Sejda: Easily Manipulate PDF Files From Your Browser

PDF files are great. They allow you to make beautiful documents that do a lot more than just a simple Word document. However, manipulating a PDF after its initial creation is not as easy it could be. But with Sejda, you can manipulate PDF documents with no software to download and no registration required. It doesn’t get much easier.

With Sejda, you can split PDF files by selected pages, even and odd pages or every single page. You can also split the files by bookmarks, if the file has bookmarks in it. If you need to separate a PDF file, this is the easiest way to do it. In addition, you also merge multiple PDF documents. This allows you to take a bunch of small files and make one large PDF.

Another cool option is creating an alternate mix. This allows you to combine two PDF documents and have it alternate pages from them. It’s a cool option if you need such a thing. The last thing you can do is rotate a PDF document.

The developers are working on a lot more features, and they should be implemented soon. You will be able to crop, extract pages, extract text and lot more.

Features:

• Work with PDF files in your browser.
• Split PDFs with a slew of parameters.
• Merge multiple PDF documents.
• Create an alternate mix.
• Rotate your documents.

Find Sejda @ sejda.com

New iMacs launch today, to reach authorised resellers in 20 days

It was recently reported that the new iMacs would be going on sale in India from today; however, several sources have informed us that this was highly unlikely and the minimum time it will take to land on Indian shelves is 20 days.

We have spoken to our sources and they have stated that though Apple may have announced it, the waiting period is usually a month minimum. The products are expected to launch in India on the same day as the US, but the stocks usually come here later. This has been a trend since the last few years. And this is applicable only to the Macs, and not other iOS devices. When Apple announces iOS devices and provides a launch date, the products launch on that date itself.

If one is hoping to get their hands on the new iMacs through official channels, then the wait is a bit longer.

As per the announcement, Apple stated that the all-new iMac would be available on Friday, November 30. The 21.5-inch iMac will be available through select Apple Authorized Resellers. The wait for the larger model is a bit longer and Apple has stated that the 27-inch iMac will be available for order through the Apple Online Store and will begin shipping in December. However, this does not seem to be the case and it appears that both models would be available at the same time sometime towards the end of next month.

At an event in October, Apple unveiled a completely new iMac with a new design, improved display with reduced reflection, third generation Intel quad-core processors, NVIDIA graphics and a new storage option termed as Fusion Drive. Apple has stressed that the new iMac is the most advanced desktop Apple has ever made.

Redesigned from the inside out, the new iMac is built of an aluminium and glass enclosure with up to 40 percent less volume than its predecessor, and an edge that measures 5mm. As per an official statement by the company, the new iMac also features a completely re-engineered display that reduces reflection by 75 percent while maintaining colour and contrast. In the new design, the cover glass is laminated to the LCD and an anti-reflective coating is applied using a plasma deposition process. Apple claims that every iMac display is individually calibrated using an advanced spectroradiometer.

The new iMac features third generation quad-core Intel Core i5 processors that can be upgraded to Core i7. According to the official statement by Apple, the NVIDIA GeForce processors found here deliver up to 60 percent faster performance needed for gaming and graphics intensive apps. Every new iMac now comes with standard 8GB of 1600 MHz memory and a 1TB hard drive. Customers can choose to configure their iMac with up to 32GB of memory and a new 3TB hard drive or 768GB of flash storage. With two Thunderbolt and four USB 3.0 ports, the new iMac offers further expandability and support for high-performance peripherals.

The 21.5-inch iMac will be available with a 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speed of up to 3.2GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M for a suggested retail price of Rs 85,900, and with a 2.9GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speed of up to 3.6GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M for a suggested retail price of Rs 99,900 including taxes (VAT).

The 27-inch iMac will be available with a 2.9GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speed of up to 3.6GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M for a suggested retail price of Rs 122,900. Another variant of the 27-inch iMac with a 3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speed of up to 3.6GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675MX will be available for a suggested retail price of Rs 134,900.

Apple releases completely redesigned iTunes 11

It came to light yesterday that Apple would be releasing an update to iTunes very soon, and right on cue, before the last day of November, Apple has released iTunes 11 for Windows and Mac OSX. OSX users can get the new iTunes as a software update via the App Store, and Windows users can head here to download the software.

Earlier this month, Apple issued a statement that the new iTunes was taking longer than expected and the company needed a little more time to get it right. It stated that it was looking forward to releasing the new version of iTunes before the end of November, and the company has now made good on this promise.

Apple first announced the new iTunes for Mac and Windows at the iPhone launch event in September. Besides the design changes and the iCloud integration, the new iTunes features a new look for the online music, apps, TV, and movie stores. It will also have a new interface that keeps your favourite iTunes content at the forefront. With iCloud integration, music, movie and TV show purchases made on any iOS device or computer are displayed in your iTunes library. Apple claims the redesigned iTunes Store, App Store, and iBookstore have been re-thought to make buying content on the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or PC simpler.

The new library view lets you watch music, TV shows, and movies, and allows you to click on the category of content you want to browse. The expandable album view allows you to see track listings for individual albums while letting you browse your music library. The new search feature searches across your entire iTunes library, including music, movies and TV shows. The MiniPlayer makes it easy to control your music with a small toolbar; you can skip to the next song or search for something new to play without having to open your library. Up Next is a new way to see what songs are coming up and queue songs or albums you want to hear next.

With iCloud, all of your iTunes purchases are in the cloud, and can be accessed from your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, PC or Apple TV. The iCloud integration automatically puts all of your purchases into your library on your Mac or PC, regardless of which device you use to buy them. iCloud also remembers where you are in your favourite movies or TV shows no matter which device you’re using.

All these details had been highlighted in the past, but Apple has thrown in a new feature for Mac computers that allows users to scan gift cards using the built-in video camera instead of typing them in. However, one does have the option to type it in should the camera not be able to read the code.

If anyone has updated to iTunes 11, do let us know how you feel about the new interface.

Karbonn A5+ Android smartphone now available for Rs 4,899

The dual SIM phone comes with 1 GHz processor and 3.2 megapixel camera.

Karbonn Mobiles has launched another budget Android phone with its Karbonn A5+. The dual SIM phone is based on Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread OS and is powered by 1 GHz processor.

The phone comes in white colour and comes with 3.5 inch capacitive touch screen that has resolution HVGA 320 x 480 pixels. There is also a 3.5 megapixel camera. The phone also supports WiFi connectivity 802.11 b/g/n and 3G high speed internets up to 7.3 Mbps. The phone runs on a 1420 mAh battery.

Karbonn A5+ is the successor of Karbonn Smart A5 and is available for Rs 4,899 on Infibeam.com and Shopclues.com. The phone will compete with the likes of Micromax Ninja A57, Lava Mobiles Iris n350, and Intex Aqua 4.0.

Looking at the competition there is very little differentiation that Karbonn is offering with this phone in terms of features, price or specification. So, all depends on its actual performance.

Google updates Chrome for Android and iOS, adds new features

The folks at Google have been having a busy week. Google has released Chrome updates for the browser on Android as well as iOS, bringing along with it a few bug fixes. A few new features are also being rolled out on iOS.

The official release for Chrome 23 / 23.0.1271.91 on iOS reads, “This build brings in a number of new features and fixes to user-reported issues including:

•  Ability to open PDFs in other apps
•  Support for saving your boarding passes and tickets with Passbook
•  An option to automatically detect text encoding
•  Stability and security improvements"

This new update will integrate the Passbook feature that is fast becoming one of the most appreciated iOS features. You can save airline boarding passes, coupons, movie tickets and more on the app. The app will prompt you to save these tickets if the website supports them, even as you browse through it. Additionally, the app now also allows users to open web-based PDFs using other apps. If you have faced issues with jumbled, unreadable text on Chrome, there is a fix for it in this update.

