Pavtube Mac Products Upgrade Support for Mac OS X El Capitan

More and more people have upgraded their Mac system to the newest 10.11 El Capitan. When they are enjoying the benefits OS X El Capitan brought, many of them are suffering the softwares incompatibility issue on Mac OS X El Capitan, such as blu-ray Ripper and DVD Ripper. Pavtube Studio updated its Mac products to meet the trend to prevent Pavtube users from the softwares incompatibility with El Capitan issue. Products that works compatible well with El Capitan including: Pavtube Video Converter for Mac, Pavtube HD Video Converter for Mac, Pavtube MTS/M2TS Converter for Mac, Pavtube MXF Converter for Mac,Pavtube iMixMXF, Pavtube bDMagic for Mac,Pavtube byteCopy for Mac, Pavtube DVDAid for Mac, Pavtube iMedia Converter for Mac.



Rip and backup  blu-ray/DVD on El Capitan

After updated to El Capitan, you can't rip and copy blu-ray/DVD any more? Don't worry! Pavtube blu-ray/DVD rippers have solved the system incompatibility issue.With Pavtube newly upgraded blu-ray/DVD products, you will get no difficulty to make a full disc copy or the main movie copy of the original 2D/3D blu-ray/DVD disc on Mac OS X El Capitan. besides that, the program also enables you to rip/convert blu-ray/DVD disc to various different file formats on El Capitan platform for playing on iPhone/iPad/iPod, Android phone and tablets, Windows phones or tablets, game consoles, HD media players, streaming to Apple TV/Amazon Fire TV/Roku, etc.

Support 4K UHD, 8K video conversion

Updated Pavtube Mac products can  fully support you to convert 720P, HD, 4K even 8K videos differentiates itself from the pool of video converters on Mac OS X El Capitan. With  preset profiles for Apple and Android, the best video converter for OS X El Capitan enables you to convert any videos of any resolution to iPhone(6S Plus/6 Plus), iPad(Air 3/Mini 4/Pro), Samsung(Galaxy S6), HTC, blackberry, Sony, etc. in a single click. It's very simple to use, requiring less time to learn the user guide.

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• How to backup and Copy 2D/3D blu-ray on Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan?  
• How to Rip or backup blu-ray to H.265 HEVC MP4 on Mac OS X  
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• How to Make a Copy/backup of DVD movies to Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan?     
• Extract DVD scenes to ProRes and edit in Final Cut Pro on Mac  
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Source:http://onebestsoft.com/pavtube-upgrade-support-el-capitan/

Pavtube DVDAid for Win/Mac V4.8.6.2 supports m3u8 encode now!

Good News! Pavtube upgraded its best-selling DVDAid for Win/Mac to version 4.8.6.2, which features in perfect support for DVD/ISO/IFO to m3u8 encoding.



Download Pavtube DVDAid:

Windows version 4.8.6.2: http://www.multipelife.com/download/dvdaid/dvdaid_setup.exe
Mac Version 4.8.6.2: http://www.multipelife.com/download/dvdaid-mac/dvdaid_setup.dmg

What's New:

1.support encoding to .m3u8 
2.support new DVD movies 
3.fix some bugs

This top-rated DVD Ripper is updated for supporting creating .m3u8 from DVD and DVD ISO/IFO files on Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 and Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite, 10.9 Mavericks, 10.8 Mountain Lion so that you can play them on media players such as Winamp, KMPlayer, iTunes, VLC media player etc. In addition, it has strong ability to remove DVD protection, transcode DVD to other video and audio formats, rip DVD to 3D video and edit DVD to create personal movie.

Pricing and Availability

DVDAid now is offering with $35 with a lifetime free upgrade. 

Other upgraded products are listed below:

Pavtube BDMagic/BDMagic for Mac

Pavtube ByteCopy/ByteCopy for Mac

Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate/Pavtube iMedia Converter for Mac

Pavtube Video Converter/Video Converter for Mac

Pavtube HD Video Converter/HD Video Converter for Mac

Pavtube MTS/M2TS Converter/MTS/M2TS Converter for Mac

Pavtube MXF Converter/MXF Converterfor Mac

Pavtube MXF MultiMixer/iMixMXF

Note:The output m3u8 files should be named without space and file path should be in plain English or pure digital, otherwise you couldn't play them successfully. After conversion, you just need to set up a server to enjoy M3U8. 

All customers are welcomed to get these upgraded hottest and comprehensive products. Get more money-saving bundles at http://www.multipelife.com/special-offer. Come on!

For more info about this Pavtube update, just visit: http://www.multipelife.com/pavtube-upgrade-with-m3u8-encoding.html. 

Source: http://open-mobile-share.com/dvdaid-m3u8-encode/

Released!!! An amazing update of Pavtube ByteCopy for Mac

Good News on May 15th, 2015! Pavtube upgraded its best-selling ByteCopy for Mac to version 4.8.5.1, which features strong and perfect support for Blu-ray/DVD to H.265/HEVC MP4 encoding on Mac.

