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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
Twitter is Trying to Trademark the Word ‘Subtweet’

Twitter is trying to trademark the word ‘subtweet’ which means a tweet directed at someone without mentioning their Twitter handle typically as a form of mockery or criticism. To put it in pre-social media terms, it would mean to talk about someone behind their back. The trademark was filed on October 30 and was up for opposition on November 19.

The trademark is a commercial mark in that Twitter’s control of the word would exclusively be in commercial settings. So when Twitter gets the word trademarked, no one else can name their new product “Subtweet” or sell things that say “Subtweet” on them.

“When you need to protect your namespace from people who would misuse it. #keepingit,” a Twitter spokesperson said.

What being passive-aggressive on Twitter is like

Words like ‘tweet’, ‘subtweet’ and ‘tweetstorm’ have actually been coined by users referring to a specific Twitter activity. Twitter has tried to trademark a few them in the past but have not always been successful. In fact, Twitter could not trademark ‘tweet’ since the term has been in use for a long time, though now the word has become almost synonymous to Twitter.

If left unopposed, Twitter will gain the right of the word ‘subtweet’ within a few months.

December 5, 2015

Microsoft Lumia 950 XL: Hands On and Unboxing

Specifications	Lumia 950 XL
Display	5.7-inch Quad HD AMOLED
Resolution	2560×1440
Density	518 ppi
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 810, Octa-core 64-bit
RAM	3GB
Storage	32GB
Expandable Upto	200GB and One Drive Storage
Rear Camera	20MP, PureView, Zeiss optics, OIS, triple LED natural flash, and4K video recording
Front Camera	5MP, wide-angle 1080p
Battery	Removable 3340mAh battery, USB-C fast charging, wireless charging
Operating System	Windows 10
Connectivity	Wi-Fi: MIMO, WLAN IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1, 4G LTE
Price	Rs.49,399

December 5, 2015

Five Gadgets That You First Saw In Movies

In the 21st century we have almost every gadget that was ever portrayed in The Jetsons, and if we don’t then it is probably in the making. Agreed, we don’t have efficient flying cars yet, but we’re pretty sure it is ‘coming soon’. So, in memory of all the great movies that have inspired human to create futuristic gadgets; here is a list of some very cool devices/gadgets that have been inspired from our favourite Sci-Fi movies.

December 4, 2015
Best Tech Gifts for the Holiday Season

It’s December and everyone is looking forward to the holidays. It’s the time to plan out what you’re going to gift your loved ones or yourself. If you’re into the tech sides of things, then we have some ideas on what you could get this season.

PlayStation 4

Here’s why PlayStation 4 should be on your Christmas shopping list. Sony has been slashing the price of the 500GB PS4 globally for the past few months. Recently, India received the price cut as well. The PlayStation 4 is now available for Rs. 31,599, while the new 1TB console is priced at Rs. 36,550. So for those who were waiting for the next-gen console can now get it at a pretty neat price.

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Samsung Tab A

The Tab A is a simple device worth picking up if you’re not looking toward the high-end range. The tablet is not only affordable but offers many premium apps for free. The design is slim and lightweight, almost comparable to the iPad Mini. The Tab A is powered by a 1.2 GHz Quad Core processor. and runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop.

Those who are looking to get the most bang for their buck should consider the Tab A, which is currently available at a discounted price tag of Rs. 18,000.

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OnePlus 2

OnePlus recently announced that its ditching the invite system for the OnePlus 2 starting tomorrow. This news comes at the perfect time for OnePlus fans who have been waiting to get their hands on the flagship device. An invite-free OnePlus 2 makes will surely grab fans during the holiday period, if stocks last until then.
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Moto 360 (2nd Gen)

Smartwatches have yet to catch on in India, but if you’re in the market for wearable technology that is affordable then the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) is the watch for you. The Moto 360 comes in three different sizes – a 42 mm male and female version and a male-only 46 mm model. The bands of the watch can be chosen from metal and leather.

With respect to the processor, Motorola has upgraded its device with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor. The Android Wear smartwatch is also compatible with iOS 8.2 and above and therefore can be coupled with Apple devices.

Philips Digital Photo Frame

Since the holiday season is all about getting together with friends and family, one needs a gadget that can display all the memories. And since traditional photo frames are practically obsolete (thanks to the digital age), here’s a digital photo frame that can store hundreds of digital photos. with its 128GB storage capacity.

The 7-inch screen will display the stored pictures and change them depending on your setting. The frame supports HD pictures as well. The frame is priced at Rs. 3,395 and is a thoughtful gift for a loved one.

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December 4, 2015