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Top 4 Awesome Things Google Android Wear Can Do

If Google achieves its goal, Android will be not only on the phone in your pocket, but also wrapped around your wrist soon. As Google pointed out that we check our phones 125 time per day on an average, the new wearable gadget, aptly dubbed as Smartwatch, will take on much of that burden from the hand set.

During an I/O 2014 demo, it showed how smartwatches like LG’s G Watch paired with Android 4.3 or higher phones which will display the most important info to you at any given time. That includes flights, the weather, your commute, appointments, reminders, notes and messages. Here are the list of thing Android Wear can do:

1. Search

One feature that comes handy with Android wear is ‘Google Now’. If you’ve used Google voice search or Google Now on an Android smartphone you’ll know what to expect here. Google Now is built into Google’s search app on both Android and iOS and serves as an answer to Apple’s Siri. A virtual digital assistant, just without the sarcasm and personality that the iPhone’s disembodied voice is known for. Google Now is all about answers—it can answer a wide range of questions, make recommendations and predict what information users need based on what they are doing or where they are at.

You can ask Google Now, what song is playing, for nearby locations, for the latest sports score, and for the weather forecast. Even better Google Now shows search information before users even ask for it—such as flight information popping up when you have to catch the plane. All of this information is presented on white cards that slide up on the watch face and can be tapped or flicked for more info, or swiped away when no longer needed—this too is the familiar Google Now user interface and similar to what Google Glass does, which is also powered by Android.

2. Voice

Google Now is dependent on two types of input; speech and text while we use it on the phone. With Android Wear nobody seems to be typing. Rather, all the input seems to be dependent on voice commands for both search and messaging. Though, it seems that using Android wear in noisy places like concerts or stadiums will be a tough task. But on the other hand, Google does have a reputation for best-in-class voice recognition.

3. Location

Finding location is one of the key features of the Android Wear. Same as Google Now, Android Wear will aim on hands-free and voice navigation. Being a Google product will also send various notification based on the location like possibility of rain, good resturants around, warning about floods in the area etc.

4. Fitness

One more important function is its fitness tracking. Right now, such functions are being handled by devices like the Jawbone’s Up, the Fitbit and the Nike+ FuelBand. With Android Wear, Google clearly wants the only thing on your wrist to be an Android powered watch. One example high at Google I/O is showing the number of steps taken for the day and week. Android Wear devices made with heart rate monitors will also be able to tap into that data for compatible apps.

After showing-off Android Wear, Google announced a number of upcoming devices that will run its new platform. Chief among them was the new Samsung Gear Live, company’s first device to use Google’s wearable platform, along with LG G watch which are now available to preorder from the Google Play store. But those interested in the Moto 360 smartwatch will have to wait, as Google said it won’t be available to pre-order until later this summer.

June 26, 2014
Another Moto G Competitor Launched, Meet The HTC Desire 516
The new HTC Desire 516 Dual Sim secretly went online in eBay for Rs 13,302. Now, the Taiwanese vendor has officially launched the phone in the country for Rs 14,200. Well, availability of this device will certainly spice up the already crowded segment.

The HTC Desire 516 is equipped with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean skinned with HTC Sense UI v5.1 and is a Dual Sim Smartphone that will give though competition to the Moto G. The handset that is already available in China, runs on Snapdragon 200 SoC with quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 processor and a Adreno 302 GPU with 1 GB of RAM.

Desire 516 sports a 5-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and backside-illuminated sensor (BSI), while it also houses a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. The HTC Desire 516 packs a 1950mAh battery that is rated to deliver up to 9 hours of talk time with no word on standby time.

The smartphone will be available in Black and White colour variants only. It comes with dimensions 140x72x9.7mm and weighs 160 grams. The Desire 516 is currently on sale at eBay and was first spotted by Maktech blog.

