Apple to launch 13-Inch, 15-Inch MacBooks in 2016

March 23, 2016

International tech giants, Apple, are planning to launch new 13-inch and 15-inch models of the MacBook in 2016.

According to reports, the Cupertino-based company is gearing to out the new devices as early as the second quarter of this year (April-June).

The new computers will then likely go on sale during the third quarter, between July and September.

The supposed forthcoming 13-inch MacBook and 15-inch MacBook will offer a similar design to the existing 12-inch MacBook, which it launched last year, reports say.

It’s also believed that the new models will be “thinner” than the existing MacBook Air lineup.

Reports added that the new lineup of MacBooks will probably feature only a single USB-C port, just like the 12-inch MacBook.

The new OS X machines will also come with Intel’s Skylake processors, and are rumoured to sport the Thundebolt 3 feature.

It’s said that other computer making companies like Asus, Dell, and Lenovo are also preparing to launch ultra-thin notebooks around the same time.

It is not clear if Apple also plans to launch new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.

Earlier reports had suggested that Apple will likely refresh its entire Mac line – the MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, iMac, Mac Mini – later this year.

These computing devices are also expected to be powered by the sixth-generation Intel ‘Skylake’ Core processor which Apple currently doesn’t use in its notebook lineup.

The Skylake processor offers improved power efficiency and could help Apple further cut down on the thickness of its MacBooks.

Several notebooks and hybrid devices from rivals such as Microsoft’s Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 are already being powered by Intel’s Skylake processor.

Apple shipped 20.38 million Mac products in 2015, capturing a growth of 4.08 percent. It’s expected that the forthcoming ultra-thin MacBook will cause the firm to see a further growth in 2016.

Microsoft rolls out Windows 10 upgrade for Lumia phones

Emmanuel

March 19, 2016

Software giants, Microsoft, have finally begun roll out of Windows 10 Mobile operating system to Lumia phones and other selected devices running on Windows 8.1.

There are a lot of great new features in Windows 10 Mobile, like Continuum, Windows Hello, Cortana and so on.

Microsoft announced the roll out in a blog post, assuring that it is focused on delivering a high quality experience for its customers.

The upgrade is however not available to all phones. Microsoft released a list of compatible devices which include Nokia branded devices like the Nokia Lumia 1520, Lumia 930, Lumia 730, Lumia 735, and Lumia 830,

Others include Microsoft Lumia 640, Lumia 640XL, 532, Lumia 535, 540, 635 1 GB, 636 1 GB, 638 1 GB, Lumia 430 and Lumia 435. The BLU Win HD w510u, BLU Win HD LTE x150q, and the MCJ Madosma Q501 will also get the upgrade.

Microsoft added that users can download the Windows 10 Upgrade Advisor app from the Windows Store to see if their phone will get the upgrade.

The update will most likely be handled differently depending on where one lives or what carrier one has on his or her phone.

As expected, the list of compatible devices skews pretty heavily toward hardware crafted by Microsoft and Nokia.

As a result, it is unclear how many more devices will eventually get Microsoft’s Windows 10 blessing. However there’s a good chance users of other devices will get the upgrade in the near future.

Noticeably, Microsoft was quick to admit in its blog post that many older devices are not able to successfully upgrade without an impact on the customer experience.

“As Windows 10 delivers significant new innovations, many older devices are not able to successfully upgrade without an impact on the customer experience. Our goal is to only offer the Windows 10 upgrade to devices that we are confident can continue to deliver a good customer experience,” the software giant said.

Hubble Space Telescope discovers 9 new Monster Stars

Emmanuel

March 19, 2016

An international team of astronomers has identified nine monster stars in the star cluster R136 with the aid of the Hubble Space Telescope.

The cluster R136 is about 170,000 light-years away from the earth and is located in the Tarantula Nebula, within the Large Magellanic Cloud.

According to a report from NASA, the young cluster hosts many extremely massive, hot and luminous stars whose energy is mostly radiated as ultraviolet rays.

Apart from being extremely massive, the stars are also extremely bright. Together they outshine the Earth’s Sun 30 million times.

The astronomers also studied the outflows of these nine stars and discovered that they eject masses as heavy as the Earth every month at a speed approaching one percent of the speed of light.

This results in extreme weight loss throughout their brief lives, the astronomers reasoned.

The discovery makes it the largest sample of very massive stars to be identified to date. However, the origin of the stars remains unclear.

“There have been suggestions that these monsters result from the merger of less extreme stars in close binary systems,” Saida Caballero-Nieves, a co-author of the study, explained.

“From what we know about the frequency of massive mergers, this scenario can’t account for all the really massive stars that we see in R136, so it would appear that such stars can originate from the star formation process,” Caballero-Nieves added.

