Gadgets

How to Get iOS 7 Beta With UDID Registration

2013-05-11T08:06:57Z

Written By: Patrick Coombe

Do you want to know how to get iOS 7 Beta with UDID registration? Using the iOS 7 operating system will help you quickly swipe, pinch, punch and even tap some of the applications you have on your iPhone. Every few months, we need to upgrade the system in order to match it up with our current technology. The IOS 7 has an interface control that handles everything when it comes to selecting tasks on your iPhone. Even some of the tasks include shaking your phone (the undo option) or zooming in by pressing your browser on an image. There are even more commands that the iOS 7 includes so be sure to upgrade every few months.

You can easily get iOS 7 Beta by following the guide below. Use these instructions and you'll have iOS 7 in no time for your iPhone, iPod, or iPad. You don't even need a developer account for this.

Please keep in mind that this method has not been tested so we will be discouraging iOS firmware piracy. You can always apply for a developer account if you would like to BETA test this. Remember that once you have upgraded to iOS 7, there there is no way to downgrade. It doesn't matter if you still have the SHSH blobs available. What most people don't realize is that once they upgrade, iOS 6 will expire so make sure you want to do this before. Remember that when you install, you may not be able to make calls during preview mode although this doesn't happen with iPod touch fans. Here is more information on iOS 7 Beta with UDID Registration below:

First, you will need to download the iOS 7 beta. The next step is installing it on your phone.
In order to install it, iTunes program will be required for this. You can get a free iTunes copy online but you probably already have it installed.
Once you have installed iTunes, you need to go to the activation screen and choose the home button.
Click this at least three times in order to activate your voice over option.
When you have triple clicked the home button, you'll see something called "Emergency call".
Now that emergency call is on, and when it is in the midst of switching, you need to swipe downwards.
You must do this using only 3 fingers and then you will see a notification center come up.
Choose the weather widget and click on it. Now you will start to see this application loading.
The only thing you need to do now is click on the home button. This will allow you to exit the springboard of your iPhone.
Now your iPhone/iPad/iTouch should be activated and it will operate with iOS 7.

Now this mobile operating system produced by Apple will be able to quickly handle all of your programs just like before, but even more conveniently. Upgrading to a new operating system is important when it comes to your iPhone or other mobile device. Do you remember when iOS first came out during 2007? It wasn't like other operating systems such as Microsoft Window Phone or Google Android. Also, Apple does not currently have license for iOS for installation. Did you know that there are currently over 700,000 iOS applications in the iPhone application store. Each month, it is still growing at a rapid rate with developers constantly putting out new technology.

As with any device or piece of technology, every year requires users to upgrade. How exactly do you think we went from using "The Eniac" (word's first computer) to the high powered Toshiba, Dell, or Acer laptops that we have today? The answer is simple really! Every year, they had upgraded their devices with something new. This could be a new feature, operating system, or even something they recently added. Of course, people need to test devices before it is released to the public. This is why we have BETA testers and even if it does have a few bugs, at least you'll be one of the first few people to use the device or program. It is truly a privilege to do this, as most people don't know how to become the very first users. This is why they have online tutorials, like the one we just gave you.

About the Author :

Patrick Coombe is a tech freak and has been blogging about technology for about 4 years now. He has interest in android particularly and has developed a few android applications in the past 2 years!

How to Root Your Android Device

2013-05-10T05:09:11Z

Written By: Patrick Coombe

You've probably heard of the term "root" or "rooting" within the Android community. If you are a new Android user, you probably don't know what this means. Before we get into any of the advantages of rooting, let's explain what rooting is.

Briefly, rooting is the action of acquiring access to your root directory. The root directory is actually located on the system of your Android device. So, similar to a computer - what you are doing here is granting yourself access to administration rights. SuperSU is a gateway which is between the core root directory and app. Now, you will have extended abilities which allow you to carry out certain actions on your Android. You can easily root your device with Andriod rooting software.

You used to be required to capture a screenshot in order to get access to your root directory. Now a days, you don't need to do this in order to get access. Nor do you have to tinker with the hotspot either. The reason why is because the Android system now has this as a part of the actual system. However, if you want to use certain features, you'll still need to your the device that you have. It's always a good idea to do this and if you aren't a person who is familiar with tech, you may need to follow a detailed manual to help you in the process.

