Category: Tech

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

Xiaomi Races Ahead, Kicks LG Out of the Top 5 in Third Quarter

Xiaomi’s short life in the consumer electronics business is marked by immense growth. The company was founded in 2010 and since then it has not looked back. It even went ahead and kicked Samsung from the top of the points tally in China. It is going through a rough patch at the moment in India but globally, happy news keeps pouring in for the company. American information technology research and advisory firm, Gartner has released some encouraging numbers for the smartphone industry.

Gartner news report shows that the smartphone is growing at a good pace and business is booming. Smartphones sales saw an increase of 20 percent; the industry sold over 301 million units in the third quarter of this year. A fact that is even encouraging for the industry is that smartphones are eating into the shares of feature phones who saw a decrease of 25 percent.

This report also leads to a major reshuffle in the points tally for smartphone makers. Samsung still managed to guard its fortune at the top of the table even with an eight percent drop and it now holds 24.4 percent of the market. But the news that was the cause of a lot of worry for the big name brand is the arrival of Xiaomi in the league of the big boys. With this, the Chinese disrupting force has kicked out LG from the top 5 points tally.

The message is coming loud and clear, people have seen the possibility of high specs at low price, and they are going for it. The companies that will adapt to this will have a comfortable stay in the points, and the rest will go to dust. It’s time the companies stopped cheapening out on providing decent specs at a price point, if small time manufacturers can do it, so can the big brands with their massive capital.

December 16, 2014
Microsoft Opens its Official Retail Store on Amazon

It’s been long since the multinational company Microsoft has been functional in India, but only now has it set up a store here. Microsoft has joined hands with popular e-commerce website Amazon to trade its hardware and software products within the country.

The initiative is commenced to bring all Microsoft products under one roof and provide customers with best offers. The company made an official announcement,

Consumers buying Microsoft products at the Microsoft Brand Store on Amazon.in would enjoy a number of benefits, including exclusive products across various Microsoft product categories. Consumers will also have access to unique bundles available only at the Microsoft Brand Store.

The brand store has the following six categories under which you can select a product and make a purchase. These categories are Xbox, Windows Phone, Windows 8.1, Office, Accessories and Laptops & Tablets.

The exclusive offer on the brand store includes Xbox One Assassin’s Creed Bundle. It includes three free games – Unity, Black Flag and Dance Central Spotlight and an additional wireless controller free worth Rs. 3,999. Another exclusive offering includes Xbox One FIFA Bundle free FIFA 15 and a free wireless controller for Rs. 34,990.

The list adds Microsoft’s recent release Lumia 535. The store offers no discount on the device and it comes at the launch price of Rs. 9,199. Another deal that is tempting is the offering Nokia Lumia 1320 at a massive discount of Rs. 9,000, a price cut from Rs. 23,999 to Rs. 14,999. The device has an impressive 6-inch HD display and a 5MP camera to capture pictures.

Yet another surprise by the company in the store is the Nokia Lumia 730, a phone with 5-inch qHD LCD display. It houses a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor clocked at 1.2GHz together with 1 GB of RAM. It sports a 5MP front and rear camera. The 8 GB of internal storage capacity along with 15GB of free OneDrive cloud storage makes the phone a nice pick.

There are many more options to choose from.

December 15, 2014
Slimmest Phone in the World ‘Vivo X5 Max’ Out in India for Rs. 32,980

Earlier, we reported that the world’s slimmest smartphone will be making its debut in the Indian market soon and today it was officially unveiled. The Chinese electronic giant announced the Vivo X5 Max, which has beaten the present record holder Oppo R5.

With just 4.75 mm thickness, the phone has given slim a new definition. The device is announced at a price of Rs. 32,980, which is a bit more than expected. The X5 Max comes with a 5.5-inch Full HD display and has a screen resolution of 1080x1920p. It runs on 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 and is packed with 2 GB of RAM and Android 4.4 KitKat. On the camera front, it has a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front snapper. The device offers dual-SIM card slots with support for 4G LTE and TD-SCDMA. It holds Hi-Fi 2.0 audio and a Yamaha YSS-205X chip as well.

Oppo confirmed that its upcoming release, the R5, would not be that expensive and will come in a price bracket of Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 30,000. The R5 will launch later this month.

