Apple's iPhone 6 - News, Rumors and Speculations about Price, iOS 8, Release Dates, Screen Sizes and Storage

Apple, recently launched the much awaited iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, and markets are already rife with rumours and speculations regarding the specifications of the iPhone 6, which is to be launched sometime later this year. So here's a low-down of some of the reliable and some not-so-reliable rumours currently doing the rounds in the market.

Release dates

Though an exact date for the launch of iPhone 6 has not been announced by Apple, our safest bet would be somewhere in the month of September 2014, since the company has nearly always chosen a special event in the month of September to launch its previous models. That being said, there are reports which say, the iPhone 6 might see an early June launch for the smaller model and a larger phablet sized model might be released later in the year.

Screen Size, Home Button and Casing

Source: C-Tech

Business Insider reported earlier, that one of the prototypes of the new iPhone had a full Retina + IGZO display without a home screen button and a new form factor. The Retina +IGZO display is supposed to have 1080 Full HD resolution. Chinese analyst Sun Chyang Xu says, the company will release a 4.7 inch display model as early as June and bigger 5.7 inch display model later in the year.

Reports about patents filed by Apple also indicate, they might try to implement magical morphing technology, which can hide sensors and cameras, and also flexible wraparound displays. But most likely we'll get to see them in future variations and not in the upcoming iPhone 6. There's a good possibility that Gesture Controls may be incorporated too.

If reports by MacRumours are to be believed, Apple employees have filed numerous liquidmetal patents. Plus, there's word that the company is already looking to slim down from the 7.6mm body of 5S. Couple this, with the leaked images (assuming they're true) of the new iPhone 6 case, we might me looking at the thinnest iPhone chassis yet.

A report by PhoneArena already states that Apple's manufacturing partner Foxcomm has successfully developed 100 iPhone prototype units with sapphire covered display, the site also suggested that sapphire displays can now go in for volume production. Sapphire coating is already being used in the iPhone 5S's rear camera and TouchID sensors. It was also rumoured that Sapphire coating was going to protect the devices's super-sized screen and also it's full body. If these rumours do become reality, and with the patents, GT Advanced Technologies and Foxconn prototypes, we can surely see sapphire and solar charging in future Apple devices.

Processor and Storage

In the Processor side of things, we will mostly see a quad-core A8 or an enveloped A7 processor, with more power and better battery usage. Apple is slowly cutting down on the amount of chips being sourced from Samsung. According to DigiTimes, Taiwan Semiconductor manufacturing company, STATS chipPAC, Advanced Semiconductor engineering and Amkor Technology, have all been drafted by Apple for their processor packaging.

Apple, like all it's close competitors, is slowly moving to “system-on-a-chip” (SoC). With the A7 processor in the iPhone 5S, they had already integrated the TouchID, cache, CPU, GPU and image processor on the chipset. But still, a lot remains to be added such as the DRAM and the gyroscope, accelerometer, compass processing, which are currently dealt with by the M7 motion coprocessor chip.

The company will mostly integrate the DRAM with the A8 chipset, and have a M8 motion companion processor, to bring them one step closer to the whole system being on one single chip.

In the Storage side of things, there hasn't been a lot of talk in the market, we expect the standard options of 16GB, 32GB and 64Gb to be available. But with the latest iPad coming with a 128GB storage, there's a possibility we might get to see it in the new iPhone 6 too. A word of caution here for the first-in-line buyers, be prepared to shell out a fortune for the 128GB model.

Camera

Nearly all the high-end smartphones are upgrading to 13MP cameras or better, so there's a small possibility that we might see a 13MP camera on the iPhone 6 too, which would provide improve image quality and at the same time consume lesser space.

But if reports in China Post are to be believed, iPhone might stick to its 8MP camera with a few upgrades, such as the Optical Image Stabilization to improve the image quality. Fueling this claim, is a patent uncovered at US Patent and Trademark office by Apple, for an Optical Image Stabilization setup and improved auto-focus technology. This will include, ”voice coil motor actuators” to allow the lens to move along the optical axis to adjust with movement, which in turn would help increase auto-focus speed and reduce blurriness in the image.

Eye tracking and Motion Sensors

With Samsung and other mobile device companies heavily investing in eye-tracking and other motion , Apple isn't left too far behind. Apple confirmed to CNET, that it had recently acquired PrimeSense, which is 3D motion sensor company. This potentially means that Apple's iPhone 6 and future models may well come with eye-tracking function and other motion and gesture controls inputs.

