Author: Happy Nagashetti

Samsung All Set to Bring a Pro-Selfie Phone and a Metal-Bodied Device

Selfies are big right now, and seems like their popularity is only going to grow. It became a major fad after the big Oscar push from Ellen Degeneres. That selfie was the single most viewed picture around the world and was taken from a Samsung phone. Now Samsung is getting ready to bring a selfie friendly phone.

Seems like the company worked hard on perfecting the selfie. The recently released Note 4 has some amazing features for clicking self-portraits. The phone has a wide 90-degree shooting angle and can take even wider 120-degree snaps. The new phone Samsung plans to unveil will be probably called Galaxy Grand Prime (quite a mouthful.)

The phone is seen running the latest TouchWiz UI

The phone is expected to get a 5 MP front camera, which is a decent offering. The Grand Prime also offers an 8 MP camera on the back. The spec table for the Grand Prime is probably better than previous Samsung offerings. The phone has a 1.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 SoC with 1 GB of RAM. It comes with 8 GB of internal storage and is expandable up to 64 GB, which is welcome. It is powered by a 2600 mAh battery which will give it a good battery life. The device is expected to be priced at $236 which converts to approximately Rs. 14,400. It is expected to come out in October.

Samsung is also expected to be bring out a metal clad phone called SM-A500 that seems to be its new design model. The company received a lot of flak for its plastic bodies. After bringing the Galaxy Alpha and the metal casing on Note 4, the SM-A500 will be the next in line to get the metal on.

The SM-A500 might come with 13 MP back camera and a 5 MP front camera. It is expected to get a 5-inch (1280×720) Super AMOLED screen. It will be powered by a quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor and will get its juice from a 2330 mAh battery. The phone seems to be running the latest Touchwiz UI. Some have called the device a mini Galaxy Alpha. The SM-A500 also has fingerprint and heart rate sensors and might include the ultra power saving mode from the Galaxy S5 and Note 4.

There are already many selfie focused phones in the market. Lava recently brought out the X5 that came with a front flash. Samsung has to provide something better to make its mark back in the mid segment. It seems they have finally stopped being thrifty with the spec sheets and decided to take on its competition. We can just wait till the phone comes out to see where it stands in the selfie business.

September 17, 2014
Tax Authorities Seize Amazon Warehouse in Bangalore

World’s biggest E-tail giant, Amazon got a jolt from the Karnataka tax authorities yesterday. Amazon’s Bangalore warehouse was taken over by the authorities. The warehouse was dedicated to the ‘Fulfilled by Amazon’(FBA) segment of products. Amazon stores these products in its warehouses and takes care of its delivery to the customers.

A few days back WSJ reported, “The Enforcement Directorate of the Finance Ministry is investigating whether Amazon.com’s fully owned Indian subsidiary has been circumventing restrictions on foreign investment in retail by selling directly to customers while making it look as if the sales are being made by other companies.”

Using Amazon’s Fulfillment service sellers can reduce warehouse and shipment costs.

The Karnataka government went ahead and served notices to over a hundred sellers who used ‘Fulfilled by Amazon’ service. It has ordered them to desist from storing their products in Amazon warehouses. The notice also said the sellers cannot register Amazon’s warehouses as an additional place of business.

There aren’t any set tax regulations for e-commerce businesses as of yet and that lead to this arbitrary action by the authorities. The authorities are known to have said that they cannot let such a practice continue. They should rather find out ways of amicably solving the issue as this could dissuade e-commerce companies from scaling up their functions. This may hamper the growth of the burgoening market.

An Amazon spokesperson said in an email statement to LiveMint, “We understand this to be a case where the laws have not kept pace with the new-age online business models that enable a faster, convenient and nationwide access to customers for sellers, especially small and medium businesses, at significantly low costs. We look forward to an early resolution in order to avoid closing our local warehousing operations in Karnataka and to stay on course for bringing more investments in the state.”

E-commerce is a fast growing segment in this country. India’s e-commerce market was worth about $2.5 billion in 2009; it went up to $6.3 billion in 2011 and to $14 billion in 2012. This year saw many companies going for exclusive tie-ups with several e-commerce websites. E-commerce is also beneficial to the customers as it decreases marketing costs for the company which is passed on the consumer, as was the case with Xiaomi Redmi 1S. The need now is for the government to come up with proper regulations so that issues like this don’t happen in the future. It causes a loss, not just for Amazon, but along with it, the sellers as well as the buyers are left in a limbo.

