iOS 7 Beta 2 Arrives With Bug Fixes, iPad Version

Apple on Monday released the second beta of iOS 7, exactly two weeks after the first iteration of the software was doled out to developers.

The new version promises only to fix bugs and contains other undocumented "improvements."

But the big new thing in this release is a version of the software for iPads -- both the regular and Mini models. The first version of the software only came for iPhones and iPod Touches, with Apple promising to add support for other devices as time went on.

The software requires developers to sign a privacy agreement, but that hasn't stopped numerous developers and some blogs from posting extensive hands-on previews of the new OS.

It's been standard practice for Apple to roll out several beta versions of the software before it's released to the public, which Apple has said will happen in the fall. In terms of how many more of these to expect, iOS 6 had four different beta versions between its June debut and late September release last year.

Perhaps not since 2010's iOS 4 (which brought multitasking) has there been quite so much scrutiny on just what Apple's up to with these interim updates. iOS 7 is a massive visual and, in some cases, functional overhaul of the versions that came before it, and many things are expected to change before it's officially released.

Update: The software also brings back a reworked version of Apple's voice memos application, which has been a built-in utility since 2009's iOS 3.0, though was not provided in the initial beta of iOS 7. 

Facebook App Update for iOS

Facebook for iOS has received an update extending the newly introduced activity emoticons in status updates to the Facebook app along with a few other features. Facebook had introduced the "How are you feeling" status options back in April. The feature entered its roll out phase in India last month.

The options offer drop down boxes featuring emoticons and activities such as watching, reading, listening to, drinking, and eating. After selecting an activity that involves media, the status update also includes an image and link to the content's Facebook Page. The option comes in the form of a smiley on the status window. Clicking on it lets you choose the "What are you doing?" activity. You can then add the name of whatever you are watching, reading or eating and it is accompanied by an icon supporting it.

Another addition to the application's features is with regards to privacy. Facebook has updated the quick Edit privacy feature to modify who you want to share a post with. You can choose people from lists or groups and keep your privacy concerns in check. The feature has existed earlier on Android as well as iOS, but the upgrade makes it quicker and refines it.

Another new feature is the ability for users to start a new conversation with photos they receive in messages. So, you can now tap on a photo received in a conversation in order to share it in another message and initiate a new chat. After you tap on an image, you get the option of "Send in Message" with which you can further choose who you wish to send the image to.

World's Top Five Slimmest Smartphones

At a time when competition in the smartphone market has intensified like never before, we take a look at some of the slimmest smartphone available.China's Huawei unveiled its flagship smartphone, the Ascend P6, at its first standalone launch event on Tuesday, underlining its ambitions to compete with Apple and Samsung in the top tier of mobile technology.

Huawei Ascend P6 (6.18 mm) :

 The company says the device, at 6.18 mm thick, is the world's slimmest. It has a 5 megapixel front-facing camera, designed for taking "selfies", or pictures of the owner to be shared on social media networks. The Ascend P6 uses Huawei's customised version of Google's Android operating system.

Apple iPhone 5 (7.6mm) :

All of those picking up the iPhone 5 will have the same reaction: this thing is amazingly light. You've probably heard the numbers by now (20% lighter than the predecessor, as well as beating most of the opposition too at 112g.) However, through extended use this problem quickly disappears. The overall effect of the phone is still a chassis designed for strength, and so it feels solid, if somehow a little hollow; pleasantly, though, it sits more anonymously in the pocket.

Motorola Razr M (8.3 mm) :

Google's Motorola Mobility powered by an Intel processor features a wide screen and longer-life battery to better compete against Apple's iPhone and Samsung. While this phone lacks in some areas, it still has a clear screen, a simple OS and a really strong battery at its heart. The build of the phone is not only good but also a little more unique than most handsets, since the back is made of Kevlar. At 8.3 mm thick, the phone earns its place among the slimmest smartphones in the market.

Sony Ericsson Xperia arc S (8.7 mm) :

The arrival of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S illustrates how incredibly fast things are moving in the world of Android hardware. The phone is a slim, bright, powerful Android smartphone that shows off the mobile operating system to its very best. The screen is fantastic and the processor and memory perform well enough to keep the Android experience running smoothly and quickly.



Samsung Note II (8.5 mm): 

Samsung Note II is the combination of the raw power and next generation screen technology that really wowes its users, and the improved functionality of the S Pen takes it from a fun item to something that most users will be pulling out on a regular occasion. Packed with tons of features, the phone is 8.5 mm thick and among the slimmest smartphones available.