Two techie brothers, aged 14 and 12, code their way to App Store

BANGALORE: They make an adorable pair in their neat formal suits and shoes. And when they start talking, they have crowds hanging onto every word they say, often having them in splits with their experiences.

BlackBerry failure: A lesson for Apple, Samsung

SINGAPORE/JAKARTA: Indonesia has long been a surprising jewel in the crown of BlackBerry, a rare market where its devices enjoyed mass appeal. But the country also highlights the struggling company's failure to embrace the emerging economies that are leading smartphone sales growth across the globe.

BBM on Android, iOS postponed

LONDON: The BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) for the Android and iOS platform has reportedly got delayed because the makers have said that the app is not fully developed for the launch.

iPhone 5C: The simplicity behind the design

Recently, we saw Apple introduce a new plastic iPhone. Why plastic? Because it's cheaper, sure. But it's also one of the smartest industrial design decisions Apple has ever made. 

Microsoft starts iPad buyback to boost Surface sales

LONDON: American multinational corporationMicrosoft has launched a US marketing offer that will let people exchange 'gently used' iPads for Microsoft products such as Surface tablets. 

According to the BBC, the company is offering at least a 200-dollar token to go towards products such as the Surface RT and the Surface Pro. 

Microsoft is far behind Apple in terms of global tablet sales and market share, the report said. 

A Gartner mobile device analyst said that there was a far greater range of mobile apps available for iPads than for Windows devices, giving Apple a competitive edge. 

In May, Microsoft launched an iPad v Windows comparison website, coupled with head-to-head advertising campaigns, the report added. 

In the first quarter of this year, Apple shipped 19.5 million iPads, compared with 900,000 Microsoft tablets and in the second quarter, Microsoft shipped only 300,000 Surface devices, the report further said.

First look: iOS7 shines on new iPhones

CUPERTINO: One of the best things about Apple's latest iPhones is the slick new iOS 7software that runs the devices. But that souped-up operating system could end up hurting sales because the free software upgrade will also work on iPhones released since 2010, giving owners of the older models less incentive to buy Apple's newest products. 

US stocks: Wall Street rises for 7th straight session, Apple drops

NEW YORK: US stocks ended higher on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 rising for a seventh straight day, as chances for an immediate military strike against Syria decreased, while a sell-off at Apple limited gains. 

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 135.23 points or 0.89 percent, to 15,326.29, the S&P 500 gained 5.08 points or 0.3 percent, to 1,689.07 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 4.011 points or 0.11 percent, to 3,725.01. 

Patent war: Apple, Google back in court

WASHINGTON: Apple and Google subsidiaryMotorola Mobility on Wednesday squared off in court over whether a judge should reopen a lawsuit in which the companies accuse one other of illegally using their patented mobile phone technology.

Apple & Google back in court over mobile phone patent lawsuit

Washington: Apple and Google subsidiary Motorola Mobility on Wednesday squared off in court over whether a judge should reopen a lawsuit in which the companies accuse one another of illegally using patented mobile phone technology.

'Cheaper' iPhone 5C may cost Rs 40,000 in India

NEW DELHI: A few months ago when phone analysts started talking about a 'cheap iPhone', there was an indication that Apple would finally launch an affordable iPhone for price-sensitive markets in countries like China and India. Apple did launch a 'cheaper' phone on Tuesday night. But this cheaper phone, called iPhone 5C, is hardly affordable.

The basic model of iPhone 5C, which has hardware similar to iPhone 5 but in a plastic body, will be available for $99 (on contract) in the US. But don't get mistaken by the low price. In India, the device is expected to cost around Rs 40,000.

APPLE MAY MISS STEVE JOBS

I will be very happy if, by the end of it all, Tim Cook does not have blood on his hands. But, by the looks of it, Apple CEO may be assiduously murdering the legacy of legendary Steve Jobs.

Can someone like Cook spoil the broth that he himself helped cook so successfully for so many years? But then knowing Jobs, we also know how most decision-making happened at Apple while he was at the helm.

10 THINGS THAT U NEED TO KNOW ABOUT APPLE

You may or may not have heard, but Apple made some announcements yesterday. Here's what you need to know:

• Apple has introduced two new iPhones, the iPhone 5c and the iPhone 5s. They'll both run on a new operating system, iOS 7, and they'll ship on September 20th.
• Here are all the ways iOS 7 is different. The most noticeable difference is its font, a very thin Helvetica Neue Ultra Light.

Apple: iOS7 to be available from September 18

CUPERTINO: Apple says its next mobile operating system, iOS 7, will be available as a free download on September 18.   Craig Federighi, head of software at Apple, said at an event at the company's Cupertino, California, headquarters that "downloading iOS 7 is like getting an all new device."   The new system can be downloaded on the iPhone 4 and later models, as well as on the tablets beginning with the iPad 2.   Apple also says it expects to ship its 700 millionth iOS device next month. Apple CEO Tim Cook predicts that iOS 7 will become the most popular mobile operating system in the world.   The company later launched two new iPhones: iPhone 5S and a cheaper model iPhone 5C.

A7 processor in iPhone 5S not revolutionary: Analyst

NEW DELHI: While introducing iPhone 5S,Apple also introduced the A7, a new processor that powers the phone. This is a successor to the A6 chip found in iPhone 5 and offers almost two times more performance. The A7 is also the world's first 64-bit smartphone processor. 

Fingerprint scanner: The killer feature of iPhone 5S

NEW DELHI: This is one of those occasions when the rumours turned out to be true. There was a talk ahead of the iPhone launch event on September 10 that the high-end Apple phone will come with a fingerprint scanner for added security. Now we know that iPhone 5S indeed packs in a fingerprint scanner, hidden inside its round home button. 

Apple launches iPhone 5S, cheaper 5C

NEW DELHI: Apple has, for the first time, unveiled a cheaper smartphone, named the iPhone 5C. It has almost the same specifications as iPhone 5, which was launched as the company's flagship device last year, but in a plastic body.

Apple faces risk with cheaper iPhone

SAN FRANCISCO: For upscale brands, there is a fine line between "cheaper" and "cheap." And for Apple, the premium electronics maker, the key is to avoid crossing it. 

Apple on Tuesday will introduce two iPhones, including a new lower-cost model targeted at overseas countries where expensive smartphones are out of reach for many consumers. 

Apple's next big thing may be a cheaper iPhone

SAN FRANCISCO: Apple's much-anticipated update to its line-up of iPhones may leave the impression that the technology pioneer's focus has shifted to making more affordable products than engineering innovative breakthroughs. 

In keeping with its tight-lipped ways, Applehasn't disclosed what's on the agenda for the coming-out party scheduled to begin at 10 am PDT at its Cupertino, California, headquarters. 

How iPhone launches are Creative Destruction Day in Silicon Valley

SAN FRANCISCO: On Tuesday morning, about 200 people - most of them from the news media - will gather in a Cupertino, California, auditorium to watch Timothy Cook, Apple's chief executive, unveil new iPhones.