Microsoft Lumia 535: 5 Reasons Why You Should Buy the Company's First Non-Nokia Smartphone

Lumia 535 is very special to Microsoft as it is the first non-Nokia Lumia smartphone from the company.

Windows phones have been in the market for long but they haven't been able to grab the expected market share that Microsoft wanted. Later entrants Android and iOS did much better than Microsoft Windows phones.

And now that Microsoft is in complete control of the hardware specifications and software features, the company released Lumia 535. Priced at Rs. 9199, the Lumia 535 is a successor to Lumia's budget smartphones 520 and 530.

1. Voice and Skype integration- Microsoft Lumia 535 features a seamless integration between voice calling and Skype calls. A user can shift to VOIP calling direct from the voice only calling screen. While the data rates in India are affordable, the easy Skype access will certainly impress the techno-unfriendly users.
2. XBOX Connectivity- All Lumia based smartphones have XBOX connectivity, but a sub-10k device with a quad-core processor is impressive.
3. Camera- A front camera was the key missing feature of the previous generation Lumia 530 phone. Making amends, Microsoft has featured a wide-angle 5 MP front camera in Lumia 535. We tested the camera yesterday and found it really impressive, particularly while clicking wide angle photographs.
4. Software Integration- the Lumia 535 comes pre-loaded with live Office suite, the most significant software ever made by Microsoft. Office suite is a must have feature. The Lumia 535 also features 15 GB of additional OneDrive Cloud storage which will certainly help the user to manage their documents and multimedia content. The user can also buy 1TB of OneDrive storage later by paying an annual fee of Rs. 799. Another significant feature of Lumia 535 is the Microsoft Outlook.
5. Operating System- Microsoft Lumia 535 runs on the latest Microsoft Mobile OS Lumia Denim 8.1. The Denim update features an improved interface with better software-hardware integration. Microsoft has also promised to deliver the Windows Mobile 10 very soon with lots of improvements. And Lumia 535 is sure get the upgrade.

 Key Specifications:

Operating System	Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Denim
Display	5-inch qHD 960x540 pixels
Processor	1.2 GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200
Camera	5 MP Rear + 5 MP front
Memory	8 GB in-built + 15 GB OneDrive + MicroSD support up to 128 GB
Battery	1905 mAh Battery
Extra Feature	Free global HERE maps and HERE drive

Source:International Bussiness Times

iOS 8 strikes an unexpected blow against location tracking

It wasn't touted onstage, but a new iOS 8 feature is set to cause havoc for location trackers, and score a major win for privacy. As spotted by Frederic Jacobs, the changes have to do with the MAC address used to identify devices within networks. When iOS 8 devices look for a connection, they randomize that address, effectively disguising any trace of the real device until it decides to connect to a network.

ANY PHONE USING IOS 8 WILL BE INVISIBLE TO THE PROCESS

Why are iPhones checking out Wi-Fi networks in disguise? Because there's an entire industry devoted to tracking customers through that signal. As The New York Times reported last summer, shops from Nordstrom's to JC Penney have tried out the system. (London even tried out a system using public trash cans.) The system automatically logs any phone within Wi-Fi range, giving stores a complete record of who walked into the shop and when. But any phone using iOS 8 will be invisible to the process, potentially calling the whole system into question.

A PRIVACY WIN FOR APPLE

Combined with inventory and in-store video, the records are immensely valuable to stores as marketing data, and companies like Euclid Analytics and Path Intelligence have made an industry out of providing them. But now that Apple has embraced MAC spoofing, the practice of Wi-Fi sniffing may stop working entirely. With more than one in three US smartphones running iOS, and a notoriously fast adoption cycle for new operating systems, any data collected is likely to leave out a huge sector of the population.

The result is a privacy win for Apple users and a major blow against data marketing — and all it took was an automatic update.

Samsung Z smartphone will have Tizen OS instead of Android

Well, it looks like Samsung finally managed to do what it has been trying to do for a painfully long time — the Korean manufacturer has made its first Tizen-powered phone official. Called the Samsung Z, the phone features a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED display of 1280×720 resolution and is powered a quad-core 2.3GHz processor (most like a Snapdragon 800), and runs on version 2.2.1 of Tizen. The Z comes with a new look that should come as a breath of fresh air for those who have gotten bored of Samsung’s design language on Android devices (let’s face it, who hasn’t?), though the overall design seems to be along the same lines as the company’s previous efforts.

