Category: Tech

Latest Technology News, Alternative, Bio-Tech, Medical, R&D and Innovations

NVIDIA GTX 960M and 950M Processors Bring High-Powered Desktop Gaming To Notebooks

Some time ago, NVIDIA had launched the GeForce GTX 980M and 970M processors for notebooks. Now, to turn up the heat on the competition a bit more, the chip maker has added GeForce GTX 960M and 950M to the GTX 900M lineup. Nvidia is mainly aiming for notebooks from ASUS, Lenovo, Alienware, Acer and HP. Both the processors features Maxwell architecture, including 640 CUDA cores and are built on 28nm process.

These new processors are very powerful and hence can be used for purposes other than gaming, for example video editing and creating 3D graphics. Acer has announced that a new batch of its existing line of Aspire V Nitro Black Edition laptops will offer the GeForce GTX 960M as an option.

Aspire V Nitro Black Edition laptop

One of the features of the processor is the BatteryBoost which lets users enjoy longer playtime than previous gaming notebooks. It provides more battery backup, even if the user is playing off-cord. Users can choose between the best graphics performance or the best battery life, according to the application they are using. Other features include ShadowPlay activation. Users can record full-resolution videos for sharing on YouTube or stream live to Twitch.

As of now, only the Acer V Nitro will be offering the GTX 960M service. Alienware, ASUS, HP and Lenovo would be releasing the upgraded version soon.

UPDATE

For a limited period, customers who purchase the GeForce GTX 980, GTX 970, and GTX 960 graphics cards, or a notebook with a GTX 970M or above, will get a code for a digital copy of the game. Labelled the ‘Undeniably Epic’ bundle, it will be authorized for purchases from Flipkart, Snapdeal and computer stores that are a part of Nvidia’s retail network.

March 13, 2015
Apple Makes the iOS 8.3 Beta Software Open for Everyone

After unveiling the new MacBook and Apple Watch last week, Apple is paying attention to its software. It has released the beta version of iOS 8.3 for regular users. The Cupertino-based giant, for the first time, is inviting general public to test out the third beta of iOS 8.3 before officially releasing it officially.

The tech biggie has launched a webpage called Apple Beta Software Program. Users can sign in to test-drive the beta software and experience what Apple has more to offer. One can enrol their iPhones on the webpage and download the file software.

The software program page advises to back up the device, as the software is still in development mode. The new iOS 8.3 is expected to feature new emojis, easier logins for Google users, wireless CarPlay, and is likely to come with major bug fixes. It is highly possible that some applications may not run as directed as it’s not the final product.

Meanwhile, it is noticed that in spite of public release, only a few users have been able to try out the upcoming iOS. Apple hasn’t laid out the plan how it’s conducting the testing, but it is estimated that the users who took part in the ‘OS X Yosemite Beta Program’ will be able to give feedback to the iOS 8.3 program.

The official release of the new beta software for public use signifies that the iOS 8.3 has taken a step closer to the final public release, however we shouldn’t expect to arrive anytime soon since Apple released iOS 8.2 only a few days ago.

March 13, 2015
Silk May Be The Key to Longer Lasting Li-Ion Batteries

In today’s world, where almost everyone is dependant on battery-burning devices, research in the field of extending battery life has been on its peak.

A new study has suggested that Silk can be used to make rechargeable Li-Ion batteries last longer. Li-Ion batteries have found a major place in today’s era of technology. The reasons for its acceptance stands in its above average battery life and small size. However, demand for these batteries to last longer on a single charge is increasing steadily, and the same is being researched upon. One such research has led to the creation of a new green material that is derived from silk and can be used to create Li-Ion batteries that last longer.

Scientist, Chuanbao Cao, and his colleagues from Beijing found out a way to process natural silk to create carbon-based nanosheets that could potentially used to store energy in devices. This material can store five times more lithium than graphite, which is critical in improving battery performance. This worked perfectly, completing 10,000 cycles with only a 9% loss in stability.

As of now, the team has been able to install silk-based materials effectively only in prototype batteries and super-capacitors. It could be the first step in yielding longer lasting batteries in thousands.

