Author: Rosheena Zehra

Barack Obama Launches Facebook Page, Gains 200,000 followers in 3 Hours

When American president Barack Obama joined Twitter in May, 2015 he broke Robert Downey Jr.’s record of reaching one million followers in the fastest time ever according to Guinness Book of World Records. Obama reached the number in under five hours, while it took Downey Jr. over 23 hours to achieve the same.

The Prez has now taken to Facebook and seems to be setting new bench-marks of popularity on the social media platform already. Within hours of announcing the account, he has over 600,000 followers on his Facebook page.

Hello, Twitter! It's Barack. Really! Six years in, they're finally giving me my own account.

— President Obama (@POTUS44) May 18, 2015

The inaugural post of the page is a video of President Obama walking across the White House grounds, also a national park.

Hello, Facebook! I finally got my very own page. I hope you’ll think of this as a place where we can have real conversations about the most important issues facing our country – a place where you can hear directly from me, and share your own thoughts and stories. (You can expect some just-for-fun stuff, too.)I’m kicking it off by inviting you to take a walk with me in my backyard – something I try to do at the end of the day before I head in for dinner. I say this often, but that’s because it’s always at the front of my mind: We’ve got to preserve this beautiful planet of ours for our kids and grandkids. And that means taking serious steps to address climate change once and for all. Now, we've made a lot of progress to cut carbon pollution here at home, and we're leading the world to take action as well. But we’ve got to do more. In a few weeks, I’m heading to Paris to meet with world leaders about a global agreement to meet this challenge.I hope you'll join me in speaking out on climate change and educating your friends about why this issue is so important. At a time when nearly three in four adults online use Facebook, this feels like a great place to do it. Share your thoughts in the comments, and pass this message on to folks you think need to see it.If we're all in this together, I'm confident we can solve this and do right by future generations. Posted by President Obama on Monday, November 9, 2015

Needless, to say, like of the President's social media activity, this Facebook account is also taken care of by an entire team of tech-professionals. He is known to have roughly 20 techies to take care of his various social media accounts across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Here's a screenshot of the page.

November 10, 2015
Siri Beats Google Now and Cortana in Accuracy Tests
Ever wondered who will take the cake in a face-off between Siri, Cortana and Google Now? You are not the only one if you have because a company called Experts-Exchange in the US thinks just like you. The three virtual voice activated personal assistants were put to a test where they were asked four questions each and given three tasks to complete. The participants had to keep a record of the follow-up question each assistant required and closely watch for accuracy.

The following questions were made part of the test:
- Who won the Super Bowl in 1978?
- How many calories in a muffin?
- Where can I buy tires?
- When is “Kung Fu Panda 3” coming out?
The three tasks that the virtual assistants were supposed to perform included:
- Ask your phone to set an appointment
- Turn the Wi-Fi setting on
- Send a text message.
In terms of the stats, when the first question was asked about the Super Bowl in 1978, Siri answered correctly 95.3% of the times, satisfying 86.1% of the participants. Google Now answered it correctly 88% of the times, and 80% of the times it responded with a web search. As far as Cortana goes, the wrong answer was given a mere 3.3% of the times.

When asked to set an appointment, Siri once again took the lead by being correct 92.3% of the times, satisfying 89.2% of the users. This was followed by Google Now being correct at 81.3% and satisfying 80% of the users. Cortana came in last with 73.3% and 70% respectively.

The total number of satisfied users for the three virtual assistants were 81% for Siri, followed by Google Now at 68% and Cortana at 57%. Siri also had the lowest number of incorrect answers, and found itself in a tie with Google Now for having least answers that were responded with a web search.

While the test results should be a matter of concern for Google and Microsoft, it should be noted that there was a certain pattern that both, virtual assistants as well as participants, followed. People living in the Western states seemed more satisfied with Siri than those living in the Eastern parts of the country. Conversely, Google Now and Cortana saw themselves faring better with people from Eastern states.

