Author: Happy Nagashetti

Five Inspirational Young Self-Made Tech Millionaires

Technology has brought immense advancement to our civilizations as a whole. It also gave a chance to budding entrepreneurs with brilliant ideas a launchpad to take their dreams to the skies. Here is a list of some of these individuals, who in a small period of time have used their intellect to not just make some of the most interesting and innovative tech products but got rich doing it.

These self-made richies are also an inspiration in times when young people constantly fear their upward mobility is being hindered by businesses. So if you have an idea that you are passionate about, just start working on it, maybe the next time we make a list, you might be in listed in.

1. Mark Zuckerberg

Age: 29

Net Worth: $28.5 billion

So let’s start this list with this famous or for some, infamous billionaire. There would hardly be a person who won’t know this guy. With his social network Facebook becoming the indomitable social network which turned 10 this year the Zuckman is on his lifetime high right now. He is also known for ferocious takeovers of start-ups. Just this year itself his company has acquired Whatsapp and Oculus in Billion dollar plus deals. He is also a philanthropist who has signed the Giving Pledge, thereby committing to pay over half of his fortunes in charity.

2. Blake Ross

Age: 29

Net Worth: $150 million

The co-founder of the third most used web browser in the world truly deserves his fortune. The open source browser has grown phenomenally over the 11 years of its existence. The browser currently has over 450 million users. Blake was in high school when he had started working on the Firefox. At age 14 he started working on Netscape. So if you are in high school and need an inspiring figure, this man should be it. He is responsible for giving a true alternative to folks frustrated by Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and turning it into a browser that people used to download Firefox. He also worked with Facebook from 2007 to 2013 as the Director of Product.

3. Matthew Mullenweg

Age : 30

Net Worth: $40 Million

A lot of people need to thank this Texan for giving a phenomenal web tool called WordPress. The idea behind WordPress was to provide a blogging platform, but quickly it became a content management system which most websites, including the popular ones have begun using. Mullenweg attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts where he studied jazz saxophone. Mullenweg is also a Dvorak Keyboard user and can type over 120wpm.

4. Drew Houston

Age: 31

Net Worth: $1.2 Billion

Dropbox is one of the most popular and fastest growing cloud services. Its founder Drew Houston is as versatile as his Cloud tool. He holds a degree from MIT and has worked with multiple start-ups like Bit9, Accolade and Hubspot. The service initially took assistance from Y Combinator‘, who might consider it their best investment yet. Drew is also politically active and is one of the founders of a lobbying group called FWD.us (aimed at lobbying for immigration reform and improvements to education).

5. Kevin Systrom

Age: 30

Net Worth: $400 Million

Instagram is responsible for the menace called “amature food photography” which your friends share around social media, which ends up making you crave munchies at 2 AM at night, a time when nothing is open. Its co-founder is Kevin Systrom is a Stanford graduate who began the service with Mike Krieger. Both their bank balances got a serious boost after Facebook acquired Instagram in a Billion dollar takeover.

(Note: A previous version of this story said that the Firefox browser had 450 users. The error has been corrected. )

July 17, 2014
Google with Udacity Offers You a Course in Android App Development

Android is going places. There is no other operating system that has been integrated simultaneously in so many multiple platforms. From Mobiles, Tablets, Gaming Consoles to Television and Cars, Android seems like it’s taking over everything. Now all this integration requires apps and developers who make that app. With over a billion devices activated, Android is here to stay for a considerable while. A lot many people have shown interest in making apps but they don’t have the skill sets for it. Google understands that and has tied up with Udacity.

You can be a part of the Android ecosystem with this course

The program is called “Developing Android Apps: Android Fundamentals” and the course is exactly what the name suggests. The program aims at giving assistance to programmers who don’t have the skillsets to make android apps.

Google Developer Reto Meier, Dan Galpin, and Katherine Kuan will train potential Android developers. Their curriculum gives step by step instructions in building an app. The course will also teach the basics of mobile app development in general and Android development in particular. The best part, you can get personalized support and feedback from the instructor.