The update note for the Android release was brief and pertained only to bug fixes. “The stable channel of Chrome for Android has been updated to 18.0.1025469 for ARM devices and to 18.0.1026322 for x86 devices. The new update includes fixes for some frequently occurring stability issues,” it said, without elaborating any further.

The note was not of much help, but as is the case with most Chrome for Android updates, this promises to make it more stable and faster with a boost in performance.

Google has also announced that Google Drive will now support creating and editing functions on spreadsheets in-app.

Here’s what’s new with Google Drive Version 1.2.0:

• Create, edit and collaborate on spreadsheets
•  Upload to Drive from other apps using “Open in...”
•  Manage upload progress and see recent uploads in new Uploads section
• Rich text copy-paste within a document
• Improved speed and stability
• Improved contact search for sharing
• Bug fixes

 Google Chrome was brought to iOS with much fanfare on day two of Google’s I/O 2012 conference at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Sundar Pichai announced the arrival of one of the most popular browsers to Apple’s mobile platform which includes the iPhone, iPad and the iPod Touch.

Features for syncing web pages across devices seem to be the highlight of Chrome. For instance, if you are browsing a website on your Android phone using Chrome and then you switch to the iPad, you’ll be able to pick up from where you left through Chrome. It will automatically sync all your opened tabs and bookmarks if you have signed in to your devices. The ‘incognito’ mode in the iOS Chrome app is easy to open, right from the menu in the browser rather than having to go to settings, which is the case in Safari.

To download Chrome for Android head over to Google Play Store here. For the iOS version you can go to the App Store here.

Adobe Photoshop Touch now supports 7-inch tablets

Adobe has recently announced the release of Adobe Photoshop Touch 1.4, which brings optimisation for smaller tablet displays including the iPad Mini and Google Nexus 7. It also adds new features and bug fixes for all users of the app. The update comes shortly after Adobe and Amazon's earlier announcement of Photoshop Touch availability in the Amazon Appstore and support for the Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD.

Photoshop Touch 1.4 brings new features and effects, including:
Added support for three pressure-sensitive styli for iPad: the Pogo Connect, Jot Touch and the Jaja stylus
New ways to share completed projects to Facebook and Twitter directly from the app
Added effects including Lens Flare and Stamp Pattern
New performance and workflow enhancement including smoother brush strokes and new colour selection workflow

Adobe claims that the Photoshop Touch app brings the legendary creative and image-editing magic of Photoshop to tablet devices and it is now expanded to support more tablets and displays to provide customers greater flexibility to create.

Adobe Photoshop Touch 1.4 is immediately available as a free download for existing Photoshop Touch users in the iTunes App Store, Google Play and Amazon Appstore. For those who have not used this and new users may purchase the app for Rs 550 for iOS while the Android version costs Rs 539.

Here is a quick look at what’s new with the Android app:
Optimized user interface for 7-inch devices (minimum screen resolution 1024 x 600)
Smoother brush strokes
Two new Effects: Lens Flare (under “&” menu) and Stamp Pattern
Improved grid layout for projects, tutorials, and images
New support for sharing to Facebook, Twitter, and other registered apps
Quick access to last five colours with new shortcut (drag down on Colour)
Various bug fixes

Earlier this year, Adobe announced the release of this app. Adobe Photoshop Touch offers core Photoshop features, as well as new capabilities for creating and sharing in an app custom-built for tablets. The app is a central component of Adobe Touch Apps, a family of six intuitive touch screen applications, inspired by Adobe Creative Suite software.

Photoshop Touch gives users the ability to combine multiple photos into layered images, make essential edits and apply professional effects to create beautiful artwork, touch up photos, paint, lay out ideas and much more. The Scribble Selection Tool allows users to easily extract objects in an image by simply scribbling on what to keep, and then what to remove. With Refine Edge technology from Photoshop, even hard-to-select areas with soft edges are easily captured when making selections. Photoshop Touch helps users quickly find images and share creations through integration with Facebook and Google Image Search.

Flipkart launches eBook app for Android

Flyte, the eBook store, has a selection of more than 1 lakh books, with around 4000 free titles.

Online mega store, Flipkart has announced that its digital store, Flyte, will now also sell eBooks for Android phones and tablets with a special dedicated application. Currently, Flyte has a selection of more than 1 lakh books, with prices starting at Rs 30, while around 4000 books are available for free.

The eBooks purchased on Flyte can only be read through the Flyte eBooks app, which is currently available for Android based devices only, while its Windows 8 version will be launched soon.

Sameer Nigam, vice president, Digital, at Flipkart.com said, "We have a growing, tech-savvy reader base that is constantly on the go - and they are looking for options to buy and read their favourite books on their mobile devices instantly. In the USA and European markets, which have been early adopters of eBooks, the market share for digital trade books is currently at 50 per cent."

Flyte eBooks will offer Indian readers ability to instantly purchase, download and read their eBooks on a mobile device. A free sample of each book is also available on the website as well as on the mobile app.

Flyte allows users to read each eBook on up to six devices and also Sync reading location, which means reader can exit your book on a particular device and start reading from the same point in another device. One can also take notes, highlight text, search, and add multiple bookmarks.

Skype for iOS updated with Microsoft account login

After Microsoft had acquired Skype, the integration between the two brands is moving at a rapid pace. Skype has recently updated its iOS app and with the update comes the ability to log in to Skype using your Microsoft accounts, thus giving iOS users the same ability that is available on the desktop client.

With the iOS update, the size of the Skype for iPad app is 25.2MB, and the size of the update for the iPhone is 24MB. With the update, the developers have announced that users can now chat with Messenger, Hotmail, and Outlook.com contacts as well as have the ability to sign in and merge with their Microsoft account. One now also has the ability to create a Skype account directly from the app itself, making it a simplified procedure if they are new to this VoIP service. Users can also tap and hold on instant messages to edit them, choose an emoticon while typing an instant message, animated emoticons for devices with a Retina display, edit saved phone numbers right from the dial pad. The iPhone version comes with support for the display of the iPhone 5.

Download Skype for iPhone here and the iPad version here.

Earlier this month, Skype for Android devices received an update that allows users to sign in and merge their Skype account with their Microsoft account. Moreover, the design has been changed from ground up for Android tablets, as per the changelog on Google Play. Skype claims to have improved the audio quality on its service, while also doling out a host of bug fixes. To avail the update, users will need an Android device running v2.1 and up.

Skype to Skype IMs, video, and voice calls from the popular video calling service are free over 3G or Wi-Fi. Users can use their Android device to make low-cost calls and SMS to mobiles and landlines. In addition to this, one can send pictures, videos and files to their contacts.

Only recently, the company released a Skype app for WP8 for the Nokia Lumia 920, Lumia 820, HTC 8X and 8S. The app has been labelled a preview release, as opposed to a final version. The WP8 Skype app offers additional features over the original WP7.5 version, and offers greater connectivity with the rest of the phone. The biggest new feature of the app is the ability to be left on in the background. Skype contacts can also be seen in the People Hub, thus letting you start new conversations with just a tap.

Skype recently released its latest version, Skype 6.0, for Mac and Windows desktop users. The update brought to the table Microsoft and Facebook account integration. Users can now sign into Skype using either their Microsoft or Facebook accounts. In Skype 6.0, users can send instant messages to their Windows Live Messenger, Hotmail, and Outlook.com contacts via Skype. Users with Microsoft accounts can merge the MS account with Skype. All they have to do is sign in to Skype with their Microsoft accounts.

