iPhone Download World

iOS 7.1 Vs. iOS 7 – What’s New

Check for the Update!

Go to Settings, select General, tap Software Update, and upgrade your Apple device to iOS 7.1.iOS 7, released on September 18, 2013, was a major software release by the company, after the launch of iOS 6. Many new features like the AirDrop, Control Center, Multitasking, etc., were introduced in this version. However, in March 2014, the company rolled out an update to improve the existing features of iOS 7. Thus, if you are expecting an array of new features, you would be surely disappointed. Let’s find out the changes in iOS 7.1 from iOS 7.

CarPlay

The support for CarPlay is the major update from iOS 7. The moment you connect your iPhone to your car, the phone’s iOS integrates with your car’s in-dash stereo and allows you to use the iPhone with minimum distraction, while driving. Siri takes over your car’s controls and lets you operate the various buttons, knobs, and touch screen without having to physically touch them. You can make calls, send and receive messages, get directions via Maps, and listen to your favorite tracks by simply giving commands to Siri.

CarPlay will be available on Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo 2014 models. Also, you will be able to use this feature in future models from BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Jaguar, Suzuki, Toyota, Nissan, Opel, etc.

Siri

Now you can talk to Siri by simply holding the Home button. This way, Siri will be more sensitive to voice detection. Once you release the button, Siri will stop listening. This is a much-needed improvement, as Siri would previously identify a pause as the end of dictation, and would start to process your request. The company has also added more natural-sounding male and female voices for Mandarin Chinese, UK English, Australian English, and Japanese.

iTunes Radio

The iTunes Radio has been tweaked in iOS 7.1, allowing users to search within the featured stations. You can now create new stations more quickly, based on the song and artist searches. You can now listen to ad-free music on iTunes by subscribing to iTunes Match using the mobile devices. Previously, this service was available only on the desktop version of iTunes. Listeners can also instantly buy albums by simply tapping the button in the Now Playing window.

User Interface Changes

This version of iOS has improved on the UI aspect by using darker shades of the existing colors of the icons. The call answer, reject, and power off buttons are changed to round designs instead of the rectangular one. You can now use the ‘Bold font’ option to brighten fonts in the keyboard, calculator, and many icon glyphs. The parallax effect can be turned off whenever the user changes the background wallpaper. If you were really impressed with the iOS 6 button shapes, you can incorporate the same shapes by turning on the ‘Button Shapes’.

Calendar

The calendar app has also seen improvements in this version of the iOS. Now, you can take a look at the events marked in your calendar, in the month view itself. The events will be displayed in a list view at the bottom of the screen. Country-specific holidays are also added to the app.

Native Apps

Apart from the improvements made in the calendar app, some of the native apps have seen upgrades. The new camera setting lets your iPhone 5S to automatically enable the HDR mode. So, if your phone detects that HDR mode can help enhance your photograph, it will be automatically turned on. The iCloud Keychain support is extended to additional countries. This service allows users to store and recall passwords in the cloud.

Other Improvements

✔ Occasional home screen crash bug has been fixed.✔ Responsiveness and performance of iPhone 4 has improved.✔ Touch ID fingerprint recognition feature has improved.✔ Call notifications on FaceTime are automatically cleared when you answer a call on another device.✔ Unread badge in the Mail app has been fixed for numbers greater than 10,000.✔ New bounce animation has been added when you pull up Notification Center.

The update from iOS 7 to 7.1 has seen a lot of bug fixes and visual enhancements apart from speedy animations and fixing of iMessage problems. It is advised to update your iPhone, iPod, and iPad to iOS 7.1.

Which Wireless Speakers to Buy: Bluetooth or AirPlay?

Did You Know?

Clio, from ClearView Audio, is the world’s first invisible speaker with built-in Bluetooth connectivity. These speakers provide 360° sound experience.Today, smartphones have enough memory space to accommodate all your media files. However, the quality of the inbuilt speakers is not that great, and most of us are forced to use our headphones to listen to music. However, wireless speakers are gaining popularity as useful accessories for smartphones. For streaming wireless audio from any device, you can choose to buy Bluetooth-enabled or AirPlay-enabled speakers.

