Author: Meenakshi Rawat

Canon Brings the World’s Highest Resolution Full-Frame DSLR Cameras to India

Today, the imaging and optical product label Canon, made official an array of high-resolution full-frame DSLR cameras in India – the 5DSR and 5DS DSLR. Both the cameras are said to be a cut above the highly-appreciated 5D series and are claimed to be the world’s highest resolution DSLR cameras in its segment. Besides this, the company also unveiled a professional yet compact camcorder XC10 4K that is convenient for 4K/Full HD video shooting and captures images at 12MP resolution.

The class apart 5DSR and 5DS DSLR feature 50.6-megapixel 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor that set them high in Canon’s range of high-res cameras. The processor powering the devices is the latest dual DIGIC 5 that offers users a continuous shooting speed of 5fps at 50.6MP maximum. The Fine Detail Mode on Canon’s latest camera line-up allows users to capture the finest image. The mode configures the sharpness, therefore giving a detailed image which can be cropped extensively. All new 1,50,000-dot RGB+IR Metering and automatic exposure system is also installed on the cameras.

Canon has set the price of the 5DS at Rs. 2,52,995, while the 5DSR will cost you Rs. 2,65,995.

Coming on to the XC10 4K, the camcorder is built of Canon’s proprietary components. It features a Canon 10x Wide-Angle Zoom lens with 2x Digital Teleconverter and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) that offers a zoom ratio of 27.3-273mm for movies and 24.1-241mm for photos. The handy camera packs a specially designed Canon 12 MP one-inch CMOS sensor that the company claims can “deliver 12 stops of exposure latitude”. The densely packed powerhouse will come for Rs. 1,70,000.

In the past years, Canon has recorded an extraordinary growth report in India. It has carved a niche in almost all the segments, whether photography and videography. With the launch of the two flagship EOS cameras, Canon aims to get hold of 50% market share in the DSLR segment.

June 10, 2015
New Photos Reveal Apple’s Insane Spaceship-Shaped Campus

Apple is in the process of setting up a new campus in Cupertino, California and its architectural design is what’s drawing the attention of the world. Their second campus, which has been under construction since 2013, will reportedly the biggest with exceptional “spaceship-like” structure. Thanks to Nearmap, we now got a glimpse of sleepy Cupertino transforming into a fully developed space centre from the future.

Nearmaps, which is a geospatial mapping and visual analytics company, made public some images of Apple’s new headquarter that illustrates the campus taking shape in the sand. The released GIFs given below give a bird’s eye view of the under construction site. The developments happened in the past few months can be seen below:

The idea of a spaceship-shaped property was proposed by the then-CEO Steve Jobs on June 7, 2011. The new campus, built on 175 acres, is said to house 13,000 employees, a cafe with 3,000 strong seating, extensive landscaping and a parking – both underground and in a parking structure.

Other services include an auditorium with 1,000 seat, R&D facilities on 300,000 square feet, a fitness centre, an orchard, and a dedicated generating plant to produce electricity. The power plant will generate electricity through natural gas and other environment-friendly measures. It will reportedly cost Apple $5 billion, up from $3 billion estimated in 2011.

June 10, 2015
6 Announcements Apple Could Make at the Developers’ Conference Tonight

Since the beginning, Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) has been an epicentre of new-fangled and breakthrough technological advancements. The California-based tech giant discloses its latest software and hardware at the grand conference, and this year will be no different. Apple is expected to introduce a revamped operating software for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, along with some revised and brand new tools like Proactive, Beats Music, and so on.

The WWDC 2015 will kick off on June 8 and will continue for five days. Here is a list of announcements Apple could make at the annual developers conference:

1. iOS 9 Bringing Support to Older Phones

Definitely, an upgraded mobile operating system will be introduced in the upcoming event, but it won’t be a major overhaul as the previous versions, iOS 7 or iOS 8. It is learnt that iOS 9 would be a much more stable version, compatible with even older devices like iPhone 4s and iPad Mini. Instead of being loaded with all the bells and whistles, the new version will iron out current bugs and lags.

Apple Maps would be a major fix with iOS 9. The renovated tool will be a complete guide to travel by subways, trains and bus routes.

2. OS X 10.11 Would be Security-Centric

A refreshed version of OS X is anticipated to unveil on Monday. The newest upgrade OS X 10.11 will have a page from the design language of the Apple Watch that will supplement new a typeface to Mac’s operating system. It will reportedly have a Control Centre Panel popping up from the left side of the screen, probably like the Start Menu on Windows.

