Showing posts with label Google. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Google. Show all posts
Google announces #Android Lollipop, Nexus 6 #smartphone, Nexus 9 tablet and Nexus Player
Version 5 of Android official gets a name as Google announces devices to go up against Apple's lineup. Photo: Google
Google has announced the next version of Android, formerly known as Android L, will be called Lollipop, officially version 5.0 of the mobile operating system. It also announced the first two devices to run Lollipop: the HTC Nexus 9 tablet and the Motorola Nexus 6.
The company also unveiled the first device to run Android TV: the Nexus Player. Built by Asus, the hockey puck-shaped device is a " first-of-its-kind Android gaming device," Google says.
Android 5.0 Lollipop
Sundar Pichai, Google's senior vice president of Android and Chrome, announced the new software and hardware in a blog post. Android 5.0 "#Lollipop" is the first version to employ a new design paradigm, which Google calls "Material," first announced at the Google I/O developer conference in the summer.
Read more: 2014 gadget hot list: What's going to be the next big thing in technology
Lollipop was made to keep the experience of using Android consistent across devices, Google says. From phones to TVs to smartwatches, if the device is running Lollipop, the interface will feel part of the same family, and transitions from device to device will be more seamless, with things like music, photos and video remembering where you left off.
The new version of Android gives users more granular control over notifications, with the ability to limit them in certain situations. For example, you may want to limit notifications to a few specific people when you're in a meeting or on personal time. This could have big implications for smartwatches and other wearables, where smart notifications are central to the experience.
Android Lollipop also includes a battery-saving feature that Google says can extend the life of a device by up to 90 minutes. It's unclear whether the battery saver limits functionality in any way, but considering it's just a fraction of what Samsung, HTC and others get from their ultra low-power modes, Lollipop's battery saver likely keeps you connected.
Security has improved, too. Lollipop includes a Smart Lock feature, which lets users designate trusted devices — such as a Bluetooth earpiece or smartwatch — to keep their phone unlocked when it's present. It's a feature that was previously available on some Android phones, Motorola's in particular, but with version 5.0 it's part of the OS.
Lollipop also includes Factor Reset Protection, according to Re/code, which lets device owners disable their phone remotely. Encryption for the phone's data is also enabled by default.
Nexus 6
The Nexus 6, made by Motorola, is the first smartphone to run Android Lollipop. It has a 6-inch display with Quad HD (2560 x 1440) resolution, a 13-megapixel camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS) and a robust 3220 mAh battery that can charge quickly (15 minutes gets you 6 hours of battery life) with the included Turbo Charger.
Available in "midnight" blue or "cloud" white, the Nexus 6 will be up for pre-order in late October in the US for from $US649, though no official Australian release plans have been announced.
Read more: How Andriod fans convinced to buy the iPhone 6
Motorola also said many of its current phones will get the Android Lollipop update, including both versions of the Moto X, all three versions of the Moto G, the Moto E, the 2013 Droid line (Ultra, Mini and Maxx). There is no firm date for any update since any Android update needs to be approved by mobile carriers.
Nexus 9
The Nexus 9 tablet, as rumoured, is built by HTC. It has an 8.9-inch IPS (in-plane switching) LCD screen (the same size as the larger Kindle Fire HDX), protected by Gorilla Glass 3. Similar to the Nexus 7, which was made by Asus, the Nexus 9 has a soft-touch backside, but it also has a brushed-metal edge.
The tablet packs a 64-bit Tegra K1 processor, and its GPU is a Kepler DX1. It has 2GB of RAM and buyers can choose between 16GB or 32GB of storage. Both Wi-Fi and LTE versions will be available.
At 0.79 cm thick and 425 grams, the overall size of the Nexus 9 is lighter than the iPad Air and almost as thin. Like the HTC One, it'll have dual front-facing stereo speakers.
The Nexus 9 will be available October 17 in the US, starting at $US399 (again, no Australian ploans announced as yet). Google will also offer a keyboard case, which looks like a combination of an iPad Smart Cover and a Surface Type Keyboard.