New features of ByteCopy for Mac v4.8.5.1:

1. Supported to encode H.265/HEVC codec
2. Optimize coding parameters
3. Fix some bugs



This updated Pavtube ByteCopy for Mac is an easy-to-use Mac tool to remove Blu-ray/DVD protection and convert 2D/3D Blu-ray, 4K Blu-ray, DVD, ISO files to H.265/HEVC MP4 on Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite, 10.9 Mavericks, 10.8 Mountain Lion, etc. for enjoying with Windows 10, H.265 players like DivX Player, PotPlayer, PowerDVD 14 Ultra, etc, and for storage on Mac. And it also provides hundreds of preset output formats for you to convert BD/DVD movies to compatible format for iPad, iPhone, iPod, Apple TV, Samsung, Amazon, Microsoft Surface, WDTV, etc. on Mac with ease. Most importantly, it has the special ability to backup movies from Blu-ray and DVDs to lossless mkv and MKV/MP4/MOV/Prores video with multiple audio tracks on Mac.

Wondering how to do the conversion?

Start Using Pavtube ByteCopy for Mac

Pricing and Availability

For all the new Mac (especially Mac OS X Yosemite 10.10) users, ByteCopy for Mac now is offering with $42 with a lifetime free upgrade. 

Download sites:

Pavtube Official Website | CNET Download Site

Other three upgraded Mac products are listed below:

Pavtube DVDAid for Mac
  
Pavtube BDMagic for Mac

Pavtube iMedia Converter for Mac

All Mac users are welcome to get these upgraded hottest and comprehensive mac products. Get more money-saving boundles at http://www.multipelife.com/special-offer. Come on!

Further Reading:

Rip DVD movies to H.265/HEVC MP4 on PC
Ripping Blu-ray ISO to H.265 MP4
Rip Blu-ray to HEVC/H.265 MP4 video
Edit Samsung NX1 H.265 video in Adobe Premiere Pro 
Top H.265 to H.264 Converter for PC

For more info about this Pavtube update, just visit: http://www.multipelife.com/mac-bluray-dvd-upgrade-for-h265.html

Pavtube DVDAid v4.8.6.0 50% OFF/Giveaway for 2015 Mother's Day!

With the coming of Mother's Day 2015, have you had any good idea of your gifts for your dear Mummy? Great news for all multimedia software users for the upcoming Mother's Day: Pavtube launches a big Mother's Day Promotion for all multimedia software users to celebrate Mother's Day until May 14th.



To commemorate Mother's Day, everybody who like our Facebook is welcome to get Pavtube DVDAid v4.8.6.0 50% OFF, which is a powerful all-in-one utility integrated by DVD Ripper, DVD Copy, DVD Editor, etc. Or you can also get Pavtube DVDAid as free gift if you Facebook Community activities. See other Mother's Day specials below:

2015 Pavtube Mother's Day Promotion

Promotion period: until May 14,2015

The promotion content:

1. Official Website 20% – 40% discount

a. List of 20% off Discount for all-in-one tools from May 10th to May 12th

Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate

All in one solution to convert Blu-ray, DVD, MP4, MOV, MKV, MXF, TiVo, JPEG, BMP, et to any video and audio format. The decoding and encoding of H.265/HEVC codec, create 3D movies from 2D or 3D resources is also supported by the program.

Pavtube iMedia Converter for Mac

A distinctive Mac video conversion tool to comprehensively handle all common SD and HD video, copy 2D/3D Blu-ray and standard DVD with original structure, convert all Blu-ray DVD collection to any video and audio format for all portable device.

b. List of 40% off discount video conversion tools on May 10th

Pavtube Video Converter for Mac (for Windows)

Have full access to SD videos,digital camcorder recordings, DVR videos on devices such as Apple/Android/Windows series, media players, game consoles and video editing programs.

Pavtube HD Video Converter for Mac (for Windows)

Turn Sony/Canon/JVC/Panasonic HD footage and 1080p/720p MKV, MOV, MXF, MTS, M2TS, M2T, TS, M4V, MP4, AVI, MPG, VOB, WMV, 3GP, FLV videos to any video format.

Pavtube MTS/M2TS Converter for Mac (for Windows)

Convert Sony/Canon/JVC/Panasonic recorded MTS/M2TS/M2T/TS/MOD/TOD footage to play on media players or edit with Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer, Final Cut Pro, etc.

Pavtube MXF Converter for Mac (for Windows)

Converting MXF video files generated by Canon/Sony/Panasonic camcorders to various video formats such as H.264/MPEG-4, MKV, MP4, AVI, MPEG, WMV, FLV, SWF, F4V, etc.

