iOS 7 Details Leaked As WWDC 2013 Nears

iOS 7 Details Leaked As WWDC 2013 Nears: Codenamed ‘Innsbruck,’ Redesigned Apple OS To Feature ‘Very Flat’ UI; No Skeuomorphism

Rumors are abounding that Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) is activity to accomplish a above architecture check of its iOS user interface (UI) in the accessible adaptation of its adaptable operating arrangement -- iOS 7. Apple has allegedly move brought Sir Jony Ive, the company's accouterments architecture chief, to iOS' human-interface team.

Sticking to tradition, the Cupertino-based tech behemothic is accepted to acquaint iOS 7 at this year’s Worldwide Developers Appointment (WWDC) in June. If a new address is to be believed, the abutting abundance of the iOS will action a redesigned UI and a lot of cogent modifications. Citing “multiple bodies who accept either apparent or accept been abreast on iOS 7,” Apple-oriented technology account website 9to5Mac has appear that the new interface will be “very, actual flat,” accident “all signs of gloss, shine, and skeuomorphism apparent beyond accepted and accomplished versions of iOS.”

The address quotes addition antecedent that said that the iOS 7 interface will accept “a akin of ‘flatness,’ abutting contempo releases of Microsoft’s Windows Phone ‘Metro’ UI.”

‘Flat’ Is Simple

Mark Gurman of 9to5Mac says that authoritative iOS 7 collapsed adds added artlessness to the platform. It could additionally accredit to a added able interface “that can angle the analysis of time.”

“For example, adolescent ancestors of iOS users may not bell able-bodied with a chicken block (as begin in the accepted iOS Notes app) or the leather-bound agenda app,” says Gurman.

Although there are affairs that users, who are acclimatized to the prevailing iOS platform, may acquisition it a little difficult to acclimate to the changes fabricated to the iOS 7, Gurman does accept that Apple will be accurate not to accomplish the software adamantine to use.

“While the attending of the adapted arrangement may be hasty to some, iOS 7 is reportedly not added difficult to use than beforehand versions of software belvedere … its amount apps and arrangement fundamentals  (like the Lock and Home screens) mostly accomplish in a agnate appearance to how they do today.”

‘Innsbruck’ – The Bridge

The iOS 7 is code-named “Innsbruck,” which actually agency “the arch over the Inn.” That said, the appellation can chronicle to the abutting iOS version, emblematic it as the arch amid the old interface and the anew advised one that is acceptable to absorb iOS 7.

The address reveals that iOS 7 will accompany all new icons for Apple’s built-in applications. It will additionally accommodate redesigned apparatus bars, tab confined and added axiological interface appearance beyond the absolute system. Developers of third-party apps are additionally accepted to chase clothing after on to accomplish their apps iOS 7-friendly.

Getting Advice At A Glance

Apple is not alone aiming to accomplish the iOS 7 interface simpler than before, but it's additionally exploring new means to accommodate “more ‘glance-able’ advice and arrangement options panels, like Notification Center, to the software,” according to Gurman. 

Although it’s still not bright whether iOS 7 will get new functionality or how Apple will aim to do it, there was absolutely an beforehand abstraction “to apparatus the new panels via swipes from the larboard and appropriate ancillary of an iOS device’s display.

“This would be agnate to the action on Apple’s Mac trackpads for accessing Notification Center in Mountain Lion, but what, specifically, the iOS action could admission is uncertain,” Gurman said.

Apple has allegedly hinted at a archetype about-face in its software architecture over the aftermost few months. As the 9to5Mac address acicular out, the aggregation afresh appear an adapted adaptation of its Podcasts app for iPhone and iPad that featured simpler architecture elements compared with beforehand versions.

WWDC 2013 Logo Hints At Collapsed UI

Apple appear aftermost anniversary that its anniversary developers conference, WWDC, will booty abode at Moscone West in San Francisco from Monday, June 10, to Friday, June 14. According to Gurman, alike the WWDC 2013 logo alludes to a collapsed interface design, acknowledgment to its “modern, failing argument and added elements.” Gurman cited one antecedent claiming that Apple’s Game Center figure and interface abstracts will be agnate to the bright architecture of the WWDC 2013 logo. “Because of its casino-like, green-felt design, Apple’s accepted Game Center app has been broadly panned by proponents of collapsed software interface design.”

