One OS to Rule them all – Apple’s New Mantra

Ever since the arrival of computing in consumer space, companies have focused to create a coherent and easy-to-use experience for their customers. Moreover, this is especially true for companies with vertical integration like Apple, which manufactures its devices along with providing the required services. This creates a coherent environment and helps to tie the customer to the Apple ecosystem. However to truly achieve this, they need to start with the core service integration – the OS.

The Present Situation: 

Right now, Apple sells iPhones and iPads like hot-cakes with their own venerable and simple iOS as the primary operating system. It is fairly capable and has the largest third-party app ecosystem, the AppStore, which arguably has the most quality-oriented apps and games. Thus, once you own an iPhone and want a tablet, your natural choice would be an iPad since you get the strong ecosystem and your subscriptions carry over as well as iCloud and iTunes.

However, the problem lies in the fact that the same ecosystem does not power Apple’s more serious devices – the MacBook Air/Pro and MacPro units. What it lacks is a quality ecosystem and the enviable integration with its mobile counterparts. In addition, Microsoft is slowly trying to merge Windows 8 and Windows Phone into one, in order to gain market, same with Google – Android and Chromebooks.

The Possibilities: 

Think about what a single united OS with at-par functionality can do. You were playing your favorite game on your MacBook Air and now suddenly need to go out and it’s a 2 hour commute. So you may pause your game, pick up your phone and continue where you left off. Likewise, with music or videos. Not to mention, you could buy an app and enjoy the same on all your iGadgets. Thus, customers getting an Apple device are locked to the ecosystem and hence it makes sure their future gadgets will be from the Cupertino giant. Apple are already targeting some of it with their hand-off mechanism and unified notifications between iOS and OS X but it still has a long way to go.

How to go about it? 

Uniting two different paradigms of computing – one for the on-the-go and casual users and other for more serious work – can prove to be a challenge as Microsoft with their Metro design language is finding out. The first problem is that laptops and desktops are traditional non-touch devices with mouse and keyboards and hence demand a different UI paradigm than smartphones or tablets. So applications and games universal to both will have to account for that and hence there has to be a coherent API and tools to provide for that. They will also have to address different architectures – x86 vs. ARM, which can be mitigated if they can produce x86 capable ARM to have it everywhere.

It seems like the future is bright for Apple with a unified OS and ecosystem and even more coherent experience. Granted it may take time but consumers will flock for the foreseeable future if they pull it off.

The SLT-A58 from Sony is the Best DSLR for an Experimentalist Photographer

Sony has always done justice to its reputation for innovation. It has excelled in each and every field that it had laid hands on. Sony had a reputation in the market for handy-cams and in no time, we found it mosey the market of Digital Cameras. Before the other brands have sensed the competition, Sony has made its strike. Sony started producing the best one can hope for in the world of Digital cameras and DSLRs. They have extended the boundaries of affordable DSLRs. They can pack up the best combination of features in one chassis and tag the package with quite an affordable price.

Enough of Technology Inside one Chassis

The looks and design of the Sony A58 is no different from that on any other DSLR, but the features incorporated in this new output from Sony, are far more supporting and especially the optical viewfinder is not what one expects at such a price. This new DSLR from the esteemed house of electronic manufacturer Sony is tagged at Rs.45,990.As this camera falls under the category of an entry level camera, the features offered is far more than what other brands offer for a camera of this sort. The control features installed for this camera goes at par with other competitive brans like Canon and Nikon.

What Makes it Perfect with all the Necessary Features at this Range? 

This camera is different from other models of the same range on other technological factors. It is different from Nikon and Canon regarding the eye sensor feature in the viewfinder. This deficiency of an eye sensor forces its users to switch modes manually. This often causes professionals to divert their concentration while changing the modes, which is quite hectic in the middle of a professional shoot.