OS X 10.11 will be focused majorly on quality, small-sized apps, and a new security system called ‘Rootless’. It is said to be a kernel-level feature to prevent malware and secure sensitive files, blocking access to even administration-level users. The security measure is considered to be a major blow to the jailbreak community.

Rootless security and an Apple Watch typeface will be included on iOS 9 as well.

3. New Digital Voice Assistant ‘Proactive’

Apple is aiming to take on Google Now with an improved version of Siri – codenamed ‘Proactive’. Unlike Google Now, users don’t even need to ask Proactive and it will keep you informed with required information throughout the day. Proactive will work integrating with apps like Siri, Spotlight, Maps, Calendar and more.

4. Revamped Music Streaming Service

Apple is expected to enter the music streaming ring with the much-awaited Beats Music service. Last year, Apple perplexed the tech industry with the buy out of Beats for $3 billion, but soon the picture began to take shape. It won’t be like other free music streaming services like Spotify and Pandora that offer unlimited tracks without any charge, and is estimated to charge $9.99/month for individuals and $14.99/month for the family plan.

5. Apple Pay to Enter More Countries

Apple Pay was a huge success in the US. The mobile payment system will reportedly make way to the new markets like India, China, Europe, Africa and many more. Besides this, a new reward programme is said to debut for the payment service.

6. Brand New Live TV Service

It’s confirmed that Apple is not ready to introduce a new version of Apple TV in the developers’ conference. But the segment won’t be untouched. The company plans to unveil ‘live TV’ services that would have almost 25 channels, according to Wall Street Journal. Apple is in negotiations with broadcasters to provide streaming rights for the local broadcast stations across different markets. The service will cost $15/month.

Stay tuned tonight at 10.30PM IST, iGyaan will be covering the event live.

June 8, 2015
Best Wireless Galaxy S6 Accessories Available Right Now

Rather than being just an incremental upgrade in terms of specs and features, Samsung’s latest flagship Galaxy S6 is quite the looker. The tweaked design helps it stand out from the pack of former mundane iterations making it all the more enthralling. There are many cool accessories available in the market that adds substantial value to the handset.

Here’s a list of wireless accessories that helps you make the most of your handset:

QiStone+ Wireless Power Bank

No matter how powerful the battery equipped to the device may be, smartphones are always power hungry. But there is a solution that is effortless, powerful, and lightweight. QiStone+ is a compact, wireless power bank entailing Qi+ technology to top up the device with Qi Receivers. It stores 4000mAh of power, which means your Galaxy S6 can be charged more than once on one full charge.

The 135g power bank turns to Sleep Mode after 30 seconds of inactivity and wakes up through a capacitive touch sensitive switch. There is an option to charge two devices at a time, one phone can be placed on the QiStone+ and another can be connected to the USB socket via cable.

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WoodPuck Bamboo Edition Wireless Charger

The nature-inspired WoodPuck Bamboo edition is another stylish accessory that heavy users would definitely need. Weighing a mere 80g, the charger is extremely handy and sports a distinctive look and feel of natural bamboo. Just like the QiStone+, this wireless charger can fuel up Qi-compatible devices. Provided at one end is a micro-USB socket that connects to the power plug to charge the device.

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Duracell Powermat

Designed to keep two gadgets attached to the power point, Duracell Powermat charges phones without messy long wires. The sleek charging hub lets you drop and charge your favourite devices. The 24-hour power system also charges on the go through Duracell Powermat Wireless Charging Hot Spot. It is available in two colours – white and black.

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Samsung Wireless Charger

Next is Samsung’s own wireless charger that will cost you Rs. 2,999. The Samsung logo atop the round reflective glass surface looks amazing, and its light weight and considerably small size puts it on traveller’s essentials list. The changing pad allows you to drop the phone on it and refuels the device without any hassle of wires. The wireless charger is available on Samsung India’s online store.

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Belkin Qi Wireless Charging Pad

Albeit its plastic look, the Belkin wireless pad serves the purpose. The company claims that the charger can bring your phone’s battery from zero to 100 percent just as quickly as a conventional, 5-watt wired adapter. It has a simple design, with the curved charging base providing a safe cushion.

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June 6, 2015
6 WhatsApp Features Everyone Should Know

WhatsApp is sure to have found a space on almost everyone’s handsets. The app with over a 800 million active user base, offers one of the best services to have a real-time conversation. Most of us must be using the app for a while now, but you probably didn’t know that WhatsApp is hiding many features that could make the wrinkles from your forehead, vanish. Mastering the tool can help you save the bandwidth, mute negligible groups, keep the stalkers at bay, and hence, have a good night’s sleep.

Here are some of the features that can make your life a lot easier.

