Author Archives: David Berkowitz, Editor in Chief.

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The Nokia 1020 Hands on with the Device!

Summary:

My first impression of the Nokia Lumia 1020 was very positive. I liked how it felt in the hand especially compared to most of the competitive devices which are more flat and square. I liked the rounded corners.

Rounded Corners

Rounded Corners

In addition, I liked the selection of available colors. I was testing the white one, which is quite nice, but personally if I adopted one I would prefer yellow or blue, and the more mat surface.

From my perception and researching it’s sister products on the internet and at–> http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/mobile/phones/all/?catalog_mode=grid&dcmpid=bmc-src-google.Brand I found that it has the same 4,5 inch AMOLED Puremotion HD+ displaythe Lumia 925, and although the body looks a lot like the Nokia Lumia 920, it weighs only 152 grams – despite the big camera sensor attached to it.

I had tested a few other entry level products such as the Nokia 635 and 530 which were decent products for their price point and feature set, but I was really impressed by the Nokia 1020. I have always used mostly Android  devices and have tested  Blackberry and Apple products, but I was  actually surprised at how nice Windows 8.1 was running on this Smartphone.

In regards to its specifications it  is 129 x 71,4 x 10,9 mm and 14,5 mm at the thickest part which would be the lens.  In addition it has a 1,5Ghz dual core processor and 2GB of internal (RAM) memory. Like the Nokia Lumia 920 it has 32GB internal storage and no room for a micro-SD card. The “High Capacity” battery offers 2000 mAh. I feel that the battery life though it could be better, was decent. I was also using a demo phone that had been tested and used by others as well so it could have skewed the results  a bit.

Here are some examples of the variety of colors found in Nokia Devices, the 1o20 is on the far left.

nokia colors

 

I found this interesting and thought provoking graphic on Nokia’s forums with regards to the nokia 1020 that talks about and illustrates the features and capabilities of the device as well(It was illustrated by Jing Zhang a talented illustrator it seems)–>

NokiaLumia1020infographic

According to Nokia here are its specifications:

Specifications

  • Display

    • Display size: 4.5 ”
    • Display technology: ClearBlack, OLED
    • Touch screen technology: Super sensitive touch

  • Photography

    • Main camera sensor: 41 MP, PureView
    • Secondary camera: HD 1.2 MP wide angle
    • Flash type: Xenon flash

  • Power management

    • Maximum talk time (2G): 8.2 h
    • Maximum talk time (3G): 12.5 h
    • Maximum music playback time: 53 h

  • Processor

    • Processor name: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ S4
    • Processor type: Dual-core 1.5 GHz

    In reality I found that the phone was snappy in its performance, though there are devices with faster processors available the Nokia 1020 performed well in my testing of it.

    I found that its business applications were impressive. The email application worked very well, it reminded me of the email application found on the Blackberry z10 and z30. I think that anyone coming from Blackberry would really like the phone a great deal. It also offers windows applications which work well and integrate well from the user experience in Desktop Windows 8.

    I think that the main application screen which has the live tiles is as good as Apples IOS software, I wish it has widgets like Android  but the live tiles seem halfway between Android and IOS in terms of their operations.

    The customization of the devices was quite nice. I really liked how windows 8.1 performed on the phone.

    I think that the second screen which is found by swiping to the left can be improved a bit, it is a column of words, which could be improved by using icons or having 2 or 3 columns which is not a big deal but a personal impression.

    Camera-Photo and video:

    I found that this phone has the best camera that I have seen on a smartphone and for that matter many point and shoot cameras as well.

    As they say a picture is worth a thousand words:

    Here is a sample video I shot on it recently–>

     

    Watch this video on YouTube.

    and another at a Breast Cancer Event that Olivia Newton John was Speaking at in Las Vegas at the Linq Observation Wheel–>

    Watch this video on YouTube.

    The video quality was quite nice, but what really impressed my was the sound quality.

    Overall I was highly impressed by the Nokia Lumia 1020. I would love to test and review more of their products as they launched into the marketplace.