The Differences

Let us take a brief look at the striking differences between the two audio streaming technologies.Feature Bluetooth AirPlay Compatible With Android and Apple devices Only Apple devices Transmission Direct Over Wi-Fi network Portable Yes No Operating Range About 30 ft (high-end devices) Depends on Wi-Fi coverage area Price Less expensive Expensive

AirPlay

This wireless streaming audio technology allows you to connect your iDevices to AirPlay-enabled speakers so as to play music. For this, all you need is a Wi-Fi connection in your house. AirPlay uses this Wi-Fi network to transfer the files from your iPhone, iPod, iPad, iTunes (from Mac or PC), to the wireless speakers. Due to the usage of home network, the proximity between the device and the speaker is not an issue. You can roam about your house using the device while your music is still playing. However, you have to be careful not to step out of the Wi-Fi coverage range.

You can add multiple devices to AirPlay; however, your music will be streamed from one device at a time, which means music from only one device will be played at a time. AirPlay can be used only by Apple products; hence, you cannot connect your Android devices to these speakers. Another drawback of this technology is the dependence on Wi-Fi network, which makes the speakers non-mobile, i.e., they cannot be used outside your home. There is a time lag that is introduced while you play music directly from iTunes or any other music app. This time lag is due to the buffering of songs, which can be frustrating if you skip tracks. The technology uses Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC), which ensures that the audio quality of the tracks will not degrade.

Bluetooth

This technology has been around since a long time and is practically available on every mobile device. Unlike AirPlay, Bluetooth-enabled speakers are ‘paired’ with the smartphones/tablets to stream music. The music files are transferred to the speaker directly without the support of a router. Due to this feature, Bluetooth-enabled speakers are portable and can be used anywhere.

This technology sure has the distance limitation. Generally, the speaker and the paired device cannot be more than 30 feet away from each other so as to play uninterrupted music. However, depending on the interference factors and speaker capabilities, this distance may vary. This technology allows a one-on-one relationship between the device and speaker. However, if you need to add more devices, depending on the speakers, you may need to disconnect the first device so as to play music from the other one. These speakers are compatible with Apple devices as well. However, you cannot directly stream music from the iTunes library. The time lag introduced in the AirPlay speakers is absent in these speakers. A few high-end models have the provision of an external mic, which means the device can double up as a speakerphone!

It is important to note that all the wireless speakers have wired input provision as well. Thus, you can connect your headphones to the speakers, to listen to high-quality music.

Our Verdict

Though AirPlay speakers are rich in audio quality, they support only Apple devices. Thus, you have a limited range of devices that can be used. However, Bluetooth-enabled speakers support all mobile devices, and hence, you have an option to plug-in an Android or Apple device. If one ignores the limitation on the transmission range, Bluetooth-enabled speakers are highly recommended. But for Apple loyalists, who swear not to use an Android device ever, go ahead and get yourselves AirPlay. My vote goes to Bluetooth-enabled wireless speakers.

Technorati #Mobile Chat: From near bankruptcy, to top performer

Balancing product marketing with product development

What do you do when you realize that your business will be out of cash in six months? Well listen to how today’s guest went from corporate life to making a living off his apps, to nearly going bankrupt and how he changed his approach to charging for updates for his popular apps. Also, listen to the tip that today’s guest gives about sending emails to the press and how he managed to get featured on The Verge.

Our guest for today is the opinionated Russell Ivanovic, the co-founder of Shifty Jelly, the company that created Pocket Weather Au and Pocket Cast.

Our interesting conversation today involves a different take in coming up with apps and marketing them and the fun things he and his business partner had gone through in between.

Not a boring moment in our episode today so tune in as Russell shares:

Taking it from Russell, the app industry has indeed come a long way. There are currently millions of apps in the app store and it will take effort for your app to stand out. So ‘don’t expect to be an overnight millionaire or for things to fall into place. Do the hard work’.

Facebook and WhatsApp Prove How Building Relationships Drives the Bottom Line

Before the collapse of Wall Street you would have rarely read an article in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times Business Section, SUCCESS Magazine or any other serious business publications discuss the importance of “soft skills” and relationship building. The past few years have seen the topic of “soft skills” and relationship building appear more frequently because companies are increasingly more cognizant of the value of developing and sustaining relationships with both their clients/customers and their employees.

Facebook was in competition with Google to acquire WhatsApp. A main reason WhatsApp chose Facebook over Google is because the CEOs of Facebook and WhatsApp had developed a relationship while hiking together over the past few years. What more proof could one possibly need to believe the ability to build relationships is tantamount to success in business (and life)?

Following are 4 easy steps to increase your “soft skills” for relationship building in your business.

