Apple to unveil iPhone software overhaul - Telegraph.co.uk

"The training wheels can now come off. That's what I think Apple's going to do."

It will be the first software update led by Sir Jonathan. He has previously led the design of hardware, but last year took control of software too when Scott Forstall, the previous executive in charge, was ousted in the wake of the embarrassment over Apple Maps. The replacement for Google maps was widely seen as a disaster, offering incomplete and inaccurate maps.

Mr Forstall was an advocate of iOS's textures and fake leather effects, in contrast to Sir Jonathan's minimalist and function-led approach to hardware design. Before Mr Forstall's departure, the Briton diplomatically declined to comment of Apple's software in an interview with The Telegraph.

Although WWDC is not used by Apple as a forum for major hardware announcements, the software update will be closely watched by investors for signs that Tim Cook and the company are responding to the strong competition they now face.

The rise of Samsung to become the world's number one smartphone maker this year and the slowdown in Apple's growth with the launch of the iPhone 5 have prompted more questions than ever about forthcoming products. Mr Cook has resolutely refused to be drawn, maintaining the company's secrecy despite a drop of 35pc in Apple's share price since September.

Since iOS appeared, Google's Android mobile operating system has become dominant in the market, for instance. Both it and Microsoft's Windows Phone software have introduced home screens that are constantly updated with fresh information from Facebook and Twitter, while iPhone owners are presented with a static grid of icons.

But Apple will be careful not to impose too much change at once, for fear of alienating hundreds of millions of loyal iPhone and iPad users, who typically rush to upgrade their software as soon as a new version. Research last week found 93pc of iPhones in North America run iOS6, released last September. Less than a third of Android users are on the latest version of Google' rival software.

As well as the iOS update, Apple is expected to announce a music streaming service to rival Spotify. Dubbed "iRadio" by observers, the new service is expected to be supported by advertising.

BBC launches standalone weather app on Android and iOS, includes hourly UK ... - Engadget

BBC Weather today launched a mobile application for iOS and Android devices in the UK. The free app enables you to keep ahead of the weather by taking BBC Weather's accurate and in-depth information with you on-the-go.

As soon as you open the app it will automatically detect your location and give you an instant overview of the weather conditions wherever you are. It also gives quick access to the 5-day forecast with the option to look up further detail such as hourly UK forecasts, and three hourly forecasts for international locations, for the next 48 hours. You can find other destinations from the UK and abroad with a simple search and save them to a customisable list of your favourite places.

The app lets you make the most of this summer's big events with Glastonbury, Wimbledon and the British Grand Prix all approaching. With regular updates for the weather and other information including UV, pollen count, wind speed and humidity, you'll always know when to take out the brolly, put on the sun screen, or stock-up on hay fever supplies. And when the summer has been and gone, you can still keep ahead of the snow, sleet and showers.

The app follows a huge increase in users accessing BBC Weather's services from mobile devices over the last year, and brings the breadth of its highly trusted information into a simple, clean and intuitive design. The look and feel is consistent across iOS and Android with subtle differences, such as navigation and search, that are designed to be instantly familiar to users of each platform.

All information and data can be found in either version of the app, but Android users can also add a widget on the device's home screen and share favourite locations over NFC (Near-Field Communications) by simply touching two compatible devices together.

Liz Howell, Head of BBC Weather, said: "The new BBC Weather app is the perfect companion for this summer's great British sport and music events. We know that our audiences really want that at-a-glance forecast when they're out and about, with the option of digging for further detail when they need or want to. That's exactly what we've delivered, squeezing in all of our trusted data into an app that's simple to use and looks fantastic."

James Metcalfe, Senior Product Manager for Weather, BBC Future Media, said: "We're making BBC Weather truly mobile with the launch of our new app. As so many of our audiences access BBC Weather from iOS and Android devices, we can now offer them an even better way to keep ahead of the weather on-the-go. This represents a significant milestone in our commitment to provide a world-class weather service to audiences across four screens – desktop, mobile, tablet and connected TV."

