Your Phone Is Your Most Vulnerable Gadget. Protect It Now

Smartphones – Gold Mine of Data/Secret/Password

Often we tend to be very cautious in safeguarding our homes and cars, putting in much effort for the security of the same. However we tend to overlook the fact that the smartphones which is our constant companion and a device with sensitive details could also be tampered.

No smartphone can be unhackable and all are not so permeable. Several of the companies have been working on designing devices which would make it difficult to peer into it. Smartphones are said to be gold mine of data, secrets and passwords, all on the one side of a four digit passcode or a fingerprint scan locks which could be picked by anyone with easy utilising the right tools.

General Manager of mobile solutions at BlackBerry, Alex Thurber had commented that `if the entire United States government wants to hack your phone, they are going to get in’. Some start-up firms like Sirin Labs who had designed a phone known as Solarin, have been utilising chip-level 256-bit AED encryption – translation: intelligence agency-grade puzzlement, as a precaution against breaches. The Solarin tends to have a switch in order to trigger a `secure zone’ that kills all features with the exception of the encrypted phone calls and texting.

Real Challenge – Super-Secure Smartphones

Blackphone of Silent Circle seems to have the same feature known as Spaces which enables the user to keep their personal life isolated from their work life, detached from their surveillance. Another company – Turing Robotic Industries has been functioning with big-name safety dealers in preinstalling defensive software which would be making Android phones less penetrable.

The Boeing Black which is a hyper secure smartphone designed for the defense group is said to use virtual-desktop software which tends to keep all the data of the devices on a dissimilar machine to avoid someone getting into Black and find nothing there. Moreover the phone also tends to have a self-destruct routine which gets activated should someone attempt to crack it open.

 CEO of Turing Robotic Industries, Syl Chao stated that the real challenge is in making supersecure smartphones adequately cool for customers to have them. He further added that `people tend to care about security, but they also have a lot on their mind and don’t want to think about security.

Smartphones/Apps Updated

It is essential to keep one’s phone and apps updated since Google, Apple together with the app developers tend to release new code regularly as they seem to play futile game against exploits. Moreover one should also be aware of what your phone tends to be doing. There are some devices such as the Blackphone which can convey which apps are utilising which sensors and radios.

 Should the user be on another Android handset, apps such as DCentral I tend to do something identical but not so meticulously. Besides this, there are some simple tips of not clicking the sketchy link, of never handing your phone to a stranger and refrain from being in public hot spots. If one makes it hard for the attacker they may simply move on and your data can be saved from getting into the wrong hands.

Vivo announces its X9s and X9s Plus phones

X9s & X9s Plus – Bigger Batteries/Wider Bodies

Two new smartphones have been debuted by Chinese phone maker Vivo in China recently namely X9s and X9s Plus. Both the phones are said to be a bit upgraded versions of the earlier X9 devices. The X9s Plus will be introduced on sale from July 8 when the registration for the X9s will be debuted on July 14 and the same will be going on sale beginning from July 20.

The X9s and X9s Plus would be launched in three colour options namely Rose Gold, Matte Black and Gold. The updated model comprises of bigger batteries, little wider bodies and tends to run Android Nougat. Similar to the older version they tend to have dual selfie cameras and their specs have not altered much. However one can expect the following from the X9s Plus which comes at a price of 2,998 Yuan or around $440:

•  Android Nougat 
•  4,015mAh battery 
•  5.85-inch Full HD AMOLED display 
•  Front fingerprint sensor 
•  16-megapixel rear-facing camera, 20-megapixel/50megapixel front-facing cameras 
•  4GB of RAM, 64GB storage

Vivo - 5th Most Popular Smartphone Maker

The regular X9s tends to have same specs though has a smaller display and battery. Moreover it also comprises of a dual selfie cameras which Vivo tends to be utilising in creating a background blurring effect. Other companies have also been experimenting with dual selfie cameras. Companies like LG, Oppo and Alcatel tend to have built dual front-facing cameras in their devices though they usually tend to utilise them in capturing wider shots.

Vivo according to an analyst firm is said to be the fifth most popular smartphone maker in the world having most of its market focused in India and China. The company is attempting to gain recognition through sponsorship like the next two World Cup, and it won’t be surprising to hear more regarding Vivo. The Vivo X9s boasts of 5.5-inch FHD 1080p AMOLED display where the Plus variant has a large 5.85-inch FHD 1080p AMOLED display. Both the smartphones are said to have narrow bezels together with a fingerprint sensor which is embedded in their home button towards the front area.

Employs – Octa-Core Snapdragon

The Vivo X9s tends to employ an octa-core Snapdragon 652 processor,below the hood and the Vivo X9s Plus tends to have an octa-core Snapdragon 653 processor. Both of these processors are supported by 4GB RAM and 64GB of storage space.

 While running on Android 7.1 Nougat, these phones are said to be topped with Funtouch OS 3.1 and the imaging features comprises of a 16MP main camera with LED flash together with PDAF as well as a dual camera setup towards the front. This comprises of a 20MP main sensor together with soft LED flash and a 5MP subordinate sensor.

From the connectivity point of view, the Vivo smartphone are said to be equipped with 4G VoLTE, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS as well as a dual SIM support. The Vivo X9s is said to be controlled by a 3320mAh battery while the X9s Plus is powered by a 4015mAh battery and both the batteries tend to support fast charging also.

OnePlus 3 Review

OnePlus 3 Termed – Apple Killer

OnePlus has gradually grown to become a most wanted in spite of it being considered a loser to Samsung and Apple. The introduction of its OnePlus 3 would bestrengthening this reputation. OnePlus has been termed as an Apple killer and though it is doubtful of toppling the Californian behemoth, its new handset could take away a huge fraction of its loyal supporters. The OnePlus 3not only looks to be a good device but feels much more expensive than the price tag of £309. Similar like the HTC One Series together with several other modern smartphones, the OnePlus 3 is designed from a single piece of aluminium with attractive anodised finish having its back somewhat curved.

The metal edges are slightly rounded with slim diamond-cut chamfers which tend to catch the light just suitable giving our a reflective glimmer now and then. Due to its heavy aluminium alloy body, it tends to feel sturdy from the plastic casing of similar valued Android phones like the LG G4. The OnePlus 3 will be delivered with a pre-installed screen protector for additional shield. With a thickness of 7.3mm it is significantly thinner than the 9.9mm OnePlus 2 and its 5.5-inch 1080p Optic Amoled display tends to have `one of the thinnest bezels in the world’.

