Thinner iPhone 6 Concept with 18-megapixel camera

Designed by M produced an unusual concept of the iPhone 6, which has a hexagonal shape and slim metal body. The user has only two variants of color, white and black, but the main “chip” devices, in addition to the form factor, is a fully touch-sensitive controls.

iPhone 6 has a large display, which occupies almost the entire front panel of the smartphone. The device works with iOS 7. Every one of the buttons are touch sensitive and are located on the sloping edges of the device.

Another feature of the new model is a powerful acoustic design: designers have equipped the unit immediately four speakers – two on the front panel and two on the bottom edge. Speakers are said to provide high-quality, powerful sound. The device is 20% thinner than the iPhone 5 features a 18-megapixel camera with improved shooting in low light conditions and feature circular panorama.

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Apple caught testing offline Dictation for iOS 7

Among the headline new Mac features set to debut when OS X Mavericks gets released this Fall is a little but important enhancement to Dictation.

Hawk-eyed readers will recall that Dictation was brought to the Mac as part of OS X Mountain Lion last summer. Based on Siri’s speech-to-text component, Dictation on the Mac requires a broadband Internet connection.

In Mavericks, Apple will let you optionally download a nearly 1GB package to power offline Dictation.

But Apple’s engineers aren’t stopping here and are reportedly privately testing offline Dictation for iOS 7. More details right after the break…

The discovery was made by Hamza Sood and first reported by Mark Gurman of 9to5Mac.

Although Apple’s iOS 7 web page makes no mention of offline Dictation, Hamza spotted code references in both iOS 7 betas (but not in iOS 6).

The functionality is currently not active in public-facing builds, but we are told that devices internal to Apple have the function up and running.

We are also told that while local Dictation is an option in these seeds, the former, cloud-based Dictation process is present for certain situations. Perhaps this will be an option in Settings or an option based on Internet conditions.

We can only speculate as to whether offline Dictation might be an iPhone 5S exclusive.

Such a move wouldn’t be unheard-of. Remember, Siri debuted in October 2011 as an iPhone 4S exclusive before eventually being rolled to the fifth-generation iPod touch and iPad 3 and 4 and iPad mini.

Current Dictation implementation in iOS 7 (left) and offline Dictation on Android (right).

It remains to be seen whether the current iPhone 5 has enough oomph to carry out on-device speech-to-text conversion. Battery life is an obvious concern here as tapping the Dictation database weighing several hundred megabytes would prove a major burden on resources.

Here’s a demo of live Dictation in OS X Mavericks.

Potential benefits of offline Dictation on iDevices are obvious.

First and foremost, such a capability would enable live feedback when using your voice to input text using Dictation. You’d also avoid unwanted data usage over the cellular network, always a big concern when on a metered plan.

The offline Dictation database could even help Siri  respond instantly to certain queries, like setting your alarms, turning on flashlight and performing other functions that don’t require web sources.

All told, we’re pretty sure offline Dictation is coming to iOS devices, this way or another.

Back in November, reliable sources told Gurman that Apple would bring both Siri and native Maps app to the Mac. The latter came true as OS X Mavericks includes a standalone Maps application.

Siri, on the other, is a no show in Mavericks.

There’s no reason to suspect Siri won’t make a leap to the Mac just as we’re all but certain that offline Dictation will at some point surface as an option on certain iOS 7 devices.

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What would it take for you to upgrade from your iPhone 5 ?

It’s arguably the worst kept secret in modern technology. In fact, it’s hard to really call it a secret anymore, because anyone with even a passing knowledge of smartphones will know that Apple tends to announce and release new iPhones around August/September/October time.

That’s why rumors start to really heat up around now, and photos of supposed screens, random cables attachments and claimed rear covers begin cropping up with increasing frequency. It’s as predictable as night turning to day, and we love it.

One of the perennial questions though is one that I’m being asked on a regular basis, and not just by techy types. The question is a simple one: what will Apple announce and will I want to buy it?

What that really boils down to is a simple idea, and that’s whether Apple will announce aniPhone 5S, or a shiny new iPhone 6. Regardless of which actually happens, what will it take for you to dump that iPhone 5?

Now we’re not really the best people to ask about that. Most of the iDB team will be upgrading regardless of new features, or indeed the result of a sanity check. This writer went through five different smartphones last year alone, so it’s safe to say that we’re not averse to chopping in our handsets, but we’re not exactly typical users. It’s you, dear reader, that has us intrigued. At what point do you decide that yes, that feature is what I’ve been waiting for and yes, Mr Cook, please take my money. It’s a highly emotive question, and one we wouldn’t dare answer for you – that’s what we have the comments section for, after all – but do allow us to post one or two possibilities, won’t you?

One rumor that just won’t go away, or at least we thought it had and then it reared its oversized head, is the belief that Apple’s next iPhone will grow once again. After years of iPhones sitting at the rather miniscule 3.5-inch form factor, the iPhone 5 saw a jump to a 4-inch display. Could Apple move along so soon? We’d argue not, but we must admit to it being a damn good reason to upgrade from an iPhone 5 and it’d be top of our list for sure. Not too big, obviously – we’re not talking Galaxy Note proportions. Oh heavens no, just something a little more beefy.

