Author: Tejan Mitra

Truecaller Launches Messaging App to Keep Inbox Spam Free

Truecaller is one of the most popular apps used around the world, with 80 million users in India alone. The app, which is basically a user-generated phonebook, can identify calls made from unknown numbers and label it as spam. Now you can do the same thing with your messages. The company has released a companion app, Truemessenger, which performs the same function as Truecaller – filter texts from unknown numbers and spams.

According to the developers, Truemessenger will identify the person who has sent a text from an unknown number. Like Truecaller, it screens the messages and identifies the sender using the phone’s contact list and the Truecaller database. The app will also search through the same database to identify spam messages, which gets collected in a different folder.

Moreover, Truemessenger will use your Facebook feed to assign the identified number a name, photographs and other information.

According to Truecaller, the app is currently available only on Android platform and only for Indian users. It is not a surprising move, considering that more than half of its users are from India. The timing of the app is a bit perplexing though, considering that popular messaging services like Whatsapp and Hike have disrupted the SMS service in the past three years, which has become the bone of contention between the Indian telecom sector and net neutrality activists.

Truemessenger is now available at the Google Play store.

July 7, 2015
Google Celebrates Godzilla’s Creator Tsuburaya Through Interactive Doodle

Google is renowned for recreating pop-culture nostalgia through its doodles. From Pac-man to Rubik’s Cube, these doodles celebrate the pop-culture items in our life. Today, Google has released a doodle to commemorate 114th birth anniversary of Tsuburaya Eiji, best known for creating the iconic monster lizard, Godzilla.

Light the set! Stomp the tanks! Make your own Ultraman-style monster movie w/ today's doodle ? http://t.co/1BFLUuTzW1 pic.twitter.com/6b38oYOaGA

— Google (@Google) July 7, 2015

The doodle is an interactive game that allows the user to create his own monster movie in ten easy steps or tasks. Based on how you complete each task will result in a different film.

According to Jennifer Hom, the brain behind this doodle, the project took six months to develop. The doodle was created in association with the Tsuburaya studio, so that the doodle could capture the spirit of Tsuburaya’s works.

Tsuburaya Eiji was famous for introducing tokusatsu, a special effect technique used in kaiju or Japanese monster film. The technique involves using hand-built scale models of cities and actors in foam and rubber costumes, which results in this:

Godzilla (1954)

The doodle fulfills the lifelong dream of every movie buff – to create his/her own monster film. So go ahead and make the monster film you always wanted to.

July 7, 2015

Xiaomi Reduces the Price of Redmi 2 by Rs. 1000

Call it a smart marketing strategy or a monsoon gift, this news will sure excite Xiaomi fans. After teasing the price drop in a partial image on Twitter yesterday, Xiaomi has slashed the price of Redmi 2 by Rs. 1000. The Redmi 2 is now available for Rs. 5,999 on Xiaomi’s own website along with Flipkart, Snapdeal and Amazon.

#Redmi2 is now only ?5,999. Buy now @ http://t.co/cwYEXdVQIo. RT by 10/7 12pm why you want one to win a dark grey set pic.twitter.com/eFNY1qoiRd

— Redmi India (@RedmiIndia) July 7, 2015

Redmi 2, the successor to Redmi 1S, was launched by Xiaomi in March this year at a price of Rs. 6,999. This is the second time Xiaomi has reduced the price of its phones, as it slashed the price of Redmi Note 4G by Rs. 2,000 last week.

The Redmi 2 boasts a 4.7 inch display and runs on 1.2 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor with 1GB of RAM. The phone comes with an 8MP rear camera and has a storage capacity of 8GB, expandable upto 32 GB. Redmi 2 is powered by a 2200 mAh battery.

