Texplr - Exploring Technology

How To Copy Text From Images or Scanned Documents

2013-04-09T09:53:00.000-07:00

At times we come across situations where we desperately need to extract text from a scanned document or image. If we do not know of tool to copy text from scanned images then we are damned! We will have to sit and do the tedious task of typing the whole document in order to have a soft copy.

Here we introduce you to GT Text, a totally free and open source OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software hosted on Google Code that performs an awesome job of extracting text from images or scanned or even photographed documents.

How to Extract Text From Scanned Documents/Images Using GT Text

For using GT Text to extract text from images, firstly you have to download GT Text from here or here. Once you have downloaded GT Text, then simply launch it and its all a walk in the park to extract text from images.

Once you launch GT Text, it will prompt you to open the image file/ scanned document from which you wish to extract text. Browse to the file and open it.

Here we have selected a scanned document and have opened it in GT Text, then we select the text area which is to be extracted from the image.

Once you select the text to be copied from the image , it will automatically be copied onto your clipboard. Simply use the shortcut key CTRL+V to paste it in a word editor like Microsoft Word or anywhere you wish.

Tip: You can select text from the entire image by simply using the shortcut CTRL+F or by going to Tools>> Copy Text From >> Full Image.

You can also use this simple yet powerful image to text extraction tool to extract text in other languages also. To change your preferred text recognition language go to File >> Preferences and then select the “Add Languages” option and select the language you wish.

This is a great tool yet keeps it simple and you should feel super awesome using this cool text extraction tool.

Convert Videos With VLC Media Player

2013-04-08T09:40:00.000-07:00

VLC player is simply an awesome media player that one will never have to look back once he/she starts using it.It has a very simple and humble interface but it is extremely powerful and has many hidden features in it.The ability to convert videos is just one of them.

In this post we will look how to convert videos into different formats like mp4,WMA,WMV,MPEG-2,mp3 using VLC Player.

How To Convert Videos With VLC Player

To convert a video using VLC Player, launch the player and simply use the VLC Shortcut key CTRL+R or go to Media>>Convert/Save.

Now browse and select the video you wish to convert using “Add” option and then press “Convert/Save” button.

Now select the destination folder in which you like to save your converted file using “Browse”and also name your converted file adding a .extension name. Here in this example we are converting the video into an mp3 file so we name it converted.mp3.Now select the profile, i.e. the format to which you would like to covert your video, in this case we have selected Audio-MP3 profile.

Now press “Start” and your conversion should begin in no time.The conversion progress will be shown in the playback window and once it is complete, you can find your converted file in the destination folder that you have selected earlier.

You can similarly convert your video into different formats like FLV,MPEG-2,MP4,WMV,WMA.This conversion feature in VLC player is by no means comparable to options in other video convertor softwares but it could help you easily convert one or two odd video files in situations where you don’t have a video convertor software with you.

How To Get Facebook Home

2013-04-05T09:32:00.000-07:00

The much anticipated Facebook Home is here, but it is not merely limited to a phone but it is a family of apps and a launcher that will integrate Facebook deep into the Android platform.

If you want to try out the Facebook Home for yourself, you have two options in front of you, but you’ll have to wait till April 12.

Buy an HTC First

Facebook Home is pre-installed and specially integrated on HTC First and it is the first phone that will have a tailored version of Facebook Home. If you are in the US you can buy HTC First through AT&T for $99.99 with a 2 year contract. The release details for other regions are not yet known.

See Also : HTC First Features,Specifications,Price and Release Date

Download and Install Facebook Home From Google Play

If you are not in the US or do not wish to spend 100 bucks on a Facebook phone then you too have a way of trying / using Facebook Home. Facebook Home will be available for Android via Google Play Store from April 12. However it will only be supported by a few phones like HTC One, HTC One X, Samsung Galaxy S III,Samsung Galaxy Note II and Samsung Galaxy S 4 (in future).

Once Facebook Home is released, if you have the latest version of Facebook app / Facebook Messenger app for android, all you have to do is launch any of these apps and it will lead you to Google Play Store where you can download Facebook Home.

While installing you will have the option to simply try or permanently install Facebook Home on your android phone. It is recommended that you first use the 'try’ option so that you can get rid of it easily if you feel it uncomfortable or not worth it.

Image Credits : Facebook,HTC

Facebook Phone HTC First : Features, Specs, Price, Release Date

2013-04-05T07:26:00.000-07:00

Facebook has unveiled Facebook Home, a family of apps and an app launcher that deeply integrates into your Android phone and HTC First is the first android phone that will have Facebook Home pre-installed.

HTC First Release Date and Price

HTC First will be released in the US on April 12 , the release dates for other regions are not announced.This mid range android phone with Facebook Home pre-installed will cost you $99.99 and will be exclusively available through AT&T.

HTC First Dimensions and Weight

HTC First is round edged with dimensions 4.96 x 2.56 x 0.35 inches and it weighs about 4.37 ounces which is approximately 124 grams.

HTC First Camera and Display

It has a 4.3-inch HD 720p touchscreen display and the device comes with a 5 MP rear camera with LED flash and a 1.6 MP camera in the front.It supports video recording of up to 1080p HD.

HTC First Operating System,Memory,Processor

HTC First features Adroid 4.1 Jelly Bean with better social integration from Facebook Home.It is powered by a 1.4GHz dual-core; Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor.The phone has an internal storage capacity of up to 16 GB and 1 GB of RAM.

Connectivity

HTC First is 3G/4G LTE capable.Other connectivity options are Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0.

HTC First Colors

HTC first is expected to be available in four different colors :Black, White, Red, or Pale Blue.

See Also: How To Get Facebook Home For Your Android Phone

Image Credits: Facebook,HTC

Facebook Home Unveiled : Is It Really A Facebook Phone ?

