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HTC One A9 Price Confirmed To Sell Exclusively on Snapdeal Starting 9th December

New reports suggest that the HTC One A9 will be sold for Rs.29,990 exclusively on Snapdeal. The registration for this will open on the 9th of December 2015 (tomorrow) and end on the 14th of December 2015. It will be available for consumers to purchase from the 15th of December 2015.

The HTC One A9 is the first non-Nexus device to come pre-loaded with the Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Additionally, the company has cut down on pre-loaded apps, opting for a purer Android experience. The One A9 sports a 5-inch Full HD AMOLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 and 1080 x 1920 resolution.

A fingerprint sensor, 13-megapixel rear camera with low light OIS, 4MP Ultrapbixel front camera and a Hyperlapse editing tool are some of its other features.

Here are the complete specs of HTC One A9:

Specs	HTC One A9
Display	5-inch Full HD AMOLED with 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 4
Resolution	1080 x 1920 resolution
Processor	Snapdragon 617 64-bit octa-core processor
GPU	Adreno 405
RAM	2 GB/ 3 GB
Battery	2,150 mAh
Storage	16 GB/ 32 GB
Primary Camera	13MP with low light OIS
Secondary Camera	4MP UltraPixel, f/2.0 aperture
Expandability	MicroSD up to 2 TB
OS	Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Price	Rs.29,990

December 8, 2015

Is Apple Maps a Better Choice Than Google Maps?

The company introduced Apple Maps in 2012 and ushered in a series of glitches which involved the Madison Square Garden, New York being labelled as a ‘park space’ because of the word ‘garden’ in its name. However Apple acted promptly, fixed these goof-ups and now three years later Apple Maps has overtaken Google Maps as the most used navigation app on iPhones.

Even though Apple Maps lacks many features which Google Maps provides, users end up using the former more because it is already installed on their devices. Even if the phone has third party apps, Siri and Mail automatically take the user to Apple Maps. This, along with Apple’s efforts to improve the over-all experience of the app, has helped them get more users to choose Apple Maps over other options.

Google Maps, on the other hand, has not lagged behind either in improving itself. Starting last month, it now allows users to store maps and data on their phones to refer to it even without internet access. It also includes search tools for landmarks and business listings, transit maps that cover more region than Apple and options to exclude highways and toll roads.

As more and more iPhone users switch to Apple Maps, do you think Google Maps could be a better choice?

December 8, 2015
Vodafone’s 4G Finally Gets Launched in the Country

Vodafone is finally giving out an upgrade to 4G connection for its customers, along with a ‘Superfast 4G SIM’. They have also introduced a trial pack of 120MB for Rs.29 along with a 100% extra data for all 4G RED customers for 3 months. Vodafone’s 4G is claiming to support connectivity of WiFi for up to 10 devices and also promises to simplify the customer’s experience with a ‘same day doorstep’ post-paid delivery system and instant activation for those who want to change their SIM.

For a more detailed understanding of what the Vodafone 4G platform entails, we can tell you that the 4G LTE network runs on an 1800Mhz speed and can be accessed via any 4G enabled handsets available across the country. It will be launched in Kochi on the 14th of December 2015, making it the first telecom operator in Kerala to offer 2G/3G/4G services on its own convergent radio technology.

“Vodafone’s global expertise and experience of launching 4G across 19 countries gives us a better understanding of this technology and the needs of the 4G customer.” – says Sunil Sood MD & CEO of Vodafone, India.

Vodafone will initially roll out its 4G services in the metropolitan cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Bangaluru and Kolkata. We all know that Vodafone is slightly late in the 4G scene, with Airtel currently in the lead. But, all the hype surrounding its delay and it finally seeing the light of day should be able to get the amount of traffic it is looking for. Let us hope that Vodafone is able to resolve all its issues ranging from call-drops to the late entry of 4G soon.

