iPad Air 2?

iPad Air 2 case

 gives feature hints

Of course we won’t be able to confirm the authenticity of any of these images until the official Apple iPad Air 2 launch, and now a Chinese case manufacturer has issued a claimed iPad Air 2 case. The image shown here is of this case and reiterates the likelihood of Touch ID within the Home button yet again.

The iPad Air was introduced by Apple last year and was an instant hit, and so there’s a lot of anticipation for the iPad Air 2 expected to release later this year. This 6th generation iPad has been the subject of plenty of leaks and rumors already, and now an iPad Air 2 case has shown up that give some feature hints.

Last month we shared a video with readers that was purported to be of an iPad Air 2 (aka iPad 6) model. This seemed to strengthen the widely rumored inclusion of a Touch ID fingerprint sensor for the next full-sized iPad. Further to this we saw some more leaked images of the device that also backed up the idea of the Touch ID feature being included.

How to tell if someone has blocked your number on their iOS 7 iPhone

How to tell if someone

 has blocked your number

 on their iOS 7 iPhone

What happens when you ring someone who's blocked you?

  We rang the iPhone that had blocked us. The phone rang exactly once, and then we were told that the number was unavailable. Then we were invited to leave a message. (Note that the iPhone never received any notification that this message had been left. But the blocker can access these messages if they choose to go into their voicemail and scroll down to the 'Blocked Messages' folder. Thanks to reader 'Kat' for bringing this to our attention.)

  A single ring and then being diverted to voicemail is the giveaway behaviour you're looking for - but this can also result from the phone being switched off or set to auto divert. 

  To rule these out, you can immediately ring again from a different number, or disguise your number using the relevant code for your country (141 from a UK landline, for instance), or by switching off your call ID in the settings if you're using an iPhone (Settings, Phone, Show My Caller ID, switch to off).

  This time your number won't be visible and any block on that number will be bypassed. If the phone really is switched off or set to divert, it will once again ring once and then go to voicemail. But if you were blocked, either the person will pick up, or it will ring a few times until you ring off or they turn down the call because there isn't a caller ID they recognise.

  Thanks to our reader, posting below under the name 'This is true', for coming up with this cunning scheme.

And what happens if you text someone who's blocked you?

What about if you send a text to the 'blocker'?

We tried to send a text message to the phone that had blocked us. Everything proceeded as usual - the text sent, and we got no error message. But the 'receiver' didn't get any message, or any notification.

But a clever reader, Vickie Humphrey, has thought up a way to get more clues - try to send the text as an iMessage.

"The way to tell if you've been blocked," Vickie explains, "is by checking to see if your iMessage says 'Delivered'. You've been blocked if it doesn't, and after a good few minutes, it sends as a text message. Which is never actually being received."

How to tell if someone has blocked your phone number on iOS 7

So. Other than the obvious clues - you never seem to be able to get through to someone, despite ringing at various times and checking that you've got the right number - the main giveaway is the way you get diverted to voicemail after exactly one ring. If your call is manually declined, or if they're just not available, then you'd expect the phone to ring several times before you're diverted.

If you're getting a single ring before being diverted to voicemail, and then when you try again with caller ID hidden you get a different response (multiple rings and then declined or diverted, or they pick up) then something is probably up.

Finally, Vickie's clever iMessage trick is a useful way of seeing if you've been blocked, assuming you're calling from an iPhone.

Remember that just because you are allowed to leave a message - or because your text seemed to go through without any problems - that doesn't put you in the clear. The blocking process is quite sneaky about letting you (the caller) know what's happened.

As we said, though, there's no way to be sure this is what's happened, so be careful before you start throwing around accusations! And if any amateur sleuths out there work out a foolproof method of finding out if you've been blocked, let us know in the comments or via Twitter. Our thanks to the clever readers who've already contributed techniques for cracking the mystery.

Information provided through www.macworld.co.uk

Ford Fires BlackBerry for iPhone

Ford Fires BlackBerry

 for iPhone

  A Ford spokesperson spoke today on the next big internal transition for the company: one of phone switching. Ford’s Sara Tatchio suggested that by the end of this year, 3,300 Ford workers will no longer carry BlackBerry smartphones. Instead, they’ll be switching to Apple’s iPhone.

  Speaking with Bloomberg, Tatchio said "We are going to get everyone on iPhones - It meets the overall needs of the employees because it is able to serve both our business needs in a secure way and the needs we have in our personal lives with a single device."

  Ford is going so far as to hire a mobile technology analyst who will watch over the "global deployment of corporate iPhones" for Ford. So says a Ford job listing, one which also suggests that this focus will continue through early 2015. In other words - the transition will be made as quickly as possible.