The app is freely available to download now on iOS from the Apple iTunes App Store and on Android via Google Play.

BBC Weather app launches for iPhone and Android smartphones - The Guardian (blog)

The BBC has been criticised in the past for seeming to favour Apple's iOS over Google's Android when launching new mobile apps. Its latest release, BBC Weather, is available on both platforms from launch.

The free smartphone app is available in the UK for iPhone and for Android, offering weather forecasts up to five days ahead, as well as information on UV, pollen count, wind speed and humidity.

It looks the same across iPhone and Android, although the latter version comes with a homescreen widget and the ability to share locations with other devices via NFC, to take advantage of features that aren't available on iOS. Both versions include accessibility features for text-to-speech users.

According to the BBC, it has seen a "huge increase" in people accessing its weather services from mobile devices in the last year, which spurred its decision to develop native apps to sit alongside its existing mobile-optimised website.

"We know that our audiences really want that at-a-glance forecast when they're out and about, with the option of digging for further detail when they need or want to," says BBC Weather head Liz Howell in a statement. "That's exactly what we've delivered, squeezing in all of our trusted data into an app that's simple to use and looks fantastic."

The BBC Weather app faces plenty of competition on iOS and Android, though. Yahoo launched its Yahoo Weather iPhone app in April 2013, pulling in photographs of different weather conditions in locations around the world from its Flickr photography community.

Popular apps are also available for both iOS and Android from the UK's Met Office, The Weather Channel, AccuWeather and WeatherBug, among other developers.

One thing missing from the BBC Weather app – for now at least – is video. The app does not stream weather reports broadcast on its TV and news channels, focusing instead on the pure forecast data. BBC Weather's Carol Kirkwood appears in the promo video for the new app, but not within the app itself.

BBC Weather app launches for iPhone and Android smartphones - The Guardian

The BBC has been criticised in the past for seeming to favour Apple's iOS over Google's Android when launching new mobile apps. Its latest release, BBC Weather, is available on both platforms from launch.

The free smartphone app is available in the UK for iPhone and for Android, offering weather forecasts up to five days ahead, as well as information on UV, pollen count, wind speed and humidity.

It looks the same across iPhone and Android, although the latter version comes with a homescreen widget and the ability to share locations with other devices via NFC, to take advantage of features that aren't available on iOS. Both versions include accessibility features for text-to-speech users.

According to the BBC, it has seen a "huge increase" in people accessing its weather services from mobile devices in the last year, which spurred its decision to develop native apps to sit alongside its existing mobile-optimised website.

"We know that our audiences really want that at-a-glance forecast when they're out and about, with the option of digging for further detail when they need or want to," says BBC Weather head Liz Howell in a statement. "That's exactly what we've delivered, squeezing in all of our trusted data into an app that's simple to use and looks fantastic."

The BBC Weather app faces plenty of competition on iOS and Android, though. Yahoo launched its Yahoo Weather iPhone app in April 2013, pulling in photographs of different weather conditions in locations around the world from its Flickr photography community.

Popular apps are also available for both iOS and Android from the UK's Met Office, The Weather Channel, AccuWeather and WeatherBug, among other developers.

One thing missing from the BBC Weather app – for now at least – is video. The app does not stream weather reports broadcast on its TV and news channels, focusing instead on the pure forecast data. BBC Weather's Carol Kirkwood appears in the promo video for the new app, but not within the app itself.

Apple MacBook Air - CNET (blog)

Apple updated its MacBook Air line today at WWDC, and we got our hands on the new 11-inch Air to start reviewing. Stay tuned for all of that soon, but for now here are the details.

Apple's latest MacBook Airs don't change the equation, but they do finesse the product further with new Intel fourth-gen "Haswell" processors and some new features like improved 802.11ac Wi-Fi.

Lower price
The Air's base price remains $999, making it the cheapest MacBook in town. But you get more for your money: 128GB of SSD storage, as opposed to 64GB last year. The step-up $1,199 model doubles that storage to 256GB. Upgrading to 512GB costs less than last year, too: you can get an 11-inch 512GB Air for $1,499 -- not cheap, but finally a price range that's more acceptable.

