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Apple is Reportedly Working on Two New Devices for 2015

Apple is apparently in the process of developing its next flagship device, the iPhone 7. After launching the record breaking iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, which are still going strong, a new report suggests that the Cupertino based giant is prepping two devices for release in the coming year – the iPhone 6s and iPhone 7.

The launch of the iPhone 6s is rumoured to be alongside the Apple Watch in the first half of 2015, while the flagship iPhone 7 is believed to be launched in the third quarter of the year. In addition, some reports also indicate that Apple is planning to cease production of the iPhone 4s and iPhone 5c by the second half of 2015. Although there is no official confirmation from Apple, but grapevine in the tech-world suggest these rumours to be true.

Meanwhile, a few features of the next flagship have apparently been pointing to a DSLR quality camera.

Apple blogger John Gruber made the following statement: “The specific thing I heard is that next year’s camera might be the biggest camera jump ever. I don’t even know what sense this makes, but I’ve heard that it’s some kind of weird two-lens system where the back camera uses two lenses and it somehow takes it up into DSLR quality imagery”.

An update to the iPhone camera is certainly long due. The first iPhone ever launched came with a 2MP camera, which was upgraded to 3.2 MP in the iPhone 3GS, while iPhone 4 had a 5MP camera. In 2011 the camera was significantly enhanced to 8 MP in the iPhone 4S and is still continues to remain the same in its latest device.

Other rumours around the internet suggest the next iPhone would have a 14MP main camera along with a 4MP front snapper; powered by a quad-core A8 processor. It may come packed with 256GB or more internal memory, screen protected by sapphire crystal glass and a chassis made of liquid metal. However nothing has been officially confirmed.

December 19, 2014
Registration for Micromax’s Yu Yureka Begins Today

Yesterday, Micromax unveiled an exciting device for the Indian market. Launched under the new Yu brand, Yureka runs the CyanogenMod 11 OS and has an octa-core 64-bit Snapdraon 615 processor chipset. The smartphone has been priced at Rs. 8,999 and goes on sale 8th January, 2015 onwards.

For those who want to jump the bandwagon and be the first ones to get their hands on the device; Micromax Yureka has begun registrations as of 2pm today exclusively on Amazon India.

Specs of the Yureka include a 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera and 5.5 inch HD display. It comes with 16 GB of internal storage, expandable up to 32GB. The smartphone runs on a 2,500 mAh battery and has 2GB of RAM.

Interested buyers can directly head over to the registration page here. Meanwhile, the Yureka has come under intense scrutiny off late, courtesy Micromax who has an exclusive agreement to sell CyanogenMod-powered smartphones in India. Resulting in a temporary ban been levied on prominent Chinese manufacturer OnePlus from promoting, selling or importing their phones in India.

Update: Registrations closed soon after 20 minutes

December 19, 2014
Self-Guided Bullets, Now a Reality!

Remember the movie Wanted starring Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy? Remember how they used to bend bullets and make them change its path? In 2008, when the movie released, it was pure fiction, but today its reality! The United States Department of Defence has successfully tested a bullet that can change its path in mid-air after being fired.

The weapon developing company released the testing video of the bullet. The recording shows the bullet being fired twice, deliberately away from the direction of the target. The second time it changes its route and moves ahead towards the goal, penetrating it.

Titled Exacto (Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance), the weapon is developed by Teledyne Technologies. The firm is now making bullets for the agency of the United States Department of Defense, DARPA.

However, the company is tight-lipped about how the weapon works, but it is likely to have fins that help redirect its path. When a sniper flashes a laser at the goal, the bullet follows the mark in the air.

Meanwhile, this innovation has diminished the dependability of the defence section on snipers as these bullets do not need professionals. It would be interesting to see their range once they are fully developed.

December 19, 2014
iGyaan Holiday Gift Guide

It’s that time of the year when all stores are stocked, everyone is shopping for their loved ones and cribbing about long queues. The stores can be a bit chaotic, but you can easily skip the headache of visiting them by checking out some of these great deals and ordering online. However, it can be hard to go through all the websites and blogs to find the perfect gift.

Well, don’t worry, we’ve put together a handful of great gifts for any ‘techie’ in your life:

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10. Chromecast

Streaming media around your home isn’t a new idea, but the rise of internet-based on-demand services have made it popular. Chromecast is an inexpensive media streaming adapter that turns any HDMI-equipped television into an app-driven smart TV when paired with a phone, tablet or computer. This is a must-have for people who have their media content saved on different devices.

