Apple launches app to make typing easy

              Apple has introduced a new app called One Handed Keyboard that allows iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users to type with one hand, making it easier to handle the bigger screens. 

Now, iOS 8 allows users to type conveniently with one hand on the new iPhones.

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus's bigger screens make it difficult for people to type with one hand in many situations. The newly introduced app displays the same size of keyboard iPhone users had grown accustomed to over the years. 

However, the app does not provide an autocorrect library to the users which means that whatever they type would be displayed as it is.

5K Retina Display? Really? Yes it is!!

Apple on Thursday unveiled the 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display, featuring what it claims to be the world's highest resolution display with 14.7 million pixels.

iMac with Retina 5K display features a 27-inch display with a resolution of 5120x2880p, four times more pixels than the standard 27-inch iMac and 67% more pixels than a 4K display.

According to Apple, the iMac with Retina 5K display uses an oxide TFT-based panel to deliver vivid display brightness from corner to corner. A single supercharged Apple-designed timing controller (TCON), with four times the bandwidth, drives all 14.7 million pixels.

iMac with Retina 5K display also uses LEDs and organic passivation to improve image quality and reduce display power consumption by 30%, even while driving four times more pixels at the same brightness, as per Apple.

To improve the contrast ratio, iMac with Retina 5K display uses a new photo alignment process and a compensation film for blacker blacks and more vibrant colours. Apple says every iMac with Retina 5K display is calibrated using three spectroradiometers to ensure precise and accurate colour.

iMac with Retina 5K display comes with a 3.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.9GHz, and can be configured with a 4GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 4.4GHz.

It also comes with AMD Radeon R9 M290X graphics and can be configured with AMD Radeon R9 M295X graphics, delivering up to 3.5 teraflops of computing power.

iMac with Retina 5K display comes standard with 8GB of RAM and a 1TB Fusion Drive. It can also be configured with up to 32GB of RAM, a 3TB Fusion Drive, or up to 1TB of PCIe-based flash storage. Additionally, iMac with Retina 5K display includes two Thunderbolt 2 ports that deliver up to 20Gbps transfer rates, twice the bandwidth of the previous generation.

Apple has also refreshed its entry-level Mac Mini portable desktop computer. The new Mac mini features fourth generation Intel Core processors, integrated graphics, 802.11ac Wi-Fi support and Thunderbolt 2 ports.




According to Apple, the new integrated Intel HD Graphics 5000 and Intel Iris Graphics deliver up to 90% faster graphics performance than the previous generation Mac Mini. The new Mac mini includes two Thunderbolt 2 ports, each delivering up to 20Gbps of bandwidth to each port, as well as next-generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi that is up to three times faster when connected to an 802.11ac base station.

Mac mini consumes as few as 6 watts of power when idle.

The two new Macs come with OS X Yosemite, the new version of OS X, that sports a flatter, new look and comes with overhauled apps in addition to the new Continuity features that makes working across Mac and iOS devices seamless.

Apple says OS X Yosemite is engineered to take full advantage of the iMac's Retina 5K display.

iMovie, GarageBand and the suite of iWork apps also come free with every new Mac.

iMac with Retina 5K display begins shipping from today itself with a 3.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.9GHz, AMD Radeon R9 M290X graphics and a 1TB Fusion Drive for a retail price of Rs 1,79,900.

The Mac mini comes in three standard models - a 1.4 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 2.7 GHz, 4GB of memory, Intel HD Graphics 5000 and a 500GB hard drive starting at a retail price of Rs 36,990, a 2.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.1GHz, 8GB of RAM, Intel Iris Graphics and a 1TB hard drive starting at a price of Rs 49,990 and a 2.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.3GHz, 8GB of RAM, Intel Iris Graphics and a 1TB Fusion Drive starting at a price of Rs 69,990.

Customers can order the new Macs from select Apple Authorised Resellers over the coming week.