Aircel bringing Micromax like cheaper smartphones

Aircel will launch a number of smartphones which include a 5 inch smartphone with 8 MP camera.

Aircel and Magicon, an India based handset manufacturer, will launch at least three new smartphones tomorrow. Of the three phones, one seems to be a competitor of the Micromax Canvas II and will come with Android 4.0, 5 inch screen, 1 GHz dual core processor, 8 megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 2000 mAh battery.

Aircel invite reads 'Smartphones for Smart people at smart price' which points to low pricing of these smartphones. Since, Canvas II is priced at Rs 9,999, we expect this new phone from Aircel and Magicon, which has been named as mNote, to have a same price tag or less.

The other two phones that are expected to be launched are ultra-low cost handsets with Android 2.3 operating system, and are named as M1 and M2. The M1 comes with a 3.5 inch screen, 1 GHz processor and a 5 megapixel camera but will not offer 3G and is expected to be priced around Rs 5,000. M2 on the other hand comes with similar spec as M1 but offers 3G and thus will be priced slightly higher.

Magicon also has lined up some tablets but Aircel seems to have decided to launch only the smartphones. Aircel will also offer bundled voice and data tariffs with the smartphones, however we do not see any subsidy coming from the operator.

Mujjo launches capacitive leather gloves for touchscreen devices

Now, operate all capacitive touchscreen devices while protecting your hands in these stylish leather gloves.

Dutch mobile accessories brand Mujjo has announced its new pure leather touchscreen sensitive gloves for mobile devices. Till date, many brands have tried their hands at making capacitive touchscreen gloves for devices, but none have been in pure leather.

These gloves enable the user to stay protected from cold weather while still operating their capacitive touchscreen devices, which are available in plenty today. The leather utilised in these gloves has been prepared using nanotechnology that allows conductive signals that help users to operate a touchscreen.

Capacitive touchscreens work on the principle of electrical conductivity and since our skin is a good conductor of electricity, every time we touch the screen with bare hands, a small electrical charge is sent to the area on the device that is touched. This electrical charge allows the capacitive touchscreen to sense the location of touch, hence turning it into an action on the device.

The Mujjo leather touchscreen gloves are manufactured using Ethiopian lambskin leather that offers excellent thermal insulation, while at the same time conducting electrical impulses. The leather has been treated to make it water and dust resistant, and offers anti-microbial properties too.

The gloves are available in India and can be ordered directly from Mujjo's online store. Users will be able to buy them for Rs 9,300, which is a bit high, but for the comfort it offers, many users will definitely like this product.

For more information users can simply check out the Mujjo website.

Microsoft releases Outlook app for Android

Microsoft has released the Outlook.com app for Google Android platform that allows users to access emails and stay updated with push notifications.

Software giant Microsoft has formally released the official Outlook application for Android devices. The new Outlook.com app works only on select versions of Android.

Apparently, the Outlook.com app is actually the repackaged Hotmail app that has been available from the Google Play Store for a while. Microsoft had revamped the web-based mail service as Outlook.com earlier this year. After four months, the company has now released an Android app to access the service. However, the app seems to be a rushed up job as it lacks some serious features-such as multiple accounts.

Android device users who used the Outlook.com app are not too happy with the old user interface and sync issues. Users are required to login using Microsoft Account details and simply let the device sync.

Instead of working on the Outlook.com app, Microsoft is expected to work on a robust Microsoft Outlook app. Microsoft is indeed working on an Office Productivity suite for the Android platform, and we hope that the Outlook app is also ported for this platform. There is no estimated date of arrival for Microsoft Office for Android, but we expect it sometime next year.

Google Drive update brings support for spreadsheets, homescreen shortcuts

If you’re the type who regularly writes and edits documents online, you’ll be happy to know that Google Drive on mobile devices now lets you make and edit spreadsheets. Google has launched an update to Google Drive that includes a new native editor that lets you create a new spreadsheet or edit an existing one right from the Drive app on your iPhone, iPad or Android device. You can switch fonts, resize columns, sort data and do much more in a spreadsheet. And just like on the online service, you will be able to see other people’s edits and comments in real time. Click here  to get the update.

More interestingly, Google Drive now lets you create a shortcut to Drive files and folders on your homescreen. This will allow you to directly access frequently accessed files and folders from the shortcuts on the homescreen instead of having to navigate to the Drive app, opening it and then browsing to the desired file or folder. This feature can be quite useful if you have a truckload of files and folders stored on Drive.

The update also includes a slew of functionality improvements to the Google Docs editor. You can now edit the contents of tables in the Google Docs editor. The updated editor also preserves the formatting of content when copy/pasting content within Google Docs. You can also enter the ‘Edit’ mode in Google Docs by single tapping, instead of having to manually switch between the edit and view modes.

What’s more, the Send Link option for files and folders now has a new option that lets you copy links to the clipboard, in addition to giving you the usual roster of services and applications you can use to share links.

This is only the latest in the improvements that Google is rolling out for Google Drive in a bid to increase the integration between its various services and the cloud storage solution. Just yesterday, the company announced that Drive has now been integrated into Gmail, allowing you to directly attach files to emails from Google Drive. This feature allows you to attach a maximum 10 GB worth of files to your emails. Google explained that since the files being sent are stored in the cloud, this feature would let the recipients access the most recent version of the file.

Interestingly, Gmail will also work like a smart assistant and double-check that the intended recipients have access to the files being sent. This way, whenever a user sends a file from Drive that isn't shared with everyone; he will be given the option to change the file's sharing settings, without moving away from his mail. Moreover, this will work with Drive links pasted directly into emails. The new feature that will be rolled out over the next few days will only be available with Gmail's new compose experience, so you'll need to opt-in if you haven't already.

Google also announced early this month that Google Drive now lets you share your files on Google+. People you share your files with can now view presentations, open PDFs, and play videos and music, right from their Google+ stream. Unlike shares on Facebook or Twitter, where you can only share links of certain files, Google+ adds functionality that would let you view your documents and presentations in the Google+ stream itself. If on a mobile device, the document or file will instead open in the Google Drive app.

WhatsApp promises to fix 'Status Unavailable' error message

WhatsApp users seeing the status message of their contacts as “Error: Status Unavailable’ need not panic. The popular messaging service has acknowledged on its Twitter and Facebook accounts that the status functionality is not working and will be resolved soon. Those spotting this unwelcome sight have been panicking, and what’s also fueling the entire episode is the string of false messages circulating on the netwrork.

WhatsApp users have been inundated with lengthy messages asking them to forward the message to others on their list if they want to continue using WhatsApp as a free service. The message also warns that those who fail to forward the message will lose all their contacts and their accounts will remain inactive.

The message reads something like this: “Hello everyone, it seems that all the warnings were real, the use of WhatsApp cost money from summer 2012. If you send this string to 18 different on your list, your icon will be blue and will be free for you. If you do not believe me see tomorrow at 6 pm ending WhatsApp and have to pay to open it, this is by law This message is to inform all of our users, our servers have recently been very congested, so we are asking your help to solve this problem. We require our active users forwarded this message to each of the people in your contact list to confirm our active users using WhatsApp, if you do not send this message to all your contacts WhatsApp, then your account will remain inactive with the consequence of losing all their contactsMessage from Jim Balsamic (CEO of WhatsApp) we have had an over usage of user names on whatsapp Messenger. We are requesting all users to forward this message to their entire contact list. If you do not forward this message, we will take it as your account is invalid and it will be deleted within the next 48 hours. Please DO NOT ignore this message or WhatsApp will no longer recognise your activation. If you wish to re-activate your account after it has been deleted, a charge of 25.00 will be added to your monthly bill. We are also aware of the issue involving the pictures updates not showing. We are working diligently at fixing this problem and it will be up and running as soon as possible. Thank you for your cooperation from the Whatsapp team” WhatsApp is going to cost us money soon. The only way that it will stay free is if you are a frequent user i.e. you have at least 10 people you are chatting with. To become a frequent user send this message to 10 people who receive it (2 ticks) and your WhatsApp logo should turn Red to indicate a frequent user. Am sorry had no option! And check now the status of every individual contact is showing : Status : error."

