Apple Says iOS 8 Is Now Installed on 60% of iOS Devices:

Apple updated its App Store Distribution Data for developers on Wednesday, to show that 60% of iOS devices are now running iOS 8. That number is up from 55% of devices when Apple last updated the figure earlier this month.

Apple collected the adoption numbers by way of App Store visits on November 24. Even though adoption of iOS 8 has lagged behind the previous version – iOS 7 – Apple’s adoption numbers for the latest version of its mobile operating system still look great when compared to competitor Android’s numbers.

Apple hit the 60% adoption rate milestone in a little over 60 days since its release, while Android’s KitKat release took 313 days to reach an installed base of 25%. (Android’s fragmented device market, with numerous manufacturers, models, and versions, all lead to Android’s lagging adoption rate for new versions.)

Facebook Closes $21.8B Deal to Acquire Popular Messaging Service WhatsApp

Facebook has announced it has closed the deal on its acquisition of messaging giant WhatsApp. The deal’s price tag, originally announced for $19 billion, has jumped to $2

The Verge:

As WhatsApp officially joins the Facebook fold, WhatsApp founder Jan Koum has joined Facebook’s board. He will also be paid just $1 per year like Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, according to filings, but has been given a very hefty purse of Facebook shares to hold on to.

Koum has an “inducement grant” of stock currently worth $1.9 billion if he stays with the company for the next four years.

Facebook is likely to operate WhatsApp as an independent entity, much like they have previous acquisitions Instagram and Occulus. “There would have been no partnership between our two companies if we had to compromise on the core principles that will always define our company, our vision and our product,” Koum said when the deal news broke months ago.

 iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus ::

Apple has officially introduced two bigger, and thinner, iPhones. But the larger touch screens aren’t the only thing that’s different in the new iPhones. Tim Cook touted the new iPhones as “the biggest advancement in the history of iPhone.”

Let’s get down to the details. Here’s a rundown of the specs for the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

Release DateThe phones will ship Sept. 19, and pre-orders begin this Friday.

They’ll be available in 115 countries by end of 2014, and 8 countries at launch.

PricesPrice tiers are the same for iPhone 6, but the storage capacity in the two higher price points have doubled.

Two-year carrier contracts: The iPhone 6 starts at $199 with 16 GB of storage, $299 for 64 GB, and $399 for 128 GB.

The iPhone 6 Plus is, of course, more expensive. The 16GB model starts at $299, the 64GB model sells for $399 and the 128GB will fetch $499.

DisplaysBoth the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus feature curved glass “retina HD” displays, which will make it easier to swipe from the edges of the display.

iPhone 6 features a 4.7-inch display with a 1334×750 resolution, density of 326 pixels-per-inch. More than 1 million pixels are spaced across the display, which is 38% more pixels than the iPhone 5s display.

The iPhone 6 Plus has a larger 5.5-inch display with a 1920×1080 resolution and density of 401 pixels-per inch. That’s more than 2 million pixels in total and 185% more pixels than iPhone 5s.

Thinness
The iPhone 6 is 6.9 mm thin, and the iPhone 6 Plus is 7.1 mm. The iPhone 5S is 7.6 mm.

ColorsGold, silver and space grey — just as before with the iPhone 5s.

ConnectivityBoth the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus have 802.11 ac Wi-Fi connections, which Apple says is three times faster than 802.11 n. Both also support up to 20 LTE bands and will be available on more than 200 carriers.

Battery Life

Apple says the iPhone 6 will have 10 days of standby battery life and up to 10 hours of LTE web browsing battery life.

The larger 6 Plus promises 16 days of standby time, and 12 hours of continuous LTE web browsing.

Chipset
The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus both have the new Apple A8 system-on-a-chip inside. This 64-bit chipset is has 2 billion transistors inside, up from 1 billion in the A7, and the A8 is 13% smaller than the A7 chip. Apple says this all adds up to 25% faster CPU performance and up to 50% faster graphics performance when compared with the 5s. The A8 is also promised to be 50% more energy efficient than the A7.

Rear camera
Both models will ship with a new 8-megapixel iSight camera sporting a f/2.2 aperture. The new photo sensor has what’s called “phase detection focus” which Apple says will make it’s autofocus faster, improve skin tones, recognize faces faster and take better macro photos.

The iPhone 6 has digital image stabilization, but the iPhone 6 Plus takes a step up with true optical image stabilization that mechanically moves the lens up, down, side to side, to automatically adjust and stabilize your image as you move the phone.

The new phones will shoot 1080p video at 30 frames-per-second or 60 frames-per-second, and capture slo-mo video at 120 frames-per-second or 240 frames-per-second. There’s also a time lapse feature and new continuous autofoucs for video.

The from camera also has improved face detection and a new burst mode for selfies, along with single-shot HDR photos and HDR video.

Apple Confirms Special Event On September 9, Likely For iPhones

 

Apple has sent out invites to a special event it’s holding on September 9, where we will almost certainly get our first official look at the next iPhone. The invites follow a previous report from Re/code pegging Tuesday, September 9 as the date, and the event’s timing is consistent with the launch of the iPhone dating back to to the iPhone 4S, when Apple began releasing new versions of its smartphone in the fall instead of in the early summer.