In this article, we'll recommend the best Android rooting software to help you get started. Everyone loves Android although many do not root their device. Did you know that by rooting your Android device, you will have more opportunities to do other things on the phone. This could include speeding up the Android device or even creating a customized look for your phone. You could use different themes that are available. If you ever saw someone with a cool theme on their phone and wondering how they added it, they most likely had to root their device first.

Rooting basically means giving permission for something. In this case, you will be receiving permission to take certain actions in your phone where you weren't able to do this before. Think of it this way. You want to run a program in Windows but you aren't allowed access. The only way to get around this is to log on as the administer. This is the same when it comes to rooting. You can do the same with your phone by installing Andriod rooting Software too. Did you know that if you have a rooted phone, you can have more applications and even flash ROMs that are customized? Yes, this is very possible. Having these extra features will have you loving your phone a lot more than you did before..

A lot of times, people run into a rooting method online but the tutorial is outdated either because the phone was upgraded or have gone through some changes with Android. Some rooting methods may be available for one or more phones but you need to know that not every method for rooting will work. This is why people need to test how to do this.

One of the best options for rooting your phone is using OneClickRoot. Before you go any further though, you need to know exactly what type of phone you have. You could have a 2.3 Android version or either a 4.2. It really depends on the person so look up your version first. If you don't know how to, you can find it in the settings of your phone or check the box it came with. OneClickRoot is used as an exploit to get the root access to the device you have.

How to Root your phone with Andriod rooting Software

First you will need to get OneClickRoot.
Check what type of device version you have.
OneClickRoot can support either 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.0, 4.1, or 4.2 Android versions. Even new Android models can be used for OneClickRoot. This means Samsung Galaxy S2 or S3 would be okay.
You can also use S3 Note or Note2 if you want. One of the most amazing features of OneClickRoot is that it can remove the main root from your phone just by clicking on it.OneClick-Root is an easy to use solution for rooting your Android device, the software contains multiple exploits to gain root access on your device.
It's actually powered from the OneClickRoot Server so it will be perfectly safe to begin with rooting your phone.

Now that you know how to root your phone by using convenient Andriod Rooting Software, it is important that you give it a try. There are some applications that won't let you access certain features. By rooting, you can even lengthen the battery life by up to two hours. Also, you'll be able to make the phone a lot faster than it really is, even if you have too much stuff on it. Having the power of super-permission can really help your phone. You won't be stuck somewhere with your battery dead and no longer will you only install one application at a time because it freezes your phone. This will take all of that away and give you a convenient phone.

About the Author: Patrick Coombe is a tech freak and has been blogging about technology for about 4 years now. He has interest in android particularly and has developed a few android applications in the past 2 years!

World's First 55-Inch Curved OLED TV From LG, Arrives

2013-04-29T10:12:50Z

Two weeks back LG's announced that it will launch a curved OLED TV "later this year.” But the first such 55-inch device is here already, available for pre-order in South Korea.

The 55EA9800, as it's called, offers what LG calls an "IMAX-like" experience of the home, with the entire screen surface being equidistant and the edges curved towards the viewer. The pic sure looks good as you can see above.

The TV is 4.3 millimeters (0.17 inches) thin and weighs 17 kilograms (37.48 pounds). The LG's WRGB and Color Refiner technologies would deliver great color and vibrant, natural images.

LG first unveiled the curved TV at CES in January,

The LG 55EA9800 will be first available in South Korea at 1,400 LG retail stores, The pre-orders for the TV will start on April 29th, with the first deliveries beginning sometime in June for the price of 15 million Korean Won ($13,500).

The device's availability and pricing in other markets will be announced "in the months ahead,” according to the Company’s press release.

Tablets: More Than a Gadget

2013-04-18T10:29:37Z

Written By: Darren Douglas

It’s hard to argue that tablets have not taken their toll on PC sales. But will that rising toll become a death bell toll for the beloved desktop PC? According to some industry watchers, funeral organizers might be warming up a dirge.

In a recent PC World article, market research from IDG shows that global tablet sales rose 78.4 percent in 2012, compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, sales for desktops dropped 4.1 percent and laptops/portable PCs dropped 3.4 percent. From 2012 to 2017, tablet shipments are expected to increase from 128.3 million to 352.3 million. An article on RCR Wireless quotes IDC as revising its 2013 sales estimate to 190.9 million, up from a previous forecast of 172.4 million. What’s causing the sales surge? Tablet reviews and research studies point to how tablets have evolved, prices have dropped and usage has broadened.

