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Google accidentally lists Nexus 5 in Play Store

More and more leaks happen as we get closer to the release of Nexus 5. In fact, it’s probably the most leaked Nexus ever. This time, it’s funny – because, Google itself (deliberate may be?) has put Nexus 5 on the Play Store.

The Nexus 5 was listed beside the new Nexus 7 and 10 in the devices section of Google Play. This includes a high resolution photo of Nexus 5 (as shown below), along with product description. It was of course pulled off after a few minutes.

Nexus 5

The product description says “Capture the everyday and the epic in new fresh ways. Starting at 349$”. That apparently gives a hint at Nexus 5’s camera improvements, along with the price tag of 349$ for the 16GB model.

You can also make out from the picture that, Hangouts has replaced Messaging app and there are little UI tweaks (transparent nav/status bar) here and there, in Kitkat. All this is of course leaked a few days back, this is just more of a confirmation.

We’re not sure when is the launch day of Kitkat/Nexus 5, but nevertheless, this is an exciting time for Android fans.

Do you look forward to get the Nexus 5? Do comment below.

Source: Engadget

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KitKat Google+ Page hints Android KitKat coming on October 18

The official KitKat page on Google+ has posted an Android robot in KitKat style, with a description “Everybody dance now!”

Google is known to tease users with interesting riddles from time to time. So what is special about this coded message?

If you happen to be a fan of the 90’s music, you might recognize that “Everybody dance now” is a popular line from a hit single by C+C Music Factory. The song was released on October 18, 1990.

Android KitKat

To make things more interesting, the song happens to be exactly 4 minutes and 4 seconds long, another coded references to Android KitKat version being 4.4.

So the final conclusion is that Google might be launching Android KitKat on October 18. Just in time before they introduce a new Nexus phone, often called Nexus 5.

Source: Android Community

Related: Android 4.4 KitKat will let users choose one default SMS app

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Twitter now lets users receive DMs even from accounts not followed

Since it’s launch, Twitter has always put a restriction on who can Direct Message (DM) whom (for example, you can DM me only if I follow you) But, starting today, this is about to change. Twitter has brought a new feature, that lets the users to receive DMs from any user, even from accounts that they do not follow.

This is an opt-in feature that you can enable in the Settings page of your Twitter account.

To enable this feature, check the box “Receive direct message from any follow”

It hasn’t been announced officially by Twitter yet. But many Twitter users have already noticed this new feature on their accounts. @JimConnolly was one of the first users to notice this.

Twitter_DMs_Settings
Twitter’s DM settings allow users who do not follow you to send you Direct Messages

This might be useful for brands to get people who post complaints to send them details in a more private manner. But I think that this might lead to a surge of spam messages landing on my inbox from unknown users. But, also, in such a case, I can always go back to the Settings page and disable it. Nevertheless, this option will definitely means more spam but also a lot of advertising.

Since Twitter has filed an IPO and will be under pressure to generate revenues we can expect more such intrusive features to pay for Twitter. Though I expect Twitter have some sort of filter to ensure DMs from people you followed can be looked up exclusively.

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Android 4.4 KitKat will let users choose a default SMS App

Android KitKat SMS DefaultWhile Android 4.4 “KitKat” will be releasing soon, there is very little information on new features. One major change will be that Android 4.4 will allow only a single app to manage all the text messages (SMS) on your phone. This single app will be the default app chosen only by the user.

Currently, what happens is that more than one app manages SMS messages on Android. In a new blog post for Android developers, Google advises app developers to get their apps to check if it is the default app and if not, then prompt users to select a default one. This means users will basically give access to their SMS messages to a single app.

What is Google planning with this change?

Google might be introducing a new feature with their Hangouts app to handle SMS on the phone. This is a big deal because if Hangouts manage SMS on a phone, it can potentially synchronize those messages on Chrome.

Getting Hangouts to manage all types of messaging, is something Google will definitely introduce. Hangouts will then probably become somewhat similar to what iMessages is on Apple’s various platforms.

Source: Android Developers Blog

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Important Helpline Numbers and Links for Cyclone Phailin

Cyclone PhailinTropical Cyclone Phailin will soon make landfall on the east coastal parts of India. The cyclone will affect coastal Odisha and coastal Andhra Pradesh the most. Last time a cyclone hit Odisha, thousands perished. So hopefully this time the authorities and the National Disaster Management Authority is better prepared. Thankfully because of better communications and an active internet community can atleast get information through very quickly.

