Silicon Valley legend Steve Jobs, who has been on medical leave for an undisclosed condition since Jan. 17, resigned as chief executive of Apple Wednesday, saying he could “no longer meet my duties and expectations.”

Interim CEO Tim immediately elevated to CEO, while Steve, 55, will stay on as chairman of the board.

“I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know,” Jobs said in a letter to “the Apple community” that was released by the company. “Unfortunately, that day has come.”

While the move was stunning, it was not entirely unexpected.

Steve Jobs had been seen only rarely this year, including at a San Francisco event in March where he unveiled Apple’s iPad 2, the hugely successful follow-on to its hugely successful tablet computer.

“His health clearly wasn’t’ improving and there was going to come a time when he was going to have to set aside,” said Rob Enderle, longtime technology analyst with Enderle Group

We’ve had concepts drawn, blurry images taken from afar, images which have been photo-shopped beyond recognition, some sketches and even the odd photo claiming to be exactly what the iPhone 5 will look like. The chances of any of these “leaked” photos being the real deal are probably next to none, but some of them do look pretty cool. What’s more, some of them could be what you want the next gen iPhone 5 to look like.

So without further ado, here is the best selection of iPhone 5 images.Be sure to let us know which are your favorite in the comments below.

1.This one is the most popular to-date. Some people hate it, some love it. I think that really wide screen isn’t to everyone’s liking. It’s meant to represent the larger 3.7-inch screen edge to edge Apple could be adding to the iPhone 5. See more about it here

iPhone 5 Mockup

2.This is one of the mock ups that was drawn when the rumor of an aluminium backing cropped up

3.This concept shows how Apple could in fact fit a larger 4-inch screen to the existing iPhone 4 model and not affect the size of it. This would be achieved by having an edge to edge screen.

4.Now this isn’t a new image, it’s been around for a while if I’m honest. I believe it was one of the wishful concepts for the iPhone 4. But maybe the iPhone 5 might end up looking something like it? I’m not sure about the huge home button though..

5.Remember all those rumors of  a mini iPhone 5 that we had for a while? Well this blurry looking, oddly cropped image claimed to show an actual iPhone 5 mini prototype. To be honest I don’t believe it will ever come to light, but it does look pretty cool.

6.This one is a straight up comparison of the different size screens. Again we see that the iPhone 5 can sport a 4-inch screen but not actually be any larger than the iPhone 4. Also the iPhone 5 mini is looking well with its 3.5-inch screen (the same as the iPhone 4) but with a smaller form factor.

7.Now this one is probably a little optimistic, but it does look cool. Something to do with holograms?? Maybe a 3D display? I don’t know what to make of it, but it looks pretty cool. Not sure how practical it will be… not that it will ever happen

So that’s a round up of the iPhone 5 “leaked images” , “concepts” and wishful “prototypes” Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments

Actually there’s one more, my personal favourite – It is actually originally from the iPhone 4g rumors but I think we could do the same with the iPhone 5… enjoy

The competition in the high end smart-phone is heating up. HTC recently released its Desire HD and talks have it, that it’s an iPhone killer. I’ll take you through a step by step comparison to see if there’s any truth to it.

Design:

When it comes to looks, iPhone mostly wins hands down. And the iPhone 4 carries on that tradition. Its currently the slimmest phone in the market, claims Apple. It has a 3.5 inch 640×960 LCD screen that blows away the iPhone 3G when it comes to richness of the colors, brightness, clarity of text and pixelation. But HTC has outdone Apple with a massive 4.3 inch 480×800 LCD screen on the Desire HD. Its dimensions are much larger than the iPhone, but it’s a tradeoff of the huge screen.

Operating system:

Iphone 4: iOS4.1 (Revamped version of iPhone OS)

HTC Desire: Android 2.2

The app store is one of the best features of the iOS4. With over 250,000 apps on sale, one can find an app for anything that can be imagined. The Desire HD on the other hand runs on the open source Android.

At this point of time the Android store has 100,000+ apps. But the number of apps offered for the android is rapidly increasing and the app store will have a worthy competitor very soon.

But for now, in the apps category, the iPhone has the edge. Another thing worth mentioning is that, most of Android apps are open source (around 67%), and app installation is much easier than on the iPhone, on which it can be downright hectic.

User Interface:

The iPhone 4 has a simple and elegant user interface. It’s easy to navigate and everything is presented as simply as possible. And it manages to do that while retaining its smooth and crisp transitions for the animations. In addition now apps can be organized into folders and it also supports multi-tasking.

The Desire takes a different approach; you can have 7 different home-screens which make up a scene. And one can have 20 different scenes. Mind you, each of these home-screens can be customized with widgets, icons and apps to your hearts content.

It does a wonderful job of managing your social networks amongst other things. While Apple users may get restricted as to the amount of tweaking they can do, the range of customizations available for the Desire HD are countless.

Functional capabilities:

Both have 1Ghz processors which performance wise, are equal. Although the iPhone uses a customized A4 Chip. Apple have been known to under-clock the processor to save on battery power so the main difference between these devices is that the Desire HD offers 768MB of RAM compared to 512MB RAM in the iPhone. So it packs more punch than the iPhone.

Memory:

The iPhone is available in 16GB and 32GB. And the Desire comes with 1.5GB built-in memory and a 8GB microSD card which is upgradable to 32GB.

Multimedia:

The iPhone has a 5MP camera but the Desire HD once again outclasses it with a 8MP camera. In addition it has dual flash and a lot of options to play with the photos. Both phones are capable of shooting video at 720p.

Another plus for the Desire HD is its ability to play flash content and support for FM radio. In the sound department, the Desire HD once again takes the cake with the addition of Dolby Surround Sound which enables you to listen to crystal clear sound.

