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Weekly Tech Roundup : iOS 9’s Arrival, Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Rumours and More
The past week has been huge in terms of unparalleled innovations. We came across some major announcements from Apple in its annual at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) and heard from Twitter, BlackBerry, Xiaomi and Canon about their new products and services.

Here are the top 10 highlights of the week:
1. iOS 9 is All About Multi-Tasking
Apple finally cleared its plan on how to take iOS forward. iOS 9 is the latest operating system that offers multi-tasking on iPad. Multitasking has been broken down into three basic features – Slide Over, Picture in Picture, and Split View. ‘Slide Over’ allows you to open another app, without leaving the app you’re working on. All you have to do is, swipe the screen from the right to bring in another app. The ‘Split View’ Mode can open and proactive two apps on the same screen, at the same time. As expected, using the Split Screen, you can drag and drop between the two working apps. Lastly, the ‘Picture in Picture’ feature allows you to watch a video, while you work on another app on your iPad.
1. Apple Music Debuts in WWDC 2015
At the WWDC 2015, Apple officially announced its new music streaming service ‘Apple Music’. Putting together the principles of a secure and healthy ecosystem, Apple Music offers millions of tracks that can be saved offline. This library will give recommendations and the playlists would be curated by popular musicians such as Drake, Will I Am and Pharrell. Through ‘Connect’ introduced by Apple, artists can share pictures, music and messages with their fans.

Along with that, it also introduced the new 24/7 global music radio station – Beats 1. With the radio feature, more than 100 countries worldwide will be listening to programming and stations created by some of the world’s most popular musicians. It will have genres such as Indie rock, Hip-Hop Classical, etc.

Apple Music will be available on 30th June onwards. For the initial three months, the service is available for free. After which, there will be a charge of $9.99/month. There is also a family plan providing the service for up to six family members, for $14.99/month.
1. Canon DSLR Cameras Launched in India
Canon brought an array of two high-resolution full-frame DSLR cameras in India – the 5DSR and 5DS DSLR, and a compact camcorder XC10 4K that is convenient for 4K/Full HD video shooting and captures images at 12MP resolution. The class-apart 5DSR and 5DS DSLR feature 50.6-megapixel 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor that set them high in Canon’s range of high-res cameras. The processor powering the devices is the latest dual DIGIC 5 that offers users a continuous shooting speed of 5fps at 50.6MP maximum. The Fine Detail Mode on Canon’s latest camera line-up allows users to capture the finest image. The mode configures the sharpness, therefore giving a detailed image which can be cropped extensively. The Canon 5DS at Rs. 2,52,995, while the 5DSR will cost you Rs. 2,65,995.

The camcorder features a Canon 10x Wide-Angle Zoom lens with 2x Digital Teleconverter and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) that offers a zoom ratio of 27.3-273mm for movies and 24.1-241mm for photos. The densely packed powerhouse will come for Rs. 1,70,000.
1. Upcoming Apple Products to be Manufactured in India
Foxconn, the major contract manufacturer of Apple, is planning to set up an Apple assembly plant in India. Industries Minister of Maharashtra, Subhash Desai remarked that Foxconn will come to scout for a location in India, as reported by Reuters. The world’s biggest Taiwanese electronics producer is said to build up 10-12 facilities in India by 2020, which includes data centres and factories.
1. Twitter Breaks Free from 140 Characters Restriction
Twitter had added direct messaging service (DMS) but it was always restricted to just 140-characters. Now, frequent Twitter users will be happy to know that the social network is finally putting an end to the restriction, and making it 10,000 characters as opposed to just 140. Thus DMS will function like any other regular instant messaging service, effective this July. However, while the DMS will no longer have a restriction, public tweets will continue to be within the 140 character limit.
1. Android OS to Settle on BlackBerry Devices
BlackBerry has allegedly come up with a solution to get back on track. We might see them collaborating with Android in a bid to increase revenues and turn a new folio. The company has said that it is ready to have a test run with Android. Its upcoming device, the BES12 will be able to secure not just BlackBerry devices, but also others that run on Android, iOS and Windows operating systems. BlackBerry will have to vouch for not just their platform but also for Android. While the Android partnership will help, BlackBerry needs to ensure it stays with the times and gives customers a product which is worth their money.
1. Galaxy Note 5 to Feature USB-C and Mammoth 4100mAh Battery
Samsung’s phablet flagship, Galaxy Note 5, is the hot topic every tech admirer is eagerly waiting for. There have been rumours of the Note 5 featuring a 5.9-inch Super AMOLED display with curves on both the edges. An upgraded version of Samsung’s Exynos 7422 is speculated to govern the computing operations. Now a latest report suggests of the Note 4 successor sporting a USB 3.1 Type-C port. The USB-C is undoubtedly the future of connectivity as the universal port transfers data at unbelievable speed together with offering added benefits. Its battery is said to be mammoth at 4100mAh, which is necessary for a phablet with these specifications. The device will launch later this year.
1. Oculus Touch is a Handheld Controller for the VR Rift
After launching Oculus Rift, Facebook-owned Oculus has unveiled a prototype controller for its VR headset, the Oculus Touch. It is a handheld controller to interact with your VR environment. It is all what the Rift was lagging. The Touch makes you feel your presence in the virtual world by showing your hands in the designed space, where you can pick a weapon, make hand gestures like you do in the real world.