Software Improvements

The new iPhone will most likely see the new iOS 8. Domain experts feel, iOS 8 might get launched around September or October, just like the previous iOS versions. In the new OS, we don't expect to see a lot of visual changes, but we might see changes and integrations with respect to iBeacons, Passbook, TouchID and a few software innovations.

NFC

Most iPhone competitors already support NFC, but Apple has steered clear of it. With a lot of mobile payments and services expected to use NFC, many companies have already seen the promise it holds and have started investing resources into this technology. However Apple has been quite happy to stay off the band-wagon, and chances are very slim that we'll get to see NFC technology in the new iPhone 6.

Price

With the possibility of the 16GB model getting dropped and a newer 128GB getting launched, we might get to see the these models getting launched at the same price at which their respective 5S models were launched, with the 128GB model costing $100 more than the 64GB one. If in case Apple decides not to reduce the price on the iPhone 5S, we might have to pay a premium of $100 on each of these model as compared to their respective predecessors.

Will keep updating this post as and when newer rumours and official announcements are made. Also, do leave your comments below, if in case I've missed out any information currently doing the rounds.

Source: Techradar.com, Knowyourmobile.com

Samsung Galaxy S5 - Rumours, news and release dates

The world of mobile consumers is abuzz with rumours regarding the soon-to-be-launched Samsung Galaxy S5. Prospective buyers are scampering all over the internet to gather the latest speculations and rumours about the device. And the internet doesn't let them down, with new rumours, leaked images and speculations coming out every day regarding the release dates, specifications, new UI changes, dual models ( one for the budget consumer and one for the premium consumer), etc.

Release Dates

There has been no official word from Samsung regarding the launch and release dates of the Galaxy S5 device. But till a few days back the word on the street was that the company might look at launching their flagship smartphone late February and release it a month later in the month of March, similar to what they've been doing with their previous versions of the Galaxy Smartphone.

However, an Italian Insider Flavio claimed earlier this month that the launch of the device may be pushed to mid-March in London. He is known for his information bei
ng accurate, and also his statement lines up with rumours that had earlier cropped up regarding the launch date being in March.

Another rumour doing the rounds, after a report by Bloomberg carrying a Samsung executive's quotes, is that the device would be released by the end of April. This coincides with the May 1^st, 2014 release dates asserted by the Russian blogger Eldar Murtazin.

Source: Gottabemobile.com

Design

Samsung is very well known to keep its devices smartphone designs under tight wraps. The company managed to garner a lot of attention with the Galaxy Note 3's design. The faux leather and plastic combination was a first for any of the devices under the Samsung brand.

Though we had not seen any design changes between the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4, company executive Lee Young Hee said to Bloomberg that, the Galaxy S5 design will most probably be different.

Earlier SanMobile, had published a report supporting the rumour that Samsung might release a budget version of the Galaxy S5 with a plastic body and a premium version with a metal body similar to Apple's iPhone's 5C and 5S respectively. However this notion was put to rest by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, well known for predicting the features of the iPhone 5S, who claimed that the Galaxy S5 will be come in plastic bodies only and the two versions of the Galaxy S5 will be based on internal specifications and not on the design.

Display

Kuo, SanMobile and many other sources agree that at least one of the variants will sport a QHD display with 1440 x 2560 resolution with an approximate 565ppi. A QHD display would mean sharper and better looking content than on other 1080p displays. An executive to Bloomberg and Kuo, agree with other rumours that the display on the Galaxy S5 is expected to be one of the biggest in the Galaxy brand of phones approximately, 5-inches.

Camera

Both the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 sport a 13-MP rear camera, so the Galaxy S5 is expected to get an upgrade to a 16 megapixel sensor rear camera with ISOCELL technology. Kuo's prediction and other leaks seem to align with this, so we can be rest assured, to see the Galaxy S5 with a better rear camera than it's predecessor. We might also see optical image stabilization features along with the new camera sensors.