The Samsung Z also sports a fingerprint and heart rate sensor and comes with features such as Download Booster and Ultra Power Saving Mode, things that debuted on the Galaxy S5. The hardware specs include2GB of RAM, an 8-megapixel camera with the usual camera modes that we’ve seen on Samsung’s Android phones (and a 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera), 16GB of internal storage and a microSD slot, connectivity features including LTE-A, NFC and an IR sensor, and a 2,600 mAh battery. It’s basically a mix of the previous three Galaxy S flagships, and for a first device with a new OS, doesn’t really have anything impressive or different to offer.

As for Tizen itself, Samsung is touting fast, optimal performance with “improved memory management”, a quality web browsing experience, a “distinctive home and application layout,” and the ability to customize how the interface looks using built-in themes. Just how good an experience Tizen offers in real-world usage remains to be seen, though we’re hoping it’s not as resource-heavy or bloated as the software on Samsung’s Android phones,

Like the hardware on the Samsung Z, Tizen doesn’t really seem to bring anything new to the table, but that isn’t exactly surprising considering Samsung would want its consumers to have a similar experience no matter which OS they choose (though the lack of the Galaxy branding might mean consumers won’t be that attracted to Tizen at the moment.) Even the overall look and feel of the software remains similar, which would certainly help in keeping the learning curve for users to a minimum.

The Z will launch in Russia in Q3 and expand to other markets later on, and will also be showcased at Samsung’s Tizen developer conference on June 3rd. However, as Samsung has said in the past, don’t expect to see any Tizen phone in the US and some European markets, as the Korean manufacturer doesn’t believe such markets are ready for a new OS yet. Pricing details weren’t announced, but we’re guessing it will be similarly priced to Samsung’s Android flagships.

So, who’s looking forward to buying the Samsung Z?

Google Nexus 5 'official' Play Store listing reveals price tag

Google's much awaited next-generation
Nexus phone, the Nexus 5 has already
made an online appearance.
Interestingly, the leak comes from not
any other source but Google, as the
phone was accidentally listed on the
Play Store, the company's content,
services and device marketplace.

The
listing appeared for select users and
was pulled by Google after it realised
it's made a faux pas.

The listing even revealed the pricing of
the Nexus 5's 16GB model, which was
listed at $349. The listing showcases
the phone in its full glory offering a
nice look at the phone's rear, front
and left edge.

The pictured device's
form factor is in line with previous
leaks with the back sporting the Nexus
and LG branding and the display
running a version of Android that
matches the leaked Android 4.4 KitKat
screenshots complete with the
transparent navigation key bar and
new icons.

Confirming some more rumours, the
Home screen of the phone doesn't
feature an icon for Messaging, which
appears to have been replaced by the
Hangouts app, as suggested by the
presence of its icon.

The link that should have fetched
details related to the features and
specifications of the device was not
working, so we'll probably have to wait
for these details till Google announces
the phone.

A recent report had suggested that
the Nexus 5 might be priced at $399
for the 16GB model, while the 32GB
model would come at $499, but that
looks to have been proven wrong with
this accidental listing.

Last week, another report claimed that
Google might release Android 4.4
, the latest iteration of its mobile and
tablet operating system, on October 28.
So it's likely that the company will also
announce the Nexus 5 at the same
event.

Earlier this week, t he Nexus 5 was
pictured in new leaked images
that revealed rear and side panels.
Rumoured specifications of the Nexus 5
include a 4.95-inch full-HD (1080p) IPS
LCD display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800
quad-core processor clocked at 2.3GHz,
2GB of RAM, 8-megapixel rear camera
with OIS and a 1.3-megapixel front-
facing camera. The alleged Nexus 4
successor has also been expected to
include a host of sensors like ambient
light, proximity, pressure as well as
accelerometer, compass, notification
LED and gyroscope.

Tim Cook reflects on second anniversary of Steve Jobs' death

Apple CEO Tim Cook used the eve of
second anniversary of Steve Jobs'
death to write an email to all Apple
employees, reflecting on the moment.
Cook told employees that Steve would
be "proud of all of you" and everyone
should honour Jobs' memory by
"dedicating ourselves to the work he
loved so much." Here's the full copy of
the letter obtained by 9to5mac .