Now coming to its zooming features and stats, in a DSLR no one expects a Digital zoom as we can get the best zooming manually and that is exactly, what DSLRs are meant for. But the A58 got a zooming that makes it quite different from the other cameras of this category. If you want to judge the minute features from afar, this digital zoom can be of some use. This helps in better quality of picture composition and fastens the roots of photography and clarity. The zooming control is also useful for navigating through the previews and to zoom into the pictures you preview on the LCD.

The SLT-A58 is Perfect for the Hands of a First Timer

When you are dedicated to photography and prefer carrying your DSLR wherever you move, the weight is a factor. The camera is light enough and the amount of weight that this DSLR has, is just what is needed for a steady shot. This is the best camera for a first timer as it balances the complex and simple features to give its users a sufficient guide to perfect Focusing and quality captures. All you need to do to accommodate with this new DSLR is to understand the OLED viewfinder.

Done with candies? Have a soda – says King

Sequels are the rage these days. The sequel to the most loved and hated game – Candy Crush Saga from King – has arrived on Google’s play store with a soft launch – Candy Crush Soda Saga. Only this time, there is some soda as well to go with the gummies. So is it different or all the same with a new package?

Initial Impression: 

It seems like King is following the “don’t change the winning mantra” rule by the book. The overall look of the game is almost identical to its predecessor and has gaudy colors and a cartoonish look written all over it. In fact, it might well be taken for a clone of the original game, only it is not.

It seems like King wants to cash in on its candy crush saga popularity while it is still there and is apparently milking the cow to the end. Therefore, instead of hard candies and chocolate, they are now selling soda and gummies.

Gameplay: 

The original gameplay is largely retained and so is the general feel about the sequel. If you are a fan of earlier editions, you feel right at home and can start climbing up the ladder. In fact, only the hard-core fans might able to detect the differences between this and its predecessor – where gummies float in soda unlike dropping candies.

The catch – it is still a match-3 puzzle game with the annoying energy system retained in most certainty. There is also a purple block which lets you create new combinations, match possibilities, and can make for more challenging levels.

As this is a King game, in app purchases run rampant and loud in-your-face type. There are all in all 75 levels to grind through with these purchases significantly making the progress less of a burden.

Early Preview: 

Early adopters in play store are already complaining about a lack of daily bonus wheel and overall lack of challenging levels, however some have stated that level 55 in particular is hard to overcome with some difficult moves, though others do not agree.

There are also reports that the exit button on Android is fixed. As for early preview, crashes, force closes and logging-in troubles remain though these kinks will most likely be ironed out by King come release time.

Verdict: 

So King is out again with another sequel based on the same formula that led to the widely popular original game in this series and the overall gameplay being largely similar gives it a milking the cow feel, but then who doesn’t. Should you play it? If you have fetish for match-3 puzzles or just want something to pass your time, pick it up, chances are it will do just fine.

On the other hand, diehard fans of the series are sure to play this and complete it without sparing a thought. While there are preview versions already available for Android and AppStore and release is imminent now, other platforms are going to miss the title yet again it seems. King has no interest in the rising platforms such as WP8 or BB10 and they will be skipped.

The Bapp of all Apps

Askme – Provision with a Convenient Platform

Askme provides a platform for viewers which are convenient and easy, besides being time conservative with amazing results. A free Android app, for the convenience of the users to search for places to shop, drink, play, relax, and even to get updates from active community in the surrounding areas, helping in providing inputs for appropriate decision together with various other details of millions of businesses within the city, is made available for the benefit of the users in the form of `Askme’.

This app known as `The Bapp of all Apps’, is an internal networking tool, an `All in 1’, app enabling users to navigate through details of merchants and listings, some of the best deals made available to users, classified ads, purchases that can be done instantly which is made available, free of cost.

This free app is of great benefit to the user when faced with situations in locating a store which can be traced through this app. Askme provides all the required details with regards to the information needed by the user, be it classified, a local search or even the latest deals on various products that are made available to the customers. All these information are readily available without the need of visiting any outlet which is available right in the palm of your hand.

