Android 5.0 Jelly Bean name confirmed by Asus

Speaking at MWC 2012, handset manufacturer Asus has seemingly confirmed the name of Google's next Android OS with 5.0 to be dubbed Jelly Bean 

Whilst the new breed of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich handsets are only just coming to market, manufacturer Asus has seemingly confirmed the OS follow-on Android 5.0 will be dubbed Android Jelly Bean.

Speaking with Tech Radar Asus has suggested its close relationship with Google will see it feature as one of the first brands to offer the Android 5.0 update later this year, confirming the software’s name in the process.

"Asus is very close to Google, so once they have Android 5.0 I think there will be a high possibility that we will be the first wave to offer the Jelly Bean update," said Benson Lin, Asus’ Corporate Vice President.

Continuing the sweet toothed theme of the Android mobile OS naming convention, Google has been previously rumoured to be preparing Android 5.0 Jelly Bean for an autumn 2012 launch with the likes of Samsung and Motorola tipped to manufacture the operating system’s Google branded Nexus launch handset.

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Google Assistant app to 'go beyond' Apple's Siri?

Google's Android team is hard at work on a voice-controlled application called Assistant, which will 'go beyond' what Apple's Siri app can offer users. 

The application will launch in the fourth quarter of 2012, according to TechCrunch, and will be a mobile, voice-centred "do engine" that will focus on helping people accomplish "real-life" goals, rather than simply returning information. 

Info would be powered by Google search, Google +1 while personalised results would come through Google+ social network. 

Sources are telling TechCrunch that "goal-oriented search" will be a major part of Google's push in 2012, following its extensive social endeavours in 2012. 

Google is also planning on launching an API to allow third-party Android app developers to include Assistant as part of their own offerings, which would open up a world of possibilities. 

With a host of Siri clones already lining the Android Market and Apple App Store, it's certainly intriguing to hear that Google is working on a voice-controlled Assistant of its own. We'll be keeping an eye, and an ear, on this one.

Via: TechCrunch

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Google to enter tablet market with 7 inch form-factor [,google,tablet,7inch,google tablet,Android 4.0,Android 5.0 Jelly Beans,]

                                                                          Mock-up

A recent report suggests the search giant may release a 7-inch tablet later on this year, a device that would compete (size and price-wise) in the same class as Amazon's Kindle Fire. Analysts at Display Search claim that Google's potential tablet will feature a 7-inch display, 1280 x 800 resolution and should enter production in April, with 1.5 million planned for initial production. 

Expected Specifications 

It will include a 7’’ (17.3 cm) screen rather than a 10’’.It will run on Android 4.0 (Ice cream Sandwich) Operating System with Quad core tegra 3 Processor. With screen resolution to be rumoured as 1280 x 800, it will be a great buy. 

Expected Price 

The price is expected to be around $199 which in INR costs around 10,000 bucks . So,It’s a great buy seeing its price and comparing it with Apple’s iPad. As Google has vast market it may pose greater challenge for other Big Daddies of the industry. 

Operating System 

Google’s new tablet is expected to run on Android 4.0 and hopefully will have an Upgrade for Android 5.0(Jelly Beans) which is expected to be out in few months.

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Five ways Windows 8 is better than iOS and Android [,windows8,android,ios,ice cream sandwitch,oparating systems,windows 8,]

Five ways:

Picture password 

We've known about Microsoft's picture password feature in Windows 8 since its developer preview was unleashed in mid-September. But now that we've had a chance to give it a spin, we can definitely say it's a fun, convenient alternative to other system unlocking methods. In a nutshell, you choose a photo for your lock screen, and then define three touch gestures to draw on top of the photo in order to unlock your device. 

When Microsoft first detailed picture password, some were skeptical: Won't evil hackers be able to figure out your gesture-based password based on the smudges you leave on the display? In ablog post, Microsoft said no: "Because the order of gestures, their direction and location all matter, it makes the prospect of guessing the correct gesture set based on smudging very difficult even in the completely clean screen case, let alone on a screen that sees regular touch use." 

In Windows 8, app icons are live tiles, either square or rectangular in shape.

In that same blog post, Microsoft provided a detailed mathematical explanation of why a picture-based password is every bit as secure, if not more so, than a PIN-based one. And independent security experts agree that the likelihood of someone being able to decipher the intent of smudges on your device is slim to none. Of course, character-based passwords and number-based PINs are an old standby. Apple uses four-number passcodes in iOS. They're quite secure, but not particularly innovative. Google is more creative with its unlock security, offering a facial recognition-based unlocking feature in its Android 

4 Ice Cream Sandwich OS. This, however, has proven not to be so secure. In fact, it can be defeated if you hold up a picture of the Android device owner at the right distance from the display.