If you’re looking for a new phone, Xiaomi has just given you an incentive to buy the Redmi 2. Check out the specifications and unboxing of Redmi 2:

Specs	Redmi 2
Display	4.7 inches, 1280×720 pixels 312 ppi
Processor	1.2 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 410
RAM	1GB
Storage	8GB
Expandable Up to	32GB
Battery	2200mAh
Operating System	Android 4.4 KitKat with MIUI 6.0
Price	Rs. 6,999

You can check out the Hands On of Xiaomi Redmi 2 below:

July 7, 2015

Here’s What We Know About Windows 10 So Far

Windows is by far one of the most widely used OS in the world. It’s also known that Windows XP has been the most popular version of Windows, to the length that it took two years for Windows 8.1 to surpass XP. With Windows 10, Microsoft has taken a multi-platform approach, meaning that your Xbox, phones and other Microsoft products will run on the same OS.

Microsoft is pulling out all the stops to make Windows 10 available worldwide. From free upgrade to new features, the company has been building up the hype for its new OS day by day. Still, existing Windows users are still confused about certain things like, whether they are eligible for free upgrade or when can they get Windows 10.

Here’s what we know about Windows 10 so far. We hope that we are able clear your doubts.

Am I eligible for free upgrade?

The most frequent question riding on Windows users’ minds, to which Microsoft has changed its answer from time to time. First, it was reported that anyone who uses a copy of Windows 7 or 8.1, genuine or not, will get a free upgrade. The company changed its statement saying that the users using pirated version will not get free upgrade.

If you use a genuine copy of Windows 7 or 8.1, you will get a free upgrade. You can simply click on the Windows logo on the right side of the taskbar and reserve your free upgrade.

If you use a pirated version of Windows 7 or 8.1, you will not get a free copy of Windows 10. There is a way to get a free copy though. If you decide to install a preview version of Windows 10 as part of the ‘Windows Insider’ program, you will get a free upgrade as long as you keep receiving the pre-release updates. If you install the preview version, upgrade to the final version on July 29th and then opt-out of pre-release updates, you will not receive the free copy.

When will I receive my free copy of Windows 10?

If you are a regular Windows 7 or 8.1 user, and have registered for your free copy of Windows 10, you will not receive it on July 29. On that day, Microsoft will roll out the new OS to the Windows Insiders. Since the majority of the world has registered for the free upgrade, it is obvious that not all of them will receive it on the same day. That is why Microsoft will start notifying reserved systems in parts, which means you will get your free copy of Windows 10 after you have been notified post July 29.

How do I register for my free Windows 10 upgrade?

You will see a Windows logo on the right side of your taskbar. Click on the logo will open up a window. Click ‘Reserve your free upgrade’ and enter your Microsoft Account ID. Select the menu and choose ‘View Confirmation’. If this window appears, it means you will be notified about your free upgrade:

How much space is needed for Windows 10 upgrade?

According to Microsoft, the Windows 10 upgrade requires only 3GB of space. How much time it takes to download 3GB will depend on your Internet connection.

Will I lose my personal data after I upgrade to Windows 10?

Microsoft says that your files and applications will be safe. However, we recommend you to create a backup of your personal files. As far as softwares are concerned, applications like anti-virus will be uninstalled during the update while keeping its settings. If you have a current subscription, Windows will reinstall using the preserved settings.

Now that your basic doubts have been cleared, we hope that you and us will enjoy Windows 10 when it comes on 29 July.

July 4, 2015
OnePlus 2 May Sport a New Metal Body, Teases OnePlus CEO Liu Zuohu

In three weeks, OnePlus will launch its latest flagship phone, OnePlus 2. By now, we’ve seen many rumors and confirmed specifications for OnePlus Two. Today, Liu Zuohu, CEO of OnePlus, has teased another detail about the upcoming phone.

In a post on Weibo, the popular Chinese microblogging website, Zhouh has asked his followers to define “full metal”. While this could mean anything, the timing of this post seems to indicate another detail for OnePlus 2.

According to a previous report, OnePlus 2 will supposedly don a metal frame, instead of a polycarbonate body the current one sports. By ditching the polycarbonate, OnePlus 2 may go for a premium look, like an iPhone. Moreover, given that the 2 will cost more than the One, it may be possible that the phone will arrive with a metal body or may be a mix of both polycarbonate and metal.

