Apple Blames Bugs for Battery Problems

Apple has finally made a statement that admits to "a few bugs" in its latest mobile operating system iOS 5.

Apple's servers were overwhelmed by demand for iOS 5 when it was released last month, but ever since its release, there have been thousands of complaints about poor battery life posted on Apple's forums.  In some cases, people claimed that their phone battery was draining by up to 15% every hour, even when the handset was not being used.

Initially Apple would not comment on the matter but have now issued a statement: "A small number of customers have reported lower than expected battery life on iOS 5 devices," it said.

"We have found a few bugs that are affecting battery life and we will release a software update to address those in a few weeks," it added.

It seems that Apple is certainly starting to feel the pressure from competitor challenges on the global stage, with vendors using Google’s Android Operating System turning up the heat. 

Analyst firm Canalys revealed that HTC has become the number one vendor in the US, overtaking Samsung, and pushing Apple into third place.

Is Apple’s perceived market dominance over?

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Apple iOS 5 Downloading Problems

For die-hard Apple fans, the arrival of the new iOS 5 Apple Operating system has been long awaited, but problems downloading the software are not quite as welcome. 

The free software update, which promises 200 new features, has been so popular that Apple's servers appear to have struggled to keep up with demand.  Many users complained on Apple forums that the download was taking time, with some having to retry many times.  Others blame software bugs for "bricking" phones.

Technology consultant Jay Freeman said the problem was down to over-demand. But others thought the problems could be more serious.  One member of the public claimed that he experienced a hardware fault on his iPhone as a result of the download.  Stating that “if [he] had not updated the phone, it would be in perfect working order today".

Compensation Discussed for Blackberry Users

Consumer talk has turned to compensation following the Global Blackberry Blackout, but Research In Motion (RIM) have yet to comment on the speculation.

Blackberry's founder Mike Lazaridis has said services are "fully restored" following a three-day global blackout, but with millions of users affected and many turning to twitter to express their anger, is their any way back?

This is the largest crash the firm has ever experienced. Prior to the 2011 problems, the last significant blackout was in 2009.  With no answers as to why the switch failed or why the back up failed to kick in, the next priority is a "root cause analysis" of why there was a core switch failure within RIM's infrastructure.  Although, the server problems are believed to have originated at RIM's UK data centre in Slough.

When questioned on compensation for consumers following three days of disruption, Research In Motion declined to comment.  However, some operators, such as Telefonica owner of the UK's O2, are mulling whether to provide compensation for affected users.

Unsurprisingly, many corporate clients have switched to Apple iPhone after they made a concerted effort to improve its support for secure business email systems. News that couldn’t come at a worst time for RIM, who have been losing market share to Apple over the last few months.  That said; Apple’s newly-released operating system, iOS 5, has been causing problems for some users trying to download it this week!

So after a week of problems for smartphone users worldwide, it seems that all new technology comes with niggles, and unforeseen difficulties – we can either embrace new technology and understand this or stick with the tried and tested “brick” of a model that simply does the basics! 

Problems will always occur, but the test of the supplier is how they recover from them.  For the sake of competition, let’s hope RIM bounces back!

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HTC V’s Apple (with Google’s Help)

HTC have brought a fresh grievance to the ongoing war with Apple, filing their third complaint with the US International Trade Commission (ITC).

The Taiwanese smartphone maker claims that Apple's computers and mobile devices infringe patents involving wi-fi capability and processor communication technology.

The legal tussle between HTC and Apple has been a well publiscised one, but they are not the only company going head to head with Apple.  Samsung Electronics, which makes the Galaxy series of smartphones and tablet PCs, has also been fighting a legal battle against Apple.

Both HTC and Samsung use the Android operating system, suggesting that this is becoming more than just a simple disagreement between manufacturers.  There is a suggestion that this is very much a battle between Apple and Android.  Whilst Apple currently has the upper hand, the combined force of Google, HTC and Samsung could be a huge force to be reckoned with…it’s an interesting watch…

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IBM marks 30 years of PC, by saying goodbye?

Dr. Mark Dean, one of the engineers who worked on the original personal computer, believes that PCs are no longer the leading edge of computing. No single device has taken the PC's place, he said, instead it has been replaced by the socially-mediated innovation it has fostered.

He made the claim in a blog post commemorating 30 years since the launch of the first IBM personal computer. They may have not been the first to produce a personal computer, but the 5150 launched on the 12^th August 1981, did set the standard of design around which many desktops have been built.

Dr. Dean, does still believe that PC’s will be “much-used” in the future, but are no longer the force of innovation that they once were.  Revealing that even he has overhauled the use of his PC and his primary computer was now a tablet.  The powerful changes, originally initiated by the PC are just getting started as we work in a more efficient way, driven by changes in society.  These are undoubtedly exciting times in the world of new technology.

Apple Becomes 'Star Performer'

Apple have overtaken Nokia and Samsung in becoming the biggest Smartphone Vendor worldwide. 

The mobile phone makers shipped 361 million handsets in the second quarter of this year, up 13% on the same period in 2010, according to a new report; Smartphone volumes reached 110 million units.

Nokia continues to be the biggest maker of all types of handsets, but their unexciting touch phone portfolio is weighing down the mobile giant’s market share.  The number two handset maker, Samsung, is certainly breathing down their neck shipping 74 million units and their market share rising to just above 20%.  By comparison, Nokia’s market share dropped to 25%, it’s lowest since 1999.

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Sony Announces Arrival to Tablet Market

Better late than never, Sony has announced its much anticipated arrival to the tablet market.  The devices, codenamed S1 and S2, will go on sale towards the end of the year and will run on Google's Android operating system.

The Apple iOS system that runs on the iPad is expected to remain the dominant operating system for several years to come but Android is undoubtedly the fastest growing mobile platform of the moment and is expected to claim a 38% market share by 2015.

Sony said that its first tablets would come in two form factors: one will have a conventional 9.4 inch touchscreen, while the other will feature dual 5.5 inch displays that fold closed.

In addition to the base Android Honeycomb operating system, Sony will add several of its own features, including the ability to transmit video and music to TVs and stereos using the DLNA wireless streaming standard, and an inbuilt infrared so that it can be used as a remote control on all Sony gear.

The company suggested that there would also be some form of integration with its PlayStation network and the possibility of gaming functions.

There are no confirmed announcements on pricing but with their arrival to the Tablet party, the market is likely to hot up this autumn.