Apple's New iPad-Pro in the Test: Tablet Power in Large Format

Even if the iPhone is significantly more popular: Apple is struggling to keep its tablet attractive. The iPad Pro gets a bigger display and more computing power for the AR and VR in the latest version. Reason enough for an update? Macmyth tested it.

One would think one day, Apple would start the ideas of how the iPad could become even better. After all, the CPU has been running at a much faster pace than normal users actually need. The display is also convincing: no other touchscreen on the tablet market can be seen more sharply and more responsively. And the battery holds for days. Admittedly, the speakers are poor. But this is mainly due to physics - where there is a lack of volume because the iPad has become too slim, Apple engineers can not do anything about.

So much more amazing, however, that Apple has nevertheless succeeded in improving the iPad Pro in its latest version significantly. This starts with the display: so far, Apple and most buyers in the 9.7-inch screen of the predecessor model looked the perfect size for a tablet that was just 435 grams. Now the developers have accommodated more screen space in the same housing: With the new iPad Pro, the display measures 10.5 inches in the diagonal (about 26.7 centimeters), and who are looking for an even larger screen can go to the model with 12.9 inches diagonal (About 32.8 centimeters).

In addition, the already fast-paced processor with the A10X Fusion chip has, even more, computing power - not for Netflix, but for the age of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). This also benefits the touchscreen. Even the previous iPad Pro convinced with its rich contrast, bright and low-reflection screen. The new display is one more thing, doubling the refresh rate - the so-called refresh rate.

This may sound like developer gibberish, but it is important to understand that a refresh rate of 120 hertz means that the image is updated 120 times per second. And the more often the image is built, the fewer jerks are shown in fast movements.

The improvement of the hardware is also shown when working with the Apple Pencil. My (lousy) characters and the (hasty) writing of notes felt more natural because there was no disturbing delay. This is certainly due to the shorter response times of the display, but also to the ability of the iPad Pro to be one step ahead of its users: the handwriting of most people is in the same direction and short pauses in writing. Apple is trying to deduce how the next hand movement might look - and if necessary, to correct itself in the blink of an eye. This works remarkably well: For me, the writing with the Apple Pencil on the screen felt like on paper.

In terms of the display, the diagonal of 10.5 inches proves to be perfect for users and developers: the high resolution of 2224x1668 pixels ensures a sharp image impression and allows the iPad to adapt each app independently to the iPad-Pro display; Neither the developers have to intervene, nor is it due to conversions to faded images.

The 10.5 inch diagonal also means plenty of space for the embedded keyboard when the iPad is transversal and fills the bottom half of the screen. It comes almost from the size of a conventional laptop keyboard. For my taste, writing on a hardware keyboard like Apple's Smart Keyboard or similar keyboards from third-party vendors is still much more pleasant. It just feels strange to pan on the glass when the iPad is crosswise.

The fact that Apple has succeeded in accommodating a larger screen in the same housing is one of the least dramatic improvements for me. Clear: It looks good, and the increase in the display area is unmistakable. But we are not where we really want to go. Also, the new iPad Pro is just an intermediate step between past.

At least the increase in display size brings no disadvantages with it. The iPad Pro never confused my grasping hands with a deliberate finger tap, and it did not happen that my fingers suddenly caught sight of the view or were otherwise in the way. And that more screen size also means more fingerprints, which have to be wiped off from time to time, was clear anyway - every tablet after a few minutes is greasy. Since the iPad Pro is no exception.

At the Apple developer conference at the beginning of June, programmers had a nice surprise. With ARKit, it would be easy to develop augmented reality applications for iOS devices in the future. At the conference, Apple executives introduced a rousing AR game and built a scene for Star Wars - before all eyes on the stage. Almost everyone involved held iPads in their hands: A display that is so great is the perfect window into the world of Augmented Reality, explained to me later one of the Apple managers.

In the iPad Pro, the same camera module as in the iPhone 7 - but is not intended for best snapping.

