Happy Halloween With iOS Apps

Its Halloween day today and people are celebrating it in a bigger manner. Plan on making an impression this Halloween, and do so by learning a new trick or two with your iOS device.  It will sure to be a treat for those you share with. In iOS there are many applications which are really funny and justify Halloween themes. Following are some iOS applications which are in Halloween category:

Ghost O Meter: Not to be taken too seriously, the Ghost O Meter can help you find out who has the deadliest costumes this Halloween.  If monsters are more your sort of thing, consider Monster Meter instead.  Either way, have fun deciding who is the scariest one of all.

Make A Zombie: Just for the day, you can update your online avatar to something a little different, a little spookier.  While not quite a true avatar creation utility, the Make A Zombie app has plenty of different faces and combinations to choose from that are fitting for a Halloween-styled look.  There are plenty of additional theme packs available via in-app purchases if you really want to stand out.

Halloween Sound Shelf: Consider hooking up your iOS device to your home theater this year via AirPlay mirroring and produce some truly scary noises for your trick-or-treat visitors to enjoy.  With 40 different sound effects and four different background music tracks, you should be all set for the evening.  Using your iPhone as a remote, you can even time the sound effects to produce the maximum scare opportunity.

Voices 2: Nothing says Halloween like a personalized scary voice.  With 21 different voice-enhancing sound effects to choose from, you can create a personalized message for just about any occasion.  Add this to your collection of scary sound effects and you will have a haunted-sounding house.

FingerFace: You do not have to find a costume for yourself this year — you can just disguise your fingers so nobody recognizes them.  With over 200 different faces, costumes and hair styles to choose from, you should have no problem showing off your favorite digits.

Comic Touch: Creators of a favorite Mac app of mine for many years, Plasq, has developed a quick little utility for the iPhone that can distort your face in no time at all.  If you are looking for a little more control, consider stepping up to their Universal app called Comic Life.

You will definitely enjoy these scary applications.

Pros And Cons of iPad Mini

What experts are saying about iPad Mini. Lets check it out:

Pros:
Design - The iPad Mini is truly smaller than its larger form. It measures 7.2-mm thick, weighs just 0.68 pounds, and can be held and used in a single hand.
Apps/Ecosystem - There are 225,000 iPad apps in the App Store. All of them will work on the iPad Mini without the need for developers to lift a finger. The iPad Mini has the same aspect ratio and resolution as the iPad and iPad 2, so all of those apps will just flow right on over. Beyond apps, the iPad Mini will automatically be able to hook into Apple's vast content ecosystem.
LTE - The iPad Mini supports the LTE networks of AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless. This means it has access to 4G mobile broadband in hundreds of markets around the country.
Battery Life - Even with LTE on board, Apple says the iPad Mini will still get about 10 hours of battery life. That's an incredible amount of uptime when considering the productivity needs of today's mobile professionals.

Cons:
No Retina Display - The 1024 x 768 pixel display of the iPad Mini boils down to a resolution of 162 pixels per inch. That's better than the original iPad and iPad 2, but it's no Retina Display.
Slower Processor - Apple insists that the dual-core A5 processor is more than capable of providing enough power to run the iPad Mini. That may be true, but the iPhone 5 has an A6 chip and the 4th-gen iPad (also announced today) has an A6X chip. An older processor is an older processor, no matter how you slice it.
iOS 6 - Apple calls iOS 6 the most powerful mobile platform in the world, but the operating system still has plenty of weaknesses that competitors, such as Google, will be able to exploit. For example, consider the lack of support for widgets and other dynamic home-screen content.
Price - It's no surprise that Apple is charging a price premium for its smaller tablet when compared to other 7-inch models. With an introductory price of $329, it costs a full $80 more than the 16 GB Nexus 7. Of course, the Nexus 7 is thick, heavy, and made of plastic, while the iPad Mini is thin, light, and made of aluminum.

iPad Applications On Christmas

This year on Christmas Apple has added few applications which users will definitely like to download. Every year the App Store has thousands of apps added to its library, making it that much harder for new users to know where to start. With a myriad of apps for social networking, media, news and productivity, and many iPhone apps that aren't really iPad optimized, it gets even more difficult. The following apps are a great place to start, and will really put your new iPad to good use.

