Here we are just eight months after the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 hit store shelves, and, what do you know, we're looking at yet another new model. Let's see how the features and specs of the Surface Pro 3 compare to those of the Surface Pro 2.

Desktop apps

Just to be crystal clear, both of these devices run full Windows, including legacy desktop apps. It's the Windows RT-running Surface RT and Surface 2 that skip the desktop and lock you into the Windows Store.

Speaking of those RT-running devices, I'm not sure if they have much of a future: Microsoft didn't utter a peep about Windows RT today.

Size

Line these two up, and the first thing you'll notice is how much bigger the new model is. In landscape mode, the Surface Pro 3 is 16 percent taller and 6 percent wider than the Pro 2.

The first two Surface Pros were powerful machines, but they were also much beefier than what most people are going to want from a tablet. Microsoft remedied that with the new model. At 9.1 mm (0.36-in) thick, it's 33 percent thinner than the old model.

The Surface Pro 3's bigger face is going to be great for laptop mode. But is it too big for a tablet? We'll have to wait and see, but its size is in the same ballpark as Samsung's Galaxy Note Pro and Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 – and I wasn't crazy about using those enormous tablets.

Build

No changes here, as we're still looking at a Magnesium build. Though I am thankful that the company dropped its cheesy "VaporMg" description of the Surfaces' magnesium alloy, in favor of the more straightforward "magnesium."

Colors

Each Surface locks you into one back color: black on the Pro 2 and silver on the Pro 3.

Kickstand positions

The Surface Pro 2's dual-position kickstand was a big improvement over the single-position kickstand in the first Surface Pro. The Pro 3 looks like it's going to improve even more in that area, as you're no longer limited by one or two fixed positions.

Weight

In addition to making the new Surface thinner, Microsoft also shaved 12 percent off of the older model's weight. Considering how much bigger its face is, that's a pretty impressive upgrade from Microsoft's designers and engineers.

Display (size)

The new Surface's 12-in screen is 38 percent bigger than the 10.6-incher on the Surface Pro 2. It also moves to a less oblong 3:2 aspect ratio, which should make it work better in portrait mode than the older model's 16:9.

But we also don't want to jump into a bigger-is-always-better mentality with this. That 12-in screen is going to make for one ginormous tablet – no matter which way you're holding it.

Display (resolution)

Microsoft's PR department is engaging in a little wordplay by bragging that the Surface Pro 3's display has "50 percent more pixels." While that is a factually accurate statement, don't forget how much bigger the Pro 3's screen is. What that amounts to is a mere 8 extra pixels per inch in the Pro 3. That probably isn't enough extra sharpness for your eyes to notice a difference.

Stylus

At the Surface Pro 3 launch event, Microsoft said that the Surface Pro 3 uses a pen, not a stylus. I'd take those marketing semantics with a few grains of salt, but I do agree that the new model's stylus is more advanced, with a more premium build, than the old plastic Surface Pen. You can also click a button on the top of the new Surface Pen to instantly open Microsoft's OneNote app. That could be a nice touch, and one that's more than a little reminiscent of Samsung's Galaxy Note series.

Processor

Interesting approach here. Microsoft is splitting up the Surface Pro 3's different pricing tiers by (among other things) which 4th-gen Intel Core processor you get. The entry-level model gets a Core i3, which could be a downgrade from the Core i5 found in the Pro 2. You'll have to spend an extra US$200 to jump up to a Core i5. Want a Core i7? Then you'll be throwing down at least $1,550.

RAM

The amount of RAM you get in the Pro 3 will also depend on how much you pay. The two lowest tiers give you 4 GB of RAM, while the three highest price points bump that up to 8 GB.

Storage

The new model's storage options (which are, of course, also price dependent) are the same as they are with the Surface Pro 2.

USB 3 port

No changes here, as each device gives you one USB 3.0 port.

MicroSD card slot

Nothing new here either, as the new model also has a single microSD slot.

Cellular data

Microsoft recently launched a version of the (Windows RT-running) Surface 2 that can use mobile data, but no dice for this Pro series.

