Apple to Launch Hardware Stylus – Enhance User Experience of iPad

According to reports from KGI Securities, industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is likely to launch a hardware stylus to enhance user experience for its long rumoured 12.9 inch `iPad Pro’. It is reported that the Cupertino based company is planning to launch a stylus in the second quarter of the year to compliment the larger iPad. Kuo is of the belief that users would not need the stylus initially, thereby prompting Apple to launch the device as an optional add-on.

The report considers that the stylus would be simple to begin with and the future generations of the device could add features such as 3D handwriting. The stylus would be using the Lightning connector to charge and wireless charging would be a much more convenient option for consumers though adding the feature would probably increase the overall cost of the devices. Moreover the device is like to give rise to new breed of application especially for artists as well as for the educational market and the company has now filed for various patents with regards to the stylus which includes a stylus enabling users to transcribe handwritten notes to digital notes which could be viewed and edited from an iPad.

3D Handwriting Feature for Future Models 

Kuo states that the stylus could be more precise than a person’s finger and more convenient to use than the combination of keyboard and mouse in some cases and believes that Apple’s stylus would improve the user experience of 12.9-inch iPad. Moreover, Kuo who has a reliable track record, on predicting Apple’s future product direction, did not indicate any particular source for the rumour beyond Apple’s own patent filings which marks an unusual turn for him, who is known to have close connection to Apple’s supply chain partners.

He commented that coupled with its unfavourable cost structure, high selling prices could turn consumers off, if the said iPad is always bundled with it and therefore it is expected that the stylus should be an optional accessory before sufficient feedback is received from users. Though he does not expects features like a built-in gyroscope or accelerometer in its first year, he believes that Apple would be adding new features gradually and is expecting a 3D handwriting feature to their future models.

Good Application for Stylus

According to Kuo, he states that with the addition of a gyroscope accelerometer to a stylus, it enables users to write on the display as well as on other hard surfaces and even in the air. This being a good application for a stylus, the required software and hardware has not been fully developed yet and hence they cannot expect Apple’s stylus to support 3D handwriting in 2015.

He further added that while wireless charging would also be convenient, there was less likelihood of its implementation in its forthcoming stylus with regards to the higher cost as well as difficult antenna design and that charging could be expected via a Lightning connector. He believes that the stylus would be improving the user experience and that they would help Apple in developing specific customer groups like the corporate sector as well as the educational institutions.

Programme Language Introduced by Apple

The programme language introduced by Apple for developers, for iOS and OS X Swift has gained a lot of popularity over the past six months as per the developer focused analyst firm RedMonk. The latest programming language rankings of the company has indicated Swift rise from the 68th place to the 22nd since its last survey. Stephen O’Grady, RedMonk co-founder and principal analyst, had commented that `during the Q3 rankings marking its debut, Swift is a language that is going to be a lot more popular and very soon, even so, the growth that Swift experienced is essentially unprecedented in the history of these rankings’.

In early 2012, RedMonk had started on regular basis, ranking the popularity of programming languages though its first analysis was done in 2010 and the WWDC app which was launched in June last year was the first app written in the new language. It was intended to be more concise so that the same functions could be created in few lines of code and would be much safer than competing languages. Its assessment is based on the relative rankings of various computer languages which were noticed on two different programming sites namely GitHub and Stack Overflow.

Swift – Tendency to Combine Performance/Efficiency

Apple had introduced Swift at the same time with iOS 8 which was the biggest release since the App Store launch and OS X Yosemite. According to Apple, billed as a language which is much easier for developers to create incredible apps, Swift has the tendency to combine the performance and efficiency of compiled languages with the simplicity as well as the interactivity of popular scripting languages. RedMonk has described Swift as `the Apple anointed successor’ to Objective-C which is presently ranked 10th on the firm’s programming language list. O’Grady had stated that `being sanctioned officially everywhere as the future standard for iOS applications, it would lead to growth. It would also make Apple’s new language a clear outlier in an ecosystem of programming languages and is known for not changing much each year. Swift’s meteoric growth notwithstanding, the high level takeaway from these rankings is stability.

