Author Archives: Hussain Fakhruddin

Get The Facts Behind 15 Misconceptions About Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs was much more than being the founder of Apple and a first-rate innovator. He was an enigma in the truest sense, and over time, many myths have developed around him. We here flout a few of these mistaken beliefs about Jobs.

Ask anyone about Steve Jobs, and (s)he will be able to tell you that he was the ‘magician’ who co-founded Apple Inc. Those who take more of an interest in tech topics would rattle off details about Jobs’ ouster from and return to Apple, the NeXT company he founded, and maybe even a list of the major products the man launched. There, however, still remains an air of mystery and misconceptions about one of the finest entrepreneurs of the contemporary era. Over here, we will be highlighting the truth behind some popular Steve Jobs-related myths:

 

  1. GUI was a creation of Jobs – It was not. The credit for bringing the concept of Graphical User Interface (GUI) to the market goes to Xerox (1975). The company incorporated all the GUI elements (pointers, icons, etc.) in a device known as the ‘mouse’. Jobs tried to work with GUI during Apple’s much-hyped Lisa project in the early ‘80s, but soon found himself shifted to another, smaller (Mac) department.
  2. Steve Jobs is the founder of Pixar Animation Studios – Pixar was established way back in 1975, and Jobs came onboard as an investor almost eleven years later. By the time he stepped in as the head of the company, it had already tied up with Disney – and ‘Toy Story’ had been released. However, Steve Jobs was the person who made Pixar a public company, lending it the much sought-after financial stability.
  3. Steve Jobs did not have a license plate on his car – According to several bloggers, the great man used to have barcodes instead, on his vehicle. The myth was, Jobs never wanted to get into any sort of traffic problems – and hence came up with this out-of-the-box solution to keep the police at bay. Now, no one knows Jobs’ car plate number – but it’s highly unlikely that California Police would have allowed him to drive around without a number plate. Even geniuses have to abide by laws!
  4. If it hadn’t been for Jobs’ iPhone, there would have been no apps – The Apple iPhone deserves all the accolades for popularizing the concept of mobile application development, and making apps an integral part of smartphones. However, well before Steve Jobs launched the iPhone, there had been devices like TreoSmartphone (Palm), which came with multiple third-party apps. Many don’t realize this – but even Snake (popularized so much on early Nokia handsets) was also an app.
  5. The Xerox PARC concept was ‘lifted’ by Jobs – It’s true that Jobs made the mouse a vital component of the Macintosh in 1984 – but that was well after the tool had been released in the market by Xerox. Technically, it is not possible to steal any concept that has already been released to the public. Jobs first came to know about Xerox PARC in 1979 – but considerable modifications had to be made in it, to make it compatible with the Mac.
  6. Steve Jobs was all about innovation – While there’s no room for doubting Jobs’ flair to innovate, not everything he churned out at Apple were absolute originals. According to Jonathan Schwartz, an ex-head of Sun Microsystems, Steve Jobs was not at all in favor of open-source systems. For the Mac OS X (arguably, Jobs’ most famous creation), he liberally borrowed from the NeXTStep operating system, created by himself at NeXT. WebKit, a HTML tool derived from Konqueror, serves as the underlying base for the Safari browser. Even the Apple iPod does not have unique font-rendering – since FreeType is an open-source resource. Steve Jobs was among the best innovators of all time, but he was smart enough to take ‘inspirations’ from other sources too!
  7. The annual salary of Steve Jobs was $1 – On paper, this was true. However, with a $1 peanut compensation package, one cannot get into Forbes’ list of top-140 richest people in the world, something Jobs did in 2010. Apple, like several other companies, follows the practice of offering ownership stocks and performance-based prizes – instead of the regular salary-and-perks system. For instance, Jobs received a private jet, worth $88 million, as a gift from his company in 2000, simply because he had managed to surpass the projected computer-sales figures. There are many well-known iPhone app development companies around the world which presently follow this practice as well.
  8. Elegant computer typefaces would have remained unknown if hadn’t been for Jobs – Steve Jobs attended calligraphy classes at the Reed University – and what he learnt inspired him to create brilliant, imaginative typefaces for Mac systems. However, with Microsoft and IBM always being fierce rivals of Apple, there was every chance that they could have discovered typefaces earlier. It’s another thing that they did not – and Jobs used this lucky break to give smug speeches about being the ‘inventor’ of typography.
  9. The iPhone was a brilliant device to start off with – Any experienced software analyst or mobile app developer would tell you that this was far from being the case. When the first-gen iPhone was released in 2007, it was little more than a voice-enabled iPod Touch. Jobs had released it as a concept device, and he duly built on it over time. However, thinking that Apple phones were always as chic as the iPhone 5 would be a folly!
  10. Steve Jobs hated Japan – Steve Jobs allegedly ran into some troubles with the Kyoto airport authorities, while returning from a well-spent holiday in Japan. The officials are said to have prohibited Jobs from boarding his private jet, with souvenirs bought from the country. The truth, as learnt from John Paczkowski, indicates nothing of the sort. Jobs himself had said that his Japan-trip was lovely, and he definitely looked forward to visit the country again. Whether he did so is not known though.
  11. Jobs died in 2008 – Steve Jobs breathed his last in October 2011 – three full years after the news of his death had whipped up a storm in the media. It’s surprising that a news source as well-respected as Bloomberg would make the mistake of reporting that Jobs had succumbed to pancreatic cancer, before confirming all the details. A large number of corporate personnel received the report, everyone was enraged when the truth (that Jobs was alive and well!) came out – and a couple of Bloomberg editors had to issue a public apology.
  12. Steve Jobs was a brilliant product designer – He was more of an examiner than a designer himself. In fact, he once had to face a lawsuit issued by Creative, for using patented designs on the sly, for the Apple iPod. In general too, the design plans for most of the major products of Apple were chalked up by Jonathan Ive and his team. Jobs took a look at them, and either expressed his approval or ordered the designs to be redone.
  13. Steve Jobs was a big bully at work – There is a fine line between acknowledging that Jobs was a stickler for perfection, and simply referring to him as a bully. There had been plenty of situations when he had reached out and congratulated/rewarded his best-performing employees. However, there was a brash and irreverent side to Jobs too. If someone won his praise one day, that did not mean (s)he would remain his favorite forever after. Jobs demanded perfection from all his executives at Apple, and did not simply bully colleagues at random.
  14. The power to innovate led Jobs to the top – As Steve Jobs himself admitted, innovation was not the most important thing he concentrated upon. Instead, he focused on having the courage to kill off products and processes that seemed non-viable to him. When he was at the helm of Apple in the mid-80s, the company was struggling – and Jobs had to be more aggressive than his more conservative competitors. He was a master of innovation, but he made it a point to say ‘no’ to all useless things first.
  15. Steve Jobs introduced tablets – Again, he made tablet computers popular – but cannot be credited with the original concept. Almost a decade before the launch of the Apple iPad, the Tablet PC had been released by Microsoft (which, admittedly, was a big flop). The first idea about tablets can be traced back to Alan Kay, who came up with the kid-friendly Dynabook in 1968. Unfortunately, Dynabook was never properly launched in the market.

Jobs has been photographed in t-shirts, suits and even tuxedos in public – effectively quashing the myth that he always put on the ‘black turtleneck and jeans’ combination. Gary Kildall was the man who ‘invented’ personal computers – yet another feat that Steve Jobs is often given credit for. The more well-known a person becomes, more myths start to do the rounds about him/her – and Jobs is an ideal case in point!

Why Is Android Still Way Ahead Of iOS In The Worldwide Markets?

In the battle for supremacy in the smartphone markets, Android clearly enjoys an edge over Apple iOS. We here analyze the main causes for the greater popularity of Android over its chief rival.