Apple SIM can be the next big revolution, even in India

Apple devoted a lot of time during its October 16 presentation to iPads, iMac, OS X Yosemite and even Safari browser, but it didn't mention — even once — one of the features that may have significant repercussions in the global telecom industry.

On its website, the company says that it has introduced a new sim card, called Apple SIM, with iPad Air 2. "The Apple SIM gives you the flexibility to choose from a variety of short-term plans from select carriers in the US and UK right on your iPad," the company says on its website.

Basically, it means that customers in the US and UK, which have carrier subsidies, will be able to change their telecom operator by simply tapping the screen a few times. For example, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile in the US will provide a list of plans on the screen and buyers would be able to simply select the plan on the screen. This is revolutionary for these markets, since most consumers don't switch carriers as the change is a lengthy process.

And it can be just as revolutionary for the Indian market.

It's true that the Indian market is a little different from the US and European markets. Unlike these countries, India does not have carrier subsidies and, thus, Apple does not deal with telecom operators the same way here as it does in the US.

But that does not mean that the Apple SIM programme cannot become successful in India.

Nano sim was exclusive to iPhone 5 two years ago, but it is now used by Android phone makers like Samsung, Motorola, Sony, Nokia, HTC, Asus etc too, along with Apple. If such big OEMs also start using a proprietary sim card like Apple SIM, telecom operators across the world, including in India, will eventually accept this technology. Of course this will require some changes in the government regulations as well, but with manufacturers and telecom service providers on one side, such change can be expected — in a few years, if not any time soon.

In fact, Apple may not even be the one to bring about this change in the country. Considering that Android phone makers have a far larger share than Apple in India, it may be possible that these companies would be the ones to introduce this technology in the country and not Apple.

Nevertheless, such a situation would be beneficial to the end user. Consumers will be able to switch carriers at the tap of the button. They may even be able to switch operators for a short trip, both nationally and internationally (Apple's website says, "You can choose the plan that works best for you — with no long-term commitments. And when you travel, you may also be able to choose a data plan from a local carrier for the duration of your trip).

It is easy to write off such a change since changing phone numbers is not too difficult in a country like India as phones are not tied to a network. However, many people still go for Mobile Number Portability (MNP) even though buying a new sim card is a far easier process. In fact, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai)'s data for May 2014 says over 100 million people have opted for MNP since it was rolled out in January 2011.

So who's to say they won't go a more convenient Apple SIM-like technology that allows them to change operators quickly, without filling forms and waiting for several days?

Therefore, one should not be quick to write off Apple SIM: it is a technology that has the potential to change the way the telecom industry works. It's true that it may take a few years for it to be fully implemented in India, but it can happen and change the way we use phones.

Apple iPhone 6, 6 Plus go on sale in India

Apple has started selling its iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus smartphones in India.

It is the first time that Apple is making the iPhone available at midnight in India, in line with the practice it follows elsewhere.

Apple premium retailers and authorized dealers delivered phones to customers who had pre-ordered them by making partial payments. The company has reportedly 50,000 to 55,000 units of its new iPhones to India in the first phase to ensure there is adequate supplies for Thursday midnight's launch. It has received 21,000 pre-orders as of Tuesday.

The 16GB version of Apple iPhone 6 is available at Rs 53,500, while the 64GB version is priced at Rs 62,500. The 128GB version of the phone sells for Rs 71,500.

The 16GB version of Apple iPhone 6 Plus is available at Rs 62,500, while the 64GB version is priced at Rs 71,500. The 128GB version of the phone sells for Rs 80,500.

Apple iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are being sold by the company's distribution partners, namely Ingram Micro, Redington, Rashi Peripherals and Reliance.

The previous version of iPhone was launched in India for price starting at Rs 53,500 which was recently priced at around Rs 30,000 a unit on an e-commerce website.

Just to recap, the two iPhone models take Apple to the big-screen smartphone segment, sporting 4.7- and 5.5-inch screens respectively. The iPhone 6's 4.7-inch display sports a resolution of 1334x750p, while the iPhone 6 Plus' 5.5-inch display sports a resolution of 1920x1080p. iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are the thinnest ever Apple has ever made. iPhone 5S and 5 are 7.6mm thick, but iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are even thinner at 6.8mm and 7.1mm respectively.



