apple – Tech Raman

Logitech PowerShell Controller Review [Hands-on]

Lakshmi Rajan — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 12:06:19 +0000

With iOS7, Apple paved the way for the App developers to adapt their games to integrate and make provisions for accessory makers to come up with officially-certified accessories for iOS devices. Apple’s MFi program authorizes the Apple certified official accessories and with the opening of the API for external controllers, now Game app developers can access and insert support for the game controllers. Apple also has a set of ‘framework’ for the developers outlining a two specific sets of controller types: a “standard” controller with a d-pad, four buttons, and left/right shoulder buttons, and an “extended” game controller with two analog pads and two sets of shoulder buttons. The mandate is that the Touch has to be compulsory part of the gaming experience and the ‘standard’ controller to be supported even if the developers opt for the ‘extended’ layout.

PowerShell Design and Buttons layout

Logitech PowerShell Controller is one of the first to hit the market as gaming controllers for iOS device and it has a ‘standard’ controller layout. So we get a Directional pad on the left along with a ‘Switch’ that latches up to the iPhone’s lock button. On the right side are four face buttons, named “A,” “B,” X” and “Y,” as well as a pause button. On the top on either sides are a two shoulder buttons identified as “L” and “R”. The bottom has a micro USB port for recharging the integrated battery. On the left there is a metal button switch to enable the battery and on the right side there is a port for headphone adapter. The adapter is quiet large and an eye-sore and sticks out oddly when connected. It is required if you have to connect connect any of your headphone with the controller. All the buttons are analog and not digital which is good. More importantly, the buttons are pressure sensitive too which is again nice while playing certain games. For eg. a lighter press can make a character walk and a little more pressure can make it run. It again comes handy in racing games where applying a little more pressure on the button can burn the tyres on tracks. The controller connects to the iPhone through the lightning connector and it can be spotted bending outward on the inside of the controller. The Logitech PowerShell Controllers looks and feels sturdy. It definitely is very durable and should last longer. It also easy to tug the iPhone to the controller case and to remove it. [gallery columns="5" link="file" ids="6937,6938,6939,6940,6941"]

Extended battery:

PowerShell controller has a built-in 1500mAh battery. The battery can be used to charge the iPhone thus doubling as a powerbank when in need. There is a metal button which when pressed charges the phone. The game controller keeps working even while it is charging the iPhone.

Compatible Devices:

Logitech PowerShell Gaming Controller is compatible with only iPhone 5/5S and iPod Touch 5th generation devices.

User Experience:

The controller works with MFi certified games which are coded to work with the controllers. There are some 100 odd games to choose from currently with some 15 making for good picks. More games has to be gamer-controller supported if the accessory has to find more user base. Unfortunately, Apple has failed to categorize separately the MFi certified games that support the game controllers. Logitech PowerShell Controller with its ‘standard’ set of layout requires a combination of buttons and iPhone touchscreen to get most games get going. At times I wished Logotech had opted for the ‘extended’ layout and included an Analog stick atleast. It would have made the PowerShell Controller truly power packed for gaming experience. Still the PowerShell controller works neatly with the buttons on disposal. It takes a bit of time to warm up to get used to the controller after playing extensively the games on the touchscreen. Asphalt 8: Airborne was a great game to play and I thoroughly enjoyed playing it with the controller. It synced well with the button layout and enhanced the gaming experience. Though it cannot be said with all the games. It runs down to picking the best compatible game that gives the optimum gaming feel with the controller. Accelerometer works with the controller and the best gaming productivity comes with the combination of mixing tilt, touch, and buttons. Once you get the hand on the layout and how it works with the particular game, you start enjoying. Logitech has made clear cutout sections to access volume, on/off, and camera access and so all the iPhone/iPod device functionality are retained and accessible even while you are playing. There is a red color-LED indicator on the back that glows when the iPhone is charging through the extended battery of the controller. Though there is no way to know how much charge is left in the pack.

Logitech PowerShell Controller – To buy or Not

The PowerShell Controller comes at a MRP of $99.99 in US, though it can be found for as less as $66 in certain e-commerce sites. In India it comes at a MRP of Rs 8,995. It can be picked for around 6K at e-stores. It’s still early days for gaming controllers but there are early birds who aim to strike the market. Logitech definitely is a company who looks dead serious to take the early mover advantage in this category. PowerShell Controller is very robust, has a good form factor and is very durable. Though the choice of ‘standard’ layout by Logitech does not provide the full gaming console experience but the buttons on disposal works neatly in combination with the touch and accelerometer functionality of the iPhone device. So is it worth picking? It depends on the kind of gamer you are. If you have a keenness for retro-gaming and an early adopter of technology, this PowerShell controller is worth a try.]]>

iPad Air, the 4th generation tablet comes with a 9.7" Retina display and is much thinner, lighter

