Information about operating systems: March 2014

Monday, March 31, 2014

Nokia Lumia 930, Windows Phone 8.1 details tipped in fresh leaks

Nokia last week may have nearly confirmed its Lumia 630 smartphone, with the emergence of leakedpromotional posters from China complete with specifications. A new bunch of leaks since then may have revealed details about the Lumia 930, the upcoming features of Windows Phone 8.1, and Nokia's version of the OS update for Lumia smartphones.

Previous rumours hinted both Microsoft and Nokia will together launch the Lumia 630 (also known as Moneypenny) and Lumia 930 (Martini) handsets running Windows Phone 8.1 at the 2 April event during the Microsoft Build Developer Conference, with the devices being leaked multiple times in the past few months.

Hacker To Release A Dual-Boot Tool For iOS 6, iOS 7

Hacker @winocm has confirmed that he’ll be releasing a dual-boot tool for iOS, allowing iPhone and iPad owners to switch between iOS 6 and iOS 7 on their iOS device. The news comes after the iOS hacker demoed a triple-boot utility running on a jailbroken iPad 2.

The software was shown off in a YouTube video published last week, and in case you missed it, we’ve embedded the video below. At the time, we explained that @winocm had managed to triple-boot an iPad 2 between iOS 5, iOS 6, and iOS 7, but proposed that the complexity of the software –combined with the fact that @winocm is set to join Apple as an employee later this year – meant the tool likely wouldn’t launch publicly.

iOS 7.1 Review: Three Weeks Later (Performance & More)

Three weeks ago, Apple released iOS 7.1, its biggest update to iPhone and iPad since the release of the iOS 7 update back in September. Over the past three weeks, we’ve extensively used Apple’s new update and we’ve also seen new details crop up including iOS 7.1 problems that are plaguing iPhone and iPad users.

iOS 7.1 release date rumors all pointed to an arrival in March. Right on cue, Apple released the iOS 7.1 update for iPhone and iPad, an update that had been in the beta process since November.

How to improve battery life on iOS 7.1

If you've upgraded to iOS 7, you might be experiencing reduced battery life. According to multiple posts across the Web, including Apple's own tech support forum, battery life is impacted to different extents for different people. For those who are struggling to make it through a day on a single charge, here are a few tips:

Turn off all non-essentials

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are the most obvious candidates when it comes to battery depletion. If you aren't turning them off altogether when not needed, make sure your iPhone or iPad isn't unnecessarily connecting to Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth accessories by deleting them from the lists of previously paired devices.

Turning off cellular data would mean that you won't receive email notifications, Whatsapp messages or any other app alerts, but it will also vastly improve your battery life expectancy. To do this, go toSettings > Cellular and move the Cellular Data slider to the left, switching it off.

For a less drastic approach, you can decide which individual apps are allowed to send and receive data when your phone is idle. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh to selectively choose which apps are allowed to refresh themselves using your Internet connections.

Apple's mobile OS also uses background data transfers for things like syncing iTunes purchases, iCloud backups, and Photo Stream. Turn these off if you don't need them - of course iCloud is pretty handy, so don't kill this unless you really need to.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

This Little-Known iOS Feature Will Change the Way We Connect

A new iOS app called FireChat is blowing up in the App Store. But it’s not the app itself that’s causing such a stir, it’s the underlying networking technology it taps into.

The idea behind FireChat is simple. It’s a chatting app. After registering with a name — no email address or other personal identifiers required — you’re dropped into a fast-moving chatroom of “Everyone” using it in your country. The interesting aspect, however, is the “Nearby” option. Here, the app uses Apple’s Multipeer Connectivity framework, essentially a peer-to-peer feature that lets you share messages (and soon photos) with other app users nearby, regardless of whether you have an actual Wi-Fi or cellular connection.

iOS 7 Jailbreak & Cydia Tweaks, News, Download, Features on iPhone 4s, 5, 5s, & 5c: Evad3rs Remain Silent; What The iOS 7.1 Update Means For Jailbreakers

Now that iOS 7 has been available for a half of a year, jailbreakers are at that in-between stage when the next operating system is probably just around the corner, but not released yet.

