WhatsApp on web: 5 things it can’t do

NEW DELHI: With more than 700 million monthly active users, there's no doubt that WhatsApp is one of the largest mobile-focused messaging service. A large number of these users have been demanding a PC interface for the service to stay connected with their favourite people even when they switch devices. After a long wait, WhatsApp has finally introduced a way to access the service on a PC. However, there are several limitations attached to it as the interface is limited to a web browser.

Here are five limitations of WhatsApp for web...

1. It doesn't support iPhone: WhatsApp for web essentially syncs messages between your smartphone and browser via its servers. At this time, the service does not support the iPhone. According to WhatsApp it's unable to provide the web client to iOS users due to Apple's platform limitations. Reports indicate that it intends to support the iPhone in the future but till then, if you use WhatsApp on an iPhone, you'll need to peep into your phone every time you get a WhatsApp message even if you're in front of your computer.

2. Needs your phone to be on and connected to the internet: After pairing your smartphone with WhatsApp's web client through a QR code image, you'll be able to send and receive messages through your browser. But what if your phone loses the data connection or runs out of charge? Sadly, the WhatsApp web version will also go offline. Your phone needs to stay connected to the internet for the web client to work.

3. Doesn't support browsers other than Google Chrome: WhatsApp's web interface only supports Google Chrome. So if you use Firefox, Safari or Internet Explorer, you're out of luck. A number of IT environments restrict the use of applications not approved by admins. If you're part of one and can't use Chrome, you'll not be able to use WhatsApp for web. WhatsApp's justification is that Chrome's push technology is better.

It's surprising that the service doesn't support Internet Explorer given Microsoft's investment in Facebook which owns WhatsApp. Also, it's worth pointing out that Google (the developer of Chrome) competes directly with Facebook.

4. You can't block users: To block users, you still need to go to the WhatsApp mobile app. The number of spam messages on WhatsApp has gone up considerably and the only way to deal with these, is to block their number. Unfortunately, the web version does not offer the block feature.

5. You can't create and leave groups: While you can send and receive messages from groups you're a part of, the WhatsApp web client doesn't let you create new groups or leave existing ones. You also can't send broadcast messages via the web client.

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10 Reasons to Pick the HTC One M8 Over the Galaxy S5

With the introduction of the HTC One M8 on March 25, the number of true contenders for the honor of top Android smartphone of 2014 has doubled. The other contender made its debut at Mobile World Congress in February when Samsung introduced its Galaxy S5. With the Android market this year now a two-horse race, all the other competitors will either have to introduce beautiful, well-crafted devices like the HTC One M8 and the Galaxy S5 or see their wares languish on store shelves. For now, though, it's just between those two handsets. However, deciding between the two might not be as difficult as some would argue. The Samsung Galaxy S5 is undoubtedly a good-looking device with great features, but it's not as attractive as the HTC One M8. Granted, the Galaxy S5 does have some features that HTC's alternative doesn't, like a fingerprint sensor, but such features won't be enough to put that device over the top for the vast majority of consumers and enterprise customers looking to get their hands on an Android handset this year. Here are the reasons why the HTC One M8 is the better choice over Samsung's Galaxy S5.

An Elegant Design

The HTC One M8 comes with a beautiful design that the Galaxy S5 can't match. The smartphone has an all-aluminum shell that meets the front of the device at the perfect spot to deliver an elegant finish. While the Galaxy S5 is not an ugly device, it's by no means as good-looking as the M8.

Excellent Sound Quality

Just about every review surrounding the HTC One M8 indicates that the handset has the best sound quality of any smartphone on the market. That has been achieved by bundling dual front speakers into the device. It also helps that for a while, HTC owned Beats Audio, a top music device provider that likely helped the company work on its speaker technology over the years. Sound quality is extremely important for those who want to listen to music or watch videos from their smartphones.

A Beautified Sense

Sense 6, the latest version of HTC's mobile software skin for Android, is a major upgrade over the previous version. The software is simpler and cleaner, making users more productive. What's more, it comes with support for multiple home screens and widgets, ensuring users have everything they want at the ready. Samsung has updated its TouchWiz with the Galaxy S5, but overall, that experience is slightly inferior to Sense 6.

The Dual-Lens System

Although the Galaxy S5 would be the winner in terms of actual picture quality, the One M8 wins out for those who want to take selfies, courtesy of the device's front-facing camera and accompanying software, as well as those who want to get artistic with pictures. The back of the One M8 comes with two lenses that snap the same photo. On the device's software, users can decide what parts are blurred and what are not to create truly artistic pictures. It's a neat offering.

More Damage-Proof

The nice thing about having a device that's aluminum is that it's a little more damage-proof than those that are plastic. Most people don't like to think about dropping a handset, but an aluminum smartphone would survive a fall a bit better than the plastic option found on the Galaxy side. Those with slippery fingers should keep that in mind.

Fewer Gimmicks, More Value

The Galaxy S5 is chock-full of gimmicks. The device has a fingerprint sensor for security that those who have used it say doesn't work as well as Apple's TouchID. The device is also heavily focused on health-related apps that might or might not appeal to users. The One M8, meanwhile, comes with gesture-based controls that can detect when the device is picked up or brought to the ear. In fact, many functions can be achieved with the One M8 without even hitting the power button to turn it on.

