Category: Android

Microsoft’s Nokia Lumia 530 Officially Arrives

After taking in the Nokia brand and completely trashing away the Android based Nokia X series, Microsoft Mobility has come back with their Lumia series. The new phone known as the Lumia 530 will come in single and double Sim variants.

The Nokia Lumia 530 will come with a 4-inch FWVGA (480x854p) display. It gets its processing power from a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 200 quad-core processor with a 512 MB RAM. Though the phone comes with a 4 GB internal storage but is expandable upto 128 GB which is definitely welcome. The device is juiced up through a 1430 mAh battery which seems good enough for a 4-inch screen.

The camera on the phone is a 5MP fixed focus shooter without an LED Flash. The phone also lacks a front facing camera so that might be a dissuading factor for prospective buyers. Connectivity wise, the Lumia 530 offers Bluetooth 4.0, FM Radio, Wi-Fi, 3G and A-GPS.

Lumia 530 comes with Multi color Flip cover options

The phone comes preloaded with Microsoft Office apps and provides 15GB of free cloud storage space via OneDrive. Storage wise the phone is a warehouse but might lose in the feature race. The phone comes with multiple back panel color options like Orange, Green, Black and White. The company also provides multicolored Flip covers which is known as Flip shells.

Lumia 530 will be released globally and selective roll-outs will begin in August 2014. The expected price of the device is around 6,900 which is pretty steep when compared to what the competition offers at that price.

Considering this was the first independednt release from Microsoft they should have offered a lot more instead of a generic release. This phone doesn’t even match its predecessor, the Nokia Lumia 525 in terms of specs. A Moto G or E like release would have really set brand Microsoft in the Phone business. This phone seems inadequate except in terms of storage.

July 23, 2014
Google Play Store 4.9.13 with Material Design Comes To Your Phone

We saw material design at Google I/O and it was impressive with its minimalistic and clean user interface. Now Play Store Version 4.9.13 has been rolled out by Google and it has got the material makeover.

The new Play Store gets a visual makeover and this one does look more appealing. The app view especially looks much cleaner and better organized than its predecessors. The books, album and movie listing pages are much easier to move around in.

The material design elements, with drop shadows, add dimensional features to the interface which is fun to move around in. There is a lot of moving around that needs to be done as the bigger cover designs introduced by this update so that’s a tiny downer. Though the new animations and introduction of a lot more color, covers up that flaw.

Overall, this is a great new update from Google and we can’t wait for material design to now come to our phone and the entire Google ecosystem.

Our latest update is rolling out right now! We’re excited to share a sneak peek of what you’ll get in the coming days pic.twitter.com/k5BidxR4Vu

— Google Play (@GooglePlay) July 23, 2014

July 23, 2014
Unlock Your Motorola Device With A ‘Digital Tattoo’

This is what we love about wearable technology. They keep on trying to simplify your life even further. This time it’s Motorola’s turn, and they have teamed up with a company called VivaLnk to create a ‘digital tattoo’ that unlocks your phone when you simply tap the phone against it. Yes, it’s that simple.

Tap on the tattoo to unlock your phone without a password

Now Motorola says that an average user unlocks their device 39 times a day. Out of these, 50% find punching in their password/PIN too cumbersome, leaving their data and personal information exposed to theft and other malpractice. This was why they introduced the Motorola Skip last year. The Skip is a small clip that attached to any of your clothing, and unlocked your Moto X with a simple tap. The concept was simple, and it saved the user from the annoyance of typing in the password every time they wanted to use their phone. This ‘digital tattoo’ aims to take it a step further, using the same technology in an even simpler form.

The tattoo, as was the case with the Motorola Skip, uses Near Field Communication (NFC) to interact with your smartphone. The device recognizes it within a second, and forgoes the password entering stage to unlock your smartphone.

So basically put, the ‘digital tattoo’ is an ultra-thin NFC circuit, wrapped up in medical grade 3M adhesive that won’t harm your skin. It is also water resistant, and should be able to survive showers and exercise routines just fine.

A 10 piece pack comes with at a price of $10.

While the $10 asking price for 10 such tattoos sounds like a fair bargain, prospective buyers should keep in mind that a single piece would last you only 5 days on a stretch, so that 10 piece pack optimally lasts you around a month and a half.

Another catch is that the tattoo currently works only with the Moto X. That is understandable, because every niche product is first tested with a limited customer base. If you’ve got any other phone, you’re going to have to wait, and still waste all of 2.3 seconds fumbling in your password each time you want to use your phone.

