Apple released iOS 7.1 beta 2 earlier today. Here we take a look at all the changes in iOS 7.1 beta 2 as well as first impressions of the new seed after a few hours of use.
We've been hearing a great deal about Apple's supposed smartwatch endeavors, with reports earlier on in the year suggesting that up to 100 members of staff had been assigned as a dedicated team tasked with building the foundations of the project. Some months on, and we're now hearing that the device, naturally suspected to be called the iWatch, will be making its way to the market later on next year, and will be the first piece of Apple hardware - unless another product arrives between now and then - to feature wireless charging.
OS X has long since been the de facto, Apple-based alternative to Microsoft's domineering Windows, but despite becoming more popular over the past decade thanks to some innovative, MacBook-shaped hardware, it's fair to say that the Cupertino's desktop operating system now plays second fiddle to its very own iOS. Week after week we get to take a look at varied OS X concepts of what the next version of iOS might entail, but in something of a rare treat, and one designer has pieced together an idea for OS X 11. Check it out after the break!
Apple's iPhone 5s launched back in late September alongside the so-called budget iPhone 5c, and although, as we know, first weekend sales figures were record-breaking, the trend largely continued throughout the month of October. According to a report by Counterpoint, the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5 both outsold the Samsung Galaxy S4 in the month of October, with Samsung's flagship sitting in third spot, while the iPhone 5c took fourth place in the worldwide sales race.
Apple TV has sat almost dormant for a couple of years now, with barely any software updates and no new hardware since the launch of the iPad 3. But in recent times, the talk of a major connected TV effort has quietened down, with feasibility issues seemingly shelving that idea, and instead, there's renewed impetus on the small, almost forgotten set-top. Today, the Cupertino has updated Apple TV once again, bringing new Watch ABC, Bloomberg, Crackle and KORTV channels. Further details can be seen after the break.
Every year, a new trend seems to hit the smartphone market, and if it isn't large displays or gold color configurations, then it's the manufacturers' new found love for a curved display. Naturally, Samsung was first to the draw with the Galaxy Round, closely followed by its compatriot LG with the impressive G Flex, and although an iPhone featuring an angled panel would seem quite a way off right now, a newly-awarded patent suggests that the Cupertino company is very much considering it.
China may be the location in which most Apple products are manufactured, but the iPhone has yet to make a huge mark on the country. With the iPhone 5c outlined as the first step towards making an impact on this developing market, the The Wall Street Journal suggests that China Mobile, the nation's foremost carrier by some distance, will begin taking iPhone pre-orders from 12th December. Although China's 4G network doesn't officially launch until next week on the 18th of December, it looks as though China Mobile wishes to get interested parties to commit early, and if all runs smoothly, this could be the first significant step for Apple in its quest to expand its mobile reach.
With the news late last week that the iPhone 5s was shipping within 1-3 days for the UK and many other markets across the world, the signs were there that Apple was finally getting on top of supplies. Now, it has emerged that - in the U.S., at least - the Cupertino giant has achieved 100 percent stock rate in all of its Retail Stores, with each variant of the iPhone 5s available in every single outlet.
Losing a leader like Nelson Mandela is always a huge loss not just for his own nation, but for all of humanity on the whole. When the former South African president and national leader passed away, almost everyone paid tribute to his achievements and his life in their own way, but seeing a corporation doing that is always different and noteworthy. Cupertino tech giant Apple has honored the great leader by updating its home page with the photo of Mandela, paying homage to a giant life that was taken away from us.
Siri caused more than a stir when it first hit the scene along with the iPhone 4s back in 2011, but even though consumers and commentators alike were fascinated by this feature that could answer back (if you had the right accent), the novelty did seem to wear off, and apart from the Eyes Free in-car integration, it's been a while since Apple's much-loved voice assistant really made the headlines.
