Apple Reveals Its Thinnest iPad

 Apple has announced a new version of its tablet, the iPad Air 2, which it said was the thinnest device of its kind on the market.

It is 6.1mm (0.24in) thick, and also gains a Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

It has an anti-reflective coating on the screen for the first time, and the A8X - a faster version of the processor featured in the firm's latest iPhones.

However, some analysts have questioned whether the upgrade will be enough to turn around iPad sales.

An upgraded version of the firm's smaller tablet - called the iPad Mini 3 - was also announced.

Like its bigger sibling, it gets the company's fingerprint recognition component. But it uses the older A7 processor and has a lower-resolution rear camera.

Apple said the iPad Air 2 was 18% thinner than the previous model

Some of the details were published by Apple, reportedly by mistake, on Wednesday.

Apple's last earnings release revealed that it had sold 13.3 million iPads in the April-to-June quarter. That marked a 9% fall on its tally for the same period in 2013, despite the fact the company saw sales of iPhones and Mac computers rise.

It also contrasted with an 11% rise in the number of tablet shipments across the market as a whole - with Lenovo and Asus making some of the biggest gains - according to data from IDC.

The market research firm said that the iPad remained the bestselling tablet brand, but that its market share had dropped over the year from 33% to 26.9%.

Cannibalised sales?

One expert suggested that the recent launch of the 5.5in (14cm)-screened iPhone 6 Plus, which shares most of the new iPads' features, could further temper demand.

Apple announced an upgraded version of its iPad Mini in addition to the bigger model

"Given that Apple's launched larger iPhones, it needs to find a market that the iPad Mini fits into," said Jitesh Ubrani from IDC.

"It was a response to the market as a whole moving to smaller tablets. And now that phablets are growing in not just screen size but also in market size, unless Apple carves out a special place for it, we expect sales of the Mini in particular to be cannibalised quite a bit."

Apple's chief executive Tim Cook has told investors he still believes that the tablet market will eventually surpass that of PCs, and has pointed to a recent deal with IBM - involving the two firms co-developing business-centric apps - as a way to get iPad sales on "a faster trajectory".

Mr Ubrani agreed that targeting businesses had huge potential, but warned that sales to consumers would remain a challenge.

Apple joked about thwarted attempts to prevent leaks, during its press conference

"People who have the old iPad 2 or more recent versions are still happy with these devices - they are still functioning perfectly fine," he said.

"There's really no reason to upgrade."

Other new features of the iPad Air 2 include an eight megapixel rear camera that can now capture slow-mo videos at 120 frames per second. The front camera has also been upgraded to allow in more light and take a rapid succession of selfies.

Marketing chief Phil Schiller unveiled the new iMac with a 5K screen

In addition, the machine includes a new type of wi-fi chip that supports faster data speeds, including downloads at up to 866 megabits per second (Mbps).

"It is disappointing - particularly to enterprise buyers - that there wasn't a 12.9in [32.8cm] iPad model," said JP Gownder from research firm Forrester, who otherwise praised the update.

"In order to return iPad to high growth, form factor innovation will be required."

The new tablets will become available to buy next week at similar prices to before.

New iMacs

Apple also introduced a new model of its all-in-one iMac computer featuring what it said was the highest resolution display on the market.

The computer has a 27in (68.6cm) screen that has a resolution of 5K - 5210 by 2880 pixels - offering about five times the detail of a "full HD" 1080p television.

That represents four times the number of pixels found in the standard iMac of the same size.

Apple has created this graphic to compare the resolution of different display types

The basic model will cost $2,499 (£1,555) and is already available for sale.

Lenovo already sells the N308 - an all-in-one Android-powered desktop PC with a 19.5in (49.5cm) screen offering slightly lower 4K resolution, while Panasonic has the Toughpad MB5025 - a 20in (50.8cm) 4K computer that runs Windows 8.

Intel and Samsung have also announced plans to manufacture 4K screens for other all-in-one PCs.

Otherwise, large ultra-high definition display are still a rarity in the computing sector beyond the use of separate monitors, which may aid demand for the new computer.

"There is a huge difference in quality once you start moving through the different sets of screens," remarked Ranjit Atwal, research director at the tech consultancy Gartner.

"Given the amount of consumption people are doing of online video, and the quality of what they can get from services like YouTube and Netflix on 4K TVs, they want to see that replicated on a PC as well."