The company had also launched Desire 816 in May through Flipkart in India at Rs. 24,450. Well, the new device has a direct competition with Moto G. Moto G is priced at INR 12,499, and is equipped with 4.5 inches HD Display, 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 400 quad-core processor. 1 GB RAM, 8 GB or 16 GB Internal Storage, 5MP rear and 1.3MP front camera and runs on Android 4.4.2 KitKat.

Key Features of HTC Desire 516 –
- 5-inch Capacitive Touchscreen Display (540 x 960 pixels)
- Android v4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) OS
- 1.2 GHz, Quad core, Qualcomm QSC6270
- Adreno 302
- 1 GB RAM, 4GB Internal Memory (expandable upto 32GB via microSD card)
- 5 MP Primary Camera with LED Flash, 2 MP Secondary Camera
- Dual SIM, GSM+GSM
- GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSDPA, Wi-Fi 802.11, b/g/n, Bluetooth, A-GPS, GPS, USB Connectivity
- 1950 mAH Battery
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June 26, 2014
Here Is What Happened At The Google I/O

The developer’s conference, Google I/O was kicked off with with a ton of interesting news. Google has taken the wraps off and unveiled several new products, including the Android TV, Android Auto and the Android L. The keynote for the Google I/O 2014 developer conference created a lot of buzz for the tech community. Here is a list of some of the keynotes from the conference:

Android Wear

We finally got to see smartwatches running on Google’s Android Wear OS, in the form of LG’s G Watch and the Samsung Gear Live.The watches connect with your smartphones to provide direct access to handset notifications, allowing you keep check on your mobile apps without using your phone. And yes, they are also equipped with sensors that can monitor things like how many steps you took and your heart rate.

AndroidOne

Google also announced a new set of hardware reference platforms, called AndroidOne. This will provide opportunity for Google’s partners, such as Micromax. This also means that companies will now be able to develop devices quickly and cheaply.With AndroidOne, Google aims to bring a quality Android experience to the emerging markets, at affordable prices.

Android ‘L’

It may not have been announced officially just yet, but we did get a peek at what Google’s plans for it are. The next “L” version of Android is updated with a new software layer called Android Runtime (ART) that Google claims will double performance. It will also be bringing an entirely new interface with it. Google is calling the new look Material Design, and it focuses on the dynamic animations and creating depth through the use of virtual lighting and shadows. The design will also be consistent across all of Google’s apps on all devices associated with it.

Chromebook

Google Chromebooks are focused on avalabilty of the Internet at budget prices. And this year these Chromebooks have gotten several new tricks under their sleeves. You’ll soon be able to receive calls and notifications of your phone right from your Chromebook, and open Android apps on the device.

Android TV

Google’s Android TV is another initative all set to rule our domestic lives. With Android TV, smartphones, tablets, and even smartwatches, can now replace your old remote control. The entire platform is designed to give you a fresh Android experience on the biggest screen in your house.

Android Auto

Competing against Apple’s CarPlay, Google announced a new interface for cars that will create a whole new hands-free Android experience to your vehicle’s navigation system. Now, plugging your device into a compatible car will launch Android Auto, with Google Now-style info cards, navigation directions, and some awesome features like dictating text messages or letting you answer calls, without taking your eyes off the road.

Chromecast

Though there was no news about new Chromecast during the event, still Google hinted a few updates on the streaming media stick including its ability to mirror your entire Android device directly onto your television screen. The Chromecast’s biggest weakness is obviously the lack of supporting apps, and this new feature shall solve this problem.

June 26, 2014
5 Phones You Could Buy Instead of The BlackBerry Z3

Today BlackBerry launched its new Z3 handset in India. Though the company is trying hard to come back to the business of which they were once the front-runners, the company has failed to deliver a recommendable product. The new device is priced at INR 15,990 – a price segment which is already crowded with amazing phones.

Here is the list of 5 phones you should buy instead of the Blackberry Z3:

1. Moto G

This phone is one of the best in its class. The Moto G is powered by 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor with Adreno 305 graphics and has 1GB of RAM onboard. The Moto G comes in two storage capacities: 8GB and 16GB. Though it does not support expandable storage. You can buy it for Rs. 13,999, which means you save 2 grand and get a better phone. Check out our detailed review of the the Moto G.