Pavtube iMixMXF (for Windows)

Transcoding MXF video files to Multi-track Apple Prores MOV for Final Cut Pro or Multi-track MP4/MKV format for other video editing program and media playback devices.

Join Pavtube Facebook to enjoy 50% off discount and Giveaway

Still not satisfied with the promotions listed above, just visit Pavtube Facebook Official Community and join the 3 activities below for big discounts on more products.

a. Activities 1 on May 10th

Leave the most touching words you want to say to your mother on our official campaign pages and click "Like Us", we will send you a 50% discount coupon code for our Pavtube HD Video Converter for Mac (for Windows).

b. Activities 2 from May 7th to May 14th

Click to like Pavtube Facebook Official Home Page, you will gain a 50% off discount for the following products:

Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate & Pavtube iMedia Converter for Mac

Pavtube BDMagic for Mac(for Windows)

Pavtube ByteCopy for Mac(for Windows)

Pavtube DVDAid for Mac

Pavtube HD Video Converter for Mac(for Windows)

c. Activities 3 from May 7th to May 14th

In addition, users forward our post page and write a review for any of our products, email the screen-shots of your review to support@pavtube.com or macsupport@pavtube.com. We will pick out the first twenty reviews we receive and send the review writers one of your desired software from our product list for free.

Wish all mothers in the world have a happy, healthy and wonderful holiday!

To get more detailed information about the 2015 Mother’s Day Big Promotion, you can check the promotion link below:

http://www.multipelife.com/pavtube-2015-mothers-day-giveaway.html

Upgrade! Pavtube Supports H.265/HEVC, XAVC and Latest Blu-ray!

Pavtube has released the latest products of Windows Platforms, Support H.265/HEVC Encode & Decode, XAVC codec! Detailed information is in this article.

Marry Christmas 2014! On December 25, Pavtube Studio has announced this new update version. All Win versions have been updated to 4.8.2, which add XAVC, H.265/HEVC decode and encode, latest Blu-ray discs ripping features and work more powerful. What new features have they got?

1. Support MXF in XAVC video codec
2. Add H.264 baseline/main/high output profiles
3. Support H.265/HEVC decode
4. Support H.265/HEVC encode
5. Support latest Blu-ray movies, like The Expendables 3, Le Chef, Sin City A Dame to Kill For, Sands of Iwo Jima, When The Game Stands Tall, Love in Venice, Mystery Road, Pink Floyd Endless rive,etc. are all supported.

 

Updated software

• Pavtube HD Video Converter
• Pavtube Video Converter
• Pavtube MXF Converter
• Pavtube MXF Multimixer
• Pavtube MTS/M2TS Converter
• Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate
• Pavtube BDMagic
• Pavtube ByteCopy
• Pavtube DVDAid

 

XAVC support: 

For the first outstanding feature, many powerful camcorders can shoot under this XAVC mode, like Sony, Panasonic, JVC and Canon all have many series HD Camcorder which can such job. Most XAVC codec will shot in MXF format, this may be good for importing quality ,but may be a big problem for their users. Although Sony has offered their XAVC plug-in to help customer to solve this problem, but many users still replay that they can’t do anything about their videos. How to tackle that? New Pavtube relevant Video converter software can handle this highest level video standard. XAVC can support 4K (4.96×2160 and 3840×2160), which just cater the trend of 4K.

Add H.265/HEVC Decode and Encode:

All Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate products have added the H.265/HEVC decode/encode. You may very family about H.264/MPEG-4, but may not know about this H.265/HEVC. Actually, those two codec are said to double the date compression at the same level of video quality. This H.265 can be said as the Intro Time of 4K Generation. This H.265/HEVC is considered not only play a remarkable role on improving the image quality but also can support 4K resolution to UHDTV, the highest level can up to 8192×4320 (8k). Like the hottest Samsung NX1 has already explore this brand new market. The 205-point phase-detection AF, 4K film resolution, H.265 compression coding, 15fps high-speed continuous shooting, etc., Samsung NX1 seems has already won the game. But with this fast update of the H.265 camera, the related peripheral support software seems not get enjoy strength. Many media player and NELs still stick on the H.264, so how to get your H.265/HEVC video into compatible while quality maintained? The brand new Pavtube relevant Video software will be the best solution to deal with the H.265/HEVC. No quality drop, fast conversion, smooth playback, all you need is in this new Pavtube. The Mac version is in full update, do please look forward to those brand new Pavtube relevant iMedia Converter for Mac!

Merry Christmas^^

About Pavtube Studio

Founded in 2007, Pavtube creates expert multimedia software applications that help consumers access, transfer and share their digital content across different devices that range from PC, Mac, NLE softwares, tablets, smartphones, to HD media players, game consoles, and home theatre systems. On the basis of computer OS, Pavtube products are divided into two categories – Windows solutions and Mac solutions, spanning across BD/DVD saving, video transcoding, camera/camcorder footage, and DVR recordings (e.g. TiVo) conversion. With creativity, expert knowledge as well as cutting-edge technology, Pavtube helps consumers throughout the world enjoy more in a digitally connected audio-visual world. See http://www.multipelife.com and http://www.pavtube.com for more information. More info can be found here.

Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 is better than Apple's MacBook Air -- here's 5 reasons why

Nowadays, if you buy a brand new laptop, it is hard to buy an absolute lemon. Unless you scrape the bottom of the barrel at Best Buy and get some god-awful $200 underpowered computer, you should be fine. Hell, even that inexpensive computer may meet some people's needs. However, some of us spend many hours of each day on a computer, so it makes sense to invest in something great. If you are reading BetaNews, I'm sure you fall into that category. If you ask me which computer to buy, I would recommend many (depending on budget), but two stand out among the rest. 
 

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and Apple MacBook Air are great balances between portability, power and cost. Yes, there are more powerful computers, but they are often very heavy and have terrible battery life. Portability cannot be underestimated when it comes to a laptop's value and both of these machines are super thin and light. Last month, my colleague Mihaita pondered the question of which was better based on specs alone. However, as someone who has used both, hands-on, for long periods of time, I am ready to definitively tell you that the Surface Pro 3 is better. Do you agree?

1.Screen Quality 

The MacBook Air 13.3-inch (the model I am using for comparison) uses a washed-out non-IPS display that simply looks horrendous by today's standards. It uses a 1,440 by 900 resolution that makes pixels easily visible. Apple usually makes great hardware, but the screen on the Air is simply not up to its normal standards. It also uses a 16:10 aspect ratio that just is not ideal for surfing the web. 

The Surface Pro 3 however, offers a gorgeous 2,160 x 1,440 resolution display with vibrant colors that hides pixels from the average eye. It even uses a 3:2 aspect ratio which is better suited for surfing the web. I smile every time I look at the beautiful display on the SP3. 

2.Touchscreen/Tablet 

Speaking of the screen, the Surface Pro 3 is also a touch-screen hybrid device that also serves as a tablet. This essentially kills two birds with one stone. Apple users will have to buy a MacBook Air and an iPad for the same experience found on SP3. This is a huge inconvenience for travelers that must pack two devices, two chargers and worry about keeping data synced between the two. 

Even in laptop mode, the touch screen comes in handy when sitting at a desk or table. Many people find a touchscreen on a laptop to be cumbersome and not ideal. True, you wouldn't want to use the touch screen exclusively at a desk, but having the option is better than not having it, and you'd be surprised at how many times I reach out and touch the SP3 display. The stylus is just icing on the cake. 

3.Weight 

The Surface Pro 3 without the Touch Keyboard attachment weighs 1.76 pounds. With it, it weighs 2.41 pounds. The 13.3-inch MBA? 2.96 pounds. Pretty much, Apple's machine weighs a half pound more -- that is significant.
But hold on, an iPad Air weighs 1 pound. So, to get a similar experience to the SP3, an Apple user would have to carry a MBA and iPad Air, which would weigh almost 4 pounds. This means your backpack or briefcase will weigh a pound and a half more with Apple's product. The Surface Pro 3 is so light, that I often have to check my backpack to see if I forgot it. 

4.More (and Better) Software 

I love both OS X and Windows 8.1. However, Windows has the edge, because it has more quality apps and programs. To take it a step further, programs are better too. Don't get me wrong, there is some fine software for Apple's OS, but for someone wanting to get work done, on the go, it is no comparison. Office 2013 is far superior to Office 2011. 

But wait you say, that's not fair because Microsoft makes Office, right? OK, fair enough. I encourage you to read this article that lists suggested apps and programs for the Surface Pro 3. You will see many selections, not only from Microsoft, that blows away the offerings on OS X. 

5.Price

Some people will say the MacBook Air is less expensive, but that is debatable. A Surface Pro 3 with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD and Type Cover would cost $1430. A 13.3-inch MacBook Air in the same configuration would cost $1300. 

So, the MacBook Air is cheaper right? Not so fast. You still do not have a tablet. To get the same features from Apple you also have to buy an iPad Air at $499. This means going Apple would cost an extra $370 and you would be juggling two device -- ouch! 

Conclusion
Overall, both the Surface Pro 3 and MacBook Air are great laptops -- the Surface Pro 3 is simply better. For the money, you are getting more features and access to more apps and programs. Even though the MBA overall is solid, the fact that Apple in 2014 can sell its customers a laptop without a touchscreen is beyond me. Not to mention, the display quality is so poor in comparison to the Surface Pro 3, that it is hard to believe they are both being sold in the same year. As someone who has spent a lot of time with the Surface Pro 3, I can assure you it is the real deal. 

