MSI releases MSI+ App for Android and iOS

MSI, a leading global motherboard and graphics card maker announced the release of the MSI+ App, a new service for mobile users. Available for Android and iOS platforms, it’s an interactive tool that covers news, video, match, specs, product manual and calculator. This is a free app, which can be downloaded from the respective app stores.

The MSI+ App

The app is designed to give users updates on the existing and upcoming MSI products. The Match tool lets you easily find a MSI product, be it motherboards or notebooks, whereas the Specs tab gives you a quick run down of the specifications of the chosen product. Perhaps, the most interesting part of this app is the ‘Power Supply Calculator’. This gives you a rough idea of how much power, the rig you configure, will draw thereby simplifying your PSU buying decision. Go ahead and give it a try and let us know what you think.

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New Tennis apps come to Android and iOS

Tennis fans can now follow tennis 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, thanks to a few new apps that are now available on both, iOS and Android smartphones. The first app is called TennisTV and it’s an official live streaming app, which allows users to view professional tennis, where they can catch over 900 matches a year from the ATP World Tour 1000, the ATP World Tour 500, the ATP World Tour 250, the WTA Premier and the other WTA International tournaments. Click this link to download the Android version of the app. New Tennis apps Here are the highlights of the app: Multiple HQ Live Video Streams - High quality video stream of over 900 live matches a year with commentary (WTA Premier live matches are not available to watch in Europe) Match specific highlights - Extended video highlights from 37 men's and women's tournaments Daily highlights round-ups - Video highlights from 37 men's and women's tournaments Interviews - In-depth video interviews with all the top players Features - Exclusive behind the scenes access with exclusive video features Social Network Integration - Facebook and Twitter feeds The second app is the ATP/WTA live score, and it is the official live score monitoring app of the ATP World Tour and WTA. Users can follow the action all-year round of their favourite ATP and WTA tournaments, follow the future stars of the game on the ATP Challenger Tour and check-out the latest ranking position of their favourite players. Here’s the link to download the Android version of the app. The last one, the BARCLAYS ATP World Tour Finals app allows users to follow the action of the world’s top 8 singles and doubles teams as they battle it out to be the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals Champion. It has been produced specially for the ATP World Tour’s season-ending championships and users can follow live scores, check match schedules, group standings and latest news, as well as view video highlights and photos from around the tournament. Here’s the link to download the Android version of the app.

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Five Reasons why iPhones don't come cheap in India