Flipboard
This app creates a perfect storm of news and social media, combining them in a single location. Not only can you read through a bevy of news and blog posts like a real magazine, but you can immediately share any story with your friends thanks to Facebook and Twitter integration. You can even read your own Facebook news feed as if it were a magazine itself. The app learns what kinds of stories you like to read, and adjusts its output over time. Highly customizable with plenty of features like Google Reader support and lots of third party news sources bringing in more variety, this is an amazing app all around.

Netflix
Netflix has become one of the ultimate media streaming services available right now, making thousands of movies and television shows readily available at all times. This app is so thorough and convenient, it's even caused movie piracy to go down. Using the HD screen of an iPad for an even better viewing experience, you can now watch items from your queue on-the-go. The service is subscription-based, but there's always a free trial for new members. Either way, it more than pays for itself over time, and belongs on the front page of every iPad.

Evernote
Never forget anything ever again until the end of time using this app. Connected and synced to the evernote.com online service, you can take down notes and reminders at any time using your iPad. There's a wide variety of reminders available. You can jot down a quick text note, take a picture of something and tag it with a note, or even record voice entries like it's your own personal Captain's Log. Whether it's a birthday, appointment or just a cool idea that you don't want to forget, you can easily record it and add it to your note collection. Now you just have to make sure to remember to jot down the notes of the things that you need to remember!

Pages
While you have Evernote for taking down quick notes and reminders, Pages is meant for more heavy duty jobs. This is Apple's official word processor for the iPhone and iPad. Documents are highly customizable with various colors, fonts, textures and plenty of preset styles and templates from which to choose. Compatible with applications like Microsoft Word and with all the same functionality, this is truly a complete word processor that you can use on-the-go. With features like AirPrint wireless printing and newly added iCloud saving and syncing support, the app is more useful than ever before, and I've only scratched the surface of what's possible.

Pandora Radio
Pandora is the ultimate personal radio available for your iPad. You start by simply entering a song or artist that you like, and Pandora proceeds to play songs similar in sound, structure and style to your entry. This is a great app for discovering new music that's likely to match your taste. You can also like or dislike any given song, and Pandora will learn your tastes over time, consistently getting better and better. You can also view artist information, song lyrics and a good deal of other information if you get curious. The app and service are both free, so what are you waiting for?

Why Apple Is Launching iPad Mini?

iPad Mini is about to launch. But everyone is thinking about this decision of Apple. According to few reports Apple doesn't want this launch to be portrayed as "Poor Man's iPad". Experts are saying that this launch is just because of the pressure felt by Android's in the market.

It's very unlikely the iPad Mini will simply be a smaller iPad. It would be a major change of direction for Apple. Withholding 3G/4G access in favour of wi-fi-only models is another option. Apple relies on to ensure the iPad Mini doesn't eat too hard into iPad sales.

Specs iPad Mini
iPad mini Screen is7.85in, 1,024 x 768 pixels, IPS panel. If you expect to see a screen as dazzling as the iPad 3's in the iPad mini, you may be a teeny bit disappointed. It'll use a 1,024 x 768 pixel panel, which is the same number that featured in the iPad 2 and the original iPad. Of course, sharpness will be significantly better than those old timers because the iPad mini screen is around 2in smaller - 7.85in across rather than 9.7in. This pixel density is also slower than the most obvious Android rival, the Google Nexus 7, which packs 1,280 x 800 pixels into a 7in screen. Expected 10hr battery life, iPad mini Software is iOS 6.

After going through the specs of mini iPad, now consumer's are getting confused what to buy? As in this week Windows 8 tablets are also going to be launched. Thrilling week for both buyers and sellers, just need to wait and watch.

Developers - Windows 8th Gear Is ready For Debut

It’s time to get set go for application developers. Microsoft has announced that developers from 120 markets will be able to publish their Windows 8 apps and start selling them online on Windows App Store from October 26, when the new OS will be commercially launched with big changes to user interface and navigation.

According to the latest Developer Economics report, Apple’s iOS is the most expensive platform to develop apps on, where an average app development costs about $27,000, making it 21 per cent more expensive than Android. The average app will take approximately three months to develop. A Windows Phone app, on the other hand, costs about $17,500 and an average Android app costs $22,617. “Naturally, app development costs depend on the country and app category. For example, iOS is faster to develop communication and social networking apps than Android,” the report notes.