 

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9. Brunton Power Knife

A tangle of cords. A broken cable. A missing adapter. Does this sound like your friend’s problem? If yes, then Brunton power knife is the perfect gift for him/her. This knife is just as important as a pocket knife. It is a gadget that combines adapter ends from some of the most widely used outdoor gadgets into a form factor any adventurer can recognise. Order on here.

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8. DUBS Earplugs

Well, this one is our favourite. The DUBS are advanced tech earplugs that reduce volume without sacrificing the clarity of sound. Whether you’re on a noisy road, at a concert, on a plane or playing a game, the DUBS earplugs go louder, longer. Order yourself a pair here.

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7. Kinivo BTC455 Bluetooth car kit

For drivers who just want to add Bluetooth without major modifications to their car, this tiny dongle by Kinivo is the best gift. It sends hands-free call audio and wirelessly streamed stereo music through a car’s speakers via the auxiliary input present on most modern cars’ stereos. Simple controls let you accept incoming calls and skip tracks.

 

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6. Lego AT-AT

If someone tells you LEGOs are for kids, hit the person squarely in the kneecap. Then get back to building your AT-AT, the 1137-piece vehicle that puts to shame all the Star Wars’ figures you tried to build when you were a kid.

 

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5. Lumu

For advanced photographers, a light metre is always an important purchase. What if your friend is an iPhone photographer? Well, Lumu is a perfect gift for such friends as it integrates light metre with the iPhone and requires no power to operate. For more details, click here.

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4. Moto 360

Let’s just say whoever you are going to gift Moto 360, will never be able to match it with any other gifts. The beautiful, interactive, round watchface brings all the wonders of the internet to your wrist. With no news regarding the release of the Apple Watch, we recommend the Moto 360.

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3. Skullcandy Knockout

Skullcandy has this amazing headset range called Knockout specifically designed for women. They come in an amazingly beautiful floral designs and a leather finish. It will be your loved one’s favourite accessory apart from her expensive jewellery.

 

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2. Withings WS-50 Smart Body Analyzer

While working out, it is always encouraging to see your hard work paying off on the scale. The Withings WS-50 Smart Body Analyzer measures weight, body fat percentage, BMI and heart rate. It can also keep a track of up to seven other users. It even monitors indoor air quality.

 

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1. Logitech UE Boom

The UE Boom is a compact, durable wireless Bluetooth speaker that plays super loud sound for its size and is water and stain resistant. It offers up to 15 hours of battery life, has speaker phone capabilities and is well-suited for outdoor use. Also, if you buy a second speaker, you can create a completely wireless pair of true stereo speakers using the UE Boom mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

 

December 19, 2014
Countdown Starts for CES 2015 – Here’s What You Can Expect

Consumer Electronic Show (CES) can simply be explained as a 3-day long extravagant exhibition of geeky stuff in Las Vegas. The event has been a launching pad for many concept devices and this year as well, we’ll be seeing some exceptional innovations for the first time. With new segments in the tech industry mushrooming and touching every corner of our lives. This year’s show is expected to be heavily focused on the Internet of Things (IoT) and latest automobile tech. Along with this, many global smartphone makers are expected to show off their devices including Huawei, Alcatel, Lenovo among others.

Here’s what you can expect from the Consumer Electronic Show 2015:

1. TVs

Since the commencement of this annual show, televisions have been the primary focus. CES has been the wonderland of colour televisions, HD TVs and almost every new technology that has shaped the television industry. This year at CES, we can expect to see more 4K TVs from LG and Samsung. LG has already confirmed that it will be showing off the new quantum dot-enabled 4K LCD TV. The new display technology uses nanocrystals placed in front of the LCD backlight to increase the range of colours, saturation and brightness over traditional LD displays. Samsung is also expected to launch TVs with similar technology, considering the traditional rivalry between of both South Korean electronic giants.

4K content streaming is also expected to go big at this year’s show. With Sony expected to launch a new range of 4K TVs, Sony Pictures will surely be coming up with more of 4K content to use those extra pixels. Along with this, 4K disc format is also said to make its debut at the CES 2015. However, we are not sure if it’s the right time.

