Ads to clutter Gmail Android soon

The teardown of the APK file shows that the application is capable of displaying advertisements.

Google has recently rolled out an improved Gmail Android 4.6 version. Now Google is planning to run advertisements on the Gmail application for Android, according to a report of Android Police.

Android Police claims to have torn down an .APK file of Gmail Android app from which it said to have discovered a code that would allow Google to run advertisements on the Gmail application, much like it does on the Gmail for web interface. Google has already included code in the application file that could display advertisements on the application, but they have not yet activated the code. This makes us believe that Google is still considering whether they should go ahead or not.

But considering Gmail today powers the email needs of most of the Android users, Google getting some additional revenue out of it could be possible.

Now will Google add the advertisements as we have seen in most of the freemium applications or will Google devise an entirely new and harmless way of displaying advertisements much like the web version is remains to be seen.

Google with clever placement of advertisements in its web email version has managed to win the hearts of users as advertisements are non-intrusive and if same thing is followed in the Android version then users would not have any issues whatsoever.

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Top 5 Android smartphones between Rs 20K to Rs 30K Aug-Sep

Check out these Android devices that deliver decent performance and bring more value for money in the said price bracket.

Usually, top of the line handsets get a price cut and are slowly phased out of the market when no one notices. However, there are some handsets that continue to deliver great features for performance that bags every bang for the buck spent. These handsets offer little more than value for money and are mostly intended for those who are feeling a bit adventurous.

Android smartphones in the Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 price bracket offer almost all features that are packed in top of the line handsets. Of course, there are a couple of trade-offs, but one can hardly complain about them.

Here is out list of top 5 Android smartphones:

1. LG Google Nexus 4

LG Google Nexus 4 tops our list simply for the Nexus experience and for being a contender for receiving the next major update - Android 4.4 KitKat. The Nexus 4 has a 4.7 inch IPS display with 1280 x 720 pixel native resolution. It is constructed using Corning Gorilla Glass 2 technology. With 9.1 mm thickness, the Nexus 4 packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro mobile processor with 2 GB RAM to run Android 4.3 Jelly Bean smoothly. LG has used a variety of sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, ambient light sensor and digital compass.

At the rear, the phone has an 8 megapixel camera with LED flash and it has a 1.3 megapixel camera in the front. The handset is powered by a 2100 mAh battery that promises about 15 hours of talktime over 3G. The camera of Nexus 4 is not that great compared to other devices and the lack of a micro SD card slot might irk many. 

2. Samsung Galaxy Note II

Samsung's Galaxy Note II has a gorgeous 5.5 inch Super Amoled display and supports 1280 x 720 pixel resolution natively. Samsung has packed a quad core 1.6 GHz Samsung Exynos 4412 mobile chipset with 2 GB RAM. Accompanied by a powerful Mali-400MP graphics chip, this smartphone is expected to get Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update soon. The phablet has an 8 megapixel camera at the back to record full 1080p HD quality videos and there is a 1.9 megapixel camera in the front for video chat.

The Note II supports a variety of audio and video formats out of the box. The phablet packs a beastly 3100 mAh battery that keeps it going even when you use the GPS chip with A-GPS and Glonass.  A large screen area and battery pack drove us to choose this over Samsung Galaxy S III and Galaxy Mega devices.

3. Sony Xperia ZL

Sony quietly introduced the Xperia ZL along with Xperia Z. The difference lies in the fact that Xperia ZL does not offer two key features of Xperia Z - water and dust proofing. ZL has a full 1080p HD resolution 5 inch display built using shatterproof and scratch-resistant glass - mind you, this is not Corning Gorilla Glass. Powered by the Sony Mobile Bravia Engine 2, the display is big enough to let you enjoy the latest games as well as the mobile web. Sony has powered this smartphone with a quad core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro mobile processor with Adreno 320 graphics and 2 GB RAM to deliver an ultimately smooth system and mobile gaming experience. The 13 megapixel camera at the rear with LED flash is still not competitive enough with other handsets, but it can record full HD video and click HDR still photos.