1. Ask people about themselves. Most people love to talk about themselves. Therefore, when you are at work, on a business trip or communicating electronically with clients and colleagues, ask them about themselves before launching into a business conversation. People will much prefer to talk about themselves, their kids, their hobbies etc., than hear anything you have to say about yourself or life. In Dale CarnegieÂ’s classic book: How to Win Friends and Influence People, he discusses “6 Ways to Make People Like You.” One is to “become genuinely interested in other people,” and another is to “be a good listener.” Therefore, encourage others to talk about themselves. Since most people like to tell stories and be heard, your interest in listening makes you a person people enjoy being around. IsnÂ’t it true we prefer to do business with people we know and like?

2. SMILE. This technique for building positive relationships with others cannot be any simpler. While smiling, make sure you are not complaining. No one wants to work with or spend time with people who complain. People prefer to be with positive happy people, not whiners.

3. Be Respectful of others and their opinions. Unless it adds value to the conversation, keep your criticisms to yourself. Dale Carnegie wrote: “Show respect for the other personÂ’s opinions. Refrain from saying: “YouÂ’re wrong.” It only puts people on the defensive. Nobody wants to be around a “know-it-all.”

4. Be Positive and look at the glass as half full. Give people the benefit of the doubt when things go wrong and try to find the good even in a bad situation. Who doesn’t want to be around people who are the eye in the calm of the storm?

The four tips written above will help you develop positive relationships with those you work with – and those you live with!

Author’s Bio:

Dr. Patty Ann Tublin is an internationally recognized relationship and communication expert, bestselling author and speaker who delivers passionate and inspirational workshops and seminars to corporations, & entrepreneurial groups in addition to her exclusive private practice. She is the CEO & Founder of Relationship Toolbox LLC relationshiptoolbox

Samsung Galaxy S5 Vs. Apple iPhone 5s – Under the Scanner

Did You Know?

According to a report by popular market research firm, Gartner, as on December 2013, in the smartphone industry, Samsung has a market share of 32.1% followed by 14.3% for Apple.The two stalwarts of the mobile arena are pitted against each other once again. Nope, this time around, we aren’t talking about another legal battle, but instead, one that is raging on in the quest for being crowned the king of the smartphones. The two giants of the industry now have reinforcements in the form of their latest flagship devices―the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the Apple iPhone 5s.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 was unveiled amidst much fanfare at the Mobile World Congress 2014, in Barcelona. The Apple iPhone 5s, on the other hand, was released in September 2013, at its headquarters in Cupertino. Although the two might seem like smartphones from different generations, their hardware is surprisingly similar and very much at par. So, without further ado, follow us as we bring you the low-down on the epic clash of the behemoths of the smartphone universe, the Samsung Galaxy S5 vs. Apple iPhone 5s.

Image Source:apple.comsamsungmobilepress.com

SamsungGalaxy S5

Operating SystemAndroid OS, v4.4.2(KitKat)

ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 801

CPUQuad-core2.5 GHz Krait 400

GPUAdreno 330

Memory2 GB RAM

Storage16 GB*

Screen5.1″Full HD Super AMOLED

Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels(~432 ppi)

Primary Camera16 MP

Secondary Camera2 MP

BatteryLi-ion 2,800 mAh

AppleiPhone 5s

ChipsetApple A7

CPUDual-core1.3 GHz Cyclone

GPUPowerVR G6430

Memory1 GB RAM

Storage16/32/64 GB

Screen4.0″LED-backlit IPS LCD

Resolution640 x 1136 pixels(~326 ppi)

Primary Camera8 MP

Secondary Camera1.2 MP

BatteryLi-Po 1,560 mAh

Design and Construction

Samsung Galaxy S5

Designed to weather the elements.

The Galaxy S5 retains the DNA of the rest of the Galaxy family. It has a curvier back than the last-gen S4, and also has a leather-textured back, much like the Note 3 albeit with the stitches along the sides. The back also has an interesting (for the lack of a better word!) dimpled design, which bears an uncanny resemblance to the first-gen Nexus 7 tab manufactured by Asus. The S5 has dimensions of 142.0 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm, and tips the scale at 145 g. The phone comes with an IP67 rating for being water resistant and dust proof. It integrates a fingerprint scanner into the Home button at the front, and brings in a heart rate sensor at the back, just below the camera. The soft-touch back of the S5 feels good in the hand, but does little to aid one-handed use on this rather larger phone.

Buzz Rating:

Apple iPhone 5s

Beauty meets quality.

