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Apple stops selling the Thunderbolt Display without announcing a replacement

2016-06-24T13:47:00.000+05:30

Apple is discontinuing its Thunderbolt Display, the high-resolution external display that users of the MacBook and other Macs could use to get a better picture and work with more apps.

The company said Thursday that the 27-inch widescreen display with LED backlight technology will be available on Apple’s online store, Apple retail stores and authorized resellers while supplies last.

The Thunderbolt Display currently retails on the Apple online store at US$999. It has a 2560 by 1440 pixels resolution.

It isn’t clear whether Apple plans to follow with newer versions that use 5K resolution displays at 5120 by 2880 pixels, which is the display technology Apple uses on its high-end iMac. There was speculation earlier that a new version would be announced at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference this month.

Apple spokesperson:

We're discontinuing the Apple Thunderbolt Display. It will be available through Apple.com, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers while supplies last. There are a number of great third-party options available for Mac users.

Apple said in an emailed statement that “there are a number of great third-party options available for Mac users.”

HTC “Sailfish” is said to be the successor to Nexus 5X, Specs revealed

2016-06-24T10:59:00.000+05:30

A new HTC device with the codename “Sailfish” is said to be the successor to the LG Nexus 5X, and the codename checks off as all Nexus devices are codenamed with the names of creatures living in water.

Android Police reports that a secret but reliable source has the juicy details about the upcoming HTC Nexus. HTC hasn’t made a Nexus since the very first Nexus One and HTC fans have since been dreaming of a Nexus device built by the Taiwanese phone maker.

The alleged specs are as follows:

5 inch 1080p screen
Quad-core 2.0GHz CPU
4GB of RAM
2,770mAh battery
32GB of internal storage
12MP rear camera / 8MP front camera
Rear mounted fingerprint scanner
USB Type-C port
Bottom firing speakers
Top mounted headphone jack
Bluetooth 4.2

There has also been an unofficial confirmation about Huawei making this year’s higher end Nexus model, but there have also been rumors about HTC making both Nexus models this year. Rumors still surround the Nexus lineup for this year and we are really excited to see more and more talk coming up about Google’s pure-Android devices.

As always, take rumors with a grain (maybe a pinch) of salt. Nexus season isn’t too far away but still far enough for things to change before finalizing plans.

Next Google Nexus (2016) HTC aka Marlin should feature Snapdragon 821 CPU

2016-06-23T17:36:00.001+05:30

The next Google Nexus smartphone has begun to leak with more details than just the simple codenames we've had so far.

Two Nexus smartphones are expected to be launch this year, one for high-end users and another for average users – just like last year. So far leaks have suggested that they are codenamed Marlin and Sailfish, or M1 and S1. The Marlin handset is expected to be built by HTC.

India Today claims that the HTC 10 will be the basis on which the Nexus phone will be built but with an upgraded processor and some more tweaks. It says the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor will appear as well as a "tweaked" fingerprint sensor.

The Snapdragon 821 is expected to have a slightly higher top speed but to also offer better heat efficiency and power management.

Google is expected to reveal the 2016 Nexus smartphones later in the year around September for an October release. The Android N operating system will also launch on these devices. Other expected specs include a QHD screen plus 4GB of RAM to better support Google Cardboard and VR in general.

Little else is known at this stage but expect more leaks to follow as that reveal date approaches. For now check out the Next Nexus feature in the read link below to learn everything that's expected from Google's next major hardware and software launch.

OnePlus 3 filled with ads in system apps; Report

2016-06-23T15:03:00.000+05:30

OnePlus 3, currently the hottest flagship on the market, is receiving mostly positive reviews through and through, However, it seems that it may be getting some extra flak in China.

Unfortunately, as some Chinese OnePlus 3 users have reported, one of these features is a constant ad feed. Apparently, the dialler interface now has a “Live Services” feed, which is filled with ads of restaurants, transport services, movies, et cetera.

It is also reported that the ad platform is outsourced, which could mean that OnePlus doesn't have a lot of control over what gets advertised.

Earlier another buyer claimed that he received his new handset that was pre-loaded porn pictures and porn videos.

Also Read

OnePlus 3 Full specs, features, price and everything you need to know [Video]

OnePlus 3 vs OnePlus 2: Should You Upgrade?

OnePlus 3 vs Xiaomi Mi5 vs LeEco Le Max 2 : Which one should you buy?

Samsung Galaxy On7 (2016) Spotted on GFXBench; Read Full specs

2016-06-23T14:22:00.000+05:30

Samsung had launched its Galaxy On7 smartphone in November last year. The company has been long rumored to be working on the successor to the smartphone, dubbed the Galaxy On7 (2016). Now, the Galaxy On7 (2016) has been listed on GFXBench benchmarking website, which reveals key specifications of the smartphone.

