Author: Happy Nagashetti

Xiaomi Beats OnePlus, Brings Out a Bamboo Version of the Mi Note

One of the most awaited features of the OnePlus One were the multiple textured back panels which were called the StyleSwap Covers by the company. But citing technical issues during production, the company said last year that they were stopping production of the covers as they didn’t meet the standards. That news disheartened a lot of users who wanted to customize their devices with those innovative covers. OnePlus’s compatriot, Xiaomi though has raced ahead of OnePlus in this regard and has brought out a new Bamboo edition of the recently launched Mi Note.

The Mi Note Natural Bamboo edition is priced at $370 (approx Rs. 23000). It is powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor along with 3 GB RAM. It flaunts a 5.7-inch Full HD display (1080×1920) with 386 pixel density. It offers support for 4G networks on both of its SIM slots. The device runs MIUI v6, which is based on Android 4.4.4 KitKat. It offers 13MP rear camera with dual-tone dual-LED flash and a 4 MP front camera for clicking selfies. The handset gets its juice from a 3,000 mAh battery.

The kickass back panels promised by OnePlus that never came to the market.

Not to be outdone by Xiaomi, OnePlus also came out with a DIY (Do It Yourself) post which shows how you can easily create customized back panel graphics for your One. The instructions are simple, and it’s really easy to create the back panels which broadcasts your personality to onlookers. All you need is a OnePlus clear case, a printer, photo-editing software, the downloadable OnePlus One blueprint file and a pair of scissors. The blog post by OnePlus also shows some amazing designs that you choose for your One.

The DIY backpanels for the OnePlus One.

The Bamboo edition of the Mi Note will go on Sale in China from March 24th. The textured or back panels are necessary as they transform the monotonous bar shaped devices into personalised art pieces. We hope that more companies start bringing out customizable back panels for the Indian consumers as there is a demand for it especially from the youth market.

March 18, 2015
Boeing Looking to Provide High Speed Satellites for Top Tech Giants

Boeing, one of the leading aerospace giants, is getting ready to grab a major big deal which will be signed by some of the biggest names in the technology industry. If it gets the deal, Boeing will be responsible for building high-throughput communications satellite for companies such as Google, Amazon, Facebook or Apple.

High-throughput communications satellite offer high data transmission rates for uploads and downloads. Jim Simpson, the vice president of business development and chief strategist for Boeing Network and Space Systems, told Reuters that the tech companies were actively looking to enlarge the area under internet connectivity to expand their business. Mr. Simpson also added that they looking to provide gigabytes, terrabytes, pedabytes of capabilities to the companies.

There are many companies who are looking into the possibilities of establishing a satellite based space internet. Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Greg Wyler’s OneWeb are the ones who are fiercely contesting to be the first to establish a global constellation of internet providing satellites. SpaceX has already got $1 Billion in assistance from Google for their venture of building 4000 lower earth orbit satellites. The tech companies are excited with these developments, as more coverage means new customers for their services. It seems like the world will soon be covered in a blanket of internet providing satellites.

March 17, 2015
Alibaba’s New Innovation Lets You Make Payments Through Selfies

Mobile payments have now been around for a while. A large number of users have by now grown accustomed to paying for their shopping through their phones. Apple and Samsung have also introduced new technologies that lets you use your phone as a credit/debit card. But the Chinese e-commerce company, Alibaba, has given a whole new look to mobile payment and has made spending your hard earned cash more fun.

RT @Alizila: Jack Ma demonstrates the future of payment technology @cebit pic.twitter.com/2jObS8YwtU #CeBITopening

— CeBIT (@cebit) March 15, 2015

Alibaba founder Jack Ma showcased their new facial recognition technology which lets users pay through their mobile devices. This new payment method is expected to be called “Smile to Pay”. This feature will let users pay for their purchases by just scanning their faces. It is something like the Apple Pay and Samsung Pay where users have to authenticate a payment by using their fingerprint instead here you get to do it with a selfie.

