When Apple launches its much-anticipated 10th anniversary iPhone this fall, it will offer an unwitting lesson in how much the smartphone industry it pioneered has matured.

The new iPhone is expected to include new features such as high-resolution displays, wireless charging and 3D sensors. Rather than representing major breakthroughs, however, most of the innovations have been available in competing phones for several years.

Apple&#39;s relatively slow adoption of new features both reflects and reinforces the fact smartphone customers are holding onto their phones longer. Timothy Arcuri, an analyst at Cowen &amp; Co, believes upwards of 40 per cent of iPhones on the market are more than two years old, a historical high.

That is a big reason why investors have driven Apple shares to an all-time high. There is pent-up demand for a new iPhone, even if it does not offer breakthrough technologies.

It is not clear whether Apple deliberately held off on packing some of the new features into the current iPhone 7, which has been criticised for a lack of differentiation from its predecessor. Apple declined to comment on the upcoming product.

Still, the development and roll-out of the anniversary iPhone suggest Apple&rsquo;s product strategy is driven less by technological innovation than by consumer upgrade cycles and Apple&rsquo;s own business and marketing needs.

&quot;When a market gets saturated, the growth is all about refresh,&quot; said Bob O&rsquo;Donnell of Technalysis Research. &quot;This is exactly what happened to PCs. It&#39;s exactly what happened to tablets. It&#39;s starting to happen to smartphones.&quot;

Apple is close-mouthed about upcoming product features, but analysts and reports from Asian component suppliers and others indicate that high-resolution displays based on OLED technology - possibly with curved edges - are likely to be part of the anniversary phone. A radical new design is not expected, according to analysts.

Some of the anticipated new technologies, notably wireless charging, remain messy. Samsung Electronics phones, for example, feature wireless charging but support two different sets of standards, one called Qi and the other AirFuel.

Apple recently joined the group backing Qi. But there are still at least five different groups working on wireless charging technology within Apple, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

As to 3D sensors, there is already one hiding in the iPhone 7. The front camera features what is known as a time-of-flight sensor, which helps it autofocus and is used in numerous phones including the Blackberry, according to TechInsights, a firm that examines the chips inside tech devices.

That sensor could be upgraded to a higher-resolution version that could handle 3-D mapping for facial recognition, said Jim Morrison, vice president at TechInsights.

Some analysts also speculate the company could remove the phone&#39;s home button, placing it and a fingerprint sensor beneath the front display glass, based on patents the company has filed.

&nbsp;

Slow growth

Global smartphone sales were up only 2.3 per cent to 1.47 billion units in 2016, according to IDC. Many carriers in the United States have stopped subsidising phones, causing phone buyers to think harder about their next purchase.

Apple will likely make a heavy marketing push around the phone&rsquo;s 10th anniversary. &ldquo;IPhone set the standard for mobile computing in its first decade and we are just getting started. The best is yet to come,&rdquo; Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said in a statement January 8, the date the iPhone was announced by then-CEO Steve Jobs in 2007.

In 2015, the last year it disclosed the figure, Apple spent $1.8 billion on advertising, up 50 per cent from the year before and nearly four times the $467 million it spent in 2007 when it first released the iPhone.

And the company continues to excel at selling higher-priced phones. Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri attributed the most recent quarter&#39;s record-setting 78.3 million iPhones sold to the iPhone 7 Plus, which for the first time included a new dual camera feature not found in other models.

The iPhone 7 Plus tops out at $969 with memory upgrades and a jet black finish. O&#39;Donnell of Technalysis Research believes that with the next iPhone, Apple might even introduce a $1,000-plus &ldquo;ultra-premium device for the real Apple-crazed folks out there who want to stand out.&quot;

(Reuters)

Some analysts speculate that Apple could remove the phone's home button in the new iPhone

When Apple launches its much-anticipated 10th anniversary iPhone this fall, it will offer an unwitting lesson in how much the smartphone industry it pioneered has matured. The new iPhone is expected to include new features such as high-resolution displays, wireless charging and 3D sensors. Rather than representing major breakthroughs, however, most of the innovations have been available in competing phones for several years. Apple's relatively slow adoption of new features both reflects and reinforces the fact smartphone customers are holding onto their phones longer. Timothy Arcuri, an analyst at Cowen & Co, believes upwards of 40 per cent of iPhones on the market are more than two years old, a historical high. That is a big reason why investors have driven Apple shares to an all-time high. There is pent-up demand for a new iPhone, even if it does not offer breakthrough technologies. It is not clear whether Apple deliberately held off on packing some of the new features into the current iPhone 7, which has been criticised for a lack of differentiation from its predecessor. Apple declined to comment on the upcoming product. Still, the development and roll-out of the anniversary iPhone suggest Apple’s product strategy is driven less by technological innovation than by consumer upgrade cycles and Apple’s own business and marketing needs. "When a market gets saturated, the growth is all about refresh," said Bob O’Donnell of Technalysis Research. "This is exactly what happened to PCs. It's exactly what happened to tablets. It's starting to happen to smartphones." Apple is close-mouthed about upcoming product features, but analysts and reports from Asian component suppliers and others indicate that high-resolution displays based on OLED technology - possibly with curved edges - are likely to be part of the anniversary phone. A radical new design is not expected, according to analysts. Some of the anticipated new technologies, notably wireless charging, remain messy. Samsung Electronics phones, for example, feature wireless charging but support two different sets of standards, one called Qi and the other AirFuel. Apple recently joined the group backing Qi. But there are still at least five different groups working on wireless charging technology within Apple, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. As to 3D sensors, there is already one hiding in the iPhone 7. The front camera features what is known as a time-of-flight sensor, which helps it autofocus and is used in numerous phones including the Blackberry, according to TechInsights, a firm that examines the chips inside tech devices. That sensor could be upgraded to a higher-resolution version that could handle 3-D mapping for facial recognition, said Jim Morrison, vice president at TechInsights. Some analysts also speculate the company could remove the phone's home button, placing it and a fingerprint sensor beneath the front display glass, based on patents the company has filed. Slow growth Global smartphone sales were up only 2.3 per cent to 1.47 billion units in 2016, according to IDC. Many carriers in the United States have stopped subsidising phones, causing phone buyers to think harder about their next purchase. Apple will likely make a heavy marketing push around the phone’s 10th anniversary. “IPhone set the standard for mobile computing in its first decade and we are just getting started. The best is yet to come,” Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said in a statement January 8, the date the iPhone was announced by then-CEO Steve Jobs in 2007. In 2015, the last year it disclosed the figure, Apple spent $1.8 billion on advertising, up 50 per cent from the year before and nearly four times the $467 million it spent in 2007 when it first released the iPhone. And the company continues to excel at selling higher-priced phones. Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri attributed the most recent quarter's record-setting 78.3 million iPhones sold to the iPhone 7 Plus, which for the first time included a new dual camera feature not found in other models. The iPhone 7 Plus tops out at $969 with memory upgrades and a jet black finish. O'Donnell of Technalysis Research believes that with the next iPhone, Apple might even introduce a $1,000-plus “ultra-premium device for the real Apple-crazed folks out there who want to stand out." (Reuters)

Why the new Apple iPhone may not come with breakthrough features - yet again

Apple is all set to start making iPhones in India this year, a local government official said on Friday, as the firm looks to tap a booming middle class as sales in China slow.

The US giant has not confirmed the move, but chief executive Tim Cook said this week the company intended to &quot;invest significantly&quot; in India, where a pick-up in the economy provides ample opportunity for growth.

&quot;We have an understanding with Apple and we expect them to start manufacturing in Karnataka by the end of April,&quot; Priyank Kharge, minister of information technology and biotechnology in southern Karnataka state, told AFP.