2013-04-04T21:08:00.001-07:00

Facebook has finally unveiled the much talked about Facebook Phone, the HTC First, but a question lingers! Is the newly launched Facebook Home all about a phone? The answer would be a no. Facebook Home could be something like a screensaver for android devices as the folks at Mashable call it, but that being said, it is not really a screensaver.It performs many other functions and would make Facebook accessible from almost anywhere and anytime when you use your Facebook Home enabled phone.

Facebook Home is neither a forked version of Android nor is it a Facebook phone. It is simply a home launcher and a family of apps for android devices and integrates deeply into the phone which would make your phone more social. ”You're going to be able to turn your Android phone into a great social device,” says Mark Zukerberg, Facebook CEO.

It is a new Facebook mobile approach such that Facebook sinks into the android environment. Zukerberg has iteratively said at the launch function that Facebook Home is about putting people first rather than apps in the conventional smartphone scene.”Our phones today are designed around apps, not people. We want to flip that around.” he said.

While Facebook Home allows you to access to your Facebook anytime anywhere on your Android phone, it could sometimes prove to be annoying when you are up to a serious business.With all the notifications and messages from Facebook popping up every now and then, it can often prove to be a disturbance to your daily activities other than social networking.

What’s The HTC First Then?

Much has been talked about HTC First being the first Facebook Phone.While it is called the first Facebook phone, it is never a true Facebook phone anticipated by many.It is only a mid-range Android phone that has Facebook Home pre-installed in it.

See Also: HTC First Features,Specifications,Release Date,Price..

How To Get Facebook Home For Yourself

If you have 100$ to play around with, you could buy the HTC First with Facebook Home pre-installed, which will be available through AT&T in the US from April 12. Facebook Home will be available to the Android Public through Google Play Store also on the same date. However the availability of the Android app will be limited to certain devices like HTC One X, HTC One X+, Samsung Galaxy S III and Samsung Galaxy Note II and Samsung Galaxy S IV (in future)

Tell us what you feel about Facebook Home, How do you think it would change the way we use Facebook.Express yourself in the comments.

Image Credits : Facebook

11 Samsung Galaxy S4 Official Accessories

2013-04-02T05:08:00.001-07:00

Samsung’s flagship phone Galaxy S4 has been unveiled and with it comes some cool official Samsung accessories that you might want to give a shot if you are planning on buying a Galaxy S4. Samsung has laid a lot of emphasis on the fitness accessories justifying the catch phrase of Galaxy S4 “Life Companion”.The following is the list of the official Galaxy S4 accessories by Samsung.

1. S View Cover

It is a “smart innovation of the flip cover” as Samsung says, Its pretty cool due to the fact that it lets you have a sneak peek into your home screen and know the time,messages,and calls without opening the cover.

2. S Band

A waterproof band that works in conjugation with the S Health app, tracks your daily activities and determines various health parameters like Blood Pressure,Glucose…etc.

3. Wireless Charging Pad / Cover

Yes, wireless charging is here, but it is not inbuilt on your Galaxy S4, for that you’ll need to have the charging pad.The charging pad comes in two parts, a specially designed back cover which you will have to use instead of the old back cover of your Galaxy S4. Then all you have to do is to keep the phone on the charging pad, rest assured your phone will now start charging wirelessly.

4. HRM

HRM is Real time Heart Rate Monitor, which when used with Running Pro App, you can control your exercise intensity depending on your heart rate.

5. Game Pad

Smartphones are also about games, for a better gaming experience, better controllers are needed and hence we have the Samsung Game Pad which connects via Bluetooth.

6. Flip Cover

Specially designed flip cover range for Galaxy S4 is eye catchy with vibrant colors.

7. Pouch

A clean and classic Pouch to protect your Galaxy S4.

8. Headset

Compact ergonomic headsets that boast a Premium Hi-Fi sound experience.

9. Protective Cover+

For those who love their Galaxy S4 to death, here is the Protective Cover+ that offers all round protection for your phone.

10. Body Scale

This is again another fitness gadget for your Samsung Galaxy S4 using which you can measure your body weight and synchronise it with the S Health app data via Bluetooth.

11. Extra Battery Kit

An extra battery kit is a must have in case you are travelling.

Recomended Reading: The Best 10 Samsung Galaxy S4 Cases

Image Credits: Samsung

Google Now Lets You Smell What You Search

2013-03-31T19:25:00.002-07:00

If you see someone smelling and licking their screens , Don’t get confused! Its the Google Aroma Magic. Google has launched The Google Nose Beta, using which you can smell objects that you search.You can experience various smells ranging from an Ice cream to Horse Mannure from the Google Aroma Base with 15M+ scentibytes.

Now smell anything on earth by simply googling them.Its Enough said, Now its your turn to smell the world with Google!

Even the Geekiest and brainiest ones had no doubt in the power of Google to deliver aroma search and have fallen prey for what was really an April Fool’s Day Prank by the Search Genie.

Fooled By Google?Now Its your turn to fool others.

Image Credits:Dennis Wong/Flickr

The Best 10 Samsung Galaxy S4 Cases 2013

2013-03-31T18:34:00.001-07:00

Samsung has officially unveiled the Samsung Galaxy S4, but that doesn't end there.It has opened the floodgate of accessories for the Samsung Galaxy S4.Here we have handpicked a few of the best cases for your Samsung Galaxy S4.