The speculation and discussion about iOS 8 has been intensifying as we continue to inch closer to the rumored summer release of the next operating system and the next iPhone. But in the meantime, the iOS 7 jailbreak has reached a snag with the latest iOS 7.1 update. This has led to a wide variety of different reports: First Evad3rs warned that iOS 7.1 should be avoided by jailbreakers and then we suddenly were presented with a video from Winocm, a programmer who had claimed to jailbreak iOS 7.1 but only on the rather outdated Apple iPhone 4.

Microsoft Office, Now On iOS, Highlights A Powerful Lesson For Incumbents

Editor’s Note: Semil Shah works on product for Swell, is a TechCrunch columnist, and an investor at Haystack. He blogs at Haywire, and you can follow him on Twitter at @semil.

Finally, Microsoft’s flagship Office suite (Excel, PPT, Word) is available on one of its key rival’s mobile operating systems: Apple’s iOS. Nearly seven years after Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone, Microsoft has finally built native products for Apple’s iOS to extend its popular, high revenue-generating Office suite to another platform. It begs the question: Why so long? The easy, quick, and snarky answer is to suggest that Microsoft finally surrendered to the new mobile platform gods — but, that would be too easy. Perhaps, under new leadership, the powers that be at Microsoft conceded that, when it comes to mobile, the Windows platform and Surface lines, despite passionate attempts from within, wouldn’t hold a candle to the current leaders in the mobile platform wars.

2014 MacBook and Pro Air Release Soon as 12-inch Macbook Launches: Killer Features to Expect

Apple has only one line of non-Retina MacBook Pro left. Likewise, the same version is the only line left featuring the built-in optical disc drive. With the design seemingly getting left behind and new demands arise, it appears Apple will be opting for another model and laptop line. Whereas the MacBook Air will reportedly receive a 12-inch treatment, analysts think it suggests the same for the MacBook Pro line. What has Apple in store?

According to a report by DigiTimes, it is likely for Apple to kill its non-Retina MacBook Pro line if recent predictions and leaks were to be belived. Apple has not made an announcement yet but there are enough reports to rouse the interest of the market.

The report noted that there are no expected dates or release for the rumored model. It becomes more convincing as leaks note Apple ramping up production. Tech Times also reported about a leak in a Chinese forum supporting the idea.

GroupMe and Foursquare for Windows Phone 8 receive new improvements in latest update

If you happen to be a user of the GroupMe app or Foursquare app for Windows Phone 8, there are new updates awaiting your attention in the Windows Phone Store. Both updates are minor and add improvements along with bug fixes.

GroupMe is a Microsoft app that give users the ability to communicate with their friends and family, create groups to interact with each other, co-ordinate with your colleagues and much more. Recently, the app got bumped to version 4.7.3.0 and adds improvements to push notifications and unread counts.

"GroupMe is the best way to chat with everyone you know. It's absolutely free, whether you're talking to a group of friends, or texting with one person. Best of all, it works on nearly every phone, via push or SMS. With GroupMe, it's easy to reach anyone, anytime, anywhere. On GroupMe, you can catch up with your family, get a group together for a night out, coordinate with co-workers, or just gossip with a few of your closest friends. Think about it like your own private social network, just for the people you really know. Or like a faster, better reply-all email," the app description reads.

Weekend App: Handy Photo Free is a capable iOS image editor with a couple of unique features

Ah, another iOS image editor review. There are so many available in the App Store, with lots of overlapping functions. Cropping, filters, frames ... one could get lost.

Handy Photo Free has all these features, but it's the unique features that make it worthy of note. First and foremost, the Move Me technology designed into the app gives it an edge on competing photo editors. Take a person or an object and move it elsewhere in the photo frame, and the background fills itself in automatically. Filters can be applied to all or just parts of an image, and there is smart retouching.