Nexus Player
The Nexus Player represents the official launch of Android TV, the spiritual successor to Google TV, which didn't see much success in the marketplace (although Google says Google TV isn't being discontinued). Android TV brings the clout of the Android app platform to power a streaming device similar to a Roku box or Apple TV.
Unlike Google TV devices, the Nexus Player doesn't come with a keyboard. Instead it includes a voice-activated remote and a visual graphical user interface. Content syncs with other Android devices, letting users start watching on the Nexus Player and finish on a tablet or phone. The device is also compatible with Google Cast, meaning it also has all the abilities of Google's Chromecast dongle.
Powered by a quad-core Intel Atom processor, the Nexus Player is also available October 17 in the US, for $US99. Google will also offer an optional game controller for $US39.
www.facebook.com/pages/TechadvancesbyTechnology/293331837349083!2014 gadget hot list: What's going to be the next big thing in technology
We're facing another year of rumours and gossip about the hot tech tickets - here are the top 10 things to look out for in 2014
How is it nearly 2014 already? Where has the time gone!
And we all know what that means once the clock strikes midnight on December 31 - yes, another year of rumour, counter rumour and conjecture about the latest gadgets, gaming and technology.
So what have you got to look forward to during the next 12 months?
Here are the top 10 things to watch out for.
10. Google Glass
Will it launch publicly in 2014? Well, we'll see clearly soon - 'see clearly', geddit!
Anyway, these futuristic specs are currently in Beta with some high profile geeks posting pictures of themselves wearing a pair on their Twitter accounts.
Enabling you to interact with the world around you in a totally different way, Google Glass lets you get info from the web and take pictures using voice commands.
You just might look an idiot wearing a pair in the next 12 months, before it takes off and everyone has them.
9. Smart watches
Hot on the heels of the Pebble and Samsung Galaxy Gear smart watches, will surely come newer and more innovative mobile-linked wristpieces.
In fact, at the 2014 Mobile World Congress expo, we're bound to see loads of the things in a concept stage.
But 2014 will be the year Apple launches one. Or maybe it won’t.
Both of which would be a big story.
The first would show the potential power of these products and the second would dismiss the idea as a fad if a company like Apple fails to take up the gauntlet.
No doubt, in time, we'll discover which one.
8. Wearable tech
Similarly, 2014 will be the year of technology that you wear - and not just on your wrist or nose.
The whole sector looks set to increase throughout our lives on the back of the growing trend for wearable fitness devices that track exercise progress and healthy living.
Expect to see products built into clothing as well as stuff you can physically wear yourself.
7. Big screen Apple TV
Will Apple launch its own TV set in 2014?
Well, it's been talked about since 2012 and we are still none the wiser.
But it would make sense to enter that market and take on rivals Samsung and Sony.
A touchscreen telly backed by iOS and all of Apple's apps and games would be a massive disrupter in the TV space.
However, it would surely cost a premium price and that marks out one major issue for the US giant as it battles to extend mainstream reach of the iPhone and iPad.
6. Internet of things
This catch-all term for appliances in our home talking to each other is yet another buzzword but it will come further to fruition in 2014.
It speaks of a world where washing machines, fridges, kettles and ovens connect to the internet and can be controlled via mobile phones or tablet computers.
Watch out for many manufacturers launching compatible products at the CES gadget fest in Las Vegas in early January.
5. iPhone 6
The next yearly update for Apple's flagship product will be crucial.
With the 5S bridging the gap with its fingerprint reader, it will take a huge jump in technology and design for the iPhone 6 to really garner positive headlines and satisfy investors.
Apple usually has a trick or two up its sleeve but facing stiff competition now in the smartphone space, it will have to conjure up the sort of magic that set the original iPhone apart from the rest.
4. Sharing economy/Tech for good
There are dozens of startups in the UK now operating in this space aiming to use technology for the greater good of society.
From car-sharing ones like goCarShare to the product sharing RentMyItems, there's a huge shift in creating services to help others, and for some, not concentrate so much on huge profits.
This theme will certainly continue in 2014 so watch out for new ways to collaborate with friends, neighbours and strangers to make the world a much better place.
3. Electric cars
From the Nissan LEAF to the BMW i3, 2013 started to bring electric cars more to the middle of the road.