2. Smartphones

Probably, the biggest announcement in the smartphone segment will be the Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 810 processor. LG looks geared to continue its smartphone bending tradition by revealing the LG G Flex 2 at CES 2015. The original G Flex featured LG’s flexible OLED display, but the structure of the phone itself was rigid.

Huawei, the Chinese firm, is trying mightily to break into the US market along with Alcatel and Lenovo. So, we can expect some big announcements from these companies. Also trying to get hold of the market is Microsoft. The company has avoided CES for the last couple of years, but Microsoft may make push its smartphones this time. And of course, there will be a vast amount of stages devoted to smartphone cases, headphones and other accessories.

3. Wearables

Last year’s CES saw the introduction of wearables. Subsequent launch of Android Wear fuelled the wearable segment and exploded the market with strings of new wearables. This segment has now started to congeal into a more manageable market. This CES should bring heart rate sensors to the must-do list of every fitness bands, which earlier were restricted to counting stairs, steps and sleep.

Well, not much can be said about the launch of new devices. It is expected that Apple Watch may finally start to sell. Other than that, not too many wearables are expected to launch this year.

4. Virtual Reality

Google’s much controversial Glass eyewear has proved to be a breakthrough in the VR segment, which encouraged more companies to join the race. A bunch of big names are expected to announce their VR devices at CES 2015 including Oculus Rift, Sony’s Project Morpheus and Samsung’s VR headset.

CES has a long history in the entertainment industry. There is no way big game makers will be losing the chance to show off their new VR headsets. We can expect new games, movies and apps to be announced at CES 2015.

5. Auto Tech

In 2010, Ford CEO Alan Mulally took the stage of CES. Since then, autombiles have become a significant part of the show. This year, many big brands like Ford, Audi, Mercedes, Hyundai, Toyota and more will be present at the CES. Toyota stole the show last year with its hydrogen-powered car and we can expect to see more next-gen fuel cars this year; at least we hope to. Along with this, we can expect to see some driver-less cars too but not from Google, as it doesn’t usually drop by CES .

Also, with Android Auto and Apple’s CarPlay on full consumer mode, we can expect car-makers to show off some new models equipped with these automobile communication systems. Navigation systems and head-up display on windscreens are also expected to go big at the CES 2015. We can also expect a peek into the future of car infotainment system, which is somehow still in a nascent stage.

This CES is warming up to be quite an exciting event, from which we can expect many new launches and perhaps a few surprises.

December 19, 2014
Micromax YU Comes to Town, Here is Everything You Need To Know

India’s top phone company, Micromax finally lifted the veils off its new brand ‘YU’. The company claims that the Y stands for the users while the U stands for them signifying the collaborative approach to the new brand. The brand is formed in partnership with famed custom ROM maker CyanogenMod. The first device from the brand is called Yureka, and it’s one revolutionary device. The company also launched a new website for the device with the url yuplaygod.com. It will be the community address for the YU movement.

Personalization

YU is claimed to be an ecosystem where people create, add and manipulate the device in whatever way they want. Cyanogen’s Vik Natarajan explained the features of the device. The custom ROM gives immense personalization options of the device. You can choose from various custom themes; the company will provide two free themes and more will be added with time. You can change the functions of the buttons on the device. You can select the appearance of almost anything on your device. Cyanogen gives you options to tweak everything until it feels just right.

Security

YU devices also offer many security and convenience features. The devices will be dual sim and will have a blacklist feature through which you can block unwanted numbers. It also empowers the users to protect their data and control what they share with the apps. The ‘Privacy guard’ feature shows you on a per-app basis what permissions have been provided to it. Through this, you can select the limits of the access of these apps to your data. In case of a theft of the device, you can find and wipe the device; the data from the device is encrypted. The feature that will improve your sense of security is the jumbled up pin entry where the numbers jumble up and only you know the perfect combination to unlock your device. App lock is installed by default on the system, so you don’t need an extra app for the purpose.

Quality Sound and Pictures

For the shutterbugs, the camera on YU devices will be a treat. It is intuitive and really easy to use. The devices support multiple burst mode and 60fps slow motion video, they are also working on an update to bring 120fps, that would be a real treat.

Music lovers would appreciate the 24-bit high-res loss-less audio on the device. The music app consumes a lot less energy in comparison to others so you can enjoy your tunes longer. Along with these are multiple audio effects options.

