Wearable technology is one of the more recent categories of the ever-growing gadget market. Fitness trackers have become more popular, especially amongst fitness fanatics and the health conscious alike. They can monitor everything from your exercise and diet,  to your overall body movement and sleep patterns. But with so many models and brands to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which one is for you. We’ve put together a simple overview of the top fitness trackers available and hopefully it will help you choose between the ones that just look good and those that will actually help you get fit and healthy.

The Polar Loop
I’ve chosen to start with this one because it is one of the few fitness trackers that is fully waterproof, so if you are looking for a device that can monitor your swimming activity, then this is an option for you. It also performs the same basic functions as any other tracker: monitoring sleep time, steps taken, activity time and levels, and calories burned. Priced at $99.95, it is good value for money, especially when you consider it displays the time, which some of the more expensive ones don’t.



When it comes to comfort the Polar Loop scores quite well and that’s probably because you have to cut it to size, resulting in a perfect fit for your wrist. The band connects to the accompanying software that can be downloaded from Polar’s website or you can opt for the iPhone app, which can be downloaded from the App Store.

Jawbone UP24
This funky looking fitness tracker is the newer version of the original Jawbone UP and offers useful data about your daily routine and a handy feature that enables you to scan food barcodes. It connects wirelessly to an iPhone or iPad but unfortunately doesn’t have a screen for displaying information on the device itself.


Once you have set up the app, the tracker is easy to use and packed with functionality. You can set it to send you alerts so that you can keep motivated and even enter the food you’ve eaten to work out your calorie intake. Priced at $149, it is one of the more expensive fitness trackers and it’s worth remembering that this model is not waterproof. But if you’re looking for a tracker that couples style with functionality, then this would be a good choice.

Fitbug Orb
This is one of the more recent releases and is becoming popular due to the fact that it is half the price of the FitBit Flex at $49.95. Again it tracks your steps taken, distanced travelled, calories burned and sleep. It can be worn in several ways; either on your wrist, attached to a belt or even around your neck thanks to the lanyard provided. As with the Jawbone UP24, there is no display, so if you want to  view your information, then you’ll need to download the accompanying app which is available for both iOS and Android.


The Fitbug Orb will set goals for you and you will receive regular emails giving you feature hints and progress reports. But if you like setting your own goals, unfortunately you can’t with this device.

FitBit One
This perhaps one of the best known fitness trackers (you may remember the FitBit Force was recalled due to complaints of skin irritation) and at $99.95 is a middle of the range model. Being small and lightweight, it is the ideal tracker if you are looking for something less bulky. You can view information via the device itself or receive more detailed data on your activities through the app or your FitBit account online. It syncs wirelessly with your smartphone and comes with a handy wireless dongle for connecting to your PC.

The downside of the One is that it can’t track biking or swimming activites but you can log these yourself through your FitBit account. Once you have reached goals and personal milestones, you will get “badges” that appear on your account. This is just one of the motivational features designed to keep you going with your fitness regime – and using your FitBit One of course!

Basis Carbon Steel Edition
The Basis Carbon Steel Edition looks more like a smartwatch than a fitness tracker and at a cost of $199, is one of the most expensive. The silicon strap has been designed to be more flexible and therefore more comfortable, while the tracker display is rather large.

It automatically detects when you are on the move and will start to record walking, running and cycling activity. If you stop, it stops tracking but resumes again once it detects you have restarted.  As well as telling you how long and how well you slept, Basis will explain what each phase of sleep means, why it’s important, how much time a person typically spends in each stage and what you should be aiming for.

Although there are some great features and it looks very cool, this could be too bulky for some.

If you have any recommendations for a fitness tracker, then please share them with us

As WhatsApp now has over half a billion active users per month, it is more than likely you use it or someone you know uses it.  WhatsApp is one of the more widely used cross platform instant messaging applications that is available on the market today.  The features are many and the interface is clean and crisp.  The app can allow users to chat one-on-one and also it can allow users to get together to form groups for a real-time chat service.

Along the way, WhatsApp’s users have asked for an option to mute certain groups and it appears as though WhatsApp has finally listened to demand.

The latest WhatsApp update for the Android platform has brought several different options to the table, which enables the ability to mute group conversations. The options with the app are quite intuitive as they provide several time frames that the group can be muted from.  This can range from a single day right the way through to one year!  There is even an option for the user to mute a group for a whole century!  This option is essentially a means for the user to block out and mute a group permanently.
.Another important addition that is worth mentioning is that WhatsApp for Android application now has the ability to hide notifications. This means that even if the group is muted, now the users’ handset will not display silent notifications like it did before. All you have to do is uncheck “show notifications” and users can completely silence any group they choose. Also, a camera icon has now been added next to the text input field.  This allows the user to rapidly take a photo and send it to anyone in their contacts.

WhatsApp for Android is available as a free download from the Google Play Store.

Do you use WhatsApp for Android? Do you like the new features?  As always, if you would like to leave a sensible comment, then please do so in the comments section below.

FastPictureViewer is an image viewer that has been specifically designed for photographers.  The software now has powerful workflow tools that help to automate file management duties such as copy, move, delete, save-for-web and others.

FastPictureViewer has the Fastest RAW viewer ever made.  Other outstanding features include: Instant zooming to 100% view, for quick sharpness checks.  RGB histogram, EXIF shooting data and Adobe XMP Rating/Label/Urgency instant display.  Instantaneous display of the next image in line.  Instant industry-standard Adobe XMP compatible rating and tagging.  Fast tethered shooting through MTP/PTP.  You can, for instance, tether a Nikon D3S or D3X in 64 bit, right now!

The software supports most common image formats, including Adobe DNG, plus specialists formats such as OpenEXR, DDS, PNM and more.  These are separately installable through downloadable image codecs.

In this, the latest 32-bit version of the software, the following changes had been made:
New {FileHash} variable available for renaming.
Supports MD5, SHA1, and SHA-256 hashing algorithms.
Include for example MD5 hashes in file names using the fastest hashing/renaming tool available!

You can download the latest version of FastPictureViewer at -click here

Firefox has had a tough time standing out among browsers -- Chrome gives you Google's ecosystem, while both Internet Explorer and Safari have the luxury of being system defaults. Why would you choose Mozilla's software over the others? As of today, customization may be the answer. The organization has just released the finished version of Firefox 29, a major overhaul that makes personalization easy on the desktop. Its new customization mode lets you put any feature or service in the toolbar or menu bar; if you just have to keep a Pinterest add-on available at all times, you can make it happen. It's quicker to customize your bookmarks, too.

The redesign minimizes clutter beyond just the new menu bar, with an overall slimmer design that hides tabs you're not using. Syncing between devices is also simpler -- whether you're using the browser on the desktop or an Android device, you now just have to sign in to get your open tabs, bookmarks and login details from other devices you use. There's no certainty that the Firefox makeover will tempt you away from competing web clients, but it may be time for another look if you haven't checked out Mozilla's work in a while.

Apple has quietly bumped up the specs of its MacBook Air range of laptops, while announcing price cuts for all models.

All MacBook Air variants are now powered by 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, compared to the 1.3GHz processor of the same family in the predecessors. All other specifications appear to be the same, in line with earlier reports.

While the price cuts offered in the US are $100 (approximately Rs. 6,000) on each of the models, the prices in India have been slashed by Rs. 2,000 for each variant.

The new prices of MacBook Air laptops in India are Rs. 65,900 for the 11-inch variant with 128GB storage (earlier Rs. 67,900), Rs. 79,900 for the 11-inch variant with 256GB storage (earlier Rs. 81,900), Rs. 72,900 for the 13-inch variant with 128GB storage (earlier Rs. 74,900), and Rs. 86,900 for the 13-inch variant with 256GB storage (earlier Rs. 88,900).

All models are now powered by 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache, alongside 4GB RAM, and boast dual-microphones and 802.11ac Wi-Fi. Two USB 3.0 ports and 1 Thunderbolt port are included in all variants, with the 13-inch MacBook Airs also coming with a SDXC card slot.