Also, follow-up questions with Google Now and Cortana were twice as much for women as men. On the other hand, Siri asked more follow-up questions with men than with women. This suggests a pattern and structure in the manner the questions were put forth by both men and women.

Have you ever conducted a similar face off? Which is your favourite virtual voice activated personal assistant? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: [tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.phonearena.com/news/Testing-shows-Siri-beating-out-Google-Now-and-Cortana-for-accuracy-user-satisfaction-and-more_id75601″]PhoneArena[/tw-button]
November 10, 2015
Apple Offers Discount Up to Rs. 34,000 In a First of Its Kind Offer

For the first time in the history of selling iPhones in India, Apple is offering a buyback on iPhone 6s and 6s Plus of up to Rs. 34,000 within a month of their launch in the country. The new iPhones are the most expensive in India as compared to other countries around the world. Thus, the buyback scheme is undoubtedly Apple’s attempts to boost its sales post a lukewarm Indian response to the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.

Other than owing to the unexpectedly high price of the new iPhones, which falls between Rs. 62,000- Rs. 92,000, the fall in the price of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus from last year by Rs. 8,000- Rs. 9,000 has further led to reduced sales of iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.

One of Apple’s four iPhone distributors, Ingram Micro, has announced the buyback scheme in some Apple stores and a couple of other multi-brand cellphone stores in South India, soon to be available elsewhere in the country. This move will be followed by the other three distributors as Apple attempts to meet its target sales for the October-December quarter.

A senior executive of one of the leading trade partners in the country commented on this, “Earlier companies offering buyback used to give indirect subsidy to retailers to compensate and it was the retailer’s headache to sell the old phone, but this time the entire process is driven by Apple.”

The buyback scheme of Rs. 34,000 on the latest iPhones is against iPhone 6. The offer also includes some hi-end Samsung handsets as well. A separate website has been created by Apple where details of old handsets can be uploaded by retailers against which new models can be bought. This buyback scheme by Apple has followed a 7-11% discount on iPhone 6s and 6s Plus on major e-commerce websites in India. Is the new scheme incentive enough for you to give the new iPhones a try?

November 9, 2015
Let Your Smartphone Help Cure Cancer as You Sleep: DreamLab

Set your smartphone to work as you sleep. Let it help cure cancer. DreamLab, which is a three year old collaboration between Vodafone Foundation and Australia’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research, has started an initiative that attempts to use smartphones to get some help in curing cancer.

You need to begin by downloading the free app from Google Playstore and ensure that the phone is being charged. Next, choose the type of cancer research you want to support -ovarian, pancreatic, prostrate or breast, and then simply choose the amount of internet data you’d like to donate.

This initiative has been made live only in Australia as of now. If the nation there puts their smartphones together, it will provide Garvan with a supercomputer to be able to conduct cancer research more skillfully. Garvans’s head of the breast cancer unit, Dr. Samantha Oakes, said in an official statement:

“As a nation who loves their smartphones, we now have a tremendous opportunity to put them to good use and help find a cure for cancer. Together, we can come to a greater understanding of how to treat it more swiftly. With the help of game-changing innovations like DreamLab, I am hopeful that we will see cures of certain types of cancer in our lifetime.”

The Institute further stated that with 100,000 DreamLab apps working on smartphones in a nation which has about 5 million users, the rate of processing data would increase by 150,000 times and with a speed 3,000 times faster than the current one. The initiative seems a big step in the field of cancer research. Let’s see how long India would have to wait before something like this makes its way to the country.

November 9, 2015
Samsung to Launch its Virtual Reality Headset This Month

Samsung is all set to release Gear VR, company’s virtual reality headset, before Black Friday that is 27th November. It will be first launched in the US, followed by a UK launch a couple of days later and then other parts of the world. The headset would be shipped with the new Occulus Social app. Vimeo and Twitch videos would also be part of the app which can be watched with other people in anywhere in the world, participating as avatars.