Ease of use with multiple devices

Cyanogen has also partnered with a Silicon Valley company called Nexbit for a product called ‘Baton’ that will make your life a lot easier. Through this, you can start your apps from exactly the spot you left in the last device instead of starting from the beginning. It also saves all your app settings and logins so you can get on with your task as if you’d been on the device since the beginning. Using another feature from nexbit called ‘Sync’, you can have the same app settings across all your devices. With the support of another feature called ‘Pass’, you can send an app from one device to another with ease.

YUREKA!

Coming back to Yureka, the device of the hour. It runs on Cyanogen OS 11 which is based on Android 4.4.4. It is powered by the 64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor clocking at 1.5 GHz along with 2 GB DDR3 RAM. The internal storage is 16 GB, which is expandable up to 32 GB. It supports LTE Cat 4 with upto 150 Mbps downloads. The device gets its juice from a 2500 mAh battery. The company claims the battery performs 25% better thanks to Cyanogen’s customization.

The display on the device is a 5.5 inch 720p HD screen protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The device is not weak on the camera front either. It features a 13 MP shooter at the back with Sony Exmor sensor with an iris of f/2.2. On the front, you get a 5 MP fixed focus front camera for selfie shooter. The device presently shoots slow motion at 60 fps but after an update it will be capable of shooting at 120 fps. It is also capable of shooting time lapses. This device has the potential to become the darling of amateur camera-persons.

Getting ‘inspired’ by OnePlus One’s amazing Sandstone back panel, Yu gets a ‘Moonstone grey’ back cover which looks great. The specs on the device look fantastic, at the same time it’s quite a looker. The brand offers suave leather back panels and a tempered screen guard as additional accessories for the device.

Revenge of the Nerds

Cyanogen has always been the playground of nerds and hence the company is giving them comforts quite unheard of in the industry. Not only is the bootloader unlockable and kernel source opened up, the company’s warranty too won’t be void if you root the device. You will also get OTA updates every month, so the device will always be up to date as well as future-proof for a considerable amount of time.

Revolutionary Service Centre

Micromax also did something in terms of service that can only be described by the term ‘legendary’. It will provide free service to anyone who buys the device right at their doorstep. Once you have an issue with the device, you send a ticket, and the engineer will come to your place to fix the device. Service was the biggest bone of contention against Micromax devices, and it seems to have addressed it in the best possible manner.

The Indian mobile market disrupter

The biggest surprise of the day was the price of this formidable device. The Yureka is priced at Rs.8,999 which is phenomenal. The device will be available exclusively on Amazon.in, and the registrations will start on 19th of December at 2pm. It will be up for sale in the second week of January. The folks buying the device in the first sale will also get a free leather case worth Rs. 999 – the deal is simply unbelievable.

Today was definitely the beginning of a grand new chapter in the Indian mobile market. There was a lot of hate brewing against Micromax following the ban of OnePlus One, but this might help it gain some serious goodwill. Yu is a game-changer in every sense of the word, and we can proudly say that we have a Xiaomi-killer in the making. The pricing is simply mind blowing, and Cyanogen’s immense convenience will certainly win hearts all around. In the end, all we can say is good job Micromax, more power to YU.

December 18, 2014

Micromax Launches the Yureka Smartphone With Cyanogen OS 11

As reported earlier, Yu Televentures, Micromax’s new subsidiary has launched its first smartphone with Cyanogen under the Yureka brand. This is a whole new step for the Indian tech industry as this very launch marks the end of the dominance of the foreign brands in India.

The dual-sim, LTE enabled device will be available on a flash sale model, similar to Xiaomi devices, but on Amazon India from January 8. Registrations on the Amazon website to buy the device begins on Friday (19th December) at 2 pm. The new YU device is priced at Rs. 8,999 and comes with a 5.5 inch HD screen, 2GB RAM, A 53 cortex, Qualcomm Snapdragon processor 615 octa core 64 bit chipset and 16 GB expandable memory.

Early adopters will get a leather back cover worth Rs. 999 free. Notably, the company is also touting “free replacement or repair” at the user’s doorstep. The Yu Yureka (AO5510) smartphone runs on a custom-build Cyanogen OS, Cyanogen OS 11.

