Author: Preetish Gumber

Samsung Galaxy S Duos 2 Will Support 10 Different Languages

With the ever increasing products in the Galaxy(series), Samsung recently added two more products to it. The Galaxy Grand duos 2 along with the Galaxy S Duos 2.

The mid range Galaxy S Duos 2 features a 4 inch WVGA display with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels which is same as what we have seen on the Galaxy S Duos. However, on the inside this phone is powered by a 1.2 GHz Dual-Core processor, which was 1 GHz in the oldie S Duos.

Other features include a 5 MP primary camera with LED flash and a VGA secondary camera. The Samsung Galaxy S Duos 2 has a 768 MB RAM, 4 GB internal memory which is expandable up to 64GB with microSD.

The device runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and is packed with a 1500 mAh battery. Samsung claims that the Galaxy S Duos 2 is especially created for the Indian market, the phone’s regional language support enables consumers to access apps from the Samsung Application Store in Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Assamese, Marathi and Gujarati. Users can experience apps such as ChatOn, Facebook, Gmail and Newshunt in their own preferred language.

The Samsung Galaxy S Duos 2 will be available in two colors and is priced at 10,990 INR

December 5, 2013
Microsoft’s Acquisition Of Nokia Is Now Granted By The European Commission

It will not be long, when you can see Microsoft made Windows Phone 8 smartphones in the market. The Microsoft and Nokia deal which was in the picture a while ago, is not final.

As reported by Reuters, the European Commission has granted final approval to the $7.3 Billion deal of Microsoft and Nokia. This deal will allow Microsoft to make Windows Phone 8 devices with Nokia’s assets. The Union has approved this deal without any condition on Wednesday, the commission concluded:

The Commission concluded that the transaction would not raise any competition concerns,” the European Commission said in a statement, adding that it was unlikely “to lead to competitors being shut out from the market”.

With this, Microsoft’s acquisition on Nokia phone line is official. What will you expect from Microsoft, or what do you think Microsoft will bring to the table ?

[Via]

December 5, 2013
Google Sets Extra Password Security For Chrome On Windows

Extra password security for Google chrome is not new, as it has already been available to Mac users lately. Now even windows users will be able to secure Chrome with extra password.

As spotted by François Beaufort who is an open-source Chromium evangelist, this features will ask users to authenticate themselves before they can access any saved credentials inside their browser. Earlier, Chrome users could access a plain text list for saved passwords, simply by visiting chrome://settings/passwords. Which could have given easy access of the credentials to unwanted people.

This new version is still not official, but users can still download it. However, when you make an attempt to download, it will say that this is a raw build of Chromium for Windows, right out of the trunk. Google recommends Chrome Canary of Dev Channel for a build that regularly auto-updates to the latest.

The download page clearly says this may be tremendously buggy. If you would like to download and explore it further, you can check out the source below.

[Chromium]

December 5, 2013
Next Generation USB Connectors Will Be Reversible

Tired of trying to charge your device from the wrong side ? USB has some good news for you. The new connector, called Type-C, is an addition to the existing USB 3.1 specification.

While USB technology is well established as the favored choice for connecting and powering devices, we recognize the need to develop a new connector to meet evolving design trends in terms of size and usability,” said Brad Saunders, USB 3.0 Promoter Group Chairman. “The new Type-C connector will fit well with the market’s direction and affords an opportunity to lay a foundation for future versions of USB.”

No images are available, but the new cable will feature a new and smaller design, reversible to make it easier to plug in and will support scalable charging. You can expect something like the lightning cable, but we hope it will not be fragile.

The USB Type-C specification is targeted for industry review during the first quarter of 2014, and a final specification is expected to be published by the middle of 2014.

[Press Release – PDF]

December 4, 2013
LG’s AllJoyn Support Will Enable Smart TV Control From Any Device

LG seems to have a solution for controlling a smart television with ease. LG Electronics will be the first company to incorporate the AllJoyn open source software framework into its Smart TV platform.

The AllJoyn is developed by Qualcomm, and aims to create a common language that connects the Internet of Things irrespective of the Operating System or the brand.

LG is at the forefront of the device connectivity revolution,” said Richard Choi, Senior Vice President of the Smart Business Center at LG Electronics. “LG will now enable consumers to more effortlessly connect their networked devices in the home and continues to show a strong commitment to the next generation of convergence technology.”

LG will use AllJoyn to allow multiple devices to communicate with LG Smart TVs simultaneously. Several smartphones or tablets, each running a completely different OS or of different brands, can participate in the same multiplayer game on an LG Smart TV.