March 13, 2015
Android 5.1 Update Arrives for Micromax Canvas A1 Users in India

It’s not been long since Google updated its proprietary operating system and brought before the world 5.1 version of Android Lollipop. The upgrade is hitting many devices and the latest device to receive Android 5.1 Lollipop is the Micromax Canvas A1. The Indian electronics firm is skipping the 5.0 version and is straight providing the improved version of Android Lollipop with bug fixes and new features.

The new version is coming with a build number LMY471 and it will occupy 409.8MB space on your device. The update comes with stock Android features like device protection, HD Voice calling, redesigned Quick settings menu and more. Canvas A1 users can check the update by following these steps: Settings > About Phone > System Updates > Check now.

The upgrade was first released by the company for its own Android One devices in Indonesia and other countries are gradually receiving the advanced version. Meanwhile, Nexus 6 has also started receiving the update along with Nexus 4, 5,7 and 10.

March 13, 2015

VAIO Unveils its First Smartphone With a 13MP Rear Camera

No longer a part of Sony, VAIO Corporation is aiming at the smartphone market. The Japanese manufacturer of personal computer is geared to launch its series of smartphone and has unveiled its first handset called the VAIO Phone. The new device is Android-based and falls in the mid-range smartphone category.

The device sports a 5-inch IPS display of 720p resolution. It is equipped with a 1.2 GHz quad-core (unknown) processor bundled with 2GB RAM for multi-tasking. The onboard storage space is adequate at 16GB, which can be expanded up to 64 GB via microSD slot. The device gets pepped up through the 2500 mAh battery at the back of the phone.

The camera specifications of VAIO Phone are pretty impressive. A 13MP rear camera along with 5MP front snapper sits on the phone. The device runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop.

SPECS	VAIO Phone
Display	5-inch IPS display, 720p resolution
Processor	1.2 GHz Quad-core processor
RAM	2 GB
Storage	16 GB
Expandable Upto	64 GB
Main Camera	13 MP
Front Camera	5 MP
Battery	2500 mAh
Operating System	Android 5.0 Lollipop

The VAIO Phone was announced through Japanese MVNO B-mobile today. It will land in Japan on Friday i.e. on March 13 for $420. The company hasn’t stated if the phone will launch in other countries or not.

March 12, 2015

Google Launches a One Stop Online Store For All Its Products

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

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

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

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

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

March 12, 2015

Xiaomi Redmi 2 Vs Moto E (Gen 2) : Newly Arrived Budget Smartphones Battle it Out

Xiaomi has launched the Redmi 2 (4G) in India, and it is a mere upgrade over its predecessor, the Redmi 1S. But even with the slight bump in the specs, the device is still unconquerable in its segment. The device that comes closest in competing with the Redmi 2 is the Moto E (Gen 2). So let’s take a look at how the two budget badasses fare against each other.

Specs	Xiaomi Redmi 2 4G	Motorola Moto E (Gen 2)
Display	4.7 inch 720 x 1280 pixels	4.5 inch 540 x 960 pixels
CPU	1.2 GHz, Quad-core, Snapdragon 410	1.2 GHz, Quad-core, Snapdragon 200
RAM	1 GB	1 GB
Main Camera	8 MP	5 MP
Front Camera	2 MP	0.3 MP
Internal Storage	8 GB	8 GB
External Storage	32 GB	32 GB
Battery	2200 mAh	2390 mAh
Operating System	MIUI 6.0, based on Android 4.4.4 Kitkat	Android 5.0 Lollipop
Price	Rs. 6999	Rs. 6999

The Redmi 2 definitely holds a lead in the specs sheet with its HD display and superior camera offering. The 4G ready Redmi 2 is priced the same as the 3G variant of the Moto E which would help it to attract the potential customers towards itself. The Moto E, on the other hand, can use its updated operating system and the bigger display in comparison to its predessesor to attract the buyers to itself.

The Redmi 2 also requires the troublesome effort of waiting for the flash sale whereas, the Moto E (Gen 2) is available right now for purchase which might work in Motorola’s favour.

March 12, 2015

Google Helps You Visit The Mount Everest Region Without Moving a Muscle

Users can now glide along the trees, mountains and even visit remote villages, thanks to Google’s Street View. Teaming up with Apa Sherpa, who holds the record for reaching the peak of Mount Everest 21 times, and Nepalese non-profit organization, Story Cycle, Google has managed to scale and photograph the Khumbu region of Nepal for ten days. This created the new Street View images and has helped in improving the maps of the area the Sherpa people have called home for centuries.

