Google's awaited new maps app has finally hit the App store for iPhone. Some iOS 6 users are still unhappy because there is no way to make Google's Maps app the default maps app.

The new Google Maps also offeres a number of enhancements beyond what was offered when it powered the built-in Maps app on iOS 5 and earlier, most notably turn-by-turn directions. The absense of that feature from the built-in Maps had been a big let down for the two companies, with its absence putting iOS at a disadvantage relative to Android and Google unwilling to add the feature to Maps for iOS unless Apple made concessions such as greater Google branding within the app and integration with Google Latitude.

"Navigate your world with Google Maps, now available for iPhone. Get comprehensive, accurate and easy-to-use maps with built-in Google local search, voice guided turn-by-turn navigation, public transit directions, Street View and more. Use Google Maps to discover great places to eat, drink, shop and play, with ratings and reviews from people you trust. Sign in to save your favorite places and quickly access all your past searches and directions from your computer, right on your phone."

A number of reports had indicated that Google was working toward submission of its standalone Maps app, but some Google employees were reportedly pessimistic about its chances of approval. [Google Maps iTunes Link]

Apple· Google· Google Maps· iOS· iOS 6· iPhone· iPhone 5· Release

Google Maps Now Out for iPhone (iPad Version Coming soon)

Google's awaited new maps app has finally hit the App store for iPhone. Some iOS 6 users are still unhappy because there is no way to make Google's Maps app the default maps app.

The new Google Maps also offeres a number of enhancements beyond what was offered when it powered the built-in Maps app on iOS 5 and earlier, most notably turn-by-turn directions. The absense of that feature from the built-in Maps had been a big let down for the two companies, with its absence putting iOS at a disadvantage relative to Android and Google unwilling to add the feature to Maps for iOS unless Apple made concessions such as greater Google branding within the app and integration with Google Latitude.

"Navigate your world with Google Maps, now available for iPhone. Get comprehensive, accurate and easy-to-use maps with built-in Google local search, voice guided turn-by-turn navigation, public transit directions, Street View and more. Use Google Maps to discover great places to eat, drink, shop and play, with ratings and reviews from people you trust. Sign in to save your favorite places and quickly access all your past searches and directions from your computer, right on your phone."

A number of reports had indicated that Google was working toward submission of its standalone Maps app, but some Google employees were reportedly pessimistic about its chances of approval. [Google Maps iTunes Link]

Apple today has released the first maintenance update for OS X Mountain Lion. The update is available from directly from Apple's Official Site or via Software Update that directs users to the Mac App Store.

This update includes general operating system fixes that improve the stability and compatibility of your Mac, including fixes that: 

- Resolve an issue that may cause Migration Assistant to unexpectedly quit 
- Improve compatibility when connecting to a Microsoft Exchange server in Mail
- Address an issue playing audio through a Thunderbolt display 
- Resolve an issue that could prevent iMessages from being sent 
- Address an issue that could cause the system to become unresponsive when using Pinyin input 
- Resolve an issue when connecting to SMB servers with long names 
- Address a issue that may prevent Safari from launching when using a Proxy Automatic Configuration (PAC) file 
- Improve 802.1X authentication with Active Directory credentials.

OS X 10.8.1 is a small update weighing in at just 24.2 MB, with Apple pushing out many high-priority fixes for issues discovered in the initial public release of OS X Mountain Lion.

10.8.1· Apple· Mountain Lion· Mountain Lion 10.8.1· os x· OS X Mountain Lion· OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.1· Release· Software· Software Update· updates

Apple Releases OS X 10.8.1 Fixes for Migration Assistant, Exchange, and iMessage Issues

Apple today has released the first maintenance update for OS X Mountain Lion. The update is available from directly from Apple's Official Site or via Software Update that directs users to the Mac App Store.

This update includes general operating system fixes that improve the stability and compatibility of your Mac, including fixes that: 

- Resolve an issue that may cause Migration Assistant to unexpectedly quit 
- Improve compatibility when connecting to a Microsoft Exchange server in Mail
- Address an issue playing audio through a Thunderbolt display 
- Resolve an issue that could prevent iMessages from being sent 
- Address an issue that could cause the system to become unresponsive when using Pinyin input 
- Resolve an issue when connecting to SMB servers with long names 
- Address a issue that may prevent Safari from launching when using a Proxy Automatic Configuration (PAC) file 
- Improve 802.1X authentication with Active Directory credentials.

