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Apple Watch May Hit the Indian Market Sooner than Expected

The first smartwatch to mark the debut of Apple in the wearable segment was struck by manufacturing hiccups at the time of its release. The elusive Apple Watch which was to go up for sale from April 24 onwards, was missing from the Apple retail stores. Only customers of a few countries have access to order the same via the Apple online store. But it looks like Apple has sorted the initial issues. A supplier responsible for producing the Apple Watch hinted that there are no more production issues and that supplies will improve in the coming time.

The online tech publication Digitimes quoted the Vice Chairman CC Leung of Quanta Computer saying, “its client’s wearable device is no longer a challenge to Quanta in both technology and quality.” He also clarified that labour problem during Lunar New Year holidays forced them to borrow manpower from other manufacturers, which led to the shortage of the product. The provider now has sufficient supplies and is said to make a “giant contribution from its wearable device business in the second quarter.”

However, Leung didn’t name the Apple Watch but pointed towards it saying the “wearable device is unlike the smartwatches it produced before and has a lot of functions in it and its client is satisfied with the product.”

This means that the innovative gadget will land in India ahead of the speculated date. People might walk into the Apple Store to own a Watch later this month or in the beginning of June. The device is otherwise speculated to hit the Indian wearables market in July.

May 16, 2015
This App ‘Shuffles’ the Spam Out of Your Life

Tired of picking up spam calls and receiving undesired emails? We’ve all had unwanted calls and emails. As a solution, a new mobile app has been developed by Shuffle Ventures, Inc. for filtering out such problems.

This app, called Shuffle, lets you create additional and temporary phone numbers that is directly integrated with your iPhone and can be used to call, text or receive voicemails. The virtual number works in harmony with the native phone number, thus allowing you to call or text from both without any hassle.

If a phone number became discredited by spammers or telemarketers, you could just delete it, and no one can reach you on that number again.

The newest update of this app is the ability to create your email aliases that can filter your spam mail from your main inbox. The ID can easily be used for public mail subscriptions.

Primarily, you can set up different “shuffle” numbers and emails for your personal and social connections, work colleagues, other secondary businesses, dating services, job searches, social networking sites, etc.

Charges for a single number per month are $1.99, and you have the option of renewing it. If yes, then the number is charged per call transaction.

For now, this app can be downloaded on iTunes, and we can expect an Android version in the coming few months. Worth the wait!

May 16, 2015
Google Will Soon Add ‘Buy Button’ in Mobile Search

Google kicked off as a search engine, but its hasn’t restricted itself to search only. It is constantly refurbishing itself with the inclusion of fresh features like ‘Find My Phone‘, allowing users send directions from desktop to mobile, providing a list of relevant apps, and many more innovative tools. The tech behemoth is now planning to venture into the online marketing business with the introduction of ‘buy button’. According to a report by Wall Street Journal, the Mountain View-based giant will soon start showing the ‘buy button’ for the searched products on mobile devices.

The source familiar with the matter revealed that only the sponsored search results will come with a buy button within the ‘Shop on Google’ page. The non-sponsored results generated from Google’s search algorithm will be deprived of this feature. As soon as a shopper clicks the buy button, he/she will be directed to the Google product page where they can pick the desired colour, size and payment option.

Google will be investing $1Billion in Satellite Internet initiative of SpaceX

Like many other shopping websites, the products would be provided and sold by the original retailers instead of Google. The move is being considered as a profound shift in Google’s strategy as the company is diving into an entirely different segment. It will not drive the customers to the retail sites, and instead will confine them to Google’s own shopping page. In the Google program, retailers will have access to limited information like e-mail ID and delivery address only if the shoppers opt for it.

The payment credentials will also stay with Google and won’t be sent to the retailers. Once Google gets money from the shopper, it will pass on the payment to the retailer. Users will be offered with a wide array of payment options, as confirmed by the source. The buy option will be available to mobile users as of now, as Google aims to try it with a smaller fraction of an audience.

With this move, Google will be known as a retailer and its role will be much more than just showing results. It will be handling an online transaction business along with managing traffic. The strategic shift will turn Google into a marketplace, pitting it against the thriving e-commerce giants like Amazon, eBay and more. We may come across this new feature in a few weeks.