Apple suggested that people doing visual productivity tasks, such as photo editing, would also benefit from the innovation.

The latest version of the Mac operating system is available for download today

Apple also announced an upgraded version of its screenless computer, the Mac Mini, but there was no mention of an update to its Apple TV set top box, which last received a hardware refresh in March 2012.

The company also said that the latest version of its operating system for Mac computers - OS X Yosemite - was being made available for download this Thursday.

The software allows data to be swapped back and forth with iOS-powered iPhones and iPads more easily than before. Its user interface has also been designed with higher resolution screens in mind.

The company added that version 8.1 of iOS, which introduces support for its near field communication (NFC)-powered payment service Apple Pay, would be released on Monday.

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4 Things You Did Not Know You Can Do With GPS

 GPS, though best known for navigation, can be used for much more. Depending on who or what you need to locate, there is a combination of GPS devices and free apps that you can use nowadays.

We show you how GPS technology can help get around common problems:

1. Keep tabs on family members

October 17,2014

There could be several situations in which you need to keep track of family members or let others know where you are. Life 360, a free app for Android, iOS and Windows Phone, is a family locator and communication app.

The idea is that you can place yourself and family members into a private circle — location sharing can be made automatic too. Plus you can group chat with all members orjust one. You can also try a similar free app called Cabin (Android &iOS) which adds the ability to post to-dos, tasks and reminders.

You can also use the popular app Glympse (free for Android, iOS and Windows Phone) to keep track of someone. You choose who to send a Glympse to and for how long — once someone receives a Glympse from you, they will be able to track you in real-time, for the duration that you previously allowed.

Finally, if personal safety is the primary use case, try bsafe (free for Android and iOS). You start by creating a safety network of friends and family (as many as you like) and share your location. In an emergency situation, just one press of the alarm button will alert your entire network. With the alarm activated, not only does your phone send location, it can sound a siren (optional) and starts transmitting voice and video to bsafe servers in case you need evidence later.

2. Secure pets and children

October 17,2014

You could always use an inexpensive Android phone and an app like GPS Tracking Pro. If you'd rather not hand a phone over to your child or attach one to your pet's collar, you can get a small GPS tracker like TrackID. For Rs 6,700, you get a small, ready-to-use GPS+GSM tracker that you can place in a bag or clip onto clothing. There is a monthly fee of Rs 299 which covers the cost of the preinstalled sim card data charges and 100 SMS per month.

You can monitor the location on any browser. You can also set up geo-fences (safe zones) and be alerted via SMS when that fence is breached. SatGuide also offers a phone with GPS for Rs 4,990 that is specially designed for children.

3. Around the home

October 17,2014

Home is where you can end up losing a lot of your smaller, daily use items like keys, spectacles, remote controls, flash drives or even phone cables. Rather than manually searching through every nook and corner of the house, you can use a Bluetooth tag - this is a small tracking device that can be clipped or stuck onto anything and tracked using your smartphone and the corresponding app.

Available in various bright colours, Nokia Treasure Tag (Rs 2,100) can be attached to a bunch of keys or kept inside your bag. The tag uses Bluetooth wireless technology and using a Windows Phone 8 smartphone, you can view the tag's location on a map or use audiovideo guidance to track the tag's whereabouts. A single phone can be paired with up to four tags simultaneously for tracking lost items.

Chipolo ($29 + shipping) is a coin-sized tracker with a built-in battery (6 months) that can be clipped to keys, a backpack or your pets. It uses Bluetooth, has a range of 200 feet and shows location on a map in the app (iOS and Android). With Chipolo, you can also track your phone if misplaced — shake the tracker and the phone will start buzzing too.

With a battery life of over a year, SticknFind ($49.99 for a pack of two) is another compact, coin-sized tracker with built-in buzzer and light. The app displays a radar screen on which you can view and locate the tracker (up to 100 feet range). Just tap on the app to make each tracker buzz or light up. You can set up the phone to notify you if one of the tracking stickers moves out of a preset range. You can also activate the 'Lost Sticker' feature for the app to search for a tracker and then send you a mail with its last seen location coordinates and timestamp.

4. Locate stolen vehicles

October 17,2014

Satguide's vehicle tracker (Rs 11,490) comes with a magnet cover that allows it to stick to metal. The price includes the cost of installation and it connects with your car battery for power (cables are included in the box).You can set a Geofence so that if your vehicle travels out of the authorized area, you will be notified. The only catch is that you need to purchase a GSM sim card and subscribe to a SMS plan for the GPRS tracking to work.

