Windows Phone 7.8 update rumored for weeks after WP8

The home screen is about all that changes with 7.8

While Windows Phone 8 early adopters eagerly await for the first handsets to arrive in the next few days, current Windows Phone users may have to hold out a bit longer for their OS update.

Chinese tech blog WPDang cited unspecified sources that claim that Windows Phone 7.8 will make its debut pre-installed on a new line of low-end WP7 handsets four to six weeks after the Windows Phone 8 launch.

Only after the new handsets hit the market will carriers start pushing the 7.8 update to subscribers.

Microsoft may not be looking for any news to distract from the new Windows Phone 8 smartphones, so it is difficult to be skeptical about rumors of a delayed 7.8 launch.

Windows Phone 8 stealing the spotlight

While the Windows Phone 7.8 update will miss out on most of the new features for Windows Phone 8, it will bring Wi-Fi tethering to legacy smartphones.

Also look for WP7.8 to include an updated home screen with live tiles that take advantage of the entire screen space.

A Nokia document hinted that the camera software on its WP7 smartphones will also see an upgrade, though other OEMs have not made similar announcements.

WP7 users will still miss out on new Windows Phone 8 features, like true multi-tasking, NFC support, over-the-air updates, multi-core processor support and IE 10.

The HTC 8X will be the first Windows Phone 8 handset on the market, arriving Nov. 2, and followed by the Nokia Lumia 920, Lumia 820 and Samsung Galaxy Ativ S.

In the mean time, WP7 users will just have to wait until the Windows Phone 8 furor calms down enough for Microsoft to give 7.8 another look.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/windows-phone-7-8-update-rumored-for-weeks-after-wp8-1109106

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Scott Forstall, senior VP of iOS, to leave Apple in 2013

Apple has announced some major changes in the company's management, starting with the exit of senior vice-president of iOS software Scott Forstall from the company. Forstall will leave Apple in 2013 and till then will act as an advisor to CEO Tim Cook.

In the wake of him leaving the company, his responsibilities will be shared by four of Apple's current executives. Jony Ive, who is in charge of the Industrial Design department at Apple will now head the Human Interface department as well. This means Ive will now be in charge of the hardware as well as the software designs at Apple.

Meanwhile, Eddy Cue will take on responsibilities of Siri and Maps, Craig Federighi will lead both iOS and OS X and Bob Mansfield will lead a new group called Technologies that covers all the wireless teams at Apple.

It is said the Forstall was liked by few people within the company, least of all by Jony Ive, who apparently wouldn't even sit in the same meeting room as Forstall. According to John Gruber of Daring Fireball, Forstall's "design taste, engineering management and abrasive style, and the whole iOS 6 Maps thing" were key factors in Forstall leaving the company, or to put it bluntly, him being made to leave the company.

According to The Verge, Forstall's biggest mistake was him refusing to sign his name on the apology letter that Apple issued regarding the customer dissatisfaction with the new iOS 6 Maps software. He thought the complaints over the data quality were over-blown, so instead Tim Cook signed his name on the letter.

With Craig Federighi leading iOS and Jony Ive handling the design department, we are really looking forward to some new design innovations in iOS in the future versions. Jony Ive's minimalist design taste with the hardware is almost universally loved and we would love to see more of that in the software, with less leather and linen backgrounds. Still, we would like to give credit where it's due and would like to thank Scott Forstall for giving us one of the best mobile operating systems of all time, which was nothing short of groundbreaking at the time it came out.

In other news, Apple's head of Retail John Browett is also leaving Apple. Browett joined the company in January this year and was apparently not one of the best employee choices made by Apple.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/scott_forstall_senior_vp_of_ios_to_leave_apple_in_2013-news-5020.php

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Samsung Galaxy Y receives a minor software update

The compact but highly popular member of the Samsung Android lineup, Galaxy Y has received a minor software update. Available over-the-air, the update doesn't bring many substantial changes to the device, but rather improves the system stability.

Additionally, according to our tipster, who has received the update, the screen responsiveness is also improved. The update changes the baseband version to S536ODDLF1 and the firmware version to S536ODDLF1.

So, Galaxy Y users, go to the Settings menu and check for a Software update. Unfortunately, there's no official word from Samsung on which regions should expect the update and when.

Thanks for the tip, Akash!

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_y_receives_a_minor_software_update-news-4960.php

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Facebook Messenger app for iOS updated

The Messenger app now plays nice with the iPhone 5

Facebook has tweaked its Messenger app for iOS.

The changes mirror those rolled out to the Android version of the instant messaging application on September 20.

The most important of which will allow iPhone, iPad and iPad touch users to swipe to the left to see which of their contacts is online and available

Friend bump

Another update enables users to keep their favourite friends at the top of the online list to reduce the need to scroll through the entire contacts list.

