As the release of iPhone 5 is getting closer, fans of Apple are getting more and more excited. But there are certain things that are still unclear about the intentions of Apple, as usual. While there is no doubt that iPhone 5 would be the best Apple smart phone to the date and would prove to be a blockbuster, it is not clear whether Apple would also launch a mini iPad in the upcoming events. But whatever the case is, this holiday season would certainly be a big one for Apple.

Tech sources have revealed that Apple might launch some of its major products during the month of September. These devices include a 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display, a new iPod touch and a new 21.5 inch iMac. But of course, the main focus of attention would be the launch of iPhone 5 which would also be released pretty soon. Besides, there is a lot of mist surrounding the rumored mini iPad which, if launched, would be the official entry of Apple in the domain of 7 inch tablets. Overall, the last quarter of this year would most probably be the most productive quarter for Apple.

The rumored release date of iPhone5 happens to be September 21. However, Apple has not given out any official nod in this regard. After the hype surrounding iPhone 5 would be settled, Apple might hold another major media event in the month of October which might see the unveiling of the mysterious mini iPad. The event would also see the launch of some more Apple products such as a new iPod nano, a modified version of the new iPad, and a new 27-inch iMac. So the count of remarkable products that the company might launch in the next couple of months seems to be quite high and if things actually go by the road map suggested by the rumors, Apple fans are in for a big treat over the course of only two months.

If you happen to be an Apple fan and are craving for these new Apple gadgets, you better start saving money from now since it would cost you quite a bit. Let’s hold our breaths and cross our fingers to witness the true magnificence of Apple in awed silence.

One of the most curious questions in the tech industry today is whether Apple would launch a smaller version of its famed iPad or not. While anticipation is high in this regard and many people believe that Apple would indeed make such a move, there is no official confirmation in this regard so far. While Apple maintains a clear dominance in the domain of 10 inch tablets, launch of a 7 inch iPad with reasonable price would make sure that Apple also has this dominance in the domain of 7 inch tablets. So far, three price options of $249, $299 and $349 are being considered reasonable choice for the mini iPad. The $349 price tag would probably accompany the 4G LTE equipped version of the device, while $249 would be reserved for the entry level model. Among other tech giants, Google is also anticipating such a move from Apple. Due to this reason, Google is about to reduce the price of its Nexus 7 and bring it to $199, which would certainly be quite remarkable. Once the mini iPad is launched, its closest rivals would be Nexus 7 and Amazon Kindle Fire. Google is quite active in promoting the $199 price tag of Nexus 7, which can also be seen on otherwise clean and ad-free Google search page. This strategy of Google is not bad and would increase the sales of Nexus 7 before the mini iPad hits the market. According to the tech analyst, Rhoda Alexander, Google has clearly raised the quantity of orders being built this year. The expected orders for this year happen to be about five to six million, and might even exceed this number. However, the WiFi only version of Nexus 7 would not be very easy to sell, since at least 3G equipped version is necessary these days, particularly for Asian market. On the other hand, a smaller version of iPad equipped with 3G and 4G capabilities would certainly be very attractive throughout the world, including the Asian market. Amazon is also all set to launch the second generation version of its Kindle Fire, which would have real tough time in the market, given the presence of Nexus 7 and the expected launch of iPad mini. Next few months would be very interesting to observe in the domain of 7 inch tablets and if Apple launches the mini iPad within a month or so, by the end of this year, it would be quite clear who the victor is.

