Apple's Touch ID To Get More Improved Functionality

The iPhone 5s comes with some great new hardware features, and while we have been more than impressed with the new 64-bit A7 processor, there hasn't been much with the Touch ID fingerprint sensor. Users can use it to unlock their devices without having to type in their passcode but according to a recent patent filing by Apple, this could be about to get so much better.

This patent has been filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization and it details a Touch ID like implementation that also brings trackpad functionality into play. This will potentially allow users to navigate around without having to touch the display. This would, on first viewing, seem counterproductive, but when you consider certain situations such as fine tuning a point on a map, it could actually make sense.

When the fingerprint sensor was first heard of there were skeptics, but it has now established itself as a very useful feature and it looks as though Apple is ready to step things up a notch. The touch ID patent also makes examples of how a user could use certain gestures like �revolving� or �twisting� to prompt certain actions. Touch ID offers an extra dimension beyond the display and if something similar to this recent filing were to come into play, iOS as a whole could be greatly enhanced.

The patent also toys with the idea of integrating Touch ID into a device's display, although this is something we were hearing about in the run up to the iPhone 5S, theoretically the technology could be designated to any particular region behind the display, taking the fingerprint sensing capability beyond the home button and into third-party apps.

We have high hopes that this feature will make its way into the next generation of iPads, after being exclusive to the iPhone 5s so far.

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Apple's Black Friday Event Will Be Online And In-Store

This week is black Friday week, and the deals and special offers will be available from all the major retail outlets. In technology terms, it's a great time to go shopping for the holiday season, particularly since many of these price-cuts don't happen any other time of the year. Apple is a prime example of a company that seldom alters its price structures except for on Black Friday. Those who have been holding off purchasing an Apple device in the hopes of making some great savings later this week will be delighted to hear that Apple have just announced the details.

The bad news is that as always, there won't be any deals on the iPhone. We have all gotten used to this and the fact that the iPhone won't be any cheaper on Black Friday isn't any surprise. You will still be able to save plenty on the likes of the MacBook, iPod touch and iPad, and all these deals are going to be available on the Apple Online store as well as the Apple Retail Stores.

Ordering online is probably going to be the easiest as the retail stores are likely to be very busy, but if you don't want to have to wait until next week to get your hands on your products, then it might be well worth taking a trip to your nearest store.

The prices haven't been revealed yet but the sale will run from midnight on Thursday until midnight on Friday, so if you want to take advantage of some great savings then this will be the time to do it. The specifics of these deals are sure to be announced in the coming days and if you want to bag a bargain then be sure to keep an eye on the Apple website for more details.

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Jailbreak For iOS 7 Update

It's been a while since iOS 7 was released and those of you wondering about a jailbreak for iOS 7 will be delighted to hear that we have had our first glimpse of what Cydia looks like on a jailbroken iOS 7 device. We are still a good bit away from an untethered jailbreak but it is good to get a sneak preview of what is going on.

We know that MuscleNerd recently re-assured existing iOS 7.x users that it was safe to update to iOS 7.0.2. At least we know that work is being done to make this jailbreak a reality.

Cydia for iOS 7 doesn't look as smooth as what we would expect, but it is enough just to see it running on iOS 7. iOS developer Cjori has been working really hard trying to tap into the latest firmware. He told us that he used OpenSn0w to tether-jailbreak iOS 7 on an iPhone 4. Cydia was recompiled from source with the iOS 7 SDK and he manually debugged all of the issues encountered using various UNIX tools. When he was asked if he would be releasing this iOS 7 compatible Cydia along with instructions on how to tether-jailbreak iOS 7, he said that while Cydia itself seems to be stable, a lot of the things revolving around it and the jailbreak in general were very unstable, so he doesn't plan on releasing it at this point, but he might do so in the future once things are fixed.

The images that are doing the rounds serve as nothing more than a teaser at this point and we could have to wait a couple of months before a jailbreak will materialize. We could well see some significant progress from other teams involved too such as Evad3rs before the end of the year. We are very happy to see progress being made and as soon as any further information is released we will be sure to let you know.

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Apple Testing New iPhone 6 With 4.9 Inch Display

The iPhone 5s has been very well received and already we are hearing rumors that Apple is in the process of field testing the next generation iPhone. It really was only a matter of time before the iPhone 6 rumors began. Rumors have come for a Far East based website who have gone into a lot of detail about Apple's current plans and testing schedule for next year's model.

It has become fairly normal for people to speculate on the next launch as soon as the current generation device has been launched. The website in question has an inconsistent success rate when it comes to predictions about Apple products, but the published rumors do seem to tie in nicely with previously published commentary from KGI Securities.