The MacBook Air had a long run as the king of thin and laptops, but now it must be said -- All hail the new king, Surface Pro 3! 

Microsoft smartwatch to feature Kinect tech?

 
The Xbox team has reportedly taken over responsibility for developing Microsoft’s smart watch, according to reports. 

The Kinect team is now back in charge of spearheading development of Microsoft's smart watch.
Details are scarce but, according to Forbes, the watch will have a focus on fitness, with an array of advanced sensors built into it. 
 
Quoting an unnamed insider, the report claims that Microsoft’s smart watch will only feature a small display. And, interestingly,  the display will be placed on the inside of the wrist with the intention of making it easier for users to keep notifications to themselves. 
 
As for how big the display will be, Forbes reports it will be the size of “half a stick of gum”. It’ll also pack in a battery that should hold enough charge to last for two days. 
 
Another interesting tidbit to emerge from the report is that unlike most of the Android-based smart watches on the market, the Windows smart watch won’t be restricted to one mobile OS. 
 
Instead, Microsoft reportedly plans to let users connect their iOS, Android and Windows Phone 8 handsets to the smart watch. 
 
It’s still unclear when Microsoft is intending to launch the smart watch, or exactly how the Xbox team will influence the development but Forbes claims a summer 2014 date is still possible.

How the 'One Microsoft' mission is changing Microsoft Research

Summary: Some of the sweeping cultural changes affecting Microsoft are having an impact on the company's research arm, as well, says MSR chief Peter Lee.

Cultural changes at Microsoft over the past year-plus are reverberating throughout the company, including across the company's 1,100-plus-strong Microsoft Research arm.

Since last July's "One Microsoft" reorganization," things have gotten friendlier" between different teams at the company, including Microsoft Research (MSR) said Corporate Vice President and MSR chief Peter Lee. "There's more of a communal feel."

I had a chance to chat with Lee during an open house at Microsoft Research New York's new digs on May 5. The open house was held in honor of the two-year anniversary of the New York lab, which Microsoft created around a core of former Yahoo researchers that the company hired.

The MSR New York office is now home to about 20 researchers. MSR New York has a particular focus on social media and social science research, along with machine learning and big data.

In the not-so-distant past, some product teams at Microsoft had to be coaxed to consider incorporating MSR-developed technologies and techniques in their commercial products. TechFest, Microsoft's annual internal research fair, had become a place for researchers to try to pitch product teams to pick up their technologies.

Things are different now, said Lee, who became the head of MSR worldwide last July. Many product groups inside the company are clamoring to adopt technologies pioneered inside MSR. The Windows Phone team and Xbox teams, in particular, have been at the forefront of taking MSR technologies in building them into commercialized entities, such as the Cortana digital assistant in Windows Phone 8.1 and the Kinect sensor. MSR also has contributed to more enterprise-focused products, including the PowerBI business-intelligence and Oslo Office 365 social-feed app from the Office team.

When I asked whether Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's "mobile first/cloud first" mantra was influencing the types of research projects MSR is undertaking, Lee was quick to note that "MSR management doesn't tell (researchers) what to do."
That said, "We all want to be part of a winning team," Lee acknowledged. And the company's product teams, with their mobile first/cloud first marching orders, "are welcoming research with open arms," these days, he added.

More "open arms" seemingly has translated into more Microsoft research projects becoming commercialized and/or part of commercialized products. But Lee said he doesn't want to err on the side of MSR becoming nothing but an extension of the company's product groups. 

"We still need to be wackier and more forward-looking.... We are not just about product development. We are looking beyond the headlights," he said. 

An example of MSR embracing a longer-term view is Microsoft's recent hire of Norman Whitaker, who most recently was the Deputy Director of the Information Innovation Office at DARPA, the U.S. Department of Defense's research arm. Whitaker previously was the Program Manager for the DARPA Urban Challenge program, which encompasses self-driving vehicles, as well as other kind of automated bots. (Lee himself formerly worked at DARPA before joining Microsoft.) At Microsoft, he will be heading up a new "Special Projects" team in MSR focusing on so-far unnamed disruptive technologies. MSR Special Projects is Microsoft's version of Google X, sources of mine have said. 

Lee is also personally committed to being more open and forthcoming about MSR's work, he said. That's another shift from the philosophy of some former members of MSR management. 

In the new One Microsoft, "we now have to work with everyone. If there are secrets (between product teams) at Microsoft, it makes things harder for us," Lee said. 

He also noted that 85 percent of MSR's work is done in conjunction with academic researchers who are intent on seeing their research published. That requires a level of openness and transparency. (MSR doesn't have to reveal all its secrets to us blogging sleuths and/or competitors. For example, MSR may opt to publish information about a newly developed algorithm without disclosing how, when and where it will be used by a Microsoft product group.) 