Team-
Tomorrow marks the second
anniversary of Steve's death. I
hope everyone will reflect on
what he meant to all of us and to
the world. Steve was an amazing
human being and left the world a
better place.I think of him often
and find enormous strength in
memories of his friendship, vision
and leadership. He left behind a
company that only he could have
built and his spirit will forever be
the foundation of Apple. We will
continue to honor his memory by
dedicating ourselves to the work
he loved so much. There is no
higher tribute to his memory. I
know that he would be proud of
all of you.
Best, Tim

In 2012, Apple remembered Steve Jobs
with a video tribute
and a message from Cook on its
homepage.
On Saturday, two years to the day
that Steve Jobs passed away, Cook took
to Twitter to share thoughts more
personal in nature, saying he would be
using the day to reflect back on his
friendship with Steve and the "dents"
Jobs made in the universe.

Second anniversary of Steve's
death. Going on a long hike today
and reflecting on his friendship
and all the dents he made in the
universe.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) October
5, 2013

The remark is an obvious reference to
one of Steve Jobs' iconic quotes, who
once said, "We're here to put a dent in
the universe. Otherwise why else even
be here?"

Android Sneaks Onto the Desktop in Giant HP Tablet

It's a tablet! It's a desktop PC!
Actually, the new Android-powered HP
Slate 21 is a little of both. Featuring a
Nvidia Tegra 4 processor and a
kickstand to prop it up on the desk,
the device targets primarily home
users. "This is the rich experience
consumers really want," said Jim
McGregor, principal analyst at Tirias
Research. "I would expect to see more
of this."
T he line separating the mobile and
desktop computing worlds has
become increasingly blurred in recent
months, and HP on Monday unveiled a
brand-new all-in-one PC that
continues that trend.
Announced during its HP World Tour
event in Beijing, the HP Slate 21 tablet
is powered not by Windows but by
Google's Android. It's also designed
for use on the desktop, with a
kickstand in back to prop it up.
The HP Slate 21 is due to begin
shipping in September; pricing will be
US$399. HP did not respond to our
request for further details.
'A Great Laptop Replacement'
Equipped with a Nvidia Tegra 4 mobile
processor, the Slate 21 features a full
21.5-inch HD touchscreen that
supports intelligent 10-point touch
functionality. The device's "memory
hinge," meanwhile, allows users to
adjust the viewing angle by hand
between 15 and 70 degrees.
Android 4.2.2 is the operating system
for the device, which also includes
8GB of memory, an SD card slot, three
USB 2.0 ports, built-in dual speakers,
a webcam and wireless printing
capabilities. KingSoft office software
comes bundled with the device.
The Slate 21 is aimed primarily at
home users interested in
entertainment and content sharing, HP
said. As many as five user profiles
can be maintained on the device,
enabling each to keep their apps and
files separate.
"As tablets are becoming more
powerful and useful, it becomes
natural to attach keyboards to
supplement the touch screen," Roger
Entner, principal analyst at Recon
Analytics, told TechNewsWorld. "Once
you do that, the tablet become a great
laptop replacement for playing casual
games or word processing."
The most likely users of the Slate 21
are consumers and "light-computing
professionals who value high
mobility," Entner added.
'They Hate Waiting'
Indeed, young consumers are more
likely to take to a device like this
because they are "more accustomed
to using their mobile devices as their
primary computing platform," Jim
McGregor, principal analyst at Tirias
Research, told TechNewsWorld.
"My sons would probably love it
because I started them out on Google
Apps rather than Microsoft Office, and
they would rather use a mobile device
because they hate waiting for a PC to
boot," he explained.
It's about time someone came out
with a device like this, McGregor
added.
'Expect to See More'
"You have to remember that computing
is changing drastically," he said.
"When you think about computing
devices these days, the best are really
our smartphones and tablets."
This move, then, essentially "extends
the same experience no matter what
the architecture, to desktop or
clamshell PC or TV or whatever."
Users will still be "stuck with apps
that were really designed for mobile,"
McGregor pointed out.
Still, the use of a Tegra 4 is
compelling, "not to mention integrated
Nvidia graphics," he said.
In short, "this is the rich experience
consumers really want," McGregor
concluded. "I would expect to see
more of this."