That's why the iPad Pro now features the same camera module as in the iPhone 7 - but not so that you can stretch the tablet at the concert to take photos from the audience and take everyone's view. But to get a better view of the other side of the world with the camera and screen, through the iPad, which can enrich all recordings with information.

Sure, the software team lags a whole few months behind. The new iPad Pro - like all iPads - will be able to take full advantage of such advances with iOS 11. The update of the software is announced for the fall and promises abundant new features, including many, which so far has never been mentioned in the same breath with the iPad.

This includes a built-in file management (similar to the Finder on the Mac) and the ability to drag and drop files back and forth between apps, but also for data exchange between different apps. Also, the dock should grow, so more app icons fit in. This is especially important for anyone who wants to use an iPad as an alternative to the laptop. And when iOS 11 is available then we should all want the largest screen we can only get.

At the moment, the wide-screen display makes little difference in the new iPad Pro. Just because there is suddenly more space, do not automatically grow your ideas, and nothing changes with the iPad. But wait and see: I've been able to play around with iOS 11 a bit, and I have to say it feels like a giant step towards the "computer for all purposes," to which Apple would like to make the iPad.

What would be the standard question that arises in every meeting: Is the purchase worthwhile? If you're looking for a new iPad - definitely! Probably no Apple tablet was ever as versatile as this new iPad Pro. The 12.9-inch version is similarly recommended, but feels more like a desktop device, not necessarily like something to take away. The outdated iPad Mini is probably just before its end, so better not buy more. Also, if you have an iPad, which is still working fast, do not necessarily have to access.

If there are cracks in the display, apps start to get lame, or if you're just stunned to stare at too much housing around the touch screen, there's the regular iPad (recently updated, from $446), Which is very suitable for videos or gaming. Or the iPad Pro, which costs from $815 and becomes the best tablet you have ever used. (In addition, if necessary USD122 for the Pencil and USD133 for the Magic Keyboard.) Either way, despite dropping iPad sales, Apple is doing everything to be a device that has long been among the best in its class, still a thing of beauty.

PRO: A larger display can never hurt, and this not only reacts faster but also provides a better picture. // Very long battery life of several days. // Very fast processor. // In conjunction with iOS 11, the iPad becomes a full-fledged computer.

CON: At least USD815 for the basic variant with only 64 GB of memory is quite expensive. In addition, there are extra costs for accessories such as an external keyboard or the Apple Pencil. // The XL display will only pay off properly when iOS 11 is available (probably in autumn 2017).

Apple Invents Wireless Charging iPhone Case Accessory using Millimeter Wave Technology

Next Generation iPhone – Integrate Wireless Charging

Patent application from Apple had been published on 15th June by the US Patent & Trademark Office relating to a next generation iPhone case which tends to integrate wireless charging. It had been observed by Apple that `the removable case could be couple to the electronic device by utilising wired as well as wireless paths which could be utilised in conveying power together with data between the case and the electronic device.
 Last month Patently Apple had posted a report titled – Apple Seeks License from FCC Covering new Wireless Millimeter Wave Technology Found in a Recent Patent Filing’. The first millimetre wave patent of Apple has appeared in April in framework with new wireless patch antennas. Present patent portrays that the latest iPhone case would utilise millimetre wave technology.

 Apple had indicated that this type of wireless charging could be utilised with forthcoming smart-glasses, head mounted systems, Apple Watch together with the other devices of Apple, known as well as unknown. Besides this, Apple noticed that `the removable case could also comprise of circuitry which tends to obtain wireless power from outside equipment and the circuitry which receives the wireless power could also receive wireless power at microwave frequency.

Power Established – Electronic Devices – Wired/Wireless Paths

The power established could be provided to the electronic device via wired as well as wireless paths. The removable case could also comprise of circuitry which wirelessly tends to communicate with the external equipment and a selection of antennas could be utilised in assisting beam steering.