MapmyIndia MMI Rover 200 (Rs 9,990): You can even track your vehicle in real-time using a browser and get information like engine status, speeding, vehicle route & address. The waterproof tracker has internal battery for backup and an immobilizer to cut engine power if the car is stolen.

SafeKar (Rs 7,999) uses your car's OBD port for power. It can then be used to track your vehicle's movements. It comes with a 12-month subscription (roughly Rs 170 per month post that).You can track in real-time, set geofences and get a daily report of your vehicle's movements

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Samsung Develops Five Times Faster Wi-Fi Technology

 Samsung Electronics said it has developed a WiFi technology that can increase data transmission speeds by five times the maximum rate possible with existing consumer electronics devices. 

The 60 GHz WiFi technology will enable a 1GB movie to be transferred between devices in less than three seconds while allowing uncompressed high-definition videos to be streamed in real time, the Suwon, South Korea-based company said in an e-mailed statement on Sunday. The technology removes the gap between theoretical and actual speeds, and exhibits actual speeds more than 10 times faster than with existing WiFi technologies, it said. 

"Samsung has successfully overcome the barriers to the commercialisation" of the 60 GHz Wi-Fi technology, Kim Chang Yong, head of a Samsung R&D centre, said in the statement. "New and innovative changes await Samsung's next-generation devices, while new possibilities have been opened up for the future development of WiFi." 

The announcement came as Samsung rolls out new products amid growing competition from Apple and Chinese companies. Samsung last week said its quarterly operating profit plunged 60% because of stagnating smartphone sales and has announced a $14.5-billion investment to build a plant in South Korea to meet demand for semiconductor chips. 

Samsung said commercialisation of the 60 GHz WiFi technology is expected as early as next year. It plans to apply its new WiFi technology to awide range of products, including audio-visual and medical devices, and telecommunication equipment.

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Soon All Gadgets Will Dissolve Fully In Water

A new generation of electronic devices that dissolve completely in water, leaving behind only harmless end products may soon become a reality. 

Pioneering research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign may bring in devices that range from green consumer electronics to biomedical sensor systems that do their work and then disappear. 

John A Rogers' research group at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory is leading the development of such concepts, along with all of the required materials, device designs and fabrication techniques for applications that lie beyond the scope of semiconductor technologies that are available today.
"Our most recent combined developments in devices that address real challenges in clinical medicine and in advanced, high volume manufacturing strategies suggest a promising future for this new class of technology," said Rogers. 

Practical applications might include: bioresorbable devices that reduce infection at a surgical site. Other examples are temporary implantable systems, such as electrical brain monitors to aid rehabilitation from traumatic injuries or electrical simulators to accelerate bone growth.
Additional classes of devices can even be used for programmed drug delivery, Rogers said.
The devices would provide robust, reliable, high performance operation, but only for a finite period of time dictated, for example, by the healing process - they would not only be biologically compatible, but also biologically punctual, performing when and as the body needs them. 

After their function has been fulfilled, they would disappear through resorption into the body, thereby eliminating unnecessary device load, without the need for additional surgical operations. 

The research will be presented at the AVS International Symposium & Exhibition next month in Baltimore

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Honeywell Turns Up The Heat On Google

Honeywell's new thermostat lets users issue voice commands to adjust the heating in their homes

Honeywell is turning up the heat on its rival Google Nest with the launch of the UK’s first voice-controlled thermostat.

The new technology allows users to adjust the temperature in their homes simply by saying "hello, thermostat", followed by a voice command such as "make it warmer" or "make it much cooler".

Upon installation the thermostat immediately recognises the homeowner’s voice and adjusts the temperature setting based on their request.

Far-field voice-control technology helps to cut through the ambient noise of a busy household and recognise these commands – even from across the room.

"Most people know the feeling of coming through the front door with arms full of shopping bags, keys and small children only to find that their house is way too cold," said Jeremy Peterson, GM of Honeywell’s EMEA Home Comfort & Energy Systems Division.

"Now people can simply speak to their thermostat and it responds by changing their heating relevant to how they feel."

The thermostat links to the Honeywell Total Connect Comfort app,which allows users to control their home heating remotely from an iPhone or Android smartphone.