The Evolution From Toy to Tool

In 2010, a Resolve Market Research study showed that 55 percent of people regarded the iPad as “an expensive toy.” Back then, usage was primarily relegated to entertainment and e-reading. In less than three years, that’s changed.

In late 2011, 18 months after iPad's introduction, a study from Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism showed that 77 percent of tablet owners used their devices every day. The study identified usage as:

• 56 percent email

• 53 percent news

• 39 percent social media

• 30 percent gaming

• 17 percent reading books

• 13 percent watching TV and videos

Image via Flickr, by Johan Larsson

Tablets had also made solid inroads at colleges by late 2011. A survey by the Pearson Foundation showed that 73 percent of students who owned tablets preferred digital textbooks to print; 70 percent said tablets made learning more fun; and 69 percent believed tablets would transform the way college students learn.

In 2013, the next big thing for tablets appears to be enterprises. An article on Tab Times quotes investment bank and asset management firm Piper Jaffray saying that 15 percent of chief information officers (CIOs) plan broad deployments of tablets this year, which is a four-fold increase over last year.

The RCR Wireless article cites an AT&T technology poll indicating that larger small businesses (those with 51 to 99 employees) are already keen on tablets. Fully 90 percent use them, compared to 69 percent of smaller businesses.

All Work and No Play Makes for a Dull Tablet

Even as many tablet manufacturers are now targeting businesses, a tablet synonymous with business has dialed up the fun factor. BlackBerry, whose products have long been favored by the business world, developed its BlackBerry PlayBook to embrace a lighter side. Tablet reviews indicate that the PlayBook has BlackBerry’s business-minded stability, security and encryption, but it also focuses on gaming and video performance. As part of this, BlackBerry created an Android app player and actively encouraged developers to port apps to the PlayBook. The move paid off for some developers. Cubifice said its game received 25 times more downloads from the BlackBerry App World store than Google’s Play Store.

Image via Flickr, by BenLucier

TV, Movies...and the Kitchen Sink

As tablet usage evolves, so do the locations people are using the devices. An article on Business Insider summarized Motorola Mobility's Media Engagement Barometer, an independent study that explores content trends in 17 countries. The study showed that more people watch TV in the bedroom on their tablets than on a traditional TV, with 41 percent consuming TV this way compared to 36 percent. Tablet owners also watch more movies each week, averaging 6.7 hours compared to 5.5 of non-tablet owners. And 10 percent of tablet owners use them in the kitchen.

PC: “I'm Not Dead Yet”

The proliferation of tablets and their expanded usage doesn't quite spell the end of PCs. In the PC Magazine article, IDC predicts that in 2017 there will be 350 million PCs shipped worldwide. That's only 30 million more than 2012's total, but it's still a steady presence. Will tablets rule the world by then? Tablet reviews and usage studies have yet to nail the future, so stay tuned—on your tablet or PC.

About the Author: Darren is a professional writer who has a keen interest in providing material on a variety of topics, including technology and gadgets.

Fujitsu's Technology Turns Paper Into a Touchscreen

2013-04-16T15:40:37Z

You’ve felt the touch on a computer, smartphone and tablet screens but don’t you wish you could treat paper as a touchscreen.

Fujitsu has created a technology that detects objects your finger is touching in the real world, effectively turning any surface — a piece of paper, for example — into a touchscreen, DigInfo reports.

"This system doesn't use any special hardware; it consists of just a device like an ordinary webcam, plus a commercial projector. Its capabilities are achieved by image processing technology," explains Taichi Murase, a researcher at Fujitsu's Media Service System Lab.

With this technology, information can be imported from a paper as data, by selecting the necessary parts with your finger. In the video presentation (below), you see how one can manipulate data on a piece of paper: you can copy an image or a text excerpt and store it into memory just by using finger gestures.

Besides flat surfaces, the technology also works on curved ones, so one can easily manipulate data from a book. This system also allows controlling color and brightness.

The technology is still at the "demonstration level," but the researchers at Fujitsu plan to introduce a commercial version of the system by fiscal 2014.