Samsung has also launched Samsung Milk VR, it’s own VR video channel, along with a VR camera Project Beyond which is a 360-degree 3D capture camera built specifically to create videos for virtual reality.

Samsung’s Vice President for VR, Nicholas DiCarlo comments on Gear VR and says, ““Some people think virtual reality (VR) will be isolating but I think it’s clear it’s going to be a social medium… It’s the launch of consumer virtual reality.”

Other than the Occulus Social app and Milk VR, there are also plenty of games, apps such as Facebook 360 videos and Jaunt (a technological initiative that commissions and therefore encourages film-makers to make VR-friendly films) which have been developed for the headset. The headset is priced at $99 (close to Rs. 6,500) and can be plugged into the Galaxy S6, Edge, Edge + and Note 5 and any of the other new Samsung handsets.

Virtual reality seems to be the next big thing in the world of entertainment as well as tech. Would you be willing to give it a try?

November 7, 2015
iPad Pro to Arrive Next Week, Pre-Orders Begin On International Websites

iPad Pro was launched in September amidst all the glitz and glamour of the Apple event in San Francisco. Even though this was followed by an immediate release of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus in the market, Pro was kept away from the limelight.

Rumours and speculations had placed 11th of November as the release date for Apple’s newest iPad. Looks like we might be wrong, but only by two days. The iPad Pro is expected to arrive on Friday the 13th next week.

Pre-orders for it have already begun on international websites like Sam’s Club. If you choose to place an order on this website, keep in mind that it’s only offering the Wi-Fi only versions of the 32 GB and 128 GB variants. The two devices are priced at $787 (close to Rs. 52,000) and $937 (close to Rs. 62,000) respectively, surprisingly enough both being lower than Apple’s pricing for them.

The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus party has barely piped down, and now a new Apple device arrives in town. How do you think Indian audiences would respond to it – will the response be lukewarm like to the latest iPhones or will it be enthusiastic? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: [tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.cultofmac.com/396108/ipad-pro-tipped-to-arrive-later-than-expected/”]Cult of Mac[/tw-button]

November 7, 2015
‘Notify’ -Facebook’s Standalone News-Only App to Launch Next Week

Following its announcement of serving over a billion users, Facebook is once again in news -this time for a standalone app for delivering news to readers. According to reports, the app is called Notify and it will put together news from different sources which include The Washington Post, Comedy Central and Vogue, among others.

Rumours of Facebook working on a news-only app has been milling since August. This app aims to standout from others in the league by giving alerts to the reader as and when the story they are following develops. The reader would not have to visit specific stories or categories again to view the updates and changes.

Notify is expected to follow in the footsteps of Apple’s pre-installed News app for iOS 9 which boasts of over 40 million users now since its launch in mid-September. Let’s see how users take to this newest update by Facebook. Do you think it will simply add to the fray of many other similar news-related apps or will it be a change as refreshing and useful as reports are making it sound to be? We’ll keep you updated as and when we get more on this.

November 5, 2015
Motorola Comes to Delhi to Give a Hands On of its Devices to Customers

A couple of weeks ago, Motorola had started a 63-day road-trip to give a hands-on experience of many of its devices to potential buyers. The initiative is called Moto Spotlight and, for those who don’t know, it involves showcasing of Motorola devices in 12 cities across the country on a travelling rooftop stage.

You ask why do we bring this month old news up now? Because this Motorola vehicle is going to be in Delhi starting day after tomorrow. You can catch a bus from Pacific Mall, DLF Saket or Cyberhub in Gurgaon over the next couple of days. Click here for other details.

Additionally, aspiring artists and musicians get a chance to perform alongside names like Parikrama and Junkyard Groove by being in the Moto Spotlight. All you need to do is register yourself or the band, and upload a video. The best entries will be made part of the performance. Register yourself on the official website to stand a chance to perform at Moto Spotlight.

November 5, 2015

On5 or On7: Which is a Better Buy?

