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Foxconn goes on a hiring spree to meet iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus demand
Launching a smartphone in 115 countries and regions within a four month timespan would be difficult enough to pull off without unprecedented demand, but if Apple is going to push its latest flagship worldwide, it's going to need some help. Digitimes reports that iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus manufacturer Foxconn Electronics is hiring workers at its Chinese plants in droves in order to meet demand.
Posted in 2014 at 11:30PM, September 30
Microsoft Gives Early Look at Windows 10 Featuring Windows 7 Elements, Broad Adaptability
The Start menu and taskbar, interface elements that are familiar to all Windows users, are placed front and center in Windows 10 in an effort to make the OS "familiar, compatible, and productive, according to Microsoft's head of operating systems Terry Myerson.
While Apple has managed to get the bulk of its user base to update to the newest version of OS X on a regular basis, Microsoft has had less success in recent years. As of April, 49 percent of Windows users continued to use Windows 7 (introduced in 2009), while 28 percent continued to use Windows XP, an operating system more than 12 years old. Windows 8 and 8.1 were installed on just 11 percent of devices in April. In a press release, Microsoft outlines some of the specific features that are coming to Windows 10:
Expanded Start menu. The familiar Start menu is back, providing quick one-click access to the functions and files that people use most, and it includes a new space to personalize with favorite apps, programs, people and websites.
Apps that run in a window. Apps from the Windows Store now open in the same format that desktop programs do. They can be resized and moved around, and have title bars at the top allowing users to maximize, minimize and close with a click.
Snap enhancements. Working in multiple apps at once is easier and more intuitive with snap improvements. A new quadrant layout allows up to four apps to be snapped on the same screen. Windows will also show other apps and programs running for additional snapping, and it will even make smart suggestions on filling available screen space with other open apps.
New Task view button. The new Task view button on the task bar enables one view for all open apps and files, allowing for quick switching and one-touch access to any desktop created.
Multiple desktops. Instead of too many apps and files overlapping on a single desktop, it’s easy to create and switch between distinct desktops for different purposes and projects — whether for work or personal use.
In addition to introducing some familiar Windows 7 features into Windows 10, Microsoft is also hoping to focus on personalization, creating a Windows experience that is customized to each individual user's preferences. Windows 10, like Windows 8, will run on a wide range of devices, including both PCs and tablets, with "a tailored experience for each device."
Windows 10 adapts to the devices customers are using — from Xbox to PCs and phones to tablets and tiny gadgets — and what they’re doing with a consistent, familiar and compatible experience, enabling even greater productivity. Windows 10 will run across the broadest range of devices ever from the Internet of Things to enterprise datacenters worldwide.
Many of the details on Windows 10 remain unknown at the time being, as the software is in the early development stages. Microsoft is aiming for a public release in the fall of 2015.
On Wednesday, Microsoft will launch a Windows Insider Program that will provide beta testers with a technical preview of Windows 10 for laptops and desktops, with access on other devices coming later. With the program, Microsoft is hoping to make the development of Windows 10 the "largest-ever open collaborative development effort."
Posted in 2014 at 10:21PM, September 30
Apple, Paypal Talks Over Apple Pay Soured Due to Samsung Deal
Apple was reportedly so annoyed with the partnership between the two companies that it ended talks with PayPal and even went so far as to exclude PayPal from Apple Pay all together, not listing it as an acceptable payment platform in its developer documentation.
But while these talks were going on, PayPal went ahead and partnered with Samsung on the Galaxy S5 fingerprint scanner, a move that was reportedly forced onto PayPal by eBay CEO John Donahoe. PayPal's now-former president David Marcus was purportedly categorically against the Samsung deal, knowing that it would jeopardize PayPal's relationship with Apple. Donahoe won the day, however.
Apple and PayPal appear to be in somewhat of a dispute following the introduction of Apple Pay and PayPal's exclusion, with the latter company recently launching an ad campaign that subtly attacks Apple and Apple Pay.
In the advertisement, PayPal alluded to the recent hacking of celebrity iCloud accounts and suggested PayPal was the safer platform for transferring money. Without a deal between the two companies, PayPal is facing significant competition from Apple Pay.
In addition to allowing users to make purchases in retail stores with their phones, Apple Pay also lets users buy items in support apps using a debit or credit card connected with an iTunes account. PayPal works in a very similar way, letting users attach a credit or debit card and then make purchases through the service, alleviating the need to enter credit card details.
