10 tips to improve your cellphone battery life

We all want high-performing phones that we can use to make tons of phone calls as well as run lots of apps, stream music, and surf the web, and have the battery last for a few days. But unless you want to go back to Zach Morris-style headsets (which could house super-large batteries), we'll have to settle for recharging at least once a day.
But there are things you can  do to increase the battery life of your phone. Here are our 10 top tips:

1. Be more aware. Make sure you close out of all apps when you're not using them. For the iPhone, you double tap on the Home button, hold down the icon of the program you want to close until a red sign comes up, and then tap on that. It's also smart to install a basic app on your phone to monitor what applications you're using that are draining the battery the most.
On an iPhone, for the most basic information, go to your Home Screen, Settings, General, Usage, time since last full charge and see just how much you use your phone and how much standby time you have. Other phone brands have similar settings for monitoring usage.

Wipro unveils slimmest ultrabook

Wipro Infotech unveiled what it claimed to be India's first and slimmest ultrabook for the domestic market spanning enterprise and retail segments.

Google Android 5.0 coming soon in Q2

Even as Google's Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) operating system is yet to fully take off, the news of its successor is already doing rounds. 

According to a report in Taiwan's DigiTimes,Google is readying the launch of Android 5.0 dubbed Jelly Bean in the second quarter of this year.

The report, quoting Taiwan-based supply chain makers, reveals that Google is reportedly asking users to adopt Android 5.0 and Windows 8 in the same tablet PC. Software giant Microsoft is scheduled to unveil a test version of its Windows 8 operating software later this month.

While Android 4.0 brings a bunch of new features for tablets as well as smartphones, Android 5.0 is likely to be further optimized for tablet PCs. The report states that Google plans to integrate its Chrome system functions to push dual-operating system designs.

Apple working on 8 inch iPad

Apple, the California based computer and mobile equipment manufacturer, reportedly is working on a smaller version of its iPad tablet. The smaller tablet apparently will not be similar to any other tablets in the market and will feature an 8 inch display.

Wall Street Journal got the information from several of the hardware suppliers who supply components to Apple. According to the suppliers, the resolution of the new iPad will be similar to the one featured on the iPad 2 that comes with a 9.7 inch display.

Apple tops world's most innovative cos list

India-based Narayana Hrudayalaya (No.36) and RedBus (No.48) have been ranked among 'The world's 50 most innovative companies' list compiled by US business magazine, Fast Company. "Narayana Hrudayalaya is Walmart meets Mother Teresa," Fast Company said.

10 car innovations in widespread use today

Our cars are faster, smarter and most importantly, safer, thanks to these 10 innovations.

ABS Brakes

1. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)Found in almost all but the cheapest cars, ABS is a simple “anti-lock” system that gives drivers the capability to steer around danger under hard braking by preventing the wheels from locking up. The modern evolution of the ABS sees it being paired up with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), a system which can vary the amount of braking force applied to each wheel.

Goliath new Samsung Note phone causes rift amongst gadget junkies

When Apple introduced the iPhone way back in 2007, many consumers with tiny-screened feature phones wondered why they would ever need a huge 3.5" screen on a mobile device. Fast forward to 2012, and almost every new Android handset to hit the market pushes display size past the 4" barrier, and smartphone users have seemingly grown accustomed to lugging widescreen hardware with them wherever they go.
Samsung — the company behind the 4.65" Galaxy Nexus — has no problem pushing the envelope, and that's exactly what it did with the Galaxy Note. Sporting an almost laughable 5.3" screen, the gigantic 4G LTE phone could easily be mistaken for a tablet, and even Samsung's own marketing suggests it's meant to occupy both spaces. Its display is 51% bigger than the iPhone's, making it a challenge to hold for those with modestly-sized mitts.

Cheapest Indian Android ICS tablet iBerry Auxus coming soon

Chennai based iBerry India, a brand associated with the manufacture of low cost Android tablets in the country, will launch its first Google Ice Cream Sandwich tablet for the Indian audience in the coming month.