11-inch MacBook Air key specifications

• 11.6-inch 1366x768 display
• 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache
• Intel HD Graphics 5000
• 4GB RAM
• 128GB/ 256GB SSD storage
• 720p FaceTime HD camera
• Two USB 3.0 ports
• Thunderbolt port
• Wi-Fi 802.11ac, 802.11a/b/g/n compatible
• Bluetooth 4.0
• Backlit keyboard, multi-touch trackpad
• 9 hours battery life
• 1.08 kg

13-inch MacBook Air key specifications

• 13.3-inch 1440x900 display
• 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache
• Intel HD Graphics 5000
• 4GB RAM
• 128GB/ 256GB SSD storage
• 720p FaceTime HD camera
• Two USB 3.0 ports
• Thunderbolt port
• SDXC card slot
• Wi-Fi 802.11ac, 802.11a/b/g/n compatible
• Bluetooth 4.0
• Backlit keyboard, multi-touch trackpad
• 12 hours battery life
• 1.35 kg

At HTC One (M8) flagship's India launch, the company had announced that the smartphone will go on sale in the first week of May.
However, a week ahead of the May first week release, the HTC One (M8) is now available in retail stores across India (HTC has confirmed the same to NDTV Gadgets), and has also been listed for purchase at online retailers in the country.

Notably, the new flagship from HTC is also available on popular e-commerce website, Flipkart at a discounted price of Rs. 48,120.

The highlight of the HTC One (M8) is the dual rear camera setup that puts a 4-UltraPixel camera alongside a depth sensing camera, enabling cool things like refocusing images after they've been clicked, and other stuff. A 5-megapixel front camera is included as well. The phone packs a 2600mAh battery and supports Nano-SIM. The HTC One (M8) comes with a body that's '90 percent metal' and exudes the same premium feel as its predecessor, the HTC One.

The One (M8) runs Android 4.4.2 KitKat with the company's brand new Sense 6 UI on top, which HTC is calling the biggest upgrade since Sense debuted.

The phone is powered by a 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, alongside 2GB of RAM. The HTC One (M8) comes with a 5-inch full-HD display and will be available in 16GB and 32GB storage options, with support for expandable storage via microSD cards of up to 128GB capacity. It is available in Gunmetal Grey, Amber Gold, and Glacial Silver colour options. The phone comes with a 2600mAh battery.

HTC unveiled its One (M8), at an event in New York, and had also showcased the device in India at around the same time.

Earlier, HTC had also announced the budget Desire 210 Dual SIM and the mid-range Desire 816 for the Indian market priced at Rs. 8,700 and Rs. 23,990 respectively.

Flipkart, one of India's leading e-commerce websites, after rolling out guaranteed one-day shipping in select cities across the country in December, has now introduced a 'Same-day Guarantee' delivery service in select cities.
Flipkart's Same-day Guarantee can be availed by paying an additional Rs. 140 per item (special introductory offer, regular charge is Rs. 200) and is only available for orders placed before noon. The online retailer notes that the new same-day deliver guarantee is currently available in Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Noida, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Kolkata, Manesar, Navi Mumbai and Thane.

Notably, the new offer from Flipkart is a limited period offer and is valid only on orders placed between April 28 and April 30. The e-commerce site's faster delivery page notes that, "If Flipkart is not able to deliver the item in the guaranteed promise time, you get the product for free (up to Rs. 5,000) as part of our money-back guarantee."

Flipkart elaborates that the order placed under same-day guarantee would be delivered by 9pm on the date promised during checkout. Further, the e-commerce site confirms that if an order is not delivered on the promised date under the same-day guarantee scheme, the product value would be refunded to the customer's Flipkart Wallet within 24-hours of the order and is non-refundable. Users can redeem the product value (up to Rs. 5,000 maximum) for future shopping on Flipkart.

Those shopping on Flipkart to avail the 'Same-day Guarantee' must ensure to select the option during checkout.

Flipkart, following footsteps of Amazon, had launched the guaranteed one-day shipping in December last year. Customers placing their orders before 6pm have the option to get it delivered to their preferred address the next business day for an additional cost of Rs. 90 per item by selecting the 'In-a-day Guarantee' option during checkout.

It's worth mentioning that Amazon.in, Amazon's Indian online store, had launched the 'guaranteed one-day delivery' offer first for few select Indian cities, at an extra charge.

Snapdeal, following the lead of Amazon India and Flipkart, introduced its version of guaranteed same-day shipping, called 'Express Delivery' in January this year.

Microsoft at its annual Build developer conference unveiled Windows 8.1 Update, which brought a number tweaks and improvements for desktop and laptop users. While the Redmond giant might be busy promoting its recently released OS version, rumours about the next update have already started doing the rounds of the Internet.
Russian pirate group WZOR, first reported by Myce, has detailed some expected features in the rumoured Windows 8.2 version, alongside features in the similarly-rumoured Windows 9 version, as well as the new Google Chrome OS-styled Windows Cloud OS.

The leak tips Microsoft's shift to a more rapid release cycle, which hints that the rumoured Windows 8.2 version could be released by autumn this year.

WZOR claims that the autumn update for desktops and laptops would be on the lines of the Windows 8.1 Update, and may be called Windows 8.1 Update 2. However, the pirate group also speculates that the update could be released as Windows 8.2.
Further, WZOR (subscription required) suggests that the rumoured Windows 8.1 Update 2 or Windows 8.2 will feature the Start button that Microsoft showed off at its Build conference.

The rumoured Windows 9 version, on the other hand, is said to bring the next-generation of the Metro UI, though the Russian pirate group does not detail anything else about other features. In addition, WZOR claims that the alleged Windows 9 release might be a free one, though of course, there is no confirmation on this point.

Lastly, the pirate group suggests that Microsoft is working on a cloud OS, which is said to be in-line with Google's Chrome OS-style. The report notes that once the rumoured Windows cloud OS will be installed on a system; it will require an Internet connection for full functionality. However, the alleged Microsoft cloud OS could also work offline and would be similar to Microsoft's affordable OS, Windows Starter.

For those unaware, some of the biggest change in the Windows 8.1 Update is the focus on UI-optimisation for mouse and keyboard users. The Windows Store UI will also be made mouse-optimised, Microsoft revealed. The Redmond giant also introduced Universal Windows apps.

BlackBerry's much-anticipated Z3 smartphone is now up for pre-order in Indonesia. The Canadian company, however, has confirmed that the official unveiling of the Z3 is scheduled for May 13.
The BlackBerry Z3 is now available for pre-order at IDR 2,199,000, which translates to roughly Rs. 11,500. The Z3 is a limited edition model that according to BlackBerry will be made available to Indosat and XL customers for a limited period.

Notably, the Z3 features the 'Jakarta' inscription at the back, which commemorates the launch of the first BlackBerry smartphone manufactured exclusively for the Indonesia market.

Unfortunately, there is no word on the global rollout of the BlackBerry Z3 as of now. Crackberry first reported the pre-order listing.

It's worth mentioning that BlackBerry had announced the Z3 touchscreen smartphone, alongside a Classic model with a keyboard, the Q20, at the sidelines of MWC. The company had already revealed that the Z3 would be priced at under $200 and has been built under a partnership deal with FIH Mobile Ltd - the Hong Kong-listed unit of Taiwanese electronics giant, Foxconn.

The Z3 runs BlackBerry 10 OS (version 10.2.1) and features a 5-inch qHD (540x960 pixels) display offering an aspect ratio of 16:9. It is powered by a dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (MSM8230) processor alongside 1.5GB of RAM.

The Z3 sports a 5-megapixel autofocus rear camera and also houses a 1.1-megapixel fixed-focus front-facing camera. The smartphone includes 8GB of inbuilt storage, which can be expanded up to 32GB via microSD card. It packs a 2500mAh battery, which is rated to deliver up to 15.5 hours talk time and up to 384 hours of standby time. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, GPS, NFC and Micro-USB.

The BlackBerry Z3 smartphone also comes preloaded with some BlackBerry services such as BlackBerry Hub, BBM, Time Shift, Story Maker camera features, and BB10 browser.

John Chen, Executive Chairman and CEO at BlackBerry, said in a press note, "The BlackBerry Z3 was designed with our Indonesian customers in mind, to keep them productive and connected with family, friends and co-workers while on the move. Embodying all that BlackBerry 10 offers, the BlackBerry Z3 has a stylish, modern, all-touch design with exceptional productivity features and reliable communications."