2. Micromax Turbo Mini

With a price tag of Rs 12,990, the Micromax Canvas Turbo Mini is one of the better mid-range Android phones available in the market. It’s worth pointing out that the phone was launched at Rs 14,490, but Micromax decided to give it a price cut shortly after the launch of the Moto G which starts at Rs 12,499. It would be a wise choice.

3. Samsung Galaxy Grand Quattro

Many people find it difficult to buy phones from Micromax and other Indian brands because they are concerned about the after sales service. And there is no doubt, Samsung excels in the customer service which has helped in developing a strong trust on the brand. The Grand Quattro is there in the market for a long time now and is selling quite successfully. If you want a very reliable brand with good performance and an overall package, then go for this device. If you’re serious about picking it up, have a look at our review of the phone.

4. LG L70 Dual

Just when we thought LG is getting out of the mid ranges smartphone market, it launched two good devices – the LG L70 and LG L90 – both running on the latest Android 4.4.2 Kitkat. The LG L70 is an extremely attractive device with great design and build. The other specs pretty decent but, you should buy this phone only if your usage is low. On the other hand if your usage is heavy, out of the two, opt for the LG L90. It is powerful and priced only at Rs16,000.

5. Blackberry Z10

Lastly, if you are a true BlackBerry loyalist, then you might as well go for the Blackberry Z10. It has a better camera, performance and display. All this by adding only 1k to the price of the BlackBerry Z3.

June 25, 2014
Rumor Roundup: All That We Know About The Upcoming iPhone 6

Apple’s products are always the most anticipated ones in the market and iPhone 6 is not an exception to that rule. While people eagerly wait for the launch of the device, rumors and leaks fuel their excitement.

There has been a round of alleged iPhone 6 dummy images making the rounds. Earlier this month VentureBeat reported; the iPhone 6 will contain several highly-anticipated features, including near field communication (NFC), wireless charging, better 4G antenna, and a much bigger screen. Earlier this month, we had also reported that after the major 3.2 billion dollar acquisition of Beats by Apple, the company might include their earphones with the next iPhone.

Recently, an eBay user posted 6 high-resolution pictures, of a black and silver handset on which more details can be seen than ever before. These images show some significant design changes, including the fact that the power button has been moved to the side of the device.

It is also said to feature a significantly larger screen that will take up relatively more area on the front of the phone. The hardware border around the screen will be smaller than on previous iPhones. The size of the iPhone’s display grew from 3.5 inches to 4 inches with the iPhone 5, and with the iPhone 6, the screen is said to be even larger.

Apple has been juggling with many varieties of screen sizes, with the majority of rumors solidifying around a range of 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches, bringing the next iPhone in line to compete with Android and Windows phones that have already adopted larger displays.

Since April, various different alleged iPhone 6 parts have surfaced. What could be the front panel from the larger iPhone 6 recently appeared on Chinese microblogging site Weibo, displaying a notably thinner bezel along with familiar cutouts for a front-facing camera, ambient light sensor, ear speaker, and home button.

The supposed iPhone 6 batteries have also surfaced, as have manufacturing molds that are said to be for the iPhone 6. Apple is currently using Corning Gorilla Glass for its iPhones, but rumors suggests that the company could switch to sapphire crystal for future displays.

The talks are pointing towards the September release of the 4.7-inches variant of the new iPhone 6 followed by 5.5-inches variant a month later. While leaks of the iPhone are becoming commonplace, they are not always accurate.

In the last six months, several different designs have been leaked. Well, we are eagerly waiting to hold the new iPhone in our hand. It will be launching with new iOS 8 that was introduced at this year’s WWDC. While, the new Apple’s Smartwatch named iWatch is tentatively targeted for an October unveiling.