So far we know that OnePlus 2 will run on Snapdragon 810 chipset along with 4GB RAM. The phone will sport a 5.5-inch 2K display that will improve the viewing experience of the user. The OnePlus 2 will also have a USB C-Type, the first in a flagship device by a major manufacturer. Just a few days back, the company revealed that the phone will come with a built-in fingerprint scanner.

OnePlus will launch the 2 through a virtual reality event on July 27 at seven p.m. PDT, which means we will see the launch at 7.30 a.m. in India. The event can be viewed through a VR headset, currently available at Amazon India for free with Rs. 99 for shipping.

Here’s our review of OnePlus One:

Source: [tw-button size=”small” background=”” color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.weibo.com/1110411735/Cp9kuykCe?from=page_1005051110411735_profile&wvr=6&mod=weibotime&type=comment”]Weibo[/tw-button]

July 4, 2015
Google Teases Google Glass in an FCC Filing

It’s been a long time since we heard anything about Google Glass. Yes, we are talking about that spectacle containing a tiny computer, whose production was stopped by Google earlier this year. It could have been the end of it, but Google never stopped developing the project. Today, a report has came out that says Google Glass could resurface again.

According to Droid Life, an FCC (Federal Communication Commission) filing by Google indicates that the company is working on a new version of Google Glass. Filed under the FCC ID A4R-GG1, the term ‘GG’ indicates Google Glass. Unlike most devices, which are labelled in FCC as mobile or a wearable, this one has been labelled as “BLUETOOTH & DTS/UNII a/b/g/n/ac” with model name “GG1”.

According to the website, the device has Bluetooth LE and rechargeable, non-removable batteries that can’t be accessed…. the product comes with an AC charger and USB cable that when connected to a PC, can provide a “path for charging and data transfer.”

For all we know, the device could be a smartphone or a tablet, but the fact that it hasn’t been labelled as a phone or wearable and Google used the initials GG, this could be the next version of Google Glass. Of course, it’s all speculation until and unless Google announces it.

With Oculus Rift expected to make a huge entry by 2016 and Microsoft HoloLens getting attention for its innovative holographic interface, Google has the perfect opportunity to make strides in the augmented reality wearable segment.

July 3, 2015
Xolo Will Release ‘Black’ on July 10 Exclusively Through Flipkart

Since its launch in 2012, XOLO has tried but never been able to achieve the level of popularity like its rivals Motorola and Xiaomi have. XOLO hopes to change that through its upcoming phone “Black”, which will be exclusively sold on Flipkart.

According to BGR, the Xolo Black will be released on July 10 through Flipkart. Xolo is adopting the online business model considering how it has expanded fanbase for companies like Xiaomi, OnePlus, Yu and even Motorola, which was struggling until it launched Moto X, in India.

According to reports, the Xolo Black is priced under Rs. 15,000. The phone sports dual-rear cameras, a glass rear panel at the back, supports 4G LTE, and runs on the new Hive 1.5 UI based on Android 5.1 Lollipop.

Unlike its competitors, Xolo will not sell the phone in a flash sale. The Xolo Black will be sold in an open-sale and will follow the online-only business model. Xolo plans to launch a new handset every quarter under the Brand series. The phones will be priced between Rs 10,000 – Rs 20,000 and all of them would be 4G enabled.

Here’s the video used by Xolo to tease the Black:

Source : [tw-button size=”small” background=”” color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.bgr.in/news/xolo-black-with-dual-camera-setup-to-launch-on-july-10-on-flipkart/”]BGR[/tw-button]

July 3, 2015
Apple iPhone 6S to Sport 5MP FaceTime Camera, Reveals New Leaked Documents

Over the past few weeks, we have discovered many rumors about the next iPhone, currently known as iPhone 6S. Just a few days back, a set of leaked images about the phone’s metal casing hit the web, which gave an idea of how iPhone 6S will look like. Today, a new set of documents has been leaked from Foxconn, Apple’s manufacturing partner, revealing new details about the upcoming iPhone.