According to the GFXBench website, the Samsung Galaxy On7 (2016) handset will be equipped with a 4.8-inch full HD AMOLED screen. The smartphone will be powered by a 2GHz octa-core processor with Adreno 506 GPU and 3GB of RAM.

The On7 (2016) will come with 16GB of internal storage. On the camera front, the smartphone is likely to sport a 13-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera. The Galaxy On7 (2016) will run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out-of-the-box. Details about other features of the smartphone have not been revealed as yet.

As for the pricing, it is being said that the mid-ranger will be priced between $150-$200. The Galaxy On7 2016 release date rumors suggest that the phone might launch late next month or possibly in mid-August. But then again, take these rumors with a pinch of salt unless concrete details arrive.

Two Women went temporarily blind after looking Smartphone in bed

2016-06-23T13:08:00.000+05:30

Warning: Looking at your smartphone while lying in bed at night could wreak havoc on your vision.

The solution: Make sure to use both eyes when looking at your smartphone screen in the dark.

Two women went temporarily blind from constantly checking their phones in the dark, say doctors who are now alerting others to the unusual phenomenon.

The cases, which are detailed in a new report, show the short-term vision problems that can occur when people look at a bright smartphone screen in a dark room.

The women complained of recurring episodes of temporary vision loss for up to 15 minutes. They were subjected to variety of medical exams, MRI scans and heart tests. Yet doctors couldn’t find anything wrong with them to explain the problem.

But minutes after walking into an eye specialist’s office, the mystery was solved.

“I simply asked them, ’What exactly were you doing when this happened?’” recalled Dr. Gordon Plant of Moorfield’s Eye Hospital in London.

He explained that both women typically looked at their smartphones with only one eye while resting on their side in bed in the dark — their other eye was covered by the pillow.

“So you have one eye adapted to the light because it’s looking at the phone and the other eye is adapted to the dark,” he said.

When they put their phone down, they couldn’t see with the phone eye. That’s because “it’s taking many minutes to catch up to the other eye that’s adapted to the dark,” Plant said.

OnePlus 3 goes through brutal scratch and bend tests , But survived !!

2016-06-23T11:46:00.000+05:30

OnePlus 3, currently the hottest flagship on the market, was bound to go through various torture tests. The famous YouTuber JerryRigEverything seems to be the one to do it first, and the OnePlus 3 survived these tests.

JerryRigEverything has a routine for testing each device starting with some scratch tests, taking a lighter to the screen, and ending with a bend test. Usually, if the device is of a solid build, it will survive the last trial. But there are those like the Xiaomi Mi 5 which were not built to be bend even the tiniest bit.

Here is the OnePlus 3 torture test.

The screen may have popped outside the chassis, but the device still works and is a survivor. By the way, It is also found out that OnePlus 3 is quite easy to disassemble and so to repair. You can see it for yourself.

Google will teach you to write Android apps

2016-06-23T10:49:00.000+05:30

Learning to make your own Android apps isn't easy, especially if it's your first time programming anything.

A few months ago, Google and Udacity released their first “nanodegree” course for intermediate Android development, today, they’re going backwards to teach you the absolute basics.

Google introducing an Android Basics nanodegree (available in a week-long free trial) at Udacity that has Google experts teaching you how to write simple Android apps, even if you don't know a single bit of code. The online course guides you far enough through Android Studio that you'll have an "entire portfolio" of programs by the time you're done -- you may not write the next Instagram, but you should be comfortable.

It'll even give you a scholarship for that mini-degree if you're one of the first 50 people to complete the Basics course.

Amazon launches thinner, lighter Kindle e-reader with double storage

2016-06-22T23:24:00.000+05:30

Amazon announced its latest entry-level Kindle reader today which is priced at $79.99. It will be available in two color options, black or white, and featuring a more rounded design than the previous model, so it's easier to hold in one hand during long reading .

The device comes in black or white, and it will have 8 gigabytes of memory — twice that of its predecessor, so it can hold double the amount of books. Amazon is also offering free cloud storage for all digital content purchased through the online retailer.

The Kindle's high contrast touchscreen display is designed to read like paper while eliminating glare, even in direct sunlight. And, by not emitting light, the screen won't cause sleep loss by creating blue light that inhibits production of melatonin.

A single battery charge will last for weeks rather than hours, assuming a half hour of reading a day with the wireless off. Fully charging the device will take four hours from a computer using a USB cable. However, the device itself is fully wireless and doesn't need a computer to download content.

Reading features include better export of notes and highlights to email. A printable PDF option will be available as part of a free, over-the-air software update. To prevent distraction, the device won't accept alerts or notifications.

Bluetooth audio support is included out of the box, so visually impaired readers can use VoiceView to listen with the text-to-speech functionality and turn pages.

An updated interface and improved navigation will allow users to personalize their home screens and manage favorites, wish lists and book recommendations from friends.