By Pranav Arora

July 23, 2014
Xiaomi Introduces The Mi 4 With LTE and an 8MP Selfie Cam

After taking India by storm with their Xiaomi Mi 3, the chinese smartphone dragons have released their next “flagship,” the Mi 4. Yesterday Xiaomi did something that nobody thought was possible; they pulled a MOTO. Xiaomi’s first India offering, the Mi 3, flew off the shelves within an hour of launch on Flipkart. Even though the companies had provided a pre-registration option, the phones simply vanished, and also managed to crash the website.

Coming back to the star of the moment, the Mi 4. The phone comes with stainless steel styling elements which sets it apart from the Mi 3. The 5-inch 1080p smartphone gets its processing powers from the 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 SoC. The phone has 3GB of RAM and comes with 16/64 GB internal storage options.

The camera on the phone is a 13 megapixel shooter with a wide f/1.8 aperture, so night shooting is going to get a boost from it. The selfie camera is a massive 8 MP; a major upgrade in the MI series. The phone also gets an LTE radio and is juiced up by a 3080 mAh battery. The phone will be sold at CNY 1999 which in Indian currency is about Rs. 19,000 and CNY 2,499 for the 64 GB model which would come out to Rs. 24,000 in India.

The Phone provides multiple back panel options

The phone also comes with IR blaster so that it can be used as a TV remote, a feature that is available in some of the top-end phones in India. Staying true to its customizable origins, the MI 4 also comes with options for designer back panels.

Xiaomi and MIUI fans will probably wait for the phone to come to India as it is only released in China currently. Considering the massive response the Mi 3 got in India, Xiaomi would want to take maximum advantage of the market. It has also increased the appreciation for Chinese products in India. With the amount of specs packed in the Mi 4, its seems that the ‘Apple of China’ already has the next winner of the smartphone race in their hands.

July 22, 2014
3 Upcoming Motorola Devices We Can’t Wait to Get Our Hands On
Motorola’s comeback has been widely successful with the much-appreciated Moto G and Moto E. After the company was acquired by Google, Motorola has constantly been launching phones. More are soon to come, including their long awaited flagship phone. We are listing 3 new devices that we hope Motorola will launch soon:

1. Moto X+1/X2

We can expect the Moto X+1, aka Moto X2, to be released sometime in September. We have seen details surrounding Motorola’s next-generation flagship smartphone leak a number of times thus far. In fact, there have been several sightings of the unreleased phone in a handful of videos.

Key Specifications
- 5.2-inch Full HD AMOLED display
- 1080 x 1920 pixel resolutions
- 2GB of RAM
- Snapdragon 800 2.3 GHz processor
- 12 MP primary camera
2. Moto G2

Motorola has reportedly started working on the Moto G2. A smartphone said to be the successor to the popular Moto G. A website called Mallandonoandroid has published an image and alleged specifications of the phone that carries the model number XT1068. As per the report the dual-sim phone will sport a 720p display and Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, just like the Moto G, but will feature a 8MP rear camera. Moto G came with a 5MP rear camera, which was one of its weak points.

Rumored Specifications
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor
- 1,280 x 720 pixels
- 8MP rear camera
3. Moto G Google Play Edition

While the standard version of Moto G sold by Motorola has been extremely popular, everyone seems to have forgotten about the Google Play edition of the phone sold in the US, including Motorola and Google. The phone is not available in India, it is expect that Motorola may launch the device soon.

Key Specifications
- 1.2 GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 Processor
- 1 GB RAM
- 4.5 Inch HD Touchscreen Display
- 5 MP Rear Camera With LED Flash
- 1.3 MP Front Camera
- 2070 MAh Battery.
July 22, 2014
Google Play Store Beats iOS App Store in Number of Downloads, Lags In Revenue

An app analyst at App Annie have compiled their data for Q2 2014 and have come out with the results. For the months of April, May and June, the Android Play Store has again surpassed the iOS App Store in terms of app downloads. In raw numbers, the Android Play Store registered about 150 million app downloads as opposed to 100 million app downloads against its iOS counterpart. This means a 60% increase from the previous quarter for Android, and a 45% increase for iOS.

App revenue, however, is a completely different story. iOS has a huge lead in this department with $100 million in app revenue as compared to $60 million for Android. Again, that is an increase of 45% for iOS from the previous quarter as against a 30% increase for Android. Now there can be a number of reasons for this, but the primary reasons being ‘free-medium’ apps on Android, which actually cost a few dollars on Apple’s iOS platform.

