Having recently read this fantastic comparison between the ever-popular Windows phone and Apples new flagship iOS 8 it seems there are a lot of things that people don't know about iOS8. Throughout this article, we'll teach you everything we know about iOS 8 with some fantastic points which we're sure you've not come across yet!

 

Apple's exclusive mobile operating system is the powering force behind some of the world's favourite gadgets. It's most recent incarnation, iOS 8 has revolutionised mobile phones and upped the game in premium smartphone technology. Although the glass and aluminium design and unique aesthetic might be the first thing that comes to mind for most people when they think of the iPhone, the handset would be nothing without its ever-evolving operating system.

 

Here are some quick facts to get you fully up to date on all there is to know about iOS.

 

1. iOS Wasn't Always iOS

 

While the name iOS is now ubiquitous with Apple devices, there was a time in the not so distant past that there was no such thing as iOS. When it was first launched in January of 2007, Steve Jobs referred to the operating system as "iPhone runs OS X." The operating system was branded as "iPhone OS" in March 2008, and finally became iOS in 2010.

The brand "iOS" didn't originally belong to Apple- the tech company purchased the rights to the name from Cisco in 2010.

 

2. iOS Is Powered By Touch

 

The concept of Apple's operating system is driven by user interaction and "direct manipulation", meaning touch is at the heart of iOS. Although tapping and swiping are the primary means of control for the interface, the operating system introduced shaking as a means of gesture control, and rotation gestures can be used to turn the screen in different directions.

 

3. It's Not Just For Phones

 

Apple has been praised for the cohesion in style and function between its various devices. While design plays an important role in this consistency, it's iOS that makes moving between various Apple devices so simple and smooth. iOS doesn't just run on the iPhone, it also powers the world's most popular tablet, the iPad, and the iPod Touch.

 

4. A Future Of Integration

 

Apple's desktop operating system, OSX has functioned fairly independently of iOS in the past, but this is all changing with the newest generation of iOS- iOS 8. Users will be able to sync iOS 8 with their Apple desktop to send text messages and make phone calls from their computer. This should be confirmed when the full features of the upcoming OSX 10.10 Yosemite are announced.

 

5. Messaging For Free

 

Although many people associate free messaging within their phone's software with BlackBerry's BBM feature, Apple was also quick to the mark to introduce free messaging for iPhone users. Apple's iMessage service was launched all the way back on iOS5, allowing users to avoid using their allotted text messages while still chatting freely with friends.

 

6. Sharing Is Caring

 

iOS 8 has made life a lot easier for families running multiple iPhone and tablet devices at one time. It's now possible to share apps that have been purchased from the App Store, so parents can buy apps for their kids from their phone and share them over to other devices for the whole family to play. This feature also extends to calendars and notes, so family members can share itineraries and make plans through their mobile phones and tablets.

 

7. Call With No Signal

 

A really exciting new development on iOS 8 is the possibility to make phone calls even in an area with no network connection. iOS 8 allows for voice calls through Wi-FI, so if you're really stuck with no signal but find a Wi-Fi hotspot, you can make important phone call without waiting for your network connection to re-appear.

 

8. Touch Type No More

 

The iPhone has always been known for its touchscreen keyboard, which some people love and other people can't stand. Android introduced the Swype keyboard function on Android devices but until iOS 8, Apple users couldn't make the switch if they prefer this more fluid typing style. Now, Apple fans can enable QuickType to change the way they use their phones without having to move over to an Android phone.

 

9. Block Your Enemies

 

If there are people you really want to avoid, Apple's iOS makes it easy to ignore them until you're ready to talk again. iOS 7, launched in 2007, introduced Block This Caller, a feature that allows users to block phone calls, messages and FaceTime calls from anyone they don't want to hear from.

 

10. iOS Is Not The Most Popular

 

Apple fans might despair at this fact, but despite all of its strengths and innovations, iOS is no longer the world's most popular operating system. Thanks to its more widespread usage on various mobile devices across different manufacturers, Android holds massive 85% market share, while iOS trails behind at 11%. It's still far ahead of Windows Phone and BlackBerry, however, and the iPhone is still one of the most popular and sought after smartphones in the world.

 

 

Chao Chen

Editor

YouMobile, Inc.

The flagship of Samsung at this time is the Galaxy Note 4.  In case you were looking for a downloadable manual, we've got your covered.

The English language manual of this smartphone is available for download now online. The German version is available as well, it will be up in additional languages as well as time passes but for now only English and German are available.