As per the latest available reports, Google Android is the undisputed leader in the international smartphone sector, in terms of market share. In the United States alone, the former has a device share of nearly 52%, and the dominance is much more pronounced in several other countries. Although the availability of lower-end Android phones does influence this figure (a strategy that Apple burnt its hands with, thanks to the flop show of iPhone 5C), there are many technical aspects too – where Android outscores iOS. Over here, we deliberate on some of the key factors which justify why Android enjoys a clear edge over iOS across the globe:

 

  1. Better choice of hardware – Since Android is an open platform, users can easily take their pick – when it comes to the hardware system on their mobile devices. Right from Motorola Droid to the hugely popular Google Nexus – a vast collection of setups come under the domain of the Android mobile OS. On the other hand, iPhones only allow you two choices – the 16 GB and the 32 GB models (apart from, of course, the black and white color alternatives). Apple does not quite offer a customized mobile experience – something that Android manages very well.
  2. Installation of third-party keyboards – The built-in keyboard of iOS 7 is not horribly bad – but it is nothing to be overwhelmed about either. While the quality of the default keyboards on Android devices can also vary, it is way easier to simply download and use third-party keypads on them. To do this on an iPhone, you will need to do a jailbreak (with the Cydia app) first. Many people, particularly new smartphone users, are reluctant to do so.
  3. The ‘rooting’ option – Speaking about iOS jailbreak, it practically pales into insignificance, when compared with the ‘rooting’ option on Android handsets. The latter is a relatively easy 15-minute process (and there’s nothing illegal about it either!), which allows you to do a cool assortment of additional things – like adding kernel codes, getting rid of bloatware, and even overclocking the default phone processor. There’s no chance for such deep-level personalization on iOS devices.
  4. More user-friendly app store – Experts from most leading mobile application development companies would agree to this. iTunes might have more, and better-quality apps – but it is rather difficult to get new applications approved by the Apple authorities. The store has the right to decide which iPhone apps are to be featured. Now, compare this with the Google Play Store, which lets the apps that enjoy the most popularity to occupy the top slots (and with it, get the maximum visibility). Since there is no censorship on Android apps, people can find practically whatever application they are looking for.
  5. More convenient file-management – There is an air of familiarity in the way files and documents are arranged on Android phones, which adds to their usability factor. When you plug on the device to your PC/laptop – the entire file system is displayed – and copying/sharing/editing any document is hardly a matter of minutes. The file system on iOS devices is slightly more complicated, and lacks that additional user-friendliness.
  6. Toggling between alternative system settings is easier – Once again, the better customization features of Android comes to the fore. On an iPhone/iPad, if you wish to switch on/off the wi-fi connection, or use the 3G resources – you will have to manually change the settings on the device. On any standard Android handset, there are widgets that lets you directly activate or deactivate these settings. Smarter, and quicker, management of system resources, in turn, leads to the phone batteries lasting just a tad longer too.
  7. Seamless multitasking and notifications – Both mobile app developers as well as average smartphone-users prefer operating systems that offer better multitasking options. Android leaves iOS far behind on this count. The latter still uses the pop-up notification scheme, which is not only rather tricky to keep a tab on – but also requires to be closed one by one. If you are an Android-user, you can view all notifications at once, on the designated notification bar. This functionality remains, even when the phone screen is locked. iOS has smart notification options for Apple’s native apps – Android is a better gadget for overall multitasking.
  8. Adding photos to contact names – Probably not a standout advantage of Android – but this also contributes to the more personal feel of these handsets. You can automatically add images of your contacts in the address book – next to their phone numbers. The virtual address book of the iOS 7 platform does not provide this option, and can look somewhat bland at times.
  9. Option to check out different interfaces – Now, we are not saying that the default iOS interface isn’t cool. However, wouldn’t you love it, if it were possible to try out different user-interfaces (UI), and pick the one that seemed to be the most convenient for you? Android lets you do just that – via the custom ROM installation feature. Professionals from any good mobile apps company would be able to show you the steps for porting these custom UIs from one Android device to another. It’s your phone – why shouldn’t you be able to use it just the way you want?
  10. The home screen is much more informative – On a standard Android handset, the widgets of all the mobile apps installed in it (including the third-party applications) can be viewed on the home screen with absolute ease. On an iPhone, however, you will have to browse through the entire list of applications, to find the one you want. Locating and launching any app on an Android handset is quicker and much simpler – and evidently, users love this factor!
  11. Setting up multiple user accounts – The Apple iPad has lost its earlier craze, and this might have something to do with its diminishing popularity. It can be possible that the data stored on a tablet has to be shared in a team at office, or among friends. Android tablets address this requirement by providing the option of setting up multiple user accounts on them. An iPad can, of course, be lent, to someone else – but two or more people cannot have user-accounts on it.
  12. The price factor – Apple specifically caters to the premium segment of the market (until it released iPhone 5C, at least), while Android has devices for both ends of the sector. On an average, the latter is nearly $375 cheaper than the latest iPhone models. Couple that with the large-number of low-end smartphones that are powered by Android, and you’ll easily get it why more people own these smartphones. Apple can harp over its quality excellence all day long, but it does not have Android’s mass appeal.

 

The carrier support for Android phones is much better than that available for iOS devices (which are still primarily dependant on AT&T). There is one point to be noted though: even with a much lower overall market share, iOS has significantly higher market capitalization as well as quarterly revenue figures. The profitability of iPhones is not under the scanner – but the fact remains that Android scores over it on various usability factors, its average selling price is much lower, and it, not surprisingly, has more impressive acceptance figures in the worldwide markets.

 

An iOS device is still, after all, a niche product!

 

12 Tips To Create Effective Splash Screens For Mobile Apps

Every good mobile application needs a smart, elegant splash screen – there are no two ways about it. In what follows, we would highlight some points that app designing experts need to keep in mind, while making these intro screens.

To stand a chance of becoming popular, a mobile app has to make a positive first impression on people checking it out. It’s all very well to include a host of advanced features and controls in it – but if an app looks dull to start off with, few would feel like downloading it from the stores (or even, finding out more about them). This is the point where the importance of splash screens comes to the fore. These screens serve as the intro page of mobile applications – and they need to be designed in a way to capture the interest of users from the very outset. Here are a few handy guidelines to create great splash screens for mobile apps:

 

  • Make it appear as a part of the app – Splash screens are, in essence, tools to kill off those extra seconds that are required for a mobile app to load fully on a device. However, mobile app developers need to make the screens seem an integral part of the applications, and not an extra page. The duration of the splash screen has to be kept short. After all, your mobile apps (hopefully!) won’t take forever to load!
  • Avoid using long texts or heavy graphics – There is no point in writing long lines of text on the splash screen – simply because no one would get the time to read them. Ideally, use an interesting tagline, which offers viewers a proper initial idea about the application. Use simple yet elegant app development graphic themes on the splash screen. Otherwise, the screen might become slow, hurting the overall performance of the app.
  • Make the screen scalable – Splash screens take up practically the whole of the display area of smartphones. However, the screen size figure differs from one smartphone model to another – and this makes scalability a must-have feature in these screens. For instance, professionals from dedicated iPhone application development companies have to keep in mind the screen dimensions of the latest iOS device models, while creating splash screens for apps. Those involved in cross-platform app development have to be even more conscious about making their splash screens properly scalable.
  • Use it as a branding tool – Considering a mobile splash screen to be only a medium to show off cool animation effects would be rather naive. You should ideally put your company as well as the unique app logo on it, along with other visual branding elements (images, symbols, punchlines, etc.). The screen would be displayed every time the app is launched, and you can easily use the former to enhance the general awareness about your company.
  • Edit/crop images properly before using it on the screen – Remember, once you have created and included a splash screen, altering it is practically impossible. This makes it imperative that you select appropriate, colorful and properly-cropped pictures on the screen. If you are experienced in working with photo editors like Sumo Paint and/or Adobe Photoshop, editing images in an efficient manner before putting them up on the app intro screen won’t be a problem.
  • Don’t make it too long – There are many mobile app companies who mess up on this factor. A splash screen display should never go on beyond a maximum of ten seconds (if anything, it should last between 5-8 seconds). As soon as the app has loaded, users should be redirected to its main page. On average, 1 out of every 4 mobile users close/uninstall apps simply because they have too long splash displays. A quick, short intro – that’s what you should create.
  • Check the screen resolution level – What looks great on an iPhone 5 handset might look distorted on an iPhone 4 – and would, in all likelihood, appear too stretched on the iPhone 6 (which would have a larger screen size). In general too, the average resolution levels on the display of Apple phones is radically different from that on Android handsets (e.g., the Samsung Galaxy range of phones). While creating separate splash screens for every model would be way too time-consuming, you should ideally have three screen versions ready. That way, you can implement low, medium and high-resolution screens, depending on the device an app is downloaded on.
  • Focus on the center – Inspite of careful cropping and resizing, the edges of a splash screen might not be visible/appear blurred on certain smartphones. If you have images/text in these areas, they would not be viewable. You can tackle such probable problems, by putting in all your designs and other UI/UX creative work at and around the central portion of the screen. No one should have a problem in getting a clear view!
  • Do not use Flash files – Can any mobile application development expert be absolutely certain that every user has Flash-enabled browsers in their smartphones? The answer would be negative, and iPhone handsets, in particular, do not support Flash files at all. A person won’t be able to help feeling irritated, when (s)he sees an intro page with the message ‘Flash Player Required’, on launching an application. That, in turn, can translate to high bounce rates from your app.
  • Show the loading progress – For all your creativity and imagination used on a splash screen, the latter is nothing more than one (or, a series of) still images. There’s no scope of user-interaction on the screen – and many new mobile users might not have the patience for the entire splash display, even it lasts for only a few seconds. Put in a display bar that shows the loading progress of the app. It will lend a dynamic feel to the screen, and would assure users that the main app would be launched soon.
  • Be aware of the ‘bleed’ area – Since the aspect ratios of mobile devices vary from one to the next, this is something you need to consider. If you contact any well-known app developer, (s)he would advise to keep around 100px of ‘bleed area’ on the left and right side of the screen, and approximately 200px at the top and at the bottom. Do not put anything inside these ‘bleed’ margins, they are not likely to be visible on most devices.
  • Splash screens should never come in the way of app-usability – A simple, elegant splash screen always works better than one overcrowded with pictures and/or is too slow. Avoid using any element in the screen that might distract viewers, and make the screen optimized for devices that have relatively low-speed internet connectivity (if it is a web-supported app). Tasteful images, shown in an interesting manner before the main screen comes up, need to be used.