Additionally, the new Kindle will add Chinese support for the Word Wise feature, which allows readers to view definitions of words as they read.

"Tens of millions of readers around the world have Kindle e-readers and today, we're excited to make our most affordable Kindle even better, while keeping the same breakthrough price point," Arthur van Rest, Kindle general manager, stated in a press release. "With a thinner and lighter design, twice the memory, and all the features customers love about Kindle, it has never been a better time to be a reader."

How webcam hacks happen; Understand why Zuckerberg Covered his webcam.

2016-06-22T22:47:00.000+05:30

If Mark Zuckerberg is covering up his webcam at work, does that mean we should all be following suit and covering up our webcams too?Mainly there are two major kinds of webcams: Internet-connected webcams and computer-connected webcams. Lets see how both webcams are working and how webcam hacks happen.

Internet-connected webcams typically connect over Wi-Fi. Most have their own IP address, which enables remote access, letting you connect directly to the webcam from anywhere in the world. Of course, that evil-doers could potentially connect to it as well, so your camera should be protected by a strong password. Unfortunately, these webcams often come with weak default passwords, and many people don't change them.

A 2014 report on Naked Security revealed that, at the time, 73,000 Internet-connected webcams were accessible if you just put in the default password. If this setup matches your description, change your password immediately to something strong. And if you don't need to use it, it's still a good idea to cover it up.

Computer-connected webcams on the other hand can be a bit more difficult for hackers to get into, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. These are the webcams are the cameras built right into your computers (usually above your laptop screen) or connected via USB.

Malware could contain executable code to turn on your webcam.

Hackers can access these cameras through malware. If you accidentally click a bad link or download the wrong file, that malware could contain executable code to turn on your webcam and send that video feed to a website or save it somewhere else. Worse, often this kind of malware can even disable the camera's LED light, so you'd never know your camera's been hijacked just by looking at it.

If you don't want people watching you when you don't know it, the only thing that's a surefire method to make sure you aren't being recorded is to put a physical barrier over your webcam. After all, antivirus programs can't catch everything.

What about your phone's camera? It's definitely possible to hack into a phone camera, and it's been done, at least on Android. However, it's probably less of a concern since, when you're not actively using your phone, it's typically in a pocket, handbag or sitting face-up or face-down on a tabletop. That means it's less of desirable target for hackers, since you're far less likely to be in a compromising position when you're in front of the camera. Also, the sandboxing of mobile operating systems makes hijacking a camera inherently more difficult.

OnePlus 3 Fingerprint Sensor Faster Than iPhone 6s: [Video]

2016-06-22T17:24:00.000+05:30

OnePlus claimed that the fingerprint sensor on the OnePlus 3 is the fastest out there, and a YouTuber put that to test by pitting it against the Touch ID fingerprint scanner on the iPhone 6s.

OnePlus 3 was launched this month, and the smartphone has received solid reviews. It is pitted against many flagships out there, and recently the smartphone was put up against Apple's current offering iPhone 6s.

Safwan Ahmedmia - a British YouTuber uploaded a video , and he conducted the test by switching the animations off on both the smartphones, and also while keeping the display turned on. In both cases, the OnePlus 3 unlocked visibly faster than the iPhone 6s.

The OnePlus 3 has the sensor behind a capacitive home button, while the iPhone 6s houses a physical home button on top of the sensor. The test was conducted almost four times, with the display off in two of the attempts, and in all cases the OnePlus 3 wins. The iPhone is known for its slow animations, and so Ahmedmia even switched off the animation, and even then the OnePlus 3 came out as a winner.

It is worthy to note, that Apple has reportedly slowed down its sensor deliberately after receiving complaints from users that they just weren't able to see the notifications on the lock screen, bbecause the sensor was so fast. The TouchID sesnsor was so quick that it directly unlocked the iPhone, without allowing the users to just glance through the notifications on the lock screen.

The OnePlus 3 is available in India for the price of Rs. 27,999, and is being sold exclusively on Amazon India. OnePlus, for the first time, has ditched the invite system and has made the OnePlus 3 available through the open sale model. The Graphite colour variant is only available for now, and CEO Carl Pei has hinted that the Soft Gold colour variant will be made available sometime in the second half of July

Twitter to let users post longer videos, up to 140 seconds

2016-06-22T17:07:00.002+05:30

Twitter is now allowing its users post videos that are up to 140 seconds long, previous it was limited to 30-second.

The move is part of the social media company's efforts to attract a broader set of users, some of whom feel confined by its limits on the length of tweets - as well as videos. It's also likely to help users make money from such videos.

The San Francisco company also launched an app called Twitter Engage for those it calls "influential creators." It's designed to help them interact with fans.