Because the platform learns via crowd sourcing, it will get smarter over time with the addition of more commands based on its interactions with homeowners.

The Honeywell voice-controlled thermostat is priced from £229 and is available to order within the UK via the Honeywell Installer Network

Earlier this year it emerged that Google is working to integrate Google Now into Nest's products – including its smart thermostat, allowing users to set the temperature in their homes using voice commands.

There are already a number of hacks that allow Android users to push voice commands through Google Now to the Nest app in order to adjust the temperature in their homes.

Honeywell also recently launched a Nest-like thermostat called Single Zone that allows customers to control their home heating with their smartphones.

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First thermal imaging camera for the masses arrives

 Seek Thermal's $199 device can read temperature differences up to 1,000 feet away and identify a person at 200 feet. Until now, such technology has cost $1,000 or more.

If you want to try to find a water leak behind a wall, a person hidden in the bushes at night, or identify passengers with a fever passing through a checkpoint, thermal imaging is the technology for you.

But until now, that was only if you've got a very big budget. Cameras equipped with the technology -- which measures differences in temperature on the electromagnetic spectrum -- have long been too expensive for everyday use. Most cost well over $1,000, if not double, or triple that.

On Thursday, Seek Thermal, a Santa Barbara, Calif., startup, unveiled a $199 thermal camera designed for the masses. A small, handheld device that plugs into smartphones, the camera may be the first available to everyone. The company is also working on developer tools that will allow third parties to build custom products around its core technology.

The Seek Thermal camera, which may be the first on the market at a mass market price point.Seek Thermal

It's not just individuals looking to find hidden leaks who could find the technology useful. Seek Thermal is betting that significantly cheaper thermal-imaging cameras will also be attractive to airlines, which could identify weak spots on planes (which would have a warmer heat signature) before they break, and to law enforcement and the military, since the device can spot people or other heat sources in the darkness. A wide range of others, including companies in the medical, camping, hunting and marine industries, may also find new applications for the technology.

According to Seek Thermal CEO Robert Acker, the company spent several years trying to figure out how to get the cost of the devices to the consumer level price points. The breakthrough, he explained, was a new chip designed in partnership with the giant defense contractor Raytheon and Freescale Semiconductor, as well as an inexpensive sensor -- the camera's lens -- that is able to read temperature differences at distances of up to 1,000 feet, and detect a person at 200 feet.

At a glance

The camera is designed to find heat sources. Hot water sitting in a kitchen pipe, for example, looks bright yellow in a Seek Thermal image. A person hidden in shrubbery is equally easy to spot.

And that's the idea -- that users can tell at a glance what they're looking at, whether it's a thief hiding in the bushes, a leaky window or a racoon in a yard waiting for the chance to snack on someone's vegetable garden.

Hot water clogged in a kitchen pipe glows yellow in this image taken with the Seek Thermal camera.Seek Thermal

The camera weighs half an ounce, and generates thermal imagery with a resolution of 206 by 156 pixels, or 32,000 "thermal pixels," the company said.

There are, of course, other thermal imaging cameras on the market. Among them are the $1,195 Flir i3, the $1,495 Flir E5, the $1,769.95 Fluke TiS Thermal Imager, and others. There's also the purpose-built Black & Decker TLD 100 Thermal Leak Detector, which runs just $28.02 on Amazon. But Acker argues that the Black & Decker device isn't a thermal camera, doesn't show any images, and "just reads the single surface temperature of an object when you hold the camera very close to it."

Acker added that other thermal devices costing between $45 and $400 have the same limitations.

Seek Thermal will begin selling its camera on its Web site, and through Amazon today, and through national retailers later in the fall.

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Facebook drones the size of jumbo jets to soar 17 miles up

Facebook will create thousands of semi-autonomous drones the size of jumbo jets which will fly 17 miles above the Earth to provide wireless internet access to the four billion people currently unable to get online

Facebook will create thousands of drones the size of jumbo jets which will fly 17 miles above the Earth to provide wireless internet access to the four billion people currently unable to get online.

The social network announced in March that it was in negotiations to buy drone maker Titan Aerospace, which was subsequently snapped-up by Google. Now it seems that the company is developing its own drones instead.

Today, only 2.7 billion people – just over one-third of the world's population – have access to the internet, according to Facebook. The social networking company is one of the main backers of the internet.org project which aims to connect the large parts of the world which remain offline.