According to the leaks, the iPhone 6S will sport a 5 MP FaceTime camera, which is an upgrade from the 1.2 MP camera employed by the current version. If the leak is accurate, then we will be witnessing a surge in demand for high-res selfies. Moreover, the rear camera will be upgraded to 12 MP from 8 MP, with 4K video recording capability. The phone will also be able to capture slow-motion videos at 1080p resolution, up from 720p in the current versions.

4K video-recording is currently offered in many high-end smartphones such as Samsung Galaxy S6 and OnePlus One. However, what distinguishes Apple from its rivals is the software it employs in iPhone to convert the raw data into a finished product. That is why budget filmmakers use iPhone to make short films (and features) even when there are alternatives available in the market.

So far, we’ve learnt that the next iPhones will include Force Touch and a new casing to make the iPhone 6S wider, taller and stronger. The new model will run on iOS 9 and have an enhanced processor. Samsung might provide chipsets and displays for Apple’s forthcoming products, and iPhone 6S will be powered by a next-gen A9 processor and come with 2GB of RAM.

The upcoming iPhone 6s is rumored to be available in stores from 25th September this year. According to the source, pre-orders will start on 18th September, and it will go live physically on 25th September.

Source: [tw-button size=”small” background=”” color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.bgr.in/news/apple-iphone-6s-to-boast-upgraded-5-megapixel-facetime-camera-reveals-latest-foxconn-document/”]BGR[/tw-button]

July 3, 2015
HDFC Will Now Provide Banking Services Through Apple Watch

HDFC has introduced WatchBanking, an app that allows you to carry out transactions from your Apple Watch. It’s another matter that the watch hasn’t been very popular in India, unlike its cousins iPhone and iPad. Still, it’s refreshing to see HDFC take the “better-now-than-later” approach, considering that Indian banks are known for being slow when it comes to adapting new technology.

HDFC claims that the app has been designed by keeping the functionality of Apple Watch in mind. For now, the app allows you to carry out ten types of transactions such as Bill Payments and Recharges. It allows you to see your account information and locate nearest ATMs, just like the regular HDFC app for iOS.

The bank scores extra points as customers won’t have to download a separate app for Apple Watch. They can activate WatchBanking from an upgraded version of HDFC Bank’s MobileBanking App itself. The bank assures no security flaws since the watch will act as a projection device. The data will flow from the mobile phone to the bank’s servers. Additionally, there is a watch banking PIN that the user himself will set during the one-time setup process, using his unique id and password.

HDFC says that it aims to provide banking services through all wearable devices across all platforms, including iOS and Android.

With WatchBanking, HDFC follows CitiBank, which recently launched its own banking app for Apple Watch. The trend will continue to follow if the market for smart wearable grows.

July 2, 2015
Airtel, Vodafone Launch Nationwide MNP from July 3

From Friday, you will be able to retain the same number anywhere in India, without changing your network operator. Today, mobile operators Bharti Airtel and Vodafone said that they would roll out nationwide mobile number portability (MNP) from July 3.

Telecom operators were supposed to roll out nationwide MNP in May. However, due to the technical challenges faced by telecom operators, the deadline of May 3 was extended by two months by Department of Telecom (DoT). According to COAI, the telecom industry body, telecom operators needed 8 weeks to make some technical changes to their networks due to changes in national numbering plan (NNP), resulting in delay.

Ajai Puri, Director, Market Operations, Bharti Airtel, said

With our complete readiness to launch National Mobile Number Portability, we aim to empower customers enabling them to retain this identity as they move across anywhere in the country. To facilitate a seamless transition we will also allow our customers to enjoy free incoming on roaming while their number portability request is being processed.

Now that Airtel and Vodafone have implemented full MNP, subscribers will be able to switch to the same or different network in a different state while retaining the same mobile number. Airtel promises that the porting request will take effect in 24 hours, which is fast when compared to the 8 days it usually takes.