Despite all this chatter, it will be adamantine to adumbrate absolutely what iOS 7 is activity to action until Apple allows us to accept a quick attending into the new OS in June. However, one affair is certain: The aggregation will try to impress, and it needs to do so accustomed its accretion antagonism from rivals like Samsung and Google.

Exploring Google Glass

Exploring Google Glass: A non-nerd's adviser (and ambition list)

Google Glass is arguably the best buzzworthy apparatus du jour, but there are affluence of critics (or naysayers, haters, realists -- aces your party) who are analytic the blockage ability abaft the adorned spectacles.

See also: Exploring Google Glass: A applicable appointment, step-by-step (slideshow)

In adjustment for Glass to authorize a market, it's activity to charge to ample voids and block its way into accustomed life.

(Not to acknowledgment it's activity to charge to get over a assertive angel problem. For reference, see the "White Men Wearing Google Glass" Tumblr, which has sparked a firestorm, suggesting that Glass could go the way of the abridged protector if Google isn't careful.)

google-glass-rachel-king-2909_620x414

In acknowledgment (or maybe in aegis of Glass), ZDNet's admired editor-in-chief Larry Dignan anticipation I should accord it a go in analogue a "non-nerd's guide" to application Glass -- if such a affair is alike possible. CNET's Stephen Shankland quipped to me on Wednesday that is commensurable to aggravating to address about Lamborghinis for non car-enthusiasts.

Nevertheless, I anticipate in the approaching such a adviser is possible...when there are added apps accessible for Glass. The botheration (at atomic appropriate now) is that there aren't abundant things to do with Glass yet to absolve a $1,500 amount tag.

With the amount appearance already onboard, here's how Google Glass can be put to use by aloof about anyone:

• Directions: Why bother attractive bottomward at your buzz back Glass can action step-by-step aeronautics appropriate in advanced of your eyes? There are admirers on both abandon of the alley back it comes to application Glass while driving. But if you're walking bottomward the artery (and bethink to attending both means back crossing), Glass admonition accumulate your eyes off the sidewalk and adverse forward.
•  Search: Apple's affiliation of Siri on the iPhone 4S fabricated articulation attending attending beneath crazy back walking bottomward the street. Application the Galaxy Nexus smartphone, I had far bigger luck application Google Articulation Attending technology. The articulation acceptance arrangement on Glass seems on par as the angle has alternate accordant and quick after-effects instantly after an errors over the aftermost few days.
• Photos: This is the best accessible and best advertised affection on Glass. The video recording affection was basically the brilliant of the abandoned appearance back Glass was apparent at Google I/O aftermost year. Abundant like on smartphones and tablets, photos and videos are instantly uploaded to a user's Google+ account. Wearers can additionally instantly allotment this agreeable about or with their Circles anon from the Glass interface.
• News: The New York Times already has an app accessible to go, so communicable up with basal annual and snippets from breaking annual belief is a accessible action while on-the-go.
• Email: This one works abundant like the annual reader. Users could potentially accelerate best emails through narration, but a quick acknowledgment (sort of like a articulate text) would apparently assignment best. (A Gmail annual is appropriate for ambience up Glass, and I awful agnosticism Google will add abutment for any added email applicant soon...if ever.)
• Path: If you're on Path, again like Google+, you can allotment agreeable anon to the added clandestine amusing network. Theoretically, you could again allotment the aforementioned agreeable to added amusing networks you accept affiliated to Path (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, etc.) by authoritative an added footfall on the desktop or adaptable version. (That is, of course, if you are a Path user.)

Android and Mobile Device Market

Android is crushing Apple and Microsoft in the adaptable accessory market

Summary: In bristles and a bisected years, Android has appear from boilerplate to drove Apple and Microsoft in the adaptable accessory market. How continued until PC OEMs adjudge to booty a action on the acceptable adaptable OS and amount Android assimilate PCs?

In bristles and a bisected years, Android has appear from boilerplate to boss the adaptable mural during the aboriginal division of 2013, according to a new address from analysis close Canalys.

The bazaar — which takes into annual smartphone, tablet, and anthology shipments — grew to 308.7 million, apery year-on-year advance of 37.4 percent. But admitting this bazaar articulation including acceptable anthology accessories powered by Windows, it is Android, a artefact of the Open Handset Alliance, that is authoritative the better gains.

During the quarter, Android was the operating arrangement powering 59.5 percent of acute accessories shipped. Behind Android was Apple's iOS with a 19.3 percent bazaar share, and Microsoft, with 18.1 percent.

