Google will now run a wireless business

Google, the world’s top search engine, seems to have ambitions that are far reaching. Through a consortium with T-Mobile and Sprint, Google will now run a wireless business offering mobile phone plans to consumers. A report published in the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday reveals that Google’s wireless service will “resell” airtime that Sprint and T-Mobile provide within their networks.

The company’s significant involvement with smartphones through Android platform, the highest used in the world, has already made Google an able player in the cellular network business. All it has to do is exploit the competition between T-Mobile and Sprint and achieve rock bottom prices.

There are speculations within the industry analysts on what impact Google’s entry into the wireless business will have on the market. There are implications of price reduction and increased network speed for consumers. Dominating forces like AT&T and Verizon may be inclined to offer better packages to retain their customers.

Google is aiming at becoming an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) that uses its own brand to sell wireless services without managing the network. MVNO is much like a platform where service providers and buyers meet. Its partners will provide the infrastructure and Google will bring in customers.

Google is not yet registered as a wireless carrier in any of the states; obtaining one will be necessary to operate as an MVNO. It is not clear whether the tech giant will be adding new technology to improve services provided by its partners. Nevertheless, by integrating a huge customer base, Google definitely will be able to offer attractive packages to consumers.

You can now use WhatsApp on desktop

The popular mobile messaging service WhatsApp has extended its users’ reach beyond their smartphones; users will now be able to use WhatsApp on desktop as well. Acquired by the social media giant Facebook less than a year ago, WhatsApp has launched a web client version that will allow users to simultaneously send and receive messages from their smartphones and a desktop computer. However, the only browser it will work on, for now, is Google Chrome.

Another big news is that WhatsApp users who have installed it in iOS based devices (iPhones) will be left out because of iOS “platform restriction”.

This mobile messaging app is primarily based on phone numbers. The web client has been set up to function as an extension of users’ phone based accounts. With this newly introduced feature of WhatsApp, users will be able to switch between their mobile devices and desktops for messaging through WhatsApp any time based on their convenience.

To connect the web browser to the app, users will just need to open http://web.whatsapp.com in Google Chrome; it will provide them a QR code. They will be able to access their respective WhatsApp accounts on desktop as soon as the code is scanned.

You need to make sure that your phone is connected to the Internet, otherwise the web client wouldn’t work. In order to pair mobile devices with desktops for using WhatsApp, users are advised to install the latest version of the app.

WhatsApp is said to have about 500 million subscribers; this small addition might make the app even more popular globally.

Qualcomm will be improving its Snapdragon 810 SoC for Samsung smartphones

It was rumored during the production of Qualcomm’s flagship chips that there was a possibility that the company would be delaying the supply of its Snapdragon 810 chipset due to overheating and GPU driver issues. While several OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) have not prevented themselves from assimilating Qualcomm’s latest offering to their devices, such as LG’s G Flex 2 and Xiaomi’s recently announced flagship phone, the Mi Note Pro, Samsung seems to be having a hard time being convinced regarding the reliability of the company’s chip.

LG stated earlier that it will be working on future designs to make sure that there is a way to quickly dissipate the heat generated from the chip. Samsung was reported to drop Qualcomm’s chips in favor of its own Exynos chipset. However, it looks like Qualcomm will be looking to adopt a whole new design on addressing the heat issues on its chip as well as coming up with a way to eliminate the Adreno 430 GPU driver issues.

Qualcomm currently possesses 66 percent of the mobile chipset market and since Samsung is the world largest Android smartphone maker, it can be speculated that Samsung will not be willing to adopt Qualcomm’s solution in order to increase the grip, notoriety and market share of its own homegrown chipsets.

According to LG, a heating issue should not directly be the responsibility of the ‘system on a chip’ because the smartphone’s design also impacts on the level of heat generated within the chassis of the device.

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S6, which will feature a premium design as well as being rumored to possess two curved edged displays and 4 GB of RAM, was going to house Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 chipset. However, if Qualcomm is not able to bring a solution to mitigate the heating issue, the Samsung will have no choice but to incorporate its own flagship chipset.

Google explains why it is not fixing the web security present in older Android versions

It was revealed earlier this month that Android devices that are running anything lower than the Google KitKat update are vulnerable to a fundamental security flaw. Turns out that the advertising giant Google is not ready to improve security for Android users, leaving them to be eaten by the sharks. Now, the tech giant has revealed why it has prevented itself from releasing those extra security measures.

Google’s Android Security Chief, Adrian Ludwig has explained that it is no longer an effective method to start rolling out safety patches for the previous Android updates because it will require tremendous amounts of coding that will not only take an exorbitant amount of time to complete, but it will not help in securing Android devices running anything lower than the company’s KitKat version as well.

However, before Android users who are running obsolete versions of the operating system seclude themselves in a corner, Ludwig does have a few suggestions for Android smartphone users that he feels will work in their favor. First and foremost, users should only continue to use those web browsers that do not use WebView but still get updates, like Chrome and Firefox.