September 16, 2014
Microsoft Bags Minecraft With the Mojang Acquisition

Microsoft yesterday released a press statement saying that it has acquired Mojang in a massive $2.5 Billion deal. The Stockholm-based game developer is known majorly for its virtual world creation game, Minecraft. This will be a new addition in the list of several big money acquisitions that we have seen this year.

There were many interested parties who wanted to get the gaming company, but Microsoft moved fast to score a victory. Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will acquire Mojang for $2.5 billion. Microsoft expects to close the acquisition in late 2014 and to be break-even in FY15 on a GAAP basis.

The Game lets users make complex structures using lego-like blocks.

Minecraft was introduced in 2009 and since then has sold more than 50 million copies for PCs, smartphones and videogame consoles. The game has a huge fan following. YouTube is full of tutorials on Minecraft. There is also an upcoming movie based on the game and Lego also sells toys based on the game. This almost seems like a safe bet from Microsoft and hence they sound so optimistic of their acquisition.

“Gaming is a top activity spanning devices, from PCs and consoles to tablets and mobile, with billions of hours spent each year,” said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. “Minecraft is more than a great game franchise – it is an open world platform, driven by a vibrant community we care deeply about, and rich with new opportunities for that community and for Microsoft.”

The weird bit of this sale is that the creator of the game Markus Persson and other founders will not be coming to Microsoft. They have decided to undertake new adventures. On his personal website, Markus said, “Thank you for turning ‘Minecraft’ into what it has become, but there are too many of you, and I can’t be responsible for something this big.”

The game has a massive fan following who share tutorials all over the internet

Impressing the fans now would be a big task for Microsoft. Some of them have openly stated that a big corporation will ruin the game. Microsoft though said that it will do everything in its power to sustain the loyalties of the gamers.

The CEO of Mojang, Carl Manneh has this to say “The ‘Minecraft’ players have taken the game and turned it into something that surpassed all of our expectations. The acquisition by Microsoft brings a new chapter to the incredible story of ‘Minecraft.’ As the founders move on to start new projects, we believe the high level of creativity from the community will continue the game’s success far into the future. ”

Microsoft has said that more details about the deal will be published after the finalization of the acquisition. Microsoft is no stranger to gaming and is a market leader in gaming consoles. The innovation it brings to this game remains to be seen. Let’s hope Microsoft doesn’t make a Vista out of this one.

September 16, 2014
Soon You Can Watch Your Favorite YouTube Videos Offline, Officially!

YouTube is huge. It’s practically impossible for a single human being to watch all that there is on this massive website. Most importantly, the state of the internet in India is well known. The poor connectivity and the pricey access to internet lead many to stay away from watching multimedia-heavy content like videos. Watching videos on mobile data connection is a big no-no as they can incur massive costs.

The folks, who do have regular access to a decent internet connection, still prefer to save the videos through some semi-illegal means to avoid buffering. Now Google is going to officially allow Indian YouTube users to watch their favorite videos offline for as many times they want.

Ceasar Sengupta, Google Vice President Product Management said “YouTube is popular here. You watch some videos again and again. How awesome would it be if you could keep watching them again and again without having to pay for data, and take the videos with you wherever you go?”

India still is a massive video subscriber as a whole. According to comscore, the total online video audience in India saw growth of over 70 per cent in 2013 with the average viewer watching 18 per cent more videos and spending 28 per cent more time viewing them. YouTube alone gets over 60 million unique users a month and about one-third of the traffic coming from mobile phones. The country as a whole watches about 3.7 billion videos per month.

This will be the second gift to India from Google after the launch of the Android One devices. India has no shortage of amazing YouTube talent. Sure iGyaan is awesome, but there are folks who are doing some amazing stuff too. This move by Google will help take these talents even further as people can just save the videos offline and take them to areas with no internet and propagate the video. Though that won’t increase the view count on YouTube, it will still bring the awesomeness of Indian YouTubers to a new, wider audience.