Lakshmi Rajan — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 19:40:17 +0000

iPad Air SmartCover and SmartCase To add a dash of color, Apple has introduced new colorful smart covers in six different colors. When opened, the smart covers wakes the tablet and puts it to sleep when closed. The folds can be used to position the tablet for reading/viewing mode. The cover is priced at $80.

iPad Air pricing

iPad Air (WiFi only + 16GB) $499
iPad Air (WiFi only + 32GB) $599
iPad Air (WiFi only + 64GB) $699
iPad Air (WiFi only + 126GB) $799
iPad Air (WiFi + data + 16GB) $629
iPad Air (WiFi + data + 32GB) $729
iPad Air (WiFi + data + 64GB) $829
iPad Air (WiFi + data + 128GB) $929

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Apple iPhone 5S: Everything you need to know

Lakshmi Rajan — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 08:19:28 +0000

iPhone 5C that shares the same specs of last year’s iPhone 5S with just a slightly bumped up battery and then the new flagship device iPhone 5S that sees new features and hardware internals.

What is new in iPhone 5S?

To begin with for those with fetish for Golden colors, it is available in Gold color, if not you can pick between ‘Space grey’ and black. Physically it is very similar ‘iPhone’ and iPhone 5 at it with the 4-inch display, aluminum build and industrial design. It shares the same dimensions as iPhone 5 but the home screen sports a ring around it, about which we will talk a little later. The biggest new addition though is the new A7 chip that’s been re-engineered for 64-bit architecture. Apple claims iPhone 5S is the first smartphone ever to feature 64-bit architecture. How far it will enhance the device is yet to be ascertained. Though the chief whips of Apple touts the new phone to be much faster than its predecessors. It runs on the latest iOS7.

Touch ID

The rumors and leaked images were bang on right about the finger screen sensor to be introduced with the new iPhone 5S and also its position that would be built right into the home button. If multiple users use a phone, it stores a maximum five finger prints. Other than unlocking, the Touch ID can also be used to authenticate app purchases via iTunes. The ring is a laser cut sapphire crystal cover and it acts as a lens capturing the finger prints at 500 ppi resolution and scans sub-epidermal skin layers and can read 360 degrees.

iPhone 5s camera

While retaining the same 8-megapixel camera, iPhone has put in a bigger new f/2.2 aperture sensor for better imaging. The LED flash has undergone a change too with a twin LED flash which the company claims gives a better natural colour. It has also enhanced and added new software features to camera like Slo-Mo, 28-megapixel panorama creator and a “burst mode” that captures a series of pictures and picks the best one.

iPhone 5S pricing and availability

iPhone 5S begins at a $199 for 16GB model and $299 and $399 for 32GB and 64GB respectively. iPhone 5S pre-order starts on September 13 and a week later from Sept 20th onwards, you can purchase in US, Australia, Canada, China, France, UK, Germany, Japan and Singapore. By December end, it is expected to hit 100 countries. ]]>

Apple bites plastic; Announces iPhone 5C in five colors

Lakshmi Rajan — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 18:40:01 +0000

From today, Apple folks cannot mock at ‘plastic’ phones from other OEM’s. Steve Jobs might cringe at the idea but for Apple market dynamics has changed and it has to change with the changing times and competition. Taking a cue from the Nokia Lumia range, Apple today announced iPhone 5C in five ‘fruity’ colors and made of polycarbonate plastics. The iPhone 5C is a colorful smartphone with similar specs to the iPhone 5. Today in a special event in Cupertino, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that iPhone 5 will be replaced by two phones – iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S. This is the first time Apple announced two phones in a single event. While the iPhone 5C has a similar specs to last year’s iPhone 5 albeit a slightly larger battery, iPhone 5S has new improved specs. Made of hard-coated polycarbonate plastic and in choice of green, white, blue, pink or yellow color, the iPhone 5C is made of single part of seamless plastic on the entire back and sides of the phone. The inside of the phone has a think aluminum lining that also acts as an antenna. Specs wise it has the same iPhone 5 lists that reads a A6 processor, 8-megapixel rear camera etc. There is a new FaceTime HD camera on the front and Battery is slightly beefed up. Connectivity wise, Apple claims the new phone supports more LTE bands than any other smartphone in the world. iPhone 5C also gets it’s own soft-feel silicon rubber cases with a circular cutout pattern on the back that reveals the color of the phone inside. The cost? $29 for the case. The iPhone 5C will be available for $99 for 16GB or $199 for 32GB on-contract / two years for those living in US. Though regular pricing are yet to be revealed. iPhone 5C pre-order starts on September 13 and a week later from Sept 20th onwards, you can purchase in US, Australia, Canada, China, France, UK, Germany, Japan and Singapore. By December end, it is expected to hit 100 countries. ]]>