The best way to deal with such messages is to ignore them altogether and remain calm; there's no need to panic. Also, do not consider these to be legitimate.

Irate users have taken to popular social networking sites expressing their irritation over being bombarded with these messages by their contacts, while those who have been spared the hoax messages are expressing relief. Another good reason to rubbish these messages as hoax is a blog post (which although came out way earlier, deals with the same message) on WhatsApp that clarifies all doubts.

It says, “WhatsApp is going to cost us money soon. The only way that it will stay free is if you are a frequent user i.e. you have at least 10 people you are chatting with. To become a frequent user send this message to 10 people who receive it (2 ticks) and your WhatsApp logo should turn Red to indicate a frequent user.

Please understand that this is a hoax and there is no truth to it. While we are flattered that we made it to Hoax Slayer, we would rather work on cool new features instead of debunking silly stories like these.

UPDATE: this is a hoax message as well:

Whatsapp is shutting down on 28th jan Message from Jim Balsamic (CEO of Whatsapp) we have had an over usage of user names on whatsapp Messenger. We are requesting all users to forward this message to their entire contact list. If you do not forward this message, we will take it as your account is invalid and it will be deleted within the next 48 hours. Please DO NOT ignore this message or whatsapp will no longer recognise your activation. If you wish to re-activate your account after it has been deleted, a charge of 25.00 will be added to your monthly bill. We are also aware of the issue involving the pictures updates not showing. We are working diligently at fixing this problem and it will be up and running as soon as possible. Thank you for your cooperation from the Whatsapp team”

JogoBox: Download & Play Free Games From A Huge Online Database On Your PC

Remember the old games you used to play on your PC? Do you want to re-live those fun hours of Prince of Persia or Dangerous Dave? If you do, then you will find a tool called JogoBox to be very helpful.

JogoBox is a free to use desktop application through which you can download and play countless classic PC games. The app is compatible with Windows computers and it comes in a small installer that downloads the necessary setup files and installs JogoBox on your computer. You can then open the app to find games by browsing randomly or by executing a keyword search.

You can read up on a game’s description and install the ones you like. Game controls are clearly shown and playing the game is made as convenient and enjoyable as possible.

Features:

• A user-friendly desktop app.
• Compatible with Windows computers.
• Lets you download and play classic PC games.
• Shows game controls.

Check out JogoBox @ www.jogobox.com

Lava launches Xolo A700 Android smartphone for Rs 9,999

The Lava Xolo A700 comes as a great device for budget conscious users.

Indian mobile phone manufacturer, Lava Mobiles has launched a brand new smartphone under its Xolo brand. Called as the Lava Xolo A700, the Android smartphone comes as a feature rich yet budget friendly offering with a price tag of Rs 9,999.

The Xolo A700 is Lava's second Android smartphone under the Xolo brand name, called the Xolo X900; first one being launched in collaboration with Intel with Atom processor.

Competing with other Android devices from other brands like Micromax and Samsung, the Lava Xolo A700 comes with a 1 GHz dual core processor from Mediatek, which is complimented with a powerful graphic processor as well. The Lava Xolo A700 has Google Android Ice Cream Sandwich operating system, 512 MB RAM and 4 GB of onboard storage which can be expanded further to an additional 32 GB with the use of a micro SD card.

The Xolo A700 has a 4.5 inch IPS capacitive touchscreen display featuring a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels, which is the best part about this device. Along with that the Lava Xolo A700 features dual SIM connectivity based design with both 3G and 2.5G connectivity based connections available through master and slave SIM's respectively.

The Lava Xolo A700 comes with in-built stereo FM radio receiver along with that it has a multi format audio video player integrated as well. There is a 5 megapixel main camera with an LED flash for illumination and supports HD video recording with up to 720p resolution. At the front there is a secondary camera available to facilitate video calling and video chats in VGA resolution only.

Adblock plus now available for Android devices

Get rid of annoying advertisements to an extent with this neat little utility which has been a popular extension for web browsers till now.

Popular advertisement blocking utility, Adblock Plus which till now has been a great success for web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Opera has now been launched for the Android as well. This application brings along same functionality as it did for the browsers.

Adblock Plus allows users to block annoying advertisements form web pages on the browsers and from applications that are compatible with this app.

Although, there have been many advertisement blocking utilities on Android but the Adblock Plus is the only application that allows users to tackle advertisements without having to root the device. However, rooted devices get more options and control over advertisement control than non-rooted devices.

Users without the rooted device and running Android version 3.0 and previous will have to manually configure the application for blocking advertisements. The configuration is a single step process and users would not have to repeat the process again and again. Devices with newer Android versions need not to configure but the app might still ask for a few things to tackle advertisements better.

The application comes without a price tag which is the best part and users can install the application without any obligation or trials as well. Users can locate the app in the Google Play Store or can also follow this link  for the same.

Early adopters of the Windows Phone 8 platform have been experiencing some issues with their devices and it is not limited to a particular manufacturer. One of these issues is that some owners of Nokia and HTC handsets are experiencing random reboots. In a statement, Microsoft claims that they have identified this issue and they hope to deliver an over-the-air (OTA) fix that addresses the problem next month. According to a report by AllThingsD, Microsoft states, “We’re continuing to investigate some reports of phones rebooting and have identified a cause with our partners. We are working to get an over-the-air update out in December.” windows_phone_8_ The report concludes by stating that Microsoft declined to elaborate on what the issue was nor did they specify whether this issue affected only a range of models or spanned across all Windows Phone 8 devices. It was recently reported that a tweet by @Football4PDA revealed that Microsoft is going to roll out an update for Windows Phone 8 in the first quarter of 2013, and it is called Apollo+. The update to Windows Phone 8 may come as no surprise to most, as this platform has been plagued with some issues. Users have been experiencing random reboots as well as a Wi-Fi glitch. However, if Microsoft does issue an update with a fix that addresses the rebooting issue, then Apollo+ may have an added feature list that was not included with Windows Phone 8. This may include the addition of notifications. Those who have recently jumped on to the Windows Phone 8 bandwagon may have noticed that there is a problem with the device losing connection to a Wi-Fi network when the screen is locked. In response to a tweet by a Windows Phone 8 user who said that the Wi-Fi shuts off after turning off the screen on every Windows Phone, Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president, Windows Phone Program Management, stated, “Someone is gonna yell at me for saying this, but... fix is coming. :) Sshh. Just promise me a little patience though.” When Microsoft first announced Windows Phone 8, one of the highlighted features was the improved Start screen. Quite a few users of the new Windows Phone 8 handsets are aggrieved by the Wi-Fi connectivity automatically turning off every time the screen switches off. If one happens to be downloading an app using Wi-Fi, and then locks the screen, the Wi-Fi will suddenly turn off once the screen is restarted. As of now, users are adopting a temporary fix by keeping the screen turned on till the app is completely downloaded. Windows Phone 8 was designed to be the best companion with Windows 8, adds the company in its official statement. Windows and Windows Phone now share common underlying technology, which allows for shared tools, increased hardware support for multi-core processors, and a wide range of other platform capabilities. It also features a common look and feel with Windows 8, which makes shifting from phone to PC seamless and natural.