And it is tablets that are active this growth, not smartphones, and absolutely not notebooks. Over the period, common book shipments added by 106.1 percent year on year, to 41.9 actor units, and while Apple continues to be the big angle in the book amplitude with a 46.4 percent share, akin the iPad is not allowed to Android, as it absent allotment for the third after quarter.

The Canalys abstracts for the division speaks volumes.
 

 
But let's booty this abstracts and broil it into a pie.

Presented this way, it is bright that Android is crushing Apple and Microsoft in the adaptable accessory market, putting the clasp on not alone Microsoft, but Apple, too, the aggregation that sparked the smartphone and book revolutions in the aboriginal place.

While some analysts are absorption Android's demise, I absolutely can't see how the operating arrangement can put a bottom wrong. About the alone weakness I can see is that one aggregation — Samsung — dominates the Android landscape.

Given Android's success in the adaptable market, one has to admiration how continued it will be until we see the operating arrangement loaded assimilate PCs and go arch to arch adjoin Windows and iOS. Given the way that buyers (consumers and action alike) accept accepted Android on smartphones and tablets — activations of new accessories sit at 1.5 actor daily, or 45 actor every ages — it seems analytic to accord consumers what they want, and put this operating arrangement assimilate notebooks, convertibles, and amalgam systems.

When it comes to PCs, neither Windows nor OS X assume to be igniting the imaginations — and aperture the wallets — of consumers. Cheap (possibly in the arena of $200) PCs would be aloof what PC OEMs charge to inject a new charter of activity into the stagnating market.

Chrome and Android

Chrome and Android will abide separate, says Google's Eric Schmidt

Google's controlling administrator Eric Schmidt has accepted that the company's two operating systems — Android and Chrome OS — will abide abstracted entities.

Schmidt quashed rumours that the two platforms could appear calm in the abreast approaching at the company's Big Tent accident in India on Wednesday, according to a address on Reuters.

While accumulation the two platforms into one super-OS for its Chromebook and adaptable accessories doesn't attending acceptable in the abreast future, Schmidt did say that there could be added "commonality" amid the devices, according to the report.

Rumours of the accessible about-face in action were fuelled by the company's accommodation to accredit Sundar Pichai - arch of Google's Chrome browser and Chrome OS - to booty the captain of Android as well.

Google's rivals in the OS bazaar additionally tend to accumulate two abstracted systems for their desktop/laptop and adaptable devices. Apple uses OS X for its desktop line, and iOS for its iPhone and iPad devices. Similarly, Microsoft uses Windows 8 (or Windows RT) for its desktops and tablets, but is continuing on with Windows Phone for its smartphones.

Ubuntu, a new aspirant into the smartphone and book platforms market, is application the aforementioned amount atom of Ubuntu on the desktop for its adaptable and book aspirations. However, no phones or tablets accept yet been appear that use Ubuntu OS, acceptation it has absolutely a abundance to ascend if it wants to be a applicable belvedere contender.

HP Envy x2

HP Envy x2 video review: Acceptable laptop, abundant tablet

The HP Envy x2 is a glassy laptop with a advertisement awning that becomes a acceptable Windows 8 tablet. The Atom processor won't win any acceleration awards but does a acceptable job powering through archetypal laptop tasks.

In this video, the book is apparent in detail. The attenuate aluminum book is as ablaze as can be with the 11.6-inch display. The Envy x2 comes with a laptop berth that is additionally shown.

Hardware specs:

OS: Windows 8

CPU: Intel Atom 1.8 GHz

Memory/storage: 2GB/64GB

Ports: 2x USB 2.0; HDMI

Audio: Beats Audio

Cameras: 1080p webcam (front); 8MP (rear)

Connectivity: wi-fi; Bluetooth

Battery life: 8 hours tablet; 14+ hours with keyboard berth (has additional battery)

Display: 11.6 inches, 1366x768

Weight: 1.5 lbs tablet, 3 lbs with keyboard dock.

HTC One Smartphone

The HTC One is the best smartphone I accept anytime used

Stunning, elegant, innovative, mind-blowing, gorgeous, loud, beautiful, and fun are aloof some of the adjectives I could use to call the HTC One. I accept activated hundreds of phones over the years and in my assessment the HTC One is the best-designed buzz I accept anytime used. It has now been over a anniversary aback I accustomed the HTC One and I accept been application it every day for several hours a day. I acquaint an antecedent hands-on forth with several posts and videos about specific adventures and this analysis brings aggregate together. It's not a absolute phone, you can apprehend beneath for areas that allegation some work, but it's accursed abutting and the amazing architecture overwhelms added areas.

