Apple Explores Augmented Reality Navigation For iPhones

Apple has two new patent applications out today (via AppleInsider) that show it’s been working on boosting the iPhone’s navigation abilities with augmented reality features. The patent describes a way that the iPhone could use its camera in combination with on-device software to generate virtual maps of your surroundings, which are overlaid on a real feed, and which can do things like provide a look inside surrounding buildings.

The patents describe a way to use GPS, Wi-Fi and sensor information to pinpoint a user’s position and then download a 3D model of their surroundings, including points of interest. To compensate for the fact that using sensor data alone would likely result in an imperfect matching of virtual and real environment (as has been the case in other similar AR mapping apps), Apple uses live video feed from the iPhone’s camera, and lets a user actively match up virtual elements with their real-world equivalents in the resulting image. Once it’s locked in with a match, users can do things like virtually “peel back” the outer layers of buildings to reveal their interiors.

Apple already offers its “Flyover” feature in iOS Maps, which provides a 3D representation of satellite imagery for a more interactive cruise through city streets, but it has yet to employ AR tech. AR apps that similar functionality to that described in these patents has been used before, by companies including Layar and other startups, but Apple’s system is clearly designed to make it less rough around the edges and more of a utility than a neat tech trick.

iOS Maps could use some flashy features to help it stand out, but I wouldn’t expect this one to make its way out to shipping software anytime soon. Still, it’s an interesting direction, and could work together nicely with Apple’s indoor positioning ambitions.

Apple iPhone 5C 8GB to be available in India next week, might be priced lower than Rs 35,000

The cheaper, 8GB version of Apple iPhone 5C might be launched in India as soon as next week. The Apple iPhone 5C 8GB was announced in March this year as a cheaper option for those who can’t afford the higher priced variants of the iPhone 5C or the iPhone 5S.

Apple iPhone 5C

The 16GB variant of the iPhone 5C is currently priced at around Rs 37,000 but it is being sold in India for as low as Rs 30,000 with various buyback and cashback schemes. According to the price difference in the international markets, we presume that the iPhone 5C 8GB will be priced at Rs 4,000 lower in India than the 16GB variant. So, the iPhone 5C 8GB might come with a price tag less than Rs 35,000 and might be sold for less than Rs 30,000 with various cash back and buy back schemes.

The iPhone 5C comes with a 4 inch Retina Display, dual-core A6 processor, 1GB RAM, 8MP camera and 4G LTE connectivity. Is 8GB enough storage for an iPhone considering that you would not get more than 6GB of user available storage? Would you be interested in buying one?

Apple rumor claims all-new, 12-inch MacBook Air

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The MacBook is getting a makeover sooner rather than later if gossip from China is coming from a reliable source.

by Brooke Crothers

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Latest Apple TV rumors have it teaming up with Comcast for streaming

Rumors Apple will launch a new TV-connected device/service seemingly never die, and now the Wall Street Journal reports it's in talks with Comcast (and that rumored discussions with Time Warner Cable over a "Project Jupiter" team-up stalled when it became a takeover target). With interesting timing, the rumors focus on an aspect of the deal that would give Apple's streaming of live TV and cloud DVR recordings over a "managed connection" avoiding last-mile bottlenecks. That's similar to how Comcast sends video on-demand to its Xbox 360 app, and a contrast to the recent net neutrality discussions arising over its deal with Netflix. Noting that the companies "aren't close to an agreement," the rumors suggest an arrangement where Apple sells its hardware at retail TiVo-style, although how customers log in and who controls that relationship is something where the two continue to differ.

As the article notes, this proposal is similar to Comcast's arrangement with TiVo -- it sells boxes at retail that in some areas can access Comcast VOD -- but going in with Apple to create some kind of hybrid service would be a major change. So far, Comcast has pushed its X1 platform with live TV, internet features and eventually cloud DVR streaming to multiple devices, while also testing out a full IPTV service on college campuses.

Despite years of rumored negotiations and device testing we still haven't seen Apple jump out with a product to modernize/revolutionize the existing TV experience. Now, we wonder if pressure from regulators on the proposed Time Warner Cable / Comcast merger, cord-cutting (the number of customers paying for cable, satellite and fiber TV dropped slightly last year, the first time that's happened), and competing internet TV services (Netflix, Sony, Amazon etc.) is creating a new reason for cooperation. If any of those are true, the next steps are figuring out how the two sides will split the money coming in, if the studios and networks that supply content will play ball, and if Reed Hastings will fire off another angry open letter (following up his net neutrality-related posts on Comcast's Xbox 360 video on-demand and peering).