Twitter Inc. currently has about 310 million monthly active users, small potatoes compared with Facebook's 1.65 billion. The professional online network LinkedIn has 433 million members, but many of these users do not log in every month.

Get Free Lumia 950 Smartphone Worth $549 With The Purchase Of Lumia 950 XL - Microsoft Offer

2016-06-22T16:15:00.000+05:30

Upon purchasing of “Lumia 950 XL” the tech giant Microsoft will give away the smaller sibling “Lumia 950” free of charge.

The total worth of the Lumia 950 is $549. Buyers should keep in mind that this promotional offer is availe only for a limited period of time. The rules and regulations specific to this offer say the discount deal is valid from “June 21, 2016 to June 27, 2016, while supplies last.” Also, this deal is applicable only in Microsoft retail and online stores in the U.S., along with Puerto Rico, and Canada.

For those planning to purchase this Windows 10 device, here is a quick summary of key specifications and features. The Lumia 950 XL features a 5.7-inch AMOLED ClearBack display, bundled with 2,560 x 1,440 pixels resolution.

Speaking of color, the Microsoft Lumia 950 series is now available in both black and white hues. Both Lumias run Windows 10 straight out of the box and they are compatible with all GSM carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile and also with “GSM SIM cards like H20, Straight Talk, Cricket Wireless, MetroPCS, and other prepaid carriers.”

Under the hood, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 SoC powers the Lumia with 3GB of RAM backing it. This device comes equipped with 32GB of built-in storage space and a microSD slot to facilitate expansion.

Furthermore, this phone sports a 20-megapixel rear-facing camera unit with 2x digital zoom, 6-lens optics, auto focus, optical image stabilization (OIS) and 4K video recording capability. In addition, there is a 5-megapixel front-facing snapper for selfies and video chats.

Also noteworthy is the replaceable 3,340 mAh battery cell with built-in wireless and rapid charging features onboard. According to Microsoft, this battery cell is capable of offering up to 19 hours of talk time and up to 300 hours of stand-by time.

Nexus 5 reached "end of life" and may not get the Android N update says Google

2016-06-22T12:18:00.000+05:30

Nexus 5, a phone launched in 2013 and is still one of the best Android phones, has already "expired" in Google's records and may not get the Android N update in the coming months. According to a web page, made live by Google on Tuesday, the Nexus 5 reached "end of life" stage in October 2015.

Apple is returning money to buyers after losing price-fixing lawsuit.

2016-06-22T11:33:00.002+05:30

Three years after a court first ruled that Apple was liable for conspiring to fix ebook prices, Apple consumers are finally getting their money back for buying overpriced books. Starting today, booksellers are beginning to refund customers by placing store credit into the accounts they bought the affected ebooks with. Apple will pay out $400 million to impacted consumers. It still denies wrongdoing with regard to ebook pricing.

Refunds should be automatically credited to consumers' bookstore accounts

Apple agreed to a settlement that'll have it refunding some of the cost of ebooks sold by major publishers between April 1st, 2010 through May 21st, 2012. It'll have to return $6.93 for books sold during that period that were a New York Times bestseller and $1.57 for all other books — in both cases, it's supposed to be twice as much as consumers actually overpaid. Money should automatically be credited into buyers' accounts on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and other ebook sellers, including Apple's iTunes.

This essentially wraps up the case against Apple, which started back in 2012. It was accused of colluding with the major book publishers to raise the price of ebooks above the $9.99 that Amazon liked to sell them for. While all the publishers went ahead and settled, Apple took the case to court, where it lost in 2013. It appealed over the next few years, eventually being rejected by the Supreme Court in early 2016. That means it now has to comply with terms of a settlement made years back, which require it to pay out $400 million to consumers and an addition $50 million for litigation fees.

Why Mark Zuckerberg covers his Laptop's camera and audio jack with pieces of tape !! Paranoid much?

2016-06-22T11:02:00.000+05:30

Last day, as Instagram celebrated reaching 500 million monthly users, Mark Zuckerberg posted a photo of himself enjoying the moment. But after he did, some sharp observers noticed another detail: the Macbook on his desk, which seems to have a webcam wrapped up with tape.

Zuckerberg is apparently paranoid enough about hackers that he took the extra security step, in a move to shut down any prying eyes savvy enough to gain control of the camera. There also appears to be some sort of obstruction on his mic jack, although it's unclear what — tape, or some kind of dummy plug?

3 things about this photo of Zuck:

Camera covered with tape
Mic jack covered with tape
Email client is Thunderbird pic.twitter.com/vdQlF7RjQt
— Chris Olson (@topherolson) June 21, 2016

A closer look:

If you look closely, you can also see that the computer owner uses Mozilla’s encryption-protected Thunderbird for email.
Anyway Zuckerberg isn't the first high-profile person to have this concern. In April, FBI Director James Comey said he placed some tape on his laptop after he saw "somebody smarter" with a taped-up camera.