The controller is much like your traditional gaming remote with thumb grip, main trigger, secondary trigger and a set of buttons. As it is still in the developmental stage, the time of the launch is the same and is expected to be Q1 2016.
1. Mi 4 64GB Variant Gets a Price Cut
Xiaomi has dropped the price of its Mi 4 in India. Xiaomi Mi 4 will now be available for Rs. 4,000 lesser. The price will now be Rs. 19,999 instead of Rs. 23,999, which is a substantial drop. The smartphone, known for its exemplary features, boasts a sleek look. The specifications includes Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 2.5 GHz, a 3GB RAM and 64GB Flash. The phone also possesses a 5? IPS full HD display at 441 PPI. It has a battery life of 3080 mAh and includes quick charge 2.0 support. The phone lastly, boasts of a 13 MP rear camera and an 8 MP front camera (both with f/1.8 aperture).
1. Amazon Opens Its Biggest Warehouse in Telangana, India
E-commerce giant Amazon has opened its biggest warehouse at Kothur in Telangana. It is one of the biggest fulfilment centres set up in India covering one million square feet of space with a storage capacity of over 2.5 million cubic metres. The new facility will help small and medium businesses (SMBs) to gain access to and service customers across the country.
June 14, 2015
Jott Messenger : How to Text Your Friends Without Using Wi-fi or Data

Most of us got our first phones when we were 16 or maybe 14 (if you were lucky). A recent study proved that 88% of teenagers these days actually get their phones between ages 13 to 17. Naturally, no teen is spotted without his or her mobile phone today as they are active on social networking sites and are constantly texting their peers, whether in school or outside.

In India, most schools don’t permit phones within school campus but in the US, it’s okay to carry your device and be logged in all day. However, what happens when you can’t text due to limited balance or an improper data plan? You get Jott!

Jott is the perfect app for Junior high schoolers and high schoolers as it functions without the internet or a data plan. Sounds ideal? Yes, this app lets you chat with anyone within a closed network and within a 100 foot radius of the school campus. This means you can stay connected all day, whether its social or just exchanging notes.

Jared Allgood, creator of Jott has managed to push the app in the top 75 apps being used by iOS and this is no easy feat. Jott already has a huge user base of half a million users, as of March and is growing from strength to strength with 15,000-20,000 users joining the app, everyday. So how does this app work?

It works using the help of a mesh network “that operates on Bluetooth low energy or using a router that can reach within 100 feet of each user,” according to Techcrunch. This is different from sending a normal text messages that uses the help of cell towers to convey your text. Thus, anyone within close proximity, that is, a 100 feet can be easily accessed and spoken to.

Make Friends Within Your School or Any Closed Network

Jott only allows you to be a part of the network, if you share your real phone number. This actually benefits students because a lot of teens find it tough to talk face to face, so they can find out their class mate’s details via the school network and then approach them. Also, even if you don’t want to use it to get a pretty girl’s number or ask someone out, you can use it for studious purposes. You can actually get that one nerdy classmates number who will send you the whole years class notes and thus save you from failing your finals. It does sound very cool, indeed.

No Security?

The internet is rampant with cyber bullying and teenagers being at the impressionable age they are, can often be harassed through these types of apps. That’s why Jott stands out. It has a strong security and privacy settings where in, those who are a part of school networks (that are closed) must create an account with their actual name and age and verify that they actually go to the school, they’re claiming to be a part of. If you do give a fake ID, other students will call your bluff because they will know for sure and you will be immediately removed from the network.

If this wasn’t enough, Jott also has disappearing messages and screenshot detection just like Snapchat. Therefore, there is no room for disaster and anyone using it is efficiently safeguarded.

Jott had been tested and tried by Allgood, first in a set of schools until it started majorly trending and reached the phenomenal following it has today. According to Niche data, about 87% of teens text daily, compared to 61% of those who say they use Facebook. Therefore, Allgood has actually used this data to his advantage and created an app that will further simplify and revolutionise texting. We suggest you try it out today as it is available on all iOS and Android devices and can be used on your iPods and iPads as well.