    The only thing that could be better is the number of applications available from the Application Store as well as the battery life. I can hardly wait for later iterations of Windows Phone to see where they improve it. If the serious  improvement of Windows 8.1 phone versus Windows Phone 7.5 and Windows phone 8 is any indication as it appears to be, then the best is definitely yet to come! We could at some point see an upset in the market versus its competition IOS, Android and Blackberry OS’s.

    Here are some sample  photos as well:

    First a close up of a 20 dollar bill to show its macro abilities and some nice distance shots. As you can see the quality of the images and the color rendition is very nice for a camera or camera phone for the matter.

    WP_20141002_17_49_32_Pro

 

WP_20141001_17_35_15_1_Pro

WP_20141006_10_30_30_Raw

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We are excited reviewing the new Huawie Ascendmate 2 4G LTE, Press Release below:

For Immediate Release

Go BIG with the HUAWEI Ascend Mate2 4G LTE

6.1-inch smartphone now available for pre-order at 299.00 USD on GetHuawei.com

Plano, Texas, June 12, 2014: Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, today made the Huawei Ascend Mate2 4G LTE available for pre-order in the U.S., exclusively through the company’s new ecommerce site, GetHuawei.com.

Together, GetHuawei.com and the Ascend Mate2 offer consumers a smart way to purchase their next smartphone: A convenient online shopping experience with exclusive deals, premium services, and a great, unlocked device at an accessible price – $299 USD.

“This year, Huawei is ready to challenge the status quo by delivering premium experiences, well-made and well-priced devices in a totally new way,” said Mr. Zhiqiang Xu, President of Huawei Device USA.

huawei ascendmate 2

GetHuawei.com special offers

GetHuawei.com is a new venture for Huawei Device USA. The site offers consumers an opportunity to purchase the unlocked Ascend Mate2 and take advantage of special offers and premium services exclusive to GetHuawei.com customers.

For the launch of the Ascend Mate2, consumers who pre-order a device between now and June 22 will receive a SIM card with a free month of service and an additional bonus – a phone case to protect their Ascend Mate2. In addition to the SIM card and phone case, consumers purchasing an Ascend Mate2 will also receive lifetime 20GB of online storage free from Bitcasa.

“With the Ascend Mate2, you just pop your SIM card in and you are ready to go,” Mr. Xu said. “No need to worry about contracts or restrictions. You get a 4G LTE-ready device right out of the box.”

A Hybrid of “Bests”

Announced at the Consumer Electronics Show this year, the 4G LTE-enabled Ascend Mate2 was designed with today’s constantly connected consumer in mind.

“We put everything we know into the Mate2,” Mr. Xu said. “This device has what it takes to help you live large: big power, big screen, big camera. The Mate2 has more of everything you want in a smartphone.”

The Ascend Mate2 features a powerful quad-core 1.6 GHz processor and a long-lasting 3900mAh lithium polymer battery that lets you enjoy a half-day of web surfing on a single charge. Featuring unique power-saving technology that improves performance by more than 30 percent versus other smartphones in its class, a single charge can let you:

  • Stream three movies in a row;

  • Surf the web for 12 hours;

  • Talk for 25 hours;

  • Or, listen to 100 hours of music.

With a large 6.1-inch, Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 IPS screen, and lightning-fast LTE Cat4 connectivity, the Mate2 is perfect for non-stop entertainment.

The 13-megapixel BSI rear-facing camera, features a 2.0 aperture, making it easy to take crystal clear, professional-quality photos. Turn the phone around and its 5-megapixel front-facing camera, offers both panoramic mode and Auto Face Enhancement, so you get a wider view to help you create amazingly selfies and groufies.

“We’re going beyond the idea of great selfies to deliver something new,” Mr. Xu said. “After all, your life is big, the Mate2 is big, so your selfies and groufies should be big too. Our panoramic feature turns everyday groufies into something epic.”

Running Android™ 4.3, the Ascend Mate2 comes in black and white, and features Huawei’s proprietary Emotion UI 2.0 Lite, for easy customization. Despite the large screen, the Ascend Mate2’s 9.5mm slim shape, and the ergonomic designed casing make it comfortable to hold and operate.

To learn more about the HUAWEI Ascend Mate2 4G LTE, visit GetHuawei.com.

