Apple updates iPad App Store with faster UI ahead of iPad 3 launch
www.tech-sanity.com
Apple's revamped user interface of the iPad "Top Charts" section on its iOS App Store could possibly be in preparation of a third generation tablet expected to be announced on Wednesday.
The iPad App Store facelift saw minor tweaks in how top selling apps are displayed and a new horizontal scrolling UI, among other small updates.
The changes could be a prelude to the much rumored debut of Apple's next-generation iPad that scheduled to take place tomorrow at a special event in San Francisco.
While the majority of changes are superficial, the new top-selling paid and free app layout allows for greatly reduced load times. Instead of displaying the top 25 apps for each category, the new store only lists six apps at a time, which could explain why the "display more" option is so quick.
The move could be related to the resolution of the next-generation iPad's display, which is rumored to be twice that of Apple's current tablet lineup. If image assets within the App Store are not scaled, a doubling in pixel density would result in a perceived decrease in icon size. The change in size wouldn't be a problem with a Retina Display-equipped product like the iPhone 4S, however visibility issues could occur when using a device like an iPad that is normally held farther away from the face.
A developer recently weighed in on how scaling would affect image quality in a Retina Display iPad. "Food Run" app maker Kevin Ng noted that upscaling his game to the resolution expected from the upcoming iPad's screen would result in favorable image quality due to vector-based graphics, though icons would have to be be submitted separately.
Currently, developers are required to submit 512x512 pixel icons with their apps, and the new interface will most likely take advantage of the resolution bump if and when a Retina Display iPad is released.
In early February, Apple sent out a note to third-party developers asking for screenshot upgrades that would better support the Retina Displays in the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPod touch. The app makers were informed that any future updates of their software would not be approved unless a 960x640 pixel screenshot was submitted.
Apple's newest tablet is widely thought to include a 9.7-inch 2,048x1,536 pixel display with a perceived resolution nearing that of the company's 3.5-inch 960x640 pixel Retina Display.
Apple's revamped user interface of the iPad "Top Charts" section on its iOS App Store could possibly be in preparation of a third generation tablet expected to be announced on Wednesday.
The iPad App Store facelift saw minor tweaks in how top selling apps are displayed and a new horizontal scrolling UI, among other small updates.
The changes could be a prelude to the much rumored debut of Apple's next-generation iPad that scheduled to take place tomorrow at a special event in San Francisco.
While the majority of changes are superficial, the new top-selling paid and free app layout allows for greatly reduced load times. Instead of displaying the top 25 apps for each category, the new store only lists six apps at a time, which could explain why the "display more" option is so quick.
The move could be related to the resolution of the next-generation iPad's display, which is rumored to be twice that of Apple's current tablet lineup. If image assets within the App Store are not scaled, a doubling in pixel density would result in a perceived decrease in icon size. The change in size wouldn't be a problem with a Retina Display-equipped product like the iPhone 4S, however visibility issues could occur when using a device like an iPad that is normally held farther away from the face.
A developer recently weighed in on how scaling would affect image quality in a Retina Display iPad. "Food Run" app maker Kevin Ng noted that upscaling his game to the resolution expected from the upcoming iPad's screen would result in favorable image quality due to vector-based graphics, though icons would have to be be submitted separately.
Currently, developers are required to submit 512x512 pixel icons with their apps, and the new interface will most likely take advantage of the resolution bump if and when a Retina Display iPad is released.
In early February, Apple sent out a note to third-party developers asking for screenshot upgrades that would better support the Retina Displays in the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPod touch. The app makers were informed that any future updates of their software would not be approved unless a 960x640 pixel screenshot was submitted.
Apple's newest tablet is widely thought to include a 9.7-inch 2,048x1,536 pixel display with a perceived resolution nearing that of the company's 3.5-inch 960x640 pixel Retina Display.
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Apple updates iPad App Store with faster UI ahead of iPad 3 launch
www.tech-sanity.com
Apple's revamped user interface of the iPad "Top Charts" section on its iOS App Store could possibly be in preparation of a third generation tablet expected to be announced on Wednesday.
The iPad App Store facelift saw minor tweaks in how top selling apps are displayed and a new horizontal scrolling UI, among other small updates.
The changes could be a prelude to the much rumored debut of Apple's next-generation iPad that scheduled to take place tomorrow at a special event in San Francisco.
While the majority of changes are superficial, the new top-selling paid and free app layout allows for greatly reduced load times. Instead of displaying the top 25 apps for each category, the new store only lists six apps at a time, which could explain why the "display more" option is so quick.
