Apple Just Revealed Lots More Info About the Apple Watch

Apple Reveals Details on Wearable

Apple, who had refrained from disclosure on details about its first wearable, has now revealed some of the secrets of the apple Watch. The company which will be launching the Apple Watch early next year has revealed a few details about the device when it pushed out WatchKit.

 The detailed software development kit – SDK aims at many key aspects of the wearable which comprises of resolutions, screen sizes and the overall app experience of the Watch. The new set of tools has plenty of specification on the function of the Apple Watch once it eventually comes to the stores.

The most interesting details is the resolution of the Apple Watch where the smaller 38mm watch would be offering a 272 x 340 pixel display while the slightly larger 42mm option offers a resolution of 312 x 390 pixels which by comparison, the Moto 360 offers a 1.56 inch screen with a 320 x 290 pixel resolution and LG’s G Watch R provides a 1.3 inch 320 x 320 pixel display.

It also revealed how the Apple Watch would work and obtaining quick notification on the device would be simple as raising the wrist for short look though if one keeps the wrist up for a longer time, it would automatically get more information from any app which would arrest your attention which according to Apple is termed as `long look’. This offers developers more option for customization.

Smartwatch an Extension of a Smartphone 

According to the company, `a Watch app complements an iOS app and does not replace it’. The iPhone is a requirement if one intends to use what are Apple Watch’s most advanced apps which will essentially run on iPhone and the smartwatch would be an extension of a smartphone.

All are aware of the two sizes of Apple Watch which is their heights and not width and now are aware of their display resolutions. Apple states that these are good resolutions which can be labelled as Retina display and are said to be a feature of the watch though it is not known how sharp the displays would be.

Some are of the opinion that the Apple Watch screen clarity would be on the level of the iPhone 5, which has a more hi-res display than the iPads and MacBook Pros and in such a case, Apple Watch would have a better display than the prevailing smartwatch market leader, Samsung Gear S.

The Short Look/The Long Look

Apple has set the interface of Apple Watch like a website instead of a smartphone which would make it easier for the developer to adjust their apps to function on larger or smaller watches occasionally later on.

As per Apple’s developers site, San Francisco, the new font was `designed specifically for legibility on Apple Watch’ and the sans serif font seems a bit like Arial and is meant to utilise less horizontal space. Apple has provided users with a preview of how notifications would work during the unveiling of the Apple Watch, though we are aware of more details now.

There are two forms of looks – the Short Look which provides a brief discreet, minimal amount of information when the wrist is raised and the Long Look which provides more information if one taps on a Short Look notification or keep the wrist held up.

Apple’s Two Lens System – Next Generation iPhone

At the Daring Fireball’s John Grubers’ most recent episode of The Talk Show podcast, it was revealed that Apple has been working on a two lens system, incorporating it in the next generation iPhone. Gruber states that `the specific thing heard is that next year’s camera would be the biggest camera jump ever and that it is not known what sense it makes but it is some kind of weird two lens system where the back camera uses two lenses and somehow takes it up into DSLR quality imagery’.

The purpose of utilising multi lens imaging system in making up for a smartphone’s small form is the recent development. HTC had unveiled in March, the One M8 with the `Duo camera’ setup using a secondary imaging sensor for depth data. Corephotonics, an amazing start-up which was profiled by Engadget earlier this year has a different approach.

It developed a dual lens module along with two distinct focal lengths, negating effectively, resolution drops connected with digital zooming. While one camera is used for wide shots, the other is used for close-ups and as an additional bonus; the system also provides spatial data for a 3D imagery due to its lens offset.

The Corephotonics System – Two Lenses 

The Corephotonics system, with two lenses, compares images which are taken from both, opting for the clearest pixels for the best overall photo and utilising a lens which only snaps black and white images thereby improving fidelity and enabling additional light. With little information on Apple’s actual progress for its next generation iPhone, it is difficult to say whether a two lens system would be working in the same way as mentioned.

 Nonetheless, the two lens cameras are a new frontier which manufacturers are exploring to improve image quality keeping the devices slim.The most popular camera choice on image sharing site Flickr has been Apple’s iPhone for a long time since Apple has embraced iPhone photography. Individual new iPhone iteration includes tremendous camera improvements with its `S’ updates bringing about the tremendous improvements.