 

Splash screens should, almost always, be set up in the portrait mode. Test the screen carefully on the device(s) on which the app would be used, prior to the latter’s release. Android app developers, in particular, need to ensure that the size of their APKs is not increasing too much due to the inclusion of splash screen patches. It is not ‘necessary’ to have these screens from a technical perspective – but they can go a long way in piquing the interest of mobile-users at the very first go!

AppBoard Tuesday – The Latest Teks Apps

Last Wednesday, we had launched the first issue of the monthly Teks newsletter. It’s time for another new, regular feature to appear on this blog. We will be calling it the AppBoard Tuesday mini-newsletter, which, as you already must have guessed, will be published every second working day of the week. What is it going to have? Well, the AppBoard is going to be about us – the apps our mobile app developers create, the ones that get the best reviews from clients/social media followers, and, at times, what’s happening in our office (by the way, it was the birthday of our senior graphic designer yesterday, so wish him!).

First edition of AppBoard Tuesday

So much for the introduction of AppBoard Tuesday. In this inaugural edition, we will be presenting some recently released Teks apps, which have grabbed eyeballs online and at the stores. These include:

 

Smart Cert

Smart Cert - App For Electrical Inspectors

 

Developing sophisticated, customized applications has always been a high point about our mobile apps company. Smart Cert, released in stores last month, is a classic example of such personalized apps. It is an ideal tool for electrical inspectors and project managers to keep track of all the tasks they are helming. In the app, detailed records of an unlimited number of projects can be stored. There is a designated screen in the app, where the risk level of a task, the number of workers assigned on it, if it is a new task or an alteration, and whether unskilled people have been employed, can be recorded. There are options for audio recording and capturing task images too. Certifications are obtained after test results are generated by Smart Cert.

 

Pocket Navigator

Pocket Navigator - The Efficient Mobile Travel Assistant

 

We so love our off-site tours, don’t we? That’s why we realize the problems that people can face while traveling to a new/unknown locality. Pocket Navigator is the app which will make sure that you never have to worry about getting lost, anywhere. Once activated, the in-built GPS of this mobile app will automatically record your current location – and generate detailed maps to the place(s) you want to visit. You can save the routes you frequently travel along (ah, that home to office to home to office cycle!). Pocket Navigator even lets you know whether there are any curves/lanes ahead. What if you go off-track while following a route? No worries, our app will automatically inform you of your mistake – and get you back on the right track. Literally.

 

Melhor Oferta

Melhor Oferta - Bringing Buyers & Sellers Together

 

Getting good deals on stuff you wish to buy or sell can be a tricky affair – but only when you do not have the Melhor Oferta app on your smartphone. All that users have to do is download the application, get it installed (hardly takes five minutes!), and register themselves as vendors or buyers (as the case may be). Our mobile app experts have included a vast range of product categories in the app, so that sellers do not have any problems in finding their most appropriate niche. Whenever a buyer submits a purchase request – notifications are sent on a real-time basis to multiple sellers in the concerned category. Both parties get the opportunity to compare among multiple transaction options, and choose the best deal. Melhor Oferta is a virtual marketplace – where you decide what, how, and from/to whom you will buy or sell anything.

 

Timesnaps

Timesnaps - For taking images and creating mobile videos with them

 

Life’s busy, right? One moment you become a proud daddy – and poof! The next time you really manage to take time out for a family tour, that baby has become a toddler walking with uncertain steps. Timesnaps is an app that keeps such precious moments of life safe on your mobile. You need to set up a reminder, for taking pictures of anything or anyone – at intervals of your choice (weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, your wish!). That way, you’ll know how that thing you so cherish is growing up/changing form over time. Oh, and Timesnaps is not only for new parents – you can track the growth of pretty little garden plants, or take pictures of the places you visit during a tour. There is an option to make high-quality (HQ) videos with the snaps you take. The same can be shared on Facebook and YouTube directly too. If something matters in your life, you can now keep a constant ‘eye’ on it!

 

FitTube

FitTube - Stay Fit, Your Way!

 

The latest offering from our iPhone app development company. This one is all about letting you stay fit – in just the way you want. Users can browse through YouTube fitness and exercise videos, and download the ones they like, directly on the application. From neck and chest exercises, to hamstring muscle strengthening and building stronger biceps – FitTube is the perfect aid for the type of exercises you wish to perform. You can even design your own exercise routines and positions. Simply select exercises from the sidebar, watch videos, start loosening your limbs – and you are good to go!

 

Gym King

Gym King - What's Your Fitness Rank?

 

And what if you wish to hit the gym, instead of exercising at home? Teknowledge has an app that serves as your virtual gym trainer as well. Gym King comes with cool display features, easy controls, and a host of useful tabs and sections. Users can compare their fitness levels with that of others in their own gym, as well as other fitness centers. A unique rank is assigned on the basis of how an individual fares in such comparisons, along with other pertinent health-related stats. All your fitness figures are stored in the personalized database of the app, and can be retrieved any time with absolute ease. By the way, you can share the stats with your buddies via Facebook, through the app as well. If you indeed manage to become the King of the Gym, why not show off a bit?

 

EventsApp

EventsApp - Your mobile will ensure you never miss an event

 

Ever felt that sadness when it’s Saturday night, your favorite rockstar is performing in your city – and you do not manage to get tickets for the event? Many of us have, and that was one of the key reasons that drove us on to create EventsApp. When you have this application on your mobile handset, you will get regular notifications (from well in advance) about all the glitzy, high-profile events that have been scheduled to be held…anywhere. What’s more – you can check out live feeds on what the celebs are tweeting regarding any upcoming concert, fashion parade, music night, or other such exciting happenings. There are built-in maps too – to make sure that you can reach the event venues without any hassles.

 

That’s about all we had to share in this edition of AppBoard Tuesday. There are many other apps newly launched by Teknowledge Software that are doing well at Play Store and iTunes – and we’ll surely talk about them next week (or maybe, the week after that!).

 

Then again, how can our internal newsletter (that too, the first edition) be complete without a mention of Story Time For Kids – the kids’ app that has won rave reviews from general users, software analysts and peer mobile app development companies? There’s exciting news to be reported on this front too.

Story Time For Kids mobile app

The storybooks of the app (at least, most of them) are now available in paperback format – at extremely competitive prices. There are hefty discounts on offer too, on this limited stock of books. All that you need to do is…you guessed it…hurry!

 

Here’s to the developers who were in charge of creating the mobile apps featured in this newsletter. Good work, people – keep it up!

 

Till the next AppBoard Tuesday – stay zapped with apps!

 

Marissa Mayer And Yahoo!: Not The Perfect Fit?

Everyone was looking forward to how Marissa Mayer would fare at Yahoo, after her largely successful thirteen-year stint at Google. Over time, things have not gone exactly according to plan for Mayer and those who placed their faiths on her though. We here analyze some key problems with her reign at Yahoo.