Add Conversation Shortcut to the Home Screen

There must be folks in your WhatsApp contacts with whom you talk frequently to. Bring them a step closer by creating a chat shortcut on Home screen. Long tap on the desired contact and click ‘Add chat shortcut’ present in the chat menu. An icon will add to your home screen through which you can chat directly with the person, without surfing through a list of contacts. A useful feature, unfortunately missing on Apple devices.

Pop-Up Notifications

This feature on WhatsApp lets you access messages even when the screen is locked. Go to Settings > Notifications > Popup Notifications and select ‘Only when screen is off’ to see messages and reply without unlocking the device. Pop up notifications put aside the hassle of unlocking screen to see received notifications and reply to them.

Mute Group Chats

Besides giving you the convenience of sharing things at one place, Group chats can be a bit noisy at times. No worries! Mute them and let your friends do the talking. Click on the group and from the drop-down menu, select Mute. Select the time frame for which you don’t want any updates and disable Show notifications.

Disable Media Auto-Download

Media auto-download gobbles up your internet data. Turn it off to save the bandwidth and specify WhatsApp when you want the audio and video files to be downloaded. Click on Settings > Chat settings > Media auto-download and choose from the options when using mobile data, Wi-Fi and roaming.

Send Conversations Through Email

Users are going to love this feature, at least some of them. WhatsApp allows you keep a record of your chats on your PC or inbox by sending conversations through email. It’s as fast as any other mailing process and takes mere seconds. Long press the contact and tap on ‘Email chat’ from the chat menu. Add recipients’ email address and the conversation will be sent to the provided address. You can choose to include media file if you like.

Avoid Blue Ticks

Where the cross-platform social messaging service got acclaims for real-time conversation, blue ticks brought outrage for offering recipients with read receipts. The new WhatsApp version allows you to avoid this through a simple setting. Click on Settings > Account > Privacy and disable Read receipts if don’t want the sender to know about the delivery status. Now, neither you nor any sender will be able to see read receipts. Isn’t it useful?

June 6, 2015
Facebook Lite is a Compressed Android App That Works Fast Even on Slow Networks

Finally, Facebook is accomplishing its aim of expanding the internet to every corner of the globe. Recently, the social networking giant launched a trimmed-down version of its app that has been in the works for more than a year. Termed as ‘Facebook Lite’, the modern tool is dedicated to working in areas where telecommunication services are constrained. Facebook Lite uses less data and works even in narrow wireless bandwidth.

The blog post updated by the company reads –

In many areas, networks can be slow and not able to support all the functionality found in Facebook for Android. Facebook Lite was built for these situations, giving people a reliable Facebook experience when bandwidth is at a minimum.

The slimmer version is just 1MB in size, so it would take few seconds to download and install. However there will be certain design changes, the core functionality will be uniform in both the Facebook app and its lighter version. The social platform states that features like News Feed, status updates, photos and notifications will be identical on Facebook Lite.

Facebook Lite is the company’s push to make basic services available in developing countries at the lowest price possible. There are places in the world where buying internet data is an excessive expense because of its high cost. The app works faster with any device, and is data efficient, giving the same features with less data consumption. It’s like Facebook with an in-built Data Saver mode.

As it works even on slow mobile networks, the page loads comparatively faster. Users can upload, download and check photos instantly, for which users had to wait for more than a couple of minutes on 2G networks. Users can have a real-time conversation with friends – either one-on-one or in group – on the slimmer Facebook edition.

The tool is rolling out to countries across Asia, and in the coming weeks, it will be available in parts of Latin America, Africa and Europe. It works on all Android phones. The app is not available on Play Store for now, but will soon be live.

June 5, 2015
Apple HomeKit Explained | Everything You Need to Know

The smartphone evolution is on the verge of touching zenith by bringing all chief developments in a compact device. The tech industry is now swiftly gearing into diverse segments that would soon become a norm in the coming future. Apple has been struggling to catch up and is making attempts to fill up the gap. The March 9 event by Apple answered many questions about the HomeKit, but it soon faded in the backdrop with the launch of the Apple Watch and the new MacBook. Nonetheless, it gave a fair idea of Apple’s plan to let users build their personal Internet of Things (IoT) using HomeKit-compatible connected devices.

What is HomeKit?

Before we begin with how HomeKit works and how it can ease your life, let’s take a look back at what is HomeKit. HomeKit is a specialised language understood by appliances; a framework that works in combination with apps for communicating with and controlling connected accessories in a home. Users can set up actions to control home automation accessories like lights, gate, garage door, music, TV, etc and group them together.