The move could be related to the resolution of the next-generation iPad's display, which is rumored to be twice that of Apple's current tablet lineup. If image assets within the App Store are not scaled, a doubling in pixel density would result in a perceived decrease in icon size. The change in size wouldn't be a problem with a Retina Display-equipped product like the iPhone 4S, however visibility issues could occur when using a device like an iPad that is normally held farther away from the face.
A developer recently weighed in on how scaling would affect image quality in a Retina Display iPad. "Food Run" app maker Kevin Ng noted that upscaling his game to the resolution expected from the upcoming iPad's screen would result in favorable image quality due to vector-based graphics, though icons would have to be be submitted separately.
Currently, developers are required to submit 512x512 pixel icons with their apps, and the new interface will most likely take advantage of the resolution bump if and when a Retina Display iPad is released.
In early February, Apple sent out a note to third-party developers asking for screenshot upgrades that would better support the Retina Displays in the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPod touch. The app makers were informed that any future updates of their software would not be approved unless a 960x640 pixel screenshot was submitted.
Apple's newest tablet is widely thought to include a 9.7-inch 2,048x1,536 pixel display with a perceived resolution nearing that of the company's 3.5-inch 960x640 pixel Retina Display.
Apple's revamped user interface of the iPad "Top Charts" section on its iOS App Store could possibly be in preparation of a third generation tablet expected to be announced on Wednesday.
The iPad App Store facelift saw minor tweaks in how top selling apps are displayed and a new horizontal scrolling UI, among other small updates.
The changes could be a prelude to the much rumored debut of Apple's next-generation iPad that scheduled to take place tomorrow at a special event in San Francisco.
While the majority of changes are superficial, the new top-selling paid and free app layout allows for greatly reduced load times. Instead of displaying the top 25 apps for each category, the new store only lists six apps at a time, which could explain why the "display more" option is so quick.
The move could be related to the resolution of the next-generation iPad's display, which is rumored to be twice that of Apple's current tablet lineup. If image assets within the App Store are not scaled, a doubling in pixel density would result in a perceived decrease in icon size. The change in size wouldn't be a problem with a Retina Display-equipped product like the iPhone 4S, however visibility issues could occur when using a device like an iPad that is normally held farther away from the face.
A developer recently weighed in on how scaling would affect image quality in a Retina Display iPad. "Food Run" app maker Kevin Ng noted that upscaling his game to the resolution expected from the upcoming iPad's screen would result in favorable image quality due to vector-based graphics, though icons would have to be be submitted separately.
Currently, developers are required to submit 512x512 pixel icons with their apps, and the new interface will most likely take advantage of the resolution bump if and when a Retina Display iPad is released.
In early February, Apple sent out a note to third-party developers asking for screenshot upgrades that would better support the Retina Displays in the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPod touch. The app makers were informed that any future updates of their software would not be approved unless a 960x640 pixel screenshot was submitted.
Apple's newest tablet is widely thought to include a 9.7-inch 2,048x1,536 pixel display with a perceived resolution nearing that of the company's 3.5-inch 960x640 pixel Retina Display.
Adobe ships Photoshop Lightroom 4 and cuts price in half
www.tech-sanity.com
Adobe has released version 4 of Photoshop Lightroom, its professional photo management application, following a beta period of about two months. But perhaps the biggest news is that Adobe has permanently cut the price of Lightroom in half. Version 4 is priced at $149, as opposed to the $299 shipping price of version 3. The upgrade price is now $79, as opposed to the previous upgrade price of $99. "Lowering the price makes Lightroom more accessible to a broader range of photographers—from pros to amateurs,” said Tom Hogarty, Lightroom's principal product manager.
Adobe has released version 4 of Photoshop Lightroom, its professional photo management application, following a beta period of about two months. But perhaps the biggest news is that Adobe has permanently cut the price of Lightroom in half. Version 4 is priced at $149, as opposed to the $299 shipping price of version 3. The upgrade price is now $79, as opposed to the previous upgrade price of $99. "Lowering the price makes Lightroom more accessible to a broader range of photographers—from pros to amateurs,” said Tom Hogarty, Lightroom's principal product manager.
Parallels Desktop Update Supports Windows 8 Preview, Mountain Lion
www.tech-sanity.com
Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac has been updated to provide experimental support for Windows 8 Consumer Preview, including simple download and automatic installation of Windows 8 via the Parallels New Virtual Machine Wizard.
