Nokia’s next Android phone looks set to arrive on June 24th

Microsoft is set to launch the next generation of its Nokia X line of phones, at least according to two teaser images posted by Nokia. A new post on the Nokia Conversations blog suggests a new Nokia X phone could come as soon as next Tuesday. An image with an X and the date June 24th is on the site and can be seen below. The site also features a countdown clock that is counting down to June 24th. The same teaser image and countdown clock can be seen on a Chinese version of the Nokia site as well.

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Posted in 2014 at 11:45PM, June 20

iOS 7.1.2 to Address Mail, Lock Screen, iBeacon Issues in Coming Weeks

Nearly a month ago, we noted that Apple was apparently working on iOS 7.1.2, as revealed in our web logs by the appearance of visits from devices running the operating system version on Apple's networks.



At the time, we had no information on what the update would include, but suggested it was likely to include fixes for an email attachment encryption issue and problems for users leaving iOS for a different platform trying to disassociate their phone numbers from iMessage. In both cases, Apple acknowledged that it was working on fixes for the issues that would be included in a future software update, and iOS 7.1.2 will be the first public update released since those statements.



MacRumors has now learned that Apple is indeed nearing a public release of iOS 7.1.2 and has begun seeding carrier partners with a version of it, termed build 11D257. Apple has apparently asked carriers to sign off on the update by Friday, June 27, indicating that a public release could occur the following week.





According to sources, the build of iOS 7.1.2 does indeed address the email attachment encryption issue, as well as a bug in downloading emails. Also included in the update is a fix for a lock screen vulnerability that could allow access to "limited apps". While we can't say for certain, Apple may be referring to the "missed call" lock screen bug publicized earlier this month.



Finally, iOS 7.1.2 is said to include both improvements to iBeacon connectivity and a bug fix related to data transfer with third-party accessories such as bar code scanners. There is no explicit mention of any fixes for iMessage, but they may still be quietly included in the release.




Visits to MacRumors.com from devices running iOS 7.1.2


Since the first appearance of iOS 7.1.2 in our web logs back in mid-May, traffic from devices running the upcoming operating system has increased fairly gradually with the exception of a spike on the day of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference keynote.

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Posted in 2014 at 09:58PM, June 20

Google’s Internet balloons cause panic in yet another country

Google's Project Loon has been around for a while now, but that hasn’t stopped people from freaking out whenever they see one. Today in New Zealand, residents thought a plane was crashing when in fact a Loon balloon was landing, according to The Wall Street Journal .

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Posted in 2014 at 09:11PM, June 20

Apple Recruiting Pro Athletes to Test iWatch's Fitness Capabilities

Apple's iWatch is currently being tested by professional athletes from the MLB, NHL, and NBA to measure its fitness capabilities in rigorous training environments, reports 9to5Mac , citing a source with knowledge of the testing. Apple has reportedly invited several athletes, like LA Lakers player Kobe Bryant, to its Cupertino campus to discuss the iWatch.

Apple is said to be working with Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Kings right winger Dustin Brown, and a few other star athletes, including a player from the Boston Red Sox, on the testing project. The athletes are said to have signed non-disclosure-agreements regarding the existence of the upcoming Apple wearable device.

Kobe Bryant was seen on the Apple campus back in May and is said to have met with Apple's chief designer Jony Ive, who has a leading role developing the iWatch. The athletes are likely testing out the multitude of health and fitness sensors built into the device, said to measure everything from sleep quality to heart rate to provide an overall picture of health.




Kobe Bryant at the Apple campus in May, image via 9to5Mac


The source also reiterates that Apple's iWatch will be "positioned as a fashion accessory," which is in line with previous reports from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo has predicted that Apple will release the iWatch at multiple price points and in a variety of materials, competing with low and high-end watches alike. At the higher end, the iWatch could retail for thousands of dollars.



Both former Yves. St. Laurent CEO Paul Deneve, who serves as a vice president, and Angela Ahrendts, in charge of retail stores, are said to be involved in marketing and strategies for selling fashion products at Apple locations.



According to recent reports from reputable news outlets, the iWatch will come in at least two sizes, with one device having a screen size of 2.5 inches. The design is said to feature a slightly rectangular face that protrudes slightly from a band to create an arch shape around the wrist. The iWatch, which may launch at an October event, is also said to include a sapphire crystal display, a touch interface, integration with existing iOS devices, and wireless charging capabilities.