The selection of antennas could help wireless communications in millimetre wave communications bands like communications band at 60 GHz or an alternate extremely high frequency communications bands. The electronic device together with the case could have individual intermediate frequency antenna construction to enable intermediate frequency signals for wireless transmission between the case and the device.

Millimeter wave technology, beyond a wireless charging iPhone case, can be utilised in other forthcoming wireless devices from smart-glasses, HMDs, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, headphones, television, Apple TV together with automobiles, wireless speakers and much more.

It had been noticed by Apple that antennas #40 could comprise of phased antenna selections together with other antenna structures for the purpose of handling millimetre wave communications, for handling near field communications, for handling communications from 700 – 2700 MHz, or also for handling communications at other appropriate frequencies.

Patent Application – Filed Q4 2015

The phase antenna selections may permit beams of signals which may be transmitted and/or received, to be steered in real time, for instance in enhancing wireless communications and/or wireless power transmission. Wireless circuitry #50 could comprise of baseband processors, up-converter and down-converter circuits, and transceiver circuits, circuits for controlling the operation of antennas in antenna selections, power circuitry, and transceiver circuitry for the purpose of handling wireless communications together with other wireless circuitry.

Transceiver electrical system of electrical system 50 could also cover wireless local area network transceiver circuitry which could accomplish 2.4 GHz as well as 5 GHz bands for Wi-Fi. The patent application of Apple had been filed in Q4 2015 and taking into account that this is a patent application, the time of this kind of product to market is not clear at this point of time.

Apple Mac Computers Targeted By Ransomware and Spyware

Mac Users Cautioned – New Deviations of Malware

Users of Mac have been cautioned regarding new deviations of malware which have been developed particularly to aim at Apple computers one of which is ransomware that tends to encrypts data, demanding payments before the files can be released. The other is known to be spyware which has the tendency of watching what users do and exposés up treasured information.

Experts are of the opinion that they pose as a threat since their designers enables anyone to use them at no cost. The two programs have been revealed by the security firms Fortinet together with AlienVault that discovered a portal on the Tor `dark web’network which had represented as a shop-front for the two. Fortinet had mentioned in a blog at the site that the designers behind it had been professional software engineers with `extensive experience’ in the creation of working code.

Those intending in utilising any of the programs had been urged to get in touch and furnish all relevant details of how they would prefer the malware to be set up. The designers of malware had stated that their payments that were done by the victims of ransomware would be divided among themselves and their customers.

Less Refined Encryption

The researchers at Fortinet had got in touch with the writers of ransomware posing as if they were interested in utilising the product and immediately thereafter had been provided with a sample of the malware. The firm had informed that from the analysis, it had been revealed that it utilises a much less refined encryption than what the several variants seen aiming Windows machine.

But they informed that any files scrambled with the ransomware could be lost totally since it carried out a very poor task of managing the decryption keys essential in restoring the data. The researchers had written that even if it is far inferior to most current ransomware aiming Windows, it does not fail to encrypt the files of the victims or prevent the access to important files, hence, resulting in real damage.

The free Macspy spyware, which is provided through the same site, tends to log when keys are pressed, can take screenshots and tap into a machine’s microphone.

Malicious Code – Evade Standard Means of Security Programs

Researcher of Alien Vault, Peter Ewane had mentioned in its analysis that the malicious code in the spyware had attempted to evade several of the standard means of security programs spots and clogged such programs.

Mr Ewane had also mentioned that Mac users are required to be more vigilant when malware designers are aimed at them. As OS X tends to progress in market share, they can expect malware authors in investing bigger amounts of time in the production of malware for this platform.

The statistics collected by McAfee has recommended that there are around 450,000 malicious programs targets at Macs much lesser than the 23 million aimed at users of Windows. From Fortinet, Aamir Lakhan had informed that Mac users should ensure that their machines are kept updated with the new software patches and be cautious of messages they tend to receive through email.