Apple iPhone 6 Release Date Soon as iOS 8 Comes: Top Features to Expect

Apple will reportedly release its iPhone 6 in September. Recent information suggests that around the same time, the tech giant will also introduce the iOS 8. While the two major releases will not happen in a few months, there are already several predictions and expectations about the next Apple operating system. What will the iPhone 6 be like running on iOS 8? What will iOS 8 offer on the table?

According to 9to5 Mac, the eight generation of Apple's mobile operating system will not pack as much design changes but it will offer a range of new and improved functions. Some of the reported specs according to the Paste Magazine include:

Mass Transit-Friendly Apple Maps - Apple ran into a slump when it decided to go native with navigation. The iOS 6 became a major fiasco. Since then the company has been working on transforming its Apple Maps reputation once more. According to recent reports, the iOS 8 may feature mass transit directions from well known public transportation programs like Embark, HopStop and BroadMap.
Read more...

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Leak demos Nokia Lumia 630 running Windows Phone 8.1

Following previously leaked images of the Nokia Lumia 630, a hands-on video has now cropped up online ahead of the rumoured launch at Microsoft Build next week.

The video, courtesy of Coolxap, shows the improved Windows Phone UI as well as the new Action Centre notifications panel and its five megapixel camera interface.

The Nokia Lumia 630 is said to be packing a 4.5-inch 854 x 480 screen display, a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor and 1GB RAM.

Although the hands-on video below looks at a black model, the Lumia 630 is expected to launch in a range of bright colours.

According to leaks, it will be the first Windows Phone with on screen buttons, rather than the physical ones found on most devices today.

Yes, You Can Downgrade From iOS 7.1 Beta Using iTunes

When Apple updates their operating system it throws the jailbreaking community into chaos temporarily. This is thanks to a large percentage of owners of handsets updating their iPhones and then finding that they cannot go back and the jailbreak doesn’t work anymore. Then they are left waiting for a jailbreak to arrive for their handset.

We have seen this happen with owners who updated to iOS 7.1 Beta and then found that the jailbreak they had wouldn’t work anymore. However if you have iTunes then you can go back. But take note, this only works for the Beta version, not the full update.

Owners are now able to downgrade to iOS 7.0.4 by way of firmware that can be downloaded from numerous websites. If you want to go ahead and downgrade your OS then check out the information below.

How to Have iOS Speak Text Back to You

In this short article I'll show you how to use Speak Text, a very handy feature where you can coerce that little person who lives in your iOS device to speak back text which appears on-screen. This is a system-wide iOS feature, which means that it’s supported by just about any app that has selectable text.

Why is this such an awesome feature? Because it’s not just an accessibility tool for those who are challenged by vision issues. For me, text-to-speech is highly useful, for example, when my eyes are tired after a long day at the computer or iPad screen. Often, when reading in very low light, or in total darkness, I tend to get eye strain, and even headaches, from the screen glare. And so, I engage the services of my motormouth marvel, close my eyes, lean back, and listen with a set of headphones plugged in.

The other major way I use the feature is as a tool for proof-reading my articles. I can catch faulty wording or awkward phrases which are most noticeable only when read back out-loud.

Windows Phone 8.1 notification centre, parallax effect leaked

NEW DELHI: Microsoft is set to announce Windows Phone 8.1, the first major update for the company's mobile platform, on April 2. However, upcoming features of the operating system have leaked online, courtesy two videos uploaded by Chinese website Coolxap.

The videos shows the all-new Action Center notification menu of Windows Phone 8.1; notification centre has remained one of the key missing features of the Windows Phone platform till now. Microsoft's Action Center menu can be accessed by a downward swipe from the top, the same way it works in Android. The leaked video shows toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Camera and brightness present in Action Center.

Read more...

Windows 9 Concept With More Familiar Look And Start Menu

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s Windows 9 is expected to be announced in April 2015. After a disastrous response to Windows 8, the software giant badly needs to make a strong comeback with Windows 9 as Google Inc’s Chrome OS is gaining momentum. So far, Microsoft has been tight-lipped about details of its upcoming PC operating system. But the company may spill the beans next month at its Build developers conference.