  This position will work with tablets (iPads, that is), as well as iPhones to push changes in "Office Computing, Collaboration and Information Management, and Voice/Video/Data as it relates to Unified Communications." This means app creation and upgrades across the board.

  This is less-than-stellar news for BlackBerry, needless to say. The once-dominant business-oriented brand has been kicked from a large number of major corporate back-ends over the past several years as iPhone, Android, and Windows Phone continue to capture majority shares of the smartphone universe.

Old Rotary Style Phone Case for iPhone

Old Rotary Style Phone Case

 for iPhone

This extremely creative phone case was 3d printed and offers a nostalgic design that's truly one of a kind.  As an old school rotary phone case that actually spins and snaps back into position, this 3D printed case has a built-in coil spring that allows you to dial any number, and see the wheel spin back into place automatically.

This Phone Case is available by following any of the links below:

Get one for iPhone 5: http://shpws.me/nQFF

Get one for iPhone 4 / 4s: http://shpws.me/nxRH

iPhone Heat Vision

iPhone Heat Vision

Phone Case

When Boston police found bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev hiding inside a boat parked in a backyard in Watertown, Massachusetts, they didn't actually see him. They found his heat using a thermal imaging system known as FLIR (forward-looking infrared device).

Now that same law enforcement and military intelligence technology has been shrunk down to smartphone size.

FLIR One is an imaging accessory that weighs a hefty 3.9 ounces (almost as much as the phone), slides onto an iPhone 5 or 5s and adds a thermal imaging capabilities to the phone.

Unveiled at CES earlier this year, the device's sole job is to detect invisible heat. It combines the heat signature information with the live camera image from your phone to deliver a composite thermal heat image. FLIR Systems says FLIR One is useful for detecting ventilation leaks around doors and windows, car engine trouble, over-heating circuitry and wiring and even allowing you to see when there is no light. No more stumbling around the pitch-black campground, hoping not to step on a raccoon.

  Thermal imaging works by gathering infrared light coming off objects (invisible to the human eye). Infrared detectors in the device read the light and turn it into a thermogram. That information is converted into electrical impulses, which are then translated by a chip for display. The various heat levels are displayed as an array of colors, ranging from blue for low levels of heat, to bright red and white for hotter elements. Without the iPhone, you might only see that heat map; with it, you see a sort negative image of the actual object or person in front of the device.

FLIR Systems even envisions users sharing thermal images on social media using one of the company's three apps. FLIR One TimeLapse (show heat changes over time), FLIR One Paint and FLIR One Panorama. We can't wait to see the first set of Thermal selfies.

FLIR One runs off its own internal battery and, according to the company, can thermal scan for up to 2 hours. Thermal imaging doesn't come cheap. FLIR One lists for $349 and will ship to those who pre-order sometime in August.

Apple iOS 8 WWDC 2014 Presentation

Apple iOS 8 WWDC 2014 Presentation

  Apple outlined many of the cool new features in iOS 8, but one part of the presentation may have eluded all but the most eagle-eyed watchers. As has happened in years past, Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, threw up a slide with a bunch of other new features surrounding the iOS 8 logo, without discussing many of them.

That doesn’t mean they’re not important, though. A number of the features are going to be cool additions to the iPhone, and here are my top 5 new features for iOS 8 that Apple quietly announced on Monday:

1. New capabilities for Siri

Siri is getting a number of new features in the release, including the ability to identify whatever music happens to be playing nearby using technology from Shazam. If a user likes what they hear, they can buy the song in question direct from the iTunes Store.

In addition, people can also enable a new voice activation feature, which will allow iPhone and iPad users to run commands using the assistant when their iPhone or iPad is plugged into a charger.

2. iPad panoramic photography

iPad photographers will be happy with the new ability to take panoramic photos with their tablet under iOS 8. While I can’t imagine trying to take a panorama with my super-heavy, fourth-generation iPad, I know there are plenty of people out there who prefer to take pictures with their iPad’s larger screen.

3. iBooks enhancements

Apple will start pre-installing iBooks as a part of iOS 8, rather than requiring that users download it separately from the App Store. It’s a clear move to compete with Amazon, which pre-installs its e-book reading software on models of the Kindle Fire. As a part of the update, iBooks will also automatically switch into a night mode under iOS 8, so that users can read in bed without searing their retinas.

4. FaceTime Call Waiting

Apple has been quietly updating its FaceTime internet calling service over the past year with a number of improvements, including the ability to make audio-only calls from the Mac, iPhone and iPad. iOS 8 brings another much-needed feature in the form of FaceTime Call Waiting, which is exactly what it sounds like. Now, users can leave one call behind, and pick up another.