Samsung’s newest mid-range ‘On’ series has been officially launched in India on the 3rd of November. The On5 and On7 are the first set of devices in this group. We have been talking about them for a while and now let’s take a look at which of the two devices is a better bet.

Design:

Other than the screen size, On5 measuring a 5 inches while On7 measures a 5.5 inches, both phones are completely identical physically. Because of the screen size, On5 is easier to hold and use with one hand. On5 and On7 also have a tough, sturdy feel thanks to the metal frame of the devices.

It should be noted the two handsets differ in their design from J5, and therefore have a better, more pleasant appearance. J5 is inspired by Galaxy S5 in terms of its design which wasn’t a big success with buyers to begin with. Consequently, J5 doesn’t have design as one of its highlights. It was a smart move on Samsung’s part to ditch the S5 and J5 design for the On5 and On7.

Camera:

With primary cameras marked at 8 MP for On5 and 13 MP for On7, the latter definitely offers better, clearer images. However, the same thing cannot be said for the front camera. Both devices give identical results with their cameras marked at 5 MP each.

Samsung Galaxy On5 iGyaan 7 — Samsung Galaxy On5

Processor:

Given that the On7 is priced higher of the two phones, one would expect the processor to be better as well. But surprisingly that’s not the case. On7 has a 1.2Ghz Quad A53 processor with a Snapdragon 410 MSM8916 chipset, while On5 is equipped with a 1.3GHz Quad Core processor which is powered by Exynos 3475.

Samsung Galaxy On7 iGyaan 3 — Samsung Galaxy On7

User Interface and Display:

The two handsets have the same specs for display that is (720×1280 pixel) TFT display. Both phones are quick to respond as well offering a smooth UI, and keeping usage of apps convenient, smooth and uncluttered.

Price:

The specs and price of the On7 is quite similar to the Galaxy J5 except for a bigger battery in the On7 at 3,000 mAh. This begs one to question why exactly Samsung felt the need to introduce a new series when it already had one that covered the price range. Samsung claims to have young consumers in mind as the target audience for the mid-range On5 (Rs.8,990) and On7 (Rs. 10,990).

Meizu m2, Meizu m2 Note, Xiaomi Redmi 2 Prime, Micromax Canvas 5 and Moto G (3rd Gen) are some of the devices in the same price range On5 and On7 will face competition from in the market.

Additional Highlights:

The devices are touted as youth friendly and come equipped with an Ultra Data Saving mode that compresses data and saves up to 50% data charges during networking and browsing. The devices also come with MixRadio which is an Apple Music-like streaming service that lets users stream millions of songs, while offering curated music based on the user’s preference at the same time.

Verdict:

With similar specs, and a very narrow difference in their pricing, either of the two devices can be opted for. If you prefer a better main camera and a bigger screen which will definitely be easier on the eyes but harder to use with one hand, then On7 is your device.

However, if you’re more of a selfie-oriented person, willing to let go of crisper images for a more convenient handset that is easier to use with one hand owing to its smaller screen, your answer lies in On5. You would also end up saving a few pennies with this one.

The major difference between the two phones is the 2k price gap, which is equivalent to two movie-outings perhaps? We say let go of two social engagements and get the bigger brother, On7. Let us know in the comments below if you agree and which device would you opt for.

For a closer look, check out the specs table below.

Specs	Galaxy On5	Galaxy On7
Display	5.0-inch HD TFT	5.5-inch HD TFT
Resolution	1280 x 720 pixels	1280 x 720 pixels
Chipset	Exynos 3475	Snapdragon 410 MSM8916
CPU	1.3GHz Quad Core	1.2Ghz Quad A53
GPU
RAM	1.5GB	1.5GB
Primary Camera	8MP(F/2.2) w/ LED Flash	13MP(F/2.1) w/ LED Flash
Front Camera	5MP(F/2.2)	5MP(F/2.2)
Storage	8GB	8GB
Expandability	Up to 128GB via MicroSD card slot	Up to 128GB via MicroSD card slot
Battery	2,600mAh	3,000mAh
Connectivity	Bluetooth 4.1, WiFi b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, GPS, Glonass	Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS, Glonass, Beidou, NFC O (option)
Operating System	Android 5.1.1 Lollipop	Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
Price	Rs. 8,990	Rs. 10,990