This Android malware can secretly root your phone and install programs.

2016-06-22T10:35:00.000+05:30

Android users beware: a new type of malware has been found in legitimate-looking apps that can “root” your phone and secretly install unwanted apps.

The malware, dubbed Godless, has been found lurking on app stores including Google Play, and it targets devices running Android 5.1 (Lollipop) and earlier, which accounts for more than 90 percent of Android devices, Trend Micro said Tuesday in a blog post.

"When downloading apps, regardless if it’s a utility tool or a popular game, users should always review the developer. Unknown developers with very little or no background information may be the source of these malicious apps," Trend said.

Godless hides inside an app and uses exploits to try to root the OS on your phone. This basically creates admin access to a device, allowing unauthorized programs to be installed.

Godless contains various exploits to ensure it can root a device, and it can even install spyware, Trend Micro said.

A newer variant can also bypass security checks at app stores like Google Play. Once the malware has finished its rooting, it can be tricky to uninstall, the security firm said.

Trend Micro said it found various apps in Google Play that contain the malicious code.

"The malicious apps we’ve seen that have this new remote routine range from utility apps like flashlights and Wi-Fi apps, to copies of popular game," the company said.

Some apps are clean but have a corresponding malicious version that shares the same developer certificate. The danger there is that users install the clean app but are then upgraded to the malicious version without them knowing.

So far, Trend says it has seen 850,000 affected devices, with almost half in India and more in other southeast Asian countries. Less than 2 percent were in the U.S.

It's also best to download apps from trusted stores such as Google Play and Amazon, it says. And of course, Trend recommends you buy some mobile security software.

Google is making two-factor authentication a lot easier to use

2016-06-21T17:04:00.001+05:30

Google two-factor authentication is a method of confirming a user's claimed identity by utilizing a combination of two different components. Google has supported two-factor authentication for more than five years now, but the search engine giant is making it a more easier to use this week.

Previously, you've had to manually enter a code from an authenticator app or via SMS, but now Google is introducing a new prompt that you can tap on your phone to approve login requests. It's very similar to how Twitter's two-factor authentication works, generating a notification that you accept from a phone and it approves the login attempt.

The new method works on both Android and iOS devices, but to enable the new feature in iPhones you'll need to download the Google app for iOS . You'll also need to enable this option by visiting the Google account page and navigating to Sign-in & Security > Signing in to Google > 2-Step Verification.

It works on both Gmail and Google Apps accounts, and once enabled you'll receive push notifications if you try to sign into a Google account, and you won't need to provide those annoying codes anymore. Multiple accounts can be supported through Android or the Google iOS app. Android users will need the latest Google Play Services to use Google prompt, and you can't enable the prompt and Security Keys on a single account just yet.

OnePlus 3 vs Google Nexus 5X: Which One Should You Buy

2016-06-21T11:11:00.000+05:30

If you are currently looking for a new midranged android smartphone to buy, then you may already gone through OnePlus' new flagship device named OnePlus 3 or Google's Nexus 5X.

OnePlus, the famous Chinese company has just launched the OnePlus 3 , its 2016 flagship and update to last year's OnePlus 2 model. The device is one of the best currently available midrange smartphone in the market.

Google, in the meantime, released the Nexus 5X in the latter part of 2015, along with its bigger sibling Nexus 6P. Built by LG as the successor of the Nexus 5 the company rolled out in 2013, the new midranger comes loaded with a ton of impressive aspects that have wowed quite a few Android lovers across the globe.

In this post, we are going to compare how OnePlus 3 and Nexus 5X differ to help you to choose which of these two handsets will give you more bang for your buck.

Display

Nexus 5X rocks a 5.2-inch screen with a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels (424 ppi). OnePlus' new phone, in the meantime, sports a 5.5-inch screen along with a 1,920 x 1,080 pixels (401 ppi).

For those who prefer a larger screen, then there's no doubt OnePlus 3 takes the crown in this particular arena.

Weight

Those who favor a lighter smartphone should know that 5X is a little lighter than the OnePlus 3. The former weighs 136 grams or 4.8 ounces while the latter has a weight of 158 grams or 5.6 ounces.

Memory And Internal Storage

In terms of internal storage, Nexus 5X is equipped with a 16 GB. The phone is crammed with a 2 GB of RAM. OnePlus 3, however, is packed with a whopping 64 GB of internal storage (though it is said that a 32 GB version may be offered in a few other markets) and is loaded with a 6 GB of RAM.

Obviously, OnePlus' smartphone is the winner in this arena.

Battery

Again, OnePlus 3 has a more humongous battery, which is 3,000 mAh, as compared with Google's device. The 5X only houses a 2,700 mAh.