Large Leap in Ranking

RedMonk it is said creates a league table of programming language each year which is believed to become more popular in the future, by mentioning them on Stock Overflow with the number of lines of code posted to GitJub. The latest week’s list indicated that Apple’s Swift had made a large leap up in its ranking. RedMonk had stated that the results were not meant to be indicators of how much a language is utilised presently but is predictive of future use’ since it portrays that programmers are learning and interacting with the language. On the website of RedMonk, a blog post by Stephen O’Grady states that at the time of the last rankings, Swift had been listed as the language to watch, a choice given status as Apple’s anointed successor to the #10 language on the list, Objective – C.

Apple Laptops Vulnerable To Virus That 'Can’t Be Removed

Thunderstrike – Malicious Code in Boot ROM 

Security researcher has discovered a way to install malicious code on a small chip built in Apple laptop which would resist any attempt in removal of it and even replacing the entire hard disk will not be capable of deleting it.

 The attack named, `Thunderstrike’ installs the malicious code in the Boot ROM of the system through the Thunderbolt port. Thunderstrike is undetectable and would need an attacker to get access to a machine for a few moments and since it is new, no security software would be on the lookout for it. Trammel Hudson working for New York hedge fund Two Sigma Investments noted the discovery when his employer asked him to check into the security regarding Apple laptops.

He wrote a comment in an annotated version of a talk given at the 31C3 conference stating that they were considering deploying MacBook and was asked to use his reverse engineering experience to look into the reports of rootkits on the Mac. The first step he took was in dismantling one of the laptops in order to gain access to the boot ROM which is a small chip containing the code that enables the computer to operate when switched on, before the main operating system is loaded.

Bootkit – Difficult to Delete

The malicious code could be hidden in this ROM and unlike other normal virus residing on the hard disk, this particular one cannot be deleted which is known as bootkit. The code could be used to do anything, an attacker would desire, from covertly probing the user to leaking sensitive data that is available on the machine.

 Researchers, though earlier have observed that modifying the contents of the ROM in Apple laptops causes the computer being completely unusable and as security measures, one should look for any changes and shut down if they come across anything. Hudson was of the opinion that these security measures could always seem to be `doomed to fail’ or `futile’ since anyone getting access to the contents of the ROM could also get access to the code which checks the ROM for changes.

On the contrary, he states that there should be some unchangeable hardware chip which could perform these checks. It was also observed that the attack could be done without the need of physically taking the machine apart in order to get the chip, which can be done by using the Thunderbolt port and theoretically any device, a monitor, printer or hard disk could be utilised in stalling malicious code by plugging it in some simple steps.

Partial Fix - By Apple

Hudson informed that Apple is planning a `partial fix’, as a firmware update would stop the ROM from being overwritten with malicious code in certain situations, though not all, like when a machine is being rebooted with a malicious Thunderbolt device plugged in. He had approached the company regarding the flaw in 2013.

His suggestion to prevent the attack is to overwrite the ROM with their own code which would disable any remote attacks through the Thunderbolt port and then paint over the screws on the laptop with nail varnish to detect any unauthorised physical access to the ROM. This measure however is time consuming since it is out of reach to all but only to the most advanced security experts.

Apple HomeKit Powers On With iDevices Switch Smart Plug

iDevices Switch – World’s First HomeKit Enabled Plug

Users of iPhone and iPad who have been waiting anxiously for news in the HomeKit connected product space, after Apple’s announcement at WWDC 2014 and CES 2015 will be seeing new consumer electronics making way in the market which includes the first devise compatible with Apple’s smart home feature.

The iDevices Switch has been described as `the world’s first HomeKit enabled plug’ helping users to control connected appliances with the help of Siri. The iDevices Switch specifically is a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connected plug which interfaces with the wall outlet and to connect the appliance, one could plug it into the electrical outlet on the wall and plug your lamp, fan, or any appliance or device needed to power in the Switch.

The iDevices Switch can connect to home Wi-Fi network, interfacing with the iDevices Connected iOS app and is compatible with Apple’s HomeKit features. This indicates that users could also use Siri commands from iOS 8 with the capabilities to power appliances on or off by only talking to the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

Connected to Home Network – Wi-Fi/Bluetooth

The Switch is not the first smart plug, Many others namely Belkin, D-Link to mention a few have sold connected power plugs for several years. There is not much difference on the premise behind Switch, than its predecessors and due to networking capabilities, built in the outlet hardware, one can use the smartphone in order to manage things plugged into the Switch.