Two canicule was not abundant time to thoroughly analysis and address a abounding analysis and I acclaim you booty some of those aboriginal reviews with a atom of salt. For example, the array performed like any added archetypal high-end smartphone and was able to go aloof about a abounding day with accepted usage. If you pushed it and acclimated the camera for an hour or two afresh you could annihilate it faster, but that is not a archetypal acceptance scenario. Bodies agonizingly advised the Droid DNA array activity and I am able to go a abounding day on LTE with that device.

Retail packaging

The aboriginal HTC One I had was a near-final archetypal that came in a accepted white analyst box. A brace canicule afterwards I accustomed a retail aircraft product, all-embracing model, so I was able to see what one can apprehend aback affairs a accessory from their carrier or retailer.

The aboveboard box with angled corners has a photo of the HTC One's advanced and aback on the awning with some basal specs apparent on the back. It is an eco-friendly amalgamation that is 98% recyclable and 76% fast renewable.

Inside you will acquisition the HTC One, USB cable, USB A/C adapter, microSIM abatement tool, and active stereo earbuds. The earbuds are atramentous with red tips, but they are not Beats Audio headphones. However, they do fit able-bodied and complete decent, so if you don't accept a brace of headphones you may acknowledge these. I haven't apparent a angle included from US carriers afresh so this may not appear in all packages.

Hardware experiences

You will acquisition a few sections on the HTC One accouterments below. Keep in apperception that the assemblage I am testing is an all-embracing archetypal afterwards LTE abutment for the USA.

First impressions

I already acquaint the specifications, airing about the hardware, and a bit added in my aboriginal impressions commodity so I won't echo all of that here. I can acquaint you that the HTC One feels as acceptable in my duke now as it did aback I aboriginal pulled it from the amalgamation and it candidly is difficult to put the accessory aside.

There are some altered elements activity on with the HTC One, including a attractive affectation with bendable glass, two laser-drilled apostle grilles in silver, bright chamfered edges, white artificial sandwiched about the edges and arch angrily beyond the metal back, accomplished off with a solid aluminum aback that reminds me of my MacBook Pro material.

My admonition to every clairvoyant is to appointment a abundance as anon as the HTC One is launched and put one in your duke afore you adjudge on your abutting smartphone purchase. Alike if you apperceive you are activity to buy an iPhone 5, aloof authority the HTC One aboriginal so you can feel the ultimate in smartphone accouterments design.

Specific HTC One experiences

• HTC One uses Windows Buzz panorama UI in an affected way
• HTC One accouterments and aboriginal impressions (gallery)
• HTC One: Zoes and highlight videos may be best HTC addition anytime (videos)
• HTC One: Meet the smartphone that can save HTC
• HTC Sense 5 includes BlinkFeed, Zoe, and TV (screenshot gallery)
• Leave the carriageable apostle abaft with HTC BoomSound on the HTC One (video)
• Airing through of HTC BlinkFeed on the HTC One (video)
• HTC One and Chromebook Pixel hands-on (MobileTechRoundup appearance #292)
• Get Started with the HTC One; accessible buzz bureaucracy from your computer

Display

You ability anticipate the accouterments itself is absurd and afresh aback you about-face on the affectation you aloof sit aback and attending at awe at what comes animate in advanced of you. HTC knows how to accomplish a LCD affectation and the HTC One alike trumps the industry-leading HTC One X display. Fonts are crispy, blacks are dark, examination angles are crazy, and photos attending fabulous.

I additionally like what HTC has on there for fonts, as able-bodied as the air-conditioned white outline on atramentous icons they accept for their acclimate widget. The HTC One affectation impresses me like the Chromebook Pixel affectation did on a laptop.
Performance

The HTC One is FAST and aggregate I do happens instantly. There is no appreciable awning backward and affective my feel over the affectation feels like application an iPhone. With 2GB of RAM and a quad-core processor there is annihilation slowing bottomward the HTC One and it absolutely is a auspicious experience. I accept had arresting HTC adventures in the accomplished so I abundantly acknowledge such an experience.

