Kesi ya #Pistorius: Mandela angekuwa hai angejivunia umahiri wa Jaji mwanamama Thokozile Masipa

Mwanamama mweusi aliyeendesha kesi ya Pistorius ana historia ya kutia moyo kama ya mwanariadha huyo mlemavu.

Kesi mbili zimemalizika jijini Johannesbugh, Afrika ya Kusini: moja, ya wazi na ambayo dunia nzima ilikuwa ikiifuatilia, ya mwanariadha mlemavu, Oscar Pistorius, aliyekuwa kizimbani kwa kosa la kumpiga risasi mpenzi wake, mrembo Reena Steenkamp, na kumuua, na ya pili ni dhidi ya mwanamke mweusi mwenye miaka 66, Jaji Thokozile Masipa, aliyekuwa na dhamana ya kutoa hukumu katika kesi hiyo iliyovuta hisia za wengi duniani.

Yaliyojiri kwa upande wa Pistorius sote twayafahamu, lakini wengi hawafahamu kuhusu mwanamama Masipa, ambaye licha ya kuangaliwa kwa jicho 'kali' na familia za mwanariadha huyo na ya marehemu Reena, macho ya dunia yaliyokuwa yakifuatilia kesi hiyo nayo yalielekezwa kwake.

Ile kuwa mtu mweusi, achilia mbali uanamke wake, ilikuwa ni mtihani tosha katika nchi ambayo licha ya kumalizika kwa mfumo wa ubaguzi wa rangi bado inaugulia vidonda vya mfumo huo. Kwa mtu mweusi kuwa jaji wa kesi ya 'wazungu' wawili, ni mtihani mkubwa wenye kugusa hisia.

Lakini hata kama Afrika Kusini isingekuwa bado na makovu ya mfumo wa ubaguzi wa rangi, na pamoja na ukweli kwamba nchi hiyo imeendeleza mara kadhaa zaidi ya nchi nyingine za Afrika, bado ipo Afrika na ni nchi ya Kiafrika. Na sote twafahamu mtizamo wetu wa Afrika kwa wanawake. Tukubali, tukatae, wengi wetu tuna kasumba ya kudhani ni wanaume pekee wenye uwezo wa 'kufanya mambo makubwa.' Kwahiyo mtihani mwingine kwa Jaji huyo ulikuwa uanamke wake katika jamii inayomtizama mwanamke kwa jicho la kutokuwa na imani kuhusu uwezo wake.

Mtoto wa kwanza katika familia ya watoto 10, watano kati yao wakiwa marehemu na mmoja aliuawa wa kuchomwa kisu, Masipa alizaliwa katika nyumba ya vyumba viwili katika eneo la mafukara katika kitongoji cha Soweto. Katika utoto wake, alilala sebuleni, na wakati mwingine kulazimika kulala sakafuni jikoni pindi nyumba yao ilipopata ugeni. Japo alikuwa mwenye akili na mwenye malengo ya kimaisha tangu udogoni, alilazimika 'kupoteza muda' kwa kufanya kazi kama housegirl. Ni hadi alipotimiza miaka 20 hivi ndipo alipopata fedha za kutosha kugharamani masomo yake chuo kikuu kusoma digrii ya 'kazi za jamii' (social work).

Baadaye alikuja kuwa mwandishi wa habari, akiwekea mkazo habari za  masuala ya wanawake, na unyanyasaji dhidi wa watu weusi nchini humo.Mwaka 1977 alitiwa nguvuni wakati wa maandamano dhidi ya kukamatwa kwa mwandishi wa habari mwenzie, na mmoja wa askari alimnong'oneza "Leo unakwenda kukutana na Steve Biko," mwanaharakati aliyepigwa na polisi wa Makaburu hadi kuuawa.

Alisalimika, lakini kwa mara nyingine alijikuta akilala tena sakafuni kama alipokuwa mdogo, lakini safari hii ni katika sakafu chafu ya rumande, na kuamriwa kusafisha vinyesi vya mahabusu wengine waliokuwa humo rumande. Alikaidi amri hiyo, na hatimaye kutolewa rumande na baada ya gazeti alilokuwa akiliandikia kumlipia faini.

Baadaye alihamia kwenye taaluma ya sheria, na kuhitimu kama mwanasheria muda mfupi baada ya Nelson Mandela kutoka kifungoni. Ndani ya miaka 10 tangu muda huo, Masipa aliibuka kuwa Jaji mwanadamizi mwanamke mwenye umri mdogo kuliko wote.