Apple has plans to launch Apple Pay in the coming weeks, through an update to iOS 8.
Posted in 2014 at 08:10PM, September 30
Sorry, Apple haters: ‘Bendgate’ won’t kill the iPhone 6
Admit it — you were one of the thousands of people who at least momentarily believed Apple's latest smartphone was as pliable as a stick of gum. After a few scattered reports began to circulate, it was only a matter of time before isolated incidents became signs of "design flaws." By the time the Unbox Therapy bend-test video hit, there was no turning back. Bendgate was a epidemic.
Posted in 2014 at 08:05PM, September 30
This is our first look at Windows 10’s completely redesigned Start menu
Microsoft had plenty to talk about during the Windows 10 reveal event on Tuesday, from the operating system's improved multitasking capability to the extensive preview program, but we all know that there was only one thing Windows users actually wanted to see: the Start menu. Thankfully, the classic Windows feature is making its return alongside Windows 10, but let's take a look at how it has improved.
Posted in 2014 at 07:35PM, September 30
Pebble Drops Prices on Its Watches, Pokes Fun at Jony Ive
Further down, Pebble advertises the seven day battery life of its smart watches. "Why measure battery life in days? 'Cuz we can." This is a reference to the poor battery life seen in other smart watches, including Samsung's Galaxy Gear and the Moto 360, both of which last less than a day before requiring a charge.
Though Apple has not announced battery life of the Apple Watch, rumors have suggested that it will last for about a day, requiring nightly charging. It is likely, however, that the company is continuing to make tweaks to improve battery as much as it can, which is why no specific information on battery has been released.
Pebble also touts its customizability and its relatively low cost while poking a bit of fun at some of Apple's Apple Watch statements. "Overpriced trophy watch wasn't on our to-do list," reads the site. "Pebble is made by real people, for real people keeping it real," it says, wrapping up with the following statement: "Just to recap, we made a watch. We didn't solve global warming."
In addition to highlighting the capabilities of the product with sly references to the Apple Watch, Pebble has also announced plans to cut the prices of both the Pebble and the Pebble Steel. The standard Pebble watch now retails for $99, while the more recently introduced Pebble Steel retails for $199. Both options are quite a bit more affordable than the Apple Watch, which is said to start at a price of $349.
Pebble has also introduced new health and fitness capabilities for Pebble devices. Following an update, Pebble users are now able to track activity non-stop and monitor their sleep habits. Additionally, Pebble watches will be available in more retail locations, including Sam's Club, Fry's Electronics, and more.
Posted in 2014 at 07:19PM, September 30
‘Gapgate’ solved: Here’s why the Galaxy Note 4 has a gap between its frame and display
Don't mind the gap, says Samsung. Earlier this week we started hearing reports out of Korea that some Galaxy Note 4 owners were annoyed by a gap that they found between the Note 4's frame and its display that was apparently wide enough to fit two pieces of A4 paper inside. Now, however, AndroidCentral has discovered that this isn't a design bug... it's a feature.
Posted in 2014 at 07:05PM, September 30
Everything we know about Windows 10
So now that Microsoft has taken the wraps off its next-generation Windows platform, it's time to take a quick run through everything we learned about the platform on Wednesday and also address areas where we still have questions. Without further ado, let's look at everything we know about Windows 10.
Posted in 2014 at 06:15PM, September 30
‘Netflix for pirates’ app Popcorn Time finally hits the iPhone and iPad
Movie and TV show pirates, this is the moment you've been waiting for: Popcorn Time is finally available for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Of course, there's a catch... you'll need a jailbroken device in order to access and install it.
Posted in 2014 at 06:09PM, September 30
Apple to Announce Q4 2014 Earnings on October 20 [Mac Blog]
This quarterly earnings report covers the period up to September 27 and will include early sales of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, which launched in a number of countries on September 19. With a highly anticipated China launch slated for October 17, iPhone sales in the current quarter are expected to continue to be strong. The company confirmed it sold a record-breaking 10 million iPhone 6 and 6 Plus units in the first weekend of sales and would have sold significantly more units if supply had not been constrained.
MacRumors will provide coverage of both the earnings release and conference call on October 20.
Posted in 2014 at 05:44PM, September 30
iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus Available in China on October 17