– End –

About Huawei Consumer Business Group

As at the end of 2013, Huawei’s products and services are deployed in over 170 countries, serving more than one third of the world’s population. Huawei ranked third in global smartphone shipments in 2013. Huawei has also established more than 16 R&D centers around the world in countries such as the United States, Germany, Sweden, Russia, India, and China. One of Huawei’s three business groups, Huawei Consumer Business Group (BG) provides a range of products including mobile phones, mobile broadband (MBB) devices, home devices and cloud services. With more than 20 years of rich business expertise in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, an extensive global network, vast global business operations and partners, Huawei Consumer BG is dedicated to bringing the latest technology to consumers, offering a world of possibilities and creating extraordinary experiences for people everywhere.

For more information, visit Huawei Consumer BG online: consumer.huawei.com/us

For regular updates on Huawei Consumer BG, follow us on:

Facebook: facebook.com/huaweideviceusa

Twitter: twitter.com/HuaweiDeviceUSA

Google+: plus.google.com/+HuaweiDeviceUSA

YouTube: youtube.com/user/HuaweiDeviceUSA

Flickr: flickr.com/photos/huaweideviceusa


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Blackberry Passport we are intrigued, check out more information below!

 

 

We have not seen a real one, but would love to test and review it.

 

Passport

Here are some videos on the new device:

First, the work wide video highlights some information on the device:

Watch this video on YouTube.

Second the Passport Design Story–>

Watch this video on YouTube.

and a bit more information–>

Watch this video on YouTube.

I know I am intrigued, it is good to see something a bit different as well.

Specifications:

Device Size

  • Height 128 mm / 5.04 in
  • Width 90.3 mm / 3.56 in
  • Depth 9.3 mm / 0.36 in

Weight

  • 196g / 6.91 oz

Navigation

  • All-touch screen, with intuitive gesture based navigation
  • Touch-enabled keyboard

Keyboard

  • Capacitive touch 3-row BlackBerry® Keyboard, featuring contextual auto-correction, next-word prediction and a personalised learning engine that gets to know the way you type

Dedicated keys

  • Volume Up/Down, Mute, Lock (for Power On/Off)

Display

  • Height 128 mm / 5.04 in
  • Width 90.3 mm / 3.56 in
  • Depth 9.3 mm / 0.36 in

Weight

  • 196g / 6.91 oz

Navigation

  • All-touch screen, with intuitive gesture based navigation
  • Touch-enabled keyboard

Keyboard

  • Capacitive touch 3-row BlackBerry® Keyboard, featuring contextual auto-correction, next-word prediction and a personalised learning engine that gets to know the way you type

Dedicated keys

  • Volume Up/Down, Mute, Lock (for Power On/Off)

 

 

For more information check it out here–>

http://us.blackberry.com/smartphones/blackberry-passport/specifications.html

 

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RESEARCHERS LINK GENE TO INCREASED DENDRITIC SPINES – A SIGNPOST OF AUTISM The Autism News

RESEARCHERS LINK GENE TO INCREASED DENDRITIC SPINES – A SIGNPOST OF AUTISM The Autism News

By MedicalXpress

Scientists at the UNC School of Medicine have discovered that knocking out the gene NrCAM leads to an increase of dendritic spines on excitatory pyramidal cells in the brains of mammals. Other studies have confirmed that the overabundance of dendritic spines on this type of brain cell allows for too many synaptic connections to form between neurons – a phenomenon strongly linked to autism.The finding, published in The Journal of Neuroscience, adds evidence that NrCAM is a major player in neurological disorders. Previous UNC studies showed that knocking out the NrCAM gene caused mice to exhibit the same sorts of social behaviors associated with autism in humans.

“There are many genes involved in autism, but we’re now finding out exactly which ones and how they’re involved,” said Patricia Maness, PhD, professor of biochemistry and biophysics and senior author of the Journal of Neuroscience paper. “Knowing that NrCAM has this effect on dendrites allows us to test potential drugs, not only to observe a change in behaviors linked to autism but to see if we can improve dendritic spine abnormalities, which may underlie autism.