Kuhusu kesi na hatimaye hukumu ya Pistorius, ukweli kwamba Afrika Kusini ni moja na nchi zinazoongoza kwa mauaji duniani uliifanya kesi hiyo na hukumu yake ivute hisia za wengi, ndani na nje ya nchi hiyo. Lakini, kama ilivyobainishwa hapo juu, Jaji Masipa pia ni mhanga wa mauaji, ambapo mmoja wa wanafamilia yake aliuawa kwa kuchomwa kisu. Yawezekana kabisa kuwa wakati anaendesha kesi hiyo, alikuwa akirejewa na kumbukumbu za nduguye huyo aliyekuwa mhanga wa mauaji. 

Na kama ilivyokuwa, baada ya hukumu hiyo dhidi ya 'mzungu' Pistorius, mijadala iliyotawala kwenye mitandao ya kijamii ni pamoja na suala la 'mwanamke mweusi' kutoa hukumu kwa kutumia 'sheria ya mtu mweupe.'

Lakini ukweli unabaki kuwa hukumu aliyotoa Jaji Masipa ilikuwa ya haki, haki haina rangi', wala haibebi vinyongo dhidi ya 'mababu/ mabini makaburu' na kuihamishia kwa 'wajukuu wa makaburu' kama Pisterius. Haki katika hukumu huzingatia ushahidi na uthibitisho iwapo kosa limetendeka au la. Baada ya kuibomoa kesi iliyojengwa na waendesha mashtaka, Jaji huyo alifikia uamuzi kuwa mwanariadha huyo alimuua mpenzi wake bila kukusudia, katika lugha ya kisheria 'culpable murder' au 'manslaughter' kwa hapa Uingereza. 

Ni wazi kwamba baada ya Jaji huyo kuhitimisha kesi kwa kutamka adhabu kwa Pistorius, wengi watamsahau Jaji Masipa. Huenda kesi hiyo ikapelekea kutengenezwa kwa filamu itakayomzungumzia mwanariadha huyo huku kukiwa na uwezekano hafifu wa kuwapo filamu kuhusu kuthibitika kwa umahiri wa Jaji Masipa. 

Hata hivyo, kilicho bayana katika kesi hiyo ni jinsi mwanariadha Oscar Pistorius alivyoweza kuvuka kikwazo cha ulemavu wake na kujitengenezea jina kubwa duniani, na mwanamama mweusi Thokozile Masipa alivyoweza kuvuka vizingiti vya umaskini na mfumo wa kibaguzi na kuibuka msimamizi wa haki katika kesi hiyo ya kihistoria. Kwa hili, ni wazi laiti Mandela angekuwa hai, angejisikia fahari isiyo kifani.

Ni matumaini yangu kuwa historia ya mwanamama huyu-na hata ya Pistorius- itakuwa funzo kubwa kwa wengi wetu ambao katika safari zetu za maisha twakumbana na vikwazo mbalimbali, dhmira thabiti na jitihada zaweza kutufikisha mahala pa kuingiza majina yetu katika historia kama si kubaki katika kumbukumbu kwa jamii zetu.

PENYE NIA PANA NJIA!

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Sasa waweza kuonana na unayempigia VIBER, app hiyo sasa inawezesha video calls kama Skype

App ya mawasiliano ya meseji, VIBER, inazidi kupata umaarufu, na sasa inakuja na feature mpya na muhimu ambapo mtumiaji anaweza kumwona anayempigia kwa video, yaani sasa Viber inawezesha video calls kati ya wanaowasiliana.

App hiyo ambayo kwa kiasi kikubwa 'imeifunika' app maarufu ya mawasiliano ya meseji, Skype, ilinunuliwa hivi karibuni na kampuni kubwa ya biashara za mtandaoni (e-commerce) Rakuten ya Japan  kwa dola milioni 900 imetanua mabawa yake kwa kuwezesha video calls kwa simu za Android na iOS.

Viber ilianza jaribio la video calls katika app yake kwenye desktop lakini sasa imhamishia uwezo huo kwenye app ya simu pia.

Kadhalika, toleo jipya la Viber (Viber 5.0) itamwezesha mtumiaji ku-share contacts kwa kutumia QR Code.

Afisa Mtendaji Mkuu (CEO) wa Viber Talmon Marco anasema, "Dhamira yetu haijakamilika...Sasa unaweza kupiga simu kwa video kwa kutumia Viber kwenye PC/Mac yako na kwenye simu katika namna ya kukuridhisha kabisa."

