Apple Buys LinX

Apple Acquired Camera Technology Company - LinX

According to CNBC, Apple has acquired camera technology company LinX that develops camera sensors using multi-aperture imaging together with image processing tech to enhance the general performance in cameras inclusive of low light capture, colour fidelity and much more.

Apple has not confirmed the acquisition but has given its usual vague statement that it `buys smaller technology companies from time to time’, though the Wall Street Journal has reported that Apple has spent roughly $20bn at LinX that creates camera technology for smartphone, Ultrabook and tablet devices. The Israeli start-up’s hardware was focused at tablets as well as smartphones and could not provide the kinds of background defocus which is popular on low opening lenses paired with DSLRs though it could achieve improved low-light performance which is appropriate in taking pictures indoors or at night without the use of a flash.

The company’s plan could also comprise in putting the tech in use in its notebook and change the camera modules with improved performing parts while adhering to size constraints which could be very convenient in building devices like the MacBook for instance while at the same time, retain the picture quality. This could possibly push image quality and help trim down camera design.

LinX Cameras Revolutionize Mobile Photography

LinX states that `the image quality of mobile camera has reached a dead end. Device makers are striving to differentiate using imaging capabilities but the pixel size race has ended and next generation cameras do not reveal any dramatic improvements. LinX cameras revolutionize mobile photography and broaden the usability span and user experience, allowing us to leave our SLRs at home’.

LinX had launched in 2014, tiny multi-aperture cameras that were only half as tall as the average mobile camera though capable of snapping `striking colour images and high accuracy depth maps’ which means DSLR quality photos can now be taken on a small and lightweight device.

According to the company’s communication, one of LinX’s big specified hardware features is achieving selective focus post-capture and this is a popular choice in modern devices and one which Apple would find beneficial in its future devices.

However, the big gains of the multi aperture design for the iPhone maker would possibly be in producing best results with regards to low light HDR besides colour fidelity with general everyday picture shoots.

LinX to Build Up Apple’s Hold in Israel 

Apple hadunfailingly kept the camera at the forefront of mobile camera technology in the iPhone, taking pride in the images which looked much better than most of the other mobile devices prevailing in the market. LinX claims that their camera systems also tend to create better images in low light conditions as well as fast exposure time in standard indoor light.

Apple could utilise the same in its upcoming notebooks in providing better low light and general photography replacing the prevailing camera modules. Besides this, the company could now assist Apple in manufacturing thin cameras with the capabilities of taking improved pictures for the forthcoming iPhones. Till date, the company has been using Sony camera sensors for its smartphones.

Acquisition could strengthen Apple in Israel and the purchase of LinX could build up Apple’s hold in Israel, which according to the company CEO‘s visit in February is a main source of research and development for Apple beside the U.S.

Apple Releases iOS 8.3 with 300 New Emoji

iOS 8.3 Software Update of 300 New Emoji

Apple has recently released new software update iOS 8.3for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, with the addition of over 300 new emoji characters together with a redesigned keyboard which means the emoji like the face, hands and bodies character for the first time, are in a range of six skin tone. The new keyboard features a scrolling UI to accommodate the variety of emoji available in the update. On tapping the desired emoji and holding down will provide the skin tone options.

Apple at first had unveiled the new emoji which was created in partnership with Unicode Consortium last in February and the skin tones are considered to have been modelled on the Fitzpatricks scale which is a recognized standard used by several dermatologists.

Unicode had stated last November that `people all over the world want to have emoji which reflect more human diversity especially for skin tone and the Unicode emoji characters for people and body part are meant to be generic yet following the precedents set by the original Japanese carrier images, they are often shown with a light skin tone instead of a more generic appearance like yellow/orange colour or a silhouette’.

EE’s WiFi Calling Features

The emoji which had been developed for use in Japanese SMS messages have become immensely popular for sending text, tweets as well as other messages with colourful icons that tend to depict a range of emotions, animals and food. Additional 32 new country flag emoji characters have also been included in the emoji range of collection.

Moreover, the latest update also provides iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 5s and 5c users to utilise EE’s WiFi Calling features which was broadcasted recently and once activated, the feature uses a WiFi connection to push voice calls as well as text to a user’s phone to evade weak or no mobile reception in the workplace, home or on the underground.