June 13, 2015
OnePlus Two Pricing Leaked Months Before its Debut

Last month, it was speculated that the OnePlus Two, the successor of the highly victorious OnePlus One, would be arriving on 17^th April, this year. But, OnePlus ruled out all the rumors of the temporarily titled OnePlus Two and stated that the much-awaited device will make a debut in the third quarter of this year.

According to MyDrivers.com, the company will be launching an event next month, which could possibly be the launch of the next flagship device. The source also claimed that the device would be priced at approximately 1,999 Yuan (Rs 20,644). This might be true, as its predecessor was priced at Rs. 21,999. In any case, the price of the OnePlus Two is just an approximate figure.

Not much is known about the spec details of the expected OnePlus handset, but we got some notable information that points out to its processing capacity. As per the detail leaked by the company CEO Liu Zuohu, OnePlus Two will run on Snapdragon 810 chipset along with 4GB RAM. A 5.5-inch 2K display will improve the viewing experience of the user.

It is highly possible that the OnePlus Two will run on Cyanogen OS, as the differences between Cyanogen and the Chinese smartphone firm have been settled, and the cases have been withdrawn by mutual approval. The addition of Cyanogen on the next OnePlus device might help drive the sales of the handset.

There is still time for the next OnePlus device to come out. In the mean time, you can watch our review on the OnePlus One:

June 13, 2015
OnePlus Extends the Warranty Period for Indian One Users

Indian OnePlus fans have been rewarded with a gift from the Chinese electronics start-up. After being roasted for delayed services in providing after-sales assistance on local forums and social media, the company has decided to give its India-based users an added advantage. Today, OnePlus announced to extend the warranty of the One by three months, that are registered to be faulty or having certain issues.

All those devices facing service related issues till date that have faced delays or have been pending for longer than 15 working days in OnePlus’ support centres will be liable for the extended warranty. The warranty period of such devices will automatically extend to three additional months in India. It’s a pretty fair decision as the inconvenience has been on the company’s part. To make things sweeter, the service guarantee is applied to all the future smartphones to come out of OnePlus’ stable.

There is something for every OnePlus One user. All the patrons who got hold of OnePlus One before its Indian release will also be eligible for this service. That covers all the Indian One holders.

The company has cleared in its blog post published today, that the extended warranty service would be applicable to handsets with genuine fault. The blog post reads, “Do note that in case of a disagreement on those applicable to receiving this service, a final call will be taken by OnePlus.”

Besides that, customers can call on the new toll-free customer support number 000 8008 522 008, and give feedback on their services.

With this announcement, OnePlus has not only sustained the existing fan base, but also persuaded a fraction of those who have been speaking foul about the Chinese companies of poor after sales service. Turning the slamming voices to lauds and applauds, OnePlus has captivated even a larger audience to its OnePlus devices, making a huge market for the upcoming OnePlus Two.

June 13, 2015
Android Might be Just What BlackBerry Needs to Get Back in the Game

BlackBerry was synonymous with BBM and had the reputation of being a reliable business phone. This had loyalists from all over the world, tied to its device, despite all the ups and downs the company went through. However, the market soon saw a wave of smartphone companies like Apple, Samsung and Motorola, which ultimately washed away the resilient giant.

Sales dropped and profits dwindled because let’s face it, there are more options now, that overshadowed BBM and we also underwent a touch screen revolution. Thus, Blackberry has allegedly come up with a solution to get back on track. We might see them collaborating with Android in a bid to increase revenues and turn a new leaf.

BlackBerry is known for its strong security system and that was something that Android was lacking. Therefore, the collaboration will benefit both these parties. Yes, this means that BlackBerry will have to vouch for not just their own platform but also for Android. However, the gain is more than the loss they might go through. Reuters reported:

“From the standpoint of marketing, this is a great way for BlackBerry to get visibility. It really doesn’t hurt them much, and the upside is high,” said Rob Enderle, who runs technology consulting firm Enderle Group.

BlackBerry has been focussing on its software and device management system as its market share dropped to less that 1% due to its low demand of the devices. In order to execute this turnaround then, the company will have to come up with a strong and efficient device, that will be able to collaborate with Android. “BlackBerry doesn’t have much to lose. There’s little downside and they just need one hit phone to justify the handset business,” said Brian Colello, Morningstar analyst.