To be honest, we really don't know anything about the next generation iPhone that is set to be released. We are assuming it will be under the name iPhone 6 but Apple has a great track record of keeping internal projects and secrets away from the public eye. With that said, both Ming-Chi Kuo and the recent C Technology article both seem to agree that next year's iPhone will feature a larger touch-screen, potentially up to 5 inches. Kuo believes that any future iPhone will never breach the 5 inch display mark purely because of Apple's insistence that the device remains usable in one hand.

Most of the rumors going forward are likely to be centered around the display of the new device and whether or not Apple will follow the current market trend of producing smartphones with huge displays or stick to their current 4 inch offering. In addition to today's rumors, we also heard suggestions that Apple could be about to jump on the curved bandwagon by creating an iPhone with glass that wraps around the body of the device.

You can be sure that rumors will continue to fly right the way through to the launch of next year's device and whether Apple choose to follow their competitors and create a larger display really is anyone's guess. As always though, we will keep you up to date with everything we hear.

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A 12.9 Inch iPad Pro Coming In 2014

The iPad Air and the new Retina iPad mini are really making their mark and Apple's tablet range is as diverse as it has ever been. We are seeing more and more companies going larger than the 9.7 inch diameter of the full size iPad device and there have been plenty of suggestions that Apple is going to release a 12.9 inch Retina iPad in 2014.

If rumors are to be believed, manufacturers have been given the go ahead to produce this large iPad which is going to be called the iPad Pro. It is due to be released during the first part of 2014. Just as with all the talk about the iPad mini prior to its release, the notion of an iPad Pro has been received with a decided amount of skepticism. The Korea Times have seemingly been informed that production of the 12.9 inch retina display is now in motion and we could see our first real indicator that this device is indeed real and will be released early next year.

The iPad 4, iPad Air and both iPad minis enjoyed a fall release ready for the holiday season, but with Apple familiar with what it takes to release an iPad in March, it could well be that the company is planning an early release of what will be the largest iPad to date. Apple does seem to have the form factor down to a fine art, with the uniform look and feel of the iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display the subject of much acclaim. As such, we would expect the iPad Pro to look similar to the current models, but include that larger screen and perhaps more power.

Maintaining the Retina display over a larger surface area will push the iPad Pro into UHD territory. We also have to take into account if there is a market for such a big device. KGI Securitie's fairly accurate analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also suggested that Apple will release a refreshed iPad Air early next year so we are going to take the rumors of the iPad Pro with a pinch of salt for the moment until more information is released. What do you think, would you be interested in a 12.9 inch iPad? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Apple Stores To Begin Using iBeacon

Apple's brick and mortar stores are partly responsible for the company's rise to fame and CEO Tim Cook and his team are looking at the opportunity that these stores offer the company. As iOS 7 launched earlier today, Apple also kicked another of its projects into gear, with iBeacon now a focus for the business. It is thought that Apple stores will soon use iBeacon to give people information about accessories and devices.

It was largely ignored during the iOS 7 and iPhone 5s/5c launches but iBeacon offers Apple and its partners a way to track iOS devices and then offer them information based on their proximity to points of interest. Those points of interest could be an Apple store or a sporting venue. Apple's technology even allows for a more granular service, with specific stalls or statues able to trigger an alert on an iPhone as a person walks by. With all this in mind, it is easy to see how Apple could make use of iBeacon in its retail outlets.

A report from 9to5Mac suggests that Apple Stores in the USA could be set to receive iBeacon sooner rather than later, with Apple apparently stockpiling the devices in order to roll them out to their retail locations across the country. As the report notes, Apple may be about to use iBeacon as a way to offer users more information on their potential purchases when they feel they need it. Walking over to a row of iPhone cases on a shelf could trigger an alert on a person's iPhone or iPad that gives them more information on what they are looking at such as prices and features. Apple currently uses iPads as a way of giving information to customers but they are only in situ near things like iPads, iPhones and Macs. With iBeacon, Apple could offer a similar level of details for things such as lightning cables.

Major League baseball is already trialling iBeacon as a way of adding value for those that attend games, and if reports are true, it should only be a matter of time before Apple is giving iBeacon some more air time.

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Good News iOS 7.0.4 Is Safe For Those Who Want A Future Jailbreak

We have great news today concerning the latest iOS 7.0.4 update. According to jailbreak guru, MuscleNerd, this update is safe for anyone who wants a jailbreak in the future. MuscleNerd took to Twitter to pass on this good news. If you are following the movements of an iOS 7 jailbreak you will know that some of the most experienced heads in the scene are currently looking at Apple's software and trying to find a way through for a public jailbreak.