Bezel – Fine/Slim

This exceptionally thin bezel means that the phone does not feel big than the iPhone 6S and does not tend to feel as large as the 6S Plus, in spite of the nearly similar measurements. However, on the shortcoming, the thin bezel means that holding the phone could be problematic. The user would frequently select menus as well as app on the edges of the screen by mistake and having to hold it as it is delicate weakens away from the sturdy first impression.

While indoors, with the brightness set at around 50%, the screen tends to look quite bright. Its bezel seems fine and slim and hence the content on the screen seems to control the front panel. The screen is covered by Corning Gorilla Glass 4 which is so thoroughly laminated that the contents seem to practically float on the surface of the glass. The OnePlus 3 tends to run OxygenOS which is this years’ version 3, built above Android Marshmallow.

Dash Charge Technology

A noticeable thing regarding OnePlus’ software is that it tends to look and feel just like the regular stock Android though with some few twists. Within the OnePlus 3 is a top-of-the-line Snapdragon 820 process and it is quad-core. It has been paired with a huge 6GB RAM to make sure that one may never feel that the phone is lethargic. As the 6GB RAM tends to be yet new in the Android section, OnePlus has merely improved some of its built-in module to make use of it, in order that most of the time the complete memory will not be utilised.

Like several other Marshmallow phones, Google’s Doze mode means one could leave the OnePlus 3, overnight in standby mode and would only lose around a few percent from the battery level. Moreover, if the OnePlus 3 tends to run out of juice, it has the Dash Charge technology which seems to work the way VOOC flash charging does, which is used by the OPPO F1 Plus.

You could get around 60% charge from a 30 minute of charging on plugged in the wall while using the phone simultaneously. Charging from zero to full, in some cases, takes about 75 minutes and can be done without the phone heating too much, which is due to the thick USB cable that dispels heat as it tends to pump 20W of power to the phone.

Moto G4 Plus First Impressions

Moto G Series Smartphone Enters its Fourth Generation

Lenovo which tends to own the smartphone business of Motorola seems to be getting stronger and the formerly Google owned company is sticking to its main philosophy. The focus is on the Moto G series of smartphone that has entered its fourth generation and which is named `Moto G’ with references to the generation of the device like Moto G 2015 or Moto G 3rd Generation. The complete line-up, in fact is being broken down further and Lenovo is launching the Moto G4 Plus in India, soon while the Moto G4 would be coming in June.

The Moto G4 Plus is Motorola accepting some of the market developments though sticking to its own philosophy. It has a 5.5 inch 1080p display, a clear update from the 720p displays seen against the original Moto G. In Moto G4 Plus the colours do not pop and it is also a bitreflective. The most important update is the camera which has a 16Mp shooter on the back with laser auto-focus as well as PDAF and it has been claimed by Motorola that it is better than the iPhone 6 Plus. However, there is a considerable amount of processing time and the camera app launches slower than the older Moto G phones.

Moto G4 Plus – Two Options

This could be due to its added features such as HDR, Pro Mode and best shot that tends to make the app heavier. The lighting during the launch event was not suitable to take good shots but served to satisfy several users, at least in the sunlight. Motorola has utilised an Omnivision sensor for this smartphone. Besides this, another addition is the fingerprint sensor that does not make it to the Moto G4.

 Located on the front, the fingerprint sensor on the Moto G4 Plus is said to be square shaped and tends to feel new if not odd. It seems to have ridged design that feel unnatural and though it is not a button, it could be used to light up the screen or close an app. In India, the Moto G4 Plus comes in two options, for the version with 16GB internal storage and 2GB RAM forRs 13,499 and for 32GB internal storage and 3GB RAM for Rs 14,999.

Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow Operating System

The processor is the same for both options which has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 oct-core chip. Each model comes with a MicroSD card slot which can have an extra 128GB of additional storage in order that the added internal memory may not be a big concern. Beneath the screen lies the fingerprint sensor having an unusual square shape design. The operating system running on the device is Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow which in line with the promise of Motorola, seems to be most prevailing version available.

It also has a battery of 3,000mAh. A lot of specification is shared between the Moto G4 and the G4 Plus comprising of the 5.5 inch screen with 1080p resolution, a Snapdragon 617 processor together with a fast charging 3,000mAh battery while the Android version tends to remain the same together with the microSD card slot.

LG's new Fingerprint Reader Sits Under a Smartphone Screen

Fingerprint Readers – Abundant in Smartphone Designs

Fingerprint readers seem to be abundant in the designs of smartphone with queries like, whether they should include them or where to accommodate them. While some of the manufacturers have opted in adding readers in the button on the front or raised area on the back of the devices, LG Innotek has come up with a latest idea of putting it under the screen of the phone.

The LG associate had announced that it had created a new fingerprint sensor which has been inserted into a small 0.01 inch space cut in the underside of smartphone glass cover enabling the designers of the device to include fingerprint reader without committed button, pads or other exposed components. LG has stated that the fingerprint recognition rates on the under-glass module are comparable to button-kind sensor and could reduce any kind of smartphone malfunctions, together with bonus of enabling phone to be waterproof as well as scratch-resistant or only designed to appear sleeker.

No announcement has been made yet by the company whether it would be utilising this new module in any of the upcoming phone. However a spokesperson of LG had informed the Korea Times that the company is in talks with some smartphone manufacturers in order to commercialize the new sensors, within the year.

LG’s Fingerprint Sensor under the Display

Few years ago, Apple had begun pioneering smartphone fingerprint sensors in its smartphone with the iPhone 5s and since then various manufacturers had introduced fingerprint sensors on their smartphones. Presently, LG is pioneering and is touting its new fingerprint sensor which tends to sit under the display which means that when one tends to place their finger on the cover glass of the display, the under glass fingerprint sensor module seems to automatically identify your fingerprint.

As announced by Jongseok Park, CEO of LG Innotek, the under glass fingerprint sensor module will eliminate dedicated buttons, pad or other elements for fingerprint recognition and will also help in making the smartphone more water resistant by decreasing the number of openings. This could also be the cause of slimmer devices in the near future.