By the end of the 8 week course, programmers would be able to build a cloud-connected Android app, and understand the tools, principles, and patterns that underlie all Android development.

For applying to this course you need a strong working knowledge of Java or another object-oriented programming language. Access to an Android device is not compulsory but is advisable for this course.

The program on Udacity is free for a 2 week trial after which the course costs $150/month, which is pretty reasonable as it comes with verified certificates on completion. So if you have an idea for a brilliant app but were limited by your programming capability, this is an opportunity for you. Most importantly, just remember that there is no stupid idea, the living proof for that is an app called YO (yeah, that exists.) So go ahead, maybe your app will be the next silly app to be valued at $10 million, this one is harder to believe but is true too.

July 16, 2014
Apple and IBM Join Hands for Enterprise Mobility Solutions

Apple and IBM announced an exclusive partnership to enhance their market in Enterprise Mobility. The goal is to use each other’s strengths to take on the competition. Apple intends to use IBM’s big data and analytics capabilities on its mobile platform of iPhones and iPads.

This is a huge deal as this brings two of the industry giants together in a landmark partnership. This alliance is almost relatable to an international treaty. The companies will try to redefine the workflow process, address key industry mobility challenges and inspire mobile-led business evolution.

Apple has struggled for long to make its mark in the enterprise space

With this partnership the companies plan to develop a new class of more than 100 industry-specific enterprise solutions including native apps, developed exclusively from the ground up, for iPhone and iPad. They also want to incorporate IBM cloud services optimized for iOS, including device management, security, analytics and mobile integration. Also, a new AppleCare service will be introduced, and support offering tailored to the needs of the enterprise will be provided. Finally, a new package will be offered from IBM for device activation, supply and management.

IBM will introduce its MobileFirst Platform for iOS that will aim to provide comprehensive business related solutions. From analytics, workflow and cloud storage, to fleet-scale device management, security and integration. It will also provide private app catalog, data and transaction security services, and productivity suite for all MobileFirst systems.

Businesses will get a boost with iOS 8 features like Handoff

iOS 8 will also play a major role in this relationship. Apple has provided lots of features for developers to create new apps. This will give a lot of freedom to enterprise developers to build a new IT model for a mobilized workforce by improving the way users are informed of how their devices are configured, managed or restricted. It will also have expanded security, management and productivity features.

IBM has a huge resource of about 5000 mobile experts who, using its 4,300 patents, help in easing the adoption process of mobile solutions. Along with the operating system support from Apple, enterprises might get a good bargain shifting to an advanced Apple based workflow.

Even though, this is a mobility partnership it will be a huge boost for Mac OSX ecosystems too. As Apple has provided some great interlinking features between the iOS and Mac, enterprises might shift entirely to Apple systems. This will be a huge challenge for Microsoft’s Windows systems which have had an almost monopolistic rule in the enterprise computing space. The Windows mobility options are still not evolved enough to take on Apple, so there might be trouble for Windows ahead. This of course will not happen immediately as Windows systems are a lot cheaper and enterprises have invested huge amounts on their computers, but mobile is the way forward. Apple might have finally got the advantage it has been waiting for over 30 years.

July 16, 2014
What the iPhone 6 Needs to Take on The HTC One M8

Ever since its release, the HTC One M8 has been one of the most admired flagships. With its aluminum unibody metallic design, the phone announces its distinguished class. Now HTC has decided that it will be giving LTE support to the One M8, making the phone future proof and a serious contender for a good while.

Now we see what the next version of the Apple iPhone needs to have to take on the HTC One M8.

Display:

The HTC One comes with a spectacular 441 ppi display

The HTC One M8 comes with a 441 ppi dense 1080p HD screen, with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. In comparison, the iPhone, with its bigger sized display is speculated to come with a Sapphire Glass, which is one of the toughest glass out there. The glass is literally capable of surviving not just key chain scratches, but a full on knife assault.