Easy gesture-based app switching 

In the Ice Cream Sandwich version of Android, Google has added a "Recent Apps" feature that pulls up a listing of most frequently used apps when you click the system bar icon. But in Windows 8, switching between open apps is much more intuitive and easy: A swipe from the left edge of the device will immediately pull up the last app you used (assuming it's still open in a multitasking state). It's a natural gesture, and one you'll rarely use by accident.

And how's this for clever: If you know you have a large number of apps open, you can simply swipe back and forth on the edge of the screen, and up pops a vertical array of preview windows revealing all your running programs (see screenshot above). From here, you can tap on a preview to jump to a specific app. Again: another solution that's easy, quick and elegant. 

In the iPad version of iOS 5, you're given two strategies to jump between apps. Most people will double-tap the home button to reveal a lineup of icons of all open apps. From there, a simple icon tap will jump to the new app. That's the popular method. But iOS 5 for iPad also lets you swipe from open app to open app, much like the method in Windows 8. 

But there is one hitch in the iOS approach: You have to use a full four fingers to execute the swipe. Compared to the Windows 8 gesture, it's just not that natural. 

Fat fingers aren't a problem 

One problem many mobile users suffer is that onscreen keyboards aren't designed for a variety of hand and finger sizes. This is typically less of a problem on tablets, which usually have enough screen real estate to offer accommodating keyboards. Nonetheless, if you plan on using your tablet two-handed, typing with your thumbs, typing on a tablet isn't so easy. 

Windows 8 offers a solution: It provides a split-screen keyboard so you can type with your thumbs. But wait, you say — Apple already does this in iOS 5. This is true, but Windows 8 goes one step further: You can adjust key size in the Windows 8 split-screen keyboard. You have three sizes to choose from, so if you've got the petite hands of a five-year-old, you can type on the small setting, and if you've got manly man hands, you can increase key size to large. 

It's not an insanely revolutionary feature, but little UI nuances like this make Windows 8 so appealing in total. 

Chromeless, fullscreen app experiences 

Windows 8 also innovates with a unique, tablet-optimized approach that eliminates distracting "chrome" — in other words, all those busy interface elements that can junk up a desktop or app interface. In fact, it's an OS-wide theme of Windows 8′s Metro UI. There are no menu bars, task bars, or navigational buttons permanently pinned to the display. 

In many iOS apps, you'll find navigational buttons that persist across the app's entire user experience. And even for apps that don't do this, you'll often still see that thin bar at the top of the screen that shows data connection strength, the time, and battery level. These are the very same elements that are locked to the iOS home screen. 

The case is similar (and arguably worse) in Ice Cream Sandwich. You've got your three virtual navigation buttons at the bottom of the display that are persistent across the UI. You also often have a bar across the top of the screen (just like in iOS) that displays battery status, time, and icons that link to other information. 

Windows 8 does away with all of this. To see the time, battery strength and data connectivity, you swipe open your Charms menu. Once you're done looking at these simple reports, you touch anywhere on the screen, and the Charms menu disappears. 

Home screen style and utility 

Every major mobile OS provides a certain degree of personalization in what you see in your home screen. In iOS, you can rearrange your home screen app icons so you can put your favorite ones front and center. In Android, you can organize the placement of app icons, and also add widgets that display real-time information, making the home screen both personalized and a source of useful information. 

However, Android widgets tend to have their own developer-specific themes and designs, so when they intermingle on your home screen, the resulting arrangement may look busy and inconsistent like a chaotic patchwork quilt. 

In Windows 8, however, you'll find a happy medium between the tidy organization that iOS provides, and the freedom and utility of the Android home screen. In Windows 8, app icons are live tiles, either square or rectangular in shape, but always consistent in their basic look and feel. 

But live tiles also update with new information in real time, just like an Android widget. For example, the mail app provides a constant refresh of your latest message headers. You can organize live tiles in whatever order suits you best. In the screenshot above, we put the calendar, mail and weather apps on the far left so we could glean that information with a single downward glance. 

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Microsoft provides Windows 8 Commercial Preview [,microsoft,windows8,GUI,windows os,win 95,windows 7,metro UI,]

Microsoft announced that it has reached the next step in bringing Windows 8 to launch with the Commercial  Preview  of Windows 8 at MWC, the next milestone for windows OS. In many ways it reminds us of the Yester years where Microsoft took a giant leap by launching Windows 95 and took a major step towards an integrated GUI. It then successfully ditched the DOS frameworks and led us to its most advanced OS, the Windows 7 as we know of. 