The device comes with a 2500 mAh battery. The new Yureka sports a 13 megapixel rear and 5MP front camera. According to the company, the device will be ahead of the popular competition as it will provide faster processing, better download speeds even in patchy areas and the A53 cortex will lower power consumption, meaning the phone will last longer on a single power charge.

The company also revealed that in 2015 more devices will be launched with some new cool features. Some of the features include blocking of spam or unsolicited phone calls, finding and wiping data off the device if lost, encryption of the device besides enhancements on camera, securing apps and making phone usage more intuitive.

Besides sync of data across different devices, features in the phone also allow users to save game scores, levels and setting on all apps get saved on the cloud. Yureka device users will also be the first ones to get the upcoming Cynogen L update, which will be based on Android Lollipop.

Specs	Yu Yureka AO5510
Display	5.50-inch 720×1280 pixels
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon processor 615 octa core 64 bit chipset
RAM	2GB
Storage	16 GB (expandable)
Camera	13MP Rear, 5MP Front
Battery	2500 mAh
Operating System	Cyanogen OS 11

December 18, 2014

Google’s Inbox Update Lets You Email Through Your Wrist

People are still itching to getting their hands on the Google’s new email client Inbox, though the company is all ready to update the new app. The task-oriented email client has been widely appreciated for its de-clustered and powerful algorithms that sought out your emails based on priority.

The new 1.2 version of Google Inbox will bring Android Wear support, letting you check mail, send replies and mark completed items from the comfort of your wrist. Earlier, when an email through Inbox was sent to your Android Wear device, it only let you dismiss or open the message on your device. This new update now allows you to read the entire message, reply, and mark it as done, without your phone.

Additionally, Inbox is getting an improved tablet layout, which is better optimised for devices with larger screens, especially for Nexus tablets. The new update has brought some useful features in the core app too, including suggestions for reminders and a better tablet interface.

The update is already rolling out to the users worldwide starting from the US. However, if you don’t want to wait and manually install it, you can download the .apk here.

December 18, 2014
OnePlus Now Temporarily Banned from Selling Phones in India

It seems that trending smartphones aren’t easy to get their grasp on for Indian consumers. After Xiaomi, now its the Chinese device manufacturer OnePlus who has been banned by the Delhi High Court from selling, promoting or for that matter, even importing its devices on Indian soil. Thanks to Micromax, the order has come a day after the Indian manufacturer appealed to the Delhi High Court that OnePlus infringed on their India exclusive agreement with Cyanogen.

Micromax said-

We incurred major expenses for creation of a brand exclusivity for providing to Indian customers mobile phones with Cyanogen operating systems it would suffer irreparable harm and loss if the defendants (OnePlus) are permitted to continue with their illegal acts in violation of the agreement between Micromax and Cyanogen

Cyanogen had apparently signed a deal with Micromax for exclusively offering CyanogenMod OS devices in India. Owing to this exclusive agreement with Micromax, Cyanogen stated that OnePlus devices in India would not be receiving CyanogenMod updates from the company either. In addition, OnePlus One units sold in India would also be deprived of Cyanogen branding as well.

Micromax also has an exclusive license for the whole of South Asia, while OnePlus has a non-exclusive license for the entire world except China. Meanwhile, OnePlus argues that CyanogenMod informed them of the termination of their collaboration, just a fortnight before their launch in India. Cyanogen, on the other hand states that their agreement with Micromax technically cancels all prior agreements.

It will be interesting to observe whether OnePlus follows the same path of their Chinese compatriot Xiaomi, who face a similar ban.

December 18, 2014
Khan Market in New Delhi is a Free Wi-Fi Zone for Vodafone Customers

Vodafone customers can now avail Wi-Fi connectivity when they are in Khan Market, New Delhi. The company announced that its customers can simply SMS ACT TRYWIFI to 111 to access the Wi-Fi. The company has apparently joined hands with NDMC to provide the free Wi-Fi facility.

Meanwhile, non Vodafone users don’t have to disappointed, as they can also avail this free Wi-Fi facility by collecting vouchers from the following outlets – Route 04, SOY, Choko La, Big Chill, Pure Punjab, Town Hall, Chonas, Khan Chacha.

It is expected that the service will be available soon in C.P, which apparently got delayed due to technical and logistical issues. In addition, some security agencies in Connaught Place have also expressed concerns.

