Google launches Docs, Sheets and Slides apps for iOS and Android

Google has launched new dedicated mobile apps for Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. The apps can be downloaded from the iTunes store for iOS and Google's PlayStore for Android devices.

The new Google Docs and Google Sheets apps are designed to allow users to create and access documents and spreadsheets on their mobile devices. Earlier the documents could only be accessed via Google Drive or the web. Google has rolled out the Google Docs and Sheets app and will launch Google Slides, its presentation app 'soon'.

The Google Docs app offers offline support as well as viewing, editing, and creating files without a data connection. Users can share and work together on documents and respond to comments. You won't have to fear about losing data as it is automatically saves it on the Cloud server.

The Google Sheets app allows you to create and edit spreadsheets from anywhere. You can share spreadsheets, enter/sort data, Format cells and more, all without an internet connection.

The launch of the new Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps will help Google compete against Apple and Microsoft on productivity apps. Microsoft's Office apps for iPad are already quite popular on the Apple app store and Apple also offers free productivity tools iPhones and iPads.

Google recently launched a Standalone Camera app for Android devices. The Google Camera app lets you click immersive shots with its Photo Sphere mode and has a Lens Blur mode that changes the focus of the image after taking the shot. The Google Camera app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and works on devices running Android 4.4 KitKat.

Source: Google

Dimple will let you add 4 physical buttons to your Android device

Customization in Android is about to reach a new level as more ideas of additional (optional) physical buttons are coming into the scene. Last year, a Kickstarter project called Pressy was introduced which claimed to give Android users an additional thin physical button that can be inserted into your headphone jack. It can be programmed to do just about anything such as starting your camera or any specific app. Now, guys at Dimple.IO have taken it to a whole new level by introducing a little sticker that uses NFC technology and features, not just one, but four physical buttons.

The buttons are featured on a sticker that attaches anywhere on the back of your Android phone. You can customize the input for each button by setting it up when you use it for the first time. You need to press the buttons which issues NFC commands to the phone. Each command is received by the Dimple.IO app after which, you can instruct the app to execute any functions that you just saved for each of the buttons. You could make it an additional home button, launch your favourite apps, camera, launch a popup drawer, control your music, make calls, change settings and have a torch light button.

The app promises even more 'crazier' customization options with Tasker integration for users who like playing around with the settings of their phones. Dimple.IO is also launching an open plugin SDK for developers so that they can add support for their apps. It would be fair to say that this product will actually put NFC to a good use as the technology is rarely used otherwise, especially in India.

The sticker is the size of a band-aid and sticks to any non-metal phone (sorry HTC One users). It doesn't require a seperate battery as it operates by harvesting energy that your Android NFC enabled device radiates. The sticker is quite thin at 0.5mm.

The company is launching an Indiegogo campaign on May 6. If Dimple.IO is able to raise enough funding, the company plans to ship the devices by August. It is expected to cost around $28 at launch. The team working on the device has already produced its first experimental mass production batch of 250 dimples. According to the company, the fundraiser will help it to prepare the product for full-scale production. Currently, the team consists of just 4 people. 

Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi is also working on a similar product called MiKey, which can used in a similar way. MiKey supports multiple clicks which can be programmed to do any task on an Android smartphone. It will support 10 different click combos including long or short presses.

So, if you get the Dimple for your Android device, which functions will you program the buttons for? Let us know in the comments below.

For more info on Dimple, visit their official website.

Google rumoured to replace Nexus devices with Android Silver range

Google is reportedly planning to stop offering Nexus devices and instead launch a new range of high-end devices. Google's new range of devices will be called Android Silver.

According to a report in The Information , Google will be using Android Silver to expand its influence in the Android eco-system. The new Google devices will include no third-party bloatware as well as receiving timely software updates, similar to Apple's format.

Report further says Google will be subsidising the development and marketing expenses for its hardware partners. Google is reportedly spending about $1 billion to roll out its plan. LG and Motorola are believed to the most likely hardware partners for Google's new range of devices. Sony, HTC and Samsung are expected to join Google later.