December 8, 2015
Xiaomi’s Mi 5 Might Arrive With a Home Button In January 2016

A new render of the upcoming Xiaomi Mi 5 has been leaked showcasing a first ever, physical home button. Earlier, there were speculations of the device incorporating Qualcomm’s ultrasound fingerprint scanner. The reason why we don’t see the fingerprint scanner is because, an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner doesn’t require sensors or buttons, and can be embedded under the phone’s screen itself.

The report about the fingerprint scanner was revealed by analyst Pan Jiutang, who further reports that the company has found Qualcomm’s fingerprint scanner to be unstable.Therefore, if Xiaomi decides to use a traditional fingerprint reader, it will most likely be embedded under the home button.

However, this isn’t the only piece of information that the render reveals. It also says that the Xiaomi Mi 5 may be unveiled on the 21st of January 2016, with the actual launch taking place sometime in February. As of now, speculation suggests that the device will be equipped with a 5.2-inch display, powered by the Snapdragon 820 SoC, will offer a version of Force Touch, and Android 6.0 is expected to be pre-installed. The Weibo post also reveals that the smartphone will arrive in two variants, one of which will be priced at $311 and the other at $389. What could the massive price difference mean?

Source: Weibo

December 8, 2015
Xiaomi is Being Sued by a US Firm for Patent Infringement

Xiaomi is being sued by a US firm by the name of Blue Spike, LLC. In a complaint filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Blue Spike has alleged that several of Xiaomi’s mobile devices, including the upcoming Mi 5 and Mi 5 Plus, are infringing on a patent titled “Data Protection Method and Device”.

Other handsets that are included in the lawsuit are the Mi 4, Mi 4 LTE, Mi 4c, Mi 4i, Mi Note Plus, Mi Note Pro, Redmi 1S, Redmi 2, Redmi 2 Prime, Redmi 2 Pro, Redmi 2A and Redmi Note 2. However, the Mi 4 and Redmi 2 Pro have already cleared FCC.

But what really makes one stamp a giant question mark on this story is that the US firm doesn’t appear to have much credibility to its name. The company claims its business revolves around Address Space Layout Randomization (“ASLR”) software, systems, and technology. However, their website seems to show no clients or products. All this suggests that Blue Spike LLC, which has also filed lawsuits against other companies like Google and Apple, is merely a patent troll.

Source

December 8, 2015
Android 6.0.1 to Bring Quick Launch to Nexus 5, 6, 7 and 9

Users of Nexus 5, 6, 7 and 9 are going to get the camera quick launch option with the Android 6.0.1 update. Among new emoticons, this is another feature users will now be able to enjoy with the update.

Double pressing the power button would immediately launch the camera, as is possible with devices like 5X and 6P that run on stock Android. This sounds like a cool, short way to get to the camera.

However because the feature is tied down with the power button, it might sometimes cause the device to go to sleep, or ask the user for a security password before launching the camera if there is extra security on the lockscreen.

Google is sure to smoothen out these glitches as the update starts rolling. Let’s see where it goes from there.

December 8, 2015
These Are Five Phone Design failures You Should Know

“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again”, reads a famous proverb; and the mobile phone industry did take this one very seriously. It is only after a series of miscalculations and faux pas has the smartphone now become one of the savviest tech gadgets to carry around. So let’s take a look at our past and see what our ancestors might have thought to be uber cool.

Nokia 7600

Let’s just look at this phone for sometime. Among the various questions that confound us, one of them is just where is the keypad? And that is not even the most important question. What was Nokia thinking by revealing this mobile phone in 2007, just when Apple launched the iPhone? Anyway, to answer the question about the keypad, there’s a 2 inch display and if you look at it hard enough you’ll see that it is surrounded by alphanumeric buttons on the sides and other keys (Menu and navigation keys) below the screen. Oh, and this tear drop Nokia phone was created for ‘fashionistas’. Well, we didn’t see Anna Wintour carrying it. ‘Nuff said.

