India's first 4K-ready Full HD TV starting at Rs 14,990 - Launched by Cloudwalker

Cloudwalker cloud tv X2

Cloudwalker, an Indian television brand, has launched the Cloud TV X2 smart TV. The 32-inch variant is priced at Rs 14,990 and will be made available to consumers exclusively via Amazon India. 

The television runs on  Google’s Android 7.0 Nougat operating system and will also feature a content discovery engine to curate regional digital content and apps to enhance the user experience. TV  comes with a new and improved Super Remote with in-built Air mouse for simple point and click navigation.

https://cloudwalker.tv/cloudtvx2/

Android 8.1 Oreo update for Xiaomi Mi A1

Xiaomi Mi A1 the only Android One smartphone from Xiaomi has started receiving Android 8.1 Oreo update. This update also includes June Android Security patch. The update is rolling out over the air(OTA) however users can also flash the Fastboot ROM. The update is rolling out in India and Philippines already. Xiaomi Mi A1 is guaranteed to get major Android updates till two years after launch. We can expect the smartphone to get the upcoming Android P update soon after its stable release later this year.

To download and install the OTA(over the air), go to Settings > (About Phone) > System Updates. You should automatically get the update; if not, click on Check for Updates.

Note: They say that the update is rolling out with a known bug at the moment, which wipes the phone's SMS history. However, users can easily avoid the issue by using a third party SMS backup app.

Click here to know about Mi A1

Oppo O-Free Wireless Bluetooth Headset - Launched with Translation, Voice Assistant Support

Oppo O-free Bluetooth Headset

Oppo launched "Oppo O-Free wireless Bluetooth Headset in China. The new wireless headset that comes in a pair of two buds is powered by a wireless stereo technology that is touted to synchronise the left and right audio with the phone without any delay. There is also translation support that is apparently designed to counter Google Pixel Buds and enables real-time translations.

The headset offers easy adjustments of volume, playback and switching between multiple music tracks. Oppo has provided a charging case that is rated to deliver 12 hours of additional power on a single charge.

Oppo priced it at Rs. 7,200/-(approximately) and will go on sale in the country in August. 

Share really big files online - How to guide 2018

Do you know that we can send really large files online? Yes, most of us are using Whatsapp to send big files. There is another way to send big files online and that is via WeTransfer.

What is WeTransfer?

Wetransfer

WeTransfer is the simplest way to send your files around the world. You can send files up to 2GB size without registration and that too for free. 

Free users can send files up to 2GB. WeTransfer ‘Plus’ supports sending files up to 20GB and offers features like password protection, channel customization and 100 GB storage.

Use the below link to transfer your files: https://wetransfer.com/

Adobe Spark - make stunning video presentations with voice narration and wow everyone

Adobe Spark:

Adobe Spark is an integrated suite of storytelling applications for the mobile and web developed by Adobe Systems. It comprises three separate design apps: Spark Page, Spark Post, and Spark Video. Its apps became the company's first to be named by Apple as an App Store Best App of the Year in 2016 and has been downloaded over 3.5 million times.

This free Adobe Spark web app syncs with Spark Page, Spark Post and Spark Video iOS mobile apps, allowing users to create, edit and share their visual story from any device. These three design apps allow users to easily create and design visual content that can be used for businesses, education, social media marketers. The Spark Gallery highlights different projects made by people using the application. When using the three applications the user has the ability to import pictures or search pictures. 

To start using Adobe Spark, log on to https://spark.adobe.com/home/ and click on 'start now for free'. 

Sign up with your Facebook or Google account. If you already have an Adobe Account, sign in with your login credentials and follow on screen instructions.

Create mind-maps, brainstorm ideas in your browser

Brainstorm online with Bubbl.us. Easily create colorful mind maps to print or share with others. Almost no learning curve. Millions of people are using Bubbl.us.

What is Bubbl.us?

Bubbl.us is an easy-to-use, online brainstorming software. With Bubbl.us you can create colorful mind maps and share them with others. Examples. Family Tree, Website Outline, Hierarchy.

Here is the link for the site: https://bubbl.us/

Chrome Remote Desktop - Remote access your device/computer

With Chrome Remote Desktop you can securely access your computer from your phone, tablet, or another computer. It's fast, simple, and free.

How to set up Remote access for windows:

Download the Chrome Remote Desktop App.
On your computer, open Chrome.
In the address bar at the top, type chrome://apps, and press Enter.
Click Chrome Remote Desktop App.
Under "My Computers," click Get started.
Click Enable remote connections.
Enter a PIN and re-type the PIN. Click OK.
Click Yes to install the Chrome Remote Desktop service.
Confirm the Google Account and enter the PIN again to continue.
The computer you allowed should show up under "My Computers."