Cameras

The cameras also get an upgrade in the new model. The front-facing shooter will make for some higher-res video chat, but I'm not going to get too excited about the rear camera's upgrade. Would you want to hoist an enormous slab of glass and magnesium for your next family vacation photos? Didn't think so.

Battery

You never really know what battery life is going to look like until you use a device for extended periods. For what it's worth, though, Microsoft is saying the Pro 3 will see about nine hours of web use – and 10 percent longer uptimes than the Pro 2.

Software

Both devices run Windows 8.1 Pro.

Release

At the Surface Pro 3 event, Microsoft said that the device is "launching tomorrow," but that really means pre-orders are about to start. Right now the Microsoft Store lists the Core i5 version of the Pro 3 as shipping "by June 20." If you want a Core i3 SP3, the estimate is "by August 31." Unless those are very conservative estimates, you could be looking at a one- to three-month waiting period before you can get your hands on the new model.

Starting price

How does the new model start at a $100 lower price than the old model? Well, that's because Microsoft is throwing that lower-end Core i3 processor in the base model of the Surface Pro 3. As we mentioned earlier, a Core i5-running Pro 3 will set you back at least $1,000.

Source: Gizmag.com

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference 2014 (WWDC 2014), is set to kick off with a keynote on 2 June, during which the company is likely to unveil iOS 8 and OS X 10.10, as well as other new products such as a Retina MacBook Air, and maybe even an iPhone 6 and an iWatch.

We were already pretty sure that Apple would hold a keynote on the first day of WWDC next month, but now we're certain. Apple revealed the schedule for 2014's Worldwide Developers Conference on 21 May, confirming that there will be a two-hour-long keynote on Monday 2 June, starting at 10am PDT, which will be 6pm BST. We'll be covering the event live, so tune in to Macworld UK on 2 June for the latest news, photos and reactions.

Expect to see Apple CEO Tim Cook on stage, probably joined by the likes of Senior Vice President Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue and Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi, as the focus of the keynote is likely to be iOS and OS X.

Apple has also updated its official WWDC app for iPad and iPhone to help attendees find their way around and plan their trip to the conference.

Apple first announced WWDC 2014 in April, revealing that it will take place from 2 June to 6 June at San Francisco's Moscone West venue.

"At this year's five-day conference, developers from around the world will learn about the future of iOS and OS X, giving them the latest tools and technologies to continue creating the most innovative apps for the millions of iOS and Mac customers worldwide," said Apple in a press release.

There will be more than 100 technical sessions during the event, with more than 1,000 Apple engineers present to offer hands-on labs for developers. Plus, the Apple Design Awards will highlight the best apps launched for iOS and OS X over the past year.

After the fiasco that was last year's ticket sales for WWDC, Apple changed the way it issued tickets to developers this year. Instead of the first-come first-serve system that caused tickets to sell out within minutes for WWDC 2013, Apple invited developers to apply for tickets over a five-day period, after which it randomly selected attendees from those who applied. It's estimated that around 5,000 developers will attend the event.

Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, Phil Schiller, has said: "We look forward to sharing with [developers] our latest advances in iOS and OS X so they can create the next generation of great apps."

Intriguingly, Samsung has announced that it is hosting an event on 28 May, just days before Apple's WWDC 2014 keynote. The event invitation reads "A new conversation around health is about to begin." Samsung has only recently released several new wearable devices including the new Gear Fit and S Health app, but it looks like the company's not stopping there.

Does Samsung know something about Apple's plans that we don't?

What to Expect at Apple WWDC 2014

At WWDC 2013, Apple unveiled OS X 10.9 Mavericks and iOS 7, both of which were released as beta versions after the event, as well as the new Mac Pro, a new MacBook Air, iTunes Radio and iWork for iCloud.

Apple has already revealed that we'll be getting our first look at the future of iOS and OS X at WWDC 2014 in June, but what else can we expect to see, and what will the new features in iOS and OS X be? Here, we round up the rumours and help predict which are most likely to come true.

WWDC 2014 Rumours: OS X 10.10

It's also looking likely that Apple will unveil its next version of the Mac operating system. OS X 10.10, as it's commonly being referred to, could take some inspiration from the iOS 7 redesign, according to the latest speculation.