Google's Android Silver is supposed to be pitted against Apple's flagship iPhone smartphones. It also wants to bring in a balance in the market where Samsung has emerged as the largest Android device maker.

Considering the previous reports, Google does seem to be working to improve its Android branding in the smartphone segment. Recently, there was a report that said all the future major flagships will come with a 'powered by Android' branding.

Moreover, Google is reportedly teaming up with HTC for 3rd gen Nexus tablet, which is said to be Google's last tablet. The device is expected to be showcased at Google's annual I/O Developers Conference on June 25 and June 2.

Source: TheVerge 

MacBook Air updated with faster 4th gen Intel processors, starts Rs. 65,900

Apple has officially announced refreshed MacBook Air laptops now running on the faster and more power efficient 4th Gen Intel Haswell processors.  The new range comes loaded with the new processors, flash storage, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, up to 12 hours of battery life and Apple’s iLife and iWork apps.

“With MacBook Air starting at Rs. 65,900, there’s no reason to settle for anything less than a Mac,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “Macs have never been more popular, and today we’ve boosted the performance and lowered the price of MacBook Air so even more people can experience the perfect everyday notebook.”

Apple claims that the new Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors work in combination with OS X Mavericks to give the 13-inch MacBook Air up to 12 hours of battery life and the 11-inch MacBook Air up to 9 hours of battery life. iTunes movie playback times increase to 12 hours on the 13-inch notebook and 9 hours on the 11-inch notebook.

The new MacBook Air is officially available through Apple Authorised Resellers. The 11-inch MacBook Air comes with a 1.4 GHz processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 2.7 GHz, 4GB of memory and is available with 128GB of flash storage starting at Rs. 65,900 inc VAT (Rs. 62,642.59 ex VAT), and 256GB of flash storage starting at Rs. 79,900 inc VAT (Rs. 75,950.57 ex VAT). The 13-inch MacBook Air comes with a 1.4 GHz processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 2.7 GHz, 4GB of memory and is available with 128GB of flash storage starting at Rs. 72,900 inc VAT (Rs. 69,296.58 ex VAT), and 256GB of flash storage starting at Rs. 86,900 inc VAT (Rs. 82,604.56 ex VAT). Configure-to-order options include a 1.7 GHz Intel Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.3 GHz, up to 8GB of memory and up to 512GB flash storage. For more on the specifications visit www.apple.com/in/macbook-air

	Previous price	Updated price
MacBook Air 11-inch (Base)	Rs. 67,900	Rs. 65,900
MacBook Air 13-inch (Base)	Rs. 74,900	Rs. 72,900

Mozilla Firefox 29 arrives with new UI design, sync and customisation features

Mozilla has released its first major interface refresh for Firefox this week, making more than 1,300 changes to the browser. The update brings a cross-browser Sync feature, rounded tabs and a customizable graphical menu.

Firefox's new design has a sleek look with rounded tabs making it easier for users to focus on their Web content. The tabs look sleeker and helps users navigate the Web faster. The Firefox menu has been moved to the right corner of the toolbar and puts all your browser controls in one place.

The update also brings a "Customize" tool that transforms Firefox into a customization mode where users can add or move any feature, service or add-on. The update also allows users to create bookmarks with a single click and manage them from one place. Another new feature is the Firefox Sync service that lets you access browsing history, bookmarks, open tabs, saved passwords and form data across your computers and mobile Android devices. According to NetMarktShare, Firefox is currently the third most used browser after IE and Chrome.

"People are using the Web differently than they used to," said Johnathan Nightingale, Mozilla's vice president of Firefox, "and we need to give them a richer set of tools for customizing the way that they experience the Web."

The new Mozilla update comes days after Microsoft reported a security flaw in its Internet Explorer browser that could allow hackers to access users personal information. The bug affects IE versions 6 through 11 and was found by Microsoft's security company FireEye. The company admits that the flaw leaves around 56 percent of the browser market vulnerable to attack.