3 Innovative Ways to Use Technology on Your Next Camping Adventure

2013-03-19T05:21:04Z

Technology means you don’t have to go to far away places to enjoy the great outdoors, and you can have fun even when you camp in the middle of nowhere. Use these battery or man-powered devices to brighten up an evening, stay out of the rain, or enjoy restaurant-quality food.

1. A Smarter Lantern

Image via Flickr by atonal

Sometimes you don’t want to mess with propane or with the incredibly fragile mantles that traditional lanterns use. Instead, try one of these alternatives:

Hand-crank lantern. Coleman offers this handy no-fuel-needed device for light around the picnic table or at a campfire. Simply crank for one minute to get fifteen minutes of light. That’s not all this handy lantern does, either. It will also charge your phone and play the FM radio.

LED hanging lantern and fan. This battery-powered lantern has 18 LED light bulbs, offering an almost blinding supply of light for about 40 hours. It also includes a fan that can either hang from the tent and work with the light or that can be positioned to sit on the floor or table. The fan will work for an additional 15 hours. It’s the perfect light supply to hang on your tent ceiling.

2. Electricity in Case of Rain

Image via Flickr by barron

In the event of wet weather, it is always good to have a plan B for entertainment. In comes the battery-powered tent and its many accessories:

Battery-powered tent. Lined with a 12-volt system, this Eureka tent offers all the comforts of home. Plug in your computer, blow-dry your hair, or put on the kid’s favorite DVD—you’ve got everything you need. The tent is large enough to house ten people, so you’ll have plenty of room for clothes, sleeping bags, and all the electronics you perhaps should have left at home but didn’t.

Handheld entertainment. As long as you have signal and a subscription with companies such as direct2tv.com, you can enjoy movies, TV shows, and streamed games and events. So don’t get discouraged by the rain. Direct TV has got you covered.

3. Gadgets for the Making Food

Image via Flickr by Lennybaker

You’ve got your propane gas stove and your cast iron skillet, but you still miss some of the simplicities of the modern kitchen, like running water and kitchen electrics. Try these camping inventions:

Hand crank blender. When you really need a margarita or fruit smoothie, grab onto this awesome GSI man-powered blender. A few minutes of cranking will get you several servings of any slushy drink you like. It also comes with a table clamp to keep it sturdy when the crank is in use.

Gravity water filter. The Katadyn Base Camp Water Filter can turn 2.5 gallons of lake water into pure and clear water in just 15 minutes. The best part? You don’t have to work for the results. Gravity does all the work for you. Because it filters so much water so quickly, it is the best choice for family campers or group trips.

These are just a few of the newest technological advances that make camping more like staying at home. What gadgets or devices have transformed your camping experience?

About the Author

Shaun Chatman is a well published author on many authority sites. He lives in Dunedin, FL, and spends his free time playing with his kids or his collection of gadgets.

'I'm Here' GPS Tracker Helps You Find Your Child, Pet Or Luggage

2013-01-14T06:39:41Z

The CES show showcased several GPS trackers this year. One of the most appealing was I’m Here, a tracker developed by the same Italian company that created an Android smart watch called I’m Watch.

Launched during the company’s CES press conference, the pint-sized tracker is designed to help you keep track of everything from your suitcase to your kindergartener.

The tracker uses the same technology found in cell phones and is equipped with a SIM card . The device could be kept in a bag or tied to a shoe.

If, for example, you lose your bag, simply ping the device to find out where it is. The tracker's location is shown on a map in an accompanying app for the device.

It also lets you make an emergency call at the push of a button.

You can expect the device to be available sometime in May for $169 but after its initial purchase, you can locate the device 200 times for free. Each additional search after the first 200 will cost $0.05. The device can be used in any country for the same price.

Trakdot, I'm Here's competitor, specifically designed to track suitcases and bags, is expected to be available in March of this year for a suggested retail price of $49.95. Activating that device will cost an additional $8.99, plus an annual service fee of $12.99.

Physically Trakdot is a larger device compared to I'm Here which is both small and colorful, making it ideal for tracking kids or finding lost valuables such as a pet or house keys.

Nook Offered at Cheaper Rate Than Kindle

2012-12-11T06:46:52Z

Kindle enjoys a huge fan-base for the user experience it offers but this Christmas Nook might just outshine the Amazon e-reader in the price category.

Barnes & Noble has lowered the price of its Nook Simple Touch e-reader to $79 to compete against Amazon's entry-level e-reader.

