Will it be worth the wait? While the exact specs and features are still totally up in the air, the latest rumor says that Apple’s iWatch will come with some interesting biometric technology. Indeed, according KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, biometrics could play a big part in Apple’s invasion of your wrist. This is for both security and health tracking. The prediction lines up with the fact that Apple bought biometric sensor company AuthenTec last year.

Given the rise in popularity of devices like the Nike Fuelband, Fitbit and Jawbone Up, it makes a lot of sense that Apple also wants to capitalize on this biometric fad too.

As far as the other rumors go, Kuo also says that the iWatch will have a 1.5 to 2-inch display, but earlier reports also indicated that this could be the first Apple device to utilize flexible display technology too. It will be interesting to see how something like the iWatch stacks up against Google Glass.

[Source]

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News flash: Apple’s iOS is more locked down than Android … okay, that’s not exactly a secret. This is why something like Facebook Home is not available on any iDevice at the moment. But they did bring deep integration for Facebook and Twitter earlier, and are apparently going to do the same trick once again, this time with Flickr and Vimeo.

According to 9to5Mac, the photo-sharing service and the video sharing site are going to get new connections in Apple’s upcoming iOS 7.

The rumor says iOS 7 users will be allowed to sign into their Flickr and Vimeo accounts through the settings menus, like how you can integrate Facebook and Twitter accounts now. And both the services could be accessed by third party apps. You will be able to upload photos and videos to both the services directly from the iOS Photos app.

The iOS users who have Flickr and Vimeo accounts will certainly benefit from the integration, if it happens that is. It will also be good for both the services as well. Yahoo would certainly welcome more traffic to Flickr, which has just been updated in a major way.

But the inclusion of Vimeo is a surprise, as the site is mainly for short films and high-quality videos. Videos shot in a smartphone end up most of the time on YouTube. But, Apple’s OS X is integrated with both Flickr and Vimeo, so the new rumor can’t be pushed aside that easily.

We will keep you updated about iOS 7, so stay tuned to Mobilemag.

[Source]

The post Apple iOS 7: Deep Integration for Flickr and Vimeo Coming? appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Samsung is right now leading the smartphone race, so something big certainly should come from Apple if they have plans to reach the top again. Apple is expected to bring out their next iPhone at their worldwide developer conference in June. Further evidence that this is happening comes from reports claiming that suppliers are already making the display for the so-called iPhone 5S.

While other companies have already started the manufacturing, the next gen iPhone’s LCD displays from Sharp will enter production in June. All these developments are pointing to a possible launch sometime in June or July.

The iPhone 5S is expected to run iOS 7 and come with an updated processor, a fingerprint sensor, improved cam, and more RAM, among other additions. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has earlier said that the device will take time to arrive due to delays in development of the fingerprint sensor and their next OS.

Meanwhile, the rumored low cost iPhone, which is expected to be unveiled beside the iPhone 5S, could enter mass production sometime in the near future. This has been suggested by a new rumor about Apple supplier Pegatron’s plans to increase its workforce in China by 40 percent in the second half of 2013.

As for their upcoming iPad Mini 2, it is expected to arrive with a high resolution Retina Display, which could delay the manufacturing of the device.

[Source]

[Image Source]

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Another Friday has arrived, ladies and gents! Time for our fourth edition of “Best Apps of the Week” here at Mobile Magazine. As usual, we take a look at five of the best apps that landed on iOS and Android earlier during the week.

Let’s jump in, shall we?

Best Apps of the Week – Android

Best Apps of the Week – iOS

Summing it all up….

And so ends our fourth ‘episode’ of “Best Apps of the Week”. Did you agree with our picks, or did we live out a vital new app that you feel should have made the cut? Let us and other readers know about them through the comments below!

The post Best Apps of the Week (5/3): A Look at New Apps for iOS and Android appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Have an iPhone or iPad? Thinking about buying a new app? Today’s the day to do it. Apple is currently running the 50 billion apps competition.  One lucky winner will snag a $10,000 Apple Store Gift Card if they happen to be the 50 billionth app purchaser.

You can finally get that Macbook you’ve been wanting and a lot of swag to go along with it.  The 50 billionth download will get the grand prize, but fear not if you are not the lucky type, the next 50 downloads will each win a $500 gift card.  The promotion began on April 29, and will run until the last card has been given away.  They are already up over 49 billion, so you better get on it!

No entry required, just download and you’re in the running.  You are limited to 25 entries and must be 13 years or older. There is also a no purchase necessary option, just go to http://www.apple.com/itunes/50-billion-app-countdown/entry-form/ and complete the entry form.  It’s nice to see companies giving back to their customers, so hop on the Apple Store and get downloading!