It appears that Google is seeing India as a major market. India is the first country where Google has introduced the Android One line-up of phones. It can also be the case that the huge Indian diaspora at Google is helping to develop their homeland. Whatever the case may be, the Indian population can only benefit from the inflow of innovative resources from this gigantic corporation. Let’s hope to see this partnership grow and hopefully someday soon, India will become testing grounds for the Google Fibre. That day will be celebrated as a second Diwali.

September 16, 2014
The Android One Trio is Here! Meet Canvas A1, Sparkle V And Dream Uno

So, we have waited long for the Android One devices. The phones were announced at the Google I/O this year, and they are finally here for the world to see. Today Google launched the three phones that it had announced previously.

The Micromax Canvas A1, Karbonn Sparkle V And Spice Dream Uno is the trio that will begin the big Android One experiment. The phones are presently only available online and will be in stores from next month. They went on sale at 3.30PM today.

Canvas win has a recognizable camera design which is the best amongst competitors

As mentioned earlier, Android One is Google providing standard specifications to OEM’s so that they can provide those features to low-cost devices directly. These devices come with the latest Android operating system, i.e., KitKat 4.4. They all have similar specs and are different only in the way they are designed. Out of these three devices, Micromax gets the pole position on the designing front. The Canvas A1 has a beautiful wooden-like platform for the main camera on the back of the device.

Karbonn Sparkle V comes in many color options.

All these devices have a 4.5 inch FWVGA (854 x 480 Pixels) displays and are powered by a 1700 mAh battery. The processor on the devices is a MediaTek SoC with a 1.3GHz quad-core processor and Mali 400 GPU paired with 1GB of RAM. On the back, the devices have a 5 MP camera with LED Flash. For selfie convenience, the phone provides a 2 MP camera.

It can be observed that the specifications on these devices seem limited in comparison to devices like the Moto E and the Redmi 1S. The advantage these devices have is automatic updates from Google, which keep them up-to-date. This can be a great device for people wanting a stock Android experience.

The companies have chosen different online retail partners for their devices. While Micromax chose Amazon as their exclusive Android One partner, Spice and Karbonn chose Flipkart and Snapdeal respectively. You can expect some competition amongst these e-tail giants too.

This is just the beginning for Android One. Google plans to involve new partners. It has announced that Acer, Alcatel, ASUS, HTC, Intex, Lava, Lenovo, Panasonic and Xolo will soon be launching smartphones under the Android One program.

These phones are pocket friendly and will encourage others to make similar devices

On the price front, the Karbonn Sparkle V is priced at Rs.6399. The Micromax Canvas gets a price tag of Rs. 6499, while the Spice Dream Uno is the cheapest with a tag of Rs. 6299.

As expected, the phones come with 6-month free update and app download package from Airtel. In a press statement, the Chief Product Officer of Bharti Airtel, Anand Chandrasekaran said, “Android One customers on Airtel will be able to stay updated on the latest Android version and update all their apps at no additional data charges. Customers can enjoy 100 MB of data per month for 6 months for software updates and 200 MB per month for 6 months for app downloads and updates on the first prepaid active Airtel SIM inserted in the Android One device.”

The phones come with 6 month data plans from Airtel

Overall, the Android One line of devices seem like Google’s direct link to the lower-end consumers. The biggest issue with Android platform is high levels of fragmentation, devices running older versions of the OS are still available for sale in the market. With the lessons learnt by this initiative, the Android team may be able to provide a better integration of its OS across devices.

It will be interesting to see how this experiment pans out in India as Google intends to expand the initiative to Indonesia, Philippines and other South Asian countries by the end of 2014. It also plans to take to more countries in 2015. It seems the end of woes of lower-end Android customers is close to being over.

September 15, 2014
First Android One Phone, The Karbonn Sparkle V Launched For Rs. 6399

Google has unveiled the first Android One phone in India. The phone will come from the Indian Phone company, Karbonn and will be called the Sparkle V.

The Karbonn Sparkle V is a Dual Sim phone. It comes with Android Kitkat 4.4 out of the box. It has a 4.5 inch FWVGA (480×854) display. The device carries 1 GB RAM and is powered by a 1700 mAh battery.

The internal memory on the device is 4 GB and is expandable up to 32 GB. Sparkle V has a 5 Megapixel camera on the back and a 2 MP camera on the front. It also comes with sensors such as G-Sensor, Proximity sensor, Light sensor, E-Compass and Gyro Sensor.

