10 बेहतरीन बिज़नेस आइडियाज – कम लागत व ज़्यादा मुनाफा

10 बेहतरीन बिज़नेस आइडियाज – कम लागत व ज़्यादा मुनाफा

अगर आप एक नया काम या बिजनेस शुरू करने की सोच रहे हैं और आपके पास सही आईडिया नहीं है या आपके मन में सवाल है की हम आखिर किस चीज का बिजनेस स्टार्ट करें तो आप बिल्कुल सही जगह आए हैं। अक्सर लोगों के साथ ऐसा होता है कि वह अपना एक नया व्यापार (new business) चालू करना चाहते हैं परंतु अच्छे बिजनेस आईडियाज ना होने के कारण वह हताश हो जाते हैं। लोगों में यह भी धारणा होती है की आपको कोई नया काम शुरू करने के लिए खूब पैसा लगाना (Investment) पड़ता है। यह चीज हर जगह लागू नहीं होती। ऐसे बहुत सारे बिज़नेस होते हैं जो कम लागत (low investment) से भी किये जा सकते हैं। हम आपको यहाँ ऐसे 10 बिज़नेस आईडिया बताएंगे जो आप आसानी से कर सकते हैं और अच्छा मुनाफा कमा सकते हैं। इनमे से कुछ काम ऐसे हैं जो आप घर बैठे भी कर सकते हैं।

जब कम लागत वाले काम या बिज़नेस की बात आती है तो बहुत से लोगों को लगता है की इनमे मुनाफा भी कम होगा। यह बात एक हद तक सच है लेकिन आप छोटी शुरुआत कर के इन कामों को बहुत बड़ा बना सकते हैं। आइये जानते हैं ऐसे स्माल बिज़नेस आइडियाज के बारे में जिन्हे लघु उद्योग भी कहते हैं।

1. सजावट का काम (Decoration business)

अगर आपके पास क्रिएटिव दिमाग (creative mind) है तो यह काम आपके लिए सबसे बेस्ट रहेगा। यह बहुत ही नया बिजनेस आइडिया है जो आजकल बहुत ही ज्यादा प्रसिद्ध होता जा रहा है। इस बिजनेस की खास बात यह है कि इसमें आपको ज्यादा कुछ इनवेस्टमेंट करने की जरूरत नहीं है। बस आपको अपने दिमाग का उपयोग करके जो भी आपका कस्टमर है उसके लिए डेकोरेशन(decoration) का काम करना होगा। डेकोरेशन का काम सीखना भी काफी आसान है। आप यूट्यूब से वीडियो देख कर आसानी से सीख सकते हैं की सजावट का काम कैसे किया जाता है। सजावट कई प्रकार की जगहों की हो सकती है जैसे घर, ऑफिस, स्कूल, इत्यादि।

डेकोरेशन का काम

2. घर में ट्यूशन पढ़ाने का व्यवसाय (Home tuition)

अगर आप किसी विषय में माहिर हैं तो यह आपके लिए बहुत ही अच्छा विकल्प है। आजकल गाँव हो या शहर हो सभी लोग पढ़ाई को लेकर जागरूक हो चुके हैं। हर जगह अच्छे टीचरों की कमी है, तो ऐसे में आप वहाँ के बच्चों को ट्यूशन पढ़ा कर उनका भला तो करेंगे और साथ-साथ अच्छी कमाई भी कर सकते हैं। होम ट्यूशन एक और भी अच्छा विकल्प है जिसमे आपको बच्चे के घर जा कर उसको पढ़ाना होता है। इससे आप ज्यादा फीस भी ले सकते हैं और जो बच्चे आपके पास आने में सक्षम नहीं है उनको भी मदद काफ़ी मिलेगी।

3. पुराना सामान खरीदने एवं बेचने का व्यवसाय (Buying & selling household goods)

