Category: Android

Android Wear Updates to Make Smartwatches More Independent

The biggest factor blamed for the slow adoption of smartwatches is their need to be connected with smartphones. This made them more of an accessory than an actual fully-functional device. Now the companies have sensed the need to detach the Smartwatch from the smartphone while keeping its smartness intact. Google plans to do the same with its Android Wear Operating system.

Google in talks with CNET said that the company plans to bring several updates for the Android Wear ecosystem. These updates will add additional features to the devices as well as cut the umbilical cord that feeds the wearables their features through the smartphones.

These updates will help decouple the Smartwatch from the Smartphone

The updates are essential to providing independent features to these devices. Updates such as Bluetooth headsets support will let you hold your playlist on your watch itself so that you don’t need to lug around your huge smartphone when you go out for a run. In a GPS-enabled smartwatch, the GPS support will map your jog for you.

The updates will be rolled out on a regular basis and will roll out from next week. The first update is expected to advance the voice and navigation features of the smartwatches. One update that the customers will really look forward to is the one that will provide custom watch faces. This will offer the option to have customized watch faces that the users can select according to their liking.

There is still a lot of promise in this burgeoning tech segment. Smart wearables are where the companies are putting their money right now. If Google succeeds in bringing a standardized operating system that is appreciated by the people at large, it will be a big boost to the smartwatch category. Not only would there be a recognizable UI throughout, it will also help easily interconnect with the wide Android ecosystem.

It’s time Apple opened its cards on the long rumoured iWatch. The world is waiting to see if Apple can stop Android’s victory march midway.

September 3, 2014
IFA 2014 : Asus Officially Unveiled its First Android Wear Wearable, The ZenWatch

Asus has been teasing its smartwatch for quite a while, and now it’s finally here. The super sleek ZenWatch runs Android Wear OS and features a version of the ASUS ZenUI developed specifically for the ZenWatch.

Powered with Android Wear, the new ZenWatch will be priced around $250, while the international pricing is yet to be announced. It’s the first Android Wear smartwatch with a customised UI. It is compatible with smartphones running Android 4.3 or above.

The ZenWatch features a gold-colored middle layer and stainless steel top and bottom, with a brushed surface around the face. It has a 1.63-inch 320×320 AMOLED display with a slight curve to its surface, and a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, as well as 512MB or RAM and Bluetooth 4.0.

They’ve provided a heart rate sensor on the bottom, and it uses standard user-replaceable 22mm watchbands. IP55 water and dust-proofing helps it tolerate accidental splashes, and it has a 9-axis sensor for tracking activity and movement.

Asus has also included a number of gesture controls and pre-loaded features, which makes it stand out amongst other Android Wear devices. These features give you options to unlock your phone or tablet by tapping the face of the ZenWatch, auto-opening a function you set with a double-tap, covering the watch to mute and phone finding, remote camera operation and slide deck control apps. However, for these feature to work you are required to install a separate, Asus-created watch manager app in addition to Android Wear on your companion device to work.

The Asus ZenWatch comes in a a soft touch stitched-leather strap and quick-release clasp. The display is curved to give off a 2.5D effect.

September 3, 2014
ZTE Releases the V5 in India for Rs 10,999

In this season one more Chinese company brings in their smartphone to the Indian market. ZTE is a major Chinese brand with subsidiaries in multiple countries. It has been in this country for a while and now it has brought the V5 to India. The device will be exclusively sold on Snapdeal.com.

The ZTE V5 has a 5-inch 1280x720p HD screen. The display has Dragontail glass protection. The device has a 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor with 1 GB RAM. It provides 4 GB of internal storage with an expandable option up to 32 GB. The dual SIM device is powered by 2400 mAh battery.

The user interface on the ZTE V5 is ZTE’s own Nubia 2.0 UI which is based on Android KitKat 4.4.

The camera on the device is its USP

V5 has a 13 MP camera on the back. This camera has a Sony Exmor RS CMOS sensor with a wide F2.2 aperture, so you can expect good night shots on this device. It also flaunts features like blue glass composite IR filter. On the front of the device, there is a 5MP camera which comes with 88-degree wide angle, BSI sensor and self-portrait special effects for enhanced selfies.