Viber sio app ya kwanza ya meseji kuwezesha video calls. Skype, Line, WeChat, Kakao na lundo la apps nyingine zina feature hiyo pia.

Downloads: Viber kwa Android, iOS, Windows Phones, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows 8 na Viber kwenye desktop yako

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Gazeti la Mwananchi: "Tunajifunza nini kifo cha Betty Ndejembi?"

Nimekutana na makala hii katika gazeti la Mwananchi toleo la Jumanne Septemba 9, 2014 na nimeona ni-share nanyi

Betty Ndejembi ni msichana mrembo na mwanamitindo ambaye anatumia sana huduma za mitandao ya kijamii kwa ajili ya shughuli zake mbalimbali za kujiingizia kipato na kujitangaza zaidi. 

Siku moja alibakwa mpaka akapoteza fahamu, akaokotwa na watu akapelekwa hospitali. Alipofika hospitali aliendelea kutumia mitandao ya kijamii, kwa ajili ya kufahamisha wenzake anavyoendelea kwa nia nzuri kabisa. 

Jinsi alivyokuwa anafahamisha umma kuhusu maendeleo yake, baadhi yao walitumia fursa hiyo kumtukana, kumnyanyapaa, kutumiana picha zake na dhihaka nyingine nyingi kwa njia ya mitandao hiyo hiyo. 

Betty alifariki dunia baadaye wakati anaendelea na matibabu, lakini matusi aliyovurumishiwa, maneno aliyoambiwa na unyanyasaji mwingine, umeleta historia mpya katika matumizi salama ya mitandao ya mawasiliano. 

Jijini Arusha kijana mmoja alikutwa na mke wa mtu, akadhalilishwa huku akipigwa picha. Zile picha zikawekwa kwenye mitandao kadhaa ya kijamii, baada ya siku chache yule kijana alionekana amejinyonga chini ya daraja. 

Huko Marekani dada mmoja anayeitwa Rebecca Ann Sedwick aliamua kujitoa uhai baada ya kudhalilishwa kupitia mtandao wa kijamii. 

Kitendo alichofanyiwa Betty, kijana wa Arusha na huyo mwanadada wa Kiingereza, kinaitwa kitaalamu kwa jina la cyberbulling, yaani mtu kutumia njia za mawasiliano kwa nia ya kuumiza, kudanganya au kumdhalilisha mwingine. 

Vitendo hivi ni kama kutumia picha ambayo mwenyewe hajaruhusu, kuandika habari za uongo hasa za udaku, kuandika au kutoa maoni ambayo si ya kweli kwa nia ya kudhalilisha au kuumiza, kudanganya kuhusu bidhaa au huduma fulani kwa nia hiyo hiyo.

Mimi binafsi niliwahi kukumbana na sakata kama hili, lakini lilimkuta rafiki wa rafiki yangu mmoja. Yeye alikuwa na mpenzi wake, kumbe wakiwa kwenye starehe yule mwanaume alikuwa na tabia za kumpiga picha. 

Siku ikafika hawakuelewana ikabidi kila mtu aendelee na maisha yake, yule kijana akaingia katika mtandao wa kijamii wa facebook akatengeneza jina bandia akaweka picha za yule binti na kuwarushia watu wa karibu wa binti halafu akafuta lile jina. 

Binti alienda kituo cha polisi kutoa taarifa, polisi wakaomba ushahidi wa picha, lakini ndiyo hivyo jamaa alikuwa ameshafuta mpaka jina, kwa hiyo wakaomba msaada, nikawapeleka polisi makao makuu kitengo cha uhalifu wa mtandao. 

Polisi waliweza kupata taarifa zote zinazohusu yule kijana kwenye mitandao ya kijamii na wakaenda kumkamata alipokuwa anaishi wakakagua simu zake, kompyuta na nyaraka nyingine wakapata picha zote kama ushahidi na sasa hivi huyu kijana yuko jela. 

Huko mitaani kuna kina Betty wengi wamezushiwa, wamedhalilishwa, wamepakaziwa na kutengenezewa habari nyingi mbaya na za kuumizwa na watu wanaowajua au kutowajua, lakini wanakaa kimya. Madhara yake ni makubwa. 

Ieleweke kuwa kukaa kwao kimya hakumaanishi kitendo hiki kinakubalika. La hasha hili ni kosa kubwa la jinai ambalo hapa nchini linaanza kuota mizizi. Watu wanatumia mitandao ndivyo sivyo. 

