Windows 10 for phones. What's in here

Yes, we can finally say this, “Windows 10 for phones”. After recent showcase of Windows 10 for PCs, it’s time for Windows 10 for phones. Microsoft introduced some of the features of Windows 10 for phones.

Windows 10 will be available as a free upgrade for all the smartphones running Windows Phone 8.1. Yes, for all, even that low end Lumia smartphone in your pocket  :p .

Now let’s see what Windows 10 brings to phones. Microsoft has still not detailed out all the features of Windows 10 for phones but only a portion of them.

·         Microsoft has focused heavily on improving the built in apps and features of Windows Phone.

·         Apps like mail, maps, photos, Skype and messaging are all been improved in the new OS.

Microsoft is building a universal Outlook app that is much better than what came with Windows 8 and WP 8.1, it has built in Word, allowing you to insert tables and  also support full text formatting. Now it’s even more fast to delete or flag a mail, just swipe right to delete it and swipe left to flag it. This is all synced with PC and you can pick your flagged mail later. Windows 10 will provide a full support for number of mail services like Gmail, Yahoo, Exchange across all the Windows devices.

The Photos and Camera thing on Windows 10

This section is also heavily tweaked in Windows 10 for phones. There is a universal photos app similar to the mail app which works across phones, tablets and PCs and syncs all your data on every Windows 10 device. The app shows pics you have taken with the built in camera and even the ones stored in One drive.

The Lumia Camera app is the default camera now. Now you can access all the features of the Lumia Camera even on HTC or Samsung Windows Phone. So no worries if you are not rocking a Lumia, chillll :D

Maps Section 

Microsoft is focusing on to provide a single map service in order to avoid confusion. Now in Windows 10 there will be a single maps app and it will include turn-by-turn directions, Cortana integration and many useful features to help you. Like for eg, if you have searched for some destination which is within walking distance then the map app will automatically get you the walking directions. Cortana will help you by repeating the directions for you.

Skype and SMS

Microsoft has finally integrated Skype in Windows 10 for phones. Now you can SMS and Skype within the same thread. But yes don’t expect integration of WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger in Windows 10 messaging app.

UI changes

Though not all have been showed by Microsoft but yes there will be many UI changes that will be coming with Windows 10 for phones. The start screen now has a background image that drops behind the live tile and covers the entire phones’ screen instead of lying just behind the tiles. This looks even more beautiful and makes Windows consistent with Android and iOS. There is a movable keyboard which can be dragged anywhere on to the screen. 

We are expecting more stuffs and more features to be detailed out by Microsoft on Windows 10 for phones in the coming weeks. But this is for sure Microsoft is doing everything it can to make Windows more personal, the most personal OS available for users. And with all these features introduced and still many more to come Microsoft is giving a tough fight to its competitors.

Do tell us what are the features you are most excited about and what more you expect from Windows 10 for phones in the comments below.

Source : TheVerge.com

  

And finally the wait is over Whatsapp Web is here ; Now use Whatsapp directly from your computer's browser

• What is Whatsapp Web ?

Whatsapp  Web is an add-on feature to Whatsapp. It will basically enable you to use your Whatsapp on your computer's browser. Yes you can send and receive  your Whatsapp messages using your PC.All you have to do is scan a QR Code and you are all set to use it.Your phone is out of charge? Or you just don't want to check your phone after every couple of seconds to look for new notifications while you are working on your computer...Or Be it anything. 

• How to use Whatsapp Web?

To use Whatsapp Web you just need a latest update of whatsapp. Once you have it follow the steps-
1. Open web.whatsapp.com

2. Notice the QR Code. And Scan it from your phone.

3. How to scan? You don't need a standalone QR code scanner. As Whatsapp has its own encrypted scanner. Once you have opened Whatsapp. Go to Menu and then Whatsapp Web.         

 You will notice a new scree like this one-

4. Now point your phone's camera to the QR code and within seconds you are connected.

5. Now what? It will notify you to Enable Whatsapp Web notifications as it will trigger you when you receive a message.

6. Now you are good to go.

7. This is how Whatsapp Web will be like while running on your PC.

• Okay Got it. Any Particular Requirements?And How does Whatsapp Work?

All you need is the internet connection both on your phone and computer. As Whatsapp Web will synchronize messages from your phone only. As soon as you will receive a message on your phone. It will notify you here.