Early adopters of the Windows Phone 8 platform have been experiencing some issues with their devices and it is not limited to a particular manufacturer. One of these issues is that some owners of Nokia and HTC handsets are experiencing random reboots. In a statement, Microsoft claims that they have identified this issue and they hope to deliver an over-the-air (OTA) fix that addresses the problem next month.

According to a report by AllThingsD, Microsoft states, “We’re continuing to investigate some reports of phones rebooting and have identified a cause with our partners. We are working to get an over-the-air update out in December.”

The report concludes by stating that Microsoft declined to elaborate on what the issue was nor did they specify whether this issue affected only a range of models or spanned across all Windows Phone 8 devices.

It was recently reported that a tweet by @Football4PDA  revealed that Microsoft is going to roll out an update for Windows Phone 8 in the first quarter of 2013, and it is called Apollo+. The update to Windows Phone 8 may come as no surprise to most, as this platform has been plagued with some issues. Users have been experiencing random reboots as well as a Wi-Fi glitch. However, if Microsoft does issue an update with a fix that addresses the rebooting issue, then Apollo+ may have an added feature list that was not included with Windows Phone 8. This may include the addition of notifications.

Those who have recently jumped on to the Windows Phone 8 bandwagon may have noticed that there is a problem with the device losing connection to a Wi-Fi network when the screen is locked. In response to a tweet by a Windows Phone 8 user who said that the Wi-Fi shuts off after turning off the screen on every Windows Phone, Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president, Windows Phone Program Management, stated, “Someone is gonna yell at me for saying this, but... fix is coming. :) Sshh. Just promise me a little patience though.”

When Microsoft first announced Windows Phone 8, one of the highlighted features was the improved Start screen. Quite a few users of the new Windows Phone 8 handsets are aggrieved by the Wi-Fi connectivity automatically turning off every time the screen switches off.

If one happens to be downloading an app using Wi-Fi, and then locks the screen, the Wi-Fi will suddenly turn off once the screen is restarted. As of now, users are adopting a temporary fix by keeping the screen turned on till the app is completely downloaded.

Windows Phone 8 was designed to be the best companion with Windows 8, adds the company in its official statement. Windows and Windows Phone now share common underlying technology, which allows for shared tools, increased hardware support for multi-core processors, and a wide range of other platform capabilities. It also features a common look and feel with Windows 8, which makes shifting from phone to PC seamless and natural.

Microsoft has released facts and figures of the spanking new Outlook.com and revealed that Gmail users would prefer to change over to its services. New features to the web-based email service have also been announced by Microsoft. Microsoft says Outlook.com, launched in July, now has 25 million active users. Many of the new users are changing over from Gmail. According to the numbers released on the blog, about one third of Outlook.com users are active Gmail users trying Outlook.com for the first time. outlookgrowth Intrigued, Microsoft took the help of a research firm to recruit users who used Gmail as their primary email to sign up and try Outlook.com. The numbers, says Microsoft, showed that 4 out of 5 of these Gmail users on the panel said they would switch to Outlook.com Here is what Microsoft found out after talking to the panel: Users prefer Outlook.com's clean user design Outlook.com does a better job of blocking spam and outperforms Gmail when it comes to helping users manage unwanted messages like newsletters and daily deals Outlook.com makes it easier to share photos and Office documents. Even if we take these numbers at face value, since verifying them is not possible, they seem impressive for a service launched only a few months ago. Outlook.com was formerly known as Hotmail. The service was stuck in a rut for a very long time and was in a dire need of a change when Microsoft stepped in and gave the email service a facelift. The new look has urged users of other email services to at least give the new Outlook.com a shot. Microsoft went on to announce a host of new features for Outlook.com due to be rolled out within a few weeks. Ranging from colour themes and customisation options to one-click archiving and conversation threads, Microsoft is confident that these features will make the transition from Gmail to Outlook.com easier. Very interestingly, Microsoft is launching an Outlook for Android app for Android versions 2.1 and higher. This comes as a major change, since besides Windows Phone platform, Microsoft typically launches apps on the iOS platform before Android. No prizes for guessing that this may be because Gmail is the default mail service for Android. outlookandroid Outlook.com was launched in July after killing off Hotmail in favour of a swankier service. Outlook was earlier remembered for being a drab old e-mail client bundled with Microsoft Office, but that perception changed as millions signed up for the service within hours of the launch. There are several consistent touches between Windows 8, the new Microsoft Office and Outlook.com, and every familiar icon and label has been replaced with elements of Microsoft's increasingly ubiquitous Metro interface. Outlook.com has been designed to work well on tablets and touchscreens. One more interesting aspect of the service is that Microsoft is combining many of its past offerings, such as Hotmail and Windows Live Mail, into a single, simple online service. If you already have a Hotmail or Windows Live account, you can log in to Outlook.com with the same email address, keeping your inbox, folders and contacts intact. To read the complete list of changes to Outlook.com, head over to the Microsoft Office Blog. (http://blogs.office.com/b/microsoft-outlook/archive/2012/11/27/over-25-million-active-outlook-com-users-and-today-we-re-making-it-even-easier-for-gmail-users-to-switch.aspx)

Microsoft has released facts and figures of the spanking new Outlook.com and revealed that Gmail users would prefer to change over to its services. New features to the web-based email service have also been announced by Microsoft.

Microsoft says Outlook.com, launched in July, now has 25 million active users. Many of the new users are changing over from Gmail. According to the numbers released on the blog, about one third of Outlook.com users are active Gmail users trying Outlook.com for the first time.

Intrigued, Microsoft took the help of a research firm to recruit users who used Gmail as their primary email to sign up and try Outlook.com. The numbers, says Microsoft, showed that 4 out of 5 of these Gmail users on the panel said they would switch to Outlook.com

Here is what Microsoft found out after talking to the panel:
Users prefer Outlook.com's clean user design
Outlook.com does a better job of blocking spam and outperforms Gmail when it comes to helping users manage unwanted messages like newsletters and daily deals
Outlook.com makes it easier to share photos and Office documents.

Even if we take these numbers at face value, since verifying them is not possible, they seem impressive for a service launched only a few months ago. Outlook.com was formerly known as Hotmail. The service was stuck in a rut for a very long time and was in a dire need of a change when Microsoft stepped in and gave the email service a facelift. The new look has urged users of other email services to at least give the new Outlook.com a shot.

Microsoft went on to announce a host of new features for Outlook.com due to be rolled out within a few weeks. Ranging from colour themes and customisation options to one-click archiving and conversation threads, Microsoft is confident that these features will make the transition from Gmail to Outlook.com easier.

Very interestingly, Microsoft is launching an Outlook for Android app for Android versions 2.1 and higher. This comes as a major change, since besides Windows Phone platform, Microsoft typically launches apps on the iOS platform before Android. No prizes for guessing that this may be because Gmail is the default mail service for Android.

Outlook.com was launched in July after killing off Hotmail in favour of a swankier service. Outlook was earlier remembered for being a drab old e-mail client bundled with Microsoft Office, but that perception changed as millions signed up for the service within hours of the launch.

There are several consistent touches between Windows 8, the new Microsoft Office and Outlook.com, and every familiar icon and label has been replaced with elements of Microsoft's increasingly ubiquitous Metro interface. Outlook.com has been designed to work well on tablets and touchscreens. One more interesting aspect of the service is that Microsoft is combining many of its past offerings, such as Hotmail and Windows Live Mail, into a single, simple online service. If you already have a Hotmail or Windows Live account, you can log in to Outlook.com with the same email address, keeping your inbox, folders and contacts intact.