इस व्यापार को शुरू करने के लिए आपको ज्यादा इनवेस्टमेंट करने की जरूरत नहीं होगी। पहले की तुलना में अब लोगों के घर में पहले से कहीं ज्यादा कबाड़ या पुराना सामान होता है। जिसका मुख्य कारण है उनके लाइफ़ स्टाइल (life style) में बदलाव। लोग अपनी लाइफ स्टाइल को चेंज करने के लिए हमेशा अपने घर को अपग्रेड करते रहते हैं जिसके कारण वह जो सामान पहले इस्तेमाल करते हैं वह उनके लिए कबाड़ बन जाता है। इसके अलावा कई ऐसे इलेक्ट्रॉनिक सामान (electronics) होते हैं जो कि जल्दी खराब हो जाते हैं या फिर टूट कर कबाड़ के रूप में बन जाते हैं, जो आपके लिए एक बहुत ही अच्छा अवसर प्रदान करता है आप यह कबाड़ बेहद सस्ते दामों में खरीद सकते हैं। फिर आप इससे बड़े तौर पर रिसाइकल सेंटर में बेचकर अच्छी खासी कमाई कर सकते हैं या ऑनलाइन olx और quikr जैसी वेबसाइट पर बेचकर मुनाफा कमा सकते हैं। यह एक बेहतरीन बिज़नेस आईडिया है जिससे बहुत से लोग खूब पैसा बनाते हैं।

4. मुर्गी पालन का व्यवसाय (Poultry farming)

मुर्गी पालन का व्यवसाय आज के समय में बहुत ही तेजी से बढ़ रहा है। पोल्ट्री फार्मिंग बिजनेस को आप एक छोटे दर्जे के बिजनेस में देख सकते हैं, जो आपकी जीवन बदलने की क्षमता रखता है। इसके लिए लगभग आपको 1 लाख रुपए की जरूरत पड़ेगी, जिसके बाद आपने अच्छे से मेहनत की तो यह बिजनेस बहुत ही तेजी से ग्रो (grow) करेगा क्योंकि दिन प्रतिदिन नॉन-वेज (non-veg) खाने वालों की संख्या बढ़ती जा रही है, जिससे मुर्गियों की खपत भी (consumption) बढ़ती जा रही है। जो आपके लिए बहुत ही अच्छा मौका प्रदान करता है। यह एक ऐसा काम है जो आप दसवीं पास हैं तो भी कर सकते हैं।

5. आइसक्रीम बनाने का व्यवसाय (Ice-cream making)

यह व्यवसाय उन इलाकों के लिए बहुत ही अच्छा विकल्प है जहाँ पर बच्चों की संख्या बहुत ही ज्यादा है क्योंकि आइसक्रीम बच्चों के लिए बहुत ही बड़ा आकर्षण का केंद्र होता है। अगर आपके इलाके में बच्चों की संख्या ज्यादा है तो यह आपके लिए बहुत ही अच्छा बिजनेस बन सकता है। ऐसे में आपको कुछ इन्वेस्टमेंट करने की जरूरत होगी और साथ-साथ कुछ लोगों की जरूरत पड़ेगी जिसके बाद अगर आप का धंधा चल जाता है तो आप अपने घर से ही अच्छी खासी कमाई कर सकते है।

6. पॉपकॉर्न बनाने का व्यवसाय (Popcorn making)

अगर आप गांव में रहते हैं और एक छोटे स्तर पर व्यापार शुरू करने की सोच रहे हैं तो यह आपके लिए बहुत ही अच्छा विकल्प होगा क्योंकि पॉपकॉर्न बनाने के लिए मक्का की जरूरत होती है जो कि आसानी से गाँव में सस्ते रेट पर मिल जाती है जो कि आपके लिए प्लस पॉइंट होगा। इसके लिए बस आपको इसके पैकेजिंग को सीखना होगा जिसके बाद आप इसे शहर में बेचकर अच्छी खासी कमाई कर सकते हैं।

पॉपकॉर्न बनाने का व्यवसाय

7. पेपर प्लेट और कप बनाने का व्यवसाय (Paper plate & cup making)