While talking to The Mobile Indian, iBerry India spokesperson Musthafa Kamal informed us that "iBerry India is getting ready for the launch of its first Google Ice Cream Sandwich based tablet, which will take place in the month of March. This will also be the cheapest ICS based tablet with a price tag of about Rs 10,000."

Initially, iBerry entered the Indian market with two Android models, the BT07 7 inch version and the BT10 10 inch tablet, which were launched last year during September. Following the launch of the ICS based tablet, iBerry has plans to launch a slew of new products in the Indian market in the times to come.

Review: PlayStation Vita puts big-time gaming in the palm of your hand

When Sony entered the portable gaming market with the PlayStation Portable way back in 2005, its sexy screen and sleek design made it an instantly desirable product. But over time, a lack of consistent, quality features and somewhat patchwork control scheme lent the device more of a novelty status, as opposed to being a platform for hot new titles. With the PlayStation Vita, Sony clearly set out to correct the issues with the aging PSP — but did it hit a bullseye, or is this just a shot in the dark?

Tesla Model X reveal

LOS ANGELES— On February 10,2012 design and engineering studio for Tesla Motors (TSLA), CEO Elon Musk revealed his company's next space-age creation. Dubbed the Model X, it's an all-electric crossover/sport-utility/category-defying vehicle that features dual-motor all-wheel-drive, three rows of seating for up to seven passengers, and roof-hinged rear "falcon wing" doors (named after the Falcon rocket from sister company SpaceX).

Apple to reveal latest iPad in March

Apple Inc plans to introduce its latest iPad tablet at an event in the first week in March, the website AllThingsD reported, citing unnamed sources.
The event will be held in San Francisco, likely at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, which is Apple's preferred site for product launches, the website said.
An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.
Apple has typically introduced the latest versions of its iPad in the first few months of the year. The current iPad 2 was introduced on March 2, 2011. The original iPad was introduced at the end of January 2010.
Apple's iPad dominates the nascent market for tablets even though deep-pocketed rivals are taking aim at the lucrative segment. Amazon.com Inc's Kindle Fire, which sells at half the cost of an iPad, has chipped away at the lower end of the tablet market.
Apple iPad tablet sales doubled in the December quarter to 15.43 million units from a year earlier.

Best cars for commuters 2012

The Tesla and SpaceX founder released his $109,000 electric Roadster last year, but a new project, the Model S sedan, could be the perfect thing for eco-minded commuters:  its 85 kWh motor has a range of 300 miles on one charge and will go 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds.

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Add in a plush Nappa leather interior, seven-speaker sound system and 17-inch center console (it looks like an iPad), and you might even start to look forward to those mornings spent enduring exhaust fumes on the 405.
Musk, for his part, says the car itself will be much more than just endurable.
"You want people to buy the car because it is the best car," he says. "You don't want them saying, I'm going to accept something else just because it's electric."
The best part about it? After tax rebates, the base version Model S will cost less than $50,000, with the performance version costing $79,900.
Unfortunately, it won't be available until later this year—and there's a considerable waiting list. Until then, consider the Toyota Prius, Chevrolet Volt, or Ford Fusion for weekday jaunts. Along with six others, they made our list of the year's best cars for commuting.

Microsoft removes start button in Windows 8

Say goodbye to the Windows start button. Microsoft has gotten rid of it from the latest build of Windows 8.

Hitting the Web over the weekend, screenshots of the new Windows 8 build display the "super bar," but without the start button orb on the left, according to The Verge. Build 8220 will be the final version released before the beta, now known as the Consumer Preview, debuts before the end of the month.

Until its untimely (or timely) death, the Windows 8 start button located in the Metro UI offered access to the search, share, devices, and settings panels. The Windows start button in the desktop simply returned you to the Metro UI.

NASA's superb futuristic aircraft designs

Our ability to fly at supersonic speeds over land in civil aircraft depends on our ability to reduce the level of sonic booms. NASA has been exploring a variety of options for quieting the boom, starting with design concepts and moving through wind tunnel tests to flight tests of new technologies. This rendering of a possible future civil supersonic transport shows a vehicle that is shaped to reduce the sonic shockwave signature and also to reduce drag. 