HomeKit devices are stored in a database on the iOS device, which is synchronized to other iOS devices over iCloud. An admin is allowed to add more users to adjust the characteristics of accessories. The integration of voice assistant Siri makes it all the more fun and actions can be triggered by Siri at a single call. The arrangement works with devices like iPhone, iPad and iPod that runs iOS 8 and above.

How Does it Work?

Since connected devices in your home communicate with each other, each one of them needs to have a definite name. Assign a name to all the HomeKit-enabled devices and functions like ‘Living Room’, ‘Curtains’, ‘House’, ‘TV’, ‘Switch on’, ‘Brew’, so that Siri could interpret your command. Remember to use names and not general terms in your command.

Once you are done with storing names, the appliances can be controlled individually. Apple has also provided a grouping feature that can put together two or more appliances to manage at a time. This way you don’t have to give a command to every single object and one command will apply on all. For example, if there are many lights in your house and you want to switch off all, give Siri a pre-determined command and all the lights will turn off.

Official Home App to Debut on WWDC 2015

For now, there is no official app by Apple and users need to download a suitable application from the App Store. But there have been reports of Apple strengthening the connected home initiative through its own app dubbed ‘Home’. The tool would list all the HomeKit-enabled items and will be a remote point to manage everything.

HomeKit-Compatible Devices

As HomeKit is a conversational language of electronics, it could work with devices produced by any manufacturer, considering that it’s HomeKit-enabled. Apple has tied up with many consumer electronics brands to produce conversable appliances. Some of them include Haier, Philips, Belkin, Honeywell and a few more. There are several devices available in the market right now, but almost all of them are for sale in the US. The accessories are yet to hit the Indian market. It is speculated that Apple would release more of HomeKit-enabled devices in the forthcoming annual WWDC.

HomeKit is secure and doesn’t allow electricity abuse. It includes end-to-end encryption between iOS devices and smart devices, making them secure.

The Future of HomeKit

The HomeKit concept was introduced last year and even after a year, it has a crawling progress rate. Google too announced its latest smart home platform, Brillo, at the recent annual developer’s conference, but it’s a year behind Apple. The Cupertino-based firm has already thrown its hat in the respective ground. There has been a slow roll of HomeKit-compatible products in the market, but this year’s WWDC is expected to accelerate the process.

The race of turning homes to ‘smart homes’ is a tad long and it would take next several years to replace the already fitted appliances with smart gadgets. Besides that, Apple has merely sprung its plan of home automation into action and it needs to institute an entire set up of automated products. Surely, it would be slow and extended, but it’s a preview of how the future would be like. The day is not far when homes would be interacting like your smartphone.

June 5, 2015
5 Measures to Make Sure Your Phone Never Runs Out of Storage

Modern day tech essentials like smartphones and tablets are a boon, as well as a curse. While they are multifunctional, providing us with a camera, gaming console, laptop etc, the storage limitation makes them worthless after a certain stage. For instant content storage, users are forced to clean up the storage space, which may include documents, videos or photos of vital importance.

There are several tactics to unload your device without losing the stored content. Follow the below tips to make room for more files in just a few minutes.

Back Up Photos and Videos

Photos and videos are the biggest storage eaters when it comes to phone memory. They claim almost one-fourth or an even greater portion of your phone’s storage capacity, leading to an overload. But as they are memories one can’t afford to lose, they can be shifted to the cloud. Some of the best cloud storage services are Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud and more. Enable automatic uploading of Camera Roll to Dropbox and the content will upload automatically

Go on Settings > Accounts > Cloud and sync Pictures and Videos to upload them to Dropbox.

Those who are doubtful about the security of the cloud can keep their stuff in an external hard drive. Here are some more ways to backup your audio and video files.

Uninstall Heavy and Unused Apps

Apps cover the second highest section of your phone. Check out all the installations and install all the apps that you are no longer in use. There may be chances that there are two or three different kinds of apps solving the same purpose. Start eliminating apps of the same type and make room for more content.

Go to Apps on Home Screen > Tap on the left touch capacitive button > Select Uninstall and choose all those apps which you wish to uninstall from your phone.

Send Documents to Google Drive

Try not to save worksheets and text documents till you have a working internet connection. Save it on Google Drive and you can easily find it any time you need. Google Drive doesn’t allow you enough space to store content, but also offers several other features. You can create a new file, upload, scan and print documents. It’s handy and easy to use.

Clear Cache

Cache is important as it stores the required data for faster page loading, but at the same time, it consumes the phone’s internal memory. You can clear the cache for an individual app from the Setting menu of your Android device. Go on Settings > More > Application manager and click the app, whose cache you want to clear. This may be a bit tedious, so we suggest you install App Cache Cleaner from Google Play Store to clear all cached files with one tap.