OS X 10.8.1 is a small update weighing in at just 24.2 MB, with Apple pushing out many high-priority fixes for issues discovered in the initial public release of OS X Mountain Lion.

Apple's next mobile operating system in due soon but it will not come with Google's YouTube app. 9to5mac noticed that the app was missing from beta 4 version of iOS 6 meaning it won't appear on any iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch with the latest version.

Apple said in a statement to The Verge: "our license to include the YouTube app in iOS has ended, customers can use YouTube in the Safari Browser and Google is working on a new YouTube app to be on the App Store."

A Youtube Spokesperson said "We are working with Apple to ensure we have the best possible YouTube experience for iOS users.

The news comes after Apple announced it was dropping Google Maps from the OS in favour of its own app. It is expected that iOS 6 will make its debut on the highly anticipated iPhone 5 which could launch on 21st September along with an iPad Mini on the 12th of September.

Apple· Beta· Google· Headlines· iOS· iOS 6· iPhone· iPhone 5· pre-release· Release· Release Date· YouTube

Apple scraps dedicated YouTube app from iOS 6

Apple's next mobile operating system in due soon but it will not come with Google's YouTube app. 9to5mac noticed that the app was missing from beta 4 version of iOS 6 meaning it won't appear on any iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch with the latest version.

Apple said in a statement to The Verge: "our license to include the YouTube app in iOS has ended, customers can use YouTube in the Safari Browser and Google is working on a new YouTube app to be on the App Store."

A Youtube Spokesperson said "We are working with Apple to ensure we have the best possible YouTube experience for iOS users.

The news comes after Apple announced it was dropping Google Maps from the OS in favour of its own app. It is expected that iOS 6 will make its debut on the highly anticipated iPhone 5 which could launch on 21st September along with an iPad Mini on the 12th of September.

iMore reports that they have heard that the next generation iPhone, new iPod nano, and the new 7.85" iPad mini will be announced on September 12th. They also said that the actual launch date for the next iPhone is September 21, 2012.

"iMore has heard that Apple is planning to debut the new iPhone at a special event on Wednesday, September 12, 2012, with the release date to follow 9 days later on Friday, September 21. This information comes from sources who have proven accurate in the past."

The next-generation iPhone, is expected to have a 4" screen as shown in the photo above. Rumours have also suggested that the phone may include high speed LTE wireless networking.

As many of us generally refer to the next iPhone ans the "iPhone 5", Apple may follow the example of their most recent iPad release, by dropping the numbering scheme.

There has been a giant increase in rumours about the 7.85" iPad mini. The smaller iPad is believed to help Apple fill a cheaper price point in their tablet lineup.

iMore has been an accurate source of information in the past, such as pinpointing the iPad 3 launch date, as well as pre-order date for the iPhone 4S.

Apple· Breaking News· Headlines· iPhone· iPhone 5· News· Release· Release Date· Rumours

iPad Mini to be Announced on September 12th with iPhone 5 Release September 21st

iMore reports that they have heard that the next generation iPhone, new iPod nano, and the new 7.85" iPad mini will be announced on September 12th. They also said that the actual launch date for the next iPhone is September 21, 2012.

"iMore has heard that Apple is planning to debut the new iPhone at a special event on Wednesday, September 12, 2012, with the release date to follow 9 days later on Friday, September 21. This information comes from sources who have proven accurate in the past."

The next-generation iPhone, is expected to have a 4" screen as shown in the photo above. Rumours have also suggested that the phone may include high speed LTE wireless networking.

As many of us generally refer to the next iPhone ans the "iPhone 5", Apple may follow the example of their most recent iPad release, by dropping the numbering scheme.

There has been a giant increase in rumours about the 7.85" iPad mini. The smaller iPad is believed to help Apple fill a cheaper price point in their tablet lineup.

iMore has been an accurate source of information in the past, such as pinpointing the iPad 3 launch date, as well as pre-order date for the iPhone 4S.

Earlier this year, Microsoft revealed its new Touch Mouse. Microsoft is now planning to add support to Windows 8 for its existing Touch Mouse. THe company is detailing the exact gestures this week. 