For instance, with the iPhone 4s, Apple introduced an improved 8 megapixel camera which showed a large jump in quality of the iPhone 4 camera and with the iPhone 5s, the company included an improved sensor an aperture of f/2.2, which is a True Tone flash feature with better autofocus along with a new `Slo-Mo’ mode.

Impressive Camera Improvements – iPhone 6 & 6 Plus

The company has also introduced some impressive camera improvements in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus which include a new Apple designed image signal processor along with Focus Pixels though there is a possibility that even better camera improvements are being saved for the introduction of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus in the year 2015.

Recently, Apple supplier Sony had unveiled a new 21 megapixel `stacked’ sensor together with ultra-fast autofocus and 4K HDR video and while the 21 megapixel version would probably make its way in iOS devices, there is a possibility that Apple’s next iPhone would be incorporated in the upcoming Sony 16 megapixel sensor which would include the same features.

Next iPhone Killer Camera Will Come with 21MP Image Sensor Made by Sony

Apple Supplier Sony Unveils Updated Stacked CMOS Image Sensor


AppleSupplier Sony, has recently unveiled an updated stacked CMOS image sensor for smartphones, featuring 32 effective megapixels, on-chip phase detection AF and 4K video recording. The chip is said to be 1/2.4 inch type with square pixels which measures about 1.12um x 1.12um each with video of up to 4K resolution available with HDR function which is also available in still mode. Sony’s previously introduced HDR movie feature now makes its way to this chip.

The sensor utilises a backside illuminated configuration which was earlier introduced by Sony known as Exmor RS with layer of signal processing circuits beneath a layer of backside illuminated pixels and boasts of a total of about 192 AF points with signal processing which is incorporated in the image sensor.

The on-sensor phase tends to detect autofocus and processing eventually resulting in faster and a much accurate autofocus together with improved subject tracking. A mention is also made in a press release of another upcoming sensor, which is a 16 MP stacked sensor having phase-detection AF which would be coming up by the end of the next fiscal year and the IMX230 unit would be shipped by April 2015.


IMX230 Sensor – First CMO Sensor

Apple has been using Sony sensors for its iPhone and iPads and hence it is likely that Sony’s stacked sensor technology would be used in the iOS devices in the near future. The 21 megapixel Exmor RS IMX230 sensor is created with a chip which stacks a pixel section with a circuit section on top of one another enabling Sony to build improvements in each aspect of the individual sensor resulting in dramatic improvements.

Since 2012, Sony has been stacking sensor technology though the latest sensor would be introducing new autofocus together with HDR technology. As per Sony, the IMX230 sensor is the first CMO sensor for smartphone which has plane detection autofocus signal processing providing a much faster tracking of moving subjects which occur instantaneously.

The sensor which supports a full 21 megapixel HDR images and 4K HDR video results in improved lighting in high contrast scenes and the High Dynamic Range – HDR imaging captures images with different exposures together into one image which improves the detail and colour.


Sony’s Plan for 16 Megapixels Version of IMX230


High megapixel sensors are not used by Apple in its iPhone or iPad and Sony has plans in producing a 16 megapixel version of the IMX230 by 2015 which would be just right for iOS devices. There is a possibility that Apple would use the 16 megapixel version of the IMX230 in the 2015 iPhone 6s as well as 6s Plus though it could also be possible that the sensor would not be used till 2016 or later on since Apple tends to utilise older sensors in its devices.

The sensor used in the present iPhone and iPad is not known though camera experts are of the opinion that the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus have the Sony ISX014 sensor which is an 8 megapixel sensor that was first introduced by Sony in October 2012.

Apple Adds UnionPay Payment Option for App Store Customers

Apple has recently announced that App Store has now linked UnionPay debitor credit cards to Apple IDs as payment option for customers in China.

UnionPay in China is the most popular payment card which will provide App Store customers with the option of simple as well as a convenient way of purchasing their apps and customers could link their Apple ID with UnionPay debit or credit card for purchases.

This is significant for both Apple as well as Chinese customers due to the fact the China UnionPay, which is a bankcard network approved by China’s State Council together with the People’s Bank of China have a virtual monopoly and has issued over 4.5 billion cards in China which is available in all cities as well as in overseas markets.