कागज से बनाए हुए कप और प्लेट की मांग धीरे-धीरे बढ़ती जा रही है क्योंकि सरकार ने प्लास्टिक से निर्मित सभी चीजों पर बैन लगा दिया है। जो आपके लिए एक बहुत ही अच्छा मौका प्रदान करता है, क्योंकि इसका इस्तेमाल ना सिर्फ रोडसाइड ढाबा और चाय की दुकान पर किया जाता है बल्कि विभिन्न कार्यक्रमों तथा बड़ी-बड़ी कंपनियों में भी होता है। यह बहुत ही कमाल का स्मॉल बिजनेस आइडिया है जो बहुत तेजी से ग्रो कर सकता है। जिसकी मदद से आप अच्छी खासी कमाई कर सकते हैं।

8. रजाई एवं कंबल बनाने का व्यवसाय (Quilt & blanket making)

अगर सीजनल तौर पर देखें तो आपके लिए बहुत ही अच्छा व्यवसाय है, क्योंकि ठंडी के दिनों में रजाई, कंबल और गधों की मांग बढ़ जाती है, जो आपके लिए बहुत ही अच्छा अवसर प्रदान करती है क्योंकि इनकी जरूरत सभी को होती है। इसके लिए आपको बस यह सीखना होता है की कच्चा माल (raw material) सही दाम पर कैसे खरीदना होता है। फिर आप रजाई कंबल और गद्दे बनाकर भी अच्छी खासी कमाई कर सकते हैं।

9. बिल्डिंग्स एवं घरों की पेंटिंग का काम (Building painting)

लोग हमेशा त्योहारों में, शादियों में अपने घर को पेंट करवाते रहते हैं। खासकर दिवाली के समय लगभग सभी लोग अपना घर पेंट करवाते हैं जो आपके इस बिजनेस के लिए प्लस पॉइंट बन जाता है। इस बिजनेस के लिए बस आप कुछ हेल्पर्स की जरूरत पड़ेगी और थोड़े से इन्वेस्टमेंट की जिसके बाद आप घरों की तथा बिल्डिंग्स की पेंटिंग कर के खूब कमाई कर सकते हैं।

10. हेयर सैलून खोलकर (Saloon)

यदि आप बाल काटना जानते हैं तो यह आपके लिए बहुत ही अच्छा विकल्प है। आप कहीं पर भी हेयर सैलून की शॉप खोल कर पैसा कमा सकते हैं क्योंकि लोग तो हर जगह रहते हैं और ऐसे में उनके बाल बढ़ना मुलाजिम है। इसके लिए आपको थोड़ी इन्वेस्टमेंट की जरूरत होगी पर यह एक पुख्ता बिज़नेस आईडिया है।

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स्टूडेंट्स और बेरोजगारों के पास भी है मौका क्रेडिट कार्ड पाने का,जानिए कैसे?

स्टूडेंट्स और बेरोजगारों के पास भी है मौका क्रेडिट कार्ड पाने का,जानिए कैसे?

बदलते वक्त में क्रेडिट कार्ड की अहमियत को नाकारा नहीं जा सकता है। यह आजकल युवाओं में काफी लोकप्रिय हो रहा है। क्रेडिट कार्ड पाना स्टूडेंट, सेल्फ एंप्लॉयड और दूसरे कई लोगों के लिए काफी कठिन होता है। इसके अलावा नए-नए एंप्लाइज जिनकी कोई क्रेडिट हिस्ट्री नहीं होती है, उन्हें भी क्रेडिट कार्ड पाने के लिए कई मुश्किलात का सामना करना होता है। लेकिन ऐसे जरूरतमंदों को भी क्रेडिट कार्ड मिल सकता है। 

दूसरे स्रोतों से आय

बैंक अगर किसी को क्रेडिट कार्ड देते हैं तो सबसे पहले यह देखते हैं कि वह व्यक्ति क्रेडिट कार्ड का पैसा चुकाने में समर्थ रहेगा या नहीं। ऐसे में यह जरूरी नहीं है कि वह कोई कर्मचारी ही हो, बल्कि महत्वपूर्ण यह है कि उसके पास आय का स्रोत होना चाहिए। आय के स्रोत के तौर पर एफडी, आरडी, ट्रस्ट मनी, किराया, फ्रीलांसिंग आदि हो सकते हैं।