Messages now appear as speech bubbles, giving conversations an altogether more attractive look, similar to the iOS Messages and SMS applications.

The new version of Messenger, which has also been optimised for the iPhone 5's 4-inch widescreen, also brings improved speed and reliability, along with a host of bug fixes.

It can be downloaded now from the App Store.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/facebook-messenger-app-for-ios-updated-1100818

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Google’s acquires Nik Software, and iOS photo app Snapseed

With Google scooping up Nik Software and its iOS app, Snapseed, Google Plus users might be seeing some dramatic changes to the way we publish images on the social network.

Facebook has an emerging competitor in the wake of the Instagram acquisition. Google has acquired Nik Software, a 17-year-old company that develops digital image editing tools. But there’s a catch: A report from TheVerge says that the acquisition’s motivation was so that Google can get its hands on Snapseed, an iOS photograph app.

The acquisition should bring the coveted photography-based mobile reach (a huge motivation for Facebook’s acquisition of Instagram) to Google’s social network, Google+. Like Instagram, Snapseed adds a vintage flair to your photos, although it also has comprehensive in-app photo editing functions and photo-altering filters including tilt-shift effects. It was also an iOS first app – Snapseed started out as an iPad app and followed up with an iPhone app launched in August 2011. The differences lie, of course, in the fact that the number of Snapseed users is dwarfed by Instagram’s user base. In Snapseed’s latest figures (released in the middle of June), Nik Software revealed said it had amassed more than nine million users. It’s defintiely a far cry from Instagram’s 100 million users.

Currently Snapseed claims the spot of the 13th top paid app in the photograph genre in Apple’s App Store (it costs $4.99) and the 178th top grossing app, according to Appdata. 

Snapseed may not have the largest number of users, but is has a decent reputation and Google now also has unprecedented access to Nik Software’s product line of photography software that typically runs for just under $100 dollar to upwards of $300. We could see Google wrapping Nik Software products into improving photos and maybe even videos on Google+. 

In a Google Plus post by Vic Gundotra, the Senior Vice President of Engineering at Google, the acquisition was confirmed and corroborated by the official announcement by Nik Software. “We are pleased to announce that Google has acquired Nik Software. For nearly 17 years, we’ve been guided by our motto, ‘photography first,’ as we worked to build world class digital image editing tools. We’ve always aspired to share our passion for photography with everyone, and with Google’s support we hope to be able to help many millions more people create awesome pictures,” said Gundotra.

What hasn’t been announced yet is whether Snapseed would continue to live on iOS devices, although we can’t see why that wouldn’t be the case. Of course launching the Android app will be a major priority for Google. We checked out Snapseed’s site, and noticed that the Android app was in the works and will only work on operating systems running the Android OS 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) version or later.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/google-acquires-nik-software-and-snapseed/

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Apple’s new Lightning cable and its many expensive adaptors

Apple's new iPhone 5 uses the equally new Lightning connector, but what does that mean for your old accessories?

One of the key changes on the new iPhone 5 is the introduction of the Lightning, a new cable replacement for the old 30-pin connector, introduced nearly ten years ago, that we all know and (sometimes) love.

Despite its name going hand-in-hand with Apple’s Thunderbolt connection, it still connects to a USB port, and the changes come at the business end. It’s 80-percent smaller than the old connector, apparently less likely to break and it’s reversible too, so you can plug it into your phone or new iPod without checking its orientation first.

Apple also says its 8-pin, all-digital cable is faster too, but there’s no mention of by how much, or in what respect. We’ll find out more when we get our hands on one.

A lot of adapters

All this sounds good, but it’s not all positive, as anyone with an accessory for an older iPhone that relies on the 30-pin connector, won’t be able to instantly use it with the new iPhone 5.

Not to worry, as Apple has a plan, and it involves buying an expensive adapter. The first, and most basic, is at least 80-percent larger than the Lightning and a full 100-percent uglier too. The Lightning to 30-pin adapter costs $29/£25, and is ideally suited to use with audio docks, where the iPhone has to sit on a base. It’s overall steadiness in this situation though, remains to be seen.

If you’d prefer not to precariously balance your new phone on a series of ever-smaller connectors, the Lightning to 30-pin adapter with a cable maybe preferable. It’s as it sounds — splitting the two ends between a 20cm long piece of cable — but will cost you $39/£30 instead. Apple will also sell standard USB to Lightning cables, priced at $19/£15.

No audio and video out

Apple has warned that not every piece of equipment will function even with an adapter, so don’t be surprised if you end up having to buy a new accessory anyway, and the adapters don’t support audio or video out either.

Heading over to Europe, we find another Lightning adapter, and it’s one that Apple has to provide whether it likes it or not. In 2009, a piece of EU legislation was introduced for manufacturers to adopt a common standard for mobile phone chargers, which turned out to be the micro-USB.