Maness’s finding comes on the heels of a report from Columbia University researchers who found an overabundance of the protein MTOR in mice bred to develop a rare form of autism. By using a drug to limit MTOR in mice, the Columbia researchers were able to decrease the number of dendritic spines and thus prune the overabundance of synaptic connections during adolescence. As a result, the social behaviors associated with autism were decreased. However, the drug used to limit MTOR can cause serious side effects, and it is located inside cells, making it a potentially difficult protein to target.

 

For the full article click here Article..

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HISY: Bluetooth Camera Shutter Remote (Full)

While at CTIA 2014, I ran into a company with a unique new product for taking group photos and selfies. Here is a nice video that they just released portraying the product. It is definitely worth checking it out.

 

Watch this video on YouTube.

Say hello to the selfie, revolutionized.  HISY is a tiny device that offers so much more than the term we’ve come to know and love.  With HISY, users can snap photos andvideo from up to ninety feet away, eliminating woes like weird selfie arm and the exclusion of people from the shot.  Just set, step away, and click, then admire your killerselfie #hisypix.  HISY—it’s The New Way to Selfie!!

 

HISY Technical Specifications

  • Compatibility: Apple iOS 7.0 or later of iPhone 4S, 5, 5S, 5C, iPad 3rd & 4th Generation, iPad Mini & iPad Air, iPod, & iPod Touch 5th Generation or later
  • Frequency Range: ISM Band 2.4 GHz
  • Bluetooth Version: BT 4.0 Low Energy
  • Active Range: 30-90ft / 10 to 30m
  • 2+ Year Battery Life: (CR2032 x 1 Cell)
  • Includes headphone jack attachement to carry with you at all times
  • Includes foldable stand
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Gabriel Knight Sins of the Fathers!

We are going to be reviewing the new or renewed title gabriel knight sins of the fathers soon.

It seems to be one that is worth watching.

Here is a preview of the new game from youtube–>

 

Watch this video on YouTube.

Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers, Jane Jensen’s classic adventure game, is back. This 20th anniversary update features high res graphics, an all new remastered soundtrack, behind-the-scenes goodies, and the great gameplay and story of the original.

Release Date: Oct. 15th, 2014 (PC, Mac)
Coming Soon: iOS, Android

GAME SCREENS

GABRIEL KNIGHT:
SINS OF THE FATHERS®

Experience one of adventure gaming’s most stunning masterpieces all over again in this blockbuster retelling of the award-winning 1993 murder-mystery, which adds all-new puzzles, scenes, and HD graphics!

Blending the best of yesterday and today, it re-imagines the 1993 original, voted one of the greatest games of all time, for an entirely new generation of fans. As struggling author and bookstore owner Gabriel Knight, you will investigate a series of savage ritual killings in New Orleans and their connection to voodoo’s sinister mysteries.

The deeper you dive into master storyteller Jane Jensen’s tale of terror and suspense, the closer you’ll come to discovering the secrets of Gabriel’s family history–and unfolding his destiny.

  • Relive one of gaming’s greatest adventures of all-time:Adventure Gamers’ 20 Best Adventure Games, Computer Gaming World’s Adventure Game of the Year 1994, and Honorable Mention in The A.V. Club’s Top 100 Games of All-Time
  • Experience the award-winning voodoo murder-mystery in stunning high-res 3D
  • Adds new puzzles and scenes to familiar challenges
  • Includes remastered soundtrack by original composer Robert Holmes
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Sennheiser’s Esfera wins IABM Design and Innovation Award

Old Lyme, Conn., September 17, 2014 – Sennheiser’s Esfera surround

microphone system has been recognized with an IABM Design and

Innovation Award. At the awards ceremony held on September 13th during

the IBC in Amsterdam, the audio specialist received the award within the

Audio category.

“We feel extremely honoured that the IABM’s independent panel of experts has selected Esfera for the Audio award,” said Claus Menke, Head of Portfolio Management Pro for Sennheiser’s Professional Division. “Immersive audio is one of our focus areas, an area which truly creates a difference for the viewers’ TV experience. Esfera makes the lives of broadcast professionals a lot easier. The system enables them to efficiently capture authentic ambience using just two audio channels, and to convert this audio information to 5.1 at any point in the workflow, whether live or in post-production.”