Smartphones have evolved to such extent that they have become part of our daily lives. Gone are the days when phones were merely used for talking or messaging. With changing times & innovation in technology, these phones have become powerful, bigger & better. But with more power, bigger display & better performance the longevity of these smartphones has gone down considerably. Feature phones with their limited usage used to long last but as mentioned, modern day smartphones are not only used for basic purpose but also for tons of office work, mailing, chatting & most importantly gaming. All this features consume a chunk of juice form the battery of smartphones. We all wish to have a smartphone that can last more than a day with ease. No doubt the market is full of choices but then picking the right smartphone with a great battery is something not many can do. This article contains top 5 premium smartphones with great battery life. Premium phones pack quality hardware hence give greater output & with sizable batteries, these can take you through a day of heavy use with ease –
Nokia Lumia 1520

Nokia is no more a mug in the smartphone segment. After a series of flops, the Finnish company is climbing up rapidly with its Lumia series. The first Full HD phablet from Nokia, Lumia 1520 is a powerful beast capable of delivering non-stop even in the most demanding times. A powerful & mammoth 3400 mAh battery drives this beautiful phablet. With such an enormous battery pack, the device can last for more than a day with utmost ease. It gives a whopping talk time of up to 27 hours (2G) & up to 25 hours (3G) which is commendable. Apart from that, this device also packs a powerful Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2.2GHz quad-core which makes it fast, very fast. There is gigantic 6 inch full HD screen with 20 MP main camera & 1.2 MP of front cam. It comes with 2GB RAM and 16GB onboard memory with expandable option.

HTC One Max

HTC surprised the world by its ‘One’ series. HTC One Max is another form the series just a touch bigger & better. It’s a masterpiece in its own rights. HTC One Max packs a powerful 3300 mAh Li-Po battery. Now that’s more like it with its 5.9 inch Super LCD screen & Full HD display. It can last for more than a day from normal to heavy usage. It can perform non-stop with a talk time of up to 25 hours. Apart from that juice pack, it also packs quad core Snapdragon 600 processor with 2GB RAM. The UltraPixel camera of 4 MP does a great job specially when used outdoors. Available in 16GB/32GB versions, it is expandable up to 64 GB. Great features, display & amazing power back up, HTC One Max made it to the 2nd in our list

Samsung Galaxy Note 3

If there is one company whose shares have seen meteoric rise in the last couple of years then it surely Samsung. The South Korean giant’s Note 3 is a great device on many accounts. The beautiful phablet is build to perform. Whether it’s your usual business or entertainment, its humongous 3200 mAh battery will not let you down. It can deliver up to 21 hours of talk time with ease. It’s not only the longevity that makes it a special & adored device. Note 3 comprises of one of the best hardware’s in the market. It packs a gorgeous 5.7-inch Super AMOLED screen with Full HD. The display is one of the best in phablet category. There is also a 13 MP main camera with powerful LED flash & 2 MP front camera is also present for selfies. This phablet is powered by powerful 1.9GHz octa core processor with 3GB RAM. It comes in 16/32/64 GB variants with additional microSD slot for further expansion.

Sony Xperia Z1

Sony made a comeback of sorts with its Xperia Z series & the results are there for all to see. Xperia Z1 is a compact phone. It packs an enormous 3000 mAh battery. Sony promised & Xperia Z1 delivers on all the accounts. A powerful camera, awesome music & Full HD display, this phone passes the battery test with flying colors. With up to 13 hours 50 min (2G) & up to 15 hours (3G) talk time, Z1 is a winner. This powerful device is powered by a quad core Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2.2 GHz. There is 2 GB RAM for multitasking. Packed with powerful 20.7 MP of main camera, Z1 is a photographer’s delight. The front is equipped with 2 MP camera. The phone comes with 16 GB of internal memory & is expandable up to 64 GB.

LG G2

A phone that’s one of its kinds be its unique control button placements or the gorgeous edge to edge 5.2 inch Full HD display. LG G2 ticks all the boxes. It’s no slouch in the battery department either. This device packs a 3000 mAh non removable battery. It lasts longer than many others in its category. It gives up to 16 hours 30 min (2G) & up to 17 hours 30 min (3G) talk time. Apart from one of the most beautiful life like display, the phone also packs powerful hardware to back it up. It is powered by a qua core Snapdragon 800 processor with each core clocked at 2.26 GHz. There is 13 MP camera which is equipped with Optical Image Stabilization. It can record full HD videos at 60fps. A 2.1 MP front cam is also present. All the above phones are capable of making it to any list in but my personal pick will be Note 3 & Xperia Z1. Reason, Note 3 is a delight to operate while Z1 packs one of the best cameras around. And it’s worth mentioning that Z1 is waterproof & dust resistant. These are few features that amuse me. But as I said earlier, all are good & when piped against each other, all will come out winners is varying accounts. That’s what makes this list interesting.

Nokia said Friday it has completed the 5.44 billion-euro ($7.5 billion) sale of its troubled cellphone and services division to Microsoft Corp., ending a chapter in the former world leading cellphone maker's history that began with paper making in 1865.
The closure of the deal, which includes a license to a portfolio of Nokia patents to Microsoft Corp., follows delays in global regulatory approvals, and ends the production of mobile phones by the Finnish company, which had led the field for more than a decade, peaking with a 40-percent global market share in 2008.

Nokia said the total transaction price would be "slightly higher" than when it was originally announced on September 3, 2013 because of adjustments made for net working capital and cash earnings. The deal was to have closed during the first quarter but was held up because of delays in regulatory approvals worldwide.

The company will now focus on networks, mapping services and technology development and licenses, and said it will give more details of the deal and future plans when it releases first-quarter earnings on April 29 - the last report to include the ailing devices and services division.

"The new Nokia can now go forward and concentrate on its remaining assets," said Neil Mawston from Strategy Analytics, near London. "It has one of the best IPR (intellectual property rights) assets in the entire industry and it has good mapping services."

Nokia said two plants will remain outside the deal - a manufacturing unit in Chennai, India, subject to an asset freeze by Indian tax authorities, and the Masan plant in South Korea, which it plans to shut down. The adjustments have no impact on the deal and Nokia "will be materially compensated for any retained liabilities," the company said.

Microsoft said it will acquire some 25,000 Nokia employees in 50 countries. More than 4,000 in Finland will transfer to Microsoft and the Nokia headquarters in Espoo, near the Finnish capital, Helsinki, will be taken over by the U.S. giant.

Former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop will serve as executive vice president of the Microsoft Devices Unit, which will include Nokia's former Lumia smartphones and tablets, Microsoft said.

Nokia Corp.'s share price was up more than 1.5 percent at 5.37 euros in afternoon trading in Helsinki.

Samsung is known for launching its flagship Galaxy smartphones in new avatars and variants. Following the tradition, the South Korean giant has confirmed that its flagship Galaxy S5 is coming in a Crystal Edition with Swarovski Crystal.
Samsung Mobile Korea has posted a video on YouTube that teases the upcoming Galaxy S5 Crystal Edition smartphone. The video does not reveal much about the new Galaxy S5 variant; though it confirms that the rear panel will be featuring crystals from Swarovski. The video also confirms that the Galaxy S5 Crystal Edition smartphone is launching in May.

However, there is no word whether the May release for the Galaxy S5 variant is for the Korean market only, or also intended for a global release
The biggest new features being touted on the Galaxy S5 by Samsung include a fingerprint scanner on the home button, a heart rate sensor placed near the 16-megapixel camera, and the IP67 certification that makes it dust and water-resistant. As of now, there is no word whether the Galaxy S5 Crystal Edition will come with such features. The smartphone also features a new design in terms of the back panel now being perforated, and available with four colours at launch, and optional designer back panels.

Samsung's new projector phone and successor to the Galaxy Beam, the Galaxy Beam 2 has been listed on the company's China site. However, the South Korean giant has not revealed its availability or pricing details.
Notably, Samsung's first projector phone, the Galaxy Beam, didn't make much of an impact in the smartphone market. The Galaxy Beam was announced at Rs. 29,900 for the Indian market in July 2012.

