Monthly Archives: March 2013

iPad Mini 2 could be available by 3rd or 4th Quarter: DisplaySearch

After the success of iPad Mini which was released in Nov 2012, there is a speculation that Apple may launch iPad Mini 2 in the second half of 2013. The next iteration of iPad Mini is expected to release by the third or fourth quarter.

Paul Semenza, a DisplaySearch analyst, on the basis of supply chain data speculates that the iPad Mini 2 could debue with a Retina screen and an upgraded display with 2,048×1,536-pixel compared to a relatively grainy 1,024×768 display of current iPad Mini. “That’s the typical step up when you go to Retina,” he adds.

Even the pixel density of the new iPad Mini is predictively to go up to an impressionable 324 pixels per inch, compared with the current version’s 163.

Further following the word of Jefferies analyst, Peter Misek, Apple is switching to an IGZO (Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide) display for the 9.7-inch iPad to cut the weight in half and attempt to reboot sales. Though Misek said that Apple will try to release its newest iPad Mini earlier, probably in June, he cautioned that yield problems could push the iPad Mini’s launch to the third quarter, as well. (Source: CNET)

On the other hand an updated Nexus 7 from Google may arrive before the new iPad Mini, Semenza said based on the indications from Asia-based parts suppliers. Read More…

Has Samsung Galaxy S4’s Arrival let Apple “Hushing and Gushing”?

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The arrival of Samsung’s Galaxy S4 might have led the Apple “Hushing and Gushing”. Or else why would Apple felt the urge all of a sudden to launch a new advertising campaign for its iphone highlighting the reasons people love the smartphone through a “Why iPhone” web page?

Dropping on Apple’s US home page I was astonishingly greeted by an iPhone 5 promotion that reads: “iPhone 5. Loving it is easy. That’s why so many people do.” I inquisitively clicked the image that took me to Apple’s iPhone page where again I found something new, “Why iPhone” tab.

Apple’s defensive play is also quite apparent with Apple sending an email to US customers with the subject line: “How will you love it? Let us count the ways,” which had similar content to the “Why iPhone” page on Apple’s website. (Source: MacWorld.co.uk)

Even Normura states that the Galaxy S4 will help Samsung ‘overtake Apple.’ Normura’s checks (including Asian counterparts who cover some of the Apple supply chain) also suggest that the company is not working on a 4.5” to 5” device for launch in 2013. If (this is) correct then AAPL’s competitive position in fast growing emerging markets could continue to wane, and Samsung may become a bigger threat still in Western markets.

Besides some features such as Air Touch, eye tracking that pauses running apps when you look away, the ability to operate the screen with gloves, etc. are all clear differentiators relative to AAPL’s iPhone, in their (Normura’s) eyes. (Source: ValueWalk)

Watch the video to know more about Samsung’s Galaxy S4:

People Crying, Google Reader Dying and I’m Trying Alternatives

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Remember the rendezvous between Larry Page, Google CEO and the great man himself Steve Jobs, back in 2011. It was shortly after Larry Page re-took the reins as CEO of Google replacing Eric Schmidt, (Google CEO then) wanting some profound piece of advice from the head honcho of Apple who already hated Google and its Android for allegedly mocking (or thefting, as Steve Jobs considered) Apple’s iOS.

Obviously Steve Jobs first response for Larry Page was “F you” but then he recalled how HP co-founder Bill Hewlett had been a source of advice for him back in his younger days, Jobs changed his heart putting aside his Android hatred for a bit and imparted the following to Page.

“Figure out what Google wants to be when it grows up. It’s now all over the map,” read the biography of Jobs’ interaction with Page. Later Jobs came to Page with a sharp advising tongue warning Google was making products, “that are adequate but not great. They’re turning you into Microsoft.” (Source: EdibleApple.com)

Yes what you are guessing right now can be quite a fact. Google thereafter in 2012 made an announcement of sending some of its products to the dumpster that may be a ripple of influence from an advice the late Steve Jobs gave to Google CEO, Larry Page. (Source: Forbes.com)

Google Reader’s retirement by July 1st, 2013 can be a part of this “dumping and ditching” that has now angered thousands of internet users.

Google (via its official blog on Wednesday) on the other hand provides ‘two simple reasons’ for closing the service, which was launched in 2005; that are ‘decline in usage of Google Reader and company’s pouring all their energy into fewer products’. (Source: DailyMail.co.uk)

So what I do I do now if I was using Google Reader too? Thinking on that, I remembered reading one of Funkadelic quotes which is “You can find the answer, the solution lies within the problem, the answer is in every question. Dig it? You won’t believe it actually turned true in my case. I had a problem with Google’s move but then Google gave me the solution when I googled “alternatives to Google Reader”

There are plenty of Google Reader Alternatives though to name a few, I’m listing the following:

The Old Reader: It’s the ultimate RSS reader. Just like the old google reader, its user interface renders the required information in a simple and straightforward layout though there is no mobile app to access the feeds on the go, so stay tied to your web browser.
NewsBlur: NewsBlur is another RSS reader that looks similar to Google Reader and is available for free on the web, iPad, iPhone, and Android. Although there are paid plans too for an unlimited subscription at $1/month, since free users can have a maximum of 64 feeds.
Feedly: Feedly is also a popular RSS reader letting people to organize, read and share the content of their favorite sites. Feedly runs on Chrome and Firefox using the service’s extensions, and there are also iOS and Android apps, as well as an app for Kindle devices. The interface will take some getting used to, though, if you’re used to Google Reader, but it has most of the same display options.

