Curved Glass

According to the source, the new iPhones will feature a 4.7-inch and/or a 5.5-inch display which curves downwards at the edges. Recent generations of iPhone have been criticized for maintaining a 4-inch display instead of a larger offering, as seen on devices such as the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy. Apple has historically been reluctant to increase the size of the iPhone’s display in an effort to aid single-handed usage. However, if these rumors are true, the aforementioned speculative dimensions would bring the Apple smartphone in line with the larger Android devices and other “phablet” handsets, such as the Samsung Galaxy Note with its 5.7-inch display.

The report states that the glass display will be curved at the edges. This may be similar in implementation to the LG Nexus 4, which has a slight bevel on each edge of the display designed for greater tactile comfort and ease of use.

This isn’t the first time suggestions have been made that Apple is working on an iPhone with a larger screen. In September, The Wall Street Journal suggested that the Cupertino company was working on devices with display sizes of 4.8 to 6 inches, which correlates with today’s rumor.

Enhanced Touch Sensitivity

In addition to curved glass, the new iPhone may also include enhanced touch sensors. The new sensors may be pressure sensitive, which would be welcomed by creative users. According to TechCrunch, pressure sensitivity would allow for more complex drawing, painting, and handwriting apps, using the enhanced sensors in a way similar to Wacom’s graphics tablets. For example, a digital paintbrush stroke would become larger and more opaque the harder the screen is pressed, just as with a real brush.

Current Examples

While curved displays are still a relatively new development in consumer electronics, a number of devices have already implemented them to some degree. One such device is the Samsung Galaxy Round, which was announced in early October. However, the functional benefits of curved screens to the end user are yet to be fully realized. Although somewhat unique in aesthetic, the display on the Galaxy Round is designed primarily to aid single-handed operation, with very limited additional functionality offered by the implementation of the curved screen. However with the rumored release of these new iPhones almost a year away, there is plenty of time for device manufacturers to experiment with flexible displays and curved screens.

What are your thoughts on the usefulness of curved displays?

Image courtesy of Flickr user Marco Paköeningrat.

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Launched in April 2013, the iOS Google Now app lacked features compared to its Android equivalent, primarily in the notification and reminder systems. However, the majority of these concerns have been addressed, with functionality becoming almost identical on both platforms. Context-sensitive notifications are now fully implemented in the iOS version and significantly improve the overall functionality and usefulness of the app. Although available on the Android equivalent for some time, notifications were missing from the App Store version and iOS users had to manually input search requests to retrieve relevant information. 

Context-Sensitive Notifications 

With the new update, the app will also automatically notify the user of information it thinks is relevant, based on time or location. The Verge highlights an example of a morning notification that informs the user of an upcoming appointment or flight delay. Also new to reminders is the option to set up news-related notifications. This way, alerts can be set to display when news is released on a particular subject or when an album by a favored artist is released. Reminders can also be set using voice commands, similar to existing functionality offered by Siri on the iPhone and iPad. The voice command system has also been updated to aid hands-free operation, whereby users are able to communicate with the app by simply saying “OK, Google,” and asking a question.  

New Cards 

A selection of new cards, the panels used to display information, allow users to quickly access event tickets, boarding passes, transit information, and car hire reservations. As suggested by TechRadar, these complement the new notification system: for example, they could notify users of the time of the last train home. The user interface has also seen a series of upgrades, including a simplified home screen. 

Android Updates Imminent 

It is worth noting that Google Now is due to receive further updates to its Android app as part of the 4.4 KitKat OS update. Speaking to The Verge, Google’s Android Chief Sundar Pichai recently expressed a desire to bring “apps and the web together.” To develop this tighter app integration, Google Now will include content from installed apps in its search operations. Other upcoming features include more accurate speech recognition with a more conversational functionality, allowing users to specify more detailed requests. Whether or not the iOS version will also receive the new features remains to be seen. However, Apple’s historically strict policies on cross-app integration may render such features difficult to implement, if not impossible. 