Keep your Device Clean

A clean device makes life a lot easier. If the smartphone is clean, you won’t be facing problems like phone hanging and crashing of apps, which are prominent with almost all handsets these days. Clear browsing history, delete unimportant stuff like contacts, documents, music files and videos that are not worth the space on your phone.

June 5, 2015

Meet HTC One ME, World’s First Phone with Helio X10 Chipset

Taiwanese manufacturer, HTC, introduced a new offering that will outdo premium flagships by other smartphone labels in several aspects. The firm brought out the One ME in China, becoming the first smartphone to embrace Mediatek’s new Helio X10 chipset. The handset features a somewhat similar set of specs as the previously launched One M9+. HTC hasn’t spoken about its availability and pricing details.

HTC One ME sports a 5.2-inch Quad HD (1440x2560p) display with 565ppi pixel density. The processor of the phone is its USP. It holds a 64-bit octa-core Helio X10 processor clocked at 2.2GHz, along with 3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage capacity. Users can expand the memory up to 2TB via MicroSDXC. The device runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop with HTC’s Sense UI on top.

The dual-SIM One ME with fingerprint scanner touts a 20MP rear camera with LED Flash. A 4MP UltraPixel secondary camera sits up front together with BoomSound speakers. The phone gets its juice from the 2,840mAh battery. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, LTE and Micro-USB.

MediaTek is estimated to outshine Qualcomm and Samsung with the launch of Helio range of chipsets. The company has upped the level with the Helio X10 that has a 64-bit architecture and eight Cortex-A53 cores clocking at 2.2GHz. The Helio X10 refreshes a display at the rate of up to 120Hz and records slow-mo videos at up to 480fps. From Apple’s roaring offerings, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, it can be estimated that the ME can record videos at the rate of 240 frames per second.

Here’s a brief of its specs:

Specifications	HTC One ME
Display	5.2-inch Quad HD (1440x2560p), 565ppi
Processor	64-bit 2.2GHz octa-core Helio X10
RAM	3GB
Storage	32GB, expandable up to 2TB via MicroSDXC
Rear Camera	20MP
Front Camera	4MP UltraPixel
Operating System	Android 5.0 Lollipop
Battery	2,840mAh

June 4, 2015

Here’s How You Can Get Started With Home Automation

Home Automation is the next thing after smartphones and tablets that everyone is talking about. And why not? smart is the flavour of the season. Smart Homes tend to make life easier. It senses your presence and acts accordingly. From checking security, opening gates, switching lights to controlling room temperature, everything today can be done by the touch of a button. It’s sensible and won’t cost you a bomb.

You can opt for single room automation, multi-room automation, and automation of your kitchen, bathroom, curtains or anything that can be connected. We are giving you some tips to automate your home wirelessly so that you don’t have to spend on fixing the already built structure.

Invest in an Efficient Router

A smart router is the core of a smart home. Buy a powerful router of ASUS, Netgear, Cisco or TP-Link, so that the installed smart devices work efficiently. The router should have high signal strength across your premises for device interactions to remain seamless; otherwise several problems may crop up. A superior router will send the command instantly as soon as it is made, like turning down the brightness, switching off the light and so on. A dual-band router will cost you below Rs. 20,000.

Pick a Hard drive of Enough Capacity

An external portable hard drive is essential for a smart home. Get hold of a hard drive and store all your audio and video files on it. Connect it to the router and you’ll be able to share it with devices with the click of a button. Your choice of music will play in the selected rooms.

Safety Comes First

Once you have decided on what router to use and picked the hard drive, security is the first thing one should focus on. Go for a door camera and biometric lock. A door camera will inform you of the approaching person, and the biometric lock would enable you to not carry around a pair of keys. Eureka Forbes offers its security system for as low as Rs. 20,000 and a biometric lock would cost approximately Rs. 12,000. Video surveillance allows you to keep an eye on a wider area and the automated alerts keep you in touch with the home ensuring better safety.

Lightning Control

With smart lights installed, customers can sit back and turn them off even when they are not at home. Sensor control lights and its prices range from Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 7,000. On the other hand, timers and switching units are a bit cheaper at Rs. 2,500.

Control the Temperature of Your House

Today, most of the consumer electronic companies have switched to a smart AC module. There are apps existing on App Store through which a user can control the temperature of individual rooms through the mobile device from anywhere.