Samsung dethrones Nokia to become the top cellphone brand in 2012, Apple third

Lakshmi Rajan — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:06:06 +0000

iSuppli’s latest report, as the year end, Samsung basking on its phenomenal success of its wide range of Galaxy devices corners a market share of 29% and hence toppling Nokia and with Apple in third. Here is the data that explains all. With the world shifting to Android and with iOS commanding a loyal fan following combined with the dwindling share of Symbion OS, Nokia is struggling hard to hold its crumbling fort. It’s overall market share dropped by 6% to 24%. If it still manages the second position its due to the not-so-smartphone or say feature phones. Next year, the erosion might continue further, as more and more people opt for smartphones and the smartphones gets more affordable. Unless, it manages to work a miracle turnaround of its fortune with Windows 8 phones. Apple with a market share of 10%, a 3 percent rise from the previous year is at third place. It must be noted unlike Samsung and Nokia, Apple only makes Smartphones and this explains its position behind Nokia in the overall cellphone market share table. If only smarphones are considered, the runner-ups changes with Samsung still enjoying the number one position but Apple overtakes Nokia comfortably. For the top smartphone brand, Samsung widened its lead by cornering 28%, an increase in 8% where as Apple comes second with a 20% market share while Nokia suffers the biggest fall – a 11% corrosion to its market share to end up with a paltry 5% Not withstanding its impressive HTC One series, HTC saw its share of the smartphone dwindling from 9% last year to 5% this year to give company to RIM whose market eroded from 11% to 5% year to year.]]>

Apple announces 4th generation iPad, discontinues 3rd generation iPad

Lakshmi Rajan — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 20:00:46 +0000

With new processor on-board, the iPad 4 doubles the CPU and graphics performances along with a battery life of 10 hours. It also sports a 720p facetime camera. The base model with 16GB storage and WiFi is priced at $499 as before and the 16 GB cellular model comest at $629, similar to the outgoing model.

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Apple unveils iPad Mini; Price starts at $329

Lakshmi Rajan — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 19:17:54 +0000

isn’t just a shrunken-down iPad, it’s an entirely new design.” So what is so new about the iPad Mini? iPad mini sizez upto 7.9″ and has a 1024 x 768 resolution like in iPad 2. An all-new 7.2mm-thick aluminum shell ensures the mini is 53 percent lighter and 23 percent thinner than the newly announced 4th gen iPad. Finding the way inside is a dual-core Apple A5 processor, optional LTE, a 5-megapixel iSight camera, 802.11n Wi-Fi, the new Lightning connector, and also promises a 10-hour battery life. Ah, I can hear you but what would be the price of iPad Mini? The base model of iPad mini that would be a 16 GB, Wi-Fi only model is priced at $329. And for every $100 increment you would get the 32GB ($429) and 64GB ($529) variants. LTE models begins at $459 and again a $100 increment as you raise the storage space. Apple expects to deliver a lethal blow to Amazon Kindle and Google Nexus 7 tablets with their new offering and primarily targets the device for those who basically love to indulge on web browsing and reading on their device. Available in 2 colors – Black and White, iPad mini is available for pre-order from this Friday, October 26th, and Apple will ship it out on November 2nd.]]>

Hey! iPhone 5 is not the thinnest phone in the world

Lakshmi Rajan — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 21:41:02 +0000

Read: What is new and disappointing in iPhone 5 ]]>

Apple announces iPhone 5 – Find out what is new

Lakshmi Rajan — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 21:09:24 +0000

iPhone 5 got bigger in size

Since the first iPhone release in 2007 and 4 models subsequently the size has remained a constant at 3.5 inches. Steve Jobs was famously against bigger size screens but with Android smartphones taking the screen sizer to almost a mini tablet size, what with 5.5″ screen in Samsung Galaxy Note and almost all high end Android smartphones not less than 4.3″, users have discovered that size does matter and there is a joy in the bigger screen thanks to the awesome apps being added every day. So finally Apple has to follow suit. So iPhone 5 got tad bigger and taller. The new iPhone 5 stands tall at 4″. The folks at Apple has retained the same width. So you get a taller iPhone with the same width what it means is, you get the same familiar grip while holding the phone. Good design move? Well, it’s upto the individual preference. Personally, I am not for tall-boy design. Ah boy! How I used to hate that LG choclate bar! So the new iPhone 5 dimensions:

Height: 4.87 inches (123.8 mm) Width: 2.31 inches (58.6 mm) Depth: 0.30 inch (7.6 mm) Weight: 3.95 ounces (112 grams)