June 25, 2014
BlackBerry Z3 Launched : Is This Another Disappointment?

As anticipated, the BlackBerry Z3 launched in India today. The large-screen smartphone has been priced at Rs.15,990. The smartphone will be available to pre-order from Flipkart, The Mobile Store, and BlackBerry stores from Wednesday, and it will officially go on sale from 2nd July .

Sunil Lalvani, MD, BlackBerry India at the BlackBerry Z3 launch in New Delhi

Blackberry is trying hard to get back into the business, but all of their strategies seems to be in vain. This phone might be the perfect example.

Specification-wise the Z3 runs on BlackBerry 10 OS (version 10.2.1) and features a 5-inch qHD (540×960 pixels) display offering an aspect ratio of 16:9. It is powered by a dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (MSM8230) processor with 1.5GB of RAM. The device is powered by 2500mAh battery. This doesn’t excite us since you could find n-number of phones which have capabilities to deliver a better performance, in the same or lower price segment.

The smartphone includes 8GB of inbuilt storage, which can be expanded up to 32GB via microSD card. For a lower price you could invest in a Moto G which has an internal memory of 16GB.

The camera specs also fail to attract as the device is equipped with a 5-megapixel autofocus rear camera and a 1.1-megapixel fixed-focus front-facing camera which can be found in a plethora of Smartphones in this segment.

The good bit about the phone is that Amazon has provided back-support to the company with its Appstore. Available on the new device, users can use it to download more than 200,000 apps. But then again the question arises, why wouldn’t a consumer just opt for an Android phone instead? Furthermore, loyalist have always enjoyed the BlackBerry Messenger and that too is now available on other devices.

Needless to say, the Canadian phone-maker failed to deliver a good gadget; its specifications fall short for the price it asks.

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June 25, 2014
The Evolution of Apple’s Command Key

Meet the extremely fascinating Susan Kare. She is an artist and designer and has spent most of her life pioneering pixel art. The extremely talented Iconographer has created thousands of icons for hundreds of companies.

As a key member of the Mac software design team, she has created many of the graphical interface elements for the original Apple Macintosh in the 1980’s.

This symbol is formally known as the Command key. Informally, it has had several names. It is known to be been referred as the Apple key, pretzel key, squiggly button, Saint John’s Arms and the Bowen Knot. Without a doubt, it is the most useful key on the board.

The symbol became a part of the Macintosh project when Steve Jobs found that the former Apple symbol overcrowded the menu. It was then, while doing a bit of research, Susan Kare found this symbol while browsing through the symbol dictionary. She’s glad to have chanced upon this cloverleaf-like design, commonly used in Nordic countries as an indicator of cultural locations and places of interest.

In the video,Kare goes on to talk about her journey from Apple to Windows and the evolution of digital Iconography. While talking about the yesteryears, she walks us through the early 80’s when Apple launched its first Macintosh 128K in 1984.

Susan also points out the importance of simplicity in iconography. While explaining the idea, she mentioned a book the called ‘Understanding Comics: An invisible Art’ by Scott McCloud. In which McCloud tells how details make the graphic personal while a sketch with minimilistic details is relatable to most beings.

She ended with a quote of her hero of Graphic Designing:

[quote text_size=”medium” author=”Paul Rand ” author_title=”Graphic Designer”]

Create solutions to design problems that are meaningful and memorable

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June 25, 2014
Top 5 Wearable Gadgets That You Can Buy Today

While we wait for the elusive iWatch to appear magically on Tim Cook’s wrist. Here is a list of wearable gadgets you can buy right now:

1. Google Glass

Any surprise that this one tops our list? There is no doubt that Google Glass is one of the most coveted wearable technology available today. Its the one sci-fi-looking gadget that everyone can’t wait to get their hands on. Developed by Google X, it became available to the general public earlier this year. The increasing number of Google Glass invites had led to Project Glass being open to everyone in the US and now the UK.