According to the latest information from some of the most reliable industry sources, Apple would launch its iPhone and the highly anticipated mini iPad during two separate events this fall. The sources have even pin-pointed the exact dates, according to which the event unveiling the iPhone would come before the mini iPad event. iPhone 5 would be unveiled during an Apple event on September 12.
Sources have also revealed that the launch of mini iPad would be done after iPhone 5 has launched and is already on sale. The exact date of the event that would see the unveiling of the mini iPad, however, is not known as yet, even though the event would be held in October. It is quite understandable that Apple would reserve separate events for both these devices, considering that both of them happen to be blockbusters. Previously it was speculated that Apple might launch both these devices during the same event but according to reliable tech sources, this would be highly unlikely since releasing both devices during the same event would divide the separate attention which they would otherwise command.
According to John Gruber of Daring Fireball, Apple would not want the reviews of both iPhone and mini iPad appearing at the same time since this would divide the attention. Apple would clearly not want a new product from the company battling for top spots in the news coverage. So it makes perfect sense that Apple would reserve separate events for both these grand devices.
So it seems that the season just before holidays would be particularly very active for Apple. Two new major events announcing the launch of two major Apple devices is something that would certainly capture the limelight for a good while. But we do have expectations of major products from other tech giants: second generation version of Amazon Kindle Fire to name one. Whatever turn the situation takes, next few months would be very exciting for the fans of smart phones and tablets.
Apple has so far not released any official announcement endorsing or rejecting these rumors. This is quite expected since Apple likes to keep the announcements very secret till the last moment. To know about the actual situation, just keep your fingers crossed for a few weeks, or even less.

For many people, the home button of their iPad starts creating problem after being used for a long time. For example, being pressed again and again, it might become less efficient and you would need to press it more forcefully to fulfill the purpose. It can also happen that your thumb starts getting sorer due to incessant pressing of the button. An easy solution to all these problems is putting a virtual home button on the screen of your iPad, hence removing all the trouble of perpetual pressing of the physical button.

Malfunction of the home button of iPad after long usage is not a very uncommon problem and several users have discussed about it in past. Good thing is that if your button starts malfunctioning within the Apple warranty period, you can always have your phone replaced. If, however, you are not fortunate enough and the warranty period has already ran out, you can always apply the method of virtual button which would certainly remove your problem.

Good thing about this method is that it is extremely simply and people using it do not require any technical knowledge. With a few simple steps, you can undertake the entire process. To start the process, go to the “Settings” bar of your phone and from there, select the “General” menu. From there, go to “Accessibility” and from there, select “Assistive Touch”. This is the place where you would find an on/off slider, which you would need to turn on. After turning this option on, you would see a square icon on your screen which would have a number of options. On of these options would be the home button, which would be the virtual home button that you would have on your home screen.

Just like many other minor utilities found in a smartphone, this method also remains to be largely unknown. The method, while not entirely new, is certainly unknown on a wide scale, particularly for non-technical people. But those who have applied it to their devices have found it very helpful in saving their thumbs.

Samsung recently announced the 10.1 tablet version of its Samsung Galaxy Note. Important technical specs of the device include screen resolution of 1280 by 800 pixels, 5 megapixel back end camera, 9 hours of battery life and the facility of microSD card for memory expansion. The device comes with an S Pen that would be used for jotting down notes anywhere and anytime. However, compared to the iPad, third party applications for the tablet are quite limited. The 16 GB version of the tablet has been priced at $499 while the 32 GB version would be available for $549.

Compared to Galaxy Note 10.1, the price of the new iPad starts at $499 for the 16 GB version and goes up to $699 for 64 GB version. It has a better resolution of 2048 by 1536 pixels and has the same 5 megapixel rear end camera onboard. But iPad clearly has a much better access to third-party applications, other than Apple’s own wide range of apps from iTunes. The tablet also has support for 4G wireless broadband networks.

A while back, the second generation version of Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 was also launched. Price for this tablet happens to be $399 for 16 GB version which is quite reasonable. Important technical specs of the device include a resolution of 1280 by 800 pixels, 3 megapixel rear end camera and 11 hours of battery life. There is also a 7 inch version of the device available for $250. Although selection of third-party apps is not bad, it is still far from Apple’s iPad.

Finally there is Surface tablet from Microsoft which would be launched in a month or so. Details about the technical specs of the device have not been revealed as yet but initial reviews and expectations in the industry are quite high. Besides, this tablet would also be available in 128 GB version which does not exist with any other tablet. With the launch of Surface tablet from Microsoft, the competition would certainly be intensified. Microsoft has pretty much bridged the gap between a tablet and a laptop with the the introduction of its Surface tablet. Besides, the competition in the domain of 7 inch tablets has also considerably increased, given the launch of Google Nexus 7 and the expected launch of the second generation Kindle Fire.