A Slightly Better Display

Although the Galaxy S5 and One M8 come with nearly identical screens—HTC's option has a 5-inch display and Samsung's comes with a 5.1-inch screen—the One M8 is ever so slightly better. HTC claims that its screen packs 440 pixels per inch, compared with 431 for the Galaxy S5. For the average person, the difference between the two displays might be negligible, but for movie viewers, that might be something to keep in mind.

You're Tired of the Samsung Experience

Another reason someone might buy the HTC One M8 over the Galaxy S5 is that perhaps they're tired of the Samsung experience. Although TouchWiz has been updated, it's not that much different from previous versions. Plus, the Galaxy S5's design is not a major upgrade over that of the Galaxy S4. Samsung has stayed the course with the Galaxy S5. HTC, meanwhile, has tried to push the envelope.

You're Already an HTC Owner

HTC owners who are happy with their current HTC One handsets will find a multitude of reasons to buy the One M8. From the smartphone's better specs to its improved design to its downright gorgeous Sense 6 software, current HTC owners would be foolish to go elsewhere to find a new device.

HTC's Sense of Urgency

HTC is in trouble. There's no doubt about it. The company has watched its smartphone sales fall over the last few years and is relying on the One M8 to fix its myriad issues. That's a good thing for consumers. Upon buying a device that is already impressive, one can expect that HTC will keep a close eye on the One M8 to ensure security issues are patched, new software versions are quickly brought to the device, and customer-support issues are promptly handled. HTC's desperation could work in the owner's favor.

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India to have 155 mn mobile Internet users by March: IAMAI

The number of users accessing the web on their mobile handsets in India is expected to reach 155 million by March this year, according to the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI).

This number is further expected to grow to 185 million by June, 2014.

"The number of mobile internet users is going to reach 155 million in India by the end of March 2014, and 185 million by June 2014, maintaining a quarter-on-quarter growth of 20 per cent," a report by IAMAI and IMRB International said.

At the end of December 2013, the number of mobile internet users stood at 130 million as against a userbase of 110 million in October 2013.

According to the report, the number of mobile Internet users in urban India is expected to grow from 103 million in December 2013 to 126 million in March 2014 and further touch 153 million by June.

Rural India, though accounting for the smaller share, is also expected to register strong growth to touch 32 million users (in June 2014) from 27 million in December 2013.

The report also found that the average revenue per user (ARPU) has dropped to Rs 387 from Rs 460 in 2012.

However, the percentage amount spent on mobile Internet has gone up to 45 per cent in 2013 from 43 per cent in the previous year.

Also, 35 per cent of the mobile Internet users are spending between Rs 100 and Rs 500 monthly on their phone expenses.

While nine per cent are believed to be spending over Rs 500, six per cent are spending less than Rs 100 every month, the report said.

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Unbreakable smartphones coming soon

Unbreakable rubber-like smart phones, roll able tablets and functional clothing have come closer to reality, thanks to new breakthrough research by scientists including one of Indian-origin.

Researchers from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) RMIT University have developed a new method to transfer electronics with versatile functionality, which are usually made on rigid silicon, onto a flexible surface.

The ability of micro and nano-electronic devices to sense, insulate or generate energy is controlled by thin, transparent nanolayers of oxide materials, often much thinner than 1/100th of a human hair.

These oxide materials are brittle and their high processing temperatures - often in excess of 300 degrees Celsius - have until now prevented their incorporation in flexible electronic devices.

Lead author, Philipp Gutruf, said the new process could unleash the potential of fully functional flexible electronics, while providing a new way for the materials to mesh together.

"We have discovered a micro-tectonic effect, where micro scale plates of oxide materials slide over each other, like geological plates, to relieve stress and retain electrical conductivity," he said.

"The novel method we have developed overcomes the challenges of incorporating oxide materials in bendable electronic devices, paving the way for bendable consumer electronics and other exciting applications," said Gutruf.

Supervisor and co-leader of the research group, Dr Madhu Bhaskaran, said the new approach used two popular materials - transparent conductive indium tin oxide and rubber-like silicone which is also biocompatible.

"The ability to combine any functional oxide with this biocompatible material creates the potential for biomedical devices to monitor or stimulate nerve cells and organs. This is in addition to the immediate potential for consumer electronics applications in flexible displays, solar cells, and energy harvesters," said Bhaskaran.

The study was published in the journal Asia Materials.

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True Caller hacked, 1 million Indians’ data at risk

Global phone directory app True Caller has been hacked by activist group Syrian Electronic Army (SEA). The hacking group announced this in a post on Twitter, along with an image that showed details of some users of the app.

Syrian Electronic Army broke the news via a tweet saying, "Sorry @True Caller, we needed your database, thank you for it." The hackers openly released True Caller's database host ID, username and password via another tweet.

True Caller app is available on Android, iOS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry and Symbianplatforms. The app's databases have access codes to Face book, Twitter, LinkedIn and Gmail accounts of millions of users globally. Reports say that True Caller website went down for a while but is now back online. In June this year, True Caller announced that its user base has touched the 20-million mark, representing growth of 100% in a period of five months. It said that it has 1 million users in India in March.