Neither the 30-pin connector, nor the new Lightning comply with this, but it’s acceptable to offer an adapter instead, thus we have the Lightning to micro-USB Adapter, which costs £15, or 19 Euros.

If you’re ready to order your new iPhone 5, and want a new dock to go with it, Apple told GigaOm.com that JBL, Bose, Bowers & Wilkins and Bang & Olufsen will be among the first to offer Lightning-equipped docks, and we should look out for them as we get closer to Christmas.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/apples-lightning-cable-and-its-many-adaptors/

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Apple senior VP talks iPhone 5's missing tech and 'Lightning'

Apple's changes will impact the iPhone accessories business

Though Apple announced the iPhone 5 this morning to much fanfare, Phil Schiller defended the new smartphone against some criticism amid the media blitzkrieg.

Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing explained in an interview with AllThingsD why some expected technologies such as Near Field Communication (NFC) and wireless charging didn't make it in the final product.

Both technologies have many examples in the current market, and have been on the wishlist of Apple fans for quite some time.

NFC has seen its way onto many phones like the Google Nexus S and can be used to pay for groceries or share data in person.

Schiller said that Apple's program, Passbook, is a capable analog to NFC in the wireless commerce market. However, Passbook is mainly used to store loyalty cards, gift cards and can be used instead of boarding passes and football tickets.

Schiller said he has his doubts about NFC, and wonders if it's the solution to any of today's problems.

Passbook, he said, fulfills most of customers' current needs, saying it works without any existing merchant payment system.

Charging is still wired

Technophiles were also hoping the iPhone 5 would include some sort of wireless charging system like the Nokia Lumia 920, but Schiller dashed those hopes as well.

Schiller pointed out that wireless charging stations still need to be plugged into a wall and that the USB cord is still widely used and can be plugged into wall outlets with the packaged adapter, into computers or even on airplanes.

He said it just not worth it to add another component.

"Having to create another device you have to plug into the wall is actually, for most situations, more complicated," Schiller said.

'Lightning' in a dock connector

Apple also took a little flak for changing the iPhone and iPod's docking jack, to the smaller "Lightning" connector.

The previous design was introduced in 2003, and an entire side industry uses the port to connect the phone to almost anything.

Schiller said the company had been waiting to pull the trigger on the new cord for a while, but now they couldn't make the mobile devices any smaller or thinner with the old cord. But Apple doesn't change their connectors willy-nilly.

"This is the new connector for many years to come," he said.

So it looks like we won't be seeing native wireless charging for a while now, and Apple is content to dip its toe in the pool of wireless commerce.

For now, they're just two more items to ask Santa for when iPhone 6 speculation begins.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/apple-senior-vp-talks-iphone-5s-missing-tech-and-lightning-1096805

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iTunes getting major revamp this October

Big changes are on the way for iTunes

Though Apple's iPhone 5 and iOS 6 will be getting most of the attention from today's press conference, they weren't the only stars of the show.

Apple also introduced a major revamp to their iTunes service, set to arrive in late October for Mac and PC clients.

The latest updates to what Apple called "the world's most popular media player" will incorporate plenty of cosmetic and interface changes, as well as a few new tricks to make the existing package even more impressive.

iCloud improvements

With more than 200 million people using iTunes on the Cloud, it should come as no surprise that Apple will be including better iCloud integration when the update arrives.

No matter where you bought your music, movies, or books on iTunes, iCloud will seamlessly incorporate that purchase into all of your libraries.

More importantly, you will now be able to continue watching or listening to movies and music exactly where you left off, and you'll be able to resume playing your media on any device with iTunes.

Cosmetic changes

Once the October update arrives, iTunes will be ditching the sidebars in favor of a full-window interface.

The new grid-style view for your library will allow you to see everything you have in a specific category, be it movies, music, TV shows, or books.

Clicking on an album will let expand the screen to show you a track listing, all the while keeping the rest of your library in plain sight for continued exploration.

There's also an all new MiniPlayer, which will give users the ability to listen to and search for new songs without having to open their entire library.

Additionally, iTunes will add Up Next, which will offer improved insight into what songs are coming up in the playlist, and will allow you to change your queue without much fuss.

iTunes on iOS

The Mac and PC versions of iTunes aren't the only ones getting a bit of polish.

Coming along with the Sept. 19 iOS 6 release is a new version of iTunes for all iOS devices.

Since 60% of all iTunes downloads come from mobile devices, it certainly makes sense for Apple to continue their redesign across all their brands.

iTunes will incorporate a carousel view, and the new library view will be utilized across music, movie, and book stores.

You'll also be able to continue browsing the store while previewing a new song, and will allow you to share your media selections on Facebook and Twitter.

With a new wave of iPods also on the way, this iTunes update couldn't be coming at a better time.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/apple/itunes-getting-major-revamp-this-october-1096703

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