May 16, 2015
Microsoft Backtracks, Announces Pirated Softwares Will Not Receive Free Windows 10 Upgrade

The arrival of Windows 10 is the next big thing every Windows OS user is looking forward to. Of course, the latest Windows version has many distinctive features, but Microsoft’s promise to provide free Windows 10 upgrade to everyone is another major cause of wait for users running pirated copies.Unexpectedly, Microsoft has pulled back its support for the non-genuine versions of Windows 7 and 8.1.

Microsoft responded to all customer queries regarding how this will work for genuine and non-genuine Windows. The hardware and software giant commented on its blog post stating that Genuine Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 customers will be upgraded to Windows 10 for free and will continue receiving ongoing Windows innovation and security updates for the supported lifetime of that device.

On the other hand, Non-Genuine users are suggested to purchase a licensed copy of the ubiquitous Windows to save their personal data from getting exposed publicly. Microsoft said that the Windows 10 update will not be free for Non-Genuine Windows devices and customers have to pay a certain cost depending on what the offer is. As per the company statement, some offers would be run by Microsoft to shift users from the pirated version to the original. The new version will be accessible on devices running pirated copies, but that will again be a non-genuine version. It will come with a watermark notifying its piracy.

Microsoft hasn’t clarified the pricing scheme and has asked to stay tuned for further announcements. Windows 10 is scheduled to release this summer. It will release in 190 countries and will support 111 languages. The fresh Windows OS will bring major upgrades and innovative features like Cortana, Continuum and many more. Read more about the same here.

May 16, 2015
Here’s What You Can Expect From Samsung Galaxy Note 5

Samsung has carved a niche in the smartphone segment with the unconventional, Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. The firm regained its name and market share because of the latest series and Samsung fans are now waiting for the next high-end product to hit the market. The Korean firm is now gearing up to launch its next flagship, the Note 5 phablet. Considering their launch pattern, the Galaxy Note 4 successor may launch sometime in September this year.

As a fresh round of rumours suggest, the Note 5 will come with a model number SM-N920F. It is likely to feature 5.4-inch or 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display with curves on both the edges. Let us remind you that the Note 4 was the first smartphone with which the curved edge display was introduced. Other rumours speak of a 5.9-inch screen with 4K resolution. The company has been planning to venture into the 4K technology and the forthcoming Galaxy Note 5 may be the first to embed it.

Needless to say, the bar of expectations has been raised higher for the next phablet. Users may see a powerful processor fitted for computing tasks and sufficient in-built memory to store content. An upgraded version of Samsung’s Exynos 7422 is speculated to govern the computing operations. If we go by reports, the Note 5 will feature 3GB LPDDR3 DRAM, 32GB of eMMC (embedded multimedia card) along with a controller. Other buzz suggests of a 16MP rear camera, 8MP secondary shooter, 4GB RAM and 16GB internal storage.

Summing up all the speculations, the Galaxy Note 5 appears to be a major update from the Note 4. It will have improved features, higher specs and an upgraded S-pen for better user experience. While none of the configurations have been confirmed by the company, interested buyers have to wait for an official announcement.

May 16, 2015
Fresh Round of Rumours Emerge About Google’s Android M

Google is restlessly dispatching the Lollipop version of its Android operating system to maximum number of devices. Some smartphones are enjoying the sweetness of the Android Lollipop, but there is a huge per cent patiently waiting to for an OTA update on their handsets. Google is simultaneously working on bringing out a fresh version of Android OS, temporarily titled as Android M, that is estimated to see a launch in the forthcoming Google I/O conference. Rumours have been rife about Android M for quite a while. Let’s see what they have to say about the upcoming mobile OS.

Much to our surprise, the next Android OS won’t have any special design aspects to wait for, as per a report by Android PIT. It is reported to be a minor upgrade of the present Android version with slight changes in design and features. The report by Android PIT cites that the upcoming version will not be a major overhaul in terms of design. It said to “expect evolutionary change and refinement rather than a gee-whiz new look.”

If we talk about the features, the Android M is speculated to bring a major improvement that will bring Android OS closer to Windows OS and iOS, by a step. If rumours are to be believed, the forthcoming Android M will have a revamped notifications setting where alerts are unified across different platforms. That means, the notifications will appear on your smartphone, the tablet and the PC as well.