As more charging points are rolled out across the country in 2014, expect the interest in these motors to increase.
As well as helping the environment, they keep the cost of driving low with no need for petrol or diesel.
All you do is plug them in overnight and off you go in the morning.
Of course, you have a limited range but they're great for local and short hopper journeys.
2. Gaming takes centre stage
As the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 begin to take hold in our living rooms, all eyes will be on new gaming experiences being created for them.
With more power and better graphics, we're expecting some developments that really push the boundaries of immersive entertainment crossed with gaming experiences.
If we don't get them though in the next 12 months, that'll be the final nail in the coffin for the traditional-style home console we used to know and love.
1. 4K TVs
When we switched from normal telly to high-definition, the change in picture quality was massive.
Now imagine taking that up a few notches further and moving from HD to Ultra HD or 4K.
2014 should be the year these screens start their extension into the mainstream with prices lowering enough to make the them affordable for early adopters.
It won't be until late 2015 that these will be within reach of us all but in the meantime, along with thinner and even curved TV screens, this is a trend to watch.
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10 Cool Google Chrome Extensions
| As more and more of us start migrating to Chrome as the preferred browser of choice, it’s time we came out with a list of 10 Google Chrome extensions that are very cool and help improve your Chrome experience. 1. Lights Out: This extension lets you create the perfect mood if you are watching an online video. All you need to do is click on the light bulb button and the extension will automatically dim the background to black giving the user optimal viewing of their online videos. 2. Facebook Unseen: This app lets you eliminate the same old status updates that keep popping up every time you log onto Facebook, hence keeping your newsfeed fresh and therefore more interesting. 3. Checker Plus for Gmail: This extension is an answer to those that get nostalgic for the Ding everytime a new email enters your mailbox. Awesome for the ones that miss the Ding! 4. Instagram for Chrome: Are you one of those that wants access to their Instagram account at all times? Well then this is the extension for you. 5. Pocket: This extension lets to have an easy solution to saving the things you want to read later on the web but don't have time to at the moment, or just want to remember later. 6. Price Blink: Are you an online bargain hunter? This extension gives you an option of comparing products across websites and hence gets the cheapest deal in town on the product of your choice. 7. Screen Capture: The Screen Capture Chrome extension allows you to capture a page region, visible content or a whole page all from a click on the icon in your Chrome browser. 8. History Eraser: This extension lets a user delete history with a click of a button. With one-click this extension will view, edit, backup and clear chrome history, clear download history, empty cache, delete cookies and other site and plug-in data. 9. Flutter: Motion sensing technology anyone? This extension uses gestures detected via your computer's built-in camera to play, pause and skip songs. 10. PicMonkey: This is an awesome photo editing extension that lets you edit any web page and open them in PicMonkey for editing. |  |
8 Ways To Control Your Personal Data And Its Usage On Google
| At a time when privacy of data is becoming paramount and users are becoming more and more skeptical of their data being shared on public platforms, we at EFYTimes thought of giving the users 8 ways, using which they could secure their data online: Ad preferences manager: By using this application, users can be made aware of personalised advertisements and can also control what personal data is being used in the selection of these advertisements. Me on the Web: Here users can make decisions on what people see when they search for a given user on Google. Also, a user can set up an alert that would inform them of the information about them that appears online. Google Dashboard: This application shows upfront data that is stored in their Google account. Google Analytics opt-out: This application provides a user statistics to website publishers about number of pageviews, peak traffic times etc. In case a given user doesn’t want his or her browser data to be shared with publishers, they can install an opt-out option. Unlisted and private videos clips on YouTube: YouTube gives users options on who can see the video that a user has uploaded. Public: Anyone can search for and view the video; Unlisted: Anyone with the link can view the video; and Private: Only people the user chooses can view the video. Account Activity: By making use of this application a user can get an idea about how they are making use of a given Google service when signed in. Google+ Circles: On this Google service, users can form circles of their friends, family, colleagues, classmates etc. They can then share content like G+ posts, YouTube videos or local listings with specific individuals or circles. Google Web History controls: Assuming that a user is signed into a Google account, the web history helps give the user more relevant results and recommendations. |  |
Which Browser Has The Better Password Manager? Firefox vs. Chrome vs. Internet Explorer
Although there are a variety of dedicated password management tools, every modern browser has its own built-in password manager. But just how good are the built-in password managers? We’ll look at how each popular browser’s password manager compares when it comes to convenience, security, sync features, and supported devices and operating systems.
