Trouble setting up more than 4 network adapters in VirtualBox

I've been trying to setup the 8 network adapters that VirtualBox is supposed to support, through the command line. I need them as bridged networks (because I use them to forward ports from a server installed in the VM).

So, the commands I've used go like this:

VBoxManage modifyvm  --nic5 bridged
VBoxManage modifyvm  --bridgeadapter5 "Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller"
VBoxManage modifyvm  --nicpromisc5 allow-all

And so on for the other 3. I set them up as bridged, set the adapter name to my host network adapter name, and set promiscuous mode to allow all. They use the adapter PCnet-FAST III (Am79C973). Checking with the showvminfo command, I get this:

C:\Program Files>cd Oracle

C:\Program Files\Oracle>cd VirtualBox

C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox>VBoxManage showvminfo XP2
Name:            XP2
Groups:          /
Guest OS:        Windows XP (32 bit)
UUID:            b53a67f9-7fba-43a0-9f2c-a13e9f1249ab
Config file:     C:\Users\MyUserName\VirtualBox VMs\XP2\XP2.vbox
Snapshot folder: C:\Users\MyUserName\VirtualBox VMs\XP2\Snapshots
Log folder:      C:\Users\MyUserName\VirtualBox VMs\XP2\Logs
Hardware UUID:   b53a67f9-7fba-43a0-9f2c-a13e9f1249ab
Memory size:     256MB
Page Fusion:     off
VRAM size:       18MB
CPU exec cap:    40%
HPET:            off
Chipset:         piix3
Firmware:        BIOS
Number of CPUs:  1
PAE:             off
Long Mode:       off
Synthetic CPU:   off
CPUID overrides: None
Boot menu mode:  message and menu
Boot Device (1): Floppy
Boot Device (2): DVD
Boot Device (3): HardDisk
Boot Device (4): Not Assigned
ACPI:            on
IOAPIC:          off
Time offset:     0ms
RTC:             local time
Hardw. virt.ext: on
Nested Paging:   on
Large Pages:     on
VT-x VPID:       on
VT-x unr. exec.: on
State:           running (since 2014-04-30T11:22:59.596000000)
Monitor count:   1
3D Acceleration: off
2D Video Acceleration: off
Teleporter Enabled: off
Teleporter Port: 0
Teleporter Address:
Teleporter Password:
Tracing Enabled: off
Allow Tracing to Access VM: off
Tracing Configuration:
Autostart Enabled: off
Autostart Delay: 0
Default Frontend:
Storage Controller Name (0):            IDE
Storage Controller Type (0):            PIIX4
Storage Controller Instance Number (0): 0
Storage Controller Max Port Count (0):  2
Storage Controller Port Count (0):      2
Storage Controller Bootable (0):        on
IDE (0, 0): E:\Programas\VirtualBox\Guindous XP.vdi (UUID: 70549b55-f222-4b47-be
78-52ba486e880d)
IDE (1, 0): Empty
NIC 1:           MAC: 08002780847C, Attachment: Bridged Interface 'Realtek PCIe
GBE Family Controller', Cable connected: on, Trace: off (file: none), Type: Am79
C973, Reported speed: 0 Mbps, Boot priority: 0, Promisc Policy: allow-all, Bandw
idth group: none
NIC 2:           MAC: 080027B2180A, Attachment: Bridged Interface 'Realtek PCIe
GBE Family Controller', Cable connected: on, Trace: off (file: none), Type: Am79
C973, Reported speed: 0 Mbps, Boot priority: 0, Promisc Policy: allow-all, Bandw
idth group: none
NIC 3:           MAC: 080027803511, Attachment: Bridged Interface 'Realtek PCIe
GBE Family Controller', Cable connected: on, Trace: off (file: none), Type: Am79
C973, Reported speed: 0 Mbps, Boot priority: 0, Promisc Policy: allow-all, Bandw
idth group: none
NIC 4:           MAC: 080027DE9E9D, Attachment: Bridged Interface 'Realtek PCIe
GBE Family Controller', Cable connected: on, Trace: off (file: none), Type: Am79
C973, Reported speed: 0 Mbps, Boot priority: 0, Promisc Policy: allow-all, Bandw
idth group: none
NIC 5:           MAC: 080027918504, Attachment: Bridged Interface 'Realtek PCIe
GBE Family Controller', Cable connected: on, Trace: off (file: none), Type: Am79
C973, Reported speed: 0 Mbps, Boot priority: 0, Promisc Policy: allow-all, Bandw
idth group: none
NIC 6:           MAC: 08002719AAFC, Attachment: Bridged Interface 'Realtek PCIe
GBE Family Controller', Cable connected: off, Trace: off (file: none), Type: Am7
9C973, Reported speed: 0 Mbps, Boot priority: 0, Promisc Policy: allow-all, Band
width group: none
NIC 7:           MAC: 08002739E2E1, Attachment: Bridged Interface 'Realtek PCIe
GBE Family Controller', Cable connected: off, Trace: off (file: none), Type: Am7
9C973, Reported speed: 0 Mbps, Boot priority: 0, Promisc Policy: allow-all, Band
width group: none
NIC 8:           MAC: 0800277BD34B, Attachment: Bridged Interface 'Realtek PCIe
GBE Family Controller', Cable connected: off, Trace: off (file: none), Type: Am7
9C973, Reported speed: 0 Mbps, Boot priority: 0, Promisc Policy: allow-all, Band
width group: none
Pointing Device: USB Tablet
Keyboard Device: PS/2 Keyboard
UART 1:          disabled
UART 2:          disabled
LPT 1:           disabled
LPT 2:           disabled
Audio:           enabled (Driver: DSOUND, Controller: AC97)
Clipboard Mode:  Bidirectional
Drag'n'drop Mode: Bidirectional
Session type:    GUI/Qt
Video mode:      1920x1002x16 at 0,0
VRDE:            disabled
USB:             enabled
EHCI:            disabled

USB Device Filters:



Available remote USB devices:



Currently Attached USB Devices:



Bandwidth groups:  

Shared folders:  

VRDE Connection:    not active
Clients so far:     0

Video capturing:    not active
Capture screens:    0
Capture file:       C:\Users\MyUserName\VirtualBox VMs\XP2\XP2.webm
Capture dimensions: 1024x768
Capture rate:       512 kbps
Capture FPS:        25

Guest:

Configured memory balloon size:      0 MB
OS type:                             WindowsXP
Additions run level:                 3
Additions version:                   4.1.10 r76836


Guest Facilities:

Facility "VirtualBox Base Driver": active/running (last update: 2014/04/30 11:23
:09 UTC)
Facility "VirtualBox System Service": active/running (last update: 2014/04/30 11
:23:15 UTC)
Facility "VirtualBox Desktop Integration": active/running (last update: 2014/04/
30 11:23:25 UTC)
Facility "Seamless Mode": active/running (last update: 2014/04/30 11:23:09 UTC)
Facility "Graphics Mode": active/running (last update: 2014/04/30 11:23:09 UTC)

So all of the adapters have the exact same configuration, except for the MAC addresses, which is all right.

But on opening the VM (which uses Windows XP), it seems unable to manage more than four network adapters at once. Whatever four adapters were the last to connect show an error icon and don't work.

So at this point, I don't know what else am I supposed to do. I don't find any info saying I should touch any more settings in VirtualBox, and I'm unsure if this is a VBox error or a Windows XP error.

I failed to find any official reference to a maximum number of nics supported by XP. However, I found this thread, where a user claims:

I've seen as many as eight working as a result of VMWare Workstation being installed (they were virtual NICs). I expect it depends on your selected hardware more than anything.

So technically what I'm trying should be viable.

I played around with the virtual hardware type a little bit, but they just wouldn't work.

Finally it works correctly in a Windows 7 guest, probably because it uses a different virtualized network card (Intel PRO/1000 MT Desktop).

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Huawei's MediaQ M310 : World's Tiniest Media Player Hub

BARCELONA, Spain--Chinese tech manufacturer Huawei normally makes smartphones, but now it wants to take control of your TV with its tiny MediaQ M310.