The phone is future proof as it will automatically update to the next available version of operating system. The makers claim that the phone is capable of handling HD games and provides smooth multi-tasking ability. The phone offers users a variety of applications and features which are pre-loaded in the phone.

The device is priced at Rs. 6399 and is available exclusively on Snapdeal.

September 15, 2014
How Android One Plans to Improve the Future of Budget Smartphones

Android One is an initiative by Google to bring a standard Android experience across all Android devices. They want to decrease the burden of R&D on small smartphone companies by providing them with standard hardware options for their devices.

Google has been bringing its devices in partnership with various companies. For its Nexus lineup of devices Google had partnered with the likes of Samsung, LG, Asus and others. Now for its affordable line-up of devices the company will be partnering with some prominent Indian brands such as Micromax, Karbon and Spice. But how does this matter to the average smartphone buyer? Well, here is how.

1. Quality Control

Through this project Google can make sure the end customer is getting the same experience that it had intended. The phones will be marketed at a price of Rs.6000 but will not be light on features as it will have Google approved hardware.

2. Specifications

The phones are expected to feature the standard set of features such dual-core chip, 5MP camera, removable SD card, 4.5 inch display and Media Tek processor. Further specs will be cleared after the launch.

3. Full Android Experience

Services such as Google Play are absent from some low-cost devices which make it hard for users to get access to important services. With Android One, this problem goes out of the window. Google will ensure full functionality of these devices.

4. Updates

Android updates are a giant pain. The large variation of devices makes it difficult to provide updates for each specific phone. The Android One phones are expected to get regular updates. The updates will help fix various bugs that diminished the performance of the devices over time.

5. Free Data Services

Google says that it has partnered with networks to provide free access to updates. It means that the users wouldn’t have to wait for access to Wi-Fi hotspots to get system updates. How this works, would be made clear at the launch.

If the Android One devices are successful, Google will be able to easily maintain its lead in the mobile OS game. Android has already percolated to various devices. Google can concentrate on making Android more desirable on device apart from smartphones, thereby giving a standard, recognizable operating system that will bring an ease in dealing with multiple devices.

There is a lot hanging on the success of Android One. The initiative has already attracted a lot of attention from the competitors. The launch today will clear if Google’s latest experiment is appreciable or just a marketing gimmick. Keep checking this spot for more.

September 15, 2014
VU Brings Affordable 4K TVs to India

You know that the market is slowly getting set for 4K TVs. You want those super high definition displays for your gaming and entertainment experiences, but when you see the price tags on these devices, you make the wise choice and decide you like food more than UHD displays. Well, now VU gives you a cheaper alternative to the highly priced displays from the big brands.

VU has launched 50-inch and 55-inch 4K TVs which it will be selling exclusively on Snapdeal. The 50-inch TV costs Rs. 89,900 while the 55-inch version is priced at Rs. 1,19,000.

These TV’s are great alternatives to high priced displays from big brands.

The company claims that they have integrated the world’s first quad-core graphics engines in their TV. This engine will assist in accelerated Ultra HD content delivery. The TVs can take the images from the set-top boxes and upscale it to give sharper, more detailed images.

Devita Saraf, CEO and Design Head, Vu Televisions said “The new 50-inch and 55-inch 4K Ultra High Definition televisions from Vu are priced at half the cost of similar models from Sony and Samsung. Samsung’s 48-inch 4K TV is priced at Rs. 1,59,556 while the 55-inch Sony’s equivalent model costs Rs. 2,18,000. The panels are made in Japan and Korea while the plastics are made in China.”

They have multiple convenient connectivity options

The TV’s have multiple connectivity options which include four HDMI and three USB ports for the 50-inch model and three HDMI and USB ports for the 55-inch variants.

VU promises quality service from its certified customer service center. Saraf also said that customers buying the TVs from Snapdeal will get free shipping, and if there is any damage to the product during delivery, VU will replace it for free. So if you were looking for a 4K display for cheap, the VU seems like a good affordable option for you. Get it for some excellent visual experience and of course, some insane gaming visuals.

September 13, 2014
This 3D Printable Solar Panel Might Just Be The Alternative We Need

Solar energy is known to be the best alternative energy source. We have known its potential for over a hundred years but haven’t been able to take advantage of this clean energy source because of multiple reasons. Fortunately (or unfortunately), the world is now on an emergency alternative searching mode with the effects of global warming being felt everywhere. There have been a good number of R&D going into making efficient Solar panels that are pocket-friendly too. One such alternative can be found in the manufacturing technology of tomorrow, i.e., 3D Printing.