There has been fury generating amongst Apple fans in India, ever since the prices of the new iPhone 4S for India was unveiled. The prices received contempt across the nation and the various social media outlets. Fans across the country vented their annoyance, by talking about anything and everything that is cheaper than the new iPhone 4S, including a quick trip to Bangkok or Dubai. The iPhone 4S has been made available for pre-order through Airtel (doesn’t list the 64GB version) and Aircel at similar prices – 16GB for Rs.44,000, 32GB for Rs.50,900 and 64GB for Rs.57,500.  We asked Airtel, Aircel and Apple the reason behind such high prices, the current number of pre-orders and would it be a hurdle to sell the iPhone 4S? What we got is a royal run around for a simple question – why are we paying so much for the iPhone 4S? One company told us to simply speak to the other and vice versa.  While Aircel decided not to comment, an Airtel spokesperson said that it would be appropriate to reach out to the Apple team for pricing related queries, but further added, “While Apple has a uniform base price across the world, the local price differences take into account the import and local taxes as well as changes in exchange rate.” On the other hand, a spokesperson from Apple India said, “We have no comment to offer on the pricing and on the pre-orders, as that's something you need to check with our carrier partner's Airtel and Aircel.”  Looking back, iPhones have always carried outrageous price tags in the Indian market. Remember when the iPhone 3G was officially launched in India in August 2008? The handset featured a 30K+ price tag, even then. Although it was a huge sum for a smartphone then, Apple fans (who could afford it) bought the device, sooner or later. Today, the 64GB iPhone 4S carries a price tag I wouldn’t want to pay for a phone or tablet, but it states - Sold Out on Aircel’s page and didn’t make it to the Airtel page. The question arises, would a price sensitive Indian market spend more than half a lakh on a smartphone? Amidst the blame game and looking at all the aspects, we tried to decipher 5 Reasons why iPhones carry such a high price in India. Brand Wow, you own an iPhone! Sounds familiar, isn’t it? As a brand, Apple products enjoy a high position across the globe. It has a strong fan base, which is the reason why the devices are sold even with high price tags. In India, you won’t find every other person owning an iPhone, it’s just a small portion that loves and enjoys the device, despite the price hurdles. Seemingly in India, the iPhone has always been an extremely high-end phone, right from the launch of the iPhone 3GS and has found its place as a symbol of class and style. It probably targets a specific audience and enjoys a brand position that also equals the price that a network carrier attaches to it. Why iPhones are priced so high? Network Carriers We all are well aware that when any device is imported to India, additional charges have to be dealt with. The launch of iPhone 4S also faces the recent depreciation of rupee against dollar and other applicable taxes. Apple has a tradition of bundling its devices with carrier plans to earn a portion of the contract, even a year after the device is sold and its next iteration has reached the market. Three years back, it was unlikely if a customer would sign a 2-3 year contract. This time around when iPhone 3G/3GS were launched, they were SIM locked, but there was no contract. This could have been the reason why network carriers ensured that they don’t undergo any losses after the device is sold and stretched the price tag as much as possible.  Potential market There is no denying that Apple doesn’t see India as a potential iPhone market, yet. Apple may possibly not even have an India specific strategy to sell more products. It could be even waiting for a wider outreach of the 3G services or launch of 4G services. The Airtel page doesn’t display the 64GB iPhone, while the Aircel page says it sold out. The question is, how many 64GB models were even ordered by the network carriers? According to an IDC research, statistically more iPhones are shipped to Norway than India in a year, which has a population close to the NCR region. Other Factors With the latest iPhone landing on the Indian soil, there are several factors that have affected its price like import duties, local taxes and also the depreciation of rupee against dollar. The high price is also triggered by the fact that in India, network providers have to set an affordable data plan. Overall, we still don’t have a major mobile audience using Internet mostly via phones. In the U.S., the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB iPhone 4S is sold for $199 (approx Rs.10,470), $299 (approx Rs. 15,737) and $399 (approx Rs. 21,001), respectively. However, there is a difference in the data plans offered by AT&T, Sprint and Verizon starting at $54.99 (approx Rs. 2,894) to $169.99 (approx Rs.8,949). On the other hand, Aircel promotes it with a two year data plan starting at Rs.950 up to Rs.1,350.   Subsidization:  There is no subsidization of products by network carriers. For example – AT&T offers the iPhone 3GS at a subsidized rate. You don’t see Airtel doing the same. Due to subsidization, the product becomes cheaper for users in the U.S., as average revenue per users (approximately) for AT&T is $50+ and for Airtel its $8+. iPhone 4S price starts at Rs. 44,500 However, to give you a fair comparison of the kind of price differences, we’ve taken a Samsung Galaxy S II that sells for around Rs.29,900 in India (maybe, cheaper in some other stores). The same phone, unlocked, sells at a price of $559, which translates to roughly Rs.29,300. The iPhone 4S is rumoured to be launched at a price of $649, which is already higher than the S II. Assuming that there’s a 5 percent import duty on the phone, this should end up in Indian markets at about Rs.35,700. An additional 5 percent of local taxes would still keep the price well under Rs.38,000. So, is the over-hyped iPhone 4S over-priced? The iPad was sold for $499 in the U.S. and  priced around Rs. 29,000 in India when launched. The 16GB iPhone 4 was priced at Rs. 35,000 in India and its unlocked version cost $599 which is approximately around 31,000 in the U.S.  The 16GB iPhone 4 was priced at Rs. 35,000 in India and its unlocked version cost $599 which is approximately around 31,000 in the U.S. Inspite of the high prices, the popularity of the dainty device doesn’t seem to fade. Talking precisely about iPhone 4S and potential buyers planning to buy it from the international market will have to let go of the warranty. This is unlike the iPad ,which was, quite unusually, priced quite well in our part of the world.