There is a 2 megapixel camera in the front for HD video chat and calls. Other features include high speed 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, infrared port, micro USB 2.0 with MHL support, stereo FM with RDS, GPS with A-GPS and Glonass, a variety of sensors and an NFC chip. Sony has released Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update for this device and the next update is underway. Xperia ZL is powered using a 2370 mAh non-removeable battery and the device packs 16 GB on-board storage with a memory card slot capable of holding a 64 GB micro SD card. This device is one of the few smartphones in the Rs 25,000 price band offering a full 1080 HD display.

4.  HTC Desire 600 dual SIM

HTC recently introduced the Desire 600 dual SIM to join its Desire series in India. The Desire 600 dual SIM supports two micro SIM modules and also offers dual standby mode. Featuring a 4.5 inch Super LCD 2 display, the Desire 600 supports 540 x 960 pixel resolution. HTC has housed a quad core 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 mobile processor which consumes relatively low power and with 1 GB RAM it runs Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean with HTC Sense smoothly. HTC has also added BlinkFeed, Beats Audio enhancements and other features to this handset that offers only 8 GB on-board storage but has a micro SD card slot.

At the rear, there is an 8 megapixel camera that can shoot 720p HD videos and decent still photos. In the front is a 1.6 megapixel camera for video calling. Other features include WiFi, WiFi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0, Stereo FM with RDS, GPS with A-GPS and Glonass support, accelerometer, proximity sensor, and micro USB 2.0 power. HTC has packed an 1860 mAh battery offering run time of above 10 hours. The only handset that comes close to competing with this model is the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini, but it lags behind in terms of build quality. 

5. LG Optimus G

With a close similarity to the Google Nexus 4, the Optimus G has a charm of its own. It has software enhancements such as the QSlide that allow a split-screen experience by letting the user engage on two concurrent tasks. While watching a video, users can zoom in up to five times while the video is being played or streamed. The LG Optimus G features a 4.7 inch True HD IPS PLUS display with a Zerogap Touch technology touchscreen that supports 1280 x 768 pixel resolution natively. The Optimus G also offers a dual screen dual play feature that enables you to watch two different videos wirelessly on each screen: TV and phone. Of course, there is the quick note-taking feature Quick Memo as well. The phone is powered by a quad core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064 mobile processor with a radio chip capable of 2G/3G/LTE. LG has used 2 GB RAM and an Adreno 320 graphics chip for smooth performance with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update.

The phone has a 13 megapixel camera with good low light imaging and voice activated commands to release the shutter. The front facing 1.3 megapixel camera is usable for 720p HD video chat. Other specifications include Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi, A-GPS, MHL and DLNA support, Near Field Communication and USB 2.0 high speed. For longer run time, LG has packed a 2100 mAh battery that promises about 15 hours of talktime.

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LG Google Nexus 5 with 16 GB spotted at Google Play Store

Google lists Nexus 5 16 GB model at the Google Play Store and inadvertently leaked the pricing. The listing was retracted and made offline later.

Google and LG are expected to announce the next generation Nexus 5 smartphone with Android 4.4 KitKat update sometime this month. AndroidPolice caught the glimpse of the Google Nexus 5 listing at the Google Play Store (USA region) before it was pulled back by Google. Here is an interesting bit - Nexus 5 16 GB was listed for $349 (Rs 21,344 approximately) which means the 32 GB version might cost $400 (Rs 24,644 approx) or more.

LG Google Nexus 5 features a 4.95-inch IPS LCD display with 1920x1080 pixel resolution. The listing of the Nexus 5 carried text- Capture the everyday and the epic of fresh new ways.

The Google Play Store link has been disabled as of now but in future will be enabled again for the sale of Nexus 5 smartphone. One thing is quite clear about the pricing of the Nexus 5 - 16 GB for $349. Most likely there would be a $100 difference and thus the 32 GB model might cost about $449 considering the difference in the storage space as well as the battery power.

The Mobile Indian reported about the rumored pricing of the Nexus 5 devices. But with the Google Play Store citing, Google has dropped a bomb on these rumors. Apparently, the Nexus 5 16 GB model will feature 2300 mAh battery while the 32 GB will feature 3000 mAh battery. Considering that, there could be a significant difference in pricing of both devices.

The Nexus 5 will be powered by quad-core 2.3 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 mobile processor with Adreno 330 graphics and 2 GB RAM. Google will launch it with the new Andorid 4.4 KitKat update.