This black box is a truly minuscule media hub, measuring only 14mm thick. It's so light you could almost forget you were holding it, and it would easily slot behind your TV, out of sight.

Inside is a quad-core processor, the same chip that's powering Huawei's newest flagship phone, the Ascend P2. That should give the M310 enough grunt to chew through graphically testing games or high-definition movies. That chip is backed up by 1GB of RAM.

The box is both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capable, and comes with 32GB of storage and a microSD card slot, in case you need even more space. An optical audio port and two HDMI ports round off the connectivity nicely.

One of those HDMI sockets is an input; the other is an output. That means you could connect your set-top box to the MediaQ, and then hook up Huawei's box to your TV, potentially creating a central hub through which many services are controlled.

I say potentially because Huawei doesn't seem entirely sure what the M310 is for. Basic tasks could be playing video stored on the device on your TV, but I also saw an Android tablet-mirroring app, so you could play games or use apps on the large screen, for instance. The M310's software itself is a modified version of Android, I was told, so downloading apps directly to the box could be a possibility.

To be honest, there's nothing I saw that can't be replicated by many modern smartphones, tablets, or by Samsung's new HomeSync media hub.

I suspect the M310's best chance of standing out from the crowd is a low price tag. If it's very cheap, this flexible gadget could attract Android enthusiasts who enjoy tinkering with their home cinema setup, in the same vein as the extremely cheap Raspberry Pi microcomputer.

There's no word on pricing yet, but the M310 will be available around May or June. Huawei is also cooking up the MediaQ M210, an HDMI dongle that has a single-core processor, less RAM, and only one HDMI port. The thinking is that you'll plug this dongle into your TV to play video, though details were a little thin on the ground when I saw it.

Via Cnet

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Novo7 Tech iFive Mini3 a 7.9 Inch Tablet that Looks like iPad Mini

The iFive Mini3 is getting popular because it resembles the iPad Mini in terms of the design, and all ipad mini cases will fit the iFive Mini3.

iFive Mini3 Key Features:

• 7.9 Inch IPS Capactive Touch Screen (1024x768 Resolution)
• Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
• CPU: RK3188 Quad Core
• GPU: Mali 400 MP4
• RAM 1GB,DDR3
• Storage 16GB expandable up to 32GB micro SD Card
• Shell Material Plastic
• WIFI 802.11 b/g/n
• 2.0MP Front camera
• 5.0MP Back Camera
• Li-ion 4100mAH Battery
• Available ports 1 x Micro USB OTG Port, 1 x Micro SD Card slot, 1 x Earphone jack, 1 x Micro HDMI port

Sugested Retail Price : 8,295Php

With Dimensions: 202.2 x 135.6 x 6.48mm, this tablet is really thin, and the iFive Mini3 has only one physical button as compared to iPad mini which has 3. And whats great about it is you can use those iPad Mini cases even smart covers but do not expect the magnetic function to work.

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myBRO : Green Packet DV235T WiFi Weak Signal Solved

On my previous post I have experimented my Green Packet DV235T 4G WiMAX wireless broadband modem router CPE with the  leaked stock firmware (web_update-3_5G-v2.10.14-g.1.0.5-gp.tar) on my device the SmartBro new product aka myBRO. So far so good after upgrade it did not brick the device with the said stock firmware but it is mismatch with the hardware model it is suppose for WIXFMM-129 and not for WIXFMM-114 the DV235T board. There are few bugs that we netizens have faced by upgrading with this new updates, although I can connect to the network but the most concern among others is the WLAN. The WiFi signal drops significantly even if you are closer or nearer to the device you will really get disappointed on hooking your Smartphone, Tablet or even with your Lappy. To solve this bugs the only way to go is to upload the correct stock firmware (web_update-2_3G-v2.10.14-g1.0.4-gp.tar) of the device, so here's how to do it. Some of the screenshot I have provided as guide to those who are newbies to the myBRO DV235T CPE.

Update: I added this screenshot above because of so many misleading forumers  seeding/leaking the Green Packet Stock Firmware appearing to be legit or the right one, but you will end up with discouragement when you find out it is just same firmware that same guy leaching it. If you really want to make sure that you uploaded the correct firmware to your myBRO DV235T is correct here's the inside to the two (2) Green Packet stock firmware comparison.

First, login to the Green Packet DV235T with the default username and password as "admin".

Next, navigate to the Main Menus above on the graphical user interface (gui) of the DV235T as you can see on the screenshot below. On the left corner Sub-menu click Upgrade button, then  the Browse button and locate your downloaded Green Packet DV235T stock firmware (web_update-2_3G-v2.10.14-g1.0.4-gp.tar) then Upload.

If you are sure now with the file that you have download is the correct or the appropriate stock firmware for the myBRO DV235T 4G WiMAX wireless modem router, then its time for you to upload it.

Finally, just click the Apply button to confirm that the stock firmware to be uploaded to the CPE. Wait, the progress indication bar will appear from zero (0) until it successfully to be completed at 100%.

After the 100% progress indication bar completed the firmware upgrade now is done, click the button Close then the myBRO DV235T Green Packet CPE will reboot automatically in 70 seconds.

Wait until the graphical user interface (gui) login page will refresh and you will be prompted again to enter the device with same username and password. Now everything will be in placed your DV235T is now already being updated with the right stock firmware, the WiFi issue now is already solved.

You can leave your message on my comment box, I also offer repairs and upgrade for myBRO DV235T just email or PM me I can help you. Enjoy!

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Best Android Tablet Below $200

Everyone nowadays has a tablet PC or desperately wants one. Mini-gadgets are always fun and functional and a tablet PC is no exception. While smartphones allow you to make and receive calls, there's a limit to how much media playback and web-browsing is allowed. Plus smartphones do not have USB ports and cannot be connected to your TV (at least not yet). A killer combination of features and size is a tablet PC with the Android OS. Google's OS for smart and small devices is extremely user-friendly, very handy and nifty with its pinch-zoom ability and very very stylish.

While the tablet wars continue between bigwigs like the iPad, Motorola's XOOM and the BlackBerry Playbook, is there a cheaper tablet model out there? This may seem very surprising but there are good tablet PC's with the Android OS, available for under 200 dollars. Has your jaw touched the floor?

Technology being the diverse medium it is, will not give us just one model. Below are 6 tablet's, 5 under $200, 1 at $200 for your perusing.

I. Coby Kyros™ MID8125

• 8 inch LCD touch screen
• Screen resolution is 800 x 600 with 16:9 aspect ratio
• Android OS 2.3 version
• Use built-in app to enjoy eBooks
• Supports HD playback up to a factor of 1080p
• Connect tablet to your HDTV with HDMI port
• Will connect to Windows XP/Vista/7 and Mac and Linus computers
• Processor: 1 GHz; built-in memory of 4GB; expand memory with microSD slot, up to 32 GB
• Price: $160

II. Augen GENTOUCH NBA7800ATP

• 7 inch TFT touchscreen with 800 x 480 resolution
• High-Definition support factor of 720p
• Supports web browsing, media files playback and ebook reading
• Expandable memory up to 16 GB with SD or MMC card slot
• Media formats supported: MP3/AAC/WMA/JPEG/BMP
• Ebook formats supported: PDF/E-PUB/.TXT
• Processor: 800 MHz, 256 MB RAM and 2 GB hard disk
• Price: Between $140 - $180

III. Zenithink 2 ZT-180

• 10 inch touchscreen
• Android OS version 2.2
• HD playback support with 1080p factor
• Built-in 1.3 MP camera
• HDMI port for connecting to HD device
• USB port supports 3G Internet modem (sold separately)
• Expandable memory up to 32 GB with SD slot
• Media formats supported: DivX/AVI/MPEG/RM/MP3/AAC/WMA/JPEG/BMP
• 1 GHz ARM 11 processor, 512 RAM and 4 GB hard disk
• Price: $190