Connected devices will be another area of focus on Android M. The Smart Home feature will be tweaked majorly to improve wireless control over connected devices.

Meanwhile, there were reports of the new OS handling over the privacy policy to users, which was needed since quite long. However, there has been no confirmation on any of these reports as yet. Know more about Android M here.

May 15, 2015
Candy Crush Will Be Included With the Windows 10 Update

We all have played a fair deal of classic games like Solitaire, Minesweeper and Hearts since the existence of Windows. As for Windows 10, these games will automatically be installed in the system. In addition to these, Microsoft is also tagging partners along to bring in their contribution of games to the new OS. The latest to join the Microsoft wagon is King’s widely popular sugar-filled game, Candy Crush.

According to Windows Blog, Candy Crush Saga will come automatically for customers that download or upgrade to Windows 10 during the launch. This version includes cross-play with iOS and Android devices.

It will quite be an unique experience playing Candy Crush on Windows 10’s smooth OS. King Digital Entertainment turned quite some heels when the game was first released for Facebook in 2012 and made its way to iOS, Android and Windows devices in the same year.

Back in March, Microsoft announced the release of the highly-anticipated Windows 10. The company said that the latest OS would come this summer in over 190 countries and 111 languages. As stated by TechCrunch, Windows 10 will release at the end of July. It is a free upgrade as long as customers claim this offer in the first year of the OS in the market.

For information on the unique features of Windows 10, click here.

May 15, 2015
Apple Might Release Two Variants of iPhone 6s

Apple’s newest smartphones iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus proved to be the game changers for the company. They successfully reminded the world that the Cupertino-based firm has an edge over other smartphone brands and why it’s the world’s most valuable company. The demand of the latest iPhone 6 iterations are shooting up tremendously and Apple knows where they are falling back. The newest Apple handsets are missing out on some features and the company is sincerely attempting to overcome those minor lags with a new iPhone 6 version.

Earlier we heard of some tools that will be inculcated in the upcoming ‘iPhone 6s’, but now we have a few more details about the much-awaited device. According to the analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from KGI Securities, the forthcoming iPhone 6s will feature the same display size of 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches found on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, respectively. This means we might see two variants of iPhone 6s sometime this year. The resolution of the upcoming models will be the same as of previous versions.

The next products will show an improvement in the structure. The bending issue will be restored to a large extent by altering different casing materials and internal mechanical design. In order to promote its exclusive Apple Pay service, the recognition rate of Touch ID will be enhanced for effortless payments. Together with that, Gesture control is also said to deploy in the next smartphone.

According to the report, the mass production of the phones will commence in August. A maximum of 90 million smartphones will be shipped out of which 2/3rd will be iPhone 6s and 1/3rd will be the bigger version of the same.

Recent rumours speak of iPhone 6 holding a 2GB RAM and a 12MP camera. Force Touch introduced with Apple Watch and the new MacBook will be the major highlights.

May 15, 2015
Moto G (Gen 3) Spotted on Flipkart’s Smartphone Listing

Seems like Motorola is geared to release another version of Moto G shortly. The Schaumburg-based company hasn’t come out with any such announcement, but we have learnt this from Motorola’s exclusive online partner, Flipkart. Next-gen Moto G smartphone was recently spotted on Flipkart where sparse details of the phone were provided. The Indian e-commerce website might have accidently made the page live, but it stamps the rumours of Moto G (Gen 2) successor in the pipeline.

The Moto G (3rd Gen) page has come up with an early listing of the handset. It does not give away much of the details like display, processor, etc. and discloses just the internal storage capacity of the phone. It does not even have an image of the upcoming smartphone. The only details known are that it will be available in white colour and will have 8GB in-built storage space. The Indian version of Moto G (3rd Gen) will have a model number AP3560AD1K8.

There have been rumours of the Moto G (Gen 3) sporting a 5- or 5.2-inch full-HD display, packing a 64-bit 1.7GHz Snapdragon 610 SoC along with 2GB of RAM and 4G LTE support.