One more cultural change impacting MSR that I found interesting is on the cross-platform front. In recent months, Microsoft has been releasing more and more software and services aimed to work not just with Windows, but also iOS, Android and Linux. Lee acknowledged that the cross-platform emphasis is also happening in MSR, too. 

"We're looking at more cross-platform, and embracing competing OSes," he said. "There's more of an interest in exposing our services on other operating systems" these days. The MSR "Drawbridge" library OS work is just one example of investigations in this vein. 

The faster delivery cadence adopted by the Windows, Office 365 and other Microsoft teams is something in which MSR is involved, too. The idea of "test flighting" multiple features and updating services even more frequently than once daily are areas the implications of which are on the radar screen of research, too, Lee said.

The Calm Before 2014's Tech Storm: Apple Will Bring the Rain

There's a lot on Apple's plate that should make for big, wild 2014 that will settle the innovation question. The iPhone will get a bigger screen, possibly made of sapphire glass. The iWatch likely will hit, possibly overrunning the competition in the category. OS X will be due for a refresh, as will the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and the iPad. And Apple TV may finally come into its own. 

There's a lot shaping up for Apple this year, and it's going to be wild. In fact, there's so much going on at Infinite Loop in Cupertino these days that it makes me believe that 2014 will be the first post-Steve Jobs year when Apple -- in the eyes of the broader tech world -- stops dancing around and finally brings the rain.

For starters, the profit-generating juggernaut that goes by the name of "iPhone" will ship in a new form factor with a bigger screen. This will hit just when a huge number of Apple-loving consumers are shifting the bulk of their Internet activity to their mobile device, which means they'll upgrade in droves.
Apple doesn't even have to entice big-screen Android users to make iPhone 6 the fastest and best-selling mobile device ever.

Apple can pump up iPhone sales in the U.S. next year by 30 percent with a bigger iPhone, suggested Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty, and this is if 80 percent of iPhones sold go to upgrading customers.

It gets better. The sapphire glass manufacturer in Arizona appears to be shipping product to China, which means the displays of the big new iPhone 6 really could be made of sapphire glass. If sapphire is as scratch-resistant as they say -- better than Gorilla Glass -- this is a big leap forward over the competition. Huge, in fact.

This is important for a couple of key reasons: First, Apple invested heavily in GT Advanced Technologies, reportedly footing the bill for hundreds of sapphire furnaces capable of churning out screens. Second, Apple has snapped up sapphire glass supplies. Unless the competition is actively investing in sapphire production, Apple might build a significant lead. Either way, you can bet that we'll be seeing some sort of cool promotional video at iPhone 6 launch time. 

While we're at it, here's something I haven't heard anywhere else: When the iPhone 6 ships with a bigger, easier-to-use screen, it'll give Apple's App Store and iTunes ecosystem another boost, too -- simply through a better customer experience.

So the Apple Money Machine -- the iPhone -- will rev up to the red line this year and coast through 2015 ... that's it?

No way.

Enter the iWatch
 While everyone has been talking up the mythical iWatch as competitors deliver new smartwatches and exercise bands, Apple has remained behind closed doors. Instead of getting here first, Apple has quietly been hiring medical, exercise and engineering talent, as well as patenting potential innovations that could be applied to an iWatch.

Will Apple actually deliver a wrist-worn device this year? It's hard to imagine that it will sit out 2014. Apple CEO Tim Cook has hinted at new product categories, and an iWatch seems to be a slam dunk.
There's more, though. Longtime fitness partner Nike just dropped Fuelband manufacturing in favor of working on software only. This is a big signal that Nike knows the iWatch is on the way this year and is making a business adjustment for it.

The New Mac Experience This Fall 
 The PC-decline-defying MacBook Air just got a teeny processor update. That's not a big deal now -- it just makes room for a more expensive MacBook Air with Retina Display to have a profitable spot come fall.

More to the point, the MacBook Pro is ready for an update, too, but the key action will likely center around the redesign of Mac OS X. While iOS got its refresh last year, OS X 10.10 is ready for 2014.
One report now suggests that OS X 10.10 will take center stage at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

September is the traditional time of year that Apple releases new iPads. Bare minimum, we can expect an A8 generation of Apple's own processors, which should bring better performance and battery life. I would not be surprised if Apple finally came up with a new keyboard or keyboard/case option, both because there is an industry demand for it and because there've been multiple rumblings about it.

Meanwhile, while Microsoft Research has posted a video of an augmented mechanical keyboard that can sense gestures both on and above the device, AppleInsider found an AppleU.S. patent application for a multifunctional keyboard assembly, too.

Will the keyboard tech show up in Macs this year? In a keyboard available for pairing with an iPad? If so, this is like extra frosting on a cake.

What About the Apple TV? 
 While rumors of a full-size Apple-created HDTV have faded away, pretty much everyone expects a major Apple TV set-top box update. Not only did Cook publicly remove the Apple TV from "hobby" status this year in a quarterly financial report, but Apple also threw down the gauntlet with its own Amazon Fire TV unit. 