It has been over 21 months since Marissa Mayer took over as the CEO of Yahoo, and the jury is still out as to whether she is actually making any headway towards reviving the ailing company. Sure, stock prices have gone up by decent amounts, interest among prospective employees (mostly engineers) have increased – but most of Mayer’s strategies have come in for severe criticism from web analysts and experts. The ouster of Henrique de Castro, the chief operating officer of Yahoo, is also being looked upon as an example of Mayer’s poor man-management skills. Here are some pointers that indicate that Marissa Mayer has not quite been able to steer Yahoo in the right direction:

 

  1. The starting point was not ideal – To give where credit is due, Marissa Mayer never got a solid base to frame her growth strategies on. Yahoo’s popularity had taken a nosedive when she took over (in July 2012) – and there was hardly any buffer for testing out tactics that might or might not work. Steve Jobs pulled Apple out of an almost similar mire, but that was an one-off case. Also, Mayer is no Jobs – at least, there have been no indications till date about that!
  2. Flop product releases and revamps – There’s quite a bit of confusion as to whether Mayer wishes to project Yahoo as a tech product-based company, or a search/media engine (as a focused competitor to Google). If trends are anything to go by, the former appears more likely – but the response to Yahoo’s latest offerings have been far from favorable. The redesigning of Yahoo Mail interface was roundly booed by practically all users. Even Flickr, the photo-sharing portal, has witnessed a decline in its fan base. In case media operations are to be the focus area of Yahoo, the sacking of Ross Levinsohn (the person Mayer succeeded) does not make any sense.
  3. Unsatisfactory forays into the mobile markets – Yahoo’s new CEO has talked the talk about the need for the company to make a strong entry into the mobile markets. Mayer and her team are yet to live up to expectations in that regard, however. As confirmed by reports from leading mobile app development companies, Yahoo’s recently launched applications have failed to break into the top-fifty apps at the Apple iTunes store (none of them!). There’s no visibility for Yahoo mobile applications, and that’s hurting the company.
  4. Too aggressive acquisition strategies – Have you heard of Loki Studios? Even if you have, most people aren’t even aware about teeny-weeny tech startup companies like these. Probably taking a cue from Facebook and Google, Mayer has been on a spree of ‘acqui-hiring’ such companies – in a bid to build a pool of the best talents, while cutting down on extra recruitment costs. What she has not bothered to consider is that, randomly picking such newbies and offering them fat paychecks might (and probably is!) not be looked upon kindly by long-serving Yahoo employees. Discontent among the in-house personnel at the company is growing, which is never a good sign.
  5. Failure to implement effective HR policies – The stack ranking policy, which Mayer evidently likes so much, is a classic example of her precious little command over human resource management. At a time when Microsoft – the company which pioneered this system of employees being monitored and ranked by their respective managers – has moved away from it, Yahoo is clearly interested in making stack ranking the only guide for scrutinization of employee performances. Unknowingly, Mayer is encouraging the engineers and executives who are more interested in buttering up their managers, instead of putting in that extra bit of effort at work.
  6. Why was remote working abolished? – Even average software firms and iPhone app development companies have flexible working options – so why did Yahoo do away with it? Marissa Mayer probably wanted to make a statement as to who was in charge at the company, when the policy of remote working was abolished. At present, more weightage is given on the onsite presence of people at Yahoo, instead of how much they are actually contributing for the company. It’s the latter that matters – but sadly, Mayer has not yet understood it!
  7. Attempts to bring too much of Google into Yahoo – Marissa Mayer was the twentieth employee at Google, and served at the company for as long as thirteen years with distinction. Understandably, she is making an attempt to repeat her recipe of success at Google in her new company too. The problem is, apart from the online search engine bit, Google and Yahoo have precious few similarities. What worked like a charm at the product-based Google are not likely to be effective at Yahoo, which is, in essence, an online media company. There has been no horses-for-courses strategy-making from Mayer till now.
  8. Yahoo’s surge in stock prices look hollow under the scanner – An increase of over 105% in the stock prices of Yahoo is nothing to be sneered at. However, a closer analysis would reveal that Mayer’s words, instead of actions, have had more to do with this apparent boost in investor confidence. Yahoo’s share in the online advertisement market in the US has declined since her appointment in 2012, and overall sales figures have not shown any upward trend. The rise in share prices has not translated into a push to the company’s earnings and profit figures.
  9. Lack of optimism for a quick change of fortunes – Now, everyone realizes that transforming Yahoo from a loss-making organization to the market-leader is not an overnight task. That, however, does not mean that the CEO would make public statements that positively reek of pessimism. Mayer has come out with the statement that it would take ‘years’ for the company to make a really strong comeback. The question is, Carol Bartz, Scott Thompson and Jerry Yang were not allowed much time to turn around the company’s fortunes – would the owners be patient enough to stick around with the not-too-hopeful Mayer for long?
  10. Yahoo’s attracting talents, but not the best of them – Large-scale media companies invariably look for the best talents from across the globe, app companies are always on the hunt for the top mobile app developers – but Marissa Mayer can’t be less bothered by such common sense-driven policies. The moment she abolished telecommuting at the Yahoo headquarters, geographical barriers were put on the pool of employees which the company could hire. The total number of CVs Yahoo received last year was impressively high, but there was no chance of remote workers (even if they were really good) to work from off-site locations. Mayer’s justification for this autocratic policy is childish – she is at the office, so all her employees have to be present there too. Is Yahoo a school?
  11. No clarity of vision – Marissa Mayer is a talented Stanford graduate, a successful ex-employee of Google – but she lacks the experience of helming an online media company. Her talents as a product engineer are beyond all doubts (Mayer’s A/B testing procedures at Google were a rage), but she cannot really be considered as a strategic mastermind. Under her watch, Yahoo’s products and services are getting increasingly non-unified, there has been hardly any brand-building, and the acquisitions have mostly been hunch-driven. Yahoo badly needs a marketing visionary, and Mayer clearly does not fit the bill.
  12. Questionable handling of the editorial department – Celebs like David Pogue (a former columnist at New York Times) and Katie Couric (a TV anchor) are now members of Yahoo’s editorial department. Whether they have indeed added to the company’s image as a sophisticated online media firm remains under doubt though. Jai Singh, former chief editor, has already left Yahoo – a telltale sign that all is not well in this department. Mayer has made it mandatory for all editors to report to Kathy Savitt (the CMO) – yet another decision that has not been well received.

It’s not that people do not wish Marissa Mayer to succeed at Yahoo. With Microsoft not being the force it once was, it would be great to have a worthy competitor to Google. Mayer is surely giving it her best shot at reviving Yahoo – but this might be a classic scenario of where her best efforts are simply not good, or apt, enough!

 

Infowatch April – The Teks Newsletter

Hello and welcome to the inaugural edition of the Teknowledge newsletter. It would be brought out on the final working day of each month, and we will focus on updating general readers as well as our in-house mobile app developers about the going-ons in the tech world. In other words, the Teks newsletter is your monthly dose of all that you need to know!

 

Without further ado, let’s turn our attentions to the major highlights from the domain of technology that grabbed headlines in April:

 

The Apple-Samsung lawsuit

The fight between Apple Inc and Samsung over patent violations will be rolling over till next month. The $2.2 billion lawsuit has been referred for scrutiny under a California-based jury. 5 patents (each valued at around $40 million) are being disputed. As many as ten of Samsung’s flagship devices are under the scanner. Not the recently launched Galaxy S5 though.

Microsoft-Nokia deal completes

Months after the deal had been signed, the merger of Microsoft and Nokia was completed in the latter part of April. The financial reports for the first quarter of 2014 have been released, and the biggest point of note is that the figures on Microsoft Azure are on an upward trend. Satya Nadella would take heart from the reports.

The Heartbleed panic

It was panic station in the cyber world, as reports of the Heartbleed bug became public. It exposed the vulnerabilities of sites using OpenSSL technology, and millions of people had to change their mail/social media/e-banking and other passwords. What’s more – it was revealed that the bug stemmed from a programming error committed by Robin Seggelmann, way back in 2011!

Twitter continues to struggle

Microblogging site Twitter is not being able to make much headway in its fight to match up to Facebook’s growing reach. During this quarter, Twitter suffered a record drop in stock prices (over 10%) to touch $38.05 – a figure that’s even lower than it’s IPO level. Dick Costolo, the CEO, is hopeful that the upcoming redesigns on the Twitter platform would lead to change of fortunes.

