Skype for iPhone, iPad, and Mac owners has now been enhanced with the ability to record small video snippets and send them directly to contacts. The handy thing is that the recording can be directly be initiated from the little plus button, and if you mess up, you can easily re-shoot before sending anyone receiving a video message can reply with their own video with the tap of a button. The maximum length of the video can be up to three minutes, and thus it feels a bit short, but it seems actually to be plenty for most of the things you'd like to say in a message. Videos can be downloaded whenever the recipient happens to be online.

The video messaging feature has been only available in a preview version since February. However, it marked marks a global roll-out just today and is available via the latest Skype version in Apple App Store. The new feature is extremely helpful when a live video call isn't practical, or when wireless coverage isn't solid enough to sustain a decent quality call. So grab the app yourself and do not hesitate to share your thoughts in the comments below.

We have discussed the key features of iOS 7 in our introductory article recently. This time we decided to share and explain those features that have not been mentioned by Apple at WWDC 2013, but have been discovered by early adopters who have already tried Beta version of Apple’s mobile OS.

1. Audio-only FaceTime calls have been given just a few seconds during the keynote of (Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering). What this little nugget brings is to let users have a voice-chat with others—no phone plan needed—but only over Wi-Fi. 

2. In difference with previous iOS versions, which brought software support for the gyroscope and accelerometer, iOS 7 has got the latest 3D space-tracking technology: an inclinometer. Inclinometer measures the angle of slope/tilt with regards to gravity. This may cause more apps incorporating awareness of up and down movements, rather than just side to side.

3. One of the more-technical terms on iOS 7’s additional features is the Wi-Fi HotSpot 2.0 automatically seeks out Wi-Fi subscriber services (for instance, AT&T’s hotspot network for an AT&T iPhone subscriber) and joins them when user is in the area.

4. No need to manually update the apps you’ve downloaded is probably one of the most handy features ever implemented. It means there is no more updates tab, as the updates are downloaded in the background.

5. Those who like to walk, but are not familiar with the surroundings, will find the new turn-by turn walking directions quite useful, keeping them from having to pull out the phone every five minutes to check that the turn they made was indeed the right one.

6. Those who suffer from constantly adjusting their iPhone brightness when using it as a nighttime navigator, now there is a night mode for Maps. While Apple didn’t demonstrate exactly how it might be applied, a brightness slider or black/white mode would be much appreciated.

7. Similarly to iOS 6 before it, iOS 7 offers a few nice region-specific features for international iOS users. The operating system will come with new vocabularies for Italian, Korean, and Dutch speakers, as well as a Chinese-English bilingual dictionary; handwriting recognition for multiple Chinese characters; and support for Chinese micro blogging service as well.

That’s all by now. Do not hesitate to share if you’ve too found something in iOS 7 that Apple didn’t voice up about!

We’ve heard rumors about Apple releasing iPhones with larger screens and multiple colors previously, so they’re no longer surprising. 

But this time what draws attention is that it is Reuters reporting Apple will release the devices as soon as next year due to pressure from the market and rival handset makers.

The latest report reads:

“Apple is looking at introducing at least two bigger iPhones next year - one with a 4.7-inch screen and one with a 5.7-inch screen - said the sources, including those in the supply chain in Asia. They said suppliers have been approached with plans for the larger screens, but noted it is still unclear whether Apple will actually launch its flagship product in the larger sizes.”

The need for the larger screen iPhone escalated since Samsung has presented Galaxy S4 with a 5" screen and the Galaxy Note II with a 5.5" screen. As far as other colors are concerned, Reuters is reporting that Apple may be looking at 5-6 different colors next year instead of just the old-style black and white options. With iPod Touch already available in multiple color options, it seems flashy colors will attract iPhone audience as well.

Reuters didn't share any information on what would be launched this year but logic commands the "S" upgrade will most likely follow suit with preceding updates with a similar form factor that features mainly in-house upgrades.

What are your thoughts? Do not hesitate to express your opinion in the comments below.

Apple has just uploaded two new videos to its YouTube channel. Both of the videos have been features at WWDC 2013, and now they’re available for everyone to take glance.

The first video is called “Apple - Making a difference. One app at a time.” And is about how people all over the world have used apps to either learn, help others learn, or enhance their lives. The apps mentioned include Proloquo2Go, Skyscape, and many others, assisting people to learn, communicate and change the way they live.

The official description reads:

“Each iOS app offers remarkable — and often delightful — possibilities. But the most powerful iOS apps ever are ones that change people's lives in ways they never imagined.”

The second video is the iOS 7 introduction to the public. Named as “Apple - iOS 7. Coming this fall”, the video stresses the outstanding design and new features of the world’s most advanced OS. The description eads:

“With an all-new design and all-new features, iOS 7 is the world's most advanced mobile OS. In it's most advanced form.”

Check the video and do not hesitate to express your opinion in the comments below.

Eight month ago Tim Cook did to Apple's controlling what his predecessor, Steve Jobs superbly did their product line years before, and during WWDC 2013 keynote, we saw the first major consequences of that decision. 

The keynote has been available via different ways - streamed live, and then posted to the web. Those who don't have time to watch it in one sitting, Apple has made uploaded the entire keynote to their Apple Keynotes channel available in iTunes. This means users are free to can download it to your iPhone or iPad and watch it on the go. The WWDC 2013 Keynote can be grabbed here.