The Esfera surround microphone system

The Esfera system consists of the SPM 8000 two-channel microphone unit and the SPB 8000 processing unit. The microphone unit features the typical advantages of RF condenser microphones: natural and detailed sound, transparency, ruggedness and high resistance to adverse climatic conditions. The processing unit uses an algorithm perfectly matched to the microphones to generate a 5.1 surround signal with sampling rates of up to 96 kHz. An integrated compressor ensures a broadcast-friendly signal. For ease of operation, the processing unit uses four directly selectable presets. These can be modified via an Ethernet interface to adapt to local conditions, including the settings for the gain of the individual channels, front and surround focus, surround delay, rotation, filters and cut-off frequencies, compressor, make up gain, output gain, limiter and windshield compensation.

Image captions:

IABM Award.jpg: Sennheiser’s Claus Menke (l.) accepting the award from Peter White, CEO of IABM

Esfera.jpg: Immersive surround sound and workflow efficiency: the Esfera 5.1 surround microphone system, consisting of a two-channel microphone unit and the 5.1 processing unit

About the IABM:

The IABM, is the authoritative voice of the broadcast and media technology supply industry worldwide. Its wide range of services to members encompasses market research and intelligence, training, expert representation at standards bodies and broadcasting unions, executive networking opportunities, and preferential purchasing. A presence at every major broadcast tradeshow, the IABM also provides a valuable channel for communication among broadcast manufacturers, government, and regulatory bodies. Additional IABM activities include awards programs for innovation and scholarships designed to stimulate the development of the broadcast and electronic media industries on an international basis. For more information, please visit www.theiabm.org

About Sennheiser

The Sennheiser Group, with its head office in Wedemark (Hanover Region) is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of microphones, headphones and wireless transmission systems. In 2013 the family company, which was founded in 1945, realised a turnover of around 590 million euros. Sennheiser has more than 2,500 employees worldwide and operates its own factories in Germany, Ireland and the USA. The company is represented worldwide by subsidiaries in France, Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Lichtenstein, Germany, Denmark (Nordic), Russia, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand, Canada, Mexico and the USA, as well as by long-term trading partners in many other countries. The company Georg Neumann GmbH, Berlin (studio microphones and monitor speakers) and the joint venture Sennheiser Communications A/S (headsets for PCs, offices and call centres) are also part of the Sennheiser Group. You can find further up-to-date information about Sennheiser online at www.sennheiser.com.

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An interesting graphic on sugar from Women’s Health!

You’ve heard about the evils of excessive sugar intake, including the fact that sugar is killing us. But do you actually know how your body processes the nutrient? Or did you know that your body needs a minimum amount of sugar to function properly? (Granted, most people take in way beyond that amount.)

This helpful infographic, created with information from Karmeen Kulkarni, R.D., a past president of healthcare and education at the American Diabetes Association and the current director of scientific affairs with the pharmaceutical company Abbott, explains exactly what happens after you swallow the sweet stuff:

 

Please check out the article from the source–>http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/your-body-on-sugar:

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Apple Announces iOS 8 Available September 17

Introduces New Messages & Photos Features, QuickType Keyboard, Extensibility, iCloud Drive & New Health App

CUPERTINO, California―September 9, 2014―Apple® today announced iOS 8, the biggest release since the launch of the App Store℠, will be available starting Wednesday, September 17 to iPhone®, iPad® and iPod touch® users as a free software update. iOS 8 delivers a simpler, faster and more intuitive user experience with new Messages and Photos features, predictive typing for Apple’s QuickType™ keyboard and Family Sharing. iOS 8 also includes the new Health app, giving you a clear overview of your health and fitness data and iCloud Drive℠, so you can store files and access them from anywhere. With more than 4,000 new APIs, iOS 8 allows developers to further customize the user experience with major extensibility features and robust frameworks such as HealthKit and HomeKit.

 

iPhone5s-5Up_Features_iOS8-PRINT

Apple Announces IOS 8, it is a new, improved iteration of ios.

“We’re excited for hundreds of millions of users to begin experiencing iOS 8, with incredible features that offer new ways to use your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “iOS 8 also creates an extraordinary environment for developers, providing them the ability to create amazing new apps like never before.”