The update also adds experimental support for OS X Mountain Lion Developer Preview as both a host and guest. Now Mac enthusiasts and developers alike can safely try Windows 8 Consumer Preview and OS X Mountain Lion in Parallels Desktop 7 virtual machines to protect their Mac from potential mishaps or corruption of important files that can occur with preview versions of software, says Parallels CEO Birger Steen.
Additionally, Parallels Mobile users can remotely access and control their Mac as well as its Windows 8 and OS X Mountain Lion virtual machines, applications and files, via their iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. A free trial of the No. 1-selling Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac software is available for download at http://www.parallels.com/desktop. Current Parallels Desktop 7 users can get the update by selecting the Parallels Desktop menu and clicking Check for Updates.
Parallels allows you to get and automatically install the free Windows 8 Consumer Preview by going to the Parallels Desktop menu and selecting File, New and Windows 8 Consumer Preview in the Parallels New Virtual Machine Wizard. In just a few clicks, Parallels Desktop 7 automatically downloads and installs Windows 8 Consumer Preview (English, German, French, Japanese or Chinese simplified) in a new virtual machine so you can discover and play with the dramatically redesigned Windows operating system and use your Mac OS X applications and files at the same time – without rebooting.
Microsoft recommends that users don’t install Windows 8 Consumer Preview on their primary machine, given that is not a final version and could crash, causing the loss or corruption of important files. If Windows 8 crashes or corrupts files when it is running in a Parallels Desktop 7, you can simply delete the Windows 8 virtual machine and start over without any damage to your Mac.
Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac has been updated to provide experimental support for Windows 8 Consumer Preview, including simple download and automatic installation of Windows 8 via the Parallels New Virtual Machine Wizard.
The update also adds experimental support for OS X Mountain Lion Developer Preview as both a host and guest. Now Mac enthusiasts and developers alike can safely try Windows 8 Consumer Preview and OS X Mountain Lion in Parallels Desktop 7 virtual machines to protect their Mac from potential mishaps or corruption of important files that can occur with preview versions of software, says Parallels CEO Birger Steen.
Additionally, Parallels Mobile users can remotely access and control their Mac as well as its Windows 8 and OS X Mountain Lion virtual machines, applications and files, via their iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. A free trial of the No. 1-selling Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac software is available for download at http://www.parallels.com/desktop. Current Parallels Desktop 7 users can get the update by selecting the Parallels Desktop menu and clicking Check for Updates.
Parallels allows you to get and automatically install the free Windows 8 Consumer Preview by going to the Parallels Desktop menu and selecting File, New and Windows 8 Consumer Preview in the Parallels New Virtual Machine Wizard. In just a few clicks, Parallels Desktop 7 automatically downloads and installs Windows 8 Consumer Preview (English, German, French, Japanese or Chinese simplified) in a new virtual machine so you can discover and play with the dramatically redesigned Windows operating system and use your Mac OS X applications and files at the same time – without rebooting.
Microsoft recommends that users don’t install Windows 8 Consumer Preview on their primary machine, given that is not a final version and could crash, causing the loss or corruption of important files. If Windows 8 crashes or corrupts files when it is running in a Parallels Desktop 7, you can simply delete the Windows 8 virtual machine and start over without any damage to your Mac.
IOS Runs Html5 Games Much Faster Than On The Android OS.
Tue, Mar 6 2012 02:32
| IOS, Samsung, Smartphones, Android, Apple
www.tech-sanity.com
Spaceport's (http://spaceport.io/) has just completed a new study on mobile game platforms that clearly shows that Apple's iOS runs HTML5 games three times faster than the Android operating system, reports "VentureBeat" (http://macte.ch/igwYf).
Spaceport.io created a benchmark dubbed PerfMarks to test performance at running HTML5 code. The benchmark tested a device’s ability to animate image movement. The report measured the number of moving images on a screen at 30 frames per second (FPS), a frame rate which provides a near-native user experience.
Repeated tests show that iOS performed far better at running animations than Android, notes "VentureBeat.
Here are a few of the results.
Pad 2 score 327
iPhone 4S scored 252
Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphone scored 147
iPhone 3GS 53
Kindle Fire scored 25.
The new Android Galaxy Nexus was the only Android smartphone that could handle images at 30 frames per second, the article adds.
Spaceport's (http://spaceport.io/) has just completed a new study on mobile game platforms that clearly shows that Apple's iOS runs HTML5 games three times faster than the Android operating system, reports "VentureBeat" (http://macte.ch/igwYf).