Expect a full-fledged Start menu with Windows 9

According to Softpedia, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is closely working with testers and users to improve the features of Windows 9. Reports suggest that the Redmond-based company will bring back the full-fledged Start menu with Windows 9. Based on recent rumors around the operating system, Lodmot has developed a concept design for the Windows 9 interface.

Evasi0n7 1.0.8 Released: How to Jailbreak iOS 7.0 - 7.0.6 Untethered with Fix for Build 11A466

Evasi0n7 1.0.8 brings bug-fix for iOS 7 build 11A466 not supported by evasi0n7 jailbreak

The Evad3rs have just released the highly anticipated evasi0n7 jailbreak fix for all devices running iOS 7.0 build 11A466. Apple has reportedly shipped several iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c units with this build that is apparently incompatible with the evasi0n7 jailbreak.

As iPhone Hacks reports, several iPhone 5s and 5c users have reportedly complained about receiving an error message: "this iOS version is not supported", when trying to jailbreak iOS 7 using evasi0n7 on their devices.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Windows Phone 8.1-running Lumia reportedly makes video debut

The Nokia Lumia 630 expected to be one of the first handsets to arrive packing the Windows Phone 8.1 software has reportedly made an unscheduled appearance in a hands on video.

Follow several purported still image leaks ahead of the rumoured launch during Microsoft Build next month, the Lumia 630 has apparently been captured courtesy ofCoolxap.

Unfortunately the video, looks like it was shot by J.J. Abrams being chased by the Cloverfield monster, but it still gives us our clearest indication yet of what we can expect from Microsoft's forthcoming OS bump.

If you can avoid motion sickness, the clip below shows the improved Windows Phone UI, the new Action Centre notifications screen and the revamped camera interface.

This Little-Known iOS Feature Will Change the Way We Connect

A new iOS app called FireChat is blowing up in the App Store. But it’s not the app itself that’s causing such a stir, it’s the underlying networking technology it taps into.

The idea behind FireChat is simple. It’s a chatting app. After registering with a name — no email address or other personal identifiers required — you’re dropped into a fast-moving chatroom of “Everyone” using it in your country. The interesting aspect, however, is the “Nearby” option. Here, the app uses Apple’s Multipeer Connectivity framework, essentially a peer-to-peer feature that lets you share messages (and soon photos) with other app users nearby, regardless of whether you have an actual Wi-Fi or cellular connection.

You read that correctly. You’re able to send and receive messages even when you don’t have a data connection. FireChat accomplishes this magic by allowing each device to connect directly to others nearby using Bluetooth, peer-to-peer Wi-Fi, or traditional Wi-Fi networks. Because you’re connecting directly with other users, you don’t actually need to be connected over Wi-Fi or a cellular network.

Needless to say, this is a big deal. Engineer Mattt Thompson notes that Apple’s Multipeer Connectivity APIs “allow developers to completely reimagine how mobile apps are built, and to redefine what is possible.” The technology can be used for everything from “collaborative editing and file sharing, to multiplayer gaming and sensor aggregation.”

iPad 3 iOS 7.1 Review: Performance & Advice (Video)

The iOS 7.1 iPad 3 performance is improved over iOS 7 thanks to optimizations from Apple. After spending two weeks using the older iPad with the iOS 7.1 update this is a clear win for users.

I installed the iOS 7.1 update on the iPad 3right after Apple released it in early Marchand worked in more time to use the older iPad to see how it performs with iOS 7.1, compared to the iPad Air I use on a more regular basis.

Apple’s iOS 7.1 update brings a collection of small visual changes to the iPad and several small new features that users with an iPhone and Siri users will appreciate. The biggest iOS 7.1 feature for iPad 3 owners is improved performance.