Messages in iOS 8 makes conversations more immersive. Simply Tap to Talk to share your voice. The same gesture also works for sharing photos and videos. Users can now share several photos and videos at once and easily browse through all of them within a conversation from one place. Group messaging gives you the ability to add and remove contacts, and the option not to be disturbed or to leave a conversation entirely. You can also choose to share your current location from within Messages for an hour, a day or longer.

In iOS 8, the Photos app brings powerful editing to your fingertips. Photos automatically straightens horizons, and with smart editing tools you can quickly adjust light and color with a swipe. For deeper fine-tuning, you can access individual tools to adjust exposure, brightness, contrast, highlights, shadows and more. Developers can tap into the same robust framework as the built-in Photos app using PhotoKit, and with extensibility APIs, can make their own filters and editing tools available to users within the Photos app.

New predictive typing for Apple’s QuickType keyboard is smarter, more personalized and intelligently takes context into account, such as who the recipient is and in which app you’re typing. QuickType understands the way you communicate, suggesting favorite phrases, so you can write entire sentences with just a few taps. What the QuickType keyboard learns is kept private, encrypted on your device and never sent to the cloud. Third-party keyboards are also available, so developers can offer additional layouts and input methods system-wide, providing users more choice.

The new Health app gathers the information you choose from your various health apps and fitness devices, and provides you with a clear and current overview in one place. HealthKit APIs offer developers the ability for health and fitness apps to communicate with each other. With your permission, each app can use specific information from other apps to provide a more comprehensive way to manage your health and fitness. Users will be able to gather and monitor their own fitness metrics using apps such as MyFitnessPal, RunKeeper and Strava. Healthcare providers can now monitor the data their patients choose to share through apps such as Mayo Clinic or Epic’s MyChart app that will be used by Duke Medicine and Stanford Children’s Health/Stanford Medicine, among others.

HomeKit connects your home devices safely and seamlessly so you can better manage accessories like lights, thermostats, door locks and garage doors. By delivering a common protocol, HomeKit securely pairs and allows easy control over individual or groups of devices throughout the house. With Siri® integration you can say, “Good morning,” and have the lights turn on in specific rooms, the thermostat adjust the temperature and the garage door open.

Family Sharing with iOS 8 makes it easier than ever to communicate and share purchases. It automatically keeps everyone connected by creating a shared family photo stream and calendar, and provides an option to locate family members and their devices. Family members can also now browse and download each other’s eligible iTunes®, iBooks® or App Store purchases. Up to six family members can participate, each with their own Apple ID. Parents can create Apple IDs for children and, with Ask to Buy, require online parental permission for Family Sharing purchases.

iCloud Drive allows you to safely store, access and edit documents of any type. Make edits on one device and the most up-to-date version of your documents will be available across all devices, whether an iOS device, Mac®, Windows PC or on www.icloud.com. iCloud Drive brings new collaboration between apps, providing seamless access and the ability to work on the same file across multiple apps.

Continuity features in iOS 8 and OS X® Yosemite bring your Mac and iOS devices together like never before. When your iPhone or iPad is near your Mac, Handoff lets you start an activity on one device and pass it to the other. Instant Hotspot makes using your iPhone’s hotspot as easy as connecting to a Wi-Fi network. Now the SMS and MMS messages that previously only appeared on your iPhone appear in Messages on all your devices. You can even send SMS or MMS messages directly from your Mac and make or receive iPhone calls using your Mac as a speakerphone.*

Additional iOS 8 features include:

  • expanded security and management improvements for Enterprise, with new productivity features, including an extended level of data protection for key built-in apps and support for configurable Thread Notifications in Mail. Improvements in the way users are informed of how their devices are configured and managed further support the new mobilized workforce IT model;
  • design enhancements that build off the stunning interface of iOS 7, bringing interactive notifications, quick access to key contacts, intelligent suggestions and the ability to quickly switch back and forth between the Inbox and Drafts in Mail; and
  • Spotlight® suggestions beyond what’s on your device, including Wikipedia entries, places nearby and news articles.