The Fire TV lets you search for content with your voice, and the remote control is smart enough to let you play Android-based games on your HDTV. Plus, Amazon is actively building its own ecosystem of content and games, even going so far to develop a game and create a dedicated console-style game controller. 

Will Apple sit on its hands here? Doesn't seem likely. 
 Apple can jump out ahead with a wicked-fast new processor, Siri integration, and by opening up the Apple TV to developers for new apps. If Apple delivers on its own gaming controller specifications -- with or without third-party controllers -- then the company can make a stronger move to capture game time in the living room.

All of these moves are totally doable for Apple this year. Might we get a taste at WWDC in June? I hope so, but rumors are trending toward an OS X fixation. A new Apple TV world in time for fall programming and holiday sales could technically work better anyway. Wild card? Some sort of broadcast or cable-TV content deal.

Apple Is 'On the Prowl' 
 As revealed at Apple's quarterly conference call with investors last month, Apple bought 24 companies in 18 months -- several of which are secret, and therefore important to new products or services.
"Obviously," Cook noted, "We're on the prowl."

What might these new companies offer Apple? If it is attempting to keep their identities a secret, it's for a good reason -- one that usually leads to a new product or service.

Speaking of financial reports -- until now, Apple has weathered months of getting beat up by Wall Street analysts for a slowing rate of growth in both its iPhone and iPad sales. It has started to manage Wall Street expectations more proactively by doing things like increasing its dividend payments and buying back much of its own stock. 

Plus, Apple will issue a 7-for-1 stock split that should drop the price of a single share to under US$100, making it more accessible to a broader range of buyers -- and potentially get Apple added to the Dow Jones Industrial Average. 

The point? 
 As Apple starts releasing a large batch of products and upgrades this year -- and as relatively new ones like CarPlay start hitting the streets -- public perception will rocket even higher. What might that stock split mean then? I don't play on Wall Street, but I have some guesses. 

Any way I look at it -- and this is even if Apple does not release any new game changer product category that is off the radar -- Apple seems to be orchestrating a huge 2014.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S rumored to be coming with WQXGA AMOLED display and Fingerprint Sensor

Samsung is probably planning to launch a new series of premium tablets with the branding Galaxy Tab S. Samsung seems to be obsessed with the tablet market as it is not giving up anything on the market and with the new Galaxy Tab S series, it hopes to increase its number of tablet offerings. 

 

 
The rumored Samsung Galaxy Tab S series will initially come in two screen sizes – 8.4inch and 10.5inch. Both these tablets are expected to come with AMOLED panels sporting a resolution of 2560×1600 pixels. Samsung has been using the AMOLED displays for its smartphones until now and only once had it tried out the AMOLED panel for tablets. Samsung probably feels now is the time to bring in AMOLED tablets and it will do so with the Galaxy Tab S series.
 
In addition to having an AMOLED display, the Galaxy Tab S Series of tablets will also have the fingerprint scanner from the company’s current flagship device – Galaxy S5. Galaxy Tab S will include all the software features of fingerprint scanner from Galaxy S5 and will also have its own unique feature of allowing different users to log into different profiles with their fingerprint.
 
As far as specifications go, Samsung is planning to equip the Galaxy Tab S with its latest Octa-core Exynos 5 (5420) SoC, ARM Mali-T628 GPU and 3GB RAM. The internal storage will be 16GB and as with most Samsung devices, there will be expandable storage via microSD card slot. There will also be an 8MP rear shooter with Full HD 1080p recording and a 2.1MP front facing camera. The device will run on Android 4.4.2 KitKat out of the box. 

Samsung Levels Up with New Level Series of Audio Products

Just hours ago, Samsung officially unveiled the Samsung GALAXY K Zoom. In addition to this smartphone/camera hybrid, the company also took the opportunity to announce a new series of premium audio products called the 'Level' series. 

 

Pictured here is Samsung's Level series. (from L-R) The Level Over, Level On and Level Box. Beneath the Level Box is the Level In. 

Part of the Level series is the Level Over, Level On, Level In and Level Box. The Level Over is Samsung's flagship over-ear headphone, offering features such as an ergonomic design, touch controls and wireless Bluetooth pairing. Inside each earpiece is a 50mm neodymium Dynamic Driver for excellent sound reproduction capabilities. On the outside, its structure is made from Bio Cellulose to minimize unwanted vibrations. Best of all, the Level Over makes use of active noise cancellation to keep the noise out and music in.

 
That's not all. The Level Over's functionality can be enhanced further if you're pairing it with an Android device that has the newly developed Samsung Level app. With this app installed, users can fine tune their listening experience by enabling a variety of EQ options.
As for the Level On, it's also an over-ear headphone, though with significantly less features than the Level Over. It's powered by two 40mm neodymium drivers that have dual layered diaphragms. The Level In on the other hand, is an in-ear earphone. Its three-way speaker technology offers rich audio quality with clear sound separation.

