As the world of smart devices continue to unfold and reveal layers of astonishing benefits, businessmen and executives are turning to maximize their use of these devices to boost workplace productivity. Apple too has integrated these devices with hardware and software that makes it a highly capable tool to assist both work and living. However, it needs to be supported by special apps that meet unique requirements of the business class mass. Here are 5 iPad apps that businessmen across the globe are using every day on their iPads to improve productivity.

1. OfficeTime

Perfect for freelancers and self-employed professionals, OfficeTime will help keep track of the time you have put in professional responsibilities and generate an invoice for the same. A time management solution, this has been helping professionals who bill clients by the hours they put into the project weekly or monthly. You can even use this app to allocate time slots to different projects every day. Keeping track of your time will not just be a professional requirement but also reason your earnings.

2. Pixelmator

Everyone loves to take good photos. Even if you aren’t a serious photographer, you can use Pixelmator to makes your snaps say a story. The app comes integrated with dozens of beautiful templates, frames, typography and other features to add to the images you click. Further, you can even combine images, add text, shapes and use several image editing tools that were limited to Photoshop. For the business user, this can be a valuable part of presentations.

3. Evernote

This app lets you take notes on the go, Evernote has been around in the iOS marketplace for a long time now. A fully-featured solution, the app makes it easier to enter text and will even capture information by taking images with your device camera. In fact, several other productivity apps integrate with Evernote to save content. All the documents gets automatically synced with attached devices and it is being used by professionals globally to create meeting agendas, organize invoices (after taking a picture), and even prepare travel itineraries.

4. Goodreader

Office work isn’t complete without going through some documents every day. It would be great if you can take your documents to mobile and read them at your own convenience. This is exactly what the Goodreader aims to offer. Popular as the best PDF Reader available for iPads, Goodreader even allows you to edit and use full markup capabilities. Users can even use this app to attach comments to specific lines/paragraphs of documents, add text/pictures, rearrange text, extract and conveniently email the same on the go.

5. OneNote

Developed by Microsoft, OneNote is one the best iPad apps ever developed and allows users to create notes on the go. Whatever industry you may belong to, ideas always keep running in and you need to take every opportunity to jot them down for later. OneNote doesn’t just allow you to take notes on the go but also sync the same with your computer and other attached devices. You can even do all kinds of text formatting including bold, highlighting, underlining, indenting and change font colors.

Talking to the smartphone has been a part of the culture for quite some time now. The trend started with Siri – the voice assistant introduced by Apple in 2011 with the iPhone 4S model. Google joined the race with Google Now in 2012 and now Microsoft is close to introducing the Cortana in its full colors. Though these tools have been making our life easier, the frustration involved with your voice assistant misunderstanding the commands can be quite high. Though Siri, Google Now and Cortana handle themselves pretty well, it becomes pretty challenging to determine which is better than the other. So, let’s compare!

Introducing the Various Digital Assistant Apps

• Siri: Siri by Apple has been available to users owning the iPhone 4S or anything above. The application offers the flexibility to set up appointments, ask questions, set reminders, search the web, ask for directions, and even set up a digital nickname – all through voice commands.
• Google Now: Google Now has always been about simplicity and ease of access. To use the voice commands, users simply have to say “OK Google” and then provide the instructions. Google Now is great at delivering personal recommendations that are based on your preferences and history and also to look up for online information.
• Cortana: Microsoft’s voice assistant is comparatively new, though it has been researching in this field for over a decade now. Cortana speaks the voice of Jen Taylor, the famous actress form Inheritance and is available with any device later than Windows Phone 8.1.

Voice

While Cortana allows you to interact with a recognizable voice, Siri too has lived up to be an iconic speech across the globe. It’s Google Now that fails instant recognition of any kind. However, Siri wins this category because of its customizable voices. If someone doesn’t like a male voice guiding you, it’s simple to switch to a female tone. Cortana however locks itself to the same Jane Taylor voice.

Voice Activation

Voice assistants have been a great tool for users looking to hands free usage. Google Now seems to take the winning accolades in this category by integrating the ‘always listening’ feature. Anytime, you need to activate the voice assistant, all you need to do is speak “OK Google”. However, this feature is only available in higher end models. Siri on the other hand gets activated whenever the phone is connected to a power source – the car charger or charging at home/office. Cortana fails to make any mark in this aspect.

Touch Activation

Siri’s one-touch activation requires holding down the “HOME” button for a while. For Android devices, it’s swiping up from the on-screen key from Home and for Microsoft devices, it can be activated by pressing against the “magnifying glass” shaped icon in the main screen. The later doesn’t even require unlocking your phone. Siri however wins this category gain by asking for the fewest number of motions.