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Source: Wall Street Journal

Tags: apple, apple tv, appletv, cloud, comcast, hdpostcross, rumor, streaming Next: LSTN headphones: helping people hear in style
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Demand for Apple iPhone outweighs supply in Q1 according to Morgan Stanley report

The latest data from the AlphaWise Smartphone Tracker survey cited in a new Morgan Stanley report, suggests that the Apple iPhone is seeing better than expected demand for the first quarter. The survey shows that the handset is on pace to sell 42 million units in the current quarter, up from the 38 million units that analysts had been expecting.

Morgan Stanley analyst analyst Katy Huberty said that carrier promotions carried out during the first three months of the year were responsible for the stronger than expected Q1 sales.  Huberty said that she counted nine major promotions put in place by the top four U.S. mobile carriers. Another Morgan Stanley analyst, Jasmine Lu expects Apple to produce 38 to 39 million units for the first quarter which would fall short of the estimated Q1 sales figures. That could make the Apple iPhone 5s harder to find in the upcoming quarter.

According to the Morgan Stanley analyst, the AlphaWise Smartphone Tracker did a good job forecasting iPhone sales each quarter in 2013, which means we should put some faith in the first quarter forecast.

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Apple may improve your iPhone's battery life by understanding your habits

Battery-saving software on a phone tends to have all the subtlety of a sledgehammer -- it either waits until you're low on power to do anything, or limits functionality at all times. Apple may eventually take a smarter approach, if a newly published patent application is any indication. The technique would optimize your mobile device's power consumption based on both your daily activities and charging patterns. If your iPhone doesn't get much use during working hours, for instance, it could automatically throttle down for that period. The technology also adjusts power for specific events; check into a long flight and your phone will conserve battery while you're in the air. We don't know if Apple will ever use this energy-saving technology, but the patent is grounded more firmly in reality than others we've seen.

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Via: BGR

Source: USPTO

Tags: apple, battery, ipad, iphone, mac, mobilepostcross, patent, PowerManagement, smartphone, uspto Next: Netflix's Reed Hastings calls out weak net neutrality rules, 'reluctantly' pays ISP tolls
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Gadget Rewind 2004: Apple Cinema HD display (30-inch)

jonturi1 hour ago 0

It's our 10th birthday, and to celebrate we'll be revisiting some of the key devices of the last decade. So please be kind, rewind.

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Apple turns to animated ads for the Apple iPhone 5c

With one recent report showing inventories of the Apple iPhone 5c at over 3 million units and rising, Apple has decided to turn to an animated ad campaign for the handset that was seen on the landing pages of both the New York Times and Yahoo websites. On the latter site, the ad stays inside a box, while on the former's web page, the ad takes over the entire screen with dots before returning to the normal size for a web ad.

The ads, which are interactive, show the Apple iPhone 5c screen covered with the same 35 dot pattern that appears on the phone when it is safely nestled into one of Apple's silicone cases made for the device. Eventually, the ad shows 6 video clips with popular tunes playing in the background. In one clip, Nena's "99 Luftballons" play as images of balloons turn into the dot pattern.

Apple normally doesn't resort to using this style of advertising, but some desperation might be settling in at Cupertino. With a huge number of units taking up space at Pegatron, and retailers and carriers still holding a large number of unsold units, Apple will soon need to clear some room for its new models. Speculation has Apple delivering a 4.7 inch Apple iPhone 6 and a 5.5 inch phablet sized version of the device. Soon, Apple might be forced to turn from pretty animated ads to drastic price cuts as a way to get buyers to remove the iPhone 5c from the shelves.



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DigiTimes: Apple has shelved the 12.9-inch iPad Pro

DigiTimes reports that Apple hasshelved its 12.9-inch iPad Pro project. According to the outlet, thereason is that large-size tablets "lack support from relatedplatform developers and ecosystems", which implies many things.Perhaps these tablets need better productivity apps and otherexperiences that better utilize their screen space and justify theirprice premium.

Reportedly, Apple was planning 2K and4K version of the iPad Pro, along with keyboard covers akin toMicrosoft's Surface offerings. But the company hasn't, and isn'texpected to comment on these rumors, as it has a strict "don'tcomment on rumors and speculations" policy.

