Andreas' Blog

  Back in August it became known that Microsoft decided to replace the term Metro which up to that point had been used by the company to describe the new user interface (Metro UI or Metro user interface), apps (Metro apps) and the design language itself (Metro). What made this sort of confusing was the fact that Microsoft did not offer replacement terms right away. Articles on tech sites afterwards used a variety of terms, with Modern UI, Windows and Windows 8 being used most often. Metro apps turned to Modern UI apps, Windows apps or Windows 8 apps, and the Metro interface to the Modern UI interface or the startpage. Microsoft kept quiet and did not intervene or correct at all. Even Microsoft-close sources and employees used Metro and several of the replacement forms, which added to the confusion. Microsoft Corporate Vice President of the Developer Division Soma Somasegar in an interview with Mary-Jo Foley revealed how Microsoft wants Metro-style apps to be named, and it is a ...

  Remember the Ping network that Apple integrated into its iTunes software? No? Then you are not the only one. Introduced in iTunes 10 in 2010 Ping was Apple’s attempt to create a social network of their around around iTunes and Apple products. The product does not seem to have been overly successful, considering that Apple yesterday announced that Ping will be discontinued on September 30. The replacement? Facebook of course with its like and share system. Apple iTunes users from October will notice a deep integration of the world’s most populated social networking site in their software. After linking a Facebook account to their iTunes account, users can start to share and like media in iTunes. If you ever wanted your Facebook friend’s to know that you are a huge fan of Justin Bieber, then your time has come to do that from within iTunes. It is not really clear how this will play out in detail, and if there will be options to proudly announce to your friends which music you p...

  As part of the recent iPhone 5 media event, Apple demonstrated and reviewed their next operating system update, iOS 6 , for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The iOS 6 update will be available for download on September 19, followed by the sale of the new iPhone on September 21st. The 5th generation iPod touch will go on sale in October. The vice president of iOS software, Scott Forstall, gave a basic overview of the new release which will include changes and enhancements to all the built-apps for iOS devices, including Siri, Maps, Music, FaceTime, Messages, Safari, AirPlay, and Game Center. The iOS 6 update will be free and will run on all iOS devices including and since the iPhone 3GS. Here are a few highlights. Siri will be able to answer sports related questions, provide movie showtimes and facts, play trailers, make restaurant reservations, and more. Maps will replace the traditional Google Maps and offer its own turn-by-turn navigation, real-time traffic updates, and in...

  There has been some consternation over the lack of backwards compatibility with the new Lightning dock connector in the iPhone 5. The Lightning to 30-pin adapter doesn't pass any video and may not work with all audio docks . One MacRumors reader expressed particular concern over the lack of video support, noting that many in-car aftermarket entertainment systems use the video out function of the 30-pin connector to display and control apps from head units. It seems, however, that Apple does have at least a partial solution. As The Verge reports , Apple is building Lightning to HDMI and Lightning to VGA adapters and quotes an Apple spokesperson as saying they "will be available in the coming months." Without these adapters, iPhone 5 owners' only option to output video from the device would be AirPlay. The Verge doesn't reveal pricing, but the Apple Digital AV Adapter -- the 30-pin to HDMI adapter for the iPad and iPhone 4S -- is $39 direct from Apple. ...

  Apple ( AAPL ) on Thursday confirmed that it will begin taking preorders for the next-generation iPhone 5 just after midnight PDT tonight. The company announced during its press conference on Wednesday that preorder availability would begin on September 14th, however it did not elaborate on exact timing. Apple has now confirmed to Wired that it will offer iPhone 5 preorders on its website beginning at 3:01 a.m. EDT, 12:01 a.m. PDT on September 14th. Verizon ( VZ ) and Sprint ( S ) each announced that preorders on their respective websites will also begin just after midnight PDT, and AT&T ( T ) has not yet announced preorder timing. Users can check upgrade eligibility on Apple’s website . Read Apple: iPhone 5 preorders begin at 12:01AM tomorrow Zach Epstein Thu, 13 Sep 2012 17:14:31 GMT

  It's that time again for a Facebook update for BlackBerry smartphones. We don't see a huge amount of new stuff in this version but any improvement is a good thing as far as I'm concerned. Facebook has had a good run in the Beta Zone lately so you can expect this to be a solid build. Updates include: New to version 3.2.0.12 are the following features: Enhanced Birthday Feature: Customize how your BlackBerry smartphone will integrate birthdays into your calendar. Receive a friendly daily reminder, with the ability to directly write on a friend's wall to wish them Happy Birthday. Improved Event Management: View Facebook event information and RSVP to events, as well as post comments to an event wall, view profiles of invited guests and receive event notifications. Updated Navigation Grid: Quickly and easily access key features such as your News Feed and Profile with updated icons. The Profile icon is now your current profile picture for a personalized touch.  ...

  Rogers Communications has announced the expansion of their LTE network to cover a whole lot more of Canada’s population by the end of 2012. Starting October 1st they’ll be rolling out new infrastructure in key Canadian cities. Here are the cities that will be getting Rogers LTE coverage by year’s end: Kingston, Edmonton, Quebec City, Oakville, Burlington, London, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Barrie. With urban areas already up and running, this national rollout aims to cover 60% of Canada’s residents by month’s end. While 4G fever is a bit more subtle in Canada, Rogers has put together some use cases showcasing what you can do with their new LTE network: All sorts of video calling options open up with LTE such as iOS FaceTime or the Playbook 4G LTE Video Chat. A number of LTE hotspot options become available such as tethering through your smartphone or connecting through one of Rogers’ LTE WiFi hubs. Read more and stay up to date with Rogers news over at the Rogers Blog ...