The update is now live on the App Store. Do you use Now on Android or iOS, or will these new features inspire you to give it a try?

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The Perfect Combination

Designed for use with the Nike+ Fuelband SE, which was announced just a few weeks ago, the new Move app will take advantage of the dedicated motion-tracking hardware and software combination in the iPhone 5s to offer users more detailed statistics on their daily physical activities. The app monitors movement throughout the day and night with unprecedented accuracy. The amount of time and intensity of activities is analyzed, then converted into “Fuel”—the digital unit of measure used by the Fuelband app—which can be tracked and compared with friends’ results through the Apple Game Center. Because the app remains active even when the phone is inactive, it avoids unnecessary battery drain and the need to keep the application running in the foreground, according to MacRumors.

The Competitive Edge

While the mobile fitness tracking space has seen a number of notable entries recently, including the Jawbone UP and FitBit Flex wristbands, Nike+ emphasizes the competitive aspect of the Fuelband and Move app, presenting a number of features designed to keep users active and goal-oriented. In the app’s official iTunes description, Nike+ suggests app users “move more often and win as many hours as [they] can throughout the day.” The display on the Fuelband SE progressively turns from red to green as Fuel is collected from daily activity. This active element of achievement may encourage users to make additional efforts to maintain an active lifestyle.

A Sign of Things to Come?

The M7 co-processor found in the iPhone 5s is designed to constantly monitor data from the phone’s accelerometer, compass, and gyroscope. By assigning these tasks to a dedicated processor, battery life and performance can be improved significantly. An API called CoreMotion is also implemented in iOS7, allowing app developers to leverage all the benefits of the M7 chip.

As noted by Engadget, Nike+ suggested the new Move app is an introductory experience, hinting that the full potential of the M7/CoreMotion partnership is yet to be realized or demonstrated. It’s entirely possible, of course, that Apple may be planning its own software to make use of the motion-sensing capabilities. With rumors of the company’s entry into the wearable technology space, it has a clear opportunity to tie in the additional functionality of the M7 with an Apple-designed smartwatch.

Nike+ Move is now available as a free download in the App Store. Do you have a Fuelband and an iPhone 5s? What are your thoughts on the new features offered by the M7 chip?

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The new hardware brings a host of impressive specifications and a drastic redesign, which serve clever functional purposes beyond pure aesthetic. Housed in an all-black cylindrical shell made from curved aluminum, the futuristic tower has been conceived by Apple’s engineers and designers in such a way that airflow is optimized, therefore maximizing performance from the stable of silicon-based power hidden within. The beauty, of course, is not only skin deep. The new Mac Pro has seen a massive upgrade over the previous model, with Apple claiming double the performance of the 2012 model across the board. This significant boost comes from a number of fundamental upgrades that ensure the Mac Pro retains its place at the top of the creative pro’s list. Processing power is provided by Intel’s Xeon E5 chip, available with up to 12 cores. RAM can be configured with up to 64GB, with memory bandwidth doubled to 60Gb/s, up from the old model’s 30Gb/s. It is perhaps no surprise that the new Mac Pro is also a graphics monster, offering dual workstation level graphics cards (AMD FirePro) which can support up to three 4K displays. 

The previous Mac Pro saw its most recent refresh in June 2012 but had lacked a significant redesign since its introduction in 2006. Prior to the recent announcement of the updated model, the aging processor and tired graphics card (the Radeon 5770HD, which is over four years old) meant that Apple was running out of time to present a suitably current workstation. Apple was also forced to discontinue the former model in the EU after new regulations were introduced that rendered the design and placement of the cooling fans illegal, as reported by Gizmodo. However, today’s announced looks set to place Apple squarely at the head of the pack with what is quite clearly a formidable system.