If screen size doesn’t float your boat, what about a fingerprint scanner? There’s almost no chance of this actually happening as far as we’re concerned, but seeing as the rumor won’t die, we assume someone somewhere actually wants it to happen. Are you that person? Does being able to unlock your iPhone with the power of the ridges in your thumb fill you with glee?

We didn’t think so.

For us, the biggest change that Apple could make to the iPhone is already upon us, and we’ve spoken about it at length for a while now. When the new iPhone reaches stores later this year, we suspect that iOS 7 will be the biggest change that users will notice, assuming Apple sticks to its iPhone – iPhone S cadence, that is.

And with iOS 7 chugging along happily on the iPhone 5, we’re not sure that the compelling reason to upgrade will be quite as compelling as we’d like.

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Apple’s iPhone 5S or iPhone 6 Will Look Like This?

Apple recieve’s no shortage of coverage from news networks, bloggers, designers, and developers just to name a few. They have such a cult following that people often make assumptions (sometimes crazy ones) about what next iDevices will look like. Especially the iPhone.

iPhone 6 Concept designed by Arthur Reis.

But this is perhaps one of the best iPhone 6 concepts i’ve seen. Granted most sources seem to indicate that the next gen iPhone will be dubbed 5S, (although I personally don’t think so) this one is the iPhone 6 and looks pretty sweet if you ask me.

The significant changes made to this are that it is thinner and the home button is much bigger. Apple has hinted at removing the home button since that was always one of Jobs’ ambitions, but the way it is designed does seem a bit impractical.

The best part about this concept is not just that it is well designed and looks very real, but it is the response Reis has gotten since it’s been posted  on youtube.

Here are some amazingly vivid concept images by Reis.

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New Hidden Settings In iOS 7 Shows Extra Gestures, Multitasking And More...

Last week Apple released iOS 7 beta 1 for developers, where they started digging around searching for any hidden features that Apple didn't talk about at the WWDC 2013, and as we keep discovering new features in iOS 7 beta 1. Today, hidden settings have been discovered in the software with new gesture, multitasking and folder options.

It looks like that Apple is still testing these unannounced features in iOS 7 beta 1, including system-wide gestures like edge swipes and corner swipes, and the ability to both hide pre-installed apps and create folders within folders…

These new features were first discovered by @Hamza Sood, who made a video walkthrough f some of the secret iOS 7 settings for 9to5Mac. It’s not clear exactly how Sood was able to access the hidden menu, but we do know that the settings are not readily available to iOS users.

As you can see there is a lot of option we already know or seen it on our jailbroken devices like, Blur Folder icon, Blur folder background, Blur newsstand and more....

Don’t get too excited though. As Mark Gurman of 9to5Mac points out, it’s very likely that these settings will continue to stay internal and will not be present in the public release of iOS 7 this fall. Still, sometimes it’s just cool to get a glimpse under the black cloak.

So what do you think ? People keep discovering more and more secrets in iOS 7 beta

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The Forgotten iOS Device: Why You Should Make Apps For Apple TV

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Brad Smith wants to encourage developers to explore the final frontier: making apps for Apple TV.

Smith, director of engineering at RadiumOne, spoke at AltWWDC about facing the challenges for this new territory.

“I like to think of it as the forgotten iOS device,” Smith said, showing a slide of Tom Dickson, who has blended every device from the Cupertino company — with the exception of the Apple TV.

For starters, Apple hasn’t opened the platform to third-party apps for the digital media receiver, which launched in 2007. In some ways, Smith says, Apple making moves to make it even more closed. Smith hopes his talk will drive more developers to make apps anyway.

“It’s moving in a scary direction, if anything there are indications that they’re moving to close down rather than open up,” Smith said. “From a hacker perspective, it offers up challenges because you can write your code in different ways, though.”

To get started, you need a jailbroken second-generation Apple TV. That’s the “sweet spot” since the third-gen has yet to be jailbroken (“We’re working on it,” an audience member interjected) and first-gen doesn’t run iOS.

Smith didn’t give a detailed how-to on cracking it open but says that “It’s become very very easy, one Google search and a download and you’re in.” (SeasOn Pass is the way to go for many, he said.) One caveat: iOS 6 on Apple TV 2 is a tethered jailbreak, so you have to plug it into a USB cable every time you reboot the device. “Definitely OK for hackers like us, but it’s not ready for real-world consumption.”

He recommends taking a look at current third-party Apple TV apps, many are open source, look at code and see how things are running, including: XMBC, NitoTV, Last.FM and AirControl.

To get you started, also check out BackRow, essentially a UI Kit that acts as a replacement for your basic iOS kit on Apple TV. Once a private framework, it’s now inside the AppleTV you can stack it or dynamically pull it into runtime, but after the iOS 6 update, Apple removed BackRow. Still, he says, the core data is there and so is most of the low-level stuff you need to get started.