Design:

Now here’s an impressive update for you. Apple has won a patent to make a casing of the Sapphire Glass. This might just be for the next iPhone outing. Unlike the glass design on the iPhone 4S, this one will be an unbreakable version and will prevent your precious iPhone and your emotional stability from shattering. According to the abstract on the patent document, the design might have multiple glass pieces fused together for overall protection of internal components.

The next Iphone might be entirely made of Sapphire glass casing.

In comparison, HTC’s Aluminum casing is one of its most appreciated features. Apple will own the flagship casing fight if they integrate Sapphire Glass casing, but that will raise the price of the device significantly.

HTC has also evolved their dual speaker Boomsound feature quite efficiently on the HTC One M8. Also special mention should go the Dot Cover as its visually appealing.

Camera:

With its dual camera feature, HTC has pioneered selective focus ability in the smartphone space. The phone also gives a brilliant software support to its camera system. Though some of the features are a bit gimmicky, but the average user will be able to add some incredible effects on their photos.

With the iOS 8 update the iPhone will get new composition tools, easy adjustment features, new filters and editing tools, and the best of all is a Time-lapse feature. After the slow-motion update in the previous generation, time lapse seems like the next logical step for the iPhone to take.

Software:

Inter connectivity with OSX is the cornerstone of iOS 8

HTC has announced that the HTC One M8 will be one of the first devices, along with some more from the HTC family, to get the Android L update. The L comes with significant visual overhaul along with many functional changes making the system a lot more user friendly.

Apple, on the other hand, has packed the iOS 8 with some visionary features. The revamped notification center would make your life easier as you can access to all your important updates at one place. The interconnectivity features between the iOS and OSX devices are pioneering, and we saw Google showcasing something similar between the Android phones and Chromebooks.

Battery:

As the HTC One M8 will be one of the first devices don the Android L apparel, it will be the beneficiary of project Volta. With this new feature developers will be able to extend the life of the battery considerably. The 2600 mAh battery on the One M8, gives a day’s worth of charge but the web browsing coupled with the giant screen drains out the battery real fast.

iPhones batteries have always faced criticism for their dispiriting performance. Recently Samsung took a shot at iPhone users and called them “wall huggers.” Apple conceded and agreed that some of its phones faced reduced battery life. Now it’s to see if Apple makes the correction in the latest version, or the wall huggers will again be on their quest to find the charging sockets.

Conclusion:

Overall, with increased screen size and hopefully better battery backup, the iPhone 6 will be capable of taking on the HTC One M8. HTC might hit back with a better user interface using the new Android L. On the software front though both OS are competitive with Apple getting the advantage for its better interconnectivity feature with the OSX. Even if you don’t have a Mac OSX device, the iOS would be suitable as a standalone device too. HTC should definitely gear up for the upcoming war.

July 16, 2014
Samsung Launches The Galaxy Core 2

Samsung has launched the Galaxy Core 2 device in India today. The phone is a successor of the Galaxy Core and will compete in the mid segment market.

The phone is powered by a 1.2 GHz quad core processor with a 768 MB RAM. The Core 2 has a 4.5 inch WVGA display. There are 4 GB’s for internal storage and runs Android KitKat with Samsung’s Touchwiz UI. The cameras on the device are a 5 Megapixel shooter with auto focus and an LED flash on the back and a 0.3 megapixel VGA cam in the front.

The Dual SIM Galaxy Core 2 is powered by 2000 mAh battery that Samsung claims gives 30 days of stand by power on 2G networks and half of that on 3G networks.

On the look front, the phones minimal curves make it visually appealing. The Core has a Galaxy Note 3 like leather-ish back cover. This surely makes the device look classy. The device comes in Black and White color options.

It is priced at Rs. 11,900, which is quite hefty when compared to the competition. With competitors like Xiaomi and Asus bringing phones in the same price points, Samsung needs to up its game, if it wants to maintain its brand standing and prevent its graph from tumbling.