The hackers and jailbreak devs have not been sharing any of their exploits and this means that minor releases such as iOS 7.0.4 are safe to update to for current iOS 7.x users. If you are still running iOS 6.x you are advised to stick with what you have for the moment.

Whenever a new version of iOS is released, it is almost as though the slate has been wiped clean and all the hard work that the jailbreak devs had put in is essentially diminished. We had a jailbreak for iOS 6 thanks to the Evasi0n tool from the Evad3rs team but now that the majority of new devices are running iOS 7, many of those who have an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch are now patiently waiting for a jailbreak.

As we all know, there is no guarantee that a jailbreak will be found and at this point in time we don't have an estimated date for an untethered jailbreak for iOS 7 either. We do know, that this situation happened with the last few iOS revision and with the Cydia Store offering so many exciting tools to enhance the look and functionality of Apple's mobile OS, we just have wait and hope that a solution will arrive.

In the meantime, you can safely update your current iOS 7 device to iOS 7.0.4 and we will update you are soon as we hear anything about a jailbreak.

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The iPad Mini 2 Is 5 Times More Powerful Than Its Predecessor

The iPad mini 2 with Retina display makes its debut today and it looks as if this model is almost as powerful as the iPad Air and iPhone 5S. In fact, it is five times more powerful than the original iPad mini. Whenever a new device is released, the benchmark tests begin and the iPad mini 2 has been put through its paces and compared with some of the other devices in the iOS product line. This new device is almost identical to the iPhone 5s in terms of speed, although both the iPad mini 2 with Retina display and the iPhone 5s fall slightly behind the iPad Air which is faster than both of these.

Considering that all these devices have the same A7 processor and M7 motion coprocessor, they are virtually identical in term fo their main hardware. The GeekBench results clock the iPad mini with Retina display in a 1.29 Ghz, with the iPhone 5s having already been clocked at 1.30 Ghz. The iPad Air comes in at 1.39 Ghz which brings some justification to the fact that the base model is $100 more expensive than that of the Retina iPad mini.

With that said, all three of these devices are powerful and smooth and many users would find it difficult to notice any real difference between the iPad Air and the iPad mini with Retina display in terms of general usage. When the Retina iPad mini is compared to the first generation mini however, there are real differences. This new model is 5 times more powerful and it is really noticeable.

The iPad mini has sold really well since it launched last year but many people felt it could have been better. The lack of Retina display was a big thing for many so fans are going to be delighted to finally have the Retina iPad mini available to them today. It might not be as powerful as the larger iPad Air but at least now people have the choice to choose between the larger or small iPad versions. Which iPad will you choose?

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Apple Working On 5.5 Inch and 4.7 Inch iPhones With Curved Display

The rumor mill is rife again and it's nothing new this time either. It looks like Apple is interested in launching new, larger iPhones and Bloomberg have just gotten in on the rumor action too which means we won't be seeing the last of these rumors for any time soon. Bloomberg is reporting that Apple are going to launch not one but two larger iPhone models.

The source, which hasn't been named, reportedly told Bloomberg that Apple is set to bring a 4.7 inch device to the market late next year, with an even larger 5.5 inch device also on the cards for those that have huge hands and even bigger pockets. The iPhone 5 comes with a 4 inch display. The 4.7 inch iPhone would be a considerable jump in screen size but the 5.5 inch option would rival the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 which features a display that is a massive 5.7 inches across its diagonal. It's a lot bigger than the iPhone 4S's 3.5 inch screen.

Along with larger screens, Bloomberg's source claims that the devices will also feature curved screens as well as a new, pressure sensitive touch layer in later version. Bloomberg stated that two models are planned for release in the second half of next year and will feature larger displays with glass that curves downward at the edges. Senors that can distinguish heavy or light touches on the screen may be incorporated into subsequent models.

We do believe that Apple is at least testing iPhones of different screen sizes, but there is a big difference between testing and getting ready to bring to market. While we wouldn't be at all surprised to see a larger iPhone launch next year, we are still a little skeptical about the idea of two new iPhones being brought out with two different screen sizes. We don't think iOS app developers would be too happy with this idea either. What do you think? Leave your thoughts and comments below.