Nokia before Apple in the tablet market?

At least that’s what David Cord, a noted journalist and a former employee of Nokia, indicates in his book – ‘The Decline and Fall of Nokia’. In 2001 (almost 9 years before the Apple iPad was launched) – Nokia had created the prototype for a Symbian-powered tablet, named Nokia 510 Web. Production was halted midway though, and at present, about 130 pieces of the device remain.

Android consolidates its stranglehold in the global tablet markets

Staying on the topic of tablets, it’s clear that Google Android is surging way ahead of Apple in this sector. During the last quarter, while the market share of Android tablets reached 65.8% (a jump of nearly 13%), that of the iPad was a disappointing 28.4% (a 16% drop). Even Windows tablets registered a rise in sales.

IPL comes on Nokia

It’s the IPL season – and professional mobile app development experts have made a custom app for Nokia Lumia and Nokia X handsets, for seamless live streaming of the matches. This cutting-edge mobile TV app has been named nexGTv (available for download at the Windows Store). Apart from free match coverage, cricket fans can catch highlights packages on the app as well.

Apple and Google go ‘Green’

April 22 was Earth Day, and both Apple and Google showed that they care for environmental wellness – via separate campaigns. Tim Cook’s company came up with the ‘Better’ campaign, focused to highlight how Apple products are instrumental in reducing the level of carbon footprints. Google, on the other hand, continued with its good work with ‘Nest’ – the thermostat it had acquired for a whopping $3.2 billion in January.

Statutory warning against Internet Explorer

With Chrome and Firefox being the preferred web browsers of most people, the number of regular Internet Explorer (IE) users have steadily dwindled. In April, the American government issued an official warning – stating that continued usage of IE could easily lead to hack attacks. This was particularly true for those using Internet Explorer on Windows XP, since the latter is no longer being maintained by Microsoft.

Founder of VKontakte refuses to return to Russia

Do you know who Pavel Durov is? The 29-year old is the founder of VKontakte – the most popular social networking site in Russia – and is often referred to as the ‘Russian Zuckerberg’. At present he is not in his home country, and has ruled out a return until his 7-point corruption removal demands are met. Incidentally, the user-base of VKontakte is nearly double of that of Facebook in Russia!

Google implements time-travel feature in Maps

Executives from almost every mobile apps company agree that Google Maps are way better than Apple Maps – and the former has now become more innovative than ever. Images of places, localities and even select neighborhoods – from as far back as 2007 – can be viewed on Google Maps. Night snaps, and pictures from different seasons are also available.

Finally, a battery with a really long life

The professional research experts at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (affiliated to the Department of Energy, US) have started working on a battery – that would reportedly last for over 10 years (you read that right!) without requiring a recharge. Prototypes of this CFx battery are already ready, although production and testing would take some time.

New smartphones continue to hit the markets

The launch of HTC Desire 816, Samsung Galaxy Beam 2 and Micromax Canvas Doodle 3 might have grabbed the most eyeballs in April – but they were far from being the only smartphone models to be released in April. We had the Spice Smart Flo Glam, the Lenovo 860, the Samsung Galaxy 3 Neo (promoted as ‘your best mate’), the Asus Zenfone 4/5/6, the Nokia Lumia 630/635/930, and a host of others. It remains to be seen which ones among these manages to sustain in the mobile markets.

Nexus 5 holds sway in India

With a device share of over 11.5%, Google Nexus 5 has emerged as the leading Android phone in India. MOTO XT1033 and Samsung SM-N900 take up the second and third positions. Internationally, Xiami MI 3 (a Chinese mobile brand) bagged the top spot among Android handsets, with Nexus 5 present in the 6th position.

Amazing pay hike for LinkedIn CEO

Jeffrey Weiner, the CEO of LinkedIn, was already a man with a more-than-handsome pay package. Following the professional network’s strong showing in 2013 and early-2014, Weiner has now been offered a 42-times increase in his annual compensation (along with a cash bonus and a free iPad). His yearly pay-package now? A shade over $49 million!

Nokia targets all selfie-fans with ‘Superman’

The Nokia Superman handset, with a 4.7-inch display and 5 MP rear camera, is being touted as the very first selfie-based smartphone. Currently in the development phase, Superman is likely to be launched during the third or fourth quarter of 2014.

Yahoo aims to overtake Google in mobile search

Marissa Mayer, the Yahoo CEO, is making a strong attempt to make Yahoo the default search engine on Apple iPhones. At present, Google, on the Safari web browser, is mostly used for accessing the web by iPhone/iPad-owners – but all that can change if Mayer indeed manages to get a toehold in the mobile app markets. Remember, Apple already uses the Yahoo Stocks app.

Start Menu returns on Windows 8

Much of the flak that Windows 8 received was due to the absence of the familiar ‘Start’ menu on the home screen. A Microsoft update, expected to roll out in August, will address this issue. The ‘Start’ menu will make a comeback – in the form it is present in Windows 7.

Banking malware threat keeps Android users worried

Just as the buzz over the Heartbleed bug was dying down, news of a Trojan banking malware started doing the rounds. According to Android application developers, this fake Facebook app, once installed in mobiles – could compromise the confidentiality of account and transaction information.

Rajeev Suri takes charge of Nokia

On the 29th of April, Rajeev Suri was named as the new CEO of Nokia Corporation. The 46-year old was earlier the head of the Nokia Solutions and Networks (NSN) department. Suri is an MIT-alumnus, and has been working with distinction at Nokia since 1995.

 

So much for what has been going around the world of technology in April. What were we up to during this month? Let’s do a brief roundup:

 

Several new apps were launched

April was a busy month for our developers – with several new additions to our mobile app portfolio. Among the ones released this month, Melhor Oferta and Smart Cert have already garnered positive reviews and high popularity levels. Version 2.0 of our well-received Gym King app was also released.

We are now on Behance

Teknowledge on Behance

We wish to reach out to peers, clients, and experts from the field of mobile app development – and our new Behance profile is the latest step in that regard. Viewers can take a look at the creative work of our UI/UX developers – and send in their valuable feedback. With nearly 220 appreciations already, we feel that we are on the right path!

Client visit from Down Under

One of our many esteemed international clients paid us a weeklong visit in April – all the way from Australia. Apart from finetuning the details about the project he had delegated to us, he was an eager participant in our monthly birthday bash. In fact, he even offered to become the photographer, for a group snap of the Teks Family. We happily obliged!

Off-site fun

Winner of our sand-castle competition

The entire team of our mobile app company headed to Mandarmani during the first weekend of the month, for a 2-day trip. From watching the sunrise and seeing red crabs, to candid photo sessions, gorging on lip-smacking delicacies, and dance music (with a bit of belly-dancing thrown in the mix!) – the tour had it all!

 

That about sums up what April was all about, for the world of technology as well as for our company. We promise a funnier, livelier, more informative newsletter next month…

 

Till then, stay zapped with apps!

15 iPhone-Related Myths – Busted!

High-end mobile gadgets often spawn many thoroughly unfounded myths about them. The Apple iPhone is no exception to this. In what follows, we will shed light on the truth behind a few common misplaced beliefs about the iPhone.

It’s understandable when a person has misconceptions about a pricey, high-end gadget that (s)he does not own. Surprisingly, when it comes to mobile handsets – such myths are common even among those who have been using popular smartphone models for relatively long periods. A case in point would be the Apple iPhone – about which plenty of such baseless beliefs clout the minds of owners. We will here debunk some of these iPhone-related myths:

 

“iPhone Is The Most Popular Smartphone Model”

 

Apple would like iPhone-buyers to believe that iOS is the undisputed leader in the worldwide mobile handset markets, but the figures reveal quite the opposite story. In most countries, Android enjoys the dominant position in the smartphone sector, with hefty leads over iPhones. What’s more – the gap between Android handsets and iPhones in most of these nations is increasing over time. Apple has a very strong presence in UK, US and, to a lesser extent, China – but that’s about it.

 

“Using A Screen Protector For The iPhone Is An Absolute Must”

 

Nothing of the sort. Try scratching the Gorilla Glass screen of iPhone 5 – and the only thing you will end up with is a sharp pain in your fingernails. The iPhone screen is, on average, nearly thirty times tougher than plastic. That, in turn, makes it virtually scratch-resistant. However, iPhone app developers do recommend putting on a light screen cover – to prevent the screen from getting soiled.