Though the device is low on internal specifications at the price it comes at, the camera surely is the winning feature on the device. Now we say this because it looks good on paper. We’ll wait till we get our hands on the device to say for sure. ZTE surely needs to match up with some of its comrades in terms of specs. This phone is still better than the Oppo Neo, which while priced in the same bracket had some spec deficiencies too.

September 2, 2014
Top 5 Android Games that you Should Download Right Away

Android app market (Play Store) is flooded with both paid and free game apps. Whether you want games that will last the length of a commute, or want to be lost in a port of GTA where you spend hours mowing down pedestrians and making money out of murder, there is a game on here for you. In the recent time most of the apps that are free usually feature in-app purchases adding premium offerings, which in some cases are not half bad e.g. Smash it!

We are listing top 5 Android games that you should download right away.

5. The Room Two ( Rs. 190)

The Room Two, a sumptuously strange but an amazing puzzle game. You spend minutes at a time examining a series of locked boxes, hunting for keys and mechanisms, deciphering puzzles, searching for signs through your sinister revelatory eyeglass. When you find the right one and put it in the right place, what follows is gorgeously rewarding: keys turn, doors unlock, boxes impossibly unpack themselves and become different, weirder boxes, always with the exact perfect sounds for the movements as they happen. This is a game of incredible polish wonderfully suspenseful sound and graphic design.

4. Injustice : God Among Us (Free)

Not every type of game can make the seamless transition from a console or computer onto the touch screen of your Android device. Injustice: Gods Among Us being no exception to this. However, if you compare it with other android games, it is one of the best game out there. The graphics of Injustce: Gods Among Us are, without doubt, quite stunning. The characters are the highlight of the game. It’s amazing to get to fight with some of your favorite superheroes (and villains).

3. Apparatus (Free)

It is one of the most addictive game you will ever play. Developers have done a good job by providing the Android world with such a creative and addictive game. You can create a complex structure from small parts and build a machine which can outclass other competitors in every respective field. Once you get hold of this game you won’t be able to put down your phone even for a second.

2. Chaos Rings II (Rs. 750)

An amazingly beautiful fantastical world where life is at the brink of destruction, as usual, and the chosen one has to kill five people to save the world, and one of the five is an innocent child. Whether this hero can carry out his duty is the decision that lies in your hands. It is an exhilarating adventure ample for players of all ages who are devotees of science fiction and futuristic scenery. The game requires 1 GB of memory, so make sure you have it available before proceeding to download.

1 Modern Combat 5: Blackout (Rs. 390)

Modern Combat 5: Blackout is the best first-person shooter on smartphones and tablets. You can create a squad, add your friends and test your individual and team skills against other squads in dynamic multiplayer warfare. Modern Combat 5 steals the show when it come to customization. Before a fight, or after dying, you can choose from Assault, Sniper, Heavy Assault, or Recon. Each of the classes has a number of weapons and accessories you can unlock by playing the game and gaining experience.

August 29, 2014
Top 5 Big Screen Smartphones Under Rs. 25,000

Shopping for a new smartphone is a hard task. With some amazing smartphones flooding the market every day, it is hard to choose one. The idea is to carefully go through what you exactly want your smartphone to do. These days smartphones are going for a bigger screen as a norm and 4.5 inch is becoming lowest screen size available in the market. People prefer big screens as they provide you better multimedia experience on the go and are also convenient for business purpose.

We are listing top 5 big screen smartphones under Rs. 25,000.

5. Sony Xperia T2 Ultra

The Sony Xperia T2 Ultra is a big screen smartphone as it sports a 6 inch HD display (720p) with TRILUMINOS and Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 for mobile. It is also powered by a 1.4 GHz Quad-Core Snapdragon 400 processor and runs on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. The handset is packed with a 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage which is expandable upto 32 GB via microSD card. For a mere Rs 600 more you can get the T3 which comes with the Sony SmartBand SWR10 and a Sony Premium case a total worth of Rs. 8480.

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4. OnePlus One

Okay! you need to get an invite to buy this Awesome big screen smartphone. But, don’t worry, we are giving out 5 invitation to our subscribers. Be sure to sign up for the giveaway here. The device is as impressive as it gets, it sports 5.5 Inch display at 1920 x 1080p with a 13 MP primary camera (4K video) and 5 MP front camera (1080p video). It is surely going to create a stir when it launches later this year for roughly Rs. 22,000. Check out the Hands on of OnePlus One.