November 5, 2015

Brace Yourself for the Last Day of Xiaomi’s Re.1 Flash Sale

Tech-nerds, time to gear yourself for Xiaomi’s Re.1 flash sale. Today is the last day so make sure to be there in time. The company is holding a #DubsmashWithMi contest in which participants would get a chance to win a Mi Band. The timing for the contest is 11 am to 6 pm on the official Mi Twitter and Facebook accounts. Four winners will get a Mi Band as part of this contest.

https://twitter.com/XiaomiIndia/status/662118374432894976/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Third day of Xiaomi’s Diwali celebrations will follow the same pattern as the last two days. The Mi Band and Mi in-ear phones already went up for sale at 10 am in the morning at the price of Rs. 799 and Rs. 299 respectively. Now the Re. 1 flash sale will take place between 2 pm and 6 pm.

To participate in Xiaomi’s flash sale, users have to share the flash sale promotion from Xiaomi’s official website mi.com/in on Facebook or Twitter. This will take the users to the ‘Light Me Up’ game. Players of this game will have a chance to win coupons for the Mi store. Additionally, customers who make purchases using the Mi store app during the sale period also stand to win a Mi TV 2S.

Customers who use PayU for transactions will get a 5% cashback. Find more details and rules of Xiaomi’s Diwali sale here. Xiaomi has been trying and succeeding at wooing customers with exciting sales and offers for a while now. Earlier this year, a 1000 customers who had managed to register themselves in time had received Mi Bands for Re. 1.

Needless to say, the sale has seen an incredible response over the past two days. Happy shopping on the final day of this sale. Get set go!

November 5, 2015
YU Rolls Out Cyanogen 12.1 Update for Yureka and Yureka Plus

The official Cyanogen 12.1 update for Yureka and Yureka Plus has begun rolling out. Some of the highlights include a Live Display feature which adjusts the screen based on environmental conditions. This would ensure better readability in sunlight and a softer, dimmer screen during the night. Your eyes will definitely be happier about this update.

Another feature of this update is the calendar which is integrated with the email. This allows you to sync emails from different sources like Gmail and Exchange in the calendar, making sifting through appointments and reminders easier and more convenient. It also allows scheduling of appointments directly from an email.

The redesigned UI for the folders and app drawer allows one-handed-use of the device to the user, while also reducing visual clutter. YU also promises better performance and an over-all improved sound experience with an updated audio FX UI.

It is time to get your YU devices updated, folks, and tell us about your experience in the comments below.

November 4, 2015
Google’s New Smartphone App Will Answer Emails For You

Allowing you to take laziness to the next level, Google’s new email app will come up with responses for emails and thereby saving your brain cells the extra effort. The Smart Reply feature of the Inbox by Gmail app was unveiled on Tuesday and offers three responses that can be customised by the user.

Smart Reply, Google’s smartphone app, uses deep learning, a modified version of Artificial intelligence to make the appropriate replies. Over time, the app would study the pattern of responses to emails, and suggest responses based on the most and least often used ones.

The president of the Google for Work program, Amit Singh commented on this, “The possibilities of machine learning are endless.”