The company has said that it is ready to have a test run with Android. Its upcoming device, the BES12 will be able to secure not just BlackBerry devices, but also others that run on Android, iOS and Windows operating systems. This attribute should impress potential corporate and government clients. Ramon Llamas, an analyst with technology research firm IDC told Reuters:

“In order for BES12 to succeed it has to be viewed by all as platform agnostic, and what better way to demonstrate that other than by doing it yourself.”

BlackBerry has a history of delivering outdated hardware at a premium cost. While the Android partnership will help, BlackBerry needs to ensure it stays with the times and gives customers a product which is worth their money.

Let’s hope this change spells good fortune to the company that once created its own era and revolution.

June 13, 2015
Make Your Own Google Cardboard with These Simple Steps
At a time when Virtual Reality has taken centre stage in the tech industry, there is a lot to be done to make this revolutionary innovation reach to every corner of the world. The advanced technology that can recreate sensory experiences, designs an environment and sends users to the virtual world making them feel as if they are physically present there.

Many smartphone companies are pushing the unexplored division, by offering Virtual Reality (VR) headsets at special prices along with the smartphone. Some of these handsets include Samsung Galaxy Note, Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. More choices in VR headsets include Galaxy Gear VR, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Microsoft HoloLens and few more, but their market is limited to developed nations. This is where Google Cardboard comes into action. The low-cost, hand-made Google Cardboard requires only a bunch of things for its construction, and your smartphone is then ready to mount on the fold-out cardboard.

Follow the below-given steps and make one now:

List of Things Required

First of all, collect all the articles necessary for its preparation. You will need:
- Cardboard: You will need a corrugated cardboard that is 9-inches by 22-inches. A pizza box, shoe box or any thin, rigid sheet would do.
- Lens: The second thing is the lens. The lenses to affix the cardboard need to be 25mm in diameter with 40mm focal length. In case you don’t find lenses of these measures, 50mm focal length will do, but then you have to increase the length of your cardboard. You can also go for a plano-convex lens or biconvex lens, Google recommends the latter. So, first find out the lens available and accordingly start the project. [tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.amazon.in/Alian-Biconvex-Lens-Google-Cardboard/dp/B00UYG3G5G/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1434185814&sr=8-10&keywords=google+cardboard&tag=igyaan-21″]Buy Now[/tw-button]
- Magnet: Two small ring-shaped magnets.
- Velcro strips: Two velcro strips with adhesive on the plane surface. [tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_self” link=”http://www.ebay.in/itm/10-METRE-Sew-on-type-Polyster-Velcro-Hook-Loop-Tape-1000-CM-BLACK-COLOR-/111678681852?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_203&hash=item1a009172fc”]Buy Now[/tw-button]
- Other things are a rubber band, glue, a pair of scissors, and a cutter.
Steps to Make Google Cardboard

1. Print out the cardboard template by clicking on “Download the Kit” on the provided link. Apply some glue on the back of the template and paste it onto the cardboard with light numbers on top of the darker ones.

2. Now start cutting along the edges and fold the area marked by the red line.

3. Once you are through with cutting the cardboard, place the lens in the curved area and magnet at the other side of the cardboard mentioned on the template. Glue the area that’s done and affix the Velcro strips where you’ll be slipping your phone.

4. If you have followed the steps mentioned above, your cardboard is almost ready.

5. Put your smartphone in the cardboard and tie a rubber band so that your phone doesn’t slip through.

6. One more thing left is the installation of Cardboard app from Google Play Store that provides you content to see through the hand-made Google Cardboard. Launch the app and click the desired category by sliding down the magnet, placed on the side. You can get back to the main menu just by holding your VR headset upright.

In case everything fails, you could order one online:

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June 13, 2015
Here’s Why Twitter is Breaking Free From the 140-Character Restriction

Twitter had added direct messaging service (DMS) but it was always restricted to just 140-characters. Now, frequent Twitter users will be happy to know that the social network is finally putting an end to the restriction, and making it 10,000 characters as opposed to just 140. Thus DMS will function like any other regular instant messaging service, effective this July.

In a rather smart move, they announced:

We’ve done a lot to improve Direct Messages over the past year and have much more exciting work on the horizon. One change coming in July that we want to make you aware of now (and first!) is the removal of the 140 character limit in Direct Messages.

It is a welcoming change as having a limit over DMS was more of a nuisance than a boon. However, while the DMS will no longer have a restriction, public tweets will continue to be within the 140 character limit.

This comes as a great relief to the social networking giant because it might finally give them a chance to compete with other instant messaging services like WhatsApp and Facebook and even add to their user base.