To read the complete list of changes to Outlook.com, head over to the Microsoft Office Blog.

Google lets you insert Drive files directly into an email

If you use Google Drive to keep, create and share your documents – be it for official or personal purposes, then this update is sure to interest you. Phil Sharp, Product Manager at Google, shares that soon users will be able to insert files from Drive directly into an email, without having to abandon their mail.

Available on the new compose feature, the way this new method works is that users will be required to click on the 'Drive' icon while composing an email. This way, users will be able to insert files up to 10GB, i.e. 400 times larger than what they could send typically as a traditional attachment. Sharp explains that because the file being sent is stored in the cloud, all of the user's recipients will be able to access the most up-to-date version of the file. This way, users can escape the common frustration of not being able to attach a file to an email because it's too large to send.

Interestingly, Gmail will also work like a smart assistant and double-check that the intended recipients have access to the files being sent. This way, whenever a user sends a file from Drive that isn't shared with everyone, he will be given the option to change the file's sharing settings, without moving away from his mail. Moreover, it will work with Drive links pasted directly into emails.

"So whether it’s photos from your recent camping trip, video footage from your brother’s wedding, or a presentation to your boss, all your stuff is easy to find and easy to share with Drive and Gmail," explains Sharp.

The new feature that will be rolled out over the next few days will only be  available with Gmail's new compose experience, so you'll need to opt-in if you haven't already.

Recently, Google also made it possible for users to search their Gmail messages by size, thanks to an update. The enhanced Search now has more flexible date options, exact match and other parameters. For example, emails 5MB or larger in size can be quickly located by using the operator 'size:5m' or 'larger:5m'. To search for email that are over a year older, users can enter 'older_than:1y' in the search box. This latest update is in line with the other recent enhancements done to Search, such as improved autocomplete predictions and a field trial for instant results from Gmail, Google Drive, and more, as you type.

Email, unlike instant messaging, tends to become a lengthy process. Switching between viewing older emails for reference, saving the current email as a draft and searching for an email message can become cumbersome. Google has now made composing emails easier by introducing the redesigned compose feature on Gmail. Composing an email now is quicker, for the compose box opens like a chat window, albeit a larger one. In its official Gmail blog post, Phil Sharp, Google’s Product Manager, shared that with this new design, it is possible to keep the compose mail box open and still look for older emails for reference. This way, users can also keep an eye on newer emails. Sharp writes, “The new compose is designed to let you focus on what's important: your message.”

Samsung to launch WP 8 Ativ S in India next month

Samsung plans to launch Ativ S, its first Windows Phone 8 smartphone, in India next month.
A spokesperson of Samsung India said to The Mobile Indian, "Samsung will launch Ativ S in India in December."

Two major online retailers in the country - Ezoneonline and Infibeam - have already listed Samsung Ativ S as coming soon on their portals.

The phone features a 4.8 inch HD Super Amoled display and houses a 1.5 GHz dual core mobile processor coupled with 1 GB RAM. This Windows Phone 8 smartphone also features a Near Field Communication chip and as well as a memory expansion slot.

The Samsung Ativ S features a brushed aluminium chassis. The display has been manufactured using Corning Gorilla Glass 2 technology for greater strength and a slimmer screen.

By default, the Ativ S will have Samsung ChatOn instant messaging built in along with other Samsung Hubs (music and media). Some default apps will include Photo Editor, Mini Diary and an app called Now for daily briefing.

At the back lies an 8 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash. This camera is capable of recording 1080p HD videos at 30 frames per second, which it does quite easily. On the front lies a 1.9 megapixel camera with the ability to perform video calls and chat. Samsung also claims that Ativ S can easily playback 1080p HD videos.

Samsung will offer a distinct sharing feature called Family Store, along with NFC, Bluetooth and WiFi with Tap+Send. The Ativ S also features Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi with WiFi Direct and WiFi Channel Bonding, as well as an accelerometer, gyroscopic sensor, geomagnetic sensor, proximity sensor and Near Field Communication support.

For location-based services, Samsung has implemented GPS with A-GPS and also Glonass network support for more accurate position locking on maps. By default, this smartphone will be offered in 16 GB or 32 GB versions and there is a micro SD card slot to accommodate up to a 32 GB card. Weighing just 125 grams, Samsung Ativ S has a 2300 mAh Li-ion battery.

Ativ S is comparable in features with Galaxy SIII and therefore its price is expected to be in the same league.

Move over IPv4, IPv6 comes to India

The Indian Registry for Internet Names and Numbers (IRINN) has begun issuing the next version of Internet addresses, IPv6, in the country. This is the latest in a series of reports over a few months deliberating the big move. IPv6 is being adopted because there is a limit to the number of IP addresses the existing standard (IPv4) can hold. Going by the increasing number of users, IPv4 addresses will be exhausted this year. IPv6, with 128-bit addresses, supports more IP addresses than the 32-bit IPv4 addresses.

The Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC), one of the bodies that issue Internet Protocol addresses, has authorised the IRINN for allotting IP addresses in India. Reports have quoted APNIC director (Services and Operations) Sanjaya as saying, "The number of IPv6 addresses available is enormous. ISPs (Internet Service Providers) can allocate an IP address to their users. People can be easily identified if they are using IPv6."

The IRINN is issuing the initial set of IPv6 addresses in the price range starting from Rs 21,999, as opposed to the existing rate of Rs 66,000 in the APAC region.

Commenting on the new series of IP addresses, the president of the Internet Service Providers Association of India, Rajesh Charia said that IPv6 addresses will prove to be several times cheaper for companies than IPv4 ones. National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) chief executive Govind was quoted as saying, "We are issuing IPv6 addresses at up to 60 per cent less than prevailing rates in the ongoing soft launch period. This is to test compatibility of hardware and softwares that has to be in place. In next couple of months we will launch industrial grade of IPv6," Charia said that the government will have to ensure that the new equipment and devices produced or imported in the country are IPv6-enabled.

Earlier reports suggested that the IPv6 requires the entire Internet, which is a lot of connections, everything from devices to service providers to switch to the new standard. The IPv6 standard can support 3.4×1038IP addresses, which means that you can have as many devices connected to the web with a unique IP address.

On World IPv6 day, which was held on June 8, 2011, Internet companies carried out a technical exercise to try their hands on their new IP addresses. A few popular services, namely Google, Facebook, Yahoo!, and Akamai decided to test out IPv6, along with the Internet Society, an organisation that handles Internet standards. The exercise was done to eliminate any issues that might crop up during the worldwide transition to IPv6, which currently has provisions for about four billion IP addresses.

Typing Stats: Get Stats For Your Typing Speed & Accuracy [Firefox]

We all want our typing speed and accuracy to be improved. But most of us do not have the time to use dedicated applications for this purpose and spend time practicing typing text. Here to help us by judging our typing skills during our regular work is a tool called Typing Stats.

Typing Stats is a browser tool that saves time and judges your typing speed and accuracy. The tool comes as a browser add-on for Mozilla Firefox. It works in the background and monitors your typing speed on Firefox. As you type in the browser, the add-on monitors your keystrokes, the number of times you erase your text, the time between words you type, etc. It then computes all of this data to show you an error analysis report displaying your typing speed and accuracy that even breaks down the mistakes into percentages for individual fingers.

Features:

• A user-friendly browser add-on.
• Compatible with Mozilla Firefox.
• Judges your typing speed and accuracy.
• Breaks down error into percentages for each finger.

Check out Typing Stats @ addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/typing-stats

Intex launches AURA for Rs 1,690

Intex Aura is a dual-SIM phone and sports 1.3MP camera. On The battery front it has 1800mAh battery.

