Showing posts with label next. Show all posts
Showing posts with label next. Show all posts
Friday, May 22, 2015
iOS 7 0 4 Activity Ramping Up at Apple Ahead of Next Minor Software Update
Apple unsurprisingly appears to be ramping up activity on iOS 7.0.4 as the next version of iOS to see a release to the public, with MacRumors seeing increasing numbers of devices running iOS 7.0.4 from Apples networks showing up in web logs.
Visitors to MacRumors.com via Apples networks from devices running iOS 7.0.4
The first signs of iOS 7.0.4 appeared on October 22, the same day iOS 7.0.3 was released to the public. Activity has been ramping up over the past two weeks, but there is no word yet on when the update might be released to the public. Apple has also not seeded registered developers with any builds of iOS 7.0.4, but the company does not always do so for its minor iOS updates.
Visitors to MacRumors.com via Apples networks from devices running iOS 7.1
As we previously noted, iOS 7.1 devices from Apples network began showing up in our logs in late August, and while visits from those devices increased during October, they have declined somewhat during the first week of November. iOS 7.1 would be expected to bring a more substantial number of updates, but it appears that a public launch may yet be some time off with Apple working on a smaller iOS 7.0.4 release.
iOS 8 continues to show very low levels of activity in our logs, with the next major version of Apples iOS software undoubtedly still in the very early stages of development and a public release roughly a year in the future.
Data source: via MacRumors (By Eric Slivka)
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Windows 9 Preview What the Next Microsoft OS Will and Should Bring
Microsoft did something very...er... interesting in October 2012. It launched Windows 8, the operating system that would "unify" Microsofts platforms across PCs, phones and tablets. Except, there was a fairly large flaw in the plan.
Microsofts vision of unification wasnt just from an engineering perspective. The company also wanted a unified user interface across all its devices.
Now lets think about that for a second. Traditional PC users (both desktop and laptop) were used to mice and keyboards. They had been using these two devices pretty much since the advent of the PC. Various companies had also managed to add support for other input devices over the years, but no one was really using a touchscreen on the desktop.
Microsofts presence in the tablet market was non-existent, for all intents and purposes. Very few "tablet PCs" existed, running full versions of Windows 7 with the lowest power Intel Core processors available at the time. They were heavy, didnt have great battery life, and only seemed to be useful for designers and artistic folk, whod use a stylus to draw.
Most people were either using iOS or Android tablets, and few people were clamouring for a Windows equivalent of these two.
Finally, lets consider the phone market, where Microsoft had slight success with Windows Phone 7 and has since had a little more with Windows Phone 8 and 8.1. Its market share was fairly insignificant, and the company would have really needed something special to make things work out.
There were, at the time, around 1 billion Windows PCs in the world, 99 percent not using a touchscreen monitor. Less than 5 percent of smartphones ran any version of Windows Phone, and there were barely any tablet PCs. In that backdrop, Microsofts decision to release an OS that was optimised for touch-screen devices, rather than traditional input methods, seems premature to say the least.
Whats worse is that the UI was aesthetically, and in many cases functionally, seen as a regression from Windows 7, which is still the most popular PC operating system. Bringing back the Start Menu is an example that Microsoft is backing down from its aggressive way of teaching users new behaviour.
After two years of bug fixes, patches, question marks over the future of Windows RT, and an awkward operating system that was arguably a bigger flop than Vista in terms of adoption and user satisfaction (despite being technically more sound), Microsoft has slowly come around to accepting the reality.
September 30 is the speculated date for the "preview" version of Windows "Threshold", also informally called Windows 9 by most of the tech press. Sites have generously leaked videos and screenshots of a legit-looking preview build of Threshold.
Looking at the videos, youll be able to see that the interface is still mostly flat and boring like Windows 8. Im curious as to why they made an OS as pretty as Windows 7 and then went back to the flatness of the Windows 3.1 days, though thats down to personal taste.
