Instead from what we’ve gathered over the last few weeks in leaks and tips popping up until and including today, we’ll see much of the groundwork and preparations being made for the release of that titanic smartphone release set for a late summer release, a release which, including an iCloud upgrade, improved Apple-run Maps, and hardware updates galore, will be strewn with next-level zazz.

What WWDC will hold is the cradle which will eventually surround the iPhone 5.

Starting with the imminent upgrade of the iCloud on the whole, we’ll see the iPhone 5 bringing on a whole new wave of connected services. This includes the Apple-made Maps environment that will not only allow you to finally work with turn-by-turn directions, it’ll give you such realistic mapping that your eyes will bug out of your head. Have a peek at a demonstration of a very early version of what Apple may be working with courtesy of the company that Apple purchased inside the last couple years for their futuristic vision for maps. This mapping tech comes from C3, now owned by Apple.

Next have a peek at the next issue in the iCloud story. This next-level iCloud upgrade will be released in a iCloud Beta fashion, this tip sending fairly clear signals that it’ll be showing up at WWDC for developers. This all comes in addition to the idea that iOS 6 upgrade to both iPhone and iPad may be coming at the event as well, though such a large upgrade (whatever it might hold) does seem more likely to be released at the same time as the iPhone 5 itself – it just sounds better.

Have a peek at our timeline below to see the most recent iPhone 5 rumors, and check out the most recent set of concept images made for the iPhone 5 and see how fabulous this machine might well be. Don’t count on the full metal back though, that’s no good signal business.

[Thanks: http://www.slashgear.com]

iCloud allows users to store data from their devices on remote computer servers and share their files between multiple iOS devices. In addition, iCloud can be used as a data synchronization center for email, contacts, organizer events, bookmarks, pictures and other information. Various sources quote the service has as many as 125 million users as of April 2012.

iCloud backups are incremental. When set up to use the iCloud service, iPhones automatically connect to iCloud network and backup their content every time a docked device gets within reach of a Wi-Fi access point. This is to say, iCloud backups represent a fresh, near real-time copy of information stored in iPhone devices, including information about recently made and received calls, sent and received text and email messages, and so on.

Regardless of their location, iPhone backups contain essential information stored in the device. Information stored in iPhone backups includes email, accounts and passwords, call logs and text messages, calendars, appointments, contacts and organizer information. Pictures and Web browsing history including URLs of recently visited sites is also included. Information stored in iPhone backups can be essential for investigations, and is in high demand by forensic customers.

Access to offline backups often requires the recovery of the original plain-text password protecting the backup, which may be a time-consuming operation. On the other hand, retrieving backup information from iCloud storage requires the use or user’s Apple ID and password.

Interestingly, the password, if not already known, can be acquired from an offline backup produced with Apple iTunes, and used by investigators to watch suspects’ activities by monitoring changes to their online iCloud backups.

Retrieve content from password-protected backups

ElcomSoft updated its Phone Password Breaker, a tool to retrieve user content from password-protected backups created by iOS devices and BlackBerry smartphones, with the ability to retrieve user data from iCloud.

No lengthy attacks and no physical access to an iPhone device are required: the data is downloaded directly onto the investigators’ computers from Apple remote storage facilities in plain, unencrypted form. Backups to multiple devices registered with the same Apple ID can be effortlessly retrieved. Investigators need to know the user’s original Apple ID and password in order to gain access to online backups.

If a user owns more than one device, and those devices are registered with the same Apple ID, their online backups can be seamlessly recovered from iCloud with no extra effort.

[Thanks: http://www.net-security.org]

Image courtesy of Fuse Chicken

The iPhone 5 is probably the most anticipated gadgets of the year, and thanks to the never ending rumors regarding it’s arrival and design, it’s also the most-talked about gadget of the year.

The latest rumor regarding the next generation iPhone once again talks about design. Although there has still yet to be an official confirmation about the phone, it was reported via Mashable that John Fawcett from [Fuse] Chicken designed what he thinks the new smartphone will look like. This new model is said to be 7 millimeters thick and dimension of 4.14″ x 2.25″. It’s also reported to feature a four-inch display, ten-megapixel rear-facing camera, five-megapixel front-facing camera, and quad speakers.

If this concept phone turns out to be the real deal, it will be a revolutionary change for them. From the picture(shown above) of the concept model, it looks a lot like rival phone Samsung Galaxy.

It wasn’t that long ago that we shared a rumor that the next iPhone was to have a liquidmetal case and another rumor that the SIM card holder will look similar to the card holders from the previous models. No rumors have been confirmed either way.

Next month at the WWDC, Apple should confirm whether any of the rumors in the last few months are true and provide some insight to what Apple fans can expect in the next few months regarding software updates and applications for iOS.