3D printing is an efficient method of production. Like a regular printer, designs can be downloaded from the internet and printed at any location. As it can be digitally spread, it can be easily sent to any part of the world where it can be copied and printed. It’s a boon for space travel as we don’t need to carry a huge load of spares. Now this revolutionary technology is used by 50 scientists who are experts in various fields to power the planet.

The scientist have worked for years to develop paper-thin, printable solar panels as part of the Victorian Organic Solar Cell Consortium. The consortium is comprised of members of CSIRO, Melbourne and Monash Universities. The technology, they say, will change the way we charge personal electronics. Imagine your laptop bags, Phone and Tablet covers will not just be safely covered but will help charge up the device on the move.

3D printers, printing the Solar Panels

The ultimate goal they say will be to create these panels for all the windows of the skyscrapers so that these building could power up themselves. According to the consortium’s website, the difference between existing solar panels and the technology it is developing is “organic cells offer the potential to allow printing directly onto materials such as roofing and windows and therefore open intriguing building integrated design opportunities.”

The researchers have been successful in reducing the size of the solar panels to the size of a coin. This was achieved by using ordinary 3D printers adapted to work with solar ink. They say this technique results in cheaper solar cells in comparison to conventional silicon rooftop solar panels.

The team wants to take the research to an even more convenient stage. They are presently working on spray painted coating. They say connecting to their solar panels is as simple as connecting a battery.

The potential of this technology is limitless. The researchers see a huge number of consumer applications of the technology like product packaging, windows and window furnishings, temporary structures, remote locations and developing communities.

Many companies seem to be showing interest in this technology. Hopefully this technology is implemented before the present fuel reserves are exhausted and we are left with no light and no internet. The day without Facebook would be the day of the apocalypse.

September 13, 2014
The Best Twitter Reactions to the Arrival of Apple Watch and iPhone 6

Love it or hate it, the long-awaited Apple iPhone 6 is here to stay. For Apple lovers it was time to meet the world of multimedia friendly big screens with the company releasing two variants this time, the iPhone 6 and the 6 Plus.

Folks on twitter were also pretty excited with the launch and here are some of their reactions:

Some Were Appreciative:

Waking up to hear the news that the iPhone 6 has 128 GB has me saying OMG like: http://t.co/P6htBmIIfW

— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) September 9, 2014

Great, Apple announced more products for me to become entirely emotionally dependent on.

— olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) September 9, 2014

Some were hurtful:

Just saved myself 350 quid pic.twitter.com/SpdvesIog7

— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) September 9, 2014

You’d think after several decades, Bono would know how to hold a microphone #appleevent #u2 #applelive

— HAL 9000 (@HAL9000_) September 9, 2014

Some were really Imaginative:

Imagine if we had twitter when Nokia dropped the 3310, everyone would be losing it over snake & hurdy gurdy #applelive

— Kazabon (@kazabonbon) September 9, 2014

Some were just totally Bizzare:

Does The IPhone 6 Come Hands Free… #iphone6questions pic.twitter.com/NYyXHpUb6c — EBAYGUMTREE (@savs66) September 9, 2014

Will it make my father proud of me? #iphone6questions — TechnicallyRon (@TechnicallyRon) September 9, 2014

Some caught something unique:

Bill Gates is looking a lot younger at the #AppleLive event. xD pic.twitter.com/PC7ZIb6p8K — ?l???? l????u (@nikhilchawla) September 9, 2014

There were some foreign policy questions too:

Will it work in an independent Scotland? #iphone6questions — The Sunday People (@thesundaypeople) September 9, 2014

The Apple Watch also drew some attention:

So excited for the Apple Watch. For centuries, we’ve checked the time by looking at our phones. Having it on your wrist? Genius. #AppleLive — Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) September 9, 2014

At the end, Samsung’s sponsored Twitter Trend didn’t go unnoticed:

That epic moment when #Samsung promotes sponsored #GALAXYNote4 on #Twitter after an #AppleLive event #facepalm — Siddhartha sharma (@SidnChips) September 9, 2014

As Always no nerd fest is complete without a Star war reference:

Apple announces partnership with the Empire for new headquarters #AppleLive pic.twitter.com/tbkD3TfSr7 — Darth Vader (@DepressedDarth) September 9, 2014

September 13, 2014
Bang & Olufsen Unveil an Outrageously Priced 85-inch 4K TV

Danish equipment manufacturers Bang & Olufsen have brought out an 85-inch 4K TV which, like its 55-inch sibling, comes with a motorized stand that helps it move around. The TV is called Beovision Avant 85in 4K TV.