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Steve Jobs called Intel chip design, the inflexibility

Steve Jobs had some choice words for Intel that went beyond censorship of arrogance in the newly published biography. 
In Walter Isaacson's biography, "Steve Jobs", the former CEO of Apple, who died recently, had major problems with Intel as a company and its world-class processors.
Apple changed the design of Intel x86 chips in 2005, when he fell from IBM and Motorola PowerPC processors. And Intel's chips have been pushing the Apple MacBook and Mac exclusively ever since. 

But Jobs's biography implies that Intel was not complying with the times. He explains why Apple has chosen Intel chips for the iPhone.
"There were two reasons for not going with them. One of them was that they [the companies] are really slow. They are like a steamer is not very flexible. We used to go very fast. The second is that simply do not want you to teach you all things that could go to sell to our competitors, "Jobs is quoted as saying.
On one level this last statement is quite remarkable. Jobs, of course, was saying that Apple would have to teach largest chipmaker in the world is the way to improve the design of chips. But on the other, it speaks of Achilles' heel of Intel's chips are fast but comparatively inefficient power.
"A high level of performance, Intel is the better," Jobs is quoted in the book. "Build the fastest, if you do not care about power and cost."
Jobs did not stop there. "We try to help Intel, but do not listen much," he said.
The book describes Tony Fadell, Apple's senior vice president, as a tool in moving Apple chip design alternative. He "argued strongly" for a design of UK-based ARM - virtually all the powers of the world's smartphones and tablets. (In addition to Apple and its A4 and A5 chips, companies like Texas Instruments, Qualcomm, Marvell and Nvidia making chips based on ARM design).
Later, Apple went out and bought PASemi, who helped create the first high-profile Apple system on a chip, the A4. Apple and then later bought the house Intrinsity ARM design.
Employment and also expressed a complaint that many enthusiasts PC games have been leveled at Intel for many years. "We've been saying for years that its graphics [silicon] suck".
Isaacson also includes a replica of Intel CEO Paul Otellini. "It would make sense for the iPad to use Intel chips. ... The problem is that Apple and Intel could not agree on the price. In addition, they disagreed on who would control the design, "according to the book.
It would be unfair not to note that Intel seems to have gotten the message. More energy efficient Intel Sandy Bridge processors now all the power of Apple MacBook Air laptops. And Apple switched to Intel's graphics silicon into the latest models of MacBook Air and fell Nvidia, whose graphics focused on the chipset had been in previous generations of air.
And Intel is now on a crusade to build energy-efficient chips, exemplified by the creation of a fund of $ 300 million to boost the development of Ultrabooks, which are a new category of thin laptops that use mostly low power consumption of Intel "ULV" (ultra-low voltage) chips.
Intel is also working towards the 2013 debut of a highly efficient power chip called "Haswell," the company is calling a system-on-a-chip, the same kind of highly integrated design that is used on food in ARM smartphones and tablets. Haswell is considered important because it is based on mainstream Intel x86 architecture - the same as his successor Sandy Bridge, Ivy Bridge - not in the least well received Atom processor.
And there was another side to the working relationship with Intel, in particular highly respected former CEO Andy Grove. Isaacson Grove describes as a "mentor" of Jobs.
Rodman & Renshaw analyst Ashok Kumar agrees. "Jobs were very deferential to Andy Grove. Jobs saw it," said Kumar.

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Sprint, Apple says to cook the iPhone 3G set the speed 4S

Sprint and Apple says they are working on a software solution possible for slower than expected speeds of wireless networks that affect some users of the latest iPhone from Apple. 