 

“The Fingerprint Sensor Has Been Key For The Success Of iPhone 5”

 

Fingerprint detection is an important security feature on iPhone 5, it was hyped up to the skies before the model’s launch – but it can’t take all the credit for the success of the phone. There are cell phone contracts that Apple get into, which make the older phones no longer available in certain markets. iPhone 5 becomes the only viable option for Apple fans – and surveys have shown that buyers opt for it due to many of its other cool features, instead of only the built-in fingerprint sensor. The feature ain’t strong enough to lure customers on its own!

 

“It’s Difficult To Earn Profits By Making iPhone Apps”

 

Apple has a 30% share on all the proceeds from the downloads of mobile applications from iTunes. That, however, does not mean leading iPhone app development companies cannot make hefty profits from the app-making business. Makers of gaming apps like Angry Birds and Candy Crush Saga have made quite a fortune, even after paying Apple its share.

 

“The Notes App On iPhones Has A Single Font Option”

 

If you believe this, you have not explored the features of your handset properly yet. Comic Sans is the default font on the Notes app – but you can easily change it from the Settings of your device. There are several fonts to choose from – ranging from outright formal ones, to the more casual writing styles. Simply select the one that would be the most appropriate.

 

“iPhone 5C Showed That Apple Could Reach Out To the Lower-End Of The Market”

 

Hardcore Apple fanboys/girls might disagree, but iPhone 5C was nothing more than a poor concept (that too, clumsily implemented) by the company. The plastic-body, colorful phones have performed poorly in the markets till date, and most researchers have felt that it is not cheap enough either (to be the preferred choice of average users). iPhone 5C showed that Apple is not afraid to experiment, but this was an experiment gone horribly bad.

 

“iPhone Does Not Allow Printing”

 

There are plenty of applications developed by third-party mobile app companies to enable seamless printing over the wireless network. In case you are using the latest version of iOS, you will also find AirPrint – an in-built printing tool, that enables users to give print commands directly from your iPhone. The only thing that might be a problem is – there are not too many printers that are compatible with the iOS Airprint feature.

 

“Tim Cook Has Stepped In Well Into Steve Jobs’ Shoes”

 

Try telling this to Yukari Iwatani Kane (author of ‘Haunted Empire: Apple After Steve Jobs’), and you’ll face a mighty strong reaction. In general too, Cook cannot be said to have built on anything significant to Jobs’ well-laid empire – at least till date. The two major gadgets that might shape Cook’s fortunes at Apple Inc. are the iWatch and the iPhone 6 (albeit, to a lesser degree). If either of them bombs, Tim Cook is going to face further flak.

 

“Users must NEVER Touch The Antennae Of iPhone”

 

This myth stems from some reports about reception-loss that came in from early iPhone 4-users. Whenever the antennae area – near the lower left side of the device was touched – there were network connectivity problems. However, Apple has fixed this issue quite some time ago. No longer do you have to be careful about how you hold your iPhone – it would remain properly functional at all times!

 

“iPhone Is Being Ably Backed Up By iPad In Terms Of Sales”

 

This used to be the case, but there have been telltale signs during the past few quarters that people’s interest in the Apple iPad is steadily waning. Last quarter, the sale of iPad dropped by over 16% compared to the corresponding period last year – while iPhone sales shot up by nearly 19%. It’s won’t be wrong to state that the iPad is no longer one of the most important money-earners for Apple. The company has become rather too dependent on the iPhone.

 

“Overcharging Can Permanently Damage iPhones”

 

Let alone iPhones, overcharging does not pose any risks for handsets that use lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries. Once your device gets fully charged, the ‘trickle charging’ starts – which basically means, the charge automatically drops by 1%, and is made up again, in a loop. You cannot, technically, ‘overcharge’ an iPhone. So, you can keep the mobile on charge for the whole night, without worrying about it!

 

“Performing An iOS Jailbreak Is A Punishable Offence”

 

Of course Apple does not encourage buyers to do a jailbreak on their iPhones – but considering it to be a crime would be stretching the imagination too much. Leading mobile app developers highlight that, doing a jailbreak to install third-party apps does not violate any copyright regulations, and hence, cannot be a legal offence. The official warranty on the iPhone would be rendered void, and that’s the only risk you have to be prepared to face. If jailbreak had been illegal, the demand for Cydia would not have been so high!

 

“Siri For iPhone Is An Amazingly Efficient Voice Assistant”

 

This is a myth that is more common among people who do not own an iPhone. Siri, the digital voice assistant for iPhone, is not a bad application – but it’s not the most efficient either. There are language and accent-related problems, that lead Siri to misunderstand/ignore several commands. Many iPhone-users even consider Siri to be more of a distraction. Siri is supposedly witty, but for having a laugh – few people turn to their phones.

 

“Getting Apps Approved at iTunes Is A Long-Drawn, Tough Process”

 

Sure, Apple has a set of guidelines that every mobile app developer has to follow. Provided that is done, apps can get approved at iTunes within a matter of a few days. There are certain naming conventions, apps have to be pre-tested for bugs, and there should not be any sexual connotation in the name/features of the mobile applications submitted to iTunes. There are plenty of rather useless apps showcased at the store too – which got approved simply because they adhered to the guidelines.

 

“The Chief Cause Of Battery Drain In iPhones Is The Set Of Installed Apps”

 

Again, incorrect. How quickly the battery of your iPhone gets drained out of juice depends on how you use mobile apps on it – and not by the number of them installed. Most iPhone applications do not keep running in the background, which rules out probabilities of excess battery power wastage. Closing the apps that are not being used is easy too. In fact, battery drainage gets accelerated if you set up frequent push notifications for emails, repeatedly open certain apps (e.g., Facebook), and other such ways in which the applications are utilized on an iPhone.

Several of these iPhone-related myths show Apple in a more favorable light than it deserves (the market share case, for instance). Many of them lead to incorrect use of the device as well, leading to shorter life-span for the handset. If you are planning to get an iPhone anytime soon, it’s high time you stopped being shrouded by any of the above myths!

 

Apple iPad: Problems Cropping Up?

No longer is the Apple iPad in an overwhelmingly dominant position in the international tablet market. The sales and revenue figures have tapered off, and growing discontent among users about the many glitches in the device has been the main cause for that. We will here take you through some of the problems that add to iPad owners’ woes.

Even a couple of years ago, anyone questioning the dominance of the iPad in the tablet markets worldwide would have been laughed at. Apple was enjoying amazing sales growth figures on the device (in the range of 75-80%), reviews were more than decent, and competitors like Amazon looked far off the pace. The flop show of the iPad Mini Retina has turned the tables quite a bit though – and Apple is currently not being able to sustain the earlier heady revenues on overall iPad sales. Complaints about unsatisfactory features of the Apple iPad have also become more common, particularly regarding the following issues:

 