There are lot of question arises that whether Windows 8 is going to compete with Android and iOS or not? This is the first time that developers will have an OS, which is tightly integrated with a number of devices and which is outside of the Apple eco-system. It is only in an Apple environment that a user gets a seamless experience between gadgets such as Mac, iPad and iPhone. Developers also see Windows 8 as an alternative to Google’s Android OS, one of the most popular OSes.

Now it’s time to see the impact of Windows 8 on application development part.

Green Computing Environment

Green computing is the practice of using computers and related technology in an environmentally responsible and friendly manner.
There are many technologies which help in green computing, they are:

Cloud Computing
Cloud computing involves replacing regular servers with the virtual ones. The different areas where cloud computing finds application include data storage, networking, operating systems, software applications. As per studies conducted by the WSP Environment & Energy, it is possible to save as much as 90% of the energy spent in a company of 100 employees. So, it worth using Cloud Computing.

Turning Your Computers Off
The practice of switching off computers at night helps in saving a considerable amount of energy.

Improving Algorithmic Efficiency
Green computing measures can be used for improving the algorithmic efficiency of computers. An efficient algorithm makes minimum use of resources. Therefore, the productivity increases manifold. A simple computing activity like searching for information on a search engine can have an adverse impact on the environment owing to the energy consumed and CO2 emitted in the process.

Recycling
Through this practice, we can save precious energy, time and money spent in manufacturing these electronic items. Resources used and money spent in manufacturing an electronic item from scratch are far greater than those needed for recycling it.

Architectural Changes
A strategy needs to be devised for the development of sustainable technology.

Samsung To Launch Windows Phone 8 In India

Samsung is going to release its first Windows Phone 8 smartphone called Ativ S. Launching of this device will be headed from India and then worldwide.

Samsung Ativ S has a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED touch screen, same as the Galaxy S III, and runs on the Windows Phone 8 mobile operating system. The South Korean manufacturer has used a 1.5GHz dual-core Krait processor with 1GB RAM in the phone.

Ativ S will be available in 16 and 32GB variants, and will support micro SD card of up to 32GB capacity. The smartphone has an 8MP rear camera with flash and a 1.9MP front camera. It comes with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, 2G, 3G and micro USB 2.0 as connectivity options. The world's first Windows Phone 8 smartphone will be powered by a 2,300mAh battery.

Samsung has always given priority to India while launching its mobile devices, such as Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note II and Galaxy Note 10.1. Therefore, it is possible that the official launch of Ativ S in India may not be too far away, though the Windows Phone platform has not exactly picked up in the country.

iOS 6 VS Android 4.0 ICS Vs Microsoft Windows Phone 8

Each of these devices come with a host of new and some not-so-new designs and innovations. So whether you want a phone that is 'designed for humans' or 'the biggest thing to happen to it since itself?!' or you just simply want to 'connect to people', here's a look at the features of these extremely capable knights, and how they stack up against each other.

Presenting iPhone 5, Apart from minor changes in the design elements from the 4S, the iPhone 5 boasts of a slimmer waistline and has grown taller too. The width however remains the same, which might not be to the liking of everyone out there. It fits snuggly in your hand, and the size is just right for one-handed use. It now comes with a brushed metal back, which adds to the luxury feel of the phone. The earphone slot sits pretty at the bottom of the phone, just by the side of the stereo loudspeakers. In its new form, the iPhone has lost some serious weight and now weighs in at a mere 112 g.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 has the same rounded corners and bezel as most of the phones of the Galaxy family. It is a pretty sizable phone, with a screen size of 4.8 inches. Its plastic body might not add to the overall appeal of the phone, especially in certain colors, but it does help keep the weight of the device down to a modest 133 g. The back of the phone sports a textured finish, which helps to get a good grip on this otherwise huge device. Although the phone isn't small by any stretch of imagination, it does not venture into the realm of the 'tabs', and is surprisingly easy to handle. It however isn't the most comfortable phone when it comes to one-handed use, unless of course you are blessed with exceptional large hands.

The Nokia Lumia 920 flaunts the same polycarbonate unibody design of its predecessor, the Lumia 800. The almost edge to edge screen occupies most of the front of the phone. As a result there's very little bezel around the phone, which helps maintain the phone's slim profile. The phone weighs in at a hefty 185 g because of the extensive use of polycarbonate. The phone feels solid in the hand and is surprisingly easy to maneuver around with one hand. The back of the phone is pretty bare other than for the camera which sits towards the center, encased in a special scratch-resistant ceramic plate with the company logo on it. The bright and vibrant colors of the phone really make it stand out.