Source: Mozilla Blog

Smartphone sensors leave traceable fingerprints: Research

Researchers claim that smartphone sensors can leave real-time fingerprints unique to each individual device. The researchers focused primarily on the accelerometer sensors, that is essential for countless applications, including sleep monitoring, pedometers, mobile gaming and found that other sensors could leave equally unique fingerprints.

Research by Associate Professor Romit Roy Choudhury and graduate students Sanorita Dey and Nirupam Roy from the University of Illinois College of Engineering have demonstrated that these fingerprints exist within smartphone sensors, due to imperfections during the hardware manufacturing process.

"When you manufacture the hardware, the factory cannot produce the identical thing in millions. So these imperfections create fingerprints," said Associate Professor Romit Roy Choudhury.

According to the researchers, these fingerprints can become visible if the accelerometer data signals is scrutinized in detail. The researchers also stated that other sensors in the phone like the gyroscopes, magnetometers, microphones, cameras, and others could also share the same characteristic differences. So if someone wanted to perform this analysis, they could do so, the researchers claimed.

The study was conducted on more than 100 devices over a period of nine months on 80 standalone accelerometer chips, 25 Android devices and 2 tablets. The researchers were able to analyse the data with 96 percent accuracy and could discriminate one sensor from another.

"We do not need to know any other information about the phone – no phone number or SIM card number. Just by looking at the data, we can tell you which device it’s coming from. It’s almost like another identifier,” said Dey.

The researchers claim that in the real world, when a smartphone application does not have access to location information, but can be tracked through other means. The attacker could easily obtain the data through a chatting service or a game, or even by simply recording and sending accelerometer data.

To collect the data, the researchers - as with any would-be attacker - needed to sample the accelerometer data. The vibration of each accelerometer uses a single vibrator motor similar to the buzz when a text message is received in two-second intervals. The accelerometer detected the movement during those intervals and the readings were transmitted to a supervised-learning tool, which decoded the fingerprint.

"Even if you erase the app in the phone, or even erase and reinstall all software, the fingerprint still stays inherent. That's a serious threat," Roy said. The researchers suggest that smartphone users, e-book readers, smartwatch wearers and tablet users should be more vigilant while sharing their data with anyone.

Dey warns, "Don't share your accelerometer data without thinking about how legitimate or how secure that application is. Even if it's using only the sensor data, still it can attack you in some way. The consumer should be aware."

The research was published at the Network and Distributed System Security Symposium (NDSS) and has won the best poster award at the HotMobile international workshop in 2013.

Source: Phys.org

Ex-employee claims Nokia tablet existed 9 years before Apple iPad

Almost 9 years before the first iPad was released, Nokia had developed a tablet running Symbian OS, called the Nokia 510 web Tablet. The revelation was made by journalist David J. Cord in his book "The Decline and Fall of Nokia" that the Finnish company had plans for a tablet computer. Cord claims in his book the project was shelved 45 minutes before the device went into production.

However, website Digitoday quoting ommunications telecommunications expert Mr. Esko Yliruusi who was associated with the project, says the tablet did go into the production and that a production run of around 1000 devices was completed before it was halted.

Most of the devices were sent to the crusher, though Yliruusi says there are about 130 surviving devices. “I had a strong feeling that this one is a keeper. There were things in the device that were done just as they should be. I felt that we shall be hearing of gadgets like this,” says Yliruusi.

Yliruusi reveals the tablet never saw the light of day because consumers weren't ready for the device then. “It was stated that it is not yet the time for a device like this, tells Mr. Yliruusi. It was a marvelous concept but nothing the consumers would yet accept, he continues,” he added.

After the closure of the project, the development team was sacked. While some were re-employed by Nokia, several others joined somewhere else. Mr. Yliruusi was associated with the project from early 2001 until August when the project was dropped.

The Nokia Web Tablet had impressive set of specifications, perhaps ahead of its time. The tablet was based on an early version of Symbian, called Epoc. The tablet featured apps such as email, calendar, “noticeboard” and Opera web-browser apps.