Unachotakiwa kujua ni kwamba mawasiliano yote kuanzia simu na mitandao ya kijamii, hata kama mtu alifuta, kampuni inayotoa huduma husika huwa ina sehemu yake ya kuhifadhi mawasiliano yote. 

Tushirikiane pamoja ili kuweza kumaliza au kupunguza tatizo hili la unyanyasaji, kwa kutumia vyombo vya mawasiliano ili tuweze kuwa na jamii iliyostaarabika.

CHANZO: Mwananchi 

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Microsoft yaongeza hifadhi ya mafaili katika OneDrive kutoka 2GB hadi 10GB

Teknolojia ya kuhifadhi mafaili imetoka mbali, na kwa sasa ipo mbali pia. Zamani hizo, nyenzo kuu ya kuhifadhi mafaili ilikuwa CD-ROM,ambayo hatimaye ilipoteza umaarufu kwa USB Drives ambazo japo kimsingi bado zinatumika kwa wingi lakini umaarufu wake umepungua baada ya ujio wa kinachoitwa 'Cloud storage.' Hii ni teknolojia ya kuhifadhi mafaili 'hewani.' Uzuri wa teknolojia hii upo kwatika urahisi wa kulifikia faili lako kwani huhitaji kutembea na CD-ROM au USB Drive ili u-download faili lako. Kwa kuiba msemo wa mjini, Cloud Storage ndio 'habari ya mujini' kwa sasa.

Kimsingi, teknolojia hii ya kuhifadhi mafaili 'hewani' inahusisha ku-upload faili katika tovuti au app flani, na pili ukilihitaji faili husika basi unachofanya ni kwenda katika tovuti au app husika na ku-download faili hilo popote pale.Kwahiyo unaweza ku-save faili lako kwa kutumia simu kisha ukaweza kuli-download kwa kutumia PC au Tablet yako kwa aida kwenda kwenye tovuti husika au app yenye faili hilo.

Miongoni mwa tovuti/apps maarufu zinazotumia teknolojia ya Cloud storage ni pamoja na OneDrive ya Microsoft.OneDrive imekuwa ikichuana na tovuti/apps nyingine maarufu kama vile Google Drive,

 Box, Dropbox, iCloud na Amazon

Sasa kuna habari njema, nayo ni kwamba OneDrive imeongeza fursa ya kuhjifadhi mafaili kutoka 2 GB hadi 10GB...bure buleshi. Ifahamike kuwa nyingi  ya huduma hizo za cloud storage hutoa fursa ya wastani tu bure na iwapo mtumiaji atahitaji storage kubwa zaidi hulazimika kulipia.

Natumaini makala hii itakusaidia kupiga hatua katika teknolojia ya uhifadhi mafaili ambapo badala ya kutembea na CD-ROMs au USB Drives kila wakati, sasa waweza ku-upload mafaili yako mtandaoni au kwa kutumia apps za huduma hizo hapo juu (na zipo lukuki mtandaoni) na kuwezesha ku-access mafaili yako mahala popote pale.

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#SharingIsCaring: Unatumia email ya Gmail? Basi unashauriwa kubadili password yako haraka.

Takriban passwords milioni tano za akaunti za email za Gmail zimekuwa hacked na kutundikwa kwenye tovuti moja ya hackers wa Russia inayojulikana kama Bitcoin Security. Kufuatia hatua hiyo, kampuni ya Google inayomiliki Gmail imewashauri wenye akaunti za Gmail kubadili passwords zao haraka iwezekanavyo kama hatua ya tahadhari.

Hackers wamesema kwamba asilimia kubwa ya passwords walizo-leak mtandaoni ni za watumiaji wa Gmail nchini Uingereza, Urusi na Hispania, na nyingi ya akaunti hizo 'ziko hai' kwa maana kwamba zinatumika.

Kwa watumiaji wa Gmail watakuwa wanafahamu kwamba mtu akijua password yako ya email anaweza pia ku-access Google Drive na apps kadhaa zinazotumia 'credentials' za ku-log in katika akaunti ya email.

Msemaji wa Google ameeleza kwamba kampuni hiyo inafahamu kuhusu tukio hilo na inawashauri watumiaji wa huduma hiyo kubadili passwords zao.

Kadhalika, Google wanashauri kutumia mbinu inayojulikana kama 'two-steps verification' ambayo kabla ya kuweza ku-access akaunti yako inabidi uingize code uliyotumiwa kwa simu yako.

