iOS 6 users reporting Wi-Fi connectivity issues

Are you struggling with Wi-Fi on your iOS 6 device?

Many iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners, who've upgraded to iOS 6, have been left without basic Wi-Fi connectivity.

Users are reporting a number of different issues and have taken to Apple's official support forums to register their displeasure.

In two lengthy threads (150 pages in total, CNET has reported) dedicated to Wi-Fi issues, many users have said their iOS device will connect on some networks but not on others.

Other users have been unable to connect to a Netgear Wi-Fi router - a problem which can only be solved by downloading new firmware for the router. Another thread focuses on "persistently slow" Wi-Fi.

AirPlay also affected?

While this isn't, strictly speaking, a Wi-Fi problem, the AirPlay connectivity on our iPad 2 has stopped functioning properly since updating to iOS 6, a problem also reflected by posts on Apple's support pages.

The company, which must be feeling pretty beleaguered at the moment given the backlash to Maps and the general malaise surrounding iOS 6, has yet to make an official comment on the alleged Wi-Fi problems.

However, it's not out of the ordinary for new versions of Apple's mobile OS to experience a few teething problems.

If past form is taken into account, it's likely that the company will quickly identify the issue and roll-out a bug-fixing minor software update.

Are you one of those users experiencing issues connecting to your Wi-Fi network since updating to iOS 6? Let us know in the comments section below.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/ios-6-users-reporting-wi-fi-connectivity-issues-1100820

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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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Mobile weekly wrap: iPhone 5 hangover week

Blackberry fails upward, AT&T goes all in on 4G, and everyone recovers from their iPhone 5 buzz in this week's Mobile Weekly Wrap.

A week after the iPhone 5 made it into the hands of nearly 5 million people, the world finally started spinning on its correct axis again. As the dust settled from the lines of stampeding early adopters, other companies started to unveil their own upcoming offerings. Whether its new tablets and phones for the holiday rush, leaks for the long term, and fallout from the iPhone launch, we’ve got the goods — along with apps and games — from this week in mobile tech (Sept. 23-28, 2012).

AT&T goes all-in on 4G

While the iPhone 5 is the biggest addition in terms of name recognition, AT&T is improving their 4G device offerings in quantity and quality. Teaming with Samsung for much of the new wave, AT&T announced four new devices, three phones and one tablet, from the Galaxy line up that will be available in the coming months. If users have trouble managing the madness of having so many devices on the 4G network, they can connect them all to AT&T’s newly announced touchscreen mobile hotspot. The first of its kind, the MiFi Liberate has a 2.8-inch touchscreen and will allow up to 10 devices to connect to it. It’s all part of AT&T’s plan to cover the world in LTE, which is pretty non-threatening on the scale of evil plots against humanity.

Where the Apple went rotten

Apple’s mobile OS brought quite a few innovations that have people clamoring for what might be possible in the future. For the time being, though, it’s not all pretty. The move away from Google’s products and embrace of Apple-made apps has left Maps users lost. It’s been so bad that Apple CEO Tim Cook openly apologized for the debacle. The switch isn’t the only wrong turn that Apple made. The newly redesigned headphones, dubbed “earpods,” seem to put the emphasis on “piece” in the term “earpiece.” That is to say, “piece of junk.” (That was a long way to go for that joke, I know.)

Blackberry fails upward

As more and more iPhones and Android devices creep in to the business space, Research in Motion is doing its best to dig in and wait out the storm. While it hasn’t really been working, it has managed to spin some losses into wins this week. The first “win” came with its second quarter reports. The company lost $235 million, which actually beat expectations of just how bad it was doing and led to a jump in its stock prices. Later, video of the yet-to-be-seen BlackBerry 10 L and N series phones leaked onto the web, blowing whatever surprise the company had planned for an unveiling. The thing is, the video generally impressed consumers and may mark a potential comeback for the oft-forgotten phone company. 

Apps and games of the week

Street Fighter X Tekken ($3, iOS) – The button-mashing, combo-smashing fighter that has been a favorite on the consoles now makes its way to mobile. This iOS title will allow for you to take your fist to your friends online or play through single player battles.