1.Dash Pro by X-Doria

An awesome looking case for Galaxy S4, Dash Pro by X-Doria is made up of leather like material and doubles up as stand which can be placed in multiple positions.It is also available in four color variants.
Price: $29.99
Image Credits:X-Doria

2.Midtown Wallet by Griffin Technology

With a clean and minimal design, the Midtown Wallet case is sure to win the hearts of people who like to keep it simple but elegant.You can use this case for storing your bank cards and other paper stuff too.
Price: $44.99
Image Credits:Griffin Technology

3.X-Doria Dash Icon for Galaxy S4

Another set of Galaxy S4 cases from X-Doria featuring vibrant fabric textures.These colors look great.
Price: $29.99
Image Credits:X-Doria

4.Wallet Folio with Stand From Belkin

Wallet Folio is a Galaxy S4 case made out of pure natural grain leather and will match into the everyday leather accessories.It doubles as a stand too which can be used for easy viewing of videos.It also is a Wallet in which you can store your Credit cards and IDs.
Price: $49.99
Image Credits: Belkin

5.White Incline

White Incline is a very minimal case for your Galaxy S4, It adds protection to your phone while considerably retaining the thinness of your phone.It also has a dedicated stand so that you can use it to place your S4 on a plane surface which adds to the viewing comfort
Price: TBA
Image Credits:Cygnett

6.Sartorial Wristlet From Belkin

A very feminine Galaxy S4 case for all those beautiful ladies out there.
Price: $39.99
Image Credits: Belkin

7.WorkMate Evolution Bright Blue

A tough case with superior shock absorbing capacity and with a very vibrant range of colors.It comes with a screen protector too
Price: TBA
Image Credits:Cygnett

8.Micra Folio Galaxy S4 Case

Clean and elegant case from Belkin that keeps your Galaxy S4 thin and lightweight.
Price: $34.99
Image Credits: Belkin

9.Slim-Fit Armband from Belkin

This is for the fitness junkies who love their time on Jogging and in the gym.
Price: $34.99
Image Credits: Belkin

10.Survivor with Belt Clip

Finally a Military grade case to protect your Galaxy S4 under extreme conditions with a belt clip.
Price: $49.99
Image Credits:Griffin Technology

Recommended Reading : 11 Samsung Galaxy S4 Official Accessories

Hope you liked our handpicked collection of Samsung Galaxy S4 cases.If you feel we have missed out any of those awesome Galaxy S4 cases, then do let us know in the comments.

How to Install Windows 8 From a USB Stick

2013-03-24T05:18:00.001-07:00

Almost all the latest laptops,netbooks and ultrabooks have already started to kick out the poor old DVD drive like they did to his Grand Old cousin the “Floppy Drive”. So how do you now install Windows 8 on your laptop/netbook/ultrabook without a DVD drive? Don’t you worry! Microsoft has a cool FREE tool called “Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool” which will help you create a bootable USB stick that can be used to install Widows 8 on to your computer. Don't get confused by the name, it can also be used to install windows 8.

If you have Downloaded Windows 8 ISO image from Microsoft , then things are pretty easy for you.But those of you have a Windows 8 DVD, you can make an ISO image file out of your Windows 8 DVD by using this simple tool.

Make a Bootable USB Stick Using “Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool”

You will need a USB stick of at least of 4GB,also make sure that you backup any data on the USB stick so as not to lose it.While copying the Windows 8 files into the USB drive, all the previous data on it gets deleted.Now download the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool from Microsoft.

Once you have downloaded and launched the application, select your Windows 8 ISO image by using the “Browse” button.

Here we are creating a USB Boot Device, so select the “USB Device” as the media type.

Now select the USB drive which you are going to use for installing Windows 8 and then click “Begin Copying”

Now the tool will Format your USB stick, then copy the Windows 8 installation files to it and make it bootable.

Install Windows 8 From the USB Drive

Now that you have completed the creation of the Bootable USB drive to install Windows 8, let’s begin installing Windows 8.Plug in the USB Boot Drive you just created and Restart your computer.Then open the BIOS settings by pressing F2 or Delete ( varies from system to system) and select the boot device as your USB Flash Drive.Now Save the settings and exit from the BIOS settings.Now your computer should boot from the USB Boot Drive and the Windows 8 installation will begin.Configure your installation settings and your Windows 8 installation will take place as usual.

USB Stick Image Credits: Chapendra/Flickr

Cooking Oil Powers Flights From New York to Amsterdam

2013-03-19T05:18:00.000-07:00

Don’t complain if your flight smells like cooking oil, if you are flying on a KLM flight, they use waste oil that is used to fry French fries or catfish to fuel their transatlantic Boeing 777 flights between New York and Amsterdam.

The leftover cooking oil that is collected from the eateries of Louisiana, US is processed and mixed with the jet fuel to form the biofuel for powering the flights.This eco friendly biofuel is obtained by mixing 25% of waste cooking oil and 75% of jet fuel.It might smell like fried fast food but it is totally safe for powering flights.
The Dutch airline will test this biofuel mix in 25 round trips across the Atlantic between New York’s JFK and Amsterdam’s Schiphol.KLM has long been using biofuel in their Europe flights and claims it to be their “Corporate Social Responsibility”.

“It’s indistinguishable on a molecular level” from regular kerosene jet fuel,Capt. Rick Shouten, who flew the first flight of the series, said to the New York Post.

While waste cooking oil is available in plenty, but that doesn't make the new eco friendly jet fuel any less cheaper but it makes it as costly as $10 per gallon,due to the cost of processing the waste oil.But the chaps at KLM are optimistic about the future of this eco friendly jet fuel as they said in a statement on their website:

A lot still has to happen before biofuel will be available on a large scale and for it to be economically competitive in relation to fossil-fuel kerosene. We cannot achieve this alone. We absolutely need the commitment and support of all the relevant parties: business, government and society.

There are a lot of other efforts to develop eco friendly jet fuel and this can be added to the list and we can wait to and see which one of these alternate fuels will power the flights of tomorrow.

Image Credits: Scott Sherrin

Samsung Galaxy S4 is Here:Everything You Need To Know

2013-03-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

The most anticipated smartphone of the year is here.Samsung has unveiled the most awaited Samsung Galaxy S4 in front of a packed audience in the New York’s Radio City Music Hall.The S4 is the successor to the highly popular S3.