This iOS 7.1 review for the iPad 3 will focus on the performance of the older iPad using the new software and any problems the update may bring.

MacBook Air Retina Release Rumored for 2014

A MacBook Air Retina could arrive this year to finally bring the thin-and-light notebook’s screen up to par with the MacBook Pro Retina. The latest MacBook Air Retina rumor points to a release in 2014, lining up with multiple early reports of a new MacBook Air in 2014.

Last week a rumor pointed to a new MacBook Air release date coming soon, and a new MacBook Pro later this year. The previous report claimed Apple is working on a 12-inch MacBook that may be a new product completely or could be part of the MacBook Air line.

Companies that make parts for the Macbook Air tell DigiTimes that Apple plans to launch a new MacBook Air in the second half of 2014. This could boost the overall shipments of MacBook models in 2014. The report specifically calls out a new MacBook Air Retina writing, “Apple will reportedly launch a MacBook Air with Retina display, the makers said.”

iOS 7.1 has been jailbroken on iPhone 4s

iOS 7.1 was recently released which was great news for most iDevice owners. However, for the jailbreak community, iOS 7.1 was not so welcome as it soon became apparent that the new firmware had patched Evasi0n exploit used to jailbreak iOS 7 had been patched. Well known jailbreak expert iH8sn0w has now revealed that he has managed to jailbreak iOS 7.1 on his iPhone 4s (with its A5 chip).

In response to a follower on Twitter, iH8sn0w stated that his iPhone 4s “is jailbroken on 7.1″ but was quick to reiterate that his work was not available to the public in subsequent tweets.

Facebook Messenger 4.0 app for iOS brings group chat, forwarding

Facebook has started rolling out an update to its Messenger app for iOS. The update takes Facebook Messenger to version 4.0, with changes focused primarily on group chat options along with some message forwarding tweaks for the user's ease.

With Facebook Messenger 4.0 for iOS, users can now create groups for those friends they interact the most with. Groups such as roommates, family, colleagues, college and others can be created by users, renamed, and allotted an image. Users can simply tap on groups under 'contacts' section in the messenger app to create a group. For group chat options, all the contacts will have to be using the Facebook Messenger service.

This group messaging feature has been in several messaging services, including WhatsApp - the company Facebook has announced it is acquiring. The updated Facebook Messenger for iOS app is compatible with devices running iOS 6.0 or higher.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Windows Phone innovations show promise

NEW YORK -- In the market for smartphones, Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 system is barely there. It's dwarfed by Apple's iOS and Google's Android systems in both attention and sales.

But over the past few months, I have come to appreciate many of the software's innovations, which rivals would be wise to consider. More features are coming through an update that Microsoft is expected to showcase at its Build conference in San Francisco next week.

By no means is Windows Phone 8 perfect. Despite the "8'' in the name, it is actually a second-generation system with room to grow. Although its app store is getting bigger, there are still annoying gaps, including the lack of apps for my bank and for a wine-recommendation service called Vivino. I'll expand on the shortcomings later.

First, I'll point out that Windows Phone 8 is not the same as Windows 8, the operating system for tablets, laptops and desktops. Although the two share design elements, apps for one won't work on the other. But both emphasize touch-screen controls, making Windows 8 awkward on traditional computers with keyboard and mouse controls, at least before some promised improvements that Microsoft may also elaborate on next week. Even on touch-screen computers, it feels disruptive having to reach your arm out to move a cursor.

Leaked Windows Phone 8.1 images show new Windows Phone Store app

Amidst the endless number of leaks surrounding the Windows Phone 8.1 update, including several videos and images, it has been noted that the latest version of Microsoft's mobile operating system might offer speedy access to hot and trending apps in the Windows App Market.

According to the latest leak, the Windows Phone Store app in the Windows Phone 8.1 OS is seen with some noticeable changes, with several new sections.

The 'Quick Links' section in the Windows Phone Store app is said to include new tiles for New+Rising Apps, New+Rising Games, Top Free Apps, Top Free Games, Featured Apps, Featured Games, Top Paid Apps and Top Paid Games.

