totalFlux

QR codes - a quick way to swap bits of information

QR code for URL totalFlux.blogspot.com encoded with RedLaser iPhone app

There are many different ways one can transfer information these days. QR code is yet another way to do just that. What it is essentially is a 2D bar code that anyone with a capable mobile device and the right application can generate as well as scan. QR codes are not exactly a new phenomena since they have been used in the automotive industry to label parts for many years. However, in recent years with the advent of the smart phone QR codes started to trickle into the consumer markets. There are many QR applications available on the iPhone as well as other smart phones. For example I used a free application called RedLaser to generate the QR code at the top of this page on an iPhone. With RedLaser it is a breeze to encode contact information, a URL, or any other snippet of text. If you already own a smart phone today grab one of the numerous QR applications available for your device and see for yourself how easy it is to create your own two-dimensional bar code.

To learn more about QR codes please visit Wikipedia

Apple updates MacBook Air and Mac Mini and rolls out the all new OS X Lion

Today Apple updated MacBook Air and Mac Mini with the latest greatest 2nd generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors that are twice as fast as the previous offerings. The recently introduced Thunderbolt port is now a standard offering too. The new MacBook Air now also sports a very much needed backlit keyboard. Noteworthy updates to the Mac Mini lineup include a twist off base for easy memory upgrades and an integrated power supply - so long the chunky paper weight power supply brick. A new Mac Mini Server is also available with Lion Server edition. All new Macs now ship with the brand spanking new OS X Lion, which introduces over 250+ new features. You can download OS X Lion upgrade from the App Store today for a nominal fee of just $29.99.

All-in-all Apple is on a roll and there is seemingly no stopping them now! Next up iPhone 5 and iPad 3...

All you ever wanted to know about the Space Shuttle in one cool infographic...

Let's face it, any way you look at it Space Shuttles are awesome! This is probably the most complex and baddest glider ever built. Yes, I know what you are about to say, it's lame that it can only glide but on the other hand do you know of any other glider that can go to fiery hell and back in once piece? I didn't think so. Anyways enjoy this awesome Space Shuttle infographic...

A graphical representative of NASA’s space shuttle.

Source Space.com: All about our solar system, outer space and exploration

Apple iPhone 5 - two stunning designs

Two independent designers take a stab at what they think the future iPhone 5 will look like and come up with two very different yet stunning designs. Here they are...

Antoine Brieux's design concept is a complete departure from the all-too-familiar Apple look.

Antoine Brieux's iPhone 5 design

[@ Gizmodo]

In contrast Michal Bonikowski's design builds on top of the existing and proven iPhone 4 and iPad 2 chasis.

Michal Bonikowski's iPhone 5 design

[@ Yanko Design]

Apple iCloud coming this fall

Apple's iCloud coming to all iOS 5 devices this fall. iCloud stores all your digital content and wirelessly synchronizes it with all compatible devices. This all sounds great in theory but it begs the question of personal data security - how will my personal data be secured and protected by Apple and at the same time from Apple?

iCloud features at a glance:
- free
- 5GB of storage
- purchased music, applications, books and Photo Stream do not count against free storage
- only mail, documents, Camera Roll, account information, settings and application specific data use up the free storage
- backs up all of the following: music, photos, videos, books, applications & their data, device settings, home screen & apps arrangement, SMS & MMS, ringtones
- available on all iOS 5 devices

You may also like:
Apple unveils iPad 2 - Thinner, Lighter, Faster
Apple iPad 3 rumors
Apple iPhone 5 rumors compilation

[iCloud]

Apple iOS 5 coming this fall

Apple iOS 5 coming this fall with 200+ new features

Stay tuned for the upcoming iOS 5 release that promises over 200 enhancement to the already great mobile operating system.

Some of the new features at a glance:
- The all new Notification Center (less interruption, more at a glance)
- iMessage (send unlimited text and multimedia messages to any iOS 5 device)
- Newsstand (all your subscriptions in one convenient place)
- Reminders (to-do lists with location triggered reminders)
- Twitter (natively integrated into iOS 5)
- Camera (helpful grid lines)
- Photos (edit on the fly, auto-enhance, remove red-eye)
- Safari (tabbed browsing, to read later list, uncluttered reader)
- PC Free (wireless activation & setup, software updates, back up & restore using iCloud)
- Mail (format and indent text, flag messages, search email body)
- Calendar (year view on iPad, week view on iPhone & iPod touch, create & edit calendars, tap to create & drag to adjust events)
- Game Center (profile picture, friend recommendations, size up opponents by overall score)
- Wi-Fi Sync (wireless sync with PC or Mac over Wi-Fi, automatic backups while charging)
- Multitasking Gestures for iPad (4 or 5 finger up swap reveals multitasking bar, pinch to return home, left & right swipe switches apps)
- AirPlay Mirroring for iPad 2 (video mirror iPad 2 onto HDTV via Apple TV)
- Accessibility improvement (even easier for people with disabilities, enable LED flash & custom vibration for when someone is calling)
- plus many more features...

iOS 5 compatible devices:
- iPhone 3GS & 4
- iPod touch 3rd & 4th generation
- iPad 1 & 2

You may also like:
Apple unveils iPad 2 - Thinner, Lighter, Faster
Apple iPad 3 rumors
Apple iPhone 5 rumors compilation

[iOS 5]

Apple iPad 3 rumors

Apple iPad 3 concept

While iPad 2 is still a precious commodity today with Apple Store citing 1-2 weeks delivery time iPad 3 rumors already started to germinate. Some early reports indicate that Samsung is designing a new 2Ghz dual-core mobile processor to be used in mobile devices that has processing capacity of a regular PC. Since Apple uses Samsung components for its mobile devices and existing A4 and A5 chips are both made by Samsung it is likely that Apple will drop the new faster processor into the iPad 3 when it is released next year. There are also some speculations circulating that suggest iPad 2 was a mere speed bump-up while the iPad 3 is going to be the real deal. Only time will tell whether any of this is true.

Rumored iPad 3 features at a glance:
- an even faster 2Ghz dual-core processor from Samsung
- double-resolution 2048×1536 screen
- release in 2012
- 3D capabilities

Apple iPhone 4 now available in white color

Today Apple finally released the WHITE iPhone 4. Long overdue, the white iPhone 4 models are available immediately from the Apple Online Store and at Apple Retail Stores, AT&T and Verizon Wireless stores, and select Apple Authorized Resellers. Apple fans rejoice - the balance of good/white and evil/black has been restored once again!

Apple iPhone 5 feature summary infographic

Check out this rad info-graphic detailing possible iPhone 5 features and the likelihood of their appearance in the Apple's next highly anticipated headset...