He had informed EWeek that Mac ransomware is certainly getting bigger and although market share tends to be small still, hackers are aware that there is treasured data on the Mac. Apple refrained from making any comments on its developments.

Will iPhone 8 reposition its finger print sensor in the power button?

The Internet is going haywire over this question and there are reasons enough for doing so. Speculations over the repositioning of the finger print sensor in the new iPhone 8 were rife with two positions contending for the top spot; just below the display or on the back. Many experts seemed to have overlooked that there was a third option available and it seems like Apple have gone for that option as well.

How can we say so?

A new patent has been granted to Apple that has the illustration of an iPhone that is edge-to-edge stretched and has a finger print sensor imprinted on the power button located on top of the iPhone. Although it was earlier speculated that Apple will release its new iPhone 8 with an edge-to-edge design it was hardly anticipated that it would also relocate its finger print sensor on top of the phone. Rumors were doing the rounds about the new position which was expected to be at the back of the phone accommodating an edge-to-edge display but the third possibility seemed to have excluded everybody’s imagination and that can be another reason why Apple has gone with the third option. We all know how the company loves to have an element of surprise and that has also proved to be successful from their perspective.

But there are conflicting reports…

..about the location of the finger print sensor which serves as a touch identification function and is also deemed to be located exactly where it was in the previous models, at the bottom separated from the display. According to experts and leakers associated with Apple, the company will not change the position of the finer print sensor which has been so successful over the years and the officials do not want to experiment with something that has been so much approved by the users over the years.

The other contending position is also in the league with a group of experts going with that option. They suggest that the sensor will be relocated at the back of the phone’s body just beneath their iconic Apple logo.
Although the patent indicates otherwise

The patent which Apple had filed in the last month of the previous year clearly indicates that they want to relocate the sensor somewhere not seen before in other smartphones. The pushbutton was only button that has functioned to turn the phone ON and OFF over the years of smartphone evolution. Now Apple seeks to imbibe the functionality of the power button in a whole new sense by placing the finger print sensor on it.

This means that the power button functions dually as a Touch ID function and that the users will have to use the button more often than they used to earlier. The sensor sits cleanly at the top with a layer of sapphire or glass covering it from above. The finger print sensor is most likely to get thinner and hence users will have to roll their fingers over it.

Apple iOS 11 Update Ends Support for iPhone 5 and 5C

When Apple's iOS 11 mobile operating system will be launched later this year, it will not be made available for the iPhone 5 and 5C or the iPad 4. This just means that older devices will stop receiving software and security updates. Newer devices such as the iPhone 5S will receive the upgrade; however, apps that are older will stop working later.

This is the result of Apple’s verdict to terminate devices and apps that use 32-bit processors. iOS 11 will only work on a new iPhone and not on an old one as older phones use 34-bit processor whereas newer phones will have a 64-bit processor which permits the system to use a larger amount of memory. Since 2013, Apple’s devices have had 64-bit processors instead of 32-bit processors, when it was introduced with the iPhone 5S and the iPad Air.

This change will be challenging for app developers too. In the new version of the App store, apps that run only in 32-pit processors will fail to show up in the search results or be available from the tab under Purchase if they were previously downloaded. If the apps are updated to be 64-bit compatible, they will stop working on older phones which have 32-bit processors.

Warning Was Given Years Before

A 64-bit processor is faster in use as it can handle a large amount of data all at once, that is four billion times as much as compared to a 32-bit processor. This is why iOS 11 will work better with 64-bit processor. Ernest Doku, a telecoms expert at uSwitch.com, said that Apple gave warning for years about this migration to the 64-bit processor hardware but still many customers will be left blindsided with this news.

Most of the apps belonging to the last four years’ time period or so maybe compatible, provided they have not been updated since the year 2015. Way before iOS 11, when iOS 10.1 was released by Apple in October 2016, users functioning with an updated device would be warned through a message that it may slow down their phone.