 LG Innotek has mentioned that it has cut 0.01-inch slot towards the back of the cover display glass and has set up a fingerprint sensor in it with `supreme precision and combination technology’.

Fingerprint Sensor Module – False Acceptance Rate – FAR

It has also been stated that the fingerprint sensor module tends to have a false acceptance rate – FAR of 0.002%. Besides this, LG also informs that the adherence side of the glass as well as the fingerprint sensor is 0.0098-inch thick, with the capability of resisting the impact of a 130 gram steel ball dropped from 7.9-inch. Changhwan Kim, Head of Research and Development Centre LG has mentioned that they are concentrating on all resources to the development of the differentiated technology based on the creation of customer value and will continue to provide convenient, safe and pleasant user experience by launching innovative product.

LG has not disclosed when precisely we would start seeing this technology in smartphone or the other devices. In December last year, the company had been tipped to supply Oled displays for their forthcoming iPhone models.

Your Smartphone to be Your Passport Soon

UK Based Company – Technology to Store Paperless Passport in Smartphone

A British-based commercial banknote printer and passport company De La Rue has been working on a technology that could influence to store `paperless passports’ in smartphones by allowing travellers to use their smartphone at immigration control.De La Rue is the world’s biggest passport producer and prints British Banknotes.

 The technology could store passports within mobile phones permitting travellers to do away with the booklet which has been around for many years.It could turn to paperless passport which could act the same to mobile boarding cards enabling tourist to travel through the airport minus any documents, according to Telegraph. According to spokesman of the company who quoted that paperless passports is said to be one of the several enterprises which is presently being looked at, though at the moment it is a perception which is at the initial stage of development.

The report adds that the potential for forgery, global barriers together with distinct possibility of losing one’s smartphone could mean the security challenges present great hurdles. The Times had reported that Martin Sutherland, chief executive of the company had stated that they had begun work on the project in order to provide secure phone based information which could be operated at immigration control.

New Innovation/Technology Solutions

David Jevans from security company Proofpoint had quoted stating that the `digital passport on the phone would need new hardware on the device to securely store the electronic passport which cannot be copied from the phone. He further added that it would also have to be communicated wirelessly to passport reader since doing it onscreen similar to an airline ticket QR code could be copied or fooled.

De La rue chief executive Martin Sutherland had informed The Times that the paperless passport service is already in the testing mode. A spokesman has stated that technology is at the forefront of De La Rue’s business and is constantly looking at new innovations as well as technology solutions for customers around the globe. Modern passports tend to have chips already in them which compare the carrier’s face to the one that is stored in the passport. The one that is in the smartphone could embed this technology rather than merely representing the documents on a screen.

Passport Non Digital Document Given Technological Treatment

Passports are one of the last hold outs of non-digital documents. For instance, airline tickets are already being delivered directly to phones. Most important for De La Rue, would be to adjust its identity technology in a digital format and obtain the approval of its use by the government.

Airports in Miami as well as Atlanta have already tested mobile-based clearance system wherein travellers could use the phone to enter customs details. As mentioned by Sutherland, paperless passport being in the early stage of development, it was unlikely to arrive in the short term.

 Passport being one of the last hold-outs of non-digital documents in the travel industry, recently it has been given the technological treatment- cloud passport has been given a trial run and travellers could also take a self as their passport photo. Now it is left to be seen if passport books would go paperless and it is just a matter to time to see the outcome of this technology.

You Can Now Use Android Apps without Downloading Them

Google – Use Apps without Download

Google is experimenting with tech that enables you to use apps without downloading them. It was Google’s plan of keeping its crown with regards to mobile search. Earlier searching for the Web would be sitting in front of a desktop computer and editing words in the search box at Google.com.

But now, with the enhancement in technology, individual open a smartphones app, instead of going to Google. However Google intends to change it and the Mountain View, California, company desires to extend its search dominance to smartphones by offering an option of using apps without the need of downloading them to your phone.

Should a user search for a product for instance hotel room by utilising Google’s app on a smartphone powered by the company’s Android software, it displays the search results from across the web as usual. However there would also be some details from apps like Hotel Tonight, the San Francisco-based app for booking last minute rooms. If the button is tapped, Google displays the app and the user could book a room, even though the same is not installed on their phone.

Streaming Video to Phone via Internet

For those who have been waiting for a long length of time between tapping `install’ and then able to open an app on the phone, it seems thrilling. The trick is that the company has been streaming a video to your phone via the Internet while the apps run in a computer several miles away.Presently Google is only capable of doing that with nine apps namely Hotel Tonight, Daily Horoscope, My Horoscope, New York Subway, Weather, Visual Anatomy Free, Useful Knots, restaurant finder Gormey and national parks guide Chimani. Lead engineer for Google’s mobile search and app indexing team, Rajan Patel commented that they feel like it is their role to ensure they have answers, in mobile often which are in apps.

This move for consumers would mean cutting out time and the trouble it involves in downloading an app and then installing it on the phone. One could utilise an app without the need of it occupying space on the device.For Google it could be revolution of making mobile app less applicable, keeping the search giant at the top for smartphone users. Though Google’s desktop search engine seems to be the most successful in the world, it is not as unattainable on Smartphones.

Deep Linking Technology

However, this is not the only option Google is making attempts in trying to enhance mobilesearch. Google, in April had altered the way of organizing all websites, ranking those which show better on smartphones and the company had been working in making information from within the apps much more searchable on Google. This technology is known as deep linking.

The company had also informed that it has now over 100 billion links to information from apps. Due to the technology which it had acquired last year from a start-up known as Agawi, Google also has the capability of streaming these apps. Google is not actually giving access to the app, technically.

According to a spokeswoman, it seems like one is in the program, though the company is in fact streaming you a high-resolution video which can be tapped and scrolled just as a normal app. The difference between an installed app and the Google version is that a banner runs through the bottom of the screen which says `App streamed by Google.

Google has mentioned that the new app feature would ultimately come to Apple’s iPhones though has refrained to say when it would come up.

Mobile Calls Being Cut Off? Your Network May not be to Blame

Apple & Samsung Smartphones – Inspection of Handsets in Sending/Receiving Signals

Smartphones like Apple and Samsung have been facing official inspection on their technical expertise as part of an examination by Ofcom on how their handsets tend to manage calls. Ofcom is the communication regulator in the UK who regulates the TV and radio segments, fixed line telecoms, postal services and mobiles together with the airwaves through which wireless devices are said to operate.