He also added, &quot;Apple&#39;s intentions to manufacture in Bengaluru will foster cutting edge technology eco system and supply chain development in the state, which are critical for India to compete globally.&quot;

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Apple&#39;s intentions to make iPhones in Bengaluru will foster cutting-edge technology ecosystem &amp; supply chain development in the state.
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He said the new operation would likely assemble iPhones for the domestic market.

Apple has only a two per cent share of the Indian market, well behind rival Samsung on 23 per cent, according to research firm Canalys.

However, last year it had 48 per cent of the premium sector in which phones sell for $450 and above.

Experts said manufacturing locally would reduce the company&#39;s costs and enable it to lower prices.

&quot;They&rsquo;re eager to be here because they&#39;ve identified India as a strategic focus market,&quot; said Jaideep Mehta of research firm IDC.

&quot;They had a fantastic 2016 in India and shipped more two million devices to India, and now they&rsquo;re looking to ultimately manufacture here as that gives them more flexibility to respond to market changes.&quot;

Apple currently sells its phones in India through third-party retailers. It is eager to open its own stores but Indian law would require it to procure 30 per cent of the components of its products locally.

It is not clear whether the Karnataka plans would help it clear that hurdle. Reports in Indian media said Wistron Corp, a Taiwanese electronics manufacturer, was lined up to assemble iPhones at a plant on the outskirts of tech hub Bangalore.

Apple outsources all its manufacturing globally. Analysts said that if confirmed the move would be a coup for India&#39;s government, which has been trying to persuade foreign companies to manufacture in the country.

Apple representatives met with federal and state government officials in India last week, as it is lobbying hard for a raft of tax and sourcing concessions from India, before it begins to assemble iPhones in the country.

Following the meetings, Apple said it appreciated the open and constructive dialogue it held with Indian officials, around the expansion of its local operations in the country.

Any final decision around manufacturing in India, however, is likely to still be contingent on the government&#39;s willingness to concede ground on the concessions sought by the company.

(WION with inouts from Agencies)

Apple looks to tap a booming middle class as sales in China slow.

Apple is all set to start making iPhones in India this year, a local government official said on Friday, as the firm looks to tap a booming middle class as sales in China slow. The US giant has not confirmed the move, but chief executive Tim Cook said this week the company intended to "invest significantly" in India, where a pick-up in the economy provides ample opportunity for growth. "We have an understanding with Apple and we expect them to start manufacturing in Karnataka by the end of April," Priyank Kharge, minister of information technology and biotechnology in southern Karnataka state, told AFP. He also added, "Apple's intentions to manufacture in Bengaluru will foster cutting edge technology eco system and supply chain development in the state, which are critical for India to compete globally." Apple's intentions to make iPhones in Bengaluru will foster cutting-edge technology ecosystem & supply chain development in the state. — Priyank Kharge (@PriyankKharge) February 2, 2017 × He said the new operation would likely assemble iPhones for the domestic market. Apple has only a two per cent share of the Indian market, well behind rival Samsung on 23 per cent, according to research firm Canalys. However, last year it had 48 per cent of the premium sector in which phones sell for $450 and above. Experts said manufacturing locally would reduce the company's costs and enable it to lower prices. "They’re eager to be here because they've identified India as a strategic focus market," said Jaideep Mehta of research firm IDC. "They had a fantastic 2016 in India and shipped more two million devices to India, and now they’re looking to ultimately manufacture here as that gives them more flexibility to respond to market changes." Apple currently sells its phones in India through third-party retailers. It is eager to open its own stores but Indian law would require it to procure 30 per cent of the components of its products locally. It is not clear whether the Karnataka plans would help it clear that hurdle. Reports in Indian media said Wistron Corp, a Taiwanese electronics manufacturer, was lined up to assemble iPhones at a plant on the outskirts of tech hub Bangalore. Apple outsources all its manufacturing globally. Analysts said that if confirmed the move would be a coup for India's government, which has been trying to persuade foreign companies to manufacture in the country. Apple representatives met with federal and state government officials in India last week, as it is lobbying hard for a raft of tax and sourcing concessions from India, before it begins to assemble iPhones in the country. Following the meetings, Apple said it appreciated the open and constructive dialogue it held with Indian officials, around the expansion of its local operations in the country. Any final decision around manufacturing in India, however, is likely to still be contingent on the government's willingness to concede ground on the concessions sought by the company. (WION with inouts from Agencies)

Apple will start making iPhones in India by April

Apple has cut its CEO Tim Cook&#39;s salary by 15 per cent for 2016 as annual sales declined for the year, missing targets that also led to the tech giant&#39;s first annual revenue decline in 15 years.

The company gave the 56-year-old $8.75 million in total compensation last year, down from the $10.28 million he received in 2015, according to a Securities and Exchange (SEC) filing released yesterday.

Cook&#39;s salary rose to $3 million from $2 million last year - a 50 per cent increase, his cash bonus took a hit. Apple awarded Cook and other executives 89.5 per cent of their target, instead of the maximum amount like in recent years.

Hence, Cook&#39;s cash bonus fell to $5.4 million in 2016, down from $8 million the year before and declining for the first time since he assumed leadership of the company in 2011.

Apple specifically cited the company&#39;s failure to meet its performance goals for both sales and profits. Sales volume of the iPhone fell in fiscal 2016 for the first time since the device was introduced in 2007, causing the tech icon to suffer its first annual revenue decline in 15 years.

The company said its annual sales were down nearly 4 per cent, or $215.6 billion, from its target of $223.6 billion, and its operating income was down 0.5 per cent from its target at $60 billion, according to the filing.

&quot;Overall, our 2016 performance with respect to net sales and operating income was 7.7 per cent and 15.7 per cent below our record-breaking 2015 levels,&quot; Apple said in the filing. &quot;However, the 2016 payouts to our named executive officers were significantly less than the annual cash incentive payouts for 2015, reflecting strong pay-for-performance alignment.&quot;

Apple&#39;s rare sales slump is directly linked to the loss of momentum for the iPhone, which generates the majority of the company&#39;s sales.

Sales of iPhones have declined in each of the past three quarters, slipping to 45.5 million in the September quarter, with reports saying Apple has faced steep competition from Samsung and other smartphone makers and the newest iPhones did not feature enough upgrades to attract customers.

In October, Cook said that demand for the iPhone 7 and the bigger 7 Plus, which feature enhanced cameras and longer battery life, have outpaced supply though Apple would only report quarterly sales for those phones on January 31.

(PTI)

Apple's rare sales slump is directly linked to the loss of momentum for the iPhone, which generates the majority of the company's sales

Apple has cut its CEO Tim Cook's salary by 15 per cent for 2016 as annual sales declined for the year, missing targets that also led to the tech giant's first annual revenue decline in 15 years. The company gave the 56-year-old $8.75 million in total compensation last year, down from the $10.28 million he received in 2015, according to a Securities and Exchange (SEC) filing released yesterday. Cook's salary rose to $3 million from $2 million last year - a 50 per cent increase, his cash bonus took a hit. Apple awarded Cook and other executives 89.5 per cent of their target, instead of the maximum amount like in recent years. Hence, Cook's cash bonus fell to $5.4 million in 2016, down from $8 million the year before and declining for the first time since he assumed leadership of the company in 2011. Apple specifically cited the company's failure to meet its performance goals for both sales and profits. Sales volume of the iPhone fell in fiscal 2016 for the first time since the device was introduced in 2007, causing the tech icon to suffer its first annual revenue decline in 15 years. The company said its annual sales were down nearly 4 per cent, or $215.6 billion, from its target of $223.6 billion, and its operating income was down 0.5 per cent from its target at $60 billion, according to the filing. "Overall, our 2016 performance with respect to net sales and operating income was 7.7 per cent and 15.7 per cent below our record-breaking 2015 levels," Apple said in the filing. "However, the 2016 payouts to our named executive officers were significantly less than the annual cash incentive payouts for 2015, reflecting strong pay-for-performance alignment." Apple's rare sales slump is directly linked to the loss of momentum for the iPhone, which generates the majority of the company's sales. Sales of iPhones have declined in each of the past three quarters, slipping to 45.5 million in the September quarter, with reports saying Apple has faced steep competition from Samsung and other smartphone makers and the newest iPhones did not feature enough upgrades to attract customers. In October, Cook said that demand for the iPhone 7 and the bigger 7 Plus, which feature enhanced cameras and longer battery life, have outpaced supply though Apple would only report quarterly sales for those phones on January 31. (PTI)

Apple cuts CEO's pay as iPhone sales drop first time

Popular social media application WhatsApp has stopped working in older iPhones and Android handsets to ensure that it could continue to introduce new features and stay secure, which relies on the app being used on newer operating systems.