An App with Immense Benefits

This is one of the apps with immense benefit to the user which helps them in searching for businesses in the area of one’s choice, availability of attractive deals that have been offered by some of the most popular businesses, some of the latest classifieds on mobile devices, cars, real estate, jobs and much more through Ul and a good database to choose from, enabling the user to navigate through these links.

Users also get the opportunity of adding reviews, tips and photos for favourite businesses, read reviews that have been posted by other users, enabling them to know more about good businesses in the locality, the privilege to share some of the favourite businesses with friend through SMS, Facebook, Twitter and email. Besides this the individual can also check-up addresses and phone numbers from the various businesses that are listed there and get in touch with them instantly with the use of this app.

To top it all, additional business information like ratings, payment methods together with various other information are available to enable the user to make quick decision on appropriate choices that are available at the platform and get in touch with them through Askme app.

Bridge in Sharing Idea – Company & Individual

Networking presently is main the purpose of every function and activity of life and Askme had been providing the bridge in idea sharing for both individuals as well as the company with the use of the Ul to direct the user to the desired platform.Their focus lies in providing the best Android experience that is possible by delivering regular updated apps together with the latest features and functions enabling individual to perform with ease and efficiency in the various activities.

Everything is now made available on a single platform which will be helpful in getting all the information from a single app. It is a great choice for users to function with speed together with quality performance.

Mercedes S-class S350 CDI- A (S) Class Apart

While you are mesmerized by concept, cars and imagination flies with flying cars of the 21st century dream. The S-Class is where you would want to be. It offers unparalleled luxury coupled with solid performance, efficiency and adequate safety.

Design: 

This is out-and-out a luxury car, which itself is signified from the 3-pointed star atop the grille. This is the first S-Class developed with a long-wheelbase saloon first, in the company of the short-wheelbase variant generating from it – which according to Mercedes gives it an unprecedented level of torsional rigidity at 40500 Nm/deg. In order to keep the body light, it is a steel-aluminium chassis – which increases accident safety and stiffness with an evenly distributed weight of 2215 kg. The front and rear tracks are slightly wider leading to a modest increase in interior volume. All use the trademark 7G-tronic plus 7 speed transmission with an optional paddle shift for manual control. In addition, it comes equipped with standard suspensions and dampers though MBC (Magic Body Control) is reserved for 8-cylinder models.

Interior: 

With plenty of interior space at 1m legroom and 920mm headroom, riding it is an absolute delight. The material and leather used on seats, armrests, fascia and steering wheel are immaculate and rivaling the best. There are warm/cool cup-holders and warmed armrests too. There are no prominent lights, 300 LEDs are responsible for that and cleverly placed and comes with a choice of 6 colors. WiFi and Bluetooth are standard and so are 3D mapping with a 12.3-inch touch screen with a number of optional upgrades. This comes with ornate speaker grills, grooved air-vents and traditional hides – an amalgamation of tradition and avant-garde technology.

Performance: 

The car is built with finesse in mind and hence any response is minimally disturbing. It shuns the hard acceleration more a smooth elegant start. While the engine’s idle is slightly audible from cabin, at cruising speeds, it is almost inaudible. The V6 model has a laidback approach with no urgency. Cruise is steady and ample reserve torque provides flexibility and is as impressive from the driver’s seat as from the back. Fuel consumption is respectable for this class of performance.

Ride and Handling: 

Though the magic active suspension system only comes on the higher-end models, the suspension has two modes – Comfort and Spot. A ride feels like you are completely blanketed from the road, instead of engaging with it. New speed-sensitive variable-ratio steering and a torque-vectoring brake system makes turns sharper. The engine does grumble under hard acceleration and strained at maximum speeds so a cruise is the best. The car is fitted with ESP to prevent drivers from going overboard. Turning off the ESP leads to a slight under steer but better balancing in corners. The suspensions do a very fine job and you would rarely notice any undulations.

Verdict: 

Owing to the luxury and ride performance this offers, it is a no-brainer to think twice before recommending. It excels in all the key areas and hits the right note while also having some driver-amusement.