 The upgrade to iOS 10.3 also includes a tool that detects apps that are not compatible with a 64-bit processor. The apps which are affected will be found under Settings > General > About > Applications > App Compatibility. Last year, it was revealed on a trading website that the iPhone 5 was one of the most popular handsets from the number of listings that were created. This new change in its functioning is likely to further disappoint owners.

Phasing out the 32-bit

All the updates to the current apps and new apps have had to ability to support 64-bit since June 2015, so any app that has been updated in the span of these last two years will remain unaffected. However, a few popular games and educational apps have not been upgraded from the time the 64-bit requirement was introduced.

These include apps from Fisher Price and WeeWorld. The 32-bit support for Mac is also likely to be phased out by Apple. The company informed developers at WWDC that Mac OS High Sierra would be the last device to have 32-bit capability without any adjustments.

All the new apps given to the Mac app store and all the updates to existing apps will need to be 64-bit compatible from June 2018. This new iOS 11 update will be available in about September as a free update for any iPhone and iPad that is supported.

Apple’s Homepod Is a Cautious Approach to the Connected Home

 
The new HomePod was announced at the WWDC and the company has managed to get a full and top-quality sound from such a small form factor. It is made up of a nice hardware and there is a lot happening on the back end creating the perfect audio experience. It also includes a six-mic arrangement that sonically takes a scan of the room the speaker is placed in. Other similar smart home hubs like the Echo, which is similar in terms of price, is no match for what the HomePod can duplicate sonically. Hence, one is able to see why Apple is leading in the speaker category. The audio function is primary here, unlike in devices such as Echo and Google Home. This makes the HomePod very useful as an apartment speaker for movies and music.
Apple has developed HomePod as a premium device with best quality in terms of build and performance. It keeps Steve Jobs’ original concept of use of music as the basis for launching newer products and services. It reflects on how the company launched Siri. The unique selling point of the iPhone was not its assistant and that came just as an added bonus. Same goes for the Apple TV where Siri’s function was available in few upgrades released post the product’s launch. Apple is attempting to introduce its smart assistant in users’ homes, but in a less obvious way. This is because the company recognises the home is the next area where consumer electronics sales will see a boost but its approach has not been hands-on.

HomePod as a Premium Device

Apple’s marketing approach for the HomePod has been totally different than Amazon. As it is in the field of commerce, Amazon’s profitability lies in the products it sells with the help of Alexa than the Alexa products themselves. Profitability for Apple comes in the form of sales of products and retaining users into Apple itself. To remain consistent in this, it is important that it maintains the same standard and quality experience it has built its name around while offering Siri. This can be clearly seen in the HomePod as it has such a unique design that completely eliminates ports, which is a typical character trait of Apple. Looking at its functions, if Mac Pro had to be transformed into a speaker, it could be called the HomePod.

Apple’s Home Assistant and Its Market Presence

Apple had a lot to catch up where its connected home play was concerned, before the WWDC keynote. The HomePod’s cost is nearly double than that of the standard Echo and can in no way compete with the Dot which is priced at $50. This has made Amazon’s offer an attractive option for those who want a simple smart assistant for their homes. For now, Apple’s focus is on offering a top-quality audio-experience than introducing Siri in as many homes as possible. This focus may alter as Apple tries to come up with more solutions that will include Siri or do it the way Amazon did it with Alexa, by allowing third-parties to introduce this function in their own smart home solutions. At present, Apple is losing market to Amazon swiftly as its focus is on delivering a premium product rather than attracting more sales.

Apple ‘Error 53’ Sting Operation Caught Staff Misleading Customers

Apple ‘Error 53’

A sting operation was carried out against Apple by Australia’s consumer watchdog and it caught staff continually misguiding iPhone customers with regards to their legal rights to a repair or a replacement that is free of cost, after a malfunction called “error 53”.

This was brought to light through court documents. A high-profile case was lodged against Apple this year, after several iPhone and iPad users faced a malfunction that made their phones useless if it detected that a certain repair had been done by a third-party that was non-Apple. This malfunction took place between 2014 till early last year.