Share your computer with someone else:

You can give others access to your computer. They’ll have full access to your apps, files, emails, documents and history. 

On your computer, open Chrome.
In the address bar at the top, type chrome://apps, and press Enter.
Click Chrome Remote Desktop Chrome Remote Desktop App.
Click Get started.
To create an access code, click Share.
Send the code to the person you want to let use your computer.
When the other person enters the access code, they’ll see your email address and have full control of your computer.
To end a sharing session, click Stop sharing.

https://remotedesktop.google.com/

Best Collection of open source fonts - Google fonts

Google Fonts:

Google Fonts is a library of almost 900 licensed fonts. This directory is intended to enable font discovery and exploration and the service is used extensively with over 17 trillion font served, which means that each of its 877 fonts has been downloaded over 19 billion times. Here is a way to use those fonts directly from the web. 

These are the the best collection of open source fonts that you can use anywhere without restrictions. Use the below link to access fonts. 

https://fonts.google.com/

Most useful Websites and Web Apps

There are hundreds of websites on Internet that make you smarter and increase your productivity. I'm sure these websites solve some of your problems. These websites also have easy to remember URLs. 

1. AutoDraw:

You can create freehand doodles and watch them magically transform into beautiful drawings. 

Here is the link for the website: https://www.autodraw.com/

2. Fast.com:

Checking your Internet speed will just take 5 seconds. You can check your Internet speed by loggin on to this website. 

Link for the site: https://fast.com/en/

3. Slides.com:

This site helps you create pixel-perfect slide decks and broadcast your presentations to an audience of any size.

Link for the website: https://slides.com/

4. Dictation.io:

Say what you want to type and this web app types it for you. This is accurate and quick voice recognition web app/site. Note: Website needs permission to mic.

Link for the website: https://dictation.io/speech

5. Copychar.cc:

Do you have a special character or emoji that you want to copy? Here is a way, this site allows you to copy special characters and emojis that aren’t on your keyboard.
e.g: 😂
Link: http://copychar.cc/

6. Remotedesktop.google.com

With Chrome Remote Desktop app you can access other computers or allow others to remote access your computer over the Internet.

Link: https://remotedesktop.google.com/

How to clear cache in Chrome for Android

Clearing your browsing history and cache on Google Chrome for Android with these steps:

• Open Google Chrome and tap the three vertical dots icon on the top-right.
• Tap Privacy and then tap Clear browsing data.
• Tap Advanced at the top and then select the time range for which you want to delete cache.
• Now select the data you want to delete and then tap Clear data.

How to Clear Cache in Chrome for Windows - June 2018

To Clear cache in Chrome for Windows, here are the steps:

Open Google Chrome and click the three vertical dots icon on the top-right.

Click More tools > Clear browsing data.

Now select the time range via the drop-down menu. You can delete cache for just the last one hour, one day, one week, or all time. Select the time range you need.

There are two tabs in this setting i.e Basic and Advanced. 

Basic lets you clear browsing history, cookies, and cached images.

 Advanced lets you get rid of autofill information, saved passwords, media licenses, and more.

 Tick the box next to the data you want to delete. Then click Clear data.

Apply for a new passport on phone - How to Guide 2018

Government has added new features in the "mPassport Seva" app. App now allows Citizens to apply for fresh passports from the app. App is released by 'Consular, Passport and Visa division' and the process is similar to existing system that is being followed by 'Passport Seva" Website. This is how you can apply for fresh passport from the app. 

1. Download 'mPassport Seva' from respective app stores(Android and iOS users).

(CPV division MEA, Government of India)

 2. Launch the app and Tap on New User Registration after opening the app.

3. Select the Passport Office from the list as per the city in which you are residing. 

They say the new process allows citizens to apply for a new passport from anywhere in India. This means if you are hometown is in Delhi and you stay in Bangalore, you can apply for a fresh passport  from Bangalore itself.

Enter personal details i.e Name, Surname, Date of Birth, email ID. 

If you want your email ID to be your login ID, check "Yes" or else check No and give Unique login ID and set password.

4. Add security Question and answer.

Add the text written inside the small image (Captcha code) and hit submit.

Activate the account by checking for the email sent by the passport office, clicking verification link. You will be directed to a webpage and you will be asked to enter your Login ID for confirmation.

Close the App and re-launch it again. Click “Existing User” and enter your Login ID followed by the password and Captcha code. After that you will be greeted with a screen saying Apply for Fresh Passport along with other option.