The Galaxy Beam 2 comes with built-in mini projector, the highlight of the device and also sports a metallic design. The Galaxy Beam 2 is a single SIM device and is expected to go on sale in China via the China Mobile network. It runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean out-of-the-box and comes with a 4.66-inch (480x800 pixels) WVGA display.



Samsung's latest projector smartphone is powered by 1.2GHz quad-core (unspecified chipset) processor. The official listing does not provide details about the RAM or inbuilt storage, though it does reveal the Galaxy Beam 2 supports expandable storage via microSD card (up to 64GB).

The smartphone sports a 5-megapixel autofocus rear camera and also includes a 0.3-megapixel front-facing camera. On the connectivity front, the Galaxy Beam 2 includes 3G, Wi-Fi, Micro-USB, AGPS, GLONASS and Bluetooth options. The Galaxy Beam 2 packs a 2600mAh battery. It measures 134.5x70x11.64mm and weighs 165 grams.

We have already seen the first alleged glimpse of Amazon's upcoming smartphone's prototype - one of the two rumoured devices that the online retail giant is said to have been working on for more than a year.
Now, a new leak tips that the alleged Amazon smartphone, much like the company's Kindle tablet range, will run a highly customised Android OS and will also support tilt gestures for interacting with various apps.

BGR, citing some of its sources, claims that the alleged Amazon smartphone will make use of a combination of cameras, sensors and software for interacting with the device. Further, the report notes that the combination will make use of a number of 3D effects on the Amazon smartphone.

As reported earlier, the prototype high-end model of the rumoured Amazon smartphone is said to sport a total of six cameras: one at the rear, one at the top-front panel, while four are placed on four corners on the front. The report also suggested that the four camera units are low-power infrared cameras that would work with other sensors on the Amazon smartphone for the 3D effects on the screen.

BGR also claims that the Internet retailer will introduce new gesture controls on its first smartphone, such as tilt in different directions while the device is being used to display additional details on the display without even touching the screen.

The report further details some of the gesture functions in the yet-to-be-named Amazon smartphone, like if a user performs tilt gesture after searching a place in the maps app, Yelp ratings will appear for various results on the searched place's map.

Another tilt gesture function is said to be used in Amazon's video store, which is likely to show IMDb ratings on top of movie thumbnails.

In addition, apart from sensors and multiple gesture functions, the alleged Amazon smartphone is said to come with optical character recognition (OCR) and other technology which will automatically recognise text and convert it to a digital note if a user captures image of signs and other real-life objects with printed text using the device's primary rear camera.

In 2011, Lytro Inc dazzled the consumer gadget world when it introduced a pocket flashlight-sized gizmo that could take "living" pictures - images that could be refocused after the shutter clicked.
On Tuesday, the Silicon Valley company unveiled a bigger, more expensive camera designed to make a "do-over" a reality instead of a photographer's dream.

The Lytro Illum, priced at $1,599, is marketed as a legitimate tool for commercial photographers and advanced amateurs who want to differentiate their work in an age of Instagram and "commodotized imaging," Lytro founder Ren Ng said.

The original camera, which was priced at $399, was mostly a niche product that sought to prove the viability of light-field photography. Lytro has declined to provide sales figures for that model.

Ng said it made the most sense for his company to target the $20 billion high-end camera market due to the growing ubiquity of smartphones. His cameras share many components, such as sensors, with high-powered digital single-lens reflex cameras, known as DSLRs.

Like its predecessor featuring the ability to "focus after you shoot," the Illum captures the three-dimensional data in light rays. The technology lets the user adjust the plane of focus or slightly tilt or shift perspective after the shot.

Unlike the original Lytro camera, however, the Illum resembles a traditional DSLR, featuring a 30- to 250-mm equivalent F/2 lens, a 1-inch sensor and a sleek black body with a shutter button, SD memory cards and a 4-inch touchscreen display. Its sensor captures 40 "megarays," but the still images have the equivalent resolution of roughly 4 megapixels, Ng said.

Ng, who founded the company in 2006 after pursuing light-field imaging research as a Stanford University graduate student, has become its chief evangelist, promoting light-field pictures as "photography 3.0" to succeed film and traditional digital images.

"It's targeted to creative pioneers, the people who embraced color technology when it came out, when many people felt photography was about black and white," Ng said in an interview,

adding that he believes "this transition from digital to light-field" technology will transform photography.

The basic technology, known as plenoptic photography, has been around for more than a century. But for decades, the field lacked the computational algorithms to process the images in new and useful ways. In 2004, Ng and his Stanford computer graphics team demonstrated that light-field cameras with high-powered graphics processors could have mass-market appeal by letting users refocus images.

Lytro's computational software gives the Illum the ability to digitally correct optical aberrations inside the camera - to a certain extent solving flaws that have plagued lens designs for hundreds of years.

Although Lytro remains one of the leaders in the consumer sector of the budding light-field photography industry, the privately held company faces mounting competition.

Mitsubishi and various research organizations have advanced light-field research in industrial applications. Pelican Imaging, a Mountain View, California-based startup in which Nokia Oyj has invested, has said it would release a plenoptic camera in a smartphone sometime this year.

If you watch a lot of movies on your laptop, then you should consider investing in a HDMI cable so that you can plug it into the TV screen and watch from your couch or bed, instead of hunching over the laptop. That's the basic concept behind a Home Theatre PC as well - a small form factor computer that you connect to your display, often running a specialised software like XBMC with which you can display your video collection and easily watch things.

In both cases, you could get up and go to the machine every time you wanted to load a new video, or start a playlist, but that's a fairly cumbersome solution. Instead, you could do what this reporter did, and buy a small wireless keyboard which you can keep with you. These keyboards aren't really ideal for typing a lot, but you can do things like type in a URL, or navigate through a menu fairly easily. Most of these come with an integrated trackpad/ trackball so you can easily control the mouse pointer as well.

Here are our picks, in no particular order.
1. Lenovo N5902
This keyboard (Rs. 5,050) (pictured top) is designed with ergonomics in mind - it's a neat little mini-keyboard with a handle to the back so you can hold it like a remote when you're just using it as a mouse. Integrated in the handle is a touch panel that works like a scroll-wheel, and there's a small optical trackball (like in a BlackBerry) just under the keys.

The keyboards has a full key layout, with some shortcuts like a CTRL-ALT-DEL key - don't worry, you can't press it by accident, it needs to be held along with the Fn button which is on the other side of the keyboard.

It's incredibly comfortable to use as a mouse, and the keyboard itself feels pretty solid as well. There are backlit keys so you can turn off the lights and enjoy your movie, and the keys themselves are a little bigger than those on a BlackBerry, so you can type without too much trouble.
In case you are on a budget, you can try the Lenovo N5901 (Rs. 1,489) - it has a physical trackball instead of an optical one, and it doesn't have backlit keys, but it's otherwise more or less the same keyboard, and a lot cheaper too.

2. Amkette Wi-Key


In case you want something a little bigger - maybe you want to be able to deal with any last minute work without having to get back to your laptop - then the Amkette Wi-Key (Rs. 1,954) is a pretty good option.

The Wi-Key is a large keyboard - it's slightly bigger than Apple's wireless keyboard, and doesn't feel particularly premium, but at that price, it's not too bad, particularly when you consider that Amkette has integrated a trackpad and mouse buttons under the keys. It's better suited for HTPC use than for taking with you when you travel because of the added size though.

3. Logitech Dinovo touchpad controller


This keyboard (Rs. 5,259) comes in a clamshell design, but the upper cover is just that, a cover, and serves no practical function. The Dinovo is a sturdy little device, but it has a couple of disadvantages when compared to the Lenovo 5902. For one thing, the keys are a little smaller, and have a little less travel, which feels uncomfortable for long use. Secondly, the design places the trackpad at the top right corner of the keyboard, which makes using it with just one hand a little uncomfortable. However, the clamshell design means that the keys are protected when it is not in use, and it feels like you can afford to leave it lying around in the house instead of having to stow it away carefully.