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3. Xiaomi Mi4

Well yes, this big screen smartphone has not launched in India yet, But the follow up of the blockbuster Mi3 is expected to launch soon. The impressive device is said to be launch post-Diwali in all likelihood, And our exclusive source told us it is going to available in two variants at Rs. 22,000 and Rs. 25,000. At first glance, the Xiaomi Mi 4 bears a striking resemblance to the design of the iPhone, especially the stainless steel banding around the sides.

Stay updated about Xiaomi Mi 4 here.

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4. Gionee S5.5

Gionee S5.5 is a gorgeous device with 5-inch screen at 1080×1920 pixels, does not qualify as a really big screen smartphone. However, hardware wise the Gionee Elife S5.5 somehow seems to find a good balance. A Mediatek 6592 chipset with 8 cores clocked at 1.7 GHz a Mali450 MP4 variant GPU, 2 GB of RAM and comes in 16/32 GB storage capacities. The main camera sensor is 13 MP and the front camera sensor is 5 MP both with 1080p capture. Battery is on the low side with just 2300 mAh under the hood, however with the slimness of this device in consideration, its a pretty high value. If looks, beautiful display and a better than average camera is what you need, at Rs 22,999 the Elife S5.5 makes a strong case for itself.

Read our full review here.

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1. HTC Desire 816

The HTC Desire 816 is a brilliant display equipped big screen smartphone, that looks great from the moment you first hold the device in your hand. The 5.5 inch Super LCD 2 display offers excellent brightness and great wide viewing angles. Almost every time you turn on the display you get a slight smirk on your face as to how beautifully HTC manages color and how good this screen looks.The HTC Desire 816 may be a large device but it fits comfortably, and is an excellent phone with solid network strength.

Read our full review here.

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August 28, 2014
LG Officially Reveals G Watch R with Circular P-OLED Display

It is a good day for smart watch lovers; Following the unveiling of Samsung Gear S and Gear Circle, LG announced its new G Watch R smartwatch, and it’s one of the most elegantly designed smartwatches we have seen.

The LG G Watch R is said to be the world’s first watch-style wearable device to feature a circular Plastic OLED (P-OLED) display. It utilises 100 per cent of its watch face unlike Moto 360 which has flat bezel in the bottom of the screen.

Like LG’s G Watch, the G Watch R runs on Google’s Android Wear operating system, but that’s by far is the only similarity between the two watches. The G Watch R’s circular touchscreen measures 1.3 inches versus the G Watch’s rectangular 1.65-inch screen. The G Watch R’s display has a higher resolution (320 × 320 pixels) compared with the G Watch’s (280 × 280 pixels).

LG claims that it’s viewable in sunlight and clear from any angle, and the plastic also comes with some durability benefits. The screen rests in a stainless steel frame, and comes with an interchangeable calf skin leather strap.

LG G Watch R packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 SoC with 1.2GHz CPU and 512MB of RAM. The rest of the device’s specs include 4GB of built-in memory, 410mAh battery, and the usual sensors (gyro, accelerometer, compass, barometer).

The G Watch, which sells for $229, took heavy criticism for not including a heart-rate monitor which the company has included in the new G Watch R. It is said that the new device will give tough competition to the much popular Moto 360 which turned lot of heads around during its unveiling at this years Google I/O.

LG G Watch R is already a crowd favorite with its retro-style analog watchfaces, which show sweeping second hands and a set of internal dials that look like a classic watch. There’s even a classic watch crown on the side, which is likely the power button disguised in style.

The sophisticated looking G Watch R come only in black. The Android Gear powered device will run all compatible apps available in the Google Play Store and with an Ingress Protection Rating of IP67, the LG G Watch R is designed to run for up to 30 minutes in one metre of water too. Talk about durability.

The LG G Watch R is said to available in market sometime around this year’s Q4. Prices and details of availability will be announced at the time of local launches. The watch will be on display at IFA 2014 in Berlin next week.

August 28, 2014
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 to Get New Fingerprint Features

Since it’s debut on the Galaxy S5, Samsung  has included a fingerprint scanner on a number of devices. There is no surprise that the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 will come with one as well, but this time it could be in for better features.

