Whatsapp Calling - Do more with voice

Talking to people across the globe has never been easier. With voice communication now over a

century old, people are finding ever new ways of communicating. This can be largely contributed to the dawn of the digital age and the advancements in the field of tele-communications.

With platforms like WeChat, Skype and Viber popping up every other day is allowing people to connect over voice every day.

Joining the growing band of VoIP (Voice over IP) providers is Whatsapp (Yes, the app that was acquired by Facebook for over $1 billion recently).

So what does this mean for the users of the most popular messaging app in the world? Well, let's analyze the service provided by Whatsapp.

1. Voice Quality - While providers like Skype have been players in the tele-communication industry for decades, their voice quality as compared to that provided by Viber leaves a lot to be desired.

Having had a chance to use Whatsapp calling, I can say that the messaging service probably jumped the gun when it came to launching a competitor service. Calling devices over EDGE network, I noticed that it took some time for the receiver's device to start ringing and sometimes it did not ring at all.

Voice quality for the messaging platform also leaves a lot to be desired. I noticed a lag of several seconds when both my friend and I were getting good WiFi reception.

2. Video Functionality - While providers like Skype and Viber provide video calling facility also, Whatsapp has released its voice calling feature only. Can we expect Video calling facility probably later? Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

3. Group Calling - Another important aspect of calling is the ability to talk to a group of friends and make plans for oh let's say that long weekend or planning a trip out-of-town. Sadly Whatsapp does not provide this feature either.

All in all, I don't find this feature by Whatsapp to be that great a move. Sure, it's the messaging app of preference for millions or dare I say billions across the globe but on the other hand, if my friends are willing to use any other app that provides all of the above mentioned facilities, I wouldn't mind switching over to the platform.

Android One - Is it THE 1???

Google officially launched their smartphone line dedicated for the masses in the South-East Asian Market this past Monday, 15th September 2014.

The line boasts of hardware that's perfectly tuned for Android. A new kind of smartphone: Android One. A phone with a philosophy.

The line launched keeping in mind the budget constraints of the general populous in a market like India speaks of Hardware specs like 1GB RAM, 4GB Internal Memory (expandable via microSD to 32GB), 5MP primary camera and a 1.3 GHz quad core processor to name a few.

The devices also come with Android 4.4 (kitKat) right out of the box with a promised upgrade to Android L in the future.

All this comes right after Google announced the 2nd Generation of its hugely popular Motorola G smartphone.

With device makers like Micromax, Karbonn Mobiles, Spice and iBall teaming up with the web giant for the first round Android One devices, it will be interesting to see what the masses make of this new introduction to the ever growing market of smartphones.

The Web Giant has also hinted at upcoming Android One devices from Taiwanese Phone Maker HTC.

Bought an Android One device recently? Let me know your thoughts on the new Smartphones.

Stay Tuned here for more updates on Android One.

Windows 8: HOT or NOT

Firstly, sorry about the huge gap between my posts. Been really busy these past few months. Actually more than busy I've just been putting off writing  for a while now.

Anyway, I recently bought a new Windows 8 based system and thought that this is a good opportunity to write about the Operating System. If you follow Tech News, there have been mixed reactions on the new version on the Microsoft based operating system series.

Some say that Windows just took a leap backwards with the ease-of-use aspect after Windows 7 and others say that it offers a wider variety of features as compared to previous version.

Me? I believe that both opinions are justifies. When it comes to going backwards with the ease-of-use functionality, Microsoft should have realized that although the new tiled menu looks beautiful, people are just too used to the Start Menu where all their installed items are neatly listed in their respective folders.

No one except for the slightly advanced users or Mac Users use the spotlight search functionality to look for their apps. It's just a waste of time to them.

However, when it comes to the new features, I really like that you can now view RAW image files as thumbnails without having to install any additional program for the same. I totally dislike that there are no longer any visible 'Close/Quit' buttons on native Windows 8 programs such as photos etc.

I also dislike that when I install Windows 8 for the first time, I don't get an option of choosing if I want to install the Windows 8 add-ons such as weather, finance, news etc. (Major -ve points to Microsoft for this little bother)

However, again since Windows 8 syncs directly to my Hotmail/Microsoft based account without having to take any additional steps (Kind of like Android-based devices), I have all my Skydrive files, Contacts, Mail, Calendar etc all synced right at my first boot. (Even Messengers like Facebook chat & Windows Live Messenger are embedded)

Also love that most of the driver files are packaged within the Windows 8 Installation DVD so I don't have to waste my time searching through a manufacturer's website to download the respective Hardware Drivers.

So, to sum it all up
Pros: Fast Boot, In-built photo editors, RAW image viewers, Support for old software and 32-bit applications
Cons: No customization options for during Windows 8 installation, messy 'Start Menu' for average users.

Overall, I would give the OS a 6.5 rating out of 10.

PS: If you have bought a new Laptop/Desktop with Windows 8 pre-loaded, I would suggest a clean format to get rid of all the manufacturer bloatware.

Hope this helps you take a call on whether to upgrade your system or not. Until next time. Cheers ;)

Swiftkey 3: How fast can you type?

There are a lot of keyboards available for android devices currently and an equally high number users for most of these keyboards too. With most people now jumping onto ICS enabled devices, they general opinion is that the stock android keyboard is well near perfect for your average user (No, the average user does not include individuals in the teens to their late thirties).