The Syrian hacking collective revealed that it exploited the TrueCallerwebsite as it is based on outdated Word press platform, which gave them access to the admin panel. Speaking to E Hacking News, the SEA hackers said that they have hacked into the phone directory's servers and downloaded more than seven databases. The biggest database has data worth 450GB.

Syrian Electronic Army is behind several high profile hackings, including those of Associated Press, BBC and The Onion.

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First look: Google versions of HTC One, Galaxy S4

NEW YORK: Two new Android phones will look and sound familiar to those who have been paying attention to phones. That's because these two devices are replicas of Samsung's Galaxy S4 and HTC's One, except they lack most of the bells and whistles added to the original models. 

And that's a good thing.

The modifications Samsung and HTC apply to Google's Android software are meant to be improvements. But I've complained before about how the changes actually make phones more complex to use. The S4 even has an easy mode for first-time Smartphone users, an admission that the normal mode is too confounding.

Google worked with both Samsung Electronics and HTC to come out with "Google Play" editions of the hit phones. Instead of customized software Samsung and HTC, the Google phones run a pure version of Android, just as it was developed by Google.

Google lets any phone maker use its Android operating system for free. To set themselves apart competitors, phone makers often add their own touches to devices. They rearrange the menu or load additional apps. Wireless carriers also to add their own apps. Before you know it, phones are bloated with features and apps you don't want and can't get rid of.

Consider my experience with the original S4 over the weekend. As I tried to adjust the camera's flash setting, I inadvertently made some postage stamp icon pop up. That activated the camera's dual-shot mode, which snaps a shot of you with the front camera to superimpose over whatever you're shooting with the camera on the back of the phone. I didn't want that, but I couldn't figure out how to get rid of it. My friend couldn't either. So we bagged the shot. Taking photos with a phone is supposed to be fun, not a chore.

With Google's version of the S4, I get a no-frills camera that is easy to figure out. It lacks gimmicks such as dual shots and the ability to combine several images of motion into a single shot. It offers about a half-dozen shooting modes, such as night, action and panorama, rather than the dozen or so on the original S4. But a half-dozen is about a half-dozen more than I need and use.

Google's S4 also lacks the original model's ability to pause video automatically when you look away the screen or to scroll down an article when you tilt your head. Those features may sound cool, but they often don't work properly.

The Google version of the S4 also has alarm sounds that I can actually wake up to. Samsung had substituted those sounds with soft, soothing melodies that I end up incorporating into dreams. I've overslept a few times as a result.

As for Google's version of the HTC One, you don't get a busy home screen filled with news articles and Facebook status updates your phone thinks you want to read. Instead, you get a clean page with few apps. It's up to you to add the ones you want to see and use.

Both Google phones feel spare and minimal, which is great because it makes me feel in control. If I want to constantly know the weather, it's easy to add a weather widget to the home screen of either phone. But it's not forced.

The same goes for apps. I get basic functions such as text messaging and the clock and a range of Google services such as Gmail and YouTube. If I want other apps, I can easily tap the Google Play icon to get them. With the original S4, Samsung tries to steer you into its own app store, as well as its own music and video players. You end up with too many ways to do the same things.

You might think it takes a lot of work to add the apps you want to Google's phones, but it actually takes more work to hide or turn off everything you don't need - that is, if you can at all- with Samsung's and HTC's versions.

Now for the bad news: The Google edition of the S4 sells for $649, while Google's HTC One goes for $599. You can typically get the original models for $100 to $200 through your wireless carrier with a two-year agreement. And unless you're on T-Mobile, your monthly bill won't go down just because you pay full price for the phone elsewhere.

In addition, both Google phones are compatible only with T-Mobile, AT&T and other carriers that use GSM cellular technology, not the CDMA networks used by Sprint and Verizon Wireless. The Google edition would have been great for Verizon customers who still have unlimited data plans. Verizon no longer lets you stay on that plan if you buy a subsidized phone, so you'd have to pay the full price anyway.

The Google phones are also ideal for people who want the latest Android system that Google has to offer. You'll be able to update your phone as Google releases new versions of Android. Normally, phone makers and wireless carriers updates by weeks or months, so you can only read about those new Android features.

There are a few useful Samsung and HTC add-ons that Google does bring to its versions of the phones.

Google's S4 is compatible with Samsung's S-View flip cover. Using a magnetic sensor, the phone detects when the cover is closed and switches to a special mode that gives you the current time and details about who's calling through a small window in the cover. You can answer or reject a call without flipping over the cover.

Google's HTC One, meanwhile, shares the original model's front-facing speakers, giving you great sound when you're watching a movie or listening to music. Both models also have cameras with larger sensor pixels for better low-light shots. Our tests show that the HTC One produces low-light images with less distortion than other Android phones, though images aren't particularly crisp because the resolution is lower.

There are a few things I wish Google would have brought to its phones and to Android in general.

In the original S4, the on-screen keyboard has a row of numerals to type in. With the Google S4, you have to hit a button to get another screen with numerals, then toggle back for the letters. The original S4 also has the ability to run two apps side by side in a split window. That's gone in Google's S4.

Meanwhile, the original HTC One has the ability to make calls, send texts and take photos by sliding icons the lock screen. With the Google version, you have to unlock the screen before getting icons to those functions.

On both phones, Google also adds one feature I could do without: a 360-degree panorama known as Photo Sphere. Neat as it is, it detracts what is otherwise a just-the-basics camera. It would have been better as a separate app for those who want it.