Anyone using Android 2.1 or 2.2, an iPhone 3GS or iOS 6 will find the app has stopped working.

The same will happen to anyone on Windows Phone 7, the Independent reported yesterday.

The company has advised that anyone with one of those older handsets who want to keep chatting with friends simply has to buy a newer phone.

WhatsApp had initially said that all BlackBerry models and some Nokia handsets would also find themselves unable to get onto the chat app.

But it went back late last year, apparently in response to complaints.

&quot;We are extending support for BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10, Nokia S40 and Nokia Symbian S60 until June 30, 2017,&quot; the company wrote in an update to its blog.

The changes are thought to be in large part to allow WhatsApp to more deeply integrate encryption and other privacy services.&nbsp;

Such technology stops messages from being read, and has led to WhatsApp facing criticism from governments who believe that WhatsApp conversations should be made public, the report said.

It&#39;s also likely to allow for a&nbsp;more rapid introduction of new features.&nbsp;

Rumoured updates scheduled in 2017 include a new feature that would allow people to edit or entirely delete messages after they have been sent.&nbsp;

(PTI)

This act is to ensure that it could continue to introduce new features and stay secure, which relies on the app being used on newer OS

Popular social media application WhatsApp has stopped working in older iPhones and Android handsets to ensure that it could continue to introduce new features and stay secure, which relies on the app being used on newer operating systems. Anyone using Android 2.1 or 2.2, an iPhone 3GS or iOS 6 will find the app has stopped working. The same will happen to anyone on Windows Phone 7, the Independent reported yesterday. The company has advised that anyone with one of those older handsets who want to keep chatting with friends simply has to buy a newer phone. WhatsApp had initially said that all BlackBerry models and some Nokia handsets would also find themselves unable to get onto the chat app. But it went back late last year, apparently in response to complaints. "We are extending support for BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10, Nokia S40 and Nokia Symbian S60 until June 30, 2017," the company wrote in an update to its blog. The changes are thought to be in large part to allow WhatsApp to more deeply integrate encryption and other privacy services. Such technology stops messages from being read, and has led to WhatsApp facing criticism from governments who believe that WhatsApp conversations should be made public, the report said. It's also likely to allow for a more rapid introduction of new features. Rumoured updates scheduled in 2017 include a new feature that would allow people to edit or entirely delete messages after they have been sent. (PTI)

WhatsApp stops working in older iPhones, Android and Windows Phone 7 handsets

Nokia Corp said on Wednesday it had filed a number of lawsuits against Apple Inc for violating 32 technology patents, striking back at the iPhone maker&#39;s legal action targeting the one-time cellphone industry leader a day earlier.

Nokia&#39;s lawsuits, filed in courts in Dusseldorf, Mannheim and Munich, Germany, and the US&nbsp;District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, cover patents for displays, user interfaces, software, antennas, chipsets and video coding.

&quot;Since agreeing a license covering some patents from the Nokia Technologies portfolio in 2011, Apple has declined subsequent offers made by Nokia to license other of its patented inventions which are used by many of Apple&#39;s products,&quot; Nokia said in a statement.

Apple on Tuesday had taken legal action against Acacia Research Corp and Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc, accusing them of colluding with Nokia to extract and extort exorbitant revenues unfairly from Apple.

&quot;We&rsquo;ve always been willing to pay a fair price to secure the rights of patents covering technology in our products,&quot; said Apple spokesman Josh Rosenstock. &quot;Unfortunately, Nokia has refused to license their patents on a fair basis and is now using the tactics of a patent troll to attempt to extort money from Apple by applying a royalty rate to Apple&rsquo;s own inventions they had nothing to do with.&quot;

Acacia and Conversant did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and Nokia was not immediately available to comment on the Apple lawsuit.

The legal action by Nokia and Apple appear to mark a revival of the &quot;smartphone patent wars&quot; that began five years ago, when Apple filed a series of patent infringement cases against Samsung Electronics around the world, with wins and losses on both sides.

Apple&#39;s lawsuit against Acacia, Conversant and Nokia was filed only one day after Ottawa-based Conversant named Boris Teksler as its new chief executive. He had worked as Apple&#39;s director of patent licensing and strategy from 2009 to 2013, the latter half of his tenure overlapping with the lawsuits against Samsung.

Acacia is a publicly traded patent licensing firm based in Newport Beach, California. One of its subsidiaries sued Apple for patent infringement and was awarded $22 million by a Texas jury in September.

Similarly, Conversant, which claims to own thousands of patents, announced last week that a Silicon Valley jury had awarded one of its units a $7.3 million settlement in an infringement case against Apple involving two smartphone patents.

Nokia, once the world&#39;s dominant cellphone maker, missed out on the transition to smartphones triggered by Apple&#39;s introduction of the iPhone in 2007.

The Finnish company sold its handset business to Microsoft Corp two years ago, leaving it with its telecom network equipment business and a bulging portfolio of mobile equipment patents. But this year, Microsoft sold its Nokia-feature phone business to a new company called HMD Global.

Nokia agreed to a 10-year licensing deal with HMD, which continues to market low-cost Nokia phones and plans to introduce new Nokia smartphone models next year.

(Reuters)

Nokia's lawsuits cover patents for displays, user interfaces, software, antennas, chipsets and video coding

Nokia Corp said on Wednesday it had filed a number of lawsuits against Apple Inc for violating 32 technology patents, striking back at the iPhone maker's legal action targeting the one-time cellphone industry leader a day earlier. Nokia's lawsuits, filed in courts in Dusseldorf, Mannheim and Munich, Germany, and the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, cover patents for displays, user interfaces, software, antennas, chipsets and video coding. "Since agreeing a license covering some patents from the Nokia Technologies portfolio in 2011, Apple has declined subsequent offers made by Nokia to license other of its patented inventions which are used by many of Apple's products," Nokia said in a statement. Apple on Tuesday had taken legal action against Acacia Research Corp and Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc, accusing them of colluding with Nokia to extract and extort exorbitant revenues unfairly from Apple. "We’ve always been willing to pay a fair price to secure the rights of patents covering technology in our products," said Apple spokesman Josh Rosenstock. "Unfortunately, Nokia has refused to license their patents on a fair basis and is now using the tactics of a patent troll to attempt to extort money from Apple by applying a royalty rate to Apple’s own inventions they had nothing to do with." Acacia and Conversant did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and Nokia was not immediately available to comment on the Apple lawsuit. The legal action by Nokia and Apple appear to mark a revival of the "smartphone patent wars" that began five years ago, when Apple filed a series of patent infringement cases against Samsung Electronics around the world, with wins and losses on both sides. Apple's lawsuit against Acacia, Conversant and Nokia was filed only one day after Ottawa-based Conversant named Boris Teksler as its new chief executive. He had worked as Apple's director of patent licensing and strategy from 2009 to 2013, the latter half of his tenure overlapping with the lawsuits against Samsung. Acacia is a publicly traded patent licensing firm based in Newport Beach, California. One of its subsidiaries sued Apple for patent infringement and was awarded $22 million by a Texas jury in September. Similarly, Conversant, which claims to own thousands of patents, announced last week that a Silicon Valley jury had awarded one of its units a $7.3 million settlement in an infringement case against Apple involving two smartphone patents. Nokia, once the world's dominant cellphone maker, missed out on the transition to smartphones triggered by Apple's introduction of the iPhone in 2007. The Finnish company sold its handset business to Microsoft Corp two years ago, leaving it with its telecom network equipment business and a bulging portfolio of mobile equipment patents. But this year, Microsoft sold its Nokia-feature phone business to a new company called HMD Global. Nokia agreed to a 10-year licensing deal with HMD, which continues to market low-cost Nokia phones and plans to introduce new Nokia smartphone models next year. (Reuters)

Nokia sues Apple for 32 patent infringements

Several Chinese iPhone users have claimed that their handsets caught fire or exploded, according to a Shanghai consumer watchdog which called on tech giant Apple to address the complaints.

