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Google’s ‘Accelerated Mobile Page’ Will be Similar to Facebook’s Instant Articles

Google is trying to catch up with Facebook and Apple with Accelerated Mobile Pages that make loading web pages a lot faster on mobile devices. Facebook and Apple have been providing previews so far, and Google has stated that the first accelerated pages will “come early next year”.

The project is similar to Facebook’s Instant Articles, which loads articles by publishers 10 times faster than the standard mobile web, using the same technology that goes into displaying photos and videos quickly. This means the stories are already being pre-loaded in the background as you scroll your News Feed, so it opens quickly when you tap on it, which makes it accessible even with a 2G connection.

Google has employed 4,500 developers working on AMP on Github. The AMP project has drawn in publishers including The Guardian, The Washington Post, BuzzFeed, and Vox Media. Google has also attracted advertisers like Outbrain, AOL, OpenX, DoubleClick, and AdSense who are developing ads that abide to quick-loading specifications of AMP.

It’ll be interesting to know just how quick-loading mobile pages will be when advertisers begin to push more data intrusive and data-intensive specs over time. For now, you’ll have to wait for early 2016 to have a taste of what accelerated mobile pages will look like.

November 25, 2015
Android Pay Purchases Will Donate to Special Needs Education

Google has revealed that it will be donating up to a $1 million dollars to the education of 6.4 million special needs children. With every Android Pay purchase in the US, the company would give a dollar as donation for the betterment of the American special needs education system.

This announcement comes as an extension of Google’s Global Impact Challenge: Disabilities initiative. Google has teamed up with DonorsChoose.org and started the programme on the 24th of November right through to 31st December. Additionally, the donation amount will be doubled for every Android Purchase on Black Friday, owing to Thanksgiving and the holiday season.

The initiative is only confined to the US as of now.

November 25, 2015
Microsoft Sends Out Invites For India Launch Event

Microsoft has announced their product launch event in India for the 30th of November. They have also officially started sending out invites to Windows Insiders for the said event. Take a look at the invite –

A ‘Block Your Date’ Invite For Microsoft’s Product Launch Event in India

We can expect the launch of the two Windows 10 Lumia phones – Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL. Microsoft has also scheduled a product launch event for London and Manchester for the 2nd of December.The Lumia 950 has already gone on sale at the Microsoft Online Store.

November 25, 2015
Fashion Meets Tech in these Cool Sneakers With App-Controlled Screens

What happens when fashion meets technology? Awesome things, yes that’s what happens. ShiftWear has introduced sneakers with fitted app-controlled screens, and things only get better and better from there.

The design of the shoes can be controlled by a smartphone app that lets the wearer decide from a bunch of ideas depending on their whim and fancy. From basic geometric patterns to complex art designs -any of these can be sported on the shoes using the app and the screen on the shoes. Van Gogh paintings or your favourite Manga character -match your footwear to your mood, and of course, the rest of the outfit if you so desire.

The tagline of the product is: “The most adaptable shoes you’ll ever own, customized straight from your smartphone.”

It doesn’t end there -these sneakers are waterproof and can be machine-washed as well.They run on self-charging, eco-friendly batteries that get charged with every step the wearer takes. Check the snazzy video below to get a better idea of this latest 21st century contraption.

ShiftWear is a new company testing the waters with this innovative idea and trying to raise funds for their project using Indiegogo. If you want to get yourself a pair, prepared to shell out a $150 (close to Rs. 10,000). Would you be willing to invest in a product like these app-controlled sneakers for the love of fashion and technology?

November 25, 2015

Xiaomi’s Mi Pad 2 Launched and It Runs Windows 10

Xiaomi has announced the Mi Pad 2 at its product event along with the Redmi Note 3. The special factor of the Mi Pad 2, is the fact that it comes with a Windows 10 OS variant. Apart from that the device is powered by a 14nm Intel Atom X5-Z8500 64-bit processor, which is compatible with the Windows OS.

The Mi Pad 2 has an aluminum body that is 6.95mm in dimension and weighs 322g. The device also comes with 2GB RAM and supports Wi-Fi 802.11ac and the USB Type-C connector. It has a 7.9 inch display with 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution. On the camera front it comes with an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. The tablet is packed with a 6,190mAh battery. Here are the specs :

Specifications	Mi Pad 2
Display	7.9 inches
Resolution	2048×1536
Chipset	14nm Intel Atom X5-Z8500
CPU	Quad-core 2.24 GHz
GPU	intel HD Graphics
RAM	2GB
Storage	16GB/64GB expandable up to 128GB
Rear Camera	8MP
Front Camera	5MP
Battery	6,190mAh battery
Operating System	MIUI 7 OS/ Optional Windows 10 (64 GB model)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot, Bluetooth v.4.
USB	Type-C 1.0 reversible connector
Price	Rs. 10,346/ Rs, 13,463

The Windows 10 OS variant will cost the same as the regular device, however it will only be available for the 64GB version. The Mi Pad 2 will come in two colour variants – dark gray and champagne gold. There are also two storage variants – 16GB priced at $156 which is approximately Rs. 10,346 and 64GB priced at $203 which is approximately Rs, 13,463.