Mr. Jack Ma presented his innovation at the CeBit conference being held at Hanover, Germany. He gave a live demo in which he went to Alibaba’s website and clicked buy after which the facial recognition screen turned up. As soon as the software recognized Ma, the purchase was done. He said that this technology would replace passwords and this is the manner in which people will engage in online shopping in the future. Mr. Ma though did not give any more details about the technology. Smile To Pay is expected to be first released in China. We’ll learn more about it later, but you have to admit that it is a cool way to pay for your purchases.

March 17, 2015
Apple ResearchKit Gets Massive Sign Ups But Also Faces Some Concerns

During the latest Apple ‘Spring Forward’ event, one new feature that was somewhat overshadowed by the launch of the Apple Watch was ResearchKit. With this new software platform, Apple would involve users and health professionals to gather medical data which can be used to study various diseases. Apple might have found a successful way to crowdsource medical data.

Once the user gives ResearchKit the required permissions, it sends the users health data to Apple. The company then shares the data with doctors and scientists. The information can include the user’s weight, blood pressure and activity levels, as well as data on conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma and breast cancer. It lets iPhone users to become the source of information for massive research projects which would help advance medicine for the future.

At present, ResearchKit is only available on the iPhone, and it uses hardware resources like the accelerometer in the device to capture the user’s physical data. It will also let educational institutes and research facilities to create apps which can gather medical data securely.

Using various tests and apps on the iPhone, users can easily monitor their health and also contribute to medical research.

The potential of the software has enticed many, and there have been huge signups for the service. In an interview, Apple chief Tim Cook said that about 11,000 people had signed up for the study using their iPhones in just 24 hours. Conventionally, it would have taken five medical centres over a year to gather up that many subjects.

But amongst the many encouraging responses, there are also some professionals who are raising concerns related to the new platform. The first and foremost is the security and privacy of the medical data. There cannot be a more personal data than the medical information of the person. This platform will keep a track of the signed up users twenty-four seven, and they have to trust Apple with this sensitive information.

The current areas of Research.

Apart from the privacy issues, there are also concerns that the data wouldn’t be as varied as Apple hopes it will be. As most of the iPhone buyers are financially independent and have college degrees, the data might not be all inclusive. But considering that the Apple smartphone is now available in almost all markets across the earth, it will lead to a massive amount of information from varied population that is not limited by geographies. Also, as the data is being collected through the iPhone’s internal sensors, it would be difficult to falsify the results, and the researchers will have access to quality health information.

ResearchKit has a long way to go, but it sure looks promising. It is an experiment worth considering by the medical community. Apple though has to come clear on its privacy policy for the platform and introduce it in clear language and illustrations that would be easy for anyone to understand. It should also engage Android and other OS users to join the platform to give the researchers a broader range of subjects to choose from. The smartphone ecosystem has finally evolved from mere communication devices to tools for bringing real world change.

March 16, 2015
Samsung’s Dream Doghouse is a $30,000 Extravagant Home For Your Dog

Dogs are a man’s best friend. A dog owner spends as much on their pets as they would spend on a human child, minus the heavy education costs, of course. Pet grooming parlours are mushrooming everywhere for folks who want to give their pets the best care. Samsung is now offering dog owners the ultimate doghouse, which is priced at a whopping $30,000.

Samsung’s Dream Doghouse has everything that will get your dog’s tougue wagging. It took 12 architects and fabricators over six weeks to complete. They were tasked with creating the ultimate doghouse of the future. It houses a treadmill, automatic food dispenser, hydrotherapy pool and a tablet computer playing dog-themed content. It was presented at Crufts 2015, the largest dog show in the world (which was sponsored by Samsung UK.)

The environment has been created to make it as dog-friendly as possible. The treadmill has been lined with a grass surface; the insides of the house have a vinyl wallpaper, and there is room for the little guy to jump around and relax.

Now it’s unsure when or if Samsung would bring the ultra luxurious house for the high flying pup to the market. The present doghouse has already been gifted by Samsung to a puppy through an online contest. The Dream Doghouse looks amazing and will be loved by the dog who gets to stay in one. But dogs are eternal kids; they would be fine with the playhouse, but all they need is love of the owners instead of a poodle palace.