The case, which is scheduled to go to trial in mid-December this year, alleges that Apple incorrectly informed customers that they were not eligible for a free repair or replacement if they had got their devices repaired from a third-party repairer. This advice was given even when the repair was not connected to this malfunction, such as a screen replacement.

Breach was uncovered by the ACCC

So far, Apple has made a choice to remain silent about the case carried out by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). But Guardian Australia obtained court documents that show the company has refused these allegations made by ACCC to be true and said that it did not misinform to its Australian customers.

The documents also reveal that ACCC went undercover as iPhone customers to investigate the matter and made calls to all 13 Apple retailers across Australia last year in the month of June. On the call, they told the iPhone staff that their speakers stopped functioning after their screens were repaired by a third party.

Apple gave the same response in all the 13 calls, informing the ACCC caller that it would not repair or replace the defective speaker free of cost if the iPhone screen was replaced by someone other than Apple.

Error 53 and the Misinformation

Error 53 normally occurred after a customer tried to upgrade their phone’s operating system from iOS 8 or iOS 9 and about one in every 1,000 iPhones between September 2014 and February 2016. If the product was faulty or defective, Australian consumer law states the right of a customer to a free repair.

ACCC also alleged that the information on Apple’s website, too, was misleading. It said on the website that if any part of the iPhone was re-done somewhere else other than Apple, there would be a cost for the out-of-warranty repair. In response, Apple said the undercover calls conducted by the ACCC cannot be considered as the consumer law only exists for actual consumer-related issues and not suppositious circumstances.

Apple also said that real customers who came with actual problems received other information and were well informed of their rights as per the consumer law. As for what was mentioned on the website, Apple said that was in reference to the conditions of the company’s own limited warranty which is present along with the customer’s statutory rights.

Apple also stated that an outreach program was set up with regards to error 53 and offered repairs and replacements for most of the phones in the case mentioned by the ACCC. Also, an update was released last year in February to tackle the problem and restore smooth functionality.

New iOS 11 and Its Excitng Features To Rule The Digital World

The world has witnessed some great changes over the last decade. We are grateful to the tech giants as they have been efficient in bringing a change in the world. Well, needless to say we can witness now what we have never dreamt of. We are quite fortunate regarding this as we are able to live in this era and see the change. In the field of smart phones, the exceptional work and developments has been done by Apple who have been the leader ever since its inception. Coming this September, they would be completing a decade and there has to be some sort of surprises and features for the users. It seemed that it was only yesterday that they came up with their first iPhone. Now they are all set to release the latest OS- iOS 11.

THE NEW OS –iOS 11

Well, it is for both iPhone and the iPad and indeed it is a great news. The confirmed news about the latest iOS 11 will be announced in the conference on 5th June in San Jose. It is rumoured that the upcoming iPhone 8 may have the latest iOS 11 in it which will make it worth buying.

THE FEATURES

SIRI UPDATES

Well, we all wait for an update for any kind of software or any operating system we use. Recently, the rumours are that the Apple voice talk Siri will get updated also and will become more intelligent. The app can be integrated with the latest Artificial Intelligence which can learn a lot from its owner. It shows that it is connected to the people. There may be some instances where the Siri is interfering in between chats or conversations.

Apple Music

In the field of music and videos, it has been confirmed that they would start making new and genuine videos for the updates in the near future. The concept of the original video has kept everyone excited about the updates. At present, they are working on various bands and series. It seems that Apple Music will have the unsigned bands to videos and many more.

The world is getting digital everywhere and we are accepting the new form of payment and that is cardless payments. The latest iOS may bring up a new form of payment method which will surely amuse every one of us. The service is not yet ready but it will come in the near future at the earliest. This makes the event more cool and exciting.