All of these rumors regarding the design of the iPhone 5 may indicate that the latest model will look different. Given Apple’s history for making electronics with revolutionary designs, there is really no way to predict what they will come up with next.

I would love to see a brand new design for the iPhone 5.  I think that there’s going to be a few key changes but I’m not expecting a major makeover for the design.

iPhone 5 Concept Images:

[Thanks: http://www.valuewalk.com]

While the specs of the phone are pretty much up in the air at the moment, it seems that more proof of a next-gen iPhone launch later this year has started to emerge.

According to analyst Shawn Wu of Sterne Agee, he has written in a note to investors that after checking with suppliers, it seems that Apple has reduced iPhone orders between 20 to 25% compared to the 35.1 million units the company had shipped in the March quarter.

He has stated that this was by no means an indication of waning interest in the iPhone, but rather it is due to the upcoming sixth generation iPhone which would most likely see a refresh in September/October.

The reduction in orders was done by Apple to help manage their inventory to avoid being overburdened with excess inventory once their next-gen iPhone has been announced.

Granted it’s pretty much a given that Apple refreshes their products on a yearly basis, but for those still hoping against hope that the iPhone could be launched at WWDC this year, assuming Wu’s predictions and sources are accurate, you guys could be in for a disappointment.

[Thanks: http://www.ubergizmo.com]

It doesn’t happen with all gaming apps but according to a few members of Apple Communities three games affected are AR Monsters, BoomChain and also Infinity Blade 2. There have been other reports saying that some of the games that they have been playing don’t show up that they have been running when you double tap the Home Button.

This is not an isolated issue and seems strange that the problem only occurred after updating to iOS 5.1.1, but some users believe it’s a memory issue and that by trying to end apps running in the background will stop the apps from running and in the process free up memory. However, even if you end a task by double tapping the Home Button the app may still be running by up to ten minutes until it becomes suspended, therefore it wouldn’t resolve the freezing issue.

Having said that, if the system detects that memory is running low then the app would be suspended right after closing it, if this is the case then maybe the iOS 5.1.1 update is having an issue with handling memory?

This is not the only issue with the latest update, it seems as though other users are experiencing battery and Wi-Fi connection issues. Before you get on to Apple and start complaining or to try and book an appointment at an Apple Store you should try doing a reset or just go back to a previous backup.

Is this a widespread problem if so what other issues have you experienced with iOS 5.1.1 update apart from freezing apps, battery and Wi-Fi problems?

[Thanks: http://www.inentertainment.co.uk]

Tapping this expanding segment of tablets, OLX has vouched to stay innovative and further strengthen its online presence with the launch of its new app in the App Store that’s optimized for the iPad tablet. This is a first for any of the online classifieds site in India.

iPad users can now download the OLX App off the App Store for free and enjoy a premium browsing experience, alongwith all features of OLX on their devices. They can now buy or sell their used products like Mobiles, Household appliances, Laptops, Furniture, Vehicles or even promote services they provide or rent apartments conveniently on their iPad.

The procedure is simple and includes posting a classified ad through the app which is free, uploading a photo and video of your product from your iPad, entering a title and description of the product after selecting the product category and filling in your contact details to post the ad.

“We are excited to release this new universal app to address the booming iPad market. iPad owners have now a great free app to buy and sell everything with OLX.”, says Simon Berger-Perrin, VP Mobile at OLX. The new app for iPad is even compliant with the iPad with Retina Display, which makes viewing images of products posted on OLX absolutely clear and with no blurs or distortions.

Amarjit Batra, Country Manager, OLX India, elated on the launch of this app says, “India is poised to become a large mobile internet market with smartphones and tablets driving the next wave of growth in Internet consumption. OLX.in is already having apps on all smart phone Operating Systems and the launch of the iPad app is a demonstration of our focus on providing Indian internet users the best classifieds experience anytime and anywhere.”

With increasing mobile transactions, it becomes important that the buyers have the option of meeting the sellers via a mobile device and vice versa. Using the OLX iPad app will make it easy to post an ad quickly with the option of even uploading pictures, videos and description right from the device. Even searching is more convenient and relevant, as buyers can locate ads in their locality or in a particular location using GPS. Being a universal app, users only need to download one app that will work on both devices - iPhone or iPad. Even the updates for both iPhone and iPad apps will happen at the same time.

For users wanting to experience OLX on other phones, there are also options to download the OLX Mobile app on Android, Windows, BlackBerry and Nokia mobile operating systems.

[Thanks: http://tech2.in.com]

Last week, some users reported that Siri would spruik the Lumia when asked the question: “What is the best smartphone ever?”

