Third wave of Apple with iWatch and how Nike has a part to play

The future of wearable tech is bright and recent new related to Apple's next big thing the iWatch and Nike not building Fuelband for Android does have a link. Tim Cook is a huge fan of Nike's Fuelband and he has been trying to work together with them in making technology an integral part of an iUser's life. There was even a patent that Apple submitted few months ago on a shoe related technology.

There is something going on and I believe this is going to be Apple's next wave.

Ubuntu might be the future

Watch Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth explain Ubuntu's mobile strategy and what it offers industry partners.

Wearable Technology and Apple

The wildly successful iPod Nano' square design was discontinued and a new design was called in. People were perplexed as to why didn't Apple pursue the square design where people found innovative ways to make it into a watch, locket, workout buddy and the list goes on.

Did Apple miss something or did they see something?

Wearable technology is on the rise and with Nike releasing its Fuel band, Jawbone  releasing its Up and Google's Glass Project, we do see the trend of devices becoming more than just for information consumption.

Apple never started anything new but instead improved on what was existing and stagnant. In this case, will Apple pioneer this or does it improve on something that's already existing?

That we'll have to wait and see.

How Microsoft is following Apple's strategy

I bet you might have heard the exit of Microsoft's Windows immediate head, Steven Sinofsky. He was in Microsoft for a really long and his exit is a sign oh how corporate strategy is taking a new shift. People who no longer agree to it (esp: the veterans) are asked to leave, like Apple's Scott Forstall.

The industry is shifting to reunited operating systems as one and making the line thin and blurry. As consumers we have yet to wait and see where all this will end up.

Is Microsoft the new Apple?

With a bunch of evolution of the previous hits Apple has hit its plateau and is showing cracks with its launches but with the launch of all the new products and ecosystems with Windows 8 and hardware, is Microsoft the new Apple?

iPad mini Review | Hardware + Software

I was on my way to Beijing and I saw the iPad mini lying in an Apple store. So what did I do? I ignored it.....NOT! I ran towards it and the store was empty as no one realized that the iPad mini (wifi) started coming to stores. I picked it up and it was light, small and felt more personal. The icons were smaller than the iPad icons which I am used to but bigger than my iPhone's icons, so kinda felt strange as its somewhere in between. The responsiveness was good and there was no lag. The build quality is much better than the iPhone 5's as I didn't notice any nicks or poor anodization.

The major MAJOR let down the moment you pick it up is the display. You will notice it if you are an iPhone or iPad retina display user. You will feel it kinda looks pixelated b its bearable. I mean there is a certain kind of premium feel you will expect from Apple. The hardware definitely feels good and classy but the display puts you off.

That got me thinking whether I would replace my iPad for this and the answer is NO. I love the iPad mini form factor but I wished they made the same gut for the 7.9" which I know is asking too much. I wouldn't say its for the budget conscious as its almost on par with the Big brother. This model was definitely made for the light users, who are on the move and probably lady users.

Samsung or Apple for the 7" category? Definitely Apple....as the ecosystem is solid and iPad apps runs seamlessly on it.

In response to NYTimes article : Apple Shake-Up Could End Real-World Images

In response to NYTimes article : Apple Shake-Up Could End Real-World Images

Apple's adoption of real world skeumorphism in iOS is Apple's key differentiation in the Mobile OS marketplace. Microsoft's Windows 8 UI is a clear departure from what Microsoft has been pursuing for year and that is usage of real world look and feel. Google's Android platform too made that same move as Microsoft and it making pure digital interfaces in its Android Jelly Bean iterations.

Why should Apple be worried? If Apple with the departure of the Scott Forstall and the late Steve Jobs ends skeumorphism, that will be the end of Apple's edge as well. I am not a big fan of stitched leather or linen texture but those made Apple what they are today. Instead of departing a subtle improvement or evolution of the existing design language would be good. In earlier reports, there was a clear internal struggle going within Apple design department.

The question is would Jobs have done this if he was still around?

2013 will be all about Mobile Supremacy

Next year is going to be different in the mobile technology space, especially in the Mobile OS space.
Today, iOS is at its peak of maturity, Android has finally figured out what it’s going to be, Windows 8 comes out of beta and Blackberry is making its comeback.
Big players like Apple are walking on a slippery slope with many commenting on iOS 6 as not so great and “yawn-worthy”. Android has gained market share and is on par with the number of Apps with Apple. Microsoft is spending billions to crack into the market. Blackberry’s strategy is still unknown.
No matter what it’s going to be a huge win for the consumers. With matured mobile OS’s its now a level playing field unless there’s gonna be patent wars, which I foresee is inevitable.

Scott Forstall and John Browett are leaving Apple

What’s does this mean? There were indeed rumors of internal strife within the company when it came to design, especially UI design. Joney Ive “cringed” with iOS design filled with brushed metal and stitched leather. Could he be the catalyst behind Scott’s exit? Or was it the failure of Scott’s two additions Siri and Apple Maps that lead to it?

Something feels strange, either there was a major internal war going on or this was anyway expected as Mac OS X was anyway merging with the iOS mobile operating system.

iPad mini's pixel ratio to iPad = Genius

Keeping the pixel ratio same as iPad is just brilliant! I mean, you could hear a sigh of relief from the Developer Community as no extra work was needed to stay on in the Apple ecosystem. I feel Apple has really thought through the whole thing in the making of iPad mini. 

And yes, I  believe Apple has a fighting chance in the post Steve Jobs era we live in.

Apple's Fusion Drive

I think Apple's Fusion Drive is sheer Innovation at play!

iPhone 5 reviewed | Hardware

I am an Apple Fan boy and I am obsessed with perfection from head to toe in execution. I know no company is perfect but if you are selling something I expect a certain amount of quality, something basic like a device that is pristine when I open the box even if it doesn't work I understand. 

Today I wanna focus on the physical quality of the device. I am huge fan of Jon Ive and I come from a Manufacturing Engineering background as well. What I dont understand are the following;

1. Lightning Charger that doesn't work. I have to constantly keep wiggling it until my phone responds. Lose connection i don't know, I went to the store and got it exchanged and still no use! 
2. Scuff mark ridden hardware. Yes, I did buy the black version. I do understand Aluminium is a soft metal and gets scratched easily but I do expect a scratch free device when I open the box. I take full responsibility if I scratched it afterwards.I have a habit of buying a case as we are pretty nosy when we see scratches. 
3. Buggy Wifi is another irritating factor. Sometimes hot, sometimes cold and all this when I am sitting on top of my Wifi router!

The only thing I liked about iPhone 5 is the Ear pods...simple, clean, perfection. iPhone 5 doesn't carry the Apple values as its of poor build quality. People may forgive this as a minor slip due to Apple heritage of building quality products. 

I hope the future products don't display such poor standards