4. Microsoft Arc Keyboard


The Arc keyboard (Rs. 2,750) and mouse (sold separately) are both actually pretty impressive, but if you're running any decent media manager like XBMC, you should be able to manage with just the keyboard. It's a small keyboard which fits snugly in your lap, has a gentle curve somehow which makes typing a breeze and if you need to use that laptop for more than just movie watching, then this is the best keyboard on the list. On the other hand, if you're using the laptop for anything other than movies and browsing, then you should probably keep it next to you and not under the TV.

5. Perixx Periboard 717

We haven't used this particular keyboard (Rs. 4,674) extensively, but have tried it out once. Based on that limited experience, it seemed like a good keyboard that was overshadowed by the only slightly more expensive options from Logitech and Lenovo.

The Perixx actually looks remarkably similar to an old BlackBerry handset, with a near identical keyboard layout. On the top edge is a row of media controls, which work with XBMC, and instead of a screen, you've got a large touchpad. The touchpad does seem better than that of the Logitech Dinovo, but on the other hand, the Periboard felt a lot flimsier. It also looks really boxy and ugly, unlike the relatively stylish alternatives.

6. Cideko Wireless Air Keyboard and Gyro Mouse

This keyboard (Rs. 6,368) has a name that's quite a mouthful and a high price as well, but there are a few things going for it. For one, this is the only keyboard where the keys are not spaced in a rectangular grid, but are laid out at a slight angle, like a real keyboard. They're also not snug against each other but have a little space, which makes it easier to type.

On the flip side, this is possibly the thickest keyboard. That does give it a good grip, but hurts what is supposed to be the standout feature of the keyboard - that it is an air mouse. Instead of using a trackpad, you just wave the keyboard up and down to move the mouse on the screen. The technology is pretty good, but it gets tiring fast.

There is one more feature that is really great though - the keyboard comes with a 3.5mm jack that you can plug your earphones into (just like the Roku remote). This means that you don't have to invest in a wireless headset, if you're watching something and don't want to disturb others. This feature is not commonly available, but might not be worth the extra price.

Micromax, expanding its Canvas Doodle phablet line-up in India, has launched the Canvas Doodle 3 at Rs. 8,500. The domestic handset maker has announced that the Canvas Doodle 3 will be available starting Friday.
The company also says the Canvas Doodle 3 will come preloaded with a BigFlix subscription that offers 6 months of unlimited movies.

The Canvas Doodle 3 features a 6-inch display, the highlight of the device at this price, offering a FWVGA (480x854 pixels) resolution. It runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean out-of-the-box.

A dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) phablet, the Canvas Doodle 3 is powered by a 1.3GHz dual-core MediaTek (MT6572) processor alongside 512MB of RAM.

It sports a 5-megapixel autofocus rear camera and also houses a 0.3-megapixel front-facing camera. There is 4GB of built-in storage on the Canvas Doodle 3, which is further expandable up to 32GB with the help of a microSD card. The Canvas Doodle 3 offers 3G support apart from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, EDGE/ GPRS, GPS/ A-GPS and Micro-USB connectivity options.

Micromax's Canvas Doodle 3 features a 2500mAh battery that is rated to deliver up to 9 hours of talk time and 260 hours of standby time.

Other preloaded apps on the Canvas Doodle 3 include M! Live, M! Doodle, BigFlix, Get It, Games (marbles, Rope Cut, Jelly jumper), Kingsoft Office and Opera Mini.

Notably, the Micromax Canvas Doodle 3 has now been listed on the company's site as well, and is the successor to the Canvas Doodle 2 launched in August last year.

Commenting on the launch, Shubhodip Pal, CMO Micromax said, "At Micromax, we have always aimed to offer something new and different with every product launch with affordable innovation being our core DNA. The Canvas Doodle 3 further reinforces our commitment to empower our consumers with larger screen to help them express their imagination in a more creative way like never before. This is complemented by an entire ecosystem of applications."

iOS 7.1.1 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch is now available as a free download over-the-air on iOS 7 devices, as well as via iTunes.

The update brings improvements to Touch ID fingerprint recognition on the iPhone 5s, patches a bug that could impact keyboard responsiveness, and also fixes an issue when using Bluetooth keyboards with VoiceOver enabled.

If you are using an iPhone 4 or later, iPod touch (5th generation) or later, iPad 2 or later, running iOS 5 or later, iOS 7.1 should be available as an over-the-air update for your device. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and iOS will automatically check for available updates. According to Apple, available updates download automatically if your device is connected to Wi-Fi and a power source. Tap Download to download the update and after the download has completed tap Install to update your iOS.

If you leave the update to download in the background, once the download has finished you will receive a notification saying an update is available for your device. Tapping Details will take you to Settings > General > Software Update. Tap Install Now to install the iOS update. If you decide to leave the installation for later Settings will display notification badge until the update has been installed.

Alternatively, you can install the update via iTunes by following the instructions at this page.

We strongly recommend you back up your iOS device to iCloud or with iTunes before installing any iOS updates.

The multi-platform instant messaging app WhatsApp has been growing steadily, and these days it's just as common to hear someone say, "WhatsApp the address to me", as it used to be to hear phrases like "Facebook me" and "Google it".

In a blog post on Tuesday WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum wrote that WhatsApp has crossed 500 million users, adding 50 million since February, when the company's acquisition by Facebook was announced.

"In the last few months, we've grown fastest in countries like Brazil, India, Mexico, and Russia," Koum wrote. In an interview given to Re/Code, Koum went into a little more detail. He told Re/Code that WhatsApp now has 48 million active users in India alone, its single largest country. Koum noted that this number is about half the number of Facebook's active users in India. The company has arranged deals with carriers to offer unlimited WhatsApp data usage for less than Rs. 20 per month.

(Also see: RCOM starts offering unlimited WhatsApp for Rs. 16 per month)

Many Asian markets, including India, have a glut of messaging apps available. In India for example, companies like WeChat, Hike, and Line have been making inroads with strong visibility through TV advertising.

However, in the interview, Koum dismissed the competition. According to Re/Code, Koum pointed out that his competitors have had trouble making inroads in WhatsApp strongholds like India and Spain, despite splashy and costly efforts. "There's not enough money and not enough celebrities in the world to convince people to use a shitty product. People are so savvy these days. People expect a good user experience."

An interesting metric that Koum shared is how the users see WhatsApp as a multimedia platform - he writes, "[...] our users are also sharing more than 700 million photos and 100 million videos every single day." Those numbers rival Facebook's and help highlight why Mark Zuckerberg paid a big amount to acquire WhatsApp.

The deal with Facebook did not go off without any hitches - it was initially halted by US regulators; and it was believed that there might be similar issues in India too. The company however received US approval earlier this month.

In March, fellow Facebook acquisition Instagram crossed 200 million users, and started to integrate more Facebook related features such as Facebook Places integration. For now at least, WhatsApp will not add too many new features, Koum told Re/Code. "I worry about how to offer a competitive set of features without making the UI difficult, the user experience worse, the application bloated," he said. "These screens are small. There's a limited amount of memory and bandwidth. It's just all about focus."

Apart from confirming the price and availability of the HTC One (M8) smartphone, the Taiwanese smartphone maker has also introduced new budget smartphone HTC Desire 210 Dual SIM and mid-range HTC Desire 816.
The HTC Desire 210 Dual SIM has been officially announced at Rs. 8,700 and will be available by April end, while the HTC Desire 816 will be available at Rs. 23,990 "within two weeks."

The HTC Desire 210 Dual SIM runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean with company's Sense UI on top. It comes with a 4-inch WVGA (480x800 pixels) display. As the name suggests, it is a dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) device and supports one Micro-SIM and another regular SIM size.

It is powered by a 1GHz dual-core MediaTek (MT6572M) processor alongside 512MB of RAM. The Desire 210 Dual SIM sports 5-megapixel rear camera, while also houses a 0.3-megapixel front-facing camera.

The smartphone offers 4GB of inbuilt storage, which can be expanded up to 32GB via microSD card. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, EDGE/GPRS and 3G. The phone is backed by a 1300mAh battery.

The HTC Desire 816, on the other hand, comes with a 5.5-inch HD (720x1280 pixel) display and is powered by a 1.6GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, alongside 1.5GB of RAM. It includes 8GB of inbuilt storage with support for microSD cards up to 128GB.