Fresh on the heels of Samsung&#39;s worldwide Galaxy Note 7 safety fiasco, the state-run Shanghai Consumer Council said it had received eight reports in recent months of iPhones that spontaneously combusted while being used or charged.

The report, seen on the council&#39;s website, was posted&nbsp;Friday.

It quoted one woman as saying her iPhone 6s Plus exploded in August, shattering the screen and leaving the battery and back of the phone blackened.

Apple provided the woman with a new iPhone but did not address the cause of the incident, the report said.

&quot;Apple should be responsible for consumers&quot; and deal with complaints in a timely manner, the council said.

&quot;A large amount of consumer complaints is not solved effectively.&quot;

The council said it has received a sixfold surge in total complaints against Apple in the past two months, including sudden shutdowns of the iPhone 6 and 6s even though batteries still have enough power.

The council did not make clear where the complaining iPhone users were located.&nbsp;

Apple last month offered to change iPhone 6s batteries for Chinese users who complained of what the company called &quot;accidental shutdown&quot;.

The offer was effective for handsets made between September-October, 2015.

At the time iPhone insisted the shutdowns did not constitute a safety problem.

AFP was unable to immediately obtain a response from Apple in China over the consumer watchdog report.

Samsung suffered a severe blow over its Galaxy Note 7&#39;s woes. The huge South Korean electronics manufacturer was forced to recall some 2.5 million units.

Apple saw its revenue in the Greater China market plunge 30 percent in the three months ended&nbsp;September 24, with analysts saying it faces rising competition from Chinese smartphone brands.

(AFP)

Fresh on the heels of Samsung's worldwide Galaxy Note 7 safety fiasco said it had received eight reports of iPhones.

Several Chinese iPhone users have claimed that their handsets caught fire or exploded, according to a Shanghai consumer watchdog which called on tech giant Apple to address the complaints. Fresh on the heels of Samsung's worldwide Galaxy Note 7 safety fiasco, the state-run Shanghai Consumer Council said it had received eight reports in recent months of iPhones that spontaneously combusted while being used or charged. The report, seen on the council's website, was posted Friday. It quoted one woman as saying her iPhone 6s Plus exploded in August, shattering the screen and leaving the battery and back of the phone blackened. Apple provided the woman with a new iPhone but did not address the cause of the incident, the report said. "Apple should be responsible for consumers" and deal with complaints in a timely manner, the council said. "A large amount of consumer complaints is not solved effectively." The council said it has received a sixfold surge in total complaints against Apple in the past two months, including sudden shutdowns of the iPhone 6 and 6s even though batteries still have enough power. The council did not make clear where the complaining iPhone users were located. Apple last month offered to change iPhone 6s batteries for Chinese users who complained of what the company called "accidental shutdown". The offer was effective for handsets made between September-October, 2015. At the time iPhone insisted the shutdowns did not constitute a safety problem. AFP was unable to immediately obtain a response from Apple in China over the consumer watchdog report. Samsung suffered a severe blow over its Galaxy Note 7's woes. The huge South Korean electronics manufacturer was forced to recall some 2.5 million units. Apple saw its revenue in the Greater China market plunge 30 percent in the three months ended September 24, with analysts saying it faces rising competition from Chinese smartphone brands. (AFP)

China users complain of combustible iPhones: consumer watchdog

The newly launched Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio network is offering free services worth ?18,000 ($270)&nbsp;for one year to all new iPhone users, Press Trust of India reported today.

All new iPhone users on the Jio network can avail free voice calls, 20GB data and unlimited SMS from January 1 of next year after their &quot;welcome plan&quot;&nbsp;expires on December 31, 2016.

The sources said that the iPhone users under Jio&#39;s network will receive one year of complimetary service.

A customer who buys an iPhone from Reliance Retail or Apple store and subscribe to Jio would get the &quot;Welcome offer&quot;&nbsp;paid until the&nbsp;end of this year. From January&nbsp;1, 2017, the consumers will get the ?1,499 (about $23) plan completely free for one&nbsp;year, amounting to ?18,000 in total.

The ?1,499 plan includes unlimited local and STD voice calling and national roaming, 4G Data of up to 20 GB, unlimited 4G data at night, 40GB of WiFi data, unlimited SMS and unlimited Jio Apps subscription, PTI reported.

The offer is open to not only the newly launched iPhone 7 and 7-Plus but also on iPhone 6, 6-Plus, 6S-Plus, SE. Enterprise customers will additionally get a 25 per cent discount on the device and attractive tariff plans.

The free welcome plan offered free voice calls within India with no roaming charges and free 4G data services upto 4GB daily.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

All new iPhone users will receive complimentary services for a year after the welcome plan expires on 31st December 2016

The newly launched Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio network is offering free services worth ?18,000 ($270) for one year to all new iPhone users, Press Trust of India reported today. All new iPhone users on the Jio network can avail free voice calls, 20GB data and unlimited SMS from January 1 of next year after their "welcome plan" expires on December 31, 2016. The sources said that the iPhone users under Jio's network will receive one year of complimetary service. A customer who buys an iPhone from Reliance Retail or Apple store and subscribe to Jio would get the "Welcome offer" paid until the end of this year. From January 1, 2017, the consumers will get the ?1,499 (about $23) plan completely free for one year, amounting to ?18,000 in total. The ?1,499 plan includes unlimited local and STD voice calling and national roaming, 4G Data of up to 20 GB, unlimited 4G data at night, 40GB of WiFi data, unlimited SMS and unlimited Jio Apps subscription, PTI reported. The offer is open to not only the newly launched iPhone 7 and 7-Plus but also on iPhone 6, 6-Plus, 6S-Plus, SE. Enterprise customers will additionally get a 25 per cent discount on the device and attractive tariff plans. The free welcome plan offered free voice calls within India with no roaming charges and free 4G data services upto 4GB daily. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Reliance Jio free service to new iPhone users for one year

Tech giant Google unveiled its new line of smartphones called &#39;Pixel&#39; today after much speculation.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The company took wraps off &nbsp;its Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, with artificial intelligence built in, as it takes aim at Apple&#39;s iPhone. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

The two phones will be the first to bear the Google&#39;s brand with the with the tagline &#39;Phone by Google&#39;, USA Today reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In its official blog, Google said: &quot;Today, we announced for the first time a phone, made by Google inside and out, &nbsp;that brings people the best of Google through hardware and software made by Google &mdash; Pixel.&quot; &nbsp;The company also announced the launch on social media platforms&nbsp;

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And that&#39;s a wrap! Say hello to the whole <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/madebygoogle?src=hash">#madebygoogle</a> family. <a href="https://t.co/0e0g3PKz6k">https://t.co/0e0g3PKz6k</a> <a href="https://t.co/gV97oQ3KtX">pic.twitter.com/gV97oQ3KtX</a>
&mdash; Google (@google) <a href="https://twitter.com/google/status/783357288622886912">October 4, 2016</a></blockquote>
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&quot;We are building hardware with the Google Assistant at its core,&quot; Rick Osterloh, head of a new hardware division at the California-based internet giant, was quoted as saying by the international news agency, AFP.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;We believe that the next big innovation is going to take place at the intersection of hardware and software, with AI at the center.&quot;

&nbsp;

The new phone starts at a price of $649, and Google is working with exclusively with Verizon Communications in the United States, Google executives were quoted as saying by Reuters.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Osterloh claimed the camera was the best available on a smartphone.&nbsp;Pixel has a 12.3MP camera, featuring an f/2.0 aperture and big 1.55 micron pixels to capture lots and lots of light.