2. Jawbone Up

The Jawbone Up wristband combines sleep-cycle tracker, a meal tracker, a pedometer, an activity tracker, and a vibrating alarm clock in one neat little bracelet. This can be connected to your iPhone. In an effort to keep its owner active, the Up even vibrates when you’ve been sitting still too long. Sweat-proof and water-resistant, the Up is a good looker as well. It costs $99, and comes in four colours: blue, black, white, and red.

3. Misfit Shine

The Misfit Shine fitness tracker has a sharp design, and is compatible with a variety of wearable accessories. Its best part: The device lasts four months on a single battery. It is also waterproof and can be used for swimming. Minimal design doesn’t display detailed data on the device. It currently works only with iOS and needs to be held close to phone screen to sync. The Shine is one of the most stylish and futuristic-looking fitness trackers in the market.

4.Pebble Smartwatch

The Pebble Watch is waterproof, runs a ton of apps, and is compatible with both iOS and Android phones. Recently, it has partnered with Misfit, a fitness tracking company, for a new app. The gadget, with a major software update and a new app store is all set to customize itself and fit right in your life. The only drawback is the lack of touch screen and multitasking limits the capability of apps.

5. Nike+ Fuel Band

As a fitness tracker, the Nike+ Fuel Band offers a simple, attractive design manages to completely stays out of your way during most physical activities. Its pedometer tracks steps taken, calories burned, and a proprietary measurement of activity called Nike Fuel. The accompanying iOS app and Nike+ Web site offer great motivational tricks too. Nike FuelBand can be very effective as a motivator for casual exercise.

June 25, 2014
Upcoming Moto X+1 May Have 4K Video Recording Capability

There is a flood of rumors about the new Moto X+1. Most recently, the famous phone leaker @Evleaks has released the first press render of the smartphone covered in a case. TKTechNews has also leaked a couple of videos showing the smartphone in action.

Other than announcing the possibility of a device, Motorola has remained tight-lipped about the upcoming model. Even without the company’s help, Moto X+1 is turning out to one of the worst kept tech secrets.

The leaked press render shows a device that is very plain and covered by a protective case. However, there are a couple of inconsistencies that have raised questions over the accountability of the photo. The leak illustrates that the notification bar on the home screen is opaque and translucent as per KitKat’s design. Some odd points noted are the lack of a flash alongside the rear camera and the absence of the front camera.

Here is the leaked video that features Moto X+1 by TKTechNews:

From the above video, one can see that the smartphone records crisp, detailed footage. It can quickly auto-focus during constant movement and even zoom in and out without losing pace with the movements.

This video also shows us that the smartphone may have 4K video recording abilities, apart from the standard 1080p format. Overall, this video offers hope that the Moto X+1 will provide a solid imaging experience. Last week, the same YouTube channel posted a video of a similar handset wrapped in plastic, which is allegedly the Moto X+1.

It is said that Moto X+1 may have a 5.2inch display, and 1,080 x 1,920 pixel resolution. Furthermore, rumors illustrate that the phone will include a Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM and 16/32 GB of internet storage.

June 24, 2014
Google Announces its Domain Registration Service
Google has become an umbrella brand that touches our lives more than anything else we use daily. Adding to its long list of utility offerings, Google will soon launch its own web domain registration service.

The company recently announced a beta service called Google Domains, which marks the beginning of its full-fledged domain registration business.

For now, the service is invite-only, but it looks like it will provide a bevy of features typically found on registrars such as GoDaddy, Namecheap and Hover. According to the company, the service will help users search, find, purchase and transfer domains – whether it’s .com, .biz, .org, or any other new domains that are released to the Web.

Google Domains will provide free private registrations, 10 million resolutions per year on Google’s DNS servers, branded email that forwards to an existing mail account and domain forwarding. Google says it will support a variety of different gTLDs (generic top level domains), including offerings such as .photography and .guru that are said to be rolling out over the next few months.
The move represents competition for GoDaddy, the world’s largest domain name registrar with over 57 million domains under its management. The registrar has privacy protection starting from US$7.99 per domain and email services from $4.99 a month.