Ofcom tends to operate under various Acts of Parliament which include the Communication Act of 2003 and functions within the powers and duties that have been set for it by the Parliament in legislation.

It has been stated in the Communication Acts that Ofcom’s chief duty is to promote the interests of citizens as well as consumers. Ofcom receives funds by way of fees from industry in regulating broadcasting and communication networks together with grant-in-aid from the Government.

The communication regulator has ordered a self-governing testing lab in order to calculate how the famous smartphone send and receive signals. It is also investigating if some models seem to be more likely than the others in suddenly cutting off conversations. The research is in progress with sharp political concern on mobile coverage as well as the quality of reception in urban as well as rural areas.

Handset Design Affecting Reception

Apple had earlier been forced to admit reception problems with its iPhone 4, because of its antenna design.But according to Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple who has received an email from a reader stating that his new iPhone 4 was facing reception issues while holding it in his hand was informed that those with reception issues need to hold their phone correctly.

Till now the stress has been put exclusively on network operators facing government pressure in improving the capacity and coverage.Westminster sources with information of the research effort of Ofcom indicated that it would shine the spotlight on how modern handset designs could affect reception, for example by utilising the metal cases which could be a hindrance to the signals.

According to Westminster, `some of the manufacturers would not like what is being published by Ofcom; however it is of great important that people have the information available.

Results of the Study Waited

Various sources of UK network operators have stated that the finding would be anticipated eagerly and their own testing has indicated significant differences in the quality of the receptions on popular handsets.

But due to their reliance on commercial relationship with the manufacturers they seem to be unable in sharing the details with consumers without the risk of accusations. One source from the industry has informed that the `handset design as well as the performance could often have a great impact on the quality of service people seem to receive than the network that they use.

Ofcom spokesman informed that the results of the study of the handset would be made available within a weeks’ time and the findings would be based on the recently published maps of network coverage. We need to wait and watch on the latest development with regards to reception issues.

Chevrolet to Roll out Tiny Air Conditioner for Overheated Smartphones

There is perhaps worse than the undesirable burning sensation that you experience when your skin touch the seat of your car on a scorching summer day. In such situation, you only can have the cool air of AC that is fitted inside the cabin of car. But, no one has thought of the ways through which the Smartphone can be kept cool.

Overheating Smartphone has now become a very common phenomenon. Keeping this fact on mind, the US based car maker Chevrolet has released small-sized air-conditioner system, which takes care of any overheated Smartphone models and enhance the life of its battery. The models, which are likely to be presented with the tiny air-conditioner systems, are 2016 Malibu, Cruze and also Volt sedans that include wireless charging facility.

Reasons for which Chevy introduced the technology

Though Chevrolet is mainly recognized as the car manufacturer, the Active Phone Cooling technology that is introduced by this company will surely help the Smartphone to last longer. It is expected that the now gadget will work in combination with the air conditioning system of a car. Chevy developed this technology when it found that the car owners’ mobiles do not charge while they become extremely hot. The overheating may also be caused due to other factors like games and intense apps, which put a stress on the processor of a handset.

It is the cold air outlet that calms down the phone while it is placed on a small tray, which below a dashboard. It is very helpful for those Smartphone users, who depend on their handsets to play songs and receive hands-free calls on highway.

From a reliable source, it is informed that Chevrolet has considered it as the industry-first technology, although the same type of effect may be attained by fashioning a tiny Smartphone hammock and then hanging this in front part of your vehicle’s regular air-conditioning path. But, the driver can get a neater solution with the Active Phone Cooling.

While carrying out the tests, the engineers of Chevrolet subjected their cars to extreme temperatures to know whether the subsystems worked appropriately. And while checking the wireless charging quality of a Smartphone, they observed that some handsets would delay charging or also shut off after just a few minutes in the hot temperatures inside the cabin of car. And, thus it has planned to insert the feature of Active Phone Cooling to it’s the different models that are already mentioned.

How the system works

The system sends cold air to help in lowering the phone's hotness and Active Phone Cooling works only when HVAC structure is switched on by the car chauffeur.

After connecting their compatible Smartphone with the accessible MyLink radio, the users can access the features of the phone. In a press release, Dan Lascu, who is an engineer of Impala said that innovation never indicate reinventing a wheel. He also added that sometimes simplicity provides the most preferable solution to a difficulty. However, Chevy claims that other auto manufacturers do not have any response for this feature.

Smartphone Maker You Never Heard Of Valued At $45 Billion

If you ask anyone about the leading smartphone makers around the world, the obvious answer that we get is Samsung and Apple but what about the third largest smartphone maker? If you thinking about Sony, Nokia, LG, and Lenovo then you are absolutely wrong.

For those who are not aware, the third largest company is the Chinese company known as Xiaomi. If sources have to be believed, then the company has just raised over $1.1 billion through funding from some of most powerful tech industry's players. Currently the company’s value is around $45 billion, which is more than Motorola, LG, and Sony when combined together. The company at present is most valuable startup in the world, and the worth is even more than Pinterest, Uber, and Airbnb.

Xiaomi: 

The company is one of the fastest growing smartphone makers in the world. The company’s sales rose more than 211% to over 17 million smartphones during the third quarter of 2014. This is 50% of the number of iPhones sold by Apple. While the company was having only 2% of the marketshare in 2013, by end of 2014, the company’s share doubles to 5%.

This Chinese smartphone maker rose to such high prominence rather quickly as they focused on the Chinese market and some of the other nearby high-growth countries. The company is known to be the 2nd smartphone brand sought after Samsung in China. Xiaomi has just started selling out their smartphones in Mexico, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey, and Russia. The company has taken the entire growth markets storm as they are offering super-low price phones through online-only sales.

The gorgeous Mi4 smartphone, which debuted in August, is known as "iPhone killer” in the country. The developers have built the phone exactly like iPhone. With the added knack of excellent marketing, the company has been able to attract a massive number of people in China. According to Bin Lin, co-founder of Xiaomi, their sole aim is to bring innovation into everyone’s life in 2015.