  1. Frequent drops in wi-fi connectivity – The moment an iPad is moved from its optimal distance from its router – the wireless internet coverage on the former tends to weaken. There are cases of the connections getting terminated completely as well. You can try tapping on the Airplane Mode or simply reset the network settings, to get the device reconnected to the wireless environment (provided that the positioning of the router is correct). In certain cases, you might have to go for the Renew Lease option.
  2. Problems in getting the iPad switched on – Interesting applications are launched in large numbers every year, by iPhone/iPad app development companies every year. Users who have installed too many apps often face difficulties in turning on the device. Of course, not regularly charging the iPad would further add to the problem. Pressing the Home and Sleep buttons might bring back that Apple logo on the screen. This troubleshooting trick does not always work though, and people have to rush to a technician. This, understandably, does not please them.
  3. iPads can get overheated soon – And that’s even when they are not placed in protective cases. A malfunctioning battery and/or selection of an unnecessarily high display resolution option generally leads to this problem. There have been many instances of the device showing a brief warning and then automatically shutting down, much to the chagrin of users. Overheating is hardly ever a problem on Apple iPhones. It’s surprising why the iPad’s performance is not equally good in this regard.
  4. Appearance of ‘ghost applications’ – Nopes, iPads are not susceptible to attacks from the supernatural – but ‘ghost apps’ appear pretty regularly on them. People who often sync their devices over non-secure wireless networks are most likely to face this issue. A lot of apps – which have never been downloaded by a particular user – would appear on the home screen of his/her iPad. Their icons are faded, and tapping on them has no effects whatsoever. The only solution is to connect the device to iTunes, and delete these ‘ghost apps’. In other words, extra hassles!
  5. Abrupt screen freezes – All iPad-users have faced the problem of frozen screens – but for some, the problem simply keeps resurfacing too frequently. If you are in the habit of downloading and installing non-verified applications from any obscure mobile apps company, that can be the prime cause for such screen freezes. You need to restart/reset the iPad, look for the offending app, and permanently get rid of it (and not keep it running in the background!). According to many reports, this does not get the iPad back up though – and doing a complete System Restore remains the only other option.
  6. Performing data restore is a pain – Talking about system restores, we should highlight that it is not as easy a task as it might seem at first. Reports of the system restore process stalling midway (inexplicably) is far from being uncommon. Many users often complain that doing a data backup restore over a wireless network takes a frustratingly long time. Most of these problems are faced by users looking to restore data from iCloud. Switching over to iTunes and/or restarting the router might be a temporary remedy. Chances are high that the internal settings of the iPad have become damaged though.
  7. Stop-start charging – Apple iPads come with adapter cables for charging – but theoretically, you should be able to charge it by connecting the device with a Mac computer too. In fact, mobile app development experts recommend the latter process for iPod Touch as well as iPhones too. In truth though, there have been plenty of instances when iPads refuse to start getting charged (or, the charging stops after a few minutes) – when they have been connected to a Mac. This occurs even when the Mac in question is of the latest version. The battery life of the iPad is nothing to make a song and dance about – and if charging it becomes a worry, users can’t be held at fault for feeling disgruntled.
  8. Where is the iPad on iTunes? – A question that quite a few henpecked iPad-users have had to wonder about, in the recent past. Contrary to general belief, just deleting and reinstalling iTunes on the computer is not a sureshot solution to the issue. The problem might crop up if you have not opted for the updated version of iTunes, or (more seriously) there is something wrong in the setup files of your device. In case this occurs only because a port or a cable is faulty, you can consider yourself fortunate!
  9. Yellowish shades on the display screen – This is a problem exclusively for owners of the iPad Air – if we go by the complaints. Most users say that the color on their device screen is not uniform – with the left side often appearing more yellow than the right panel. Blackened lines can appear at or near the edges of the screen too, within weeks of the purchase. If you are indeed facing such problems, take the problematic device to an Apple dealer as soon as possible. It’s a production defect, and you cannot repair it manually.
  10. The app store icon is no longer visible – A shocker for iPad-addicts, and a potential source of business loss for iOS app developers as well! While doing a search using Spotlight generally helps users locate the sought-after icon, it might be necessary to navigate to the ‘Restrictions’ tab (under ‘General’), and switch on the ‘Installing apps’ option. There might well be a broken feature/bug in the iPad’s sync settings. A System Restore (from the last known good backup) should help. Make sure that you do not have too many apps on your iPad – locating the App Store icon in a crowd of other icons might be tricky!
  11. Drops in network coverage – We are here not talking about remote places, where getting network connectivity is practically impossible on any mobile device. It might well be that there is full cellular coverage on your handset, while the iPad keeps happily ‘searching for network’. The problem generally stems from faulty carrier services or snags in the software/network settings. Disabling the LTE connection option might also lead to the restoration of network services. Remember, if such cellular data drops are rather common on your iPad, it is probably nearing the end of its lifetime.

While the responsiveness of the iPhone touchscreen is one of the device’s high points, the same cannot be said about the iPad’s touch features. Accessing app data and syncing data via iCloud often prove to be rather troublesome processes too. If Apple does not remove all these glitches from its next iPad model, the device might cease to be a major source of the company’s revenue. Samsung and Amazon are already in hot pursuit, and it’s not impossible for either of them to emerge as the leader in the tablet markets in the foreseeable future.

 

12 Features That The Amazon Smartphone Might Have

Will Amazon be launching a smartphone device later this year? Leaked images and talks in mobile forums indicate that this might indeed be the case. We here highlight some features that the Amazon phone (if it indeed makes an appearance!) would probably boast of.

It’s all in the state of rumors and conjecture till date – but there have been telltale signs that Amazon is working on a smartphone device. The mobile market across the globe is dominated by Google and Apple to a large extent – making it rather tough for any new entrant being able to garner decent sales figures. However, Amazon has already hit the bull’s eye with the Kindle Fire, the Amazon Appstore (opened in 2011) is relatively popular too – and the company can find a way to grab a niche for its handset device. If an Amazon smartphone is indeed on its way, here are some features that would probably be present on it:

  1. Amazon Dash and Amazon Fresh – Several mobile app companies have already released barcode scanning applications – but Amazon Dash promises to be a cut above all of them. It is powered by reliable, high-strength wi-fi connectivity, and is likely to be one of the key features in Amazon’s handset. Couple that with Amazon Fresh – the same-day shopping resource – and the smartphone would be just the perfect tool for quick and easy grocery marketing. No more having to stand in long queues at shops…so let’s hope these two features are present!
  2. A new rival for Siri – The feedback on Siri for iPhone have been mixed, and Amazon would probably be turning on the pressure on Apple a bit more by launching an all-new digital virtual assistant on its smartphone. It is widely tipped to share quite a few features with Siri as well as Google Now. With Cortana also set to debut on Windows Phone, the race for the best mobile voice assistant is bound to hot up.
  3. Multiple price options – This would be an ideal strategy to get an initial toehold in the already crowded mobile markets. Amazon is, in all likelihood, looking at a two-pronged pricing policy. There would be a monthly payment plan for the phone – with all the mobile apps and other services that users might wish to have. Alternatively, people will also have the option of making a one-time down payment for the Amazon smartphone, and get a set of standard (although slightly limited) features. It might turn out to be a smart strategy to tackle the pricey iPhones.
  4. Two versions of the phone to be launched? – Apple’s strategy of simultaneously releasing iPhone 5S and the lower-end iPhone 5C might not have worked – but that does not mean that the idea is, in essence, a bad one. There’s every chance that Amazon would follow suit too, with a low-end, basic-feature phone (probably with a limited period free-contract), and a higher end device, with 4.7-inch screen and a sparkling 3D display. Offering more options almost always translates to better chances of success!
  5. Visual shopping option – This is one of the likeliest features on the Amazon smartphone, as per researchers, techies, and mobile app developers. The device will come with three-dimensional visual shopping aid, enabling shoppers to get a detailed 3D view of the items that they wish to purchase. The 3D rendering would be done on a real-time basis, so that people can get an idea about the quality as well as the need of anything that catches their fancy. If you like to become a smarter shopper, the Amazon phone might turn out to be your best buddy!
  6. Compatibility with Fire TV – While there is no room for doubting the quality and sophistication of Amazon’s Fire TV set-top box, its saleability over the long-run might be an issue. To tackle this factor, the company should make its smartphone have easy integration features with Fire TV. Users would be able to seamlessly transfer video content from their handsets to the set-top box. The integration can either be via voice commands, or with the help of a remote control.
  7. Large screen size – Apple has already announced that the iPhone 6 would have a larger screen than any of its predecessors – and Amazon would, of course, need to keep up with it. The efforts would surely be to create a smartphone with a 4.7-inch display (at least for the higher-end device, as already mentioned earlier) – available at a competitive price-level. An iPhone 6-lookalike at a significantly lower price – enough reason for the initial response to be positive enough!
  8. Better gaming options – If the Amazon smartphone indeed comes with complete integration with Fire TV, streaming video games on the handset would become easier than ever before. What’s more – the upcoming mobile device would probably have integration features with the Amazon Game Studio as well. The higher-end version is likely to have a 3D interface, which would make gaming on the device a whole lot of fun. Are mobile gamers listening?
  9. Full Fire OS functionality – There have been some talks about Amazon adopting the Windows Phone operating system, since Google Android would be a direct competitor. It does not appear likely though – and it would be a wiser decision on the part of Amazon to go with the well-reviewed Fire OS for its ‘rumored-to-release-soon’ smartphone. Mobile application development experts would surely find a way to fit in the default app icons on the Fire OS display on the screen size of the phone. A robust Android support would bolster the reliability factor of Amazon’s offering.
  10. Free instant video – Full members of Amazon Prime have to shell out an annual fee of $99, to access videos of their choice. Amazon is reportedly planning to bring this high-quality instant video service for free on its very first smartphone. As per rumors, the free video content would be available on Fire TV as well (given that the latter would be integrated with the phone). If this actually happens, it could well become the biggest USP of the Amazon phone.
  11. Additional Amazon service features – Video-streaming is not the only bonus feature that Amazon can bring on its smartphone. iPhone and Android app developers are expecting that the device would have the Amazon appstore as its default online app-destination (probably with direct download options from the Play Store as well). In direct competition with iTunes would be the Amazon MP3 store. Easy access to Prime Video and Kindle ebooks would rev up the attractions of the handset further.
  12. Sleek design features – Having a large screen is not the only thing that the in-house mobile developers at Amazon need to concentrate upon. In the past, most of Amazon’s products have scored high on the usability front – which has acted as a buffer for their rather plain (read: boring) appearances. This strategy won’t work with a smartphone though – since there are already plenty of visually appealing, affordable handsets in the market. It would be reasonable to expect that the Amazon phone would be a treat for the eyes too, apart from offering good value for money.