But Apple appears to have fixed the embarrassing blip, because after repeated attemps by this website, Siri now only answers with either “You’re kidding, right?” or “Wait … there are other phones?”
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A screenshot of Siri’s response.

A screenshot of Siri’s most recent response to the question: “What is the best smartphone ever?”

“Apple position Siri as the intelligent system that’s there to help, but clearly if they don’t like the answer, they override the software,” said Nokia spokeswoman Tracy Postill.

Siri uses search engine WolphramAlpha to not only return search results, but to calculate the best response to any given question.

Based on customer reviews from across the web, WolphramAlpha ranks the Nokia Lumia 900 as the “best” smartphone currently on offer.

Apple’s iPhone 4S, the only model that Siri appears on, does not feature until number 14 on WolphramAlpha’s list of best smartphones.

Despite the fact that the quirk appears to have been resolved, Apple has not publically confirmed that it has altered Siri’s response, and did not respond to requests for comment on the issue.

[Thanks: http://www.theage.com.au]

Overall subscriber growth is slowing down in a country where most people have at least one mobile phone, and “being able to best manage one’s underlying cost structure at a time when data services have become much more important than traditional voice will dictate which companies harbor the greatest earnings growth potential,” Canaccord Genuity analysts Greg Miller and Eric Chu wrote.

The analysts said Verizon Wireless is less dependent on the iPhone than AT&T and is in a position to potentially improve its margins in the coming quarters. U.S. carriers subsidize the iPhone in order to garner lucrative contracts but the subsidies have been pressuring their margins. Verizon, the nation’s biggest wireless carrier, is said to be heavily marketing other devices besides the iPhone. With new smartphones like the popular Nokia Lumia 900 in its lineup, AT&T also may soon find itself less reliant on the iPhone. Canaccord Genuity raised its price targets on AT&T and Verizon Wireless.

Meanwhile, money-losing Sprint is facing increasing challenges to its already low margins because of expenditures on its aging 3G-iDEN networks, Canaccord Genuity analysts said. Another dilemma: Sprint’s introduction of the iPhone 4S last year further pressured its margins.

Miller and Chu also anticipate increasing competition in the lower end of the wireless market, fueled by T-Mobile USA’s attempted comeback following its failed merger with AT&T. T-Mobile USA has a reputation for providing a more affordable alternative to its bigger rivals.

However, AT&T and Verizon Wireless also have consistently revised their value-based offerings in what the analysts declare will make it “increasingly difficult for either MetroPCS or Leap Wireless to continue producing profitable subscriber growth.”

Several media reports have surfaced that MetroPCS and Leap Wireless could be acquired by larger U.S. carriers, although the analysts believe the prepaid carriers MetroPCS and Leap are more likely to merge with each other.

MetroPCS and Leap have both reported increases in the number of smartphone customers, though the effects haven’t been entirely positive. Average revenues per users have increased but so have costs, said Canaccord Genuity, which lowered its price targets on the stocks of both companies.

“In order to maintain margins and shareholder returns, we believe LEAP and PCS will each likely have to adjust its operating strategy to one that relies less on growing new subscribers and more on retaining the existing subscriber base,” Miller and Chu wrote.

[Thanks: http://www.channelpartnersonline.com/]

Bongiovi DPS is a great music app for the iPad and iPhone.
(Credit: Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET)

Not a fan of Apple’s iPad Music app with its awkward interface and tiny controls? Well, here are two iOS music players that offer some clever advantages over the built-in app.

Bongiovi DPS

Designed by Bongiovi Acoustics, the free Bongiovi DPS app app provides a clean interface and user-friendly controls.

The app presents you with the usual ways to access your music — albums, artists, playlists, genres, podcasts, audiobooks — all icons easily accessible from the home screen. Tapping on a particular icon, such as albums, shows you a list of all albums. Tapping on an album shows you all the tracks and their running times. And from there you can tap on any track to ramp up the music.

By default, the app fills the screen with large cover art of the album. But you can tap on a track button in the upper right corner to see all the track names with artist, album, and time, making it easy to jump from one song to another. The play screen displays the usual buttons and controls large enough to easily tap on, unlike the tiny ones in the iPad Music app. You can also swipe the screen to move from track to another.

Bongiovi DPS even takes the sound quality a step higher. You can set up certain audio profiles for your music, choosing among specific brand earbuds, built-in speakers, external speakers, and docks. Each profile is supposed to give the music a bit of oomph by tying it into a specific device. Some profiles are accessible for free; others require you to upgrade to the app’s paid version.