Initially it was thought that Facebook would create around 11,000 smaller drones with the help of Titan Aerospace. But a senior engineer has now revealed that the company’s plan B is far more ambitious even than that.

"We're going to have to push the edge of solar technology, battery technology, composite technology," said Yael Maguire, the leader of Facebook's new Connectivity Lab, during a panel session at the Social Good Summit in New York this week. "There are a whole bunch of challenges."

To fly for months and years at a time the drones will need to rise above the weather, flying at between 60,000 and 90,000 feet – around 17 miles above the ground.

Flying this high will solve problems associated with weather, but could throw up new legislative ones. Above 60,000 feet there are essentially no regulations on aircraft – commercial airlines routinely fly at around half of that altitude.

Rules regarding satellites will “play a very useful role”, said Maguire, but the company will also have to “help pave new ground”.

Regulations regarding human operators will also need to be adjusted if the company’s plans are to be a success. Currently one person must be in control of an aircraft at all times, but Facebook hopes to change legislation so that one person can control ten or even a hundred partially-automated aircraft.

"We can't have one person per plane if we want to figure out how to connect the world,” said Maguire.

The aircraft will be “roughly the size of a commercial aircraft, like a 747” said Maguire, but they will be far, far lighter. One prototype currently being worked on is about the length of seven cars, but weighs the same as just four car tyres.

The planes will be tested at some point next year, somewhere in the US, and the company hopes to have them working and in operation over developing countries within three to five years. It has already chosen 21 locations around the world where it would like to deploy them, in Latin America, Asia and Africa, and is looking for charities to run the equipment once it is manufactured.

Google is also working on similar technology to Facebook, having bought drone manufacturer Titan Aerospace earlier this year. The company creates solar-powered drones which can fly for several years at a time.

A Google spokesperson said at the time of the takeover: "It’s still early days, but atmospheric satellites could help bring internet access to millions of people, and help solve other problems, including disaster relief and environmental damage like deforestation. "

The search giant also launched Project Loon in 2013 which is investigating the use of high-altitude weather balloons which can transmit internet signals to the ground for the same purpose.

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A Fake Thumb to Help You Manage Bigger Smartphones

Is your smartphone too unwieldy for such tiny human hands? There's an artificial thumb for that.

With the larger iPhone 6 models, for one obvious example, phone manufacturers continue to increase the size of their handhelds. Japanese company Thanko has designed a finger extender to give you an extra 15mm of reach while handling these ever-growing devices. And the handy gadget is designed to resemble the human thumb.

The stylish (or disconcerting, depending on your taste) device can be yours for 1,480 yen, or about $14.

It makes sense that phablet manageability is on Asian manufacturers' minds: The region has a noted fondness for larger phones, and many have opted for the phablet devices in lieu of both a phone and a tablet.

Apple's iPhone 6 and even larger iPhone 6 Plus had a record-breaking launch, and Samsung's Galaxy Note 4, with a 5.7-inch display, is poised to launch in Korea later this month.

While our biological phalanges may no longer be enough to keep pace with the size of our smartphones, at least there's something to help.

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HTC engineers already working with Google on Nexus 9

 HTC is set to make the new Nexus 9 despite a lack of experience in building tablets

HTC is set to make the Google Nexus 9 tablet, its first Nexus device since the Nexus One, according to a new report.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Google has chosen HTC as the manufacturer to build the new Nexus, with HTC's engineers already visiting the Big G's headquarters, the Googleplex.

What makes this interesting is the fact that HTC, unlike rivals in the Android ecosystem such as Samsung, doesn't currently sell a tablet. In fact, the only time the Taiwanese company has dabbled in tablets was back in 2011 in the days of Honeycomb, the short-lived version of Google's Android operating system designed specifically for tablets. The HTC Flyer was one of the earlier 7-inch tablets, but neither the Flyer nor the HTC Jetstream managed to soar to great heights.

However, Google has a tradition of recruiting different manufacturers to build new Nexus devices. The first Nexus 7 7-inch tablet was built by Asus, while the 10-inch Nexus 10 was made by Samsung. Nexus smartphones have also been manufactured by Samsung and LG, but the first Google Nexus One was built by HTC in 2010.

Rumours of an HTC tablet have floated around for a while, and recently that gossip has included a possible Nexus tablet from the manufacturer. Rumours suggest a device purportedly codenamed Volantis could be HTC's return to larger mobile devices.