Google’s plan for the service includes:
- $12 domain registrations
- No extra cost for private registrations
- Email aliases
- Customizable sub-domains
- Domain management tools
While the service will provide us with the ability to buy customized URLs, Google won’t provide the actual site hosting. Partners such as Wix, Weebly, Shopify, and Squarespace will provide hosting and website building services to registrants.

It seems like the right move for a company that makes the majority of its money through search. This would help them get more businesses online. Considering the fact that Google also provides tools for analytics and cloud storage, it seems like a domain registration service will fit right in.
June 24, 2014
The Best 4 Websites to Showcase Your Creative Talent

If you are a serious artist, you may have a website for your artwork, but how much traffic are you really able to grab online? In my opinion, it is not a great option until to you are modern day Picasso. Furthermore, coding a website is tricky and time-consuming. You’d rather use those hours to concentrate on your work.

The best option is to sign up to one of these ready-made websites that provide you a platform to showcase your artwork. These websites charge you little or nothing and some of them even allow you to sell it to a global audience. Moreover, you get to interact with an enormous community of worldwide artists and get their feedback. Here is a list of our favorite four:

1. ISSUU

If you are into writing articles, this the best website you can go to. Issuu is the fastest growing digital publishing platform in the world. It is a community of millions of avid readers who use this website to read the free publications created by enthusiastic young writers from all over the globe. They cover a top of topics: fashion, lifestyle, art, sports and global affairs are just a few of them. You can publish anything that you want for free. The website also provides you with the option of a premium account where you can customize your magazine layout.

2. Touchtalent

Touchtalent is a community of art lovers, art buyers and artists. Touchtalent is the perfect if you are a painter or a poet. They provide you with an interactive interface and an option of creating a digital portfolio. You also can get connecting with art lovers and buyers to sell your artwork. It is heavily based on the social media, and you can share your artworks in different social networking websites very easily through Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, etc.You can also use their Go-pro option for $60 a year. It provides you extra perks like unlimited uploads and personal messaging.

3. deviantART

devianART is probably the most famous websites on this list. It is an online community showcasing various forms of user-made artwork. DeviantArt aims to provide a platform for any artist to exhibit and discuss pieces of work. The Works of artists are organized in a comprehensive category structure, including photography, digital art, traditional art, literature, etc. deviantART is totally free and enables you to build a strong fanbase. It also has a section called deviantART shop where you can sell your work.

4.Behance

Behance is a leading online platform to showcase and discover creative work. Introduced by Adobe in 2006 this website provides you with a platform to update your creative work in one place and broadcast it widely and efficiently. Through which companies explore the work and access talent on a global scale. Their Motto is: To empower the creative world to make ideas happen.

June 24, 2014
What to Expect From the New BlackBerry Z3

They haven’t announced it officially, but rumor has it that Blackberry Z3 will be launched in India tomorrow. Invites to a special event have been sent out to the Indian press for tomorrow, although they don’t mention any Z3 launch plans.

According to reports online, the new phone by BlackBerry was received well at its Indonesian launch a month back. The device has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset along with an ARM-based 1.2GHz dual core processor and an Adreno 305 GPU. It is also equipped with 1.5 GB of RAM and a 5-inch 540 x 960 pixel (220ppi) display.

BlackBerry’s Z3 is equipped with a 5-megapixel autofocus rear camera and a 1.1-megapixel fixed-focus front-facing camera. The smartphone includes 8GB of inbuilt storage, expandable up to 32GB via microSD card. Also it fashions a 2500mAh battery, which delivers up to 15.5 hours talk time. It provides connectivity options through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, GPS, NFC and Micro-USB.

The smartphone comes loaded with some BlackBerry services such as BlackBerry Hub, BBM, Time Shift, Story Maker camera features, and BB10 browser. BlackBerry had announced the Z3 touchscreen smartphone, alongside a Classic model with a keyboard, the Q20, at the sidelines of MWC.