According to recent fourth quarter reports, China with an estimated 100 million iPhone users is Apple’s most important growth market wherein the company generated around $29.8 billion or16% in net sales in the year 2014. Apple’s senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services, Eddy Cue, states that `the ability to buy apps and make purchases with UnionPay cards has been one of the most requested features from customers in China, which is already the second largest market for app downloads and provision is made for users with an incredible convenient way to purchase favourite app with just one tap’.

UnionPay – Bankcard Network 

China UnionPay, as a bankcard network, functions as China’s national inter-bank clearing as well as settlement system, develops UnionPay card acceptance network worldwide, promotes issuance and usage of the UnionPay card and other innovative payment option in order to provide quality, safe payment and efficient services to cardholders.

This network has been extended to all cities as well as rural areas in China. Beside China UnionPay has also helped UnionPay card acceptance in more than 140 countries as well as regions by extensive cooperation with over 400 institutions across the globe. It is also the only interbank network in mainland China which is linked to ATMs.

As per Government regulations, all ATMs and Chines merchants need to use UnionPay in order to process payments in renminbi and foreign credit card companies such as American Express, MasterCard, Visa, which pays UnionPay, a fee for every transaction. Earlier, customers would make payments on the App Store through their telecom operation such as ChinaMobile, through prepayments, or with their credit cards.

Payment Option for the App Store 

The link between UnionPay and Apple seems to be interesting since it comes after reports that Alipay founded by the Alibaba Group with Apple Pay could be considering in striking a partnership and Alipay-Apple tie up could also provide the Cupertino based company a good leverage against UnionPay which is slow in striking a deal with Apple though rumours have been surfacing that Apple had reached a deal with Chine UnionPay which would probably enable users to make payment with what is now known as Apple Pay. However it has not materialized yet but Apple will now be adding UnionPay as a payment choice for the App Store.

Four Things to Know When Buying a Second-Hand Mac

Mac computers have many benefits over PC brands, not to mention the fact that there are plenty of fun things you can do with them. If you are looking for a new Mac computer, chances are you are aware that they can be very expensive. We previously did a piece on buying a Mac for Christmas.

One way to get your high-quality computer on a budget is to buy it second-hand. There are a few different ways to buy a second-hand Mac: direct from Apple, retail shops, and individuals. However, buying a used computer is can be cause for concern, especially if you aren’t sure what to look for. Keep in mind these four tips when you are shopping for you second-hand Mac.

The Exact Specs

When shopping for used computers online on Gumtree, or a refurbished machine somewhere like The Bookyard, it is very important that you pay attention to the descriptions. Vague listings aren’t necessarily a red flag, but the users that post the exact specs of the computer are much more reliable.

If you see a well-priced Mac but the description is not very enlightening, it may be worth it to email the owner and ask about the details. The most important things to know are the year it was made, the RAM memory capacity, hard drive storage, and information about the Mac’s graphics card. You can look these things up yourself if you have your hands on the actual Mac by clicking the Apple icon, clicking on “About this Mac”, and finally clicking on “More Info”. The box that pops up will lists all of these specs and more.

The Screen Condition 

Be sure to look closely at the screen of your potential purchase. Turn on the computer so that the light illuminates any potential cracks or dead pixels. If you have no way to check out the computer for yourself, ask for pictures that show the screen illuminated. If the screen is damaged, you will be able to tell just by looking at it. Replacing a screen can be very expensive, so unless you are getting a really great deal overall, you should seriously consider moving on to another Mac.

Quality of the Body

Whether you are buying a laptop or a desktop Mac, the body surrounding the screen can be indicative of the condition of the computer. Inspect every part of the metal body, looking for dents, scratches, or any other imperfections. Usually, small imperfections are not a problem unless you prefer aesthetically for your Mac to be pristine. In fact, little issues like this can often mean a deep discount. However, anything more than one or two tiny blemishes might spell out issues later and poor care of the machine in the past.

If it Can Be Charged 

Some people try to get rid of their Mac because it has lost the ability to hold a charge. Don’t fall into this trap! Always check for a good charging speed before buying. It’s possible that the issue could lie in the charger itself, which is a cheap fix. But you always want to be sure that it isn’t the actual computer itself.

By checking these things you are far more likely to end up with a good deal than a dud.