But that's no reason to shun the Google phones. The minimized feel of Google's versions underscores how busy software can detract good hardware. Take away that clutter, and you have excellent phones.

It's a bummer that you can't get the simplified phones through regular channels. You can get them only through Google's online Play store - for hundreds of dollars more.

About the Google phones

The new phones are existing Samsung and HTC phones loaded with Google's version of the Android operating system. That's the version that Google makes, before phone makers and phone carriers load Android up with their own features and apps.

These phones are good options for those who don't all the bells and whistles in the original models. They are cleaner and easier to use. But they are also more expensive, as you have to pay full price through Google's online Play store rather than a subsidized price that wireless carriers offer with two-year agreements.

These phones aren't compatible with Verizon's or Sprint's CDMA networks. If you're on AT&T, you'll be paying more for the phone without any reduction in monthly phone bills. If you're on T-Mobile, though, expect to save $20 a month, or $480 over two years. You're still paying about $70 more overall for Google's S4 and $20 more for Google's One, but it's not the hundreds of dollars you'd be paying on AT&T.

The one-time, upfront cost is $649 for Google's S4 with 16 gigabytes of storage and $599 for the One with 32 gigabytes. Both phones are available in the US only through Google's online Play store, with shipments expected by July 9.

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Your car may soon talk to your mobile

CHENNAI: An entertainment and communication console that seamlessly connects the phone with the car? The mobile phone-enabled 'integrated' system is a given in many high-end luxury cars but after the Ford EcoSport, the trend is now finding converts in mass market cars as well. As the mobile becomes a one-stop entertainment-cum-communication device, car companies are looking at ways to extend that connectivity to the vehicle too.

Not a cheap technology, this has so far been the premise of high-end cars including the just-launched Mercedes-Benz A-Class. But after the Ford EcoSport's SYNC system, more volume car makers are starting to wonder if the technology can come to less pricey brands in India.

Said Kenichiro Yomura, president & CEO, Nissan Motor India: "We are studying that kind of possibility and will definitely try to introduce those sort of features in India. In Japan we have the 'CarWings' (vehicle telematics) system which allows you to communicate between the car and the service centre for example. We provide this option in many models in Japan because scale makes the technology affordable and we are studying to see if it will work for India as well."

Ford and Nissan aren't the only volume car brands that are looking at bluetooth and telematics as the ultimate bells and whistles for car buyers. General Motors India packs in bluetooth, USB port and an MP3 (though no telematics) player as part of its entertainment package for the Sail hatchback and notchback and the Cruze and Captiva. Vehicle telematics is already a favoured option in a number of high-end cars. The Honda CRV and Accord for instance come with bluetooth interface.

Ditto for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class on which the iPhone can be synced seamlessly offering music playback on the head unit, audio streaming and text messages are displayed in the CD display if the bluetooth message access profile (MAP) is supported by the mobile phone.

Said Mercedes-Benz MD & CEO Eberhard Kern: "The bluetooth and phone compatibility option is standard in the A Class and it allows you to play musicyour iPhone and use the contact list to make calls etc. It's a seamless integration of entertainment and communication between the phone and the car."

Car manufacturers have been tying up with software makers to integrate the mobile with the car, making the car an extension of the entertainment-cum- communication devise . Ford for instance is working with Microsoft globally which has powered its SYNC integrated communication and entertainment technology for the EcoSport. Apple reportedly announced at its developers' meet last month that it plans to link its iOS7 mobile operating system with the techentertainment systems of passenger cars.

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See, what makes your Android phone vulnerable to hackers

LONDON: A 'master key' has been reportedly discovered by a security research firm which could potentially give cyber attackers access to almost every Android phone.

According to BBC, security research firm BlueBox has discovered the loophole which is present in every version of the Android operating system released since 2009.

The bug emerges as a result of the way Android handles cryptographic verification of the programs installed on the phone

The report said that Android uses the cryptographic signature as a way to check that an app or program is legitimate and to ensure it has not been tampered with.

Jeff ForristalBlueBox and his colleagues have found a method of tricking the way Android checks these signatures so that malicious changes to the apps go unnoticed.

Forristal said that the implications of this discovery could be 'huge' as it can take over the normal functioning of the phone and control any function thereof.

Security expert Dan Wallach said that in order to catch Android users, malicious hackers would have to get their booby-trapped version of a legitimate application on to the Google Play store.

According to the report, BlueBox had reported finding the bug to Google in February.

Google denied commenting on BlueBox discovery, the report added.

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Google planning to kill passwords

Web giant Google is researching to build a more secure hardware device which in future can be used to login to a computer or an online account, thus eliminating the need for a password.

Designed in the shape of rings which can be worn on fingers, these hardware devices will aid in logging in to a computer or online account.

The search engine first revealed its plans to put an end to passwords in an academic paper published online in January.

The effort focused on having people plug a small USB key that provides their credentials into a computer.

The possibility of using special jewelry in a similar manner was mentioned in that paper.

According to Google's principal engineer, who specializes in security, Mayank Upadhyay at the RSA security conference in San Francisco last week, "Using personal hardware to log in would remove the dangers of people reusing passwords or writing them down."