Processor, Storage and Battery

Following previous trends of Samsung, we're sure to see Galaxy S5 with a new processor. Samsung had earlier promised that it would ship it's next Galaxy flagship smartphone with a 64-bit processor. It's also been widely rumoured, that the device may come with a 64-bit Snapdragon 805 chip from Qualcomm or Exynos 6 CPU from Samsung. But according to Kuo, the two variants of the Galaxy S5 will come equipped with two different processors, the company's Exynos 5430 octa-core 32-bit processors will be built into the premium variant, while Qualcomm's MSM8974 AC quad-core 32-bit processor will be shipped with the budget variant.

The device might come with the company's new chip, released at the end of last year, touted as the industry's first Eight GB mobile DRAM. In terms of storage, not much news or rumours have leaked out. But we can expect the Galaxy S5 to follow the Galaxy Note 3 way and abolish the 16 GB option.

Source: NDTV (Gadgets)

Fingerprint Sensor

With a slew of high-end smartphones introducing fingerprint sensors on their devices, and with TouchID being a USP of the iPhone 5S, the Samsung Galaxy S5 won't be left far behind. The Korean Herald and Kuo both have reported that the Galaxy S5 will come with a fingerprint sensor for convenience and security. Early rumours also suggested, that the Galaxy S5 might come with Iris-Scanning technology, but as time goes by, this technology might get pushed to future devices of the Galaxy series.

Software

Source: Gottabemobile.com

Galaxy S5 will definitely be running on the Android OS with Samsung's TouchWiz UX on the foreground. But we as have seen year after year, Samsung will release a new TouchWiz UX design for it's Galaxy S5. Thus far rumours and leaked images point to the UI coming with Samsung's recently launched Magazine UI, which can be seen on the latest tablets of the Galaxy brand. Rumours also indicate to a new interface with touch points in the corners to allow users to easily access app settings and shortcuts and a few improvements in the touch less gestures.

Price

With regard to the price point at which the device might be launched at, there are no confirmed reports, and it's more of a wait and watch game. But if Samsung does launch 2 variants of the Galaxy S5, with upgrades in build quality and internal materials, we can assume them to be competitively priced against the iPhone 5S and 5C.

As per the claims of SanMobile, the budget variant might be priced somewhere around 600 euros while the the premium variant might priced around 800 Euros. However, these being exorbitant prices in terms of US Dollars and INR Rupees, we might see the device being launched at prices lesser than mentioned above.

Will keep updating this post as and when newer rumours and offical announcements are made. Also, do leave your comments below, if in case I've missed out any information currently doing the rounds.

Sources: CNet, Gottabemobile.com, Ibtimes.com, trustedreviews.com, NDTV Gadgets

Nest Labs Inc. strikes gold, acquired by Google Inc

Google recently announced that it had acquired Nest Labs, Inc. in a multi-billion deal estimated to be around $3.2 Billion in cash.

Google is a global technology leader focused on improving the ways people connect with information. Their innovations in web search and advertising have made it top property and one of the most recognized brand around the world.

Nest Labs, which was launched in 2011, has worked on a sole mission to reinvent useful but unloved devices such as thermostats and smoke alarms. They recently launched Protect, a smoke and CO alarm, which has been received with rave reviews. The Nest Learning Thermostat, also has been a consistent favourite in it's category right from the start.

Tony Fadell, CEO of Nest Labs, in a statement said, “We're thrilled to join Google. With their support, Nest will be even better placed to build simple, thoughtful devices that make life easier at home, and have a positive impact on the world.”

“Nest's founders, Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers, have built a tremendous team that we are excited to welcome into the Google family. They're already delivering amazing products you can buy right now-thermostats that save energy and smoke/CO alarms that can help keep your family save. We're excited to bring great experiences to more homes in more countries and fulfill their dreams.”, said the CEO of Google, Larry Page on their acquisition of Nest Labs.

The multi-billion transaction is expected to close over the next few months, and is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals from the US. Also it is said that Nest will continue to function under the leadership of Tony Fadell and have it's own brand identity.

Another beneficiary of this transaction has been a company (Nestor) trading under the symbol NEST in the stock exchange, which shot up by 1,900 %. Unfortunately though, Nestor is just a shell company which has been in receivership since 2009 and has nothing to do with the company recently acquired by Google. Investors mistakenly starting pumping in money on Nestor, a penny stock, which was actually trading at less than a penny when news of the Google's acquisition of Nest Labs broke out. A blogger ,who styles himself at KidDynamite, first brought this to the attention of those who follow him.

Google's prototype Smart Contact Lens for Diabetes Patients

Google has done it again. It has come up with another wearable eye device. And it isn't Google Glass in a contact lens. But if things fall into place, this might well be a step in that direction.