March 16, 2015
YouTube Possibly Planning a Subscription based On-Demand Video Service

The video streaming services have exploded in the recent years. For many of the internet users, online video services have replaced the need for a television as the primary entertainment source. Services like Vimeo, NetFlix, Hulu and others have become a prominent source for folks looking for original or premium content. YouTube is said to be considering plans to raise its dominance in this competitive video streaming arena by launching a subscription-based video on-demand service.

YouTube might rope in its YouTube stars to create videos under the YouTube Originals banner. As it would be subscription based service, the content would be ad-free. It is said that the new service would resemble the YouTube Music Key that offers ad-free access to select music video and free streaming from Google Play Music all for a monthly charge of $7.99.

Fan Funding is mutually beneficial for the content creator as well as the company

A subscription-based service will definitely bring in more revenues for YouTube. The service requires heavy investment on the part of Google but doesn’t bring in huge revenues for the Silicon Valley giant. The increased use of Ad-blocks has also made it difficult to attract ad revenue on the website. YouTube is said to be finally breaking even, ten years after it began offering its service. The increased revenues garnered through subscriptions would also bring more income in the hands of the content creators thus encouraging them to create more engaging content.

In the long run, YouTube should also look into creating original series like the ones on NetFlix. Google has deep pockets and it should seriously look into competing in the original shows segment of online video market that has offered some amazing shows, such as House of Cards and Orange is the New Black. By putting its foot in this arena, YouTube will come closer to its goal of making scheduled television obsolete in the near future.

March 16, 2015
Blackberry Launches SecuTablet, a Samsung Galaxy Tab S With Advanced Security Features

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S devices had one of the best displays in the market. They are great portable entertainment companions. But what if they could also be used for carrying confidential or classified information? BlackBerry has taken up the task and is ready to bring out a device called SecuTablet that is basically an updated Galaxy Tab S.

Blackberry is known world over for its superior security technology. During the last year’s Sony Pictures hacking crisis, it was the old BlackBerry phones in the storage that came to rescue to establish secure communications. Now in the age of portability and mobility, the people handling sensitive information will also have to be on the move. The security of such information can be essential to businesses and governments.

The SecuTablet is basically a Galaxy Tab S with a Security bundle to keep data safe.

SecuTablet can be used as a regular tablet. It lets you access the usual Android apps and features. The tablet is the result of cooperation between BlackBerry’s SecuSmart wing and IBM. They have added a bundle of security features that keep the users data safe and prevents it from falling into the wrong hands. It also encrypts voice and data communication through a built-in Secusmart Security Card

The SecuTablet will not be available in any store near you. The device with its advanced security features comes at a price of $2,380. The device is currently being tested by the German government and may soon find takers in other governments and enterprises. Security of data and information has become a major concern amongst institutions and citizen’s alike after revelations by Edward Snowden. It’s no surprise that BlackBerry is trying to cash in on the concern with its advanced technology considering its smartphone business hasn’t been doing so well lately.

March 16, 2015
Spain Tops The List For Fastest LTE Speeds, USA in Bottom Five

4G LTE is fast gaining crowd across the world. LTE networks have penetrated most of the developed world and now has a strong presence in several developing countries too. The network has been activated in several cities across India by several operators. A new report is out now that lists the speed of LTE connectivity across various countries, and it has some interesting facts to report.

According to The State of The LTE report by OpenSignal, Spain, sits on the top of global LTE speed with the top speed of 18 Mbps. Following Spain in second spot is Finland, Denmark and South Korea with an average speed of 17 Mbps.

In the Indian neighbourhood, Taiwan flaunts a speed of 14 Mbps; Hong Kong has 12 Mbps while Malaysia has 11 Mbps followed by Japan with 9 Mbps. India’s standing hasn’t been stated but considering its dismal standing for having the worst internet speed in Asia we doubt the LTE speeds would be any different yet.

The part of the report that may surprise many around the world is that the United States of America sits at the fourth spot from the end. The only super power on the planet has an average LTE speed of 7 Mbps. Its formal colony and Pacific paradise, Philippines is a spot above it with 8 Mbps LTE speeds. The only three countries behind America are Mexico and Kuwait with 6 Mbps each and Saudi Arabia with 3 Mbps. Not the kind of company the US would want to keep in this list.

