For the past few years BlackBerry has managed to hang around in the market with their production cycle going on an all-time low. The company’s last handset was the Leap which was an expensive deal and didn’t manage to grab any attention. However, according to a well known source on Twitter, BlackBerry might be preparing to launch a flagship device very soon and surprisingly it will not be running on BB OS. The BlackBerry Venice could come in as the first ever device from the company that will run on Android and will also boast some high-end features. The handset is said to feature a curved 5.4-inch QHD (2560x1440) display and will have a slider form factor with a full QWERTY keyboard, something that BlackBerry fans can’t live without. Other features point to a 16MP rear camera, a 5MP front camera, 3GB of RAM, and a hexa-core CPU by Qualcomm. The Venice might not be the only one as there is a possibility that the company might be launching more than just one Android based handset. This news comes from the same source and suggests that another device looking similar to the BlackBerry Passport could see the light of day. BlackBerry couldnt manage to catch up to Android, iOS or Windows Phone even after tweaking their mobile system to support Android apps last year. The company’s 43% US market share in the year 2010 has now slipped to just 1.5% and it is similar around the global market. It seems that experimenting with the new mobile system is another attempt from the company to regain its loyalty among its fans. This move could turn out to be a wise choice as Android is statistically the most used mobile operating system and moving to it might improve BlackBerry’s dwindling sales. Having said that, BlackBerry is still one of the top makers of secure and high reliability software for industrial applications and mobile device management. If thecompany can manage to provide a seamless integration of all its services and software along with the Android ecosystem, it could be a win-win situation for BlackBerry. Not to mention, Google could definitely use BlackBerry’s proprietary software to improve certain features on Android.
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With Nokia SimplicityNokia — yes, the old loved Nokia — has a launcher on the Google Play Store meant to make life on an Android phone easier and quicker. The Z Launcher is light and easy for a total novice to use. Basically it takes over your home screens, reduces them, and puts frequently-used apps on two of those home screens. No fuss, no frills.It learns what you use and presents those apps for easy access. But, if you want to find a specific app quickly, you can just draw the alphabet with which its name begins on the screen. A W will get you Whatsapp and anything else with that alphabet, for example. Those who are new to Android take a while getting used to things, and this is just the sort of app that makes onboarding unintimidating.Countdown To WhateverIf you're constantly losing track of everything and then getting a big shock when it’s almost time, try out LifeTicker Pro, an app for reminders with a twist. You have to be an iPhone user and pay Rs 60 for the privilege. Only you can decide whether that’s worth it to you. Life Ticker works with countdowns. For whatever you want, birthdays, anniversary, upcoming vacations, a party, a visit, or work related deadlines, you can set the lot to a countdown. You can set years, days, weeks, hours, minutes etc., and get customised notifications. As usual, you can share on Facebook, Twitter, email etc, in the unlikely event that you should want to. You can add photos — what can be done without photos after all — to pretty up the reminders and keep you looking at the app.When The World ShakesIt's startling when you realise just how many earthquakes happen on our planet every single day. With the recent devastating quake in Nepal and India, this most unpredictable of natural disasters is top-of-mind. Well, you’ll be surprised at just how many earthquake related apps there are. One on iOS that goes by the simple name of Earthquake is a no nonsense app which gives you as-it-happens status of earthquakes everywhere. Knowing your location, you can opt to see seismic activity around you. While the average person may not want to dwell on earthquakes, anyone whose work involves geology, emergency services or any other related field will find information like this useful. The pro version will also enable push notifications while the regular version may be more appropriate for geo-enthusiasts.(This story was published in BW | Businessworld Issue Dated 27-07-2015)
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Usually i'm more than happy when a gadget goes back to its company. One less thing to look after. But saying goodbye to the LG G4 was an exception. I know I’m going to miss this phone which very quickly began to feel like it was mine and which is somehow just plain comfortable to use — for a big phone. While there’s nothing groundbreaking about it, using the G4 makes you realise there doesn’t always have to be. It’s a nice mix of everything, and that should be enough for most.The first thing that stands out on the G4 is its leather back — if you have that version and not the metallic looking one. I’d highly recommend the leather, stitched down the middle and very good looking. I had the tan, but there are changeable backs. The back panel opens up to let you add the SIM and memory card. Without the leather back, the G4 will look unremarkable. There’s a case that covers the front in addition to duplicating the back panel.The G4 is ever so slightly curved, which makes it a better face-fit. It’s pretty comfortable to hold. You have the signature LG buttons for power, volume and even camera trigger on the back and these are quite natural to use just where they are, except that you’ll likely use the knock-knock