Month: March 2014

Apple is said to be readying to release its next iPhone in both 4.7- and 5.5-inch screen sizes, with a launch as early as September, according to a report by Japanese business news publication Nikkei today. The production cycle is already ramping up, with component makers producing elements like fingerprint sensors and LCD driver chips, according to the paper, with LCD mass production kicking off in the April-June quarter.

Apple is also expected to increase the display resolution of these devices compared to current models, which could be designed to keep pixel density high on the larger new screens. Full HD resolution is a likely possibility if these rumors are true.

While it’s risky to go trusting rumors about iPhone launches this early, the Nikkei’s report has a few things that make it ring true. First, the 4.7- and 5.5-inch screen sizes have been reported previously by Bloomberg, and the Wall Street Journal also chiming in early this year to say two larger phones are in development. Also, Nikkei reported last year that the iPhone 5s and 5c would launch September 20 in Japan before either was officially announced, which was exactly when they did end up arriving.

Critics have long called for Apple to release devices with larger screen sizes, and so far, the rumor mill indicates it will finally go beyond the 4-inch display shared by the iPhone 5, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s. We’ll likely have to wait for fall to find out for sure, but for now, start stretching out those thumbs.

Apple has a new patent for an iPad accessory (via Patently Apple) that incorporates keyboard features into the design of a new smart cover. The touch-based cover resembles the one Microsoft’s Surface uses for input, but it has a unique twist which is the basis for the patent – multi-touch gesture support that turns the whole cover into a trackpad, rather than limiting that to a dedicated space like that found on the Surface version.

The cover consists of both a back panel that could be used to prop up the iPad, like the one that currently exists, as well as a keyboard section that can use both keyed input and multi-touch. Gestures could include the typical ones supported in iOS already, in addition to others to be determined, and the case would snap onto the iPad using its embedded magnets, with different folding methods that could hide both keyboard and cover away behind the back of the device, or protect the front by folding over, too.

After spending some time using the Microsoft Surface touch keyboard cover, I can say that I’d appreciate a similar accessory for the iPad, too. Ditching the dedicated touchpad and rerouting gesture input should clear up room, making for a less bulky and more portable product that saves all the room it uses for key spacing, so that definitely sounds like a plus. Apple has patented a number of possible expansions to its magnet-based Smart Case system in the past, and this is just the latest. It’s also the most practical, however, so hopefully we’ll see it introduced as a way to diversify the iPad accessory line-up somewhere down the line.

Today at the Geneva Motor Show Apple unveiled a new service that aims to provide better connectivity between the car and the driver’s iPhone. Dubbed CarPlay, the service allows drivers to make calls, access contacts, use maps, listen to music, and more, without taking their hands from the steering wheel. Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo are showcasing the service at Geneva this week with CarPlay-enabled vehicles shipping this same month.

“iPhone users always want their content at their fingertips and CarPlay lets drivers use their iPhone in the car with minimized distraction”, said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of iPhone and iOS Product Marketing.

Drivers can read messages and dictate responses through Apple’s voice-activated Siri software, which is activated by pressing the voice control button on the car’s steering wheel. The service can also predict destinations based upon addresses found in your email, texts, contacts, and calendars.

The service also allows you to play music through the car’s speakers. Besides iTunes Radio, you can also access a number of third-party music-streaming apps including Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, and Beats Radio. You can also control CarPlay from the car’s native interface.

According to Apple, in addition to the three car companies aforementioned BMW, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Land Rover, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Citroën, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota will also integrate the service “down the road.” The CarPlay service is available as an update to iOS 7 and works with Lightning-enabled iPhones including iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, and iPhone 5.

Source techspot.com

As expected, Apple has released an updated version of its mobile operating system just one day before the annual iTunes Festival kicks off for the first time ever at SXSW. iOS 7.1 includes a number of new features, interface tweaks and bug fixes for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch as outlined below.

Arriving roughly six months after the launch of iOS 7, the first major update includes support for CarPlay. Formerly known as the iOS in the car initiative, Apple unveiled CarPlay a week ago during the Geneva Motor Show with support from Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.

Apple also improved the Touch ID fingerprint recognition system found on the iPhone 5s. Elsewhere, users can now control how long Siri listens for voice commands by simply holding down the Home button as you speak. The personal assistant also received improved voices in Mandarin Chinese, Australian English, UK English and Japanese which are said to sound more natural.

New accessibility options include a bold font option for the keyboard, calculator and many icons, the ability to reduce motion in Weather, Messages and multitasking UI animations and the ability to darken app colors and reduce white point.

In a somewhat rare move for the Cupertino-based company, they’ve published a full page that outlines all of the new features in iOS 7.1 that can be seen by clicking here.

iOS 7.1 is compatible with the iPhone 4 and newer as well as the iPad 2 and later and the 5th generation iPod touch. To grab the update over-the-air, simply navigate to “Software Update” under the “General” section in the setting’s menu. For direct download links please go here: iPhone | iPad | iPod

Source techspot.com