During the Google I/O conference taking place today, Google executives revealed some significant changes to the Maps service that will be released later in the year. Alongside these changes will be the release of a long-awaited iPad version of the popular Google Maps app that was released for iPhone and iPod touch earlier this year. The new app will be available free in the summer and will incorporate the new features that Google is adding to Maps.
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Author Archives: Chris
Google Announces Amazing New Maps And App For iPad
New Solid State Storage Options Have Been Added To iMac
Apple has today added two new storage options to the recently redesigned iMac, giving more flexibility for users who are looking to use solid state storage. The company has now made the iMac available with a solid state drive of either 256GB or 512GB in size, adding to the current Fusion drive offerings (Via MacRumors). The upgrades, which replace the 1TB SATA Hard Drive, are available for $300 and $600 respectively. This is the first time that the 21 inch iMac has been offered with only SSD storage having previously only been available with a 1TB Fusion drive. The 27 inch iMac was previously available with a 768GB SSD but the storage choices now expand with the 256GB and 512GB SSD offerings.
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Rumor: A Picture Of The iPad 5 Rear Panel
An image of what is being described as the rear panel for the unreleased iPad 5 has been published today on the Tactus Blog, apparently showing a device that has a significantly different design compared to the third and fourth generation iPad devices. The picture shows a panel that is narrower in width proportions, likely taking design influences from the iPad mini. The photo appears to back up previous rumors that the next generation iPad would feature a new design with rounded edges and a thinner bezel.
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Rumor: iPad 5 Set For Summer Production
A new report is suggesting that the next generation iPad 5 is expected to go into mass production in July and August of this year. The report comes from Digitimes who have apparently sourced the information from Taiwanese component manufacturers, and who are saying that the device will likely therefore not launch until much later in the year. No details are offered on the new device other than the likelihood that it will be thinner and lighter than the current generation iPad and take design inferences from the iPad mini.
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Apple Releases OS X 10.8.4 Beta For Testing
Apple has released the next update for the Mac operating system to registered members of the Mac Developer program for testing. The seed comes in the form of OS X 10.8.4, which is the next significant update set to be applied to OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion. The beta is the first appearance of 10.8.4 which comes around two weeks after the public release of OS X 10.8.3.
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Rumor: iPhone 5S Will Have A ‘Killer Feature’ To Set It Apart
The next generation iPhone, tentatively named the iPhone 5S, will be launching later this year with a ‘killer feature’ that will set it apart from competitors, according to Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty (via Barrons). The analyst says that, following the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S4, Apple will be looking to surprise consumers this year by releasing an iPhone 5S with a killer feature that will drive users towards the iOS platform, a feature that she says the Galaxy lacks.
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Hey Google; Apple Starts Another Big Recruiting Drive For Improving iOS Maps App
Apple has just posted a large number of new job openings looking for iOS Software Engineers to specifically focus upon improving the Maps application for iOS devices. The recruiting drive, coming hot on the heels of Google’s first major update to their Maps application for iOS devices, calls for ten more positions that will specifically focus on improving various aspects of the Maps app. The company is looking for engineers to work not just on improving the user interface or UI of the Maps app, but also to work on the navigation services in Apple Maps, by ‘implementing new and innovative navigation features’.
The company is also looking for several engineers to work on real time rendering of maps, road labeling and points of interest, rendering of 3D flyovers and improving performance. The new recruitment drive follows on from a similar one early last month which saw another ten positions advertised, all dedicated to improving similar aspects of the Apple Maps app.
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Rumor: Low Cost Polycarbonate iPhone With 4.5 Inch Screen Coming Next Year
A new report is suggesting that Apple will be launching a low cost iPhone with a 4.5 inch screen and a polycarbonate body assembly in 2014, after initial plans for a launch this year have apparently changed. The report, from Macotakara, says that Apple will be targeting a $330 price point for the iPhone in unsubsidized, contract free sales, making the device particularly attractive for developing markets. The device will apparently have 4.5 inch screen, significantly larger than the iPhone 5 screen, and will apparently be of a similar or larger thickness.
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New iMac Now Being Offered In Apple Refurbished Program
The new thinner iMac is now being offered as part of Apple’s refurbished product program allowing consumers to make significant savings when looking to purchase the new and substantially redesigned iMac. The company is offering the 21.5 inch iMac in the refurbished section of the Apple Store with reductions in price of $200 off the base 21.5 inch model (offer price $1099) and $230 off the higher end 21.5 inch model (offer price $1269). The 27 inch model is not available in the refurbished section currently.
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iOS 6.1 JailBreak Is Released
Following on from multiple announcements and status updates regarding an iOS 6.1 jailbreak, the Evad3rs team has finally released the Evasi0n jailbreak to the public. The jailbreak is compatible with iOS devices running iOS 6.0 through 6.1 and supports the iPhone 3GS, 4, 4S and 5, the iPad 2, 3 and 4, the iPad mini and the iPod touch 4 and 5. The Apple TV 2 is also supported although currently not the Apple TV.
The jailbreak comes in the form of an untethered boot meaning that you can restart or power off and on your iOS device without having to connect your device to a Mac or PC to re-enable the boot or the jailbreak. The jailbreak app is a standalone piece of software that can be downloaded for Mac, Windows and Linux systems.
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