The device is said to belong to the affordable price segment. According to us, it is quite crucial for the Z3 to have its price set in the budget category, against other budget-focused Android devices. Especially since the popularity of this particular segment has picked up considerable speed recently.

Its cost is 2,199,000 Indonesian rupiah, which when converted to Indian rupees comes to approximately Rs 11,000. Although we cannot expect that this is the final price of the handset in the country, it would hover around that mark. BlackBerry was once a market leader in India and has recently lost out due to the tough competition. Can this be the company’s attempt at a comeback?

June 24, 2014

The Android War : Gionee S5.5 Vs HTC Desire 816 Vs Sony Xperia M2 Vs Micromax Canvas Gold

Android market has come up with some of the best devices this season. The flagship Android segment has always been on war, and these four are in their most bloody mood. HTC Desire 816, Micromax Canvas Gold, Gionee S5.5 and Sony Xperia M2 are the front runner in the INR 20-25,000 category.

The international brands Sony and HTC have been challenged quite effectively by the domestic contenders Micromax and Gionee. Let’s have a quick blow by blow of where each phone bests its opponents.

Phone	Gionee S5.5	HTC Desire 816	Sony Xperia M2	Micromax Canvas Gold
Price	INR 21,500	INR 23,990	INR 19,300	INR 21,799
Operating System	Android (4.2)	Android (4.4)	Android (4.3)	Android(4.4.2)
Display	5 inches Screen Type: Super AMOLED Capacitive Touch Screen Details: 16M Colors Screen: 1920 X 1080	5.5 inches Screen Type: Super LCD2 Capacitive Touch Screen Details: 16M Colors Screen: 1280 X 720	4.8 inches Screen Type: TFT capacitive touchscreen Details: 16M Colors Screen: 960 X 540	5.50 inches Screen type Capacitive Resolution 1080×1920 pixels
Camera	13 MPTouch Focus, Face & Smile Detection	13 MP Geo-Tagging, Touch Focus, Face Detection, Simultaneous HD Video and Image Recording, HDR	8 MP Geo-Tagging, Touch Focus, Face and Smile Detection, Image Stabilization, HDR, Panorama	16 MP Architecture, Electronic Image Stabilization, Cheese, Burst, Face Beauty Mode, Live Photo Mode, Auto Gesture Mode, HDR Mode
CPU	1.7 GHz MediaTek MT6592, Octa-Core	1.6 GHz Qualcomm MSM8928 Snapdragon 400, Cortex-A7, Quad Core	1.2 GHz Qualcomm MSM8226-0 Snapdragon 400, Cortex-A7, Quad Core	2 GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6592T processor
RAM	2 GB	1.5 GB	1GB	2GB
Internal Storage	16 GB	8 GB	8 GB	32GB
Battery	2300 mAh, Non-Removable, Lithium-Ion	2600 mAh, Non-Removable, Lithium-Ion	Polymer 2300 mAh, Non-Removable, Lithium-Ion	Li-Polymer 2300 mAh, Removable, Lithium-Ion

All phones are the best their manufactures offer in this price category. Gionee certainly gets an extra point for its ultra slim S5.5, but Desire 816’s build quality steals the show. The new Micromax Gold offers a 16MP camera with a wide range of features it doesn’t have much competition against the 13MP in S5.5 and Desire 816; and the 8MP in Xepria M2. Also, the Micromax Gold champagne-colored body makes it a great looker, with 32 GB of internal storage and 2 GB RAM. In the end, the efficiency of the device is based on the needs of the user.

June 23, 2014

Apple Cuts $200 on its New iMac

It came as a surprise, when Apple launched new all-in-one iMac desktop computer.The new variant is slightly lower in price but with some significant changes in it’s build. The new 21.5-inch iMac is as slim as it’s older variants.