Moving on, we see the return of the start menu , just with tiles thrown in. If you compare this start menu to the present one of Windows 7, it strikes me as less useful, as it simply links to fewer things. The entire right column is filled with tiles. What used to be in the right column (Control Panel, Documents, etc.) end up as pinned items, quite obviously taking up space used for pinned programs in Windows 7.
Of course, when compared to Windows 8, this is much better than making obscure "charm" gestures, or receiving a face full of that jarring start screen.
Metro (or Modern) UI apps can now be (mercifully) run in windowed mode, and can be minimised. While some may question the utility of these in the PC version of the OS, the main complaint with Windows 8.x was not having a choice, so I guess this is step in the right direction. The same goes for the existence of "PC Settings" when the Control Panel exists, and two different calculators, one for touch screens and the other being the old one were used to on Windows 7. Of course these are still early days, and all this may yet be fixed before Windows 9 reaches the consumers.
Well also most likely see virtual desktops, like on Linux systems and OS X. You can switch between different desktops, and have different windows on each. This would, in theory, allow you to switch between multiple workflows. The actual implementation looks a bit sketchy, however. Im specifically talking about window management; the creation, removal and navigation of virtual desktops looks good enough.
Long story short, from whatever weve seen so far, Threshold seems like a mixed bag. Its sort of Microsoft saying, "Hey, we made really bad decision with that Modern UI stuff but heres a compromise." But its clear that the company still hasnt quite let go of those tiles, which suggests the company is continuing to walk the tightrope between listening to user feedback and going ahead with what it believes is the future of Windows.
Microsoft must keep in mind that the function of a good operating system is to provide a stable and secure environment for applications and users to interact in, not sell itself as one giant overblown "app".
Unifying the interfaces of PCs, tablets and phones wasnt a good plan either, as Windows 8 proved. Three different type of devices and two different input models cant be fitted into one box. Even Apple and Google keep PC and mobile separate, so one wonders if Microsoft is on the right track with its one size fits all policy. Kernel code sharing doesnt mean having a common UI. And blindly sharing features is known as taking a shortcut.
Tablets, convertibles and 2-in-1s are devices that can benefit from both: ecosystem support and a touchscreen interface. Microsoft should focus on smoothening out the experience for these users while at the same time leaving the traditional PC market alone, as far as the interface is concerned.
After all, Sun Tzu did say, "Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win".
Windows 8 was an example of Microsoft going to war and then seeking to win. It was also an attempt at besieging a walled city, while bafflingly leaving the gates to its own fort wide open. Windows 9 must change that.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV Gadgets is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV Gadgets and NDTV Gadgets does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Micromax to launch the dual boot LapTap under Rs 30 000 next month
Micromax will launch its dual-operating system LapTab under Rs 30000 or USD 500 in India next month. The LapTap will runs on both Windows 8 and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS. Micromax unveiled the device at the CES 2014 in Las Vegas this month.
The Micromax LapTab is powered by 1.46GHz Intel Celeron processor, coupled with 2GB RAM and has a 10.1-inch IPS display. It has 32GB inbuilt memory expandable up to 64GB. It has a 2MP front camera with light sensor and comes with a wireless keyboard. Connectivity wise the LapTap supports Bluetooth v4.0 and Wi-Fi.
"The Laptab will be priced under USD 500 for the Indian market and we expect to sell about 100,000 units in the domestic market in the first half of 2014," Micromax Co-founder Rahul Sharma stated.
"As Micromax looks to expand footprints across global markets, we would continue to fulfill our promise of democratising technology for people around the world by making it more affordable and accessible," Sharma added. He stated that Micromax would be unveiling more products across international markets in next six months.