There's no word on the Android version on the HTC Desire 816, though HTC did confirm the presence of a brand new HTC Sense 5.5 UI on top. It sports a 13-megapixel f/2.2 rear and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera.
Notably, HTC announced the mid-range Desire smartphone, the Desire 816 at the sidelines of MWC, alongside the HTC Desire 610.

Commenting on the launch of the Desire 210 Dual SIM, Jack Yang, President, HTC South Asia said, "It is a phone that everyone will want, with amazing technology at the entry-level market space. This latest HTC Desire range combines, fast dual-core processor speeds, premium features at a affordable price offering for users with the best experience at this category."

Sony, expanding its mid-range Xperia smartphone line-up has, now launched the Xperia M2 Dual at Rs. 21,990. The Japanese handset maker has announced that the Xperia M2 Dual will be hitting market shelves starting Friday.
The Sony Xperia M2 Dual is the dual-SIM variant of the Sony Xperia M2, which was announced at MWC.

The Xperia M2 Dual, as the name suggests, is a dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) phone with dual active support, which means that users can keep both SIMs active and never miss a call, even when talking on one of them. Other specifications remain identical to the single SIM variant, the Xperia M2.

Both smartphones feature a 4.8-inch qHD (540x960 pixels) display, and are powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor (MSM8226) coupled with an Adreno 305 GPU and 1GB of RAM.

The Xperia M2 Dual features 8GB of built-in storage, with microSD card expansion up to 32GB. The 8-megapixel rear camera on the Xperia M2 has 'auto scene' recognition and HDR, while other camera features include Timeshift burst, picture effect and social live. It also sports a 0.3-megapixel front-facing camera.

It packs a 2300mAh battery that is rated to deliver talk time up to 14 hours, standby time up to 693 hours, and is available in three colours - Black, White and Purple. Connectivity options include 3G (HSPA+), GPS/AGPS, GLONASS, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, Wi-Fi, DLNA, and Micro-USB.

Earlier, Sony started rolling out a firmware update for Sony Xperia Z phones running Android 4.4.2 KitKat, namely the Sony Xperia Z1, Sony Xperia Z Ultra, and Sony Xperia Z1 Compact.

Prior to this, the Sony Xperia T2 Ultra Dual was officially launched in India at Rs. 25,990.

Nokia and Microsoft have sent a joint email to Nokia account holders talking about the process of data transfer between the two entities.

The email says that with the sale of Nokia's sale of its Devices & Services business to Microsoft - expected to be completed this month, the email reiterates - a Microsoft Finnish affiliate named Microsoft Mobile will assume "responsibility for your personal data and the contractual relationships for the products and services related to this business." The email adds that customers "should experience no difference as a result of the sale."

While the name of the entity will be changed to Microsoft Mobile, Microsoft is likely to continue using the Nokia as the consumer-facing brand, having licensed it from the Finnish company earlier.

"Microsoft has also agreed to a 10-year license arrangement with Nokia to use the Nokia brand on current and subsequently developed mobile phones based on the Series 30 and Series 40 operating systems," Nokia had said soon after announcing the sale of its Devices & Services business to Microsoft.

After the completion of the deal, Nokia will be left with its telecom equipment (NSN), location (HERE) and patent development businesses, would have the right to continue and maintain the Nokia brand, except for certain period as per the agreement.

After the closing of the deal "Nokia would be restricted from licensing the Nokia brand for use in connection with mobile device sales for 30 months and from using the Nokia brand on Nokia's own mobile devices until December 31, 2015,".

Smartphones have come a long way over the years. They have progressively become better at each and every feature they carry, whether you're talking about audio quality, high-end graphics, or touch-screen responsiveness, and this has also made them pretty interesting gaming machines.

Users buy smartphones based on features that suit their needs. An audiophile will look for the best sound performance, and a movie buff will pick the phone with the best screen. This reporter wants a better gaming experience in his hands.
But there's still room for improvement in our phones, and that's why there are plenty of gamers who aren't satisfied with the experience of playing on our phones. If you are tired of watching those tiny characters under your thumbs while playing a game, then buying the right smartphone gaming accessory can make a big difference.
We looked at some affordable, yet eye-catching, smartphone accessories that aim to revamp the gaming experience for gamers. We looked at not just gamepads but extras like headphones and battery chargers, because there's more to the experience than just buttons.

Controllers
Touchscreens are great, and some really unique games have come up with these new control schemes in mind. But when you want to play an old school game - there's nothing better than a controller you can hold. Here are our picks.


Logitech Powershell Gaming Controller + Battery for iPhone
Logitech, a firm better known for its PC mouse and keyboard accessories, launched its Logitech Powershell Gaming Controller a while ago. The device costs around Rs. 6,300 online and aside from delivering a superior gaming experience, it also acts as an extended battery for the smartphone, delivering an extra 1500mAh (almost the same as the iPhone 5s whose battery is 1570mAh).
Logitech is using Apple's new Bluetooth protocol, and this gamepad can only be used with the iPhone 5 onwards, and the iPod Touch 5th generation.
The Logitech Powershell Gaming Controller looks like a stretched version of an iPhone 5/5s, or a squarer version of Sony PSP. While one side includes the navigation keys, the other side comes with different 'X', 'Y', 'B' and 'A' function keys. The iOS device (iPhone 5/5s or iPod Touch 5th Generation) is placed in between acting as the screen, and connects to the gamepad using the lightning port.

The gamepad also includes a 3.5mm headphone slot so you can connect your headphones without removing the controller. One can even make a call and access other functionalities of the smartphone like listening to music or snapping images, lock/unlock the phone and more, all while keeping the gamepad installed.


MOGA Pro Controller for Android 2.3+
MOGA is a brand that this reporter believes most gamers should be aware of thanks to the MOGA Pro Controller for Android 2.3+. While the Logitech Powershell is iOS only, Android users can try the MOGA Pro Controller, which easily justifies the price tag it comes with.
Costing around Rs. 3,700, the MOGA Pro Controller for Android is a console-type controller, with a flexible smartphone stand that you use to attach your phone horizontally on top of the controller.
The stand can accommodate devices with up to 3.2-inches width. For reference, a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is 3.12 inches wide, while a Micromax Canvas 4 is 2.87 inches wide.
The controller looks like the Microsoft Xbox One controller, and looks comfortable for long gaming sessions and gives a better hold, thanks to its rubberized grip. Besides a comfortable grip and buttons, the MOGA Pro Controller is also wire free as it connects to smartphones via Bluetooth; and not only smartphones but tablets also. A tablet stand comes included with the device package.

Talking about the batteries, the MOGA Pro Controller for Android comes with internal rechargeable batteries and can be charged via a USB connection. The controller can however prove to be a drawback for those smartphones which run on Android OS versions lesser than 2.3 Gingerbread.
Also, while one could carry the Logitech Powershell Controller literally everywhere as it is truly portable it would be a bit difficult to carry the MOGA Pro Controller because of its bulky design.



Skullcandy S6HSDZ-072 Hesh 2.0 Headphone
Skullcandy is known for its funky youth-oriented designed headphones and also for its top-of-the-class audio quality. The Skullcandy S6HSDZ-072 Hesh 2.0 is one over-the-ear headphone, which this reporter recently got his hands on. The Hesh 2.0 starts with Rs. 2,900 delivering audio quality that is worth its price tag.
The headphone's white-colored modern looking design is one of its appealing features. The Skullcandy Hesh 2.0 headphone comes with a circumaural design that keeps the ears covered from all the sides, preventing any sound leaks. The soft leather touch ear pillows let users keep all the gunshot sounds, racing car noises and other gaming audio levels to themselves. The only downside is that this is a wired headset, and not a wireless one.
Besides delivering natural vocals, precision highs, good acoustics along with a total harmonic distortion (THD) of 0.1 percent, the Hesh 2.0 weighs around 180 grams, which makes it really easy to carry around. The headphones also come with a pouch made of soft silky material. The white-colored pouch however gets dirty quicker than you may assume.

The Skullcandy Hesh 2.0 headphones are worth a shot for the price tag it carries unless the user wants to go for a cheaper yet equally good option that has been discussed below.