Top 5 feature phones below Rs 5,000

In the under-Rs 5,000 segment you will find hundreds of mobile phones. However, most of them turn out to be paper tigers with impressive specifications but poor performance.
So we chose phones that have a useful list of features but also boast top notch quality.

Nokia C2-03 Touch and Type (Rs 4,425)

This is the most searched phone on The Mobile Indian (ranks 15th,) and that speaks volumes about its popularity. The phone is a touch and type slider device based on Nokia S40 operating system.
It offers dual SIM functionality, but unlike other dual SIM phones, this one does not require you to switch off the phone to change SIM cards. In fact, the second SIM card slot is located on the left edge of the device. The phone can remember the settings for up to five separate SIM cards. It has a 2 megapixel camera, which takes decent pictures, and the device supports a 32 GB micro SD card as well. It is powered by a 1020 mAh battery that can easily give you two days of backup with average use.
C2-03 has a 2.6 inch display which hides a multi-tap keypad under it. You can use a stylus to navigate the menu on the phone's resistive touchscreen.
There are GPRS and Edge internet connectivity on the Nokia C2-03; while for file transfers you can use Bluetooth or USB. 

Everything Apple Must Change Before I Buy An iPhone 5

Many of us were really close to upgrading our iPhone 4 when the 4S launched last year.
Not because we were dying for the upgrade, but because most were getting sick of AT&T's horrible service in New York. They wanted an excuse to make the move to Verizon.
But for me, the upgrade didn't make sense. I, like many other current iPhone 4 owners, was hoping for a bit more from Apple.
Luckily, it looks like the next iPhone could arrive as early as this summer, according to some new rumors. I might not have to wait as long as I thought.
Before I do upgrade though, I have a few demands for the next iPhone. Keep reading to see what I want.

$1.7 million Aston Martin One-77

Just because you're behind the wheel of a $1.7 million supercar doesn't mean you know how to drive it. Watch as the driver of this Aston Martin One-77 repeatedly stalls on the streets of Paris.

We don't understand how this driver and this other One-77 owner can stall a car that doesn't even have a clutch pedal for its automated manual gearbox. 

Maybe Aston should have invested in a double clutch transmission -- or engine controls that wouldn't bog its 750-hp V-12 on a city street.

Someday, you'll wish you owned these cars

1. Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Sticker price: $54,095
Of all the new cars that sell for under $100,000 today, these 10 are most likely to become highly collectible in the future, according to the expects at Hagerty Insurance, a collector car insurance company.
Most of the cars on this list are high-performance special editions. While relatively affordable, these cars are still rare and exciting.
Take the Camaro ZL1 for example. For some performance coupe buyers, only the most powerful version will do. For them, General Motors is providing the ZL1 with its 580-horsepower V-8.

2. Buick Regal GS

Sticker price: $32,535
Not too long ago, Buicks were strictly targeted at retirees. Not this one. The Regal GS provides surprising performance and is available with a six-speed manual transmission. It's been a while since Buick's offered cars with clutch pedals.

Top 5 upcoming tablets

Eyeing the increasing competition, we may also expect manufacturers to keep the prices of expected tablets reasonable.
Despite lower than expected sales, Android tablets remain hot favourites of the handsets vendors - this further gains ground if we look at the number of tablets lined up for launch this year.

Moreover, these new tablets are likely to come with better design and features. Eyeing the increasing competition, we may also expect manufacturers to keep the prices very reasonable.

Sony Tablet P

 This one has already been announced and will be available within next 10-15 days in India. The biggest USP of this tablet is its form factor. It has two screens measuring 5 inch each; together they give you 10 inch space and when folded gives you a form factor of a large smartphone. How it performs in the market is something that needs to seen but this PSP (Playstation) certified certainly has a lot going for it.

Under the skin, this tablet houses a dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 mobile processor and runs on Android Honeycomb OS. Sony P has a 5 megapixel camera at the back and a 0.3 megapixel camera in the front. It has quite a unique design and the interface is programmed to use both the screens combined and individually.