As told previously, BBK Electronics has partnered with Viacom 18 to promote the device. Through this joint venture, the Vivo X5 Max will be advertised on the following platforms: MTV, VH1, Colors and Comedy Central. Also, the company is likely to launch more smartphones in the market within the range of Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 40,000.

December 15, 2014
WhatsApp on Web Might be a Reality Soon

The popular cross-platform mobile messaging tool WhatsApp has made a mark in the smartphone arena and now the service is planning to make its grip on the web platform as well. If the rumours are to be believed, WhatsApp may soon come up with a web version of its widely-accepted messaging app.

As per a report by AndroidWorld.nl, the screenshot of the HTML programme above encodes word ‘WhatsApp Web’. In addition to that, the code also embeds logging into a web service and checking online status, the later feature is seen on the mobile version. However, there is no definite evidence in support to the report, and an official announcement from the largest mobile service is still awaited.

In today’s day, where everything is about seamless interconnectivity between web and mobile, WhatsApp shouldn’t remain constricted to smartphones.

Meanwhile, WhatsApp is the only popular messaging service which doesn’t have a web version. Its competition such as Line, Viber, Telegram and WeChat allow users to text both via phone and web. With a user base of over 600 million, the tool definitely needs a web version.

December 15, 2014
Tried and Tested : Top 5 Personal Safety Apps That Need a Permanent Spot on Your Device
Safety has become a primary concern of every individual, especially women. The recent Uber incident in the capital goes to show that taking safety precautions no longer remains an option, but has become a necessity.

Our phones are loaded with many apps to amuse us, but there is an urgent need to install one of the below listed emergency tools to make sure your loved ones and family knows your whereabouts in hard times. These apps are quite handy and you will always feel a support with any of them on your phone.

We are jotting down top 5 apps that will safeguard you in uncomfortable situations:

VithU

This emergency application alerts your contacts added in the app with just the push of a power button twice consecutively. The recipients receive the message, “I am in danger. I need help. Please follow my location.” The app keeps updating recipients with your location details every 2 minutes.

Pros:
- Instant and facilitates locating you with your present position.
- Convenient to use.
- Offers safety tips in an emergency situation with ‘Tips Feed’ option.
- Compact (acquires only 2.2 MB space on your device.)
Cons:
- Doesn’t record background sounds.
Women’s Security

With this, only a finger touch is enough to notify your recipients. It records surrounding voices for 45 seconds and sends out an alert (through mail and message) along with your location.

Pros:
- Works even without a working internet connection.
- Recording remains hidden within the device.
- Easy usability.
- Comes in handy with 517KB size.
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer continuous tracking of the person in trouble.
Safetipin

It is a complete safety package. It lets you know about how secure the area is where you are residing. Tracking and alarm features locating friends and family over GPS, and let them track you. The personal safety app keeps you updated about the possible harassment threats and precautions to be taken to keep yourself safe.

Pros:
- Directory option to find local emergency help numbers.
- Helps locate nearest police station, hospital or pharmacy, and suggests directions to reach there.
- Allows views sharing about locations.
Cons:
- Needs a working internet connection.
- Doesn’t have an instant access button to notify in emergency.
Scream Alarm!

Scream Alarm! is an app which makes a very high scream for you. This feature is a boon when you experience a potential threat.

Pros:
- Makes a loud, shrill woman’s scream.
- Helpful to make passers-by learn that you need help.
Cons:
- Requires unlocking the screen first to activate it.
- Doesn’t inform contacts that you need help.
- Doesn’t facilitate sending location and other vital information.
- Sound recording not available.
Nirbhaya: Be Fearless

Another app to keep you safe is Nirbhaya: Be Fearless, which allows you to send messages and call contacts added in the app. All you need to do is press the power button. Also you can shake to send an emergency message.

Pros:
- Shake feature sends a message even when the phone is locked.
- Informs about the safety level of areas.
- Instantly dispatches emergency message.
- Gives an alert about the potential unsafe area.
Cons:
- You might alert your close ones even when there isn’t an emergency.
December 15, 2014
OnePlus Director Confirms India to be One of the First Countries to See the ‘OnePlus Two’

OnePlus One is received blissfully by the Indian users and why not, the phone is such a great offering at a marginal price. The Co-Founder of OnePlus and the Director of OnePlus Global, Carl Pei, is immensely delighted with the overwhelming response to ‘One’ and has thanked all the Indian OnPlus fans to make the device a success.