JBL Tempo In-the-ear J01R Headphone
JBL is an American electronics company famous for its audio speakers and headsets. The JBL Tempo J01R, unlike Skullcandy Hesh 2.0, is an in-the-ear designed headphone that simply rocks this reporter's eardrums with its powerful audio levels.

Carrying a price tag of around Rs. 1,500, the JBL Tempo J01R looks like any other in-the-ear headphone, but flaunts a very thin rubber wire that clubs with the smartphones via a common 3.5mm gold-plated jack, making it light, durable and attractive. On a personal note, this reporter has been using this from several months now, and it still delivers a perfect balance between the treble and base levels.

JBL's audio sensitivity is slightly lower than Skullcandy's Hesh 2.0 however, one gets an additional ear buds with different sizes, something which Hesh 2.0 package lacks. The headphones also have two more variants in the market that carry almost the same features and style - JBL J01B Tempo and JBL J01W Tempo in-the-ear headphones. The base levels delivered by the headphone is top-of-the-class and moreover the soft rubber ear buds helps gamers to keep playing for hours without any unwanted pain or irritation.

Besides Skullcandy and JBL, there are a wide range of headphones which can prove to be a good smartphone gaming accessory, however the aforementioned ones are what gamers can find the most suitable without shelling out much cash.


Portable Smartphone Battery Charger - iBall PC2204 Power Bank
These days the smartphone batteries drain quicker than anything else when it runs the latest HD graphics - enabled games along with the fine detailed audio. As a solution, iBall, an Indian-based IT and electronics firm, has its iBall PC2204 Power Bank portable battery charger that aims to give an extended battery life, keeping the gamers engaged for longer time.

Priced around Rs. 1,050, the iBall PC2204 Power Bank is a sleek profiled bar-like metallic device that comes with a 2200mAh Lithium-Ion battery, the capacity found in many top-end smartphones these days. The portable battery charger has a microUSB and a miniUSB slot in it and comes with 500 battery life cycles.

Besides sporting an LED indicator, this portable charger can support a number of devices under major brands like Samsung, Nokia, Motorola and Micromax. The charger also comes with a support for MP3 and MP4 players, portable speakers and Bluetooth headsets.

Google at its first-ever Ara Developers' Conference, being held from 15 April to 16 April, showed off new modular smartphone designs and revealed more details about its first modular smartphone.

Mashable quotes Project Ara chief Paul Eremenko who said that two more developer conferences are scheduled for this year in July and September. Eremenko revealed that the first Project Ara modular smartphone can be expected to ship next January.

Further, Eremenko added that by the end of this year, ahead of the launch of modular phones, Google will be rolling out an update for Android that will add support for Ara's modular components.

Eremenko confirmed that the first modular phone will be a generic device dubbed 'gray phone', something we heard back in February, and will be available for developers for $50.

The report says the Project Ara team also showed off the Ara Configurator, which is a tool for customising each module of the phone. Users would have the privilege of designing their own modular phone.

Google announced the dates of its first Ara Developers' Conference in February and is notably, live streaming the event.

Earlier, Google ahead of the Ara Developers' Conference, released the Project Ara Module Developers Kit (MDK). The released MDK version 0.10 covered guidelines for developers for designing Project Ara smartphones, creating valid module dimensions, components and layout for power pads.

For those unaware, the Project Ara design scheme comprises of what Google calls an endoskeleton (endo) and modules. The endo is the structural frame that holds all the modules in place, while a module can be anything, from a new application processor to a new display or keyboard, an extra battery, a pulse oximeter or some other customisable hardware unit.

Prior to this, Google gave the world its first glimpse of the Project Ara modular prototype smartphone at the 'Launch' event in San Francisco.

ZTE, expanding its LTE smartphone line-up, has launched the Star 1 in China. The smartphone has been priced at CNY 1399 (Rs. 13,500 approximately). As of now, there is no word from the company whether the ZTE Star 1 will be released globally.
The LTE-enabled smartphone runs Android 4.4.2 KitKat out-of-the-box and supports single SIM (GSM) functionality. The ZTE Star 1 is powered by a 1.6GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (MSM8928) processor with 1GB of RAM. It features a 5-inch full-HD (1080x1920) IPS display.

The ZTE Star 1 sports an 8-megapixel rear camera with dual LED flash and BIS (back-illuminated sensor). It comes with a 5-megapixel front-facing camera.
The smartphone comes in 16GB and 32GB inbuilt storage variants, with no word on expandable storage. The Star 1 smartphone packs a 2300mAh battery and will be available in three colour variants black, pink, and white.
Apart from LTE network support, connectivity options on the ZTE Star 1 include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS/ AGPS and 3G.

Earlier, ZTE announced the Grand S II smartphone, which was first unveiled at CES this year. The ZTE Grand S II comes with a 5.5-inch full-HD display and runs Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. The smartphone is powered by a quad-core 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 chipset alongside 2GB of RAM. There is a 13-megapixel rear camera, while the front houses a 2-megapixel camera. The ZTE Grand S II comes with 16GB inbuilt storage and packs a 3000mAh battery.

The phone also in an 'exclusive' ZTE Grand S II variant, which features 3GB of RAM and comes with 32GB inbuilt storage, while also sporting a leather case. Rest of the specifications of the exclusive version remains identical to the Grand S II.

Reliance Industries Ltd said on Friday that it has stepped up efforts to start 4G telecom services in the country.

"We have also accelerated efforts to roll out our state-of-the-art 4G services across the country which will add an exciting new dimension to our consumer-facing service offerings," RIL Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani said in a statement.

Officials of Reliance Jio Infocomm (RJIL), its telecom arm, claim to have achieved broadband speeds on its networks that are 10-12 times faster than 3G services. The company has been running trials, including phone and TV services, on its 4G network.

RJIL holds pan-India broadband wireless access spectrum that can be used for 4G services. Besides, it won airwaves in the 1800MHz band, widely known as 2G spectrum, that is also being used for 4G services worldwide.
The company will use both the 4G technologies to provide services.
"RJIL plans to provide seamless 4G services using FDD-LTE on 1800MHz and TDD-LTE on 2300MHz through an integrated ecosystem," the statement said.
RJIL is the first telecom operator in the country to get a unified license for all 22 service areas in India. The unified license, which it received in October, will allow RJIL to offer all telecom services, including voice telephony During the year, RJIL entered into telecom infrastructure sharing arrangements with Reliance Communications, Bharti

Airtel, Bharti Infratel and Viom Networks.
In April 2013, RJIL and Bharti Airtel signed an accord under which Bharti will provide data capacity on a submarine cable that will enable Reliance Jio to extend its network and service reach to customers across the Asia Pacific region, the statement said.
The company is working with Department of Telecom and other operators to rearrange airwave frequencies that it won in the February auction to enable it to provide services more efficiently.

A report this week in The Wall Street Journal that Amazon is planning to release a smartphone has prompted industry analysts and technology blogs to muse about what the device might offer.

Amazon hasn't confirmed that it has plans for a smartphone. Introducing such a device would be tough in a crowded market dominated by Apple and Samsung. Even so, innovations like the Kindle Fire and Prime membership program demonstrate that the online retailing giant has a knack for using its massive size and marketing budget to capitalize on gaps in the marketplace.

Some unconfirmed reports say the phone could have a 3D interface and multiple front-facing cameras.
Here's a look at five features technology experts believe Amazon might include on its smartphone.

1. 3D shopping
A 3D interface doesn't require special glasses could have a lot of uses. For example, when you're shopping online, you could pull up a 3D image of sneakers or a jacket and see all of the features easier, suggests Bill Menezes, principal research analyst at Gartner. Another possibility: you could scan your living room to make a 3D rendering. Then, when you're out furniture shopping, take a picture and digitally insert the product into the rendering to see if it fits.
"You could see 'Oh that's how that purple couch looks in the bedroom, I think I'll buy it,' and you avoid buyer's remorse," says Ramon Llamas, research manager of research firm IDC's mobile phones team.

2. Enhanced games
Amazon is rapidly expanding into the gaming arena with its Amazon Game Studio and video game offerings on its new streaming device, Amazon Fire TV.
"A phone could be a way to help them potentially push more on the game front," says CRT Capital analyst Neil Doshi.
The phone's purported 3D interface could be a way to offer a more robust gaming experience.