Users tend to keep replies short on mobile phones and it was precisely this style of emailing on phones which led to the development of Google’s newest app. Google has also made sure to include or exclude responses which are more commonly used or steered cleared of. This ensures no private replies get mixed with business emails and vice versa. Smart Reply is expected to be available by the end of this week as part of the Inbox app that is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

[tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://gmailblog.blogspot.in/2015/11/computer-respond-to-this-email.html”]Official Gmail Blog[/tw-button]

November 4, 2015
Vodafone’s Free 100 MB Data Has Got to Be the Lamest Diwali Freebie Ever

Just when you thought things in the country couldn’t get any stranger (to use a safer word), we have been proved wrong one more time as Vodafone chooses to take randomness (once again, playing it safe) to a whole new level. In a very unusual turn of events, the company is offering a 100 MB of data for free to all its users all over India.

Vodafone says in an official statement, “At Vodafone, we are driven with the singular objective of delivering superior experience to our customers.”

Sorry, what? Next time if there’s a brainstorming session for ideas of Diwali free gifts at Vodafone, hopefully somebody comes up with something probably just a tiny bit more useful like – better customer service where the company representatives actually manage to solve the user’s problem for a change, or better network coverage which doesn’t require the user to perform all sorts of acrobats to get a single bar of reception in their device, and what’s up on the 4G front, folks? How about offering something that truly helps your 188 million ‘valued’ customers in the country? Take a look at re-volt to get a better picture of what we’re trying to say.

Vodafone Diwali freebies got us excited like.

Unfortunately, Vodafone is already glorying in the extra 100 MB of data they are going to be handing out to their customers to realise how badly they have missed the mark. The “special” offer, as Vodafone fondly calls its problem child, will be available to all Vodafone customers on Wednesday, November 11, 2015. They can avail it by SMS-ing ‘DIWALI’ to 199. Do let us know how many extra selfies you manage to exchange with all this free data.

November 4, 2015
Sennheiser’s Orpheus: Most Expensive Headphones in the World At $50,000

Sennheiser will soon release it’s new set of headphones, Orpheus with a price tag of $50,000 (no, that’s not a typo) or Rs. 32,75,000. About twenty five years ago, the company had come out with Orpheus HE90, which soon came to be known as the best headphones money can buy. There were only 300 of those made by the company, and they came with an amplifier at a cost of about $16,000.

Sennheiser Orpheus in 1991

After almost a quarter of a century since 1991, Sennheiser is ready with an updated version of the Orpheus. The company had been working on the gadget for over a decade now. German craftsmanship and over 6,000 components that include gold-vaporized ceramic electrodes, platinum-vaporized diaphragms, and Carrara marble amplifier housing from Italy -same as the one used by Michelangelo -all have gone into making this beauty. Clearly, these headphones are not meant for metro rides or listening to music on the laptop.

All these intricately chosen components improve sound quality and audio experience. Digital amplification takes place directly in the headphones and therefore steers clear of any disturbance that might have happened because of cord travel of the sound. Sennheiser plans to make the Orpheus available starting mid-2016 and would keep the production at a 250 piece per year. Time to bring out the piggy bank and start saving up, folks!

November 4, 2015
Micromax Canvas 5 to Take On Devices by Motorola and OnePlus

With only a few hours left for the launch of the Micromax Canvas 5, speculations are high about the device. We expect it to fall under Rs. 20,000 and therefore take on handsets by Motorola and OnePlus that fall under a similar bracket.

The OnePlus X, launched on the 29th of October is priced at Rs. 16,999 for its entry level variant. Motorola’s Moto X Play, which was launched earlier this year in July, costs Rs. 18, 499 for its 16 GB variant and thus also falls within the same price bracket. Another Motorola device to provide competition to Canvas 5 is Moto G (3rd Gen) whose price starts at Rs. 11,999 for the 8 GB variant.

On the specs front, we expect Canvas 5 to have a 5.2-inch full HD screen, Corning Gorilla Glass 3, and a 3GB RAM. While some of the specs are similar to its predecessor, the Canvas 5 is expected to have improved where it needed to. The device is also likely to sport a slim and sleek design.

We’ll soon have all the specs and a detailed hands-on with the Canvas 5. Watch this space for more.

November 4, 2015

Author: Rosheena Zehra

Specs

Galaxy On5

Galaxy On7