IV. Ematic eGLIDE

• 7 inch touchscreen
• 2.1 Android OS version
• Supports movie, music playback
• Built-in voice recorder and FM tuner
• Use touchscreen or trackball and embedded stylus
• Connect the eGLIDE to TV or PC with HDMI port and cable to play tablet files in HD
• 3-axis gyroscope for complete rotation and motion sensing
• Use built-in Wi-Fi or connect 3G USB Dongle (sold separately) for high speed Internet
• Media formats supported: MP3/WMA/AVI/WMV/JPEG/FLV
• Ebook formats supported: PDF/LRC/.TXT/HTM/e-PUB
• Can connect to Windows 7, Vista, XP and 2000 OS PC, MAC and Linux
• Expandable memory up to 16 GB with SD slot
• 1 GHz Dual Core processor, 256 MB RAM, 4 GB built-in memory
• Price: Between $160 - $180

V. Archos 7 Home Tablet

• 7 inch backlit LCD touchscreen with 800 x 480 resolution
• Battery life of 7 hours
• Supports HD video playback up to 720p HD factor
• Supported media formats: MP3/WMA/WAV/OGG/FLAC/AAC/JPEG/BMP/GIF/H.264/MPEG-4/AVI/MP4/MOV/FLV
• SD slot allows expansion up to 32 GB
• Compatible with Mac, Linux and Windows machines for PC connection
• Processor: 600 MHz ARM 9 processor, built-in memory 8GB
• Price: $180

VI. Velocity Micro™ - Cruz Tablet T301

• 7 inch TFT touchscreen with 800 x 600 resolution
• Android OS version 2.2
• Built-in Wi-Fi supports 802.11n networks
• Battery life of 6 hours on single charge
• Pre-included apps feature Kindle bookstore and Amazon Appstore
• Media formats: MPEG-4/AVI/MOV/MP3/AAC/WAV and all image formats
• Ebook formats: PDF/TXT/HTML
• 4 GB SD card included free with tablet
• Processor: not mentioned, 256 MB RAM, 4 GB hard disk
• Price: Between $160 - $199

With respect to the price limit of $200, two excellent Android tablets, with a price tag of $199 each, are the Amazon Kindle Fire and the Nook Color from Barnes & Noble. Both tablets have impressive features for a reasonable price.

With a budget of $200, keep your expectations realistic. Don't expect an iPad-like device with just $200. Seven or eight inches is the maximum size in this price bracket. Built-in storage and features will be less in quality and quantity. But for an easy-on-the-wallet choice, such tablet models are ideal. If with just $200 you can get a mobile PC, it is kind of like having your cake and eating it too!

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Android OS For Personal Computer

Google's answer to Symbian and iOS is Android. It is a Linux avatar, specifically designed for mobile phones and other portable devices like tablet computers. The Linux pedigree means that portability is inherent in this operating system. Very few people in Android fan communities know that Android OS for a PC has been a reality since August, 2009. The developer team of Android launched a live CD for computer users, where they could test the prowess of this new operating system. Now customized distributions of the latest Android operating systems are made available online, for free. The Android-x86 website, hosted by a community of developers provides latest customized builds of Android for computers.

The concept of a live CD lets you test an operating system, in spite of having a fully functional installed operating system on your PC. So people who are thinking of switching to a new operating system, can check it out, before they decide to completely migrate over to it.

If you feel like testing the Android OS, before buying an Android phone, getting a live CD or live USB version and running it, is the best way to test it. Making this live CD or live USB version available was one way of increasing the credibility of the operating system among the masses. That's exactly what the folks at Android-x86 have done for you. If you like the live CD version, you may install it on your netbook, laptop or computer as a standalone or alternative operating system. Let us see how you could go about it.

How to Get Android OS For Your PC?

So how and where can you get Android for PC setup? Like all developers of the Linux open source community, the Android team has made the live CD version, as well as the live USB version available on its official website. Visit the Android-x86.org web page or any other mirror sites to download the setup files. Various images of builds based on the succeeding Android versions (Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb and Ice Cream Sandwich) are available. Some builds are exclusively designed for specific brands of netbook and laptop computers like Asus, Lenovo and Dell. Each ISO file can be used to create a live CD, which also provides the option of hard drive installation.

Know that these versions work only on x86 systems. Read all the instructions regarding download and installation on the website. A glance through the FAQ section will also be very helpful. Let me walk you through the installation.

How to Install and Run Android OS on Your PC?

Once you get the setup files on your computer, the rest is quite easy. There are two ways in which you can run Android on a computer, without installing it on the hard drive. Either you could burn the live CD ISO image on a CD and boot from your optical drive or USB drive or alternatively, you could run it using VMware or VirtualBox. If you like Android, you may go ahead and install it on your hard drive. Here are step-by-step instructions for installing Android x86 versions.

Step 1: Download Latest Build From Android-X86 website

The latest version available, at the time of writing is Android-x86 4.0-RC1. You can get the whole ISO image directly, by downloading it from the main website or any one of the mirror sites. These builds support fat32, ntfs, ext3 and ext2 file systems. You also have the option of running Android on VMware or VirtualBox.

Step 2: Burn Image on a CD or Created Bootable USB

Firstly, you must prepare the Android ISO image for installation. Burn it on a blank CD or install it on a USB using UNetbootin. Now you are ready for installation.

Step 3: Run Installation

To run the installation, simply plug in the USB or put the installation CD into the optical drive and boot up the PC. The installer will provide you with a couple of options. Choose 'Run Andorid Without Installation' (to boot from CD) or 'Install Android to Hard disk' (for a permanent installation). Android can coexist on the hard drive with other operating systems in multiboot mode.

Step 4: Choose Partition and File System Format

On choosing hard drive installation, you will be asked to choose a hard drive partition for installation. You may choose one of the available partitions or create a new one. You may also choose to install it on a removable USB drive. To go for the third option, choose the 'Search Devices' option. Then you must choose whether formatting is to be implemented on the partitions and if yes, choose the type of file system.

Step 5: Install Grub

Lastly, you will be asked whether Grub (the boot chain loader) should be installed. Get it installed if you are going for a multiboot setup. With that done, installation will begin immediately. Within a few minutes (depending on the processing speed of your PC), the installation will be finished. Within a few minutes, you will be greeted with the stunning Android interface, which you can begin using!

As you will realize, the power of Android lies in its multitasking prowess and light use of computing resources. Through Android Linux is reborn as a new mobile incarnation. The future is ANDROID for sure.

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A must-have apps for your new Android smartphone

If you’re new to Android and you’re not quite sure which apps to install on your smartphone then you’ll find some suggestions here. There’s a good chance your new phone came with a bunch of apps pre-installed. Some of them will prove useful; some will turn out to be bloatware. As you cast your discerning eye across Google Play you’ll find hundreds of thousands of options. You can’t have them all, so take your time and pick the cream of the crop.

There are some pretty obvious early downloads so we’ll skip DropBox, Facebook and Twitter, and we’ll merge Google’s wares into our first entry. The rest of the entries on our list are a mixed bunch, some well-known, some not so, but they all have something in common – these are all must-have apps for your new Android smartphone.

Google Apps (Free)

You’ll find a bunch of Google apps pre-installed on your new Android smartphone, including the excellent Gmail and Google Maps, but there are others you’ll want to seek out and install straight away. Take advantage of free cloud storage and enjoy the ability to access files from anywhere with Google Drive. Do the same with music by grabbing Google Play Music. All of Google’s apps are great so you should also check out Google+, Chrome, Sky Map, Google Goggles, and the rest of the gang.

Best Apps Market (Free)

When you have more than 700,000 apps to choose from it can be tricky to uncover those hidden gems. Best Apps Market is a powerful app discovery tool that helps you to find the apps and games that you really want. It is fast, easy to use, and packed with solid recommendations and plenty of filters to narrow down your searches.

TuneIn Radio (Free)

Whether you like to have tunes playing or you want to catch up with the latest sports scores you’ll find that TuneIn has got you covered. Free access to over 70,000 radio stations and over 2 million podcasts means you can always find something worth listening to. It’s easy to use, you can search for the content you want and find it, and even if the app can’t play exactly what you want it will find something similar.

Flipboard (Free)

This is one of those news aggregator magazine apps. You enter the topics you are interested in and get a stream of top articles from some of the best sources on the web. It has all the usual filter options and as much social media integration as you can handle. What elevates it above other great news aggregator apps like Pulse is the simple joy of the flip animation as you flick through stories.