&nbsp;

Pixel phones, that get a 7-hour charge in 15 minutes according to the company, will come in black, blue and silver and will have 5 and 5.5 inch (12.7 cm and 14 cm) screens, Reuters said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

While the two phones are similar from a design and specification standpoint, according to USA today, &nbsp;the Pixel will offer a 5-inch display while the Pixel XL will have a 5.5-inch screen. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

Google has sold Nexus phones since 2010, but the devices have gained little traction in a market dominated by Samsung Electronics, Reuters observes.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Pixel, a phone made by Google 'inside out', starts at a price of $649

Tech giant Google unveiled its new line of smartphones called 'Pixel' today after much speculation. The company took wraps off its Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, with artificial intelligence built in, as it takes aim at Apple's iPhone. The two phones will be the first to bear the Google's brand with the with the tagline 'Phone by Google', USA Today reported. In its official blog, Google said: "Today, we announced for the first time a phone, made by Google inside and out, that brings people the best of Google through hardware and software made by Google — Pixel." The company also announced the launch on social media platforms And that's a wrap! Say hello to the whole #madebygoogle family. https://t.co/0e0g3PKz6k pic.twitter.com/gV97oQ3KtX — Google (@google) October 4, 2016 × × "We are building hardware with the Google Assistant at its core," Rick Osterloh, head of a new hardware division at the California-based internet giant, was quoted as saying by the international news agency, AFP. "We believe that the next big innovation is going to take place at the intersection of hardware and software, with AI at the center." The new phone starts at a price of $649, and Google is working with exclusively with Verizon Communications in the United States, Google executives were quoted as saying by Reuters. Osterloh claimed the camera was the best available on a smartphone. Pixel has a 12.3MP camera, featuring an f/2.0 aperture and big 1.55 micron pixels to capture lots and lots of light. Pixel phones, that get a 7-hour charge in 15 minutes according to the company, will come in black, blue and silver and will have 5 and 5.5 inch (12.7 cm and 14 cm) screens, Reuters said. While the two phones are similar from a design and specification standpoint, according to USA today, the Pixel will offer a 5-inch display while the Pixel XL will have a 5.5-inch screen. Google has sold Nexus phones since 2010, but the devices have gained little traction in a market dominated by Samsung Electronics, Reuters observes. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Google unveils Pixel smartphone to rival Apple's iPhone

Imagine a&nbsp;smartpen that lets you write or draw things on any surface and export the same to your smart device. 
 
The Phree, a smartpen that&nbsp;uses a 3D laser technology patented by US-based parent company OTM Technologies, was successfully crowdfunded in 2015, and since then it has been able to secure a good position in the stylus market. 
 
WION Edge interviewed&nbsp;Co-CEO of OTM Technologies Dr Opher Kinrot to understand how a crowdfunding campaign helped the product stand out. Excerpts: 
 
When did the initial idea for Phree come up? 
 
When we developed our optical tracking technology &ndash; OTM (Optical Translation Measurement) &ndash; one of the first ideas that came to mind was using it to develop a digital pen that can be used anywhere. We have been using digital devices &ndash; computers, mobile phones&ndash; all our lives. Making the user interface natural and intuitive is something that is on our minds constantly. 
 
How is the product technologically superior? 
 
Phree is enabled by our OTM optical tracking sensor. This is the only sensor that gives accurate high-resolution motion tracking on any surface in three dimensions. The motion tracking during multi-stroke input &ndash; while crossing the &lsquo;t&rsquo; and dotting the &lsquo;i&rsquo; &ndash; allows natural use of Phree, similar to using a pencil pen. &nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/car-20160906045443.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Phree Pen enables the user to write on any surface.
</div>
 
Is the technology patented? 
 
Yes. The OTM technology is patented worldwide by a host of patents, some already granted. 
 
&ldquo;Who wants a stylus?&rdquo; Steve Jobs mockingly asked while introducing the iPhone in 2007. However, your campaign has proved otherwise. How do you feel about it? 
 
Steve Jobs was right in 2007, and the success of the iPhone, iPad and touch interface shows it. 
 
However, our fingers have limitations, in the same way that you cannot compare &lsquo;finger painting&rsquo; with fine details of a paintbrush and pencil. The dexterity one achieves by holding a tool with three fingers is unparalleled. 
 
Apple themselves have recognised the need and came out with Apple Pencil in September 2015, only three months after the completion of our crowdfunding <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1958554063/phree-make-the-world-your-paper">Kickstarter campaign</a>. 
 
How do you differentiate your product from the other products in the market? 
 
No other product in the market provides what Phree does &ndash; writing anywhere and on any surface. The best styluses by Microsoft (Surface), Samsung (Note) and Apple (Pencil) work only on screens. In addition, Phree works with multiple devices. You can switch from your mobile phone to tablet, laptop and TV. 
 
What should consumers know about stylus technology and other competitors before deciding to buy a stylus? 
 
Consumers need to look at their usage scenarios, both &#39;where&#39; and &#39;when&#39; they want to use a stylus, whether their main use is on the go or in the office, sitting near their table or in meetings, with a single device or using multiple devices, etc. Phree is the only solution that lets you use a stylus anywhere and with any device - not limited by the screen size or location. 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/dsc00106_2_ph-20160906050142.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
The usage of Phree Pen is not limited by location or screen size.
</div>
 
Are there any more plans for the future to make Phree stand out? 
 
Phree will bring further usability with emerging virtual and augmented reality headsets, where touch input does not exist and there is no other accurate input device at present. 
 
At what price point are you currently selling your product?&nbsp; 
 
We have pre-orders at $198. Once we start shipping, the price will go up to around $230. 
 
We feel this product is geared more towards the professional user rather than the general user. What are your thoughts? 
 
We see professionals as part of the first users of Phree &ndash; including architects, designers, lawyers, doctors &ndash; people who gain by the ability to easily and quickly markup documents. We also see Phree as being geared to the general user like students and creatives for annotating notes in class, jotting down an idea anywhere and free sketching on the go. General users especially benefit in countries where keyboard use is limiting the input with many characters in the alphabet. Examples of languages that will greatly benefit from handwriting input with Phree are Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Arabic, etc. 
 
Do you feel this product has more potential and can have a next generation? If so, what all changes will be made? 
 
This product has the potential to become the preferred input method for VR/AR &ndash; the &lsquo;mouse&rsquo; for virtual reality interaction. In addition, there is a large potential in education and of course as a mobile input device turning the mobile phone into a work station. Future versions may be specifically geared to these markets. 
 
(WION Edge with inputs from Karanveer Singh Arora, Ashna Mishra)&nbsp;

Phree Pen lets the users write anywhere and on any surface with the help of 3D laser technology.