Dedicated password managers still have some advantages, so we’ll cover how you can get a better password manager no matter which browser you’re already using. You don’t have to switch browsers to get the best password managers — they’re available to users of every browser.
Mozilla Firefox
How It Works: When you enter a password on a website, Firefox will ask if you want it to remember your password. If you choose to save your password, it will save the password on your computer. When you visit the website again, Firefox will automatically fill in your saved password. You can also view your saved passwords from Firefox’s options window.
Convenience: Firefox’s password manager is a convenient way to save time if you don’t mind saving your passwords in it. All you have to do is click the Remember Password button when logging into a website and your password will be automatically filled in the future — no need for additional clicks.
Security: Firefox saves these passwords in an insecure form on your computer by default. However, Firefox allows you to enable a “master password” in its options window. Your saved passwords will be encrypted with your master password and you’ll need to enter it before using your password manager. This means people won’t be able to snoop on your passwords by getting access to your computer — assuming you don’t leave Firefox open. There are alsoextensions that add a timeout, automatically re-locking your password database after a set period of time.
ync Features: Firefox can sync your passwords through Firefox Sync. Like other browser data, your passwords are encrypted before syncing so they should be secure. This allows you to have your passwords backed up online and keep them in sync between your different computers.
Supported Devices for Sync: Firefox Sync allows you to sync passwords with Firefox for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android. Firefox no longer offers the Firefox Home app for iOS, so you can’t access your synced passwords on iPhone, iPad, or even other devices like Windows Phone and BlackBerry. If you want to sync your Firefox passwords to your phone or tablet, you’ll need an Android phone or tablet.
In Summary: Firefox offers the most secure browser password manager because of its master password feature. The password manager is convenient assuming you use Firefox on a PC or Android device, but you can’t access your Firefox passwords on iOS and other mobile operating systems.
Google Chrome
How It Works: Visit a website and enter a password. When you log in, Chrome will offer to save the password in its password manager. If you do opt to save the password, Chrome will automatically enter it the next time you visit the site. You can also view a list of your saved passwords from Chrome’s settings page.
Convenience: Chrome’s password manager is just as convenient as Firefox’s, offering the same interface — one click to save, no additional clicks to automatically fill login information.
Security: Chrome essentially encrypts your saved passwords with your Windows user account password. Anyone with access to your Windows user account can view your passwords. Firefox offers a master password to encrypt your passwords, but Chrome doesn’t. As long as you use a strong Windows user account password and don’t set your computer to automatically log in, your passwords will remain secure. Google says a master password provides a false sense of security, but it covers more use cases — if you use an obvious Windows password, share a user account, or set your computer to automatically log in, Firefox’s master password would protect you but Chrome wouldn’t. By having Firefox automatically lock the password database after a timeout, you can also limit the amount of time someone would be able to access your passwords.
Sync Features: Chrome can sync your passwords and other browser data with Chrome Sync. Synced passwords are always encrypted on Google’s servers, either with your Google account password or another passphrase of your choosing.
Supported Devices for Sync: Chrome allows you to sync passwords to Chrome browsers on Windows desktop, Windows 8, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS, Android, and iOS. Chrome offers more sync options, with the most important feature being the Chrome app for iPhone and iPad that allows users of Apple’s mobile devices to access their passwords.
In Summary: Chrome offers the widest array of sync options so you can access your passwords almost anywhere. Google disagrees with Mozilla about the necessity of a master password, and if you kept your computer completely secure your Chrome passwords would be okay. For the average user, Firefox’s master password system is probably more secure.
Internet Explorer
How It Works: Enter your password on a website and Internet Explorer will offer to save it. The next time you visit a website, you’ll have to click the username box and select your saved username from a list — Internet Explorer won’t automatically fill in your login information until you do. Internet Explorer also doesn’t allow you to view your saved passwords without using a third-party tool, like IE PassView.