The Switch can connect to home network via Wi-Fi and through Bluetooth can also connect to other devices which do not have Wi-Fi. For instance, smart door locks usually tend to run on batteries since hardwiring is not practical for several residential door designs and to save power, majority of the smart locks utilise Bluetooth which connect to the phone and relies on some type of hub in order to get out to larger internet. Since it incorporated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the iDevices’ Switch acts as the hub.

Stand alone Product

Schlage, lock-maker will have a connected HomeKit compatible lock which could take advantage of this feature. The Switch operates as a standalone product which does not need any additional hub, subscription service or any add-ons and its connected app moreover adds the ability to schedule as well as automate tasks with the iDevices Switch, thereby saving the user from manually controlling it.

The company is likely to schedule the shipping in the first half of this year, with its demo conducted at CES, though its pricing is not yet disclosed. Potential consumers interested in following the availability of the Switch could sign up at the bottom of its product page, to receive notification for product updates.

Besides, iDevices’ announcement of HomeKit enabled smart plug at CES, iHome too shares its plans bringing in its own iSP5 SmartPlug in the market with a demo at the Consumer electronics Show soon, though no announcement with regards to its pricing and availability has been revealed. Some are speculating that the Switch would be costing $49.99 when it will be made available later this year. The Switch also will have a built in colour customizable night light, a charming touch added to it.

Thunderbolt Equipped Monitor – Replacing LED Cinema Display

As announced in July 2011, the current 27 inch Thunderbolt of Apple’s display has been debuted as the first Thunderbolt equipped monitor, replacing the outgoing LED Cinema Display.

When the Thunderbolt display offered cutting edge display technology with 2,560 pixel-by-1,440 pixel WQHD IPS screen from the 27 inch iMac which was launched a few months earlier, has now been overtaken by a higher resolution option or products, offering same feature though at a cheaper cost.

Rumours of updated Thunderbolt Display have been going on though Apple recently announced the stunning iMac with 5K Retina display. Speculations are on that the 5K iMac would be used as an external monitor but have been kept aside keeping in mind Thunderbolt’s bandwidth limitation..

The updated DisplayPort 1.3 supports 5K displays and the functions are not available in Thunderbolt 2 besides the original Thunderbolt protocol that was used by the Thunderbolt Display. Apple is aware of the consumers’ need for more advanced technologies, as observed from the Sharp 4K monitor that has been advertised with the top tier Mac Pro desktop.

Higher Screen Tech –Revised Thunderbolt with DisplayPort 1.3

Apple is likely to wait for a 5K or a higher screen tech which could be backed by a next gen revised Thunderbolt with DisplayPort 1.3. Till then, there are few options made available for Mac owners needing the cutting edge of monitor technology or an affordable method of expanding scream real estate.

UltraSharp monitors of Dell are a few of the best dealers with solid technology together with low prices and the 27 inch UltraSharp is the closest analogy to a theoretical 5K Thunderbolt display which has been made by Apple. Dell’s UltraSharp splits into 5,120 pixels by 2,880 pixels at 60 Hz, with the use of dual DisplayPort setup, while one cable saves a DisplayPortinput, it knocks resolution down to 3,840 pixels by 2,160 pixels at 60Hz.

Besides this, the LED backlighting is bright at 350 cd/m2, under the Thunderbolt Display specification, of 375 cd/m2. Moreover Dell sells an X-Rite i1Display Pro colorimeter which on combining with an on-board 12 bit user accessible 3D lookup table provides an option for precise colour control while advanced colorimetric setting has been reserved for expensive commercial displays.

27-Inch ColorPrime – Next Generation Thunderbolt Display 

Users interested in an updated Thunderbolt Display may not have to go further than LG’s commercial class 27MB85R-B that sports a WQHD display together with IPS technology and LG is known to be one of Apple’s LCD panel suppliers for Thunderbolt display and the ColorPrime has identical specification besides an anti-glare coating.

The LG takes pride in two Thunderbolt 3 ports, Dual-Link DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort as well as mini DisplayPort connections unlike other monitors in its category. Its ColorPrime feature comprises of Scaler and True Colour Pro software which works in tandem with a calibrator that is included for great accuracy. The 27-inch ColorPrime is the next generation Thunderbolt Display that Apple has not built which can be purchased from B&H Photo for $597.99.

Several leading manufacturers are happy employing DisplayPort or mini DisplayPort technology instead of Thunderbolt which means that their product could not be used as docking stations for other Thunderbolt equipped devices and for this reason, Apple’s Thunderbolt Display seems to be the most suitable option.