In a short span of time, Facebook’s standalone app, Messenger has grown immensely. Recently Facebook announced that the Messenger service already has a staggering 700 Million monthly active user base. It added a 100 Million users in the past three months. While Facebook’s new app’s numbers are growing at an unfathomable rate, Twitter is currently stuck at a mere 302 Million Active users. Back in April, even WhatsApp had announced that it had crossed the 800 Million monthly active user mark.

This change might give Twitter a fair chance to compete. Also, according to Forbes, people spend 86% of their Twitter time via smart phones, this will therefore, be further enhanced as people will now be able to have long chats on the social handle, without even needing to ‘follow’ one another. Naturally, this will increase Twitter’s fortunes as well.

Along with this, Twitter is planning a few other updates and changes that will further improve the performance of the site. We hope to hear more good news soon. Watch this space for more.

June 12, 2015
Watch Celebrities Have a Go at Batman: Arkham Knight

A few posts back, we mentioned that Batman: Arkham Knight is one of the most awaited games of 2015. The game first released trailers back in the last months on 2014, which included the much talked-about Batmobile. The last scene of the previous instalment, Batman: Arkham City showed Batman fending off the Scarecrow, who has united Batman’s deadliest foes, namely Poison Ivy, The Penguin, the Riddler, Harley Quinn and Firefly, to kill the Bat. Yes, it almost sounds like Batman Vs The Suicide Squad.

Scarerow may be the main antigonist in the gameplay.

Rocksteady Studios decided to rebrand the ‘first look’ of the game by roping in celebrities and showed their first reactions of the game in their YouTube video. The celebrities are Neil Patrick Harris, Wiz Khalifa, Blake Anderson, Minka Kelly, Kumail Nanjiani, Breckin Meyer, Joe Manganiello, iJustine, Troy Baker and Kevin Conroy. You can watch their reaction below.

As much as we could see in the video, the game features a distinct visual appearance and a full range of high-tech onboard gadgetry. Perhaps, the highlight of the game would be, of course, the Batmobile, the most iconic vehicle in comic history. The Batmobile is designed to be fully drivable throughout the game and is capable of transforming into different modes, from high-speed pursuit mode to military grade battle mode. This vehicle sits at the core of the game and allows players to tear down the streets at unmatched speeds while in pursuit of Gotham’s most formidable villains. This iconic vehicle also expands Batman’s abilities, from navigation and forensics to combat and puzzle solving.

The game is slated to be released on 23rd June 2015. For now, the game would be available only on PlayStation 4 on pre-order. We can’t wait to get our hands on this, can you?

June 12, 2015

Unboxing | Micromax Canvas Knight 2

Updating its Canvas Knight series, Micromax has introduced the second-generation Canvas Knight 2 in India. The device, which supports 4G connectivity, is priced at Rs. 16,299. The dual-SIM Canvas Knight 2 is not a major overhaul of its previous version; it packs a Snapdragon chipset, which was MediaTek in the last offering, advanced operating system and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. The handset came to our testing lab and we got our hands on the device.

Here’s our first experience with the phone:

The super slim Canvas Knight 2 is surrounded by a golden metal frame. It sports a big-sized screen of 5-inch HD AMOLED with 720 x 1280 resolution and 294ppi pixel density. The display surface, as well as the back, is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which is scratch resistant. On the front, they’ve provided a 5MP camera for selfie enthusiasts.

The dual SIM card slots offer support for one Micro SIM and one Nano SIM card. If one wishes to expand the storage capacity of the device, a memory card can be placed in place of the Nano SIM card slot. That means you can use just one SIM card if you want to expand its storage capacity.

On the top side of the Micromax Canvas Knight 2 is a 3.5mm headphone jack with secondary noise cancellation microphone. The right side of the device has the SIM card slot where you can stuff the MicroSD card for memory expansion. On the left, volume rockers as well as a power button.

Inside is a 1.5GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor with 2GB RAM and 16GB in-built storage space. Users have the option to expand it up to 32GB via MicroSD card. The new iteration runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop.

The rear camera of the Canvas Knight 2 is a 13MP autofocus with Sony IMX214 CMOS sensor and 5-element lens. A non-removable Li-ion battery of 2230mAh keeps the device running for around 8 hours.

Have a look at the spec sheet below:

Specifications	Micromax Canvas Knight 2
Display	5-inch HD AMOLED (720 x 1280p)294ppi
Processor	1.5GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615
RAM	2GB
Storage	16GB, expandable up to 32GB
Rear Camera	13MP
Front Camera	5MP
Operating System	Android 5.0 Lollipop
Battery	2230mAh
Price	Rs. 16,299

Check out our unboxing video here:

June 12, 2015

Xiaomi Announces a Major Price Cut on Mi4’s 64 GB Variant

It seems to be the sale season in the tech world. Recently Motorola reduced the price of its line of smartphones, which has been followed by OnePlus (albeit not for India.) Now Xiaomi has announced that they’re following suit. That’s right, the Xiaomi Mi 4 will now be available for 4,000 rupees lesser. The price will now be Rs.19,999 instead of Rs. 23,999. Which is a substantial drop.