Powered by the new A8 processor, iPhone 6 is up to 50% more energy efficient, so you can have higher sustained performance, claimed Apple. The 64-bit CPU architecture-based A8 processor is 20% faster in application processing and 50% faster in rendering graphics compared to its predecessor. It is able to sustain performance-intensive tasks like playing a game at higher frame rates.

The two iPhone 6 models sport an 8MP iSight camera that features phase detection. Despite no increase in camera resolution, iPhone 6 takes 43MP panorama photos.

18% thinner iPad Air 2 starts at Rs 35,900

Apple on Thursday unveiled two all-new tablets — iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3, with the former supposedly being the world's thinnest tablet.

In fact, iPad Air 2 is 18% thinner than its predecessor and measures just 6.1mm, a little more than Gionee's ultra-thin Elife S 5.5, the thinnest phone in the world. The screen size remains constant at 9.7-inch, but now boasts of anti-reflective laminated coating that reduces glare by over half. 

Weighing less than half a kilogram, iPad Air 2 features an improved Retina display for enhanced contrast. iPad Air 2 also has a Touch ID fingerprint sensor button, first introduced in iPhone 5S last year. 

iPad Air 2 with Wi-Fi models will be available for Rs 35,900 for the 16GB model, Rs 42,900 for the 64GB model and Rs 49,900 for the 128GB model. iPad Air 2 with Wi-Fi + Cellular models will be available for Rs 45,900 for the 16GB model, Rs 52,900 for the 64GB model and Rs 59,900 for the 128GB model.

Apple's iPad mini 3 with Wi-Fi models will be available for Rs 28,900 for the 16GB model, Rs 35,900 for the 64GB model and Rs 42,900 for the 128GB model. iPad mini 3 with Wi-Fi + Cellular models will be priced at Rs 38,900 for the 16GB model, Rs 45,900 for the 64GB model and Rs 52,900 for the 128GB model.

The price of older models - iPad mini 2 and iPad Air - too have been cut by Apple. 

Who wins in the Fight ;)

Apple's iPad event was all about the new iPad Air 2. In fact, iPad mini 3 — the new mini tablet by Apple — was apportioned just a couple of minutes in the presentation on Thursday. Apple merely announced that the new iPad mini 3 will have Touch ID fingerprint sensor and gold colour option — and for good reason, because otherwise it is the same as iPad mini 2. Exactly the same!

Both iPad mini 3 and iPad mini 2, which was earlier called iPad mini with Retina display, have a 7.9-inch screen with 2048x1536p resolution. According to Apple's website, iPad mini 3 doesn't have the anti-glare, laminated display as well, thus making its screen exactly the same as its predecessor's.

Apple hasn't even given iPad mini 3 a processor upgrade, so the new iPad mini and its predecessor run on the same 64-bit A7 processor and feature the same M7 motion coprocessor.

The iPhone maker does not disclose how much RAM it puts in its gadgets, but considering that the processor did not get updated, the RAM too is likely to remain the same at 1GB for both models.

Both tablets run on iOS 8 operating system. Both are 7.5mm thick. Both have the 5MP rear camera as well as 1.2MP front camera, with exactly the same software and image processing features. Connectivity suites of the two mini tablets are also the same.



So where's the real difference? It's in the price tag.

As can be expected, iPad mini 2 got a price cut last night with the launch of the new smaller iPad. The 16GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 2 now costs Rs 21,900; this model was launched at Rs 28,900 last year. iPad mini 2 also comes in three other variants — 32GB Wi-Fi, 16GB Wi-Fi + cellular, and 32GB Wi-Fi + cellular — but Apple's press statement did not disclose the price of these models.