At a time when most of the handset players are launching smartphones, Intex has launched a new feature phone, Intex Aura, at a price point of Rs 1,690.

Intex Aura is a dual-SIM phone and sports 1.3MP camera. On the battery front it has 1800mAh battery which the company claims that it will giver 5 long hours of talk time and upto 360 hours of standby.

Sanjay Kumar, general manager, mobile business, Intex Technologies (India) said, "The phone has been designed keeping in mind, power shortage in remote areas where consumers face challenge of charging their phones at regular intervals."

Other features in Intex Aura are FM radio with live recording, Bluetooth and USB-PC connectivity. It is coupled with an in-built entertainment option that includes preloaded games, video player (25FPS, AVI, 3GP, MP4), audio player (MP3 and WAV), sound recorder etc.

The phone supports a micro SD card expandable up to 16 GB thereby giving users adequate storage space for videos and music files.

A 500 capacity phone book, auto call record, mobile tracker, torch, Bluetooth, GPRS/WAP are some of the other features being offered in it.

The phone supports both Hindi & English languages and is available in three attractive colors- red, white and black.

NexGtv Music now offers English songs

Now mobile users can stream their favourite English songs on their devices with the new nexGTv Music service.

Digivive has announced the launch of its nexGTv Music service which allows users to stream on demand English music videos right on their mobile devices through the existing nexGTv mobile application.

The company has added 300 songs to the playlist and plans to add many more popular English song videos to the nexGTv Music service in the coming days. Apart from streaming of popular channels such as Colors, Star and Zee TV, nexGTv service also offers over 100 live channels, 100 short movies and 1000 full length movies through their nexGTv service.

The service is available for all popular smartphone platforms such as Android, BlackBerry, Symbian and Apple's iOS platforms.

ZengaTV launches HD Mobile TV

As of now this app will be available for only Android tablets and smatphones. ZengaTV services are accessible across all leading mobile networks.

ZengaTV today launched a new version of its Mobile TV app. The new advanced app offers HD viewing and faster in-app browsing for Live TV, movies and VOD sections alongwith pause and play for VOD and movies.

As of now this app will be available for only Android tablets and smatphones. ZengaTV services are accessible across all leading mobile networks such as Idea, Vodafone, Airtel, Aircel, BSNL, MTNL, Reliance, Docomo as well as on the web.

Users can also expect the new upgraded ZengaTV App for IOS platform to be launched very soon.

Airtel announces international roaming packs for United States

Airtel customers on roaming in USA can now also call friends & family back home at up to 87% discounted rates.

Bharti Airtel today announced the launch of three new international roaming packs for post-paid mobile customers travelling to United States of America.

By using the new international roaming packs Customers can get upto 5 hours of free incoming calls while travelling in USA, and also make outgoing calls to local USA numbers as well as outgoing calls back to India at Rs 20 per minute.

Available in three different tariff packs of Rs 1,000, Rs 3,500, and Rs 8,500 with a validity of 30 days each, the tariff plan allows customers to easily stay in touch with family and friends back home at affordable rates on their airtel India postpaid number.

Also their family and friends in India can call them at local India rates. Customers can activate the pack by messaging the respective activation keyword to 121 for the selected pack and enjoy the discounted rates. Standard roaming rates would apply for all other outgoing international calls, messaging and data usage.

If An Airtel post-paid user doesn't activate the above mentioned packs he/ she has to pay anything between Rs 71 - Rs61 for receiving a call while on roaming to USA and and to shell out anything between Rs 160- Rs 117 per minute for making a call back to India while on roaming.

Samsung launches Ativ, Ativ Pro tablet-PC hybrid devices

While the Ativ Smart Pro is priced at Rs 75,490, the Samsung Ativ costs Rs 53,990.

Samsung has announced the launch of two tablet-PC hybrid devices, namely Ativ and Ativ Pro. Though referred as smart PC, both are essentially tablets and come with attachable keypad that turns them into a PC.

The Ativ smart PC cum tablet comes with Windows 8 operating system and has the Intel Atom processor. The device comes with a 11.6 inch touchscreen and has 2 GB of DDR2L RAM, 64 GB of internal memory.

It has dual cameras as well including an 8 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front unit. It comes with Bluetooth and WiFi for connectivity but there is no SIM slot. Besides, the Samsung Ativ comes with HDMI, USB and card reader ports. It weighs just 0.75 KG and has 9 mm thickness only.

The Ativ Pro, as the name suggests, is an advanced version of the Samsung Ativ hybrid. The Samsung Ativ Pro comes with Windows 8 operating system as the other but it has the advanced Intel Core i5 processor. It too has a 11.6 inch screen but weighs slightly more than the other with 0.888 KG weight and is thicker as well with 11.9 mm thickness.

The Ativ Pro has also more RAM - 4 GB, and higher internal memory of 128 GB. Both the tablet hybrids come with micro SD card slot, so their memory can further be increased. Both Ativ and Ativ Pro also come with the S Pen stylus with a docking port.

Not only the Ativ Pro too has WiFi and Bluetooth like the Samsung Ativ but also it has a SIM slot for data connectivity.

While the Ativ Smart Pro is priced at Rs 75,490, the Samsung Ativ costs Rs 53,990. Keep checking The Mobile Indian for the hand on the hybrid devices.

May 2013 launch rumoured for 5-inch 1080p LG Optimus G2

It has been only a few months since LG announced the Optimus G and it appears that plans for its successor are already in place. A report by MK Business News claims that LG plans to launch a successor to the Optimus G in May next year and it will reportedly go by the name Optimus G2.

LG is in talks with LG Innotek and LG Display to unveil a smartphone with a Full HD display half a year earlier than previously scheduled launch date. This handset, the Optimus G2 will supposedly go head-to-head against the Samsung Galaxy S IV, which is expected to be announced in the first half of next year.

The Optimus G2 is expected to have a screen with 440ppi and this screen will be 1.5 times clearer than the Apple iPhone. In comparison with a 40-inch Full HD TV, the display featured here is expected to be five to six times clearer. This display that will be supplied by LG Displays will measure 5-inches.

The report goes on to state that the launch of this handset will be around the same time Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy S IV. The Samsung smartphone is expected to feature a Full HD AMOLED display and the launch of these two handsets are expected to build a fierce competition between both these brands. MK Business News says about Optimus G2's specs, “LG’s new smartphone is set to be imbedded with Qualcomm’s two gigahertz (GHz) quad-core chip for its application processor (AP), a key system for supporting running apps in a mobile operating system environment. The Optimus G2 will feature Key Lime Pie, a successor Android version to Jelly Bean, as its mobile operating system.”

Here is a quick look at some of the main features of the LG Optimus G:
4.7-inch True HD IPS+ display with a resolution of 1280 x 768 pixels
LTE, 3G, EDGE/GPRS and Wi-Fi capabilities for net access, NFC
GPS, A-GPS
Bluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0
13 MP camera with LED flash and 1.3MP secondary camera up front
32GB Internal memory
MHL, DLNA

It possesses some other features such as a Qualcomm 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro SoC, 2GB DDR RAM, a slim profile as well a new touchscreen panel technology as a result of the vertically-integrated development process.

LG claims that with the powerful quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor as its base, and the best technologies in the industry for enhanced viewing and longer battery life, LG adds the finishing touches on the Optimus G with a sleek design and innovative UX features. The brand claims that the offerings in the Optimus G will provide users an experience currently unavailable on any other smartphone.