 

To add further value to its very first smartphone, Amazon is likely to integrate its much-appreciated Kindle Free Time Unlimited feature on the device as well. Even if all of these features are present in the phone, it won’t be easy to put up a decent fight to the Google and Apple clout in the worldwide mobile sector. Much would depend on how Amazon promotes and markets its product – and whether the initial word-of-mouth publicity is good enough.

 

Looking Back: Why Did Tim Cook Fire Scott Forstall From Apple?

Tim Cook’s position as the Apple CEO was not always as unstable as it currently is. In October 2012, he had the backing and the courage to fire Scott Forstall, the celebrated designer of iOS. While the precise reasons for the sacking were never quite made public, we here try to zero in on a few probable causes.

Tim Cook ousted Scott Forstall from Apple in 2012

Apple Inc. is not enjoying the greatest of times at present. Opinions about the success about the iPhone 5 remain polarized, the iPhone 5C – the company’s attempt to get into the low-end market segment – is a certified failure, and there is still a lingering uncertainty about the launch date of iPhone 6. Company CEO Tim Cook is being severely derided from many quarters for his apparent lack of ability to drive the company forward – something that Steve Jobs did so successfully, for multiple decades. Things, in fact, have come to such a pass that if the upcoming iWatch fails, Cook might even face the sack. It’s interesting to note how the tables have turned on Tim Cook – who had, within a year of his appointment as Apple CEO, fired Scott Forstall, the man who created the iOS platform. What really transpired between Cook and Forstall, leading to the latter being axed from the company? Let’s take a look:

 

  1. Refusal to take the blame for the Apple Maps fiasco – The official Apple Maps app for iPhones is still far from being perfect – but they were unmitigated disasters at the time of their initial release. To calm down enraged buyers of iOS 6 devices, Apple had to issue a public apology letter. Forstall, however, refused to sign the letter – and the whole in-fighting was brought to light at a press conference. After that, Apple and Forstall could not coexist.
  2. Alleged lack of collaborative abilities – Tim Cook has repeatedly emphasized on seamless software-hardware collaboration as a key element for coming up with innovative mobile solutions. It was said that Forestall did not quite fit the bill in this regard. At the time of the sacking (in October 2012), Cook compared Forstall unfavorably with Jonathan Ive, Bob Mansfield and Craig Federighi – three of Apple’s all-time greats. Officially, Scott Forstall’s lack of finesse as a team-player led to his doom.
  3. Attitude problems – It’s not only the current Apple CEO who has been downsized in comparison with Steve Jobs. Similar comparisons were done between Jobs and Forstall too, with unflattering remarks being hurled towards the latter. The problem was, Forstall took all these brickbrats too personally, and grew increasingly gruff and rude-behaved with his colleagues. Ironically, Tim Cook often had to oversee Forstall’s meetings with other Apple executives. Finally, Cook decided that enough was enough!
  4. Unflinching loyalty to skeuomorphic designs – Many general iPhone-users as well as experts from mobile app companies have opined that the appearance of iOS 7 is a tad too flat – compared to its predecessors. The prime reason behind this is the departure of Scott Forstall, who, much like Jobs, believed that mobile OS designs needed to have a touch of skeuomorphism (additional design elements and visual cues) – for them to appeal to users. Tim Cook was dead against the concept, and had already expressed his desire to take Apple out from Jobs’ influence. Hence, Forestall was ousted – and the ideas of Steve Jobs received an unpleasant farewell too.
  5. Forstall’s bullying tactics were not tolerated – Make no mistake – Scott Forstall was a genius in his own right, but he was also a big bully at the Apple headquarters. His co-workers often complained about being sidelined in projects headed by him – or worse, getting publicly rebuked by him. Reportedly, Forstall had a tendency to claim credit for others’ achievements too. No one can be bigger than a $160 billion company – and the ouster of Forstall was a reminder of that fact.
  6. The Siri disappointment – Every iPhone enthusiast was intrigued when Scott Forstall initiated the concept of Siri, for iPhone 4S. It was supposed to be a flawless digital assistant, providing quick, useful and insightful answers to every question that users might have. Things, unfortunately, did not quite go according to plan – and many felt that Siri, which had been hyped up to the skies, was actually an error-ridden, limited-feature application. It might be okay for an iPhone app developer to deliver two consecutive flop applications – but Forstall messed up with two biggies like Apple Maps and Siri. The past reputation of the man was waning fast, and he was no longer considered ‘good enough’ for the company.
  7. The Cook vs Forstall fight – Sadly for Apple, there was no love lost between Tim Cook and Scott Forstall from the very outset. If anything, the appointment of Cook as the company CEO arrived as a shocker for the latter, who firmly believed that he was the most deserving candidate to take over the coveted mantle. Not surprisingly, Forstall invariably looked for opportunities to find flaws in Cook’s strategies. If Tim Cook had to work in peace without someone constantly watching over his actions, he had to make Forstall leave. That’s precisely what he did.
  8. Temper tantrums – Forstall probably believed that his efficiency and ability to ‘think-out-of-box’ would let him get away with his extreme mood swings and temper tantrums at office. Even an usually agreeable person like Jonathan Ive started to hate the sight of Forstall – and often refused to get into one-on-one discussions with him. There were differences in opinions and heated exchange of words with other senior personnel at Apple too. Now Steve Jobs got into plenty of tussles at workplace too, but his was a one-off case – and he was guiding Apple out of a mire. Forstall should not have tried to replicate Jobs in this regard – he was far more dispensable than the great man!
  9. Were iOS 5 and 6 good enough? – Talking about innovative thinking abilities, Forstall started losing a bit of that too – during the latter phases of his career at Apple. There were no big technical glitch in iOS 5 or iOS 6 – but they did not have much ‘newness’ about them either. The skeuomorphic designs looked all too familiar with those present in the earlier versions of the platform. This, in turn, opened up the opportunity for competitor firms (like Google) to step in and eat into Apple’s worldwide client-base. Apple Inc. has always prided itself over its premium tech gadgets with volumes of innovative features (think of how the first line of iPhones revolutionized the smartphone sector – and you will get an idea). Mediocrity was slightly creeping into Forstall’s concepts and designs, and that was, of course, unacceptable.
  10. Jealousy of co-workers – Scott Forstall was, once, one of the most highly regarded Apple personnel – and he had his fair share of green-eyed colleagues, all too eager to badmouth him whenever possible. To be frank, Forstall compounded this problem further, by angering practically everyone with his words and general demeanor. People started to feel (and often say it aloud) that they could manage Forstall’s projects in a much better manner than him, the feeling of despise hung heavy at Apple – and it became a scenario of ‘Forstall vs All Others’ at the company. No matter how big a genius you are, you cannot alienate everyone at office and still hope to stay there. When the time came, Forstall had to make way.
  11. Forstall and his workplace politics – Tim Cook categorically stated that no form of workplace politics would be withstood at Apple under his watch. Forstall, predictably, could not care less – as he carried on his merry way of making use of political tactics for his own advantage. Cook got air of Forstall’s anti-organizational practices – the animosity between the two increased, and at the first chance, the latter was got rid of from the company.

Scott Forstall and John Browett parted ways with Apple in October 2012

Interestingly, most iOS software experts and app developers feel that, even if Scott Forstall had signed the apology letter for the Apple Maps embarrassment – he would still have had to leave the company. John Browett, a relatively new recruit at Apple, was also sacked, along with Forstall. The scenario has completely changed now, and it’s Tim Cook who is in the firing line. Can iWatch turn out to be a rip-roaring success, and save Cook’s career at Apple?

 

We have to wait a few months to get an answer to that!