It had a touch-screen with stylus support. The tablet had buttons and toggles on the sides. The display was a 10-inch with 800x600 pixels resolution. Here's full specifications of the Nokia tablet:

To know more about the tablet, read the full Digitoday article .

Mobile Gamepad: App that turns your smartphone into game controller for PC

Now, you have a mobile app that turns your Android smartphone into a gamepad for a Windows computer. The app, called Mobile Gamepad, has been created by a XDA Forum Member blueqnx and is available via Google Play store.

Once installed, the mobile app turns your device into a motion sensing and customizable gamepad. The app provides a virtual D-pad and siz buttons - square, triangle, circle, cross, pause, and start. You can map the virtual buttons to any key on the keyboard and assign to various profiles.

Mobile Gamepad uses accelerometer in your Android smartphone to enable gamers motion control. To do this, simply enable motion mode, and place your finger where the D-Pad once was. You can use the app to start PC games from the smartphone as well. Other features of the app include support swipe over controls for easy usage not just clicking, device volume buttons to control windows volume.

You can download the Mobile Gamepad app for free via Google Play store.  You can find out more details about the application on this thread on XDA Developers .

Huge relief for telcos: TDSAT allows 3G roaming agreements

The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has cleared the 3G intra-circle roaming agreement between Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular. The telecom tribunal also quashed penalty of Rs 1,200 crore on the three operators imposed by the telecom department (DoT) for alleged violation of licence agreements. The tribunal is expected to release a detailed judgement later today.

Clearance from the telecom regulators means the telecom operators will be able to provide 3G services beyond their licenced zones. Back in 2010, no operator could win a pan-India licence for 3G airwaves (mainly because of the steep pricing). Several telecom operators including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular had entered into agreements to provide 3G services beyond their licence circles as well as acquire new 3G customers.

However, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a notice to the telecom operators asking them to stop 3G intra-circle roaming as they allegedly breached licence norms. The order was later challenged by telecom operators.

In July 2012, TDSAT had delivered a split verdict where one of the bench member ruled in favour while the other member ordered against it. The telecom department then issued another notice to telcos, asking them to stop 3G ICR as well as pay fine of Rs. 1,200 crore.

“We are very pleased with ruling,” Rajan Mathews, director general of the Cellular Operators Association of India is quoted as saying. “Now that the legal matter has been cleared up, we are hoping that the government will allow us to go forward on this without any appeal to the Supreme Court or anything.”

The decision is going to have a huge impact on the industry, as it allows the major telcos to expand their high-speed data services as well as work on improving margins. The move is going to benefit users as well as they will have more choices.

Source: LiveMint

Apple offering free repair of faulty sleep/wake buttons in iPhone 5

Apple has launched a free replacement program for iPhone owners experiencing problems with the sleep/wake buttons of their smartphones. The tech giant admitted that a “small percentage” of iPhone 5 models have faulty sleep buttons and has launched the 'iPhone 5 sleep/wake button replacement program'.

Apple has been receiving complaints on its support forum about the buttons since the iPhone 5's launch in late 2012 and has decided to replace the button for free, even if any iPhone 5 is out of warranty. Apple stated that iPhone 5 devices manufactured through March 2013 may be affected by this issue. The problem faced by the users is that even though the button still clicks the device doesn't register an input.

Users have to either take their iPhone 5 to an Apple store or mail it to the repair center to participate in the replacement program. Apple is also giving out 16 GB loaner iPhone 5 as a temporary replacement that can be used while the owner's phone is being repaired if he/she takes their iPhone 5 to an Apple store. In case you already paid to have your iPhone 5 sleep button replaced, you can also contact Apple for a refund. The program is available in Canada and US for now and will be launched in other countries on May 2.

The Apple replacement program webpage reads, “Apple has determined that the sleep/wake button mechanism on a small percentage of iPhone 5 models may stop working or work intermittently. Apple will replace the sleep/wake button mechanism, free of charge, on iPhone 5 models that exhibit this issue and have a qualifying serial number.”

You can find out if your phone qualifies and apply for the replacement by inputting your iPhone’s serial number at the support site created by Apple.