July 15, 2014
Nvidia to Bring a New Hybrid Gaming Device for Android and PC

After bringing in the Nvidia Shield, a macho looking portable gaming device last year, Nvidia is now planning to bring the next version of the device. The processing giants makes some of the most sought after products for gaming enthusiasts. This year at CES Nvidia spellbound everyone by introducing the 192 core Tegra K1 processor.

Now they are going to bring the Tegra K1 chip into its next gaming device offering. Nvidia’s first attempt at a gaming device, the Nvidia Shield was well appreciated for its fantastic specs and ability to play all Android and PC games. The new device will take things forward.
The new offering is stated to be a budget-priced standalone controller. Some speculations in the market are about a Shield Tablet. Nvidia told BBC that they would be coming out with an awesome gaming device soon.

The Nvidia Sheild had some great connectivity features

The Nvidia Shield ran on an Android 4.2 OS and was well equipped to play all high end mobile games. Some folks were disappointed that the system has tremendous potential, and there are not many games that pose a challenge for the device.

One of the best features of the Sheild was the Gamestream. This feature allowed you to live stream your PC games directly on the stream and play them using the Shield’s impressive controls. The only hitch was that the PC should be running a compatible Nvidia graphics card. But if Nvidia comes with a tablet, it will lose the appeal of the physical controller that Shield brought.

Considering the impressive battery found on the Sheild we can expect nothing less from Nvidia’s next offering. In a recent study it was found that even though sales of gaming consoles has dipped, the component producers are doing all right. So we might see Nvidia coming out with more devices in the coming future.

July 15, 2014
Review: NudeAudio’s NUDE Move M

The NUDE Move M is a sexy looking portable speaker. The tiny red sliver of branding over the completely black surface stands out. We definitely love the red harness rope provided with the speakers; they both look as if they are meant for each other. The tiny rope also secures it during a pool party, so you can hang it safely away from your drunken friends who may take it to its untimely demise in the water.

So we got around to play with the speaker and did a thorough review of the speakers for you. Here is what we thought about the NudeAudio Nude Move M Bluetooth Portable Speaker.

The minimalistic design elements of the Nude M make it stand out

Build quality:

The Nude M follows a minimalistic but rugged design philosophy. The only inputs available on the device are an On/Off button, volume up and down and the Bluetooth enable/disable button. The device is quite sturdy and safe, thanks to the giant rubber that covers all its corners. The rubber cover is also removable for cleaning purposes. The device offers support for auxiliary input, micro USB for charging and Bluetooth for calls and music. Nude M is really easy to connect to the phone through Bluetooth. We especially admire the cute little power and Bluetooth notification lights.

Utility:

Apart from listening to music, the Nude M can also act as a speakerphone and works good for conference calls, though sometimes the receiver may not get a clear sound on the other side. The range of the Bluetooth though, calls for a tad bit of criticism.

Battery:

The Nude M’s battery gives a decent output. You can easily expect 6-8 hours of backup, so you can do easily plan an all-nighter without any worries of losing the groove.

The notification lights stand out on the black exteriors

Sound Quality:

Well this is the main criteria to judge the speakers and there isn’t a lot that disappoints, but we were left asking for more. The device is bass rounded so the sound is a bit echo heavy. Hip-Hop, House EDM’s and other bass heavy tracks sound great on the speakers but the output of genres like Classical, Jazz and Rock could have been better. Though the speaker is pretty loud, we compared it to the speakers lying in our office and some of the cheaper models gave louder sound output than the Nude Move M.

Conclusion:

The Nude Move M is an impressive little device which is also flaunt worthy because of its beautiful minimalistic design. Its great for folks who like tracks with a good amount of bass. So if you are looking for style points with some utility features, the Nude M can be your choice.