CHANZO: Habari hii imetafsiriwa kutoka kwa vyanzo mbalimbali mtandaoni

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Malkia Elizabeth asisistiza hatoingilia kura ya 'uhuru wa Uskochi'

Malkia Elizabeti wa Pili, mtawala wa 'Muungano wa Uingereza' (United Kingodm) ametanabaisha kuwa kamwe hatoingilia hatma ya kura itayoamua iwapo Uskochi iendelee kuwa sehemu ya 'Muungano wa Uingereza' ua iwe taifa huru.

Hatua hiyo ya nadra imetokana na maoni ya baadhi ya wabunge hapa Uingereza kwamba Malkia aingilie katik katika suala hilo.

Waziri Mkuu (First Minister) wa Uskochi anaweza kuingia matatizoni baada ya kauli yake jana kwamba alikutana na Malkia na akaambiwa kuwa mwanamama huyo yupo tayari kuwa Malkia wa Uskochi iliyo huru.

Lakini makazi ya Malkia ya Buckingham Palace yameweka bayana msimamo kwamba Malkia hajihusishi na siasa na walio katika nyadhifa za kisiasa wanapaswa kuhakikisha hali hiyo inabaki hivyo.

Vynazo vimethibitisha kuwa Malkia siku ya kupiga kura- tarehe 18 mwezi huu- Malkia Elizabeth atakuwa katika makazi yake ya faragha kwenye ukanda wa Nyanda za Juu wa Uskochi (Scottish Highlands)

Japo makazi ya Malkia yamesisitiza kuwa mtawala huyo haingilii masuala ya kisasa lakini wachambuzi wanaeleza kuwa huhitaji kuwa mtaalam wa siasa kumaizi kuwa Malkia anatamani 'Muungano wa Uingereza' uendelee, na kutumia swali la kuamsha tafakuri la 'Hivi Baba Mtakatifu (Papa) ni Mkatoliki? (kwa maana ya kuwa ili mtu awe Papa shurti awe Mkatoliki)

CHANZO: Habari hii imetafsiriwa isivyo rasmi kutoka tovuti ya gazeti la Daily Mail la hapa Uingereza

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Kila unachohitaji kufahamu kuhusu iPhone 6 na Watch /Everything you need to know about iPhone 6 and Watch

After a wait of more than two years, Apple has finally taken its first foray into the world of wearables with the unveiling of the Apple Watch. 

The rectangular wristwatch was unveiled alongside two new, larger iPhone handsets, and a new mobile payment system called Apple Pay.

The iPhone 6 has a 4.7-inch screen, curved edges and will be available in dark black and gold, while the iPhone 6 Plus has a 5.5-inch screen and 185 per cent more pixels than the 5S.

Scroll down for videos

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The watch will be available from early 2015 and prices start at $349. The straps are interchangeable, and the faces are customisable (pictured). The watch also understands questions in messages, and offers pre-selected answers, and messages can be dictated to the iPhone through the watch

APPLE WATCH FEATURES 

The watch has a completely new user interface, different from the iPhone, and the 'crown' on the Apple Watch is a dial called the 'digital crown.'

Users can turn the crown to zoom in and out on a map, or scroll a list. The crown can also be pressed to take the user back to the home screen.

Different areas on the watch face can be customised with taps and swipes, and force touches.

The Apple Watch goes on sale early 2015 and prices will start at $349

The Glances feature shows info users would like to see, similar to Google Now, and is accessed by swiping the screen up from the bottom.

Music can also be controlled on an iPhone through the Apple Watch.

Built-in is a 'taptic engine' that responds to a subtle vibrations users feel on their wrist for notifications.

It understands questions in messages and then offers pre-selected answers, and messages can be dictated to the iPhone.

Users can also talk to the watch and send a voice reply, or have it transcribed to them.

There is no keyboard on the watch, and messages can only be sent through dictation, or emoji.

Siri also is built into the Apple Watch. 

The Apple Watch, which received a standing ovation at the event, has a rectangular bezel, rectangular sapphire crystal screen, and curved edges and is made of metal.

‘Apple Watch is the most personal device we've ever created.’ said Apple chief executive Tim Cook.

‘It's also a comprehensive health and fitness device [and] is precise, synced to the internet, accurate to within 50 milliseconds.'

The watch has a completely new user interface, different from the iPhone, and the 'crown' on the Apple Watch is a dial called the 'digital crown.'