We hope that with the tech-savvy administration in power currently in India would change the scenario for the country in the future. If the Digital India program is successful in creating a trustworthy connectivity backbone across the nation, it would propel the country forward rapidly in the information age and probably get a mention on the above list too.

March 14, 2015
The Galaxy S6 Comes in Three Weeks; Here’s What You Can Do While You Wait

Samsung’s latest flagship, the Galaxy S6 has seen the light of the day. The unique design of the Galaxy S6 Edge has already received favorable responses from critics as well as from the market. In fact, Samsung received record number of pre-orders for its latest flagship. About 20 Million potential customers have registered for the top tier Galaxy device. So if you are one of them, you know your dream device is coming in just three weeks from now on 10th of April. To create hype, Samsung may launch the device in India on the 23rd, but you’ll have to wait till the 10th of April to get your hands on it.

If you are wondering how to pass the seemingly unbearable amount of time, we have compiled a list just for you.

Watch a 100 of our YouTube videos back-to-back

iGyaan has a huge selection of videos on smartphones and other smart devices. Over the four and half years of our existence, we have covered most prominent devices. Watching iGyaan videos back to back will be a sort of a recent history lesson where you will get to see how the smartphone and other electronics have evolved over the years. So go ahead and keep the iGyaan playlist running, it has three weeks worth of excellent content (if we may say so ourselves).

Watch all of Game of Thrones Seasons, Before the New Season Begins

The ultimate television fantasy adventure will be returning on HBO and BitTorrent websites on April 12th. Now as GOT is one of the most complicated storylines, it’s always good to be revised and refreshed for a fresh new season. The multitudes of characters and immensely complex back stories and plot lines require a revisit before gathering on a whole new season filled with blood and gore and of course some pleasant nudity.

Go for a three-week mobile repair course

Smartphones are a complicated piece of engineering. While the Galaxy S6 comes in which toughened exteriors and safety features like Corning Gorilla Glass and the metal body, it can succumb to some issues. It’s always good to have the knowledge of reparing your own hardware. Learning a mobile repair course wouldn’t just give you the knowledge of how to make your device run at optimum potential, it will also let you innovate with hardware. You may end up finding your inner Tony Stark.

Learn to Cook comfort food

Now you know that when that exquisite piece of metallic marvel finally comes in your hands, you are going to spend hours with it. Wouldn’t it be great to have some delicious gourmet munchies with your premium device? So put on your apron and chef hat and immerse in a three-week cooking course. Not only will you learn an awesome art, you’ll also get to meet fun new people who can be your new contacts on your new phone.

Lastly, Get Your Shopping Lists Ready

To make the most out of your new device, you should also postpone your shopping for the next three weeks. The Galaxy S6 comes with the unique Samsung Pay feature that lets you pay through your phone. So while everyone is fumbling around with their cards, you can come in like a boss, draw your metallic machine, pay for your goodies and leave. You will also blow the minds of people around you, but make sure you don’t look back as cool guys don’t look at explosions. Guess we just made you long for your new Galaxy S6 even more with that last line, well…Oops!

March 14, 2015
Microsoft’s Voice Assistant Cortana Coming To Android and iOS Devices Soon

Smartphone voice assistants can be described in plain simple words as ‘freaking cool’. They have come a long way and at present they can almost be seen as the baby versions of Tony Stark’s Jarvis. While Google Now is a great search and convenience tool, Microsoft’s Cortana and Apple’s Siri have anthropomorphic qualities that let them have human live conversations with the users. Microsoft has decided to take Cortana to a wider audience and will be bringing its voice assistant to iOS and Android devices.

Microsoft has said that it will be introducing Cortana on other operating systems as a standalone app. The company will also be integrating its artificial intelligence(AI) based technology called ‘Einstein’ with the voice assistant. With Einstein’s support, Cortana would be able to read and understand emails that will help it provide more convenient features to the users. It would let it offer suggestions to the user, even before they ask for it, something Google Now has been doing for a while.

Cortana is based on the artificially intelligent character of the same name from the famed video game, Halo. The personality of the voice assistant is also derived from the AI character from the game. Microsoft has been banking on Cortana’s ability to chit chat with the users. Cortana also offers usual voice assistant features like setting reminders and calendar, weather and traffic information, writing notes and messages.