It’s not clear if Motorola purposely leaked its next smartphone to give it hype, or if it was Flipkart who mistakingly slipped the information. Motorola is hopping forward in the smartphone race, where, the competition among the mid-range handsets is at its peak. It would be nice to see how Motorola plays its cards this time and what difference it makes on the present electronic brands.

It is worth noting that both the first-gen and second-gen handsets did really well in the Indian market, and the third phone in the series is likely to continue the trend.

May 15, 2015
India Will Be Receiving Only The WiFi Variant Of LG Watch Urbane

Since Apple has released its Apple Watch successfully, many companies like Samsung, Timex, etc. are coming out with their versions of smart watches. LG does not seem far behind in the trend of creating smartwatches. The South Korean manufacturer raised its bar with the revelation of the G Watch R. Later, the company unveiled yet another smartwatch called the LG Watch Urbane. A fusion of style and technology, this watch is for both men and women.

According to NDTV Gadgets, India will be only receiving the WiFi variant of the watch, not the LTE version. As of now, there are no official statements given by the company, although it is expected this week.

Other than this, the LG Watch Urbane boasts of a 1.3-inch circular P-OLED (320x320p resolution) display, just like the G Watch R. Its bezels are narrow, which gives it a more elegant and classy look. The device is driven by 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset paired with 512 MB RAM. The Watch Urbane can hold data in the 4GB inbuilt memory and runs on Android Wear. The 410mAh battery of the smartwatch can be a bit disappointing and one has to charge it time and again to keep it going. The Watch Urbane packs Gyro, Accelerometer, Compass, Barometer and a heart rate sensor.

LG has priced the fashionable smartwatch at $349 (Rs. 22,000 approx). It is available in two variants, silver and gold but there is a nip to it; currently the watch is only available in the US and the sales begin from May 8. We don’t have an official confirmation about the watch’s arrival in India, but it is expected to launch sometime in end May.

May 15, 2015

Microsoft Brings the Lumia 540 to India, Priced at Rs. 10,199

Microsoft is steadily pushing itself in the affordable section of the Indian smartphone market. After announcing the Lumia 540 in April, the company launched the smartphone in India today with a price tag of Rs. 10,199.

Throwing some light on the specifications of the device – the Lumia 540 Dual SIM sports a 5-inch display with a resolution of 1280×720 pixels and a pixel density of 294ppi. It is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor, coupled with 1 GB RAM. It has 8 GB of internal storage and can be expanded up to a heavy 128 GB. The camera optics include an 8MP rear camera with a LED flash and a 5MP front camera. Its pre-bookings begin today and will be available in black, white and cyan colors.

The Microsoft Lumia 540 joins a long list of budget smartphones already playing the Indian field. The new entrant may not have what it takes to survive. A couple of days back, Micromax’s subsidiary Yu announced its affordable “flagship,” the Yuphoria. It offers similar specs, but is priced at a mere Rs. 6,999. Clearly, the Lumia 540 will face stiff competition.

Here’s a quick look at the phone’s specs:

Specification	Microsoft Lumia 540
Display	5-inch
Resolution	1280×720 resolution, 294 ppi IPS display
Processor	1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor
RAM	1GB
Internal Memory	8GB
Expandable Up to	128GB
Primary Camera	8MP with autofocus and LED flash
Front Camera	5MP
Battery	2,200mAh
Operating System	Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Denim
Price	Rs. 10,199

May 14, 2015

Google’s New Policy Bans Unofficial Chrome Extensions
Next time you might not find your favourite extension on Chrome unless it is available on the official Chrome Web Store. Yes, in a bid to protect its users from malicious add-ons, Google will force them to use only those hosted on the Chrome Web Store.

This policy was first announced in November 2013 and was supposed to go live in January 2014. The plan finally went into effect on May 2014 but was left open to people using the developer version of Chrome, to install their choice of extensions. Google said that this action led hackers tricking users into using the malicious malware.

Extensions manager, Jake Leichtling says:

Affected users are left with malicious extensions running on a Chrome channel they did not choose.

The FAQ page gives more details:
- Users can only install extensions hosted in the Chrome Web store, except for installs via enterprise policy or developer mode.
- Extensions that were previously installed, but not hosted on the Chrome Web Store will be hard-disabled (i.e., the user cannot enable these extensions again), except for installs via enterprise policy or developer mode.
Further, Google said the extensions that are not on the Chrome Web Store and are already installed on Chrome will automatically be disabled and cannot be re-enabled or reinstalled. Unless, of course, Chrome Web Store includes that particular extension to its store.