Recently Sammobile, popular leakster, claimed that Samsung will use the Synaptics’ Natural ID solution, just like the Galaxy S5 and the Galaxy Alpha in Galaxy Note 4. Presently the Galaxy S5 and Alpha come with Private Mode authentication, and Samsung and PayPal account verification. However, the Galaxy Note 4 will sport some add on features like a Fingerprint Shortcuts and Web sign-in feature. The new feature will allow users to assign specific application launches and functions to swipes of individual fingers.

Leaked Galaxy Note 4 tutorials have revealed  phone’s Fingerprint Shortcuts feature in full detail. “When you unlock the device with the registered fingers, you can make the finger shortcut to any applications or other functions directly from the lock screen,” the instructions read.

Another new feature that’s said to be coming to the Galaxy Note 4 is ‘Web Sign-in’. This feature allows you to sign in to websites that can remember passwords by swiping your finger over the home key, thus saving your time and trouble of typing while being more secure alternative than simply leaving sites signed in.

Since they’re software features, it’s quite possible that Web Sign-In and Fingerprint Shortcuts could make their way to the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Alpha following the launch of Galaxy Note 4.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is expected to launch at  a pre-IFA 2014 event on September 3. Note 4 is stated to have a 5.7 inch QHD display and is expected to be powered by a Snapdragon 805 or an Exynos 5 Octa SoC. The device is also expected to sport a 16 MP camera on the back and a 3.7 MP front selfie shooter.

August 27, 2014
New Leak Confirms Nexus X Specs and Reveals an Important Detail about Android L

We’ve already established the fact that Google’s upcoming Nexus device will not be called Nexus 6. Also, at this point we’re pretty certain that the device will be brought to us by Motorola. Now, popular tech blog TKTechNews has leaked some interesting information about the upcoming Nexus X. The leaked images show several AnTuTu benchmark screenshots for the handset, which also seem to reveal an important new detail about Android L.

The screenshot reveals the hardware details about the device. The leaked information is in line with the previous reports, which includes a 2K display, 2.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage and 13-megapixel camera. As mentioned earlier, the AnTuTu app refers the device as Nexus X and the device scored 35,430 in the test.

What’s interesting is that the leaked images of the benchmark lists Android version as ‘5.0’. However, in contrast, other recent leaks had suggested that the new updated version of Android will be called LMP or Lemon Meringue Pie.

The company is yet to confirm what will be the name of the new version of Android once it will be officially launched. Considering that these images are true, this Nexus X benchmark seems to confirm what every Android fan has been waiting for Google to reveal. Android will upgrade itself from Android 4.x (used since Ice Cream Sandwich) to Android 5.x.

Another rumor surrounding the Google’s Nexus X had surfaced recently. According to the leaked Best Buy listing, the Nexus X will be available on Sprint networks for $500 with a two-year contract. The listing for the Nexus X claims that the device has a 5.9-inch Quad-HD display that has a resolution of 1440×2560, a 2.7GHz quad-core processor and the Android L operating system. Google Nexus devices were expected to get an Andoird L update sometime in October followed by Motorola handsets.

August 27, 2014
7 Reasons Why Android is The Undefeated King in India

If you ever raise the question, ‘Which is the best OS for smartphones?’, it is inevitable that you will end up in an endless argument that is likely to turn into name-calling. While there are other mobile platforms, Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android have been dominant contenders in the game.

Both companies enjoy the support of loyal fans who religiously follow every minute update and change made to the mobile platforms. But, we are the country of budget phones and a ‘value for money’ market. Android makes a perfect companion of these ideals.

Here we are listing 7 reasons why Android is the undefeated king in the Indian smartphone market.

7. Google Now works better than Siri in India

Even Apple acknowledges this. Google Now is much better and functional in our country. It is not only faster than Siri at answering your questions but it also does a much better job at recognizing Indian accents. Furthermore, you also have an option of downloading the speech recognition files to the device for offline use in Android devices.

6. App publishing in Android is a lot easier

Publishing an Android app is as easy as child’s play. Once you are done making the app, you just have to sign up via a handy Eclipse wizard, and you have an APK file that can run on any device. You can email it, put it up on a web site, or upload it to Google Play and make it available worldwide within the hour. Even better, you can check install statistics and crash reports, including stack traces which identify the exclusive line of code that went wrong, and you can upload a bug-fix version immediately. On the other hand, it is a nightmare to publish an Apple app.