feature on the screen to wake up the device. There are patterns you can set to security-protect your phone from anyone who tries to pry. Actually, you can also lock down photos and files, even individual ones. Those can be separately code-protected.I rather like LG’s formulas for their screens. I found the G4’s “soothing,” and that’s saying something, considering I use a device practically all waking hours. It’s fine, has realistic colours and is generally easy on the eye while still being crisp and bright. Some reviewers in the US report unresponsiveness on the screen — possibly a software issue — but I didn’t encounter that at all. CHECK OUTXOLO CHROMEBOOKIf you’re in the happy situation of having 24/7 connectivity to the Internet and not a whole lot to do, you could make do with a Chromebook. I say make do because the Chromebook, Google’s bare-bones laptop is just the very basics of working online. Of course, in some enterprises where the work is specifically just online and say, on a website, a Chromebook is just what the doctor ordered, helping to keep costs low and altogether avoid Microsoft’s Windows and other software.You live a Google life, working on Google Docs, and use the Chrome browser and other Google services. At one time, Chromebooks cost too much and gave too little — but with budget versions out, a company can consider these for specific use cases. But life is not all work and no play on this Chromebook — you can use Android apps and games using the browser.The Xolo Chromebook, one of three, Google just launched in India, is a tidy no-nonsense laptop with an 11.6-inch non-touch display. The screen is adequately bright. The keyboard is pretty nice as well. It's gently stylised and not focused on looks. It’s 1.15kg and boots up at top speed and uses a 1.8GHz Rockchip 3288 with 2GB of RAM. You mostly store things online but there’s a storage card of varying capacities you can use. Battery life is 10 hours. There are two USB ports, but these are 2.0, not the newer 3.0. You do have good speakers, a headphones jack and a camera. The Xolo Chromebook costs Rs 12,999 and is available online at Amazon and Snapdeal.Well, you need a great screen to do justice to the camera. In this case, a 16 megapixel shooter that makes this one of the most recommended phones if you’re into phone photography. You have control over white balance, ISO, exposure, etc., and yet the app is simple and intuitive. You can flip to the 8MP front camera with a swipe. The optics are powerful and the images are really good and can even be saved as RAW files. You have optical image stabilisation as well. Low light images are fine, but not special. LG uses its own CSS flash technology which adapts to the environment — sometimes with passable results and sometimes not.The G4 has a powerful processor and an interface that doesn’t get in the way, so its performance is smooth. Incidentally, the Sony Xperia Z4 and HTC One M9 sport the 810 Snapdragon while Samsung uses its own. The LG skin, on top of Android Lollipop, doesn’t appeal to all, but it’s not problematic. There are specific widgets, such as a wordy weather one that annoys some people, and easy multi-tasking if you want it. It just doesn’t have any special features that pop out at you — but then Samsung was criticised for just the opposite: putting in too many features and making it all complicated. The G4 has useful capabilities while at the same time not being overwhelming.Peculiarly, I couldn’t find where to select certain mobile network settings. The battery wasn’t stellar and while I found it to be adequate for moderate use, reviewers have reported having to charge the device twice a day.Overall, the G4 is a well-equipped phone with all necessary tools. The camera stands out as good and there’s no shortage of processing power. However, it does not have any blow-you-over software features. (This story was published in BW | Businessworld Issue Dated 27-07-2015)
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The selfie craze has been going on for quite a while and according to the American Psychiatric Association (APA) taking selfies is a mental disorder. You may or may not like taking selfies, but this mental disorder might just become the newest security method for consumers to approve online payments as MasterCardis said to be working on a mobile app that requires users to use their smartphone’s camera take a selfie to make secure payments.The new software is being tested by the company and will basically scan the user’s face from the selfie, to confirm the identity to authorise payments. This new method is an upgrade to the ‘SecureCode’ password system for online payments and the company hopes by adding the two methods they will reduce password theft. Talking to CNN, Ajay Bhalla, President, Enterprise Safety and Security at MasterCard, believes that passwords can be a pain and forgetful, the new generation is into selfies and they will love it and embrace it.Facial recognition might not be the best or the most secure way as there are ways by which one can bypass this system. To address this issue, MasterCard will be using a system where the face scanner will require the user to blink to confirm that the person is actually real at not just a picture. Apart from facial recognition, the application will also be able to use the smartphone camera to identify a customer’s fingerprint. Even this method does not sound very promising as there could be concerns as to how efficient the scanning of fingerprints via a camera will be when compared to traditional hardware based fingerprint scanners.Using biometrics to confirm one’s identity definitely seems very fascinating, but there are a plenty of security concerns before they could be implemented in our daily lives. It is the initial phase and hopefully in a couple of years, software developers will make biometric verification safe and secure.