I’ve Seen this Somewhere Before
Indeed the New Samsung Galaxy S4 is a lookalike of its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S3.It has got a bigger screen but it’s body is almost of the same dimensions as that of S3.Most importantly Samsung has made the S4 more thinner and has gotten rid of the plastic feeling by using quality materials.

What’s The Tech
The Galaxy S4 comes with a 5 inch Super AMOLED screen of 1920x1080 dimensions which gives it a 441dpi that will make your viewing experience beautiful and better than ever before.

Galaxy S4 is powered by a monstrous 1.6Ghz Octa core processor with 2GB of RAM and an internal memory range of 16,32 and 64GBs with a microSD card slot expandable up to 64GB.

While S4 contains all the connectivity options like Bluetooth 4.0, WIFI, NFC and GPS, it also has an IR port that can be used as a remote control for your TVs.

It runs on Android 4.22 Jelly Bean Operating system and is ultimately fuelled by a 2600mAh battery.

Cool Cameras
Galaxy S4 has a 13 megapixel Rear cam and a 2megapixel Front cam.This could be nothing fancy, but what if you are able to use both the camera’s at the same time? Yeah, both the cameras can be used simultaneously and the camera software provides options on how to overlay the rear and front videos/pictures.This could be very useful when making a video call, you don’t have to turn the phone around to show the beautiful view in front of you.

The camera software is a lot improvised with a lot of presets for different types of shots

Gesture Controls
Oh yeah! You can control the Galaxy S4 with gestures.It comes with a new feature called the Air View which lets you hover over the screen and perform operations without actually touching the screen.

Smart Pause is yet another gesture feature which pauses any video you are watching, when you turn your face away from the screen.Smart scroll lets you scroll through web content using facial movements and wrist gestures.

See Also: 11 Samsung Galaxy S4 Official Accessories

When Can I Get One
Samsung has announced worldwide releases to be scheduled for April and May.In the US,carriers like Sprint,T-mobile,Verizon,AT&T,US Cellular and Cricket Wireless have all set to distribute Samsung Galaxy S4.

See Also: The Best Samsung Galaxy S4 Cases

Image Credits:Samsung

Apple iPad Mini Review

2013-03-04T01:18:00.007-08:00

iPad Mini is Apple's latest entry into the 7 inch tablet line (7.9 inches to be precise). It will
be competing against the prominent tablets of the 7 inch category like Google's Nexus 7,
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7 inch, Kindle Fire HD 7.

So, lets see how the iPad Mini features stacks up against its competitors.

Specs
Display: 7.9 inches, 11 point capacitive touch
Resolution: 1024x768 (Same as the iPad 2)
Pixel Density: 163 ppi (Same as the iPhone 3GS)
Dimensions: 7.8x5.3x0.28 inches
Processor: Dual core Apple A5 (Same as the iPad2)
Storage: Available in 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB variants, No card slot
Platform: iOS 6
Battery: 10 hours ( Same as current and previous generation iPads)
Camera: 5MP(rear), 1.2MP(front)
Networking: Dual Band WiFi, LTE(available as separate variant)
So the specs of the new iPad Mini looks identical to iPad 2. Since the resolution is the
same as the iPad 2, all the iPad 2 apps should work fine on the iPad Mini as well. This has
an added advantage when it comes to app compatibility.

Design
Apple is famous for its minimalistic approach to design and unmatchable
quality and the iPad mini is no exception. While most of the other tablet vendors use
materials like cheap plastics, Apple uses 4000 series anodized aluminum
which is a premium class aluminum that is also used in the iPhone 5. The result is a very
solid, smooth and luxurious feel. The downside to this was that it attracted finger smudges
at the back. For the edges, a technique named "mono crystalline diamond cut" was used
so that the edges look polished, clean and almost have a mirror finish. Another major
aspect of the the iPad mini’s design was the smaller bezels on its sides. This helped in
achieving more screen space without increasing its overall size. Finally to top it all off, the
iPad mini is just 7.2 mm thin (yeah, as thin as a pencil) and weighs just 300 grams. We
noticed how light it was, that after using the it for a while, we actually felt uncomfortable
going back to holding the full sized iPad for extended periods of time. However, when it
comes to one handed use, the iPad mini is not so ideal due to the wider dimensions that
takes up pretty much of your whole hand. Similarly, its also difficult to fit it into your normal
sized pockets.

Pros: Smaller bezels, Aluminum enclosure, Thinner, Lighter.
Cons: Not so perfect for single handed use, fitting it into your pockets is difficult, the back
attracts finger smudges.

Display
For the iPad Mini, Apple uses a 7.9 inch IPS LCD display which is packed
with 163 ppi. IPS techonolgy means that you have a viewing angle of
almost 180 degrees. The resolution of the iPad mini is exactly same as the
iPad 2 which, sadly is not enough.A step backward, the mediocre display
comes at a time when Apple is turning to its famed retina display for nearly
all of its popular products including its Macbook pro line. Looking at its
competitors though, the iPad mini's display provides richer colour
saturation and contrast if not for its inferior 163 ppi. So, when it comes to
display, iPad mini is not so great but satisfying. But because of the extra
0.9 inch display than its competitors, webpages and pdf documents fit in
perfectly whereas it looks stretched in 7 inch tablets like the Nexus 7.

Pros: Better colour contrast and saturation, Webpages fits perfectly
Cons: Poor Resolution, Poor pixel density

Camera
iPad mini boasts a 5MP camera in the rear and 1.2 MP camera in the
front. The rear camera used is exactly same as the 3rd Gen iPad. The
camera performance is very good in clear lighting conditions. But, not so
good in low light conditions. Images captured in low light seem
to have much noise since it got no flash. The front camera of the iPad mini
is stunning as it is perfect for video chats. Faces look clear in good lighting. The rear camera is also capable of recording video with 1080p resolution at30fps with Image Stabilisation.The front camera is capable of recording 720p video at 30fps. When it comes to comparison, Both front and rear cameras of the iPad mini isbetter than other tablets.