एफडी पर मिलता है क्रेडिट कार्ड

कई बैंक एफडी पर क्रेडिट कार्ड देते हैं। इसमें बैंक उन ग्राहकों से क्रेडिट कार्ड की पेशकश करते हैं, जो उनके साथ एफडी भी खुलवाना चाहते हैं। जिनके पास स्थाई जॉब नहीं है, वे इस तरह से क्रेडिट कार्ड का लाभ ले सकते हैं।

स्टूडेंट्स को कैसे मिलेगा क्रेडिट कार्ड

स्टूडेंट्स भी क्रेडिट कार्ड ले सकते हैं। देश में कई बैंक हैं जो स्टूडेंट्स को क्रेडिट कार्ड्स की पेशकश कर रहे हैं। हालांकि, इन कार्ड्स की क्रेडिट लिमिट रेगुलर क्रेडिट कार्ड की तुलना में कम होती है। स्टूडेंट के लिए क्रेडिट कार्ड मं् कम ब्याज दर, ज्वाइनिंग और रिन्यूअल फीस में छूट मिलती है।

एड-ऑन कार्ड क्या है?

एड-ऑन कार्ड एक एडिशनल कार्ड है, जो प्राइमरी क्रेडिट कार्ड के तहत जारी किया जाता है। यह सामान्यतया प्राइमरी कार्डधारकों के करीबियों, 18 साल से ऊपर के बच्चों और पेरेंट्स के लिए जारी किया जाता है। अगर कोई बेरोजगार है और उसके परिवार में से किसी के पास प्राइमरी क्रेडिट कार्ड है, तो वह एड-ऑन क्रेडिट कार्ड का फायदा उठा सकता है।

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Whatsapp Voice Calling Feature: How to Activate it on Android?

In competition with Viber, Skype and other apps, Whatsapp has added voice calling feature recently. The company rolled out the feature gradually to the Android users and now it is available for all. And if you have another platform like iOS, probably, you have to wait for some time, as they are already in beta version.

Initially, a Reddit userpradnesh07, even got the feature activated on his phone. According to the images posted, users who receive the voice-calling feature will notice an icon for it, beside the Chats and Contacts tabs.

So if you feel left behind, don't worry, we have jotted down the steps for you, on how to get the Whatsapp calling feature on your smartphone. So here it is:

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Step 1: First of all, update your Whatsapp via Playstore to version 2.12.5 or above, otherwise if you don't get the update you ca n download the 2.12.7 from here. Then install it.

Step 2: After updating, tell one of your friends, who has the Whatsapp calling feature to call you.

Step 3: You have to receive the call, wait for few seconds, and disconnect it. [Note: Giving missed call wont work]

Step 4: Once the call is disconnected, you will get to see a new tab "calls" in the Whatsapp on your phone.

Now you are Whatsapp Voice calling feature activated customer. WhatsApp Messenger is an instant messaging app for smartphones, which is send to send images, video, and audio media messages. This application is available in all the platforms including Android, iOS, Windows, Blackberry etc.

Indeed, WhatsApp is the mostly used popular messaging app with more than 600 million active users, with India alone boasting a user base of more than 70 million. According to the company report, this app has surpassed 700 million users, during Jan 2015.

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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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Government plans free Wi-Fi in 2,500 cities, towns in mega internet push

NEW DELHI: The government will roll out free high-speed Wi-Fi in 2,500 cities and towns across the country over three years and the programme, involving an investment of up to Rs 7,000 crore, will be implemented by state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL).

However, the free ride will be only for a limited time, after which one would have to pay for further access, a model similar to what is being offered at airports and other places by private operators. For those having a BSNL or MTNL connection, the switch-over to Wi-Fi will be similar to roaming "at very nominal costs" once the free usage is over.