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Posted in 2014 at 08:34PM, June 20

Hands-On Installation and Usage of TouchPal's Gesture Keyboard for iOS 8

Following Apple's announcement at its Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this month that iOS 8 would include support for third-party keyboards on a systemwide basis, a number of companies working on the technology indicated that they would be moving forward with plans to support iOS. Among those companies was TouchPal, with quickly released a video showing an early version of its sliding gesture keyboard in action.



TouchPal has now released its first alpha version of its keyboard for iOS 8 to select media outlets, giving a good look at how third-party keyboard will work on iOS 8.





Installation is straightforward, leveraging a traditional App Store app to add TouchPal as an option when adding new keyboard in the Settings app. Once TouchPal is added, users can simply rearrange their installed keyboards in their preferred order, and rotate through each one while in use by tapping the globe key. Users who have activated the emoji keyboard on their devices will be familiar with that process.



Once activated, TouchPal is available anywhere a keyboard is traditionally used, such as in Mail, Messages, Safari, Notes, iWork apps, and third-party apps.





TouchPal's keyboard is similar to the perhaps more well-known one from Swype, allowing users to drag a finger in one continuous motion as they spell out the word. Based on the pattern drawn by the user, TouchPal suggests several options for the intended word, with highest-ranked option highlighted in the middle of the suggestions bar. Hitting the space bar or touching the word accepts the suggestion.



Numbers and common punctuation marks are input right from the main keyboard screen simply by flicking up or down on the proper key. Additional punctuation marks and emoticons are available by tapping the "12#" key at the lower left.



In our testing, there were definitely some glitches, particularly when switching between keyboards, but it is still early in the development process and Apple and third-party keyboard companies will continue to refine their implementations in the coming months leading up to the public release of iOS 8 this fall.

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Posted in 2014 at 07:33PM, June 20

iWatch Roundup Updated

Apple iWatch rumors are starting to heat up, and we've updated our roundup to reflect the latest news. Apple's iWatch may be available in multiple sizes up to 2.5 inches, with 10 different sensors to measure various health-related metrics, and wireless charging capabilities. Check out our full iWatch roundup for more information.

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Posted in 2014 at 06:59PM, June 20

Yahoo's Missed Opportunity with iOS 8 Weather Hints at Uncertain Future in Stocks App

iOS 8 will include a revamped Weather app with data provided by the Weather Channel instead of Yahoo, which previously powered Apple's weather app for years. This switchover of weather services allegedly was masterminded by former Yahoo board member and Weather Channel CEO David Kenny after he assumed his leadership role at the weather information company last year, reports Re/Code .





Kenny allegedly negotiated a deal with Apple that cut Yahoo out of the loop that provided weather data for iOS. In earlier iOS versions, Yahoo was the provider linked in the Weather app, but the actual meteorological data came from the Weather Channel. Kenny lured Apple away from Yahoo by offering a sweeter deal that included additional technology and more robust weather information than was made available to Yahoo. As a result, the Weather app in iOS 8 now includes a nine-day weather forecast, up from five days in iOS 7, details such as sunrise/sunset times and a new "Today" weather summary located at the bottom of the app.



Though Yahoo reportedly was in talks with Apple about featuring Yahoo services more prominently in iOS, the internet company didn't realize the Weather Channel was making a power play for iOS, and let this high-profile deal slip away.

“Yahoo had been renting ocean-front property for years and did not realize the lease was up, and the Weather Channel slipped right in and took it,” said a Yahoo exec, who said the company acted too late to save the deal. “It’s a high-profile loss.”

This provider change is a big blow to Yahoo, which as recently as April wanted to increase its role in iOS by making Yahoo the default search engine on iOS.



Apple's decision to drop Yahoo as it weather source also calls into question the search company's future involvement in the iOS Stocks app. Similar to earlier versions of the Weather app, the iOS Stocks app pulls its stock information from Yahoo Finance. Though not confirmed, some believe Apple could choose Bloomberg, CNBC or Reuters over Yahoo for its stock data in future versions of iOS 8.

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Posted in 2014 at 06:37PM, June 20