These companies are now getting ready to bring in their fresher 2015 line-up of devices. OnePlus will be launching the OnePlus Two soon, and the 3rd Gen of Motorola devices are also on their way. That brings up the question, which smartphone is Xiaomi planning on bringing to India now? The company is evidently clearing out stock to make room for another smartphone’s arrival. We’d vote for the Xiaomi Mi Note, the company’s current flagship.

Coming back to the Mi4. The smartphone known for its exemplary features and boasts a sleek look. Hence, fans will be happy to hear that the Mi 4, that too 64 GB, is going to be become even more affordable. The specifications includes Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 2.5 GHz, a 3GB RAM and 64GB Flash. The phone also possesses a 5″ IPS full HD display at 441 PPI. It has a battery life of 3080 mAh and includes quick charge 2.0 support. The phone lastly, boasts of a 13 MP rear camera and an 8 MP front camera (both with f/1.8 aperture)

If you’ve been planning to buy a new smartphone; now would be the best time.

[tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.flipkart.com/mi-4/p/itme4g2vrpvmggch?pid=MOBE4G2SKSQJSPGJ&ref=L%3A-3240743764927561236&srno=p_3&query=xiaomi+&otracker=from-search&affid=bhnagpalgm”]Buy Now[/tw-button] [tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.flipkart.com/mi-4/p/itme4g2vrpvmggch?pid=MOBE4G2SKSQJSPGJ&ref=L%3A-3240743764927561236&srno=p_3&query=xiaomi+&otracker=from-search&affid=bhnagpalgm”]Xiaomi Mi4 [/tw-button]

June 12, 2015
Make in India: List of Tech Companies to Start Manufacturing in India

‘Make in India’ is an initiative that was started back in September 2014 by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. The primary objective of this initiative is to create manufacturing firms within India to create more job opportunities and enhance the skills of the people of India across different sectors like automobile, aviation, biotechnology, defence manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, ports, railways, textile and much more. With this initiative, the Government of India hopes to bring in high-quality standards and minimise the impact on the environment.

The scope and potential, the breadth and length of infrastructure and related developments is very huge in India: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 16, 2015

Many companies are in support of the Make in India campaign. Companies from China like Alibaba and Xiaomi showed their full backing for the project. Alibaba Chairman said, “We are excited about India. We are excited about Make in India and Digital India.” Xiaomi President Lin Bin too, showed his support and stated, “We have some big plans for India. We fully support Make in India.”

@MEAIndia Trillions?

— Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) May 16, 2015

In response to the Make in India call, The United Kingdom announced in January, about its campaign to forge collaborations with Indian companies. Dubbed as the ‘Great Collaboration’, it will be the first partnership between UK’s BP Petroleum company and India’s Reliance Industries Limited for developing and producing energy. The UK and the Indian Prime Ministers have already appreciated the financial ties between the two countries.

Many companies have started putting up manufacturing houses in India. Celkon, one of the leading cellphone players, is right now in the planning process of setting up its manufacturing firm in Medchal, Telangana. IT Minister, KT Rama Rao, said the manufacturing business unit will be set up within a few days after June and will begin with four production lines, and will eventually increase its capacity to higher levels.

Celkon Plant in Medchal, Telangana

Similarly, Foxconn Technology, who is one of the world’s largest contract makers of electronic products, is trying to develop 10-12 facilities in India, including factories by 2020. The Taiwan-based tech giant said that the company is in talks to manufacture Apple iPhones in India. This could lower the price on the world’s No.3 smartphone market where the US firm trails Samsung Electronics and local players.

Mercedes-Benz will be doubling its annual capacity in India to 20,000 units, thanks to the Make in India project. India will also be the first market to receive the GLA entry SUV outside of Germany.
“India is one of the focus markets for Mercedes-Benz internationally, and with the addition of a new plant, we are getting future ready,” said company India MD & CEO Eberhard Kern. The plant was inaugurated by Maharastra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar. With the addition of the GLA SUV to the assembly line, the company now makes six models locally which include C-, E-, S-Class sedans and the ML- and GL-Class SUVs. The CLA entry sedan will be added to the local assembly list later this year while the A- and B-Class models come in after that.