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3D imagery of buildings and terrain of India's major cities, including Rashtrapati Bhavan and PMO, could soon be seen in Google Earth with the government contemplating to give permission for uploading pictures of the country's metropolitan areas. Home Ministry officials recently held a meeting with representatives of Google and the issue was discussed threadbare. "Discussions are on and we are planning to give permission to Google to put 3D imagery of Indian metropolitan areas in Google Earth," a Home Ministry official said. If permission is given, apart from Rashtrapati Bhavan and Prime Minister's Office, which is located in South Block, 3D imagery of other sensitive buildings like North Block, Prime Minister's residence, headquarters of Army, Air Force, Navy could also also be seen in Google Earth. United States, the United Kingdom, China and many countries in the world have already given permission to put 3D imagery of their respective metropolitan areas. Google Earth is a very popular geolocation software. In Google Earth 7, the latest version, one can see complete 3D representations of buildings and terrain throughout metropolitan areas. 3D imagery provides an immersive experience as one can explore, just like the view when someone is flying over the city. As it is zoomed in, buildings and terrain will start to appear in 3D. Once you can see the buildings, pan, zoom, tilt and rotate to explore the 3D environment. Anyone can view 3D imagery by using Google Earth 7 on the devices like Android - any dual core device running Gingerbread (Android version 2.3) or greater iOS - an iPad 2, iPad 3, or iPhone 4S. (PTI)
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Housing.com was in news again on Monday (6 July) and again for wrong reasons. The site was down for sometime after being hacked and the twitter world was aflame with rumours about who had done it. Many pointed a finger at Rahul Yadav. Sreeraag Gorty @gortysreeraag said I am guessing #rahulYadav is behind it.. Who else knows the glitches btr than #ceo himself :PCS @chin80 said If the man himself is doing all this, it's really, very sad. #housingdownScoopWhoop said Website @Housing just got #hacked. Twice! And it says #RahulYadav all over: http://bit.ly/1G2GQe5 #housingdownThe hacker defaced the homepage of the company, which showed a mathematical equation and a number of hashtags.The website is back up and running now, but this incident has left the company and its investors red-faced.Yadav's frequent fracas with investors and media have not gone down well now after being unceremoniously booted out of the company he had built, he appears to be a loose canon. Nobody should be condemned as a criminal till proved but social media has already held him guilty in trial by tweets.As for the man himself, he denied any wrong doing and said in a tweet "I would have DESIGNED it better. #NotInvolved #LoveYouTechteamThe maverick ex-CEO and co-founder Rahul Yadav recently exited the company after a lot of controversy and while the company was dealing with bad publicity, the company’s website got hacked and supported Rahul Yadav.