Not just taller but thinner too…

The new iPhone is 18 percent thinner than the iPhone 4S. Now it measures 7.6 mm thin. Though Phil Schiller, Senior V-P at Apple who demonstrated the iPhone 5 says ‘It’s the world’s thinnest smartphone’. I am surprised they have not heard of oppo finder, which currently is the world’s thinnest smartphone at 6.65 mm. And also there is Huawei Ascend P1 at 7.6 mm and even 7.1 mm thick Motorola Droid Razr. I assume, what Phil really meant was world’s thinnest Apple phone. meh! So all this bigger dimension for Apple user is they can have an extra row of icons on their homescreen. The third part apps which were developed with older phones in mind will continue to be displayed properly albeit a black borders on top and bottom, since they will be centred to avoid scaling and stretch.

LTE connectivity

iPhone 5 will now support 4G LTE networks. For beginers, 4G enables a super-fast communication of high-speed data faster than even the existing wi-fi. That’s in addition to the current support for GPRS, EDGE, EV-DO, and HSPA data networks. LTE has a single chip for voice and data, a single radio chip, and what Apple calls a “dynamic antenna” that will switch connections between different networks automatically. Apple has to follow suit with LTE as its main rivals are already on-board that and with HTC and Samsung holding many LTE patents are even baying for Apple’s blood in court when it announces the iPhone 5 with LTE. So look forward to more legal mess.

A faster A6 chip

The older A5 chip is replaced with A6 chip. Apple claims it to deliver 2 x faster performance. Graphic rendering will be faster and according to Apple’s specs, users will see Web pages load 2.1 times faster and the Music app with songs will load 1.9 times faster. The chip also is 22 percent smaller than A5.

A better battery

LTE is one power hungry addition, plus you have a slightly bigger screen. So it is obvious the new iPhone 5 would require a better battery else it would be a disaster. Here is what Apple promises the new battery would deliver 8 hours of 3G talk time, 8 hours of 3G browsing, 8 hours of LTE browsing, 10 hours of Wi-Fi browsing, 10 hours of video playback, 40 hours of music, playback, and 225 hours of standby time.

Better Camera …. hmmm..

There was no doubt Apple sports a great phone camera but other manufacturers have got wiser too. Ofcourse not even Apple now can match Nokia’s awesome and amazing 41 MP pureview technology but it has to fine tune its camera front to raise the bar with HTC’s One X and Galaxy S3 camera features. It has taken ‘inspiration’ from them (Apple does not ‘copy’ you see, blashpemy!) iSight retains the same 8 Mega pixels but has decorated it with features like backside illumination, a hybrid IR filter, a five-element lens, a f2.4 aperture. The better camera, Apple promises faster launch of camera app, an image signal processor that will improve noise reduction, a “smart filter” that produces better low-light performance, and then a built-in panorama mode that stitches shots together for one large 28-megapixel photo. And ya, you can click photos while shooting videos too. I know those who used some of the Android premium phones will yawn listening to all this. The secondary camera can now shoot 720p HD video.

And the Audio…

Now your iPhone 5 will sport 3 holes. I am not talking dirty but talking about microphone holes with an addition of the third one. so you get one on the bottom, on on the handset’s front face, and one on its rear side. The usual promises of better reception and noise cancellation stays. And then there is a new wideband audio feature that promises more natural-sounding voices.

Lightening, the new small dock connector

A all-digital, 8-signal design, smaller in size replaces the old 30 pin connector. So if you have gathered too many old docks and accessories to connect don’t fret there is an old-to-new converter but then it costs 29$. One good thing about the new connector it is reversible, so you don’t have to get confused which end to plugin where!

Nano SIM

If you are planning to upgrade to iPhone 5, its time to upgrade your SIM too. Since the new iPhone uses a nano SIM that is much smaller than your micr0 SIM.

And finally what is not new and disappointing?

No NFC
Bluetooth is still limited like how it was before.
No micro USB adoption

iPhone 5 Pricing and availability

Luckily iPhone pricing would be same as 4S that means 4S will get cheaper and iPhone 3G is phased out. Pre-orders start on Friday the 14th. Shipping on September 21st in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore. 20 more countries to follow the next month. So are you excited about iPhone 5 or is it disapointing upgrade?]]>

If Apple has its way… Apple vs Competitors [Tech Toon]

Lakshmi Rajan — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 06:34:17 +0000

Couple of days back Apple got orders to place ban on U.S. sales of Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet and now it has got Samsung barred from selling Nexus phones in US. Its also pro-actively fighting numerous cases against its competitors in various courts across continents. So we got tech witted to make a fun toon on this subject.

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