"The services will begin in the next financial year (2015-16) and we plan to offer these to subscribers of all mobile operators," BSNL chairman and managing director Anupam Shrivastava told TOI here.

The measure seems to be in line with the Modi government's ambitious 'Digital India' programme that aims at boosting internet connectivity across the country. Also, it is being seen as a measure that will give a boost to struggling BSNL, which has been in the red for the last nearly four financial years and suffered a loss of about Rs 7,000 crore in 2013-14. Telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has already listed revival of BSNL and MTNL among his top priorities.

Shrivastava, who recently took over as the CMD of the ailing PSU, said that most of the top cities around the country will be getting the Wi-Fi facility that aims to provide fast internet speed. "The cities where it will be rolled out include Kolkata, Chennai, Lucknow, Dehradun, Hyderabad, Varanasi, Bhopal, Jaipur, Patna, Indore, Chandigarh and Ludhiana."

The BSNL CMD said the Wi-Fi speed will be "of 4G levels" as the company will develop it around its vast optic fibre and cable network. "Around 50,000-60,000 Wi-Fi hotspots will be set up as part of the programme."

BSNL is hoping that a favourable tariff plan offered for Wi-Fi services will help it gain mobile subscribers. Stiff competition from private operators and slow pace of infrastructure upgrades have seen flight of mobile customers from BSNL at a time when its landline base is also shrinking.

"We are sitting on the verge of a data revolution and BSNL has a huge potential here on the back of our landline base and capability. Data capability will be a game changer in the next few years and we will gain a lot through such measures," Shrivastava said.

Data is significant for the PSU's revenues. Data business is expected to generate Rs 1,500 crore out of Rs 13,500 crore revenue estimated through mobile business. "And, of nearly Rs 14,000 crore from fixed line business, half will be through broadband and data services," Shrivastava said.

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Rise in your profession: Tips on how to utilize an alumni network

Why do you need to network with the alumni? Unlike the personal front, where the family is a readymade set of relationships, the professional front does not offer a starting point.

To move up professionally, you need to build a support system of friends and allies among like-minded people. Your network of alma mater friends and the alumni from companies with a strong culture provide a pool of people seeking to connect and help.

However, this is not available on tap and you will need to build it. Here's how.

Don't take alumni for granted

Invest in relationships. Harsh Sapru, a sales manager, applied for an advertised role with a leading Indian FMCG firm. When he found that a regional manager was an alumnus from his MBA school, he sent him an e-mail, requesting to be short-listed to the interview based on their common background.

The manager forwarded the e-mail to the HR, which promptly moved Sapru's resume to the trash folder. Sapru had taken the alum for granted and had called for an unreasonable favour from a stranger. This irritated the alum, who had Sapru removed from the selection. The right way to work with alumni is to build relationships early in life.

Don't cold call them when you are serving your notice period. Start by committing three hours a week to relationship building.

Call up alumni in your immediate circle and speak to them with no other agenda but to connect. Or, fix up a dinner with a group of alumni friends and count that time against the three hours. Thereafter, widen your network and reach out to people through social media like Linkedin and Facebook.

Drop in a line and make that odd call to speak and share common stories or interests. Over a year, you would have invested more than 150 hours and built a strong web of ties.

Be visible

People will know who you are. After graduating from school, Delhi-based Gaurav Verma became the unofficial connecting point for batchmates.

From compiling and sharing contact details and job/education updates to organising well-attended school reunions in his city, he seemed to be always there for everyone. In his late thirties, when Verma decided to become an entrepreneur, he reached out to his network for investors, distributors and customers.

They responded immediately and his venture took off. Being visible is not too challenging. Try attending all alum meets and events, visit your alma mater to greet your teachers and professors, and walk into your old hostel to host an interactive business session for students.

Similarly, get involved in discussions on social network groups and become an organiser. Create Facebook discussion groups over common interests and organise meet-ups where you invite speakers of interest.