Nokia 7280

If you thought Nokia would learn from their previous mistakes, you thought wrong. At least previously we only asked about the keyboard; over here? Where is anything? Nokia thought that a lipstick shaped phone would be more fashionable than a tear drop. They were technically right, but this lipstick is making tears drop from our eyes. This phone has a 35 mm x 20 mm display and no keypad. That’s it. Just look at it until it disappears.

Sony Ericsson Jalou F100i

Do you know why this one has a visible keypad? Because it’s not Nokia! Regardless even Sony Ericsson Jalou F100i has its faults. First of all, it’s called ‘jalou’, which means jealousy in French, and unfortunately for them, it arouses none. The Sony Jalou was created especially for women and that is why the display could also double up as a compact mirror. Yes, Sony really understood women, they don’t really want to get any work done, they just want to look at themselves in the mirror. Hopefully, most people stayed away from this futile attempt at fashionable smartphone making.

HTC G1

The HTC G1 was ironically called the “Dream”. Now, compared to the last few phones we mentioned, it probably is a dream. But it still falls short in design with his rather chunky and bulky looking keypad and screen. However, this seems to be its only fault, so it does look like we were getting closer to the “dream” of owning a modern and sleek cellphone.

Vertu Boucheron Cobra

Just when you thought things were getting better, Vertu brought to us the Boucheron Cobra. Yes, a snake is one of the sleekest reptiles we have around, but putting them on a mobile phone will not make it look sleek, even if it is embedded with the costliest Swarovski diamonds. Yes, those are real diamonds on a rather ugly looking snake, which has been dumped on a rather small and expensive (Rs 1.75 crore approx) phone. This snake doesn’t look powerful or sleek and neither does the gadget. Luckily for us, Vertu has learnt from its mistakes and now creates better looking phones with a similar if not higher price tag.

December 8, 2015
Best Tech Deals on the Flipkart ‘Power Packed Festival’

Flipkart is having its ‘Power Packed Festival’ starting today; and we bring to you a short list of the best deals.

1. iPad Air 2

Apple’s iPad Air 2 comes with a 16GB of internal memory along with Wi-Fi connection. It has a 1.2 MP secondary camera and an 8MP primary camera with a 9.7 inch display. The tablet is run on the iOS 8 operating system. Originally priced at Rs.35,900; it is now priced at Rs.32,065 on the Flipkart smartphone app.

2. iPhone 6s

Apple’s iPhone 6s will be available on Flipkart at Rs.49,290 rather than its original MRP of Rs.54,490. What’s more is that this is the fashionable Rose Gold version with a 16GB of internal memory. Furthermore, this iPhone runs on the iOS 9 and has a 4.7 inch display along with a 12MP primary camera and 3D Touch & Live photos feature.

3. HTC Desire 820S

The HTC Desire 820S will be sold on Flipkart at Rs.15,999 instead of Rs.17,199. The version that is on sale is the Santorini White 16GB version.This handset is run on the Android v4.4.4 (KitKat) operating system and comes with a 5.5 inch display and 720 x 1280 pixels resolution. It has a 13MP primary camera and a 8MP secondary camera.

4. Mi Pad White

The Mi Pad 16 GB, white coloured Wi-Fi only variant will be available on the Flipkart app at Rs.11,999 instead of Rs.12,999. It comes with a 7.9 inch display with 2048×1536 pixels resolution and a 2GB RAM and memory that is expandable up to 128GB.

5. Nikon D3200

The Nikon D3200 is available on Flipkart at a ridiculously low price of Rs.18,990. The particular variant is the Nikon D3200 with an AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II Lens. It has a 24.2 MP camera with CMOS and a 3 inch LCD display.

6. Samsung On5

The Samsung On5 is being sold at Rs.8,900 on Flipkart. This phone comes with a dual SIM connection with 4G and a 5 inch HD TFT display, an 8MP rear camera and 5MP front camera. The entire device is fueled by a 2600mAh battery.

Samsung Galaxy On5

7. iPhone 5s

Apple’s iPhone 5s comes with an 8MP iSight Camera along with full HD recording and an HD FaceTime Camera. The device is run on the iOS 7 operating system. The 16GB Gold version is being sold on Flipkart at Rs.30,453.