"Given the challenges HTC has faced over the last 18 months it will be delighted," said analyst Ben Wood of CCS Insight on the company's likely reaction to being selected for the latest Nexus-branded tablet. Wood added that the relationship will benefit both sides: "Google has a mountain to climb," says Wood, "in the premium tablet segment currently dominated by Apple. So far Google has not been able to mirror the spectacular success it has had with Android on smartphones...Google will be hoping that HTC's legendary hardware prowess will help make the new Nexus tablet stands out from the crowd."

HTC and Google declined to comment on this latest report.

The Nexus 9 is expected some time in mid-October, and may well herald the next generation of Android. We're up to 'L' in the alphabet, but we've no idea what the sweet-themed name will be. Lollipop? Lemon Meringue Pie? Lamington?

Whatever it's called, a combination of brand new Android software, cutting-edge specs and friendly pricing means Nexus devices tend to be popular, so this could be a big deal for HTC; the troubled company has had a tough time turning critical acclaim for the excellent HTC One into sales.

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Microsoft unveils keyboard for iOS, Android, Windows tablets

 Microsoft has developed a keyboard designed for iOS, Android and Windows tablets in its latest move to underline the company's focus on providing software services. 

The new Universal Mobile Keyboard is a lot like Logitech's K480 keyboard, reported The Verge. Microsoft's version includes a key to switch between iOS, Android, and Windows Bluetooth modes. 

The keyboard is unique in Microsoft's range of wired and wireless keyboards without the conventional Windows key. It requires only 10 minutes of charging for a full day's use. 

The company plans to release the Universal Mobile Keyboard next month for $79.95.

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Google testing drones that could provide Internet access to remote lands

Google plans tests in New Mexico using solar-powered unmanned aircraft.

 model of the Solara 50, Titan Aerospace's commercial "atmospheric satellite," hangs above the company's booth at the AUVSI Unmanned Systems conference in 2013.

Google has asked the Federal Communications Commission for permission to conduct tests on drones that could eventually be used to deliver Internet access to remote areas.

"Google recently acquired Titan Aerospace, a firm that specializes in developing solar and electric unmanned aerial systems ('UAS') for high altitude, long endurance flights," Google wrote Friday in a request that the FCC keep most testing details confidential. "These systems may eventually be used to provide Internet connections in remote areas or help monitor environmental damage, such as oil spills or deforestation. The STA [Special Temporary Authority] is needed for demonstration and testing of [REDACTED] in a carefully controlled environment."

Google bought Titan in April, with plans to integrate the company into Project Loon, Google's initiative to deliver Internet access from balloons to parts of the world with limited connectivity. Google is also reportedly planning to deploy low-orbit satellites to provide Internet access. Titan's drones are powered by solar energy and can stay aloft for up to five years, as we reported in a profile on the company last year.

Google wants permission to carry out its drone tests for 180 days beginning Oct. 6, 2014. The coordinates point to a test site "in a square east of Albuquerque and south of Santa Fe, New Mexico, centered roughly on the unincorporated community of Stanley," consulting engineer Steven Crowley noted in a blog post on Google's application.

Google would transmit at frequencies from 910MHz to 927MHz and from 2.4GHz to 2.414 GHz. Exactly what Google will be transmitting was redacted from the public version of the document. Google declined to comment on its application.

Google told the FCC that it will be able to avoid interfering with other known users of the spectrum. The 2.4GHz spectrum "overlap[s] the lower channels of Wi-Fi," Crowley wrote.

The 900MHz spectrum is used by wireless Internet service providers, smart meters, toll readers, baby monitors, and other devices. There are plans to use the 900MHz spectrum for enhanced 911 location service, but Google's application noted that this has not started yet.

"Google understands that there may be some federal operations in the 900 MHz band in the vicinity of the test site," Google wrote. "Google is prepared to coordinate with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to avoid harmful interference to any federal operations."

Unmanned flight is all the rage at Google. In what is apparently a separate project, the company is also reportedly developing a drone-based product delivery service.

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How to Choose Between iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

 For many, the question of the moment isn't whether to get a new iPhone, but which one: large or extra-large.

The choice between iPhone 6 and 6 Plus is fraught for Apple customers used to having superstar designer Jony Ive make most of the big choices for them.

