Apple today released iOS 10, the latest operating system designed for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, to the public. iOS 10 can be downloaded the iPhone 5 and later, the iPad mini 2 and later, the iPad 4 and later, and the 6th generation iPod touch. The update is available on all eligible devices through iTunes or over-the-air in the Settings app. To access the update, go to Settings --> General --> Software update. As with all major software releases, it may take a few minutes for the update to propagate due to high user demand.
According to Apple, iOS 10 is the "biggest release ever" for iOS devices, with major updates for Messages, Siri, Photos, Maps, Apple Music, Apple Pay, and the iOS interface.
iOS 10 features a redesigned Lock screen experience with 3D Touch-enabled notifications, a more easily accessible camera, and a widgets screen. A revamped Control Center also offers 3D Touch support along with new controls for music and HomeKit devices. Raise to Wake, a new feature for the latest devices, wakes up the iPhone without bypassing notifications.
Messages has been entirely overhauled with new features like background animations, bubble effects, rich links, and Digital Touch, and there's even a full Messages App Storethat can add almost unlimited capabilities to messages, from sending stickers and GIFs to making payments or placing collaborative dinner orders.
A new Siri SDK lets developers build support into their apps, and a dedicated "Home" app gives users a central place to control HomeKit devices. Photos features impressive facial and object recognition capabilities, and a new Memories feature allows you to discover forgotten memories.
Maps and Apple Music have both been redesigned with cleaner, simpler interfaces, with Maps gaining proactive suggestions and integrated third-party apps and Music gaining better content discovery features and a new focus on lyrics.
There's a new feature that lets stock iOS apps be hidden from sight, and the QuickType keyboard is smarter with new contextual predictions, including emoji predictions. Apple Pay is available on the web starting today, and Game Center has been largely eliminated.
For full details on the new features included in iOS 10, make sure to check out ourcomplete iOS 10 roundup.
Update: Some users are reporting that iOS 10 has bricked their devices, so it may be wise to make a back up before upgrading or hold off on downloading the update for now.
The iPhone 7 is almost here and it wouldn’t be an AppleAAPL +0.65%launch without Ming-Chi Kuo spoiling all the surprises. The KGI Securities analyst (widely regarded as “the best Apple analyst on the planet”) has revealed 15 major changes coming to both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus…
Obtained by AppleInsider, the list reads as follows:
New True Tone displays like the iPad Pro range, with laser based proximity sensors for faster response times
32GB, 128GB and 256GB storage tiers will replace 16GB, 64GB and 128GB
Upgraded ambient light sensors on both new iPhone cameras for better low light shots
Camera flash LEDs doubled from two to four with warm and cool colours
3.5mm headphone jack removed
Lightning EarPods and a 3.5mm to Lightning headphone adaptor included in the box
Second external speaker and integrated amplifier for louder, richer output
Basic IPX7 water resistance – both phones can withstand splashes and full submersion for up to 30 minutes. Not quite Galaxy S7 level (one hour+), but close.
2GB RAM for iPhone 7, 3GB RAM for iPhone 7 Plus
Nextgeneration A10 chipset sees CPUs hit 2.45GHz clock speeds and 20-30% performance gains
3D Touch 2.0 sensor with more distinct haptic feedback
Home button replaced with non-clicking touch sensor with haptic feedback
Antenna bands removed from the back of both models for cleaner look
Two new colours: dark black and piano black (latter in limited quantities for 256GB model); space grey colour option ended
Breaking Down The Key Points
While the new colour options, reduced antenna bands, louder speaker and fixed home button are welcome upgrades, the real talking points here are the upgraded cameras, storage and removal of the headphone jack.
The last of these now seems virtually guaranteed since I first broke the news of Apple’s long term strategy in June 2014. Convincing users that the pros outweigh the obvious cons will be the key factor to the long term success of both new iPhones – especially without wireless charging now wired charging and wired headphones share the same port.
That said the upgraded storage and cameras are also very welcome and go hand-in-hand. If Apple is going to sell the idea that the new iPhones have the world’s best smartphone cameras then they need to come with more storage so people can take full advantage of them. If Apple follows through on both these claims it will be great news.