Camera

I conducted some testing of the camera, but still plan a brace added accessories and aloof allegation to acquisition the time and able area for testing. I accurately plan to analyze the Lumia 920 anon with the HTC One for still photos and for video because they both accept OIS and that was a above acumen I bought a Nokia Lumia 920 in the aboriginal place. I additionally demand to allotment with you the able camera alteration functions that let you abolish photo bombers, actualize arrangement shots, blow up your face, and abundant more.

Speaking of the camera, I acclimated the HTC One to abduction lots of Zoes, stills, and video over the accomplished week, including a weekend assignment cruise I had. My one attention for you as you use Zoes is to accept that a abbreviate video blow and 20 still images are captured anniversary time you abduction a Zoe, so you will see LOTS of photos stacking up in your accessory anamnesis as you abduction content. As you can see in the photo below, the front-facing camera works absolutely able-bodied on the HTC One and the wide-angle lens is advantageous for capturing scenes like the following.

Make abiding to analysis out my column on HTC Zoes and video highlights, aback I go into detail on how to adapt the agreeable in the videos. I biking absolutely a bit and am planning to abduction agreeable with the HTC One and allotment it in different amenities with my ancestors and friends.

Battery life

As I said, this archetypal does not accept LTE so I cannot analysis those speeds or appulse on array life. I additionally did not accredit the ability saver mode, but will now that I am testing it added for continued appellation usage. I acclimated the HTC One to deathwatch me up at about 4:10 am, spent 45 account on the alternation account YouVersion Bible, blockage Twitter, allowance out email, and alert to podcasts. I afresh acclimated the accessory while at assignment for my calendar, email, and sometimes for apparent music in the background. I concluded the day with addition alternation drive home (again application the One for alive music and Twitter). I took photos afterwards work, during breaks, and on the weekends.

Capturing lots of Zoes, video, and pics does assume to hit the array harder than added buzz usage. However, I never accomplished the point area the buzz died on me, and I was able to go best canicule afterwards recharging. I allegation all of my avant-garde accessories anniversary night and I additionally usually top off at assignment if I am alive at my board best of the day.

In my experiences, the HTC One has done as able-bodied as my iPhone 5, BlackBerry Z10, and others, while accomplishing bigger than the Nokia Lumia 920. However, annihilation can absolutely exhausted the Galaxy Note II with its monster admeasurement and battery, and I am alright with that.

Audio experiences

I wrote about and aggregate a video of the alien speakers in action. They are absorbing and accustomed that the HTC One creates highlight videos on the fly it is important to accept acceptable chip adventures to allotment those videos with bodies appropriate afterwards they are created. I alone have a acceptable timethem with Songza and some applesauce while I am writing.

Phone calls

I apperceive best bodies use their phones today for data, but I additionally do accomplish some buzz calls. The HTC One was absurd for calls and, as I will altercate later, I am a above fan of their buzz user interface. Bodies said I articulate acceptable and they all articulate abundant on the HTC One.

Touching tactile mobile phone

Touching tactile mobile phone concept by Peter Lau designed specifically for blind people

We all go on cribbing about our touchscreen smartphones with a very user friendly interface but people who are blind can’t even think of using them, simply because they don’t have any other means of operating the phone. Keeping this in mind an intuitive designer Peter Lau has come up with the design of a tactile mobile phone for the blind, visually impaired, elederly users and sighted users which is good news for people with such unfortunate disability. Called as Touching, this concept mobile phone works on claw and fingertip action to initiate various functions like dialing numbers or searching through the phonebook for specific contacts. 

This ergonomic user experience comprises fourteen functional button that are easily locatable with finger tips or hand and for ease of use the main button are located in a grip for fast navigation with thumb. Although there is no outgoing SMS function right now but one can send SMS by recognizing the voice message and then translating it to send the message. On top of that the mobile phone has voice recording, MP3 playback, NFC (Near Field Communication) and wireless power recharging capabilities.

The unique geometric concaved faceted surface which makes tactile interaction possible is perfect for blind people for whom smartphones with smooth touchscreen surface is impractical. The three dimensional surface of phone surface has easy to remember key layout like send on front. To connect to and end calls there is a scroll button on the back side of mobile phone which makes it even easier for the blind to operate a mobile phone. Not only can one make calls with this concept mobile device but one can also play car racing game by following the voice instructions and moving the scroll wheel in either direction to change course.