Imagine a smartpen that lets you write or draw things on any surface and export the same to your smart device. The Phree, a smartpen that uses a 3D laser technology patented by US-based parent company OTM Technologies, was successfully crowdfunded in 2015, and since then it has been able to secure a good position in the stylus market. WION Edge interviewed Co-CEO of OTM Technologies Dr Opher Kinrot to understand how a crowdfunding campaign helped the product stand out. Excerpts: When did the initial idea for Phree come up? When we developed our optical tracking technology – OTM (Optical Translation Measurement) – one of the first ideas that came to mind was using it to develop a digital pen that can be used anywhere. We have been using digital devices – computers, mobile phones– all our lives. Making the user interface natural and intuitive is something that is on our minds constantly. How is the product technologically superior? Phree is enabled by our OTM optical tracking sensor. This is the only sensor that gives accurate high-resolution motion tracking on any surface in three dimensions. The motion tracking during multi-stroke input – while crossing the ‘t’ and dotting the ‘i’ – allows natural use of Phree, similar to using a pencil pen. Phree Pen enables the user to write on any surface. Is the technology patented? Yes. The OTM technology is patented worldwide by a host of patents, some already granted. “Who wants a stylus?” Steve Jobs mockingly asked while introducing the iPhone in 2007. However, your campaign has proved otherwise. How do you feel about it? Steve Jobs was right in 2007, and the success of the iPhone, iPad and touch interface shows it. However, our fingers have limitations, in the same way that you cannot compare ‘finger painting’ with fine details of a paintbrush and pencil. The dexterity one achieves by holding a tool with three fingers is unparalleled. Apple themselves have recognised the need and came out with Apple Pencil in September 2015, only three months after the completion of our crowdfunding Kickstarter campaign. How do you differentiate your product from the other products in the market? No other product in the market provides what Phree does – writing anywhere and on any surface. The best styluses by Microsoft (Surface), Samsung (Note) and Apple (Pencil) work only on screens. In addition, Phree works with multiple devices. You can switch from your mobile phone to tablet, laptop and TV. What should consumers know about stylus technology and other competitors before deciding to buy a stylus? Consumers need to look at their usage scenarios, both 'where' and 'when' they want to use a stylus, whether their main use is on the go or in the office, sitting near their table or in meetings, with a single device or using multiple devices, etc. Phree is the only solution that lets you use a stylus anywhere and with any device - not limited by the screen size or location. The usage of Phree Pen is not limited by location or screen size. Are there any more plans for the future to make Phree stand out? Phree will bring further usability with emerging virtual and augmented reality headsets, where touch input does not exist and there is no other accurate input device at present. At what price point are you currently selling your product? We have pre-orders at $198. Once we start shipping, the price will go up to around $230. We feel this product is geared more towards the professional user rather than the general user. What are your thoughts? We see professionals as part of the first users of Phree – including architects, designers, lawyers, doctors – people who gain by the ability to easily and quickly markup documents. We also see Phree as being geared to the general user like students and creatives for annotating notes in class, jotting down an idea anywhere and free sketching on the go. General users especially benefit in countries where keyboard use is limiting the input with many characters in the alphabet. Examples of languages that will greatly benefit from handwriting input with Phree are Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Arabic, etc. Do you feel this product has more potential and can have a next generation? If so, what all changes will be made? This product has the potential to become the preferred input method for VR/AR – the ‘mouse’ for virtual reality interaction. In addition, there is a large potential in education and of course as a mobile input device turning the mobile phone into a work station. Future versions may be specifically geared to these markets. (WION Edge with inputs from Karanveer Singh Arora, Ashna Mishra)

A smartpen that lets you write on any surface

After weeks of speculations, Apple has finally unveiled the much-anticipated iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus smartphones. The former features a 4.7-inch screen, while the latter comes with a 5.5-inch display. 
 
While the next-generation iPhones come with a host of enhancements, the most significant of them is the removal of the headphone jack. In other words, the new iPhones don&rsquo;t include the traditional 3.5 mm port to connect headphones. The iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus, instead, will allow users to connect headphones using Apple&#39;s proprietary Lightning connector. 
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<div class="embed-container"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q6dsRpVyyWs"></iframe></div>
 
&quot;We are taking the headphones in iPhone 7 and 7 Plus to Lightning, and including them in the box with the device. We have also made a (3.5 mm headphone jack) adapter, which will be included in the box as well,&quot; said Apple vice president Phil Schiller at the iPhone 7 launch event.&nbsp;The adapter will let people use old headphones and accessories with the new iPhones. 
 
With the&nbsp;view to offer users a hassle-free audio experience, Apple has also introduced new wireless headphones - AirPods - which will be available in late October at $159. 
 
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<div class="embed-container"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RdtHX15sXiU"></iframe></div>
 
Another key improvement in the new iPhones is on the camera front. The iPhone 7 sports a 12 megapixel rear camera with six-element lens, optical image stabilisation and a larger f/1.8 aperture. The iPhone 7 Plus, on the other hand, has a dual-camera setup at the back. The Plus variant features the same 12 megapixel wide-angle camera as the iPhone 7 along with a 12 megapixel telephoto lens that offers a 2x optical zoom and up to 10x digital zoom. The new iPhones come with a 7 megapixel front HD camera - up from 5 megapixel on the iPhone 6s. 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/design_hero_large-20160907093030.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
The iPhone 7 Plus has a dual-camera setup at the back. (Image: Apple)
</div>
The next-generation iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus come with iOS 10, which is claimed to be the biggest release ever of Apple&rsquo;s mobile operating system. Apple will start rolling out the iOS 10 software update from September 13. 
 
Other key features in the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus include stereo speakers, 25 per cent brighter Retina HD display, and&nbsp;the A10 Fusion chipset which is claimed to be 40 per cent faster than the A9 chipset that powers its predecessors.&nbsp;The new iPhones are water and dust-resistant. 
 
Pricing and availability 
 
Prices for the iPhone 7 start at $649, while the iPhone 7 Plus is priced at $769 onwards. 
 
Both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be up for pre-order starting&nbsp;September 9, and will go on sale from&nbsp;September 16. iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in more than 25 countries, including China and the US, beginning&nbsp;September 16.&nbsp; 
 
One week later, the new iPhones will be available in 30 more countries including Russia and Greece. iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in India from October 7. The phones will be priced in India at Rs 60,000 onwards. 
 
The new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in silver, gold, rose gold and the new black finish in 32 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB models. The new jet black finish, however, will be offered only on the 128 GB and 256 GB models. 
 
(WION)
&nbsp;

Apple's latest iterations of the iPhone do not include the traditional 3.5 mm headphone jack

After weeks of speculations, Apple has finally unveiled the much-anticipated iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus smartphones. The former features a 4.7-inch screen, while the latter comes with a 5.5-inch display. While the next-generation iPhones come with a host of enhancements, the most significant of them is the removal of the headphone jack. In other words, the new iPhones don’t include the traditional 3.5 mm port to connect headphones. The iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus, instead, will allow users to connect headphones using Apple's proprietary Lightning connector. "We are taking the headphones in iPhone 7 and 7 Plus to Lightning, and including them in the box with the device. We have also made a (3.5 mm headphone jack) adapter, which will be included in the box as well," said Apple vice president Phil Schiller at the iPhone 7 launch event. The adapter will let people use old headphones and accessories with the new iPhones. With the view to offer users a hassle-free audio experience, Apple has also introduced new wireless headphones - AirPods - which will be available in late October at $159. Another key improvement in the new iPhones is on the camera front. The iPhone 7 sports a 12 megapixel rear camera with six-element lens, optical image stabilisation and a larger f/1.8 aperture. The iPhone 7 Plus, on the other hand, has a dual-camera setup at the back. The Plus variant features the same 12 megapixel wide-angle camera as the iPhone 7 along with a 12 megapixel telephoto lens that offers a 2x optical zoom and up to 10x digital zoom. The new iPhones come with a 7 megapixel front HD camera - up from 5 megapixel on the iPhone 6s. The iPhone 7 Plus has a dual-camera setup at the back. (Image: Apple) The next-generation iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus come with iOS 10, which is claimed to be the biggest release ever of Apple’s mobile operating system. Apple will start rolling out the iOS 10 software update from September 13. Other key features in the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus include stereo speakers, 25 per cent brighter Retina HD display, and the A10 Fusion chipset which is claimed to be 40 per cent faster than the A9 chipset that powers its predecessors. The new iPhones are water and dust-resistant. Pricing and availability Prices for the iPhone 7 start at $649, while the iPhone 7 Plus is priced at $769 onwards. Both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be up for pre-order starting September 9, and will go on sale from September 16. iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in more than 25 countries, including China and the US, beginning September 16. One week later, the new iPhones will be available in 30 more countries including Russia and Greece. iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in India from October 7. The phones will be priced in India at Rs 60,000 onwards. The new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in silver, gold, rose gold and the new black finish in 32 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB models. The new jet black finish, however, will be offered only on the 128 GB and 256 GB models. (WION)

Apple iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus unveiled; priced at $649 onwards

Apple Inc on Thursday issued a patch to fix the security flaw with its iPhones&nbsp;and iPads following an attempt to hack the phone of a United Arab Emirates&nbsp;(UAE) dissident. 
 