There’s very little to tell the Apple iPhone 5s apart from its predecessor, the iPhone 5. In fact, the dimensions of the 5s are the same as the 5, 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm, and weighs in at the same 112 g as the latter. The latest iPhone strikes the perfect balance between metal and glass, giving it a very rich feel. The main physical difference between the two generations of iPhones is the trend-setting fingerprint scanner sitting beneath the surface of the Home button surrounded by a metallic ring. The iPhone 5s sits snugly in the hands, and it is perfect for one-handed use.

Buzz Rating:

The two companies have ideologies that are worlds apart, and this is most evident in their approach towards the design elements on their flagship devices. The Samsung Galaxy S5 is a step up from the S4, but still retains the same polycarbonate construction. The Apple iPhone 5s, on the other hand, shines in its metallic armor and oozes with class. Also, the smaller size of the iPhone tilts the balance in its favor when it comes to overall build quality and usability.

Hardware and Storage

Samsung Galaxy S5

Top-of-the-line hardware.

A Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset with a 2.5 GHz quad-core Krait 400 processor that ticks away inside the S5 ensures that the phone breathes fire, and it simply decimates the opposition with its processing power. The phone brings in 2 GB of RAM to ensure that multitasking is a breeze. The S5 comes with 16 GB of internal memory and also has a memory-card slot that supports up to 128 GB Micro SD cards.

Buzz Rating:

Apple iPhone 5s

A complete powerhouse.

At the heart of the iPhone 5s is a dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone processor on board an A7 chip with 64-bit architecture. There’s also Apple’s M7 motion coprocessor, which helps store data even when the phone is asleep, working away in a low-power state, and even helps save on battery life. 1 GB of DDR3 RAM ensures super-smooth multitasking. The 5s comes in # GB variants along with 5 GB of iCloud storage.

Buzz Rating:

The iPhone 5s is deceptively powerful and makes short work of all tasks assigned to it. The Samsung Galaxy S5 too is super powerful, and in fact, has the fastest processor on an Android device in the market. The S5, however, reigns triumphant with its superior storage options and an industry-first, support for 128 GB Micro SD cards.

Graphics and Display

Samsung Galaxy S5

Over-saturated beauty.

The phone has a large 5.1-inch Full HD Super AMOLED screen with a fantastic pixel density of 432 ppi. Watching videos on the S5’s large screen is an absolute delight, with the Adreno 330 GPU churning out the graphics effortlessly. The display is protected by a sheet of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 which helps keeps those nasty scratches away.

Buzz Rating:

Apple iPhone 5s

A treat to the retina!

The iPhone 5s has the same screen as its predecessor. At 4-inches, the wide, multi-touch screen shines in all its glory, thanks to its beautiful Retina display (326 ppi). The display has real high contrasts and looks stellar, especially when viewing images captured using the phone’s camera.

Buzz Rating:

Both phones have fantastic displays which are nothing short of spectacular. The Galaxy S5 though, edges past the 5s, with its larger display with a Full HD resolution. Also, the higher pixel density of the S5, along with the unmatched saturation (oversaturation!) of the Super AMOLED display, is a lot more pleasing to the eyes, if not superior to the display on the 5s.

Camera and Optics

Samsung Galaxy S5

A very capable snapper.

Armed with a 16 MP ISOCELL camera at the back, the S5 makes for a great stand-in for a point-and-shoot camera. It features a superfast auto focus, which fires up in just 0.3 seconds. The S5 is capable of capturing extremely detailed shots, but its real USP is the ability to record at 2160p@30fps. Apart from this, the phone has some real useful camera modes, and other tweaks which make photography a fun experience on the Galaxy S5.

Buzz Rating:

Apple iPhone 5s

Great hardware and software for photography.

Over the years, iPhone cameras have really captivated our imaginations with their fantastic color reproduction properties and simple camera UI; this is no different on the iPhone 5s. The phone comes equipped with an 8 MP snapper with 1.5µ pixels. It also features a True Tone flash which is great for portraits. The camera locks on to the subject really fast and captures great slow-motion videos (720p@120fps).

Buzz Rating:

These are amongst the very best smartphones in the market, especially when its comes to their prowess in photography. The 5s captures some brilliant images with fantastic color reproduction and very little noise. The Galaxy S5, however, blows the competition right out of the water with a more powerful sensor, and the ability to record videos in 4K resolution.

Software and Customizations

Samsung Galaxy S5

TouchWiz and KitKat in the mix.