However, it is predicted by analysts that the Android Play Store will actually surpass the iOS App Store even in revenue by 2018. Android already dominates about 80% of the smartphone market, and app revenues are expected to reflect that soon.

In terms of app downloads by categories, both platforms are dominated by Games, Tools, Communication, Entertainment and Social applications. This is not news as these categories were dominant in the previous quarter as well.

The role of low-priced Android phones in emerging markets also makes a mark on these rankings. India jumped up two spots to claim the third overall spot in total app downloads on Android, behind the United States and Brazil. On the iOS platform, Japan, United States, South Korea, Germany and Taiwan continue to dominate the top five nations in terms of downloads.

Apple is presently preparing for the launch iPhone 6 which is said to be more expensive than the iPhone 5s, while on the other hand Google has recently announced the Android One, a cheap mobile platform for budget phone in India . It will be interesting to see how both companies with different marketing strategy compete with each other in this volatile technology market.

By Pranav Arora

July 21, 2014
Gionee Aspiring For Size Zero: Rumored To Launch a 5mm Smartphone
The Chinese phone maker turned heads when they launched world’s slimmest smartphone. Now, China’s TENNA, recently certified a mid-range model that’s even thinner. If you think that the S5.5 was the best Gionee could do, then you might have been wrong. Gionee is most probably in process of launching another slim phone which will only be 5mm thick.

The new handset, code-named as GN9005, will strictly be a mid-ranger, featuring a 4.8-inch HD (1280×720 pixels) AMOLED display. The device will run on quad-core 1.2GHz processor (presumably Cortex-A7) with 1GB RAM. It will run Android 4.3 Jelly Bean out of box.

In terms of camera, the GN9005 will be equipped with an 8MP primary camera at the rear and a massive 5MP front facing shooter for wooing all those selfies lovers. Other technical specifications include 16GB of internal storage and a modest 2,050mAh battery.

There is no word on the launch date or pricing right now but as it is visible on leaked product images, the phone is expected to be released on telecom operator China Mobile. We hope to get more details in the coming weeks, till then check out the alleged specifications of the phone.

Rumored Features
- Size: 139.8 × 67.4 × 5.0 (mm), 94.6 grams
- Display: 4.8-inch AMOLED display, 1280x720p
- Processor: 1.2GHz quad-core
- Battery: 2050 mAh
- Connectivity: TD-LTE, GSM, TD-SCDMA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- OS: Android 4.3
- Memory: 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage
- Cameras: 8MP rear camera, 5MP front
July 21, 2014
Top 5 Useful Apps Made For Android Wear Smartwatches

Android Wear is the darling of wearable technology these days. We can’t wait to put smartwatches around our wrists and find out all their capabilities. Android Wear smartwatches do a good job of delivering notifications and other alerts to your wrist, but the fun really starts when you start downloading apps that add additional functionality.

Although the selection of Android Wear apps is small for now, there are already some pretty useful options in the Google Play store.

We are listing 5 of the these amazing app that you will love to use on your Android smartwatch.

1. IFTTT

IFTTT, acronym for If This Then That, connects events into a simple statement that triggers an action. It performs a set action if an event happens, like firing off a text message to your phone if you receive an email or automatically uploading photos to Dropbox that you post to Instagram. On the wrist IFTTT gives users a big button that triggers some user configurable action. IFTTT is probably the most powerful app available yet on the smartwatch.

2. Binary Watch Face

The Binary Watch Face is a very clean and good looking binary clock for the smartwatch. One thing that does come up with regards to these custom watch faces is that whenever a notification pops up, they end up covering a part of the watch face design, which is something to look out for, especially if there is task with a persistent notification. The companion app installs on your smartphone with the Watch Face allowing you to configure the colors to your liking.

3. Evernote

With this you can dictate voice notes to your watch. The Android Wear extension of Evernote allows users to pull up recent notes on their smartwatch which is more useful than it sounds if you’re travelling and have to book references and other things on your wrist. Dictating new notes without having to pull out a smartphone does make life a lot simpler.

4. Bunting

Bunting is a simple Twitter client for Android Wear with a clean and sleek interface, that allows you to tweet messages directly from your Android Wear smartwatch. The set up is very easy. All you have to do is log into Bunting using your Twitter account, and once that’s done, you can start tweeting by dictating your message directly to the watch. If you tweet on a regular basis and own an Android Wear device, Bunting is a quick and easy way for microbloging on the go.