Pros: Great image quality, Great video quality, Image Stabilisation, 1080p Video recording
Cons: Noisy image in low light conditions, Lack of Flash

Performance
iPad mini boasts a Dual core, Apple's custom A5 chip which is clocked at 1GHz. In paper,
the clock speed is slightly less than its competitors but when it comes to real life use, iPad
mini performs much better than its competitors. Specifically in gaming, web browsing etc. Games like the NFS MostWanted, FIFA 13, Sky Gamblers:Air supremacy,Infinity Blade 2, Modern Combat 3 etc runs smoothly on the iPad mini. The graphics wasstunning, almost identical to computer graphics. And there was no freezing while I used theiPad mini, like I had some problems with Nexus 7 while exiting and opening apps and browsing the web. Web browsing on the iPad mini is buttery smooth.Pages load quicker and smoother to navigate around. While in the Nexus 7 I had a really painful experience. Even Nexus 7 has a butter project running to keep it smooth, still their butter is freezing.Multitasking and switching between apps on the iPad mini was also smooth.

Pros: Great performance
Cons: Nil

Platform, Apps, and User Interface
iPad mini is pre installed with Apple's latest mobile operating system the iOS 6. Unlike
other tablet manufacturers, Apple has makes hardware that run on its
own software. So, they can design software to run specifically on their
device.The Software and Hardware integration is much better than
the competitors and is evident from every corner of the device. For
example, the side bezels of the iPad mini is lot thinner than the other
tablets. So, when we hold it in portrait mode, a part of our palm actually
rests on top of the touch screen. But, the input from our palm is actually
ignored and we can navigate on the touch screen smoothly without any
problem. But, in Android tablets, if we accidentally place our hands on top of the touch
screen, we can't navigate the screen without taking our hands off. This is where Apple
shows off their attention to detail. They must have thought about every nook and corner of
the device. The user interface of the iPad mini is made so simple to use but it feels like
iOS is aged a lot. Its time for Apple to rethink about the UI of iOS and we do expect a
major change in the UI design of iOS 7. Siri is one of the major feature of iOS. Siri is a
voice enabled personal assistance which can be used for a lot of purpose like, setting
alarm, scheduling calendar entry, mapping, text messaging, status posting, etc. Google is now better in recognising words but can only be used for searching purpose since it cannot perform any system
functions. Another main feature of iOS 6 is Apple's own mapping solution which is heavily
criticised. And the story is no exception. iCloud is another great feature of
iOS which allows a user to manage all his Apple devices in a Sync. When I update a contact or take a picture or download an app its is automatically updated across all my Apple devices. Another major thing about any platform is the availability of Apps.Apple is much ahead of any other platform in this regard. iPad has over 2,75,000 apps that are specifically written for it. This is something that every one who is planning to buy a tablet should consider. Android and all other platforms are miles away from Apple in the field of Apps available for tablets. Apps like twitter looks a lot different. Twitter on Android tablet is like a stretched out mobile applications whereas in iPad Twitter takes advantage of each and every pixels.And there are tons of other apps like this. Apps are a curse for Android tablets. And Apple
clearly wins in this area. Without apps, tablets is just a big slate. And moreover there are
specific functionality of the platform which enables developers to create apps easily. For
example low latency audio technology. This is a technology that helps musicians to take
advantage of their devices. Music apps like Garage band, FL Studio Mobile HD,
iSequence HD, Tabletop, DJ rig, podDJ, Amplitube, Ampkit+, etc etc rely just on this
technology. Because of this, musicians can plug in their instruments to iPad and start
recording on the go. This is where musicians really hate to have an Android tablet. And
you cannot find any of the apps I stated above in the Play store. There are different other
areas also where Android sucks which I am not stating here. Also the quality of the Apps
on iOS is much better than Android Apps. This is because, developers have to create apps
only for iOS devices whereas in Android they need to be curious about the hardwares that
are going to use their Apps and they need to make it compatible for each and every
hardware. For iOS there are plenty of apps available for almost every purpose like
Education, Business, Entertainment, Art etc which is a really good thing for users.
The lack of file sharing across other platforms is also con for iOS 6.

Pros: Largest app collection, Better performance, Good quality of Apps
Cons: Slightly outdated UI, File sharing, Inbuilt map

Battery Life and Connectivity
As Apple claims iPad mini should last 10 hours of battery life. In our testing we found that
this is nearly true. iPad mini last more than 10 hours for surfing the web
in wifi connectivity. But, we got less than 10 hours while we were using
graphics intensive apps like the NFS Most Wanted.
iPad mini uses Apple's proprietary Lightning connector for connecting to
the computer. This deviation from Apple's normal 30 pin connector. So,
if we lose the cable, we will need to buy a new cable and we cannot use our already purchased accessories which use 30 pin connector without an adapter. Lightning connector is much faster
than Micro USB and slightly faster than 30 pin connector. Also, lightning connector is
reversible. So, we can connect it in without checking the alignment.
iPad mini with cellular is capable to connecting to 4G LTE, 3G and 2G for internet use.
Dual band WiFi connectivity is also much faster than the normal WiFi connectivity.
iPad mini also have Bluetooth 4.0 built in which can be used for connecting bluetooth
headphones and HiFi systems but is not capable of file sharing.

In the Box
iPad mini WiFi or WiFi+Cellular
Lightning to USB Cable
USB Power Adapter

Pros: Nothing to state
Cons: Lack of headphones

Verdict iPad mini is a great tablet than its competitors. It got great performance, Battery life,
Comfortable to use, Great app collection, Good built quality etc. So, it is a good tablet that
every one who is planning to buy a 7 inch tablet should consider.