The 'My Apps' section, as shown in the leaked images, will let users see what apps they have installed and what apps require updates. Users will also be able to select the apps based on the categories for games, entertainment, lifestyle and more, as per WP Central. Furthermore, the latest Windows Phone 8.1 OS would let users follow active download via a dedicated status bar and get better suggestions of apps depending on the user's location.

Tired of stock apps on your iPhone? This iOS 7.1 glitch can help you with that

If Apple’s stock apps just aren’t cutting it for you anymore, here’s a solution that can give you the illusion of control over your own device. It still doesn’t get rid of the apps — only a miracle or an anti-trust lawsuit could provide you relief for that — but it does hide stock apps so they don’t take up real estate on your phone’s home screen.

The glitch, spotted by iDeviceHelpus, requires a bit of timing so watch the embedded video below before making an attempt. To do this, you will need a full page on your home screen; this means that you must have a full grid of icons and a full dock (the dock can have a many as four icons on the iPhone). If executed perfectly, the glitch would allow you to do things that are usually not possible on the iOS 7 Springboard, such as putting folders inside folders and making folders completely disappear.

5 Rumors About iOS 8 That We Hope Are True

It may not be coming to your devices until September, but Apple’s 8th operating system version is already being talked about. We saw a huge change aesthetically and several functional differences (like photo organization) in iOS 7, so iOS 8 isn’t expected to pack too many changes as looks go, according to sources close to Apple.

The new software will likely introduce some polished iterations of what we’re already used to (like better Siri!), as well as some more prominent modifications that are being reported.

Here are just five of those tweak rumors we hope turn out to be true:

Windows Phone 8.1 leaks continue with details, images of new Store

Thanks to various image and video leaks, we've gotten an early look at several of the new features coming with Windows Phone 8.1, including the Action Center notification panel and Cortana, the personal assistant. One part of the update that has managed to elude the leaky spotlight is the new Windows Phone Store, but that's changing today thanks to a report that contains images and details of Microsoft's updated mobile app store.

According to WPCentral, the first panel that users will see in the refreshed Windows Phone Store is "Featured," which will be capable of displaying several apps at once. There will also allegedly be a "Quick Links" section that'll be split up into featured apps and games as well as top paid and free apps, as well as a "Personalized" section for apps that Microsoft thinks that you'd enjoy based on your download history. Heck, Microsoft is even sweating the small details, going so far as to capitalize the word "Store" in the update.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Flashback for iOS rewinds your still photos into HD movies

You want to meld both photos and videos together into an exciting montage that signifies the essence of a memorable event—a wedding, a birthday, or just a nice day at the beach. Flashback, an iOS app that automatically shoots stills and HD video simultaneously, lets you combine those elements into a finished movie.

Developer Bramber demoed Flashback 2, an updated version of its recently released iOS app, at Macworld/iWorld. The new version, which got a design overhaul as well as the ability to import existing photos into the app, is expected to appear on the app store shortly.

You launch the app, and then, as you snap a photo, it saves the previous five seconds of video leading up to the shot, adding context and letting you elaborate on the scene. You can select up to 50 videos to include in a flashback movie.

iH8Sn0w Confirms Jailbreak of iOS 7.1 on iPhone 4S

Following the demonstration of an untethered iOS 7.1 jailbreak for the iPhone 4, iH8Sn0w has confirmed the jailbreak of the iPhone 4S on iOS 7.1.

Winocm posted a video demonstrating the iOS 7.1 untethered jailbreak on his Verizon iPhone 4 about a week ago. At the time iH8Sn0w commented, "@winocm does this mean I have to bust out my camera and shoot an untethered 7.1 A5 boot? :P"

While we haven't spotted a video, iH8Sn0w confirmed that his iPhone 4S was jailbroken on iOS 7.1 today.

NGeary14: @iH8sn0w Can you jailbreak 7.1 iPhone 4 s or only 4 ??

Read more...