Good news for the fans of Galaxy Note: the larger, 10.1 inch, version of the tablet would be launched during August, as per the official announcement by Samsung. The tablet, which would come with an S Pen style, would come in two models: WiFi only and 3G. 4G LTE models would also follow at a later stage. So far details regarding the price of the tablet have not been provided by Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 was announced during the Mobile World Congress back in February. The two features that Samsung stressed upon for this device are multi-tasking and content creation, which would certainly help Samsung against the tough competition in the market of tablets. Besides, the S Pen stylus specifically made for this tablet would be another positive point since it readily integrates with many native apps for the tablet.

Other than the Stylus, important technical specs of Galaxy Note include a quad-core processor clocked at the speed of 1.4 GHz, 2 GB of RAM memory, 5 mega pixel rare end camera working in conjunction with a 1.9 mega pixel front end camera. Finally, the operating system for this device would be Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, which might be a disappointment for many since Android 4.1 Jelly Bean was also recently announced and many people were expecting to see it on Galaxy Note 10.1.

Important software features of Galaxy Note 10.1 include Pop Up Play, which can be used to play vidoes anywhere on the screen, while continuing other tasks. Another feature is Smart Stay, which keeps the display on as long as user have his or her eyes on it. Finally there is S Note, the note-taking app of Galaxy Note that works with the S Pen.

Original version of Galaxy Note, a 5.3 inch cross between a smart phone and a tablet, proved to be quite popular in the market. Besides, Galaxy S3 was also immensely successful, so it is expected that the 10.1 inch version of Galaxy Note would also do well. Samsung has surpassed Apple when it comes to the the number of smart phones sold worldwide, although it still lags behind in the market of tablets, with Apple’s iPad still having a market share of more than 50 percent. However, Samsung Galaxy Tab is considered to be the most popular 10 inch Andorid tablet in the market.

Samsung is all set to release the 10.1 inch version of its famed Samsung Galaxy Note. Original version of the device came with a display of 5.3 and was considered to be a cross between a tablet and a smart phone. Considering its immense success, Samsung decided to release a full tablet version as well, with a display size of 10.1 inch. There were rumors and speculations about the device a while back after which it seemed that everyone had gotten mute. Now, however, the device once again is making news and it seems that its specs sheet have been circulating over the Internet.

Few of the technical specs of the device have also been revealed in the specs sheet. Among these technical specs are included a powerful 1.4 GHz quad core processor, a RAM memory of 2 GB which would considerably enhance ther performance compared to the original 5.3 inch version of the device, a 5 mega pixel rare end camera with the facility of HD video recording in 1080p format and another 2 mega pixel front facing camera for video conferencing and chatting purposes. Sources have also claimed that Galaxy Note 10.1 would also allow the users to connect to smart phones and take calls via the tablet.

The operating system for the tablet is not know yet, although it would be great to have Android 4.1 Jelly Bean for it. Now that most of the high end Android devices are soon getting their Jelly Bean updates soon, it might also be found for this device. Samsung is planning on hosting a Galaxy event in the US on August 15 during which the announcement and further details for Galaxy Note 10.1 can be expected.

The original version of Galaxy Note, a 5.3 inch cross between a tablet and smart phone, proved to be an immense success in the makret, even though most of the tech analysts had serious reservations about it, mainly due to its unusual size. While the 10.1 inch verison of the device is expected to be a success as well, its actual worth would be known only after it is released on a wide scale.

Finally the wait for T-Mobile users and fans of Samsung Galaxy Note is over since T-Mobile and Samsung has announced the official launch of Galaxy Note for the US market. Galaxy Note would have support for the 4G network of T-Mobile and the operating system for the phone would be Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich which would be used in conjunction with Samsung’s Premium Suite.
 
Noteworthy technical specs of Galaxy Note from T-Mobile include Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 Processor clocked at a speed of 1.5 GHz, support for ultra high speed 4G network of T-Mobile, 8 mega pixel rare end camera with the facilities of HD videos and 2 mega pixel front end camera. Among entertainment facilities of the device, users would be able to enjoy the T-Mobile TV in mobile HD3 for watching live TV programming, other than using Samsung Media Hub for renting and buying the latest movies and TV shows. Besides, Google Play Music would be available for streaming and purchasing music.
 
