Pulse News app on iOS has just been updated to allow social feeds from Facebook , Instagram , tumblr and YouTube.
Photos are also being made more prominent too.
Category Archives: Apple
N.O.V.A. 3 is released on iOS
N.O.V.A. 3 has just been released on the Apple AppStore. It’s a universal game costing £4.99.
Apple cuts iPhone 5 component orders in half
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple has slashed it’s component orders in half due to weak demand for the iPhone 5.
I for one am not convinced the iPhone 5 is not selling. I’m sure it is but there is more competition from Samsung, Google, Sony, HTC, Nokia and others.
Either Apple ordered too much to ensure demand was met at Xmas or its just on a natural curve downwards as initial excitement and sales peaks have been accomplished.
The other option is the iPhone is moving towards a 6 monthly refresh cycle and maybe a newer screen size or alternative screen size.
When Apple releases its sales data all will be revealed. So what do you think?
Trade in Values – Broken iPhone 4S vs Samsung S2
Gazelle has a lovely chart at CES which shows the trade in values of a broken iPhone and a mint S2. And no surprises despite being broken the iPhone is worth more in trade in values.
2013 The Year Apple Moved to 6m Refresh Cycle
There are many rumours that Apple will finally have to move to a 6m refresh cycle for its iPad and iPhone lines in order to keep up with the pace of change from competitors.
I’m not so sure on this one, but it would certainly help keep the product lines fresh from a hardware point of view. If Apple did update every 6m it could only be incremental updates too.
Lets see whether we get 2 new iPads in March, a full size and Mini. What do you think?
Polaroid Lens Cases
Polaroid are looking to revive their fortunes. They are launching lens cases in bright colours, that snap onto the case with a minimum of fuss to your iPhone or iPad.
They come in three main flavours: a standard fisheye, a telephoto lens that will bring you two feet closer to whatever it is you’re snapping and a tele zoom good for three feet. The fisheye and tele zoom are constructed of metal, while the telephoto is a white plastic affair. These seem similar to Olloclip concept, although the Olloclip is simpler IMO.
The price of these lenses will be around $20 to $30.
The iPhone Cash Cow – has it ended?
I have being reading all the news regarding new android handsets at CES. You can now buy a top performing phone for a fraction of the iPhone cost of ownership.
With the market forces changing so rapidly, can Apple continue its profit margin model. I am not so sure it can, as phone companies will start to push back. In all honesty, if Apple makes money on the AppStore does it need vast profits on the hardware.
With Google and Amazon fighting hard in the wings, Apple really has it work cut out. Of course, if it releases a start of the art, innovative phone that nobody can copy for 5 years, then it is relatively safe.
Has Apple stopped Innovating?
Everyday I read an article about how iOS 6 and the iPhone hasn’t changed much and how it has not innovated and gone stale. I read articles about how great the Samsung S3 or Nexus 4 is , and how these people who were hardened Apple users, come out the closet and state how much better android is now.
Last January, I got frustrated with my 4S. I had had the 4 previously. So in essence I was looking at the same shape for nearly 2.5 years. In geek land that’s a lifetime. So I moved to a Samsung Note. I wrote tons about how amazing it was. Then on the S3’s first day of release I did a great deal with Carphonewarehouse and moved to this phone. I was so convinced the S3 was better than any iPhone. It did more, it specification was magical. And then the iPhone 5 arrived. I had both side by side, and in that instance I was decided to sell the S3 and keep the iPhone 5. I used the iPhone 5 for a week first just to make sure. You see the iPhone 5 was stunning to look at, and the S3 bland. Anyway, it’s has been 3 months plus with the 5 and it actually feels like I am doing tasks faster and quicker. The audio and camera quality are superior too. The S3 has more features, no question about that, but the 5 with Apple’s infrastructure, its a win for me at the moment.
So what’s my theory. Well there is nothing wrong with the iPhone. It’s brilliant. Except it feels boring. It so good. But since 2007 it still looks the same. And has a similar interface. Android has evolved. It has all sorts of tweaks and options and hardware. It has the novelty factor but also it has improved leaps and bounds. For some reliability is everything. But for others change is needed. In reality iOS has improved dramatically, but it looks the same. Some might say that’s important as people don’t get frightened by change.
And that’s Apple’s problem. Everything works great but for some it’s not enough even though it performs well. That plus competing phones are adding the glitz.
Confirmed – Apple To Release Smaller Cheaper iPhone
The Wall Street Journal has confirmed that Apple is working on a cheaper iPhone. While Apple has explored such a device for years, the plan has been progressing and a less expensive version of its flagship device could launch as soon as later this year.
The cheaper phone could resemble the standard iPhone, with a different, less-expensive body, one of the people said. One possibility Apple has considered is lowering the cost of the device by using a different shell made of polycarbonate plastic; in contrast, the iPhone 5 currently has an aluminum housing. Many other parts could remain the same or be recycled from older iPhone models.
Who knows, you could see the iPhone 4, low resolution camera in a plastic multi coloured finish. Strangely, at least it won’t break as easy of dropped unlike glass.
Samsung Profits & Sales Rocket
With successful devices like the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Note 2 and 30 plus other handset derivatives, it is no surprise that Samsung is producing such stellar results as below. They are selling a massive 500 handsets per minute in the last quarter of 2012 alone.
The consolidated operating profit is expected to be $8.28 billion. Consolidated sales for the third quarter of 2012 are at $49.10 billion, while operating profit is recorded at $7.58 billion U.S. dollars.
Revenues for fiscal 2012 are estimated at $189.18 billion on consolidated basis, and operating profit is expected to be $27.29 billion.
Staggering figures. The challenge will be to maintain these results. But with Samsung releasing refrigerators with Evernote integration anything is possible.
Gavin's Gadgets & Photography 