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November 25, 2015

Vines Are Now Only A Swipe Away on the Apple Watch

After being worked upon for the past couple of months, Vine has finally come to the Apple Watch. The app had been under construction since at least this summer when it was first showcased in an on-stage demonstration at an Apple event in June.

The launch of the watchOS app, that took place yesterday on the 24th of November, allows users to run videos on their gadget, while at the same time allows a feature that other than being borderline obsessive also lets you keep track of the number of times your video has been looped.

However despite all of Apple’s efforts, there is a sense of incompetence with various apps on the Watch. It seems like too many iPhone features are being crammed up in a small space of a tiny watch-screen. This new app will shrink down a lot of your favourite Vines on the gadget making them available simply a swipe away. The entire endeavour, however, still seems a little wasted, owing to the size of the screen and the fact that they load at quite a slow speed.

November 25, 2015
Huawei Mate 8 Leaked in Renders

Huawei is working on a new Mate device, which will be the successor to last year’s Ascend Mate7. Some leaked images of the Mate 8 have now emerged out of China which pretty much confirm what the device will look like. It’s not much of a surprise that the images reveal a similar design to the Mate7 with differences mainly in the rounded fingerprint sensor and camera at the back.

Rumours suggest that Huawei will hold an event for the Mate 8 on the 26th of November. The images reveal a metal body and three colour variants: grey, gold, and copper. The renders also show that the fingerprint sensor will be just below the camera, and two speaker grilles on either sides of the USB port on the bottom of the phone.

From what we know so far, the Mate 8 will sport a 6-inch 1080p touchscreen display and will be powered by Huawei’s new Kirin 950 chipset and an ARM Mali-T880 GPU. Furthermore, the handset will be available in 3GB and 4GB of RAM with 32GB and 64GB of storage, respectively. The Mate 8 will run on 4,100 mAh battery and Android 6.0 Marshmallow, though nothing has been confirmed just yet.

November 25, 2015
Moto 360 Second Gen To Launch In India On the 1st Of December

Motorola had released the Moto 360 Second Gen smartwatch during the IFA Berlin event earlier this year; however, it was not available in India until now. The smartwatch will be launched in India next month on the 1st of December 2015.

The Moto 360 made a very strong fashion statement by arriving in two models, three sizes and up to 300 different ways of customizable styles. It also came in two sizes – a women’s version, and a sport version with an on-board GPS and outdoor readable display. The device is round in shape and also has a men’s version in two variant sizes – 46mm and 42mm. While the women’s version, is thinner and also comes in two variants – 42mm and 16mm strap mounts.

The prices for these products globally range between $299.99 to $429.99 (Rs. 19,000-Rs. 28,000 approx.). However, in India, the device is expected to go on sale with a price of Rs.17,999 for the 42mm with black leather. So, watch this space for more updates.

Click here for more information on the smartwatch.

November 24, 2015
Here’s a List Of 10 Movies You Need To Watch This December

Yes, it is that time of the month again, when we bring to you a list of movies that you should try and watch in the upcoming month. In case you missed the last list, click here and you can catch up before time runs out.

November 24, 2015
Leaked Benchmark Reveals What Is Being Called Galaxy J1’s Successor

A new Samsung smartphone has been spotted on the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) in the United States with a model number of SM-J120F. This device is speculated as being the Galaxy J1’s successor.

The FCC certificate does not reveal any specifications for the handset, although a siting on GFXBench can throw some light on it. The SM-J120F is expected to arrive with a dual SIM variant which will be assigned a model number of SM-J120F/DS. It will be powered by the Samsung Exynos 3475 chipset with quad-core 1.3GHz CPU and will come with 1GB RAM and 4GB internal memory. On the camera front, one can expect a 5MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera. The entire device will run on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop OS out-of-the-box.

Another listing suggests that the display of this smartphone could be 4.5 inch, which s slightly larger than the current J1’s 4.3 inch. This losting further suggests that the phone will be a mid-range phone arriving at Rs.6,686.

November 24, 2015

This $89 Phone Comes With 3GB RAM and AMOLED Display

UMi is a Japanese smartphone making company, who is also trying to make mid-range devices with high-end specs. Previously, it had launched the world’s first ever three security features camera; and now it has released the world’s first ever 3GB RAM handset that will be priced at less than $100 (Rs.6,640)

This new phone s called the UMi Rome and comes in two colours – champagne gold and shine black. It comes with a 5.5 inch AMOLED display, 1280 x 720 pixel resolution, and has a 3GB of RAM space with 16GB internal memory which is expandable up to 128GB via a microSD card slot.