Smartphones And Social Life

Thanks to Smartphones that we even maintain our social life in this busy and fast life. Mobile phone technology is rapidly changing and growing in popularity. More than 72 million Americans accessed social networking sites or blogs via their mobile devices in August, a figure that represents a 37% jump from the same time last year. Of course, with the increase in mobile social activities, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are experiencing a measurable influx in mobile activity.

Business Through Smartphone’s Social Life
For businesses this development in social networking means that they can take their marketing skills to a whole new level. Businesses can send out messages to offer great deals and incentives, offer advice and tips on use of their products and services and get a real time understanding of their audience. It also means that customer feedback and service can now be more efficient and timely than ever before. Businesses can use mobile social networking in myriad ways. A dry cleaning service can send out tweets when orders are ready, restaurants can keep customers updated on reservations and waiting time, in real time. Are you creative and innovative? For those who are the opportunities that lie before businesses that are willing to invest in social media are unlimited.

iOS 6 Unplugged

iOS 6 has been released now with some make over in interface and accessibility features.
Preview the features:

• There's no YouTube and no Google Maps
• Apple's written its own navigation and mapping app with considerable help from TomTom;
• Siri's been improved and finally works properly in the UK; the phone app's been tweaked, Safari and Mail updated and FaceTime brought to 3G.
• It's much more social than before, with shared Photo Streams and Facebook baked into the OS like the word Blackpool in a stick of rock, and there are a host of other improvements to make your iOS device that little bit friendlier.
• iOS 6 works on all iPhones from the 3GS onwards, the iPad 2 and new iPad, and the fourth and fifth generation iPod touches.
• However, the older the kit the less of iOS 6 you actually get.
• Some of the big features - Siri, turn-by-turn navigation, panoramic photos and FaceTime over 3G - aren't available for the iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4.
• The 3GS doesn't even get the offline reading list feature, and Siri's not available for the iPad 2.

Android Tablet App Quality Guidelines

It’s not easy now to upload your Android Applications for tablets at Google Play. Now there is certain checklist to follow before going to upload applications. Browse following checklist and make sure you are going on right path or not:

• Test for Core App Quality - It suggests about visual design, functionality, performance etc
• Optimize your layouts for larger screens - It talks about app's layouts, metrics and grids etc.
• Take advantage of extra screen area available on tablets - It is all about Tablet's screen size and multi panel layouts.
• Use icons and other assets are designed for tablet screens
• Adjust font sizes and touch targets for tablet screens
• Adjust sizes of home screen widgets for tablet screens
• Offer the Apps's full feature set to tablet users
• Don't require hardware features that might not be available on tablets
• Declare support for tablet screen configurations
• Follow best practices for publishing in Google Play
• Setting Up a Test Environment for Tablets

List of Best Websites

It is very tough to choose best websites worldwide because there are various websites which has flawless design and which are user friendly too. But few websites are really doing well according to users and experts. According to few surveys following are some websites which are considered as world's best websites on the basis of few parameters: 

About.com
This website provides you the platform where you can find enormous topic to explore. About.com breaks up the Web into major subject areas with a volunteer human host for each of them. It helps you sift out the wheat from the chaff on an enormous range of subjects.  

Amazon.com
Amazon doesn't need any introduction. This website has wonderful design with total customer satisfaction features. Amazon is nothing less than a revolution in how the world shops. It is a huge step forward in the achievement of an ideal competitive market. It is user-friendly, vast, and reliable. 

Bartleby.com
Much of the greatest literature in the history of humankind will be found in full text form (and free of charge) at this amazing site. In addition, many useful reference tools are here (also free!) 

CNET.com
Downloading software’s and tools from CNET.com is safe. It’s a technophile's oasis! If you are looking for desktop computers, laptops, printers, peripherals, software cell phones, cameras, or just about any other kind of gadgetry, be sure to take advantage of CNET's reviews and price comparison features. This free site can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on your needs 

Sciam.com
The online manifestation of Scientific American magazine, Sciam.com presents clear, intelligent writing on the most important scientific discoveries, initiatives, and controversies of our time. Much of the content is free. And you can search past issues!