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What to Expect on the New Apple TV

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Apple may be famous for its computer and mobile gadgets but it has also created a major global impact when it launched its own television. Known as the Apple TV, the so-called hobby device looks very similar to the old model but bigger in size.

The latest Apple TV was formally launched last September but it was released to the market a month after. Now, it can be purchased via the company’s website and other retailers. It took two years for the renowned tech company to come up with a fourth-generation Apple TV after close competitors Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast and Roku launched their recent user-friendly devices.

Main Features

The new Apple TV has two versions – the 32GB model and the 64GB version. The one with the larger storage commands a higher price. The 32GB version, however, will be sufficient is you want to use the TV to stream videos, watch television shows, play music as well as install a few apps and play some games. However, those who plan to do a lot of downloading and use apps and games should consider the 64GB model.

Voice and touch control is one of the major features of this new TV platform. It boasts of a universal voice search capability featuring Siri and sensors that can detect motion as well as keep track of its moves. It comes with two microphones and a button to allow users to toggle on Siri. This makes it different from the third generation model which used an aluminum remote or remote app.

With Siri ever available, the new set-top box can respond to various requests made by the user specifically for the TV. By giving commands, Siri can search for a television show or movie and what’s more, it can search through many different sources. In addition, it can play or pause, rewind or fast forward, and skip back 15 seconds of whatever content you’re watching.

The fourth generation TV now features a new operating system called tvOS. It is linked to an app store that lets users download third party apps from top app development companies for use in video, audio, games and other content. Also, the operating system is based primarily on iOS 9 with its interface and APIs adjusted to support the big screen.

Apps Needed

During the product’s launching last September, Apple CEO Tim Cook noted the fact that many consumers are no longer using cable and broadcast TV. A growing number of them now prefer to use streaming services and interactive experiences.

As a solution to this issue, Cook said Apple is capable of improving this “broken” process of watching TV. Modernizing the experience through the use of apps is an important task of his company, he added.

The first Apple TV was released to the market in 2007. Since then, the device has undergone four updates with the latest model released last October.

The hobby device can be bought from both online and offline retailers including the Apple High Street store except from Amazon. Online retailer Amazon does not sell Apple, Google and other devices that are in competition with its own TV streamlining device.

4 Smartphone Apps Every Driver Should Have

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Driving today is far easier than it was in the olden days. With technology ever advancing, drivers can now go to their destinations more safely and faster. They can also have more peace of mind knowing that their vehicles will be safe whether parked in their own garages or in other places.

A recent study by the IHS Automotive published in Apps in the Car 2015 showed that almost 45 percent of respondents said they would use in-vehicle apps that help improve their driving experience. On the other hand, 35 percent of those surveyed said they would be willing to use the apps if they were similar to those installed in their smartphones while 75 percent of them said they won’t mind paying for updates to an app. [Read more…]

Google Hasn’t Submitted a Maps App to Apple

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Google Maps Hybrid
(Photo credit: Telendro)

To say that the new Apple Maps that came with the release of iOS 6 is a disappointment is a vast understatement. I can’t remember the last time Apple even released an unmitigated disaster as its Maps service. If you’ve read the complaints (of which there are many online) then you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Apple’s misstep has led iOS users to demand the return of Google Maps. Not as a replacement to Apple’s Maps app – because that will never happen – but as a separate app that they can download. There were rumors that Google is already close to releasing the Google Maps app on the App Store. But it looks like this not true. [Read more…]

Apple Reports 5 Million iPhone 5’s Sold in Three Days

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iPhone 5 Mockups
(Photo credit: methodshop.com)

Apple has reported that it has sold over 5 million units of the newly released iPhone 5 over just three days. The sales exceeded the 4 million units Apple sold of the iPhone 4s when it was released a year ago.

According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, “demand for iPhone 5 has been incredible and we are working hard to get an iPhone 5 into the hands of every customer who wants one as quickly as possible.” Cook added that the initial supply of units have sold out but Apple is hard at work replenishing stocks in stores while also continuing to accept online orders. [Read more…]

Apple Announces New iPod Touch, iPod Nano

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Apple has announced the iPhone 5 and, frankly, I wasn’t really impressed with it. There was no feature announced that people didn’t already knew from the unprecedented amount of information leaks about this new iPhone that the media reported. It was a ho-hum product, to say the least.

What I got excited about, on the other hand, are the newly redesigned iPod Touch and iPod Nano. [Read more…]