Speed and accuracy of gathering information

If you put in a voice command like “Where can I watch the trailer of The Terminator”, it takes Siri 3.5 seconds to answer, 5.47 seconds by Google Now and 6 seconds by Cortana. The accuracy of information varies according to the line of question. Cortana is more accurate in delivering weather information while Google Now is best in searching up information on web. However Siri wins with its speed of delivery.

Our take – we can comfortably say that Siri is the best voice assistant among the three. Google Now catches up pretty close and it’s still some road to cover by Cortana. Do write in with your thoughts on which is the best out of the three.

No matter what experts say about the pricing and features of the watch, Apple has still managed to sell an impressive 3 million units during April-June, 2015. During its launch, Tim Cook had revealed that there are 3,500 Apple Watch apps available, but now that number has jumped up to 8,500, which is definitely a steep progress towards its march to match iPhone’s 1.5+ million apps.

Apple Watch received mixed reactions during its launch, and inspite of the price of at least USD 549, the cost of the basic version, there were loyal buyers clamouring for it. This bodes well for Apple Watch app devleopers who wish to learn from the first wave of app development that showed the below experiences.

Positives

The product was launched just 3 months ago and is still in its early stages of development, therefore, 8,500 apps do not sound bad at all. Plus there are a plethora of weather apps and basic entertainment apps like Shazam and TuneIN Radio that are currently available for the smart watch. Here are a few positive experiences –

• Apple has managed to get a few games for the watch. But, the games are limited to quizzes and trivia only because the small screen of the device prevents it from hosting full-fledged games.
• The presence of Twitter and E-mail is a boost for the Apple watch as people are expecting more and more apps in the social networking circle. We can soon witness the launch of the Facebook app for the watch as the company has promised to develop one soon.
• In terms of travel, you get apps like TripAdvisor and Yelp which inform you about the famous places around your location. While these two are third-party apps, Apple’s own “Find Near Me” is great for searching restaurants, banks, bars, etc. The app can also be used through Siri.
• Many parties are contributing towards Apple watch app development and thereby, the watch does not lack in sports related apps too. Onefootball is one of the most popular apps in terms of sports. It gives live updates on matches of your favourite team and notifies when there is a change in scores.
• The watch can perform basic calculation through various apps exclusively available for it. There are some Apple Watch apps available which store passwords for various social networking websites and e-mail service providers.

Negatives

There are a few negatives of the watch that Apple needs to look into, to give its users a better experience.

• The biggest flaw is that you cannot reply to e-mails. You can view it, but you cannot respond to it. This is a strange thing as Apple could have easily provided a Siri assisted input system for e-mail.
• Though it has apps in almost every category, it lacks in variety. The company should make sure that Apple Watch app development is in the right direction if it wants to floor Android based smart watches.

With these experiences, Apple Watch looks to have created a new tech frontier which promises to evolve for the better in the future.

Ruby is a widely popular programming language deployed in applications ranging from Simulations, robotics, 3D modeling, to web applications and business security. For beginners, the best way to learn Ruby on Rails is to go through the various free and paid resources and tutorials, community support, instructor guided courses and several reference tools available on the internet. Here’s a list of the top 8 Ruby resources that every developer should look into.

• Treehouse

Treehouse is an active community of developers that beginners can use to learn the web design fundamentals, Ruby development foundations and also create some basic Ruby applications. The resource is equipped with video tutorials supported by a browser integrated text editor. This forum is suitable for students at all experience levels. Treehouse resources are also available on iPad and native iOS apps. This is a paid resource that will cost you between $25 and $49 per month.

• Code School

Code School integrates interesting 80’s arcade and Zombie themed courses for Ruby and Ruby on Rails. Each of the course chapter comes as video and slide presentation that seek to breakdown the language in comprehensive tutorials. Learners can try out the interactive challenges and the free orientation courses like “Try Ruby” and “Rails for Zombies”. Code School registration costs $29 per month.

• Codecademy

Highly popular among students of Ruby, Codecademy is perfect for anyone looking to get introduced into the language. The course consists of several hours of interactive material that helps develop a solid understanding of Ruby foundation, thus helping in exploring the language. When you think to have progressed enough, you can even check out some of the Ruby API tutorials and learn how to connect your applications with Twitter, Twilio, Box, WePay, SendGrid, Ordr.in, easypost, 23andMe and Mashape. Codecademy is available free of cost.