Users can turn the crown to zoom in and out on a map, or scroll through a list. The crown can also be pressed to take the user back to the home screen.

'It can be worn all day, in any occasion,’ continued Mr Cook.

The watch works 'seamlessly' with the iPhone 5C, 5S as well as the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, and it lets users dictate messages via a microphone on the device.

Its screen is a touchscreen, but it also senses force, and can tell the difference between 'a tap and a press.' For example, pressing down will recognise as a right click.

All the electronics are packed onto a tiny board, sealed up to protect against water. 

The Apple Watch comes in three finishes - Apple Watch, which comes in silver, the Apple Watch Sport and the Apple Watch Edition, which will be available in 18-karat gold.

The wearable will be available from early 2015 and prices start at $349.

Apple didn't specify what the battery life was like on the Apple Watch, but did say it would need to be charged each night.

The watch's straps are interchangeable, and they come in a range of colours and materials, including plastic and leather.

There are two sizes of the watch, dubbed male and female versions, with matching smaller straps and finishes.

Other features include Glances, which shows information users would like to see, similar to Google Now. 

It is accessed by swiping the screen up from the bottom, and shows calendar invites, weather and traffic for example.

 

The watch also understands questions in messages, and offers pre-selected answers, and messages can be dictated to the iPhone through the watch.

Users can also talk to the watch and send a voice reply, or have it transcribed to them.

There is no keyboard on the watch, and messages can only be sent through dictation, or emoji. 

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The devices (pictured right compared to the iPhone 5S left) were unveiled by Phil Schiller, senior vice president of Apple's worldwide marketing, at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts at De Anza College in Cupertino. The iPhone 6 will start at $199 on a two-year contract for 16GB, $299 for 64GB and $399 for 128GB

Apple unveils two new iPhones

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Apple Pay (pictured being demonstrated by Apple's Eddy Cue) is the firm’s new payment system compatible with the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and the Apple Watch. If an iPhone is lost, users can suspend all payments via Find my iPhone . This won’t cancel the cards because card details themselves are not stored on that device

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Apple also unveiled the Apple Watch. It has a rectangular bezel, rectangular sapphire crystal screen, curved edges and is made of metal. The watch has a completely new user interface, different from the iPhone, and the 'crown' on the Apple Watch is a dial called the 'digital crown', which can be used to control apps

COMPARISON TABLE: IPHONE 6 AND IPHONE 6 PLUS

HANDSET	SCREEN SIZE	STORAGE	FRONT-FACING CAMERA	REAR-FACING CAMERA	BATTERY	HANDSET PRICE
iPhone 6	4.7"	16, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB	8MP	8MP	2915 mAh	$199 on a two-year contract, $299 for 64GB and $399 for 128GB (TBA UK)
iPhone 6 Plus	5.5"	16, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB	8MP	8MP	2915 mAh	$299 for 16GB, $399 for 64GB, $499 for 128GB (TBA UK)
Amazon Fire	4.7"	32GB and 64GB	2.1MP	13MP	2400 mAh	$449 US (TBA UK)
Samsung Galaxy Note Edge	5.6"	32GB and 64GB	3.7MP	16MP	3000mAh	$649 US (œ570 UK)
Samsung Galaxy S5	5.1"	16 and 32GB	2MP	16MP	2800 mAh	TBA
iPhone 5S	4"	16, 32 and 64GB	1.2MP	8MP	1560 mAh	$709 US (œ549 UK)
HTC One	4.7"	32 and 64GB	2.1MP	4MP	2300 mAh	$599 US (œ396 UK)
HTC One M8	5"	16 and 32GB	5MP	4MP	2600mAh	$749 (œ549)
iPhone 5C	4"	16 and 32GB	1.2MP	8MP	1510 mAh	$599 US (œ469 UK)
Nokia 1020	4.5"	32GB	1.2MP	41MP	2000 mAh	$99.99 (œ519 UK)
Samsung Galaxy S4	5"	16, 32 and 64GB	2MP	13MP	2600 mAh	$880 (œ355 UK)
Nexus 5	4.95"	16 and 32GB	1.3MP	8MP	2300 mAh	$349 (œ240 UK)

Apple unveils its long-anticipated Apple Watch

Meet the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus from Apple

On to apps, the Apple Watch has a photo app that shows favourite photos from the iPhone on the screen.

There's also a Maps app, and users can get turn-by-turn directions on the watch, with different vibrations depending on whether they should turn left or right.