Key Specifications of the Micromax LapTab:
- 1.46GHz Intel Celeron N2805 processor
- Dual OS - Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and Microsoft OS
- 10.1" IPS display; resolution of 1280x800
- 2GB RAM
- 7400 mAh battery
- Weighs 580 gms (without keyboard)
- 2MP front camera with light sensor
- Bluetooth v4.0, WiFi
- Wireless keyboard
Friday, March 27, 2015
Apple tipped to launch new iPad models and OS X Yosemite next month
According to a report by The Daily Dot, Apple will unveil new iPad models next month, on October 21. The latest OS X Yosemite is also expected to launch on the same date.
An October launch for the next generation Apple iPad family should hardly catch anyone by surprise. Cupertino pulled the same trick last year by launching iPad Air and iPad mini 2 a month after the iPhone 5s. Apple launched the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus last week.
Apple’s upcoming full-size tablet has leaked on a number of occasions in the past. The device will reportedly pack two gigs of RAM in order to be able to support splt-screen multitasking. A Touch ID sensor is also all but certain to appear on the device.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Google’s Nexus 6 snapped again this time next to iPhone 6 Plus
The fast-approaching Nexus 6 has just had another early debut, with the latest leak showing off an actual handset.
Until now we’ve mostly seen renders of the device, but the new image has a Nexus 6 sitting alongside Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus.
The key thing to take from this is screen size – Apple’s blower is huge at 5.5-inch, but the giant Nexus 6 trumps Apple’s cellular at 5.9-inch.
Despite the 0.4-inch difference in display size, the Nexus 6 doesn’t actually look that much bigger than the iPhone 6 Plus, largely due to its comparatively svelte bezels.
It also looks like a sized-up 2nd-gen Moto X – no surprise, as Motorola is reckoned to be the firm behind the latest Nexus-stamped Google handset.
There’s not much else we can glean from this picture as the purported Nexus smartphone isn’t even turned on.
When we do finally see some working Nexus 6 handsets, we’re expecting it to be the flagship carrier of Google’s next mobile OS – Android L.
Most technophiles reckon the new software will be called Android Lollipop, and will tout Google’s flatter, simpler ‘material design’ aesthetic introduced at Google I/O.
Yesterday we saw a leaked render of the Nexus 6 that showed off the new OS and the handset’s mega-screen, courtesy of Evleaks.
We also heard that Google would launch the handset at some point today, alongside HTC’s Nexus 9 tablet, although the search engine giant’s not let anything slip just yet.
In terms of specs, there’s whispers of a 2.65GHz Snapdragon 805 processor, a 2560 x 1440 display, and a meaty 3200mAh li-ion battery.
Read more »
Until now we’ve mostly seen renders of the device, but the new image has a Nexus 6 sitting alongside Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus.
The key thing to take from this is screen size – Apple’s blower is huge at 5.5-inch, but the giant Nexus 6 trumps Apple’s cellular at 5.9-inch.
Despite the 0.4-inch difference in display size, the Nexus 6 doesn’t actually look that much bigger than the iPhone 6 Plus, largely due to its comparatively svelte bezels.
It also looks like a sized-up 2nd-gen Moto X – no surprise, as Motorola is reckoned to be the firm behind the latest Nexus-stamped Google handset.
There’s not much else we can glean from this picture as the purported Nexus smartphone isn’t even turned on.
When we do finally see some working Nexus 6 handsets, we’re expecting it to be the flagship carrier of Google’s next mobile OS – Android L.
Most technophiles reckon the new software will be called Android Lollipop, and will tout Google’s flatter, simpler ‘material design’ aesthetic introduced at Google I/O.
Yesterday we saw a leaked render of the Nexus 6 that showed off the new OS and the handset’s mega-screen, courtesy of Evleaks.
We also heard that Google would launch the handset at some point today, alongside HTC’s Nexus 9 tablet, although the search engine giant’s not let anything slip just yet.
In terms of specs, there’s whispers of a 2.65GHz Snapdragon 805 processor, a 2560 x 1440 display, and a meaty 3200mAh li-ion battery.
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