![internet-explorer-enter-saved-password[4]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_u5jDmPNbpbBdeib6OkIABv8UAMWSM8ALZ92dcVj2ALEAZdFke0b_7YjLBfKUduBiyRyEfRN-c7MJDYDAo5_UA1e9uvSRUWkWM3seBhtkoC20R_q_VhhiLq7SouCocjmnwH42z2vXrdyFBv1ywQxFDOehxHLfOg5Nov1Yx4Kg9Ku_luJo6tWCtMjnCdwC81SwyJibUFSg=s0-d)
Convenience: Saving passwords in IE is simple, but IE doesn’t automatically fill your login information. If you do want to view your saved passwords, you need a third-party tool, which is much more inconvenient.
Security: Like Chrome, Internet Explorer essentially encrypts your saved passwords with your Windows user account password. Any program running as the current user account can view your saved passwords, but no one can view your passwords if you’re logged out — not unless they can figure out your Windows password. As IE is using the same encryption method as Chrome, Firefox will likely be more secure for the average person with its master password — just as it’s more secure than Chrome.
Sync Features: Windows 8 syncs Internet Explorer passwords and other browser data. Windows 7 and previous versions of Windows can’t sync IE passwords.
Supported Devices for Sync: Your Internet Explorer passwords are synced between PCs running Windows 8. They’re not accessible on previous versions of Windows or even Windows Phone devices. They’re obviously not accessible on devices running competing operating systems.
In Summary: Internet Explorer has the worst password manager, with the most inconvenient password-filling method, no built-in way of viewing saved passwords, and no way to sync your saved passwords except between Windows 8 PCs. If you use IE anyway and just want something to save you time, it’s better than nothing — but we don’t recommend using IE’s password sync features.
Which is the Best?
So which one should you choose? Well, that depends on what’s important to you and which browser you already use:
- If You’re Particularly Worried About Securing Your Passwords: Use Firefox’s built-in password manager. In practice, it will be more secure against malware and protect you from other people snooping around while using your computer if you share a Windows user account.
- If You Want to Sync With Your iPhone or iPad: Use Chrome’s password manager, which is good enough if you use a secure Windows password and proper security practices.
- If You Just Want to Save Time and Already Have a Preferred Browser: Use whatever password manager is built into your web browser to save passwords and save yourself time in the future. You may want to avoid saving important passwords like your online banking passwords if you use Firefox or IE and other people use your computer with the same user account.
To simplify things, Chrome is the winner when it comes to syncing between different devices while Firefox is the winner when it comes to securing your passwords in the real world.
However, the best password managers of all aren’t built into browsers. Browser password managers are okay for saving time, but they’re not the ideal solution if you want a single program to securely manage all your passwords.
A dedicated password manager like LastPass or KeePass can automatically generate random passwords for you, save passwords and secure notes for things that aren’t website logins, and sync to a wide variety of different devices. They can incorporate advanced features like the LastPass security challenge, which scans your passwords and lets you know which ones are reused or too insecure, recommending which ones to change for maximum security. They also allow you to lock your passwords with a Firefox-like master password, but you could also further secure them with two-factor authentication.
If you want to go all-in and use a password manager to simplify your life, you’re better off going with a dedicated password manager like LastPass or KeePass. As another benefit, they aren’t linked to a single browser, so you could use the same passwords in Safari on Mac, Internet Explorer on Windows, Chrome on Linux, and access them in dedicated apps for a variety of platforms from Android and iOS to Windows Phone and BlackBerry
Google allows 10GB attachments in Gmail
Do you feel the 25MB limit for attachments in Gmail
is not enough? Well Google seems to have heard your prayers. The search
giant has integrated Google Drive-based attachments in its email
service so that users can now send files up to 10GB in size. Google
Drive is the company's cloud storage service, similar to Microsoft SkyDrive and DropBox.