The new Mac Pro is also the first hardware to be built entirely in the United States, a fact that was suggested by Tim Cook in May this year and officially reported by Engadget in June. The majority of the production will take place at a dedicated plant in Texas and may signal a future of things to come as Apple brings its manufacturing process closer to home.  

The new Mac Pro is available for pre-order now with prices starting at $2999 and will begin shipping in December 2013. Have you been waiting for today’s announcement? Will you be buying a Mac Pro?

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Originally launched in 2006, as reported by Engadget, the Mac Pro was the successor to the Power Mac and continued Apple’s position as the industry standard for computing hardware across multiple creative industries — a position largely stemming from software compatibility in the beginning. Desktop publishing package Quark, for example, was released for the Mac in the late-80s and quickly became the industry favorite. Later, Logic and Final Cut, both developed by Apple, were released exclusively for the Mac OS and are still regarded as some of the best packages in the music and film industries, respectively. Historically, Apple hardware has also been renowned for stability and reliability, inspiring peace of mind and confidence for studios deploying a large number of systems. However, after being somewhat neglected by Apple over the past twelve months (the most recent update to the Mac Pro was well over a year ago), many industry experts began to wonder if a new Mac Pro would ever see the light of day. These concerns were quickly alleviated though, when a significant update was unveiled, putting to rest any doubts that Apple intends to hold onto their crown. 

So who needs the Mac Pro? Which companies and individuals are likely to benefit the most from the impressive specifications? The new Mac Pro will likely be of most interest to the following three industries: film and visual effects, music, and multimedia design. Of course there are many other professionals who rely on Mac hardware to carry out their daily tasks, such as writers and photographers, but these users may already be well served by Apple’s other offerings. The MacBook Pro and iMac, for example, are already capable machines and in most cases adequate for word processing and photo editing. The film industry, however, regularly depends on massive processing power for editing and post-production, while visual effects artists and 3D professionals in the games industry will often require heavyweight graphics cards to ensure consistently stable performance. These features are simply not available in other Mac lines, due in part to hardware size constraints. The support for multiple 4K displays is also likely to be a huge benefit to anybody working with visual media. Multiple high-speed storage solutions (up to 1TB SSD), a massive selection of connectivity options, and native support for Logic X will be the biggest draw for audio professionals. 

The ultimate success of the Mac Pro remains to be seen, but with such high specifications and unique industrial design, not to mention a long history of proven industry standards, it is likely to pique the interest of a number of studios worldwide. Do you work in one of the aforementioned industries? If so, will you be making the jump to the new Mac Pro?

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A Long Line of Leaks

The news came just hours after press photos of the rumored smartphone were released by Canadian website MobileSyrup, and followed earlier leaks that offered insight into what the Nexus 5 could offer in terms of features and functionality. Yesterday’s premature Play Store listing posted a price of $349. While slightly higher than the base price of the Nexus 4 ($299), The Verge pointed out that the Nexus 5 boasts 16GB of onboard storage, and MobileSyrup suggested the possibility of a 32GB variation. The entry level 4 shipped with just 8GB. Although the leaked listing offered little in the way of additional information, earlier leaks suggest that the handset will sport a 1080p, 4.95-inch display and 2.3Ghz Snapdragon 800 processor. 

Unrivaled Value for Money

If the rumored price is correct (Mashable suggested it may not be), it will again position the Google branded phone as unrivaled value for money, costing significantly less than its competitors. Aesthetically, the device looks to be based on LG’s G2, which was released last month. If the Nexus 5 retains the spec sheet from the G2, users can expect a 13-megapixel rear camera and a relatively impressive 3,000mAh battery. The handset will also come equipped for LTE connectivity, a feature that was famously missing from the Nexus 4.  

Android 4.4 

The Nexus 5 is also likely to be one of the first devices to feature Google’s upcoming Android 4.4, code named “KitKat.” Google surprised both fans and media alike in September when it announced a partnership with food company Nestle to promote the candy-themed branding of the upcoming operating system. With 5.0 seemingly still a long way off, the minor version update is said to bring a number of interface tweaks: new icons, better battery life, and greater support for cloud-based backups, not unlike Apple’s iCloud.  

