As expected, Apple has just taken the wraps off the iPad mini 3, and whilst the smaller of Apple's tablets hasn't been given all that much attention during the build-up to today's events, we can now sit back and assess some of the many new features that have been bundled into this refresh. There is, as also suspected, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor, and with a number of other quirks to be enjoyed, we've got the full run-down after the leap.
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The second-generation iPad Air, which is now the sixth 9.7-inch slate that Apple has brought to the fore, has finally been unveiled, and as well as Touch ID, the faster processor and all of the other bells and whistles that we've long presumed would be present, there are a few surprises thrown in for good measure. Full details can be seen below.
There's a famous little spot outside the Android Team's headquarters that hosts the various statues of Android mascots through the generations. To mark the unveiling of Android 5.0 Lollipop, the mascot is back once again and grinning from ear to ear, which isn't surprising given that he's holding a lollipop larger than his body.
Alongside the as-expected Nexus 6, Nexus 9 and Android Lollipop 5.0, Google has also showcased Nexus Player, a new set-top box that doubles up as a console allowing players to get their game on with the hundreds of thousands of titles available over at the Play Store.
Numerous leaks of the Motorola-made Nexus 6 in the run-up to today's official announcement have pointed to a device almost identical to the new Moto X but with a larger display. In essence, that's exactly what we've been treated to today by the search giant, whose exciting new phablet is said to be designed for the all new Android Lollipop, and we've got all of the key details and information right here.
Smart home products have risen in prominence over the past couple of years in particular, and thanks to crowd-sourcing sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, these seamless home automation gadgets continue to gather steam. The August Smart Lock, which was first introduced last year, has just begun shipping to those who pre-ordered, and if you wish to get your hands on a unit, you can do so right now for the price of $250.
This week is already shaping up as a busy one thanks to Apple's confirmed event at Town Hall, but according to reports and rumors, Google could well be poised to steal the show with a major roll-out of its own. Android L, which we first saw at this year's I/O event, is a rather significant bump on the current Android KitKat, and although the Big G has said very little on this topic, October is the search giant's usual month of choice for such announcements. With Android L seemingly imminent, users of Samsung devices will be looking on with a keen interest, and now, we've a leaked roadmap that indicates which of the Korean outfit's line-up will be seeing new software, and perhaps more importantly, when.
Apple's iPhone 6 has already sold tens of millions of units across the globe, and with some 20 million Chinese consumers having also secured themselves a unit in the run-up to the launch in China later on this week, we're still not able to put a ballpark figure next to the device's success. But given the popularity, Apple is regularly faced with imitations, and now Lenovo, which is currently in the process of purchasing Motorola from Google, has come through with a mid-range handset that appears an almost carbon copy of the mobile industry's current must-have.
Last week, Apple dropped the second Golden Master Candidate of OS X 10.10 Yosemite alongside the fifth Public Beta, with the third GM arriving shortly thereafter. To bring the Beta Program right up to date, OS X Yosemite Public Beta 6 has just rolled out, which should, in terms of features, be basically identical to the latest build on the Developer Program. Full details, though, can be seen right here.
Within iOS 8, the typing experience has improved dramatically. Not only has Apple now made it possible for users to download their favorite third-party offerings like Fleksy, Swype and SwiftKey, but the native keyboard is also far superior to the lackluster native arrangement that users have endured for the past seven years. The autocomplete feature, in particular, will estimate the next word in your sentence, writing out your body of text through a combination of guesswork and learned algorithms. But while this is useful for your everyday typist, one YouTuber has taken things a step further by allowing the stock feature to essentially write its own song. The result is pretty hilarious, and below, you can check it out.
