Winner : OnePlus3

Camera

The Nexus 5X sports a 12-megapixel main shooter and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera for selfie and video conference. The OnePlus 3 has a 16-megapixel main camera and an 8-megapixel selfie shooter.

It is worth mentioning, though, that the megapixel count alone does not tell the whole story.

Price

With regard to the price, the Nexus 5X is more affordable than the OnePlus 3. The 5X costs $379 while the OnePlus 3 carries a price tag of $399.

Operating System And Processor

Both of these smartphones run Android Marshmallow. The Nexus 5X comes with a Snapdragon 808 chipset while the OnePlus 3 is fitted with a Snapdragon 820 — a similar processor that is incorporated into many top-end smartphones these days.

Support

Meanwhile, in terms of long-term support, it appears that Google's device will fare better as opposed to the OnePlus' phone. This is because the former is part of Google's own line of Nexus devices, thus, rolling out of Android updates should not be a problem.

Conclusion

Choosing from these two handsets depends on consumers' preferences. If you are looking for a smartphone with a bigger battery, more internal storage and RAM and possibly greater camera, then they should opt for OnePlus 3.

But if you wish to have a phone that is lightweight and has a better long-term software support, then they should pick Nexus 5X.

Nexus 2016 phones could be the most powerful handsets of this year

2016-06-21T10:27:00.002+05:30

A new report this week stated that HTC is working on two new Nexus smartphones that will be launched this year. The report hit while most of the tech world was checking out Apple’s new software goodies. The rumor echoed earlier reports that claimed HTC might make two Nexus devices in 2016, and the new report said that both of these Nexus smartphones will sport slightly improved processors.

Early last week Focus Taiwan picked up a report from India Today that said HTC secured orders from Google to make two smartphones, coded Marlin and Sailfish.

The report said that the HTC Nexus 2016 phones would be faster than competing Android flagship devices, adding that the Galaxy Note 7 and the Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe could also make use of the same processor.

India Today speculated that Marlin and Sailfish could be based on the HTC 10 if the rumors it heard are accurate. However, both devices could be powered by the Snapdragon 821 processor instead of the Snapdragon 820 that’s inside the HTC 10 and many other flagships from the competition, including the Galaxy S7, the LG G5 and the OnePlus 3.

Google is expected to release the final build of Android N at some point this summer, at which point new Nexus hardware should also be launched.

Google Nexus 2016 Flagship expected to launch in August with Android N

2016-06-20T11:27:00.000+05:30

The Google Nexus 2016 is expected to be launched this August rumor says . The flagship smartphone is expected to be the first device which will come with the upcoming Android N.

The fourth version of the Google N software's developer preview was recently made available. This hints that it is close to being rolled out to the public.

Google has set a summer launch for the mobile operating system, which means it should be out and about by August. The same could be said with the Google Nexus 2016.

Since the upcoming Nexus device is set to be released with the successor of the Android Marshmallow, it is expected that it will also be here around that month.

The Google Nexus 2016 is said to take the form of two devices. One was confirmed to be developed by China-based tech company Huawei, which was the same tech firm behind last year's Nexus 6P.

There are rumors that instead of a follow-up to the Nexus 5X, the new Google smartphone will be a new iteration of the Nexus 7 tablet, which hasn't been updated since 2013.

However, the current Nexus 5X recently got a discount, which is always viewed as an indication that a new version of the device in question will be released soon. This hints that the Google Nexus 2016 will come with an upgraded version of the Nexus 5X after all.

Various retailers such as Amazon and B&H are offering the Nexus 5X with markdowns starting from $70 to a whopping $150.

It looks like Google wants to sell all the current-gen Nexus devices it can get before it puts out the highly-anticipated Google Nexus 2016.

As for the Android N, the complete moniker is expected to be announced soon. However, there are already rumors that it will stand for nutella.

In one tweet sent out by Android senior vice president Hiroshi Lockheimer, who is notorious for dropping clues about next Android offers, it was teased that the name could very well be the popular chocolate brand.

LG announced four new X series smartphones: Here’s a quick look

2016-06-20T10:37:00.000+05:30

LG adds four new phones to it's X series, which have similar features found on LG’s flagship G and V series handsets. The new four X series smartphones are: X power, X mach, X style and X max.

The X power comes with 4,100mAh battery which is aimed at the most power-hungry users. LG claims X power will let the phone charge at twice the normal speed using its Fast charging (PE+) technology.

LG X mach comes with a 1.8GHz quad-core processor, 3GB RAM, qHD IPS Quantum display and a 1.55μm pixel sensor size on the camera, LG X mach supports LTE Cat. 9 3CA data transfer speed.

X style has curving lines and extra-slim body. X max sports a large display for an enhanced viewing experience.

“Each X series smartphone pairs perfectly with its user by offering uncompromising quality and one truly outstanding feature that speak the user’s personal preference and lifestyle — all at a great value,”

said Juno Cho, president of LG Electronics and the Mobile Communications Company.