Human rights activist Ahmed Mansoor had received a text asking him to click&nbsp;on a link. Mansoor instead of clicking the link forwarded the message to&nbsp;researchers at the University of Toronto&#39;s Citizen Lab. 
 
The hack was found to be capable of remotely taking over a fully updated&nbsp;iPhone 6. 
 
&quot;Once infected, Mansoor&rsquo;s phone would have become a digital spy in his&nbsp;pocket, capable of employing his iPhone&rsquo;s camera and microphone to snoop on&nbsp;activity in the vicinity of the device, recording his WhatsApp and Viber calls,&nbsp;logging messages sent in mobile chat apps, and tracking his movements,&quot;&nbsp;Citizen Lab wrote in a report released on Thursday. 
 
The company has now developed a fix and distributed it as an automatic update&nbsp;to iPhone 6 owners. 
 
The attack softwarre was attributed to a private seller of monitoring systems,&nbsp;NSO Group, an Israeli company. 
 
NSO spokesman Zamir Dahbash said that the company &quot;cannot confirm the&nbsp;specific cases&quot; covered in the Citizen Lab and Lookout reports. 
 
Citizen Lab did not directly accuse UAE of carrying out the attack on Mansoor&nbsp;but it said that other NSO attacks on critics of the regime were connected to&nbsp;the government. 
 
It also said that a Mexican journalist and a minority party politician in Kenya&nbsp;had been targeted with NSO software too and that domain names set up for&nbsp;other attacks referred to entities in Uzbekistan, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Turkey,&nbsp;and other nations. 
 
The market for government hacking tools has come under increased scrutiny&nbsp;recently. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

Human rights activist Ahmed Mansoor had received a text asking him to click?on a link

Apple Inc on Thursday issued a patch to fix the security flaw with its iPhones and iPads following an attempt to hack the phone of a United Arab Emirates (UAE) dissident. Human rights activist Ahmed Mansoor had received a text asking him to click on a link. Mansoor instead of clicking the link forwarded the message to researchers at the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab. The hack was found to be capable of remotely taking over a fully updated iPhone 6. "Once infected, Mansoor’s phone would have become a digital spy in his pocket, capable of employing his iPhone’s camera and microphone to snoop on activity in the vicinity of the device, recording his WhatsApp and Viber calls, logging messages sent in mobile chat apps, and tracking his movements," Citizen Lab wrote in a report released on Thursday. The company has now developed a fix and distributed it as an automatic update to iPhone 6 owners. The attack softwarre was attributed to a private seller of monitoring systems, NSO Group, an Israeli company. NSO spokesman Zamir Dahbash said that the company "cannot confirm the specific cases" covered in the Citizen Lab and Lookout reports. Citizen Lab did not directly accuse UAE of carrying out the attack on Mansoor but it said that other NSO attacks on critics of the regime were connected to the government. It also said that a Mexican journalist and a minority party politician in Kenya had been targeted with NSO software too and that domain names set up for other attacks referred to entities in Uzbekistan, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and other nations. The market for government hacking tools has come under increased scrutiny recently. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Apple fixes security flaw after UAE dissident's iPhone targeted

Apple on Tuesday rejected allegations from Russia&#39;s state competition watchdog it may have been involved in fixing prices for iPhones, saying resellers set their own prices. 
 
Apple reacted a day after Russia&#39;s Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) said it had opened a case into the allegations after a consumer had pointed out that identical prices had been set for iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models, which appeared in Russia in October 2015, at 16 major resellers. 
 
Apple, in emailed comments, said it did not oblige Russian resellers to fix prices for its products. 
 
&quot;Resellers set their own prices for the Apple products they sell in Russia and around the world,&quot; the company&#39;s press office said. 
 
FAS said it was looking into the idea that Apple had somehow obliged Russian resellers to treat its recommended product prices as mandatory. It said an investigation had shown that retailers had set identical prices and kept them at that level for a certain time period, including for other models. 
 
FAS has the power to fine firms it finds guilty of price-fixing. 
 
(Reuters)

The Russian state watchdog had opened a case after a consumer pointed out identical prices had been set for the 6s and 6s Plus models

Apple on Tuesday rejected allegations from Russia's state competition watchdog it may have been involved in fixing prices for iPhones, saying resellers set their own prices. Apple reacted a day after Russia's Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) said it had opened a case into the allegations after a consumer had pointed out that identical prices had been set for iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models, which appeared in Russia in October 2015, at 16 major resellers. Apple, in emailed comments, said it did not oblige Russian resellers to fix prices for its products. "Resellers set their own prices for the Apple products they sell in Russia and around the world," the company's press office said. FAS said it was looking into the idea that Apple had somehow obliged Russian resellers to treat its recommended product prices as mandatory. It said an investigation had shown that retailers had set identical prices and kept them at that level for a certain time period, including for other models. FAS has the power to fine firms it finds guilty of price-fixing. (Reuters)

Apple dismisses iPhone price-fixing allegations in Russia

After extending its lead over Apple Inc in the global smartphone market with the Galaxy S7, Samsung Electronics Co is now trying to keep that spirit alive before a new iPhone arrives. 
 
The South Korean company announced the latest iteration of its large-screen smartphone with the 5.7-inch Note 7 that can be unlocked with an iris-scanning camera. Sporting a display that curves down both sides, Samsung&#39;s successor to the Note 5 skipped a number to synchronise its name with the technology used for its top-selling Galaxy S7. 
 
With consumers putting greater emphasis on multimedia when choosing devices, the Note 7 also supports so-called high-dynamic range video content and the company partnered with Amazon.com Inc to make such streaming content available in selected regions in time for the launch. HDR is seen as one of the next big advances in television and movie picture quality, alongside 4K Ultra HD and virtual reality. 
 
&ldquo;It is Samsung&rsquo;s first smartphone to be equipped with the iris-scanning capability,&rdquo; said Kang Byung-jin, Samsung&rsquo;s director of global product planning. &ldquo;Because the human iris is nearly impossible to replicate, iris-scanning is very secure and highly accurate.&rdquo; 
 
The device announcement comes at least a month before Apple is expected to unveil revamped iPhones. The Note 7 will go on sale starting August 19 and roll out gradually across the globe, Samsung said. 
 
The new device comes with Samsung Pay services and will be offered in four different colors, including gold, black, silver and blue. The Korean company also unveiled an upgraded version of its Gear VR, a gadget that twins with a Samsung phone to display virtual reality images. 
 
The iris-scanning technology, which relies on an infra-red camera lens mounted on the front of the phone, can also be used to unlock a secure folder within the Android operating system. Users can store sensitive documents and apps in the directory, which remain encrypted even if the phone is unlocked. Iris-detection is fast, identifying a registered face and unlocking the device in less than a second during a demonstration in London. 
 
Users will be able to authenticate Samsung Pay transactions via the new technology. 
 
Other features of the phone include an improved stylus that can be used underwater or when the screen is wet. Waterproofing the pen makes it easier to use when it rains as liquid on the screen generally makes fingers less effective, while the new pen nub will work just the same. 
 
