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Apple iWatch vs Google Glass – Lets have a Look at Most Anticipated Gadgets

May 24, 2013 By James Faulkner Leave a Comment

Today, mobile devices are smartphones or tablets that we carry along, i.e. hand-held objects placed in our pockets or bags. These hand-held objects have definitely unleashed a world of convenience, but technology is taking us farther ahead with wearable mobile devices. That’s clear from the latest hype about Google’s Project Glass and Apple’s rumored iWatch. How do the two devices compare with each other?

Google Glass, expected to be released later this year, is described as an “Augmented Reality” wearable device. Augmented Reality refers to the mode of viewing the physical environment with graphics, text, sound, GPS details and video. The Glass features a head-mounted display, with a smartphone-like layer on the inner side of your glasses. The technology runs on Android OS with voice commands, so it can be operated anywhere without using your hands. A rocker button placed on the right frame can also be used to control. In other words, the Glass comprises a voice-activated display built into eyeglasses. Google is trying to collaborate with companies like Rayban to widen the reach of its Glass. When it comes to safety, Google could incorporate a feature to auto-upload thefts and similar occurrences to YouTube.

Apple’s iWatch, rumored to be a hot tech piece of 2013, is basically a smartwatch with a flexible structure that can be shaped to be worn around the wrist. It can connect to the wearer’s iPhone via Bluetooth and facilitate control functions, such as Siri for voice automated commands. Second-screen functionalities, such as controlling music and finding directions are also expected. The iWatch will run on iOS. What about safety features? Perhaps, iWatch can sense the owner’s wrist and cease to work when someone else wears it.

Apple seems to have the edge when it comes to aesthetics, while Google is consistently ahead in terms of technology and innovation. When it comes to utility, the iWatch may not be as practical as Google Glass to follow GPS while driving. At the same time, wearing the iWatch fill fit better into your routine as watches are more commonly used accessories compared to glasses. Google Glass is likely to have a $1500 price tag, while there are no clues of pricing details for the iWatch.

As wearable devices reach mainstream, developers will start releasing apps that will make user-experience more immersive. Sophisticated gadgets like the Google Glass and iWatch are having an expensive role in the digital realm, but will allow access to the Internet and computer anywhere and anytime, that too with hands-free operation.

Waiting for Apple iWatch? Analysts Feel It Will be Available Late 2014

May 24, 2013 By Sebastian Mc’Mannen Leave a Comment

The web is flooded with numerous reports on release date, pricing and features of the forthcoming smartwatch called iWatch from Apple. With Google Glass soon to be out in the market, many are speculating that even Apple will launch the iWatch soon this year. However, tech analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from KGI Securities stated that Apple may not be having adequate resources to create an iOS for iWatch.

He added that even the components that are required for building wearable devices is not yet ready yet which points to the fact that the development of wearable devices can only happen in the second half of 2014. It is presumed that the iWatch will feature a display of 1.5 to 2inch. It will also come with biometric security which has become possible mainly because of Apple’s acquisition of AuthenTec for $536 million.

It was in the month of February that news of a wearable gadget from Apple started making rounds after a report was published in The New York Times. According to the report, Apple was in the news for ‘expermenting’ watch like device. Later on even Bloomberg reported that Apple has got more over 100 people working on the so-called iWatch. Apple has even filed patents for the device and even other major brands like Google, Microsoft and Samsung have been rumored for developing rival products.

Some of the predictable features of iWatch include haptic feedback. Whenever you get a text message or an update on Facebook or Twitter, you will see a flashing alert on the watch screen. The onboard Siri will talk to you and remind of various things. The consistent alerts can disturb you. Hence, haptic feedback will take care of it by vibrating and buzzing on your wrist.

The Apple iWatch may be able to communicate with other iDevices like MacBook Pro, iMac, iPad and iPhone. You get iTunes on almost every Apple product. The wearable gadget from Apple may also come with iTunes. One of the most appealing features of the iOS is the notification center. Even though the wristwatch from Apple will house a small screen, Apple will manage to develop the notification center in such a way that you will be able to seamlessly handle all your notifications.

Ming-Chi Kuo has been mostly correct on the predictions he has made on Apple’s plans. Whether it is MacBook Pro or iPad, he has been accurate on the details. We hope to hear more on wearable device from Apple; however, we have to wait for an update from an official source to confirm on it.

iPhone 6 Release Date in September: Checkout Rumored Features

May 22, 2013 By Troy Rubenson Leave a Comment

The next gen iPhone will be unveiled later this year. Nobody is sure whether the next gen iPhone is going to be iPhone 5S or iPhone 6. What we do know is that accurate information will be available to all on 10^th June when the World Wide Developer’s Conference will be held.

On the internet, many are speculating on the design and features of the next gen iPhone. A YouTube user Sonitdac has uploaded a video which shows an iPhone 6 which appears similar to iPhone 5 in appearance. The rendered device has a stand which helps in elevating the iPhone to certain degree.