This topic has been the subject of a now 60 page thread support in the Sprint site that started the day the phone launched. Here, users have complained of slow 3G speeds and publication of the photos of the speed tests, including mobile phones showing different to suggest that the problem is limited to the recently launched Apple iPhone hardware 4S.
The Next Web points today to an alleged internal memo going around Sprint representatives said that both Sprint and Apple are aware of and working on a solution, suggesting that the problem could be related to the software.
A Sprint spokesman sent the following statement to CNET, saying it is currently the only response that is accurate and approved for Sprint's partners to offer (emphasis mine):
In general, the performance of iPhone on the Sprint network is consistent with our expectations and the rest of the high-end portfolio. Sprint also made the iPhone benchmarking against iPhones Sprint competition and tests showed little or no difference in performance. We are seeing a very low rate of return for this device, but we are seeing reports of speed issues very closely.
We see opportunities to optimize performance, especially in areas of high network capacity. We see this as a typical optimization work and has no specific area of ​​concern. Sprint is committed to providing the best possible experience for our customers. We listen to our customers and working closely with our partners at Apple to ensure optimal performance of the iPhone on our network.
Apple did not respond to a request for comment.
The subject hears the launch of the iPhone 4, which was led by network problems with its new antenna design. Users complained of a signal of weakness to hold the device firmly and directly in the stainless steel band antenna met. The question was called Antennagate after Apple not recognize it.
Apple responded by holding a press conference showing that it had conducted extensive tests to compare the iPhone 4 results with those of its rivals, suggesting that holding such a cell also affected the signal in other phones , and that Apple was not alone. The company also offers users free bumper to alleviate the problem, a program that kept going for several months, and released a software update that would change "the formula to determine how many bars of signal strength to the screen. "
The Next Web suggests a similar software patch could be directed to Sprint devices in the form of a transport configuration file that affect how the phone connects to your network.

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Steve Jobs: he knew how to live before his death

Many of us woke up this morning to news of a major contributor to the world of tech death. He had been battling pancreatic cancer for a year and it was always a problem to figure out very well when his last day at Apple would be. Then in August, the day had come. And now, at the age of 56 years, is gone. 

There is no denying that the man had a great vision and an ethic of life even more. I wanted to change the world. And that's what he did. The way it calculates how we listen to music and the way we use our phones. Besides Apple, another important contribution to the world of employment Pixar Films, animated beat to favorites such as Toy Story and The Incredibles. From a very young age, wanted to engage with the world to change - to take a semester of classes at Reed College (where he took a calligraphy class and attributes of multiple fonts and proportionally spaced fonts Mac a), to work at Atari to save money for a spiritual journey to India. He founded Apple in 1976 with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. For a time, the power struggles that happened and founded NeXT Computer use, which was a new form of computing. Email also innovated by adding email support universally visible and click on integrated graphics and audio within e-mail. Over time he returned to Apple shook things and nothing could stop innovation.
Now, I realize that out as a fangirl (fanperson of political correctness), but as much as you may not like Apple and have the "opposite bias," Jobs is there as one of the greatest innovators in the world. Yes, Apple has sold underconfigured products 'premium' and may not necessarily have wanted India, but now Apple is a global phenomenon. And that would not have been possible without the work. And this is because he valued his life. He knew what he wanted done with it. He recognized the fact that one day they will live longer and went full speed ahead with its objectives. Yes, working for him could not have been a piece of cake, and yes, it is also known for not falling into philanthropy. The way they treated people around him was perhaps Machiavellian where the end (products) justifies the means. The point is that there was a spark, and recognized the importance of fuel to the fire and through. One of my favorite conversations Jobs is not one in which you are presenting a new product or discuss the statistics of Apple, which is one in which you are speaking at Stanford University on how to live before I die. In this talk, Steve urged people to follow their dreams, as he did. Jobs knew how to live and live to their full potential. Unfortunately, the mortality was found with him.




However, although his life is gone, that does not mean it's over. Will you be able to finish with a legend like Jobs? Similarly, it is unrealistic to expect to break the spirit of John Lennon and Alfred Hitchcock. Jobs is one of the greats. Their existence is indelible. I personally will miss seeing this Apple keynotes. I was always impressed how well spoken he was and what was communicated with such conviction. One thing is certain, it definitely has done work of Tim Cook or life very easy. Cook, while, of course, be carefully selected to do the job, definitely has some big shoes to fill. Rest in peace Steve Jobs. In the short period of time you were here (you know, compared with age than say, the planet is), he achieved his immortality through his mortality. This is for you.