Other than that, one can control the temperature and filters of outdoor pools & spas. Energy can be saved by automated curtains and blinds, which can be closed and opened through a button, on your smart device.

June 4, 2015
Telecom Operators Might Compensate Us for Dropped Calls

Frequent call drops in the middle of the conversation must have caused anguish within customers, and telecom operators are accountable for this. The Indian Government is taking notice of the inconvenience caused to its people and has cautioned telcos to minimize call drops and strengthen its mechanism.

Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stated in a press conference –

Call drops need to be minimized. Private operators need to reinforce their mechanism. I have directed officials in the telecom department to work on a disincentive architecture (for the operators) to address the issue.

Prasad further said that The Department of Telecom (DoT) will settle on penalty clauses and measures to reduce call drops by year-end. Telecom Regulator Authority of India (TRAI) has set the maximum permissible call drop limit to 2% calls, and there is no mention of reimbursement of any sort by the independent regulator. The panel is considering re-evaluation and chances are that it may fix a lower threshold for call drops in the wake of numerous complaints. According to an official, it may be as early as the next six months.

The choked network in metros and poor broadband connectivity have always been an issue with service providers. Despite that, customers are bound to pay through their noses as the services remain unsatisfactory. It is nice to see that the government is taking notice of public grievances and is considering taking action by the end of this year. However late, the news is certain to bring a big smile on everyone’s face.

There are a few telecom companies such as Reliance and Uninor that are compensating for the glitch on their part, but other mobile operators like Vodafone, Airtel, that have a larger consumer base are still to make a move in this direction. It would not be easy for the government to make telcos agree to its conditions as it will stir their revenue, but the government seems determined in its aim. The next few months will be the deciding point that will finally put an end to call drops.

June 3, 2015
Why USB Type-C Might be the Way of the Future

When Apple presented to the world its cutting-edge Macbook with a universal USB Type-C port, some of the tech critics were suspicion about its usability on present computers and renounced it as technology of the future. However, the tech biggies set their eyes on it and discovering its wide approach, installed the same on its forthcoming products. Now, we see Google Chromebooks, and many other manufacturers like Asus getting on board the revolutionary connector USB-C on its laptops. So, how valuable is USB-C really?

As many of us know, the USB-C connector is one reversible port that takes care of power, data transfers, and display output. It is slim and compatible with almost every device with standard USB ports. This rids customers of four or six connecting ports that demand your system’s side space and gives manufacturers freedom to trim down the size of machines and, hence, weight. There were speculations that USB-C could outdo Lightning and Thunderbolt connectors, but Thunderbolt has shown its confidence in USB-C connector and unveiled Thunderbolt 3.

Thunderbolt 3 is a computer port that uses USB-C. The port delivers two 4K displays, fast data transfer, quick charging, and up to 40 Gbps speed over Thunderbolt, which is double the speed of the previous generation, USB 3.1 10Gbps, and DisplayPort 1. With faster connection, users can transfer a 4K movie in just a few seconds. Two 4K displays can be connected that will give astonishing picture quality than an HDTV, nearly 16 million more pixels. As it offers superior viewing experience, gamers can “connect plug ‘n’ play external graphics to a notebook.” But there is a limitation; only the devices with lightning-bolt logo on the USB port will be able to access its blazing speed. Products with Thunderbolt 3 are expected to begin shipping before the end of this year.

According to Intel, the new 12-inch MacBook, Asus Transformer Book, and Chromebook PixelProducts will not work with upcoming Thunderbolt 3 products. Devices with Thunderbolt 3 are expected to begin shipping before the end of this year.

A USB-C connector is the one standard solution to asymmetrical USB jacks, except for audio. It’s convenient to use and has the potential to replace all jacks. The cross-platform connector of the next-generation will omit all kinds of jacks from future devices and would be a fundamental addition that every producer has to embrace. Nokia has caught up with the trend and its tablet Nokia N1 boasts the reversible USB-C connector. More tablets and even smartphones are expected to hold this tool. The future seems compact and fast, and soon people would prefer to buy devices with a USB-C port already embedded.

June 3, 2015
Touch ID vs Sense ID : Here’s the Real Difference

Along with customization, security is another area drawing the attention of software developers. Apple was the first to introduce the breakthrough Touch ID technology that took over manual methods of entering text and numeric combinations to unlock the screen. And following the Cupertino-based giant, Qualcomm brought forward its revolutionary Sense ID at the Mobile World Congress that’s much more secure and authentic than the Touch ID. Let’s find out what separates the two modern day technologies.

