Category Archives: Apple

Did Microsoft release Office for the iPhone?

Microsoft has brought Office to the iPhone, but so far the app’s limitations and costs are creating a negative reaction. More than 55 percent of the 747 reviewers have rated the app one star out of five, and there are 56 pages of comments, many from users angry that Microsoft requires them to have an Office 365 Home Premium subscription to use it.

Home Premium starts at $100 per year and includes access to cloud-based versions of Word, Excel, Powerpoint and other apps for up to five devices.
Microsoft is entitled to charge for its app, but users are angry that they are being asked to pay an annual subscription when the iPhone app only includes a slimmed-down set of features.

Many reviewers also pointed to the absence of an iPad tailored version of the app which would have been more useful but then put it in competition with its own tablets.

My view is why bother with Office. There are many office apps already on the Apple app store or just use Google docs. Or use Apple’s own editing apps.

Americans can pick up the iPhone 5 at a really low price now from Wallmart – details

Walmart has slashed the iPhone prices from yesterday, according to Mashable, which points to an impending iPhone hardware refresh in the coming months. Walmart will reportedly slash the already low iPhone 5 cost from $189 to $129 and the iPhone 4S will go from $89 to $39 on contract with AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon (Uncarrier T-Mobile, which Walmart doesn’t support, is not included in the deal).

The iPhone 5 is a really great piece of hardware, and still is able to hold it’s own, and will also be updated to ios7 in the fall. It is probably the only true phone pocketable device that has full blown specification unlike say the S4 Mini which is actually a so-called down spec of the S4.

iOS 7 and Game Pad support

I mentioned last week that part of the hidden features of iOS 7 was game pad support. I also mentioned that Logitech and Moga were both looking at supporting this new feature. Well the first leak of a gamepad design has appeared. It is a prototype from Logitech, whereby the iPhone sits inside the controller and is connected via the lightning connector port.

Personally, I would go for a bluetooth controller that could work on all iOS 7 devices instead of being restricted by the iPhone 5. Also, when Apple updates the iPhone shape, your controller becomes obsolete.

What do you think of the design below?

gamepad

iPhone 5S – Colours and Finger Print Scanner

Reuters is reporting that this year, Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 5S, which will include new fingerprint technology and possibly in a few more colours.

It is also likely that the 5S will be visually identical to the current iPhone 5, but with upgraded internals from the processor, camera and memory. With the new Ipad offering memory up to 128gb, it is quite possible the 5S might stretch to this limit too.

I just wonder, who would spend the extra premium on having memory at 128gb. Would you?

Google releases a Cloud Printing App

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.cloudprint&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5nb29nbGUuYW5kcm9pZC5hcHBzLmNsb3VkcHJpbnQiXQ..

Google has launched in the Play Store, Cloud Print.

With this app you can print from any compatible Android device to any Google Cloud Print connected printer
* Share a picture or a document from apps like Gallery directly to Cloud Print
* Track the status of your print jobs

Just amazing to think most Apple devices have this baked into the operating system already.

Apple is testing to new iPhone sizes at 4.7 and 5.7 inches

According to Reuters, Apple is testing to types of large screened iPhones, one using a 4.7 inch screen and the other at 5.7 inches. Assuming there is some truth to this rumour, and Apple does release a larger iPhone in 2014, you can guarantee it won’t be 5.7 inches as that is just too large for the masses. 4.7 inches is more realistic.

The next aspect will be what unique hardware features will the next iPhone include. With gesture support being introduced in iOS 7, will the home button become capacitive or be removed all together. Then there is the material and camera technology. 2014 could be a very interesting year for camera tech.

So if a 4.7 inch iPhone appeared, would you jump and buy this?