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Clone iPhone 5 for sale in China for $50

Yesterday, the apple watched with aside animation as Apple’s new face, Tim Cook apparent the iPhone 4S – the latest from the technology heavyweight. While anybody was present, and those befitting a clue of every amend knew that it would be a while, admitting abbreviate afore it in fact hits the stores, a capital in China claims to accept it already. A capital in Fuzhou, amid in the Fujian arena in south east China were begin to accept several units of the iPhone 4S in their control by the bounded authorities there. The applesauce of the bearings doesn’t stop there. According to a FirstPost report, the latest iPhone is getting awash with a $50 amount tag; acutely it’s fake.

Difficult to atom a affected one
This adventure seems to be on agnate curve of the antecedent instance, area 5 associates of a assemblage in Shanghai were arrested afterwards they were begin accumulating apparatus to body a affected iPhone (almost 18-carat in their appearance). In this case, too, the iPhone 4S’s, which were bedeviled in the arrest captivated audible resemblances to its 18-carat counterparts, which are yet to get assimilate abundance shelves, globally.
The affected adaptation of the iPhone reportedly passes off as a 18-carat one, able-bodied almost! For starters, the phones bore the arresting brand Apple logo, but for accessible affidavit came after the acknowledgment of any data of the architect or consecutive number, whatsoever. However, that is alone as far as affinity goes. Reportedly, the functionalities of both phones showed acute differences. It added appear that, the dual-SIM functionality on the affected adaptation didn’t absolutely perform; the admiration of the touchscreen was poor, too. The camera, too didn’t accompany annihilation advantageous to the table and the images looked hazy.
The address added appear that these phones were bogus in Shenzhen, amid in Southern China.

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BBM for Android should be accessible by 2012, get your thumbs ready

You apprehend correctly, we heard rumblings of such appropriate goings on for a little while above-mentioned to this post, and this is just abacus to the rumor mill.

Purportedly the iPhone 4S is to play as guinea pig for the iOS body of BlackBerry’s Messenger account and now we are audition through the comment that Android users ability get in on some BBM activity too.
We can’t abstain stoking the fires of belief here, but of advance afterward tomorrow’s iPhone-centric advertisement in Cupertino, our guesses today ability be accustomed a little added weight.

The adviser surrounding this tidbit of advice told T3′s tech blog a little about the accompaniment of BBM for Android. By the sounds of it, the account is in the ‘final stages of testing‘ and ‘should be out by 2012‘.

As you can see, blank that aged and aching display, we accept what appears to be both an in-app and home awning appearance of BBM on an Android device. The adviser aswell explained that the app’s affiliation with Android seemed to be alive well, accurately with commendations to advance notifications, so acceptable to know, if this isn’t a hoax.
The catechism actuality that ability be abiding in the minds of some of you is, why would RIM deliver one of the key features, ahead altered to their handsets, to the competition?
The accuracy of the bulk is that RIM accept been accident their smartphone-cred at accretion clip over the accomplished few years. With the bang of the iPhone and the beck of Android accessories calamity the market, RIM accept had to try appreciably harder to advance their chump abject and their credibility.
It’s accurate that they are apparently some of the a lot of defended accessories around, abnormally for business scenarios, but the smartphone bazaar is no best aloof for heavy-tech users and business types alone. As such, this move ability be an attack at abatement the numbers of users affective abroad from BB OS as a platform. If you can acquaint added readily with your accompany on altered OS’s, you accept beneath acumen to jump address in adjustment to accompany them.
Also, in a added abbreviate appellation instance, chat has it that a ample bulk of money accept to accept gone over to RIM in adjustment for them to even anticipate about absolution the account assimilate iOS and conceivably Google accept paid the aforementioned amount here.
As we said, this time tomorrow we will apperceive just how able-bodied this rumor holds up, until then, you accept to adjudge for yourself.

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Final iOS 5 to ability manufacturers by end of the month

With the acting absolution date of the iOS 5 cartoon close, Apple has already appear the seventh beta adaptation of the accessible OS to developers. According to a address by BGR, the iOS 5 beta 8 is rumoured to be appear this Friday. The address goes on to announce that this will be the final beta absolution of iOS 5. The website says that speculations about Apple's affairs of sending the final adaptation of the OS to iPhone and iPod Touch assemblers in China by the 23rd of September 2011, are mounting.