Source: Techcrunch

Internet Explorer hit by serious vulnerability that leaves your data at risk

Microsoft has reported that a security flaw in its Internet Explorer browser could allow hackers to access your personal information especially if you are still using Windows XP.

The bug has been found to affect IE versions 6 through 11 and was found by Microsoft's security company FireEye. The company says that the flaw leaves around 56 percent of the browser market vulnerable to attack. The bug has been classified as a "Zero Day" flaw which gives victims zero warnings before attack. 

The flaw is a remote code execution vulnerability which means that a hacker can successfully run software on a victim's computer after attack. Microsoft issued a security alert which said that "the vulnerability may corrupt memory in a way that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user within Internet Explorer. The phrase “arbitrary code” means pretty much any software that the attacker chooses to run."

In short, a hacker could install programs, view and delete data simply by visiting a website that you are running at the same time on your IE.

FireEye has said that a gang of attackers has already launched a campaign exploiting the flaw. Microsoft reported that IE9 through IE11 versions are the worst-hit as the three versions of IE account for almost 26 percent of the web browsers currently in use around the world. The software giant has said that Internet Explorer 10 and 11 are safe from the flaw only if the Enhanced Protected Mode in these browsers is turned on. The company is currently working on fixing the problem and might soon come out with an update.

But in case, you are a Windows XP user, there is more reason to worry as Mircosoft is working on a patch for latest versions of Windows only. The reason is that Microsoft has already ended support for Windows XP earlier this month. The only hope for all you XP users is to install Chrome or Firefox browsers as both of them are still supported on Windows XP.

Source: Microsoft Security TechCenter 

RCom ties up with Tata and Aircel to offer pan-India 3G roaming services

Now, Reliance customers can expect better 3G data coverage across the country. Reliance Communications (RCom) has just announced Inter-Circle roaming partnerships with other telecom companies - Tata Teleservices and Aircel - to provide improved 3G services to its GSM customers while roaming. The move ensures existing and new 3G customers of Reliance Communications access pan-India 3G services while roaming outside the company’s own 3G circles.

Reliance Communications offers 3G services in 13 Circles nationally—Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Assam, North East, Jammu & Kashmir. With the new 3G roaming partnerships with other Indian telecom companies, customers of RCOM can now enjoy 3G data services in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and UP East where Aircel has presence. Its agreement with TTSL gives it access to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and UP west.

“We are delighted to be the first operator to offer 3G national roaming to our customers in partnership with other telecom firms having state-of-the-art 3G networks. These alliances will further consolidate RCOM’s position as the leading data operator in the country and will help the Company improve its post-paid and Corporate customer marketshare,” says Gurdeep Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Business, Reliance Communications Limited.

As of December 31, 2013, Reliance Communications had 36.2 million data customers, including 11.1 million 3G customers.

Flipkart launches 'same day guarantee' delivery service for select cities

Flipkart has intensified competition in the online shopping segment with its new “same-day guarantee” scheme. Flipkart's same day delivery service is currently available for 10 cities - Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Noida, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Kolkata, Manesar, Navi mumbai and Thane.

The same day guarantee service is available for an additional charge of Rs. 140 per item (introductory price). It's worth pointing out here Flipkart's new service is a limited period offer and is valid for items between April 28 to April 30 (orders placed before 12pm). According to Flipkart, the order would be delivered by 9 PM on the date promised during checkout.

Flipkart also notes: “If Flipkart is not able to deliver the item in the Guaranteed promise time, you get the product for free (upto Rs. 5000) as part of our money-back Guarantee. For Cash-on-Delivery orders, the shipment value will be collected as part of the order, but will be automatically refunded to your Wallet within 24 hours in case of delay from our side.”

Here's how you can avail Flipkart's same-day delivery service:

With competition heating up in the online shopping segment, e-commerce websites are under pressure to improve their services as well as come up with attractive offers – a trend that will certainly benefit the customers.

That said, same day delivery concept is already a huge hit in the West. However in India, there are several challenges such as creating a robust network, managing logistics, customer service and more.