The iOS 8 SDK, with over 4,000 new APIs, gives developers the ability to create amazing new apps like never before. The SDK delivers major iOS extensions, including new sharing options, widgets, custom actions and document APIs. Touch ID™ APIs enable developers to securely authenticate users within apps. Gaming on iOS 8 gets even better with Metal™, a new graphics technology for game providers to bring console-class 3D games to mobile devices. iOS 8 includes CloudKit, offering developers a complete and scalable back-end solution, eliminating the need for writing server code and maintaining servers. Swift™ provides developers with a powerful, next-generation programming language for iOS and OS X that’s fast, modern, interactive and helps them write safer and more reliable code.

iPhone, iPad and iPod touch customers have access to the revolutionary App Store, which offers more than 1.3 million apps in 155 countries around the world. The App Store receives more than 300 million visitors each week.

Pricing & Availability
iOS 8 will be available as a free software update starting Wednesday, September 17 for iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPod touch 5th generation, iPad 2, iPad with Retina® display, iPad Air™, iPad mini™ and iPad mini with Retina display. New iCloud pricing includes 5GB free, 20GB $0.99/month, 200GB $3.99/month, 500GB $9.99/month and 1TB $19.99/month. Continuity features and iCloud Drive will be available on Macs running OS X Yosemite. In October, SMS Continuity will be available as a free update to iOS 8 and iCloud Photo Library will be available as a beta. Starting in October, with iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Apple Pay™ will be available in the US as a free update to iOS 8. Features are subject to change. Some features may not be available in all regions or all languages.

* Check with your carrier for hotspot availability; some cellular data charges may apply.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.

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Apple Announces iPhone 6 & iPhone 6 Plus, larger and enhanced products September 2014!

Apple Announces iPhone 6 & iPhone 6 Plus

The Biggest Advancements in iPhone History

Dramatically Thin Design Features Stunning Retina HD Displays, Powerful A8 Chip, Advanced Cameras & Apple Pay

CUPERTINO, California—September 9, 2014—Apple® today announced iPhone® 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, the biggest advancements in iPhone history, featuring two new models with stunning 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch Retina HD displays, and packed with innovative technologies in an all-new dramatically thin and seamless design. The new iPhones feature a precision unibody enclosure of anodized aluminum that conforms seamlessly with the shaped glass of the display, resulting in a completely smooth and continuous surface. iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are engineered to be the thinnest ever, delivering a bigger display in a design that is still comfortable to hold and easy to use.

Packed with innovative new technologies, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus include: the Apple-designed A8 chip with second generation 64-bit desktop-class architecture for blazing fast performance and power efficiency; advanced iSight® and FaceTime® HD cameras; ultrafast wireless technologies; and Apple Pay™, an easier way to simply and securely make payments with just the touch of a finger.¹ Both models include iOS 8, the latest version of the world’s most advanced mobile operating system, featuring a simpler, faster and more intuitive user experience with new Messages and Photos features, QuickType™ keyboard, a new Health app, Family Sharing and iCloud Drive℠.

“iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are the biggest advancements in iPhone history,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “The iPhone is the most loved smartphone in the world with the highest customer satisfaction in the industry and we are making it much better in every way. Only Apple can combine the best hardware, software and services at this unprecedented level and we think customers are going to love it.”

For the first time iPhone is available in two new sizes: iPhone 6 features a stunning 4.7-inch Retina® HD display with 1334 x 750 resolution, providing 38 percent more viewing area than iPhone 5s, while iPhone 6 Plus features an even bigger 5.5-inch Retina HD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, providing 88 percent more viewing area and nearly three times the pixels than iPhone 5s. The Retina HD displays offer advanced technologies including higher contrast for deeper blacks and dual-domain pixels for more accurate colors at wider viewing angles.

With second generation 64-bit desktop-class architecture, the all-new A8 chip offers faster performance and is more energy efficient, delivering higher sustained performance with great battery life. With Metal™, a new graphics technology in iOS 8, developers can take performance of the A8 chip even further to bring console-class 3D games to iPhone. The A8 chip also includes a new, powerful Apple-designed image signal processor that enables advanced camera and video features.

iPhone6_34FL_3-Color-Spaced_Homescreen-PRINT

Both models include the M8 motion coprocessor that gathers motion data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, compass and the new barometer, which senses air pressure to provide relative elevation. The M8 motion coprocessor can continuously measure your motion data, even when the device is asleep, saving battery life for fitness apps that use the sensors all day. With iOS 8, motion data from M8 appears in the Health app so you can see how many flights of stairs you’ve climbed, or how far you’ve walked or run. Developers can use CoreMotion APIs that take advantage of M8 and HealthKit to create apps that help you take better care of your health and fitness.