It has been informed by Apple that iOS 8.3 has improved performance for app launch as well as sensitivity, fixes issues with WiFi, Bluetooth and rotation and orientation. Besides this there is additional language and another new feature, country support for Siri in English - New Zealand, India, Danish - Denmark, Dutch – Netherlands, Portuguese – Brazil, Russian – Russia, Swedish – Sweden, Thai – Thailand and Turkish – Turkey. Besides this there is additional dictation language in Arabic – Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Hebrew – Israel.

Redesigned Emoji Keyboard

The interesting feature of update is the redesigned emoji keyboard wherein one can select from the 300 new characters with several new skin tone option and the diversity in the earlier emoji keyboard version was lacking since there was only an Asian man wearing a gua pi mao cap and an Indian with a turban though there were no black people portrayed.

Apple has now added several more relationship as well as gadget related emojis, for instance there are now same sex relationship emojis such as families with two mothers and two fathers while some of the gadget emojis tend to have been added inclusive of a representation of the iPhone 6 and Apple Watch.

Besides flags there are also options for sports and Apple is striving hard to strengthen iOS 8s’ reliability since the company is preparing to move its focus to the next model - iOS 9 which will probably be unveiled in June.

Apple Reuse and Recycling Programme Accepts Android Trade-ins

Apple’s Reuse & Programme – Android/Windows/iOS

As part of its Reuse as well as Recycling programme, Apple now will be accepting Android, Windows and other non iOS smartphones where customers can take their old or unwanted handset to Apple stores to receive an outright valuation.

Customers will be provided with an option to receive store credit for new iPhone or iPad and the service will also be available online. Currently accepted brands are Blackberry, HTC, LG, Samsung, Sony and the staffs advises Android users intending to switch to iOS on how to export contacts, set up email as well as download apps together will guidance in selecting tariffs.

Apple introduced this reuse and recycling programme to UK market somewhere in October 2013 after its proposal two months earlier in the US. The company requires that the smartphone should be able to turn on in orders appropriate for the programme’s requirements and if not suitable for credit, it would recycle responsibly on behalf of the customer.

 The service is part of its commitment to environmental responsibility which Tom Cook, chief executive had spoken in the past wherein he had commented on Apple’s site video that `they had a long way to go and lot to be learned and now more than ever, they would work to leave the world better than it was found’.

Trade-programme –Online/In-store

The trade-in programme is available on the company’s in-stores as well as online on some of the models mentioned above and on trading in a device; customers can receive credits for their old smartphones. This credit comes in two options, an Apple Store gift card or bank transfer which could be used in purchase of a new iPhone 5c, iPhone 6, or iPhone 6 Plus though this trade-in programme is not available all over the world. It is only available in France, Italy, the U.K and the U.S.

According to MacRumors, Apple will not be handling the process but the same will be handled by third parties enabling it to sell its primary products and not spend much time with the trade-ins while the smartphone section of the program will be arranged in partnership with third party device buyback and trade-in company, Brightstar Corporation. The PC part is handled by third party vendor Dataserv. Apple will also be accepting PCs from some specific manufacturers.

Hardware Running iOS Nemesis Android 

Apple had earlier run this programme in August 2013. According to BuzzFeed report, Apple is planning to expand its reuse and recycling programme to include non-iOS handset which includes hardware running iOS nemesis Android, but the specific hardware grading criteria is not clear.

Sources have not indicated the exact start date but have reported that the program extension would probably take effect shortly. The trade-in program expansion would be another way in enticing smartphone users away from Google’s Android platform. For instance, Apple had launched a webpage committed to migrating content from an Android device to one running iOS, last September.

Tim Cook, CEO, had mentioned in January, that the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus introduction had driven the highest Android switch rate of any iPhone launch during the last three years and the new models also assisted iPhone in a record of 89% of global smartphone operating profit during the 2014 fiscal quarter, pushing Android down to 11.3%.