So far, it's Samsung at the helm ofPro-sized tablets. Alas, even though Sammy's Galaxy Note Pro12.2-inch behemoth is a great device, it can't be called a good dealfor the money. The report rightfully notes that its price toperformance ratio is weak compared to notebooks in its price range($750

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Apple iPhone 5s continues to be the top selling smartphone in Japan

A survey done in Japan by BCN reveals that the Apple iPhone 5s is the top smartphone in the country. BCN, which measures sales of electronic gadgets in Japan, found that the iPhone 5s had 44.5% of the Japanese smartphone market in February. Combined with the 5.9% share belonging to the Apple iPhone 5c, nearly half of the smartphones sold in the country last month had the Apple logo on the back. That is up from the 44% share that Apple earned in December.

Japan was responsible for $13.5 billion, or 7.9% of Apple's revenues last year. Japan was also responsible for the largest operating margin that Apple was able to produce from any country at 50.7%. For the December 2013 quarter alone, Apple generated 8.6% of its revenue from Japan, which amounted to about $5 billion. 11.6% of its operating profit came from the country during Q4.

Besides Apple, Sony also did well in Japan during February. The highly regarded Sony Xperia Z1 f, which is a version of the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact made for NTT Docomo, captured 2.3% of the market, while the Sony Xperia Z1 accounted for an additional 2%.



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Woz: Snowden is a hero and Apple is the purest of all

Speaking at CeBit in Germany, Apple's co-founder says he understands why some think Edward Snowden is a traitor, but he's not one of them. Moreover, he believes Apple is the purest of all the tech companies.

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Apple changes the iPhone return window from 30 to 14 calendar days

According to a change in Apple's Standard Return Policy, from tomorrow onwards users will have only 14 calendar days to return an iPhone without a reason, regardless if it was bought from an Apple Store or online. This change equalizes the return policies of Apple and its carrier partners, as well as the company's other products. Up until now, the period for returning an Apple smartphone and receiving a refund was 30 days.

The return policy of Apple now clearly states that "you may return your undamaged iPhone with its included accessories within 14 days of purchase for a full refund". However, the company also notes that "returning your iPhone may not automatically cancel or reset your wireless account; you are responsible for your wireless service agreement and for any applicable fees associated with your wireless account".

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Soldier's life saved by his Apple iPhone 5s; Apple waits three months to reward this hero

"http://i-cdn.phonearena.com/images/article/53831-image/Soldiers-life-saved-by-his-Apple-iPhone-5s-Apple-waits-three-months-to-reward-this-hero.jpg" alt

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Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer to retire in September, VP of Finance Luca Maestri takes his place

"http://i-cdn.phonearena.com/images/article/53459-image/Apple-CFO-Peter-Oppenheimer-to-retire-in-September-VP-of-Finance-Luca-Maestri-takes-his-place.jpg" alt

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Apple might turn the iPhone into an answering machine, a recent patent suggests

The Cupertino giant has just patented an audio call screening feature, which might enable iPhone users to listen to a voice message while the caller is leaving it. Apple's US Patent No.8,666,034 allows "a user to screen messages being left at a hosted voicemail system from a telephone terminal".

What does this mean, exactly? Simply put, it's an answering machine for your iPhone. Just as the conventional answering machines for landline phones, Apple's audio call screening system allows you to listen to a voicemail message while the caller is leaving it. If you decide that the call is important, you can answer the phone, thus cancelling the further recording of the given voice message. Of course, you can allow the caller to leave his voice message.

It seems that this call screening system creates a conference call between the caller, the voicemail server, and the telephone terminal. Apple's newly-obtained patent states that "the telephone terminal is equipped to open only the speaker channel for monitroing the message and will provide a fully bi-directional connection using a microphone channel".
This patent was one of the roughly 6,000 patents that Nortel, a network equipment manufacturer, sold to Rockstar, a consortium between Apple, Microsoft, Sony, ant others. After Nortel went bankrupt back in 2011, it sold this plethora of patents to Rockstar for some $4.5 billion.

Only time will reveal if this audio call screening system will make its way to the next iPhone. What are your thoughts on the matter?

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Apple devices said to get free in-flight movies on United

The airlines is reportedly getting ready to debut an Apple-only entertainment service that will let users access more than 150 movies and 200 TV shows while up in the air.