3. Seamless grocery shopping
Amazon has been testing a Wi-Fi wand called Amazon Dash that simplifies barcode scanning. Such capabilities could be included in the Amazon phone to improve on current barcode scanning apps. Combine that with Amazon's same-day grocery service Amazon Fresh, currently in testing in Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco, and grocery shopping could be drastically simplified. Rather than dragging a shopping cart through aisles -or even scrolling through a list of products online- a quick wave of the phone in your pantry could have all your groceries at your doorstep within hours.
"It's an opportunity to continue to tie users into the Amazon ecosystem," Doshi says.

4. Free streaming video
IDC's Llamas suggests one of the phone's selling points could be a free ad-supported version of Amazon's current instant Video service, which is included in the $99-per-year Prime membership. The hypothetical service could be viewed on the phone, a Kindle or on Amazon's Fire TV but not elsewhere like Xbox or Roku, he says, which could be a selling point for the phone.

5. Competitive pricing
Menezes at Gartner speculates that the phone could be offered on different price tiers. One tier could be a one-time payment for the phone that offers Amazon's apps and services but a limited number of other features. A higher price tier could feature a monthly bill and a phone with more bells and whistles.

It's difficult to be competitive on price in the cutthroat phone market. But as Amazon has shown with its tablets, the company is willing to deliver high-quality hardware at a loss in order to undercut competitors like Apple and put its devices in the hands of people who will use them to buy Amazon's goods and services.

Microsoft Corp has sold over 5 million Xbox One video game consoles to retailers since its launch in November, the company said on Thursday.
In January, the U.S. software company said Xbox One sales had crossed three million as of the end of 2013.

The console went on sale on Nov. 22 in 13 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, a week before rival Sony Corp's PlayStation 4 was released. To fire up sales, Microsoft last month began offering a $450 bundle that included the console and the exclusive shooter game "Titanfall" from Electronic Arts Inc.

Sony Corp said on Wednesday it sold more than 7 million PlayStation 4 videogame consoles in just over four months to April 6, double the number of the older version, PlayStation 3, sold in about the same time frame after its launch.

Sony is struggling to keep pace with demand for the videogame console, the Japanese company said in a statement.

"Although we are still facing difficulties keeping up with the strong demand worldwide, we remain steadfast in our commitment to meet the needs of our customers," Andrew House, president and group chief executive officer of Sony Computer Entertainment, said in the statement.

Sales have outpaced those of PlayStation 3, which sold 3.5 million units between its launch in November 2006 and the end of March 2007, a Sony spokeswoman said.
The $399 PlayStation 4 went on sale on Nov. 29 in the United States, Western Europe and Latin America, around the same time that rival Microsoft Corp's Xbox One was released.

PlayStation 4 software sales - retail and digital - totalled 20.5 million copies worldwide by April 13, Sony said in the statement.

Gamers can expect to have a choice of 120 PlayStation 4 titles in 2014, including "Destiny" from Activision Blizzard Inc and "NBA 2K15" from Take-Two Interactive Software Inc, according to the statement.

The concept of smartphones may not be that old, but yet it seen a lot of miles with more and more users choosing from feature phones to smartphones. And with that massive change in mind, the Indian domestic market has seen the inflow of a host of different vendors from all parts of the globe in recent times. However, keeping aside the likes of Apple and Samsung for the time being, let's concentrate a bit on the numerous Indian and Chinese vendors that have also entered the race to offer a healthy competition to all other major players. And two such companies are Gionee and Micromax.

Micromax's new flagship, Canvas Knight A350, has already entered the Indian market with a host of nifty specs and new design. One of the highlights of the device is its octa-core processor, which is also a first from Micromax. However, with the arrival of the new Knight, the device is now in level playing field against the Gionee ELife E7 mini with both the devices armed with an octa-core processor and falling under similar price bracket. But who takes the cake in this new fight between the Gionee Elife E7 Mini and the Micromax Canvas Knight? We take a closer look at the specs comparison for both the devices.

Operating Systems
In terms of the operating systems that have been offered for both the devices, there's not much to choose from since both the devices arrive running the Google-based Android platform. And as expected, both the devices come running on Android version 4.2.2 Jelly Bean.
Display and Dimensions 
The Gionee Elife E7 Mini sports a 4.7-inch IGZO capacitive touch screen, while rendering 720 x 1280 pixels resolution. Also, the device's overall dimensions measure up to 139.8 x 66.2 x 8.6 mm. The Micromax-made Canvas Knight A350, comparatively, comes with a slightly greater 5-inch, although an IPS LCD, capacitive touch screen, while also rendering 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution.
Camera 
The Gionee Elife E7 Mini, in terms of camera, offers a 13-megapixel primary rotating camera, sporting a pixel resolution of 4160 x 3120 pixels, with autofocus and LED flash. The device doesn't come with a secondary camera though as the rotating lens serves that purpose. The Micromax-made Canvas Knight A350, on the other hand, sports a slightly greater 16-megapixel primary camera, sporting a pixel resolution of 3456 x 4608 pixels, with autofocus and LED flash. The device also has a greater secondary 8-megapixel camera on board that will be more than just a camera that sits in the front of the phone.
 Processing Power 
As far as the in-device horsepowers are concerned, both the devices offer dedicated hardware specifications that are capable of powering the devices efficiently. And moreover, it's the power of the octa-core. While the Gionee Elife E7 Mini is equipped with a octa core 1.7 GHz processor, its Micromax counterpart powers up the Canvas Knight A350 via a greater 2 GHz octa core Cortex A7 processor and Mali 450MP4 chipset. Storage and RAM
 The Gionee Elife E7 Mini offers 1GB of RAM to users while offering the device in a 16 GB internal memory variant. However, sadly enough, there's no option to expand the device's memory as an external microSD slot for additional memory is missing. The Micromax-made Canvas Knight A350, on the other hand, offers the same 2GB of RAM while offering the device in a much greater 32 GB internal memory variant. But similar to the Gionee handset, there's no option to expand the device's memory since Micromax decided against offering any external microSD slot.
Battery 
While the Gionee Elife E7 Mini juices up the Jelly Bean-powered device via a 2200 mAh battery, the Micromax Canvas Knight A350 comes sporting a somewhat decent yet non-removable slightly greater 2350 mAh battery. Price The Gionee Elife E7 Mini has been currently priced at Rs 18,249 for aspiring customers, while the Micromax Canvas Knight A350 has been priced at Rs. 24,999.
Verdict
If you have already noticed carefully enough, you will know that there's not really a big difference between both the handsets. In fact, you will be nearly surprised as to how close they are in terms of specs and comparison. However, if the Gionee device is to climb above its Micromax conuterpart, it will only be possible via its new age rotating camera (something we have already seen in the Oppo N1). But if that's out of the way, Micromax may have the overall advantage with its greater RAM, more space and big battery.

Facebook on Thursday began rolling out a feature allowing users of its mobile app to use smartphone location to discover friends near them.

The optional "nearby friends" feature "helps you discover which friends are nearby or on the go," said product manager Andrea Vaccari in a blog announcement.

"If you turn on Nearby Friends, you'll occasionally be notified when friends are nearby, so you can get in touch with them and meet up," Vaccari said.

"For example, when you're headed to the movies, Nearby Friends will let you know if friends are nearby so you can see the movie together or meet up afterward."

With the feature, Facebook takes a page from other location-based services including the network Foursquare, numerous dating apps and the recently launched social network aggregator SocialRadar.

With the Facebook feature, Vaccari said, "You can choose who can see if you're nearby (for example: your friends, close friends, or a specific friends list) and you can turn it on and off at any time."

He added that the location sharing must be mutual: "You and your friends both have to turn on Nearby Friends and choose to share with each other to see when you're nearby. Your friends will only be able to see that you're nearby if you share this info with them and vice versa."

Facebook will also allow users to share a precise location with the particular friends for a set period of time.

"When you share your precise location, the friend you choose will see exactly where you are on a map, which helps you find each other," said Vaccari.

Facebook had an estimated 1.23 billion users at the end of December, and more than one billion who use the social network on a mobile device.

The "nearby friends" feature will be available for Android and iPhone users in the United States over the coming weeks.