The E-Ink e-reader, which previously cost $99, essentially the same hardware as the Kindle: Both devices have 6-inch black-and-white screens, Wi-Fi connectivity and 2 GB of storage. (Nook storage can be expanded to 32 GB – via a microSD card slot, only useful, if you want to store all your books and PDFs on your device, instead of archiving them in the cloud.)

The Nook is slightly wider, thicker and heavier (6.5 inches x 5.0 inches x .0.47 inches and 7.5 ounces, than the Kindle (6.5 inches x 4.5 inches by 0.34 inches and 6 ounces). Nook also wins out in battery life with two months duration, doubling Amazon's e-reader at one month.

The Kindle costs $69, displays ads on its screensaver, and comes without a charger. Without the ads and with a charger, it costs $99. So, the Nook offers perhaps the best value in the entry-level e-reader category.

So the Barnes & Noble’s e-reader is available at its new price via Nook.com, as well as at Barnes & Noble stores and third-party retailers, including Walmart, Target and Best Buy.

Trends in Smartphone Turnover

2012-11-20T11:53:03Z

Written By: Tim Kridel for Digital Innovation Gazette

What do the iPhone, the EVO 4G LTE and the Droid 4 have in common? They all have batteries that users can’t replace themselves when they start having problems holding a charge.

For developers, that design is noteworthy because it’s one of many factors that affect how often people replace their smartphone. Replacement rates affect the addressable market for apps built for each OS.

Smartphone vendors are increasingly using non-user-removable batteries because that design frees them to shoehorn in ones that last longer. If the battery wears out before the two-year contract expires, users have to decide whether it's worth paying around $80 to have it replaced or whether they should shell out the full, unsubsidized price for the latest and greatest model.

Other factors that influence replacement rates include:

Prepaid or postpaid? If your app caters to demographics with a high percentage of prepaid usage, expect your customers to get a new phone much more frequently.

“Postpaid smartphone users tend to upgrade to a new phone every 18 to 20 months,” says Julien Blin, Infonetics directing analyst for consumer electronics and mobile broadband. “For prepaid users, I believe it is every seven to eight months because of the nature of the business.”

The end of early-contract-renewal incentives. Until recently, some operators let customers upgrade to a new model at a deep discount even when they still had six months or more to go on their contract.

“Some carriers have started to cancel early upgrade programs because they are losing money on the subsidy cost and duration of the contract,” Blin says. “In fact, for the iPhone 5, it looks like AT&T might have phased out its early upgrade program. [But] some smartphones users (e.g., die-hard Apple fans) don't mind paying a premium to get the latest and greatest.”

Changes to those programs are particularly noteworthy for developers that create apps for specific operators. If eliminating an early upgrade program increases churn for a particular operator, then that app’s addressable market shrinks.

The growth of the refurbished market. Today, most U.S. operators offer trade-in programs. Even so, less than 1 percent of phones are recycled, according to the Device Renewal Forum (DRF), a new organization that aims to increase that amount. One DRF member, ReCellular, predicts that within a few years, one-fifth of all smartphones and feature phones sold in the U.S. will be refurbished.

Refurbished smartphones are significantly cheaper than their brand-new counterparts. So if the selection of refurbished devices grows -- including models that are less than a year old -- it’s possible that more people will switch smartphones more frequently.

The rise of the must-have smartphone. Some people don’t mind paying a hefty premium to have the latest model outside of new-contract or new-customer incentives.

“The refresh cycle is reducing year over year because of companies like Apple or Samsung who offer new flagship devices -- the iPhone 5, the Galaxy S3 -- every year,” says Blin, who was strategy manager at Samsung, where he advised the CEO about products such as the Galaxy family of tablets and smartphones.

Is There OS Loyalty?
When people replace their smartphone, do they stick with the same OS? Not surprisingly, the answer varies. For example, the week that the iPhone 5 launched, the analyst firm iGR surveyed 1,001 U.S. consumers.

“Eighty-eight percent of current iPhone users were likely to buy another iPhone, and 10 percent were undecided,” says Matt Vartabedian, vice president of wireless and mobile communications research. “Sixty-nine percent of current Android users were likely to buy another Android device, and 26 percent were undecided.”