DOWNLOAD TIME PERIOD OF iOS 11

Well, as usual a beta version will be released at the upcoming conference this week. Probably next month they would come up with the public beta version in the month of July. However, there is no final date on the release of the latest iOS 11. Everyone is assuming that it might be in the month of September. Well, till then we have to keep our fingers crossed and hold our patience as the best is yet to come into our hands.

Apple set to expand Siri, taking different route from Amazon's Alexa

Apple is likely to declare its plans in the coming week to make its voice assistant, Siri work and assist a huge varied range of apps, in an attempt to counter the tough competition from the success of Amazon’s Alexa. But, according to engineers and industry insiders, rather than focusing on a large variety of apps, Apple Inc. is sticking to its tried and tested method of concentrating on small number of features and getting them right.

At present, Apple’s voice assistant Siri works with just six types of applications which are messaging and calling, photo searching, hailing a ride and sharing, making payments, fitness and auto infotainment systems. Apple is expected to add more to the mentioned categories at the company’s yearly developer conference which is to be held next week.

Some sources have also stated that Apple is likely to announce a hardware which will be on similar lines as Amazon’s Echo, a device for home that has seen a lot of sales recently. Apple, however, refused to comment on the same. Amazon’s Alexa currently handles 12,000 or so tasks. Even if the area of expertise is doubled, Siri will be no match for it. This difference reflects the difference in strategy between these two rival companies.

Apple bets that users will not use voice commands in a way similar to speaking to humans and with this it has limited Siri’s area of function so that it is efficient. Amazon, on the other hand, has not limited Alexa in any area, stating that voice assistants with a number of skills are the way to garner more sales, in spite of an occasional mistake or additional effort to use it. This shows that there is a head on clash in approach.

Differences in Function

An iPhone user can hire a ride by saying “Hey Siri, order a car for me” and Siri will open a car hiring service app and start booking your ride. Other than the standard home and music functions, Alexa needs a more specific command that is to-the-point.

For example, the process of hiring a car from Uber will start if you say “Alexa, ask Uber for a ride” but if you say “Alexa, order me an Uber”, Alexa will not do so because it cannot make the connection that opens the Uber skill. One can order food with the help of Alexa but not with Siri, because this is one of the many categories that Siri does not function in, yet.

An Apple spokesperson has stated that Siri’s expertise in this area was very limitedly tried but the outcome was largely positive. Amazon made a statement that their goal is to make the whole voice command and result experience to be very natural and as easy as possible with Alexa.

Side-Lines and Not the Main Focus

A venture capitalist with Seattle-based Madrona Venture Group, Matt McIlwain, said that Apple’s narrower focus could be a problem. If the categories are not expanded, it could create a problem for Siri’s sales, he said. Neither of the two, Alexa and Siri, are on a smooth path to gaining more finance. Because of the limitations, voice apps are just on the side-lines and not the main focus and once an economic model is developed, there will be a substantial rise in sales.

Apple and Nokia Settle Patent Dispute

Apple & Nokia – An Agreement Over On-going Patent Dispute

Apple and Nokia had come to an agreement after an on-going patent dispute over the patent of the Finnish company. The two parties had disclosed the agreement in a joint statement recently after five months of suing each other over royalty payments. Apple would be making a sizeable one-off payment as future fees for the utilisation of the technology of Nokia.

 Under the business partnership agreement, Nokia would be providing network infrastructure service to Apple. Apple on its part would resume selling Nokia health product that had been earlier sold under the Withings brand. In December 2016, Apple had pulled Withings products from its online as well as retail stores, days after the company had been sued for patent violation, by Nokia.

The deal estimated by analysts was worth hundreds of millions of pounds to Nokia wherein the shares went up by 7%. It is said that the company had greatly suffered at the hands of the iPhone and had discontinued making handsets after selling its mobile business in 2013 to Microsoft.

Though most of the revenue was from telecoms infrastructure, it intends to boost income from the valuable patents that it seems to hold from its days as the dominant mobile phone company of the world.