At present, the biggest question that surrounds the company is whether they will be able to cross and grow beyond the countries they are currently operating in for selling phones. A simple example, the company has the potential to shake the entire US market, which is leading and filled with iPhone and Apple dominance?

Looking at the current trend, the company, and the smartphones have not been able to welcome in the United States of America. Some of the other competitors of the company like Huawei, Yulong and Lenovo, have still not headed towards the American soil. In the past decade, Nokia is known to the worldwide leader in cell phone sales and that too without any significant presence in the United States of America. Even though Sony, LG, and other company’s have been able to get success in international market, but still failed to gain footing here.

At present, the company as no plans or in future to sell their smartphones in the United States of America. But, if they plan to do so, they have to be prepared to face one of the biggest challenge ever.

Reduce the Risk of Mobile Radiation- Follow These Tips

In order to carry out data transmission, Radio frequency Energy or RF is emitted by the mobile phones. Radio frequency Energy waves are said to be travelling in the form of electromagnetic fields. Other radiations like Gamma and X-Ray are known to cause interference or ionization in human body, but contrary to this RF waves do not cause any such problems.

Whom to trust: 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already said that the RF radiations produced by the mobile phones are at very low level hence not capable enough to cause any serious health problems. Probably the same would have been told about Alcohol and Cigarettes. Contrary to FDA, World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the electromagnetic waves, which are produced by the mobiles phones, are considered carcinogenic to human beings and this has been very much classified by the “International Agency for Research on Cancer”.

No one can assure whether mobile phones are threatening or not. If you ask a common person, excessive use of phones have really given headache and restlessness to them. So what can we do? Following the below mentioned tips will come handy:

Always buy branded phones: 

One of the best means of prevention from the dangerous radiations emitted from phones. There are many phones, which have been approved by the authorities. Some of the example brands are Apple, Samsung, Nokia, HTC, Sony, among others.

Always check the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) value: 

Most of the time, this information can be found on the setting tab of the menu. If you are unable to locate the same then you need to dial *#07# on your mobile and the information will be relayed. If the phone does not relay the information, it means that the brand is not following with local and International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) standards.

Headsets: 

If you are a person who is not able to invest in branded phones and have rather settled down with a Chinese make phone, it is time to start using headphones. This is only way you can avoid using the phone directly close to your head. Do not think of getting a Bluetooth device as that also will emit radiations to affect your health.

Switch of the phone when not using it: 

It is not possible to switch off the phone during office hours, but is always important to switch off the phone at bedtime and not to sleep with the phone close to you.

Keep the phone away from body: 

Always try to avoid keeping phone close to you. If the phone is in pocket always, keep the screen towards your body to ensure radiations move out of the body.

Using mobile phones continuously can never be deemed correct; it is common understanding among the users. However, sometime there are situations wherein you might have situations wherein you have to carry your phone or use it most of the time. Just try to follow above steps to avoid any future damage.

Recognize the Features of the iPhones and the Other Smart Phones

The Apple IPhone accumulates the sophisticated features that represent the efficiency of technology with wider screen and other effective opportunities. Moreover, it consists of a suitable display along with a better resolution that enhances the usability of the device.

However, you can explore a tough competition with the Android devices that are recognized as the rivals for the smart phone from Apple. The IPhone6 signifies a stylish outlook with the handset measuring 4.7 inches that accretes an advanced 720P Retina HD display and other smart features. On the other hand, the smart Android devices appear as the Samsung and the HTC brands where you can explore the features like the quad-core processor, larger touchscreen along with an extensive memory that gives you ample support.

Comparison for the Smart Phone Camera

The iPhone6 comprises of the 8 megapixel camera whereas the Samsung Galaxy S5 and Note 4 consist of the 16 megapixel camera. Moreover, the Sony Xperia Z3 that includes a 20.7 megapixel camera accompanied with other smart options. All the smart phones consist of the advanced attributes that help the users to acknowledge the competency of technology.

For each smart phone you can recognize the Wifi, Bluetooth and other options that help you to accomplish the secured payment option that saves you time as well as effort. TheWifi calling facility is available to the other smart phonessince a long episode whereas Apple incorporated the feature recently.

However, irrespective of all these features the modish look inspires the users to obtain the products from the particular brand. The exclusive designs from apple accumulate metal and glass that ensures the better durability. Once, you comprehend the original design along with the suitable material you cannot deny that quality of the product that Apple produces. Therefore, here lies the major reason that specifies the efficiency of the brand appearing with the better outputs compared to others.

The New Launch from Apple

The IPhone 6 and IPhone 6 plus come out as the recent development from Apple that signifies the suitable implementation of technology and the additional features. The recent models support all the smart features including the Wifi connectivity.

Moreover, it integrates other advanced facets that you can utilize recognizing the suitable prospects related to the advanced technical backdrop. However, before you purchase comprehend the entire benefits that you would receive after purchasing the specific product according to your needs.

Final Verdict

Overall, it concludes that the current models from Apple accrete the latest features and fulfill all the technical desires for the users. In this respect, Apple today attains the remarkable popularity signifying the estimable position in the competitive market.

Furthermore, you should get familiar with the entire operating system ensuring that you are capable using the smart features experiencing the real time outputs. The users therefore would not face any difficulties and can easily accomplish the activities on the new IPhone models. Compare the features and the services before you carry out a final purchase that would meet your goals.

Nexus X – The First Android L Smartphone

The Nexus X (instead of Nexus 6) is highly anticipated smartphone for 2014, which is rumored to be launched by Google sometime this year – most probably being Halloween. As with last year’s pitch, Google might launch is without a separate announcement and sell it through its play store unlocked across the world. This would be the first smartphone to launch with Android L – the next major version of android with a facelift in form of a more modern design and pastel color palette.

The Expected Specifications

Internally, the Smartphone goes by the codename “Shamu” and its latest appearance was on AnTuTu benchmarks whose screenshots were leaked by TKtechnews and it referred to the phone as “Nexus X” – thus a departure from the usual numbering system. The leaked images confirm a 2.7 GHz quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor, 3 GB of RAM, Adreno 420 GPU – the fastest mobile GPU in market, a 13 MP camera with OIS and flash, and a 2.1 MP front facing camera. The images also confirm a 1440×2560 4K resolution with either 5.2’’ or 5.9’’ LCD IPS screen along with 32 GB and 64 GB non-expandable memory.