Instagram (Free)

100 million users can’t be wrong. Instagram is a great way to enhance your photos and it features a set of unique filters to get the exact look you want. It’s easy to share your creations and interact with other people. If you’re not keen on joining Instagram there are some great alternative Android photography apps like PicSay, Pixlr-o-matic and Snapseed.

Avast! Mobile Security (Free)

The hysteria about Android malware is starting to reach fever pitch. The reason Android malware is on the rise is simple – it has far more users than any other platform. If you’re sensible about what you install there’s no need for alarm, but if you’d rather have peace of mind and snag some anti-theft tools while you’re at it, then you need Avast! This is by far the best security app for Android.

Gmote 2.0 (Free)

This handy app converts your Android smartphone into a remote control for your PC or laptop. Install the app on your phone, the server software on your computer, and when you load it up you can use your phone as a remote control for movies or music. You can also browse your files, browse the web, and stream music to your phone. It’s very straightforward and it’s completely free.

Netflix (Free)

Obviously you’ll need a Netflix subscription to take advantage of this app and that will cost you $8 or £6 per month. That fee will give you access to a load of movies and TV shows which you can stream to your computer, laptop, game console, smartphone or tablet. The great thing about the Android Netflix app is that you can use it as a remote control and second screen to browse content while you are watching something else via your PS3.

Kindle (Free)

Amazon offers a great choice of eBooks and the Kindle app allows you to easily sync your progress, so you can pick up where you left off last night on your Kindle with your smartphone on the morning commute. You can also use it to access magazines or newspapers and it has a handy built-in dictionary. If you don’t already use Amazon for eBooks or own a Kindle then you might prefer Aldiko, which is a great, free eBook app.

Tasker ($6.49)

There’s no getting away from the steep learning curve with Tasker, but it is, without doubt, the best way to unleash the potential of your Android smartphone. Tasker is all about automation. You can set triggers and rules for everything. Switch to silent mode at specific times or in specific locations, automate emails or SMS, set an alarm to wake you up with a random song from your collection, automatically cycle your wallpaper – the possibilities are endless.

Xbox SmartGlass (Free)

If you don’t have an Xbox 360 then move along there’s nothing to see here. If you do then the SmartGlass app is a no-brainer. First and foremost it’s a remote control for your Xbox 360 so you can browse content and control it. You can also use it to browse the web. The exciting potential is second screen functionality so you can access more information on what you are watching through the app or even enjoy extended gameplay for some games.

doubleTwist (Free)

Here’s a good iTunes replacement for Android newbies. Sync music, create playlists, download album artwork, subscribe to podcasts, and stream music, video or photos to your PS3, Xbox 360 or Apple TV from your Android smartphone. You can import from iTunes so it’s a great solution for people with a big iTunes collection (you could also use Google Play Music). If you want to go wireless you have to splash out for AirSync ($5).

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Lenovo A10 Debuts its first Android convertible laptop

Android has made its share of appearances on laptops before, but today Lenovo announced that it's taking a crack at the idea with the A10, a 10.1-inch notebook with a fold-back touchscreen display. The 2.2-pound convertible, which you can use in laptop or tablet mode, comes with a 1.6GHz quad-core Rockchip RK3188 Cortex-A9 processor, a 1,366 x 768 display, Android 4.2, 2GB of RAM, 32GB internal storage with microSD expansion, VGA webcam, two USB 2.0 ports and one HDMI port. The whole package is 0.69 inch thick, and Lenovo claims it offers nine hours of battery life with continuous video playback. We haven't heard details on pricing or availability -- Lenovo tells us that it'll vary by region -- but earlier rumors pegged it at about $340.

Lenovo A10 Debuts as First Lenovo Laptop Powered by Android

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC– October 18, 2013: Multimode computing leader Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today announced the Lenovo A10, an affordable, ultra-portable, dual-mode laptop and the company's first to run on Android 4.2 OS. Weighing less than 1kg and measuring just 17.3mm at its thickest point, the Lenovo A10 is an ideal companion for users on the go, providing easy access to a wide range of apps on a unique, dual-mode platform, which enhances the user experience for entertainment and Web browsing as well as productivity.

"In laptop mode," users can take advantage of the A10's unique, Lenovo-customized user interface, which provides an app launcher, task bar and status bar for quick, intuitive access to the app library and desktop, as well as convenient multitasking and app switching. File manager software, also included with the Lenovo customized OS, makes it easy to locate and manage a library of documents, videos and music. In laptop mode, the device offers a full-size ergonomic, AccuType keyboard for safe, comfortable use.

With the A10's 10.1-inch HD (1366 x 768) resolution screen flipped around 300 degrees in "stand mode," the Lenovo A10 shines as a device optimized for touch-enabled apps and entertainment. The stable hinge and "fold-back" design keeps the device steady and prevents shaking and bouncing while using the 10-point multi-touch screen. Stereo speakers and an integrated 0.3M webcam help users stay connected with family and friends while enjoying an immersive "sight and sound" experience with multimedia apps, games and video.

The Lenovo A10 is powered by an RK3188, quad-core Cortex-A9 processor, running at a maximum frequency of 1.6GHz, the highest frequency for all quad-core ARM-based CPUs currently available. The Cortex-A9 processor delivers solid performance for gaming and entertainment purposes, as well as enhances users' ability to multitask and be productive. In addition, the A10's battery supports up to nine hours of continuous video playback, ensuring that it is ready to perform, both on the road and at the desk.

"With the recent explosive growth in Android-based, smart connected devices, customers are relying more on Android apps for both work and play. Why should they be required to switch and duplicate to use their laptop? Lenovo's A10 brings ultra-portability and dual-mode benefits to Android users at a reasonable price," said Bai Peng, vice president and general manager, notebook business unit, Lenovo Business Group. "Thin and light, with multiple modes and user-inspired innovations for an outstanding user experience ... the A10 is uniquely Lenovo."

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Kaspersky: Android Mobile Most Infected By New Malware

Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab on Monday released its annual security bulletin, a report that reveals statistics on malware and cyber-threats detected by its Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) throughout the year.

Kaspersky’s 2012 summary proved to be another report validating the explosive growth in malware targeting mobile devices running on Google’s Android platform, and the increase in threats targeting Mac OS users.

Kaspersky Security Bulletin 2012Windows-based Malware Still Dominates

While the threat of malware targeting Mac OS-based systems has risen in recent years, it still represents a tiny fraction of the number of new threats that are discovered each day that target Windows PCs. With that said, Kaspersky Lab said its antivirus experts added 30 percent more signatures to detect various Mac Trojans in 2012 compared to 2011. But 30 percent of a small number is still a small number. However, Mac OS users are not invincible and should take precautions.

While most security experts I speak with still do not use an anti-malware product on their OS X-based systems, there are measures that many take to help protect against threats targeting Mac OS, the most important being to disable Java support in Web browsers, or removing it completely from a system if its not absolutely needed. Another popular measure is to reduce exposure to script-related attacks by using a Web Browser plug-in such as noscript which helps protect against things such as Java, XSS, and Clickjacking attacks. (Noscript is available for both Macs and PCs for popular Web browsers)

The biggest Mac OS threat during the year was Flashback, the botnet of 700,000 infected computers running Mac OS X. There was also a handful of incidents where Mac OS X computers were victims of targeted attacks, including ones against Uyghur activists in June, and a web site associated with the Dalai Lama earlier this month.

“The main reason for this is that Apple products are popular with many influential politicians and prominent businessmen, and the information stored in the devices owned by these people is of interest to a certain category of cybercriminals,” Kaspersky Lab explained in a statement.

There were several other minor incidents over the year related to Mac OS specific threats, but still these numbers are not even close to the number of threats that targeting Windows-based systems on a daily basis.

200,000 Served Up Daily

Kaspersky Lab said that it currently detects approximately 200,000 new malicious programs each day, most of which target Windows-based computers. That figure represents a spike from the first half of 2012 when the firm was finding about 125,000 new malware programs daily.