Using the motorized stand you can adjust the angle of the TV up to 90 degrees and this can be done through a single push of a button. It will also automatically select the viewer’s favorite channel and sound settings. When you are done, the speakers will automatically fold and return to their original position.

The BeoVision Avant 85 has six HDMI inputs, two USB and an Ethernet port for internet connectivity. The remote provided with the device is called the BeoVision One remote control. It’s a metal bodied universal remote control made of Aluminum. The BeoRemote app is available for iPad and Android tablets too. The remote is capable of controlling your entire entertainment system.

For the audio, the TV comes with eight integrated drivers: three for treble, three for mid and two for the bass. There is an option for three channel surround sound output. Buyers can also connect to B&O speakers wirelessly.

The TV costs a whooping £16,595 (Rs. 16,39,000), and the motorized stand comes separately for an additional £1500 (Rs. 1,48,000). You can be better off buying a Samsung 4K TV which comes at half the price of this TV and buy a mid-segment sedan, with loads of money left on you.

September 12, 2014
From Fish Poop to Plant, Right in Your Drawing Room with Ecofarm

The human population is massive. It is currently estimated to stand at 7 billion. Environmentalists state that the optimum number of humans on the planet should have been 2 billion; we are a resource intensive species. Unlike the animals, we are used to a regular supply of food and water apart from clothing and other resources. Providing food for all of us is a massive affair. Our fertilizer induced lands have lost most of their natural nutrients, and they are overburdened. In these times, it is necessary to find farming alternatives that can help to bring a sustainable change in our food production mechanisms. One such method is Hydroponics.

Hydroponics is a plant growing technique which produces plants using limited water. The technique is so efficient that it saves almost 90% water in comparison to traditional farming methods. It is also space saving so you can get maximum growing potential out of a tiny place.

The makers of Ecofarm

Now a Dutch startup called Ecobird has brought a Kickstarter campaign for their Ecofarm. Ecofarm is a mini-loop ecosystem in which the nutrients from a Goldfish’s excrements are used to grow plants in the grow tank above. As the fish poop is extracted from the water, the water is cleaned too. All that needs to be done for the fish is to feed it.

The triangular shaped Ecofarm’s grow tank will allow you to grow small herbs like basil and thyme. You can also grow small tomatoes in the Ecofarm. The makers claim that the Ecofarm is capable of providing enough nutrients for these plants to grow.

This is a good start and hopefully will engage more people to come up with similar products that will expand their capacity. Hopefully, someday your septic tank will be capable of fueling your food garden making you self-sufficient as well as saving you money for important things in life like beer.

The campaign has a goal of 125,000 Euros which is a big sum. The developers have gotten 13,520 Euros till the writing of this article with 16 days to spare. The idea of the Ecofarm is great, it also shows how a symbiotic relation with nature can help us clean the evil from the world that is hunger. As Charlie Chaplin said in The Great Dictator, “In this world there is room for everyone. And the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful.”

Inventions like the Ecofarm if supported and taken further by the people will help to make a society free from menace like world hunger. It will also help us concentrate on undertaking more intellectual adventures like a self-sustained space colony.

September 12, 2014
Samsung Takes On Apple Again With New Attack Ads

Apple has for long been the king of attack ads. The famous Mac ads starring Justin Long, which went viral before people knew what viral videos were. The company took jabs at Microsoft’s Vista operating system. But it seems Apple has met its match in Samsung, its top competitor in and out of court.

Samsung has recently started baiting Apple. The company had recently brought a campaign calling iPhone user’s “Wall huggers” targeting the phones low battery life. Apple released its new iPhone this week, and Samsung was ready with a barrage of new ads.