On a smaller scale, Amity scientists have developed a 100% safe, pure and indigenous herbal colours with absolutely no synthetic or harmful additives, in a bid to contribute towards Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. “The herbal colours indigenously produced at Amity, when used extensively in all the industries, will herald a revolution in the country, which is reeling under the pressure of products loaded with synthetic components and chemicals,” said Harsha Kharkwal, faculty at Amity University.

In February 2015, Huawei opened a new research and development (R&D) campus in Bengaluru. It had invested $170 million to establish the research and development centre. In February 2015, Hitachi said it was committed to the initiative. It said that it would raise its employees in India from 10,000 to 13,000, and it would try to boost its revenues from India from ¥100 billion in 2013 to ¥210 billion. It said that an auto component plant will be set up in Chennai in 2016.

This initiative looks very promising. It is understandable that many more companies will join in, soon.This can create a lot of job opportunities here in India and improve the economic well-being of its masses.

Let us see how the campaign shapes up in the future.

You can also follow Make in India YouTube campaign here.

June 12, 2015
Upcoming Apple Products Likely to be Manufactured in India : Report

Yes, the back panel of your iDevice might shortly read “Assembled in India” as Foxconn, the major contract manufacturer of Apple, is planning to set up an Apple assembly plant in India. Industries Minister of Maharashtra, Subhash Desai remarked that Foxconn will come to scout for a location in India, as reported by Reuters.

The statement by Desai says, “Foxconn is sending a delegation of their officers to scout for locations in a month’s time.” The relocation of Apple assembly store from China to India will first of all aid Foxconn in cutting down the accelerated wage cost, and the lower production cost will help catch up with the mounting demand, which the Cupertino-based firm was failing to match with its supply shortage. The increased production will make the revenue numbers jump, hence, giving a stiff competition to India’s leading smartphone manufacturer Samsung and Micromax.

The world’s biggest Taiwanese electronics producer is said to build up 10-12 facilities in India by 2020, which includes data centres and factories. No confirmation has come from either Foxconn or Apple on the same, and an official statement would be required to authenticate the report.

It’s not the first time Foxconn will operate from India. The tech firm was earlier functioning in India, manufacturing Nokia phones, but as soon as Nokia’s mobile division was acquired by Microsoft last year, Foxconn had to shut shop in India. The return of Foxconn will boost smartphone manufacturing in the country, making it an electronics hub. Simultaneously, it will give a major push to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ campaign of bringing multinational companies to produce goods and services locally in India.

Along with Apple, Foxconn is under contract with Acer, Sony and Xiaomi to manufacture devices for them. If Foxconn comes to India, other brands assembled by the manufacturing company are likely to go cheap as the transportation charges and service tax will be eliminated.

The institution of the Foxconn manufacturing plant in India will establish our country as the biggest producer of technology products, and can also be a threat to Samsung in the high-end product segment, in the future.

[tw-button size=”medium” background=”” color=”” target=”_self”]Source[/tw-button] [tw-button size=”medium” background=”” color=”blue” target=”_self” link=”https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/iphone-maker-foxconn-talks-build-130931349.html”]Reuters[/tw-button]

June 12, 2015
PayDay 2 Promises a Whole New Level of Pulling Off Heists

Payday is a cooperative first shooter game developed by Overkill Software and published by 505 Games. This game launched its second edition, namely, Payday 2 Crimewave Edition, for PS4 and Xbox One today.

The game consists of a variety of ‘heists’ that can be carried out by the player, either by choosing AI allies or as a part of a multiplayer game. Heists include robbing banks, rigging an election or drug trafficking. This game mostly emphasises on stealth, from which you can earn bonus points and money on completion.

In PayDay2, you get to pull heists and robbery at a whole new level. New contacts include The Dentist (voiced by Giancarlo Esposito of Breaking Bad) and the Butcher (voiced by Mira Furlon of Lost and Babylon 5 fame). Additional jobs and multi-stage contracts are included with an enormous variety of new weapons like shotguns, sniper rifles and grenade launchers.

The new edition is loaded with DLC packs and content updates like the Big Bank Heist, which is worth for over a year. You can also play as ‘Clover’, the first female heister. Overall, the game is promised with improved frame rate, better texture and 1080p resolution.

The new game also brings in new characters, more masks and a whole new level of customization. The game will be available on all leading retail and e-commerce stores and is priced at Rs 3,499. A perfect game for all players who are looking forward to pulling off their dream crime spree.

Watch its thrilling trailer here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB2LatHJzr8

June 12, 2015
Google Search to Get Faster and Cheaper on Indian 2G Network

Though fast wireless networks like 3G and 4G have hit certain parts of the world, emerging countries are still a victim of slow internet connectivity, which constitutes over half the globe. Tech powerhouses have understood the fact that their expansion lies in reaching that majority and providing them the best of their services. Today, Google has launched a slimmer version of Google Search called ‘Search Lite’ on Android phones that optimize web pages on slow 2G network.