Nokia’s Lumia Icon is the best Windows Phone yet — but it’s strategically baffling

Once again, Nokia has crafted the finest Windows Phone experience on the market. And once again, its release strategy doesn’t make a lick of sense.

The Lumia Icon is powered by one of the fastest processors available, it has a gorgeous screen, and it even packs in Nokia’s amazing PureView camera technology. And yet it’s only available on Verizon ($200 with a two-year contract), which severely limits the phone’s potential audience — something both Nokia and Microsoft desperately need to grow.

But this isn’t anything new for Nokia: The previously-released, huge, 6-inch Lumia 1520, which packs in pretty much the same hardware as the Icon, is only available on AT&T. Same for the Lumia 1020, the only Windows Phone to include Nokia’s impressive 41-megapixel PureView camera. Time and again, Nokia has delivered solid phones and then allows them to be restricted by the confusing world of carrier exclusivity.

iOS 7.1 glitch allows stock apps to be hidden on the Home Screen

In what feels like an annual affair, somebody has once again found a glitch with the iOS Home Screen. The bug allows users to place folders inside folders on the iOS 7 Springboard, which is normally not possible. With a certain configuration of steps, the bug can also make apps disappear from the Home Screen entirely. For instance, you could hide some of the stock Apple apps (like Compass or Voice Memos) that normally can’t be removed.

The apps aren’t actually deleted from your iPhone or iPad; it’s merely a visual display glitch that hides them. This means the apps will return when you reboot your iOS device. The steps to hide some apps are below, but the video demo above by demonstrates how to do it more clearly.

Read more...

iOS 7.1 Review: UX Changes, New Features & Battery Saving Tips

Tipped to land in March, iOS 7.1 is now here and it brings with it quite a few changes and new additions to Apple’s jazzy new-look mobile platform. There are new Siri capabilities, CarPlay-support and a multitude of UX tweaks. We’ve been tinkering with it since it landed last night. Here’s some initial impressions.

Welcome To The Fastest iOS Yet

iOS 7.1 features a slew of changes. Some are visual, some are under the hood, and some are completely new features. But before I delve into all the little details the first thing I want to talk about is speed. Everything I do now in iOS 7.1, from unlocking the lock screen to launching apps to accessing Control Center to multitasking is probably 10-15% snappier than it was before.

iOS 7.1 also greatly improves the general performance of the iPhone 4, giving users at the bottom of Apple’s ecosystem at least another six-months or so out of their frankly ancient handsets. The big uplift in speed – or, at least, the feeling of speed – is to do with Apple slashing the duration of iOS’s animations. They’re now much shorter, less intrusive and look and feel much better; even on older hardware like the iPhone 4 and iPad 2.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Nokia Lumia Icon Windows Phone 8 smartphone review

I enjoyed reviewing the Nokia Lumia 2520 Windows 8.1 RT tablet a few weeks ago and since it’s been over a year, I thought it was time that I reviewed another Windows Phone device as well. Verizon offered to send me the Nokia Lumia Icon (aka Lumia 929), which is available exclusively from them. I swapped SIM cards with my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and have been using the Icon for the past week. Do I love it? Hate it? Let’s find out.

Note: Images can be clicked to view a larger size.

Hardware specs

Processor: 2.2 GHz quad core Snapdragon 800 processor
Operating System: Windows® Phone 8
Memory: 32GB on board memory + 2GB RAM
Network: LTE Band 13 & 4; CDMA 850/1900; WCDMA 850/900/ 1900/2100, GSM/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
Display: 5” Full HD 1920×1080 OLED display, 441ppi;
Camera (rear): 20 MP PureView Rear-Facing Camera & Camcorder with ZEISS Optics,
Camera (front): 1.2 MP
Wi-FI, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC
Headset: 3.5mm Audio Jack
Battery: 2420mAh (Non–Removable Battery)
Dimensions: 5.39” (H) x 2.79” (W) x 0.39” (D) inches
Weight: 5.86 oz

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