Breaking News: Steve Jobs resigns as CEO of Apple

Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, has stepped down from his position as CEO of Apple. Tim Cook will be the new CEO of Apple with immediate effect.

Jobs suffered from various illnesses which included getting a liver transplant and surgery to treat a rare form of pancreatic cancer.

The official press release praises the work of Steve Jobs and describes his future with Apple: "Steve has made countless contributions to Apple's success, and he has attracted and inspired Apple's immensely creative employees and world class executive team. In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration."

The press release also included a significant amount of recognition for Tim Cook, the new CEO of Apple, and ensured that he was the right man for the job: "The Board has complete confidence that Tim is the right person to be our next CEO, Tim's 13 years of service to Apple have been marked by outstanding performance, and he has demonstrated remarkable talent and sound judgment in everything he does."

In Jobs' resignation letter, he personally recommended and insisted that Tom Cook is the person who should replace him. In January, when Steve Jobs announced that he was taking an indefinite medical leave from Apple (his third in recent years), Tim Cook was handed over day-to-day responsibilities and acted as CEO.

In a separate message to Apple's board members and the Apple community, Jobs said that "Apple's brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it," and that he looks forward to contributing as Apple's chairman of the board, director, and Apple employee providing the board allow it.

Apple has already confirmed that Steve Jobs will stay on as chairman.

A final message from Jobs on his time at Apple: "I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you."

What are your thoughts on the future of Apple?

Sahil8 on Technorati

Two New iPhones?

Reports (most likely rumors) coming in from AppleNApps suggest that whenever the iPhone 5 event takes place, there will be another phone released along side it, the 'iCloud Phone.' It will run iOS 5 and work hand in hand with iCloud. AppleNApps suggests that the iCloud Phone is the main reason that the iPhone 5 release has been delayed.

The phone will be much cheaper and have typically less flash storage and lower spec. It will rely heavily on iCloud storage creating a whole new aspect to smartphones. The 'iCloud Phone' will be available, according to rumours, for free on a two-year contract.

Apple is reportedly reducing the cost of making the phone down to $400 to allow consumers a cheaper alternative to the iPhone 5. They will also reduce costs by introducing a cheaper aluminum case which still provides the same durability.

It will really be a cheaper iPhone 4 rather than a whole new phone.

The highly anticipated iPhone 5 will release with it and is expected to run the newly announced iOS 5, which brings with it notifications and voice control. It will also feature a possible curved back going back to the iPhone 3G that we saw a couple years ago. It may well support 1080p HD display as well as video capture seeing as the Samsung Galaxy SII has been a great success with its great display.

The A5 dual-core ARM processor from the iPad 2 is extremely likely to be included as well. A new antenna, 1.2GHz processor (possibly dual-core) and a larger screen: 3.7" instead of 3.5" are all the spec upgrades we might expect. We can ask for 4.0" screen and most likely we will get it. Seeing other rivals going over 4.0", Apple will not want to be left behind.

Would you buy a cloud-based iPhone or prefer the iPhone 5?

Read more: Technorati

iPhone 5 Mockup Images

        

Credit: MacRumours

Google have bought Motorola for $12.5 billion (£7.5 billion)

Google have confirmed today that they have purchased Motorola Mobility for a staggering $12.5 billion. This is considered a big step for Google and the likes of Samsung and HTC seem to agree. Here's what they had to say:

"We welcome the news of today's acquisition, which demonstrates that Google is deeply committed to defending Android, its partners, and the entire ecosystem," said Peter Chou (CEO of HTC).

"We welcome today's news, which demonstrates Google's deep commitment to defending Android, its partners, and the ecosystem." JK Shin (CEO of Samsung).

"I welcome Google's commitment to defending Android and its partners," Bert Nordberg (President & CEO of Sony Ericsson).

"We welcome Google's commitment to defending Android and its partners." Jong-Seok Park (President & CEO of LG Electronics).

All companies feel that Google have done well in this acquisition and at the same time keeped up their commitment to Android. We will now have to see who will actually get the chance to release Ice Cream Sandwich. 

Samsung Galaxy Q: Tabphone?

Samsung are back again with something even better than the Galaxy S2...

This time they plan to bring the two most popular gadgets in the world together into one device, the Samsung Galaxy Q. It will be half phone, half tablet; likely to release at this year's IFA 2011 in September (that is if all rumours are correct).

The 'tabphone' will come equipped with 5.3" Super AMOLED screen which we all know will be massively impressive after the great success of the Samsung Galaxy S. No reports yet whether it will be Super AMOLED Plus but if Samsung plan to keep standards high, we may just see that stunning screen which we saw on the Galaxy S2.