"Everyone is familiar with an ATM. What if you could use the same experience with a computer?" Upadhyay said, adding that Google's trial was focused on a slim USB key that performs a cryptographic transaction with an online service to prove the key's validity when it's plugged into a computer.

The key also has a contactless chip inside so that it can be used to log in via mobile devices. Tokens like the ones Google is testing do not contain a static password that could be copied.

The cryptographic key unique to the device is stored inside and is never transmitted.

When the key is plugged in, it proves its validity by correctly responding to a mathematical challenge posed by the online service it is being used to log into, in a way that doesn't produce any information that could be used to log in again.

Google is already talking with other companies to lay the groundwork for using the technology to access different services and websites.

"It's extremely early stages, and we're trying to get more partners," said Upadhyay.

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Earn upto Rs. 9,000 pm with Paisa Live.com!

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PaisaLive - Get Paid to read emails

 

Sanket Barot

JMD Computer India.com

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Instagram boasts 90 million monthly active users, 40 million photos per day

Instagram might have gotten some crazy backlash from its policy changes back in December, for which they pulled an about face and returned it back to normal. However, a lot users were done with the service at that point, and vowed to switch to an alternative. Then again, that doesn’t seem to be scaring Instagram too much, as the company has reported 90 million monthly active users, as well as 40 million photos being posted per day.

AllThingsD notes that the service’s monthly active user base is actually up 10% from last month, so it seems that the privacy policy debacle wasn’t a huge deal for its users after all. Instagram’s Kevin System says that the company “continues to see very strong growth around the world.”

Along with those 40 million photos being posted every day, Instagram says that its users are liking photos at a rate of 8,500 per second and are posting 1,000 comments per second as well. This actually marks the first time that Instagram has posted statistics on its user base, but detailed numbers are still scarce.

According to AppData, Instagram use on iOS and Android actually rose quite a bit late last month, but with use on Facebook falling by 25%. Furthermore, according to AppStats, Instagram apparently saw their active user numbers cut in half to 40 million, but according to Instagram’s own numbers, that’s clearly not true.

Story Timeline

• SlashGear 101: Does Instagram own my photos?
• How to Ditch Instagram
• Five Instagram Alternatives you're going to love
• Instagram co-founder responds to user outrage
• Amid Instagram Madness, What Terms of Use Should Take for Granted
• Instagram updates its terms of service after massive backlash
• Instagram took the lazy, sneaky way out
• Instagram iOS and Android update adds new filter, support for 25 languages
• Instagram Privacy Policy prodded with Class-Action lawsuit
• Foursquare makes Privacy tweaks, wary of Instagram-style backlash

Instagram boasts 90 million monthly active users, 40 million photos per day is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

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Samsung Galaxy S4 may have unbreakable screen

Samsung Electronics, the world's leading technology company by revenue, is likely accelerating the launch of its next-generation flagship Galaxy smartphone -- which may come with a breakthrough unbreakable screen.

Codenamed "Project J" after mobile division chief JK Shin, development of the new Galaxy S IV could be aimed for release by as early as April, according to analysts and tech blogs.

And, as smartphones increasingly look alike - the converging form factor - an unbreakable screen could be a big selling point for the Galaxy, which is battling Apple Inc's iPhone to lead the $200 billion plus smartphone market.

The Galaxy S IV is also expected to have bigger and better display, powerful quad-core processing power and a 13-megapixel camera, with picture density improving to 441 pixels per inch (ppi), a big improvement from the Galaxy S III's 306 ppi and better than the iPhone 5's 326 ppi.

"Looking to the first half of 2013, we see evidence of Samsung likely accelerating the release of the Galaxy S IV - compared with May (this year) for the Galaxy S III," said UBS analyst Nicolas Gaudois. "We believe preparations for volume manufacturing of unbreakable plastic substrate displays continue. All in all, we could see a strong products push in the high-end in the first half, followed by other releases."

Samsung declined to comment.

Samsung, a major backer of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, is a frontrunner in developing unbreakable screens, as OLED panels can replace glass substrate with plastic material. Down the road, mobile gadgets could be flexible as well as unbreakable.

"Eventually, they'll have unbreakable and flexible displays. Either the Galaxy S IV or S V will have unbreakable and even possibly flexible and foldable displays by 2014. That's going to be a game-changer," said Mark Newman, an analyst at Stanford Bernstein in Hong Kong.

Both Newman and Gaudois are ranked as 5-star analysts, the top ranking, by Thomson Reuters StarMine for their recommendations on Samsung.

Courtroom revisited

It would also be a game-changer for Samsung, which has built its reputation as a 'fast follower' of others' technologies and designs.

The South Korean consumer electronics giant faces off against Apple again on Thursday in a US courtroom for a follow-up ruling on whether it copied some of its US rival's patents and should pay the $1 billion awarded to Apple by jurors in an August verdict.

Samsung wants the verdict overturned, while Apple wants the damages to be increased and Samsung phones banned in the United States.

Since that landmark verdict, however, Samsung shares have gained 14 percent to record highs, while Apple shares - dented by a maps app fiasco, tight supply of its iPhone 5 and ever tougher competition in the mobile market - have slipped by nearly a fifth, wiping more than $120 billion off its market value.

Barring any extra costs related to the US ruling, Samsung should report a fifth straight record profit this quarter, as profits from its component business recover and more than offset thinning margins on mobile phones - squeezed by higher year-end holiday marketing campaigns.