However, LG has not cleared when this technology will be officially available.

December 4, 2013
Yahoo Acquires Movie Making Application Ptch

This is not a new story, as we have seen Yahoo and other firms acquiring start up based companies. To name a few, Yahoo has acquired start ups like Bre.ad, IQ Engines, Summly and On the Air.

Yahoo has now acquired another company, a movie making app ‘Ptch’. The company was launched a year ago, with a mission to give users the best way to make and share beautiful movies made from the photos and videos on the phone. The company seems to have done well, as Yahoo noticed them and has now acquired them.

In a blog from the company, it says:

Today, we’re excited to announce that Ptch will be joining Yahoo! As part of the Yahoo team, we’ll be able to focus our efforts and leverage our technology to make Yahoo’s photo and video platforms the best in the world.

The company has also suggested users to keep all there photos and save them, before they shut down(January 2nd 2014). However, it will be interesting to see how will yahoo use this service to enhance Flickr.

[Ptch]

December 4, 2013
WhatsApp Messenger Gets The iOS 7 Friendly Update

WhatsApp is the most used messaging app throughout all platforms. Whether it is iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Symbian or Windows Phone, this app runs on all platforms.

Following other applications to update according to the iOS 7, WhatsApp messenger also gets the much needed update. This new update is late, but it comes with some required changes.

The new interface is simpler, and the new version introduces a broadcast lists. The latest update also improves location sharing with a 3D map, and the photo clickers can crop images and see larger pictures(thumbnails). The new update also allows you to manage your blocked contacts easily.

[App Store]

December 3, 2013
Now You Can Control a Paper Airplane With Your Smartphone

Building paper airplanes have been a delight in some point of everyone’s life, whether it is in your own childhood or your kids childhood. Creating a paper airplane that travels faraway might now develop into an easy task.

PowerUp 3.0 has boosted up a regular paper airplane with a small attachable propeller and rudder for a little more speed and steering control. The company uses the Bluetooth technology to connect the airplane to various iPhones and iPad mini.

Watch the video below to know how it works:

[youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9bpp7zmM_A”]

Users just have to tilt the smartphone left or right for the airplane movement. The device is made by a crash proof carbon fiber frame. This new device from the company charges through micro USB cable, and supports devices like, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5, iPhone 4s and iPad mini.

Check out the source for more information, and this product is now available for pre-order.

[PowerUp 3.0]

December 2, 2013
Amazon Launches Prime Air, Packages Delivered In 30 Minutes Through Drones

Amazon is one of the most visited shopping website, and the company has just revealed a next generation delivery system. Amazon’s next generation delivery system is named as Prime Air, which includes shipping of parcels with the help of drones.

The company says this is something they have been working upon in the next generation Research and Development lab. This new technology will include Drones that can easily take parcels upto five pounds, and has a range of approximately 16 kilometers.

However, the company claims that this can take a while, before people can see the drones flying around for delivering parcels. Amazon says that this might happen sometime in the year 2015, as they believe to be ready by that time.

Amazon says that before Prime Air is successfully launched they will take care of all necessary security and privacy measures. As the company says The FAA is actively working on rules and an approach for unmanned aerial vehicles that will prioritize public safety.

While, this sure is the next step in technology, but it might take years to be a part of India. What do you think ? To know more check out the source and watch the video below:

[youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98BIu9dpwHU”]

[Amazon]

December 2, 2013
CyanogenMod Installer Application Removed from Play Store

CyanogenMod is an alternative OS for your smartphone, it helps you to modify the phone content according to your needs. The company took an initiative to spread the application worldwide with its availability on the Play Store. Unfortunately, the CyanogenMod installer application has now been removed from the Play Store.

The CyanogenMod team was contacted by the Google Play Support team to say that the CyanogenMod Installer application is in violation of Google Play’s developer terms. Google advised CyanogenMod to voluntarily remove the application, or they would be forced to remove it administratively.

However, CyanogenMod says that this app has not violated any of Google Play’s developer terms. As the company says the only work of this app is to guide users to enable “ADB”, a built in development and debugging tool, and then navigate the user to the desktop installer.

The company says that Android is open enough to allow installing from unknown sources, this application is available on the companies website and can be installed. CyanogenMod has also submitted applications to Amazon and Samsung app-stores.