The Touch ID is the simplest way to wake up your lock screen. Just put your finger on the physical button and device will recognise the provided input and let you access the phone. Once the user puts his/her finger on the Home button, the stainless steel ring on the button comes into action and activates the capacitive touch sensor. The finger impression gets imprinted on the button’s sapphire crystal surface, which is sent to the sensor lying beneath. The software then reads the input and unlocks the device for you. The mechanism seems complex, but the whole process takes a fraction of a second.

The Touch ID is capable of reading impressions with a 360-degree orientation. Users can place their finger the way they want and it will still work. One can enrol multiple fingerprints on a device. Its usage is not just limited to unlocking the screen and you can also make purchases on iTunes and the Apple App Store by making mobile payments through your fingerprint. It can also be infused into third-party apps through developers’ support.

On the other hand, Sense ID is one step ahead of Touch ID. It’s the mobile industry’s first biometric platform based on ultrasonic technology. Instead of just analysing the ridges of your fingers, it makes a 3D map of the minute details including ridge flow and sweat pores. The sound waves penetrate the outer layer of the skin and create a matchless password that is hard to reproduce. According to Qualcomm, the technology “incorporates a Qualcomm biometric integrated circuit (QBIC), custom sensor technology and algorithms managed by the company’s hardware-based SecureMSM technology.”

Here’s the video showing how Sense ID works:

It can work with moist fingers and with other contaminants like dust and dirt. Its ability to scan doesn’t get blocked by the display type and allows fingerprint detection through glass, plastic, steel, aluminium and sapphire. Snapdragon Sense ID permits manufacturers to experiment with designs, enabling them to develop sleeker smartphones in the future.

Along with the added benefits of scanning through multiple surfaces and damp fingers, Sense ID embraces features from FIDO (Fast IDentity Online). It is an Alliance biometric protocol that keeps the fingerprint data on the device, instead of securing it on cloud; allowing people to visit websites, more securely. Online accounts and apps can also be accessed without the need of repeatedly providing a password for authentication.

Fingerprints are unique and make matchless passwords. Their unique characteristics compel smartphone manufacturers to deploy the newest innovations. Qualcomm will install the technology to its Snapdragon processors and soon, fingerprints will replace the traditional character-based passwords, giving faster access to a plethora of features. Since Qualcomm penetration in the Android market is high, more smartphones will have this standout feature on board.

Till date, Apple’s recent handsets, iPhone 6 and 6 Plus have Touch ID, and Samsung implanted its own fingerprint technology on Samsung Galaxy S6. It is learnt that Microsoft and Google have also tied up with FIDO Alliance, which means future Android and Windows devices may pack identical authentication features. Fingerprint scanning is a doorway to enormous features for which we presently need passwords. Akin to Touch ID, if Sense ID also offers third-party app integration, regular apps like Gmail, Yahoo and others will work through your fingerprint. It would be nice to see how Apple revises its technology to compete with Qualcomm’s Sense ID 3D fingerprint technology.

June 3, 2015
Best Ongoing Smartphone Deals on Flipkart Right Now

While heat waves this summer are causing the temperatures to escalate, Flipkart has some cool deals that will give you a sigh of relief. The e-commerce player has announced some exclusive deals on smartphones where you can get popular products on discounts of up to Rs. 10,000. Every brand from Asus, Motorola to Apple are on sale, so you choose from your favourite handsets.

We have picked out some of the best deals for you:

There is a huge Rs. 7,000 off on one of the best-sellers, Nexus 6. Today, users can grab one at Rs. 36,999 with 32GB internal memory support. The Nexus 6 boasts of a 5.96-inch QHD (2560×1440p) AMOLED display. It is powered by a 2.7GHz Snapdragon 805 quad-core processor coupled with 3 GB of RAM. It runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box. On the camera front, it sports a 13MP rear and 2MP front snapper.

It is available in two colour options – midnight blue and cloud white.

[tw-button size=”medium” background=”” color=”blue” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.flipkart.com/apple-iphone-5s/p/itme76pyyanhyzpq?pid=MOBDPPZZDX8WSPAT&offer=b%3Amp%3Ac%3A05d5e98501.&ref=L%3A4925717279235394059&affid=bhnagpalgm”]Buy Now[/tw-button]

iPhone 6 Plus

It may be the best time for iPhone lovers to buy the new and improved iPhone 6 Plus. The 16GB variant of the bigger iPhone 6, launched at a price of Rs. 62,500, is now up for grabs at Rs. 56,044 for the gold version, 53,999 for the space grey and Rs. 53,499 for the silver version. The 5.5-inch device sports 1.4GHz dual-core A8 chipset with 1GB RAM and 16GB internal storage. The back of the phone holds 8MP shooter, while the front is a 1.2MP snapper. The phone runs on iOS 8.