James Webb Space Telescope-A Successor to the Hubble Telescope

2013-03-01T08:50:00.002-08:00

For past few years we were able to view deep space phenomenon like supernova explosions, formation of new stars and much more. Everyone must have seen pictures of supernova explosions and beautiful deep space images. Ever wondered how we are getting pictures of such deep space events. I know what you are thinking… well, it’s not computer graphics. It’s been taken from an in space telescope known as Hubble telescope. It can be simply defined as our eye in space.

Well, it seems like our eye in the space can’t see things as good as before and it will soon be replaced by a new system called James Webb space telescope (JWST) previously known as next generation space telescope. The telescope will be having a super large mirror with a diameter of 6.5 meters and will incorporate other sensitive instruments which will make the system one of the most advanced.

Its primary goal is to study the birth and evolution of galaxies, planets and stars and will analyze near infrared light waves to achieve its missions. The mission is headed by NASA with significant contributions from ESA and CSA and minor contributions from over 17 different countries.

It is named after James E Webb, one of NASA’s former administrator who played an important part in Apollo moon lander missions. The launch of 6500kg James Webb space telescope system is been slated for 2018 using Ariane 5 launch vehicle from Guiana space Centre ELA-3 Kourou, French Guiana . Once JWST is put into its orbit then mankind will have a new eye in the space and of course a better one though.

Advanced Surveillance Sensor Argus

2013-02-15T10:28:00.000-08:00

UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are the best when it comes to modern day Military surveillance. They are unmanned and get all the information needed for a military operation and also keeps an eye on enemy forces without risking anybody’s life. Latest UAVs have remarkable survival capabilities including stealth which allows them to sneak into enemy territories and gather important information. Argus is a new find in the field of surveillance UAVs; it can be simply defined as the next generation surveillance sensor.

Argus is so powerful that few of them can continuously monitor an entire country from large cities to small towns for hours depending upon the endurance of the drone it is been placed on. Argus has already completed its flight tests and is already been installed on US drones for doing long range surveillance.

Argus uses a live streaming technique for transferring high quality videos and images of the location. It is capable of taking images of resolution 1.8 pixel density, which is the highest ever in the world. It can also send high resolution images of a wide area in which each and every object can be individually identified.

A video showcasing its capabilities is been released in which an Argus mounted drone is sent to a height of 7500ft above Virginia from where the demonstrator zooms into distinct object to show the level of resolution of Argus’s camera. The live streams were so clear that even flying birds can be seen clearly.This could be a great development in the field of surveillance but the concept of privacy of nations and individuals become almost myth.

Image Credits: Defence Images/Flickr

NASA’s Latest Mars Mission: InSight Lander

2013-02-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

We almost forgot about Mars after the buzz created by Curiosity Mars Rover settled down. But the folks at NASA seem to be busy with their next Mars Lander Project. NASA has decided to go further into Mars and find more of her hidden secrets. NASA plans to launch a new mission called the InSight lander mission (InSight stands for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport). It will be the successor to the highly successful Phoenix Lander .Large amount of components from Phoenix is being reused as a cost reduction measure.

InSight lander is nothing like which you have seen yet. Well, it doesn't even look like conventional landers as it is derived from phoenix lander mission. InSight mission is initiated on the light of findings from the previous Mars missions and will concentrate on revealing the inner surface secrets and early geological evolution of mars. It will be having high end drilling machines to dig into Mars’s surface to collect samples from deep beneath.

InSight’s predecessors had found high amount of methane content in Martian atmosphere which could be a possible sign for the presence of bacterial organisms within Mars’s crust. If Insight find out any clue about such bacterial existence on Mars, then it could be the biggest discovery in the history of mankind. InSight is the most anticipated mars mission ever and one which all mankind will be eagerly watching.

Magic Cube Virtual Laser Keyboard

2013-02-06T06:01:00.002-08:00

Nearly all the Hollywood Sci-Fi movies present us with a totally different world of never seen before virtual gadgets. All we could do was to wait for the never coming future. Well, it seems like the future is finally “coming” to us. The virtual keyboard is not a futuristic gadget anymore. Cellulon revealed a new virtual keyboard device which can project an entire laser keyboard to any flat surface. It could prove very useful for the devices like iPad, iPhone … etc which does not have a regular keyboard. It can even be used with laptops.

It has all 63 keys with the entire QWERTY keyboard layout and you will never feel that you are using virtual keyboard as it can easily match up with the performance of a normal laptop keyboard. The device looks like a tiny cube which can be easily kept inside your pocket and is extremely portable and can be carried with your portable device. It can be charged via a USB cable and could last up to 150 typing minutes
Image:Cellulon

Drone to Bomb You With Food

2013-02-05T08:08:00.000-08:00

What does a UAV do? Your answer would probably be about dropping bombs or maybe about aerospace surveillance. Well, your answer is right but not all UAVs do that. The Burrito Bomber UAV designed by Darwin Aerospace is a new breed of UAVs which are used to deliver Burritos at your doorstep! Burrito Bomber is specially designed to take deliveries and airdrop them to your doorstep within few minutes.

It works like this:

1.You place an order using the Burrito Bomber web app, your smartphone sends your location to the Burrito Bomber servers.The server creates a custom waypoint file which is supported by the drone’s autopilot system.

2.The waypoint file is uploaded to the drone, and of course your Burrito tube is also loaded and is sent towards you.

3.The drone parachutes your Burrito at your doorstep.While you help yourselves with the Mexican delicacy, the drone makes its way back home.

It uses the Skywalker X-8 UAV airframe to form a food delivering flying wonder. The delivering mechanism is very similar to the ones used in the bomber UAVS and the aircraft is controlled by an autopilot based navigation system which has been developed by the folks at Darwin Aerospace for the purpose.

The whole idea of drones delivering food might sound a bit weird, but nobody knows! this might one day replace the pizza boys.Lets wait and see.

Images:Darwin Aerospace

How to Change Your Gmail Address

2013-02-01T11:47:00.004-08:00

Many people find their email addresses boring and ugly after long use.These boring Email addresses may not suite their various requirements.