The new support, that will arrive when Windows 8 ships to the public, will include a one finger swipe to scroll up and down in documents, a two finger movement to manage apps and display the Windows 8 charms, a three finger movement to zoom in and out and a thumb gesture to navigate forwards and backwards though apps. 

Microsoft says that the updated gestures will "help make navigating through Windows 8 a breeze." Microsoft is not detailing when this support will be made available in driver form, but it appears updated drivers will be available once Windows 8 is released this fall. 

Source: Windows Team Blog

Gestures· Headlines· Mice· Release· Touch Mouse· updates· Windows 8

Microsoft announces upcoming gestures for its Touch Mouse

Earlier this year, Microsoft revealed its new Touch Mouse. Microsoft is now planning to add support to Windows 8 for its existing Touch Mouse. THe company is detailing the exact gestures this week. 

The new support, that will arrive when Windows 8 ships to the public, will include a one finger swipe to scroll up and down in documents, a two finger movement to manage apps and display the Windows 8 charms, a three finger movement to zoom in and out and a thumb gesture to navigate forwards and backwards though apps. 

Microsoft says that the updated gestures will "help make navigating through Windows 8 a breeze." Microsoft is not detailing when this support will be made available in driver form, but it appears updated drivers will be available once Windows 8 is released this fall. 

Source: Windows Team Blog

Nokia, Samsung, HTC and Hauawei have already shipped the first round of Windows Phone 8 devices, all running on Qualcomm chipsets, but Acer would like to get their hands on the action too. After shipping its low-end Allegro Windows Phone in Europe last year, Acer spokesperson Chen Guowei has revealed that the company is planning to launch its first Windows 8 device in the second half of 2013.

iMobile reports that Guowei is confident with investing in the Windows Phone 8 platform, and also expressed confidence in the platform because of the long history between the two companies in the PC market.

Microsoft is preparing to support a new range of Windows Phone 8, with all new hardware, including muli-core processors, NFC chipsets, and a new screen resolution. Microsoft is expected to launch the new range of Windows Phone 8 in late October.

Source: iMobile [Translated]
Image Credits: The Guardian

Acer· Hardware· Headlines· News· Release· Release Date· Rumours· Technology· Windows Phone

Acer reportedly planning a Windows Phone 8 Device

Nokia, Samsung, HTC and Hauawei have already shipped the first round of Windows Phone 8 devices, all running on Qualcomm chipsets, but Acer would like to get their hands on the action too. After shipping its low-end Allegro Windows Phone in Europe last year, Acer spokesperson Chen Guowei has revealed that the company is planning to launch its first Windows 8 device in the second half of 2013.

iMobile reports that Guowei is confident with investing in the Windows Phone 8 platform, and also expressed confidence in the platform because of the long history between the two companies in the PC market.

Microsoft is preparing to support a new range of Windows Phone 8, with all new hardware, including muli-core processors, NFC chipsets, and a new screen resolution. Microsoft is expected to launch the new range of Windows Phone 8 in late October.

Source: iMobile [Translated]
Image Credits: The Guardian

Microsoft has just announced the release date for the long-awaited Windows 8. The public can get their copy of Windows 8 on October 26th 2012. Steven Sinosfky made this announcement at Microsoft's annual sales meeting, and the Windows blog quickly shared the news. The launch date applies to both upgrades or installs on a new PC. Microsoft have been hinting an October release date for months now, but now we can official count down until the release.

Source: Microsoft

Headlines· Launch· Microsoft· News· Operating System· OS· Release· Release Date· Upgrade· Windows· Windows 8

Windows 8 will be available on October 26th

Microsoft has just announced the release date for the long-awaited Windows 8. The public can get their copy of Windows 8 on October 26th 2012. Steven Sinosfky made this announcement at Microsoft's annual sales meeting, and the Windows blog quickly shared the news. The launch date applies to both upgrades or installs on a new PC. Microsoft have been hinting an October release date for months now, but now we can official count down until the release.

Source: Microsoft

Microsoft will unveil to the world its next-generation productivity suite (codenamed Office 15) on Monday, July 16. The software giant has created a new blog called 'Office Next' That's being virtually penned by PJ Hough, Corporate Vice President of Program Management of Microsoft's Office Division.