December 18, 2014
ISRO’s Heaviest Rocket Successfully Lifts Off With An Unmanned Crew Module

The resurgence of the space age seems to be right around the corner. This year saw two orbiters reaching Mars from earth, one of them being India’s Mangalyaan or Mars Orbiter Mission. The Rosetta mission set new horizons for humanity by being the first man-made object to reach a comet. Nasa successfully tested the Orion capsule that might someday take astronauts to Mars. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), which is still on a high of success of the Mangalyaan, today hit another milestone when they launched the GSLV Mark III.

GSLV mark iii at the launch pad.

It is the heaviest rocket in India’s space arsenal with a mass of 630,000 Kilograms. The rocket today carried an unmanned prototype crew capsule (CARE) which will someday, hopefully soon, carry astronauts into space. This might be the ride of the next generation.

GSLV Mark III or LMV3 shot off into space at 9.10 AM from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The rocket is a part of the third generation of Indian rockets and is a completely new vehicle. The first stage of the rocket called L110 is powered by two Vikas engines which are derived France’s Viking series used on Ariane rockets. The second stage of the rocket was loaded with liquid nitrogen to stimulate propellant instead of real fuel. Today’s launch was conducted to test the flight validation of the launch vehicle and its new telemetric systems along with the crew module.

CARE was an unmanned crew module that tested India’s capability of sending astronauts in space.

This was the first attempt by India to send a crew module up in space. The module is called the Crew Module Atmospheric Reentry Experiment (CARE). The module separated at an altitude of 126 KM and began its descent towards the surface. The parachute successfully deployed and brought the module safely down in the Bay of Bengal about 180 km off the Andaman Nicobar Islands where it will be retrieved by the coast guards.

Today’s launch is one significant bookmark in the pages of ISRO’s history. Amongst the developing states, India’s space organization holds special mentions for its achievements despite low budgets. Space research involves all sciences and it results in the invention of technologies that improve the way of our existence. A country can achieve a great deal if it invests in its scientific infrastructure and it is encouraging to see India’s proactive engagement with the space outside the atmosphere. We certainly wish to see the Indian flag on the moon someday!

Watch the entire launch progress right here.

December 18, 2014
Back to the Basics : BlackBerry Goes Retro with the Launch of ‘The Classic’

Struggling phone manufacturer Blackberry today officially announced ‘The Classic’, probably a last throw of the dice to save the company going into complete oblivion. The company has high hopes from the newly launched Blackberry classic, which sports a full QWERTY keypad mirroring the design which made Blackberry a market leader during its heyday. Notably, the Classic is significantly smaller than the BlackBerry Passport, which the company launched earlier this year . The Classic is aimed at customers looking for that original BlackBerry experience.

The phone sports a 3.5 inch square touchscreen with a resolution of 720×720 pixels, unlike the 4.5 inch screen of the Passport. Thus, it makes for easy one handed usage with the physical QWERTY on-board. On the inside, the phone will be powered by a dual-core Qualcomm processor bundled with 2GB of RAM. Hence, the phone is not meant for running those high-end gaming titles, but more for browsing and surfing.

In addition, the phone also sports an 8MP primary camera along with a 2 MP front cam. The Classic runs on the BlackBerry 10 OS, though it can also run Android apps which are accessible via Amazon’s Appstore which come pre-loaded on the device. Along with that, the Canadian manufacturer has added the BrickBreaker game on the Classic, which should encourage the BlackBerry fans.

Though, the Classic may not appeal to today’s digital savvy generation; as it’s made for people who long for the retro BlackBerry experience. The company says ‘The Classic’ is available starting today “through local carriers around the world,” and AT&T and Verizon have confirmed they will sell the device in 2015, though carrier pricing has yet to be announced. The Classic is also available unlocked through BlackBerry and Amazon’s online stores for $449.

As of now, there’s no information regarding The Classic’s price and availability in India, stay tuned with iGyaan to know when and at what price this device will enter Indian soil.

December 18, 2014
Top 5 Photo Filters and Editing Apps Available For iPhones

Today’s smartphones offer image quality that is at par with point and shoot cameras. With high megapixel sensors and optical image stabilization, more and more people are taking photos with their smartphones and leaving their digital cameras behind. This has created greater demand for picture enhancement before you share them on social media or print. Having a top-notch photo editing apps in your arsenal can help you brighten your shots, crop away unnecessary details, fine tune colour and apply innovative special effects. With this massive influx of photo sharing ushered in by the iPhone and social media, photo editing and filter apps have massively grown in popularity.