While using such browsers, hackers will not be able to manipulate the vulnerable software if users aren’t using it. In addition to this, users who are unable to understand the first part can always try discarding their existing stock Android ROM and switching to a 3rd party developer’s ROMs such as those made by Cyanogen (if they can learn the art of rooting and installing custom ROMs). Since custom ROMs will be based on the Google operating system updates, users will still be protected when they are using web browsers.

Still, it is always a good practice to remove cookies and clear the cache after users are done with their browser session.

This keyboard can recognize your typing style

A team of researchers from GIT (Georgia Institute of Technology) and CAS (Chinese Academy of Sciences) along with scientists from the University of California has come up with a keyboard prototype. This “smart” keyboard can recognize typing style of people due to its ability to sense touch; it is also capable of generating energy to power itself. What’s more, its dirt repelling coating allows the keyboard to keep itself clean.

The energy is generated by electrification resulting from contact of human fingers with the keys; the stimuli is then converted into signals. The smart keyboard is also capable of harnessing charges produced by keystrokes through its built in “electrification layer”.

A keyboard recognizing its owner’s typing style has implications that are of higher importance than mere convenience it offers. It can provide an effective platform for security as it identifies the most frequent user of the device.

There are technologies that are capable of programming such a device to caution users (by triggering an alarm) or to disable itself when someone other than its owner uses it. Well, the smart keyboard is capable of recording keystrokes; in case an unauthorized person has typed on it, the actual user will be able to reproduce the content on the screen.

Professor Zhong Lin Wang and other members of the research team focused on the fact that hackers posses advanced technology to crack passwords; so, this kind of security measure is gradually becoming ineffective in safeguarding against intruders. The smart keyboard will definitely offer better security and users will be able to type 100 characters per minute with its self-generated energy that creates an arbitrary typing speed.

Lenovo Horizon 2s: the portable desktop computer that you need

Desktop computers and portability have always been immiscible, but Lenovo, the largest PC maker in the world will be looking to change that with its Horizon 2s. The Horizon 2s serves as the smaller variant of its 27 inch Horizon 2, with the Horizon 2s possessing a form factor of 19.5 inches. While it still possesses a form factor that will dwarf any tablet in the market in terms of sheer size, Lenovo’s Horizon 2s serves as more of a productivity and entertainment hub.

The 19.5 inch screen size is able to render a 1080p resolution, which will make things look thoroughly crispy and the 5.45 pounds of mass will also go easy on its wielder. In addition to this, the tablet is running Microsoft’s Windows 8.1 operating system, which will come in extremely handy for individuals who wish to work on a tablet.

In addition to running Microsoft’s latest operating system, the Horizon 2s also possess several connectivity options. First and foremost, the Horizon 2s features 2 USB 3.0 ports present on the side of the tablet, with a power jack present on the left in order to power up the ports.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the Horizon 2s features everything but the kitchen sink. An 802.11 ac wireless standard adapter coupled with a Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC chip will allow you to transmit and receive data. Both the keyboard and mouse bundled with the device are wireless as well.

Intel’s i5 4210U CPU and 4 GB of memory have been added, along with a 500 GB SSHD, which features 8 GB of flash memory. The biggest issue with the product would be its battery life, but given the size of the tablet, you wouldn’t be carrying it too far away from the AC power source.

Xiaomi will be planning a marketing coup against Apple

The company associated with the title ‘The Apple of China’ is aiming to become the largest smartphone maker in the world. Currently, the company’s aggressive pricing has enabled the Chinese firm to possess a global market share of 5.2 percent, with Lenovo making efforts to usurp that position with a market share of 5.1 percent. Thanks to the aggressive pricing strategy, Xiaomi was able to sell 61.1 million units during the period of 2014.

Now with the release of the company’s Mi Note Pro, which carries an affordable price tag of $370 (affordable against the other flagship offerings) and impressive hardware specifications, ranging from a Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC, to 4 GB of RAM, to a 1440p display on a 5.7 inch screen, the company has raised its competition bar even higher, most likely putting the only two companies above its current position, Apple and Samsung, on full alert.

Now, the Chinese phone maker’s new campaign details revolve around snaring iPhone customers away from the Cupertino tech giant. In short, Xiaomi is currently working on a way that will make it easier to switch from the iPhone to one of its new models. The Xiaomi Mi Note’s dual SIM compatibility (both the Mi Note Pro and Mi Note possess dual SIM compatibilities) is able to house both a micro SIM and a nano SIM.

In iPhones, users will have to reduce their micro SIMs form factor to a nano SIM in order to accommodate it in their iPhones. However, with the Mi Note Pro, users will no longer run into this obstacle.

According to the details stated by Xiaomi’s media development director, there is a possibility of a trade-in program that will allow consumers to trade in their Apple iPhone 5s, preferably in good condition and receive a Xiaomi Mi Note without having to pay anything extra. In addition, it has also been speculated that iPhone 6 Plus users will be receiving the Xiaomi Mi Note Pro for free.

More information will be present as the company disinters additional details about the rumored trade-program.