Interestingly Kuo hasn’t commented on leaks that the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will receive the largest proportional battery upgrade in iPhone history. With the removal of the headphone jack, such increased practicality would be another key factor in persuading customers angry at its omission to stick with the company.
Yes, I doubt 2016 will go down as a classic iPhone year, but there should still be enough that’s shiny and new to satisfy the majority of Apple fans. The new iPhones will still sell in their millions, but don’t expect sales records until the radically overhauled 10th anniversary iPhone in 2017…
Reliance Jio is still offering free SIMs to 'test' its network
Commercial launch is a few months away, says Mukesh Ambani
Users get free access for 3 months, maybe longer if the launch is delayed
Reliance Jio is still not at the point of a commercial rollout, so it's too early to say what the actual user experience will be like on the network. Even the actual pricing has to be announced - as of now, not much is clear really about the network. But you can sign up for Jio and enjoy high-speed connectivity without paying a paisa, and free hai to acha hai, right? That's right, each Reliance Jio SIM comes with at least three months of free, unlimited data usage, voice calls, SMS, and access to Jio services like JioOnDemand.
The commercial rollout of Jio will no doubt affect speeds, network availability, and could lead to call drops as well - while other networks, which stand to lose customers in the process, might actually see some improvement in their services. That's all hypothetical though - but for now, we are really enjoying using our Jio account, and would recommend that you try and get one too.
There are a few different ways in which you can get a Reliance Jio SIM. The network works on 4G, and uses VoLTE for calls, but the latter is not available on old phones. There is an app called JioJoin that Reliance offers which works around this through VoIP calling, in case your phone doesn't support VoLTE, so it isn't a very big problem. The easiest way to get your hands a Reliance Jio SIM is to buy a Lyf phone by Reliance Retail.
Reliance Retail's Lyf range of phones hasn't been getting the most spectacular reviews, but it's the easiest way to get a new Reliance Jio SIM right now. Just walk into a Reliance Digital Store, ask for a new Lyf phone, and you're live on Reliance Jio. You can get a phone for as little as Rs. 3,000, and you'll get three months of free, unlimited Internet access and calling along with it.
We can inform you that buying a phone like this, turning on the Wi-Fi hotspot, and using 4G to power your entire home's Internet access, works just fine, and the speed and reliability (at the moment) is better than most broadband connections at home.
This gives you free, unlimited data, calling, and access to all of Reliance Jio's apps for three months, or until the commercial launch of Reliance Jio, whichever is later. But if you don't want to carry around an extra handset everywhere you go, or don't want to buy another phone just to get a Reliance Jio SIM there are other options.
If you have a 4G compatible phone, you can get started with Jio, here's what you need to do to get a Reliance Jio SIM:
1) Make friends with someone working for Reliance The easiest way to get a Jio SIM is to know someone who works with Reliance. The company allows employees to refer a certain number of people to get Jio SIMs that can be used in your phone. Most Reliance employees are probably used to getting friend requests on Facebook from people that just want a SIM, so you might want to try one of the other methods instead.
2) The Reliance Jio SIM Preview offer The partner offer is the easiest way of getting a Reliance Jio SIM if you have any of the eligible phones. As of writing this report, the Jio Preview offer has been extended to smartphones by Samsung, HTC, Micromax, Sony, Vivo, Intex, Lava, Gionee, Panasonic, Asus, Xolo, LG, Karbonn, Videocon, YU, Sansui, Alcatel, and TCL.
HTC smartphone Desire 626 dual SIM, Desire 628, Desire 630, Desire 728 Dual SIM, Desire 820, Desire 820Q, Desire 820S Dual SIM, Desire 825, Desire 826, Desire 826 DS, Desire 828 DS, Desire 830, Desire Eye, HTC 10, HTC 10 Life style, One A9, One E9 S dual SIM, One E9+ Dual SIM, One M8, One M8 Eye, One M9 Plus, One M9e, One ME Dual SIM, One X9
Vivo smartphones vivo V3, vivo V3Max, vivo Y21L, vivo Y51L
Intex smartphones Aqua 4G, Aqua 4G Star, Aqua 4G Strong, Aqua 4G+, Aqua Ace, Aqua Ace 2, Aqua Ace Mini, Aqua Craze, Aqua Eco 4G, Aqua GenX, Aqua Music, Aqua Power 4G, Aqua Raze, Aqua S7, Aqua Secure, Aqua Shine 4G, Aqua Strong 5.1, Aqua Super, Aqua Trend, Aqua Turbo 4G, Aqua View, Aqua Wing, Cloud 4G Smart, Cloud 4G Star, Cloud Crystal 2.5D, Cloud Fame 4G, Cloud Flash, Cloud Glory 4G, Cloud Jewel, Cloud String HD, Cloud String V2.0, Cloud Swift
Just follow these steps on a qualifying smartphone:
Offer Code can be viewed on the screen. Note down your offer code.