Elsewhere, users can also send their heartbeat, via a sensor, and the receiver feels the vibration that matches their pulse.

WHAT IS APPLE PAY? 

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Apple Pay is the firm’s new payment system compatible with the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus (pictured left and right) and the Apple Watch. The mobile system works by holding phone up to a generic card reader and pressing a finger on the TouchID button. The NFC chip is fitted across the top of the phone

Apple Pay is the firm’s new payment system compatible with the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and the Apple Watch.

The mobile system works by holding phone up to a generic card reader and pressing a finger on the TouchID button.

The NFC chip is fitted across the top of the phone.

All details are encrypted and the system stores payment information securely.

It uses the Passbook app and cards that are already on file with iTunes can be saved to it.

Users can also take a picture of their own credit card and add it to the account. This is verified by the card’s bank before being accepted.

If an iPhone is lost, users can suspend all payments via the Find my iPhone service. This won’t cancel the cards, either, because the card details themselves are not stored on that device.

'Apple doesn't know what you bought, where you bought it, and how much you bought it for,’ said Apple's senior vice president of internet software and services and reports Eddy Cue. 

Starting in US with Amex, MasterCard, and Visa, Apple Pay will also work with banks, and covers 80 per cent of the US, claimed Mr Cue. Apple is said to be 'working hard' to bring it to more countries.

More than 22,000 retailers will work with Apple Pay including Macy's, Bloomingdales, Wallgreens, Duane Reade, Subway and McDonalds. McDonalds is even adding Apple pay to its drive-thru.

Elsewhere, Groupon and Uber will work with Apple Pay.

Third party developers can also make apps for the watch.

Initially, generic notifications will just show up.

But developers can extend that notification with something called WatchKit which gives you notifications of your choice.

The devices were unveiled at the Flint Center for the Performing Arts at De Anza College in Cupertino, the same location where Steve Jobs introduced the original Mac 30 years ago. 

Apple unveils a new payments service dubbed Apple Pay

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The mobile system works by holding phone up to a card reader (pictured) and pressing a finger on the TouchID button.The NFC chip is fitted across the top of the phone

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Apple Pay uses the Passbook app and cards that are already on file with iTunes can be saved to it (pictured) Users can also take a picture of their own credit card and add it to the account. This is verified by the card’s bank before being accepted

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Following the announcement, Mr Schiller said the iPhone 5C will now be available for free on a two-year contract, and the iPhone 5S will start at $99. Apple did not reveal which network operators would sell the phones

It was a star-studded event, attended by the likes of Gwen Stefani, Stephen Fry, Dr Dre and Rupert Murdoch.

In terms of the new handsets, the iPhone 6 will start at $199 on a two-year contract for 16GB, $299 for 64GB and $399 for 128GB.

While the iPhone 6 Plus starts at $299 for 16GB, $399 for 64GB and $499 for 128GB.

The iPhone 6 is 6.9mm and the iPhone 6 Plus is 7.1mm thick, compared to 7.6mm on the 5S. Both devices have Retina HD displays. 

Its screen (pictured left) is a touchscreen, but it also senses force, and can tell the difference between 'a tap and a press.' For example, pressing down will recognise as a right click. All the electronics are packed onto a tiny board, sealed up to protect against water. Users can turn the crown to zoom in and out on a map (right)

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A series of sensors in the Apple Watch can read a user's heart rate, and it uses the GPS from a connected iPhone to track movement. There are two sizes of watch, but three finishes - including Apple Watch Edition in 18-karat gold, Apple Watch silver (pictured), and Apple Watch Sport

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The watch works 'seamlessly' with the iPhone 5C, 5S as well as the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, and lets users dictate messages via a microphone on the watch. It tracks fitness and GPS using built-in sensors

The devices were unveiled by Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing Phil Schiller. Schiller said: ‘It is truly the most beautiful phone you’ve ever seen. These are a new generation Retina displays, we call them Retina HD. They’re bigger - a lot bigger.' =

Both devices also have a 'broader' angle of view, and there is a new feature being launched with this range of iPhones called 'reachability'.

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The layers of the new iPhones are pictured, being demonstrated by Phil Schiller, senior vice president of Apple's worldwide marketing

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The iPhone 6 has a 4.7-inch screen, curved edges and will be available in dark black and gold, while the iPhone 6 Plus has a 5.5-inch screen and 185 per cent more pixels than the 5S

Users will now be able to double-tap the home button and the whole display will slide down, making it easier to reach the top buttons.

