After a lengthy eight day stretch of downtime, the Apple Dev Center is now finally back online, and so registered developers should be able to carry on about their business as usual. Late last week, it became apparent that systems were completely down, and after Apple stepped out and confirmed that it had been indeed subjected to a security breach, and that while all passwords and sensitive data were secure and out of reach of any hacker activity, it would be working on overhauling the system completely to prevent any such mishap from occurring in future. That initial memo was then followed by a server status update tool earlier this week, and now, just over a week after the Dev Center first went down, the main sections of the system are now back online.
As tech fans, we're often sucked in by the glamorous new features of a firmware update. The release of Android 4.3, while perhaps not a lot to write home about in all, offers quite a few intriguing implementations, but while a control center for individual app permissions doesn't sound particularly exciting, it's certainly something many Droidsters have been waiting on for a long time. And now, a new hidden App Ops feature within Android 4.3 has been discovered, that allows the user to set individual app permissions, and in the tech world's constant demands for more control over its mobile devices, this is most certainly a tick in the box. And enabling it is a piece of cake, here’s how you can do it.
With any next-generation product, particularly within the image-conscious technology industry, we expect a thinner, lighter, and slicker form factor all round. While the jury's still out on whether the PlayStation 4 console looks as cool as its predecessor did when it launched all those years ago, there's no doubting that Sony has scaled down the packaging while scaling up the hardware beef within the PS4. Sony’s PS Access channel has a short video pitting new and old side-by-side, which not only lets you make up your mind as to which looks better, but also gives you some idea as to how much more compact the PlayStation 4 is.
In a poll of 38,500 Americans, Apple has fought off competition from some of tech's biggest names to hold the crown as favorite brand in the categories of smartphone, tablet and computer, which will certainly serve as a kick in the teeth to rivals. Tim Cook's company has long since been the favorite when it comes to computers, but with the iPad and iPhone seeing off the likes of Google and Samsung, it appears America just cannot get enough of the company's famed gadgets.
Almost everyone has seen Minority Report, and why not - that blockbuster flick was decades ahead of its time in terms of the technological and computing innovation that it presented. One particular theme from the Tom Cruise flick that stuck with viewers and tech enthusiasts for a long time was being able to control and manipulate computer interfaces through gestures and body movement. A lot of developers and companies have attempted to incorporate that one way or the other, with the most successful example being Microsoft’s Kinect accessory for its Xbox consoles.
Samsung has been really active over the course of its last two iterations of Galaxy line flagships, that is, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4, both of which have been acclaimed as the most human-friendly smartphones ever. Features like Smart Stay and Smart Dial make you feel that your device actually understands you, and reads your mind, even if the reality is just a matter of some cleverly placed sensors and making use of existing tech.
If you're into your tech news, you'll be more than aware by now that Google made one or two important announcements yesterday. The event, headed in New York City by the company's head of Android and Chrome Sundar Pichai, saw a brand new iteration of Android - Android 4.3 Jelly Bean -announced alongside a new streaming peripheral by the name of Chromecast. On top of that, the search giant also added the small matter of a significantly-updated Nexus 7 2013 tablet, which features an improved display, rear camera and faster processor among other niceties. If you happened to have missed any of yesterday's proceedings or simply would like to relive the event, a video of the entire showpiece is now available to watch online via Google's very own YouTube.
One feature iOS is surely lacking, at least compared with its main rival Android, is the ability to add and enjoy custom launchers. Having recently switched from Apple's fair ecosystem to Google's as my daily driver, it's the one feature to which I have become most accustomed. But thanks to the jailbreak scene, iOS doesn't have to be a launcher-free zone, and Instalauncher, a new tweak over at the BigBoss repo, allows you to activator-set a launcher that allows you to quickly access any of your currently installed apps.
Guide on how to remotely download uTorrent files on PC / Mac using iPhone, iPad or iPod touch - no jailbreak required.
Among the announcements at yesterday's impromptu Google event headed by Chrome and Android lead Sundar Pichai, the company announced a new, low-cost streaming device aiming to take advantage of the shortcomings and limitations of similar products like the Apple TV. The Chromecast dongle, which plugs straight into the HDMI port of your HDTV, can stream content straight from your smartphone or tablet, and with the ability to let you watch videos while continuing to use your device, it looks a sure-fire winner. With a price tag of just $35, it's a hard one to pass up, and today, Google has released the accompanying app for Android.