LG will reveal pricing and availability for the new X series smartphones at a later date.

OnePlus 3 came with porn preloaded on it, But it wasn't even in HD. claims buyer!

2016-06-19T00:04:00.000+05:30

Smartphone manufacturers (and carrier tie-ups) often fill their phones with bloatware or unwanted apps. OnePlus is known for creating affordable, high-end devices that come without any Android bloatware and offer a clean and simple experience for users.

High school student Hacks Pentagon Websites, Gets Thanked for Finding 'Bugs'

2016-06-18T23:22:00.001+05:30

High school student David Dworken hacked US Defense Department websites by spenting 10 to 15 hours between classes on his laptop.

Instead of getting into trouble, the 18-year-old who graduated, got praised by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter at the Pentagon on Friday for finding vulnerabilities before US adversaries did.

"We know that state-sponsored actors and black-hat hackers want to challenge and exploit our networks ... what we didn't fully appreciate before this pilot was how many white hat hackers there are who want to make a difference," Carter said at a ceremony where he also thanked Craig Arendt, a security consultant at Stratum Security.

In a pilot project launched this year, more than 1,400 participants took part , and found 138 valid reports of vulnerabilities, the Pentagon said. The project invited hackers to test the cyber-security of some public Defense Department websites.

The pilot project was limited to public websites and the hackers did not have any access to highly sensitive areas.

The US government has pointed the finger at China and Russia, saying they have tried to access government systems in the past.

The Pentagon paid a total of about $75,000 to the successful hackers, in amounts ranging from $100 to $15,000.

Dworken, who graduated on Monday from Maret high school in Washington, D.C., said he reported six vulnerabilities, but received no reward because they had already been reported.

He said some of the bugs he found would have allowed others to display whatever they wanted on the websites and steal account information.

However, Dworken said he had already been approached by recruiters about potential internships.

His first experience with finding vulnerabilities was in 10th grade when he found bugs on his school website, said Dworken.

"Hack the Pentagon" is modeled after similar competitions known as "bug bounties" conducted by US companies to discover network security gaps.

The Pentagon said the pilot project cost $150,000, including the reward money, and several follow up initiatives were planned. This included creating a process so others could report vulnerabilities without fear of prosecution.

"It's not a small sum, but if we had gone through the normal process of hiring an outside firm to do a security audit and vulnerability assessment, which is what we usually do, it would have cost us more than $1 million," Carter said.

On this Father's Day, Be a Tech Dad!! 10 parenting apps to keep things running smoothly at home

2016-06-18T13:55:00.002+05:30

Parenting is not just easy as many of you parents would have realized by now. All parents want their child to be the best. Good parenting means a great parent-child relationship. Every parent would love to know how they can be a better parent. Luckily, there's an app for that — or multiple apps, to be more precise.

In honor of this Father's Day, we have collected few most useful mobile parenting applications that will definitely help you to ease your everyday parenting challenges. These apps were designed to guide you through various stages of the parenting timeline .

1. Full Term

A big question for soon-to-be dads is when to head to the hospital once labor begins. Much of that decision is based on the duration of the expectant mother's labor contractions and the amount of time in between them.

You have to tap a single button to track the start and end of each of your contractions, and "Full Term" will take care of the rest. The application is designed to keep track of the times, durations and frequency of the entire labor period.

Your full labor history and contraction progress will be saved regardless of whether you restart the application during your labor, or restart the entire device. There is no need to keep this application open the whole time. You can even email your contraction history to a health care professional or to yourself for your own records.

That's where the Full Term app contraction timer comes in. This free app makes it easy to record the duration of each contraction and measure the time in between. It can also make note of each contraction's intensity. During the pregnancy, expectant parents can also record when the fetus kicks. An ad-free version is available for 99 cents. Now all you have to worry about is getting to the hospital and having the baby. But that's the easy part, right?

Available on Android and iTunes.

2. Baby Tracker

There's a lot to remember in those early days with a newborn. They need to eat every few hours, they produce a certain number of soiled diapers every day, and they should take at least a couple of daily naps. But should all that remembering be entrusted to sleep-deprived parents?

Baby Tracker offers a simple, streamlined way to track your baby’s daily habits, health, and exciting “firsts” of those precious early days and months. Log feedings, diaper changes, and sleep patterns with a quick one-handed tap, then feel free to go back later and add details and even photos.

Baby Tracker syncs between multiple devices, so parents will always have the pertinent information at their fingertips. A full version, priced at $4.99, removes the ads and unblocks the statistical analysis charts.

Available on Android and iTunes.

3. Keepy

Kids make a lot of artwork. As a dad, you love it all, but let's be honest, it's impossible to save everything. But as parents, we don't want to get rid of anything — at least not without documenting it first.