To make the MNP process even more smooth, Airtel customers will enjoy free incoming on roaming while their request is processed and can transfer their prepaid balance & carry forward postpaid unbilled/billed amount. The process for national MNP will be the same as intra-city MNP.

Read about Vodafone’s latest tariff plans here.

July 2, 2015
Scientists in Japan Have Developed Interactive Holograms

In a not-so-distant future, you will be able to interact with holograms, Tony Stark-style. Thanks to researchers at Japan’s Digital Nature Group, a system has been developed which allows you to touch holograms composed out of lasers.

According to the lab, they have used femtosecond lasers to develop “a method of rendering aerial and volumetric graphics”. For those unfamiliar with the concept, femtosecond lasers emit pulses for a very short duration, i.e., for one millionth of a billionth of a second. The short-duration pulses “excite” matter to create “voxels” of light, which draw 3D holograms at a resolution of “4,000 and 200,000 dots per second”.

Although lasers have been used to create 3D holograms in thin air, the fact that they are unsafe for humans is what makes this latest development exciting. Due to the faster nature of femtosecond lasers, scientists at Digital Nature Group have recognised this quality and used it to create a hologram that one can actually safely touch. As the team explains, shock waves are generated by plasma when a user touches the plasma voxels. The user feels an impulse on the finger as if the light has physical substance.

This new technology has many daily-life applications and if applied properly, it could revolutionize virtual-reality since it is a new form of haptic interface. .

The team will demonstrate femtosecond laser-based holograms to the public as a part of the Siggraph 2015 exhibition in August 2015.

This video will explain you the mechanism behind the interactive hologram:

July 2, 2015

Motorola Announces Android Lollipop Update for Moto X (Gen 1)

Motorola has started rolling out Android 5.1 Lollipop for Moto X (1st gen) users in India, according to an announcement by David Schuster, VP of Product Sales and Operations. He also announced that the update would be received by users in 14 other countries including Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore.

https://plus.google.com/+DavidSchuster/posts/CVeStkHUbak

The latest update brings many improvements in Moto X (Gen 1) such as improved natural touchscreen interactions, automatically connecting your phone to home WiFi network. As BGR points out, the update has also fixed the heads up notification bug, which removed the notifications from the drop down notification menu when users swiped it from the lock screen.

Since the update is being rolled out over-the-air, it will take some time before your phone receives the update.

Moto X (Gen 2) already received Android Lollipop update in December last year. Motorola is speculated to launch the Moto X (Gen 3) in November this year. The new generation will run on Snapdragon 810 chipset and will house a 16MP rear camera with Clear Pixel Technology. The battery powering the new Moto X will be at 3280 mAh. The device will come in two storage variants – 32GB and 64GB.

If you don’t want to wait for Moto X (Gen 3) till November, here are the specifications for Moto X (Gen 2):

Specs
Display	5.2-inch 1080P Display – 401 pixels per inch
Processor	2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 Quad-core processor
RAM	2GB
Storage	16GB and 32GB
Main Camera	13 MP with 4k video,
Front Camera	2MP
Battery	2,300mAh
Operating System	Android 4.4.4 KitKat

Source: [tw-button size=”small” background=”” color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.bgr.in/manufacturers/motorola/motorola-moto-x-1st-gen-now-receiving-android-5-1-lollipop-update-in-india/”]BGR[/tw-button] [tw-button size=”small” background=”” color=”” target=”_blank” link=”https://plus.google.com/+DavidSchuster/posts/CVeStkHUbak”]David Schuster[/tw-button]

July 2, 2015

Facebook Aims to Provide Fast Internet Access To the World Through Lasers

Facebook’s latest endeavour, Internet.org has received a lot of flak for violating the rules of net neutrality. Co-founder Mark Zuckerberg has defended the company’s initiative many times, as he insists that the initiative’s sole purpose is to provide affordable Internet access to developing nations. It seems that Facebook has taken another step in this direction, as the company is working on lasers to improve Internet connectivity around the world.