Read More about great alternatives to Google Reader.

Twitter set to launch New Music App on iOS by the end of March 2013 – News in the Air

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As per the latest scoop published by CNET, Twitter is planning to launch its music application on iOS by the end of March 2013. The micro-blogging website is prepared to release its app which will have the music streaming feature too. Last year, Twitter acquired “We Are Hunted” and is supposedly going to use the technology of the music discovery service to create a standalone music app.

The users would be able to get the suggestions based on genre and the bands which they follow. Wondering how would the music be streamed? Twitter would be partnering with SoundCloud for the same. Currently Twitter Music account has more than 2.3 million followers and it is believed this Twitter music app is going to be an extension of Twitter music account.

Is Twitter trying to expand to broaden its reach beyond short form content? I think it’s trying to become a full-fledged media company. Earlier this year in January it launched Vine, the video sharing app. Now it seems to be foraying itself in the music discovery field. The new app is in the final stages, report indicates.

The upcoming app would have 4 main tabs namely “Suggested”, “Now Playing”, “Popular” and “Emerging”. These tabs would help the users finding and discovering the songs easily.

The new app is also likely to offer personalized music recommendations based on artists’ following by users, and users’ followers.

Apart from the all this action, the website for “We Are Hunted” goes offline which strongly indicates that Twitter is really up to something. So, keep your fingers crossed till the site is under maintenance. You may not need to wait for long for the new Twitter music launch. Besides, it has already been six months to the acquisition of We Are Hunted by Twitter.

Android or iPad : Let’s see who wins the war

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Tablets had been introduced since the last many years, but were hibernating till Apple launched the iPad in 2010. As iPad and iPhone work on the same OS, people were tempted to buy iPads. Android tablets’ market also boomed because of their cheaper rates and easy to use. Google released an operating system for the smart phones. This OS was called Android. Tablet computers, especially Android tablets gained popularity since then.

Research house International Data Corporation (IDC) predicts and reveals in its new release, that the smaller sized Android tablets would overtake Apple’s market. The market of the Android devices is expected to grow to 49 percent in 2013, which was 42 percent last year.

Being highly portable and having lower price tags, Android tablets hurt Apple’s iPad sales. As the tablets have a touch screen interface, they are enough like iPads. Comparing Apple’s iPad and Android tablets is just like comparing oranges and apples.

According to an article published over reuters, Strategy Analytics, the research firm said Samsung is expected to sell 290 million smart phones in 2013 while Apple is likely to sell 190 million smart phones this year.

Many companies mask their Android tablets as something else. One of the known examples is The Barnes & Noble Nook e-book reader. After Apple released the iPad in April 2010, Motorola released Xoom in February 2011 to compete with the iPad. Xoom is powered by Android and has a sleek look. Motorola wanted to beat iPad, but do you think it worked out?

The available data shows that the shipments of Android based tablets are higher than that of iPad and iPad mini. There is a high rise in the sale of 7-inch Android tablets than the sales of 9.7-inch iPad. 7-inchers are overtaking Apple’s market. The USB connectors are supported in tablets unlike iPads.

Don’t be surpised to know that 545 million units of tablets were sold last year and Apple falls behind Samsung. Isn’t it alarming for Apple?

Let’s think about it from the apps point of view. If Apple users want to buy an app, they need to purchase that from the online App store and every app needs approval before being available for sale. On the other hand, anyone can release an Android app without getting the approval stamp. Hence, more and more users are going for Android apps development.

New tablets hit the markets every week. Everyone is trying to defeat iPad. Non-Apple tablets are gaining popularity because of the lower prices. Will Android tablets be able to overcome iPad’s market? Let’s see…

Will the Latest Update of Google Penguin Make Business Owners Go Mad?

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Google’s Penguin is about to turn a year old posing yet another bigger threat for online and ecommerce businesses that were beleaguered earlier around this time in the previous year.

Important is to ensure that your business doesn’t go crazy with this significant update from Google which has a potential to impact your business…positively or negatively.

If what you have done with your web properties is legitimate in new penguin’s eyes, you will be impacted positively. But, if it is not then, you know what it means…

As per Search Engine Land, the Big G’s Distinguished Engineer and Head of Search Spam, Matt Cutts confirms the significance of the upcoming Penguin update by asserting and anticipating it to be one of the most talked about updates in the year 2013. (Big enough to send ripples through the Search Marketing industry this year.)

But the story doesn’t end here, there is another Punishing “P” from the search engine giant called Google Panda update that is all set to shock and knock, possibly turning most people’s “Friday into a Frustrating Friday (March 15th, 2013) OR Monday into a Mourning Monday (March 18th, 2013)”

(Read the full article on Search Engine Land)

While algorithms and technical details of these updates are not known to many business owners, it is important to understand that now it will not work which used to work in early 2012 and earlier.

No more tactics are going to work to “fool” Google. We have entered a new age where straight, plain value addition (that is, fresh content, legitimate links, no sponsored links or from link networks) is going to thrive not mere “tactics”.

You don’t need to worry if online content that your web properties have are unique, fresh and is still able to add value. You need to, otherwise.

Anyways, this is an opportunity to retrospect and take corrective actions. Ultimately it is your business, isn’t it?