5. Flopsy Droid

Well you must be wondering how pathetic it would be to play games on your Android wear with its small screen. But Flopsy Droid will amaze you. Created by the makers of Blunting, the game is a clone of Flappy Bird with similar gameplay. The bird is gone and has been replaced with the green Bugdroid we all know and love. But the big difference is the fact that this game is now playable from your smart-watch. If you’re looking to while away some time, Flopsy Bird is great way to do so.

July 21, 2014
Google To Unleash Android One in India This October

Google’s plans that were announced this year at Google I/O are finally unfolding and creating a stir. Recently, Google came up with new Chromecast 1.7 update which now allows users to display their Android homescreens on a Chromecast-connected TV and lets you use any application on your television. And now, Google is set to launch the first Android One smartphone in October this year in India.

They’ve planned a strategic launch around the Diwali season, and it has also been said that the company is planning a 100 Crore investment on marketing and advertising.

Google is aiming big with these Android One devices, estimating a reach up to 5 billion people in emerging markets. They said that the handsets will be updated directly by Google. The all rounder technology giant will also provide hardware and software reference points, while manufacturers will be able to put in their own apps in the devices.

Back in June at the I/O 2014, Google announced Micromax will be the first one to release an Android One device which will be priced at $100. The reports are also saying that the much talked about Micromax Android One device will be available exclusively on Flipkart.

Google added that the device will have a 4.5 inch display screen, expandable memory, dual sim capabilities and integrated FM Radio. The Android One devices will come with Play Auto Installs, that tells users which apps are recommended for his smartphone.

The Economic Times reported that Google has also roped in Indian low-cost smartphone maker Celkon Mobiles and Intex Technologies is also in talks with Google for a similar partnership.

July 19, 2014
Chrome OS To Get A Major Facelift with Project Athena

Google is really proud of its material design. The top team flaunted their new design at the Google I/O this year. The material design will bring a level of consistency throughout all the mediums that run on Google platform; Android, Chrome and Google account applications like Gmail. Google will now bring its material designs in their laptop based Chrome OS.

Google’s leaker François Beaufort who recently joined Google as a Chromium OS Evangelist has shared the first draft look of the new OS design in action. The design uses levels and shadows to add a kind of dimensional perspective which looks rather interesting. In the first look one can get a kind of Windows Aero window swipe feel.

Google is calling this Project Athena for Chromium OS and it looks like a good step forward. By bringing in a recognizable user experience through all its mediums, Google will be able to attract as well as retain a lot many users. The material design will arrive on phones with the Android L update and this will be widely used. Unlike the KitKat update which took a while to reach the devices, companies like HTC, Motorola, LG and others are promising to bring the update as soon as possible. Google is surely ready to take on Apple full on.

July 19, 2014
Samsung Launches 4G-Equipped Galaxy S5 in India
At the very least, we can give credit to Samsung for understanding the need of the hour. With Airtel and Aircel racing to provide India with 4G cover, Samsung has decided to launch a 4G variant of its Flagship Device at the price of Rs 53,500.

While most of its features remain the same as the 3G S5, some of the key features of the new 4G variant include:
- Qualcomm 8974 Pro 2.5 Ghz processor
- Supports Eight 4G LTE bands support
- Advanced Camera (HDR mode, Selective Focus)
- IP67 protection (Dust and Water Resistant)
- Ultra Power Saving Mode (24 hours standby time with 10% battery)
- Download Booster
- Wi-Fi MIMO
For this device, Samsung and Airtel have tied up and are making a special data offer to Samsung S5 customers. All existing and new Airtel 4G subscribers will get 5GB 4G data/month free for 2 months. The device will be available in India from 20th July in Copper Gold, Charcoal Black and Shimmery White colour options.

One of the impressive features of this phone is the Download Booster. It allows users to access 4G and Wi-Fi simultaneously, resulting in super high connectivity.

All this sounds pretty fancy, but we’d advise recommend you not to make a hasty purchase, since the brand is notorious for reducing its prices.
July 18, 2014
Android Wear to Release API For Watch Faces

Smart watches are a buzzing product ecosystem right now. It’s a great new device and almost all major tech companies are trying their hands with this gizmo. Google’s Android Wear OS based devices are particular generating a lot of interest.

With Google providing development opportunities for apps for the Wear devices, there has been a boom in the apps for such smart watches. Android customizability has been its strength from the beginning. Now they are providing API to 3rd party developers to create new watch faces. With the options for square and circle shapes, the options can be endless.