Nokia Sued Apple – Violating 32 Patents

Nokia had sued Apple for violating 32 patents used in the iPhone, after a long-running deal had expired last year. Apple on the other hand had sued back calling Nokia a `patent troll’, stating that it had refused to license the technology on a fair basis.

 Recently the company had informed that they had settled all proceedings and had reached a new settlement wherein it will see the healthcare gadgets of Nokia back to Apple stores after they had been detached. The two companies informed that they would work together on enterprises related to healthcare.

Apple is said to pay Nokia an undisclosed amount and additional revenues till the deal tends to stand. Analysts at UBS estimate that Nokia would be receiving between £450m and €550m from Apple.

The Finnish company had acquired Alcatel-Lucent, comprising of its patent rich Bell Labs division in the US that had strengthened its hand heading in negotiations over a new deal. During the negotiations over a new licensing deal, two people conversant with the negotiations had earlier stated that they expected a settlement to be attained in spite of the fractious language.

Meaningful Agreement

The chief legal officer of Nokia, Maria Varsellona had commented that this is a meaningful agreement between Nokia and Apple and it has moved their relationship with Apple from being opponents in court to business partners working for the benefit of the customers.

The Nokia dispute with Apple had been a sign to a deeper patent war between the iPhone maker and Qualcomm which had taken place last year. Jeff William, chief operating officer of Apple had stated that they were pleased with the resolution of their dispute and are looking forward in expanding their business relationship with Nokia.

The agreement is said to culminate the patent dispute which had started last year when Nokia had sued Apple in Germany and the US, charging breach of the 32 patents and the two companies had sued one another in 2009 sticking a licensing agreement in 2011.

Apple Will Live Stream the WWDC 2017 keynote

WWDC 2017: Apple keynote in the Livestream track

A trust worthy anonymous technology news whispered that the Apple confirmed last night with its new event site that the keynote will be broadcast live on the American website and in the event app on the Apple TV on the 5th of June for the World Wide Developers Conference, WWDC 2017. Actually, this sounds self-evident, but this is not the case this year, as it was previously announced that the keynote will be streaming via the WWDC 2017 app and on its own developer site.

Now, however, they made another announcement with a separate event page so that everyone can track the event live in the stream - even without a developer account.

Especially this year, there is a lot of expectations in air for Apple. While there will of course be the obligatory ideas of the new version of iOS, macOS, tvOS and watchOS, a lot of different hardware have been expected for the release in WWDC 2017. These are simple hardware updates as well as complete new products.

WWDC 2017: iOS 11 and more

Hope this year's event, Apple is also likely to release its new mobile operating system iOS 11. There is likely also a prospect on WatchOS 4.0 and macOS 10.13 - or 11. The pioneers of technology can only be theorize, a computation of the systems has been taking place for a long. Apple Watch, will likely be new fitness utilities, for instance, by this wonderful technology people with diabetics to admonish the blood glucose. The users of IOS may be blissful with iOS 11 for improved Siri commands.

The website Livestream of wwdc 2017 can be tracked on the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or Mac in the Safari browser. Users of a Windows 10 PC can use the Microsoft Edge browser. The wwdc 2017 keynote of Apple will begin next Monday, June 5.

The Apple keynote might have interesting things to offer: In addition to new versions of iOS, Watch OS, TV OS and Mac OS, Apple will probably introduce a loudspeaker with integrated Siri voice assistant. It is to be in direct competition to Amazons Echo series. Of course Siri should be available as a language assistant and the best sound technology is installed, but the analysts are unsure whether the loudspeaker will have a display. It is also expected with new MacBook (Pro), hoping for a new MacBook Air. Apple may also show on the stage a 10.5 inch iPad Pro, which has nearly the same housing dimensions as the iPad Pro 9.7.

In all likelihood, we can look forward to a full event of wwdc 2017 on the 5th of June, 10 am PT. In any case, we are here again this year and provide you with prompt information with all the information on the individual announcements.