Apple launched a beta version of Messages for Mac. The app works in the same way as Messages for iOS devices in that it allows you to easily send an iMessage from the desktop to other iMessage users.
The beta works on OS X Lion at the moment although we are hearing now that in the future, when the beta ends, it might only be made available for those upgrading to OS X Mountain Lion.
The current version of iOS 5.1 for developers is the beta 3 version. BGR appears to have got hold of an early version of iOS 5.1 GM though and along with it, they have detailed a couple of new features.
The first is a slide up to access the camera which is similar to what is on iOS 5. In this version the small camera icon can be slid up the lock screen to reveal the camera view finder. It doesn't really change much, but the slide instead of tap is noticeable. I am guessing that the big change here will be with the icon always being available on the lock screen. At the moment, the camera icon only appears after a double-tap on the home button.
Google [GOOG] has filed a patent for a new unlock screen. Apple has recently been chasing after companies who use a "Slide to Unlock" feature on smartphones and was successful in a case just recently.
This new unlock method by Google looks to aim to avoid any disputes but also add a few more functions to the unlock to make it in to a mechanism to access certain parts of the system.
Rumours are starting up today about the next iteration of the Amazon Kindle Fire. A launch date now hints that mid-2012 could be when the device begins to go on sale with shipping starting as early as May.
Two versions of the Kindle Fire 2 are expected to launch this year with the current 7 inch screen being carried over to the Fire 2 as well as a larger 9 inch model.
Apple [AAPL] has released a developer preview of the next version of OS X. The latest version will be called OS X Mountain Lion. The aim of Mountain Lion is to bring closer together iOS and OS X. It is numbered version 10.8 although no pricing or release date has been revealed yet.
Apple has made some changes to the iBookstore and now allows for promo codes to be created by authors/publishers and used by readers. As well as creating promo codes, Apple is now also allowing screenshots to be submitted to the store.
The occasionally right DigiTimes comments today that Google [GOOG] could be preparing Android 5.0 Jelly Bean for launch in the second quarter of this year.
HTC has expanded the Bootloader unlocking tool by adding more compatible devices to it. Several new devices were added which includes the HTC Hero, Legend, Droid Eris, myTouch 3G as well as the myTouch 4G.
Facebook has launched a new service that allows prominent people to verify their accounts. The service is similar to what Twitter uses where famous users can sign up and be verified so that other fake accounts can easily be spotted. However, on the Facebook side of this they have decided against using a badge to denote if the account is Verified.
Barclays in the UK has launched a new app that allows bank customers sent payments to other people. The system lets you transfer up to £300 per day by using contact details on your device. When the receiver of the money gets a message about the transaction, they are then sent instructions on how to claim that money.
Some screenshots have leaked online which apparently show the next version of Windows Phone which is to be called Tango.
The screenshots appear to show MMS messages with video and audio files attached. Also, a new native voice recording app can be seen in the update.
Samsung could be about to unveil a Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. The Galaxy Note 10.1 is found on an invitation to an event at MWC later this month.
The wording on the invitation says: "Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note 10.1...". This of course could work well for those who like the idea of the Galaxy Note, but find it a little small for every day use. A larger tablet sized device with a Stylus could be ideal for some.
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