As eager Android fans await an official word on pricing, specification and availability, the rumor mill continues to estimate a release date, currently believed to be October 28, as reported by Engadget. What are your thoughts on the Nexus 5? Are you excited for Android 4.4? Let us know in the comments.

Image source: Flickr

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New Look, New Features

The Fuelband SE is the next generation of Nike’s popular Fuelband lifestyle-tracking wristband. Designed to help users monitor their daily activity level, the wristband monitors movement and converts detected motion into “Fuel,” a proprietary unit of measurement that correlates to the amount of physical exertion during daily use. The band also sports a progressive meter which fills up as exercise takes place. 

For the first time since its launch in early 2012, the updated Fuelband also adds some additional functionality, refined operation, and a minor cosmetic refresh. The new Nike Fuelband SE, which TechCrunch notes is “sealed and waterproofed, making it usable in the shower,” will ship with a choice of three accent colors: pink, yellow, and red. Internally, the SE is packing the efficient Bluetooth 4.0 standard to improve wireless connectivity and increase battery life. According to the article on TechCrunch, the revised Fuelband will offer better distinction of different types of activity, making it more difficult to “cheat” or inadvertently add inaccurate movement tracking data. There is also quick access to the clock function provided by double tapping the main button.

Sleep Tracking 

Another notable addition to the Fuelband SE is the ability to monitor sleep. Missing from previous versions, this functionality brings the Fuelband in line with rival products from the likes of Jawbone and their “Up” wristband, and FitBit, which recently announced the “Force” lifestyle tracking band. Sleep monitoring forms an important part of the lifestyle tracking ecosystem and allows users to examine sleep patterns measured by the amount of movement or activity while sleeping. 

Nike has also updated the companion app for the Fuelband SE, which now offers a more detailed insight into performance metrics allowing more accurate monitoring of individual activities. Unfortunately there is still no sign of an Android or Windows Phone app, although iOS users can access the Fuelband web app.  

The Fuelband SE and updated companion app will be available on November 6, priced at $149. Do you own a lifestyle tracking band? Will you be picking up the Fuelband SE when it launches?

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The One Max, which HTC describes as a “super-sized smartphone” sports a number of notable features. Perhaps most important is the relatively huge 5.9 inch, 1080p display, which is slightly larger than the Galaxy Note 3’s 5.7 inch equivalent, but still dwarfed by the massive 6.4 inch screen on Sony’s recently released Xperia Z. Externally the handset retains a similar aesthetic to the One, with a silver aluminum shell with white accents. As expected, the weight has increased significantly, up 74 grams on the One to a total of 217g. Engadget notes that this may be primarily due to the BoomSound speakers, HTC’s tailored mobile audio system designed to heighten sound quality and volume. However, despite the larger screen and substantial weight difference, the HTC One Max has gained only 1mm in thickness over its smaller sibling, with its deepest point measuring just 10.3mm.

Interestingly, the One Max trades the optical image stabilization found on the One for a fingerprint scanner, not unlike the functionality found in Apple’s latest iPhone, the hugely popular 5s, which was launched last month. The technology is used in much the same way as on the iPhone and can provide quick and simple authentication to unlock a device without the need for a passcode. Also new to the One Max is the option to upgrade the internal storage to a maximum of 64GB via microSD card. Internally, there’s a quad-core Snapdragon 600 and 2GB RAM which should ensure fluid performance from the Sense 5.5/Android 4.3 operating system. Sense 5.5 is the latest update to HTC’s Sense 5 UI, which launched earlier this year and brought the BlinkFeed widget, which provides users with convenient access to social media platforms such as Google+ and Instagram.