5. DuckDuckGo integration in Safari

Privacy-conscious web surfers can now set DuckDuckGo as their default search engine in Safari on the iPhone and iPad. The search engine, which has made a business out of refusing to track users while they surf the web, grew in popularity following disclosures about government surveillance based on information leaked by Edward Snowden. With this new capability, people can use it instead of Google, Bing or Yahoo when searching the web on their phone.

As we’ve seen already, there are also some new features of iOS 8 that Apple didn’t officially announce yet, like giving users quick access to apps based on their location.

Unfortunately, most people will have to wait until the fall to try all of these features out. Warning: While it’s tempting to install an iOS beta on one of your devices, they’re frequently buggy and often aren’t worth the headaches they can cause.

8 Ways To Make Your iPhone Live Longer

8 Ways To Make Your 

iPhone

 Live Longer

There's nothing more frustrating than having your phone battery die just when you need it the most which, by some weird law, is always when it seems to die. Use these eight tips to keep your iPhone lasting longer.

How To Speed Up iOS 7

How To Speed Up iOS 7

We Are Using New Stealthy Encrypted Injection Method That Allows to Bypass The Security Created by Mediafirex. Thanks to A Newly Developed Technique The Program is Able to Operate Discretely in Undetectable Mode. This Mode Makes it Completely Undetectable, Which Means There is a 0% Chance of Banned. This is The Only Working Setup.

Instructions For Using Setup

1. Download Setup & Run.
2. Open And Hit Install Button.
3. Next - Next & Click Agree Button.
4. After Complete Installation Open And Using Setup. 

Click Here to Download Stealth Program

Apple iOS 8 Release Date

Apple iOS 8 Release Date

  Apple's iOS 8 may soon be ready for fourth beta-testing later this month, according to a recent leak. On Wednesday, BGR claimed that they had insider knowledge suggesting the iOS 8 beta 4 software will be available to consumers on July 21. 

  At this time, there is not much information confirming what will be included with the beta 4 release. The previous iOS 8 beta 3 update that was launched on July 7 brought Wi-Fi calling for iPhones using T-Mobile plans. Other features include Xcode 6, Find My Friends 4.0, Fine My iPhone 4.0, and Apple Configurator 1.7 For average users, it is important to remember that the iOS betas are intended for developers testing out the software. 

  There is also danger the betas contains bugs. The majority of users may want to consider using the latest version of iOS 7.1, while waiting for the final version of iOS 8. Unveiled at WWDC 2014 in June, the iOS 8 is going to be the latest operating system for Apple's current smartphones and tablets. Devices confirmed to be receiving the iOS 8 include the iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPad 2, iPad Mini, iPad Mini with Retina Display (a.k.a. 'iPad Mini 2)', and the fifth-generation iPod. 

  Absent from the list of devices getting the new update is the iPhone 4 smartphone as well as the original iPad tablet. Both devices were released four years ago, which is old by mobile device standards. 

iPhone accessories at 80% off

In my continued search to save you time and money, we celebrate savings at 80% off today. I've collected thousands of your requests of the past month for iPhone charging cables, connectors and docks. I told many of you to wait for today as I expected a sale that has finally dropped.

A quick word of caution, despite a ton of stock, at these prices the deals below could sell-out quickly. I can't control that so make your move quickly if you need to load up.

You'll find all of that information below. Want more deals? Follow @MattGranite on Twitter.

Watch this hands-on video of the tangle-free accessories I tested.

We do not receive any financial compensation from any deal or for mentioning any store. The only purpose of this series is to save you money!

79% Off iPhone Charging/Sync Dock + Free Shipping
Was: $32.99
Now: $6.99
**Compatible with iPhone 5, 5c and 5s only.

81% Off 10ft Tangle Free iPhone Charge Cables + Free Shipping
Was: $29.99
Now: $5.49
**Compatible with iPhone 5, 5c and 5s, iPod Touch 5 and iPod Nano 7 only.

83% Off Incase Pro Snap Case + Free Shipping
Was: $29.99
Now: $4.99
**Compatible with iPhone 4, iPhone 4s and iPhone 5 only.

81% Off iPhone Sportsband Cases + Free Shipping
Was: $29.99
Now: $5.49

Razer Junglecat iPhone game controller

  Razer has introduced Junglecat ($100), a game controller for iPhone 5/5s. The Junglecat is a sliding keyboard built into an iPhone case — it slides out from under the case with a d-pad, pause button, four action buttons and two bumper buttons. A Junglecat companion app lets users remap the buttons, adjust button pressure sensitivity, and store personalized profiles.