Today, Zuckerberg has posted a few photos from the Connectivity Lab, Facebook’s ambitious project to connect the world to the internet through “drones, satellites and lasers”. According to his Facebook post, the Connectivity Lab has developed laser beams that will be able to transmit data from the sky into communities. As the Facebook founder explains, the beams will dramatically increase the speed of sending data over long distances.

https://www.facebook.com/zuck/posts/10102217102231151

The laser beams in the photos have been made visible for demonstration purposes. Zuckerberg says the beams won’t be actually visible and has not provided any further explanation on how the system works.

Internet.org is an initiative by Facebook to provide affordable Internet to developing nations by giving access to select Internet services for free. Facebook has been criticised for violating the principles of net neutrality through this initiative, as the program favors certain sites over other.

It seems Facebook’s vision to provide the internet for everyone is one step closer to reality.

July 2, 2015
Samsung Has Surprisingly Sold One Million Units of Tizen Powered Z1 Since January 2015

It seems Samsung has not lost hope yet with Tizen. Z1, the company’s first phone to run on Tizen OS, got negative responses from critics and consumers alike. It seemed the low price of Rs. 5,000 wasn’t enough to save the phone from extinction. As we previously stated, the phone was barely unique and failed to find space for itself in the brutal smartphone marketplace. Still, Samsung never lost hope in its homegrown OS, also known as the company’s answer to Android One.

It seems Samsung’s faith in Tizen has paid off.

Today, Samsung India said that it has sold a record 1 million Tizen-powered Samsung Z1 smartphones since its launch in January 2015.

Asim Warsi, vice-president-marketing, Mobile and IT, Samsung India, said:

Our insights have shown that consumers hesitate to move beyond the familiar basic and simple interaction with their mobile devices. Keeping this in mind, Samsung Z1 features an easy to use UI that offers a smooth and fast experience to ensure a seamless migration to smartphones.

Samsung is reportedly developing Z2, the successor to Z1. The phone is speculated to feature a 4-inch WVGA display, 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 768 MB RAM, 4 GB inbuilt storage, and 1500 mAh battery. If the company plays its cards right, Z2 could strengthen the future for Tizen OS.

July 1, 2015
New Details About Xiaomi Mi5 Emerges, Hints a Power Packed Phone

It has been ages since we last heard anything about the rumored Mi5. It was speculated that Xiaomi would launch the successor to Mi4 earlier this year, but instead the company released the Mi4i, which soon became a bestseller. Today, a report has emerged which says that the company will launch Mi5 in the November.

Codenamed “Libra”, the phone will sport a 5.3 inch QHD display, which is consistent with the previous rumors about Mi5. The phone will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 64-bit chipset paired with a 4GB RAM. Xiaomi Mi5 will come in two variants -16GB and 64GB version. Since Xiaomi always considers Apple its main competitor, the phone will include fingerprint scanner and run on a 3,030mAh battery. Also, it will have a 16-megapixel rear camera, and a 6-megapixel front camera.

The phone will run on Android Lollipop based MIUI OS. Xiaomi will also offer another variant, Mi5 Plus, which would basically be a bigger version of Mi5, just like Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge. The phone is rumored to come with a 6 inch display with 2K resolution, 4GB RAM with 32GB storage capacity and 16 MP rear camera. While nothing has been mentioned about the price, some rumors claim that Mi5 is slated to be priced around Rs. 23,900.

Should the rumor turn out to be true, Mi5 will become one of the strongest performing phones in the market. We hope Xiaomi announces Mi5 as early as possible.

Source: [tw-button size=”small” background=”” color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.androidheadlines.com/2015/07/xiaomi-mi-5-specs-leak-snapdragon-820-4gb-ram-tow.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AH1+%28AndroidHeadlines%29″]AndroidHeadlines[/tw-button]

July 1, 2015

Author: Tejan Mitra

Specs

Redmi 2

Specs