"Samsung's strength extends beyond cool products, they're also a leader in the technology behind these devices. We see further upside to Samsung's stock as success in smartphones continues and chips and display profits also rebound," said Newman. "In smartphones, the opportunity is for Samsung to take more share from Apple in the premium segment, where Apple is still dominant."

UBS estimates Samsung will ship around 22.5 million of its Galaxy S III and Note II devices in the quarter to end-December, up from 20 million in July-September. Shin said in November that Galaxy S III sales would hit 40 million by the end of this month.

In a worst-case scenario for Samsung, US judge Lucy Koh could treble the damages payable to Apple, given the jury in August found Samsung "willfully" infringed some Apple patents.

"That would be a major blow to Samsung's fundamentals and overall investor sentiment, but it's not the most likely scenario," said Young Park, a 4-star StarMine analyst at Woori Investment & Securities.

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Samsung Galaxy S Duos S7562

Hi my Self Sanket Barot I Am Professional Blogger, SEO, Web Developer.

Today i had a Buy Samsung Galaxy S Duos S7562 Mobile from Seva Kendra – Mehsana Gujarat India Store. its Neared by Toranvali Mata’s (Pratima Computer).

In My Life 1st Time I had a Buy a Very Costly Mobile. i hope This Mobile is give a Good Response. 

GENERAL
2G Network
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2

3G Network
HSDPA 900 / 2100

SIM
Dual SIM (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by)

Announced
2012, July

Status
Available. Released 2012, September

BODY
Dimensions
121.5 x 63.1 x 10.5 mm (4.78 x 2.48 x 0.41 in)

Weight
120 g (4.23 oz)

- Touch-sensitive controls

DISPLAY
Type
TFT capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors

Size
480 x 800 pixels, 4.0 inches (~233 ppi pixel density)

Multitouch
Yes

SOUND
Alert types
Vibration, MP3, WAV ringtones

Loudspeaker
Yes

3.5mm jack
Yes

MEMORY
Card slot
microSD, up to 32 GB

Internal
4 GB storage, 768 MB RAM

DATA
GPRS
Yes

EDGE
Yes

Speed
HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps

WLAN
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspot

Bluetooth
Yes, v3.0 with A2DP

USB
Yes, microUSB v2.0

CAMERA
Primary
5 MP, 2592х1944 pixels, autofocus, LED flash, check quality

Features
Geo-tagging

Video
Yes, VGA@30fps

Secondary
Yes, VGA

FEATURES
OS
Android OS, v4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradable to v4.1

Chipset
Qualcomm MSM7227A Snapdragon

CPU
1 GHz Cortex-A5

GPU
Adreno 200

Sensors
Accelerometer, proximity, compass

Messaging
SMS (threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Email

Browser
HTML, Adobe Flash Lite

Radio
Stereo FM radio with RDS

GPS
Yes, with A-GPS support

Java
Yes, via Java MIDP emulator

Colors
White, Black

- SNS integration
- MP4/H.263/H.264/WMV player
- MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
- Organizer
- Document viewer
- Voice memo/dial
- Predictive text input

BATTERY
Standard battery, Li-Ion 1500 mAh

Stand-by
Up to 445 h (2G) / Up to 330 h (3G)

Talk time
Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 7 h 25 min (3G)

MISC
SAR US
0.27 W/kg (head)     0.65 W/kg (body)   

SAR EU
0.47 W/kg (head)   

Price group Rs:  16,500 /-

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DoT issues new rules for buying SIM cards

Taking new mobile phone connection from will require physical verification of facts provided by subscribers and submission of forged documents will lead to police inquiry.

Tougher guidelines by the Department of Telecom, which took effect, make operators responsible for inaccurate information provided by subscribers for taking new pre-paid and post-paid mobile connections.

Under the new rules, the authorized person selling SIM cards will have to give an undertaking that he has seen the applicant and matched the photograph attached on the application form.

Retailers and franchisees selling mobile SIM cards will have to register police complaint against subscribers if they submit forged documents to get the connections.

All the telecom operators across the country are required to comply with the new guidelines.

"By and large we are compliant with most of the norms though there are a few areas for which we have sought clarifications from DoT like verification of date of birth and age," GSM industry body COAI director general Rajan S Mathews told PTI.

He said the government has indicated that the operators have to verify certain documents which include date of birth and age of users.

"We have asked DoT what should we do in case if the user has no documents related to his date of birth," he said.

COAI is expecting a reply on the issues in the next few days.

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Samsung fined Rs 10,000 over faulty phone

Samsung India has been asked by a consumer forum to pay Rs 10,000 to one of its customers for selling him a faulty mobile phone and then failing to get it repaired.

The compensation was awarded by the Central Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum after Samsung offered to settle the matter by paying Rs 10,000 to complainant Mulk Raj Manchanda.

"We have examined the record and have found that the instrument, purchased by the complainant (Manchanda), has not given him due service/facilities. The same could not be repaired by the seller as well as by the service provider of Samsung India Electronics Pvt Ltd."

"We are of the view that the amount of Rs 10,000 as offered by opposite party three (Samsung) will be sufficient to meet the claim of the complainant in all respect, including the purchase cost of the mobile phone as well as compensation and litigation charges.