Scape ($6, iPad) – Carry a composer with you. Scape lets you pick between a variety of different soundscapes, mixing and matching them as the app creates a custom, computer-generated soundtrack for your listening pleasure.

Draw Pad Pro ($2, Blackberry) – Just because you’re on a BlackBerry doesn’t mean you’re all business. Let your creative side flow with the inner artist’s dream app.

LazyLog (Free, Android) – While some missed calls and texts are important, others are the equivalent of inbox spam. Cast them to the side and get back to the people that matter with LazyLog.

eTrade Mobile (Free, Windows) While it’s been out on iOS and Android, Windows users can finally get their hands on this powerful portfolio manager.

Skitch (Free, iPhone) This app is already available for iPad and Android and has been beloved buy its owners on those platforms. It’s finally making its debut on the iPhone, and is sure to get just as much love.

Friendizer – (Free, Android) – This app will close the gap between your charming inner personality and unfortunate lack of social skills. Check out who else is near by and if your interests match up without having to go through awkward small talk.

BDrive (Free, iOS/Android) – The social cloud memory bank, use BDrive on your device of choice and share files between other devices and users to create a completely virtual community database.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/mobile-weekly-wrap-iphone-5-hangover-week/

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Google and Asus may be building a $100 Nexus tablet

A recent report says the two Android-loving companies responsible for the Nexus 7 are working on a $100 tablet.

If you’re wanting to buy a Nexus 7 then now is the time to do it because Google’s still offering a $25 credit for Google Play with tablet purchase. But if you can wait until Christmas there may be a brand new, even cheaper Nexus tablet to get your hands on. 

According to Digitimes, a source that seems to be right as much as it’s wrong, Google and Asus are working on a $100 Nexus tablet. The new Nexus will reportedly be ready in time for Christmas, the most magical time of the year (at least in sales numbers). The rumor comes from unnamed sources invloved in Asus’ supply chain. Apparently the tech giants are working on slimming down the Nexus 7 and offering it in two different variations: one running for an extremely budget-friendly $100 and the other staying at the $200 price point.

The current Nexus 7 managed to keep the price low without cutting too many corners. The only drawbacks — depending on how you look at them — are its lack of 3G connectivity and scratch-resistant Corning glass in place of the Gorilla brand. The mini-tablet still managed to pack in 1 GB of RAM, a quad-core Tegra 3 processor, NFC, GPS, microphone, and a front-facing camera. Asus wrapped all that up in a tight, 7-inch package and it was sold for a steal at $200. 

This new, thinner Nexus would no doubt be an attempt to solidify Asus and Google’s place as the go-to budget tablet makers even if the much-anticipated iPad Mini makes an appearance near the end of the year. If Google could pull it off, the cheaper tablet would definitely end up in a lot of stockings over the holidays. The low price of $100 would definitely appeal to impulse buyers, much like the Touchpad’s fire sale.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem likely this rumor will end up being anything but smoke and mirrors. We all know what happened with the $200 Surface tablet rumor… It didn’t come true. The truth is that Google would be losing a whole lot of money if it sold a tablet at $100 without dropping the specs to the point of embarrassment. It doesn’t matter how advanced the Jelly Bean software is, even Project Butter can’t save sub-par hardware. If Apple is good at any one thing, it’s delivering a smooth user experience and Google knows it needs to bring its A game in that department as well. 

Do you think there’s any truth to this rumor? Would you buy a cheaper Nexus 7 over an iPad Mini if you had the choice?

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/google-and-asus-may-be-building-a-100-nexus-tablet/

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Apple Maps reveals high-security spots, Google Maps adds the right detail

Google, left, obscures what Apple, right, reveals (credit: The Verge)

Apple Maps has been called blurry, inaccurate, and unfinished, but there's one area in which the Cupertino company didn't skimp on the detail: high-security locations.

In a three-way comparison of iOS 6 Maps, Google Maps, and Nokia Maps, The Verge found that Apple paints the clearest picture of military installations that are sensitive to various countries' national interests.

Turkey has the most to complain about. Its island of Imrali counts Kurdish separatist leader Abdullah Öcalan among its high-risk inmates in a maximum security prison, and it's as clear as day on iOS 6.