We are listing 5 of the best photo filters and editing apps available for the iPhone.

1. Afterlight

Afterlight is a photo editing app aimed directly at the Instagram user, featuring easy to use, smooth and adjustable filters, photo frames, and other useful photo editing tools like the double exposure editor. In addition, users can also apply textures and light leaks, slider-adjustable filters, transformantion and straightening tools.

2. FaceTune

Rather than providing a powerful set of all around photo editing features, FaceTune focuses on making your selfies and portraits look as beautiful as possible. FaceTune offers users a variety of tools for touching up your photos, which include tools for whitening stained teeth, red-eye adjustment, colourizing greying hair, and pimple and blemish removal. In addition to the photo touch ups, the app also comes with a variety of tools for tweaking lighting and focus, adding filters, rotating and flipping photos, as well as more extreme photo transformations.

3. Retrica

Retrica provides a slightly different take on a photo filter’s app. The app starts up in camera mode, but right from the camera you can customize your picture before you even take it. This enables you to perfectly match your photo with filters, frames, tilt shift and more. From there, you share your photo in the manner you like.

4. PicLab HD

If motivational posters or funny Internet memes are your thing, then PicLab HD is the perfect app for you. PicLab HD makes it a snap for users to edit photographs and add slick decorations and captions for your own custom image. Filters allow for quick photo effects, while fine tuning brightness, saturation etc. Layer-based editing, multiple text styles and packs, as well as numerous overlays, illustrations and other art effects then allow you to get your message across with artistic or quirky typography.

5. Cymera

Cymera is a multi-purpose app that is designed to be used as both a camera and photo editor. It has everything you need in a Smartphone camera and photo editor to help you capture and edit images. Cymera offers huge variety of hand-picked filters, shooting modes, face detection, collage effects and many decoration options.

December 18, 2014
Watch Micromax Yu Launch Live Right Here!

The Indian mobile market is about to take the next big step. The indigenous phone makers have been in the shadows of the big international brands, but now Micromax is about to launch a new brand which will take on the dominance of the foreign brands. Packed with the famed CyanogenMod, the brand will bring immense convenience to the Indian users in terms of customization and updates.

Today on the 18th of December, Micromax will launch its audacious new brand ‘Yu.’ If you want to be a part of this new chapter from the very beginning, you can watch it live right here. We will be following it live, are Yu?

December 18, 2014
Indian Government to Roll Out Public Wi-fi in 25 Cities by June 2015

The present government has taken proactive actions to make India technically strong. In an age where connectivity is power, it’s a step in the right direction. At municipal levels there have been many initiatives to provide Wi-Fi in pockets of the cities like Delhi. The government now plans to identify public places across the nation where it can begin offering Wi-Fi service by June 2015.

This initiative is a part of the audacious Digital India program, the aim of which is to connect cities with a population over 1 million and tourist spots with WiFi by December 2015. The task does look massive, and a lot of bits have to be figured out, most importantly the security aspect in this volatile nation.

According to an official source, the government will work with three or four service providers to provide the services in 25 cities across India. The project is being undertaken jointly by the Department of Telecom and the Ministry of Urban Development. The service providers will have three months time on their hands to roll out the service.

To boost tourism the government has identified 25 archeological sites for providing free WiFi access. The monuments are Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort, Qutub Complex in Delhi, Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri Sravasti and Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh, Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram, Vaishali-Kohua in Bihar, Martand Temple and Leh Palace in J&K, Konark Temple in Odisha, Rani-ki Vav Gujarat, Khajuraho and Mandu in Madhya Pradesh and Rang Ghar in Assam. So after June next year, you wouldn’t have to wait till you get to your hotel or home to upload those selfies.

The initiative is definitely appreciable, but the government needs to make sure that the plan is executed to the finish. In India, it is really easy to inaugurate an initiative but maintenance is the tough part. The government needs to ensure that the telecom operators provide a standard service which make them accountable for any malfunction. Connecting India should have a long term view and should not just be seen as a PR activity by the government. This service can attract more people to come to the Indian shores and increase revenues for the nation. Even businesses can benefit from ever present internet services and in turn help to grow the economy. This is a serious endeavor, and the government should proceed with the development understanding its healthy consequences for the economy.

December 17, 2014