Multiple watch face options will give versatile looks to the watches

Wayne Piekarski, Senior Developer Advocate at Google, announced through a Google+ post that the new API make it easy for developers to make all round watch faces. Think of the convenience of having multiple clock faces in one watch, you can literally have a new watch to flaunt every day.

Earlier, the process of making watch faces was a bit slow as a developer needed to integrate several tweaks for the watch faces but this API will simplify that process. He stated “Customization has helped Android thrive, and the same will be true for Android Wear.”

July 18, 2014
Microsoft Kills Nokia’s Android Smartphone Project

In a recent mail to his employees, Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella announced that Microsoft would be reducing the size of its overall workforce by up to 18,000 jobs in the next year. In the same mail, he also said that Microsoft plans to shift ‘select’ Nokia X product designs to become Lumia products running Windows Phone.

So why the change? In Nadella’s words, “This builds on our success in the affordable smartphone space and aligns with our focus on Windows Universal Apps.”

You might recall, Nokia’s X phones promised to blend two operating systems, Microsoft’s Windows Phone and Google’s Android, into one that maintained the core functionality of Android while providing services and designs from Windows Phone. It was said to be lowly priced to target consumers in developing countries like India. The idea was that once Nokia X users became ready for higer-end phones, Nokia’s own Lumia lineup would be their first choice since they were already accustomed to Nokia services.

During the implementation, in order to keep Microsoft at the heart of the phone, Nokia X replaced many key Android services with Microsoft’s own. For example, Google Maps was replaced by Nokia’s Here Maps. This actually prevented a lot of Android applications to run on Nokia X devices. Developers had to rewrite many applications to get them working on the X. Further, the home screen on the X looked nothing like Android. Rather, it resembled the tile layout of Windows Phone.

Nadella would like Microsoft to have a single, clear direction to progress, and the cancellation of the X lineup is a perfect example of that change in mentality. He and his company is shifting all his focus to Windows Phone.

It is important to note that by killing the X lineup, Microsoft isn’t shifting its focus from developing countries. It realizes that emerging markets like India are a perfect target for its cheaper models. The only change is that now, these cheaper models will come with pure Windows Phone preinstalled.

Another news for Nokia X owners is that Nokia will not be killing its support immediately. They have been put it into what Microsoft calls ‘maintenance mode’, which continues support, but ends any further development.

By Pranav Arora

July 18, 2014
Obi Mobiles Launches its Flagship Octopus S520 at Rs.11,990
Obi Mobiles, a venture of Ex-Apple CEO, John Scully, has launched the Octopus S520 smartphone at Rs.11,990. The phone initially will be available for purchase only on Snapdeal.com.

The phone is featuring an all aluminium back panel with a 5 inch HD(720×1280) IPS display. Powered by a 1.7GHz MediaTek octa-core processor, the phone comes with 1GB RAM and 8GB internal storage which is expandable via a microSD card slot.

The company’s flagship phone runs Android 4.4 KitKat, the latest version of the operating system. The dual-sim (3G+3G) phone supports an 8MP rear camera and a 2MP front-facing camera. It has an 1800mAh battery. In terms of connectivity, the phone supports Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS and USB 2.0.

Ajay Sharma, CEO(India), Obi Mobiles in a press release said, “S520 is a beautifully designed product. It is engineered to highest quality specifications to reliably deliver a superior performance. This flagship device is an affirmation of our stated commitment to extend the best in class smartphone experience.”

The Octupus S520, Obi’s first ever flagship smartphone, is exclusively available for sale at India’s largest online marketplace Snapdeal.co

Key Features
- 5-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD display
- Android 4.4 (KitKat)
- 1.7 GHz Octa-Core MediaTek MT6592 processor
- 8MP rear camera with LED Flash and 1080p video recording
- 2MP front-facing camera
- Dual SIM (Standard + Micro)
- 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio
- 1GB RAM, 8GB internal storage, expandable up to 32 GB
- 3G, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth, and GPS
- 1800 mAh battery
- 8.4 mm thick
- Price Rs 11,990
The phone package contains a flip cover, a screen protector along with a USB Charger and in-ear bud type ear phones as a standard offering. According to Obi, the phone will be supported by a country wide network of over 95 service centres for after sale support.

With the launch, Obi Mobiles joins a number of smartphone players part of the crowded Indian market. However, the phone is one of the cheapest octa-core processor powered phones available in the country. This may be a great investment made by John Scully since affordable smartphones are doing well in the Indian market today!

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July 18, 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