Here are some useful links to track, find and contribute information regarding Cyclone Phailin.

#1. Helpine Numbers – National Disaster Management Authority

Odisha State Emergency Numbers

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Odisha State Emergency Operation Centre No- 0674-2534177

  • Ganjam- 06811-263978
  • Puri- 06752-223237
  • Jagatsinghpur- 06724-220368
  • Kendrapada- 06727-232803
  • Bhadrak- 06784-251881
  • Balasore- 06782-262674
  • Mayurbhanj- 06792-252759
  • Jajpur- 06728-222648,
  • Cuttack- 0671-2507842
  • Khordha- 06755-220002
  • Nayagarh- 06753-252978
  • Gajapati- 06815-222943
  • Dhenkanal- 06762-221376
  • Keonjhar- 06766-255437

Andhra Pradesh Emergency numbers of Cyclone

  • Srikakulam – 0894-2240557/ 9652838191
  • Visakhapatnam- 1800425002
  • Vizianagaram- 1077/0892-2236947,
  • East Godavari- 0884-2365506
  • West Godavari- 0881230617
  • Krishna- 086722525 Toll Free – 1077,
  • Guntur- 08632345103/08632234990
  • Nellore- 08612331477
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#2. Google Crisis Response Page

Google has crowd-sourced some very useful information to track the cyclone and also has a person finder dedicated for cyclone Phailin.

#3. Other links

As the story is developing we might add more useful information and links to this page. If you have more info to add please do drop in your comments so we can include it.

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Twitter for Android tablets launched on Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

The development of a Twitter for Android tablets has been a sad story since a long time. Twitter for Android tablets was basically Twitter for Android mobile’s stretched version till yesterday. Today, Twitter has announced the launch of Twitter for Android tablets on the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

This tablet-optimized app brings an user interface that packs more details for the users’ advantage. Tweets, conversations, people to follow, trending topics – everything is shown. In the landscape mode, the navigation bar is thrown to the left side. Tapping a tweet brings the tweet’s details along with the multimedia and article previews.

Twitter-Android-tablets

As for now, Twitter for Android tablets is available only for the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. Twitter announced that this app for other Samsung tablets will be coming “soon” and for the rest of the Android tablets – “by the end of this year”

There are two amazing things about this launch. This app will work in the multi-window feature available on the Samsung devices. Also, you can doodle on pictures with the Samsung S-Pen before tweeting the picture.

Twitter-Android-multi-screen

It is obvious that this Twitter app is exclusive for Samsung Galaxy Note but it is only a matter of time, until someone will pull off the APK file and upload it on the web.

What this means to the Android community?

Since Google’s I/O 2013 event, the Android studio, an Integrated Development Environment for Android, has proved to be useful tool for developers to make mobile and tablet optimized apps with ease. It helps them to preview apps made for various sizes screens and also make stage rollout of apps. Currently Android studio is free and is available as an early access preview.

In the case of Apple App Store, all the apps are classified as ‘for iPhone’ and ‘for iPad’. With Twitter’s launch of this tablet optimized app, I believe that other Android developers will follow suit and launch tablet optimized apps soon.

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Apple iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c to be launched in India on 01 Nov

Apple fans in India have some good news coming their way. Apple will launch its flagship iPhone 5s and a the cheaper model iPhone 5c in India on 1st November. Along with India the two phone models will also be available in more countries.

Apple is perceived to have not taken the Indian market very seriously but lately they are definitely launching the products a lot sooner than previous times.

iPhone 5c

The price of iPhone 5s will be definitely on the higher side and could be over Rs. 45,000 or even cross Rs. 50,000. The iPhone 5s with its fingerprint scanner and 64-bit processors. Though all eyes will be on the iPhone 5c model. The phone will ship in different colours and is more or less considered the iPhone 5 with a plastic casing.

The phone will be a lot cheaper than what a new iPhone model usually is. It is expected to be around Rs.35,000. iPhone 5c could be a major factor in Apple’s strategy to get newer smartphone buyers into the iOS ecosystem. Even today,  most Indians prefer a Android phone simple for its range and prices.