July 14, 2014
Airtel brings 4G to Four More Punjab Towns

After successful launch of its 4G services at Chandigarh-Tricity, Ludhiana and Jalandhar, Airtel is now bringing the service to four new Punjab towns. The company has identified Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Phagwara and Kapurthala as the next stop in its LTE phases in India.

The users of iPhone 5S and 5C can immediately switch to LTE network by upgrading to an USIM (Universal SIM)/4G SIM and selecting a plan. Laptop and Computer users can access Airtel’s LTE network using an Airtel 4G dongle or a Wi-Fi CPE (Customer-premises equipment). The USIM comes free with the Dongle or a CPE. Phone users can get the SIM for Rs 49. The dongle is priced at Rs 1500 and the CPE is priced at Rs 2500.

The company also offers a special pack of Rs 999 (for postpaid – mobiles, dongles and CPEs) and Rs 995 (for prepaid- mobiles only) for heavy data users which will offer 10 GB of 4G data. For postpaid mobile customers, the plans will start at Rs 100.

The company claims that, with their 4G technology, users can watch high definition video streaming with zero buffering, download 10 movies in less than 30 minutes, upload full holiday albums in less than 5 minutes by uploading 2 high quality photos per second and also connect multiple devices without any experience constraint. Airtel has set up special demo zones for costumers to get live demos.

4G or LTE is much cheaper to install for companies in comparison to 3G technology. There is less congestion in 4G as it has a wide bandwidth. So users should get amazing speed with minimum lags.

Even though many countries have switched to LTE technology, Indian mobile companies have been rather slow in its implementation. The reason for this is that they are waiting for return on investment on the massive 3G infrastructure they had to set up.

July 14, 2014
Wear Mini Launcher Makes Android Wear Easy to Flaunt

You finally got your Android wear device and you are proud of it. You’s like to flaunt it but it is taking some time to get used to. You wish there was an easier way of getting around your smart-watch. Well worry no more, the developers have come to your rescue and they will give you the Android experience that you have come to know. So go ahead and install the Wear Mini Launcher.

A developer named Nicolas POMEPUY has introduced the Wear Mini Launcher app on the Google Play Store. The app allows the users to swipe right from the top left side of their smart-watch to display an app drawer, like the one in the phones. With this the user can scroll up and down to access all the apps.

To make the launcher work the first time you can either open the app while the watch is connected or run the app directly on your Android wear.

The app greatly reduces the amount of time spent to find and open an app. This launcher will definitely make your life easier if you own an Android Wear device or will encourage you to get one if you don’t have one already. This is also a good example to state the inclination of the developers interest in developing apps and content for the wearables. We can now be optimistic about the future of wearable tech.

You can download the app from here.

July 14, 2014
Features The iPhone 6 Needs To Take On The Galaxy S5

With the release dates of the iPhone 6 drawing closer, the rumor mills are warming up. Almost on a daily basis one can get a leaked specs and images for the new iPhone. From its screen sizes to heapdphone jack, all are under constant speculations from tech maniacs like us. So we decided to do a checklist to figure out what the iPhone 6 really needs to have to take on Samsung’s current flagship, the Galaxy S5.

Display

In times when displays of 4.5 inch and above are fast becoming the norm for smartphones, iPhone’s 4 inch screen just doesn’t cut it anymore. Multimedia experience on the iPhone, though well appreciated seems restricted because of the screen size. There are talks of the next installment might arrive with two screen size options, one with a 4.7 inch display and the other touted to be named as iPhone air which will have a screen size of 5.5 inches. Currently the Samsung Galaxy S5 with its 5.1 inch super AMOLED full HD screen with 432 ppi is stunning to look at.

Design

Metallic designs are a must. Most of the complaints regarding the S5 is its plasticky feel. The perforated polycarbonate back panel of the Galaxy S5 received mixed reviews. The apparent leaked images of the new iPhone do not impress a lot yet, but they might as well be mock ups. A Micro SD expandable memory slot will definitely make the iPhone 6 a must buy. Considering the iPhone 5 faithfully follows the same design principals of the iPhone 4, it is time for some serious makeovers.