Design
Swap someone's 2012 MacBook Air with the 2013 model and he'll never know the difference until he starts using it. Cosmetically, it's identical to last year's version: same aluminum unibody construction, same ports, same 1,366x768-pixel 11.6-inch display, same keyboard and clickable trackpad.

That formula works; in fact, the Air's still one of the best-feeling laptops, all-around, that exists. But, it's no longer a cutting-edge design. It is, however, a nearly perfect one for standard laptop use.

Keep in mind, Apple doesn't tend to make sweeping design changes to its products every year...or even every three years. The thicker MacBook Pro's stayed virtually identical-looking since 2008. The Air, too, has settled into a form. Kudos to Apple for figuring out a formula that worked and kept somewhat timeless, but it's not exciting, new stuff.

Performance
The 11-inch Air doesn't make any compromises: it's practically the same machine as the larger 13-inch Air, from the processors to the integrated graphics to RAM and SSD storage options. All you're giving up on the smaller Air, it seems, is the smaller screen and less battery life (and an SD card slot). The 11-inch Air's closed the gap big time.

A new dual-core fourth-generation Intel Core i5 processor should offer a decent bump over last year, but the graphics and SSD speed could be even bigger factors. Apple claims the new SSD technology in these Airs offers significant speed improvements over last year's model.

Intel's new fourth-gen Core i5 and i7 processors are geared toward ultrabooks, setting things up perfectly for the Air. Indeed, the 9-hour and 12-hour battery life claims on the new Airs are a big step up from the 5- and 7-hour battery results we got when we reviewed last year's models. Of course, these processors should also offer some speed bumps over last year. Once again, dual-core Core i5 and i7 processors are the options.

Graphics get a bump up to Intel HD 5000, which, based on our initial CNET tests on Haswell laptops, should provide another good step up in gaming and photo/video work.

Count 802.11ac Wi-Fi as another performance boost, providing you have an 802.11ac-capable router like Apple's new AirPort Express and Time Capsule; 802.11ac is a new Wi-Fi standard that's appearing in many new PCs this year.

Stay tuned for a full review.

Microsoft's Xbox One to carry £429 price tag - The Guardian

Microsoft has revealed that its new Xbox One games console will carry an expensive price tag of over £400 when it is launched in November.

The US firm announced at the E3 electronic entertainment trade show in Los Angeles that its latest piece of hardware will set gamers back £429.

It came just hours before Microsoft's rival Sony was set to raise the curtain on its new PlayStation 4, pushing the next-gen console wars between both tech giants to fever pitch.

Microsoft's presentation saw the unveiling of Xbox One games, with a mix of legendary franchises such as Metal Gear Solid and Halo together with a clutch of new titles.

It also introduced new features such as Twitch, which will allow players to broadcast their gaming sessions live online.

Video games expert Daniel Krupa, who writes for entertainment website IGN, said: "At £429, the Xbox One will be an expensive investment when it launches in November – but Microsoft's wide array of games was a clear statement of intent for those who worried it might focus too heavily on the entertainment features.

"They have significantly invested in a wide range of gaming experiences, from triple-A blockbusters to quieter indie titles, and games for kids.

"From what we've seen so far, both Microsoft and Sony want to make next-gen gaming a more social experience, even allowing you to broadcast your gaming session live to the internet.

"The price is high, but the Xbox One right now has bags of functionality and promise.

"All eyes are now on Sony to see what they have up their sleeves for round two."

The Xbox One, described as an "all-in-one system" for games, live television, films and music, was first unveiled at Microsoft's US headquarters in Redmond, Washington, last month.

It incorporates a Blu-ray drive, the use of video calling service Skype, and an upgraded Kinect camera which allows the device to better analyse body movements.

Sony is due to offer gamers a first complete view of its new PS4 at E3 later in the day, following a sneak preview revealed some details earlier this year.