Keep the documents handy and fill in the form. Make the payment and fix an appointment to visit a Passport Centre in your city for document verification.

Important note: Please beware of fake Passport seva apps. This information is only for Indian residents, readers from other countries please ignore.

Facebook - How to use it

Facebook is an American online Social Networking site/social media and the company is based in California. Facebook was launched in February 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg along with fellow Harvard College Students and roommates. 

The website was initially limited to Harvard Students, later they expanded it to higher Education institutions in Boston area. Facebook gradually added support for students at various other universities and high school students. Since 2006 anyone who is at least 13 years old has been allowed to become a registered user of Facebook. Facebook held its initial public offering in February 2012 valuing the company around $100 billion.

Facebook can be accessed from a large range of devices with Internet connectivity. To access Facebook you have to create a profile(Account) indicating your name, occupation, schools attended, Place of work etc. After creating your profile, you can sign in and add other users as "Friends", Exchange messages, post status updates, share Photos, videos and links and share news updates. Users can also join common interest user groups organized by workplace, school or topics. Facebook is now being used worldwide/many countries. 

Click here to access Facebook

Google Photos now lets you Produce movies - Love Story, Meow Movie and Doggie Movie

Google Photos:

"Google Photos" now lets you create Romantic movies using your old memories. The new change comes through the 'Google Assistant' integration within the Photos app. Google Photos also includes the " Meow Movie" and "Doggie Movie" as the two pet-focused themes to let you showcase your love with pets.

Screenshot from Desktop 

Snapshot is taken from Desktop

To create a Love Story, go to "Assistant" tab from Google Photos app and then tap "Movie" from the "Create new" section. After that, hit the 'Love Story' card to begin the action. The theme requires a large number of photos of you and your partner to create new movies. Also, you need to enable the face grouping feature on Google Photos to let the Assistant detect the faces of you.

Once Google Photos gets the relevant images, you can edit the shots, add new photos or videos to the timeline or change the background theme music. As Google Photos is available as a cross-platform app, the Love Story movies can be created on devices running Android and iOS or directly through the Web.

You can create other movies(e.g Father's day, mother's day movies) in the same way. 

Xiaomi Mi Pocket Speaker 2 - Launched in India

Mi Pocket Speaker 2

Xiaomi announced the launch of its latest audio device in Indian market. The Mi Pocket Speaker 2 comes with Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity, 5W speaker. Company claims 7 hour battery life with continuous music playback. Speaker is is now available at a price of Rs. 1,499 exclusively via Mi.com.

Specifications:

Product:                     Mi Bluetooth Pocket Speaker 2

Dimensions:             9.3 X 6 X 6 cm

Bluetooth Version:  4.1 

Bluetooth Range:    Upto 10 M

Max Output:             5W

Charging Time:        3 hrs

Battery capacity:     1200mAh 

Playback:                  upto 7 Hours

Youtube - How to use

YouTube is an American video-sharing website headquartered in San Bruno, California. Google bought the site in November 2006 and YouTube now operates as one of Google's subsidiaries.

YouTube allows users to upload, view, rate, share, add to favorites, report, comment on videos, download videos etc.  It offers a wide variety of user-generated and corporate media videos. Available content includes video clips, TV show clips, music videos, short and documentary films, audio recordings, movie trailers, live streams, and other content such as video blogging, short original videos and educational videos. Most of the content on YouTube is uploaded by individuals, but media corporations including CBS, the BBC, Vevo, and Hulu offer some of their material via YouTube as part of the YouTube partnership program. 

Unregistered users can only watch videos on the site, while registered users are permitted to upload an unlimited number of videos and add comments to videos. Videos deemed potentially inappropriate are available only to registered users affirming themselves to be at least 18 years old.

YouTube earns advertising revenue from Google AdSense, a program which targets ads according to site content and audience. The vast majority of its videos are free to view, but there are exceptions, including subscription-based premium channels, film rentals, as well as YouTube Red, a subscription service offering ad-free access to the website and access to exclusive content made in partnership with existing users.

There are more than 400 hours of content uploaded to YouTube each minute, and one billion hours of content are watched on YouTube every day.

Click here to watch Youtube

Adobe Flash Player - How to download

Flash Player:

Flash Player is a highly expressive cross-platform runtime that works consistently across browsers. Flash Player delivers innovation within the browser.

Here are the steps to install Flash Player

1. Download Flash Player from Adobe site.
2. Then, close all browsers and double-click the file you downloaded.
3. Accept the License Agreement and follow the instructions on screen.
   After a successful installation, the "Installation Complete" message appears.