The company's Google X lab has just put up a teaser on it's blog of a smart contact lens, which helps diabetes patients keep track of their glucose levels.

The company revealed a functional prototype on January 16^th that uses a tiny wireless chip that contains a glucose sensor and an antenna thinner than a strand of hair, implanted between two soft layers of contact lens material. The contact lens, which is worn on the surface of the eye, is powered by tapping into the radio waves in the air and is designed to transmit data to a smart phone or other devices. Doctors are already saying, this device has the potential to not only replace the continuous glucose monitors embedded under the skin, but also one day replace the painful finger-pricking blood tests.

Google also mentioned, that scientist has long been looking in to how body fluids can help them track glucose levels. Tears, apparently works very well. But given that most people can't cry on demand, using tears was not really an option earlier. According to the company, the sensors, which are as tiny as bits of glitter, take about a reading per second. They also said, they' re trying to add tiny LED lights to warn the users when their glucose levels cross a certain threshold.

“Glucose level change frequently with normal activity like exercising or even sweating. Sudden spikes or precipitous drops are dangerous and not uncommon, requiring round-the-clock monitoring,” says Google X labs co-founders Brian Otis and Babak Parviz, in a statement sent to ABCNews.com. “Although some people wear glucose sensors embedded under their skin, people with diabetes must still prick their finder and test drops of blood throughout the day. It's disruptive, and it's painful. And, as a result, many people with diabetes check their blood glucose less often than they should. The company also said these are “early days” in its research and a lot more would be required to be known about the correlation between the tears and blood glucose and what lag time is there in detection, as well as how environment and other external factors such as heat and wind can affect tears.

The standard way to test the presence of glucose is by doing a blood. But traces of glucose is also found in many bodily fluids, such as those under the skin and in the eyes. But changes in glucose levels can be abrupt and there may be a lag time in detection in the eyes, feel the endocrinologists consulted by ABCNews.com.

The Director of Friedman Diabetes Institute at Beth Isreal Medical Center in New York city, Dr. Gerald Bernstein said about the Google X device that, “ the idea is terrific, if it can be done. It's not an easy thing to do.”.” Do I think this is the ultimate answer? Probably not. But I do think it's something worth pursuing. It's a lot more convenient than the current continuous monitor, which does the same thing.”

According to The American Diabetes Association, around 3 million Americans have type 1 diabetes. It is usually diagnosed in young adults, and was previously known as Juvenile diabetes. In this form of diabetes, the body doesn't produce insulin, the hormone which helps the body to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy.

Dr. Alvin Powers, director of the Vanderbilt Daibetes Center in Nashville said, “It's one of those things that gets a lot of attention. 99% of the people with diabetes don't use a subcutaneous sensor. Those people are pricking their finger [to measure glucose in the blood] because a device under the skin is very expensive and has to be calibrated on a regular basis. The would be true of the contact lens approach – you would have to have it calibrated to make sure it is meaningful”.

Google is also working with FDA and other experts to bring these prototypes and the technology to the market. These partners, then will use the technology for the smart contact lens and develop apps, that would make the measurements available to the wearer and their doctors.

Microsoft and other companies too, had previously shown off such similar lenses. But until now, there aren't any smart lenses available in the market. However, given Google's reach and ability to find the right partners, these smart lenses may soon be available in the market.

Best Apps for Android Phones and Tablets

Here are some of the best apps for android Phones and Tables which 2013 got to see. If in case I've missed out an app which you feel deserved to make the list, do leave it in the comments section below.

1. Hangouts
   Google rolled out its Hangouts central messaging hub in 2013, which replaced the old Google Talk chat app. Now your Google+ conversations, text and video chats, and SMS (Android KitKat 4.4) are all integrated in one place.
   
   
2. Google Keep
   Google's note-taking Evernote rival, Keep, is fast, simple and tied to your Google Drive account. 2013 saw Google adding in features such as Reminders, pics, etc.
   
   
3. AnyDo
   AnyDo makes keeping track of your to-do list a little less painful by giving it a beautiful design and easy, quick entry options. The best feature is called "Moment," a daily triage of your tasks that actually manages to feel empowering.