Going by pricing patterns followed by Apple earlier, the remaining iPad mini 2 models will be priced approximately Rs 7,000 lesser than their launch price. Going with this assumption, iPad mini 2 (32GB) will cost Rs 28,900; the 16 and 32GB Wi-Fi + cellular models of iPad mini 2 should carry the price tags of Rs 30,900 and Rs 37,900, respectively.



Compared to this, iPad mini 3 16B Wi-Fi model's price tag of Rs 28,900 seems a little steep considering it only adds new colour option and fingerprint sensor. The addition of Touch ID fingerprint sensor is actually the only relevant option here as it offers convenience in not only unlocking the iPad, but also in buying stuff online.

Touch ID-based mobile payments at retail stores (powered by Apple Pay) will not come to India anytime soon as the iPhone maker would need to have tie-ups with banks as well as retail chains in the country, besides regulatory clearance. And there is no word of that happening at present.

With Touch ID, iPad mini 3 buyers will also be able to buy apps, books, movies, songs from App Store and iTunes Store by just swiping their thumb over the Home button.

Whether this convenience is worth an extra Rs 7,000 is a personal choice, but in a price-conscious market like India, this kind of money matters a lot.

Considering that iPad mini 2 is the same as iPad mini 3 sans the Touch ID sensor and gold colour but costs a lot less, it is easily better than the new mini tablet in Apple's portfolio.

iPad mini 2 is also a lot better than the first-generation iPad mini, which has a relatively low-resolution display and slower processor, but costs only about Rs 4,000 less across variants.
Compared to Android tablets too, iPad mini 2 seems like a much better choice. The 32GB Wi-Fi Google Nexus 7 can be purchased in India for approximately Rs 18,000. It runs on Android 4.4 (upgradeable to Android 5.0) and has 7-inch Full HD screen, thus giving it the same pixel density as iPad mini 3. It is a pretty good competitor on the hardware front and even beats the Apple when it comes to storage, but when it comes to the app ecosystem, iPad mini 2 is the winner.



Apple says its App Store has 675,000 apps custom-made for iPads, giving a smooth user experience that is designed only for its tablets. Android tablets, on the other hand, have always had to suffer apps that are just stretched versions of smartphone apps, thus hampering the user experience (at least in some apps).

Another popular Android tablet in this segment is Samsung Galaxy Tab4 7.0, which has a lower-resolution screen compared to iPad mini 2, but offers expandable storage (up to 64GB) and Wi-Fi + 3G at Rs 18,000. However, it does not compare to iPad mini 2 when it comes to the hardware as well as ecosystem.

And that makes iPad mini 2 at Rs 21,900 a much better buy than any other tablet in the market right now.

Apple IPad Air 2: Six New Features

1. Thinner Body

Apple has shaved a few milimetres off the original iPad Air's thickness and achieved an 18% thinner body for iPad Air 2. The model is just 6.1mm thick and weighs 437grams, making it the sleekest tablet in the market right now.

2. Laminated, Anti-Glare Screen

Though its screen size and resolution remain the same as that of its predecessor, iPad Air 2 one major upgrade is in the display department. The screen is thinner this time around as Apple has fused three layers (touch sensor, LCD panel and cover glass) into one fully-laminated layer, which results in vibrant colours and greater contrast.Apple has also added an anti-glare coating on the screen of iPad Air 2 and claims that it reduces glare by 56%, thus making it the least reflective tablet in the world.

3. 40% Faster Processor

Apple says that iPad Air 2's A8X processor, which is based on 64-bit chipset architecture, delivers better performance than its predecessor without sacrificing the battery life. The chip processes applications 40% faster and renders graphics 2.5 times faster, but still ensures average battery life of 10 hours.

4. Touch ID Fingerprint Sensor

Touch ID fingerprint sensor, which was restricted to iPhones so far, finally makes its way to Apple's tablet lineup with iPad Air 2. It can be used to not only unlock the tablet, but also to authorize passwords within apps and purchase/download content via iTunes, iBooks and App Store. As it works with the new Apple Pay technology, it can be used to make online payments via a swipe of the finger.