Samsung are known for their antics when it comes to software tweaks and customizations. The Galaxy S5 serves as a perfect platform for the Korean giant to once again showcase its software skills. The phone runs on Android v4.4.2 KitKat with the latest TouchWiz on top. You can also find Samsung’s answer to HTC’s BlinkFeed, with its Magazine UI. Apart from this, you can finds loads of software tweaks which often tend to border on the lines of gimmicky. The fingerprint sensor works just fine, and Samsung has left the door open for developers to make the most of this feature. The heart rate sensor also works without any glitches, as advertised.

Buzz Rating:

Apple iPhone 5s

iOS reloaded.

All the software changes that Apple has brought about in its OSs have had a very clear thought process behind it. The same is the case with the latest version of iOS on board the iPhone 5s. iOS 7 brings in a complete overhaul of the OS, it is a lot more fluid, and brings in loads of eye candy too. The game-changing fingerprint sensor works like a charm, although it is set to work only to unlock the phone, and validate iTunes purchases. The other software tweaks like Control Center, AirDrop, etc., are intuitive and extremely handy.

Buzz Rating:

We will steer well clear of stirring up the hornet’s nest. The iOS and Android battle has been going on for ages, and in all probability, will go on for many more years. Both OSs on these very capable phones shine in all their glory. We, however, are just a little inclined towards iOS 7 as it brings in a lot more useful features than most of the gimmicks played out by the heavily-skinned Android OS on the S5. When it comes to the fingerprint sensors and Samsung’s heart rate sensor though, we cannot, for the life of us, see these being anything more than an advertising stunt.

Battery Life

Samsung Galaxy S5

Scraping through the day.

The S5 is powered by a 2,800 mAh Li-ion battery. The battery itself is user-accessible. You should just about make it through a day of moderate use on a single charge on the Galaxy S5.

Buzz Rating:

Apple iPhone 5s

One day at a time.

A 1,560 Li-Po battery powers the 5s through the day. The battery though, is non user-accessible, and you would just be able to squeeze a day of moderate use out of the phone.

Buzz Rating:

This probably is a case of choosing the lesser of the two evils. The battery performance of both these devices leaves a lot to be desired. The S5 though, with a removable battery, and the option to charge the phone with a standard Micro USB cable, edges out the 5s.

Final Words

Both phones bring in the very best hardware complemented by great software. The die-hard fans of both camps are bound to be over the moon with the flagships of their respective brands. These phones are bound to sell very well, and barely cross each others paths when it comes to sales, as they are meant for two very different markets. The Samsung Galaxy S5 is undoubtedly set to sell a lot more than the iPhone because of the huge difference in pricing. We would, however, like to point out that both these heavyweights have not really come up with anything that wows us. The S5 is cast of the same mold as many other phones of the Galaxy, and there’s hardly been any hardware innovation from these companies that are believed to be at the forefront of innovation in this field. It would seem just a little unfair to compare two flagships of different generations. Samsung has already revealed its cards, and now the world awaits the iPhone 6, which has got the rumor mills running nonstop. Your move, Apple.

Hire iPhone Developer from UK based iPhone App Development Company

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On other hands, iPhone Application Development Companies are providing Custom iPhone Development services to the clients, according to their business requirement. The companies have professional iPhone Developer or dedicated iPhone App Development Team, who/which offers all the kind of iPhone Development solution, required their business. They create user-friendly Website or web application, which specially runs in iPhone and gives great browsing experience in iPhone. Not their task completed here, but they also help to increase traffic to the website and convert visitors into business.

At the moment, there are numbers of iPhone application development companies are working in this development platforms and turns business idea into reality by developing unique and innovation business apps for iPhone.If you have existing business or want to develop application for your new business then, you have to required iPhone application Development Company or iPhone Developer, who provides iPhone Development services as per your business needs.

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Samsung Galaxy S5 Preview – What’s New and What’s Not

Ultra Power Efficient

The Samsung Galaxy S5 features a unique Ultra Power Saving Mode that turns the display to black and white, and shuts down all unnecessary features to minimize battery consumption.There are smartphones and then there are Galaxy S phones. This series of phones, in just a matter of a few years, has gained popularity like no other series ever has. The Samsung Galaxy S4 was amongst the best selling phones of 2013, and not surprisingly, as the new year approached, eyes were all set on the next successor to the throne, the S5. Rumor mills were running nonstop ever since the company launched the Note 3―towards the end of 2013. There were talks of a revolutionary approach from the company in designing the ultimate smartphone of the year. The Internet was flooded with leaked images and concept images of what is undoubtedly, the most-awaited smartphone of the year.