5. Wide range of sharing options

Android powered devices gives option of sharing media files through any installed app with sharing capabilities. That means if you want to share media file through Blogger, Tumblr, Instagram or Pinterest or any other social media app you can do it easy on Android OS devices. However, iOS restrict you to the pre-installed apps such as Message, Mail, Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr for media sharing.

4. No mandatory Multimedia apps for Android

Apple needs iTunes to sync your music and iPhoto for pictures to your iOS smartphones which is a huge drawback especially for people who use Windows on their PCs and Laptops. On the other hand, Android isn’t as bothered about where your music or pictures comes from. You can just plug in your device to your laptops or PC using a USB cable and transfer music and other multimedia files with an ease.

3. Its customizability

If the stock Android look doesn’t suit your taste you can customise your Android smartphones. Sky is the limit with various launchers, themes and what not, available on the Play Store. You can even download an iOS 7 theme, if that is what you are into. And yes, on most Android phones, you can unlock your device to any app you want, which comes handy when you use certain apps regularly.

2. Free Apps vs Premium Apps

It’s true Apple App store offer you many premium quality apps but most of them are paid. On the other hand, Google’s Play Store offers far more options than the App Store. Play Store has an array of genres and categories which offers amazing app (including third party apps) mostly for free or for minimal charges.

1. Android comes in Budget Friendly phones

Android is an open source OS and is available for any manufacturer to use, while iOS is available exclusively on the devices that Apple manufactures. This makes a huge difference as Apple’s iPhones are high-end expensive phones. For an Indian, value for money matters. You can find Android OS in the extensive price range from Rs. 3,000 to 70,000. Hence, we conclude, Android is the true king of smartphones in India.

August 26, 2014
Leaked Documents Reveal Android L May Be Called ‘Lemon Meringue Pie’

Google introduced us to the next big update of Android at Google I/O 2014. Though, the company has already released the developers preview called ‘L Release’, the search engine giant has been tight lipped about what the name of the update would be, once it’s fully operational.

However, recent leak hint that the new version of Android which was referred to as Android L till now, will be called ‘Lemon Meringue Pie’ once Google releases it officially.

Documents leaked by popular website, Android Police, appears to refer the new version of Android as LMP or Lemon Meringue Pie. One of the documents is an extract from the Android SDK which mentions the current preview build of Android L available for the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 as the “lmp-preview-release.”

Also, the website posted a Wi-Fi certification for a yet-to-be announced HTC tablet which has the internal name of the latest Android version ID, LMP. The device is said to be HTC Volantis or Flounder which is expected to be the Nexus 8 or 9. The report also added if you search LMP on the Android Open Source Project repository you get nine hits, one of which refers directly to “LMP” in the subject heading.

However, this news should be taken in with a pinch of salt as last year Android KitKat 4.4 was referred KLP or Key Lime Pie prior to the release of Nexus 5 and 7. It is possible that Google may go ahead with an entirely different name, tying up with some company to promote a product just like KitKat. Anyway, it is still unclear what the new version of Android L will be called. Meanwhile, Lollipop, Lemonhead and Licorice are the favorites among Android fans.

Google is also aiming for a better battery life in Android smartphones. The introduced Project Volta improves the “instrumentation” of battery data through a tool called “Battery Historian.” Google has also added a “Battery Saver” mode in “L” which can be triggered manually or configured to be enabled automatically when battery is low.

August 26, 2014
Nexus 6 May Be Called ‘Nexus X’, Possible Launch Date Revealed

With many interesting devices in the market, the smartphone space looks bustling with energy of an overcrowded market. But a lot of people still waiting for that time of the year when the makers of Android, bring out their own device, the Nexus series. Google’s Nexus phones are one of the most looked forward devices as they bring a native Android experience as intended by Google.

This time around Motorola has been roped in to make the next Nexus device. TKTechNews and Phone Arena say they have received information about this device; the Nexus 6 may be called the ‘Nexus X’ as that is the codename being used internally by Motorola. The model number of the device is XT1100.