An OS’s market share can change dramatically in the span of a two-year phone contract -- or even faster. For example, in late 2009, Android had less than 10 percent of the U.S. mobile market, IDC says. One year later, it was 45 percent. During the same period, BlackBerry’s share dropped from about 45 percent to 25 percent.

Another factor that affects replacement rates is the availability of OS upgrades. Smartphone vendors typically offer only one major OS upgrade for their Android devices, so customers who want the latest and greatest OS version have to decide whether to pay the hefty unsubsidized rate for a new phone before their two-year contract is up.

Apple is an exception because it typically provides OS upgrades to all but its most elderly iPhone models. That means the majority of iPhone owners will be able to take advantage of app features that require the latest version of iOS. In the case of iOS 6, it also means that developers have to move quickly to upgrade their apps so they don’t lose customers who dislike letterboxing.

How quickly? Less than a week after iOS 6 and the iPhone 5 debuted, 63 percent of Pocket’s iOS customers were already using the new OS

Tim Kridel has been covering all things tech and telecom since 1998 for a variety of publications and analyst firms. Based in Columbia, Mo., he still enjoys the childhood hobby that led to a career writing about technology: ham radio. He is a frequent contributor to Digital Innovation Gazette.

Steve Jobs' Yacht Is Ready To Sail (Video)

2012-10-29T05:36:17Z

Steve Jobs had been working on a Yacht applying Apple’s designs and this no secret. That boat is now ready and was unveiled in a Dutch shipyard on Sunday, where it was christened “Venus,” after the Roman goddess of love, beauty, prosperity and victory.

According to Dutch website OneMoreThing, the boat designed by Jobs and famed minimalist designer Philippe Starck, was launched at shipbuilder Koninklijke De Vries in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. Jobs’ widow Laurene and three of their children, Reed, Erin and Eve, were at the ceremony.

In a sweet gesture, the Jobs family gave the shipbuilding staff an elegant thank-you note, along with a token gift of their appreciation — an iPod Shuffle with the name of the ship inscribed on the back.

The yacht appears to be as it was described in the Jobs biography and is between 230 and 260 feet long — it’s an extraordinary vessel with teak decks and large panes of ceiling-to-floor glass throughout. The boat has seven 27-inch iMacs on board.

The late Apple CEO was aware he might not live to see the boat launched, but was involved with its design. Now, at its christening more than a year after his death, his quotes about the yacht becomes even more poignant. In the Isaacson book, Jobs said, “I know that it’s possible I will die and leave Laurene with a half-built boat. But I have to keep going on it. If I don’t, it’s an admission that I’m about to die.”

The Video:

iPad mini Could Be a Winner

2012-10-25T09:06:31Z

Apple finally unveiled the shorty, its smaller version of iPad which it announced as iPad mini in an event in San Francisco stating: "we've got a little more to show you,” in the invite.

As the name suggests, the new device is certainly smaller than the regular iPad, though not as small as you'd expect — compared to something like the Nexus 7. It is hefty in your hands and the thinness of the device seems to make up for a bigger surface area.

The build of the smaller tablet easily surpasses the competition on the market. By comparison, the Nexus 7 and Fire HD feel like toys. There’s a striking difference in materials and solidness.

The Details:

Dimensions:

.68 pounds
7.2mm thin
53 percent lighter
Width of borders reduced.

Design

Thinner bezels and ultra curved edges
Updated smart covers. Blue Green Pink Light Gray Dark Gray and product RED
White and Black models

Performance

Dual-core A5
Lightning connector
10 hours of battery life
Better WiFi performance.
2x CPU power. Doubled graphic performance.
67% more surfing web space if in landscape mode.

Display

iPad 2 is 9.7 inches. iPad mini 7.9 inches. The pixels are *exactly* the same. 1024×768.
LCD
35% larger display for iPad mini vs. Nexus 7.

Carriers around the world for more LTE love — including Sprint in the U.S.

Camera. HD front camera. Back has 5MP iSight camera.

Preorder Dates

Pre-order this Friday on October 26. WiFi version ships on November 2 and the cellular models will come about two weeks later.

The Demo:

Pricing

The iPad mini starts at $329 for the Wi-Fi-only version with 16GB capacity. Higher capacities and 4G LTE options are available. Prices for Wi-Fi-only versions are: $429 for 32GB, and $529 for 64GB. For the cellular versions, prices are $459, $559 and $659 for 16, 32 and 64GB, respectively.