8. Micromax Canvas Xpress 2

Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 is run on the Android v4.4.2 OS. It comes with a 13MP primary camera and 2MP secondary camera. This phone also has a dual SIM connection and will be priced at Rs.5,799 on Flipkart.

December 7, 2015

Motorola to Launch Moto G Turbo Edition in India This Week

Motorola will launch the turbo edition of the Moto G in India this week. looking at their social streams it seam that they are ready to push it out sooner than expected.

The Moto G Turbo comes with a different chipset, Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615, with Adreno 405 and a quick charge capability that motorola calls a turbo charge. Everything else remains identical to the 16GB storage variant of the Moto G 3rd Gen which comes with 2GB RAM.

The Moto G turbo edition, prior to this was only available in Mexico for 4699 Pesos (roughly Rs. 18500) but was only slightly higher than the Moto G 3rd gen with 16GB storage at 4299 Pesos (roughly Rs. 17000). Even if we keep the same price difference intact, an increase from the current price of Rs 12999 by Rs. 1500 means that the phone can be expected under the 15k price mark.

We can expect the phone with some launch offers like previous launches of Motorola and possibly will sell as a Flipkart exclusive, again something Motorola has done frequently in the past.

Specifications	Moto G (Gen 3) Turbo Edition
Display	5 inches, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	HD, 1280×720 pixels
Chipset	Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 615
Processor	Quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 & quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53
GPU	Adreno 405
RAM	2GB
Storage	16GB
Expandable Upto	32 GB
Rear Camera	13MP
Front Camera	5MP
Video	1080p HD video, 30 fps
Battery	2470 man with Turbo charge
Operating System	Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
Connectivity	Bluetooth v4.0, A2DP, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS, AGPS, GLONASS GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 7(2600), 20(800)
Price	TBA for 16 GB (expected Rs. 14499)

December 7, 2015

Add Capacitive Touch Buttons to an iPhone 6s and 6s Plus

There’s a new tempered glass for the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus from Quad Glass and unlike others this one is a four dimensional tempered glass. But, that is not even the special feature of this touchscreen guard; it is adds capacitive touch buttons at the bottom of your iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. Before going into details, take a look at our hands on video –

The company explains the introduction of such a feature because of the hassle caused by the huge screen size of the ever growing iPhone. Therefore, instead of continuously having to move your fingers right to the top of the screen, you can just reach the Menu and Back Button by touching the two extra capacitive touch button at the bottom. An added incentive to use this, is that, the button can’t even be felt.

Source

December 7, 2015
Scientists Create 3D Printed Blood Vessels Using ‘Bio-Ink’

The ability to one day print organs is what medical 3D printing industry is after. However, it’ll still be a while for that to become a reality. Human vasculature is incredibly complex and difficult to print accurately, but a team from the Lawrence Livermore National Library (LLNL) seem to have found a way to 3D print blood vessels.

The California-based team used special 3D bioprinters to print an initial structure out of cells and other organic materials and then to augment it using ‘bio-ink’ – a material designed to be compatible with living human tissue.

As the video above shows, the researches printed two small blood vessels out of bio-ink before injecting blood and other essential nutrients through the vessels. Eventually, the capillaries grew and connected the two vessels. This brings us one step closer to actually seeing almost realistic artificial tissue samples and even transplants.

December 7, 2015
Apple iPhone 7c Might See a September Launch

Post the launch of the iPhone 5c, more popularly referred to as the ‘cheaper’ iPhone, most people wanted to see another upgraded ‘c’ version of the iPhone. We waited for an iPhone 6c which didn’t happen, and now rumours have resurfaced about an iPhone 7c.

The information suggests that the iPhone 7c will have a 4 inch display and can be expected to be unveiled in September 2016. Further reports also suggest the price of this device; it will be tagged at around $400-$500.