LG claims that the technologies such as the Zerogap Touch and True HD IPSPLUS Display from LG Innotek and LG Display harmonise to offer the slimmest, sharpest and clearest viewing experience. The new battery from LG Chem which is a 2100mAh battery has a longer life of 800 cycles, a significant improvement over existing mobile phone batteries. An ultra high-resolution, compact 13MP camera is employed in the Optimus G to offer the sharpest photos without pixilation.

Firefox Beta with IonMonkey available for desktop, Android

Mozilla, in an official blog post, confirmed yesterday that the new Firefox Beta for Windows, Mac, and Linux is now available for download and testing. The new beta features JavaScript improvements to make web apps and games perform better, while also adding support for W3C Touch Events. One of its headlining features is the Retina Display support that the beta brings to Mac users.

Elaborating further, the blog post shares that the beta version comes with IonMonkey, which is a new JavaScript JIT compiler offering a more efficient way for Firefox to process JavaScript. Mozilla claims that with IonMonkey, web apps, games, and other JavaScript-heavy pages will perform faster on Firefox. Retina Display support for Mac users in the newest beta will make Firefox even sharper when watching movies, playing games, and browsing the Internet.

Importantly, the newest beta update means that users can now disable insecure content. Elaborating upon this, the post adds those using the Firefox Beta can disable insecure content on the secure websites (HTTPS ) to maintain the privacy of their communication with the website. To go ahead and enable the feature, users can go to about:config. In addition, Firefox Beta is giving support for standard W3C Touch Events in addition to MozTouch events.

Also available for download and testing is a new Firefox for Android Beta(https://blog.mozilla.org/futurereleases/2012/11/26/firefox-for-android-beta-improves-phishing-and-malware-protection/). Among other things, the Beta update allows users to make browsing on their mobile faster and quicker. In its yesterday's post, Mozilla shares that the update provides users with search suggestions to allow users to get what they're looking for while browsing the web on their mobile. Importantly, the update offers improved protection against phishing and malware.

Elaborating further on this, the post adds that the search suggestions on the updated Android Beta offers suggestions for search terms as a user types - this way accessing content is quicker and easier, Mozilla suggests. It explains that when users open Firefox, they will spot a box that will ask them to opt-in for search suggestions when they type into the AwesomeBar. If users wish to be offered search suggestions, they should click on 'Yes'. "For your protection, search suggestions are conducted over a secure HTTPS connection," adds Mozilla in the post.

As mentioned earlier, the newest update offers improved protection against phishing and malware. Explaining this better, Mozilla adds that to protect users from malicious websites, Firefox for Android Beta will warn users when they come across websites that may be claimed for malware or phishing. Essentially, Firefox for Android Beta will show users a warning page and allow you to quit the operation before opening a potentially malicious page.

In July this year, i.e. barely a month after the release of Firefox 14, Mozilla announced the release of a new version of beta for Firefox 15. One of the main purposes of the new version of the popular web browser is fixing memory leaks, both for the browser and its add-ons.

Firefox has received criticism from the time its first versions were introduced over its hoggish memory requirements. But in recent times, Mozilla has made great improvements to the browser’s memory management.

In a post on a Mozilla blog, Nicholas Nethercote, a developer with the Mozilla Foundation, writes, “Firefox 15 prevents most memory leaks caused by add-ons, including Firebug.” Firebug is an add-on for the browser that helps developers debug websites.

Apollo+ update to Windows Phone 8 slated for Q1 2013

The Windows Phone 8 platform has been launched only recently, and news about an update to it has already arrived. A tweet by @Football4PDA has revealed that Microsoft is going to roll out an update for Windows Phone 8 in the first quarter of 2013, and it is called Apollo+.

Over the past few days, there has been a lot of speculation surrounding the Windows Phone platform. Most of it indicates that Microsoft may launch the Windows Phone 7.8 OS in the very near future.

The update to Windows Phone 8 may come as no surprise to most, as this platform has been plagued with some issues. Users have been experiencing random reboots as well as a Wi-Fi glitch.

Those who have recently jumped on to the Windows Phone 8 bandwagon may have noticed that there is a problem with the device losing connection to a Wi-Fi network when the screen is locked. In response to a tweet by a Windows Phone 8 user who said that the Wi-Fi shuts off after turning off the screen on every Windows Phone, Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president, Windows Phone Program Management, stated, “Someone is gonna yell at me for saying this, but... fix is coming. :) Sshh. Just promise me a little patience though.”

When Microsoft first announced Windows Phone 8, one of the highlighted features was the improved Start screen. Quite a few users of the new Windows Phone 8 handsets are aggrieved by the Wi-Fi connectivity automatically turning off every time the screen switches off.

If one happens to be downloading an app using Wi-Fi, and then locks the screen, the Wi-Fi will suddenly turn off once the screen is restarted. As of now, users are adopting a temporary fix by keeping the screen turned on till the app is completely downloaded.

At the Microsoft Windows Phone 8 launch event that was held late last month, commenting on the Start screen, Belfiore shared that the Windows Phone, with the Start screen and Live Tiles, is highly customisable. Users can pin their favourite people, apps, games, and music to the Start screen and colourful Live Tiles will light up with real-time information and updates.

A new feature in Windows Phone 8 is Kid’s Corner, which offers a worry-free way for parents to share their smartphones when the kids start clamouring to play games on the phone. A simple swipe activates a protected place on the phone where kids can play on specific apps and features selected by a parent. Family and friends will also enjoy the new Rooms feature, which lets people create a private network to chat and share photos, notes, calendars and other content with a closed group of people, rather than the entire social network.

Windows Phone 8 was designed to be the best companion with Windows 8, adds the company in its official statement. Windows and Windows Phone now share common underlying technology, which allows for shared tools, increased hardware support for multi-core processors, and a wide range of other platform capabilities. It also features a common look and feel with Windows 8, which makes shifting from phone to PC seamless and natural.

Hopefully, with this update coming by the first quarter of 2013, these issues will be addressed.

Nokia unveils Asha 205, Asha 206 feature phones

Nokia Asha 205 and Nokia 206 are both available in single SIM and dual SIM versions.

Finnish mobile manufacturer Nokia has unveiled two brand new Asha feature phones for the Indian market. Named as the Asha 205 and Asha 206, the devices come with Nokia's S40 operating platform.

Both the Nokia Asha 205 and Nokia 206 are both available in single SIM and dual SIM versions and give people options to access social features and share their favorite contents on the go.

The Nokia Asha 205 comes with a 2.4 inch VGA">QVGA display along with a full Qwerty keypad for easy typing. The phone features a dedicated Facebook key for faster access to the social network as well. The Asha 205 also comes with a VGA resolution camera (0.3 megapixel) at the back for snapping and 10 MB of internal storage along with option of expanding the storage with the use of micro SD cards.

The Nokia Asha 206 is an alpha numeric keypad based mobile phone featuring a 2.4 inch QVGA resolution display. The phone comes with a sleek design as well as features a 1.3 megapixel camera along with 10 MB of internal memory and expandable memory through the use of a micro SD card.

The Nokia Asha 205 and Nokia 206 are the first mobile phones to include Nokia's exclusive Slam feature. Slam allows consumers to share multimedia content like photos and videos with nearby mobile phone almost instantly. Slam works with most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones without the need to pair devices, and without the recipient needing to also have Slam. In just a few clicks, users can 'Slam' their content to another device faster than with Bluetooth alone.

The devices will be made available in a phased manner with Asha 206 expected to be made available by the end of this year for around Rs 3,500. After that Asha 205 and the dual SIM variants of both the devices would hit the markets.

As with other Asha devices, Nokia is also offering 40 EA games free of cost with these two new Asha feature phones.