 
Finally, we have the Level Box, which is a compact Bluetooth speaker. It sports a metal grille, which protects a single, 56mm stereo speaker and a passive radiator. Together, these two provide audio that's crisp and balanced. With an integrated microphone that has noise reduction technology onboard, the Level Box makes for a good solution for conference calls. The Level Box is also equipped with NFC technology to allow users to easily connect their smartphones to it.

 
Here's a brief breakdown of the specifications of Samsung's Level series: 

  

  

The Level series will be available sometime in May, worldwide. Local pricing and availability remains to be confirmed. 

Watching mobile content on your TV: A quick overview

[commentary] They have similar names and do comparable things, but the various tech for getting content from your phone or tablet onto your TV work in very different ways. 

 

 

Amazon's Fire TV can act as a Miracast receiver. 

There are many brands of tablets and smartphones, a handful of major TV and home audio-video providers, and a smattering of operating system providers. Combine these technologies and you end up with a seemingly endless number of ways to get video, music, and other content from your handheld device to the television, a feature sometimes known as "throwing." As a result, there are now more "throwing" approaches in the market than in the pitching roster of a professional baseball team.

 
Which one is right for you can depend on the gear you own, the apps you use, and the patience you have for emerging approaches. Here's a breakdown of several popular technologies and devices you can use to throw content from your phone or tablet to the biggest screen in your living room.
AirPlay is Apple's technology for sharing music and video across a Wi-Fi network. The technology made its debut with the AirPort Express portable hotspot as a way to share music from iTunes to stereos and then extended into some third-party products that licensed the technology from Apple. Its scope expanded to take on video with the refocusing of Apple TV as an accessory to iPhones and iPads, although a few third parties have found ways of implementing receiver support in other products without Apple's blessing.

 
AllShare is Samsung's technology for sharing music, photos, and video between its mobile devices and its home products, such as TVs and home theater systems, over Wi-Fi. It's essentially Samsung's branding of Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) technology optimized for its own devices.

 
AllPlay is Qualcomm's technology for sending music to a range of devices around the home. It is related to a number of device-to-device communication initiatives being promoted by the wireless chipmaker. These include AllJoyn for peer-to-peer device communications and AllSeen for the "Internet of everything" embedded devices. While most other technologies work only over Wi-Fi, AllPlay can work over virtually any kind of connection, including Bluetooth and even wired Ethernet for what will generally be the best reliability. It currently works only with audio products, but supports multiroom installations.

 

 

The Gramofon music streamer supports AllPlay. Miracast is an effort by the folks who brought you Wi-Fi to send video from a range of generally smaller-screened devices, mainly Android, to your television. Not surprisingly, it builds off the Wi-Fi Direct technology which lets users create a private (ad-hoc) network between their device and their television. You can think of it as AirPlay for everything else. Microsoft added support for Miracast with version 8.1 of Windows. And Google is a supporter despite the Chromecast not using the technology. Miracast also has snuck its way into a few products, including the Gamestick Android console and Amazon's Fire TV.

 
Chromecast is Google's little stick that plugs into an HDMI connector on your TV, but requires a power source -- either a USB port or a traditional power outlet. Once connected to your Wi-Fi network, it supports a growing number of video and music apps, including YouTube (of course), Netflix, Hulu Plus, Pandora, and SlingPlayer. Unlike other solutions, Chromecast simply redirects video streams from the Internet rather than your local device so you can put away your phone once you start viewing if you're willing to give up controls such as pause and fast-forwarding.

 
AllCast is an Android app by user-advocate developers ClockworkMod, the same folks who brought us apps to manage Android ROMs, customized versions of the mobile OS, and tether without a tethering plan. Originally known as AirCast (a capitalization away from a brand of joint braces), the app supports a remarkably broad array of devices, including Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon's recent Fire TV, and many Wi-Fi-enabled televisions. The app is free to download, but getting anything more than a taste of its capabilities will require the $5 premium version. 

 
AirPlay and AllShare are established technologies that are optimized for Apple and Samsung products -- making them a good option for people who already own products from those companies. Miracast and AllPlay are broader industry initiatives that are still relatively early in their development and so have limited device support today. The Chromecast is somewhere in the middle. It's an inexpensive way to get some content to your TV. It doesn't work directly with all video services, but the library is growing quickly. Finally, AllCast can help bridge the bridges, but since it's a third-party unauthorized app, be sure to keep it up to date as its updates can fix glitches introduced by manufacturer changes.

 
As I mentioned, the devices you own and the apps you like to use will largely determine which throwing technology you end up using to get content from your phone to your TV. But at least now you'll be able to tell them all apart.