The $200-cheaper iMac is missing some of the regular iMac specs. The built of the cheaper iMac is 40 percent slower in performance when compared to Apple’s older lower-end desktop computer. It has a dual-core Intel Core i5 processor running at 1.4GHz, 8GB of RAM, and has a 500GB hard drive.

The new variant provides with non-upgradable 500gb hard drive against older variant’s 1TB and an Intel integrated GPU compared to high-end Intel graphics card in the old model. It does have the same 21.5-inch, 1080p screen and the same 8 GB of RAM. The RAM of the device is non-upgradable, but the hard drive can be upgraded for a price. A 1 TB drive is available for an extra $50, while $250 will buy either a 256 GB solid-state drive or a 1TB Fusion Drive, which combines a small SSD with a larger hard drive.

Apart from these changes, the computer’s internal parts have no major difference compared to the regular iMac. While others see it as a wise move for the iMac-maker to drive sales, the offered iMac 2014 specs are neither perfect for graphic design work, nor for gaming.

However, the new variant is good enough for casual home computing and a great option for those who want the Apple quality, design and software but at a lower price. This may ensure Apple’s intent to make its all-in-one desktop more affordable.

The late release of this cheaper model in the iMac product line stands in contrast with Apple’s usual strategy. The company often lowers the price of existing models as they age in order to continue to attract customers while the next year’s lineup is on the way. In April, Apple upgraded the processors in the MacBook Air, while simultaneously lowering the price by $100.

June 23, 2014
Top 5 Apps That Will Help You Adjust To a New City

Fresh out of college, moving to a new city and living alone for the first time? Well, it happens to most of us at some point of time in our lives. Moving to a city you are unfamiliar with can be super stressful. You know that the only way you are going to find your way around, stagger across the local hotspots, and make friends is to leave your home and attempt to embrace the city head on. Still, as nervous and excited as you may be, it does not take away the fear of getting lost, being alone, or totally missing out on things because you are not visiting the right places on the best days.

But, thanks to the modern technology, there are an abundance of apps that will do everything from guide you around the city to help you make dinner reservations or find a park with trails. You may even feel a little less “alone” while exploring when you have an app to reference. And yes, if you have Google Now or Siri, they won’t let you feel alone, at least you will have someone to talk to. We have come up with a list of 5 apps that will help you blend in and enjoy the stay when you relocate in a new city.

1. HopStop

This app is available for Android, iPhone, iPad, and Mobile Web. It has been named an essential by both “Travel” and “Time” magazine. HopStop gives you door-to-door directions, but unlike most apps that focus on driving directions, this one gives you a lot more. You can get biking, walking, and taxi directions in more than 300 cities. This will be your heartfelt companion while you’re stressed about the change in your life.

2. BrightNest

Whether you’re moving from your college hostel to your first apartment or you’re just looking for a fresh start, BrightNest has tons of home improvement and organization tips that will impress your guests. This app essentially helps create and maintain a customized to-do list for your home. BrightNest is especially handy for renters who are moving to an entirely new and unfamiliar city.

3. Around Me

Around me is a GPS-based app that will take your exact location and tell you everything that is close by. This app is a great way to find new restaurants, ATM machines, grocery stores, gas station, or anything for that matter. Especially when you are craving for your favorite donuts from Dunkin’s or M.O.D. It’ll tell you exactly the direction you need to be moving in.

4. Happy Houred

Well, how are you going to find out the right places to buy beer on a Friday night, if you don’t have any local friends in the city? Happy Houred does just this. It could take you months to discover which bar has the specials you are interested in on any given day. This app tells you where to find the best shot specials, cheaper brews, half-off pizza, and so much more. Happy Houred has listings for more than 22,000 cities and continuously adding on the list.

5. Fan Finder

It is the easiest way to make friends. Football season is going on, and we all want to cheer for our favorite team. The trick is figuring out exactly where you should do this. FanFinder from the iTunes store locates US sports bars where fans of your favorite team are watching the big game. It covers almost all, it has special sections for NHL, NFL, MLB, NBA, football and basketball.

June 23, 2014