5. 8MP Camera

iPad Air 3 is the only tablet in Apple's portfolio to sport an 8MP rear camera. The camera can record 1080p, time-lapse and slow-motion videos, capture 43MP panorama photos and, finally, also offer Burst mode.The front camera of iPad Air 2 has a larger aperture compared to its predecessor at f/2.2, thus letting in 81% more light for better video calls even under low-light conditions.

6. Gold Colour Option

For the first time, Apple is providing the gold colour option in an iPad. Just like iPhone 5S, 6 and 6 Plus, the iPad Air 2 has a pale gold hue. Other colour options for iPad Air 3 are silver and space gray.

Apple's Continuity, Handoff break barriers between Mac, iPhone, iPad

​CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA: If you've upgraded your iPhone or iPad to iOS 8, the new software update for Mac computers will seem familiar.

The Yosemite update to Apple's OS X system, available as a free download, adds several features to bring the Mac in line with last month's iOS 8 update for mobile devices. There's also new functionality to make Macs act more like iPhones. 

Yosemite still has plenty of touches that make a Mac a Mac. But it continues a trend of breaking down barriers between the various devices as people depend more on smartphones and tablets for their everyday computing through its Continuity and Handoff features. 


Seamless
Let's say you're writing a lengthy email on your iPad and would prefer the Mac's keyboard. You can just click an icon on the lower left corner of the Mac and continue there. What you've already started on the iPad automatically appears on the Mac, including the "Sent from my iPad" footer.

It works with several other apps, too. The Safari web browser opens to the specific page being viewed on the other device. The Maps app launches to the location you were viewing. This feature came in handy as I was chatting with a friend through Messages and got tired of pecking on the iPhone's small keyboard.

You can also start tasks on a Mac and continue on an iPhone or iPad.

Hello!
Mac computers already come with a FaceTime app for video conferencing, but that's limited to calling other FaceTime users. With Yosemite, you can make voice calls to anyone. Yosemite connects wirelessly to your iPhone to make and receive calls. The recipient sees Mac calls as coming from the iPhone's number.

You don't get video, and there's a slight lag with audio. In my tests, call quality was comparable to what you'd get over a speakerphone. It won't replicate a landline, but it's useful when your phone is charging in another room. The phone and the Mac must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

With the iOS 8.1 update coming Monday, you'll be able to send regular texts from the Mac, too. Currently, you're limited to reaching other Apple users through iMessage chats.

Universal search
The Mac's Spotlight feature already is good about finding various documents on your computer, no matter where you stored them. Yosemite goes further by pulling related items from the web as well, similar to a feature Microsoft introduced last year with Windows 8.1.

A search for "Lady Gaga" got me not just an email receipt for an album I bought, but also her Wikipedia entry, Twitter account and other albums I can buy on iTunes. A search for "Empire State Building" delivered news and map results. I can get directions with just one click.

Simpler browsing
Web browsers have gotten more powerful over the years, but added functionality also leads to complexity. The Safari browser that comes with Yosemite simplifies all that by consolidating many basic functions into a single box.

While most browsers now combine the box for web addresses and search, Safari moves bookmarks and frequently visited sites there, too. A menu pops out when you click there, with choices that sync with those on your iPhone and other devices. And as you type in search terms, you also get Spotlight's web suggestions. 
What's happening
On iOS devices, you can swipe down from the top to get nuggets to help you through the day — calendar appointments, weather conditions, stock quotes and more. Now, you can do that on the Mac as well by pulling out the Today panel from the right. 

Preferences sync with your mobile devices, though content will vary. For instance, I noticed the iPhone gave me weather for the current location, while Yosemite offered me additional choices based on past settings. I'm also able to add tools such as a calculator to the Today panel, so I no longer have to dig for it in the recesses of the Mac's Dashboard. 
More versatile storage
Apple's iCloud online storage service has been mostly useful for sharing and syncing music, photos and other documents among Apple apps on various Apple devices. With iCloud Drive, you can do that with non-Apple apps and Windows computers, too. Just move files to a special Mac folder for syncing. It's similar to what Dropbox and other storage services offer.