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Apple now warns users of in-app purchase settings in iOS 7.1

Sure, Apple's legal scuffle over in-app purchases made by misbehaving youngsters has ended, but the firm's added a precautionary measure to avoid additional costly mishaps. Among other changes included in iOS 7.1, Cook and Co. snuck in an alert after micro-transactions that tells users similar payments can be made for the next 15 minutes without entering their password. Of course, the notice also directs the wielder of the iOS device to adjust the restriction if it's not to their liking. The 15-minute policy is far from new, but the message is likely a welcome -- albeit tiny -- addition for parents with shopping spree-prone offspring.

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Source: CNET

Tags: apple, In-App Purchases, In-AppPurchases, iOS, iOS7.1, mobilepostcross Next: Yahoo now shows Yelp reviews when you're searching for local businesses
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Daily Roundup: Engadget's 10th birthday, Apple announces CarPlay, and more!

You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.

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Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer To Retire By End Of September, Replaced By VP Of Finance Luca Maestri

Apple has just announced that SVP and CFO Peter Oppenheimer, a longtime fixture on the company’s earnings calls, will be retiring as of September this year. He’ll be replaced by Apple VP of Finance and Corporate Controller Luca Maestri, who will take over the CFO role beginning in June, followed by a gradual handing off of the rest of Oppenheimer’s responsibilities.

Oppenheimer’s tenure at Apple as CFO over the past decade saw Apple’s annual revenue grow from $8 billion to $171 billion, the company notes in a press release. The departing exec says that his decision to leave after 18 years at Apple is based on a desire to live on the central coast of California, to spend more time involved at his alma mater California Polytechnic State University, to spend more time with his family, to travel more and to finally secure his pilot’s license.

During his time at Apple, Oppenheimer served as Controller for the Americans, as well as VP and Worldwide Sales Controller, and then finally Corporate Controller before landing the CFO role. Earlier this week, Oppenheimer made headlines when he joined the board of Goldman Sachs. In his role at Apple, he has been cited as one of the best-compensated CFOs in the world.

Oppenheimer’s replacement has a much shorter tenure at Apple, having just joined the company in March of last year, after occupying CFO roles at both Xerox and Nokia Siemens Networks. Maestri started his career at GM, and eventually rose to the rank of CFO of the carmaker’s entire European operation. When news broke that Apple had hired Maestri away from Xerox (the move was revealed last January but took until March to officially complete), analyst Ben Reitzes of Barclays Capital suggested that the company might be planning a succession strategy for the CFO role, and it looks like that was indeed the case.

Maestri is also known as a buyback expert, and has likely helped Apple execute on its ongoing plan of moving shares from the hands of speculators over to more stable long-term investors. Apple CEO Tim Cook had strong words for investors looking for short-term gain, or high returns at the expense of other considerations at the company’s most recent annual general shareholder meeting.

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How CarPlay Works In A Ferrari FF, And How Apple Will Push New Third-Party Apps To The System

Next StorySkype For Outlook Now Available Worldwide, Adds HD Video Calling SupportFacebookTwitterLinkedInApple CarPlay Hands-on

Apple’s CarPlay is barely out in the wild, and only on display at the Geneva Auto Show with select partners including Ferrari. Our friends over at Engadget got to go hands-on with the in-car infotainment system replacement created by Apple, and are one of the few lucky outlets to have captured the experience on video.

In the video above, you can see Engadget’s Matt Brian taking CarPlay for a test ride in a gorgeous new Ferrari FF. It’s a bit strange to see the Ferrari take a back seat to the software running in its dash, but there’s a lot of interest in Apple’s brand new move into the vehicle information and entertainment software market.

During the demo, an Apple rep takes Brian through operating the system, which really does look like a complete reimagining of how iOS operates designed specifically for the car. As you can tell from the language used by the rep, the interface is intended to minimize distractions and make navigation easy.

Some of the more interesting features include Maps culling potential destinations from your email and your calendar, to try to make it so that you don’t have to dig down multiple levels or run complicated searches just to find out where you’re going. The music app also focuses heavily on the iTunes Radio experience it seems, to enable users to select something quickly and not have to fuss much after the fact. Siri offers hands-free control and the ability to interact with the various CarPlay features throughout the interface, and throughout Ferrari’s own in-car interface as well.

The Apple rep also gave a brief demo of third-party app iHeartRadio in action, and gave this succinct description of how third-party software will be made available for CarPlay in the future:

As the app gets updated to support CarPlay, it will just get updated on your phone and magically show up on your car

It remains unclear whether the API will be made open to all devs, or made available to select partners only.

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