Pick the wrong size and you could be left struggling to be productive—or struggling to tuck your phone in your pocket. The iPhone 6, which packs a 4.7-inch screen, is already larger than any iPhone before it. The iPhone 6 Plus trumps that with a 5.5-inch screen.

My advice: Choose a phone the way you choose shoes. Consider how you're going to use it, whether it fits your particular body and how you're going to carry it around. Some people wouldn't be caught dead in a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. Others wouldn't be caught dead without them.

Function

The iPhone 6 Plus might as well have been named the "iPhone 6 Very Busy Person Edition." It's a workhorse that may make the most sense for people looking to consolidate to one device to get through emails and other busywork on the go.

www.newsticks.blogspot.in

The new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are Apple's largest phones ever. But what will that extra real estate do for you? Personal Technology Columnist Geoffrey A. Fowler takes you on a test drive.

What does the additional screen space buy you with the iPhone 6 Plus? Mostly legibility: I found it easier to type, interact with apps or look at photos. For people with vision challenges, type and app icons can be made blissfully larger. (The iPhone 6 Plus screen also has denser pixels and slightly better contrast.)

But it didn't affect my productivity as much as I was expecting. The 6 Plus gives you about 25% more words on a screen than the iPhone 6 when you're reading a book. And when you turn the 6 Plus horizontal, there's extra space on the keyboard for features, including copy and paste.

Still, you don't get any more apps on the home screen, and holding the 6 Plus vertically only shows one additional email, seven rather than six. A few apps, like iMessages and Mail, show you an additional panel of information when held horizontally, but most apps just scale up their graphics to fit the larger screen.

For some, perhaps the greatest advantage to the iPhone 6 Plus is a larger battery—it allowed the 6 Plus to run up to 15% longer in my stress tests.

The 6 Plus also includes a camera technology called optical image stabilization that improved shots I took in dark situations, but not enough for me to recommend it simply for the better camera.

Ergonomics

Everything that makes the iPhone 6 Plus better for legibility and productivity comes with trade-offs for our hands, particularly thumbs, which can struggle to reach all of that real estate. Figuring out which phone shape and weight feels right will require you to put in some work at the store.

ENLARGE

The length of your thumb and index finger mean some phones will be more comfortable to use. Follow these steps to see how phones with small, medium and large screens will fit your hand.

I recommend two tests: First, grasp each phone in the tightest way possible in the space between your thumb and index finger. How much less of a grip do you have with the larger phone? (The human hand has maximum control and strength in this position—that's why we also use it to shoot guns.) The iPhone 6 Plus weighs a little bit more, which can also impact comfort.

Second, hold each phone with one hand and swoop your thumb across the screen in an arc, like a windshield wiper. What percentage of the screen can your thumb comfortably reach?

Apple built in some help for folks with limited reach: Tap the home button lightly twice, and everything at the top of the screen jumps to the middle, an easier reach for thumbs. Some apps like iMessages have controls that live in the lower right corner, near your thumb.

Some people with large phones end up operating them with two hands or developing unusual ways to hold them. But if it starts to feel like yoga, you might want a smaller phone.

THE IPHONE 6 AND IOS 8 REVIEWS

• iPhone 6 Review: Apple's Cure for Android Envy
• Apple iOS 8: A New Phone Without Buying One

Fashion

Will making calls with an iPhone 6 Plus make you look like Gordon Gekko in "Wall Street"? Perhaps it will in 20 years, but for the moment big phones are back in fashion.

For some, the big question is: Will it fit in my pocket? I tried a dozen pairs of men's pants and couldn't find a single one that couldn't fit the iPhone 6 Plus. A hunt for bags and purses found just one clutch that couldn't hold the larger-size phone. That said, carrying an iPhone 6 Plus could be uncomfortable, especially for people who wear tight pants. I've already heard from a few companies making apparel designed to fit the jumbo iPhone, but I can't imagine this will catch on.

My colleague Joanna Stern found the iPhone 6 Plus too unwieldy to carry around. On the plus side, taking it out for a workout, she found it doubled as a running weight…or a small roving billboard. But the iPhone 6 is just right for her back pocket, and her small clutch.

I've decided I'm happiest with the smaller iPhone 6 because it feels the most comfortable in my pocket. The phone should become more like a wallet—at some point, it could be the only thing I need to leave the house. I want my wallet small, easy to tuck away and easy to pull out when I need it.

Don't fret: If you buy the wrong phone, you can return it within 14 days at most retailers, including Apple stores.

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