4. SwiftKey 4 Keyboard
   Android's keyboard has gotten better over the years, but the vagaries of custom manufacturer skins can still make typing a pain. Swiftkey's latest version makes for a great replacement, which improved correction, prediction, and gesture-typing. You can also chose various themes, and patterns which suit your keyboard needs.

5. Swype Keyboard
   The Swype trace keyboard has been around for years, but in 2013 it finally exited beta and hit Google Play. It even comes pre-installed with some of the Android devices.
   
   
6. Fleksy Keyboard
   It isn't for everyone, but Fleksy is another alternative keyboard that has a gorgeous layout and boasts of accurate auto-correction – even if you aren't looking at your phone. Fleksy even has an invisible keyboard option, for the truly brave souls.

7. 1Password
   You'll have to sign up and wait for an invite, but AgileBits' popular password storage client for iOS, Mac, and Windows is finally getting a full-fledged Android client.

8. Photoshop Touch
   It isn't full-blown Photoshop, but it's the closest you'll get on a smartphone. About the only downside here is that owners of Photoshop Touch for Tablets will have to make another purchase to enjoy it on their phones.

9. Dashclock
   Now that Android allows you to put widgets on your lock screen, you could spend hours hunting down the one that shows exactly the information you want. Don't. Just install Dashclock, which gives you the time, weather, and customizable notifications.
   
   
10. Buy me Pie
    Grocery apps may not be the sexiest category of apps, but they can be extremely handy for families keeping their shopping requests in sync. Buy Me a Pie is a simple and user-friendly grocery app that made its way over from iOS.
    
    
11. Pocket
    There are two big, popular "read it later" apps: Instapaper and Pocket. On Android, at least, Pocket gets the nod for more frequent updates and support for video. Articles are synced automatically and saved offline, with options to adjust the layout to your liking.
    
    
12. Snapseed
    As a photo editor, the app moves well beyond basic filters into the kinds of changes usually reserved for the desktop. With a set of simple tools the app makes even complex photo adjustments understandable and accessible.

13. Slice
    Slice, is a super clever service app, that automatically watches your inbox for emails from big-name merchants and shipping companies. Why would you risk giving that access? To get automated package tracking, deal alerts, and price-drop notices. So useful, it's creepy.
    
    
14. Nova launcher
    All too often the stock home screens on Android phones either get boring or are terrible. Nova Launcher makes it better, with cleaner designs and plenty of customization and theming options. You can pony up for premium versions that offer more features, too.

15. VSCO Cam
    A longtime favorite on the iPhone, VSCO Cam is finally available on Android and it works really well. You’ll get photo filters that aren’t as heavy-handed as Instagram’s along with the ability to quickly revert the image if you don’t like how it turned out.
    
    
16. Dynamic Notifications
    An Android app called DynamicNotifications arrived in Google Play that wakes up the screen by plugging into the notification listener or accessibility options (pre-4.3 devices) to put your notifications on the screen. If you're on Android 4.3 or higher, you can even dismiss all the notifications right from that interface. It supports DashClock extensions too.
    
    
17. Push Bullet
    Google used to offer an app called ChromeToPhone, but has since moved on to offering a less powerful (but reliable) tab syncing solution for Chrome. However, early in 2013 a neat app called PushBullet hit Google Play and I've made sure to have it installed ever since. This app lets you push text and files across devices using the cloud, and it keeps adding new and interesting features. This app is free, and definitely one of the best things from 2013.

18. Timely
    Timely has a ton of useful features and it is stunningly beautiful.The app is split into three tabs that you can swipe between. The left panel is for your alarms, the middle is the clock, and the right is a stopwatch and timer. To set new alarms, just drag in from the left of the screen and move up and down to set the time. You can then add repetition, various sounds, and dismissal challenges to make sure you're awake. ne of the coolest parts of Timely is the way it syncs between devices.
    
    
19. Aviate
    Although it's still in beta, Aviate is one of the coolest makeovers you can give to your phone. This home screen is based around predicting what you're going to need before you need it. Aviate does this by tracking the time and your location to group apps and settings. It's usually at least partially right, and you can tweak it as needed to make it more right. It's sort of like Google Now for your home screen.

20. Riptide GP2
    This game uses Google Play Games for achievements, multiplayer, and (most importantly) cloud saves. I wish all developers would make use of this feature, but very few do. When you install Riptide GP2 on a device and log into Play Games, it asks if you want to download the cloud game data. You never have to worry about losing your progress again. The visuals in Riptide GP2 are almost worth the price of admission alone.