However today we feel, the same excitement and nostalgia is attached to this particular launch of Windows 8 as it did then with Win 95.

You may wonder why? Well if truth be told this launch is going to bring another major change in the world of GUI. It is so different from the present Windows 7 and yet has to perform and bring out the same refined and user friendly experience as Microsoft so easily does with any of its previous

Many analysts are even skeptical about this launch as they feel Microsoft has gone too far ahead with the metro UI. Well its too early to predict. What we see today is only a glimpse of what might happen in future. Lets hope it turns out well for Microsoft’s fate.

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Alternative input technologies to sweep modern gadgetry [ ,speech recognition,smartphones,siri,microsoft kinect,yale door locks,brainwave technology,biometrics,]

The trend: 

Speech recognition has come a long way since its creation. You get to see a voice enabled system every now and then however the technology has also received a lot of criticism. We can’t really decide yet if the technology is good enough or not as there is a lot more to see. The idea of talking to the machine while others watch and giggle is going to be past since more and more devices are incorporating this technology. Along with speech recognition other alternative input technologies like gesture recognition and RFID have also been successfully used in some gadgets. People find touching the screen easier than any of these. 

Alternative input devices 

The inspiration: 

Some of these technologies have been used in smartphones and GPS systems successfully. Siri would shortly be coming into the market as a new voice controlled OS for iPhone. A working Siri has also received a lot of appreciation. People have always used voice commands on automated customer service systems, games and GPS etc. Soon it will no longer be bizarre to scream at your phone. The technology used at home is getting complicated every day hence alternative methods have to be developed to overcome this complexity. A voice command is as effective as pressing a few buttons or navigating into menu via touchscreen. It is effortless and fast which is the need of today’s fast paced world. All these factors are going to support sales of products with alternative input technology. 

What makes them so special? 

Voice recognition: 

A lot of apps have been made for iPhone and android that could be operated with voice commands. Apart from this, designers have tried to come up with a lot of similar gadgets with dependent hardware. This technology can be used in HDTV’s to control programs since it has become very messy with lot of channels. This technology would very soon be appearing in gadgets widely. Voice recognition could also be used for security check systems. 

Gesture Control: 

Kinect was a huge success for Microsoft last year. It became the most popular gesture controlled device previous year. Gesture recognition can be used in several ways. They can be used to navigate interfaces with pointing fingers and hence could be used as virtual controllers. It is a great technology for remote control. It has already appeared in gaming industry in form of Kinect. Gestures can be recognized by using wired gloves, depth aware cameras and Stereo cameras. 

Near Field Communication: 

NFC enables two similar devices to interact when bought in contact or small distance of a few centimeters. This technology can be applied in several ways for example contactless transactions and data exchange. The protocol used in such communication is very similar to what RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) uses. This technology can also be applied in security check and access points. Demonstrative prototypes have been presented by a lot of innovators and designers. 

Related Trends: 

1. Siri 

Siri is a smart app for iPhone that can act as a virtual assistant. The app can answer simple questions and make suggestions. The app first appeared in 2010 and the company has announced that they will be making the same app for blackberry and android phones too. Siri is now integrated with IOS 5. 

Siri 

2. Microsoft Kinect 

Microsoft’s camera based gesture recognition made a great impact last year and continues to grow. It is a webcam like attachment that lets the user interact with the gaming console using gestures. The idea behind this device was to get a wider audience. Also the device holds a Guinness record for fastest selling consumer electronic with 8 million units sold in just 60 days after the release. 

Kinect 

3. Yale Door Locks 

Yale is the most popular lock manufacturer in the world. Recently they came up with a door lock system that uses NFC technology in the smartphones. To open the door you just have to bring your smartphone is close proximity of the lock. The lock technology is also compatible with zigbee home automation system. This would help you import all the digital keys right into your smartphone. The product is expected to appear in the market very soon. 

Yale door locks 

What’s next? 

1. Brainwave Technology 

Brainwave technology is based on detecting waves generated in the brain according to the thought patterns. This technology could be developed as intuitive control. This means you could perform the function just by thinking of it. You might think this concept to be hypothetical right now, but research on brainwaves has already got an early breakthrough. Scientists have demonstrated a basic model which proves the central functionality of capturing brainwaves and decoding them. This technology would also be useful for patients suffering from paralysis. 

Brainwave technology 

2. Biometrics 

Biometrics is a technology that enables an automated system to recognize a person based on physical traits or behavioral trait. Biometrics has the main application in access management and authentication. The technology is used in Walt Disney World to ensure that the person who bought the ticket is the same person using it. The physical traits include things like hand prints, hand geometry, iris and face. Behavioral traits are related to basic characteristics of men like voice, typing rhythm and way of walking. 