Battery

Now we don’t have a winner here currently. The current batteries, 1560 mAh on the iPhone and 2800 mAh on the S5 are known for their dismal performance. Considering the thinning down and increased screen size of the iPhone, battery will be a challenge. Introduction of battery saving features are also necessary. In the iOS 8 beta version, a new feature called Grayscale has appeared which seems like a battery saving feature, its efficiency though is still under consideration. A revolutionary thing that Apple can do is provide the option for removable batteries, but that’s just asking for too much.

Camera

There aren’t a lot many people who will complain about the camera of the iPhone. Optical Image stabilization is necessary. Though most phones are offering 4K recording, its not advisable to have one on the iPhone with its limited storage scenario.

Software

On the OS front, iPhone can have an easy battle considering the innovative features like handoff included in the iOS 8. The new messaging app and a turbo charged spotlight will give the iOS an edge over the Android OS. Though the Android L is not far behind and we might see some good competition in this arena but if the Kitkat situation is an indication, it will take some time to reach the Android phones.

Overall after a fantastic release of the iOS 8 and its pioneering inter-connectivity options with the OSX, the hype around iPhone’s next avatar has greatly increased. The competition is constantly updating itself and companies like LG, HTC and perhaps Motorola will pose some serious challenges to the iPhone. So the once in a year release of the iPhone this year has to be nothing short of spectacular, for its own future.

July 13, 2014
inFORM: The Next Giant Leap For Touchscreens

Touchscreen is the interface of choice for interaction with digital world for quite a while now. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras, refrigerators, even RO water purifiers now come with touch screens. But there is always a divide in such devices; there is no physical feedback. The devices we use, respond to our stimuli and act on our instructions. We have access to our loved ones thousands of kilometers through video conferencing services like skype, but it still lacks the physical appeal of holding hands. Now MIT’s Tangible Media Group with their Project called inFORM intend to change that.

The inFORM was created by Daniel Leithinger and Sean Follmer and overseen by Professor Hiroshi Ishiiis. It is an attempt to look at the future of interactive interfaces. The surface looks like living clay columns which rise to form shapes and graphs as instructed. The project of course is in a rudimentary stage but the practical applications are unlimited.

inFORM is great for Work and Play

The technology behind inFORM is inspired by the pin screens which are used for animation purposes. Each block in inFORM is connected to a motor and controlled by a laptop. Using the inputs you can not only move the pins to render digital content physically, but can also register real-life objects interacting with its surface , for which they have hacked the Microsoft Kinect.

The Tangible Media Group intention with this project is to assess the interfaces of the future. This can be incredibly advantageous for professionals like Designers, Architects, and Engineers who can instantly see their creations in a 3D model and access the flaws of their designs too. The best part is that they can edit and interact with their designs.

For us regular folks, it can be used for physical game of chess with your friend sitting in Australia while you sit in Norway. With Virtual Reality(VR) gaining steam with Oculus and Project Morpheus, inFORM can be used to define the missing element of touch. So while you are having a VR walkthrough in the park, the inFORM surface can stimulate its surface in accordance to where you are in your VR world, you can feel different surfaces like grass, rocks maybe even rivers under your feet. Now that would be a truly immersive experience.

InFORM will be greatly beneficial for Education.

Even in the field of education this technology can bring a paradigm shift. Now instead of just reading about the movement of tectonic plates in geography class, students can see them move in 3D models. Subjects like Science, Maths, and Geometry will get a lot more comprehensible for students who get to see their theorems and formulas in action.

This project doesn’t fail to impress even if it is in a nascent stage. Like touch screens gave way to gesture controls that is found in Kinect and Wii and they too are giving way to VR technology, inFORM might be the new claimant for the next innovative technology revolution. Maybe we are closer than we think in terms of interacting with real world atoms instead of digital pixels. We are back into the physical world; the circle seems to be complete.