Expectations began to crescendo as the launch day approached. The stage was set, and the Mobile World Congress 2014, at Barcelona, served as the perfect platform for the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S5, on February 24. So, did the phone live up to all the hype and expectations, or did it turn out to be a total dampener? Well, here’s taking a look at the good and not-so-good features of the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Key Features

Fingerprint sensor
Heart rate monitor
IP67 rating (water- and dust-resistant)
Runs Android v4.4.2 KitKat out of the box
Great 16 MP camera
Micro SD card slot
Fantastic display (432 ppi)

Main Drawbacks

Monotonous design
Rather large for one-handed use
No QHD display

Image Source:samsungmobilepress.com

Click for360° View

Dimensions 142.0 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm Weight 145 g Chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 CPU Quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400 GPU Adreno 330 RAM 2 GB Storage 16 GB internal storageMicro SD card slot(up to 128 GB) Screen 5.1″ Full HD Super AMOLED(~432 ppi pixel density) CameraPrimary/Secondary 16 MP/2 MP OS Android v4.4.2 KitKat Battery 2,800 mAh Li-ion

Design and Construction

If you’ve seen one galaxy, you’ve seen them all!

The phone retains the polycarbonate body of its predecessor but brings in IP67-rated (water- and dust-resistant) construction into the picture. The S5 has dimensions of 142.0 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm, and weighs in at 145 g. At first glace, the phone looks like a cross between the S4 Active and a scaled-down version of the Note 3. The front of the phone is taken up by the screen. Samsung’s signature Home button that sits just below the screen, flanked by the capacitive Back and App switcher buttons, while above the screen is the earpiece grille, the sensors, and the secondary camera for video calling. A metal strip runs around the sides of the phone giving it a premium look. Speaking of the sides, to the left is the volume rocker, while the power/lock key is to the right. At the top is the 3.5 mm audio jack to the right, and the IR blaster and the secondary mic for noise cancellation to the left. At the bottom is the main microphone and a USB 3.0 port that is hidden under a watertight flap. The back of the S5 has a perforated faux-leather finish, similar to that found on the Nexus # The back itself is removable and provides access to the Micro SD card slot and the micro SIM slot. Also at the back, is the camera which bulges out a little, below which is the LED flash, and a revolutionary heart rate sensor. The speaker sits beneath a metal grille towards the bottom-left. In addition to the usual sensors, the S5 also packs a humidity and temperature sensor.Buzz Rating:The Samsung Galaxy S5 is not exactly mirror-cracking material, nor is it the prettiest phone around; it simply is another member of the Galaxy family, and it certainly looks its part. We love the IP67 rating of the phone, and it sure is surprisingly light for the hardware that it packs. Our only regret, as has been ever since the S3, is that it simply looks way too ordinary. In fact, purely from the design point of view, this phone barely brings anything new into the picture. The bronze-colored version especially, looks an awful lot like a band-aid! Having said that though, we must admit that the company surely has no reason to ‘fix what is not broken.’ Once you come to terms with the all-plastic body, the S5 feels rather good in the hand, although we wish it were just a tad smaller. The good news here is that it doesn’t feel as cheap in the hand as its predecessor.

Hardware and Storage

Powerful processor and all the storage space in the world.

The S5 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset and a quad core Krait 400 processor overclocked at 2.5 GHz. 2 GB of RAM ensures that multitasking is a breeze. The phone comes with 16 GB of internal memory and also has a Micro SD card slot (up to 128 GB). The S5 brings in the entire connectivity package like 5th-gen Wi-Fi 802.11ac and 2X2 MIMO, LTE category 4, Bluetooth 4.0 BLE / ANT+, NFC, etc.

Buzz Rating:

The phone is powered by an extremely powerful processor which featured in the flagships of last year. The overclocking helps it, just about, get its nose ahead of the other phones in the market today. Qualcomm has already released its latest processor, the Snapdragon 805, but considering it would be a while before this shows up on a phone, it is safe to say that, this is currently one of the most powerful devices out there. We can’t complain about the RAM as most apps barely use about 1 GB of RAM, and 3 GB (like the one on the Note 3) is an overkill. The ample internal storage along with the massive 128 GB expandable option should have you covered at least till the next big thing comes around.