Google’s new policy may finally help in lowering malicious extensions on Chrome, however, limiting the user’s choices of add-ons.
May 14, 2015
HTC Reportedly Working on an Affordable ‘H7’ Tablet

The Taiwanese electronics manufacturer HTC is hiding a new device up its sleeve, which is expected to see a launch in the second quarter of this year. According to a reliable source called @upleaks, the firm will launch a new tablet titled ‘HTC H7’, whose cost will be lesser than the present high-end offerings.

There are no other details about the upcoming device other than being lowly priced. We are speculating it to boast a screen size of 7 to 8 inches. It is certain to run on Google’s Android operating system, which has built up an ecosystem with its presence on a majority of handsets, tablets and smartwatches.

HTC only has Nexus 9 in its catalogue of tablets. The stock Android tablet was one of the best products and was launched under HTC brand name. There is a high possibility of Google’s involvement in the ongoing HTC H7 device, but nothing can be ascertained until we get an official announcement from either of the companies.

Meanwhile, it is just a leak and we suggest you to take the report with a pinch of salt. We will come up with more information on the same as soon as something comes out. Keep checking back for updates on HTC H7.

May 14, 2015
Google Rolls Out Android 5.1 Lollipop Update for Moto E (Gen 2) Users

Launched a few weeks back with Android 5.0 Lollipop on-board, Motorola’s Moto E second-gen is now receiving the software update. Google is rolling out the latest version of its Android OS, Android 5.1 Lollipop for its newest budget contender worldwide. The update will appear on your screen via an OTA update and may take some time to hit your device.

The new Android 5.1 will occupy 259MB of space on your new Moto E. Although it’s a minor upgrade, but will bring a lot of bug fixes and performance updates that the earlier version was missing out on. The new OS version includes features like multiple SIM slot, Device Protection, HD Voice calling, Quick Settings and few more. Everything about Android 5.1 can be read here.

At a time when more than 75% of the Android devices still don’t have the first version of Android Lollipop 5.0, it is a big announcement for a low-end device like Moto E (Gen 2). A few Motorola devices have already received the update; more handsets are likely to get the notification soon.

May 14, 2015
Samsung to Confront Apple Watch’s Digital Crown with a Rotating Bezel on its Next Smartwatch

Apple’s first wearable Apple Watch was a unique wearable in certain aspects. The device houses the Force Touch feature and an innovative navigation-based Digital Crown that takes users through the watch interface. Samsung has a tough task ahead to bring out a competitive smartwatch in the wearable market, and seems like it is ready to knock out Apple Watch with its entirely distinct tool. Some details have surfaced in the latest release of an SDK for developers, which speaks that the stand-out feature of Samsung’s next Gear will be its display bezel.

According to a report by SamMobile, the next-gen smartwatch will have a circular display of 1.18-inch that will be paired with a rotating bezel. The bezel will be the key to interface navigation on the smartwatch, served by a Digital Crown on Apple Watch. The rotating mechanism will perform a variety of functions such as zooming, scrolling, adjusting volume and numerous other functions. Here are some of the images that show how will it work:

The image above shows how users can toggle between multiple apps like emails, messages, music player and more just by twisting the movable bezel on the Gear smartwatch.

Another picture shows the inclusion of the swipe feature that seems to perform a slew of additional functions.

Few other images reveal further uses of the rotating bezel like zoom in and zoom out photos, controlling volume and scrolling through the contacts list.

To embed rotating bezels on the next-gen Gear smartwatch is certainly an innovative approach by Samsung. It makes the wearable stand out of the pack and pits it directly against the Apple Watch.

Late last month, Korean electronics maker teased the round display of its future smartwatch while sending an open invitation to global developer community members. The pictures said about its partnership with CNN, Baidu, Yelp, Apposter, and FidMe. The next Gear device will run on Tizen OS with Exynos 7420 powering it. The smartwatch may launch in two variants. The company hasn’t come up with an official announcement till now, and we expect to hear it soon.

May 14, 2015