Apple will be releasing the new iPhone models just in time for this years Diwali season which is a very wise thing to do. While Apple seems to be finally taking India more seriously, Google has not rested on the success of Android in India. It has also opened new Android stores in Bangalore and Delhi and will be soon opening more across India.

(via Apple)

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Google opens Android retail stores in India partnering with Spice

It’s obvious that Android is growing like crazy in India. That’s not just the low-priced segment, but even the high end phones are getting sold like never before. But in spite of all this, Google never really focused on properly marketing Android in India.

That’s only until now, Google has partnered with Spice, one of the popular Indian Android OEMs, to open retail stores in India.

land

The stores are named ‘Androidland’ and have opened in Bangalore and Delhi on Wednesday. The main focus will be on showcasing Android phones/tablets from a variety of OEMs (Indian and international).

The Androidland staff, called ‘Spice Android gurus’ will be around to help you with setting up your device and explaining what all Android has to offer to you.

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The staff will also recommend apps and let customers download them on the spot. Apparently, Google Play gift cards aren’t yet available in India, but if they were, it could be a win-win situation for Google and customers.

Hopefully, Google will open these stores in more cities and care about India the next time they release a Nexus device.

You can find the exact addresses of the store locations from the link below.

Link: Androidland

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Apple to hold event on October 22nd updating its iPad lineup, Mac Pro and OS X

Apple has got one more event left for their fans, before the year ends. Few months back, they’ve released their most ‘future-proof’ phone yet and it has apparently been sold in scores.

This time, it’s the turn of iPads, Mac Pro, OS X Mavericks and probably even MacBook Pros.

Mac Pro

The report comes from John Paczkowski of AllThingsD, and as he writes, Apple is going to release updates for a lot of products in this event.

iPads of course, will take the centre stage and Apple will make way for iPad 5 and iPad mini 2. Apple supposedly will bring the 64-bit A7 chip and fingerprint sensor to the iPad 5, and a more slimmer design.

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For the Mac enthusiasts, there’s quite a lot of stuff to get excited. Mac Pro, the most powerful, extensible Mac of all time will be released. It should be interesting to see how the sales will be.

I’m genuinely excited about OS X Mavericks. It’ll bring Finder tabs/tags, better battery life, a more faster OS X and lot more small stuff.

Finally, they must be releasing MacBook Pros with haswell processors – which means a huge bump in battery life.

All these are just predictions, though. Apple might just release a crazy new product which no one ever expected. But that’s not the typical Apple.

Link: AllThingsD

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Yahoo Mail rolls out 1 TB storage space: Takes aim at Gmail

Way back when free email services like Hotmail and Yahoo dominated the market, a upstart decided to disrupt the whole scene. Free email services were only offering a mere 2 or 5 MB space for your inbox, Google rolled out Gmail with 1 GB storage. Before Google became the big web giant it hired Marissa Mayer among it’s first few employees.

Marissa Mayer worked on web interface and web server projects but also spent time on some iconic projects like Gmail (source) and Google Maps among other things. Today the same Marissa Mayer is the CEO of Yahoo and now Yahoo is borrowing a page from Gmail and trying to be disruptive by offering a staggering 1 TB storage space with Yahoo Mail.

Yahoo Mail has a new interface with new themes that stay across platforms which other than web include Android, iOS and Windows. The important the changes are the 1 TB storage space, increasing the limit of filters to 200 up from 100 previously.  There is also a new compose layout.

Yahoo Mail New UI

It also allows attachment photos to be previewed in full screen.

Yahoo Mail’s new UI remains consistent on mobile devices. The Android and iPhone apps will also have a new swipe features. Yahoo is harnessing the power of Flickr photos to give beautiful new themes to users.  The 1 TB space is just so much, that it might be very lucrative for small businesses which are shelling out money for a lot less storage space with their email service.

Yahoo Mail on Mobile phones
Yahoo Mail on Mobile phones

Yahoo Mail is very different than it was a year ago and it seems it is finally pulled its socks up. unfortunately Yahoo does does not have its own cloud storage service like Google Drive, but it has a collaboration with Dropbox for allowing users to save attachments from Yahoo mail.

The new features are being rolled out starting today but I have not yet received the new look Yahoo Mail. If you have already got access to the new UI, do drop in your comments your views on it.

via (Yahoo Mail Blog)

Link: Yahoo Mail Android | iOS