Carl shared his views in an official blog post saying, “As a company that’s not yet even a year old, and has no track record on which to stand upon, your faith in our product and vision is humbling. We know we made you wait a while. We understand the wait could be frustrating, but looking back, we are glad that we waited until all pieces were in place.” He also mentioned that India is an important marketplace and the country wouldn’t be lagging behind in receiving the upcoming smartphones from the company.

Pei seized the attention of the Indians OnePlus One fans with his comment, “We have some big plans in the works, India. And while it took a while for us to get the One to you, we promise that won’t be the case in the future. India will be one of the first countries to see our newest products in the future.” This ascertains the fact that like we will be the first one to see the forthcoming ‘OnePlus Two’.

The Chinese manufacturer feels that there is a need to establish an office in the country and it is working hard in this direction. Pei mentioned that the company is planning to set up a local headquarters in Bangalore, which is said to house a GM, local marketing and logistics team, along with Research and Development team. India will soon be having a local PR to update us with its all important company advancements.

Well, with this post, the OnePlus has kept us longing for the future OnePlus gadget.

December 14, 2014
Xodium the New Flagship Killer with 2K Display Seems Too Good to Be True

OnePlus One was the best phone of this year. It did fall short on specs in comparison to the newly released flagship, but it sure came about as a serious disrupter for the market. It led people to ask an important question, if a small time company can provide high specs at affordable prices, what is stopping the big name brands from doing so? Well, the big brands are scared of the Chinese duo, Xiaomi and OnePlus but they don’t seem serious about cutting them at source by bringing their own devices which can counter the rising Chinese brands. In fact, these are no small time threats for the established brands; Xiaomi has raced up to the top of the podium in China, throwing off Samsung in the country. This proves the fact that the company that offers maximum features at the lowest cost will win the market, and a new entrant is trying its luck with this philosophy.

Meet Xodium, it looks like the brethren of Xiaomi and OnePlus. The phone flaunts top of the class features with sexy looks and a sleek user interface. Xodium’s spec sheet will blow your mind on the first look. The phone has the innards to take on the likes of LG G3, Note 4 and even the Nexus 6.

The website claims the device can run true 4K videos on its Quad HD display supported by high specs.

The processor on the device is the top of the line, quad-core Snapdragon 805 clocking at 2.7 GHz. With 3GB of RAM, you know this baby is going to be fast. It is available in two storage options, 32 GB and 64 GB. The bit that will make it really aspirational is the fact that it has expandable storage up to 128 GB. The device is juiced up by a 3200 mAh battery. It runs on a custom operating system called ‘xOS’ which is based on Android 5 Lollipop.

The display on the device is a delight. The 5.5 inch Super AMOLED display has a resolution of 1440×2560(2K) and has a pixel density of 534 ppi. This will make it by far the best display in its price point. The display is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

The device doesn’t shy up on the camera either. It has a 16 MP main shooter with optical image stabilization. It is capable of 4K recording. On the front, you have a 5MP selfie shooter with LED flash. The device lets you take images simultaneously while recording videos.

Xodium also has a wide range of sensors such as heart rate sensor, gestures, UV, compass, barometer and other usual sensors including NFC.

Now this phone one-ups the OnePlus One in every side. On the website, the price is stated as $329 (Rs. 20,610) for 32GB and $379 (Rs. 23,742) for the 64 GB variant. This sounds like the sweetest music to any device enthusiast. But we can’t shake off the feeling that it sounds too good to be true. On the website, when you click the buy now button, you only get the option to pre-order by Bitcoin, which is regarded as unreliable way of making transactions. The PayPal option is currently inactive. The website claims they can ship the order anywhere for free which also sounds unreasonable. We would love for this device to be real, who wouldn’t, but we are not sending our hard earned money there way till we see a working device.