All totaled, Kaspersky said that it detected and blocked more than 1.5 billion web-based attacks and more than 3 billion infected files through its various installed software products during 2012. In total, 2.7 million "unique modifications of malware and potentially unwanted programs" attempting to launch on users’ computers were detected during these incidents, the company said.

Mobile Malware: Android Has Near Monopoly

Headlines about malware targeting Android are nothing new, but the percentage of mobile malware that was found targeting Android vs. other mobile platforms was astounding. According to Kaspersky’s numbers, in 2012, 99% of all mobile malware detected was designed for the Android platform.

In total, Kaspersky Lab said it found more than 35,000 malicious Android programs in 2012—about six times more than they saw in 2011. In October 2012, security vendor Trend Micro also issued a report noting that Android was “under siege”.

Earlier this year, Kevin McNamee, security architect and director at Kindsight Security Labs explained to SecurityWeek how easy it was to build Android malware with readily available tools.

Despite attempts by Google to introduce its own anti-malware technology, malicious applications continue to appear in the official Google Play store, Kaspersky Lab sad.

In fact, just this week, a security researcher at North Carolina University shared his discovery that the app verification service used by Google to determine whether a particular Android application is malicious is "fragile and can be easily bypassed."

In July, a sneaky iOS app called “find and Call” was discovered in Apple's App Store that collected used address book data and sent spam. Most iOS related concerns seem to be over privacy issues vs. being outright malicious programs.

“Just like traditional PCs, mobile devices are now targeted with high-profile cybercriminal operations, including targeted attacks and creating mobile botnets,” Kaspersky researchers noted.

Other key statistics pulled from Kaspersky’s Security Bulletin 2012 include:

• Java was the most popular vulnerable software targeted by cybercriminals in 2012. Java accounted for 50% of all detected exploit-based attacks targeting vulnerabilities. Adobe Reader ranked second and accounted for 28% of all incidents.
• Top 5 malware hosting countries: United States, Russia, The Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom
• Top 5 countries with the highest frequency of web attacks: Russia, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan
• Top 5 countries where infected files are most frequently discovered: Bangladesh, Sudan, Malawi, Tanzania, Rwanda
• Top 5 countries with lowest infection rates: Denmark, Japan, Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic

“What 2012 has shown is the strong inclination of cybercriminals to steal data from all devices used by consumers and businesses, be it a PC, Mac, smartphone or tablet,” commented Costin Raiu, Director of Global Research & Analysis Team 
Kaspersky Lab
 in a statement. “We are also observing a strong increase in the overall number of threats, affecting all popular software environments,” Raiu said. - source

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Undertanding HSPA+ and LTE

We have all marveled at the revolution in mobile communications technology. The 1980′s saw the introduction of the “brick” style wireless mobile phone accessible to a privileged few. Since then, we have seen a lot of shifting trends in designs and capabilities, but an exponential increase in availability and popularity. We now live in a world boasting over 6 billion mobile phone users, with most high-end devices mimicking the capabilities of a computer, featuring dual-core or even quad-core processing capability.

I still recall a time when the primary purpose of a mobile phone was voice communication. Now, with smartphones bursting onto the scene in ever growing numbers, the mobile landscape is changing rapidly. With devices now featuring messaging, social networking connectivity, email and browsing capabilities, and the ability to stream or download high-quality music and videos, making and receiving calls has almost become a secondary feature.

Of course, none of this would be possible without an equally impressive evolution in mobile networking technology. From first generation communication networks to the current 4G craze, these advances have made it incredibly easy for any user to always be connected. Today we will compare the latest networking technologies, namely HSPA+ and LTE, and take a look at what the future holds.

History

Courtesy of Ofcom

First generation mobile networks were basic analog systems designed purely for voice calls. Mobile devices and call rates were very expensive and therefore not available to everybody. The early nineties saw the introduction of the first digital cellular networks. 2G brought with it improved sound quality and a higher capacity, allowing for data services, albeit at very low speeds up to 14.4 kbps. Further advances in this technology introduced GPRS and EDGE features with quicker data speeds between 40kpbs to 100kbps.

This was followed by the 3G revolution. Apart from wide-area voice telephony, it introduced high-speed internet access, far improved audio and video streaming capabilities, support for video calls and conferences, and internet TV. With effective speeds ranging from 128kbps to 384kbps, the advent of 3G completely changed the way people use their mobile phones.

The effective entry of the tablet and increasing dependency on handheld mobile devices led to demand for even faster speeds and connectivity options, leading to a new standard, HSPA+, followed by 4G LTE.

What is HSPA+ and LTE?

HSPA+

HSPA+ or Evolved High Speed Packet Access, is a souped-up version of HSUPA and HSDPA 3G standards with speeds comparable to the newer LTE networks. Theoretical speeds are said to feature download speeds up to 168Mbps and uplink of 22Mbps. These are of course theoretical speeds, with the actual speed available to users being much lower. While most HSPA+ networks around the world boast a theoretical 21Mbps(download) speed, T-Mobile(USA) and Deutsche Telekom(Germany) feature 42Mbps networks. A hotly debated issue is the 4G tag offered by cellular network companies to advertise their HSPA+ networks(T-mobile and AT&T), while most accept that it should be considered, at most, a 3.75G network.

LTE

On the other hand, LTE, or Long Term Evolution, is considered a “true” 4G network. Theoretical speeds boast downlink speeds of 300Mbps and uploads of 75Mbps. LTE, which is an IP-based system, is a complete redesign and simplication of 3G network architecture resulting in a marked reduction in transfer latency. Because of this, LTE is not compatible with 2G and 3G networks and thus, functions on an entirely different wireless spectrum. Unfortunately, this means that erecting an LTE network requires it to be built from the ground up. This is one of the main factors behind the delayed launch of complete 4G LTE networks.

Bottom Line

HSPA+ is the tip of the mountain with 3G technology, and LTE is simply the foundation for a new mountain. LTE, also known as 4G, is the most advanced telecommunications technology currently available, and is one that defines a clear path toward future developments, making it the most attractive choice for carriers these days.

Speed Comparison

Neil Shah

The biggest question consumers have is whether the additional cost of buying an LTE-enabled device and the higher data charges are worth it, compared to the “slower” but relatively cheaper 3G and HSPA+ networks. Let’s take a look.

Under consideration are speed comparisons based on the recently conducted wireless speed tests by PCWorld, of the major network carriers in the US (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint). For our purposes, we are going to compare the LTE-based AT&T and Verizon 4G networks, against the 42 Mbps HSPA+ based T-Mobile “4G” network. While Sprint and T-Mobile both aim towards launching their LTE networks soon, as of now, they are based on Wi-Max technology and HSPA+ respectively.

PCWorld, along with their testing partners Novarum, conducted the tests using Ookla’s speed test app in 13 cities across the US including San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle, Las Vegas, Denver, Dallas, Chicago, New Orleans, New York, Washington D.C., and Boston.

There are a few key points to note from the chart above:

• T-Mobile’s HSPA+42 network performs admirably against, what is supposed to be, far superior LTE networks. The high speeds offered by this network should be more than enough for most users.
• LTE is fast! While HSPA+ is definitely good enough, the LTE networks(in their current state) are 20-30% faster. A big plus for all the speed demons out there.
• Unrelated to the topic, but is anyone as surprised as I am at how poorly Sprint’s Wi-Max network performed?

Granted these results for HSPA+ aren’t standard the world over, with most networks featuring 21Mbps download capabilities. But all these network carriers are planning to upgrade to 42Mbps and even 84 Mbps networks, so HSPA+ still has a lot of potential, and is certainly “good enough” for now.

Coverage

Courtesy of GSA

As you can see from the map above, 4G LTE is certainly the network of the future. With the much faster speeds, higher efficiency, and increased reliability, it is the next logical step in network technology development. There are some key points to note about the map though, which shows that LTE coverage isn’t as “colorful” as it seems:

While a lot of countries are marked “red” indicating countries with commercial LTE services, it is slightly misleading. For example, while India as a whole is marked, only one carrier(Airtel) offers 4G LTE services in only one city(Kolkata) thus far. Of course, plans are in the works to rollout the network eventually, it will take quite a lot of time before complete coverage is achieved.