Apple is planning to focus on Mac OS X 10.10 at WWDC 2014, giving it a "larger presence than iOS 8," according to Mark Gurman at 9to5Mac.

Gurman states that OS X 10.10 will "feature an end-to-end redesign" which he likens to the extent of changes that came with iOS 7 last year. The redesign will feature "toggle designs" similar to iOS 7's, sharper window corners, more defined icons and more white space than OS X 10.9 Mavericks, but won't sway too far towards iOS, says Gurman, claiming that Apple is keen to keep its mobile and desktop operating systems separate.

We think: very likely

WWDC 2014 Rumours: iOS 8

Apple has pretty much confirmed that we'll see iOS 8 at WWDC 2014. With the huge update that came with iOS 7, it's unlikely to bring major changes to the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch operating system, but there are rumours of a new 'Healthbook' app and more.

iOS 8 is reportedly going to have a much less significant update than OS X 10.10, though. That's not much of a surprise, after such a huge update with iOS 7 last year. But Gurman's sources claim that some of the features that were initially believed to be destined for iOS 8 could now be pushed back to iOS 8.1. We suspect one of those features could even be the rumoured 'Healthbook' app, as Apple may choose to keep that feature unreleased until it unveils the iWatch later in the year.

We think: very likely

WWDC 2014 Rumours: Retina MacBook Air

It's been rumoured for a while now that Apple is planning to launch a Retina MacBook Air. The current MacBook Air line-up doesn't include any Retina models, but the latest speculation says that the new model with the higher-resolution screen will have a 12in display, rather than the current 11in and 13in displays.

Before 29 April, we thought that a Retina MacBook Air at WWDC 2014 was likely, but we're not so sure anymore. Why? Because Apple went and updated its MacBook Air line-up, giving every model a processor boost and price drop. This doesn't rule out a Retina MacBook Air launch at WWDC completely, but it does make us rethink the likelihood.

We think: it's possible!

WWDC 2014 Rumours: New Retina MacBook Pro

Apple didn't use last year's WWDC to upate its Retina MacBook Pro line-up, instead waiting until October during the iPad Air launch to introduce new models. However, WWDC 2013 did see the non-Retina MacBook Pro line-up reduce down to just one lonely model, which could be ditched to make way for a full Retina MacBook Pro line-up at WWDC 2014.

It's unclear whether Apple will use WWDC 2014 to introduce an update to the Retina MacBook Pro line-up as the current models will be just six months old, but we're bound to find out more as we near June.

We think: unlikely for now

WWDC 2014 Rumours: iWatch

Hot topic among the Apple rumour-mill is the iWatch, which is what Apple watchers are calling the company's first (alleged) venture into the wearable technology market.

With iOS 8 expected at WWDC 2014, there's lots of speculation about whether Apple will choose to launch an iWatch too, as iOS 8 is rumoured to come with a 'Healthbook' app that'll work with the iWatch to monitor the user's health. Plus, competition in the wearable market is really hotting up. 

However, if Apple follows its usual iOS tradition, iOS 8 is likely to remain in beta form from June until September, meaning only developers will be able to use it. Therefore, Apple may decide not to launch an iWatch until much later in the year, to coinside with the public release of iOS 8.

We think: Of course, we'd love it if Apple did unveil an iWatch at WWDC 2014 but for now we think it's quite unlikely.

WWDC 2014 Rumours: New Apple TV

It's been two years since Apple released a proper update for the Apple TV, and honestly, we're growing a little impatient.

With rivals including Google, Amazon and Western Digital releasing competing products that are pretty impressive, we're hoping that Apple has got something amazing up its sleeve for the Apple TV, and that it's going to use WWDC 2014 to show it off. 

Re/code reports that Apple is not planning to use WWDC 2014 to launch the iWatch, or a new Apple TV.

We think: maybe (please Apple!)

WWDC 2014: New Mac Mini

Mac mini fans have been waiting in the dark since October 2012 for a new update to the Mac mini, so perhaps WWDC 2014 could be the day we've been waiting for. Despite speculation that Apple might be planning to discontinue the Mac mini, we don't think the company should ignore it.

There's been talk of a new Mac mini since late last year, and current chatter suggests that a new Mac mini at WWDC 2014 is certainly possible. 