Biometrics 

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Why your computer is becoming more like your phone ,computer,phone,lion,apple,

      A Macbook Air laptop, an iPad 2 and an iPhone sit on display in a store window.

Apple released Mountain Lion to developers last week, a new operating system that will make your desktop computer work more like your phone than ever before.

The trend is clear: The desktop operating system will merge with the mobile OS in the coming years. The question is: Why?

Let's start with the trend itself. First off, Apple is integrating cloud services much more deeply in Mountain Lion than any previous operating system. That means your music, photos, calendars, contacts, emails and more can now stay in sync across your phone, tablet and Mac.

Apple has also unified your messages across your devices: The Message app (formerly iMessages) will replace iChat on the Mac.

That's not all: Mountain Lion also gets a notification center that works just like the notifications you receive on your phone. Games Center is coming to the Mac as well, allowing you to play games against your friends who own iPhones and iPads.

Apps like Reminders, Notes and Contacts are also all getting desktop versions -- and of course these sync with your mobile devices so your data is always up to date.

Most notable of all: Apple is now pushing software updates through the Mac App Store, hinting that the App Store may become the only way to get software on your Mac in the future.

So what are the advantages of your desktop computer merging with your phone's functionality? And are there any downsides?

Simplicity

The main reason Apple wants to make Macs work like the iPhone and iPad is simple. Or rather, simplicity.

Despite decades of innovation and the invention of the graphical user interface, computers remain too confusing and complex for the majority of people.

While more powerful software with complex functionality will continue to exist for highly technical users, most consumers want a device that's easy to use and intuitive.

The rise of the iPad and iPhone prove that there's huge demand for such simplicity, and that desktops too will need to become more streamlined.

The downside of simplicity? Simple systems are often less "open" and provide less freedom to try new things: Tasks are either easy to complete (because the developers thought of that use case) or not possible at all.

Security

Mobile operating systems could potentially be more secure than their desktop counterparts. In particular, if Apple makes the App Store the only way to download apps to your Mac, it would become more difficult for users to install malware (since Apple manually approves every app in the store).

What's more, mobile features like tracking the location of your devices or wiping them remotely will make consumer desktops more secure.

There are downsides to app stores, however.

Not only would devices become less open -- the makers of operating systems become gatekeepers -- but you could argue that Apple and its rivals simply want to force the use of app stores so that they make more money for themselves.

Syncing

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of making desktops work more like phones is unity between all your devices.

With a similar (or single) operating system on all your gadgets, syncing apps, contacts and calendars between them all becomes effortless.

There's a downside for users, however: Competing operating systems tend not to work well together, and using one operating system across all devices means uses are "locked in" more than ever before.

So there you have it: Your desktop computer is becoming more and more like your phone -- and in fact the line between the two will one day disappear.

If you think it's just Apple's devices that are headed toward a simpler operating system, however, you'd be mistaken -- Apple is merely in the news because Mountain Lion became available to developers last week.

In fact, Microsoft's Windows 8 takes its cues from Windows Phone, meaning that the two major desktop operating systems will mimic your mobile devices very soon.

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Why 'Android fragmentation' isn't so bad

So far 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich" runs on only a handful of phones and tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. 

Even though Android is the most popular smartphone platform in the U.S., and even though there were 10 billion Android app downloads as of December 2011, many Android users are frustrated that they're still treated like a second-class app market. That's because "fragmentation" makes it more complicated to develop Android apps that will run on most Android phones. 

New research from Localytics claims that Android fragmentation might be becoming less of a issue. 

If correct, this could start bringing more popular apps to Android phones faster -- or maybe even first. But the catch is, the Android ecosystem is far more variable than the iPhone landscape. That makes it a bigger long-term risk for app developers. 

Many popular consumer apps are still are rolled out first for the iPhone. That's because many Android phones are running substantially older versions of Android, which limits which apps they can support. Plus, Android phones come in a dizzying array of sizes, configurations, and capabilities -- compared to a fairly small selection of iPhone models. Also phone manufacturers and wireless carriers tend to customize the Android interface (in "flavors" such as HTC Sense and Motorola Blur). 

Localytics provides analytics tools that app developers use to monitor how people use apps. Data gathered from Localytics users during two weeks in January indicate that most Android phones now have "remarkably similar specifications." Localytics notes that this significantly simplifies the job of deploying mass market Android apps. 

Nearly three-fourths of Android app usage came from devices running some version of Android 2.3 "Gingerbread." That's not the most recent version of Android (so far 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich" runs on only a handful of phones and tablets), but it's robust enough to run the vast majority of Android apps well. 