• Codelearn

A test based and highly interactive walkthrough for Ruby, Codelearn’s interface is split into columns that mimic the real time workflow process between file browsers, terminals, app output, and code editor. Codelearn has been deemed to be one of the safest ways to learn Ruby on Rails before you begin with the root folder.

• RubyMonk

RubyMonk integrates several interactive lessons to guide learners towards Ruby development basics. You are required to solve problem sets (they get harder as you progress), with the help of The Master! RubyMonk is a free resource.

• Thinkful

A great choice for someone who can afford to pay $500 per month, Thinkful will let you work with a one-on-one mentor who guides you throughout the learning process. You can use this resource to be able to build applications from scratch and even come up with a job-ready portfolio. Another advantage with Thinkful is that you code alongside other passionate developers in the industry and collaborate with them on their projects.

• RailsCasts

RailsCasts is as old as the language Ruby itself and helps learners in a modular fashion. It integrates more than 400 screencast episodes by Ryan Bates, the master programmer. RailsCasts is available both as a free version and a paid version costing $9 per month.

• Why’s (Poignant) Guide to Ruby

Bizarre but effective, this guide is an entertaining way to learn Ruby programming. The book is also considered to be the root of several jokes popular in the Ruby community. Program with a soundtrack!

In the last couple of years, there have been ground breaking changes in framework technologies. Over the decade, PHP frameworks like Phalcon, Laravel, Zend, Symphony and Codeigniter have gotten bigger and consequently better. Today, they are the leading tools for developers looking to create large applications with ease. Frameworks today is one of the most crucial skill set for development professionals. Here are the situations when you need to use a framework in PHP.

1.       When development relies on Coding and file organization

Just because you have a “/inc” folder with “functions.php” doesn’t necessarily mean that your code is organized. Every PHP framework comes with a certain folder structure by default. Developers are expected to follow these standards and subsequently keep things organized. This can however be a challenge for developers using the vi. Here, there are more numbers of smaller files. However with IDE and other code organizers, it will get easier in searching what you need and when you need.

2.       Using Utilities and libraries

PHP provides countless numbers of libraries and tools. However, when it comes to building websites, most developers will either hunt for third party libraries/codes or write them on their own. However, diving deep into existing PHP libraries will give you better opportunities with things like form validation, database abstraction, input/output filtering, cooking and session handling, pagination, calendar, emails etc.

3.       Using the MVC structure

Model View Controller was introduced into PHP back in 1979 but it still remains one of the most important aspects of programming. Models in MVC represent data structures interfaced with the database. Views on the other hand contain the page templates and various layouts. Lastly, Controllers bind everything together including handling page requests.

4.       When you require strict security

PHP provides a variety of input and output filtering options to protect the final website against hacks and other attacks. If you have handled them manually, it would have been tiring and you might even have skipped some. Frameworks like Codeigniter however does the work automatically by filtering any value pressed to a database object, thus rescuing the code from SQL injections. Similarly, user inputs can be guarded from XSS attacks and encrypting cookies add additional layers of security.

5.       When you want to write less code for faster development

Scripting has always tested the patience and focus of developers. However, once you have passed the learning curve of PHP, you will be able to do more with less coding. As an example, you will not have to depend upon 3^rd party libraries or worry about manually chasing possible bugs.

6.       When you need the support of experts

Being the most popular programming platform today, PHP also attracts a huge community of developers who help each other at every step. Using mailing lists and message boards, you can seek to clarify your problems from experts in the industry.

7.       When development is about teamwork

Another great advantage with PHP libraries is that it facilitates teamwork. You can divide the work among designers (for the Views part), database specialists (Models) and programmers to create reusable plugins, libraries, etc. Further, you can have a separate team working on unit tests as Frameworks come with special tools in this aspect too.

PHP frameworks are continually being improved and give great lengths of opportunities to any web developer.

Apple announced the grand and brand new iOS9 at the Worldwide Developers Conference on 8^th of June at San Francisco. As we have experienced earlier, Apple has always dropped support for older version whenever a new OS version launch is made. This time however, iOS8 users will be able to upgrade to iOS9 at zero cost. The public beta version (also a first for Apple) will launch in July but Apple is already ecstatic about the fall launch and consequently, we would like to know about the new iOS9 experience. Here are some of the lesser known features that users can expect.

1.       Search feature in settings

For someone not quite conversant with the hardware and software features of their phone, a search setting has been long denied under the settings tab. With iOS9, if you know what to change/modify, you can directly access the same from the search bar.

2.       Siri speaks and listens everything

Siri allowed users to communicate with their devices in several dialects and multiple accents. However, until iOS 8, choosing to listen to British Siri also meant that the phone was tuned to understand only British voice commands. IOS9 changes that and language input and voice will be two separate functionalities. You may talk in an Indian accent and receive response in a Brit tone.