The new find could bring new findings about how huge stars develop. The scientists also said that it was a worthwhile demonstration of the powers of the Hubble Space Telescope, which is ageing and is less powerful than new telescopes that are to be launched in coming years.

“The ability to distinguish ultraviolet light from such an exceptionally crowded region into its component parts, resolving the signatures of individual stars, was only made possible with the instruments aboard Hubble,” Paul Crowther, lead author of the study said.

Worldwide wearables shipments to hit 110 million units – IDC

Jia Khan

March 18, 2016

According to a report of the International Data Corp, global wearable shipments are expected to hit the 110 million units mark, indicating a growth rate of 38.2%, by the end of 2016.

According to IDC, Apple Watch was anticipated to lead the market in 2016 with a 49.4% market share. Apple Watch will be chased by Android Wear watches, driven by Alphabet Inc’s Android OS, with 21.4% market share.

It has been projected by the IDC that Apple will ship 14 million units of its Watch in 2016, as opposed to the 11.6 million units predicted for last year.

In addition, IDC has also predicted that the shipment of Android watches, manufactured by brands including Motorola and LG, to reach 6.1 million units in 2016.

According to Jitesh Ubrani, IDC analyst:

“Although smartwatches like the Apple Watch or Android wear devices capture the spotlight, they will only account for a quarter of all wearables in 2016.”

IDC has also stated that the market for wearable devices is predicted to rise in double-digit percentage through 2015 to 2020, with shipments reaching 237.1 million units in 2020.

Ramon Llamas, Research Manager for International Data Corp’s wearables team, said in his statement:

“With few exceptions, this part of smartwatch market is still in its initial stages. We expect to see major changes, with smartwatches that actually look like watches, user interfaces that are easier than swipes and gestures, applications that rival those on out smartphones, and connections to networks, systems and other devices. This puts pressure on smartwatch platforms to develop further from where they are today,”

Wearable devices basically include watches and wristbands that can conveniently augment the user’s handset and are capable of tracking his heart rate, calories burned etc.

However, the classification has been augmenting with the release of latest products like audio devices, eye wear and clothing.

Razer Blade 2016 with upgraded specs unveiled at GDC 2016

Emmanuel

March 17, 2016

Razer has launched another upgrade to its Blade laptop range at the Game Developers Conference 2016. The new laptop is lighter, more powerful and less expensive than its predecessor.

The new Razer Blade laptop comes in two configurations – a 256GB storage model at $1,999 (roughly 400,000 Naira), and 512GB storage model at $2,199 (roughly 440,000 Naira). The pre-orders have already started and the shipping is expected to start by April 2016.

According to Razer, the overall design of the Blade remains unchanged from last year. It however said it shaved almost a quarter pound of weight (bringing it down to 4.25lbs) off the CNC-machined aluminum chassis without compromising any structural integrity.

Both configurations of the new Blade are powered by Intel’s sixth-generation Core i7 processor coupled with a whooping 16GB of DD4 RAM.

This is further supported by Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 970M graphics processor with 6GB of VRAM. They also come in a 14-inch, 3200 x 1800 pixel IGZO touchscreen display.

Furthermore, the new Razer Blade laptop features a 2-megapixel webcam and built-in stereo speakers which are powered by Dolby Digital.

It measures 17.7×345.4×236.2mm, weighs approximately 1.9kg and is backed by a 70W/h rechargeable li-ion battery.

The gaming laptop is compatible with Razer’s Core enclosure for desktop graphics cards. It supports USB Type-C Thunderbolt 3 connectivity along with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth v4.1, and Micro-USB 3.0.

The laptop additionally comes with Chroma keyboard, which was featured in the company’s recently launched Razer Blade Stealth notebook. The keyboard includes backlit RBG keys displaying several colour patterns.

Razer has been making Blade laptops for three years and has always positioned them as sleek, stylish alternatives to the chunky gaming laptops other companies produce.

The new Razer Blade is no different: it’s even sleeker, more powerful, and offers more gamer-centric features than ever.

This is the fifth upgrade of the Blade laptop. It is not a marathoner as its battery isn’t very powerful. However it will suit gamers who want a portable machine that doesn’t compromise on power.

Dell XPS 12, XPS 13 high-end Laptops launched

Emmanuel

March 15, 2016

Dell has launched two new high end devices, the Dell XPS 12 and XPS 13 laptops in India with impressive display features.

The new Dell XPS 12 is a hybrid device and it features a 4K display. It has a starting price of Rs. 1,24,990 (that’s about 370,000 Naira) and will be sold exclusively in India from Dell.co.in.