How to Buy Hard to Find Apple Computer Parts

Computers enhance our lives, enabling us to do business transactions, shop from our homes, watch movies and play games. However, like all machines, they will need to be repaired occasionally. When your computer breaks down, it can be a major inconvenience, especially if you use your computer for your job. Therefore, you need to get it fixed as soon as possible. This means finding the right parts to get your machine up and running. Unfortunately, finding the parts you need is often much easier said than done. Where can you find quality computer parts? Here are some ideas that you might find useful.

1. Online classifieds sites

It doesn't matter if you are looking for used Apple computers or Mac mini parts, you can find just about anything imaginable for sale on the various classifieds websites. There are a wide variety of these sites to choose from. If you don't find what you are looking for on one, you will most likely find it if you continue searching and if you put in enough time. The vast majority of these classifieds sites are meant for people to buy items locally. People meet in person to complete the transaction. While some sales take place through the mail, it is not advised. There are other online options if you want to buy something through the mail more particularly Apple products like mac mini parts.

2. Computer parts websites

If you are unable to find the parts you need on a classifieds site, there are also many websites that specialize in selling computer parts. In many cases, the prices you will find on these sites are a fraction of what you will pay at the standard computer shops and retail stores. This is why it is in your best interests to shop around and do as many price comparisons as you can. You may stumble upon the part you need at a price much lower than you ever expected to pay for it.

3. Auction websites

Sites such as eBay have become massively successful because there are so many items available in a large array of categories. If you have come up empty in your quest to find the computer part you need, looking on one of the many online auction sites would be a good decision. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Auction sites are designed for people to sell things all over the world, so you will have good odds of finding your part.

Force Touch to Bring 'Significant' Change to Next iPhone

iPhone Upgrade – Force Touch Input

According to sources, Apple would probably name the iPhone upgrade of this year as `the iPhone 7’ instead of the `iPhone 6s’, since the addition of the Force Touch input would represent a significant change to the user interface. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities recently issued a research note, a copy of which was attained by AppleInsider, confirming that Apple’s next generation iPhone would feature Force Touch input.

Presently available on the new 13-inch MacBook Pro, it would also feature in the 12 inch MacBook. In Kuo’s opinion, Force Touch on the iPhone would be representing `the most significant change’, in the iPhone user interface, to date and the change would be substantial that he is of the belief that Apple would decide to call the handset the `iPhone 7’.

Dubbed Force Touch, this latest addition is pressure sensitive and responds to how you press on the surface. Kuo states that the iPhone’s Force Touch sensor does not directly identifies the pressure applied by fingers. On the contrary it monitors the contact area on which the finger has touched the screen in deciding how big the pressure is. Besides this, the Apple Watch that goes on sale very soon is also equipped with Force Touch.

Capacitive Technology – React to Electrical Conductive Properties 

The analyst is of the belief that Force Touch on the iPhone would use capacitive technology which would react to the electrical conductive properties of the finger enabling a lighter touch and the Force Touch sensor would be placed under the phone’s in-cell touch panel’s backlight.

In-cell touch, panel joins the phone’s touch sensors with the LCD screen directly, into a single layer that tends to space in the tight quarters of a smartphone. Kuo states that the iPhone would be with the same screen sizes of 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches that were introduced with iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus while some have reported that Apple would unveil a 4 inch model for those who would not prefer bigger screen phones.

He states that the iPhone 5s that has a 4 inch display would be reintroduced having a plastic back which would create a low cost, entry level iPhone for those who may be budget conscious and who would prefer a smaller version of the phone.

iPhone – Prime Driver – Company’s Revenue

The iPhone is very important to Apple as well as the prime driver of the company’s revenue wherein its financial importance was evident in the final quarter of 2014 when its sales record of 74.5 million iPhones pushed Apple to a world record for quarterly profits of $18 billion among the publicly traded companies.

In this competitive market of smartphone, Apple needs to keep making progress in its technology for iPhone in order to keep its consumers away from their rivals wherein Samsung’s new Galaxy 6 has shifted to a more high end metal body from its traditional plastic together with additions of more improvements while the Galaxy 6 Edge also features an appealing display which wraps round the edge of the phone.

With the introduction of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus last September, Apple has made a late nod in the field of phablets or big smartphones which had been recognized in a big way by Samsung models and the latest iPhones introduced the Apple Pay mobile payments technology.