Speaking of buttons, Apple has also moved the power button to the side of both devices, so it's easier to reach. 

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The iPhone 6 is 6.9mm, the iPhone 6 Plus is 7.1mm thick. This graph compares the thickness of the new devices to the iPhone 5S, which was 7.6mm on the 5S

Inside the devices is the new Apple A8 64-bit chip. It has 2 billion transistors and is 13 per cent smaller than the A7.

The 8MP camera has true-tone flash and its camera iSight sensor will focus pixels, and it also has autofocus that's twice as fast as the last generation.

Both devices will also launch on Apple's next-generation software, iOS 8, which features a new messaging app that lets you quickly send voice notes.

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The 8MP camera has true-tone flash. The camera iSight sensor will focus pixels, and it has autofocus that's twice as fast as the last generation. The front-facing camera has also been updated for selfies

Both devices have Retina HD displays and they have a new interface, that when held horizontally, produces a two-pane display (pictured). This is similar to the iPad mini

This makes the processing unit 20 per cent faster, and 50 per cent faster graphics. 

There is also a host of new sensors, including the M8 'motion coprocessor, which will be useful for fitness apps.

M8 can tell the difference between cycling and running, for example, and it can also calculate distance and elevation.

It does this with a barometer, which uses air pressure to measure relative elevation. 

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Both devices will also launch on Apple's next-generation software, iOS 8, which features a new messaging app that lets you quickly send little voice notes (pictured)

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Inside the devices (iPhone 6 pictured left and iPhone 6 Plus pictured right) is the new Apple A8 64-bit chip. It has 2 billion transistors and is 13 per cent smaller than the A7. This makes the processing unit 20 per cent faster, and graphics 50 per cent faster

APPLE WATCH - HANDS ON - IT'S WORTH THE PRICE! 

The first thing that strikes you when you see the Apple Watch in pictures is that it looks a little chunky.

However, slip it on your wrist, and it’s a revelation - very, very light and unobtrusive.

The curved design really does help hide the body of the watch, and Apple’s very minimalist design almost makes it appear to disappear when you put it on.

While some of the watch faces shown were a little garish, we found that with a relatively plain leather strap and a classic watch face, nobody will give you a second glance while wearing one - until, of course, a notification or email comes in.

Even in the early prototype we were able to try, the quality of manufacturing absolutely shines through. This isn’t a gadget, it’s a piece of jewellery.

The sapphire glass is stunning, and feels great to the touch, while the dial at the side has a really solid feel to it.

The addition of Apple Pay is also a huge selling point for keen shoppers - being able to simply tap your watch to pay is potentially one of the phone’s killer feature.

The fitness functions are all a big step forward, particularly the use of heart rate monitoring - while for every day use, the maps app seems like a winner.

While the messaging functions seem a little gimmicky, they are a nice touch and an indicator that you can write 'real' apps for the Apple Watch.

However, the key to its success - and something Apple didn’t really reveal today, will be battery life.

If Apple can get the watch to last a full day of heavy use, then it’s onto a winner - even with an eye watering $349 price tag. 

IPHONE 6 IN ACTION - IT'S SHOCKINGLY BIG - AND ALL HAIL APPLE PAY

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Web browsing is great on the iPhone 6's big screen

Apple’s new iPhone 6 plus is big - really big. When you see it lying on a table, it dwarfs even its smaller 4.7inch brother with its 5.5inch screen.

The first time you pick it up, it’s slightly off-putting - but the rounded edges really do make a difference. 

It’s surprisingly light as well, and just about possible to hold comfortably in one hand.

Once you’ve got over the initial shock, and learnt how to use the one handed mode (tap twice on the home button, and everything moves to the bottom of the screen so you can get to it easily), then one thing stands out - the screen.

The quality is superb, with bright, sharp colours, that make even the current screen on the iPhone look lackluster.

After a few minutes, you forget about the vast size, and just start wondering you lived with such a small screen for so long.

However, the one feature that really makes the handset really stand out, and the one that will really change your daily life, is Apple Pay.

We were able to try it out, and it really is as simple as Apple says - simply put your fingerprint on the sensor and tap it against a reader.

With the number of retailers Apple has already signed up, this could be the real killer app of the iPhone 6, and more importantly for Apple, a key reason to upgrade.

It’s a shame Apple couldn’t boost the battery life more, but given the increased screen size and features, its a trade-off most users will be happy to take. 

SOURCE: Mail Online

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