Once that's done, you will get a bar code that you need to take to a Reliance Digital where you have to show your phone and you'll get a SIM. Remember to carry a photograph for the form, and your photo ID, and the staff will do the rest. Quick tip: in our experience - and what many other people online are also telling us - the Reliance Digital Xpress Mini Stores are much more efficient about this process than the larger Reliance Digital stores.
Note that though only a few phones qualify for the Reliance Jio SIM under this offer, you can still use this SIM on other phones if you want.
3) Get a JioFi Portable Wi-Fi hotspot Jio is also keen to go after users at home, taking on broadband providers and not just other phone networks. One of the easiest ways to get a Reliance Jio SIM is to get the JioFi router. Launched first for HP customers, anyone can now get the JioFi router, with three months of free 4G data, although you have to pay Rs. 2,899 for the wireless compact router. That still works out to less than Rs. 1,000 a month for free, unlimited, fast data, so it's a pretty good deal considering that unfair FUPs are the norm on all other networks.
The JioFi is a small Mi-Fi device that can create a Wi-Fi zone that up to 31 devices can connect to SIMultaneously; great for taking your phone, laptop, and tablet online all at once. It takes three hours to charge, and can be used to broadcast a signal for six hours on battery, so you can use it at home or on the go. To buy the router, you just need to get it from a Reliance Digital store. You'll need the same documents you need for a SIM card, and you'll have to televerify in the same manner, but then you're up and running.
4) Ask nicely at your local Reliance Digital Owners of any 4G smartphone can walk in to select Reliance Digital and Xpress Mini stores and get their hands on a Reliance Jio SIM, complete with the Jio Preview offer. The catch is that the offer is only available in select outlets, which can offer Jio SIM cards to customers at their discretion. You can try asking nicely at your local outlet... and if that doesn't work, try at a few other stores as well until someone feels bad and gives you the SIM.
All these methods can help you get a Jio connection right away, before the actual consumer launch in the "coming months". Have you got a Reliance Jio SIM? What's your experience been like? Tell us via the comments.
Reliance Jio is extending its preview offer to more devices now. Earlier the offer was available only to flagship Samsung smartphones and HP users but now the company has started offering its ‘Jio Preview’ offer to even the entry-level Samsung phones and select LG smartphones.
Here is the full list of Samsung smartphone which are eligible for Jio Preview Offer:
Reliance Jio Preview Offer Extended To LG Smartphones
Reliance Jio has also started offering its Jio Preview offer to select LG smartphones which are K332 (K7 LTE), K520DY (Stylus 2), K520DY, H860 (LG G5), K500I (X Screen), K535D (Stylus 2 Plus), LGH630D (G4 Stylus 4G), and LGH 442 (LGC70 Spirit LTE).
If you have one of the above listed Samsung or LG smartphone then follow the below procedure for availing unlimited 4G internet, voice and video calls, SMS, and free access to Jio Premium app under the Jio Preview offer:
Open MyJio app and tap on ‘Get Jio SIM’ on the top banner.
Follow the on-screen instruction for generating the offer code.
Take a screenshot of the offer code and take its printout.
Visit your nearest Reliance Digital or Dx Mini store along with the required documents (Original Proof of Address and its copy,Proof of Identity and its copy, one passport size photograph), and the printout of the offer code to get a Jio SIM.
Please make sure that you carry the same handset from which you generated the offer code with you.
Follow the instructions given on this page for SIM activation.
We would not be surprised if this Reliance Jio preview offer is slowly extended to other smartphone brands as well. We may soon see likes of Xiaomi, Lenovo, LeEco and others in the mix as well.
Given the way Jio is approaching the market and grabbing market share – the incumbent players will need to change their strategies (which we are already seeing), if they want to contain the disruption Jio is causing in Indian telecom market!