There are various productivity enhancing features that would be available on this device, which happens to be a perfect cross between a smart phone and a tablet. These features include the availability of S Pen, S Note, S Memo and Polaris Office. These features would allow the users to write notes, create to-do lists and annotate documents which would then be shared as well as edited. Users would also have the facility of creating documents, presentations and spreadsheets while on-the-go. Templates for seven commonly used documents such as an idea note, travel notes, diary entry, meeting notes and recipes would be provided by default on this handset.
 
S Note is particularly a noteworthy feature which would be used to import a PDF file and convert handwritten memos to text using the Continual Voice Input and Handwriting-to-Text features. All in all, Galaxy Note is one of the most versatile handsets that have been released by any manufacturer to the date. Although tech analysts were initially doubtful about the success of the device considering its rather unusual size, the device proved to be a huge market success. Other than being available at select T-Mobile stores throughout the country, the device would also be available for pre-orders on the official website of T-Mobile, starting from next week.

After has finally scored another, and a significant one, legal victory against Samsung. This has come in the form of an injunction that a German court issued against the sale of Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 in European Union. The tablet was already banned from sale in Germany and with this injunction, Samsung would no longer be able to sell this tablet in the entire European continent. This is certainly a huge blow for Samsung and a notable victory for Apple.
According to the details of the decision made, the court found that the design of the 7 inch tablet from Samsung infringed on Apple designs from 2004 and hence violates the terms of the copyrights laws. Samsung’s argument that the ban should only be restricted to the German market was also rejected by the court and the decision was made effective for the entire European Union.
Samsung, however, was saved from utter disgrace since the court did not ban the re-designed version of Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Germany. Originally, the device was banned in Germany after which Samsung had to redesign those parts of the tablet which were considered an infringement of the copyright law. After the redesigning of those parts, the sales of the device were resumed. Regarding the uplifting of ban on the 10 inch version of the device, Samsung said that the company welcomes the decision of the court that the 10 inch version of the tablet does not infringe upon the intellectual property of Apple and does not violate any laws of fair competition. In its statement, Samsung further said that “Should Apple continue to make legal claims based on such a generic design patent, design innovation and progress in the industry could be restricted.”
The decision made by the German court, however, is in direct contradiction with a recent decision made by a UK court. According to that decision, Samsung device does not infringe any patents of Apple and hence its sales cannot be banned. Samsung has so far not given its response about the ban imposed by the German court. So it is now known what strategy Samsung would come up with in order to tackle with this recent situation. Other than Germany and UK, the legal battle between Apple and Samsung is also underway in several other countries, including the US.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently released his report about a new iPod touch and iPod nano, in additon to the launch of a new iPhone which would take place during this September or October. The report suggests a probably early september launch for iPhone 5, but a modest bump in unit sales comapred to the second quarter’s number might be expected, given the component shortages and an expected pullback from consumers.

Some light over the expected release of an iPad mini was also shed and it was told that the device might be launched during September as well. According to the predictions, iPad mini would be very successful in the market and during the third quarter, 1.8 million units of the device would be sold. The success would continue to increase and during the fourth quarter, the mini verison would overtake the full-size iPad with an estimated 13 million units sold. Apple, however, has not given out slightest official information regarding the mini iPad but if it is modestly priced along with reasonable technical specs, it would certainly be a huge success in the domain of 7 inch tablets.

The same report has also suggested that Apple would be tweaking the internal parts of the existant full-size iPad, mainly to modify the thermal parts and to reduce the overall cost of the device. Previously, other tech sources have also claimed that Apple would perform a few modifications in the existant third generation iPad resulting in a thinner enclosure, IGZO display and the new heat dissipation capabilities. However, recent sources claim that the changes would be purely internal and would not be visible to the users.

The report has predicted massive sales for iPhone and iPad during the fourth quarter of 2012. As per the estimates by tech analysts, the iPhone sales would exceed 55 million while the sales of iPad would be nearly 24 million during the fourth quarter. This would be further augmented by the launch of iPad mini, which would mainly compete the 7 inch tablets such as Amazon Kindle Fire, Google Nexus 7, and Samsung Galaxy Tab 7. All these predictions suggest one thing: the hustle and bustle in the market of smart phones and tablets over the next few months would be more than ever.