The event will almost definitely see the introduction of one, if not two new iPhone models. Scuttlebutt is that we’ll see at least a 4.7-inch iOS-powered smartphone and maybe one larger 5.5 inch model introduced by Apple at the event. Though only one might launch a few weeks after, with the larger version shipping later. Apple has been reportedly gearing up to provide sapphire-based displays in at least some of these devices, which could offer benefits in terms of durability and resistance to scratches and shattering.

This event is a bit atypical for Apple in that it’s being held neither on Apple’s Cupertino campus nor the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. Instead, it’s being held at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts in Cupertino. Our guess is that this has something to do with capacity — Apple’s auditorium is very small and if Apple sees this as a high profile release — there are rumors of a wearable, too — then it could want more bodies in the seats.

Apple will also likely announce the general availability of iOS 8 at this event. If it follows the pattern of previous releases, it’ll arrive for existing device owners a few days before the iPhone 6 (or whatever Apple chooses to call it) ships.

Apple Says App Store Has Created 500,000 Jobs in Europe

Apple Inc. is embarking on something of a charm offensive with the European Union, and it seems the feeling is mutual.

The bloc’s antitrust unit waved through its purchase of Dr. Dre’s headphone company Beats, it trademarked the concept of its shops, while at the same time, the EU is looking into its tax situation.

On Wednesday, Apple reminded Europe that the App Store—which offers everything from Angry Birds to Menstruation Tracking Apps—isn’t just a place to download games, but a force for economic growth.

“Roughly 500,000 jobs have been created in Europe that are directly attributable to the App Store. Of the more than $20 billion developers have earned from App Store sales worldwide, $6.5 billion has been paid to European developers,” Apple said on its Web site. “In 2014 the overall app economy is expected to deliver $16.5 billion in revenues to EU GDP, and this contribution is growing at a rate of 12% per year.”

There are different sites for each country, highlighting app-based jobs there—the UK version features Ndemic Creations and Top10.com while France has Les Trois Elles Interactive and Stupeflix.

Apple is also keen to highlight its role in Ireland, where it’s been active since 1980.

Apple also has 4,500 suppliers in Europe, and directly employees 16,000 people on the Continent.

The feeling is reciprocal. Neelie Kroes, the European commissioner responsible for digital agenda, said the speed of job creation and revenue growth in the app economy is “incredible.”

“What other sector grows 25% a year? The ripple effects go far beyond the app makers themselves. Apple and others have started an economic revolution, and I want Europe to be front and centre in that action. Being an entrepreneur is hard and valuable work – leaders need to do everything they can to smooth the path for these start-ups who are helping to build the new economy,” she said.

Source : allthingsd

Apple And IBM Announce deal to create apps sell phones:

Huge Partnership For Enterprise Customers

Apple announced Tuesday a partnership with IBM that will bring a slew of business minded apps to Apple's iOS platform.


Here's the press release:

CUPERTINO, Calif. & ARMONK, N.Y. today announced an exclusive partnership that teams the market-leading strengths of each company to transform enterprise mobility through a new class of business apps-bringing IBM's big data and analytics capabilities to iPhone® and iPad®.

The landmark partnership aims to redefine the way work will get done, address key industry mobility challenges and spark true mobile-led business change-grounded in four core capabilities:

• a new class of more than 100 industry-specific enterprise solutions including native apps, developed exclusively from the ground up, for iPhone and iPad;

• unique IBM cloud services optimized for iOS, including device management, security, analytics and mobile integration;

• new AppleCare® service and support offering tailored to the needs of the enterprise; and

• new packaged offerings from IBM for device activation, supply and management.

The new IBM MobileFirst for iOS solutions will be built in an exclusive collaboration that draws on the distinct strengths of each company: IBM's big data and analytics capabilities, with the power of more than 100,000 IBM industry and domain consultants and software developers behind it, fused with Apple's legendary consumer experience, hardware and software integration and developer platform. The combination will create apps that can transform specific aspects of how businesses and employees work using iPhone and iPad, allowing companies to achieve new levels of efficiency, effectiveness and customer satisfaction-faster and easier than ever before.

As part of the exclusive IBM MobileFirst for iOS agreement, IBM will also sell iPhones and iPads with the industry-specific solutions to business clients worldwide.

"iPhone and iPad are the best mobile devices in the world and have transformed the way people work with over 98 percent of the Fortune 500 and over 92 percent of the Global 500 using iOS devices in their business today," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "For the first time ever we're putting IBM's renowned big data analytics at iOS users' fingertips, which opens up a large market opportunity for Apple. This is a radical step for enterprise and something that only Apple and IBM can deliver."

"Mobility-combined with the phenomena of data and cloud-is transforming business and our industry in historic ways, allowing people to re-imagine work, industries and professions," said Ginni Rometty, IBM Chairman, President and CEO. "This alliance with Apple will build on our momentum in bringing these innovations to our clients globally, and leverages IBM's leadership in analytics, cloud, software and services. We are delighted to be teaming with Apple, whose innovations have transformed our lives in ways we take for granted, but can't imagine living without. Our alliance will bring the same kind of transformation to the way people work, industries operate and companies perform."