There are no other requirements. It will work on any OS. Android, Windows Phones, iOS, Blackberry even Symbian S60. So just update the app and you are good to go.

Whatsapp Web is indeed an important add on which I of all people need as I loathe using my phone or checking it for new messages after every couple of minutes. Whatsapp Web will not only make your work easy but it will also save your phone's battery as you no longer to check for notifications.

• Is Whatsapp Web secure?

I have used it for a while. And yes its secure. Basically it is just a layer that is working on your PC on a frontend basically it is synchronizing messages from your phone. Moreover Whatsapp will use its encrypted QR Code system which cannot be manipulated with.Moreover it will show you the last location from where you had connected your device and which device was it along with a logout option.So it is no doubt secure.

But yes as they say in incognito mode. The person right behing you can peep into all your messages =D. Well that's entirely on you.

• Will this feature work with Whatsapp Plus?

No. Apparently Whatsapp Web comes comes after the day when Whatsapp banned all the users who were using Whatsapp Plus and Whatsapp Plus will no longer be working.

Anyway that's all. Comment Below if you have any other questions.

Happy Whatsapping!

        

Google's highly innovative "Project Ara"

Project Ara is the codename of the highly innovative project of Google in the smartphone area. It’s an open hardware platform for creating highly modular smartphones. The smartphone will be a combination of different modules that are joined together. Like, it could be a keyboard module, a long life battery module, a camera lens, it can be anything. There are so many possibilities and so many combinations that can be done that it will all and all change the way we use our smartphones.

With the ability of adding and removing modules from your smartphone to suit you different needs you can easily make full use of it in different scenarios. Like, if you are going on a vacation you will probably want a smartphone with great high resolution lenses to capture those beautiful moments, sceneries,  so for this you can simply add different lens modules to it along with battery modules too. Isn’t it cool. Yeah it is, I really find it amazing, this concept of changing modules as per your requirements.

This project Ara will bring the smartphone experience to a new level. It’s surely a step forward in what all can be done in the smartphone technology in order to provide users, the best gadget in the palm of their hands.

Google recently took the wraps off the first Project Ara modular phone that will be commercially available at a dedicated developer conference. It’s called Spiral 2 and is expected to launch in the 2^nd half of this year.

The project Ara Spiral 2 model Specifications are:

720p display

5MP camera

microUSB port

with battery and speakers

Network connectivity include : 3G modem, WiFi and Bluetooth.

If the concept catches the world’s fancy it won’t be long that smartphone giants would be manufacturing different modules for the modular smartphones, like Nokia making camera module for some Android based modular smartphone :p 

Watch this video to know more :

It is really exciting, let’s see how all this turns up.

What you guys think of Project Ara?

Are you excited to learn more from Google on it’s highly mind boggling project.  Share your thoughts below.

TVF's new venture the InboxOffice is all set with Sulemani Keeda

The Viral Fever or as some of you might be familiar with "Qtiyapa". Well The Viral Fever guys after their very successful web tv series  "Permanent Roommates" have come up with yet another exciting venture TVF Inbox. It all about the movies that you might have missed rather I guess its all about Indie movies ; The Independent movies which don't see light of silver screen just because of some non-nonsensical (in most cases) Khan-packed movie from a popular banner. And trust me their are some really amazing independent movies that you should definitely check out. Anyway for now TVF Inbox has one movie listed and that is Sulemani Keeda (Writers) I am longing for this movie ever since I saw its trailer but unfortunately this movie released in some selected theaters.



Now luckily enough TVF Inbox have an amazing Netflix type subscription model. We can rent a movie for 72 hours and watch it as many times as we want at some nominal charge. For Sulemani Keeda it is Rs. 99/- and that's not all. There is yet another offer with the movie you will get a freecharge coupon of Rs 100/- Cool Right? So apparently you can watch the movie for free while recharging your phone.


Now you might be wondering What exactly the movie Sulemani Keeda is all about?

Watch the trailer to get a rough idea -





Okay as far as I can gather the movie about two struggling Writers Dulal and Mainak who dreamt of shaking  up the film industry with their script "Sulemani Keeda" (Hindi street-slang for "Pain in the Ass"). When they're rejected by producers who seem uninterested in their scripts they lurk out in  bars or poetry jams hitting on girls. And then Dulal meets Ruma, a beautiful photographer who makes him question his choice to sell out. Amit V Masurkar’s debut feature captures the hilarious journey of the duo & creative spirit of Mumbai where writers, directors, and actors come from all over India with the dream of working in the film industry and making a big name one day.
A must watch for everyone.