For the average user, slang is usually limited to key words like U, Ur, Whr etc. While these words are now part of keyboards in most smartphones, the problem arises when people have to type fast and do not have time to sift through their message to look for mistakes; and in Auto Correct and your sentence usually making some sense turns into your English teachers nightmare.

Take for example the following text I just wrote in the comfort of my office with no pressure. 

(The text reads: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog)

Now add to this equation public transport or crowded streets and you have an extremely embarrassing story to tell your friends when drunk ;)

So what is the solution one might ask? For me, Swiftkey 3 came to the rescue. This nifty little application not only offers you a wide variety of languages to choose from (some the latest offerings being Hindi and Hinglish), it can also connect to your Facebook and Twitter accounts to learn your typing habits as time progresses.

Its like one of those retirement fund advertisements you watch on TV that are supposed to grow with time, only in the case of Swiftkey 3, that really does happen.

And at a special price of US$ 2.40 (50% off Holiday Sale), its well worth the money.

Hey, I bought it and don't regret it one bit.

For more info check out: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.touchtype.swiftkey&feature=top-paid#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDIwNiwiY29tLnRvdWNodHlwZS5zd2lmdGtleSJd

Follow me on twitter: @jds1ngh

Google Play Store receiving consistent updates

So its been a year since I last posted here and there have been massive changes in the smartphone industry. Apple getting a payoff of a billion dollars in their case against Samsung; Apple releasing the iPhone 5 and iOS 6; release of the Nexus 7 tablet and the much awaited Android OS 4.1 code-named Jellybean with a slew of cool features.

I hope to cover some of these new releases in the coming weeks if I get the time, however, in the meanwhile I would like to talk about the Google Play Store and the consistent updates it has been receiving as of late.

First and foremost, Google had released a statement informing users that it will be discontinuing Google Wallet Prepaid Cards and asked users to use up the balance before the stipulated date. In accordance with the same, Google has now released a refund form for Google Wallet Prepaid Card customers which enables them to transfer any remaining balance to their Google Play Store account to be used at any other time. Nifty eh?

Secondly, after the release of Google Play Store Gift cards through various retailers in the US, Google has now allowed users to add credit to their Play Store accounts via the web version of the Play Store. Credit can be purchased in denominations of $5, $10, $15, $25, and $50. Google hopes that this will help customers by allowing them to keep track of their monthly app purchases. Comments? 

In addition to this change, Google has worked on releasing a new web reader for Google Play Magazines. This new reader is intended to be for desktop/laptop use as opposed to the existing setup for smartphones/tablets. The new web reader features a two-pane system that breaks content up into individual articles, columns, and features to make it easier to get to what’s important to you in a given issue. You can also view two pages per page-turn if you want. Nevertheless, Google is intent on delivering the absolute best experience it can of the Google ecosystem to its users. Whether you use your smartphone, a tablet, or prefer the more traditional desktop experience Google wants to make it an enjoyable experience. (Content courtesy: http://www.droiddog.com)

Finally, a Play Store app also allows you to remove apps from the All Apps list under My Apps. Additionally, Google will also be bundling a wishlist for apps as well as a malware scanner, the first of its kind that will allow you to a) Inspect every app you've already downloaded and b) feature a doorman style blocker that will warn you if an app is suspicious.

Update: the new version of the Play Store also includes a wish list feature enabling consumers to place those pricey apps on their wishlist to be gifted to them by near and dear ones ;)

The updated Play Store is now rolling out to all users and should be completed over the next couple of weeks.

Leave your comments here and if you like, you can also follow me on twitter @ jds1ngh

7 Lacs Package after completing a certification course

So Networxx has a new certification course for providing network solution skills to individuals and the benefit of completing this certification?

A whopping 7 Lacs pay package after being hired as a network consultant by any firm.

So what are the skill sets this certification provides you with?

Well here's Khawar Butt, co-founder of network and consultant to some of the top IT firms in the world, like Microsoft filling you in

http://www.hybiz.tv/Khawar-Butt--Networxx/164934

Tweetdeck - is it @ da top of ur tweetlications?

I've been using tweetdeck for over a year now, both desktop and Android applications and I've been using the chrome application on most shared PCs.

Although i really love the Desktop and Chrome versions, the Android version leaves a lot to be desired especially after the Desktop version got an update and Tweetdeck was bought by Twitter.

Few of the things I dislike about the Android version?

Well, for one, on one of the early releases of Tweetdeck Android, whenever I used to update my Foursquare location, the same used to be reflected on Twitter and Facebook. Of course, with the launch of Facebook Places, this was obviously not possible but I wuz still content but now, my Twitter feed no longer gets updated with my Foursquare check-ins even though my Twitter account is linked to Foursquare. However, the desktop account still updates my Twitter feed.

Second, I would really like to c options 4 liking comments on Facebook statuses and not just the status itself. Also, deleting any comment would be an added bonus.

Next, I would like to point my attention to the fact that I cannot access Facebook pages or view my Facebook albums let alone upload any photos to albums. Yeah sure, I can post em to Twitpic or yfrog.

Finally, What about the ability to mention people in Facebook statuses/comments and not only in Twitter updates?

Yeah, I do continue to use Tweetdeck Android for the sheer reason that well the other applications suck more.

But hey, I'm still hopeful coz I believe that the new acquisition by Twitter may just bring along these updates.