T3 suggests that it will have a dual-core processor, most likely over 1.2GHz and have a very slim build. It is reported that the Galaxy Q will have 3G radio and US customers will get 4G, but we don't know yet whether the 3G will be data only or also allow calls.

Since it is a mobile phone, tablet merge, we won't know if it will run Gingerbread or Honeycomb. Earlier this year Google announced the highly anticipated Android OS; Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0. We may even see this version running on this 'tabphone' as Google said Ice Cream Sandwich will be a standard platform for all devices...

The official release date is yet to be announced but if it isn't released at IFA 2011 in September than we could expect it before or around Christmas time. 2011 has proved to be very popular in the rise of Tablets and Smartphones and Samsung will definitely take advantage of the Christmas spending. The price has also not been announced but should be around the same price as the Galaxy Tab and Galaxy S2.

What are your thoughts? Is a 'tabphone' the right gadget for you?

Technorati

First Nokia Windows Phone Announced

Nokia CEO, Stephen Elop, has announced the first ever Nokia Windows Phone codenamed: 'Sea Ray.' The phone was announced at an event where Elop asked for all recording equipment and cameras be switched off as he didn't want the video to 'hit the blogosphere.' None-the-less, a few people kept their cameras on and the phone was unveiled. To take a look at the full 20 minute video of the announcement, just go to Technet.hu who decided to continue to film the event and announcement (it will most likely be removed).

Features
Mango has 500 new features that will work hand in hand with the new Nokia Windows Phone. The phone has many exciting features. One very interesting feature is the ability to book your ticket with British Airways. You will see a virtual plane to allow you to choose your seat and you will have the ability to upgrade your seat if you want. You will then be able to confirm your booking and save the e-ticket on your phone for online or offline viewing so you can walk to the airport and basically 'check in with your phone.'

The phone will run Internet Explorer 9 with full capability as a PC. It will allow HTML5 content and HTML5 videos, slowly reducing the use of flash. There is clean, seamless, multi-tasking allowing you to switch between apps at any point.

Nokia did mention that Nokia Apps would also be integrated in to the phone, so you will see Nokia Maps. Also, it was mentioned that 'Sea Ray' was one of the many Nokia Windows Phones being made and that consumers will have a range of phones to choose from.

Take a look at this clip from Technet.hu, of the appearance of the phone:

Go to Technet.hu to see the full video.

Sounds Exciting, doesn't it? Or will Android and Apple continue to dominate the market?

Read more: Technorati

'Reliable' Rumor: iPhone 5 Set To Release in August 2011?

The title says it all. The highly anticipated iPhone 5 has been rumored for an August 2011 release late in the month. BGR insists the phone will be announced in an unusual Apple event in the beginning or middle of August with the phone hitting the shops in late August.

So far, BGR suggests and confidently says that the phone will have a 'radical new case design.' It will look nothing like the previous iPhone's and is set to stun Apple fans, according to reports.

Most Apple pundits so far believe that the iPhone 5 or maybe an iPhone 4S will release around the same time as new iPods (September). However, today, new reports are very confident of almost a surprise Apple event where the iPhone 5 will be announced. Not just a few tweaks, but a huge difference between it and the previous versions.

Joshua Topolsky on the other hand insists the iPhone 5 will get a whole new design. He has created a mock up image of the phone with the screen going from edge to edge. It also suggests there will be a bigger home screen button and that the back of the phone will be very similar to the iPod Touch with a curved back.

Other reports suggest that the iPhone 5 will run the same ARM A5 1GHz dual-core processor as the famous & popular iPad 2. It will sport an 8-megapixel camera with the ability to shoot 1080p HD video and will have a 720p HD screen.

It is almost guaranteed though that the next generation iPhone, whether it be the iPhone 4S or the iPhone 5, will definitely run iOS 5. There is no doubt about it as Apple already announced it at this year's WWDC event and what better way to release it then with the iPhone 5?

Take a look at Joshua Topolsky's mock-up of the iPhone 5 below:

What are your predictions? How long will you wait?

Read more: Technorati

LG Optimus 3D: UK Release Date & Pricing Released

Carphone Warehouse has confirmed that the LG Optimus 3D will release on July 7th this year. The phone will be exclusive to Carphone Warehouse and Best Buy for the time being. Carphone Warehouse will make the UK's first 3D phone available for free on a £35 a month contract or £499.95 for SIM-free. Pre-orders are now being taken for anyone who is definitely going for the phone.

A few features to note:

- It will be capable to record and play 3D content (as well as shoot 1080p video)

- Dual-core 1GHz processor & 4.3-inch screen

- Android 2.2 (Bit of a let down but will be able to update soon after)

- 3D hot key to change your entire experience

Take a look at the hands-on video review from Dialaphone:

What do you think? Will you buy it?

Read more: Techorati