Furthermore, Localytics found that nearly all of the remaining Android phones are running Android 2.2 "Froyo." 

"Between the two, Android developers can be confident that they only need to actively target two Android OS builds in order to achieve 96% compatibility with the Android ecosystem," said the report. 

Screen size and resolution are also key variables for creating Android apps. According to Localytics, just over 40% of all instances of app usage ("sessions") came from Android devices with 4.3-inch screens. Four-inch screens accounted for a further 22 percent of sessions. And over 60% of Android app sessions came from phones with a screen resolution of 800 x 480 pixels -- such as Samsung's popular Galaxy S series of phones. 

What about tablets? According to Localytics, nearly three quarters of all Android tablet usage comes from devices with nearly identical characteristics -- not surprising, since Amazon's new Kindle Fire e-reader tablet is already the second most popular tablet in the world, behind the iPad. 

Localytics found that 74% of Android tablet usage takes place on devices with seven-inch screens with 1024 x 600 resolution. Also, 71% of Android tablets are running Gingerbread. 

However, ... observed that the Localytics numbers might be overly optimistic. Also, as more Ice Cream Sandwich-capable devices hit the market this year, fragmentation could become a bigger problem again: 

"The best thing we can say about these numbers is that the Android ecosystem is stable... for now. In six months when there is a flood of Ice Cream Sandwich devices on the market, developers will be dealing with the need to support a vast number of Gingerbread devices while also supporting the newest functions in Android 4.0.1."

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Android 5.0 releases in 2nd Quarter this Year

Android 4.0 is found on handful of devices , appx. 1% of devices have Android 4.0 and other handsets are awaiting its up-gradation. Hey ! Hold your breath! The whisper is : Google is ready to release its Android 5.0 codenamed Jelly Bean in 2nd Quarter.

While the details about Android 5.0 are still awaited, the report suggests that it will focus on larger screen devices such as Tablets and Netbooks. Vendors will be able to add Jelly bean to Windows 8 based tablet or notebook, allowing users to switch between the OS without rebooting, which is catching attention most. 

If our reports turn out to be accurate, Google could be pushing Android fragmentation to new heights with Android 4.0 . One of the key feature of Jellybean is the ability to dual-boot Chrome OS. 

For now we only have June 27 on which Google I/O Developer events kicks off and if an Android 5.0 Jelly Bean announcement is yet to be made in 2nd Quarter –June 27 will be a certain date . However, Google is yet to confirm the rumors of the launch of New OS Android 5.0 Jelly Bean. 

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BrailleTouch lets the blind text

Modern smartphones come with touchscreen displays – which is not a bad thing at all, really. Just take a look at the kind of apps and games that have been written for the platform to date and tell me that it isn’t revolutionary in any way. However, while the hard of hearing can always enjoy the use of a smartphone or featurephone because they can see, how about the visually impaired? Georgia Tech believes otherwise, and has come up with BrailleTouch – a Braille-like texting app.

This prototype app for touchscreen mobile devices intends to be the complete solution to all our modern day texting problems, without having to even look at the device’s display at all – which would also bode well for the visually impaired, of course. Mario Romero, Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Interactive Computing (IC) and the project’s principal investigator says, “Research has shown that chorded, or gesture-based, texting is a viable solution for eyes-free written communication in the future, making obsolete the need for users to look at their devices while inputting text on them.” 

You can check out just how BrailleTouch works in the video that you see below, and it might also help normal folk to bridge the gap with the visually impaired, since this free open-source app incorporates the Braille writing system. Initial studies that surround BrailleTouch alongside visually impaired participants who are proficient in Braille typing have shown that they are able to input at least half a dozen times the number of words in each minute when compared to other research prototypes that also have the same end game objective in mind – that is, eyes-free texting on a touchscreen display. These users were extremely proficient, being able to reach up to 32 words per minute with an accuracy level of 92%, now how about that? Imagine what kind of speed and accuracy can be achieved when the prototype app is finally polished. 

 

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Microsoft unveils bland, blue Windows 8 logo

Microsoft said Friday that it dramatically redesigned the Windows 8 logo to make it more like, well, a window. 

When the Windows 8 team was working to create a logo that would sum up the Windows 8 product and the Metro design experience, designer Paula Scher of the Pentagram design firm turned to the Windows executives in the room and asked them: "Your name is Windows. Why are you a flag?" 

And thus the new logo was born. 

Sam Moreau, principal director of user experience for Microsoft, said in a blog post that the new Windows 8 logo was approached with a few key goals in mind: to make the new logo "modern and classic" by echoing the International Typographic Style that has influenced the Metro style; to be "authentically digital" and not mirror a "materiality" style such as faux wood or glass; and to be humble, yet confident. 