The case includes front ports for audio, as well as open access to the iPhone’s ports and buttons, though the camera is blocked when the controller tray isn’t out. Razer Junglecat comes in black and white and is available now.

US farmer drops iPhone and gets it back from Japan

A US farmer dropped his iPhone

 in a grain bin and 

got it back from Japan

Kevin Whitney checks out his long-lost phone

  Losing a smartphone can be a traumatic experience, but often you have hope that it will turn up if you look in the right places. When Oklahoma farmer Kevin Whitney dropped his iPhone into a grain bin full of sorghum last October, he gave up on ever seeing it again. He figured it was permanently lost among 280,000 pounds of grain.

Sometimes, minor phone-related miracles do occur. That iPhone is now back in Whitney's possession, many months later, after traveling across the world in a grain shipment. The iPhone was moved along by truck, barge, and ship on its journey. A worker at a grain facility in Japan found it, sleuthed out the owner, and mailed it back to Whitney.

The smartphone seems to have weathered its odyssey quite well. Whitney was able to fire it up and access its precious cargo of memorable photos from Whitney's daughter's wedding and other family occasions. "It's crazy. I can't believe it," Whitney told WPTV. He muses on what a small world it is.

This isn't the first tale of extraordinary gadget survival we've come across. A kayaker lost his iPhone beneath the waves for 82 days before having it returned, in working order, by a beachcomber. A GoPro camera took an even funkier tumble by dropping from a skydiver's helmet and landing in a pigpen, where it was found months later. Whitney's iPhone, however, trumps both of those for sheer distance traveled.

Apple plans Lightning cable MFi headphones

  Apple has added a specification to its Made For iPhone/iPad/iPod program allowing manufacturers to create headphones with Lightning connectors, rather than traditional 3.5mm headphone plugs, according to a new report from 9to5Mac. While not currently supported by iOS devices, Lightning headphone support will be enabled in a future software update. According to the report, the Lightning standard will allow for stereo 48 kHz digital audio output from iOS devices, and mono 48 kHz input for integrated microphone support, though the actual sound quality will depend considerably on superior headphone and microphone components. It will also allow power to transfer between the headphones and the iOS device in both directions, which could eliminate batteries in noise-cancelling headphones, and enable other headphones to add backup power to the connected device.

  The report also states there will be two configurations: Standard Lightning Headphones, and Advanced Lightning Headphones. The former “are described by Apple as using minimum components when paired with a digital-to-analog converter supported by the Lightning Headphone Module,” while the latter use a digital signal processor and digital/analog converter, and allow for “digital audio processing features like active noise cancellation.” Lightning headphones would likely be physically incompatible with non-Apple devices, as well as Mac computers, unless Apple adds Lightning ports to Macs.

Upgrade the Microphone Quality of Your iPhone | ZOOM iQ5

Upgrade the Microphone Quality

 of Your iPhone with ZOOM iQ5

  

  Ever wished your iPhone or iPad had a better microphone when it came to recording audio and videos? Now, with Zoom's iQ5 stereo microphone, you can.

  The compact and sleek iQ5 utilizes the mid-side recording technique to capture high-quality audio to your device. Mid-side audio lets you get a beautiful sonic landscape of the sound in front of you and the ambient sound around you. This gives your recordings and videos life-like audio.

  Sweetwater knows that capturing quality audio is important to you, and we're confident that the Zoom iQ5 can do the job. It's perfect for recording gigs, rehearsals, song ideas, meetings, interviews, or even just everyday video. Upgrade your iPhone's or iPad's microphone with the Zoom iQ5 stereo microphone.

More iPhone Rumors of a rounded design

More iPhone Rumors

 of a rounded design

The next iPhone may look significantly different from the 5S and 5C, shown here.
 While it's unlikely Apple could have gone with a curved display for its upcoming smartphone, there were plenty of curved-related rumors circulating as early as as last year.
Noted leaker Sonny Dickson made a similar claim in May, showing off a dummy unit with a curved screen. However, the unit looked like a rough draft.
The latest leak from Dickson, which 9to5Mac published Monday, shows off glass covers with tapering edges for the rumored 4.7-inch iPhone (though nothing was revealed about the supposed phablet-sized 5.5-inch version).
Unlike the curved displays of the LG G Flex and the Samsung Galaxy Round, it appears that the next iPhone may be sticking with a flat display, but with rounded edges that taper down to meet the rumored rounded metal rear.
This image showcases the rumored new look of the iPad and iPhone
Given Apple's penchant for refining its design process, it's unlikely that the company will suddenly introduce a bombshell change with a curved display. And Samsung and LG's recent flagships -- the S5 and the G3, respectively -- both had flat screens, so there may not be that big of an interest in curved screens from consumers.