Source: Gizmag.com, theverge.com, tested.com

Best iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch apps of 2013

With hundreds of apps on the Apps store for social netwroking, travel, news, photography, productivity and more, here is a list of the 20 best apps which are available for your iPhone 5S, iPhone SC, iPod Touch and iPad.

1. Facebook
   The world's biggest social network brings a tightly honed experience to the iPhone and iPod touch, but nonetheless still enables you to access your contacts, feeds and other important information. This sense of focus makes it in many ways superior to using Facebook via a desktop browser.
   
   
2. PhotoSynth
   PhotoSynth is a really great panorama app; it's user-friendly and fun to use, especially when watching your panoramas take shape while you capture them. (The iOS Camera app also has a panorama mode, but PhotoSynth's more flexible and works with older devices.)
   
   
3. RunKeeper
   RunKeeper has been touted as better than Nike+ and unbelievably also provides a free version. Previously split into 'pro' and 'free' versions, the developer now generously includes all the features in one free app. That means you can spend no money, yet use your iPhone's GPS capabilities to track your jogging and cycling routes, and examine mapping and details of your pace and calories burned. Activities can be shared online, and treadmill runs and other exercise details can be entered manually.

4. TonePad
   Virtual pianos and guitars are all very well, but purely digital musical toys are more suited to Apple handhelds. TonePad, is the best of them, using a grid-based interface that enables you to turn notes on and off and compose pleasing and harmonious loops; your creations can be edited, saved and uploaded to share with other users.

5. Comics
   The app might be a little awkward, while using it on an iPhone. But this app is free, with loads of free downloadable comics. Also many more are available, if you're ready to pay for it. Reading works on a frame-by-frame automated 'zoom' basis, and is surprisingly usable.

6. Evernote
   Evernote is multi-platform software service designed for note taking and archiving. A “note” can be a simple piece of formatted text, an image, webpage excerpt, a voice memo, or a handwritten note. It is available in free and paid version, with a few restrictions in the free version.

7. AroundMe
   The app figures out where you are and lists local stuff - banks, bars, petrol stations and, er, Apple Retail Stores. The app's reliance on Google Maps info means there are gaps, but it's nonetheless handy to have installed when in unfamiliar surroundings, and the 'augmented reality' landscape mode is amusing, if flaky.
   
   
8. Dictionary.com
   Over two million definitions, synonyms and antonyms are available in the palm of your hand with this free, offline dictionary and thesaurus app. The app is fast and efficient, includes phonetic and audio pronunciation of words, and its interface seems perfectly suited to the iPhone.

9. Adobe Photoshop Express
   The Adobe Photoshop Express doesn't have half the power of its Photoshop desktop application. However, if you're after a quick, free, highly usable tool for making edits to your iPhone photos, Adobe's app is ideal. Use it for cropping, straightening, exposure adjustments, colour effects, sharpening and more.
   
   
10. Pocket
    The service formerly known as Read It Later enables you to save pages from websites, to read them later, bereft of the advertising and other junk on the original page. The service is free, which downloads your articles, so that you can digest them without a web connection.
    
    
11. AfterLight
    Games aren't the only apps that can be addicting, and dedicated iPhone photographers may find Afterlight just as hard to put down. Just like Photoshop Express this app also allows users to do the basics, like crop and rotate photos, but it also has an expansive collection of filters, borders and textures to turn your iPhone photo into an iPhone masterpiece. Of course, the app also allows users to share the edited photos to their social media accounts. Put these added features come at a price as this is a paid app.

12. Duolingo
    Apple selected Duolingo as the company's top iPhone app of the year -- and it's pretty clear why. Duolingo helps users learn a new language from their iPhones with both visual and verbal lessons. Learners are rewarded with experience points, which they can use to buy perks within the app. Perhaps the best part: it's free. Right now the app offers five languages, including Spanish, German, French, Portuguese and Italian.

13. Phot Light Meter
    If you are an avid photographer, Photo Light Meter is the real deal. The app provides photographers with a functioning, quality light meter that tests the intensity and exposure of the photography subject. Light meters cost anywhere from $15 to $200 at the store and online. The iPhone app is free, plus you won't need to carry around an extra gadget with you at all times.
    