Microsoft will also be bringing Cortana on Windows 10 operating system for desktops. It might actually beat Apple in this field as the Cupertino-based company didn’t bring Siri to the latest Yosemite operating system. Microsoft is contemplating the fall timeframe for the launch of the app. So if you liked Google Now but wanted a more human-like interaction, Microsoft’s Cortana is coming soon to give you company.

Speaking of voice assistants, remember that one time we got Siri to speak in Punjabi?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCB5I4Kqthk

March 14, 2015
WhatsApp Speeds Up Roll Out of Voice Calling On all Android Devices

WhatsApp’s voice calling features has been a long awaited feature. The messaging app has virtually replaced SMS and now it is set to take its aim at the core business of mobile operators. The company had already begun offering the feature for some users through an invite system. It is being reported that WhatsApp has broadened the roll out process for voice calling, and it is available for all Android device.

This would be an exciting news for the users of the app. To get the update, users will have to receive a call from someone with the feature activated on their device. Once the user receives the call, the user interface will change, and three tabs will be introduced which represent calls, chats and contacts. The call section will feature call records like incoming, outgoing and missed calls.

WhatsApp has been offering the calling feature unofficially. It was reported a few days back that WhasApp had started offering invites for the feature. Those invites were time limited to a few hours. That time limit has been extended now.

Recently a malware was doing rounds that claimed to offer voice calling feature but simply directed the users to a malicious website. The website asks people to take part in a survey but ends up installing malware on the victim’s smartphone. So it’s advisable to not click on any random link and wait for the invite call to come to your device.

March 14, 2015
Engineers Create Chameleon-like Colour Changing Material for Next-Gen Displays

Science fiction shows, movies, and books have regularly talked about shape shifting and color-changing gizmos. They are used by spies and inquisitive nerds alike, and yes, the easiest example is Harry Potter and his invisibility cloak. There have been multiple efforts towards bringing these color changing technology to reality and the researchers at UC Berkley have come close with the development of their new material.

Let’s give a simple introduction to the technology. We have all seen how a peacock’s feather changes colors when viewed from different angles. It has nothing to do with the pigment of the feather, instead, it’s the tiny fibre like nanostructures that create the illusion of changing colors. This phenomenon is called structural coloration and can be seen many other examples in nature.

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have announced in the journal, Optica, that they have designed a skin that can change the color simply by applying a tiny bit of physical force. They are calling it a “chameleon-like skin.”

The thin silicon based material changes color when applied with physical pressure.

For the creation of this material, the scientists have carved rows of ridges in a single layer of silicon measuring just 120 nanometers. For comparison, a single human hair measures 100,000 nanometers. These tiny ridges are spaced apart so that they can reflect light of a particular wavelength. The ridges are cut at an angle so as the spacing between the ridges changes, the wavelength of light being reflected also changes with it.

The researchers have said that their present material can shift from green to yellow, orange and red. The material is just one square centimeter wide. They also said that they are confident that they can create material that can change to any desired color. The next step in the process is to make bigger material so that the commercial and future applications could be studied.

The application of this chameleon skin technology is said to be limitless. It will help to cloak an entire vehicle so that it matches with its exteriors. It will find wide uses in the battlefield to camouflage military vehicles. The researchers are also looking at future possibilities of changing colors by activating a tiny electrical charge. They also said that this technology could be used on large scale structures like bridges and dams. Helping find structural damages with ease and help prevent probable catastrophes. For the regular folks, it will help to create new photosensitive display technologies that can be used for adding brilliant color presentations to outdoor entertainment venues.

The technology is unique, and we will see more application when other developers get their hands on it. Apart from the usual cloaking technologies, it may also be used to make color changing dresses that will be more than just white and gold or blue and black. Or maybe someday this material will help create real-life Mystique from X-men. Now that would be exciting.

March 13, 2015
Micromax Brings Two New 4K TV’s Starting at Rs. 39,000

4K TV or UHD TVs have been around for a while, but their heavy price tag made sure potential customers steered clear from them. But in the recent past, some minor brands such as Vu have brought low-cost UHD TVs in India but their price tag was double than that of an HD TV. Micromax is breaking that price gap with the introduction of two UHD TVs which will challenge the conventional HD TV market.