The phone is powered by MediaTek MT6753, which has an octa-core Cortex-A53 running at 1.3GHz and is run on the Android Lollipop 5.1. It also fits in a 2,500mAh battery with dual SIM connectivity. On the camera front it has a Sony IMX179 13MP rear camera, and a 2MP front camera. Finally, the phone’s connectivity options include an LTE modem, a dual-band Wi-Fi chip, and a Bluetooth 4.1 chip. Here are its specs:

Specifications	UMi Rome
Display	5.5 inch AMOLED
Resolution	1280 x 720 pixel
Chipset	MediaTek MT6753
Processor	1.3GHz
GPU	–
RAM	3GB
Storage	16GB expandable up to 128GB
Rear Camera	13MP
Front Camera	2MP
Video	–
Battery	2,500mAh
Operating System	Android 5.1 Lollipop
Connectivity	LTE modem, a dual-band Wi-Fi chip, and a Bluetooth 4.1 chip
Price	Rs.5,909

From an AMOLED display to the LTE modem connectivity, this phone is offering everything at $89 which is approximately Rs.5,909. With Chinese and Indian brands banking on the main foundation of incurring profit by creating and providing high-end specs on mid-range phones; Umi seems to have gone a step futher by providing high-end specs to low-range phone. Do you think UMi could also create a niche within the already competitive smartphone market?

November 24, 2015

Xiaomi Launches the Redmi Note 3 with Fingerprint Sensor

Xiaomi held an event today at China National Convention Center in Beijing where it launched a slew of new devices, among which is the Redmi Note 3. Early rumours pegged the device’s name as the Note 2 Pro, but now the name has been confirmed as the Note 3.

The Redmi Note 3, as earlier leaked images suggested, indeed has a full-metal body and a fingerprint sensor at the back, which makes it the first Mi phone to do so. The Note 3 sports a 5.5-inch full HD Sunlight Display, a 64-bit octa-core MediaTek Helio X10 processor (Cortex-A53) coupled with 2GB/ 3GB of RAM. On the camera front, the Redmi Note 3 features a 13MP primary with face detection, auto-focus and two-tone flash, and a 5MP front. The device is available in 16GB and 32GB storage variants.

The Redmi Note 3 with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage is priced at CNY 899 (approximately Rs. 9,500) and another with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage at CNY 1,099 (approximately Rs. 11,500). No word yet on the Indian pricing or launch date. Have a look at the specs below.

Specification	Xiaomi Redmi Note 3
Display	5.5-inch full HD screen
Resolution	1920×1080 pixels
Weight	164gms
Chipset	Mediatek Helio X10
CPU	2GHz 64-bit octa-core processor
GPU
RAM	2GB/ 3GB
Front Camera	5MP
Rear Camera	13MP with LED flash, phase-detection autofocus
Storage	16GB/ 32GB
Expandability
Battery	4000 mAh
Operating System	Android 5.1.1
Price	CNY 899 (16GB)/ CNY 1,099 (32GB)

November 24, 2015

Snapchat Makes Live Stories More Interactive With New Feature

In an attempt to make its Live Stories more interactive, Snapchat has introduced a new feature called Story Explorer. Users will now be able to see more of their favourite Live Stories.

https://youtu.be/Is5MVYepFBE

There will be an “Explore” tab at the bottom of some stories, and swiping it up would allow users to see more Snaps related to that particular story. The idea behind this new feature, as the company suggests, is to allow users to see different aspects of the same story and explore several perspectives.

“It’s the first time you’ll be able to experience that incredible game-winning dunk from thousands of perspectives throughout the stadium – or feel like you’re right there on the scene when breaking news unfolds.”

This new feature has been rolled out in New York and Los Angeles for now. Snapchat says in its official blog post that it will be made available in other places as well “very soon”. Looks like Snapchat might have provided social media with a reliable, authentic source of news after all, don’t you think?

November 24, 2015
Yutopia Out in the Wild

YU has been showing off the camera of its upcoming smartphone, Yutopia, for a while now. The company has been tweeting images that feature a BMW i8 shot by Yutopia. From what the images reveal, the camera does indeed look solid and the pictures look quite spectacular. Here are some of them.

Clearly, YU is trying to get fans excited about the release of Yutopia with these pictures. YU has kept the details of the Yutopia under wraps, and the company clams that the device is “the most powerful phone ever.” We’ll just have to wait for the launch to know exactly what the device is made of.

Let us know what you think about Yutopia’s camera in the comments below.

November 24, 2015
Oppo’s New Handset Seems Heavily ‘Inspired’ by the iPhone 6 Plus

After design overlaps between HTC’s One A9 and iPhone 6, looks like Oppo has also joined the league with its new smartphone. As hardware leaks of Oppo’s latest addition to the world of smartphones emerge, we see a device with a metal uni-body which looks very similar like that of the iPhone 6 Plus.

HTC had given its device a dash of originality by placing its camera in the centre of the back of the phone. Oppo, on the other hand, has refused to be too creative with its design -its camera is located exactly where it is in an iPhone. The only thing different is the orientation of the LED flash.

To add this, there are also other identical features which include a bottom-firing speaker grille, headphone jack and port for charging, all positioned on the underside of the phone.

What is this charm of Apple that has captivated both consumers and manufacturers all over? Whether you hate it or love it, or love to hate or hate to love it -either way it’s hard to ignore the presence the Apple in the tech world. Do you think the design of the iPhone is actually as popular as all other companies are making it out to be?

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November 24, 2015

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