Some of you must have been wondering whether you can change your Gmail ID. Well, the answer in one word would be a big “NO”. Google does not allow it’s users to edit/change their email ID. But don’t you worry, there is another way you can change your Gmail id. You really can’t call it changing your id but it is more like transferring your existing contacts and mails to a new Gmail ID. It is simple, just follow the steps below.

Step 1: Sign Up for a New Gmail Account with a Desired Username

Don’t forget to make all the changes you wanted to make in your old boring email id. Or you can chose an altogether different username.

Step 2: Forward Mails to the New Gmail Address

To receive all the new messages which are sent to your old Gmail address, you will have to enable automatic forwarding. To do it, go to “ Settings” and then click on “Forwarding and POP/IMAP” tab, then add the new Gmail address in ‘Add a forwarding address’, which can be found in ‘Forwarding section’. Remember, you will receive a confirmation message in your new account
with a verification code and a link, which will lead you to your old account. Now save the changes.

Step 3: Import Your Old Mails from Your Old Gmail Account

Use POP3 to import all your old messages .To do this, go to “Settings” and then click on ‘Accounts and Imports’ tab. Now, in ”Check mail using POP3” section, click on “Add POP3 account”. Add your new email address and then proceed by clicking on ‘Next step’ which will lead you to some configuration options. After selecting your configurations, Click “Add Account”.

Step 4: Import Your Contacts to the New Email ID

To transfer all your contacts from the old account to your new Gmail id, you will have to export the contacts from your old email (as a Google CSV File) and import it to your new email.

Click on ‘Gmail’ at the top left corner and then select “Contacts”. Now from the “More“dropdown choose “export”. Note that, you have to export the contacts in ‘Google CSV’ format as you are exporting them between Gmail accounts, Click “Export” and save the CSV file on your hard drive.

To import the contacts from the CSV file to your new Gmail account, follow the procedure as in the case of export, but this time click on “Import”. Select the previously downloaded CSV file and click “Import”. All your contacts will be imported to your new account.

Hope this tutorial helps you in changing your Gmail ID. Should you have any problems/queries, do let us know in the comments.

How to Adjust Video Settings in VLC Media Player

2013-01-30T09:34:00.001-08:00

VLC media player is one of the most used media players in the world.The fact that it is opensource makes it even cooler.Most users are unaware of some useful features/adjustments of VLC player.You must be wondering what these adjustments are. VLC media player allows it’s users to adjust many parameters of the video you are watching.These parameters include video contrast, video sharpness, and it even allows you to magnify the video you are watching.

The steps required for making adjustments to videos in VLC media player are as follows:

Step 1: Open the video which you want to watch in VLC media player. Click on “Tools” section on the top most bar.

Step 2: Now select the “Effects and Filters” from the dropdown menu (A small dialog box will appear which includes the basic video settings and control bars which control the basic video parameters such as sharpness, contrast and more).Select “Video Effects” tab from that dialog box.

Step 3: Make changes, as you wish with the parameters such as sharpness, contrast, hue, brightness etc.

Recommended Reading: Play YouTube Videos Using VLC Player

Hope this article helps you to improve your video experience on VLC player. If you have more tips on VLC player, do let us know in the comments.

Turn Your Smartphone into a Walkie Talkie

2013-01-29T08:07:00.001-08:00

Ever thought of playing around with a walkie talkie like the cops on the streets? Here is an app that converts your Smartphone into a live walkie-talkie. The application is called Zello and is currently available on both Google Play Store and iTunes. Apart from Android and iOS devices it is also available on Blackberry and PC.

The application also allows its user to do live chat across specific channels predefined by Zello and is very simple to use. Zello helps its users to find all possible contacts from the phone’s directory automatically and also let them add a specific person by searching their Zello username online.

For using Zello all you need is an uninterrupted internet connection and a Zello account, which can be created while you first open the application after downloading it. You can also add more accounts if you want to do so. For doing a live audio chat through Zello you must add Zello channels which can be done directly using the Zello app. One can add as many channels as he wants, directly from the channels section of the app. The app is simple to use as you can switch between online live chat mode and walkie-talkie mode with a swipe.

The app is currently available free in Play Store, iTunes and Blackberry Appworld . PC users can directly download it from the Zello website. Next time when you play live Counter Strike or Battlefield with an air soft gun this little app will entirely change your experience.

Download Zello For: Android | iOS | Blackbery | PC

Samsung Galaxy Note II N7100 Review

2013-01-29T06:49:00.000-08:00

Samsung recently released the second edition of its note series of smartphones. Samsung Galaxy Note series of phones are a hybrid of a phone and a tablet. But digging deep into to the new Samsung Note 2, it’s a lot more than that.The key features of Note 2 and are listed below.

Visual Quality

Galaxy note 2 has a Super AMOLED display with ~268 ppi pixel density which delivers wonderful and crisp images and a beautiful video experience.

Performance

Note 2 is a true genie with exceptional performance. Tasks are performed with amazing ease and speed with its giant 1.6GHz, Samsung’s own Exinos quad core processor and 2 GB of RAM. This is more than enough for a smartphone; the features are in the range of a netbook/laptop, almost reaching the standards of an ultrabook. Talking about its huge graphics requirements, Mali-400mp can handle it very efficiently and smoothly and it may impress gamers while playing games like Modern Combat 4 which runs with ease in this device.

See the performance benchmark of Note 2 over other competing products:

Camera

Note 2 is not a device which concentrates on camera quality but the 8 MP Autofocus camera with LED flashlights is good enough for capturing your personal moments.

Operating System

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 gives you the latest Android Jelly Bean (4.1) operating system which incorporates some of the newly introduced functions such as multi window and quick command.

Why Samsung Galaxy Note 2?