Battery:

On paper, the iPhone should last longer than the Desire but chances are that with normal to heavy use you’ll have to recharge the phone everyday. That being said, the iPhone does have a longer lasting battery. But you can always swap the current battery for a high capacity one in the Desire HD. However one can’t do that with the iPhone non-removable battery.

Using these phones in Pakistan:

Both these phones support 3G technology as well, since one of the most prominent features of the iPhone is video-calling and 3G isn’t available in Pakistan, forget about it. The iPhone can be used for video calling in Pakistan. It requires Wifi and works over 3G as well as EDGE, the latter being available here. However you’d require iPhones at both ends to use the video calling feature.

Desire HD can be used with Google maps to use as a GPS navigator, and Google has most of Pakistan’s major cities almost fully covered. There is a reception problem reported with the iPhone 4, but it’s with 3G networks so you don’t really need to consider that when buying it.

By the time 3G will be introduced in Pakistan, which will be soon I hope, since in IT we are progressing by leaps and bounds, the error will have been fixed. Because Apple claim it’s a software based error and it will be addressed in the next firmware update.

Price &Conclusion:

• The HTC Desire HD priced at around Rs. 65,000 PKR (Factory Unlocked), while HomeShopping.PK is selling it at Rs. 51,990
• iPhone 4 is available at around Rs. 62,000 PKR (Software Unlocked), while HomeShopping.PK is selling iPhone 4G it at Rs. 63,990

The prices will of course vary from dealer to dealer and depends on where you live. One of the better online places to get these phones is homeshopping.pk.

This site has been reviewed at propakistani before. And I know from personal experience that they provide competitive prices.

Lastly, I know that the Iphone holds a special place in the hearts of many people, with many opting for it because of its cool factor; there are good alternatives to it too, with the Desire HD leading the race.

Apple and Verizon Wireless offered another sweet piece of the Apple mobile pie when they announced the iPhone 4 would be coming to the Verizon network Feb. 10. But iPhone fans are already counting down the days to the usual June unveiling of the next-generation iPhone. No official details are available yet, though media reports are beginning to zero in on some of the features the new device and platform are expected to have. One item we believe you can count on as sure as the night is dark is that the next iPhone will include Near-Field Communication capabilities.

NFC is the short-range wireless communications technology that enables wireless phones to communicate with sensors in posters, signs and even point-of-sale contact terminals. In other words, such technology will make the iPhone an electronic wallet. Expect the iPhone 5 to include a chip and for iOS5 to include an NFC controller software stack homegrown and patented by Apple. But there will be more, lots more. In this slide show, eWEEK speculates on a bunch of other new features for the iPhone 5 this summer.

Gadget lovers in Pakistan are desperate to get their hands on iPad 2, however, those who had bought iPad (1) are somewhat confused about their current/old iPads. This is due to a fact that iPad 2 (WiFi only version) comes with the same price as of iPad 1.

Now, as in Pakistan, we don’t have 3G, so vendors will ship WiFi only version of iPad 2.

When to Expect iPad 2 in Pakistan?

We don’t have any words from vendors about the availability of iPad in Pakistan. However, we have heard from various online retailers that iPad 2 will be made available in Pakistan by late March. In fact HomeShopping is claiming that iPad 2 will hit their stores in Pakistan on March 17th, 2011.

iPad 2 Price in Pakistan?

HomeShopping.PK is already accepting pre-orders, they are offering iPad 2 (WiFi only – 16 GB) in Pakistan at the price of Rs. Rs 69,990/ – Rs. 74,990

Anticipated iPad 2 Prices in Pakistan:

iPad 2 3G Price in Pakistan: 16GB: Rs. 75,000, 32GB: Rs. 85,000, 64GB: Rs. 95,000

iPad 2 WiFi Price in Pakistan: 16GB: Rs. 65,000, 32GB: Rs. 72,000, 64GB: Rs. 83,000

Just in case, if you missed yesterday’s conference by Apple,  where the New iPad which is known as iPad 2 was introduced, following are few details about it.

A new birth in the Apple family and as usual it’s beautiful. We even have choices of Black or White and this time the “White iPad 2” will be available from the first date of launch whereas we are still finding iPhone 4 White.

It’s lighter in weight then the previous one (1.3 pounds from 1.5 pounds previous). It’s even thinner then the iPhone, 4 which is 13.4 millimeters where as iPad 2 is 8.8 millimeters. As what Steve Jobs said it’s the 3^rd thinner.

The biggest feature is the “A5 Chip” introduced by Apple, It’s a Dual Core Processor, up to 2x faster CPU and up to 9x faster graphics. It’s the first dual core tablet in the market.

As predicted it’s with dual camera, front VGA and features to take self snaps via Photo Booth App (which is by Apple with various filters). We have Facetime now in the iPad 2 which is just ideal by its size for Facetiming as said in the conference.

The rear / back camera is 720 p capability standard which is again a big improvement to this new product.

HDMI cable (US$39) mirrored video output upto 1080p, works with all apps, supports rotation, 10 hours battery time and charges your iPad while using.

A new Smartcover has also been introduced officially by Apple, which features to magnetically attach and folds down to support the iPad 2 to lift it up or stand while being kept somewhere, whereas in normal situation it protects the screen. It’s actually to remove the hectic of pouches, bags etc and still keep it awesome.

Apple has announced for the iPad 2 to reach the outlets on 11th March 2011 within U.S whereas in the time period of 2 weeks later, it will be out in 26 countries. The price is same as the first iPad.

iPad 2 will be with the new iOS that is to be 4.3 which promises to enable better performance to the new hot product in market.

The Major Improved Performance will be in Safari Browser, iTunes Home Sharing and couple of Airplay improvements.

Comparison Via iJafri

via ProPakistani.PK