Not many of us would be knowing that iPhone actually stands for 'Interactive Phone', which did a remarkable entry in 2007 and the series is going to complete its 10 years in the year 2017.
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the release of original iPhone, Apple is expected to launch a top to the bottom reimagining of the iPhone 8 and I am sure that iPhone 8 features will be as amazing as they have always been in the 'Apple iPhone Series'.
It is said that the concept of iPhone 8 is based on the design everyone wanted on the iPhone 7.
It will feature an OLED display that covers most of the phone's face.
A glass housing that will replace current all-aluminium design.
It will also have wireless charging which is said to be introduced with iPhone 7.
It will have advance unlock system, smart screen and multitasking.
Edges with holographic projectors.
Real 3D videogames.
Have a look at the iPhone 8 concept.
Here, you can have a look at the iPhone 8 concept feature IOS.
Imagine going inside a mobile operator’s showroom with your Aadhaar Card for getting a new SIM Card. All you need to do is verify the Aadhaar card details, provide your biometric data (fingerprints or iris data) to verify and voila! You come out of the showroom with an activated SIM Card, ready to use within 5 minutes.
This is not a fiction anymore, as Govt. has approved Aadhaar card based e-KYC (Electronic Know Your Customer) procedure, which has been hailed as revolutionary for the telecom sector. And soon, this can change every service which needs to authenticate customers’ identity.
Department of Telecommunications, under Ministry of Communications, Govt. of India has issued a circular for all licensed telecom operators to use e-KYC method for authenticating new customers; and this has been rolled out for entire India – right from Jammu and Kashmir to North East India.
Test run of e-KYC had started since 2013, and the results are fascinating to say the least.
The circular said, “After successful completion of proof-of-concept to use ‘Aadhaar’ e-KYC service for issuing mobile connections to subscribers, it has been decided to launch the ‘Aadhaar’ e-KYC service across all Licensed Service Areas (LSAs), including J&K, North East and Assam,”
Besides saving time and energy, Aadhaar card based e-KYC will also save our environment and tons of money for the telecom operators. Right now, for every paper based KYC procedure, telcos spend around Rs 145 to Rs 175 besides using numerous sheets of papers. And around 7-8 crore new subscribers are added every year.
As per estimation, once every telecom firm start using Aadhaar card based e-KYC, around Rs 10,000 crore can be saved per year.
Besides 24 crore of paper sheets and 50,000 trees would be saved per year, as no paper record would be saved and the authentication would be done completely using digital medium, and records would be extracted from the UIDAI servers under strict surveillance.
In the circular, DoT has laid special emphasis on the security of the Aadhaar Card data, as only authenticated and verified personals would be allowed to verify customer’s’ data. In fact, telecom operators have been assigned the responsibility to test and evaluate their agents, dealers and/or employees who would access Aadhaar Card details of new customers via PoS outlets, and check their biometric details for verifications.
Before every such request to the UIDAI server, the details of the agent/employees would be cross-examined using the same metrics that is their own biometric details and passwords provided by the telecom firms.
The circular said, “Until and unless the agent of the PoS is authenticated by a licensee (telecom operator) using his/ her biometric details through UIDAI, no customer application form shall get displayed by the Licensee on the screen of the concerned PoS,”
Hence, we are witnessing a fool-proof, double layered security mechanism for avoiding misuse of Aadhaar card details.
UIDAI has already stated that their information is machine-readable, which will pose no problem for verifying biometric details of the customers.
Top three telecom operators in India: Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea have already assured that they will start processing Aadhaar based e-KYC procedure within a week, there by fully supporting Govt.’s initiatives.
Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (India and South Asia), Bharti Airtel, said, “It will contribute to the government’s ‘Digital India’ vision. Airtel plans to start rolling out Aadhaar-based e-KYC solutions this week itself,”
Sunil Sood, MD & CEO, Vodafone India, said, “For Vodafone, it will improve quality of sales as well as regulatory compliance. For the regulator, it not only means a green initiative but also hassle-free governance and accurate audit results,”
A big thumbs up to Govt. of India for enabling a revolutionary Aadhaar based mechanism for easing customer verification for mobile subscribers, which will unleash further revolutions in the service sector.