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Light from digital devices trick the brain into thinking it isn’t really nighttime at all, and this disrupts the natural sleep-wake cycle, in the long term, impacting sleep architectureOne thing’s for sure: I’m in trouble. My eyes are barely open in the morning when I’m squinting at my phone, checking out mail, reading the news, canning messages and dismissing the notifications that plague my life. And late in the night, my phone slips out of my hand to one side as I reluctantly stop reading my ebook. Let’s not count the hours in between because, in brief, they amount to most of the day.Unsurprising then that I should find I suffer from eye strain and dryness. But that’s not all. The “blue light” from screens can and does harm the eyes.Blue light apparently reaches deep into the eye and causes damage to the retina maybe even speeding up age-related macular degeneration.That’s if lack of sleep doesn’t kill you first. Enough studies now show that screen-staring, specially close to bedtime, will affect the quality of sleep you get. The first thing you could do is to blink more. In fact there are even apps that remind you to look away from the screen and take a break. There’s the famous 20-20-20 format where you look away every 20 minutes at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. It sounds easy enough, but we soon tire of this and try ever persuading kids to look away from their screens for a break – they don’t even consciously experience the strain and yet, the damage to their eyes so early in life is frightening. Forget games, they sometimes have to do homework online. Mala BhargavaNor can one afford to ignore the impact of blue light on REM sleep. You may not feel it over a day or two, but consistent depletion of this most important phase of sleep in turn affects overall health. Light from digital devices trick the brain into thinking it isn’t really nighttime at all, and this disrupts the natural sleep-wake cycle, in the long term, impacting sleep architecture. A study by the AMA (American Medical Association) in 2012 recognized that exposure to blue light at night can disrupt sleep and exacerbate sleep disorders, specially in children and adolescents. Dim red lighting in the room is recommended to counteract the blue light somewhat.One would think manufacturers of electronic equipment would do something about it, but while enough work goes into protecting the screen, little or nothing is done to protect the user. Dhruvin Patel, optometry student, decided he should change this and invented a screen protector which can block up to 50 percent of the blue light. His product, Ocushield, actually helps reduce eyestrain and get better sleep. Patel developed Ocushield while he was at City University in the UK, winning a modest sum of funding for the product after a competition and later at Vision Express.From January this year, Ocushield is available for sale online. It’s manufactured in Hong Kong from where it’s quality controlled and sent out to distributors. It’s a film that’s a cut out and it fits onto a screen. “You don’t really notice a difference in coloration,” says Patel, “There’s no change in image clarity. “ Currently, Patel is getting Ocushield to hospitals and doctors, which he believes will establish the credibility of the product. The next step will be to get Ocushield to corporate and mobile companies. In the near future, if mobile makers take it up, we could look forward to at least some reduction in the damage to our eyes and claim back some of that sleep lost to digital devices. Meanwhile, if you can’t wait, head to http://ocushield.com.
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Twitter is the latest social networking site to enter the e-commerce space; it announced the testing of its new Product Pages, which will have information about products such as images and videos along with a description, price, and an option to buy, book, or visit the website for more information.Twitter has now joined other social media networks such as Google, Pinterest and Instagram that have recently come up with shopping features for users. Earlier, Instagram launched its call-to-action button that allows users to shop for products or install apps from a post directly. Pinterest too launched buyable pins, while Google launched a buy button on YouTube videos.In an official blog, Twitter says, “We’ll show you images and a description right above the Tweets that are most timely and relevant to you. These may be Tweets from accounts you follow, relevant news updates, or popular content about the [product].”Besides this, Twitter is also testing ways for people and brands to share Twitter collections of products and places. Users will be able to browse collections from influencers they follow and get more information about products or places they find interesting.Twitter is undergoing a leadership change at the moment as its CEO Dick Costolo is stepping down from the company effective 1 July 2015. The company has appointed its co-founder, Jack Dorsey (also co-founder of Square), as an Interim CEO till the board searches for a new candidate. Illustration by Champak BhattacharjeeBRAND BUZZHelp At HandSocial media management dashboard Hootsuite has launched Suggestions for mobile, a standalone iOS app that makes discovering, scheduling and sharing content on social media easier. The app allows users to obtain a real-time feed of suggested content that correlates with their interests; easily select relevant articles, which reduces the time spent searching for content or news; share content on any selected social network; and auto schedule to post content at the optimal time to reach followers.DIG THE DATAYoung & LoyalAccording to a Convince and Convert report, 66 per cent of Americans in the age group 18-24 are more loyal to the brands they follow on social media, while the same was true of only 39 per cent Americans aged 55 and older. It appears that brand enthusiasm, as reflected by social media engagement, dulls progressively in older generations.Brevity Is VirtueStatistics show that Tweets with around 110 characters (instead of the Twitter limit of 140) get a significantly higher number of re-tweets. Basically, re-tweets are easier with shorter posts; plus, followers needn’t edit tweets in order to add their own caveat when re-tweeting.LEADERDavid Cameron@David_Cameron Prime Minister, UK“We must end Labour’s welfare merry-go-round and aim for a higher wage, lower tax and lower welfare society.”Kaushik Basu@Kaushikcbasu Chief economist, World Bank“If the US protected its auto industry from global competition in the 80s/90s it would have a larger auto industry today and a smaller economy.”(This story was published in BW | Businessworld Issue Dated 27-07-2015)
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