December 13, 2014
Google Confirms it Will Halt Production of Nexus 5, Limited Units Available Till Q1 2015

Google’s latest revelation is making all Nexus 5 lovers rush to retail websites. The multinational corporation has confirmed that it has stopped the production of Google Nexus 5 and only limited stock is left.

When asked about the status of the red and white versions of the Nexus 5, Google’s spokesperson commented:

Once they are gone, they’re gone, so we’d suggest people get them while they can

In a statement to The Verge, the company stated that the Nexus 5 will continue to be available for sale on Google Play and through select retailers in Q1 2015.

As of now, both 16 GB and 32 GB versions of the model are out of stock on Google Play Store. However, you can still buy one from select retailers like eBay and few more. With this move, it seems like the company is pushing people to its latest release, the Nexus 6.

December 12, 2014
Indians Can Now Watch YouTube Videos Offline on their Smartphones

YouTube received an enthusiastic response when it announced that it will soon facilitate audience with viewing videos offline. The company kept its word and recently launched its offline feature during a press event.

With this new feature, users can watch videos even when offline through the YouTube app. However, to make it possible, one has to first download the video using thier data pack or Wi-Fi. Once the desired video is taken offline, it can be watched buffer-free within the time frame of 48 hours.

The Vice-President of Engineering, YouTube commented:

[quote text_size=”small”]

Already, we’re seeing over 40 per cent of our traffic in India come from mobile devices. By launching this offline experience on YouTube in India today, we hope to help people move past the challenges of data connection, speed and cost to enjoy a smooth, buffer-free version of YouTube.

[/quote]

The offline video service works like when you chose to download a desired video, it asks you for the playback quality of the same. One you chose the quality of the video, it downloads and automatically adds it to the offline section for you to watch it later.

Ajay Vidyasagar, Regional Director of YouTube commented that India is the fifth-largest market for partner revenue in the world. Features like this will just make this stronger. He believes that we could get into the top three markets very soon.

The online video channel has partnered with different music companies and production houses in India like Saregama, T-Series, Shemaroo and Yashraj Films to provide content. The service has also been launched in Indonesia and the Philippines, along with India.

December 12, 2014
Flipkart Suspends Xiaomi Redmi Note, 1S Sales Until Further Notice

Flipkart, the e-commerce website which was also the official online shopping partner for Xiaomi’s handsets has been directed to stop all imports and sales of the handsets until further notice. Flipkart’s dedicated webpage now mentions that the phones are ‘not available’.

Xiaomi fans would have to wait for a while till the case settles. Till then, Xiaomi sales in India would be hugely affected, leaving the fans disappointed. However, those who have ordered the Redmi Note handset and the Redmi 1S handsets from this week’s sales should be getting their devices as scheduled. The next weeks sales will not be held till further notice.

Xiaomi Vice President, Global, Hugo Barra, also mentioned the same on the official Xiaomi Facebook page which reads as follows-:

The decision had been arrived by the Delhi High court two days ago when Ericsson approached the Court claiming that Xiaomi has infringed its patents and failed to reply to Ericsson’s notice. Along with Xiaomi, Flipkart also was roped in and directed to stop all imports and sales of the handsets till further February.

The silver lining, if any, for the Xiaomi fans is that the ban is only on handsets. Those who wish to purchase power banks and other accessories can still do so through Flipkart.

December 12, 2014
Micromax Is About To Bring Something Amazing for Yu

The wait for India’s first truly CyanogenMod based device is about to draw to a close. It has certainly been a long wait. CyanogenMod used to be just for the nerds who had the expertise in flashing custom ROMs, but OnePlus One brought it into the mainstream. Indians fans of the ROM maker were truly elated when OnePlus disclosed their plans for India. But they were disappointed to know that it won’t get support from Cyanogen because of their exclusive partnership in India with Micromax. The Indian brand is now ready to unveil its first Cyanogen powered device/devices on the 18th of December and has sent out invites for the launch.

There isn’t a lot known about the smartphone except that it will be a separate entity from Micromax’s usual Canvas line of devices. Micromax has stated some facts about this new family of devices that sound enticing. The company has said that it will service Yu devices even if they are rooted. It also hinted at probable future prospects of wearables under the Yu brand.