Android L in Tow

Nexus X will launch with Android L out-of-box – maintaining the tradition of Nexus line. Google has brought some major changes to the Android OS with a complete facelift. Google dubs it as the “Material Design” philosophy, which emphasizes light backgrounds, accented edges and shadows to give a feeling of depth without fancy 3D animations. The subtle animations present are intuitive and help to improve UX. The button overlays similarly are floating in nature with distinct colors and shadows. Further, notifications are improved with the most important ones grabbing your attention only with an improved lock screen.

Pricing and Availability

The Smartphone is being made by Motorola this time – which was recently acquired by Lenovo from Google. The most expected date of release would be October this year during Halloween. A recent screenshot from French retailer “Fnac” shows the Nexus X 64 GB Black version being available at €449 unlocked though the credibility of the leaks is in question. Fnac’s databases are not the safest and the leak could have been manufactured by hackers so take it with a pinch of salt. Earlier it was said the Nexus X would be priced at $ 499.99 by Best Buy for a 2-year contract on Sprint in the US. Though the impending launch of Apple’s next iPhone might make Google launch it on all carriers at once. It will be available internationally unlocked via Google’s Play Store.

Verdict

With iPhone 6 coming in Q3, Google is gearing up to launch its own Nexus X with the latest Android L in tow (which might go by the name “Lemon Meringue” once launched) and the top of the line hardware at competitive prices. Availability, performance and pricing will determine how the device performs. Further people are eager to get their hands on Android L, first demoed in Google I/O, which should definitely help the Smartphone.

Enlighten and update yourself about the best 5 android launchers.

To make the Android OS faster and even more easilyaccessible, the Android Launcher is used. They are considered to be apps and can be fetched from the Google Play Store. The launcher serves as the application for your home screen. It launches the different other apps downloaded on your phone. Generally an Android phone comes with a default launcher, but if yours doesn’t have one, downloads it from the Google App store.

Let us give you a glance of the best five Android launchers you could use.

• Nova Launcher: This launcher has the highest rating from its users. This app can be highly customised as per the user's requirement, and significantly accelerates the performance of the phone. Accurate and efficient tricks replace the style icons of the age-old Ice-cream sandwiched version with the newly launched, updated version Kitkat. To use this launcher, the phone should have an Android version of 4.0 and above.The home screen can be made to look even more attractive by adding interesting, yet subtle shadows that seem to induce depth to the screen, giving it an eye-catching effect.

• ADW: This launcher has been widely used and accepted. It is compatible with android phones having versions 1.6 and above. There is a wide range of designs that innovative designers have come up with, from which you can choose. Its compatibility with old versions of android has made it more acceptable. Some people have been found to hold a fondness towards the previous versions. Using this launcher, you could make your Kitkat version look like Gingerbread. It also has options of themes used in Ubuntu, Black Glass, Minimalist and themes used in devices like Galaxy Note III and the Samsung Galaxy S4.

• Action Launcher: The large number of users of this app have given positive remarks and recommended this app too. The launcher requires use of an android version 4.0.3 and above. This launcher makes your home screen even more interactive and organised. They create and launch different widgets that can be accessed by swiping the app's icon. You can launch the home screen from the right edge of the screen. It includes a feature called covers that can be used to group icons. The Shutter option can be used to group widgets.

• Apex Launcher: This launcher requires your phone to have an android version of 4.0.3 and above. It is a host to a large number of happy users. It provides attributes like elastic scrolling of the screen and also equips a desktop that can be locked to ensure that no changes are made to the phone without prior permission. The interesting transition effects, splendid drawer-styles and an updated theme engine with plentiful designs for skins and icons are available. Popular designs from third-party companies, like the theme of the much-desired HTC Sense UI, are also available.

• Transparent Screen Launcher: This launcher can be used by android users with versions 2.2 and above. The transparent screen concept is truly an innovative idea, but unfortunately it has not been executed properly. The idea is that the home screen of your phone will appear transparent which will be done by using your phone's camera. You can thus enjoy the provision of viewing what is behind the phone screen even when you keep looking at the screen.

How To Extend your Samsung Galaxy S5's Battery Life

The World of Samsung Galaxy
 
Samsung is yet again set to rule the market with its all-new Smartphone Galaxy S5. While the predecessors of the Galaxy S series have been known to have given excellent results along with remarkable reviews, the latest Smartphone Galaxy S5, again is ready to dominate the game.

Protect your Phone's Battery
 
Today for all kinds and brands of Smartphones battery life is becoming increasingly important. Samsung makes the use of the 2800mAh battery along with the power saving mode option that will help you have a longer battery life. Since Smartphone today has loads of Apps to run along with many other games, one should have a brief idea of the essential tips that might extend the battery life of the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Some useful tips
 
Some of the steps with the help of which one can enjoy using the Samsung Galaxy S5, even when he or she is not carrying travel adapters, are discussed in brief below:

1. Power saving mode- The first in list has to be that of Power Saving Mode that Samsung provides to all its customers. By clicking this option, one can have a longer battery life, sometimes even for days. This option basically switches off stuff like Bluetooth, Wi Fi, NFC, GPS and all those applications that basically drains the battery. All that one needs to do is to go to the Settings option and click on to the “Power Saving Mode” option.

2. Brightness- The next easy step is lowering the brightness level. The more the phone stays bright the higher are the chances that it can drain your phone's battery. Another good option that Samsung claims about is the Auto Adjust Screen Tone. With this, your phone will be able to adjust the brightness on its own.

3. Screen Time Out- Make sure your phone has screen time out with a comparatively lesser time. If it is set at 1 minute or 3 minutes, keep it lesser like 15 seconds or 30 seconds.

4. My Magazine and other apps- For any kind of Smartphone too many apps can actually be burdensome for the system. Make sure to switch off apps and options that are not used like My Magazine, Gestures, Motion, Air View and all the others.

5. Bad Network and Wi Fi- If you have a bad network, get rid of it as soon as possible. Not only with a bad network, you are losing your phone's battery life, but also you are losing many hard-earned dollars. For a better access, make sure to use a good Wi Fi.

6. Extra Extended Battery- Make sure in all cases to an extra pack of Samsung Galaxy Battery. May be it can cost you a bit, but with that you can at least stay contented.