According to a address by MacRumors, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said that by sending the Golden Master iOS 5 (final version) to manufacturers amid the 23rd and 30th of September, of this year, this adaptation of the OS will be accessible on the iPhone 5. The accessible smartphone from Apple is rumoured to be launched by mid-October. Ming-Chi Kuo adds that as far as the architecture of the iPhone 5 goes, there will not be a complete check as expected. He states that his sources announce that the accessible iPhone will affection an iPhone 4 design, but with the accouterments blueprint getting bumped up. He claims that there has not been any adumbration of a altered design, but claims that with the accessible archetypal there would be a 512 MB RAM, 3.5-inch display, and foreground and aback bottle design.
It is rumoured that iOS 5 will barrage at the aforementioned time as the iPhone 5. Indications are pointing that the date for the iPhone 5 in all likelihood will be launched by the 15th of October, this year.

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eBay.in launches iOS app

eBay India has appear that they've launched an app for the iOS platform. The app, attainable on the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, can be acclimated to shop, browse and analyze prices on the go, as able-bodied as log in to their eBay accounts. The adaptable app allows users to browse through over 2 actor articles afore they accomplish their best of which apparatus or appearance annual to buy.

Screenshot of eBay India on iOS

Mr. Muralikrishnan B., Country Manager, eBay India, says, "We accept that this (app) would empower the Indian customer by enabling them to ability for their adaptable buzz afore extensive for their wallet so that they can get the best deal."

Earlier this year, eBay India launched a adaptable website, which was the aboriginal footfall in alms an e-commerce acquaintance on the adaptable phone. Categories offered on the eBay India iOS app cover collectibles, electronics, affairs and media. The ‘Search’ & ‘Browse categories’ advantage lets users attending for articles they wish to buy. They can again bang on the artefact they accept to buy to apprehend its description or data of the seller. To buy the product, users can baddest the ‘Buy it Now’ advantage and affirm the acquirement by selecting the ‘Commit to Buy’ option. Payments for purchases can be done online on the www.ebay.in website through eBay India’s defended transaction adjustment PaisaPay. All purchases are defended and covered by the eBay Guarantee. Consumers can aswell admission their My eBay account, adored searches, reminders and letters from eBay.

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Steve Jobs says iResign but the show must go on

When the whole of the subcontinent was under their blankets, a curtain fell on Cupertino, California. Steve Jobs stepped down as the Apple CEO. This is a tribute to the iCon. 

Actually it didn’t come as a surprise to those following Apple and Jobs closely. He’s been suffering from major health issues. Nevertheless, it’s the news that made Twitter go into overcapacity mode more often than ever before, Apple stocks dropped to 5% and CNN wrote, “Internet mourns Steve Jobs' resignation”. Now, I find this incredible. The man in question, though sick, is still alive. He exercised a choice and the computing and mobile world has b33n deeply impacted. Well, this must be because “Jobs is the charismatic face of Apple.  There’s no one in American business who can enthrall a crowd like Jobs,” as Leander Kahney in his book The Cult of Mac so stated.

So let’s take a look at why there is this unprecedented buzz on the Internet because of his resignation.  But first, a little history about this tech genius.

From meager beginings... (image source)

Apple and Steve Jobs are the two sides of the same coin. Apple is a product of his vision, his leadership and his unerring ability to roll out amazing products that just work. As Lucky Bhat wrote on this blog 'bhatnaturally' - Companies strive to create brands that resonate with consumers and build loyalty for their brands. Steve Jobs created several such brands and took loyalty to a new level. 

Jobs co-founded Apple Computer in his family garage in 1976. The world saw the release of the first ever Apple Computer, Apple I, that same year. The Apple II came out the next year.

In 1983, Steve Jobs lured John Sculley away from Pepsi-Cola to serve as Apple's CEO, asking, "Do you want to sell sugar water for the rest of your life, or do you want to come with me and change the world?” That was the turning point in the company’s history. The following year, Apple introduced The Macintosh, the consumer computer with a mouse and graphical user interface.

