Creative Punk

Maps, the Siri update, and Passbook seemed to steal the show when  Apple  introduced its next mobile operating system,  iOS  6. But there are hundreds of other improvements in the update. Since we've been playing around with iOS 6 this week, we figured we'd show you all the cool stuff Apple didn't show off the other day. Finally! Downloading a new app doesn't close the app store. New iTunes/App Store Interface Bluetooth in the main settings menu. Post to social networks from Notification Center Enhanced Privacy S ee a list of the songs you've previewed in iTunes Revamped sharing menu Custom Dictionary in the Cloud. If you teach your iPhone a new word, it'll show up on your iPhone and Mac too. Bing Maps and TomTom maps instead of Google Maps Steve Kovach, Business Insider The weather app got a slight make over Top bars change colors depending on which app you're in. Newly downloaded apps receive a "New" b...

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has discussed Windows 8 a number of times this year, once describing it as "the rebirth of Microsoft Windows," but the outspoken chief of Microsoft has switched gears to talk about the company's upcoming Surface tablet and its future as a devices-and-services company. In an interview with The Seattle Times, Ballmer believes Microsoft has a "very competitive product from the features perspective," with Microsoft Surface, and that "probably $300 to about $700 or $800" is the "sweet spot" for pricing. That's not to say that the Surface might not debut at a lower price point with a subscription to the company's Xbox Music service, but Microsoft is clearly looking at generating some profit from its tablet venture. When Ballmer first introduced the Surface back in June, he described it to the forum as a device that will "prime the pump" for the upcoming release of Windows 8. Likewise, in othe...

It's a huge year for Microsoft.  The venerable tech giant is essentially reinventing itself from the ground up for 2012. A new server OS, new desktop OS, new Microsoft Office suite, new mobile platform, and new tablet hardware are all being launched virtually simultaneously. To say Microsoft has a lot riding on the success of the new products is an understatement. Apparently, Microsoft is willing to put its money where its proverbial mouth is, though, and lead its customers by example. There are reports that Microsoft plans to accelerate its normal PC refresh cycle to give all employees new Windows 8 desktops and laptops. But, wait--there's more! Microsoft is also allegedly issuing new Windows Phone 8 smartphones and Surface RT tablets to all employees as well.  Aside from Microsoft playing Santa Claus (or Oprah--choose your own benevolent icon), and bringing Christmas to employees a tad early, the move also demonstrates Microsoft's confidence in the new platform...

With the next-generation iPhone rumor mill in full swing following Apple's Tuesday special event invitation send-out, new photos have surfaced comparing the thickness of the purported handset with the current generation iPhone 4S. One day following its publication of an allegedly leaked "iPhone 5" battery, on Wednesday posted side-by-side comparison shots of the purported next-generation device and the iPhone 4S, illustrating a notable slimming down for the new handset. If the set of images showing what is claimed to be a "fully assembled" iPhone 5 are accurate, the new device will be somewhat thinner than the existing iPhone 4S, saving much of the space by eschewing the "glass sandwich" design for a "uni-body" chassis solution. While it appears that Apple was only able to shave a couple millimeters off the supposed handset, the change is impressive given the already cramped internal design seen in the company's current model. Source...

One of the latest accessory crazes to hit the mobile industry are smartwatches — wearable computers that share data with smartphones. There’s the Pebble , the Meta Watch , Sony SmartWatch and now Casio has one. Casio announced a new addition to its G-Shock line today — arguably one of the most recognizable wristwatch lines in the world. It has built-in Bluetooth, and can talk directly to the iPhone… Just like the original GB–6900, the new watches sync with your phone over Bluetooth 4.0, notifying you of incoming phone calls, new emails, and alarms. A warning function will let you know if you walk away from your phone, and a Find My Phone-like audio alert is available with a single button press. So far there is still no support for non-Japanese Android devices, but 4S (and, presumably, iPhone 5) owners with Casio’s G-Shock+ app (being released alongside the watch) will finally get to enjoy the Casio connected timepiece experience. The company hasn’t announced pricing or availability ...

For people who wonder how their MacBook, iPhone and iPod stay so structurally sound through everyday use, the answer is anodization. "Anodization is essentially corrosion. What Apple does is take the aluminum they make your MacBook Pro or iPod out of and corrode it until a honeycomb of pores open in the surface," Cult of Mac said. "They then ‘paint’ it with colorful dye and boil the aluminum until the pores seal, locking the dye into the metal irreversibly. The result? A uniform color of silver on your MacBook, and brightly colored iPod nano and shuffle." This process makes the Apple product tougher against cracks in the surface and scratches that can leave it looking damaged. However, despite all of the Cupertino, California-based company's efforts, it has yet to release a product that is truly indestructible. So while the iPad and iPhone are fairly strong pieces of technology, their cases can get dented, damaged or cracked – problems that can go beyond m...

Android handsets started really picking up steam in late 2009 with the release of the Motorola Droid. Shortly after that, Google’s mobile platform took over the smartphone industry and it has since controlled around 50% of the US market. But Apple hasn’t taken the challenge lying down. Thanks to its iPhone 3GS-4-4S lineup covering all price points, and its new partnerships with several smaller carriers, Apple’s handsets now account for a healthy 30% of the same US market… Well known marketing research firm comScore just completed its quarterly survey of over 30,000 US mobile subscribers to find out what handsets consumers are using these days. The recent data comes from a 3 month period ending in July. When it comes to overall mobile phones (both smart and feature phones), Samsung is in the lead with 25.6% of the market, and LG is right behind it at 18.4%. Interestingly enough, Apple, who doesn’t even make feature phones, isn’t far behind with 16.3%. And Motorola, who once ruled the f...