We think: maybe

WWDC 2014 Rumours: iPhone 6

We're still not sure whether it's simply wishful thinking, but there have been lots of rumours to suggest that Apple will launch a new iPhone in June. Presumably named iPhone 6, reports suggest that it could have a display that measures 4.7in diagonally rather than the 4in boasted by the iPhone 5s.

It's expected to have little or no bezels surrounding the screen, as well as camera and processor boosts.

We think: unlikely for now

WWDC 2014 Rumours: Bigger iPhone

Further still, speculation points to two new iPhone launches this year, the second being an even bigger iPhone measuring 5.5in diagonally. Many reports say that the iPhone 6 (as described above) and this bigger iPhone, or iPhablet, will arrive seperately, with one being launched at WWDC 2014 and the other at a later September event that follows Apple's current iPhone release schedule.

We think: unlikely for now

WWDC 2014 Rumours: iPad Air 2/ iPad 6

Of course, we can't forget about Apple's iPads, which include the iPad Air. Apple only introduced the iPad Air in October, introducing a whole new design for the tablet, so we don't expect Apple to update it so soon after its release.

We think: not likely

WWDC 2014 Rumours: iPad Mini 3

Can you believe we're talking about the third generation iPad mini already? Like the iPad Air, though, the Retina iPad mini was only launched in October so we're not expecting a new iPad mini at WWDC 2014. Apple has been known to deviate from its traditional release schedules, though (think iPad 4!).

We think: not likely

Sourced: Macworld.co.uk

Apple’s iOS ships with Safari, which is an excellent browser that renders webpages fast and generally provides for a good web surfing experience. It’s bolstered by tie-ins with Apple’s iCloud, making it easy to sync bookmarks between your computer and iPhone or iPad. The core of any good app is reliability and Apple’s Safari web browser has had bouts with instability since release of iOS 7. While recent updates have improved things and that’s expected to continue with iOS 8, it has left some folks looking at their options. Here’s a look at the best alternative browser apps for iPhone and iPad.

Google Chrome

Next to Safari, Google’s Chrome browser for iOS is the most popular web browser on iPhone and iPad. There’s no magic behind its position in the download charts, Chrome is good and makes for a great alternative to Safari. For one, it benefits from having a sibling browser that’s pretty popular on desktop computers, both PC and Mac. That means you are one sign in away from having immediate access to all your favorites and bookmarks.

One unique feature of Chrome is its ability to preload webpages. As wireless carriers increasingly push data caps, less data use can help reign in your wireless bill. Google says by using optimizations, loading images to their servers can result in a reduction of data up to 50 percent.

The latest version also includes voice search. When you browse to google.com, a microphone appears, letting you ask Google. Voice search is much quicker, especially if you have a longer, complex search query.

For those looking to keep their browsing private, Chrome’s Incognito mode lets you surf without saving your browsing history. All you have to do is close the browser tab and that page is literally history.

Other notable features include built-in translation, support for unlimited tabs and an app that consistently benefits from a steady stream of updates to address any lingering stability issues.

As for what you can expect to pay for a world-class mobile web browser? How about free?

Mercury

You might not realize what you’ve been missing until you’ve tried Mercury, available in both free and paid ($0.99) versions. The most prominent feature is support for extensions, all built-in to the app. You enable a host of options from ad block to a nifty screen shot utility. If QR codes are you thing, that’s built in also, letting you scan’em and surf to them. Here’s a look at all of the extensions offered:

• Ad block
• Instapaper
• LastPass
• Pinboard
• Pocket
• QR Scanner
• Reader
• Screenshot
• Search Menu
• Translate
• Wikipedia

The first impressions of Mercury are that it’s a fast browser with a clean looking interface, but that’s only half the story. If you take the time to delve into the settings, you’d find some a treasure trove of functionality. You can heavily customize your browsing experience. The multi-touch settings let you change up to 10 gestures. For example, a ‘two finger swipe’ up can be set to view the previous page. The options are endless. There are different tab styles, address bar styles and you can turn the scroll bar on/off.

Like most browsers, there is a private browsing option. Mercury goes one step further when it comes to privacy. You can set a passcode. If you leave the app without quitting, a passcode is still required to restart your browsing sesson. Privacy buffs should love this option.