Apple Compares iPad mini to Google's Nexus 7

It was a bit surprising to see Apple comparing iPad mini with their competition. Apple’s SVP of Worldwide Marketing, Phil Schiller presented the comparison between the new iPad versus the leading Android tablet, Google’s Nexus 7. “Others have tried to make tablets smaller than the iPad, and they’ve failed miserably,” Schiller said. “These are not great experiences.” Schiller actually says “Android” showing the Nexus 7. There has not really been trash talking at an Apple event.

Schiller also does side-by-side comparisons of the iPad Mini and the “other” tablet, showing apps like Yelp, Pandora, Vimeo, eBay and TripAdvisor to the audience. Of course, the iPad Mini comes out looking better in these comparisons.

Interestingly, Schiller does not do side-by-side comparison of Apple versus Google Maps.

Nonetheless, Apple has been a leader in the tablets market and cannot possibly go wrong with the smaller iPad. It stands a tough competition in the pricing space.

iPad Mini to Displace iPad 2

2012-10-22T09:18:15Z

Written By: Bill Thomas

With the newest release from Apple on its way, the iPad Mini is already making waves. Unfortunately, it’s not the waves you’d think, and not necessarily good news for Apple fans. The iPad Mini will apparently replace the iPad 2, which is not good for those that were hoping to hold out for another price drop. On the other hand, it shows the growing popularity of tablets, mainly smaller tablets that are aimed to be easier to use and even more mobile. Like the long ago released iPod Mini/Nano, this newest innovation seems like it will be a great seller, but the growing trend seems to have larger implications on the mobile technology and tablet market.

What is most remarkable about this phasing out the iPad 2 for the iPad Mini is that it shows a change for prioritizing a smaller tablet. This is completely different from the moves that smartphones are making, which are only getting larger. The reason these devices have gotten larger, and why tablets are so popular, is because they have a strong use for entertainment apps. With companies like Netflix, and other satellite providerscoming out with mobile apps, having a larger screen is advantageous. This makes it seem a little odd that Apple is going in the opposite direction of this trend with its new tablet.

The newest iPad Mini does boast one big thing over the iPad 2 is price. The projected price for the Mini is $249, whereas the iPad 2 is priced at around $399. When it comes down to, that will definitely get buyers to come on to the idea of a smaller tablet, regardless of the size. The mobility may also be a little bit better, but at the current size of tablets, you really can’t get much more convenient.

Another issue with smaller tablets is because they are zeroing in on an awkward size; somewhere between a smartphone and a tablet. What makes this problematic is if there is a need for this type of device. Tablets are great because of how large they are, and the way they are stepping in for laptop computers. Smartphones step in as amazing tools that are easier to carry, though they might not have the same capabilities as all tablets. It seems that a tablet that is in between these two devices don’t have a lot of utility, other than the previously mentioned price.

All in all, the lower priced tablet will probably do well with the Apple fanatics. The price will pull in people that don’t want to shell out the $400+ tablet devices, and the performance will be close enough to pull in entry tablet users. Luckily for iPad 2 fans, there is still a lot of options for the iPad 2 (16 GB, 32 GGB, and 64 GB, with or with 3G) so there won’t be a complete loss of devices to choose from. While Apple might not be putting out the iPad 2, it is still possible to find nice refurbished or used ones, so not all is lost at the hands of the iPad Mini.

Apple's Success With iPhone 5 and the New iPad

2012-10-11T05:28:28Z

Written By: Carl Johnson

March this year saw the release of the iPad 3 the first of a series of Apple innovations due on our shelves this year. Apple always seems to succeed in making the new product better than the last one, which is why there is such a clamour and sense of great expectation when a new product is announced.

The iPad 3 is by most accounts better than the iPad 2. Incredibly it has four times the pixels giving the retina display unprecedented clarity for a tablet. It also boasts the A5X chip and every one of its touch screen commands is as slick as we have come to expect from Apple whose technologies are so intuitive they are often like a genuine extension of your thought process - technology acting in an unerringly organic manner.

The iPhone 5 was the subject of the most intense speculation of the entire Apple product line. Sales figures of mobile phones n the last quarter actually fell as people held out for the new iPhone release. This may be to get the previous generation iPhone at a cheaper price, or simply because they desire the iPhone 5 above all others.