The above point is true for most countries, with none boasting a full coverage LTE network. Full coverage in some regions will be achieved at the earliest by late-2013 to early-2014, with most others much later.

On the other hand, HSPA+ is more along the lines of a software enhancement that elevates 3G data network performance. Of course, the process isn’t as simple as it sounds, but it is definitely easier than building a completely new LTE supported network. As such, any carrier that has an established 3G network, have upgraded to an HSPA+ network. With over 100 network carriers worldwide featuring HSPA+ networks with most boasting over 80% coverage. To keep up with current LTE speeds, carrier networks are also upgrading the their “slower” 21Mbps networks to 42Mbps or even 84Mbps (theoretical) download speeds.

Cost

As mentioned earlier, the biggest issue with taking advantage of the faster speeds of a 4G LTE network is coverage. Availability is still quite limited but that will of course, get better. What surprised me is the lack of a difference in cost between a carrier’s HSPA+ and LTE networks.

• AT&T and Verizon have standard data rates of $50 for 5GB regardless of whether you have access to 3G, HSPA+, or 4G LTE networks.
• T-Mobile, which currently features a 42Mbps HSPA+ networks, also features the same data rates.
• In India, while available only in Kolkata so far, 4G LTE costs Rs 1399(~$28) for 9GB, with HSPA+ being Rs 1250(~$25) for 10GB.

Of course, I’ve only used the information from two places I’m most familiar with, so there might be other networks worldwide where there is a more evident price difference (or not), so if there are, do let us know in the comments section.

Device availability

HSPA+ and LTE variations of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Device availability is another area where I consider LTE to be at a disadvantage. Here’s why:

• Most smartphones and tablets (3G versions) released in the last 2 years or so can access the faster speeds offered by HSPA+ networks.
• On the other hand, accessing a LTE network requires a significant hardware change, i.e. the need for an LTE radio.
• Options for LTE capable devices are comparatively limited and generally range towards the higher end of the price spectrum.
• There has been an incompatibility issue with latest Nvidia quad-core Tegra 3 processor and LTE radios, as seen with the HTC One X where the international version features the quad-core processor, and the US releases with LTE radios “falling back” on Qualcomm dual-core Snapdragon S4 processors. Whether this issue will be prevalent in other quad-core processors such as the Samsung Exynos 4412, is yet to be seen.
• LTE radios are also infamous for being a huge drain on battery life.

The Future

HSPA+

Evolution of HSPA

HSPA+, with its theoretical 168Mbps downlink speeds, still wasn’t the pinnacle of HSPA technology. Back in 2010 began talk of LTHE or Long Term HSPA Evolution. LTHE brought with a lot of advantages including:

• Backward compatibility with existing WCDMA and HSPA networks. This provided the possibility of an easy transition to LTHE as opposed to a network upgrade to LTE.
• Theoretical download speeds up to a whopping 672 Mbps.
• Carriers and hardware companies claimed that LTHE could have been ready for deployment by 2013.

Unfortunately, almost every network around the world has decided to move onto LTE as their network for the future. HSPA+ networks will likely be upgraded to the 42Mbps or even 84Mbps download capability, but now, it seems like that is as far as this evolutionary technology will be pushed.

LTE

Courtesy of Teliasonera

While HSPA+ was the peak of 3G technology, the current variation of 4G LTE is only the first step in this next stage, opening up numerous possibilities for much further advancement in this field. It is somewhat strange that advances in LTE technology are already being spoken about when the “original” standard networks aren’t even close to being fully established. Yet, that is the rapid speed in which the tech world progresses. Let’s take a look at some of these developments:

• TD-LTE: TD-LTE or Time-Division LTE was developed by China Mobile over the last few years. Unlike LTE networks which carries two separate signals for data traveling in either direction, TD-LTE features a single channel and allocated upload and download bandwidth depending on your usage. This accounts for higher data speeds. TD-LTE is also compatible 4G WiMax and it will easier to upgrade from WiMax to TD-LTE than to LTE.
• LTE Advanced: LTE Advanced is a further evolution of current LTE networks which brings with it theoretical peaks of 1GBps download speeds, increased spectrum efficiency(upto 3 times more bandwidth), and reduced latency. Like the upgrade from HSPA to HSPA+, a move from LTE to LTE-Advanced is also a software deployment upgrade.
• TD-LTE will also see a shift to TD-LTE advanced in the future.

Conclusion

Advantages of LTE over HSPA+

• The most obvious advantage is the higher data speeds
• Much better spectrum efficiency
• Far lower latency
• LTE has a simpler architecture compared to an HSPA+ network

Advantages of HSPA+ over LTE

• HSPA+ is an already established network, whereas complete LTE coverage still has a while to go
• HSPA to HSPA+ evolution required much less investment in infrastructure and was less costly to upgrade as opposed to LTE which needs a completely new network built from the ground up.
• LTE requires specific LTE radio featured devices, whereas HSPA+ is available to any user with a 3G enabled phone.

As you can see, LTE is definitely the way of the future, and the potential with this technology is incredible. But I still think there are a lot of factors that lead me to conclude that HSPA+ networks are certainly more than enough for now.

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Globe Tattoo Huawei HG521 DSL Snap Review

The Huawei Echolife HG521 is a residential DSL modem router with the capability as a wireless access point (WAP) that has built-in internal WiFi antenna for devices conductivities  such as smartphone and Tablet likewise for lappy.

Huawei HG521: Router Design and Aesthetics

The design of the Huawei HG521 gateway is a commendable aspect. It may not look ultra-modern but its simplicity is the reason why most people are not intimidated to use it. Because it stands vertically, it is easier to find the right spot where the router can be placed. It can be put right beside the desktop computer monitor or in a small corner. Its measurement is only 118.4mm x 90.3mm x 40.4 mm.

The power button is easily accessible too. It is found in the top surface of the router so turning it on and off is quick and easy. The indicator lights are strategically placed on the left side of the router’s interface too.  Hence, a quick glance is enough to see if the connections are working fine.

Attaching the cables to the router is easy too. The left side of the router is where all ports are located so there is no problem about tangled cables.

Huawei HG521: LAN Connection Ports

The Huawei Echolife HG521 modem router is recommended for use in homes because of the limitation in the number of computers which can be connected to it for cabled internet. It has only one ADSL port for the RJ-11. It is geared with one LAN port.

Huawei HG521: Router Performance and Functions

The edge of Huawei HG521 Router over other routers which Globe Tattoo provides to their customers is that this functions for different data link protocol. It is backwards compatible for 802.11b and 802.11g. For people who would like to utilize the latest standard, this router is designed to function even for the latest 802.11n.

Globe Tattoo is known for delivering uninterrupted and strong connection signal. Thus, it is necessary to have a router which would not slow down the impressive services of the company. With the use of this router, there is no need to worry that the service being provided by Globe Tattoo might not be used extensively. Since it functions on 802.11g standard, the connection speed is stable and there are no lags. This router is also good enough for more complex online tasks like downloading, gaming and media streaming.

Huawei HG521: Router Speed

The main reason why Huawei HG521 Router do not cause speed problems is because of its commendable capacity. Of course, the data speed will vary according to the package that the customer availed from Globe Tattoo but this router can reach 24 Mbps as its maximum modem bit rate. The great performance is also attributed to the 300 Mbps data bit rate.

There are two ways on how this router can be used for internet connection—cabled and wireless. Some people are having difficulty in connecting wirelessly after setting up the cabled connection. What they do not realize is that, setting up the wireless connection needs to be done after the cables are all up and running. A separate wireless connection account needs to be created to enable the wifi.

The router initially has the default username and password which will be used before the personal setting preferences of the users can be fixed. Management of the setting and feature changes can be done using the web based configuration.

Since the router has an activated Quick Start feature, users would have a step by step guide on how the connections can be made. No more reading of manuals and hiring professional I.T guys just to create both cabled and wireless connections.