For iOS 8 mobile devices, though, developers need to tweak individual apps to take advantage of it. That's just starting to happen. Android devices aren't supported at all.

A related feature lets you send large attachments through the Mac's Mail app without clogging your recipient's inbox. Attachments get uploaded to iCloud, without counting against your storage quota. Your email then includes a link instead of the massive file. I was able to open a 27-second video clip of kangaroos on Windows, but not Android. 
Time to upgrade?
Yosemite works with all Macs introduced since 2009 and some older ones, too.
If you use a lot of obscure or specialty software, you might want to check first to make sure it's compatible with Yosemite. If you mostly use Apple software and services, you're not likely to encounter problems because Apple tested Yosemite with Apple users more extensively than before.

Apple strategy continued in India

                      Apple's first midnight launch saw buyers queueing up from Thursday night at stores that stayed specially open to allow those who pre-ordered the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus to be the first to get them. The company has been seeking to remedy its former neglect of India as a market for smartphones, currently dominated by Samsung and others, by stepping up its sales efforts, including exchange offers, installment plans and now midnight sales.

People who pre-ordered the devices and many who didn't lined up at stores across the big Indian cities. "I came in early, so I got a chance to be among the first few," said 25-year-old Didar Singh, who picked up an iPhone 6 Plus from a reseller in an upmarket south Delhi locality, having reached the store at around 9.30 pm.

He was among about 250 people queuing up at four stores holding midnight iPhone sales at the market in Greater Kailash. On hand were bean bags, free energy drinks and a big TV screen on which a countdown started at 11.30 pm.

The launch is part of Apple's bid to drum up excitement about the new devices as it seeks to gain a stronger foothold in the Indian market and attempts to compete with rivals unveiling new devices. The India iPhone launch followed sales openings in the US and other markets on September 19. Thursday also saw the unveiling of upgraded iPads in the US by Apple while Google announced a new phone and tablet the previous day. Rival Samsung has recently launched the Samsung Galaxy Alpha and started selling the Note 4 on Friday.

In Gurgaon, a Starbucks outlet stayed open late to provide sustenance to those waiting for iPhone sales to start. There was a significant police presence as well, to keep the peace. The demand, more for the iPhone 6 than the 6 Plus, wasn't restricted to Delhi and Mumbai, with Kolkata and Chennai also seeing an unprecedented rush for the devices as Apple embarked on its biggest pan-India launch. India is a focus area for the Cupertino-based company as underlined by CEO Tim Cook's references to it in recent comments.

Enthusiasm for the devices was "surprisingly high in Kolkata," said Himanshu Chakrawarti, CEO of The Mobile Store, India's largest cellphone retail chain. "The first day and this weekend will be all about providing the new handsets to the pre-booked customers and we will start booking again from Saturday to ensure that customers can get it when fresh inventory arrives," said Chakrawarti.

Harirul Anam Khan, a third-year B Com student, was happy to buy the champagne gold iPhone 6 for Rs 53,500, although he had pre-registered for the space gray version, which was unlikely to be in stock anytime soon, he was told. "I use an iPhone 4S now, but couldn't resist upgrading to an iPhone 6," he said.

Just ahead of Diwali, there is concern that Apple may not be able to keep up with demand. The Apple India team has asked the parent to rush another 50,000-55,000 units by early next week, according to two senior executives close to Apple's trade team. "There is a strong indication that fresh stocks will hit by Monday evening so that Apple can make the maximum of Dhanteras and Diwali sales," said one of them. Some stores weren't that hopeful about an early replenishment of stocks.

A store manager in Kolkata said it had stopped taking any pre-orders until fresh supplies from distributors Ingram Micro and
Redington arrived to help with its immediate delivery commitment of some 60-80 units. "We are telling new customers who haven't pre-booked to expect fresh stocks only by November-end."