Gorak Shep is the closest one can get in this virtual trek. Also, indoor imagery of the Everest Summiteer Lodge, which was built by Apa Sherpa in 1996, can be accessed to. Apart from these, other interesting sights includes lodges, schools, monasteries, clinics, etc.

“My hope is that when people see this imagery online, they’ll have a deeper understanding of the region and the Sherpa people that live there,” Apa Sherpa said in a blog post. “The region has much more to offer than just the mountains.”

The Mount Everest is not the only wonder to come to Google Street View. Users can take a virtual trip to the South American Amazon rainforests, visit the pyramids in Egypt, France’s Bordeaux region, etc.

March 12, 2015

Redmi 2 Vs Redmi 1s : What is the Real Difference?

Today, Xiaomi expanded its smartphone lineup in India with the launch of the new Redmi 2, the successor of Redmi 1s. Along with that, the firm brought to India its first tablet, the Mi Pad.

Now, shifting the attention back to the new smartphone, the Redmi 2 is another pocket-friendly device by the Chinese electronics brand. From the overall look, the Redmi 2 may look familiar with its predecessor, but its specifications are what makes it stand apart. With a revamped processor, front camera, GPU, battery, RAM, and many more things, the phone stands above the other devices in the same price bracket.

Have a look at the major tweaks done on the new phone:

Specs	Redmi 1S	Redmi 2
Display	4.7 inches 720×1280 pixels 312 ppi	4.7 inches 720×1280 pixels 312 ppi
Processor	1.6 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 400	1.2 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 410
GPU	Adreno 305	Adreno 306
RAM	1GB	1GB
In-Build Meory	8GB	8GB
Expandable Up to	32GB	32GB
Rear Camera	8MP	8MP
Front Camera	1.6MP	2MP
Operating System	Android 4.3 Jelly Bean with MIUI 5.0	Android 4.4 KitKat with MIUI 6.0
Battery	2000mAh	2200mAh
Price	Rs. 5,999	Rs. 6,999

Registration for the handsets will start today at 6pm and the phone will be available on March 24 through flash sale model.

March 12, 2015

Government Puts MTNL, Air India and Other PSUs On the Sick List, Might Be Shut Down

The present Indian government had the mammoth task of bringing the Indian economy back on track. There was a need for radical reforms to pay off the country’s debts and boost the development process. There was though no mention of the radical reforms in the budget, but the government seems to be in a cost-cutting mode and has tabled a list of 65 sick public sector undertakings (PSU) in the Parliament whose future hangs in the balance.

The government has said that of the 65 heavy loss-making PSUs, it is shutting down five companies including the three HMT units. The Minister for Heavy Industry, Anant Geete informed the Lok Sabha during question hour that the employees of such PSU’s will be offered “very good” voluntary retirement schemes.

Air India, founded by J R D Tata in 1930, has been gathering huge losses

MTNL and Air India were the most prominent addition to the list of sick PSU. MTNL or the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited is the state-owned telecommunications service provider in the metro cities of Mumbai and New Delhi in India and in the island nation of Mauritius in Africa. It was founded in 1986 and had a monopoly over New Delhi and Mumbai till 1992. The company has been struggling lately due to immense competition from private operators. MTNL has said that it has sent a revival proposal that is currently under the consideration of the department of telecommunication(DoT).

Air India, on the other hand, was founded by J R D Tata in 1930 as Tata Airlines. It has been India’s national carrier since 1948. The public owned airlines has been gathering huge losses and has slipped to the third spot behind Indigo and Jet Airlines.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Mahesh Sharma said that it was important to have a flag carrier for the country and so there are no plans for shutting down Air India. He said that the government is infusing the allocated funds in Air India as a part of its turnaround and financial restructuring plan, approved by the UPA government in 2012. Shutting down the national carrier would have been embarrassing for the country’s image.

These PSUs were declared sick as they incurred losses worth 50 percent or more of their average net worth during four previous years. Some of the reasons for their losses are obsolete plants and machinery, heavy interest burden, resource crunch, surplus manpower and shortage of working capital.