Moreau said that the subtleties of the Windows Vista and Windows 7 logo, with its intricate, glass-like lighting effects, were tossed out with the Windows 8 logo redesign, to bring it back to its roots. 

In fact, Microsoft's Moreau said that many of the design elements were pulled from the original Windows 1.0 logo (below), a design few probably remember, he said. 

"'Windows' really is a beautiful metaphor for computing and with the new logo we wanted to celebrate the idea of a window, in perspective," Moreau wrote. "Microsoft and Windows are all about putting technology in people's hands to empower them to find their own perspectives. And that is what the new logo was meant to be. We did less of a re-design and more to return it to its original meaning and bringing Windows back to its roots – reimagining the Windows logo as just that – a window." 

It really is a dramatic redesign. What do you think of it? Let us know in the comments. 

Microsoft is expected to unveil a consumer preview of Windows 8 at Mobile World Congress later this month.

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Windows 8 to feature improved accessibility features

Windows 8 will feature improved accessibility features, making it easier to use for those visual impairment or other disabilities. 

The age-old accessibility tool, the Narrator, will be able to assist Windows 7 users upgrade to Windows 8, talking the user through the download and set-up process. Narrator in Windows 8 will come with many enhancements, including the ability to choose a voice, change speed of output, and create personalized commands. Narrator will also feature better support for reading web pages. In tablets, a Windows button plus Volume Up shortcut will call the Narrator up. 

Other touch-based accessibility features, destined for tablets and touchscreen monitors, will allow users to use various types of magnifier zoom with different gestures, and on screen Plus and Minus buttons. Narrator can also be accessed by tapping specific areas of a screen, and types of icons. 

The biggest change that Microsoft will bring with Windows 8 are the Metro UI style apps, and the company wants to ensure users with disabilities will be able to enjoy them as well. The Metro UI also gives developers the opportunity to present accessibility settings in a new way, with key settings displayed in a manner that was easy to use. Settings will include simplified toggles for high contrast, size of UI elements, and DPI scaling. 

The blog post admitted that Windows still has a long way to go to completely meet the needs of people with disabilities, but the new OS will be making many new steps to that end. Microsoft will be providing standard developer tools with baseline accessibility features built-in, to ensure most apps in the Windows Store will be accessible. New tools and guides will also be available. The company will be engaging assistive technology vendors (ATVs) as well, urging them to adopt Windows 8 and build upon the accessibility scenarios. 

An accessibility filter for the Windows Store will also be available, helping users find only those apps with the features built in. The Windows Store will also feature a special comments and ratings section, to let other users know which are the best apps, and to give developers feedback on their products. 

Norberg added: "If you are a user with accessibility needs, we think you will like what we have done. If you are a developer, build an accessible app and reach a larger spectrum of users! If you are an AT (assistive technologies) vendor, come work with us and refresh your applications using our platform. This is an exciting and compelling release that will change how people of all abilities interact with PCs."

Narrator main screen to configure settings

Drag your finger along the border to move around the screen. Borders disappear when you reach the edge of the screen.

Tap on two opposing borders at the same time. Full screen preview highlights where you are on the screen.

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Apple releases OS X Mountain Lion to developers

AirPlay Mirroring lets your MacBook interact with an HDTV-served audience 

Just seven months after Lion hit servers, Apple has released OS X Mountain Lion (version 10.8) to developers. This tight development cycle is in support of integrating the best features of Apple's iOS mobile operating system into OS X. As Steve Jobs put it in 2010, Apple intends to "hook up" the user environments of the iPad and the MacBook. The result is a substantial step forward for Apple interconnectivity. Apple's announcement focuses on ten new features out of more than 100 changes in the OS. Of these, nine are lifted in their entirety from iOS - including Notification Center, AirPlay mirroring, Game Center, Share Sheets, iChat (now Messages), iCal (now Calendar), and Address Book (now Contacts). One entirely new feature is a security module called Gatekeeper, about which we will have more to say later. 

A general focus is convergence of OS X with iCloud applications. Reminders and Notes are iCloud-enabled features, and Mountain Lion allows documents to be uploaded directly to the cloud from the File menu. Twitter integration is also a new feature of Mountain Lion with users able to tweet directly from Safari, Quick Look, Photo Booth, Preview and third party apps after a single sign in. 

Porting of iOS 5 apps over to OSX has proven to be an efficient approach to the development of Mountain Lion. Apple did not have to test multiple versions of new programs and GUIs to optimize functionality and ensure a good user experience, when they already had such apps in iOS 5. 