    
14. Over
    A picture says a thousand words, but sometimes you need to add a few more of your own. Over allows users to overlay text onto the images that they take with their smartphone. The messages can turn routine smartphone pictures into e-cards, or simply provide a fun way to spruce up your photos before sharing them to social sites such as Instagram or Twitter.

15. Venmo
    Nothing says "you'll never see that $5 again" quite like a friend saying, "I'll pay you back later" after you buy him a beer. Enter Venmo. The app allows friends (or roommates, or siblings, or couples) to pay one another via iPhone at the touch of a button. Simply connect your checking account to your Venmo app and settle debts (no matter how small), without paying any processing fee to send payments or cash out back to your bank account. Users can also use the app to "charge" others -- a gentle reminder to send along the money when possible.

16. Temple Run 2
    Jump. Slide. Jump. Turn. Argggghh!
    If you've ever played Temple Run, you know this feeling. Thankfully, gut-wrenching failure doesn't stop us from playing the game. Temple Run 2 turned out to be a great sequel to its predecessor, which set lofty standards. For starters, the new game has much better graphics. Plus, there are more characters to choose from and new terrains to conquer. All of this added up for iPhone users -- the app was the third most downloaded iPhone app in 2013, behind only Candy Crush Saga and YouTube.
    
    
17. ThirdLove
    The biggest danger of buying clothes online? The risk they won't actually fit when they arrive in the mail. That's the problem ThirdLove aims to solve. The app allows women to send in iPhone photographs that can be analyzed to determine the proper bra size (the company also designs the lingerie). This is a good example of an app actually using advanced technology to solve a real-world problem.

18. Vine
    The six-second video sharing app came out in January, and was the fourth most downloaded iPhone app from the past year. The video length is short enough to keep things interesting, and the free app has just enough editing control to give users flexibility to create unique content.
    
    
19. Proust
    Think of the game Marry, Date or Dump. Now add two more options, and change the categories to anything your heart desires. That's the idea behind Proust, a game that allows users to create their own Marry, Date or Dump scenarios with any items they choose. You can write in your own choices, or the app will generate random ones for you, and you can send your list to your friends to see which topics they deem most important. It's a simple game, but you can learn a lot about your friends (which we realize isn't always a good thing).

20. Mextures
    Mextures is another great photo editing app for iPhone. Users can save setting packages for use on other photos in the future, and the app has more than 70 pre-loaded textures. Users can blend, layer, or simply adjust lighting levels.

The best apps from 2013 for iPhones, iPod Touch and the iPad have been listed above, if in case you feel, an app should have made the list above, but has been missed, do leave a comment, so that it can be added.

Move over Apple and Samsung; make way for the new phone on the block

With Motorola revealing that its modular phone prototype is almost ready, the dawn of the fully customizable smart phone might not be too far away 

The Phonebloks concept has the ability to switch out the handset’s components and replace them with whichever component the user wants. With Motorola backing this project, it may soon become the dream phone of millions of mobile phone users around the world. Motorola, has called this as “Project Ara”, and is working with Dave Hakkens, the creator of Phonebloks, on building an endoskeleton and the modules. The company has already done a lot of technical work in opening the process up to the volunteers’ community (known as Ara Scouts) to design the hardware modules. Their goal is to develop a third-party eco-system, with low barriers to entry, which will help increase the speed of innovation, and help compress development timelines.  The various modules which have been suggested currently are the CPU, display, extra Battery, external sensors, and anything that a human mind can think of.  The modular phone is being hailed as the phone which can never get obsolete, since every module can be taken out and replaced with an upgraded module.

The CEO of Motorola, Dennis Woodside in an interview with Marquees Brownlee on YouTube said,
“The idea is to have a skeleton that holds together a set of components and the components slide in and out. If we have the interfaces and the protocols that enable the speaker to speak directly to the CPU then this would all be possible”. He also dropped hints that once completed, the modular smartphones and its components will be sold on the Moto Maker customization website. He further added, “Moto Maker was the beginning of a more exciting and longer term story which is how do we involve consumers and give them more choice”.  “Ara is much further out but you can see how those two things tie together and how as we introduce new materials into Moto Maker we’re going to pursue that theme across our product line going forward. What we’d like to eventually get to is customizing functionality within the device and that’s where Project Ara and Moto Maker may converge”.

The Moto X will offer custom colour schemes, materials, backplates, and Project Ara will take those directions to a whole new level for the tech enthusiasts.