Huawei HG521: Built-in Security

LAN connection does not involve much security issues but wireless connection requires impenetrable block against hackers. The good thing about Huawei HG521 Router is that it is geared with WPA (Wi-Fi Protection Access) support. This is among the latest security features that routers these days have. WPA is pretty much like a password which is required before a computer or gadget is able to tap the wireless connection. So long as the alpha-numeric password is known only by legitimate users, there is no need to worry that someone else who is within the Wi-Fi range can use the signal.

The Globe Tattoo Huawei Echolife HG521 GUI (graphical user interface) can be access via any of your favorite browser such as Chrome, Firefox and IE by pointing on the address bar thru http://192.168.254.254 with the default IP address. Once the login page prompted you may use the default username and password as "user" without the quote.

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Android’s Devices battery issues

Smartphones are instantly gaining fame among seasoned mobile gadget users and newbies alike. The near desktop PC speed plus the pocketable size has turned many heads to look into the promise of this new technology.

Android, furthermore, revolutionized the smartphone market by bringing in cheaper gadgets for the populace to enjoy and take advantage. Yet, one draw backs of having an Android smartphone (and tablet) is shortage of juice (power).

Most droid powered devices can run from a meager 1800maH battery or even less giving us a few trips to our wall outlets for another recharge just to make it through the day. This is what makes many people frown and sigh in disappointment. Even so, power shortage will most likely kill the deal and potential consumers will just keep the gold for the next best device.

Despite the mediocrity of the battery issue, many apps and methods can be employed into practice to keep up with the power requirements. Several battery saving apps can turn off unnecessary features on your smartphone and conserve all you can with just a few taps on the screen. Most of the time the cuplrits are Wi-Fi, mobile data and bluetooth connectivity eating up all the resources and turning them on demand is the best practice. Rooting (establsihing admin access) your gadget can help turn off stock apps that may be using up your phone’s battery.

Conclusively, battery power is a common issue among Android users. If you are thinking of delving into the world of Android, be ready to accept this flaw. Besides, there are more workarounds to address this surfacing matter.

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Google Nexus 7 Review

I viewed Google I/O, Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) and the first Nexus tablet as Google's last chance to deliver a knockout in the tablet space before the onslaught of Windows 8 and Windows RT devices later this year. While the show was undoubtedly a success, I don't know that the market for $499+ Android tablets has a life after Windows 8/RT hit. We should see Windows RT tablets at $499, and Ivy/Haswell based Windows 8 tablets will handle the higher price points.

It seems that Google also realized this as the Nexus 7, its first Nexus branded tablet, starts at just $199. There's a huge market for tablets as a primary computing device, and I believe Windows RT/8 offers something unique and compelling for that usage model. At the same time however, there's decent demand for a tablet to augment your existing computing world. It's a far more specific usage model but one that really demands a lower price point. Users are willing to spend a lot for something that does everything in your life, but for something that's more nice than necessity, price matters even more.

The Nexus 7 is aimed at the latter. It's a device for users who need ultra portability and tons of battery life for content consumption. While Apple has been quietly empowering the iPad to be a content creation device, and dockable Windows 8/RT tablets will attempt to replace your notebook, the Nexus 7 is a more traditional ARM based tablet by default.

It's clearly Google that I have to thank because the Nexus 7 is the most solidly built ASUS tablet I've ever used. That's not to say that its predecessors were examples of shoddy workmanship, it's just that the Nexus 7 is damn near perfect. The back has a great grip to it. The whole thing actually feels like a well made book because of the soft touch plastic back. The book comparison is sort of hilarious because it's a feel that Amazon couldn't get right with its overly generic Kindle Fire. The book illusion stops once your hands touch the glass for obvious reasons, but man does it feel nice to hold.

The Nexus 7 feels considerably lighter than the Kindle Fire, but I still had to prop it up on something or hold it in two hands if I was going to use it for a long period of time.

The power button and volume rocker are placed much like they would be on a phone - at the top right edge of the device. The sole buttons on the device do feel a bit ambiguous, something I feel that I would get used to over time. I had the disadvantage of switching between several tablets during this review and never did get used to the position and feel of the buttons on the N7. That's probably the biggest gripe I have about the design of the device. In other words, there's not much to hate.

The Nexus 7 features two mics for noise canceling action (likely in support of Google Now). You get NFC, Bluetooth and 802.11n WiFi but there's no LTE option as of now. I know there's internal debate about releasing an LTE enabled version at some point in the future.

Cost is the major selling point for the Nexus 7: for $199 Google will sell you an 8GB version with a $25 credit at the Google Play store, along with some preloaded magazines, books and a movie (Transformers: Dark of the Moon). It's tough to buy a new tablet and not buy apps for it, so the $25 credit is likely to be incredibly useful - making the effective retail price of the Nexus 7 $174. If you want 16GB of storage the price does go up to $249 however. Unfortunately even Google is not above charging $50 for $4 of MLC NAND.

The limited NAND capacity prevents the Nexus 7 from being home to more than a single full length movie or a couple of TV shows. Streaming video content isn't a problem, Netflix works beautifully on the device but there's no hope if you want to keep a ton of content local. Unfortunately USB OTG isn't supported for storage, so you're left with no other option for expanding local storage (short of rooting the device).

In every sense outside of portability, a 10-inch display is much nicer to look at than a 7-inch one in my opinion. There's less zooming in you need to do on web pages or magazines. Text in general is just easier to read and perhaps I'm getting too old, but there's something nice about everything being comfortably bigger.

Does the Nexus 7's form factor make it feel substantially better than using a smartphone? Yes, I'd say so. The same reasons I gave above for a 10-inch tablet being nicer to use than a 7-inch tablet are equally applicable to 7-inch tablet vs. a smartphone. There's this size/usability optimization curve that requires some soul searching to figure out exactly where you land on it. I suspect most people fall into the small smartphone + large tablet dichotomy, but the beauty of this current mobile revolution is the availability of choice. The Nexus 7 in many ways is very much like the 11-inch MacBook Air. A bit impractical for many, but those who crave portability are drawn to it. The Nexus 7 still feels like you're using a tablet, just a small one.

I needn't dwell on the benefits of a 7-inch form factor for portability any longer. If I'm wearing baggy enough pants I can even pocket the Nexus 7, something I simply couldn't do with the iPad. I'm more likely to carry the Nexus 7 with me than I would the iPad, but the comparison isn't quite as open and shut as that. The iPad offers LTE, the Nexus 7 is more portable, the iPad is easier to look at, the Nexus 7 is more affordable...the back and forth is endless.

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Nexus 7 more defects as Google investigates complaints

Google and Asus ran into some quality control issues with the original Nexus 7, and early reports indicate the second-generation model is having its own share of problems. Unfortunately, it seems those hardware troubles don't end with malfunctioning GPS. Complaints about the brand new $229 tablet also extend to the display. Few owners have bad things to say about the Nexus 7's impressive, tack sharp 1920 x 1200 resolution. But touchscreen sensitivity is another matter. Like with the GPS bug, many users have taken to XDA Developers and Google's product forums to call out questionable behavior they've seen from the device.

The wrong kind of multitouch

Reports seem to focus on "phantom" presses — finger taps that are being registered by the Nexus 7 even when a user's hand is away from the screen. When demonstrated with an app designed to test for multitouch accuracy (as in the video below), the issue is obvious. But it may not be so apparent to regular end users. Those afflicted claim they've experienced unpredictable keyboard behavior and random bouts of lag thanks to the Nexus 7's iffy touch detection. To be clear, other buyers report no issues whatsoever with touchscreen sensitivity. A number of tools for gauging your Nexus 7's touch performance are available through Google Play, so you can test for the issue immediately after buying the tablet if you're worried. For now, Google employee Paul Wilcox is assuring early buyers that the company is investigating their reports.

The GPS and touchscreen bugs may not be obvious to some Nexus 7 owners, but it's hard to miss your device randomly freezing up or rebooting out of the blue. That's yet another issue being reported at Google's forums. Google has been on the hunt for a fix here, asking Nexus 7 owners to boot the device in safe mode and reset it to factory settings as two possible solutions. But those don't seem to be sufficient fixes, and again Googler Wilcox has promised that the Android team is looking into the matter. But there's been no solid timeline on a resolution, leading some early adopters to return the Nexus 7 while they still can.