As is usually the case with Apple, there are some pieces of coal in the stocking. For example, only Mac App Store apps will be allowed to use Notification Center or the deeper levels of iCloud integration. Also the new security module Gatekeeper is strongly biased to work with Mac App Store software. 

Let's take a brief look at the new high profile modules:

Notification Center

Notification Center makes it easy to keep up with an ever accelerating rate of connectivity - it provides one place on your desktop where all communications and alerts of importance to you can be found. Emails, instant messages, friend requests, calendar alerts, tweets - all of these trigger Notification Banners which appear on the desktop, then disappear after five seconds. When wanted, simply swipe the trackpad, and the Notification Center appears as shown in the screenshot above. All material is in an ordered list for which you control the ordering priorities. 

The Notification Center is highly customizable, allowing you to choose between banners and alerts, add, remove and alter sounds, or disable the module if it diverts too much of your attention. Apple is opening this feature up for the use of developers in the form of an API which will allow their apps to deliver notifications to your Mac in real time.

iCloud

There are currently over 100 million accounts on iCloud. When you sign into your Mac with your Apple ID and password, the system will automatically merge information stored locally with whatever data, files, or documents you previously uploaded to the iCloud. iCloud allows you to sync such important data as email, messages, calendar data and reminders, contacts, and much more. 

One important feature is called Documents in the Cloud, which stores all documents created in the iWork software suite. The tight connection with iCloud allows you to edit, for example, a calendar appointment and have that information pushed immediately out to the cloud and down to your other Apple devices. Even if your iPod's calendar app is currently open, the file display will automatically be updated with the new information. 

Many of the new OSX applications, such as Messages, Reminders, Calendar, and Notes are seamlessly synced between devices. Third party software will also have access to iCloud capabilities.

Messages

Many have found iChat a useful app, supporting desktop messaging in various Mac OS versions, right up to Mac OSX Lion (version 10.7). However, it failed to progress with the times, so that recent versions have fallen short of the performance and user experience offered by iOS 5. 

Apple's response in Mountain Lion is to replace iChat with iMessage. If on the move, you can continue conservations while switching from a MacBook to an iPhone to an iPad, Messages also supports FaceTime video calls, A beta version of Messages for Lion is available from Apple here.

Reminders

Reminders is a new dedicated app in Mountain Lion that looks just like the iOS 5 app. A relatively bare-bones app, it lets you record reminders, to-do lists, grocery lists, and the like. You can set a reminder date, change priorities, shuttle information within lists, and sort tasks by date. Reminders seamlessly syncs between iOS, Google, and Yahoo Calendar, as well as the other OSX apps. This is a straightforward program, but once used, if you lose the capability you will miss it.

Notes

All operating systems for personal computing have some form of note-taking app, however crude. Apple has again lifted their Notes app directly from another Apple product, this time the iPad Notes app. 

Using Notes in OSX is straightforward - a click opens a note, while a double click opens a note in a standalone window which stays open even when you quit Notes. The standalone window can be set to stay on top of the screen stack. 

Notes has flexible formatting choices, and also allows you to insert inline images and links. Your notes sync automatically with iCloud, and Notes can also be set up to also sync with Gmail, Yahoo, and other services that support notes. 

Share Sheets

Share Sheets allow Mountain Lion users to share information from their desktops via email, message, AirDrop, Twitter, Flickr, Vimeo, and many other services, at the touch of a button. 

A developer API is available for using Share Sheets in third-party apps, although the scope of apps with which you can share information is going to be limited. A more formal arrangement with Apple will be required to enable universal use of Share Sheets. 

Game Center 

The true purpose of most computers is, of course, testing one's skills in any one of a number of directions by playing games. 

Apple reports that their social gaming network has over 100 million registered users who are provided with access to some 20,000 Game Center-enabled games. This community is only expected to grow now that the MacBook is getting Game Center support. MacBook gamers will now be able to find new games and challenge friends to play live multiplayer games, whether they're on a Mac, iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. 

With the Game Kit APIs tapping into the same services as Game Center on iOS, developers will be able to create multiplayer games that work across Mac, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Expect mass porting of iOS games to Mountain Lion this year. 

AirPlay Mirroring 

AirPlay Mirroring was introduced originally on the iPad to allow movies and music videos to be played on a large screen HDTV through an Apple TV. On Apple TV the resolution will be limited to 720p and stereo audio, but AirPlay will automatically seek the best rendering when working with any given system. 

Oddly enough, iTunes movies and TV shows will appear on the big screen, but will be blanked out on the MacBook owing to license restrictions. Chalk it up to the usual suspects. 