According to the official PR, the HTC One Max will be available worldwide before the end of October, bringing comprehensive support for most 3G and 4G networks. Are you a fan of the larger-format smartphone? Will you be purchasing the One Max?

 Image courtesy of Flickr

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The Future of Windows Phone

The announcement marks the third Windows Phone 8 update. In addition to bringing new functionality and a refreshed interface, it hints at the future of Windows Phone hardware by way of support for larger devices. An article on TechCrunch explains that the update will carry specific support and unique features for 1080p displays. It will also include optimization for faster processors, namely the Snapdragon MSM8974 (800), Qualcomm’s flagship quad-core chip, according to The Verge.

The support for larger displays suggests an inevitable slew of new Windows Phone devices, which may arrive in larger form — aimed at drawing interest from fans of so-called “phablets” like the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and the recently released HTC One Max. With larger, higher-resolution displays comes the opportunity to make better use of display real estate. Microsoft has done exactly that, rather than simply resizing the existing user interface.

According to the official press release, five- and six-inch displays at 1080p will be capable of displaying up to six Live Tiles, up from the previous limit of four. Live Tiles are a customizable array of real-time information panels that users can arrange to display information and notifications. 

Tackling Distracted Driving

Another notable addition comes in the form of a “Driving Mode,” which Microsoft says is designed to help you “get from point A to point B with fewer distractions.” The risk of using mobile devices while driving is currently a hot topic, and Microsoft’s effort illustrates a welcome attempt to discourage distracted driving. The new mode will work in conjunction with a connected Bluetooth device (presumably an in-car entertainment system) and limit the number of notifications received while Driving Mode is active. The system can also be configured to automatically dispatch responses to calls and texts to inform contacts that the recipient is currently driving.  

Additional Extras

Other features announced include the ability to lock display rotation, solving a long-standing source of frustration in the Windows Phone community. The update also offers the option to assign specific ringtones to certain alerts, allowing users to audibly distinguish between notification types. A simplified tethering setup eliminates the need for password input when using a device as a mobile hotspot. Finally, the update details a new developer program that gives registered Windows Phone developers early access to software previews, beginning with Windows Phone 8 update 3.

While no release date has been provided, the update is expected to roll out in time for the holiday season. Are you a Windows Phone owner? Which features of this new update are you most excited about?

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New iWatch to Surpass Email and Text?

Talk of an Apple-branded entry into the growing smartwatch market has been building for some time now. Earlier estimates, however, anticipated the device would be more of a wearable extension to iOS devices, similar to the Pebble or the recently announced Samsung Galaxy smartwatch. Such devices offer users the ability to quickly check notifications of email or text messages without having to reach for the phone. However, today’s hints could point to an Apple-branded smartwatch that does a lot more. As MacRumors points out, any home automation functionality would require additional first-party products or licensed products designed to work with the iWatch at the very least. While there have been no such products spotted as of yet, Apple has stocked a number of automated home products for some time, namely the Nest thermostat and the Philips Hue LED bulb, both of which are made to work in conjunction with an iOS device.

New Device May Snatch the Lead from FitBit

If these rumblings turn out to be true, the iWatch could position Apple one step ahead of the pack in what is clearly a growing market. While iOS pairing seems somewhat inevitable, the company is also likely to include fitness and lifestyle tracking capability. Also a rapidly growing industry, “fitness bands” are wearable devices designed to count steps and measure sleep patterns to aid in healthy living. One such device, FitBit, reportedly raised over $45 million in funding last month, according to TechCrunch, who also point out that FitBit’s Flex wristband has been a sellout hit since its launch in May.

Previous reports from the analyst Brian White have historically been reliable: Most recently, he correctly predicted the availability of the recently launched iPhone 5c in multiple colors. Of course, Apple has yet to comment officially on the matter, but with an event slated for October 22, 2013, details about the smartwatch may finally be revealed. Would a smartwatch from the minds of Tim Cook and Jony Ive encourage consumers’ first forays into home automation?

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