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus introduce Apple Pay, an easy way to securely pay for physical goods and services in stores or apps with just the touch of a finger. Users can pay securely and conveniently in stores by simply holding the phone near the contactless reader while keeping a finger on Touch ID™; there is no need to unlock your iPhone or launch an app. With Apple Pay, you can also make one-touch purchases within apps, without having to enter credit card or shipping information. All payment information is kept private, encrypted and stored securely in the Secure Element, a chip inside the new iPhones.

The iSight camera gets even better with a new sensor featuring Focus Pixels for faster autofocus, making it easier to quickly capture any moment. iPhone 6 Plus users will also benefit from optical image stabilization technology that compensates for hand shake in low light and works with iOS 8 to reduce subject motion. High-definition video on iPhone improves with faster frame rates up to 60fps for 1080p video and 240fps for slo-mo, as well as continuous autofocus, cinematic video stabilization and time-lapse video. The FaceTime HD camera now captures over 80 percent more light with a new sensor, larger f/2.2 aperture and advanced new features including burst mode and HDR video.

With faster LTE download speeds of up to 150 Mbps, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users can browse, download and stream content faster. The new iPhones also support high-quality voice calls over LTE (VoLTE) as well as Wi-Fi calling.² With support for up to 20 LTE wireless bands—more than any other smartphone in the world—the new models make it easier to experience high-speed networks around the world. Both iPhones also include 802.11ac Wi-Fi with speeds up to 433 Mbps and Bluetooth 4.0.³

The new iPhones come with iOS 8, the biggest release since the launch of the App Store℠, delivering a simpler, faster and more intuitive user experience and new features including QuickType keyboard, a new Health app, Family Sharing and iCloud Drive. With more than 4,000 new APIs, iOS 8 allows developers to further customize the user experience with major extensibility features and robust frameworks such as HealthKit and HomeKit. iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users also have access to the revolutionary App Store, which offers more than 1.3 million apps to iPhone, iPad® and iPod touch® users in 155 countries around the world.

Pricing & Availability
iPhone 6 comes in gold, silver or space gray, and will be available in the US for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) for the 16GB model, $299 (US) for the 64GB model and, for the first time, a new 128GB model for $399 (US) with a two-year contract.⁴ iPhone 6 Plus comes in gold, silver or space gray, and will be available in the US for a suggested retail price of $299 (US) for the 16GB model, $399 (US) for the 64GB model and $499 (US) for the new 128GB model with a two-year contract.⁴ Both models will be available from the Apple Online Store(www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores, and through AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, additional carriers and select Apple Authorized Resellers. iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will be available in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore and the UK beginning on Friday, September 19, and customers can pre-order both models beginning on Friday, September 12.

Apple-designed leather cases will be available in black, soft pink, olive brown, midnight blue and (RED) for $45 (US) for iPhone 6 and $49 (US) for iPhone 6 Plus and silicone cases in black, blue, pink, green, white and (RED) for a suggested retail price of $35 (US) for iPhone 6 and $39 (US) for iPhone 6 Plus through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers.

iPhone 5s will be available in the US for a suggested retail price of $99 (US) for the 16GB model and $149 (US) for the 32GB model, and an iPhone 5c 8GB model will be available for free.⁴ iOS 8 will be available as a free software update starting on Wednesday, September 17. Some features may not be available on all products. Apple Pay will be available to US customers as a free software update to iOS 8 this October.

¹ Apple Pay will be available to iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus customers in the US as a free update to iOS 8 this October.
² LTE, VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling are available through select carriers. Network speeds are dependent on carrier networks, check with your carrier for details.
³ Based on theoretical speeds, actual speeds may vary.
⁴ For qualified customers only. Check with your carrier for details.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.