The sixth generation iPhone looked like it may have a rather revolutionary upheaval. It seemed safe to presume it’ll have a bigger screen in line with its rival the Samsung Galaxy S3, which at 4 inches was an inch less than people expected. To the great disappointment of many the general style of the phone was not set for a revamp. The most noteworthy features are inductive charging, A6 quad core chip, 4G and near field communication technology. The list of potentialities before release went on with Apple seemingly keen to let people speculate and fantasize.

The release date for the iPhone 5 was the 12th of September along with other potential news on the iPad Mini and the latest large screen iPod touch. It seemed like Apple weren’t inclined to make a mini tablet as it may damage the individuality of their current products. Furthermore, in some people’s eyes, it has no real worth but then there’s clearly a market for such a device as illustrated by the Google Nexus and Galaxy Note.

About the Author: Carl is a technology enthusiast based in London, UK. He spends most his time surfing to web for tech news. He also love gadgets and film and has a media degree from Manchester University.

First NFC And Now CinePrint, Lexus Creates the Most Interactive Print Ads With These Technologies

2012-10-10T07:14:57Z

Yet another effort performed to combine physical and digital world. Lexus was successful in adding digital technology innovatively to its print ad for its new 2013 ES sedan in the October 15 issue of Sports Illustrated.

The automobile comes to life in print turning on its headlights, changing colors, and exposing its interior as throbbing music plays in this highly interactive print ad in the Magazine.

Download the iPad edition of SI, place the iPad under the actual magazine page displaying the ad, dim the lights and watch it all unfold. The ad comes to life using a Lexus-created technology called CinePrint, “creating a tactile and visceral connection that brings one closer to the printed page with a multi-sensory experience that combines sight, sound and touch,” says Lexus. In other words, it looks really rad. As the release from Lexus notes, most traditionally “interactive” print ads direct users away from the traditional form of interactive advertising (read QR Code.)

The move follows the CW's smartphone embedded in Entertainment Weekly, Dolce & Gabbana's video magazine test.

In the past Lexus has been among the first to include a Near Field Communication (NFC) RFID tag within its print advertising pages. In Wired's April 2012 issue, a Lexus car ad comes with a passive high-frequency (HF) tag that consumers with NFC-enabled phones can use to retrieve video and other content on their phone screens regarding the automotive company's latest offerings. Wired published 500,000 copies of the issue, each with an NFC label attached to the page containing the Lexus ad.

Lexus and its advertising agency, TeamOne, first envisioned the NFC solution in late 2011 and was intrigued with the opportunities it might provide.

Take a look at the Video below:

Google's Driverless Cars To Run Legally in California

2012-09-26T05:30:39Z

Google’s Driverless Cars are soon coming to legally grace the California roads. A law created with the help of Google was signed by California Governor Jerry Brown. The law allows the autonomous vehicles to run on the state’s roadways as long as there’s a licensed human in the driver’s seat to take over if needed.

“Today we are looking at science fiction become tomorrow’s reality,” Brown said at a signing ceremony at Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, California.

Google co-founder Sergey Brin, in his Google glasses, stood by as Brown signed the bill on the company’s sprawling campus.

“It really has the power to change people’s lives, that’s why I’m really excited about it,” said Brin during his remarks. “There are many, many people who are under-served by our transportation system today.” Brin went on to list a variety of groups, including the blind or people too young to drive.

“I expect self-driving cars are going to be far safer than human-driven cars,” continued Brin. “It’s at a substantial cost that we embrace our transportation systems. And I believe self-driving cars can eradicate much of that cost.”

Google has been testing its Cars on California roads since 2010. Google has already taken a trip in the vehicle from San Francisco to Santa Monica, via the famously beautiful and twisty Pacific Coast Highway, without anyone at the wheel.

Even the sheriffs, pull the driverless cars over to take a picture.

California just joined Nevada and Florida in making the driverless car explicitly street legal. The State DMV also has two years to figure out how to start licensing driverless cars.

“Anybody who gets into a car and finds the car driving itself is going to be skittish at first,” said Brown, who took a test ride. “But they will get over it.”

Brown also said: “Autonomous vehicles are another example of how California’s technological leadership is turning today’s science fiction into tomorrow’s reality.”

Google’s cars run on a combination of technologies including sensors, radar and computer navigation; along with human or two for a back-up.