There is a bit of conflict between the sites regarding the screen size. While TKTechNews claims that the device has a massive 6.3 inch screen, PhoneArena reports on a slightly conservative screen size of 5.9 inch. Previous leaks have also reported on a 5.9 inch 2K screen. Anyway, the phone will still take on the Note 4’s screen so it will be interesting to see who brings out a better 2K screen, Motorola or Samsung.

The 5.9 inch phone is expected to tun Android L

The Nexus X is expected to be based on the upcoming Moto S. It will be powered by the 2.7 GHz Snapdragon 805 processor. The camera on the device is a 13 megapixel shooter with optical image stabilization, and on the front it sports a 2.1-megapixel camera. It will also come with the Google’s next mobile OS, the Android LMP (Lemon Meringue Pie) as it’s expected to be called.

One of the main reasons cited for the change of name is trade mark issues. Nexus 6 was the name of the Androids (robots) in Philip K Dick’s novel Do Androids dream of Electric Sheep? The novel was later produced as the famous Blade Runner films.

The Nexus device will come with the carrier Sprint and it will be priced at $499 with a 2 year contract. In Europe, the phone will cost 419 Euros. The device is expected to arrive by Halloween as a pleasant ‘treat’. As Google did last year, the phone will be released without an announcement. Now we know what we want Christmas, hope Google brings it to a major market like India as soon as possible.

August 26, 2014
Samsung Might Launch Two Metal-Clad Smartphones Along with Galaxy Alpha

The Samsung Galaxy Alpha turned a lot of heads when it was announced earlier this month. Thanks to the metal frame, it got a lot of attention. Unlike other Samsung products that have all-plastic bodies, the Galaxy Alpha is a welcomed intervention in Samsung’s design philosophy.

However, recent reports have revealed that Galaxy Alpha is not the only handset which is part of this intervention. According to a new report from SamMobile, the Samsung Galaxy Alpha is only one of the first smartphones in a new line of products from Samsung which may be called ‘A’ series.

Reportedly, Samsung will launch three phones that run Android 4.4 KitKat in this series and feature metal components in their cases. Bearing the model numbers of SM-A300, SM-A500, and SM-A700, the three handsets are said to launch in different price ranges.

In terms of specifications, not much has been leaked. The A300 is reported to offer a qHD (960×540) display while the others could pack HD displays. It’s not clear if these are 720p or 1080p screens. Other than this, the only detail shared by the blog is that the company will offer “better” front-facing cameras.

The Galaxy Alpha is said to be 6.7mm thick and weighs about 115 grams. The display on the phone is a 4.7 inch screen with a 1280X720 resolution. It has an unnamed Octa core processor (Quad 1.8GHz + Quad 1.3GHz), and it is most likely on an Exynos 5 based chipset. The RAM on the device is 2 GB and has internal storage of 32 GB. It has no expandable storage. The Alpha has a dismal 1860 mAh battery which might dissuade a lot of folks from getting the device. The three new “A” series phones will reportedly debut sometime during Q3 2014.

August 26, 2014
Sony’s Promo Teases Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact and a Mysterious Smartwatch

Japanese electronic-giant Sony is believed to launch another tablet and a waterproof smartwatch at IFA 2014 in Berlin. Well, a week before the expected launch, both upcoming gadgets have been supposedly spilled by the company.

The picture, posted on a Facebook promo page for the Smartband illustrates a 7 or 8-inch tab and a sweet new smartwatch in the hands of a person enjoying some poolside entertainment. The tab could be, in all likelihood, the expected Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, whose existence was released a week ago in a client’s manual for a Bluetooth speaker charging dock. Now, we’ve got a full look at the mini-tab, which is a the new size in Sony’s tablet lineup.

The photo is captured by a swimming pool, clearly an inference to the brand’s waterproof logic. With all the leaks, it may feel like there’s nothing more to learn about the Xperia Tablet Z3 Compact. The intelligent watch, however, is still a mystery.

The photo is captured by a swimming pool, clearly an inference to the brand’s waterproof logic

The tab shown in the image appears to be an 8-incher, and will come with Sony’s traditional waterproof features. Additionally, an alleged Android Wear smartwatch can be seen on the wrist as well, suggesting that it will have water-resistant qualities too.

The device is expected to use Sony’s custom-built platform based on Android, instead of Android Wear. As usual, the watch will be water proof and dust resistant, though one should expect something new this time around. While we’re not sure if it’s a mistake or if the company wants to tease its upcoming products, it should still come as an exciting news for Sony fans.

