based around the Apple brand itself.

Men dominate smartphone launch day conversations with 83 per cent of all mentions coming from men and just 17 per cent generated by women.

On a non-launch day, however, anywhere between 28 per cent and 41 per cent of conversations about mobile phones come from women.

Apple's next iPhone could be announced on 10 September and go on sale ten days later, according to recent reports. 

The phone - dubbed iPhone 5S - is rumoured to have internet speeds around ten times as fast as 3G.

Analysts also expect a second, cheaper handset - dubbed iPhone 6 -  to be announced as early as 27 September.

It will be the first time in Apple's iPhone history that the company has unveiled two handsets in the same month. 

We Are Social's figures contradict a recent study from Quality Insight in Korea. 

The marketing firm surveyed 44,168 people about their handset and the iPhone was rated the best smartphone. 

The participants said that the iPhone rarely failed, with only 17 per cent complaining about technical issues with their Apple phone.

This is compared to 31 per cent who reported issues with Samsung phones ranging from battery charging problems to screen quality issues. 

Apple’s faults were related to touch or button errors.

Apple iPhone 5 the Slowest Smartphone in the Market

Tests of the seven most popular smartphones found that iPhone 5 came last, while the Galaxy S4 Sparked and iphone 5 had processing requests at half the speed of the Samsung Galaxy S4.

The iPhone 5 came last for speed in a test of seven popular smartphones

The phones were put through a series of benchmark tests to measure processor and memory performance, which show how quickly the phone will allow photo editing, running graphic-intensive games, and using several apps at once.

Samsung Galaxy S4, the fastest phone of those tested, has a 1.9GHz quad-core processor which helped generate its impressive score. The phone received a mark of 3188 on the industry recognised test, compared to Apple iPhone 5's 1664 score.

Consumer watchdog said: “We put all the handsets through the same tests. Undoubtedly, Apple will upgrade its next iPhone when it launches this autumn.

"For the moment, Samsung’s Galaxy S4 is the phone to beat when it comes to speed."

The second fastest phone was ranked as HTC One, which has a quad-core 1.7-inch processor and 2GB Ram.

Apple in trouble due to copyright act

Apple has been accused of copyright infringement over their Siri voice technology by a Chinese company, a Shanghai court has heard.

A Chinese firm has demanded that Apple stop making and selling products in China which carry Siri.

The Chinese company, Zhizhen Network Technology Co, claimed that Apple's Siri is a copycat of their voice technology "Xiao i Robot", and accused the US technology giant of technology infringement.

The firm claimed it filed a patent for the "Xiao i Robot" software in 2004, which was approved two years later. Apple's Siri, which made its debut with the release of the iPhone 4S in 2011, was first developed in 2007.

Zhizhen has demanded that Apple stop making and selling products in China which carry Siri, an "intelligent" personal assistant which responds to a user's commands through voice recognition software.

In Tuesday's court session, Apple's lawyers argued that the two function in a similar way but use different technology.

Yuan Yang, a lawyer representing Zhizhen, told AFP: "Our main goal at the current stage is to let the court validate our claim regarding the infringement.