Infact I would recommend you to check out some other videos of Sulemani Keeda on Youtube and yes this is an amazing deal. I already pre-booked the movie.

Watch Sulemani Keeda Online on Tvfinboxoffice.com and get a freecharge Rs.100 /- voucher as an inaugural offer.

Extending the Gaming Experience with IllumiRoom, Microsoft Research

IllumiRoom is a Microsoft Research concept to enhance the gaming experiences of the hardcore gamers. What it does is, it augments the area surrounding your television screen with the projected rays to enhance the living room entertainment experience.

How it works ?

IllumiRoom system uses a kinect for Windows camera and a projector to blur the line between on-screen content and the environment we live in, combining our virtual world with the physical world.

Like for example, the IllumiRoom can change the appearance of our room, extend the field of view and will enable a new gaming experience.

It uses this kinect technology  for Windows camera to capture the geometry of the room and automatically adapt the projected visual in real-time.

You can see the image below which has been captured live and is not the result of any special effects added in post production.

You can watch the video below to see how it works:

The IllumiRoom will definitely increase the gaming experience of hard core gamers, by extending the image on your TV screen by projecting visuals onto the walls of your living room and will make you feel like you are inside the game you are playing.

What you gamers out there think of this Microsoft Research concept?

Source : Microsoft Research 

Hands-on with Mad Catz LYNX 9 at CES 2015

Mad Catz LYNX 9 is a modular game controller that can control android based tablet and smartphones.Basically it has got a full complement of buttons that you will see in a PS4 or X-BOX One controller ; with two analog sticks and two shoulder buttons in the back for your left and right UID control.

 The best part is that you can simply take it apart like a puzzle and convert it into different modes like popping out the sticks and then putting in the keyboard for text messaging and then pop that out. It does feel little like a metal hollow tool at first. But the button feels really good it is not exactly what you get in a home console but still they are really responsive and are one of the best controllers I have used so far.
                                           
  It has re-sizable panel with which you can put a tablet or a smartphone in between.  You can even fit in a 10 inch Tablet and also a 4 inch Smart Phone and then you can put the controller back to its original size Cool..Isn't it?











 It will retail for around  $299/- little steep when it comes to pricing. You can pre-order it now.It should launch by March though.

We have shared the Verge's Video -

Source- TheVerge

Cicret Bracelet : Your Skin Is Your New Smart Display

The Cicret Bracelet, what it is all about. Their tag line ‘Make you skin you new tablet’ makes everyone excited to know what this bracelet does.

Its a phenomenal future technology in working which makes your skin your new smart display. Yes you read it right, this bracelet projects your tablet or smartphone’s display directly on to your skin. 

What else we can do? Projection is just the first step, we can interact with the display on our skin as we interact with the touch sensitive display of our smartphone.

We can pick calls, type messages, play games, watch videos, browse internet and all those stuffs we do in our smartphone directly on our skin without even touching the phone. Just connect this bracelet with your smartphone and you are ready to go.

Its still a technology in making and all these are possible features that the Cicret Bracelet can provide. The Techzoot team applaud the idea behind this technology and are looking forward to it.

To know more visit their site at cicret.com

Watch video here : 

  

Denim update for Windows Phone 8.1 is up and ready for larger number of countries

The much awaited Denim update for Windows smartphones running WP 8.1 is up and ready to be grabbed in most parts of the world.

After starting the roll out from the first week of December in Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, Middle East and to the Verizon Wireless Lumia 822 and 928 in the US, the denim update is slowly but steadily making its mark in other markets and to more handsets around the world.