Apple and IBM's shared vision for this partnership is to put in the hands of business professionals everywhere the unique capabilities of iPads and iPhones with a company's knowledge, data, analytics and workflows. Specifically, the two companies are working together to deliver the essential elements of enterprise mobile solutions:

- Mobile solutions that transform business: The companies will collaborate to build IBM MobileFirst for iOS Solutions-a new class of "made-for-business apps" targeting specific industry issues or opportunities in retail, healthcare, banking, travel and transportation, telecommunications and insurance, among others, that will become available starting this fall and into 2015.

- Mobile platform: The IBM MobileFirst Platform for iOS will deliver the services required for an end-to-end enterprise capability, from analytics, workflow and cloud storage, to fleet-scale device management, security and integration. Enhanced mobile management includes a private app catalog, data and transaction security services, and productivity suite for all IBM MobileFirst for iOS solutions. In addition to on-premise software solutions, all these services will be available on Bluemix-IBM's development platform on the IBM Cloud Marketplace.

- Mobile service and support: AppleCare for Enterprise will provide IT departments and end users with 24/7 assistance from Apple's award-winning customer support group, with on-site service delivered by IBM.

- Packaged service offerings: IBM is introducing IBM MobileFirst Supply and Management for device supply, activation and management services for iPhone and iPad, with leasing options.

Announced at Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference in June and available later this year, Apple's iOS 8 is the biggest release since the launch of the App Store?, giving users incredible new features and developers the tools to create amazing new apps. For enterprise, iOS 8 builds on the new IT model for a mobilized workforce by improving the way users are informed of how their devices are configured, managed or restricted, with expanded security, management and productivity features.

Apple designs Macs, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.

IBM's 5,000 mobile experts have been at the forefront of mobile enterprise innovation. IBM has secured more than 4,300 patents in mobile, social and security, that have been incorporated into IBM MobileFirst solutions that enable enterprise clients to radically streamline and accelerate mobile adoption, help organizations engage more people and capture new markets.

IBM has made a dozen acquisitions in security in the past decade, has more than 6,000 security researchers and developers in its 25 security labs worldwide that work on developing enterprise-class solutions.

IBM has also established the world's deepest portfolio in Big Data and Analytics consulting and technology expertise based on experiences drawn from more than 40,000 data and analytics client engagements. This analytics portfolio spans research and development, solutions, software and hardware, and includes more than 15,000 analytics consultants, 4,000 analytics patents, 6,000 industry solution business partners, and 400 IBM mathematicians who are helping clients use big data to transform their organisations.

Where is the Top City to Spot Tech Talent?

Move over Silicon Valley. The U.S. may no longer be the top city where technology professionals go to for business.

According to a new study by LinkedIn, four of the top five cities that technology professionals moved to last year were not in the U.S. but in India–Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad and Chennai.

The trend underscores the technology boom in the south Asian nation, home to some of the world’s largest outsourcing services firms such as Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys and Wipro, as global corporations poured in money to do everything from write software to run call centers and manage networks.

“This data validates how strategically important India is to companies around the world,” said Nishant Rao, country manager for LinkedIn in India. “It is also very telling of where the talent for technology, which is generally scarce, reside,” he said.

On average, 16% of the new residents who moved to new cities had technology skills, LinkedIn data showed. However, most Indian cities had more than double that average.

The study also shows that most new residents with a technology background were those with software infrastructure and programming skills.

The rankings, released this week by Linkedin were based on analyzing the change in location profiles of its 1.5 million members in 52 cities across the world between November 2012 and 2013. LinkedIn has more than 300 million users world-wide, a third of whom are located in the U.S., its largest market.

India ranks a distant second with more than 26 million users on LinkedIn.

According to LinkedIn data, 44% of the more than 60,000 new residents who moved to Bangalore last year had technology skills.

Compare that with the San Francisco Bay Area, which ranked fifth on the list. The city is the new hub in the U.S. with a thriving tech community, where a number of  technology  firms such as Twitter , Zynga and Dropbox are based.

Close to one in three of the more than 90,000 new residents who moved to the city last year were tech professionals.

“It is hard to find tech talent in the Bay Area,” said Mr. Rao. Also, the high cost of living and rising rental costs make it tough for new talent to live in the city, he said.

The other hubs in the U.S. to which many technology professionals have moved are smaller metropolitan cities such as Seattle and Austin, the data showed.

Down under, Melbourne and Sydney figured right behind the U.S. cities at the tail end of the list.

Below are the top 10 cities to which technology professionals migrated between November 2012 and 2013:

Cities                 Proportion of new residents that have tech skills

1.  Bangalore               44%

2.  Pune                         43%

3.  Hyderabad             43%

4.  Chennai                     38%

5.  San Francisco         31%

6.  Seattle                        29%

7.  Austin                        23%

8.  Melbourne               22%

9.  Sydney                      22%

10. Gurgaon                  21%