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RunKeeper App For iOS Adds Support For iPhone 5s M7 Motion Coprocessor

The iPhone 5s came with plenty of changes and alterations, and everyone got a little excited to see what this new model was really capable of. As well as throwing in a dual-LED, �true tone� flash, �touch ID� fingerprint sensor and a new gold model, Apple also revamped the processor with an A7, 64-bit offering, making the device the very first smartphone to offer such architecture. To cap things off, there is now an M& motion copressor which helps to aid overall efficiency by helping certain processes run in the background. App Developers have been adatping to these new features and now the popular RunKeeper app has been updated to take advantage of M7.

Fitness apps are great and most smartphones offer everything from GPS to a number of sensors including thermometer, heat and movement-detecting capability. Users can harness the power of their smartphones to log almost any type of physical activity with just the swipe of their fingers.

RunKeeper is one of the best in the business and their creators FitnessKeeper, Inc., are now using M7's always on tracking which means that your iPhone 5s can monitor movement even when you haven't specifically told it that you're going for one of your runs.

The updated RunKeeper is version 4.1 and it comes with a new Pocket Track mode that will automatically keep a log of any walk you take longer than a fifteen minute duration. Whether you're a bit of an exercise freak or you simply like to keep track of your movements, then RunKeeper will have all the details there ready for you to check whenever you want. RunKeeper on iPhone 5s can keep track of every little piece of exercise you do throughout the day so you don't have the remember anymore.

To top things off, there's also an AirDrop feature in this updated version that allows you to share your workout information with your pals, adding a nice encouragement or competitive element to things. You can download the updated RunKeeper app right now and don't forget to let us know what you think of it in the comments sections.

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The iPad Air As LTE Personal Hotspot Gives Battery Life Of Up To 24 Hours

Whenever Apple releases a new device there is always a lot of talk. Apple's devices offer great usability, can serve for both entertainment and productivity, are durable and generally good value for money. The iPad Air was unveiled last month and it looks great. It also seems like there is one more reason to love this device. It carries an awesome battery with almost unparalleled battery life.

A recent experiment carried out by AnandTech showed just that. The test was run on the new LTE version of the iPad Air where they put it in Personal Hotspot mode to broadcast the device's data connection to another connected device. With an active single connection downloading data from the internet at a constant speed, the iPad Air lasted 24.08 hours before giving up. This is probably better than any other tablet on the market right now.

This test was conducted by turning off the display of the iPad and connecting it to a MacBookPro, which was downloading data at a steady 100KB/s. The hotspot was limited to only one device to measure actual capacity, which turned out to be amazing. If anything, Apple has done a fantastic job this time round.

AnandTech also explains the reasoning behind such results. They had conducted a similar test for the LTE iPad 3 as well, but this time, Apple has opted for a different architecture and SoC for both the processor and the modem that is carried within. The low power consumption allows the iPad Air's smaller battery to function better than the previous generation devices, despite carrying a smaller charge. This kind of improvement shows that Apple is committed to improving the experience of its users with every new device.

If you haven't gotten your hands on the new iPad Air yet, you will be happy to hear that it is now available in over 42 countries around the world.

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The iPad Air Goes On Sale In 42 Countries Today

Apple's new iPad officially goes on sale today in 42 countries worldwide. This new thinner, lighter and faster iPad is called the iPad Air. People have been queuing outside stores in the United States and Europe for more than 24 hours in a bid to guarantee they are the first to get their hands on Apple's best performing iPad to date. To some it may seem like nothing more than an update to the iPad line but for others it is the must have gadget of the season.

Apple is trying to make sure that as many iPad fans as possible will get their hands on the device from the word go by pushing the product out to 42 countries on launch day. Those based in Australia were the first to get their hands on the new iPad Air, but residents of all the other 41 countries will be able to put the 64-bit device through its paces by the close of business today. We should also mention, that if the iPad Air isn't your thing, the second generation is still being offered as a cheaper alternative.

Apple's �power of air� table is available in two color options: Space Gray or Silver with the 16GB Wi-Fi only model starting at $499. The price tag rises by $100 increments for each storage upgrade. The 32Gb model is $599, the 64GB model is $699 and the 128Gb model costs $799. If you want wi-fi and cellular the starting price is $629 rising to $929.

If this seems a bit too much and a smaller tablet is what you are looking for, Apple is rumored to release the Retina iPad mini 2 in three weeks time. That's right, the iPad mini 2 with Retina display should hit the shelves on the 21st of November. Featuring the same Apple A7 chip, this miniature device has been kitted out with a gorgeous new display and ships with the latest version of iOS 7.

The choice is yours and with the iPad Air going on sale today we can expect to hear a lot more about this device in the coming weeks.

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