July 12, 2014
HTC Releases The One E8 and Desire 616 in India

Barely a few months after releasing some great devices, HTC is back today with two new phones, The Desire 616 and the HTC One E8. Both phones are Dual Sim capable and have Blinkfeed.

The HTC Desire 616 is a premium looking package at a mid segment price.

The Desire 616 has a 1.4 GHz Octa Core Mediatek processor with 1 GB RAM. The display is a 5 inch capacitive screen with 294ppi pixel density. Surprisingly the phone only has 4GB of internal storage though it is expandable up to 32 GB. The main camera on the phone is an 8 MP shooter capable of shooting 1080p HD videos. The front camera is a 2MP selfie shooter which is capable of 720 video, so video bloggers are in for a treat. The phone is powered by a 2000 mAh battery. The phone runs on Android 4.2.2 (Jellybean).

The Red is definitely a bold color choice from HTC One E8

The One E8 on the other hand is a fashion edition of the HTC flagship series. It has a 5 inch Super LOCD 3 display with a beautiful 441 ppi pixel density. The phone gets its processing power from a 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801. The RAM stands at 2 GB. The phone gets its juice from a non-removable 2600 mAh battery, same as the M8. Internal storage on this device is 16 GB, which is expandable up to 128 GB. The main camera on the E8 is a 13 MP and the front camera is a 5 MP shooter. Both cameras are capable of shooting 1080p videos. The E8 runs on 4.4.2 (Kitkat).

The phones come in multiple color options which add a youthful aspect to the phones and considering the launch prices, HTC definitely plans to reach out to the youth with these devices. The Desire 616 is priced at 16,990 whereas the HTC One E8 is being shipped at 34,990 for the Indian market.

July 11, 2014
Newly Unveiled Adidas Fit Smart to Take on Nike and Other Wearables

This summer has seen wearable tech get a major boost. The market is getting steadily populated with devices from major companies like Samsung, LG and Motorola with many more on the way. After tablets, wearables seem to be the next big thing. Google is putting its weight behind the Android Wear project to further encourage and integrate the Android ecosystem. Now Adidas will try its luck in the market with a simplistic device called the Adidas Fit Smart.

This is not the initiation of Adidas in the wearable tech arena. The company released the MiCoach Smart Run smartwatch last year. The Smart Run can be connected to the online miCoach account and you can track your progress online and plan ahead.

Adidas’s latest, the Fit smart will go on sale in August this year. The watch has the ability to track distance traveled, pace, calorie-burning and monitors heart rate. It can stand out against the competition because of the tracking infrastructure of the miCoach. Users who give up after taking a lot of effort to go out and run can use the personalized training abilities of miCoach and can be encouraged to keep going on. Its like having a personal trainer on your wrist.

On the design front the Adidas Fit Smart follows a minimalistic design. The display gives the most important specs like Pace, time, calories burned on the screen. There is a small LED strip that change color based on the intensity of the workout. The strap is made of soft silicone. The watch can also be synced to a smartphone with the miCoach app for your in-depth data analysis on the move.

The company will also face some serious competition from the iGiant or as it’s better known, Apple. The company is slated to bring its smartwatch sometime later this year. The main competition to this is the Nike Fuel band which in comparison to the Fit Smart saves you a 100 dollars. But the Fit Smart gives more functionality and is an all-round trainer and not just a data gatherer.

Overall the simplistic design and competitive price will be a benefit for the Fit Smart. It can make a good market for itself if the device excels in what it has to offer, thereby encouraging more minimalistic wearable technology.

July 10, 2014
ASUS Launches The ZenFone Series and The Fonepad 7 in India

Taiwanese-American multinational ASUS has just opened its mobile innings in India with a major release. All of the company’s releases are powered by an Intel Atom processor. The Zenfones as they are called run on the Android based ZenUI.