Mercury also lets you download all sorts of files and manage them using a powerful built-in File Manager. It all worked as advertised and gave Mercury the feel of a desktop browser. Speaking of which, you can change the user agent if you need to spoof a website which is forcing a poor mobile view. Other options let you ‘hide’ the options bar, creating a more immersive view.

If you seek raw browsing power and endless options, Mercury for iOS is a good place to start.

Puffin

Offered in both free and pad versions, Puffin will largely appeal to those who must view Flash content on the web. If you enjoy playing flash games or watching flash based content online, Puffin offers Flash support through their servers, which they call Flash in the cloud. One of the more interesting options with Puffin are the overlay options for a mouse (pointer) and game controllers. For gamers, the added functionality of having arrow keys is worth the price of admission.

The iPhone has never supported Flash and it never will. If you need a browser that has Flash capabilities, Puffin is your best option. The free version lets you access content during off-peak times (8:00 am to 4pm).

For traditional browsing, Puffin claims their Javascript engine is faster than Safari by up to 550%. In our testing, this browser was adept at rendered webpages quickly.

If you are in the market for a fast browser that plays nice with Adobe Flash, check out the free version of Puffin. The Pro version will set you back $3.99, a small price to pay for everything the Internet has to offer.

Opera Coast

There only so many ways to design a browser window, but Opera has managed to think out of the box with Opera Coast. It’s a fresh, modern UI and I’m not simply talking about iOS 7 iconography or minimalist design. This browser feels alive, providing users with a ‘head start’ to the web, aligning popular websites with colorful favicons across the screen. You can tap on a favorite or pull down to start searching the web using Google.

As you type, icons of related sites start appear neatly in a row atop the screen. There are also previews of popular searches. A search of ‘NHL’ brought up an icon representing the main site along with Standings and Scores. By tapping and holding the icon, it was easy to add to my favorites.

Some browsers are focused on having the most features and that’s perfectly fine. Opera Coast seems content with providing a great, fun web browsing experience. No more, no less. The app feels alive to the touch, an experience rich with animations that delight. As you pull down to search, the background image elegantly inherits a gaussian blur, letting you focus on your search. Navigating around was fast, fluid and didn’t feel like work.

Opera Coast is simple, beautiful, fast and fun. Take it for a spin around the block, but don’t be surprised if it makes you forget your old, stodgy browser.

Dolphin

A mainstay amongst Android users, Dolphin is a very capable browser. A unique gesture feature lets you use your finger to handle everything from navigation to viewing a favorite. For example, you can draw the letter G to visit Google or A for Amazon. Dolphin gestures are completely customizable.

Dolphin keeps its interface free of distractions by letting users swipe left to access bookmarks or right to view open tabs. Bookmarks can be synced across devices, provided you sign in to Dolphin Connect. Viewing tabs in a list can be a refreshing break from the 3D layout in Safari.

The browser itself is free, but a $0.99 in-app purchase will give you access to Dolphin Sonar. Besides being a great name, it lets you use your voice to search the Internet, share on social networks, bookmark websites and more.

While deserving to be on any list of iOS browser alternatives, you should note that Dolphin has not been updated since October, 2013. Its interface could stand to be refreshed.

Safari is a great browser and its integration with iCloud makes it a fantastic option for most users. For those looking for ad-block, support for Flash or a feature not included with Safari, you should be happy to know there are a number of great alternatives. Most of the alternative browsers listed above have free versions. Give them a try and ultimately, see what works best for you. Do you have a favorite?

Source: EverythingiCafe.com

If you have jailbroken your iPhone and later find that the phone is less stable or that the battery drains faster than normal, you should consider restoring the phone to its normal state. This tutorial will show you how to un-jailbreak your device.

1.Connect your device to a computer, launch iTunes, and wait for the sync process to complete.

2.Next, click on your device’s name on the left sidebar to get to the device’s summary screen. If you cannot find the sidebar, press Ctrl+S.

3.In the device’s summary tab, click on the Restore iPhone/iPod/iPad option.

A small warning message appears onscreen. Click Restore to process.