On the
official Gmail blog, Phil Sharp, Gmail product manager, posted: "you
can insert files from Drive directly into an email without leaving your
Gmail." He added, "...with Drive, you can insert files up to 10GB -- 400 times larger than what you can send as a traditional attachment. Also, because you're
In case all the recipients of the mail do not
have access to the file in Google Drive, Gmail will prompt the user so
the requisite settings can be altered from the open message box itself.
Moreover, users also have the option of simply pasting the links of
Google Drive files they want to share with the mail recipients in the
compose box.
As of now, Google has only integrated Google Drive-based attachment feature in the new compose box. Therefore, users who had opted out of the new look of compose box need to opt for it once again in order to mail Google Drive-based files. Those who want to mail files bigger than 25MB in size need to transfer them to Google Drive in order to send them via Gmail.
As of now, Google has only integrated Google Drive-based attachment feature in the new compose box. Therefore, users who had opted out of the new look of compose box need to opt for it once again in order to mail Google Drive-based files. Those who want to mail files bigger than 25MB in size need to transfer them to Google Drive in order to send them via Gmail.
Adding Google Images Search in a website:
Google offers you to add their search box directly into your website/blog using adsense search option and also pays you for the same but if you are running a website which is dedicated for images/wallpapers then you would be interested in adding a Google Images Search Box rather than a normal content search box which comes by default.
If you are making a search in Google search engine the URL would be like this :
http://www.google.com/search?q=india
Similarly if you are making a search in Google Images the search query page would be :
http://images.google.com/images?q=india
which clearly shows that the search result pages are very easy to understand and can be easily integrated into a search box.
Now the next option is to create a Search Box using basic html tricks and here is the code to get started :
<CENTER><TD>
<TABLE>
<FORM action=http://images.google.com/images?q=india>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD><INPUT size=30 name=search></TD>
<TD width=2></TD>
<TD><INPUT type=submit value=Google Images Search>
</TD></TR></FORM></TBODY></TABLE><BR></TD></CENTER>
The above code is very easy and pure html basics and you can change the Submit Value from ‘Google Images Search’ to any display key phrase which appears on the submit button.
The same above process can be tweaked a bit in order to add MSN.com Image Search, Yahoo.com Images Search and Live.com Images Search in your websites or blog.
Here are the codes for the search result pages which can be added to the Action URL :
http://search.live.com/images/results.aspx?q=India : Live.com Images Search
http://search.msn.com/images/results.aspx?q=India : MSN.com Images Search
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=India : yahoo.com Images Search
http://search.live.com/images/results.aspx?q=India : Live.com Images Search
http://search.msn.com/images/results.aspx?q=India : MSN.com Images Search
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=India : yahoo.com Images Search
You can try the same with any other major search engines and iam sure you can easily create custom image search boxes for your websites easily.
Get Your Free .in Domain and Hosting from Google
Google India, in partnership with ICICI Bank and HostGator (the web hosting company), has launched a new program called India Get Online where they make it easy for you to setup a website for your business for free.
As part of the deal, you get a free .in web domain (provided it is available) and free web hosting for one year. The .in domain will registered to you while Hostgator will manage the website hosting* though you can move the site to any other web host for free.
Such free offers are always a goldmine for spammers but Google India has made it mandatory for businesses to enter their Permanent Account Number (PAN) or Tax Deduction Account Number (TAN) at the time of registration. Since these numbers are unique for every individual / business, you can’t avail it more than once.
Your website will be integrated with Google Apps so you also get access to other Google products like Gmail, Google Analytics, Google Docs and more. You also get Google Adwords coupons worth INR 2.5k for free to help you advertise your website on Google and AdSense network sites.
[*] If you have purchased a web domain already, you can also use Google App Engine to host your website online for free.
You can visit vijashiviinternational.in or khoslaprinters.in to get an idea of how sites created with the “India Get Online” look like. There’s a set of readymade web templates, pick one that matches your business profile, you can customize the text and pictures of the pages and your site is good to go.
Google hasn’t exactly specified the amount that businesses will have to pay to renew their website registration and hosting after one year except saying that it will be a “discounted fee.”
Microsoft had a offered a similar service in India called Office Live for Small Businesses but they recently discontinued it in favor of Office 365 which is less about website hosting but more about running your business in the cloud.
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