The Dell XPS 13 on the other hand has a starting price of Rs. 76,990 (that’s approximately 230,000 Naira ). Both laptops are powered by sixth generation Intel ‘Skylake’ Core processors and will come in different configurations.

The XPS 12 according to Dell is the only hybrid computing device to offer a 4K (Ultra HD) display. The device is a 2-in-1 laptop that can also serve as a tablet.

Its keyboard side connects to the display part using a magnetic connection. It also comes with mobility base, which provides a full-size backlit keyboard, and precision touchpad for working on-the-go. The device also comes with a stylus.

The hybrid laptop sports a 12 inch screen, an 8-megapixel camera on the back and a 5-megapixel front sensor.

The Dell XPS 12 is powered by Intel Core M5 processor, coupled with 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD. Other features include a USB 3.1 Gen 2 port and a 30Whr battery. It runs on Windows 10 operating system.

On the other hand, the Dell XPS 13 features a 13.3-inch full-HD InfinityEdge (1920×1080 pixels) with a bezel that is only 5.2mm thick.

The starting variant is powered by an Intel Core i3 processor coupled with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD. On board is also an HD webcam with two USB 3.0 ports. The Dell XPS 13 runs Windows 10 Home version.

Users also have the option to choose a higher variant of the XPS 13 for Rs. 1,34,990 (that’s around 400,000 Naira).

This variant features 6th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, 256 of SSD, and a display with FHD+ resolution (3200×1800 pixels).

The company says that the FHD variant of the Dell XPS 13 can last for up to 18 hours and 14 minutes under normal use.

Scientists Detect Mysterious Infrared Light from Space

Emmanuel

March 11, 2016

A research team of astronomers has detected strange infrared rays from space while using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), the world’s largest ground-based facility for observations in the millimetre/submillimetre regime in Chile.

The researchers, from the University of Tokyo, After accumulating millimetre-waves from faint objects throughout the universe, said such objects are fully responsible for the enigmatic infrared background light filling the Universe.

The Universe looks dark in the parts between stars and galaxies, baffling scientists. Astronomers discovered that there is faint but uniform light, called the “cosmic background emission,” coming from all directions in space.

This background emission has three main components; Cosmic Optical Background (COB), Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), and Cosmic Infrared Background (CIB).

The origins of the first two have already been found. The COB comes from a huge number of stars, and the CMB comes from hot gas just after the Big Bang. Less is known about the origin of CIB, until now.

“The origin of the CIB is a long-standing missing piece in the energy coming from the Universe. We devoted ourselves to analysing the gigantic ALMA data in order to find the missing piece,” said Seiji Fujimoto, a member of the team.

The researchers analysed the vast amount of Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA) data taken during about 900 days in total looking for faint objects.

They also searched the datasets extensively for lensed sources, where huge gravity has magnified the source making even fainter objects visible.

They discovered 133 faint objects, including an object five times fainter than any other ever detected. They found that the entire CIB can be explained by summing up the emissions from such objects.

Dust in galaxies absorbs optical and infrared light and re-emits the energy in longer millimetre waves which can be detected with ALMA.

“However, we have no idea what the rest of them are. I speculate that they are galaxies obscured by dust. Considering their darkness, they would be very low-mass galaxies,” Masami Ouchi, also from University of Tokyo, said.

New range of Dell Latitude Laptops and Convertibles launched in India

Jia Khan

March 10, 2016

Dell launched the latest Latitude 13 (7370) 7000 ultrabook and Latitude 12 (7275) 7000 2-in-1 tablet at the start of 2016, in Januray. The company launched both devices in India. The latest launch of Dell devices also featured a new range of Dell Latitude laptops.

According to Dell, Latitude 13 7370 ultrabook is the smallest business ultrabook in the 13-inches category. Dell Latitude 13 7370 was designed using carbon fiber and aerospace-quality materials.

Dell Latitude 13 7370 sports a 13.3-inch InfinityEdge display. The ultrabook features slim bezels. The laptop can offer QHD+ resolution. Under the hood, Latitude 13 7370 features 6th gen Intel processors up to Core m7, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage.

Dell Latitude 13 7370 is pre-installed with Windows 10. The laptop offers USB Type-C connectivity, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v4.1, Micro-USB 3.0 featuring the support for Thunderbolt 3, 4G LTE connectivity option and microSD card reader.

Dell has claimed that Latitude 13 7370 will offer up to 10 hours of battery life for the ultrabook.

On the other hand, Dell Latitude 7275 7000 flaunts a 12.5 inches 4K UHD display. The screen has been offered Gorilla Glass protection.

The device is driven by the latest Core M processor coupled with 4GB RAM. Innards of the device reveal 6th-gen Intel Core M processor, 512GB SSD storage and 8GB RAM.