“Developing even before there’s an open platform can encourage Apple to see there’s a potential there and encourage people to push the platform forward.”

You can watch the full talk with his mini-tutorial, here.

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Here’s How Apple Made Finding Photos Way Faster In The iOS 7 Messages App

If you send friends a lot of pictures via iMessages, you’ll love this new little feature in the iOS 7 Messages app that makes it easier to find old photos you’ve sent friends.

To view all the files that you’ve ever sent someone from your iPhone you can tap the new folder icon at the bottom of a photo preview screen and you’ll get a list of all the files the two of you have sent to each other. No more hunting through chat logs to find that funny pic your friend sent you that you forgot to save.

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Gameloft Teases New Modern Combat 4 "Meltdown" Update

If you love the third-shooting person games, then you probably heard about a very well known game  called Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour. Today the huge French company has just released a new teaser video for an upcoming new update coming for Modern Combat 4 entitled as "Meltdown"..

The new update will be coming on Wednesday for your iPhone. The trailer included right below the fold mentions three new maps (Fracture, Extraction and Backfire), two new game modes and a brand new specialization (Demolition)...

Along with a new maps, there is a lot of new weapons has been added to the game and everything you wish will be coming to you on Wednesday.. Check out this teasing video from Gameloft: 

From YouTube description:

Get ready to be blown away by Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour’s Meltdown update. Discover tons of explosive new content: New maps from Antarctica to Barcelona, new modes, new weapons, and a new Demolition specialization!

Earlier, Modern Combat 4’s first update brought us the Tygr X3 automatic SMG and the Compakt-665 solid multipurpose automatic assault rifle.

Modern Combat 4, as the name implies, is the fourth installment in Gameloft’s widely successful first-person shooter series. Powered by the new Havok Engine, the game delivers life-like animations, dynamic objects and console-quality visuals.

So what do you think ? 

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Here Are Some Of The Smallest UI Changes Between iOS 6 And iOS 7

With all the new changes coming to iOS 7 there are still a ton of little details to discover while Apple continues to put the finishing touches on it. While  iOS 7 does feature a completely revamped UI, its the little changes that make everything really come together.

One redditor put together this handy info graphic that compares some of the smallest iOS 7 UI elements with their iOS 6 counterparts.

Take a look:

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iOS Users Are 30% More Likely To Buy Stuff Via Device Than Android Users

Apple’s iOS platform has continued to be the top platform for users who actually like to buy stuff via their smartphone, says a new study from Forrester. Consumers with iOS devices are 30% more likely to buy something via their device, than Android users.

Even though iOS is where more of the money is at, Android isn’t getting ignored by U.S. companies. Forrester’s study also reported that 96% of ebusiness professionals surveyed for the study plan to launch a native or hybrid Android app by the end of 2013, while 99% said they plan to do the same for iOS.

As reported by TechCrunch, Forrester says that the amount of resources companies are throwing into their iOS and Android apps is preventing BlackBerry and Windows Phone from getting much attention. Only companies with big budgets are really looking to make apps on platforms other than Android and iOS:

That’s because around 41 percent of ebusiness pros have only $500,000 or less to spend on their mobile budgets, and 56 percent have less than $1 million. That money can only go so far, and still pales in comparison to general marketing budgets, and even budgets devoted to general web-facing property. This alone is a prime reason why cross-platform solutions will continue to succeed, even as developers debate the merits of cross-platform technologies like HTML5 vs. native tools.

As Apple and Google’s mobile platforms have matured developers have to devote more resources than ever before to keep apps supported across all current and new devices and OS versions.

The fragmentation has actually helped Apple and Google maintain their marketshare lead on Microsoft and BlackBerry by unintentionally diverting companies’ resources away from a third and fourth competitor.

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Is it The First Apple-Approved Game Controllers For iOS 7 ?

This somewhat blurry image of a game controller built by Logitech is believed to be one of the first Apple-approved controllers for iOS 7 that will join the “Made for iPhone” program. It’s built for the iPhone 5, and it’s been designed to meet Apple’s new guidelines for Mac and iOS game controllers.

The image was obtained by Kotaku, which “can’t tell you who gave it to us or where it was seen, but we can vouch for this image’s authenticity.” Unfortunately, there’s very little information about the controller, but Kotaku is confident it will be one of the first to take advantage of the third-party controller support built into iOS 7.

Apple announced the new feature during its WWDC keynote last Monday, and it followed that up with new guidelines for game controllers. As you can see from Apple’s diagram below, the Logitech controller has clearly been built with these specifications in mind.

It has a directional pad on the left side, four action buttons on the right, as well as what is likely to be a start or pause button.

This controller is likely to be one of many built for iOS 7, which is now in beta testing with developers. The update will be made available to the public this fall, alongside new iOS devices.

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iPhone 6

Recently we watched , a few videos about the iPhone 6 , but what about this one ,,,
 

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