Posts Tagged ‘apple’
Author: nadine Published: November 8th, 2012
When it comes to apps, iPad owners download five times more compared to Android tablet owners, which is why Apple is the dominant force in the tablet market. Can Android tablets such as the Google Nexus 7 put a stop to the iPad’s dominance?
These numbers come to us courtesy of Mobile Application Markets Research Service from ABI Research, which monitors app downloads and their profits.
According to the service, iPads download five times as much apps compared to all Android tablets in the first half of 2012. These estimates, however, were gathered before Google and ASUS launched the Nexus 7. Google also launched the Samsung-made Nexus 10, which is rivals the iPad but is £100 cheaper. Microsoft has also recently launched the Surface tablet.
With the arrival of cheaper Android tablets, we may see a shift in dominance. The Nexus 7 is much cheaper than the iPad mini and offers better specs. This is the same case with the Nexus 10 compared to the bigger iPad. This means that owners of these Android tablets will have more spending money for apps. Microsoft also has the potential to be a huge game-changer, but it first has to create more apps for the platform. Currently, the Microsoft Marketplace lacks apps for both smartphones and tablets.
When it comes to smartphones, Android handset owners download apps 30% more compared to iPhone owners. We’re expecting smartphone app downloads from iPhones to rise later this year, since Apple launched the iPhone 5 a few months back.
We’ll be waiting for ABI to post new figures for the second half of 2012 to see if cheaper Android tablets have made a difference.
Do you own an iPad, or do you own an Android tablet? Do you download a lot of apps for your Google Nexus 7? Let us know through a comment on our Facebook page.
Tags: Android, apple, Apps, Google, Google Nexus 7, iPad, iPad Mini
Category App News |
Author: chris Published: November 3rd, 2012
The Apple iPad mini has just recently went on sale, but this hasn’t stopped iFixit from taking the 7.9-inch tablet apart. The teardown reveals a lot of adhesive, which makes it near-impossible to repair. It also reveals the use of Samsung components.
The folks at iFixit had to make use of a heating tool to remove the adhesive that holds the device together. Only after the adhesive has been melted off were they able to remove the device’s screen.
In the video, it’s interesting to see that the touchscreen still works even after it has been pulled off from the casing. It will still work provided that the panel is still connected.
Upon taking the device apart, to our surprise, the device still makes use of Samsung components. The Korean tech giant-made component in question is a display driver integrated circuit.
Although there may be other iPad minis that have different drivers made by other companies, it’s surprising to see a Samsung component in this unit. This also dispels the rumour that Apple now refuses to use the S3-maker’s parts due to the legal battles the two are currently embroiled in.
If you manage to damage the smaller version of the iPad, there is little chance for you to repair the device yourself. Aside from the adhesive, tiny screws hold everything together. Furthermore, the smaller Lightning connector is soldered to the logic board, which complicates further tinkering.
By Apple’s standards, the iPad mini starting at £269 is one of the company’s more affordable devices. The Google Nexus 7, on the other hand, sports more powerful hardware, but will only set you back £160.
Have your hands on an iPad mini? Are you surprised the device comes with Samsung components, or did you expect this? Let us know through a comment on our Facebook page.
Tags: apple, Apple iPad Mini, iPad Mini, mini iPad, samsung, smaller iPad
Category Hardware News |
Author: nadine Published: November 1st, 2012
After Apple gives two execs the can, Sir Jony Ive now heads both hardware and software.
Ive, the industrial designer behind the iPhone, now heads Apple’s new department called the Human Interface, which involves designing both hardware and software.
Scott Forstall is one of the apple heads that have been fired. He was the man in charge of iOS. He was also the man who introduced Siri. Sadly, he was also in charge of the Apple Maps app, which turned out to be a complete mess.
When Apple rolled out iOS 6, Google Maps was given the boot and was replaced by the Maps app on iPads and iPhones. Sadly, it turned out to be filled with bugs misnaming places and not showing landmarks. Due to the mess, Tim Cook, Apple CEO, was forced to issue a public apology. According to reports, Forstall refused to acknowledge his mistake.
With Ive sitting on the helm of hardware and software design, iOS and OS X may be given a refreshed look. When Forstall headed the software department, his software design was based on Skeumorphism, which made the interface resemble actual objects. For example, the Notes app looks like a real notebook, wherein users can flip from page to page like an actual notebook. The eBook app is another example. It looks like a real bookshelf.
Forstall’s Skeumorphic design may have looked good, but has made a lot of apps look dated in recent versions. When it came to hardware, Ive is known for his clean and sleek designs. This means that we may see his style incorporated in software as well.
Another Apple exec who parted with the Cupertino firm is John Browett, former head of retail. According to reports, he was fired due to reducing the number of staff in Apple stores.
Do you think Jony Ive will do better for software just like he did with hardware? Share your opinion through a comment on our Facebook page.
Tags: apple, hardware, Human Interface, John Browett, Jony Ive, Scott Forstall, software
Category OS News |