7. Charging accessories- Apart from all these having a portable charging accessory can be an ideal option. On this aspect, external power packs can be really useful.

Thus, it can be rightly said that protecting the battery life of Samsung Galaxy S5 is not that tough. With an adequate knowledge on the given factors, anyone can protect the precious battery of this unique Smartphone.

Quick and Smarter way of Hassle Free Updating of Moto G GPe to KitKat 4.4.4

Motorola Moto G Google Play Edition is one of the most successful mid-budgets Smartphone. It offers high end features like Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 1.2 GHz Quad-core processing unit, along with a 4.5 inch HD Gorilla Glass Display at jaw dropping affordable price. As result of such features, Motorola had sold out innumerable units all across the globe. The Moto G GPe has introduced the update to upgrade your phone from Jelly Bean 4.4.2 to Android KitKat 4.4.4. Here are the steps, which would guide you to update the phone without any hassle.
Prerequisites for Updating

•  Install all the Motorola drivers.
•  Enable the USB Debugging for updating process.
•  Install the Android SDK.
•  Moto G should have an adequate charge preferably over 60% battery level.
•  Back-up all the necessary data from the phone like the storage, SMS, Contacts etc.
•  Stock KOT49H ROM and recovery should be installed.

Steps for Updating Moto G GPe to KitKat 4.4.4
a. The Motorola customers are required to download the OTA update zip file of approximately 162 MB from the Motorola website.

b. The users should switch off their phone completely. While switching on the phone the users are requires pressing the Volume Up + Volume Down+ Powers keys simultaneously. Very soon, a boot mode screen would be available.

c. Using the volume keys users can down the menu and should select the Recovery option by pressing the Power Button.

d. In the idle of the screen, a warning Android logo would be displayed.

e. Moto G user now should press and hold the Volume Up and Volume Down for five seconds, then gently release the Power button.

f. The Moto G will now be booted into stock recovery mode. ‘Android System Recovery <3e>’ text would be displayed at the top of the screen.

g. Users should now connect their Moto G Smartphone to the PC via USB cable.

h. Again, use the volume keys to highlight ‘apply update from ADB’ and select the said option by using the Power Key.

i. The Moto G users should locate the folder on their PC where OTA file has been downloaded in the earlier step. Once you get inside the folder, then press Shift Key and right on an empty space. A list options would be displayed in the pop-up menu, click on the ‘Open Command Window Here’.

j. A black screen command prompt will appear on the screen.

k. Users should type the following in the command prompt to side load the OTA:
adb sideload 8139a3b77162488d3bc058c378e28ff2ea22ae78.KOT49H.M004_5-KTU84P.M003_18.zip

l. The users are requires hold patience as this process would considerable time to finish. Once the process is completed select the ‘Recovery System Now’ from the recovery menu.

m. The Moto G Google Play Edition will now reboot into updated Android 4.4.4 KitKat ROM. Just check the Android Version for your satisfaction.

With this, the process of updating the Android Operating System is successfully completed. Now enjoy your latest Android your Moto G GPe handset and unfold all the wonderful opportunities and features provided by it.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Tips and Tricks

The Samsung Galaxy5 is one of the most successful Smartphones manufactured by the Samsung in the recent. The Samsung Galaxy comes loaded with a large amount of inbuilt and other kind of features and technological advancement.

Here are some of the important tips & tricks:

a. Finger print Scan Unlock feature
 
The Galaxy S5 now comes with the finger print scanner located on the home button in the invisible form to make your phone inaccessible to unknown persons or want to save your content and data from even your friends and family members. It can be set up by going to the Settings, then Fingerprint option.

b. Galaxy S5 Basic Mode
 
To make yourself acquainted with the simple and necessary features of the Galaxy S5, then use it in the Easy Mode. The Easy mode could be switched ‘on’ and ‘off’ from the Settings. The Easy Mode offers a simpler and less cluttered screen, which makes it easier to find the apps and features.

c. Galaxy S5 offers voice control
 
The Galaxy S5 smartphone can be smartly and intelligently controlled from voice based control applications like S-Voice and Google Now. These apps let the user perform all the functions from taking calls to streaming videos with the voice. These functions can be activated by simply switching on and off from the app setting.

d. Lower the Battery Consumption of the Galaxy S5
 
The Galaxy S5 has a Ultra Power Saving mode which reduces the battery consumption level by turning the screen black and white and limiting the app access while still allowing the user to make calls, send texts, use the internet and other features. This app is known to save 5% of the battery, which makes this Smartphone last longer with the entire requisite feature.

e. Automatic Answering by just picking up
 
The Galaxy S5 has the advanced sensors, which helps easily to know when the user picks the phone, places it next to his head and could automatically answer a call without wasting the time on tapping the answer pop-up when the user hands are full or busy. This feature can be activated through the Setting, then Motions and gestures, click on Direct Call.

f. Multi Tasking Made Easy
 
The Samsung Galaxy S5 offers Multi Window mode, which allows the users to use the smartphone for performing more than two applications at the same time. Multitasking makes the phone multipurpose and highly useful in some situations. This feature could be activated from the Settings as well.

g. Faster Downloads
 
The Galaxy S5 have Download Booster app that allows the users to combine the Wifi and LTE together at the same time to download large files with pace and smoothness. This feature limited to the certain carriers only. This feature can also be activated from the Settings.

h. Auto Switch Mode
 
The Auto Switch mode is an innovative feature of the Samsung Galaxy S5, which is especially designed for the users, which counters bad WiFi networks. Once this feature is turned on from the Setting then it will turn on the Wifi when the phone finds a cellular, if not it will switch off the WiFi. It leads higher data usage but it is worthwhile for many users.

Explore a New World with the Hidden Features of Samsung Galaxy S5!

The Rise of “Galaxy”
 
The siblings of the Samsung Galaxy S series range have finally seen the release of the much-awaited Samsung Galaxy S5. The phone had been quite high in demand due to the attractive features and options given by its predecessors.

Ten Hidden Features to Know
 
The all-new Samsung Galaxy S5 Smartphones undoubtedly has a multiple range of options, applications and features that make it as one of the most demanded phone in the Galaxy's S Smartphone range. Apart from these basic features the phone also has few more hidden features that all of its users must know about:

1. Privacy- You can easily enjoy your privacy by just one step, with the activation of the private mode that is present in the Settings section. By doing this some of the personal apps will be displayed only when it is kept in this mode.