Graphics and Display

Ultra-saturated AMOLED screen.

The gorgeous 5.1-inch full HD Super AMOLED screen with a pixel density of about 432 ppi is one of the most beautiful ones around. It, however, isn’t exactly all too stellar under direct sunlight. Corning Gorilla Glass 3 ensures that the most nasty scratches stay away from the display. The large screen is great for viewing images and watching movies. Graphics are handled by the capable Adreno 330 GPU.

Buzz Rating:

We love the screen on the S5, although we must admit, like most other AMOLED screens, it is not the brightest around. When it comes to contrasts though, the IPS screens don’t really match up to the deep blacks on AMOLED screens. Having said that, we must say that the screen on the LG G2 looks a lot better than this one here. This is mainly because of the superb, almost-bezel-free screen on the G2. This, unfortunately, is not a luxury that the S5 can afford, mainly because of its water-resistant construction. Let’s put it this way, this is hands down the most beautiful screen under a dark cloud in the rain!

Camera and Optics

One of the best cameras on an Android phone.

The phone comes with a 16 MP snapper at the back. It features a bigger 16:9 sensor than that found on the S4. The camera comes with loads of software tweaks including HDR mode, touch focus, panorama, geo-tagging, etc. The company also claims that at just 0.3 seconds, the S5 has the fastest autofocus around. The highlight of the camera and one of the phone’s USPs, is its 2160p video-recording abilities at 30fps. It also comes with digital image stabilization. There’s also a 2 MP camera, which does a good job of taking self-portraits and making video calls. There are plenty of software tweaks thrown into the mix, but the Selective Focus feature truly stands out. Much like the Nokia Refocus app, this software lets you change the focus of an image after it has been captured.

Buzz Rating:

This is one fantastic camera on a phone, second only to the mighty Lumia 1520, and more or less at par with the Xperia Z1. UHD video recording is an excellent feature on the phone, making it part of a very elite group. Our only complaint is the lack of OIS on board, which would have made this phone even better.

Software and Customizations

KitKat and a Magazine to go with it.

The S5 runs on Android v4.4.2 KitKat with the latest TouchWiz on top. The icons are a lot flatter now, much like what we saw on the Galaxy Pro tablets. There’s also the much-hyped Magazine UI which collates all your news feeds and other notifications in Flipboard-esque style. It cannot be disabled and occupies on of the home screens, much like HTC’s BlinkFeed. The drop-down notification bar gets two new buttons – S Finder and Quick Connect.

Another major USP of the S5 is the fingerprint sensor that is integrated into the Home button (we sense another Apple lawsuit coming Samsung’s way!). Unlike the fingerprint sensor on the iPhone 5s, you can simply swipe on the Home button and unlock your device. You can even use it as a password to secure your private data on the phone. Samsung has collaborated with PayPal, and with the S5, you can now validate transactions from your PayPal account with just your fingerprint.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is being marketed as a fitness-centric device, and brings in a unique heart rate sensor. You need to place your finger on the sensor just below the camera at the back, and the phone will display your heart rate. Apart from the various fitness apps on board, the S5 also syncs your data with the recently launched smartwatches, the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, and the Gear Fit. Apart from these, the phone also brings in advanced gesture support.

Buzz Rating:

This is probably one of the most feature-loaded smartphones ever. We are pleasantly surprised by the hardware and software tweaks brought in by Samsung, although we aren’t big fans of fingerprint sensors, and we find them rather gimmicky. The company has gone all out to promote this as the perfect fitness companion for an active lifestyle.

Battery Life

Look for the charger before dusk!

The phone packs a 2,800 mAh Li-ion battery. The battery itself is removable and is touted to have a standby time of 390 hrs. and a talk time of 21 hrs. It should just about last you an entire day of moderate use on a single charge. The phone does not support wireless charging out of the box, but we may soon see a Qi-charging-enabled back cover being sold separately.

Buzz Rating:

One of the biggest disappointments about the S4 was its abysmal battery life. It is a pity that Samsung have once again chosen to ignore this aspect. Although the phone now comes with a slightly bumped-up battery than its predecessor, it also brings in a larger screen and loads of other hardware and software tweaks which can drain your phone’s battery in no time. The only solace we have is that the battery can be replaced with a spare one, although we aren’t thrilled at the thought of carrying a spare battery around in our pockets.