Dutch military contractor IBL, deemed a "tank workshop" by the site, was also fully visible in Apple Maps when looking at Personeelsvereniging Tankwerkplaats, Netherlands.

The same is true for a vital military airstrip on the Japanese island of Minamitorishima.

Apple didn't make any exceptions for its home country, as the United States' Aberdeen Proving Ground hasn't been obscured in Maryland.

Likewise, the U.S.'s joint interests as part of NATO are outed in Geilenkirchen, Germany.

The Google Maps Difference

Google, which has provided its mapping service to the public since 2005, had made it a habit to obscure these perceived security risks for a number of years.

Blurring, pixelating, and overexposing are some the ways in which Google Maps and the Google Earth software hide sensitive locations.

But Google said that "it has never blurred any images," according to a statement to The Verge.

Instead, satellite images arrive blurred from its "variety of sources," even though the sources are often the same providers used by Apple and Nokia.

New Google Maps Update at 45 degrees

Apple is busy apologizing for iOS 6 Maps, asking for everyone's patience and suggesting third-party alternatives. Google, meanwhile, hasn't rested on its laurels, adding 45 degree imagery for 51 new cities.

This birdseye view is now available in 37 U.S. and 14 international locations. Most notably, the Google Maps update shows off the Leaning Tower of Pisa and its famous 5.5 degree angle.

Look at that lean (Credit: Google)

Not forgetting about the tried-and-true aerial imagery, Google also updated the high-resolution satellite maps for 17 cities and 112 countries.

The entire city of Lancaster, Calif. no longer shows up looking like a blurry field of nothing - a technique Apple sure could borrow for military installations worldwide if Google is done with it.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/web/apple-maps-reveals-high-security-spots-google-maps-adds-the-right-detail-1100729

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SpareOne emergency phone: One battery, 15-year charge, now in waterproof bag

When you can't rely on your smartphone battery to last forever, use the SpareOne emergency phone as backup.

Tis the season for new smartphone announcements. Whether you are a diehard gadgeteer or a general consumer shopping for a new phone, one of the most important thing you want to learn about a product is how long the battery lasts. You never know when you will need to make calls during emergency situations. Luckily, you don’t always have to rely on smartphones in case of long term power outages. The SpareOne emergency cellphone is your perfect backup, running on a single AA battery and can reportedly last up to 15 years with 10 hours of talk time.

We received a demo unit of the SpareOne phone and it’s as bare as an emergency phone gets. The candybar style device has all the buttons in the front, is extremely lightweight, and comes complete with the one AA battery it needs to power on. You’ll need to insert your own micro SIM card to make calls, but 911 will always work with or without a SIM. SpareOne recently released the device with a new waterproof, floating bag so your one emergency won’t get destroyed, making it durable in an all-weather situation.

While it’s not a particularly fancy gadget, it does seem like a fairly useful one to have sitting in your emergency shelf. If necessary, the phone also doubles as an torchlight and and last up to 24 hours with the single AA battery. Though the idea is for SpareOne to be an emergency backup phone, the device could make for a good starter phone for younger kids whom you don’t believe has the responsibility of owning a smartphone just yet — but should still have cellphone access at the minimum. It could also make for a good rugged, traveling phone for when you take outdoor trips and don’t want to ruin your fancy iPhone 5. Of course, the only problem you’ll run into in these situations is having to actually remember your contacts’ phone numbers or carry a phonebook … and when was the last time anyone did either?

If you’re intrigued, SpareOne emergency phone is available for purchase now at $120 apiece.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/spareone-emergency-phone-one-battery-15-year-charge-now-in-waterproof-bag/

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Motorola cancels ICS update for certain devices

Back in February, Motorola released a chart with names and dates that told us when each of its Android devices will be getting upgraded to Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich. Unfortunately, it seems the company won't be able to keep its promise for all the announced devices.

The updated chart now showws that the Motorola Atrix 4G, Photon 4G and the Electrify do not qualify for the Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade and will remain on Gingerbread. Other devices remain unaffected, with perhaps some minor changes in dates at most.

Hopefully, this will be the extent of the changes, with no more devices (and their owners) being forced to suffer on Gingerbread.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_cancels_ics_update_for_certain_devices-news-4878.php

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