This will be particularly useful to people who work outside, like delivery drivers, Eric McCarty, vice president of Samsung America mobile, told reporters in New York before the product announcement. 
 
It also has a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera. Compared to its predecessor it has a higher-capacity battery, faster performance, a lighter-weight design and a USB type C connector at the base instead of the older, more common Micro USB port. The pressure sensitivity of the new pen has been improved to be exactly like a ballpoint, the company said. 
 
Samsung introduced its large-screen Note series in 2011 and people were skeptical of its relatively large size at the time, David Lowes, the company&rsquo;s chief marketing officer in Europe, said in an interview. 
 
&ldquo;Actually the industry ridiculed us to some degree,&rdquo; Lowes said. &ldquo;But the way it&rsquo;s evolved is really interesting, because the large-screen segment is the fastest growing segment now in Europe. It accounts for approaching something like 20 per cent of the market. So this is not a niche proposition anymore.&rdquo; 
 
The world&rsquo;s largest smartphone maker faces tougher competition in the latter half of the year. Apple is expected to introduce a new iPhone model in September, while smaller Chinese rivals such as Huawei Technologies Co. release more sophisticated devices using the same Android operating system adopted by Samsung. 
 
Since 2015, Samsung has been releasing its premium Galaxy smartphones earlier than usual to get the jump on iPhones, helping the Korean electronics giant win back market share. In the three months through May, Samsung had the biggest slice of the US smartphone market with 37 per cent while Apple had 29 per cent, according to Kantar Worldpanel&rsquo;s July 13 report. 
 
That helped Samsung post the biggest quarterly profit in two years, mainly driven by the S7 sales amid sluggish demand for iPhone 6 and its high-margin siblings. &mdash;Bloomberg 
 
(Jungah Lee | DNA)

'The human iris is difficult to replicate, so it is very secure and highly accurate,' Samsung?s director of global product planning said

After extending its lead over Apple Inc in the global smartphone market with the Galaxy S7, Samsung Electronics Co is now trying to keep that spirit alive before a new iPhone arrives. The South Korean company announced the latest iteration of its large-screen smartphone with the 5.7-inch Note 7 that can be unlocked with an iris-scanning camera. Sporting a display that curves down both sides, Samsung's successor to the Note 5 skipped a number to synchronise its name with the technology used for its top-selling Galaxy S7. With consumers putting greater emphasis on multimedia when choosing devices, the Note 7 also supports so-called high-dynamic range video content and the company partnered with Amazon.com Inc to make such streaming content available in selected regions in time for the launch. HDR is seen as one of the next big advances in television and movie picture quality, alongside 4K Ultra HD and virtual reality. “It is Samsung’s first smartphone to be equipped with the iris-scanning capability,” said Kang Byung-jin, Samsung’s director of global product planning. “Because the human iris is nearly impossible to replicate, iris-scanning is very secure and highly accurate.” The device announcement comes at least a month before Apple is expected to unveil revamped iPhones. The Note 7 will go on sale starting August 19 and roll out gradually across the globe, Samsung said. The new device comes with Samsung Pay services and will be offered in four different colors, including gold, black, silver and blue. The Korean company also unveiled an upgraded version of its Gear VR, a gadget that twins with a Samsung phone to display virtual reality images. The iris-scanning technology, which relies on an infra-red camera lens mounted on the front of the phone, can also be used to unlock a secure folder within the Android operating system. Users can store sensitive documents and apps in the directory, which remain encrypted even if the phone is unlocked. Iris-detection is fast, identifying a registered face and unlocking the device in less than a second during a demonstration in London. Users will be able to authenticate Samsung Pay transactions via the new technology. Other features of the phone include an improved stylus that can be used underwater or when the screen is wet. Waterproofing the pen makes it easier to use when it rains as liquid on the screen generally makes fingers less effective, while the new pen nub will work just the same. This will be particularly useful to people who work outside, like delivery drivers, Eric McCarty, vice president of Samsung America mobile, told reporters in New York before the product announcement. It also has a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera. Compared to its predecessor it has a higher-capacity battery, faster performance, a lighter-weight design and a USB type C connector at the base instead of the older, more common Micro USB port. The pressure sensitivity of the new pen has been improved to be exactly like a ballpoint, the company said. Samsung introduced its large-screen Note series in 2011 and people were skeptical of its relatively large size at the time, David Lowes, the company’s chief marketing officer in Europe, said in an interview. “Actually the industry ridiculed us to some degree,” Lowes said. “But the way it’s evolved is really interesting, because the large-screen segment is the fastest growing segment now in Europe. It accounts for approaching something like 20 per cent of the market. So this is not a niche proposition anymore.” The world’s largest smartphone maker faces tougher competition in the latter half of the year. Apple is expected to introduce a new iPhone model in September, while smaller Chinese rivals such as Huawei Technologies Co. release more sophisticated devices using the same Android operating system adopted by Samsung. Since 2015, Samsung has been releasing its premium Galaxy smartphones earlier than usual to get the jump on iPhones, helping the Korean electronics giant win back market share. In the three months through May, Samsung had the biggest slice of the US smartphone market with 37 per cent while Apple had 29 per cent, according to Kantar Worldpanel’s July 13 report. That helped Samsung post the biggest quarterly profit in two years, mainly driven by the S7 sales amid sluggish demand for iPhone 6 and its high-margin siblings. —Bloomberg (Jungah Lee | DNA)

Samsung announces new phone, can be unlocked by user's eye

Apple announced yesterday the sale of its billionth iPhone, a milestone for the company as it seeks to keep momentum in a competitive smartphone market. 
 
Chief executive Tim Cook made the announcement at a staff meeting at the company&#39;s California headquarters. 
 
&quot;IPhone has become one of the most important, world-changing and successful products in history,&quot; he said in a statement. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s become more than a constant companion. IPhone is truly an essential part of our daily life and enables much of what we do throughout the day. Last week we passed another major milestone when we sold the billionth iPhone. We never set out to make the most, but we&#39;ve always set out to make the best products that make a difference.&quot; 
 
The news comes a day after Apple reported a drop in iPhone sales over the past quarter, a second straight drop after uninterrupted growth since its introduction in 2007. 
 
Apple sold 40.4 million iPhones in the quarter ending June 25, down 15 per cent from a year earlier, highlighting concerns over growth for the iconic smartphone. 
 
The quarterly results underscored the challenges for Apple, which has built a huge business around the iPhone but is unlikely to see continued growth, due to a saturated smartphone market and increased competition. 
 
Apple has been seeking to diversify its product line and move into services for a more stable revenue base, while keeping users in its ecosystem with offerings such as music, connected cars and its Apple Watch. 
 
(AFP)

'iPhone is truly an essential part of our daily life,' Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement

Apple announced yesterday the sale of its billionth iPhone, a milestone for the company as it seeks to keep momentum in a competitive smartphone market. Chief executive Tim Cook made the announcement at a staff meeting at the company's California headquarters. "IPhone has become one of the most important, world-changing and successful products in history," he said in a statement. "It's become more than a constant companion. IPhone is truly an essential part of our daily life and enables much of what we do throughout the day. Last week we passed another major milestone when we sold the billionth iPhone. We never set out to make the most, but we've always set out to make the best products that make a difference." The news comes a day after Apple reported a drop in iPhone sales over the past quarter, a second straight drop after uninterrupted growth since its introduction in 2007. Apple sold 40.4 million iPhones in the quarter ending June 25, down 15 per cent from a year earlier, highlighting concerns over growth for the iconic smartphone. The quarterly results underscored the challenges for Apple, which has built a huge business around the iPhone but is unlikely to see continued growth, due to a saturated smartphone market and increased competition. Apple has been seeking to diversify its product line and move into services for a more stable revenue base, while keeping users in its ecosystem with offerings such as music, connected cars and its Apple Watch. (AFP)

Apple announces sale of billionth iPhone

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