Final Words

The Samsung Galaxy S5 leaves us feeling rather bitter-sweet. We’ve forever hoped and prayed that Samsung would finally give up on plastic-bodied phones (and a fair amount of their profits!), and focus on a phone with a premium construction. The company, while continuing its romance with plastic, have given us some reason to cheer with a water- and dust-resistant phone. The heart rate sensor is a real nice touch, and it might well turn out to be a masterstroke from the company, although it seems more like a gimmick than anything else (you can now prove to your love just how your heart starts racing at her sight!) The jury is still out on the usefulness of the fingerprint sensor, but all would agree that it is a novel feature to have. The S5 comes up trumps in all other aspects, right from the impressive camera to the beautiful Magazine UI, and some rather useful software tweaks. While it is true that the Galaxy S5 is a far cry from the pretty picture painted by the many rumors that were doing the rounds until the last minute of the phone’s launch, we have to admit that Samsung have once again pulled a rabbit out of the hat and got a winner on their hands.

Value for Money

For those looking to get their hands on this amazing phone, it should be available with most carriers in April. It would probably carry a price tag of USD 199 on a 2-year contract. The Samsung Galaxy S5 will, undoubtedly, go on to sell millions, and set new sales records, but it would also leave millions of people hoping and praying that the king of the mobile world would show us its ‘metal’ sooner than later. For all those who are left with a broken heart after seeing the S5, we would just like to sing, Somewhere over the rainbow … dreams really do come true. We would love to hear your opinion about the S5, through the comments section provided below.

Get started with iMessage for OS X

Apple is gaining attention of people day by day. As the OS X is available as to check the preview of operating system which is going to be released in this summer. So apple has decided to take cat out of the bag.

But, for making the Mac and iOS faithful a taste of whatÂ’s to come, a new version is made available as a preview from today. The beta version of messages is very special. Includes Message for OS X, which means without any problems you can send and receive I messages from your Mac, I phone, IPod etc. The Beta version may be defined as the version that will be surely updated in future surely.

To get started, download the OS X messages beta from Apple. Now install this application on your system. To have this application work, you must have OS X 10.7.3. Now the I Cat is replaced by the Imessages. For this effect to be undertaken, restart the system once. After signing, you have to enter the email address from your Mac, I pad, I phone etc. By using same e-mail id, the Imessages may be synchronised on your device.

On adding multiple Ids by you, it provides with the option to set up the caller ID on the screen. It is also visible at the bottom left of screen from which user the messages are sent. Another option of “Send Read Receipts” is available. On checking this option, you can get the receipts of Imessages sent by your system. After entering an e-mail, setting caller id and setting read receipt, click on continue.

A blank screen will be displayed which will enable you to start chatting as always persons do. Whatever kind of imessage account you are using this is the place where all messages will be displayed. For writing a new message at any place, click on the new message icon.

At the time you write a name, an address or an e-mail address, you can see the type of account after information of recipient. Direction of message can be checked with the help of blue coloured symbol.

Fixing AirPort problems in OS X

Whenever you update your system or you modify the earlier configurations and OS sometimes some problems occur with the wireless internet Wi – fi. Sometimes it works partially and in some cases it stops working completely. The Wi-Fi connection may get turn off automatically or it may just immediately turn off. Sometimes it may stay on and there may be no proper connection configuration from the router and may give a self –assigned IP address.

In case of such problems there are few things which come in the mind of people and they try to fix the errors through them. People try to run the general maintenance routines but let us get clear that these are not going to benefit any more. These things will clean all the system catches files and also resets the SMC and the PRAM but these do not affect the internet through the Wi-Fi. So letÂ’s talk about the solution for the problem. In such case we must follow the basic troubleshooting processes which are present in the windows network options. Such problems are also solved by alternative login and even through log- scenarios also.

In general cases the router have no issue for being reconfigured but one may check it once again so that there are no chances of error. In the case of Mac the router also goes through the changes of the configuration. In such cases the Router self establishes the connection with the other devices. So you should check the router also for removing any chance of error from that side. The firmware of some router gets updated automatically in that case sometimes the connections between the devices may become less stable. Other common things like power cable outage or any type of bug inside the firmware also results in bad network connections. To rectify these problems you can reset the router and again check the configurations and go for the available updates of the firmware.

You can also install other copy of the OS X to external hard drive and then boot off of it. You should prefer to use some different version of the OS which is already installed in the router. After completing this task if the wi- if connections get error free, then you can come to know that there was the problemwith the OS system. The Windows firewall may also result in malfunctioning of the Airports.