4.iTunes will then connect to Apple’s servers to find a suitable software version for your device. You will see a few software update notices onscreen. Simply click Next -> Agree to dismiss them. After that, iTunes will download the desired firmware. You can track the download process by clicking on the down arrow icon at the top right on the program’s interface.

Important: Before we restore the device, make sure you back up the data on the phone so that you can restore it later. To do so, click the Back Up Now option in the iTunes device summary screen.

1.Follow the steps in this tutorial to boot your phone into DFU mode.

2.When you see the following message in iTunes, your device has successfully entered recovery mode.

3.Click the Restore iPhone/iPad/iPod button again to start the restoration. This process is done automatically; all you have to do is wait for the device to boot up.

4.When the restoration process is complete, your phone should be un-jailbroken. There should be no Cydia or extra tweak software.

5.Perform a restore using the Restore Backup option in iTunes to recover all your installed apps and other data on your device.

Source: Tech-recipes.com

So, Apple is apparently set to buy Beats - the fashionistas headphone company co-founded by Dr Dre - for $3.2 billion. That’s almost twice the value of the global headphone market, according to Bloomberg. Apple analysts are perplexed about Apple’s reasoning for the expensive deal, as are we. 

Our reaction was initially surprise and disbelief. Why the heck would Apple go and spend money on a company that makes expensive headphones (that are more of a fashion statement than an audiophile’s must-have). Apple makes headphones, and Apple knows all about expensive, they don’t need some rapper to tell them how to do it. 

Nor does Apple need anyone to show them how to design good looking kit. Apple’s design guru, Sir Jonathan Ive is very well equipped for that job. Here’s an interesting fact though: Beats’s design is handled by the firm Ammunition, run by former Apple design chief Robert Brunner. Brunner was responsible for hiring Ive when he was at Apple. 

There’s also the fact that back in 2011 HTC bought a stake in Beats. HTC sold its share last year. We can’t think of any way that HTC’s involvement with Beats helped the smartphone company. 

Steaming Music

Then we discovered that Beats is about more than headphones. Back in January they launched Beats Music, a subscription-only $10-a month streaming music service. This service could be one reason why Apple would be interested in a deal. 

Beats Music doesn’t just steam music at you, it learns the sort of thing you enjoy and tailors the experience for you. We hear from our American colleagues that Beats Music is head-and-shoulders above what any other service provides - it’s that good at learning what you like to listen to. You can even tell Beats Music what sort of a mood you are in and it will play music to suit your frame of mind. 

This could certainly be a useful as Apple attempts to create a half decent streaming service - lets face it iTunes Radio, which hasn’t even launched in the UK yet, isn’t winning any awards. The company that transformed the music industry is falling behind as more and more people turn away from iTunes to music streaming services such as Spotify. Apple really needs a music streaming solution to push at people. 

Yet more proof, perhaps, that Apple is trying to boost its music credentials is the rumoured Shazam arrangement that will see the Shazam song recognition software integrated in iOS 8. This will make discovering music even easier for iOS users, and will help Apple (and the artists) sell more tracks on iTunes. 

That’s not the only rumour regarding Apple’s interest in Beats that we’ve heard. There’s the fact that music industry icon Jimmy Iovine, along with Dre, comes as part of the deal (so the rumours claim). Iovine is a music producing legend that has connections with the music industry that will no doubt help Apple’s Eddy Cue in his negotiations. 

Making wearable tech fashionable

Then there are the rumours that Apple’s interest in fashionable headphones may have something to do with its aspirations to the wearable technology market. We’ve heard reports that Apple is adding health sensors that will be able to monitoring the user's heart rate and blood pressure to their EarPods. Apple is said to be turning its attention to health with the next generation of iOS 8, with a health monitoring app that will tie in with the rumoured iWatch, but who says that the iWatch will be Apple’s only wearable tech device? Perhaps Beats inspired headphones could be Apple’s less geeky answer to Google Glass. 

The theory is that the fashionable Beats brand could help Apple make wearable tech trendy. Headphones that pay music that suits your mood and direct you to the restaurant where you are meeting your friends at the same time. Integrate Siri and Apple might just be onto a winner. 

Source: Macworld.co.uk