The device, with both 3G and WiFi connectivity, will cost Rs 36,990 but might not be liked by many users because in a time when high end feature phones come with around 4 GB of internal memory they would expect a tablet to have minimum 16 GB of internal storage capacity.

Bus-Size Asteroid to Gave Earth Close Shave on Jan. 27

Newly discovered asteroid 2012 BX34 (whose orbit is represented by blue line) came within 0.17 lunar distances of Earth on Jan 27, 2012

A small asteroid will make an extremely close pass by Earth Friday (Jan. 27), coming much nearer than the moon, but the space rock poses no danger of impacting our planet, NASA scientists say.

The newfound asteroid 2012 BX34, which is about the size of a city bus, will pass within 36,750 miles (59,044 kilometers) of Earth at about 10:30 a.m. EST (1530 GMT) Friday, astronomers with NASA's Asteroid Watch program announced via Twitter.

The space rock is about 36 feet (11 meters) wide, making it much too small to pose a threat to Earth.

"It wouldn't get through our atmosphere intact even if it dared to try," Asteroid Watch scientists tweeted today (Jan. 26). Asteroid Watch is based at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.

Asteroid 2012 BX34 will zip by at a distance about 0.17 times that separating Earth and the moon. The moon orbits Earth at an average distance of about 240,000 miles (386,000 km).

Top 5 Android mobile phones under Rs 10K for Dec & Jan

Almost a year ago, Android phones under the Rs 10,000 category were not great enough to attract consumer attention. With sluggish performance due to myriad hardware models and delayed updates, several users preferred to wait till good Android handsets showed up in that price range.

Now we have a range of relatively powerful mobile phones that can run the latest Android OS smoothly. It is indeed very important to know the version of Android the mobile phone uses to make the best of it.

Android phones under Rs 10,000 are expected to have a feature rich package. They need to have a reasonably large capacitive touchscreen, decent processor, at least 3.2 megapixel camera and, of course, a recent version of Android OS.

Here is a list of the best mobile phones one must consider while buying a new Android phone for Rs 10,000 or less.

LG Optimus Net P690 (Rs 9,999)

 

 

Successor to the popular Optimus One, the new Optimus Net P690 has instantly been accepted as a budget friendly smartphone, mostly because the phone is a feature rich package. Optimus Net P690 has a 3.2 inch touchscreen display with 320 x 480 pixel resolution and runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system.

Under the slim chassis, Optimus Net houses an 800 MHz mobile processor along with 512 MB of RAM, which is a good enough combination to run Android 2.3 Gingerbread smoothly. If third party developers get interested in this device then perhaps a custom ROM with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich might be supported on it.

Supporting 3G networks, Optimus Net offers wireless connectivity via WiFi and Bluetooth 3.0 as well. LG has used a 3.15 megapixel camera at its rear for decent quality photos to be uploaded and shared on social networks.

Finally, a mobile phone with a seemingly fast processor, decent camera and capacitive touchscreen should be your best bet if you plan to spend under five figures.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Several outlets have had a chance to take the wheel of the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, and we concur with the consensus that General Motors has built a world-class sports car on a pony-car budget. What we haven't seen yet is anyone who's captured on video the experience of hurtling the ZL1 down the drag strip, all 580 horses in full gallop. That ends now.

If you think the ZL1's visage seems familiar, it's because director Michael Bay chose it for Bumblebee's look in the new "Transformers" movies before GM even went bankrupt. Those financial problems delayed the ZL1's arrival until this week, when the first production models began rolling from the plant in Oshawa, Ontario.

Apple beat Google Smartphones

Suppliers basked in the reflection of Apple's glowing results on Wednesday after the company's gold standard iPhones and iPads flew off the shelves over the holiday sales season.
Apple's forecast-beating fourth-quarter figures late on Tuesday helped it to beat Google's Android as the largest smartphone platform in the United States and to regain the world's largest smartphone maker spot from Samsung.
Apple's results were spearheaded by sales of the iPhone 4S, which is packed with technology from British chip designer ARM, said analyst Nick James at Numis.
Apple accounts for about 10 percent of ARM's technology revenues, and for about 35 percent of graphics and video chip designer Imagination's technology revenues, he said.