If you happen to have missed this important event, and have not watched Tim Cook performing on behalf of Apple on WWDC 2013 stage, announcing iOS 7, you can enjoy the short version of the keynote embedded below and do not hesitate to share your thoughts in the comments!

Finally- iOS 7 was officially announced at WWDC 2013 opening yesterday! Started with a desire to take an experience people love, iOS 7 makes it better, even simpler, more useful, and more enjoyable! Despite being completely different in design, the latest OS by Apple still manages to feel instantly familiar! With an all-new design and all-new features, iOS 7 is the world’s most advanced mobile OS. In its most advanced form. Check the new features listed and explained below:

The major change you’ll spot at the very first sight is the Control Center which gives access to the controls and apps you always seem to need right this second. With just a swipe up from any screen (even the Lock Screen), users will be able to gain access to Airplane mode, turn Wi-Fi on or off, or adjust the brightness of the display. So this simple swipe gives you more control than any other swipe ever.

The next updated feature is the Notification Center which lets you know about new mail, missed calls, to-dos that need doing, and more. The newly added feature- Today- is a nice summary of what you need to know about for the day - it’s a certain someone’s birthday, if you’ll need an umbrella, or if traffic will slow down your commute. Moreover, the new All and Missed views are also available, letting you see all your alerts or just those you haven’t addressed in the last 24 hours.

Multitasking on iOS 7 knows what you want to do before you do. Because iOS 7 learns when you like to use your apps and can update your content before you launch them, so it’s now even smarter to switch between apps. Replay lets you see preview screens of the apps you have open via pressing the home button twice, while iOS schedules updates during power-efficient times, so your battery isn’t drained unnecessarily.

As for Camera in iOS 7 – it puts all your shooting formats front and center, allowing you to capture what you want the way you want with a swipe. New filters are added, including retro, black and white and so on. Filters can be picked before the image is taken, or can be applied later to the shots. They can be simply removed once you change your mind later.

With iOS 7 its now faster, easier, and more delightful to down your photo memory lane. The shots are grouped in a smarter way allowing you to search your collection based on time and place inside a collection or a year-to-year preview, demonstrating photo and video you’ve ever taken almost like artwork!

The new way of sharing has also been introduced- Enter AirDrop for iOS, for sending files to those next to you with simple few taps and highest security!

As for Safari, along with the new icon, browsing is also made bigger, better, and more beautiful. There are tons of new features added so nothing gets in your way or slows you down, including unified smart search field, new tab view, shared Links, reading list, iCloud Keychain, Password Generator and many more!

At last, there is an iTunes Radio is available, featuring streaming radio stations. It becomes more personalized as you listen more and is available for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, PC, and Apple TV for free. 

Major enhancements have been applied to Siri as well, which has a new look, a new sound, and new capabilities in iOS 7. It’s now easier to understand a new, more natural speech pattern ad takes on extra tasks, like returning calls, playing voicemail, controlling iTunes Radio, and more. The interesting fact is that the web search results are now displayed from Bing as a default. 

Apps Near Me is another new feature of the App Store in iOS 7, showing a collection of popular apps relevant to your current location as well as based on age (for kids). iOS 7 also keeps your apps up to date automatically, so you don’t have to bother.

Find My iPhone in iOS 7 can help you get your device back if you happen to lose it, but if it’s impossible, new security features in iOS 7 make it harder for anyone who’s not you to use or sell your device. So your iPhone is still your iPhone wherever it is.

And finally, the iOS in the Car seamlessly integrates your iOS device with the in-dash system found in vehicles equipped with it! By connecting an iPhone 5 users can interact with it using the car’s built-in display and controls or Siri Eyes Free to make safer calls, send and receive messages, get directions and more!

These are the features of iOS 7 that were officially shown off yesterday. The developer beta is already available, so if you’ve already tried it on your iDevice, do not hesitate to share if you have found something new we missed to mention above!

With only few hours left before the wait will finally be over, the banners of the event are already up, confirming that Apple will finally shed a light on the iOS 7 we all crave for! The WWDC 2013 Keynote will commence at 10:00 am PT today, so by then, just take a look at top 3 features the world expects iOS 7 to bring, explained below.

One of the most installed things after jailbreaking is SMS enhancing tweaks, making it hard to go back to the stock Messages app. So iOS 7 is heavily expected to bring must-have features like Quick Reply and Quick Compose, or at least have them integrated into the Messages app, which feels a bit dated and definitely needs an update with regards to features.

The next much-desired feature is the one allowing quick way to access the most-frequently used toggles, as there definitely is the need for that. With a feature like that, there will be no need to into the iOS settings just to enable or disable settings like Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and more.

For iOS 7, the ability to change default apps would bring more freedom to the users.  It would be nice to be able to opt to launch Chrome instead   of launching Safari, when clicking web links for instance.

However, these are not all. We’d definitely be glad to see better multitasking and app switcher, improved lock screen and better call management in iOS 7 as well. This year the Apple team managed to maintain full secrecy, so whatever is about to come, it’ll definitely be unexpectedly amazing! Stay tuned, we’ll be back with the detailed WWDC 2013 coverage as soon as it takes off. By then, do not hesitate to share your thoughts and expectations in the comments below after checking out the banners and images form WWDC!