The video also shows the device projecting a virtual keyboard along with trackpad on the desk where the iPhone 6 is kept. It also works as a projector that displays the contents of the phone on the wall. You need to view the video to know more about the speculated iPhone 6 device. Many may consider the video as fake but the features shown in the video may be the features we will be able to see in the next gen iPhone.

The iPhone 6 is also going to feature a faster CPU, newer operating system i.e. iOS7, enhanced retina display, support for NFC, 4G connectivity, and better Wi-Fi connectivity range. Rumors also have it that Apple will be releasing variants of the forthcoming iPhone. The speculated names of the variants include iPhone 6 Mini and iPhone 6XL. It is also believed that the iPhone 6 will be featuring a sapphire crystal Home button which will conceal a fingerprint reader inside it.

The next gen iPhone 6 is expected to be slimmer than all the previous editions of iPhone. It is expected to sport IGZO screen display from Sharp and come with a mammoth internal storage of 128GB. It will be able to snap stunning photos and videos through the 13MP camera. The next gen iPhone is expected to hit the stands in the month of September. However, we are not sure whether the upcoming iPhone is iPhone 5S or iPhone 6.

Tech analysts are of the view that the next gen iPhone is still in the pipeline because Apple is facing production related issues. Another report has revealed that Apple has already sent required components and materials to Chinese suppliers for manufacturing the forthcoming iPhone.

Revamped Mini Player and More Available with the Apple iTunes 11.0.3 Version

May 17, 2013 By Troy Rubenson Leave a Comment

Apple has recently updated its desktop music app, iTunes to the latest 11.0.3 version. The new update brings small changes to the application. However, the major change you will notice is that it comes with a redesigned Mini Player.

The new Mini Player appears quite impressive and it wonderfully showcases your album art. You also get a new progress bar right inside the Mini Player. In the earlier version of iTunes, when users clicked on album art inside the Mini Player, it would automatically pop out into a now playing window showcasing the album art. However, the redesigned Mini Player makes it possible for you to click on the album art to get an expanded smaller window that not only displays your album artwork but also the controls.

The progress bar present on the Mini Player now lets you see how long the song has been playing. The Mini Player now consumes less space on the screen.Apart from these changes with the Mini Player, everything else remains the same as it was in the earlier version of iTunes 11.0.2. However, the new update also allows you to quickly view and search for songs.

The new update also allows you to view songs present on multiple discs as single discs. It is very good feature that lets users with multiple disc albums to easily browse in the music library.

The iTunes app from Apple is heavily loaded with plenty of features as it is place where you can access all your songs, apps, television shows, movies, iBooks, stores for purchasing Apple products and many more. The iTunes Store is able to able to record your browsing history which allows you to easily access the previewed songs, movies and TV shows. It does not show the stuff that you have only listened or seen for few minutes but it will only show stuff that you have listened or seen completely. To get the latest 11.0.3 version, you need to check Software Update.

New iPhone 5S Rumor regarding Home Button to Be Replaced With Sapphire-Crystal Fingerprint Reader

May 16, 2013 By Troy Rubenson Leave a Comment

With leading smartphone manufacturers like Samsung and Sony making full efforts in providing unique features to its users, Apple has to do something to offer something unique exclusively for iPhone lovers. The iPhone 5S may be the next iPhone to hit the stands and Apple is already planning to offer something very unique to its patrons.

It is rumored that the iPhone 5S will be replacing the physical home button which it has been using since 2007. The forthcoming iPhone will feature a Sapphire crystal capacitive home button which will be able to detect fingerprint through a hidden sensor. However, we are not sure whether this rumor will really come true. The reason behind it is that since the time iPhone was launched in 2007 with physical home button, every time before the launch of iPhone there were rumors that the next iPhone would feature a capacitive home button.

iPhone users always wanted Apple to do away with the physical home button because the risk of failure of a physical button of not registering a press is more. If the button is capacitive, there is no such risk. And Sapphire crystal which Apple may use for the capacitive button is quite sturdy and scratch-resistant in nature. It will not only appear elegant but also it will protect the fingerprint reader which will be placed beneath the button. Apple has been already using crystal glass cover to protect the rear camera of the iPhone 5.

In the recent past, Apple had purchased a mobile security company called AuthenTec and since then tech analysts were of the view that someday Apple will include a fingerprint reader in the forthcoming reader. Usage of a fingerprint sensor may sound unique but it is not the first time that such a sensor will be used on a smartphone. In the past, Motorola Atrix 4G had a fingerprint sensor onboard.

It is being speculated that the reason behind the delay in launch of iPhone 5S is that there are some problems associated with the fingerprint sensor. It is also believed that “S” in iPhone 5S indicates security. These days, Google and Microsoft have been concentrating in protecting the content of the users through two-step authentication procedure. Apple will also join the bandwagon to make the users a lot more secure while browsing on the web and connecting the iPhone to other devices.

If the rumor comes true, securing data on iPhone will not involve old procedure such as storing, retrieving and manually entering passwords. Simply by reading your fingerprint, your iPhone will become exclusively accessible to you only.

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