[tw-button size=”medium” background=”” color=”blue” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.flipkart.com/apple-iphone-6-plus/p/itme7zgymhjqjccq?pid=MOBEYHZ2YBFZTV3S&offer=b%3Amp%3Ac%3A0487d6c716.&ref=L%3A2039086925626164280&affid=bhnagpalgm”]Buy Now[/tw-button]

Moto X (Gen 2)

The premium Motorola series is also covered in the Flipkart sale. The second-gen device in the Moto X series has received a price drop of Rs. 8,000, coming down to Rs. 21,999 from its original cost of Rs. 29,999. The handset boasts of a 5.2-inch (1080x1920pl) AMOLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. It features 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB RAM and 16GB memory. Running on the Android 4.4 KitKat, the phone can be upgraded to Lollipop.

[tw-button size=”medium” background=”” color=”blue” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.flipkart.com/moto-x-2nd-generation/p/itme7yb9cj9ghfvg?pid=MOBDZ3FVVZT38WQH&offer=s%3Awsr%3Ac%3A0418d6bd21.&ref=L%3A128081498889208015&affid=bhnagpalgm”]Buy Now[/tw-button]

iPhone 5s

The 2013 edition of the Apple iPhone has seen a major price cut in today’s smartphone sale. iPhone 5s, coming at a price of Rs. 44,500 is now listed on Flipkart at Rs. 35,800 for the 16GB Gold variant. The Space Grey and Silver models have received comparatively lower discounts. The phone features A7 chipset and also has a M7 motion co-processor. The new fingerprint identity scanner is also equipped to the device.

[tw-button size=”medium” background=”” color=”blue” target=”_self” link=”http://www.flipkart.com/apple-iphone-5s/p/itme76pyyanhyzpq?pid=MOBDPPZZDX8WSPAT&offer=b%3Amp%3Ac%3A05d5e98501.&ref=L%3A4925717279235394059&affid=bhnagpalgm”]Buy Now[/tw-button]

Moto G (Gen 2)

The 2nd Gen Moto G launched at a price of Rs. 12,999 last year is now available on Flipkart for Rs. 10,999; a price cut of Rs. 2,000. It boasts of a 5.0-inch 720p HD IPS display with an 8MP rear and 2MP front snapper. It features a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, 1GB RAM and 16GB memory.

[tw-button size=”medium” background=”” color=”blue” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.flipkart.com/moto-g-2nd-generation/p/itme7ybangawqzzx?pid=MOBDYGZ6SHNB7RFC&offer=s%3Awsr%3Ac%3A0376bc9230.&ref=L%3A4466028021679214259&affid=bhnagpalgm”]Buy Now[/tw-button]

June 2, 2015
Microsoft Officially Announces Windows 10 Release Date

Microsoft had earlier announced that the consumer version of its newest OS, Windows 10, will arrive this summer. Keeping up its promise, the software major today announced the release date of its latest Windows iteration. The much-awaited operating system will be available to download on computers and tablets running Windows 7 and 8.1 from July 29th onwards. Windows-running smartphones are expected to receive an update later this year.

Terry Myerson of Microsoft stated in the official blog post –

On July 29, you can get Windows 10 for PCs and tablets by taking advantage of the free upgrade offer, or on a new Windows 10 PC from your favourite retailer. If you purchase a new Windows 8.1 device between now and then, the Windows 10 upgrade will be available to you and many retail stores will upgrade your new device for you.

Recently, the hardware and software giant commented on a blog post stating that Genuine Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 customers will be upgraded to Windows 10 for free and will continue receiving ongoing Windows innovation and security updates for the supported lifetime of that device. On the other hand, customers using pirated softwares have been recommended to purchase a licensed copy.

Microsoft is also sending a notification to genuine Windows users, clicking which, a slide show appears giving a slight glimpse of Windows 10. The new version brings back the Start Menu (that was missing in Windows 8), Continuum, a virtual assistant Cortana, the revamped browser Microsoft Edge that is fast and organised, and many other features. The software will launch in 190 countries.

[pullquote_right] Microsoft recently confirmed that there will be no Windows 11 [/pullquote_right]

Microsoft recently confirmed, that the firm is quitting the revision of Windows operating system and confirmed there will be no Windows 11. The company wanted perfection in the latest Windows as it aims to standardize Windows 10. Microsoft intends to make Windows a service. That means, instead of releasing versions of Windows every couple of years, they will be sending out regular updates to Windows just like Apple’s OS X.

Click here for more information about Windows 10.

June 1, 2015