The company released three phones namely the Zenfone 4,5 and 6 with the number corresponding to the screen sizes of the phones. All phones come with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Lets check them out.

ASUS Zenfone 4

The phone has a 4 inch display. It weighs at a miniscule 115 grams. The processor on this offering is a 1.2GHz Intel® Atom™ Z2520 with 1 GB RAM . As it’s a youth oriented device the phone is available in multiple colors like Charcoal Black, Pearl White, Cherry Red, Sky Blue, and Solar Yellow. A 1600 mAh battery powers the phone. The phone has a 5 megapixel (MP) camera in the back and a 0.3 MP front camera. The phone is priced at Rs. 5999.

ASUS Zenfone 5

This phone comes with a 1280x720p HD screen. The thickness of the phone stands at 5.5, so this one truly takes on the Gionee S5.5. The phone runs on the Intel Atom Dual-Core Z2560 1.6GHz processor along with a 2GB RAM. The phone is powered by a 2110 mAh battery. With ASUS PenTouch and GloveTouch technologies users can operate the phone with any stylus or even a gloved hand. The phone has a 8 MP back camera with Image stabilization and has a wide aperture of f/2.0. The Zenfone 5 comes in Champagne Gold, Pearl White, Cherry Red, and Charcoal Black. The phone is priced at Rs. 9,999.

ASUS Zenfone 6

This is a 6 inch behemoth with 1280x720p HD screen. It too comes with ASUS PenTouch and GloveTouch technologies. The phone is powered by powerful Intel Atom Z2580 2.0GHz processor with 2GB RAM. It holds 16 GB’s of internal storage. ASUS promise that with its SonicMaster audio technology with virtual surround sound via headphones, users will have a truly immersive entertainment experience on the big screen. The phone comes in Champagne Gold, Pearl White, Cherry Red, and Charcoal Black color options. The shooters on the Zenfone 6 are a 13MP shooter on the back with a 2 megapixel selfie shooter in the front. A massive 3300 mAh battery will definitely do justice to the screen. The phone is priced at Rs. 16,999.

ASUS Fonepad 7:

The tablet comes with an Intel Clover Trail Plus Z2520 1.2GHz Dual Core processor with 1GB of RAM. The screen is a 7 inch 1024×600 display. The internal storage is a dismal 4GB but is expandable to 64 GB. It comes with a 2 MP camera on the back with 0.3 MP camera in the front. It gets its juice from a 3950 mAh battery. The tablet can be used to make calls with its dual sim capabilities.

All phones are currently running on the Android Jellybean 4.3, but they all will be upgraded to Kitkat. They all use Quad-Thread Hyper-Threading Technology for faster performance and smooth operation of the phones.

ASUS has definitely got some good products for the Indian markets. We have to wait for them to come to our hands to know if they are as good as they appear on paper.

July 9, 2014
Apple Releases iOS 8 Beta 3 for Developers

Apple yesterday released the third beta version of iOS 8 for developers. The iOS 8 beta 3 update with a build number 12A4318c is available over the air and can also be downloaded from the iOS Dev Centre.

The company has released updates for a beta version Find My iPhone. There is also a new version of Find My Friends, a new Apple TV beta, and updates to Swift, the programming language the company introduced at WWDC.

As showcased at WWDC this year, iOS 8 has some major upgrades over the last offerings. The one that is appreciated the most about the OS is its seamless interconnectivity with the OSX devices.

iOS 8 introduces an assortment of features such as improved integration with OS X through Continuity, interactive notifications, a new QuickType Keyboard and improvements to several apps like Safari, Mail, and Messages. Apart from it there is a Health app and some Family Sharing features.

This beta version has new options for iCloud Drive, a new Settings toggle for Handoff, and a new option to enable or disable QuickType.

iOS 8 beta 3 is currently accessible to the developers, and is expected to release for the public sometime around this fall. Considering previous releases, it can be said that the new iOS will release with the new iPhone and most probably the iWatch might show up too.

July 8, 2014