2. Caller Information- Samsung has offered to know more about the callers while letting them stay on the line. All you need to do is to go to the Settings, then call settings, then selecting Show Caller Information. This can be a potential step to avoid stalkers.

3. Ignore My Magazine- My Magazine is a feature offered by the Samsung to get the delight of reading on various topics. However, many of its users do not quite use this option. Thus it is better to switch it off, by un-ticking the “My magazine” option in the Home Screen Settings section.

4. Tilt for playlists- Tilting the phone to the landscape mode, the respective users will be suggested for an appropriate follow up of songs with the help of mood, genre as well as source.

5. Quick Connect- Clicking the Quick Connect option opens a brief list of those wireless devices that can be readily connected.

6. Entering Text- When the phone's touch sensitivity is increased, you can actually enjoy the multi-touch display either by a pencil or with your own hand while wearing gloves.

7. Accepting calls along with continuing apps - For most of phones, calling can interrupt the running of the apps. However, with Samsung Galaxy S5, it's not the same. As one selects the Enabling the Call Notification, one can actually accept or decline calls, while the apps may run on the background.

8. Virtual tour mode- This option lets one to have a series of photos that can later act as a tour guide with the help of Panoramic as well as 360 degree shots. This option can be activated by going to the camera app and by clicking the “Modes” option, where one will find the “Virtual Mode” option.

9. Priority Senders- Enabling the “Priority Senders” option will be pushing up all the important contacts to the top of the phone's messaging app, from the respective contacts list, making it easier for you to communicate.

10. Kids' Zone- Today's kids really know and love playing with any phone. Knowing this Samsung has introduced the Kids' Mode, where kids can enjoy using the phone along with learning much other stuff. Once filled with Apps that they can use, kids can really have a good time.

With a whole lot of hidden features, Samsung thus again proves that it can set itself apart from the other leading names. Indeed the name “Galaxy” rightly goes with the phone.

How to Listen to Google Play Music Radio Station Offline

Android has the most emerging features that have been increasing day to day; for example if you want to do something immediately, then you can easily do it in a click with the help of your android device. In case of music, you can hear the awesome sound from your mobile itself. Recent update of Google Play store has built in radio music player that allows you to play the radio station in your mobile itself. You can play several online stations via the Google Music player that is found defaultly in your android devices.

But, you can also hear the online radio stations that are streaming in the internet without the internet connection in your android device.In this post, Mono-live.com has provided detailed information about how to listen to the Google Play Music Stations without an internet connection. We all know about how the online Radio stations are working, they are streamed over the internet and your device will grab the data if the respective channel is selected in the radio player.

If you were using the premium version of the Google Play store then you can easily access all the radio services that are available over the internet. In the other hand, if you were using the premium account, you can hear the best radio channels of the internet for totally free. But the main fact is that, you need a solid internet connection for hearing this radio channels. But the latest update of Google music allows you to hear the radio channels through offline sources, and also it comes with other options such as device managements and so on.

The offline listening of the custom radio stations allows you to hear your favorite radio channels without the internet connections. This option allows you to hear the music when you cannot use the internet connection in your android device, i.e., if you were turned on the flight mode in your android device, you cannot use the online radio. Then you can use this type of offline radio in your mobile. By using this option, you can download the tons of music from the online radio stations into your mobile phone and you can use them in your music player.

In order to save the radio station, you need to open the Google Music Player and tap on the music station menu. Now select the option that shows Keep on Device. This keep on device will allows you to store the upcoming audio on the radio station into your mobile phone. So that you can use them as your wish in your android device even if you cannot use the internet connection in your android device.

Stay tuned for more information on the mono-live.com and hope you have enjoyed the technology and gadgets based information in our website. Comment us for more queries.

Haier Presented Thin Tablets And Large Smart Phone

Haier has announced prior to CES a Smartphone and two tablets with Android as the operating system which is going to release in this year . The 7.85 -inch tablet is very thin at 6.6 mm where as the Smartphone has 10 -inch have a display with high resolution.

With the Haierpad Mini 781 Haier has introduced one of the thinnest tablets. It is equipped with 6.6 mm round 0.3 mm thinner than Sony's 10 -inch model Xperia Tablet Z and so Haier is the thinnest tablet in the world. The IPS display of the Android tablets is 7.85 inches tall, and triggers with 1280 x 720 pixels, which corresponds to a pixel density of 187 ppi. The unnamed quad-core processor clocked at 1.6GHz, the rear camera shoots at 5 megapixels. For video calling, a 2- megapixel front camera is installed. The internal memory is depending on the model 8 or 16 GB in size. The connectivity, the RAM and the battery details are not specified by the manufacturer. The operating system Android 4.2 Jelly Bean will be used. The tablet will be available for the 16- gigabyte version from February 2014 in black , metallic silver and champagne gold at a price of 200 Euros for the 8 - gigabyte version and 230 € according to the manufacturer.

The Haierpad Maxi 1043 has a 10 -inch display with 16:10 aspect ratio with a resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 pixels, while it is 6.9 mm 0.3 mm thicker than the 7.85 - inch version. Again, an unspecified quad-core processor is installed, which is clocked at 1.6 GHz.

The RAM is 2 GB in size, details of the internal flash memory does not specified by the manufacturer. The rear camera has a resolution of 5 megapixels, the front camera of 2 megapixels. The device has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The operating system is the same Android 4.2 for this model. As of April 2014, the Android Tablet in Black, Dark Blue and Violet will be available for 330 Euros.

The Haierpad H6000 is a Smartphone with 5.89 -inch large display. This has a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, which corresponds to a pixel density of 373 ppi. The RAM is 2 GB in size, the internal memory of 16 GB. Information about the processor was not disclosed by the manufacturer. The 13 - megapixel rear camera is supported in low light from a LED flash. The 5- megapixel front camera enables video calling and is expected to be enough for self-portraits.

According to the manufacturer, the Smartphone supports 2G, 3G and HSDPA +, Bluetooth and GPS module is also installed. The Haierpad H6000 is 8.2 mm thin and 205 grams. The battery with a rated load of 3,200 mAh is permanently installed. The operating system Android 4.2 is installed. This Android Smartphone will be available in black for 350 Euros from April 2014.