That 5.7-incher is now a Quad HD Super AMOLED (2,560 x 1,440 resolution) technology that stretches to 500 pixels per inch.  There's no change to the size of the screen from the Galaxy Note 3, which still comes in at the whopping 5.7 inches that we have come to know and love, but Samsung has made some significant changes to that killer feature.

You can download the pdf here.

 

 

Sprint has now started taking pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy Note 4.  You can already pre-order the phablet on both AT&T and T-Mobile. Starting yesterday Sprint has also joined the campaign, allowing you to pre-book your unit and make sure you will be among the first adopters.

The Galaxy Note 4 features a 5.7 inch screen with a 1440 x 2560 resolution. That works out to a 525ppi pixel density. In the states, a quad-core Snapdragon 805 CPU is under the hood. 3GB of RAM and 32GB of native storage is inside. A 128GB capacity microSD slot is on board for those requiring more storage, and the rear and front-facing cameras weigh in at 16MP and 3.7MP, respectively. We should point out that the rear snapper does include OIS. A 3220mAh cell powers the phablet, and Android 4.4 is pre-installed.

Sprint is offer few options to get the Galaxy Note 4, first option is to sign a 2-year contract at $350, second option is no contract, but paying $30 a month for the phone for 24 months.  While no contract, you will be paying retail price at $826.

Source: Sprint

The new ultra-sleek Samsung GALAXY Alpha redefines smartphone design.  It's slim at a mere 6.7mm, styled from metal and beautifully curved at its edges for durability.  Packed with flagship features such as an enhanced camera and a fingerprint scanner, it's the perfect balance of form and function.

Samsung Galaxy Alpha is powered by an Exynos 5 Octa 5430 processor (1.8GHz quad-core Cortex A51 + 1.3GHz quad-core Cortex A7) paired with 2GB of RAM. Also featured are 12-megapixel rear camera, 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera, 32GB internal storage and a 1,860mAh battery with ultra power-saving mode.

The Galaxy Alpha will be available in black, white, and gold starting next week. Due to a decision taken by Samsung India recently, the Galaxy Alpha, along with the upcoming Galaxy Note 4, will only be sold through offline retailers.

 

 

 

 

 

We already reported before that the Moto 360 Smartwatch was already sold-out on the Play Store in just a few hours after launch, but that was the leather band variant. If you wanted a Metal wrist band you were out of luck even if you got to the store in time Motorola released the phone with a choice of two leather bands saying it will make it available with a metal band later on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now however, Verizon has put the metal strap version on pre-order for $300 with a choice of Black and Silver colors. Sadly, the Black Metal version is already sold-out to, but you still have the Silver metal variant available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The regular price is $250 so you pay a $50 premium for the metal band. That's still better than getting a metal band after the fact though, then it will be $80 extra (that puts the price of the leather band at $30).

Incase you are not familiar with the Moto 360, here are some of the cool features that will spark your interest:

 

• Quality craftsmanship - Finely crafted with stainless-steel, genuine leather from Horween and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla glass.
  
  
• Responds to your voice - Just speak to get the info you need using the dual microphones.
  
  
• Doubles as an activity tracker - Track your steps and heart rate with a built-in pedometer and heart rate monitor.
  
  
• Works with your Android phone - Pair with most smartphones running Android 4.3 or higher.
  
  
• Bluetooth 4.0 technology - Pairs with your smartphone through the latest Bluetooth technology.
  
  
• Sensors - Include a pedometer, an ambient light sensor and an optical heart rate monitor (PPG) for versatile use.
  
  
• Mobile notifications - Let you view alerts from your device simply by looking at your wrist. A vibration option provides discreet alerts.
  
  
• Built-in microphone - Allows clear hands-free communication.
  
  
• 1.56" LCD touch screen - With Corning Gorilla Glass 3 construction, 320 x 290 resolution and 205 ppi makes navigation simple and clearly presents visuals.
  
  
• Water resistant - Moto 360 withstands both water and dust, so you don't have to worry about a splash at the pool or a little sand at the beach*. IP67 Certified.
  
  
• Stainless-steel case - With a plastic case back and a leather watch band creates a stylish, yet durable, design.
  
  
• All-day battery - Go all day and recharge on a dock at night. 
  
  
• 4GB internal storage and 512MB RAM - Help ensure fast, efficient performance.

 

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Mo Cheng

Editor in Chief

YouMobile, Inc