After you select a profile, a B button on the play screen lets you increase the volume and bass of your current song. Enabling this option did bump up both the volume and quality of the music. So that benefit alone makes Bongiovi DPS a better choice than the iPad Music app.

The basic Bongiovi app is free but comes with advertising at the bottom, which I found fairly unobtrusive. But if you want an ad-free experience and the extra audio profiles, you’ll have to shell out $2.99 for the upgrade. Bongiovi DPS is also available for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Since downloading Bongiovi DPS, I’ve switched to this one as my core music app. I like the interface, the sound, and the ability to access podcasts and audiobooks as well as albums. So this app’s a winner for me.

Track 8’s music app provides a Metro flair to the iPad.
(Credit: Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET)

Track 8

Cooked up by Ender Labs, Track 8 provides a Metro flair by borrowing the look and feel of Microsoft’s Windows 8 Metro music player.

The home screen offers options for artists, albums, and playlists. You can also swipe the screen to see your recent history and your most played albums. Tapping on an album’s thumbnail displays a list of its tracks. Tapping on any track starts up the music.

The play screen is well laid out. It displays the album art and a list of all songs, so you can easily switch from one track to another without having to change screens. The usual play, pause, back, and forward buttons are included. The slider bars for volume and track location are a bit small but still quite usable. My only gripe here is that you can’t see the length of a track until you actually start playing it, but that’s a minor quibble.

You can also search for a particular track. Tapping on the search icon lets you type the first few characters of a song, with Track 8 chiming in with a list of suggestions.

Though I’m still on the fence about the Metro look and feel, I like the design of this app.

It seems well suited for a tablet, offering a fluid touch-screen approach. By default, the actual artist appears in the background of an album. You can also change the background colors and wallpaper.

Track 8 offers access only to your albums, not your podcasts or other types of audio. But you can create a playlist of podcasts and other audio content in iTunes, and the app will pick that up.

Overall, Track 8 is clean and simple and a nice change of pace from other complicated music players. The app will run you $1.99.

[Thanks: http://news.cnet.com]

Top 5 Smartphones for 2012: iPhone 5, HTC One X, PureView, Galaxy S 3, Droid RAZR HD?

With 22 percent more display over its predecessor, a face recognition technology and intelligent camera features, the Samsung Galaxy S 3 specs aim to stand out among Android phones and (finally) defeat the iPhone.  Not to be outdone, HTC has unleashed the HTC One X, which like the Galaxy S3 specs, has a quad-core processor, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and a huge display.

The Galaxy S 3 specs include an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 1.9 mp front camera while the HTC One X has a 1.3 mp front camera and an 8 mp rear camera with both devices able to record video in full HD 1080p quality.  But the Nokia 808 PureView is the only smartphone that has a large, high-resolution 41 megapixel sensor camera, powered by high-performance Carl Zeiss optics and new pixel oversampling technology.  The PureView though comes in soon- to-be-phased-out Symbian platform and won’t be available in the U.S. due to Nokia’s arrangements with Microsoft.

The iPhone 4S’s 800 MHz dual-cre ARM Cortex-A9 processor may lag behind the Galaxy S3’s Exynos 4 Quad 1.4GHz chip and the HTC One X’s Tegra 3 quad-core 1.5GHz chip.   But Apple aims to show its might when it  releases later this year an iPHone 5 that is expected to have a dual-core CPU with a quad-core graphics processor like the new iPad or a more powerful quad core CPU.

The Galaxy S3’s Super AMOLED 4.8-inch display and the HTC One X’s Super IPS 4.7-inch dwarf the iPhone’s 3.5 inch Retina display.  Yet, Apple might finally break tradition this year when it releases an iPhone that has a 4-inch screen.

The iPhone 4S has the more stable iOS and iTunes ecosystem to brag about.  The GS3 killer features include the Siri-like S Voice and eye recognition.  The HTC One X of course has the Beats Audio integration, which delivers realistic sound to users.

The iPhone 4S has been plagued by battery life issues while the Droid RAXR MAXX’s 3,300 mAh battery is able to offer up to 21 hours of continuous talk time.  The Droid RAZR was the thinnest smartphone last year at only 7.1 mm thick.  Now Motorola is gearing up to launch the Droid RAZR HD, which is expected to have a slim design, massive battery, a large 4.7-inch 720p display, a 13 mp camera, and powerful processor.

The HTC One X is already available in most territories.  The Galaxy S 3 will be available at the end of the month in Europe and in the summer elsewhere.  The Droid RAZR HD is expected to be released this summer.  The iPhone 5 will be unveiled in October (one year after iPhone 4S) or at Apple’s developers conference in June (same month as prior models).

Click on the slideshow for the top 5 smartphones for 2012.

[Thanks: http://au.ibtimes.com]