Is the Nexus 7 still an excellent tablet? Unquestionably. These early quality control quirks aren't enough to offset the incredible price, sleek design, and killer screen Asus and Google have delivered. Nor should they necessarily sway you from purchasing the latest flagship Android tablet. But like the original model, you'll want to give your new purchase a thorough once-over to make sure it's not affected by these or other issues. In the meantime, we've reached out to both companies for more information on these early Nexus 7 problems and potential fixes.

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Motorola TRIUMPH aka Huawei U9000 IDEOS X6?

Virgin Mobile looks to have gotten some love yesterday at the Motorola event as well, with the new launch of the Motorola Triumph (which looks just like a Motorola Droid). The Triumph won’t have any triumphant features, but it has a 4.1 inch display screen, 2GB internal storage, Android 2.2, a 5 megapixel rear camera, and HDMI output. It’s a prepaid device, and for that reason, this makes for a formidable handset to add to their roster.

Motorola TRIUMPH
The First Motorola Available on Virgin Mobile

Tech savvy customers will appreciate the feature-rich Motorola TRIUMPH, exclusive to Virgin Mobile USA,
as one of the hottest phones with the added flexibility of a no contract plan.

Motorola TRIUMPH boasts a vibrant 4.1-inch WVGA touchscreen, dual-facing cameras, a super slim design
at less than 0.4 inches thick, HD-Video (720p) capture and HDMI output to allow for image sharing on
your HDTV. Motorola TRIUMPH is the first handset to come preloaded with the Virgin Mobile Live 2.0 app
used to access the Virgin Mobile branded music stream.

Virgin Mobile Live 2.0 is a social networking music application which will provide all Android users free
access to the company’s critically acclaimed music stream hosted by DJ Abbey Braden, as well as live
music performance videos, and “check in” features at special events. All status updates made using the
app will also sync with Facebook and Twitter.

KEY FEATURES:
• 5MP back-facing camera and VGA front-facing camera
• HD video capture and playback in 720p, both on device or over HDMI
• Massive 4.1″ display (800×480 WVGA) and ultra-thin at .0.4″
• 1400 mAh battery
• 512MB RAM with 2GB ROM and SD card slot for extended
• Froyo (Android 2.2) with Flash support for enhanced browsing
(download from Android Market)
• Soft touch design for comfort in hand

SPECIFICATIONS:
• Software Platform: Android – Froyo
• Messaging/web/apps: MMS, SMS, email
• Camera: 5MP AF with flash, VGA front facing
• Video: 30 fps @ 720 p decode
30 fps @ 720 p 14 Mbps encode
• Connectivity: microUSB, 3.5mm , HDMI port
• Browser: Android Webkit Browser
• Bluetooth: BT V2.1 + EDR
• Memory: 512MB RAM/ 2GB ROM, uSD Slot
• Location Services: aGPS
• Form Factor: Tablet
• Experience Category: Media Centric
• Baseband: Qualcomm MSM8655
• Weight: 143g
• Dimensions: 4.8″ x 2.5″ x 0.4″Display: 4.1″ 800 x 480 WVGA
• Battery: 1400 mAh
• Bands/Modes: CDMA 1900 MHz EVDO RevA, 802.11 b/g/n

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iPhone Concrete Charger

Wireless induction chargers don't need to look like space-aged objects circa 1984 — as evidenced by the Concrete Charger ($TBA). This piece of modern art won't look out of place in your apartment thanks to a minimalist aesthetic that doesn't draw too much attention to itself. Two induction chargers (based on the Qi standard that accommodates a range of devices) let you charge a tablet and phone at the same time, while a soft cork top won't scratch or chip your tech. Available in July.

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Get a Smarter TV with Netgear NeoTV Streaming Player

If you are not ready to spend big on a Smart TV or you want to extend the features on your existing Smart TV, then these latest releases from Netgear could be the answer. The company has release three new Netgear streaming players (NeoTV, NeoTV Pro and NeoTV MAX) that give you access to some of the best on-demand and subscription services.

NeoTV(NTV300)

The Netgear NeoTV range can upgrade your standard TV to a Smart TV. Also, if your existing Smart TV is limited in features you can attach a NeoTV to get the additional services or features. With NeoTV you can access thousands of movies, TV shows or songs from Netflix, Hulu Plus, Vudu, Best Buy, You Tube, Phapsody, Pandora and many others and stream them to your TV at full 1080p HD and listen in 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound.

NeoTV Pro(300S)

You can connect any other players to our home network using Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet. They all have their own remote that offers one-touch Quick start buttons, but if you want you can download Netgear’s free remote app from Google Player for Android devices and Apple Store for Apple iPhone, iPad or iPod. The app turns your Smartphone and tablet into a simple touch screen remote control of the NeoTV Streaming Players.

NeoTV MAX(NTV300SL)

As added bonus Netgear has added Intel WiDi (Wireless Display) technology to the NeoTV Pro (NTV300S), making it the first streaming player to have it. With Intel WiDi you can wireless display anything on your laptop to your TV in full HD (1080p) video resolution and 5.1 Dolby Digital Sorround Sound. NeoTV Pro can also able to connect to older TVs that don’t have a HDMI port.

The premium model of the range, the NeoTV MAX (NTV300SL) offers more advance features, according to Netgear takes it beyond those of most Smart TVs. In addition to features offer by NeoTV (NTV300) and NeoTV Pro, The NeoTV MAX allows you to access and play media files from an external hard drive, via USB or DLNA media server. The NeoTV also comes with a premium remote control with simple navigation buttons on one side and full QWERTY keyboard on the other, so you can easily type in the tiles of videos, songs or movies you are searching for. To top it off with NeoTV MAX you can stream full 3D movies from Vudu to 3D enable TVs.

What will it cost you, they are available at Amazon.com: NeoTV(NTV300) is priced at $49.99; NeoTV Pro(NTV300S) is for $59.99 and NeoTV MAX(NTV300SL) is $69.99.

NeoTV™ Streaming Player (NTV300)	NeoTV™ PRO Streaming Player (NTV300S)	NeoTV™ MAX Streaming Player (NTV300SL)
In the Box NeoTV player Remote control Two (2) AAA batteries Power adapter Quick start guide Networking 802.11n 150 Mbps WiFi (b/g/n compatible) with WEP, WPA and WPA2 support 10/100 Base-T Ethernet On Screen WPS support for ease of setup Video Outputs 480p (HDMI), 720p (HDMI), 1080p (HDMI) Video Modes up to 1080p high definition (HD) 16:9 anamorphic 4:3 standard Audio Output Digital over HDMI (5.1 surround sound pass-through and stereo) Remote Control Ergonomic NeoTV infrared remote control Power Consumption Less than 2W (typical) when streaming HD video	In the Box NeoTV player Remote control Two (2) AAA batteries Power adapter Quick start guide Networking 802.11n 300 Mbps WiFi (b/g/n compatible) with WEP, WPA and WPA2 support 10/100 Base-T Ethernet On Screen WPS support for ease of setup Video Outputs 480i (composite video) 480p (HDMI), 720p (HDMI), 1080p (HDMI) Video Modes up to 1080p high definition (HD) 16:9 anamorphic 4:3 standard Audio Output Analog stereo (mini-jack to left/right/composite video RCA) Digital over HDMI (5.1 surround sound pass-through and stereo) Remote Control Ergonomic NeoTV infrared remote control Power Consumption Less than 2W (typical) when streaming HD video	In the Box NeoTV player Remote control Two (2) AAA batteries Power adapter Quick start guide Networking 802.11n 300 Mbps WiFi (b/g/n compatible) with WEP, WPA and WPA2 support 10/100 Base-T Ethernet On Screen WPS support for ease of setup Video Outputs 480i (composite video) 480p (HDMI), 720p (HDMI), 1080p (HDMI) Video Modes up to 1080p high definition (HD) 16:9 anamorphic 4:3 standard Audio Output Analog stereo (mini-jack to left/right/composite video RCA) Digital over HDMI (5.1 surround sound pass-through and stereo) Remote Control QWERTY keyboard NeoTV infrared remote control Power Consumption Less than 2W (typical) when streaming HD video

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