Micromax is offering a 42-inch variant that will cost Rs 39,990 and a 49-inch version priced at Rs. 49,990. These are some of the lowest figures ever quoted for 4K TVs in India.

These TVs run Android OS that earns them the tag of Smart TVs. The 42-inch variant will run on Android 4.2 whereas the 49-inch variant runs Android 4.4. The TVs come preloaded with apps like Facebook, Twitter, Gmail and other prominent apps and buyers will also have access to Google Play store so they can download their preferred apps.

Both these TVs have a native resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. The TV’s are powered by a dual-core processor along with 1GB of RAM. They come with 2.2GB of internal storage, which is expandable to 32GB. The 42-inch variant features 3x HDMI and 3x USB ports. On the other hand, the 49-inch variant with its higher price tag offers a gold-colored metal frame and glass finish back and has 2x HDMI and 3x USB ports.
A Smart Somato-Sensory remote control will let you navigate through the interface of the TV. The remote works like an air mouse that makes it fast and easy to access the features you are want.

Micromax will be selling these TVs exclusively on Flipkart from March 13th. With these prices, the company won’t have to convince a lot of folks to part away with their money.

March 13, 2015
Google Launches a One Stop Online Store For All Its Products

Google, which began as a search engine has over the years, transformed itself into a technology powerhouse with a wide variety of products in its portfolio. On the consumer side, the company offers smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, thermostats and a lot more. To make it easier for the customers to buy their products, the company has launched a new online store called the Google Store.

Google Store will replace Play Store as the address for buying Google products. This new store is dedicated to all hardware offering from Google including accessories for the device. The site is live and active in India, and the products are priced in Indian Rupees.. Just type in store.google.com and keep your cash ready to buy your favourite Google devices.

On the Indian website, you get to buy the Nexus 6 32 GB for Rs.44,000 whereas the 64 GB variant can be bought for Rs. 49,000. The Nexus 9 tablet is available for Rs. 28,900. In the smartphone section, you have the option of buying the LG G Watch for Rs. 14,999 or the Samsung Gear Live for Rs.15,900. Google’s media streaming device, Chromecast is available on the website for Rs. 2,999.

Google might also bring the recently launched Chromebook Pixel to the store in the near future. The present website simply redirects the user to the other online retailers. There are no accessories available on the website right now but Google might add them later.

From the price point of view, there isn’t a lot of difference between the Google Store and the other online stores but you do get the convenience of browsing through all the offerings from Google at once.

March 12, 2015
Upcoming HTC E9 Specs Leaked, Sports 3GB RAM and Bigger Camera

HTC recently unveiled their flagship or the year 2015 at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The device was an upgrade over the previous generation devices and addressed the criticisms against the earlier device. HTC is now reportedly about to launch the One E9, which will be a successor to the E8 launched last year.

According to various rumors, the HTC One E9 will be a major upgrade over the last year’s version and will be competing in the market as a phablet. The device is expected to be launched in the mid to high range segments.

The reported image of the new HTC One E9.

The E9 is touted to sport a 5.5 inch Quad HD display which would make it the first HTC device to feature the ultra high definition display. Even HTC’s latest flagship, the One M9 sported a Full HD display.

The biggest change is HTC’s bet on MediaTek 64-bit 8-core processor for the new device instead of the usual Qualcomm Snapdragon line of chipsets. The E8 flaunted a Snapdragon 801 chipset. The handset is also expected to feature 3 GB RAM, 32 GB of storage with expandable storage and will be juiced up by a 2800 mAh battery.

On the camera front, the E9 is said to sport the 20 MP shooter we saw on the new M9. According to the leaked image, the device now features a massive camera on the back. For the front camera, it is said that the standard model of the device will house a 13 MP shooter on the front while a premium version of the E9 will sport a 4 MP ultrapixel camera.

Now these reports are still based on rumours so we cannot confirm the authenticity of these reports. The E9 does look like a considerable upgrade over the One E8, but we have to wait for official confirmations to be sure. Overall, like e8 was a stripped down version of the M8, the E9 seems like the slightly pocket-friendly version of the One M9.

March 11, 2015