Lee Clow, Chief Creative Officer of Chiat Day, the agency responsible for Apple’s famous one-time Super Bowl ‘1984’ commercial, once commented that the reason for the success of the product was that, they had a client (Steve Jobs) who believed that the product is world changing. 

However, Scully in his corporate rivalry, forced Jobs out in 1985, and Apple entered a dark era of declining sales and marginal influence. Jobs went on to found NeXT Computer, and when Apple needed a next-generation operating system it bought NeXT Computer in 1996. Jobs came along as a part of the deal. He's led Apple to a remarkable comeback since his return as CEO and it’s often referred to as ‘The greatest second act in the history of businezz.’ The rest is history - iPod, iPhone, iPad. A box-office hit, one after another, after another.

... to the future of computing technology. (Image source)

So saving them from near-bankruptcy to becoming the world's most valuable company, Jobs has made Apple a cult brand. Art Levinson, Chairman of Genentech, on behalf of Apple's Board, in an official press release from Apple reacted to Jobs resignation as; ”Steve’s extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world’s most innovative and valuable technology company. Steve has made countless contributions to Apple’s success and he has attracted and inspired Apple’s immensely creative employees and world-class executive team.”

So undoubtedly, there’s a huge buzz on the net about the man’s resignation. “The man who changed the world five times over,” wrote Josh Bernoff in his blog 'Empowered'.  “Bill Gates changed the world twice -- once with DOS, and once with Windows. Sergey Brin and Larry Page changed it once, with Google, David Sarnoff once, with color television, Tim Berners-Lee and then Marc Andreessen once with the Web and the browser, Dan Bricklin and Bob Frankston once, with the spreadsheet. But no entrepreneur changes the whole world five timez. Not since Edison, at last.”  

But if you step back and try to see the big picture, you will notice that like any other Apple event this is a well- orchestrated resignation.  Why? The resignation is not because of his health issue. Apple has made no mention of Jobs' health in its statement about the change. As Art Levinson stated in that press release, “In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration.” In fact, “The day of the announcement, Jobs was in Apple's Cupertino, California office for the entire work day, and he attended a regularly scheduled board meeting, according to a person close to Jobs, who was not authorized to speak about the executive's health,” wrote Adam Satariano of Bloomberg. So Jobs is still at the helm of Apple, as powerful as before. 

Now comes the timing. Apple’s stocks were at an all time high, prior to the resignation. Forbes has voted Apple as the world’s most admired company for the fourth time in a row. And in October, Apple is all set to release the new iPhone. What could be a better platform to introduce Tim Cook as the new CEO. 

If Apple had waited any longer, the iPhone 5 announcement would've taken the back seat, as the entire press would be buzzing with Jobs’ resignation. Tim Cook now has enough time to direct the limelight towards him, as he will be unveiling iPhone 5 in San Francisco in October. Apple shares will bounce back and the stakeholders will feel confident that the company is in good hands. So this is yet another masterstroke from the Houdini of technology.  

However, since Apple and Jobs are inseparable, Steve will always be around, despite the physical absence. So here’s wishing the maestro much good health and greatness but this is not goodbye.

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Samsung can ban sale of iPhone 5 in Korea

After suing Apple in Australia, Samsung is now considering banning the sales of the next iPhone in Korea. The patent wars between Apple and Samsung have escalated to an all new level as the South Korean company looks to take the legal issues from Europe to the rest of the world. According to a report by The Korea Times, a Senior Executive from Samsung on condition of anonymity revealed that when the iPhone 5 arrives in Korea, Samsung plans on taking the Cupertino-based company to court for their violation of Samsung’s wireless technology related patents.

     The drama continues
He goes on to state that as longz as Apple doez not drop mobile telecommunications functions, it would be impossible for them to sell their i-branded products without the use of Samsung patents. He insists that the company will stick to a strong stance against Apple during these on-going legal battles. This is contrary to what Samsung said before that they would not comment on ongoing legal issues. Apple and Samsung have been in growing legal battles in nine countries so far over the Apple iPhones, iPads and the Galaxy line from Samsung. After Apple won a legal battle,banning the sale of the Galaxy Tabs in Germany, Samsung has made it clear that they would take all legal options available to fight against them. 