Spaceport.io created a benchmark dubbed PerfMarks to test performance at running HTML5 code. The benchmark tested a device’s ability to animate image movement. The report measured the number of moving images on a screen at 30 frames per second (FPS), a frame rate which provides a near-native user experience.
Repeated tests show that iOS performed far better at running animations than Android, notes "VentureBeat.
Here are a few of the results.
Pad 2 score 327
iPhone 4S scored 252
Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphone scored 147
iPhone 3GS 53
Kindle Fire scored 25.
The new Android Galaxy Nexus was the only Android smartphone that could handle images at 30 frames per second, the article adds.
The EU says Google's new privacy policy breaches European law !
Fri, Mar 2 2012 05:14
www.tech-sanity.com
Pride comes before a fall they say and proudly Google stated ithas managed to have unified all of its services under a single privacy policy. Well, Google's excitement has had a large dumping of water thrown on it by the EU who has asked it to hold off on the policy's implementation while it investigated the changes. And its enthusiasm is likely all but drowned now that EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding has declared the policy to be in breach of European law. She found fault with the fact that the EU wasn't consulted in the policy's formation, the policy doesn't meet transparency requirements, and it allows Google to give people's private data to third parties. No word on what Europa's governing body will do with such findings in hand, but it seems certain that Google has got some policy revisions to make. Google has come under a lot of flack lately and this is just another dumping for them.
Pride comes before a fall they say and proudly Google stated ithas managed to have unified all of its services under a single privacy policy. Well, Google's excitement has had a large dumping of water thrown on it by the EU who has asked it to hold off on the policy's implementation while it investigated the changes. And its enthusiasm is likely all but drowned now that EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding has declared the policy to be in breach of European law. She found fault with the fact that the EU wasn't consulted in the policy's formation, the policy doesn't meet transparency requirements, and it allows Google to give people's private data to third parties. No word on what Europa's governing body will do with such findings in hand, but it seems certain that Google has got some policy revisions to make. Google has come under a lot of flack lately and this is just another dumping for them.
Microsoft Windows 8 Consumer Preview detailed impressions
www.tech-sanity.com
From Engadget
The early days of Windows were inauspicious ones. Sitting on top of DOS, it was hardly a revolution in personal computing -- instead it felt like a disjointed platform perched uncomfortably atop a command prompt, ready to come crashing down at any moment. That's what it was, and often that's what it did. The early days of Windows required constant jumps from GUI to shell as users ran a wide assortment of apps, only some of which played nice inside a window.
It was over a decade later, after Windows 95, that the operating system would truly ditch its DOS underpinnings and feel like a totally integrated system. Why are we reminiscing? Because we're reaching that same point again. With the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, Microsoft is showing off the most complete version of the company's most modern operating system, yet in many ways it feels like 1985 all over again -- like there are two separate systems here struggling to co-exist. How well do they get along? Click Read More below to see the lot!
From Engadget
The early days of Windows were inauspicious ones. Sitting on top of DOS, it was hardly a revolution in personal computing -- instead it felt like a disjointed platform perched uncomfortably atop a command prompt, ready to come crashing down at any moment. That's what it was, and often that's what it did. The early days of Windows required constant jumps from GUI to shell as users ran a wide assortment of apps, only some of which played nice inside a window.
It was over a decade later, after Windows 95, that the operating system would truly ditch its DOS underpinnings and feel like a totally integrated system. Why are we reminiscing? Because we're reaching that same point again. With the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, Microsoft is showing off the most complete version of the company's most modern operating system, yet in many ways it feels like 1985 all over again -- like there are two separate systems here struggling to co-exist. How well do they get along? Click Read More below to see the lot!
Eric Schmidt's Mobile World Congress keynote now available online from Youtube
www.tech-sanity.com
check out Eric Schmidt's Mobile World Congress keynote now available online from Youtube
check out Eric Schmidt's Mobile World Congress keynote now available online from Youtube
Apple Announces March 7th iPad Event Something to see and touch
www.tech-sanity.com
Apple this morning issued invitations to a special event in San Francisco at which the next iteration of the iPad will debut.
And it will indeed be held on the March 7th. The showcase will be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Apple’s preferred location for big announcements like this. And judging from the art on the invitation, it is indeed the next iPad that will be the topic. We will, of course, be covering it here at Tech-Sanity.