3.       Siri doesn’t work with a silent ringer

If you want Siri to shut down when you have silenced your device, iOS9 adds an option. Especially in a crowded area, Siri can now communicate using text messages.

4.       Low power mode

Smartphones consume a lot of battery. However iOS9 has an answer in the form of Low Power Mode where the device will turn off background effects, animated wallpapers, disable app refresh to give you extra hours of usage.

5.       No more “Is my Shift key on?”

This had been bothering all Apple users since long. However, iOS9 introduces optional lower case keys that doesn’t require Shift key anymore.

6.       Keyboard shortcuts

If you had been using an external keyboard with your iPad, you’ll soon be able to do more. Apple introduces several new keyboard shortcuts. A good example would be the Command + Tab to switch between active apps.

7.       Introducing an iCloud Drive app

A long awaited feature, iCloud will now be available as a physical app. After you have installed iOS9, just go to the iCloud Settings and enable the option.

8.       Easier to move out from Android

Apple introduces “Move to iOS” app for users who are planning to switch from their Android devices to iPhones. The app expedites the data transfer to a great extent and also does a clean job.

9.       Six digit pass code

As opposed to a four digit pass code until iOS 8, iOS9 will ask for a 6 digit alternative to enhance the security.

10.   Have your devices organized for separate functionalities

Many Apple users have complained about receiving phone calls on their iPad rather than their iPhone. Similarly, text messages on the Mac are irritating. Thankfully, iOS9 introduces granular control that will help you manage your devices and their preferred functionalities.

Google announced the Android M last month at the annual I/O developer’s conference and we can expect the OS to reflect in our devices in the coming months. Several new features have been integrated for the end users including better text selection, improved power management, Android Pay, custom tabs for Chrome, USB Type-C Support, modified volume controls, direct sharing and fingerprint support. The preview of the new OS will be available in devices like the Nexus 5, 6, 9 and Player. Some say that Android updates have always been untimely and Android M follows the stint. Very few devices will be able to get sensible duration. However, ignoring the odds, there are several aspects that developers need to be prepared for.

Consumer-centric features

Google has always invested in changes and features that connect more closely with the end users imagination. This makes battery life and power management a good place to start in an update. Doze, a new feature with Android M, will be taking devices into a deeper standby mode. When the OS learns that it hasn’t been used for a while, it will go into a sort of ‘hibernation’. This will be a good update for people who use their phones minimally. However, this won’t be too exciting for someone who lives with a smart phone – texting, playing, playing music or talking.

Changes in app permission

There has been a complete overhaul of app permission system and this should be significant for developers. With Android M, users will no longer have to grant a permission before the installation takes place. However, after the app has been installed, it might require permission when accessing user information including contact lists, GPS data, social network connect, etc. Thus, the user now controls the type of information that needs to be shared and when. So what about the older apps? Android M offers developers the liberty to tweak the previous apps to integrate this feature. Applications that don’t conform will simply stop receiving feeds.

It is important to note that this feature strictly confines itself to elements that affect piracy. Apps will still be able to automatically connect to the internet.

Password Manager and Fingerprint Scanner

Android M brings some more necessary APIs including ones that add fingerprint support to apps. Fingerprint scanner will not just work as the device lock but be extended to third party. Applications might tweak logins to fingerprint access with Android M. This feature is already live with Apple’s Touch ID API. The fingerprint access will further compliment Google’s Smart Lock and other device/login security.

Android Pay

Apple Pay is the first thing that comes to our minds when hearing the term Pay, but honestly, Android was the first OS to integrate mobile payments in the name of Google Wallet. However, Android M will come with a built in OS wallet that will no longer be optional. Accordingly, developers will need to tweak their apps to integrate Android Pay for quick money transfers.

Overall, Android M showcases huge potential but only time will tell how long developers take to implement the same. Further, the device software and hardware too needs to catch up with this vision.

Zend Framework, better known as ZF, has brought tremendous changes in a PHP developer’s world. As opposed to the traditional website development platforms, Zend allows creation of robust PHP based solutions and web applications. Today, Zend is one of the most popular web development framework used across the globe to create interactive and powerful websites, and it’s not without good reason. There are a good number of beneficial features that aids a programmer to code better. They include:

1.       Extended classes

ZF is a completely object oriented platform and consequently uses lot of OO (object oriented) concepts including interfaces and inheritance. This allows the developer to extend its components to a good extent. Further, this helps developers in implementing their own versions/variations of     each individual component without hacking into the codebase. Customizations such as this bring uniqueness to each project.