These rumours are all well placed as we await the arrival of the iPhone 7. Needless to say, Apple hasn’t confirmed any of the above rumours.

December 7, 2015
Google CEO Sundar Pichai to Launch Revamped Android One in India

News has been going around that Google CEO Sundar Pichai will be in India for the first time since his new appointment as CEO. Reports also highlighted that Pichai will be meeting PM Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee. Now, new reports suggest that Pichai will be launching the Android One version 2 in India.

An event is scheduled to be held on December 16 and invites have been sent out already that reads, “At Google, we believe that technology can change people’s lives for the better. Indians are coming online at an astonishing rate with affordable smartphones. These new users have a completely fresh view on what the Internet has to offer. Please block your date for an event with Google as we outline our vision for these users.”

The invite refers to affordable phones that lets new users access to the internet. Google had launched the sub-Rs. 3000 Android One phones last year, but they failed to get noticed due to the onslaught of Chinese makers.

India was the first country to release Android One devices that comprised of four phones – Micromax Canvas A1, Karbonn Sparkle V, Spice Dream UNO, and Lava Pixel V1. All except Spice Dream UNO are now upgradeable to Marshmallow OS.

While the first version failed to make an impact, Google has been talking of a revamped Android One for the Indian market. The company plans to launch the sub-Rs. 3000 Android device as part of Google’s (as well as PM Modi’s) push for a connected India.

December 7, 2015
New Episode: While You Were Out

Check out the new episode of While You Were Out:

The stories we talked about today are as follows:

1. OnePlus Gets Rid of its Invite System: OnePlus ditches its invite-system, starting today 5th of December as OnePlus 2 goes on open sale.

2. iPad Pro Expected to Arrive in India by Mid-December: Launched globally on the 11th of November, Apple iPad Pro should arrive in the country by the mid of this month.

3. Yu Yutopia to be the Cheapest Smartphone Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 810: With a confirmed launch date of 17th of December, Yutopia is not going to be the cheapest smartphone to run on Qualcomm Snapdragon 810, Yu also claims to take on the iPhone with its 3000 mAh battery.

4. Moto 360 2nd Gen Arrives in India: The smartwatch arrived in India on the 1st of this month is available in 2 size variants and 5 style variants.

5. HTC One A9 Will be in India This Month: Launched in India on the 25th of November, the new HTC smartphone would go up for sale this month. The phone has been a topic of great discussion because of its iPhone “inspired” design.

If you have any tech related questions, leave them in the comments below or put them up on Twitter with the hashtag #WYWO .

December 5, 2015
Is Samsung Finally Calling A Truce By Paying Apple $548 Million?

It has been almost five years since Apple sued Samsung for infringing smartphone patents. Finally, Samsung has decided to pay up an amount of $548 million before the 14th of December 2015. This decisions was reached up on, after a joint court statement from both companies that agreed on it. However, the statement notes that Samsung “continues to reserve all rights to obtain reimbursement from Apple,” if the invoice is not received before the weekend; while Apple has disputed these rights in the same document.

According to reports, Samsung said that it is only paying the money because an appeals court refused to block a judgement ordering it to pay. They intend to continue pursuing reimbursement if the U.S Patent and Trademark Office invalidates the patents and if the U.S Supreme Court takes up the request for review. Both companies are said to have dropped all the non-US cases while leaving only two main disputes that still have a way to go in courts.

“I don’t think it’s over, but hopefully we’re getting close,” said Robert Stoll, a patent lawyer with Drinker Biddle in Washington

This particular sum of money ($548 million) is allegedly part of a case that dealt with Apple’s “pinch to touch” technology; that the company claims has been copied by Samsung. The patent on this has been invalidated by the PTO, but Apple is still challenging that decision.

Honestly, though we’re all sick of this fight. Both mega tech companies fighting about one copying the other. It is high time they learn to co-exist with one another regardless of who is copying whom. At the end of the day, we all know who is getting the real credit. So, if Samsung is copying Apple, the latter should only feel flattered.

December 5, 2015