Following the footsteps of the OnePlus, Micromax has also set up a developers forum. Here folks can register complaints, provide suggestions and cooperate in the open source process of making the devices better.

The best part about the Yu devices would be their updatability. Updates have been a major topic of contention between Micromax and its customers. Luckily CynogenMod’s proactive update schedule will take care of all that headache. But we seriously hope they add some serious muscle in the hardware too. We really want an international standard Indian brand and Micromax needs to work a bit harder if it wants to be India’s shining glory in the international market.

December 11, 2014
Love Shooting Time Lapse Videos? Then Pico is Your Life-Saver

Timelapses are amazing. With the technology getting cheaper by the day, YouTube is getting filled up with some exceptional spellbinding time-lapse visuals. These videos let us perceive reality in a manner that we can’t visualise with our normal senses. Artists like TSO photography have brought us some incredible time lapse astro-photography that simply makes you drool. Now a new Kickstarter project is working towards bringing this ease to everyone.

Pico is a project by Mindarin. The company has previously released an intervalometer and motion control for time-lapse photography. This time around, with Pico, they intend to make it as easy as possible.

Pico can be easily programmed and installed on your camera.

Pico is a tiny trigger that you can program through your smartphone and then easily use the programming to shoot your awesome time-lapse. The accompanying app gives you multiple shooting options such as HDR, speed ramping, and bulb ramping. With these by your hand, you can easily create professional looking visuals to enthrall your audience.

You can use Pico even if you don’t have access to your smartphone. Just connect to it to the camera and press it till you hear beeps. Each beep signifies a second interval for your images. So this can even be used as a standalone device, but it’s better to make full use of it through its various programming options.

The device has presently accumulated $64,000 of its $100,000 funding goal on Kickstarter. The company intends to ship the device by June-July next year. What really irks us is that if the technology can be miniaturised, why don’t the camera manufacturers include it as a default in the cameras. By including the technology on smartphones, the makers will be able to cash in more customers; it’s an attractive provision. If the smartphone companies are looking to add a new gimmick to their phones, time-lapse should be it.

December 11, 2014
Google Makes Virtual Reality Available for Everyone for Just $20

Virtual reality (VR) headsets have gained considerable buzz in the recent past. Oculus brought VR into mainstream, and several others followed soon after. Samsung’s Gear VR was the most prominent of all but to use it, you have to buy a Note 4. This is the reason it’s out of the reach of most enthusiasts. A Kickstarter project called ANTVR showed some promise with its innovative features and controllers. However, it’s Google who might bring the VR experience to everyone with the Google Cardboard project.

As the name suggests, the entire gadget is made up of just cardboard and some other small bits that you can find in your homes itself. You will have the support of Google; that will assist you in making the headset as well as provide software support for it. You can consider this as a gift from Google for all the big data you provide them.

Google has released new SDK for Android and Unity to create apps for the VR headsets. The Google Cardboard project can be considered the heights of jugaad device by a prominent company. The company already provides instructions to assist you in making your own DIY VR headsets. On a page dedicated to the Cardboard project, the company also featured several apps and games for the headsets.

The headsets work with any device and thus is accessible to all.

You can download the Cardboard app to start your VR experience. There are several demos already available in the app including a Google Earth flyby, a tour of Versailles and lets you watch Youtube videos on a virtual massive screen. Apart from this, you can download apps like Paul McCartney’s live performance, The Hobbit VR experience and several other fantastic visuals for your eyes only.

You can also buy the headsets, and they cost you somewhere between $20-$45. This is way cheaper than every other alternative in the market, and you can make it yourself for even less. The company says that it will be uploading instructions to make the device with extreme specifics such as how to cut using a blade, die-cutting or a laser cutter.

It’s great to see Google interested in an open source project for VR technology. The affordability of this technology is really encouraging. As it works with any phone, you don’t even have to buy an expensive new device to make it work. Of course, you might end up with nausea, headache and vertigo but it’s worth the effort to watch Sir Paul McCartney live, isn’t it?

December 11, 2014
Huawei Officially Announces Ascend P7 in India for Rs. 24,799

We have been waiting for the launch of Huawei’s new Ascend P7 since its launch and finally the day has arrived. The Chinese smartphone manufacturer has released the phone for the Indian market. It is priced at Rs. 24,799. Ascend P7 stepped silently into the country last month through e-commerce website Flipkart.