"Welcome to the Office Next blog. I'm really excited to kick off this conversation and connect you with the engineers who are building future releases of Office—here, they'll discuss the improvements we make, the designs we choose and the data and feedback that inform our decisions,"

The next version of Office is designed to integrate well with Windows 8, and according to Hough, it's "the most transformational release" he's ever worked on.

Microsoft has not yet provided any information about Office 2013's price, on-sale date, or the number of edition that will be sold to their contents. It is unlikely that all those details will be released today, if Microsoft does issue a public preview: The company typically waits until much nearer to the release of a finished product before announcing prices.

Microsoft will ship at lease one version of Office 2013 this year: The edition that runs on Windows RT. Microsoft is including Office 2013 RT with the operating system, which the company has said will power new devices, including its own Surface 10.6-inch tablet. Those devices are, like Windows 8, expected to hit shelves before the end of the year, most probably in October or November. 

The WPC will have keynotes throughout the week, including today's featuring Ballmer and DelBene and will be webcast from the conference website. Monday's keynote runs from 9 a.m to 11 a.m. ET.

Headlines· Microsoft· News· Release· Rumours

Microsoft Office 2013 Beta Coming This Week?

Microsoft will unveil to the world its next-generation productivity suite (codenamed Office 15) on Monday, July 16. The software giant has created a new blog called 'Office Next' That's being virtually penned by PJ Hough, Corporate Vice President of Program Management of Microsoft's Office Division.

"Welcome to the Office Next blog. I'm really excited to kick off this conversation and connect you with the engineers who are building future releases of Office—here, they'll discuss the improvements we make, the designs we choose and the data and feedback that inform our decisions,"

The next version of Office is designed to integrate well with Windows 8, and according to Hough, it's "the most transformational release" he's ever worked on.

Microsoft has not yet provided any information about Office 2013's price, on-sale date, or the number of edition that will be sold to their contents. It is unlikely that all those details will be released today, if Microsoft does issue a public preview: The company typically waits until much nearer to the release of a finished product before announcing prices.

Microsoft will ship at lease one version of Office 2013 this year: The edition that runs on Windows RT. Microsoft is including Office 2013 RT with the operating system, which the company has said will power new devices, including its own Surface 10.6-inch tablet. Those devices are, like Windows 8, expected to hit shelves before the end of the year, most probably in October or November. 

The WPC will have keynotes throughout the week, including today's featuring Ballmer and DelBene and will be webcast from the conference website. Monday's keynote runs from 9 a.m to 11 a.m. ET.

It hasn't been that long since Apple released the well awaited iPad 3 to the USA and UK. If you managed to grab yourself one think yourself lucky as the iPad 3 has not even been released in some countries.

But Apple today has announced that the iPad 3 will be released in 21 more countries in two rounds. The first being released on Friday 20th April in 12 countries such as South Korea and the second will be released a week later on the 27th of April in 9 more countries.   

"Apple today announced the new iPad, the third generation of its category defining mobile device, will arrive in South Korea and 11 additional countries on Friday, April 20.

In addition to South Korea, the new iPad also will be available beginning on Friday, April 20 in Brunei, Croatia, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Malaysia, Panama, St Maarten, Uruguay and Venezuela. Beginning on Friday, April 27, the new iPad will be available in Colombia, Estonia, India, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, South Africa and Thailand."

Apple· iPad· iPad 3· News· Release

iPad 3 Set to Launch in 21 More Countries By End of April

It hasn't been that long since Apple released the well awaited iPad 3 to the USA and UK. If you managed to grab yourself one think yourself lucky as the iPad 3 has not even been released in some countries.

But Apple today has announced that the iPad 3 will be released in 21 more countries in two rounds. The first being released on Friday 20th April in 12 countries such as South Korea and the second will be released a week later on the 27th of April in 9 more countries.   

"Apple today announced the new iPad, the third generation of its category defining mobile device, will arrive in South Korea and 11 additional countries on Friday, April 20.

In addition to South Korea, the new iPad also will be available beginning on Friday, April 20 in Brunei, Croatia, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Malaysia, Panama, St Maarten, Uruguay and Venezuela. Beginning on Friday, April 27, the new iPad will be available in Colombia, Estonia, India, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, South Africa and Thailand."