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HTC Desire 7000 series launched

HTC has quietly introduced 5 inch Desire 7000 series smartphones with quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 chipsets, 1 GB RAM and Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.

HTC has announced three new smartphones to add to the existing Desire series. The new HTC Desire 7088, Desire 7060 and Desire 709d smartphones will carry the same internal features with a difference related to appearance as noted by PhoneArena. HTC Desire 7000 series smartphones will have a 5 inch display, quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor and run HTC Sense 5 on top of Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. Though HTC will introduce these devices first in China, we caught a hint of three Desire series devices from an HTC India spokesperson last month.

HTC's three new Desire 7000 series devices will feature a 5 inch display with 540 x 960 pixel resolution. HTC has powered these three smartphones with a quad core 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 system-on-chip paired with Adreno 203 graphics and 1 GB RAM. All three smartphones will run Sense 5.0 user interface layered on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean update.

The unique aspect about these devices is that each gets different physical treatment. For instance, the Desire 7060 will resemble the HTC One with dual speakers in the front; while the Desire 7088 will have a back similar to the Butterfly S. Finally, the Desire 709d seems to carry a textured back panel.

All three devices have an 8 megapixel camera at the back with f/2.0 aperture and HTC Zoe to choose the best snapshot. By default, all three devices have 8 GB on-board storage with a memory card slot capable of holding up to a 64 GB micro SD card. There is a 2.1 megapixel in the front for video calls and chat.

HTC has also packed BoomSound and BlinkFeed features in these devices, with 2100 mAh battery capacity, and all three will have dual SIM support. HTC is yet to announce the prices of these handsets.

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Microsoft launches remote desktop app for mobile devices

The application allows users to access their Windows PCs from their smartphones and tablets.

Microsoft has announced the launch of a remote desktop access application for Android and iOSbased devices. With the remote desktop app users would be able to log on and browse through their desktop, even when it is in a remote location, via internet and browse through the content available on that computer.

This subsystem of remote desktop access is not new but for Microsoft offering it as a free application is what makes it unique. With this application users can be rest assured that all their data is accessible from anywhere in the world on their Android or iOS based devices at a touch of a button. All they would require is a working computer that is connected to an internet source and a mobile device with the Microsoft remote desktop application installed on it.

The application is compatible with the latest Windows 8 operating system and is compatible with older versions of the Windows operating system including Windows 7 and Vista; basically any windows operating system that has remote desktop protocol enabled, allowing the PC to be accessed over Internet.

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Li-Fi, cheaper, safer alternative to Wi-Fi

Through use of light waves data up to 150 Mbps could be transmitted.

Scientist in China have discovered a new way of transmitting data through the use of light instead of radio waves as is being used in WiFi. Named as Li-Fi, the system claims to offer data transfer speed of up to 150 megabits which is almost similar to a generic WiFi system commonly used in homes and offices.

It is said to be cheaper than a WiFi system in terms of hardware apart from reducing level of radio waves that humans are exposed to with the use of high power WiFi systems. Li-Fi system is a combination of infrared based data transfer system and optical fiber based system in one.

A disadvantage of Li-Fi is that in this system the receiver always have to face the transmitter to receive data and since a normal wavelength based light would be used, it might be a source of distraction for users.

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Acer Iconia W4 Windows 8.1 based tablet announced

The tablet, which comes in 32 GB and 64 GB internal storage variants, is said to be start shipping in United States from this month itself.

A day after Lenovo announced its Windows 8.1 based tablet called Miix 2, Acer has now announced a tablet with the same operating system, called as Iconia W4.

The tablet, which comes in 32 GB and 64 GB internal storage variants, is said to be start shipping in United States from this month itself. As per reports, the 32 GB variant of the Acer Iconia W4 is priced at $329.99 or Rs 20,200 approximately while the 64 GB variant is to cost $379.99 or Rs 23,300 approximately. It is to be noted that the current Acer Iconia W3 (32 GB) is available in India for around Rs 27,000.

Acer Iconia W4 comes with an 8 inch display with 1280x800 pixels resolution. It has 1.8 GHz Intel fourth generation Atom processor which is run by Windows 8.1 operating system. Both the 32 GB and 64 GB versions also come with a micro SD card slot which can be used to expand its memory to up to 32 GB. The tablet has a 5 megapixel rear and 2 megapixel front camera as well.

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