Sony is also expected to launch an updated QX len-style camera at the event as well. Stay tuned, we’ll update you as soon as Sony officially reveals its upcoming devices at the IFA 2014 event in Berlin.

August 25, 2014
Xiaomi to Introduce Redmi 1S in India on 26th August

After a successful opening in the Indian market, Xiaomi is ready for its second adventure. The Apple of China created an immense buzz by bringing its flagship killer MI3 in India. The mobile was sold in flash sales that saw the stocks disappear in moments after the beginning of the sales. Now the company has sent out an invite for the launch of its mid-segment phone, the Redmi 1S.

The Redmi 1S is expected to do the same to the under 10000 segment that its bigger sibling, the MI3 did to the higher segment and create a lot of furore while doing it. The Redmi 1S too have some market dominating features which will be appreciated by the Indian populace.

The invite is out for the Redmi 1S

The phone will be introduced by Xiaomi’s Vice President International, Hugo Barra on 29th August. The Xiaomi Redmi 1S is a dual SIM phone. It has a 4.7 inch IPS display with 1280×720 pixel resolution. It is powered by a quad-core 1.6 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 mobile chipset and 1 GB RAM, we are sensing a winner right here.

The phone has 1GB RAM and internal storage of 8 GB. The part that will make multimedia enthusiast jump with joy is the fact that Redmi 1S gives you an expandable storage option up to 64 GB. So go ahead and load up the all the seasons of ‘Friends’ on your phone.

Weirdly there is no KitKat for this one, Redmi 1S runs on a version of MIUI that is based on Android 4.3 Jellybean. But considering all that they are offering, we’ll let that one pass.

The device is an all rounder in terms of Looks, Feature and Price

The device comes with an 8 megapixel camera with a wide f/2.2 aperture and a LED Flash. It offers burst mode, auto-focus, zero shutter lag, HDR and real-time filters. For the selfie lovers the front sports a 1.6 megapixel camera.

To make use of all these affordable goodness functional, the device gets its juice from a 2000 mAh battery which is perfect for the price. The device also features Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy, WiFi, and GPS with A-GPS and GLONASS support.

The device is priced at Rs.6,999 and will be available on Flipkart, most probably by next week. Guess after creating adversaries in flagship phone makers, Xiaomi is ready to take on the Indian manufacturers. Lookout Micromax, Lava, Karbonn; a Chinese hurricane is approaching you.

August 23, 2014
Researchers Hack Android and Expose Security Flaws

Android has become one giant monster of a success with over 50 per cent of market share. It has been integrated across multiple devices and is gaining new grounds each day. Its evolution has been appreciated and its next operating system, the Android L will come out soon. But it seems like researchers at the Riverside, University of California, are about to throw a wrench in the works of the Android.

The research team hacked into the Android operating system by disguising malicious software in the form of an app. What was a surprising find was that Gmail was one of the easiest app to hack, and the researchers had a success rate of 92% in hacking the app. So its probably not a good idea to leave your compromising information in your Gmail account.

The researchers say that there is a misconception in people’s minds that mobile apps cannot interact with each other; this hack will show that it’s a myth. They also made clear that they tried the hack on Android, but it might work on iOS and Windows OS too, as they too allow apps to access shared memory on the device.

Gmail was one of the easiest apps to hack.

The researchers brought forward some serious security flaws in the system. They were able to track all that the user was doing on their phone.

They were able to hack into apps like H&R Block, Amazon, Newegg, WebMD and Chase Bank. The Chase bank app’s hack revealed some stomach-churning revelation. The bank allows users to pay in checks by just taking the image of the checks. The researchers were able to hack the app and steal the image thereby gaining access to the user’s bank details and signature, which is really scary.

Google, on the other hand, said that it appreciated the efforts of the researchers. They say that this kind of research teaches them some important lessons that will help to make their system stronger and more efficient.

At a time when major enterprises are shifting to the mobile solutions for their businesses, this hack might create some hurdles for the device and operating system companies. Hopefully, now that the hackability of the system has been established, the companies will seriously consider the issue and resolve it as soon as possible. And the researchers should keep going on doing their good work.

August 23, 2014