[ source ]

The post Apple to Give Away $10,000 for 50 Billionth Download appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Apple is still top dog when it comes to tablet market share, a pretty impressive feat for a company with only 2 tablet models to choose from, however they aren’t sitting quite as pretty as before as their share has slipped while rivals begin to catch up.

When the ‘tablet wars’ kicked off, the Apple iPad seemed all but unbeatable, but times have changed and the iPad mini came a little late to the party giving the likes of Samsung, Amazon, Asus and others the chance catch up with their pint-sized offerings. The shift in market share is quite dramatic with Apple slipping from a 65% share at the start of 2012 to just under 40% this year. In second place Samsung enjoys a 18% market share, with Asus and Amazon making up the rest and Microsoft coming 5th with 1.8%.

From what we have been seeing Apple’s share will continue to slip unless they really do something special with the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2, but even then it won’t be easy, as a new Nexus tablet is expected soon, along with more Samsung tablets on the way.

[ Source ]

The post Apple’s Tablet Market Share Slips, Samsung on the Rise appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Recently Bloomberg reiterated its earlier reports that there is a risk of delays to the Apple iOS 7 due to a much anticipated UI refresh and an extensive “software overhaul.”  Bloomberg also reported that Apple was “exploring more dramatic changes” for the Calendar and iOS 7 Mail apps.  These apps are expected to be so different that they will likely come at a later release.  Overseeing the development of the iOS 7 remake is Jony Ive.  He has reported to Bloomberg that it will contain stunning “realistic” images and UI elements over that of a flat UI.

However, Apple is not just looking to change the look of the new OS, Jony Ive supposedly has been keeping his eye on innovation and exploring new ways for consumers to interact and control their devices in future OS releases.  Ive has reportedly “met with makers of gesture technology” to discuss the addition of new features to the iOS.  Bloomberg does stress however that these extreme interface changes are most likely not going to be part of the iOS 7 release, but for future unveils.  Apple has promised that it’ll have both the new version of OS X and iOS 7 to developers by this year’s June WWDC conference.

It sounds like Apple is keeping their eye on the future and continuing to develop new technology to maintain their foothold on the tech market.

Are you excited for the release of iOS 7 and the new mail and calendar apps?  What new things are you hoping to see?

[ source ]

The post Apple Calendar and Mail Apps to Get Makeover with iOS 7 appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Looking for a great way to protect your iPhone 5? There are tons of cases out there that can protect your iPhone 5 from scratching or scuffing but many of them largely look the same. If you want something a bit “different”, you might want to check out these new limited edition Star Wars cases.

The new cases are available via Firebox, or at least they will be. Right now they are up for Pre-Order and will set you back $30.49.

There are four unique variants themed around Chewbacca, Darth Vader, R2-D2 and C-3PO. You certainly will stand out if your phone has this case, that much is pretty much guaranteed.

These cases might not be for everyone but if you are a fellow Star Wars geek like myself, you might find these are the droids cases you are looking for.

Source: Firebox
Via: Ubergizmo 

The post Looking For A Unique Case for Your iPhone 5? Check Out These Special Star Wars Cases appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

It seems that rumors of a cheap, plastic iPhone refuse to die, but are they really based on reality? If this latest ‘leak’ is to be believed, the so-called budget iPhone might indeed be coming.

A new photo has hit the net claiming to be a rear casing for Apple’s budget iPhone. The leak comes from mobile case maker Tactus. Of course that right there puts up a few red flags. How did a mobile case maker get an actual casing for the plastic iPhone? Is this simply a way to get a some cheap publicity thrown their way?

The idea of a cheap iPhone is one that critics meet with mixed reception. Some say that it would be a great way to reach out to emerging markets. Others say that it could weaken the iPhone’s image and could end up hurting more than helping.

What do you think, is breaking into the emerging or budget market important enough to Apple that they would risk their reputation of only catering to the premium market? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

[ source ]

The post Alleged Image of Budget iPhone Hits the Net appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Do you feel that your iPhone 5 just isn’t fancy enough for you? Don’t worry, there is a cure for that. You could always spend $15 million to have diamonds adorn the entirety of the phone, even going so far as to replace the home button with a giant 26 carat black diamond.

If that sounds crazy, well it actually has happened. Apparently a Hong Kong businessman commissioned the project to turn his phone into diamond-bedazzled work of art. Beyond the 26 carat black diamond, there are also 600 white diamonds on the phone, with the entire ‘design’ being made by British Designer Stuart Hughes.

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable carrying a $15 million dollar phone around in my pocket. Maybe that’s just me. Still, you have to admit that it certainly looks pretty damn stunning, if not a little too gaudy.

[ source ]

The post Custom Diamond Encrusted iPhone 5 Valued at Around $15 Million appeared first on Mobile Magazine.