First give, then receive

Offer to help people without any transaction involved. For instance, you could lead your firm's recruitment drive to your engineering college, or coach unsuccessful students on clearing aptitude tests, group discussions and interviews, even offer unpaid internship to students to help them gain experience.

Adopt a giving attitude in your alum network and it will build goodwill that will pay you back with interest. Offer to host alumni for the night when they are passing thro ugh your city.

Connect fledgling alum entrepreneurs to potential customers. Donate money to your alma mater for scho larships to needy students. Meet alumni who request advice and share references when asked.

Help out students with applications for higher studies. The opportunities for giving back to your network are endless, and the returns huge.

Research on alumni

Know your alumni well. When connecting with them and building a network, it pays to conduct detailed research. Moving to a new location? Find and reach out in the area to the alum who share similar interests, including hobbies, friends, industry, etc.

Similarly, to grow within your industry or profession, use your social networks to find and connect with alums who are working in the same sector. Then share information, help and form connections. Don't forget to maintain an Excel sheet for your research.

Seek advice, not jobs

During your job search phase, ask for references or advice only. If you are not close friends with the concerned alum, you do not have the space to ask for a job vacancy or offer on the strength of a nonexistent relationship.

Walking up to an alum and requesting a job makes him feel cornered and helpless. Recognise that an individual in the corporate world cannot hire without due process.

A better way to approach is to share that you are looking for a job and then ask for advice on the industry/firm/role, or for references you can talk to for advice. Now the alumni can easily share inputs and walk away satisfied from the interaction.

Avoid cold calls where possible and seek to meet face to face through mutual contacts or alumni/industry functions. You may then leverage the advice to find a suitable opportunity.

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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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New technology that can 'replace' internet

A new project has been launched that could replace the internet.

The ambitious project, Bitcloud, aims to provide services currently controlled byinternet service providers ( ISPs) and corporations. The project is based on the same methods used to mine bitcoins.

According to the BBC, individuals would perform tasks such as storing, routing and providing bandwidth, in return for payment.

The founders are searching for developers for the project, adding that they will start by decentralising the current internet, and then create a new internet to replace it.

According to the report, like bitcoin miners provide computing power and are rewarded for solving complex mathematical equations with the virtual currency, so individual net users would be rewarded based on how much bandwidth they contribute to the Bitcloud network.

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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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Microsoft offers Ahmedabad boy $180,000 package

An Amdavadi boy who attended school in Shahibaug and interned at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Ahmedabad, has landed one of the highest pay packages offered to an engineering postgraduate - $1,80,000 USD plus incentives. The offer was made by Microsoft to 23-year-old Priyanshu Kumar Jha, who earned a master's from Singapore. Priyanshu will work for Microsoft's Bing search engine as development engineer.

Priyanshu will head to the Microsoft headquarters in the US next week. He is the youngest of the batch of students who appeared for placements at the National University of Singapore this year, where he studied for the master's degree in software engineering. He has secured a bachelor's degree in information technology from UV Patel College of Engineering, Ganpat University, Mehsana.

Priyanshu's father, Prabhat Kumar Jha, is a zonal director (central zone) National Small Industries Corporation, ministry of medium, small & micro enterprises. Priyanshu's mother, Ranjana, is a homemaker. Priyanshu completed his schooling from Central School, Shahibaug.

"As an engineering student, I always aspired to work for Microsoft at some point in my career," Priyanshu said. "But to have my first job, at this age, as an engineer in Microsoft is a dream come true." Being the youngest achiever in his group has been Priyanshu's habit. He was the youngest to be chosen for the master's programme in Singapore. "I had to put in a lot of extra work to keep up with my batchmates, who had a minimum of two years of work experience," he said. "I was the only one with no work experience, but my top scores always gave me an edge over the others."

Priyanshu told TOI that he had been exposed to computers since 1994. "My dream is to work for corporations for a while and use my learning to launch my own company after coming back to Ahmedabad," he said. "I want to give back to society which has given me so much."

As for the interview with Microsoft, Priyanshu said it consisted of six rounds with each one lasting six hours. But he said the interactions were always relaxed.

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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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