Keepy is an easy-to-use, free app that helps parents organize and save kids' memories such as artwork, schoolwork, milestones and more in one safe and private place. It helps you stay organized, save your kids' memories, and declutter your home. With Keepy, you and your kids can record voice over stories about each photo. Share your photos with grandparents and loved ones, and preserve your family’s enriched memories forever. Everything can be accessed in the free Keepy app or on your very own private Keepy website.

The first five photos each month are free — if you want to store more images, purchase a monthly subscription for $2.99 or a yearly subscription for $9.99.

Available on Android and iTunes.

4. Groovebook

If you are anything like me, then surely you will take hundreds of photos of your kids each month, and never print any of them. Groovebook lets you be lazy like me, and still get your photos.

Groovebook by Shutterfly offers the most inexpensive way to print the photos you love off your phone in a cute monthly photobook.

For only $2.99/month including shipping, Groovebook prints your photos and mails you a bright 4" x 6" photo book with perforated pages so you can easily tear + share photo prints with your family and friends. Be surprised by a bold new cover each month and with a colorful spine to mark your dates. You can select 40-100 photos to print in your Groovebook. You can even send additional photo books to friends and family.

Available on Android and iTunes.

5. Cozi Family Organizer

Life is busy when you're a dad, and remembering where everyone needs to be at any given time can be hard. The Cozi Family Organizer can help with that, and lots more.

Not only does the free app create a central family calendar, color-coded by person, but it also lets you add to-do lists and shopping lists (or honey-do lists, kids' chores lists, packing lists, etc.) and save recipes. You can also use it to capture family moments by uploading a photo with a note to share with friends and family. Plus, you can see your day's agenda at a glance. For $19.99 for a one-year family subscription, upgrade to Cozi Gold, which removes the ads and includes extra features such as full month view, more appointment reminders, a birthday tracker, calendar change notifications and more.

Cozi syncs between devices, so everyone in the family is on the same page.

Available on Android and iTunes.

6. 1 Second Everyday

Imagine a movie that includes every day of the rest of your life !

The 1 Second Everyday app prompts you to take one second of video each day to create a sort of video journal of a certain period of time — a week, a month, a year, or whatever period of time you choose.

Simply open the app each day, tap on the video icon and take a short video of your kids. 1SE then lets you trim the video to get the best one-second segment for your later compilation. And since kids love seeing videos of themselves, you'll be "Dad of the Year" just for having a cool video journal.

Available for free on Android and $4.99 on iTunes.

7. MamaBear Family Safety

Once your kids are past a certain age, they spend more time out in the world and less time under your wing. And as every parent knows, that transition can be a little scary.

MamaBear is your all-in-one family safety app providing news about your child's physical and virtual activity. Encourage larger boundaries for your kids while having peace of mind knowing more about their location and social activity.

Enter the MamaBear Family Safety app, touted as a way to help protect your family by giving you glimpses of your kids' activities when you are apart. This app shares their location when they are away from home, sends you speeding alerts if they are traveling by car faster than the speed limit you have specified, and monitors their use of text messages and social media. You don't need to be a mama bear to use this app — papa bears are welcome, too.

The app is free, but offers in-app purchases. Available on Android and iTunes.

8. MyHomework Student Planner

MyHomework Student Planner was designed for kids to help organize their schoolwork, but because it syncs across devices, dads can also instantly know what assignments are on tap for their students and what's due when.

MyHomework lets students or parents enter class times and class assignments, including test schedules. MyHomework will then send reminders when a due date is approaching. Since this free app syncs across devices, parents can stay up to date on everything on their kids' plates. Now "I forgot" will never again be an acceptable excuse for not finishing homework. For an ad-free experience, the MyHomework premium version costs $4.99 per year, and offers file attachments and enhanced app widgets.

Available on Android and iTunes.

9. ChoreMonster

When your kids are little, they get excited about being assigned chores. But as most dads know, as your kids get older, getting them to help out is like pulling teeth. ChoreMonster aims to put the excitement back into chores.

ChoreMonster makes chores fun by engaging and rewarding your kids!

Kids earn points by completing chores to use towards rewards like an hour of video games or a camping trip. Parents get an easy-to-use tool that takes the tension out of household chores. Kids also earn tickets to the Monster Carnival for each chore completed, where they can win and collect our monsters. With ChoreMonster, your kids will beg to do their chores!

Available on Android and iTunes.

10. College Packing List

Life moves fast. Just a few slides ago they were babies, and now you're ready to send them off to college. This free app comes with readymade lists for students' rooms, desks, kitchens — really, anything they might need for college living. Tap on a list item, and get more information about why they need it. You can also add to the lists if necessary.

The transition to college can be stressful enough — College Packing List makes the process a bit easier for any dad of a college-bound kid.

Available on Android and iTunes.