"We allow the complaint with the direction to Samsung to pay the complainant Rs 10,000 on returning the mobile phone by him to opposite party 3," the bench presided by B B Chaudhary said.

In his complaint, Manchanda had alleged the Samsung mobile phone which he had purchased on December 29, 2009 for Rs 5,300 did not function properly and had a faulty battery.

He had also alleged the Samsung's authorised dealer from whom he had bought the phone had assured him that if the device gave any trouble then free service for five years would be available and if the trouble persists, the mobile handset would be replaced.

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Nokia cuts 10,000 more jobs as losses deepen

Nokia (NOK1V.HE) plans to cut 10,000 more jobs, bringing the total to one in three staff, as it loses market share to cellphone rivals Apple (AAPL.O) and Samsung (005930.KS) and burns through cash, raising new fears over its future.

In a second profit warning in nine weeks, Nokia said on Thursday that its phone business would post a deeper-than-expected loss in the second quarter due to tougher competition, which it expected to continue.

Once the world's dominant mobile phone provider, Nokia was wrongfooted by the rise of smartphones and is struggling to keep up with Apple, Samsung and Google (GOOG.O). It is also losing market share in cheaper, more basic phones.

Chief Executive Stephen Elop is placing hopes of a turnaround on a new range of smartphones called Lumia, which use largely untried Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) software. But Lumia sales have so far been slow, exasperating investors who have seen its stock crash more than 70 percent since it announced the software switch in February 2011.

"The job cuts and profit warning underline the seriousness of the challenges Nokia is facing, particularly in light of the eye-watering competition from Apple and Samsung," said Ben Wood, head of research at CCS Insight.

Nokia, whose cash position is increasingly scrutinized by investors, also said restructuring-related cash outflows would be around 650 million euros in the remaining three quarters of 2012 and around 600 million in 2013.

With the cost of Nokia's debt rising, the most bearish of analysts in a Reuters poll last month said the company could even be at risk of default if it fails to slow its cash burn.

Over the past five quarters, the onetime darling of mobile telcoms has eroded its cash pile by 2.1 billion euros - a rate that would wipe out its entire 4.9 billion reserves in a couple of years.

Analysts at JP Morgan said on Thursday they expect operating losses, combined with restructuring outflows, to leave Nokia with 1.63 billion euros cash at the end of next year.

"This is not a comfort zone for a company as large as Nokia," the analysts said.

Nokia's five-year credit default swaps (CDS) were at a new all-time high of 933 basis points on Thursday according to Markit. This means it costs $933,000 annually to buy $10 million of protection against a Nokia default using a five-year CDS contract and implies a default probability of 55 percent.

Bernstein analyst Pierre Ferragu said he expects the company to have minimal net cash position at the end of its restructuring.

"We therefore see continued potential downside to the recent stock price and maintain our underperform rating," Ferragu said.

Shares in Nokia were down 16 percent to 1.87 euros, below the psychologically important 2 euros mark, not seen since 1996.

Analysts have said that even with the dramatic fall in the share price, the worsening outlook made it hard to judge how much lower the shares could go.

"I won't comment on the stock price anymore, since it's been seen over and over, that there is no definitive bottom," said Evli analyst Mikko Ervasti.

"People are worried over Lumia sales. I think expectations for the third quarter will be cut," said Nordea analyst Sami Sarkamies.

The 10,000 job cuts, which include the closure of Nokia's only plant in its homeland Finland, bring total planned cuts at the group since Elop took over as chief executive in 2010 to more than 40,000 staff, or every third worker.

Of the latest job cuts, 3,700 will take place in Finland, where the firm will also close its plant in Salo - the last major cellphone manufacturing site in western Europe, the cradle of the global industry.

"This is a major blow. This is due to the operational mistakes made already during the previous CEOs. Maybe the signs of success are running low for Elop too," said Antti Rinne, chairman of labour union Pro.

Nokia said it expects its operating margin in the second quarter to be below the negative 3 percent level reported in the first quarter due to pressure on its smartphone business. It previously forecast it would be similar to or below that level.

On average analysts forecast the second-quarter phone unit margin to be at -4.6 percent, narrowing to -2.2 percent in the third quarter.

Nokia also said it would sell luxury phone business Vertu to venture firm EQT and revamp its management team.

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Balance Transfer Tricks For All Mobile Networks

Balance Transfer Tricks For All Mobile Networks

Here Are Working Balance Transfer Tricks For All Mobile Networks.

Airtel :

To Transfer Balance In Airtel Just Dial *141# And Follow The Onscreen Instructions.

You Can Transfer From 5 To 30 Rupees Of Balance In Airtel.

Tata Docomo :

To Transfer Balance In Tata Docomo SMS as BT MobileNumber Amount And Send It To 54321.

E.g. BT 9876543210 30 To Transfer 30 Rupees Of Balance.

 

!dea :

To Transfer Balance In !dea Network Send SMS as GIVE MobileNumber Amount And Send It To 55567.

E.g. GIVE 9876543210 30 To Transfer 30 Rupees.

Vodafone :

To Transfer Balance In Vodafone Dial *131*Amount*Mobile No#

E.g. *131*50*9876543210# To Transfer 50 Rupees Of Balance.