2.       The goodness of object orientation

When working in a Zend framework, everything needs to be seen and used as an object. However, this also has its set of disadvantages such as making the coding more complicated. However, it does provide the upper hand by making the codes reusable. However, seldom do developers repeat their code and this makes it a good choice.

3.       Focus on just what you require and forget everything else

Going by the design, Zend is a simple collection of classes. In every ZF project, you would see that the Zend MVC components are being used. However, in other cases, you can just load required components. The Zend platform is quite decoupled, offering each component as an individual library, instead of being a framework as a whole. Developers working in ZF must have heard about glue framework. This actually refers to the decoupled nature of ZF and its ability to be “glued” to existing applications.

4.       Does a lot many things

Zend integrates a lot of components ranging from user authentication to controlling access to resources. Similarly, it is easy to integrate RSS feeds and create forms.

5.       No model implementation

This is both the reason that some developers don’t use Zend framework and some others love it. Lack of model implementation provides developers the flexibility of using any element to achieve the end result. There are no restraints holding back the already complicated implementation.

6.       Integrate ZF with anything

The decoupled nature of ZF makes its suitable to integrate external libraries to be used in the platform. For example, developers planning to use Smarty as their template can simple integrate a wrapping class with Zend_View_Abstract, which in turn uses Smarty to render.

7.       Standards and guidelines

Every contributor should sign a Contribute License Agreement (CLA) and each code must adhere to generalized Coding Standards. This makes every code highly qualitative, tested and readable.

8.       Test driven development practice

Developers are required to write tests for their codes to make it easier to exchange codes, refactor, create input/output whitelist and think of potential use cases.

9.       Documentation and Community

Due to the high complexity, ZF integrates a steep learning curve. However, documentation and an all pervasive community makes it easier for learners to understand the platform.

10.   Certifications

Finally, ZF is perhaps one of the few platforms that offer both Zend Framework Certification and PHP Certification. This will certainly motivate young and emerging developers to take up training and certification exams that will help build their portfolio.

The Apple Watch has been making ‘Stop Press’ news in the gadget world. This is the second time that Apple has been the first manufacturer to launch a completely new product genre in the market – after the iPad. Now, getting back to the iWatch, Apple has introduced a slew of new and exciting features with the OS 1.0. However, within a mere six weeks of iWatch release, Apple has already come up with a major update – the OS 2. Though this version wouldn’t be live until this fall, Apple has already introduced some interesting features as below:

1.       Expect apps going native

Apps that aren’t native would run on the current version of the iWatch but they aren’t allowed to tap into the device’s hardware (accelerometer, microphone, heart rate sensor or the Taptic Engine). However, things are going to be different with OS 2. Apple will open up the platform for developers willing to test the boundaries of the device.

2.       Activation Lock

The iWatch has been criticized for its less than adequate security features and how easy it would be to steal a device. OS 2 changes things for the better with the Activation Lock. After upgrading to OS2, users will be required to log into their iCloud account. Though this feature will be made optional, it certainly will be helpful.

3.       Siri, the almighty!

Siri will now work entirely upon verbal commands and you wouldn’t have to swipe or even glance at your device. This means that you can relax on your bed and get all the information you need with your voice and at your will.

4.       New faces

Everyone likes to personalize their device with background images that do not come along with the device. With OS2, users will be able to choose among their own photographs, a time lapse of skyline (this would look very interactive) or a changing gallery from your personalized library.

5.       Third party Complications

Complications are small pieces of information like time global time, temperature and your schedule and activity goals. OS 2 will let users add even more “Complications” that are relevant to your lifestyle.

6.       Time travel!

Well, not literally, but OS 2 presents you with an overview of your days spent. It will show you the mails you had missed yesterday or how will it be like outside when you embark upon your road trip tomorrow.

7.       Expect to be rewarded by Apple Pay

OS 2 will allow you to store debit/credit cards and retailer loyalty programs associated with Apple Pay. The process is still the same but this time picking a card might even bring you rewards.

8.       Mass transit

OS 2 will give you turn by turn directions instead of verbally interrupting your driving as the OS 1.0 did. Further, OS 2 maps will also contain mass transit information, including bus stops and walking routes.

9.       Wake me up

OS 2 offers easier interaction with your iWatch to check the time, date, battery percentage, and alarm when you wake up.

10.   Circle of 12

OS 1.0 limited your friends to only 12 slots. However, OS 2 rightly extends this to help create multiple groups of 12. You can even choose to add contacts right from your iWatch.

Do let us know your thoughts on the new iWatch update with your comments below.