The feature shows streamlined search results, and the pages load four times faster than with the original Google Search. Also, it consumes lesser data, saving your monthly pack to last for few more days. Google’s blog post by Product Manager Hiroto Tokusei reads –

If you’re in India, with an Android phone and on a slow connection, like 2G, you should start to see pages loading a whole lot faster, while using far less data, via your Chrome or Android browser from Google’s search results.

To accommodate users with faster loading on slow mobile connections, Search Lite transcodes web pages on the go. As per Hiroto, the new feature gets triggered when an Android user surfs something on Google on a slow 2G connection. Google makes out the connection speed and activates the Search Lite tool. The search biggie has tested the feature in Indonesia and is geared to bring it to Indians in another two weeks.

Google’s testing period showed more than 50% increase in web page traffic. The firm says that it would be extremely beneficial for publishers as the page views will encounter a jump. These faster-optimized pages help publishers and advertisers reach new audiences. Publishers can choose to optimize the page or reject the compressed format. There are other measures that Google is currently working on like Google Analysis for tracking page views, AdSense for ad support, and a few more.

Also, the Search Lite tool will be brought as an option and not as a compulsion. Users can choose to switch to the original page any time through the link provided at the bottom of the page. The feature will be arriving in India as well as Brazil in the coming weeks.

June 11, 2015
5 Tech Patents that Thankfully Never Worked Out

In the world of technology, there is no space for redundancy. Technology is getting updated time after time since tech fanatics are always carving out the next great gadget. The major number of brains swell up for innovating and creating such devices. Gadgets are continuously upgraded and tweaked, but some do not turn out as planned.

We will see some of the weirdest patents filed by the biggest tech powerhouses today:

Nokia’s Vibrating Tattoos

In 2011, Nokia signed a patent for the first vibrating tattoo. Yes, a vibrating tattoo that alerts users when their phone is ringing. According to the official patent, the apparatus would be able to detect a magnetic field and transfer a ‘percievable stimulus’ to alert its users about an incoming call, text ot dead battery.

But for some people, getting inked for the sake of technology was too much. People said the device plunges into a ‘creepy territory’. In an era of iPhones and Android devices, what would be the cost of unplugging a permanent tattoo?

Nokia never discussed anything about the tattoo including the potential health risks.

Google Background Advertising

Google, in 2012, signed a patent that would enable the search giant to base advertisements on background noise. According to the patents, Google would install sensors on handsets that would detect temperature, humidity, sound, light or air distribution near a device and ads would be served accordingly.

For example, if you are at the gym and make a call, Google will be able to catch the gym machinery in the background and then serve up adverts for home gym equipment. If it is 30 degrees or more outside, Google will throw in adverts for sun cream, air conditioning units or ice creams.

But it raised the question of privacy. People were not pleased with the idea of Google tracking down their location wherever they went. Although from the use and productivity aspect, this patent was quite useless.

Amazon Airbag

Amazon came up with this idea in 2012 for a protective system for mobile phones. The patent describes a system that utilizes a gadget’s built-in gyroscope, camera, accelerometers and other onboard sensors to decide if the device has entered an airborne state. If it has, the technology will release airbags to decrease potential damage – or possibly even alter the trajectory of its fall by firing jets of air.

But this idea gathered much criticism like ‘What’s next, smartphones with built-in parachutes? Or maybe handsets with wings and propellers?’ and ‘From a logistical point of view, the handset would have to be rather big to hide an airbag.’

There has been no track of progress regarding this airbag. Let’s wait and find out!

Microsoft Remote Control Charging Patent

Imagine a situation where you have to pay more for skipping an ad while watching a movie or watching a sporting event and you have to pay extra for accessing the replay. Luckily, this patent did not fly off as imagined by Microsoft when they filed this patent back in 2004. This wasn’t very welcomed by the masses because these charges would be on top of the base price as a way to boost up profits.

Apple Air Jet Keyboard Patent

It isn’t too hard to imagine a flat keyboard without keys- we don’t really look at our fingers when we type, ourselves. But, it’s still a little hard to imagine actually using one. In 2011, Apple patented a unique keyboard design that uses micro-perforations to shoot air at the user’s fingers upon touch, giving tactile feedback to whoever is. One of the biggest objections about virtual keyboards is the lack of tactile feedback, making it much laborious to touch-type at any speed, with much accuracy.

June 11, 2015