IPHONE 6 READY TO BE LAUNCHED IN 2014

It’s looking increasingly likely that we’ll have to wait until 2014 for the iPhone 6. Apple is believed to be launching two iPhones (potentially) on September 10, but reports suggest neither handset will look all that dissimilar from 2012’s iPhone 5.

The iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C (AKA the iPhone Light) are tipped to launch at the event, which means we’re looking at an iPhone 4S-type scenario whereby Apple updates the internal spec and hardware but leaves the exterior well alone. 

That means the iPhone 5S will pack in a 4-inch display, come in three storage varieties – 16GB, 32GB and 64GB –, and look, for the most part, very much like Apple’s iPhone 5. Although there are said to be some notable changes, such as: 

4-inch IGZO 1136x640 pixel display

12-megapixel camera

A7 mobile chipset

Improved memory – perhaps 2GB

Available in a selection of colours

True global LTE

That’s all we know about the iPhone 5S’ specs at present. And even then, nothing is set in stone with regards to the iPhone 5S for the simple fact that nothing is officially known about it. For all we know, Tim Cook could walk on stage on September 10 and unveil the iPhone 6. It's unlikely. But it could happen – stranger things have happened (although they usually take place at sea). 

If current market analysis is correct, however, we'll see Apple launch the iPhone 5S – alongside the iPhone 5C – on September 10, with the iPhone 6 coming sometime in 2014. How they will differ remains to be seen, but it seems likely the iPhone 6 will feature a larger display panel among other things...

SAMSUNG AGAIN ON TOP IN THE FIELD OF SMARTPHONES

Samsung continues to be the number one smartphone manufacturer in Q2 of 2013, according to research firm Gartner, with Apple at the number two spot.
The report also states that this is the first time that smartphone sales have crossed feature phone sales.
According to the latest numbers by Gartner, worldwide mobile phone sales totalled 435 million units in the second quarter of 2013, which is a 3.6 percent increase from Q2 2012.
Smartphone sales stood at 225 million units, up 46.5 percent from the Q2 2012, while feature phone sales stood at 210 million units. This is a 21 percent decline year-on-year.

“Smartphones accounted for 51.8 percent of mobile phone sales in the second quarter of 2013, resulting in smartphone sales surpassing feature phone sales for the first time,” said Anshul Gupta, principal research analyst at Gartner.
According to the report, Asia/Pacific, Latin America and Eastern Europe exhibited the highest smartphone growth rates of 74.1 percent, 55.7 percent and 31.6 percent respectively, as smartphone sales grew in all regions.

Samsung  continues to be the number one smartphone maker with 71 million smartphones sold and 31.7 percent markets share.  Apple was at number two with 32 million units sold and a 14.2 percent market share.
As far as operating systems are concerned, Microsoft overtook BlackBerry for the first time. Microsoft is at number three now with 3.3 percent market share in the second quarter of 2013 and over 7.4 million devices shipped.
As far as vendors the report noted that Nokia’s sales were 61 million units. In Q2 of 2012, Nokia sold 83 million units. The slowing demand of feature phone sales across many markets worldwide, and fierce competition in the smartphone segment, affected Nokia’s mobile phone sales, says the report.
However, Nokia’s Lumia sales grew 112.7 percent in the second quarter of 2013 thanks to its expanded Lumia portfolio such as Lumia 520 and Lumia 720.
“With the recent announcement of the Lumia 1020, Nokia has built a wide portfolio of devices at multiple price points, which should boost Lumia sales in the second half of 2013,” said Anshul Gupta.
In terms of numbers, Gartner confirmed what IDC had reported earlier stating the Nokia and Windows Phone 8 are emerging as a strong and viable third-ecosystem to the Android and iOS dominated smartphone market.

WINDOWS 8.1 READY TO BE LAUNCHED SOON

Windows 8.1 Coming as Free Download on October 17

Windows 8 users should circle October 17 on the calendar. On that day at 7 a.m. ET / 4 a.m. PT Microsoft will release Windows 8.1 as a free upgrade or download through the Windows Store. A day later on October 18, the new version of the operating system will also be available at retail stores and on new devices.

"It's very exciting to be delivering Windows 8.1 to consumers just before Windows 8 celebrates its 1-year anniversary," Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc wrote in a blog post this morning. Microsoft released Windows 8, a radical redesign and vision for Windows, on Oct. 26, 2012.
The software will be out at retail stores and new devices on Oct. 18
Software adds a host of improvements, including a new Start button
However, since that release users have pointed out some shortcomings of the operating system, which was designed for tablets, laptops and desktops. Microsoft has said it has directly addressed that feedback in Windows 8.1 with the revival of the Start Button and a host of other new features and improvements.
Microsoft has added the Start Button back to the software, which was removed in Windows 8. Now in the left-hand corner of the traditional Desktop screen there will be a Start tip, as Microsoft calls it. When tapped it will bring you to the Start Screen -- the main home of the software, which is full of Microsoft's live tiles and apps. Microsoft has also made it easier to rearrange those tiles on that screen in the updated software.