 

Uninor :

To Transfer Balance In Uninor Just Dial *202*MobileNumber*Amount#

E.g. *202*9876543210*30# To Transfer 30 Rupees.

Aircel :

To Transfer Balance In Aircel Just Dial *122*666# And Follow The Instructions.

You Can Transfer 10,20 Or 100 Rupees Of Balance.

 

 

BSNL :

To Transfer Balance In BSNL Just Send SMS GIFT MobileNumber Amount To 53733.

E.g. GIFT 9876543210 50 To Transfer 50 Rupees Of Balance.

That’s All. If You Need Any Help Or Have Any Suggestion Just Comment Below.

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Samsung Galaxy S3 & wireless charging: How it works

While announcing Galaxy S3 at an event in London, Samsung said the device would support wireless charging when used with a special charger that would be sold separately.

This brings up a question: How does wireless charging work? Among the engineers and scientists, wireless charging is known as 'inductive charging'. It utilizes two smart coils - one in the charger and another in the device that is getting charged. The primary coil creates a very small electromagnetic field around the charger through which electricity can be transferred. The secondary coil, which is in the phone, receives the power from electromagnetic field and converts in back into electric current to feed it into the battery.

The technology is still in the early stages and it works best when the distance between the two coils is few millimeters. That's the reason why users have to place the device on the charger.

The main benefit of wireless charging is that it removes one more wire. This not only makes it easier to charge the phone but also has aesthetic appeal. At the same time, wireless charging has poor efficiency. This means it takes longer to charge the battery through wireless charger.

Galaxy S3 is not the first phone to use wireless charging. Three years ago Palm commercialized the technology and sold a charger called Touchstone that allowed phones like Pre and Pixi to be charged wirelessly. Powermat is another company that sells special chargers, which can be used with iPhone and other devices for wireless charging.

After introducing the technology in 2009, Palm supported it in almost all of its devices. Even Touchpad, which was introduced in the market last year after Palm had been acquired by HP, had this feature. Of course, Palm is dead now.

There is a chance that Samsung is doing things differently. But that is not apparent. The company says that to charge Galaxy S3 wirelessly, users will have to keep the device on the 'special charger'. This is exactly how Touchstone worked.

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Samsung Galaxy S3: wireless charging a possibility

Reports from Korea suggest the Samsung Galaxy S3 may come with wireless charging capabilities allowing you to say goodbye to that fiddly night-time plug in ritual.

According to an anonymous source, Korean publication DDaily says it has been told that the hotly-anticipated Galaxy S3 will allow users to do away with wires as it will arrive with a built in inductive charger.

The source goes on to say that the Galaxy S3 will be able to charge from a distance of 1-2 meters from the charger base.

Look mum, no wires!

Wireless charging is nothing new, with a variety of cases and charging mats currently available on the market to suit a range of handsets and built in wireless charging technology has had its outing in the form of the Palm Pre among others.

The hope is if Samsung manages to squeeze this technology in a handset, which is already rumoured to boast a quad-core processor, 4G connectivity, HD screen, NFC and a decent camera, it will have refined the process making it more efficient and cost effective.

Being able to charge your phone by just placing it down somewhere near a plug is certainly appealing, but if the base station is not included in the box (which we reckon is more than likely) we still expect a substantial cost to be involved to pick one up.

We're taking this latest report with two large fistfuls of salt, as it would seem unlikely Samsung will be able to keep the weight and depth of the Galaxy S3 down to a reasonable level with all the touted tech it's expected to pack into it.

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How to install android OS on PC

Recently, we’ve been hard at work improving Android Market to give you new ways to find great applications and games, purchase books, and rent movies. Today, we’re releasing a new version of Android Market which makes all of these available on phones (Android 2.2 and higher).

In the U.S., you’ll be able to rent thousands of movies, starting at $1.99, right from Android Market on your phone. With the Videos app, available in Android Market, there’s no more waiting for downloads, syncing, or worrying about storage space. Simply sign into Android Market with your Google account, and you can rent movies from anywhere – the web, or your Android phone or tablet – and start watching instantly. You can also download movies to your device so they’re available for viewing when you don’t have an internet connection.

Also in the U.S., you can now purchase books from Android Market on your phone. Like movie rentals, books are linked to your Google account, so they’re instantly available across all of your devices – computer, phone, or tablet – without the need for wires or downloads.

You’ll be delighted to find we’ve overhauled Android Market to make it faster, easier, and more fun to discover great apps, movies, and books. We’ve created more space to feature some of the most interesting content of the week on the home page. We’ve added more top charts, with newer, more relevant items, and we’ve made it easy to swipe through these charts as you browse the store. We’ve also introduced new collections of great content, like staff picks and Editors’ Choice apps.

The new Android Market will be rolling out in the coming weeks to Android 2.2 and higher phones around the world. You don’t need to do anything - the update is automatic on supported phones. If you’re in the U.S., you’ll also be able to download the Videos app, rent movies, and buy books once you receive the new Android Market.

Your phone is about to get a lot more interesting! Enjoy the new Android Market.

How to Install Android on Local Desktop Computer

First of all open this link and Download Android V 0.3 download here:

 http://code.google.com/p/live-android/downloads/list as per Above Video.

Posted by Paul Montoy-Wilson, Product Manager

 

Sanket Barot

http://jmdcomputerindia.com

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