Gatekeeper 

OS X, like most of the Mac operating systems, has a reputation for being resistant to malware, viruses, worms, Trojans, backdoors, keyloggers, and the like. This resistance is partly due to program security, and partly due to the limited use of OS X compared to larger-scale targets - ie. Windows. However, Apple does take security concerns seriously. In adding Gatekeeper to Mountain Lion, Apple allows users to restrict the downloading and executing of unvetted apps. 

There are three levels of security. The strongest is to allow access only to apps obtained from the Mac App Store. The next level limits access to the Mac App Store and the apps of vetted developers. The lowest level is essentially no added security, allowing apps to be downloaded from anywhere. Gatekeeper is still being tweaked to make it easy for users to understand and use without simply accepting the default settings. 

What (or who) is a vetted developer? Called an "identified" developer by Apple, such a person simply has to sign up as a Mac app developer and pay a fee of US$99 per year. The apps of an identified developer are not screened or tested by Apple, so the additional security amounts to knowing that Apple will pull the credentials of a developer who issues bad apps, 

Will Apple do this on the first bad app? Will they require a pattern of bad apps? Will requirements differ for major app developers as compared to a one-off developer? These and other questions concerning how Apple will control Gatekeeper's access to apps are somewhat controversial, and will in the end determine if Gatekeeper is a benefit or a detriment to OSX. 

Other new features in OSX Mountain Lion include a Chinese language GUI, a search/URL bar for internet searches, similar to that found in Google Chrome, a VIP mail area for your favorite contacts, similar to Priority Inbox in Gmail, and a Re-open windows setting for Shutdown and Restart commands. 

The operating speed of Lion and Mountain Lion are reported to be equivalent, but startup and shutdown speeds of Mountain Lion are currently considerably slower than those of Lion. This difference may reflect the beta status of Mountain Lion. Battery life is the same with the two OSX versions. 

In summary, Mountain Lion is an incremental evolution of Lion, rather than an OS as different as Windows 8 will be compared to Windows 7. Apple has shipped some 20 million copies of Lion, many of which will probably be upgraded in turn to Mountain Lion, at a very low price point (probably around $30 or so). 

The real question is not if Mountain Lion is a significant improvement on Lion - based on the beta demo version released this week to reviewers, it is. More important to users is how long Mountain Lion will occupy the Mac OS pinnacle before OS XI Polar is released. When it is released, will the bear versions of OS XI be sufficiently improved over Mountain Lion to displace it from its potentially secure position? Only time will tell. 

Source: Apple

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“Beauty and the geek” keyboard pants - with Bluetooth keyboard, wireless mouse

Nieuwe Heren's 'Beauty and the Geek' concept incorporates a keyboard into a pair of jeans 

It's tempting to launch into a spiel about cafe-hopping hipsters that might just (and I mean just) be tempted by a pair of jeans with a built-in keyboard. Anything to lighten the load, non? But it's hard to imagine even the least self-aware urbanite willing to subject himself to the inevitable crotch-stares that BatG would surely attract - even when he's not typing. Which isn't to dismiss Nieuwe Heren's design - it does incorporate some rather neat ideas. 

First of all, rubbery gray keys aside, the jeans look rather nice. I even rather like the orange seams which designers Erik de Nijs and Tim Smit intend to resemble a circuit board. The jeans come with a mouse attached by a sturdy-looking strip of elastic material. It fits into the specially-designed right-hand ass pocket. 

The designers hope that the jeans will address the issue of RSI, allowing the wearer to wander away from a screen to a comfortable chair. In which case they'll be able to listen to music streamed from their computer courtesy of the incorporated speakers. 

If you accept that a keyboard built into your pants is a good idea then I think this particular arrangement could conceivably be improved. The entire alaphabet is located on the left leg, which would necessitate an imbalanced typing position impractical for any protracted writing. A split keyboard with half the letters on each thigh would make more sense, and avoid the delicate issue of keys near one's genitalia (where - ouch - the return key currently finds itself).

The numeric keypad eating up prime right-thigh real estate should be expunged - I don't think this invention is likely to become the keyboard of choice for jobbing Excel number crunchers. In fact, the keyboard would probably benefit from an overall key reduction to something more akin to Apple's wireless keyboard. And the incorporated speakers are surely a bridge too far. Noisy pants? Heavy battery packs? Pass. 

At the moment, there are no plans to bring the product to retail, though De Nijs told WebProNews that the estimated price to the consumer would be US$400. "The whole project is too complex and we don't have enough money right now to to get it ready for the market," he added. 

It may be for the best that the project remains a fun proof-of-concept that may at least prompt further innovation in portable keyboards and input devices incorporated into clothing. The big however looming over the horizon is that, were these to launch, I'd not be the target market. The only question that matters is this: would you wear them? 

Sources:WebProNews

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