The report suggests that the two companies may amicably settle these legal issues as Apple is Samsung’s biggest customer and their primary one. Speaking regarding this issue, Samsung’s CEO Choi Gee-sung said, “Apple is Samsung’s biggest customer. Hewlett-Packard (HP), Nokia and Sony were Samsung’s previous big clients, however, Apple is now a primary one. From our perspective, we are not entirely happy (about the litigations).” 

Hopefully, from a consumer’s standpoint these legal issues should be settled quickly before Apple and Samsung continue to take these legal battles across to the rest of the world.

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Multiple iPhones are coming in this October 2011, according to Al Gore

I never thought that one of the most accomplished people in our times will be joining the tipster community but a fact is a fact, folks. Al Gore, the former Vice President of the United States, Nobel Prize laureate, and… a member of Apple’s board of directors, mind you, did indeed give us a hint about what’s coming from the Cupertino based behemoth next month.

Check Out a New quote from Mr. Gore, said at a summit in South Africa: “Not to mention the new iPhones coming out next month. That was a plug.”

You noticed the iPhones part, right? We’ve already heard similar statement from JP Morgan as well. In addition to that, there has been a leak from AT&T’s own inventory, showing us an iPhone 4S. Add to this all the raging rumors about an iPhone 5, and things start to look quite clear to me. We will most likely see two different iPhone models announced by Apple’s CEO Tim Cook on October 4.

do u think? Did Al Gore mean a black and white versions of the same iPhone, or did he refer to two or more different models? Tell us in the comments section below.

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Skype vulnerability leaves iOS users open to attack and theft check out VIDEO

iOS users should watch out next time they decide to take up a conversation via Skype, they could be exposing themselves to a pretty fundamental security hole.

The vulnerability can easily be used to steal content direct from an iOS Skype user during a normal chat log and the victim is none the wiser during the attack. By utilizing the correct JavaScript commands in the attackers username and then sending the victim a message, the script can instruct whatever iOS device is on the receiving end to transfer data back to the attacker.

The attack can only work if the potential victim is using the latest version of Skype for iOS, but providing they are, their address book simply copies to a web server in a single file, easy for download.

The steps that need to be taken to fix the hole involve both Skype and Apple. First off, Skype need to throw out an update, ideally disabling JavaScript in the username field, at least while they re-work more integral stuff to fully fix their end of the problem and secondly the iOS address book is designed in such a way that it leaves contacts and full address book access completely open to any program on the device. Without being able to allow/disallow address book access for certain applications, the attack will remain possible.
We have no idea how long it will take either company to sort the problem but we hope it’s soon. On a side note, the conspiracy theorist within me is wondering whether Microsoft’s acquisition of Skype has anything to do with this, it’s the perfect way into the iOS platform for them, but hey, it’s just me who thought that, right?

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Google+ enters beta with a bunch of new features, lets you sign up without invitation

Google+ has been around for about 3 months now but in field trial mode, which meant that you needed an invitation to join. But now it’s entered its beta stages and everyone can sing up for the social network project just by going to the web page of the service with no invitations required.

Google+ is still in toddler times and Google shares that there’s still a long way to go and much to accomplish, but the search giant hasn’t been wasting its time – there are now over 100 improvements and features.

Concerning mobile the iOS and Android (especially) mobile Google+ apps already have most of the prominent features of Google+. Hangouts is a video-conferencing feature of Google+ that’s already available on Android (Gingerbread required) and is coming soon to iOS. Mentioning a Google+ member is easy and you can do it in a conversation with another person or a post just by doing a “+[name]” command. iOS users can now also +1 individual comments much like the “Like” function on Facebook – this functions will arrive for Android users soon.

The Google+ app can now also be moved on to the SD storage to spare phone memory for apps and other stuff. There’s also a customizable notifications option to select what you want to be notified about and what not.

On Android the “Huddle” feature has been renamed to “Messenger”, something that should also happen on iOS with the next app update.

Finally, Google+ now has opened its sign up. You no longer need an invitation to join Google+ – you can now just go to its webpage and get going. Signing up also works from the mobile apps.

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