Couple of the biggest competitors for Samsung Galaxy Note 2 are the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the Apple iPad Mini. If we compare Note 2 and Galaxy s3 then note 2 has a faster CPU (1.7 GHz), larger RAM (2 GB) and more storage memory (64 GB).The Galaxy Note also leads battery backup against Galaxy S3. And if you put it against iPad Mini, the Galaxy Note 2 is smaller in size which makes it more like an android smartphone which can be kept in your pocket. If you are looking for an easy to use smartphone which can also satisfy you with its tablet oriented functions, then Galaxy Note 2 is the device you are looking for.

Getting Started With Facebook Graph Search

2013-01-20T07:56:00.001-08:00

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently revealed their new search feature called the graph search. It is sure change the way of finding people, places, photos, interests etc. Facebook has already released its limited beta version; the full version is expected to be available shortly. Even though the beta version is more than a search bar, its efficiency is yet to be tested. It is available only in Desktop version and for English (US) audiences for the time being.

The Graph search bar will be slightly bigger in appearance, and will be docked on the top section of each page replacing the old white colored search bar. Facebook claims that its performance almost matches Google’s Search bar because it allows you to perform complex searches. A demo search done at the launching event went like this:

“Friends of my friends who are single, male from San Francisco, cliff”

This kind of a search feature will help you to find your old friends and colleagues and much more. What’s shown above is just an example, and you can perform searches like “liked by your friends, visited by your friends “ to locate things faster and easier.

Facebook claims that graph search will direct its user according to their search query and the search result does not depend on their friend lists or the mutual friends he has, which was in practice earlier.Search results will be personalized and may differ from person to person, however the results for generic terms would be similar.

One of the greatest worries of Facebook was that, if its user’s did not expand their friend list then the world’s largest social network would become less and less active and eventually become a mass graveyard of social profiles. This worry is almost being a reality for Facebook. The social network hasn't seen any significant growth in the average friends per person recently. Facebook now believe that, the introduction of Graph search will encourage users to add more friends quickly and will help them recover from losing more users and their nose-diving market share.

Convert Your Windows 8 Laptop to a Touchscreen Device

2013-01-16T09:18:00.002-08:00

Imagine of a Smartphone which doesn't have a touch screen interface.Pretty ugly, isn't it? But you are doing the same, if you are using an ordinary PC or a laptop running on Windows 8.

Windows 8 is an operating system designed for touch screen devices, but most of the Windows 8 users did’nt consider upgrading to a Touchscreen device due to the sheer cost of the new hardware .Well, now you don’t have to buy an expensive touch hardware to truly experience Windows 8.

Targus, a computer accessory company has come up with a brilliant,very cheap and first of its kind Touch Pen that can turn most of the non touch screen computers into a touch enabled device. It works with all computers running on Windows 8 and Screens up to 17”.It helps its users to experience all types of Windows 8 touch functions like sliding and swiping.

The touch pen roughly has the size of your thumb and is very compact so that it can be easily carried with your laptop. It uses a small receiver which can be attached effortlessly to the side of the laptop screen and it constantly communicates with the small touch pen which you hold in your hand. The receiver is separately connected to the laptop via a USB cable. The pen doesn't harm your laptop screen as the tip of the pen is been specially designed as smooth.

Currently, it is almost not possible predict how well this gadget would be received by the Windows 8 users, simply because the feeling of using a touch pen accessory has a mammoth difference from touching with ones fingertips .Such a limitation could result in an incomplete Windows 8 experience. But as the old proverb says “Something is better than nothing” and this device surely is a great relief for the Windows 8 and touch screen enthusiasts who really cant afford to a real Touchscreen device upgrade.

The device is expected to be available by the end of this month and can be purchased online from Targus.com and also from various other online retailers like Amazon.com.

How to Install a PS3 Update From Your PC

2013-01-13T04:01:00.001-08:00

Those who don’t have an internet connection on their PS3 always find it a little difficult to install an update. What most people don’t know is that, it can be done by downloading the update into your PC. For doing that, all you need is USB flash drive (you can also use a DVD or a CD) and a PC with an internet connection.

Install PS3 Update From PC

Now, follow the steps below to update your PS3 from your PC

Step 1: Download the latest PS3 update (Which can be found easily on Googling).

Step 2: Open the flash drive window and make a new folder and name it ‘PS3’. Now, open the PS3 folder (created now) and make another folder with the name ‘UPDATE’ (remember that the folder names are case sensitive. So, it must be written in capital letters).

Step 3: Now, Copy and paste the update (the update will be in ‘.PUP’ file format) which you have downloaded from the internet to the UPDATE folder.

Step 4: Well, now you have to plug the USB flashdrive in to your PS3 console and then do the update (to update go to ‘setting ‘then to ‘system update’ and then select ‘system update from storage device’).

This technique is very simple and handy if you have problems with your PS3 updates or if the update is not being detected by your PS3.

How to Reset Your PS3 Controller

2013-01-12T17:14:00.000-08:00

Anyone who owns a Play Station 3 might know that the major problem that they will face with their PS3 must be with the dual shock controller which is available with your PS3 console; it simply won’t get connected with your console in wireless configuration. You always have to connect your controller to the console with USB cable. The same problem occurs when you try to sync your dual shock controller to one of your friend’s PS3 console. The easiest way to solve this type problem is to reset your PS3 controller. Resetting your PS3 controller is a walk in the park, all you got to do is:

Step 1: Disconnect your PS3 controller from your console. Now, turn the controller upside down and you can find a tiny hole in the back (it is tinier than screw holes and is usually seen slightly right from the middle).

Step 2: Now, use a tiny pin or a needle (not very sharp) to press a small button inside the hole (you can feel a button click while you do it).

Step 3: It’s almost done, now you have to sync the controller with your console (use the USB cable to do this), charge it for a while and then switch on your controller (press the PS button). Remove the cable and your controller will work just like a new one.

Resetting the controller is simple and will solve almost all types of problems you face with your PS3 controller unless you have damaged your controller or if the battery is dead.