The head of Consumer Business Group, Huawei Telecommunications India, Allen Wang, commented on the launch that the P7 has received positive response globally.

Huawei’s Premium ‘P’ series is one of the most popular series from Huawei’s next generation smartphone league. Earlier in 2014, we introduced a marquee product named Ascend P6 that received excellent response from Indian consumers. With the launch of Ascend P7 in India, we endeavour to strengthen our connect with the young and tech savvy consumers by redefining excellence in craftsmanship and camera experience. The Ascend P7 has already received very positive response globally and we hope to replicate the global success in India.

Ascend P7 comes with a 5-inch Full HD (1920×1080 pixels) display. It is powered by a HiSilicon Kirin 910T quad-core 1.8 GHz processor. It runs on Emotion UI 2.3 which is based on Android 4.4 KitKat . The phone houses 2 GB of RAM and has 16 GB of internal storage capacity.

On the camera front, it is equipped with a 13MP Sony BSI sensor at back and the 8 MP camera at front takes care of your selfie needs. The 2500mAh battery provides enough juice to last for a whole day of normal usage. If you have some queries regarding this model, do check our review:

December 11, 2014
Tips and Tricks to Make Your Smartphone Theft-Proof
Smartphones have become an integral part of our lives. They save us the hassle of carrying around cards and other vital data as it has become an all-in-one device that contains and protects all our important information.

Smartphone theft has become a usual affair and we hear of it every now and then. But have you ever considered the thought that you might become a victim or misplace your precious device one day? Luckily for us, several smart apps have released and by installing them, you can easily locate and retrieve your device if misplaced or lost. We strongly recommend you to download one before you find yourself in a similar situation.

Given listed are some anti-theft apps and steps to install them:

Save your IMEI Number

Before anything else, save your IMEI number. The IMEI is the first thing you need once you lose your phone. Note it down anywhere else other than your device.

Download Find My iPhone

It’s a free application that supports all iOS devices. It helps you locate your lost phone, and remotely lock and swipe your iOS device, if needed. Find My iPhone requires an iCloud account. It’s easy to install and use. Just follow these simple steps:
- Go to Settings on the home screen
- Tap iCloud option
- Click Accounts and then sign in
- Scroll down and turn on the Find My iPhone slider; it will turn green
Once you turn it on, you will receive a message notifying that this will turn on GPS on your device.
- Tap Allow to turn Find My iPhone on
Get Prey Anti-Theft

This is another free app for iOS to track down your device. Along with showing the current location of the lost iPhone, this app also keeps a track of the locations where your device was used. Besides informing you about the location of the thief, the app clicks a picture of the thief, making it easy to recognise. Steps involved in installing this app:
- Download the Prey Anti-Theft application
- Create an account within the app; you will get a verification e-mail
- Open the email and Verify your account
- Login to your account on Prey’s web interface
- Download the iPhone app and install it
- Click Already a Prey User and fill in the required details
- Configure your device by using setting on the web browser
- Turn it to MISSING when your device gets lost
Prey allows you to register three devices on a single account.

Get Lookout

Lookout is an all-around anti-theft app for Android devices, which locks your phone and displays a custom message once your phone gets lost. Also it lets you swipe the data if your device falls into the wrong hands. Just like the anti-theft apps for iPhone, this Lookout too clicks a picture of the culprit. Install the app with below mentioned steps:
- Go to http://lookout.com/ and download Lookout
- Sign up with all the necessary information and get started
- Tab Missing Device option
- Tap Locate to locate your device
- Tap Scream to sound the alarm on your phone
- Click Wipe to delete all the data
Download Cerberus

Just like Lookout, Cerberus takes the photo of the suspect when someone makes an attempt to unlock your phone.
- Download Cerberus
- Sign in and fill all the details like Username, email address and password
- Configure Cerberus by ticking Wrong unlock code, Alarm stopped, Message dismissed and other options
With this, you are set. Now, whenever you lose your cellphone, it will make a loud sound even if on silent and will track down the location along with taking a picture of the culprit.
December 11, 2014