In a cheeky bit of timing, the Apple invitation went out just as Google Chairman Eric Schmidt was delivering his keynote at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Apple this morning issued invitations to a special event in San Francisco at which the next iteration of the iPad will debut.
And it will indeed be held on the March 7th. The showcase will be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Apple’s preferred location for big announcements like this. And judging from the art on the invitation, it is indeed the next iPad that will be the topic. We will, of course, be covering it here at Tech-Sanity.
In a cheeky bit of timing, the Apple invitation went out just as Google Chairman Eric Schmidt was delivering his keynote at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Quad-core smartphones, battery issues and ecpensive
Wed, Feb 29 2012 11:53
| Smartphones, Android, Google
www.tech-sanity.com
Smartphones with quad-core processors that are able to deliver PC-like performance have finally been announced, but high prices and battery issues could potentially stymie adoption, analysts said on Monday.
Quad-core smartphones will be faster than dual-core mainstream phones, which are now flooding the market. However, the smartphones could be priced at a premium because of higher chip costs, and multitasking and running power applications could strain battery life, analysts said.
HTC’s One X smartphone
Quad-core smartphones with Android 4.0 were announced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and are expected to reach market later this year. HTC’s One X, LG’s Optimus 4X HD and ZTE’s Era are based on the Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core chip, and Huawei’s Ascend D is based on its own homegrown chip.
But beyond performance, the smartphones need to be competitive on power and price, analysts said. As dual-core smartphones take over from single-core phones, quad-core smartphones will likely be targeted at high-end users.
Quad-core chips are generally costlier than dual-core chips, and that will be reflected in the higher prices of smartphones, said Jim McGregor, chief technology strategist at In-Stat. Buyers may consider quad-core smartphones if they need performance, or are looking to use it as a hybrid PC device.
Smartphone shipments are growing through subsidies offered by carriers with contracts, and dual-core smartphones are taking over that market, McGregor said. In developing countries where phones aren’t subsidized, quad-core smartphones could be priced at a premium, which could stymie adoption in those areas.
Quad-core chips could also strain battery life, McGregor said. Smartphones are already burning battery with 4G radios and high-definition screens, and running resource-intensive applications through quad-core processors and other accelerators could usurp power, McGregor said.
Multiple cores in smartphones will ultimately be important, but it has to be appropriate to the phone design, said Jack Gold, principal analyst at J. Gold Associates. Applications need to use the four cores to squeeze out the best performance, battery life and user experience.
“If you are a high end gamer on your phone, and the application you run and the OS powering it actually know how to use the multiple cores properly, you’ll certainly get a benefit,” Gold said.
Smartphones with quad-core processors that are able to deliver PC-like performance have finally been announced, but high prices and battery issues could potentially stymie adoption, analysts said on Monday.
Quad-core smartphones will be faster than dual-core mainstream phones, which are now flooding the market. However, the smartphones could be priced at a premium because of higher chip costs, and multitasking and running power applications could strain battery life, analysts said.
HTC’s One X smartphone
Quad-core smartphones with Android 4.0 were announced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and are expected to reach market later this year. HTC’s One X, LG’s Optimus 4X HD and ZTE’s Era are based on the Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core chip, and Huawei’s Ascend D is based on its own homegrown chip.
But beyond performance, the smartphones need to be competitive on power and price, analysts said. As dual-core smartphones take over from single-core phones, quad-core smartphones will likely be targeted at high-end users.
Quad-core chips are generally costlier than dual-core chips, and that will be reflected in the higher prices of smartphones, said Jim McGregor, chief technology strategist at In-Stat. Buyers may consider quad-core smartphones if they need performance, or are looking to use it as a hybrid PC device.
Smartphone shipments are growing through subsidies offered by carriers with contracts, and dual-core smartphones are taking over that market, McGregor said. In developing countries where phones aren’t subsidized, quad-core smartphones could be priced at a premium, which could stymie adoption in those areas.
Quad-core chips could also strain battery life, McGregor said. Smartphones are already burning battery with 4G radios and high-definition screens, and running resource-intensive applications through quad-core processors and other accelerators could usurp power, McGregor said.
Multiple cores in smartphones will ultimately be important, but it has to be appropriate to the phone design, said Jack Gold, principal analyst at J. Gold Associates. Applications need to use the four cores to squeeze out the best performance, battery life and user experience.
“If you are a high end gamer on your phone, and the application you run and the OS powering it actually know how to use the multiple cores properly, you’ll certainly get a benefit,” Gold said.