November 29, 2013
‘Ok Google’: Voice Search On Google Chrome For Desktop
Sometime back, Google launched voice support for its browser allowing users to push the microphone icon for voice search. This new way to search was helpful, but as Google is always keen on updates, the company has added a hotword for completely hands-free search.
```
How to get started
1) Download the extension.
2) Click “agree” to give your permission to use your microphone. 
3) Visit Google.com on Chrome and give it a try.  Just say “Ok Google” and then ask your question.
```
Google has released a free plug in on its browser, which will set a search hotword ‘Ok Google’ which will allow hands-free search on the web. Users simply have to download the plugin and it is ready to use. The extension is ready to download through the Chrome web store, or you can simply click the source below.

It’s not a major update, but atleast Google is trying to innovate and make the user experience better rather than taking out campaigns to blame rivals, if you know what we mean.

[youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNBBijn4JuY”]

[Chrome Store]
November 27, 2013
Jaguar and Intel to Work on Next Generation Vehicle Technology

Jaguar and Intel have collaborated to improve its research and product development on future vehicle infotainment technologies. Both companies will start this with the opening of a new Technology R&D center in Portland, Oregon.

Elliot Garbus, vice-president and general manager, Automotive Solutions Division, Intel Corporation, said: “Consumers expect their in-vehicle experiences to be an integrated part of their digitally connected lifestyle; this requires enhanced levels of connectivity and intelligence in the car. As part of our work with Jaguar Land Rover, we are exploring innovative ways to inform, entertain and assist drivers and passengers in a safe way; speeding development of unique experiences from the car to the cloud. Our goal is to accelerate opportunities for new types of in-vehicle services and applications in the Internet of Things.”

The new Open Software Technology Center in Portland, which is scheduled to open in 2014, will include the Jaguar team based at the company’s product creation facility in Gaydon, UK. It will further include a team of 30 infotainment specialists, including 16 highly experienced software engineers.

November 25, 2013
Apple Confirms Buyout For PrimeSense, Get Ready For Motion Controlled Future

Apple has confirmed its acquisition of the Microsoft’s Kinect maker, Prime Sense. Last week, an Israeli news source Calcalist confirmed that Apple has acquired PrimeSense for $345 Million.

Now in an official statement to All Things D, an Apple spokesperson said: “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans”. The deal is said to have been completed on Sunday and the total cost involved was around $360 million.

Apple’s intentions behind this acquisition is not clear, but one can sense a motion controlled future ahead. Apple is also believed to use this technology for its rumored iTV. Like many other Apple rumors, only time will tell what Apple will do with this tech.

[via]

November 25, 2013
Samsung to Pay $290 Million More To Apple

A jury on thursday decided that Samsung will have to pay Apple a sum of $290,456,793 more for its patent infringement case. This comes after Samsung has already been asked to shell out 1 billion US $ to Apple. This amount is still less than what Apple had demanded, which was $390 Million.

The total money Samsung has paid or will pay to Apple has now reached approx. $930 million, just to let you get a fair idea it is approx. 5833,23,90,000 in Indian Rupee.

For Apple, this case has always been about more than patents and money,” Apple said in a statement. “It has been about innovation and the hard work that goes into inventing products that people love. While it’s impossible to put a price tag on those values, we are grateful to the jury for showing Samsung that copying has a cost.”

Samsung, said it is “disappointed by today’s decision, which is based in large part on a patent that the US Patent and Trademark Office has recently deemed invalid.”

While we move forward with our post-trial motions and appeals, we will continue to innovate with groundbreaking technologies and great products that are loved by our many customers all around the world,” the Korean company said in a statement.

During the session, Apple said that if Samsung did not use infringement devices they would have sold alot of iPhone’s throughout the world. Apple claimed that Samsung was the reason for the company to not earn more profits from iPhone’s, so Samsung should compensate it.

On the other hand, Samsung showcased reports of why people bought Samsung phones. Samsung showcased that all of its consumers got attracted towards bigger screens, better battery and alot more.

However, as said by the jury members: Samsung didn’t provide enough information to make its case. We hope this ends the lawsuit, and both the companies continue the innovation and stop the endless war.

Have something to say? Share your view below.

November 23, 2013
Google+ Update On iOS Now Gets Full Resolution Photos and Dedicated Search Box

The Google+ app for iOS has been updated, and finally brings some long missing features. The new update for Google+ adds features like full size backup of your photos and more.

The version 4.6 update for Google+ on iOS now alos lets users to upload images and videos at its original resolution, as long as there is enough cloud storage. Other features that add up with this update are location sharing (already available for Android users), inline translation of posts and comments and a single search box for posts, people, photos and communities. Update your app from the link below.

[App Store]

November 23, 2013