This time Samsung went on a serious offensive and brought out six ads taking on Apple. The Ads are titled, “It doesn’t take a genius” and are set in a replica of Apple’s genius bar. The satirical ads are meant for Samsung’s latest Flagship, the Galaxy Note 4. They target every aspect of the new iPhone, from the botched Livestream of the launch event to the lack of S-Pen for the iPhone.

The attack ads also take on the new Apple watch. The tagline in the end says ‘The next big thing is already here” a reference to their Samsung Note 4 and the new Gear S.

The ads are fun to watch and hopefully Apple will buck up and get back into the game of attack ads. If there’s one thing viewers love is a good old battle of wits. So the balls in your court Apple, show us what you got!

September 12, 2014
5 million Gmail Passwords Leaked, Google Assures it’s “No Big Deal”

In times when people are still dealing with the news of the massive iCloud hack, they woke up this morning to the news of another giant leak. This time it was Google Accounts turn. Russian hackers have leaked about 4.93 million Gmail passwords. You can access the entire Google ecosystem using just one password and this was seen as a cause of worry.

The account details were leaked on a Bitcoin forum called btcsec.com by a user named Tvskit. The leaker claimed 60% of these accounts were active.

Google immediately slammed the claim. It tried to calm the fears with a blog post that said “We found that less than 2% of the username and password combinations might have worked, and our automated anti-hijacking systems would have blocked many of those login attempts. We’ve protected the affected accounts and have required those users to reset their passwords.”

Gmail accounts are safe http://t.co/lXMXlixy2S but it’s always good to take a minute & check your security settings ? http://t.co/NaR6c1cibE

— A Googler (@google) September 11, 2014

Maybe it’s a way of hackers telling you that it has been a long while since you’ve changed your password, so it’s time that you did. Previously, a Russian Gang had claimed that they had stolen over 1.2 Billion passwords. The solution even then was to change the passwords. It’s a necessary measure that needs to be taken regularly. Google this time asked its users to go for two-step verifications to keep their accounts more secure.

September 11, 2014
Why We Love to Hate Apple

Apple’s newest smartphones are finally unveiled for the world to see. In a world of lovers and haters, the phone was bound to get some of both. iPhone enthusiasts have overall shown appreciation for Apple’s latest introductions. The internet is also abuzz with Apple haters posting memes all over the place about how Apple is slow in adopting technology.

So we decided to look into why Apple, which is loved all over the world, gets serious hate in countries like India.

Price

Indian Smartphone consumers have been really pampered recently with a lot of companies vying to impress the tech-friendly populace. The huge youth population of India loves their tech and aspires to buy products with good specs, which is pocket-friendly. With companies like Motorola, Xiaomi and others providing high-end specs for low price, the Indian consumer is getting a lot of choices.

In this situation comes Apple. The company invests a good amount of time in the aesthetics and specs of its products. It pays close details to the way their devices perform and look. It is the reason why it brings limited products in a year. This attention to detail involves costs that make the devices expensive by the time they hit the market. In countries like USA, the contract system lets people have the phone at a low initial price.

In countries like India where the products tend to be on the heavier end of the price range, they are seen as premium products and hence are restricted to people who can afford them. This causes some hatred towards the company. Even its affordable phone, the iPhone 5C, was way out of reach for an average Indian. This creates Apple’s reputation of only catering to the rich folks.

Compatibility

The new iOS 8 and Mac OSX Yosemite have amazing interconnectivity feature. Features like ‘handoff’ are revolutionary. A new device also joins the Apple universe; the Apple Watch. All these devices can connect with each other with ease. But Apple is known for incompatibility with other devices.

It’s no secret that Apple lovers love all their products, but the trouble comes when they wish to share data with others. This too restricts people from going for an Apple device.

Slow Adoption

Apple is slow in adoption of features that are available on devices such as the ones running on Android OS. Apple just inducted NFC in their devices for Apple Pay. When other companies have been giving Bluetooth file sharing options for a long while, Apple recently brought the feature called Airdrop that lets you do the same. Again, this feature is restricted between Apple devices.

But these features were well cooked by the time they arrived on Apple. Take the example of Apple Pay, the system does use NFC but along with it, uses Touch ID and a Secure Element Chip. Even the software is well built and is easy and efficient to use.

Overall, Apple needs to work harder to convince Indians that they are not at a loss for buying their products. Apple should also flaunt its superior service features to attract the consumers for this market.

September 10, 2014