Indian Government PSUs sick as they incurred losses worth 50 percent or more of their average net worth during four previous years.

The board for reconstruction of public sector enterprises (BRPSE) has recommended revival packages for 48 CPSEs, which has been approved by the government. Some of the other companies in the list are Scooters India, Hindustan Shipyard, ITI and Hindustan Cables.

This is still a news in progress, and more details will be available soon. It seems like the government is seriously considering measures to trim down the fat so the resources of the nation can be used efficiently. But the government also needs to take care of the welfare of the employees who have given their lives to these companies.

March 12, 2015

Xiaomi Launches the Mi Pad, its First Tablet in India For Rs. 12,999

Xiaomi’s launch event today wasn’t just about its new budget device, the Redmi 2. The Chinese electronics giant left the audience awestruck with the introduction of its first tablet in India, the Mi Pad. Priced at Rs. 12,999, the tablet is a direct opponent of Google’s Nexus 9.

At 9.4mm, the Mi Pad is thin and weighs just 360g. It sports a 7.9-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2048×1536 and a pixel density of 326 PPI. Corning Glass 3 protects the screen from accidental drops. The tablet is powered by 2.2 GHz Nvidia Tegra K1 SoC ARM Cortex-A15 processor paired with 2GB of LPDDR3 RAM. The MI Pad offers 16GB of in-built storage space which can be expanded up to 128GB via MicroSD card. The Xiaomi tablet runs on Android 4.4 KitKat with MIUI skin on top.

The optics of the device are great for its price. It sports an 8MP rear camera with Sony BSI sensor for full-HD resolution videos, along with a 5MP front snapper at the top of the display for selfies and video chats. The table is juiced up by a 6700mAh battery that keeps the device running all day long. Connectivity options include Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac.

The Xiaomi Mi Pad will be available for purchase on March 24 and there will be no flash sale for this device. Potential customers can buy the gadget through e-commerce website Flipkart. The Mi Pad comes in six colour options – Black, White, Red, Blue, Green and Yellow. So if you want a tablet with unique theaming options coupled with colorful exteriors, the Mi Pad can be a great option for you.

Specs	Mi Pad
Display	7.9-inch IPS326 PPI
Processor	2.2 GHz Nvidia Tegra K1 SoC ARM Cortex-A15
RAM	2GB
Inbuilt Memory	16GB
Expandable Up to	128GB
Rear Camera	8MP
Front Camera	5MP
Operating Stystem	Android 4.4 KitKat
Battery	6700mAh
Price	Rs. 12,999

March 12, 2015

Google Nexus 5 is No Longer Available for Purchase

Google’s 2013 flagship smartphone, the Nexus 5, which debuted alongside the second generation Chromebook Pixel, will no longer be available for purchase. As promised by the search giant, the flagship remained up for sale during the first quarter of 2015, but now, its MIA in Google’s Play Store and the newly formed non-Play store.

The phone’s page reads ‘The Nexus 5 is no longer available for sale.’ It implies that users who are interested in a pure Google smartphone will have to opt for the expensive Motorola Nexus 6.

Specs of this smartphone included 5-inch display in Full HD (1920 x 1080), the modern Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM and either 16GB or 32GB of non-expandable internal memory. With this processor and 2GB of RAM running pure vanilla Android, the device was smooth as butter.

The Nexus 5 is not the only product that Google has stopped. The very first Chromebook Pixel, a high-end laptop that is powered by Chrome OS, is unavailable for purchase too. It seems like Google is on a clean-up spree, which could have something to do with the introduction of the new Chromebook Pixel with two USB Type-C connector.

Nexus 6 is Google’s flagship phone and can be purchased from the Play Store.

March 12, 2015
Xiaomi Redmi 2 Launched in India, Priced to Compete With Moto E (Gen 2)

Chinese smartphone brand Xiaomi, has today launched the new Redmi 2, a successor to the popular Redmi 1S. The smartphone packs some amazing specifications and is a budget superhero with a price tag of Rs. 6,999.

The Redmi 2 sports a 4.7 inch (720×1280 ppi) resolution display just like its predecessor. The device runs on MIUI 6 based on Android 4.4 KitKat. Powered by a 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 410 processor, the handset comes with 1 GB RAM. the phone has 8GB of internal memory storage, which is expandable up to 32GB.