The 2 in 1 devices offer an 8MP rear and a 5MP front lens. The device also included the Active Pen stylus as an optional.

The upgraded line-up of the Dell Latitude devices features Latitude 3000, 5000 and 7000 series laptops. All these devices have been custom made for catering the workplace or business requirements of the professionals.

The new Dell 27 Wireless and UltraSharp 27 Wireless monitors and Dell Thunderbolt Dock accessories featuring type C USB connectivity were launched alongside the latest laptops.

Besides the ultrabook and 2-in-1, Dell also launched the upgraded line of its Latitude that are aimed for workplace.

Dell even launched the devices with Ultra Sharp InfinityEdge displays. Finally, Dell Dock equipped with USB Type-C ports were also launched.

The price of the Latitude 3000 series starts at Rs 44999, Latitude 5000 series is priced at Rs 54999 while the Latitude 7000 series hangs a tag of Rs 64999.

Android N Developer Preview images with Multi-window, Data Saver and more now available

Jia Khan

March 10, 2016

The Android N Developer Preview is now available. In a surprising move, Google released the developer version of the new Android edition before the speculated time.

Quite a few changes appear in this latest version of Android. The most apparent changes are the native Multi-Window support and enhanced Notification.

For developers, Google has introduced various fresh APIs inside the Android N code. Updates for Doze are one of the many features of the latest Android N.

The multi-Window support enables different apps to be displayed side by side using the split-screen feature.

This feature will allow enhanced productivity as the users have the freedom to open more than one apps alongside each other. The feature will be most interesting in the Android TVs. Google describes the feature for Android TV as:

“activities can also go into picture-in-picture mode on devices like TVs, and is a great feature for apps that play video; be sure to set ‘android:supportsPictureInPicture’ to true to take advantage of this.”

Enhanced Notification implies that Android N is more focused on the avatars. Thus, a notification characterized by an image will allow the user to identify it readily.

Android N also introduces the new feature of Bundle Notifications, which resemble the ones in Android Wear. The bundled up messages and notifications allow readability and ease to the end-user.

Inline replies are another new feature of Android N thus allowing the users to respond quickly to the received messages.Unlike the popup window in Hangouts, the user will reply using the notification shade.

GoogleDoze for Android N has been updated to prevent the apps from accessing CPU even when the smartphone is in the pocket or rests on the desk. This feature is meant to enhance the battery life of your device.

Quick Settings tiles have also been updated for Android N thus ensuring more space. This will make the customization process easier. However, Google does not recommend using this feature for app launch.

“Quick Settings tiles are reserved for controls or actions that are either urgently required or frequently used, and should not be used as shortcuts to launching an app.”

Data Saver is the ultimate tool for the users of android devices, especially those who use the limited data plans. Android N will allow the users to employ this tool to optimize data usage by limiting the number of apps using mobile data when they are running out of the available mobile data.

Other interesting new features in Android N include Android TV recording, number blocking, call screening and direct boot options.

Android N promises to provide a wholesome experience to the Android users while providing the developers new options to enhance and improvise their apps.

IDC: Tablet shipments to fall in 2016, 2-in-1 devices to take the center stage

Jia Khan

March 9, 2016

Growth in Tablet shipment will become history this year according to IDC as consumers favour the more versatile 2-in-1 devices. Microsoft is expected to be a big winner as it had championed the category starting with the Microsoft Surface.

IDC, an American market research advisory and analysis firm has recently posted a prognosis for the tablet business and its chances of growth in 2016. IDC anticipates quite a few significant changes in the consumer trend in the ensuing months.

IDC says conventional tablet shipments will fall by 5.9% in the current year. IDC has listed the 2-in-1 devices as the reason behind the changing winds.

The concept of 2-in-1 devices is not a new one. However, the hybrid devices have undergone an extensive makeover recently, with latest products and offers being put forward by the established big wigs in the tablet industry.

In addition, the new entrants in the tablet arena, like Huawei and Alcatel, are also beefing up the competition.

The concept of form factor also seems practical as the users do not have to give up the functionality of the device.

On the contrary, they are being offered enhanced productivity on the move. The case of hybrid devices is specifically supported by the availability of speedy Windows 10 and x86 chips .

The forecast claims that in 2016, the market for detachable tablets will show an enormous 73% year on year growth. The shipments for hybrid devices are also expected to increase from 16.6 million in 2015 to over 63.8 million in 2020.

The flow indicates that more consumers will go for Windows 10 based devices. Android, on the other hand, is expected to retain its popularity till 2020.

Another important forecast is that the push for enhanced productivity will cause an increased attraction towards bigger devices. The market for larger 9-inches or over displays will be stronger.

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