It is the first major games machine the Japanese firm has built since the PlayStation 3 went on sale in 2006.

New features are expected to focus on social networking and remote access, and Sony's device also includes a button allowing users to broadcast video of play to friends.

Meanwhile, Apple also made a third major tech revelation on the day as it showcased its newest operating system at a developers conference in San Francisco, California.

Microsoft also unveiled new games for its Xbox 360, which was first released in 2005, after the company said it cared about gamers' investment in the console.

Stuart Miles, who runs tech website Pocket Lint, said he had been surprised by the sheer number of games that Microsoft presented.

"They are still relying on the Halos of this world, but there are also nicer, smaller titles which shows they are not just regurgitating sequel after sequel," he said.

Asked about the pricing of the Xbox One, he said: "Whether they are pushing the outer limits of what people can accept is debatable, but there is a lot of tech in there so they have to price it that way.

"It is a tough sell but the reality is, if you want it you want it, and that is probably the price it should be – and there is the appetite and the games to go with it."

Referring to the "console wars", Miles said: "I think Sony's is the more exciting presentation because they have got the new box to launch and there is more still to come, whereas people kind of feel they know everything about the Xbox One by now.

"But that could all change in a matter of hours."

Apple unveils iTunes Radio – and says it will be free to iPhone and iPad users - The Guardian

Apple has unveiled iTunes Radio, an online streaming music radio service which could have up to 300 million users within a year, directly challenging a similar service from Google as well as smaller companies such as Sweden's Spotify, US-based Pandora and British-based Last.fm.

The company also showed off new iPhone software and new computers in a riposte to critics who have complained that its pace of innovation has slowed.

"Can't innovate any more my ass," said marketing chief Phil Schiller, announcing a forthcoming Mac Pro desktop computer which will be assembled in the US.

The new music service will be available free to hundreds of millions of iPhone and iPad users from this autumn when new software for the devices, called iOS 7, is released.

Chief executive Tim Cook was bullish over the position of the iPhone, amid complaints that the company has lost ground to Google's Android mobile software.

He pointed to Google statistics showing that the most-used version of Android dates from autumn 2010 to claim that iOS 6, released with the iPhone 5 last year, is the world's most-used mobile operating system.

He called the upcoming iOS 7 software "the biggest change to iOS [the software powering the iPhone] since the iPhone".

The software uses subtle 3D effects and adds elements such as wireless filesharing between phones as the feature race intensifies.

Cook also pointed out that there are already 300 million users of its iTunes service. That means it could steamroller its smaller rivals once it is released beyond the US.

Eddy Cue, the software and services chief who inked the rights deals in the US with the major labels including Sony just before the weekend, said it would be available in the US from the autumn, and "other countries will be added over time".

That will rely on contracts being drawn up with other music labels and publishers in other countries, but Apple has previously shown its ability to persuade record labels to join in with it – stretching back a decade to the launch of its iTunes Music Store in 2003.

Spotify, launched in 2006, has more than six million paying subscribers, while Pandora, started in 2005, has 200 million registered users who use its service for free. Last.fm, owned by CBS, has struggled to make a profit.

Apple's stations will be powered by its Genius service, introduced in 2008, which scans users' music libraries to find songs they typically play or own. That gives the company a huge lead in data about user preferences over its smaller rivals.

While Spotify has the lead for now in offering offline playlists and social elements, Apple's service is effectively cheaper – with no limits announced on listening time per month, unlike Spotify which has cut back on free listening per month due to the licensing costs associated with songs.

Apple will aim to cover those costs by selling ads, though people who pay the annual $29 (£19) fee for its cloud music storage service will get an ad-free version.

Oleg Fomenko, chief executive and founder of the mobile music discovery service Bloom.fm, said: "Apple's vast user-base will undoubtedly guarantee healthy traffic, and as such the service will be an attractive proposition for advertisers, but will this create significant and sustainable revenue for rights holders and artists?

"We've heard talk of the major labels securing attractive deals and healthy revenue shares from Apple but the standalone viability of an ad-funded model still remains to be proven."