Here is the list of some more countries/handsets where the roll out of Denim update has begin :

Austria : Lumia 520, 620

Albania : Lumia 620, 720

Brazil : Lumia 520, 620, 625, 720, 1320

Bulgaria : Lumia 620, 720

Belgium : Lumia 520

Belarus : Lumia 535

China : Lumia 520T, 535(dual SIM), 620

Croatia : Lumia 620, 720

Czech Republic : Lumia 520, 620, 720

Denmark : Lumia 520, 535, 620, 720, 930

Finland : Lumia 535, 620, 720, 930, 1520

France : Lumia 520, 535

Germany : Lumia 520, 535, 620, 720

Greece : Lumia 520, 620, 720

Hungary : Lumia 520, 535, 620, 720

Iceland : Lumia 520, 535, 620, 720, 930

India : Lumia 520

Indonesia : Lumia 535(dual SIM), 620, 720

Ireland : Lumia 520, 620

Italy : Lumia 520, 535, 620, 720, 735, 1320

Norway : Lumia 520, 535, 620, 720, 930

Philippines : Lumia 535, 620, 626, 720, 1320

Portugal : Lumia 520, 535, 620

Spain : Lumia 520, 535, 620, 720, 1320

Sweden : Lumia 520, 620, 625, 720

Switzerland : Lumia 520, 620, 625, 720

Thailand : Lumia 535 (dual SIM), 620, 720

United Kingdom : Lumia 520, 535, 620, 720

Vietnam : Lumia 520, 525, 535 (dual SIM), 620, 720, 1320

There are some more countries where the Lumia Denim update is reportedly rolling out to users. Will cover those along with more handsets that have started receiving the update in our next post. Keep visiting for further updates. 

What all Denim brings to your phone.. see here

Thankyou :)

Source : Microsoft, WP Central

Yu Yureka Review : #YuPlayGod

Newly launched YU introduced a new smartphone last month starting with Yureka  for Indian market. And guess what its not just Micromax but a collabration between Micromax and Cyanogen. Micromax is really trying to change its’s brand image but it isn’t just a cake task.

The Yu Yureka being the first phone from the war chest has a lot to offer. Micromax pushed the right buttons at the very moment OnePlus One entered Indian market, with a low price tag and yet it is loaded with some impressive specs, but we already have seen devices from Xiaomi, OPO & Motorola that already rule this market globally. So, does the Yu Yureka match up to its competition? Let’s find out.

Build & Display

The Yu Yureka has a 5.5-inch IPS display with resolution of 1280 x 720 and 267 ppi. The Moto E has a 4.3-inch display with 960 x 540 resolution resulting in 256 ppi. So when it comes to display quality in Phablets . 5.5-inch is just not enough. Its main competitor in price segment is Xiaomi Redmi Note. Yureka has a much more premium feel with the Moonstone back compared to cheap plasticity feel of Redmi. And it actually is a inexpensive rip-off of Sandstone  back that we have on One Plus One devices.That said, the Yureka also has a plastic body, but the company has done well to not make it feel like a cheap build like it did with its Canvas range of devices. The Yu Yureka is the best one can get considering its price tag in the build and design department. The fact that it has a removable battery is icing on the top, but there are no surprises that you may have expected.

Performance

 The Yureka is one of the few devices to be running on Qualcomm’s new generation 64-bit SoCs right now. The octa-core Snapdragon 615 in this is clocked at 1.5 GHz and takes care of  much of your routine activities well. High ends games like Nova and Modern Combat 5, don’t give the processor much trouble. The CM 11 ROM is not the stablest custom rom available and you might have some App crashes. The best thing about this device is that it has 2 GB of RAM, which is more than enough for anything that you might want to use your smartphone for.

Battery

The 2500 mAh battery on the Yureka is somewhat similar to Canvas devices,  But with Cynagon mod we do get around 7-8 hours of heavy usage which is not at all impressive. You still need a Power Bank .

Camera

The 13MP back camera is descent if not the best. And in under-10k ($150)category this is the best deal one can get. The colour reproduction is good and there is a slight saturation in images.

After Sales Support

We all have came across Micromax customer service either through word of mouth or our own experience.And you will agree when I say that they have clowns who are running these customer service centres. To overcome this Micromax rather YU has come up with a forum where you can get answers all your firmware/software related queries and with device Micromax is also planning Direct to home(D2h) service which we noticed with Canvas Gold. Cool Isn't it.?

Bottomline

The Yu Yureka is completely a new brand Micromax and is nothing like any(anything) device that the company has made so far. The Yureka is a satisfactory device for the price that Micromax is asking. Yu is following the same flash sale model as Xiaomi, the only difference is that Yureka is exclusively available on Amazon and it is essentially the only toughest competitor that the Redmi Note. If you want a phablet within 10k or want a phone to tweak in roms, then go ahead and buy this device.It is easily the best phablet available in the market at such a competitive price point.

Get Yureka from Amazon

Source- Digit, Amazon