On the camera front, the device sports an 8 MP rear snapper on the back and a 2 MP selfie shooter on the front. The phone gets its juice from the 2200mAh battery.

The company is holding the first flash sale on 24^th of this month and registrations for the sale begins today from 6pm onwards. Xiaomi hasn’t introduced the coloured variants and the device will be available only in white and grey colour options in India.

Just like last year, the Redmi 2 is directed towards capturing the Motorola’s budget market. Xiaomi has priced the new device at par with the new Moto E(Gen 2). The arrival of the Redmi 2 has raised the stakes in the brutal affordable smartphone landscape and poses a serious challenge to its competition.

March 12, 2015
New Chromebook Pixel Takes On MacBook With Two USB-C Ports And Fast Charging Feature

Google has something in store that may give Apple a shiver; well, to some extent. The Mountain View based tech giant discreetly expanded its web store the previous day with the addition of an updated Chromebook Pixel. Priced at $999, the Google’s new netbook resembles the original edition but overcomes the glitches reported in the 2013 version of the Chromebook Pixel.

The sturdy machine has an aluminium finish and packs some top features equipped in the new MacBook. The latest Chromebook Pixel sports two USB-C ports, first introduced by Apple just a few days back. The new Pixel sports two multi-functional USB C-Type ports, while Apple’s 12-inch MacBook offers just one. Google has an upper hand in here as users have two connectivity options rather than one. One port can charge the device and at the same time connect the laptop to another external device like a phone or hard disk. Apple has been heavily criticized for offering just one port.

Furthermore, Google claims that the upgraded Chromebook Pixel has a 12-hour battery life, another advantage over the lightweight Mac that lasts for 10 hours at most. Google has provided a fast charging option with the new Chromebook, which can pep up the laptop for 2 hours of usage in just 15 minutes. Now, that’s what Google can tap on to topple Apple’s fresh mean machine.

The Chrome OS-powered Pixel, comes in two variants. The first variant, priced at $999 is powered by Intel’s Core i5 processor (2.2 GHz Broadwell-U). It features 8GB RAM along with 32GB onboard storage capacity. The other version costing $1,299 is a bit high on specs and equips an Intel Core i7 processor. It offers 16GB of RAM and 64GB SSD storage.

Rest of the specs of the device are similar. Both the versions have 12.95-inch (2560x1700p resolution) touchscreen display and weight 3.3 pounds (1.5kg). The Wi-Fi only models house a conventional 3.5mm headphone jack. The netbook also features many Android apps.

The laptops are completely revamped, and the inclusion of battery indicator in the form of LED strip is entirely original. The new Chromebook Pixel seems to be a worthy contender to the new Macbook.

March 12, 2015
Leaked Photos Suggest the Upcoming LG G4 is All About the Curves

The Korean smartphone producer LG was amongst the few major smartphone vendors that skipped the Mobile World Congress 2015. Samsung, Huawei and HTC came out with their best offerings. On the other hand, very less is known about the forthcoming flagship from the tech giant LG, the G4.

Some images are making the rounds on Twitter, which claim to be early press renders of the unannounced phone. These pictures depict very much about the forthcoming device, and as we can see in the images, the new phone features a curved body just like LG Magna and LG G Flex 2. The device looks bigger in size and sleeker from all areas.

If you look at the backside of the device, the curve is clearly noticeable. Also, one can spot the tweaked power key and camera button. The camera lens is significantly bumped up and on its right is a dual-LED flash.

At a closer look at its side, you will notice a divot indicating that the back lid can be removed. That means the battery of the device is detachable, and the memory can be expanded through a slot.

The front is a full glass display from top to bottom, and the top of the screen houses a front-facing camera and earpiece strip. The bezel of the device has been reduced to a minimum, but nothing can be said about the display dimensions.

Putting together the innards of LG G4, the phone is anticipated to equip a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 SoC, QHD display, 16MP rear shooter and a 5MP secondary camera. The device is speculated to arrive in May this year.

March 12, 2015

Category: Tech

SPECS

VAIO Phone

Specs

Xiaomi Redmi 2 4G

Motorola Moto E (Gen 2)

Specs

Redmi 1S

Redmi 2