Search Engine - How to

What is a search Engine?

A web search engine is a software system that is designed to search for information on the World Wide Web. The search results are generally presented in a line of results often referred to as search engine result pages.

The information may be a mix of web pages, images, and other types of files. Some search engines also mine data available in databases or open directions. Unlike web directions, which are maintained only by human editors, search engines also maintain real time information by running an algorithm on a web crawler.

Here are some of the Active search Engines:

WebCrawler 

Lycos              

Daum             
Excite              
SAPO              
Dogpile          
HotBot          
Bing              

Google     
Yahoo!     

Gmail - How to use

What is Gmail?

Gmail is a free advertising, supported email service developed by Google. Users can access Gmail on web. Gmail started as a limited beta release in April 2004 and ended its testing its testing phase in July 2009. 

At launch, Gmail had an initial storage capacity offer of one GB per user, a significantly higher amount than competitors offered at that time. Today the service comes with 15GB of storage. Uses can receive emails upto 50MG in size including attachments, while you can send emails upto 25MB. In order to send larger files, users can insert files from Google Drive into the message. 

Click here to access Gmail

Google - How to use

What is Google?

Google is a search engine that is used to find information such as websites, pictures, maps and answers to millions of questions. 

Google uses a computer program called a "web Crawler" that looks at billions of websites available on World Wide Web and examines their content to find 'Keywords'. It then indexes these to make the websites easier for the search engine to find. For example, You searched for "Google" and landed on this site and likewise there are many websites with the same information which google fetches. 

Click here to visit Google page

Adobe Reader/Adobe Acrobat Reader DC - How to download

What is Acrobat Reader DC?

It is a free desktop software available on the Reader download page or wherever you see the Get Adobe Acrobat Reader icon. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software is trusted standard for viewing, printing, signing, and annotating PDFs. It's the only PDF viewer that can open and interact with all types of PDF content – including forms and multimedia. Now, it’s connected to Adobe Document Cloud – so you can work with PDFs on computers and mobile devices.

Download Acrobat Reader by clicking here.

System requirements:

Windows

• 1.5GHz or faster processor
• Windows Server 2008 R2 (64 bit), 2012 (64 bit), 2012 R2 (64 bit), or 2016 (64 bit); Windows 7 (32 bit and 64 bit), Windows 8, 8.1 (32 bit and 64 bit), or Windows 10 (32 bit and 64 bit)
• 1GB of RAM
• 380MB of available hard-disk space
• 1024x768 screen resolution
• Internet Explorer 11

macOS

• Intel processor
• Mac OS X v10.10, Mac OS X v10.11, macOS v10.12, or macOS v10.13^*
• 1GB of RAM
• 380MB of available hard-disk space
• 1024x768 screen resolution
• Safari 8.0, 9.0, 10.0, or 11.0 (browser plug-in for Safari supported on 64-bit Intel processor only)

Mobile apps

Working with these free mobile apps is optional.

• Adobe Acrobat Reader: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
• Adobe Fill & Sign: iOS, Android

Protect your phone from catching fire - How to Tips

It is an open secret that there is no sureshot way to avoid smartphones from catching fire however you can protect your phone from catching fire by following these tips. 

Use Original charger:

It is always best to use the charger that comes with your smartphone i.e the manufacturer's original charger. In case if you lose the charger or if it starts malfunctioning replace it with branded charger.

Go for only manufacturer battery:

It is also important to use original battery. In case your smartphone's battery needs to be changed, ensure that you get it replaced with the original one. 

Avoid direct sunlight:

Avoid charging your smartphone in direct sunlight or other hot places like near the car's dashboard especially for long hours. This may make the heating issue worse. The accepted temperature is usually 0 to 45 degree centigrade.

Avoid charging for long hours:

Stop that practice of charging your smartphone for long hours as this may lead to overheating, remember to unplug once the phone is charged.

Get your smartphone repaired only at authorised centres

Always get your smartphone repaired at authorised centres. This is important to ensure that its circuitry and original parts are not affected.

Avoid charging your phone in power strip extension cord

It is always better not to charge smartphone on those power strip extension cords. This is because if any device in one of the sockets in the cord is affected, it is sure to cause damage to your smartphone as well. 

Never charge a phone on uneven surfaces

Many of us do this, leaving our smartphones under the pillow to charge. This too needs to be avoided as it may cause your smartphone to overheat and catch fire.

Remove case while charging

It is always better to remove the case while charging your smartphone.