Micromax launched the Unite 2 A106, the company's first smartphone running on Android 4.4 (KitKat) last month. We already brought you the unboxing of the Unite 2, here we have the benchmark of the smartphone. It is powered by a 1.3 GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6582 processor with Mali 400 GPU. It packs 1GB of RAM and has a 4.7-inch WVGA display. Let’s find out how the Unite 2 performs in range of synthetic benchmark tests.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZaC3c2WlVY
Quadrant Benchmark
The Unite 2 scored 8561 points in the Quadrant benchmark.
AnTuTu Benchmark 4
In the AnTuTu Benchmark 4 the smartphone scored 17773 points and grabs the second spot, just behind the Xolo Q1100.
Vellamo 2.0 HTML5
It managed to score 1918 points in the Vellamo 2 HTML5 browser benchmark.
Vellamo 2.0 Metal
It scored 559 points in the Vellamo 2 Metal CPU subsystem performance test.
Linpack Single Thread
It clocked around 115.4 MFLOPS and topped the Linpack Single Thread benchmark.
Linpack Multi-Thread
In the Linpack Multi-Thread test, it clocked around 229.4 MFLOPS.
NenaMark 2
The Micromax Unite 2 clocked 63.4 fps in the NenaMark 2 GPU benchmark.
GFXBench 2.7 T-Rex (On screen)
It clocked 9.8 fps in the GFXBench 2.7 T-Rex Onscreen benchmark.
Basemark X 1.0 HD (Onscreen)
It clocked around 8 fps in the Basemark X 1.0 OnScreen benchmark and lies behind Moto E.
Basemark ...
Micromax launched the Unite 2 A106, the company's first smartphone running on Android 4.4 (KitKat) last month. We already brought you the unboxing of the Unite 2, here we have the benchmark of the smartphone. It is powered by a 1.3 GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6582 processor with Mali 400 GPU. It packs 1GB of RAM and has a 4.7-inch WVGA display. Let’s find out how the Unite 2 performs in range of synthetic benchmark tests.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZaC3c2WlVY
Quadrant Benchmark
The Unite 2 scored 8561 points in the Quadrant benchmark.
AnTuTu Benchmark 4
In the AnTuTu Benchmark 4 the smartphone scored 17773 points and grabs the second spot, just behind the Xolo Q1100.
Vellamo 2.0 HTML5
It managed to score 1918 points in the Vellamo 2 HTML5 browser benchmark.
Vellamo 2.0 Metal
It scored 559 points in the Vellamo 2 Metal CPU subsystem performance test.
Linpack Single Thread
It clocked around 115.4 MFLOPS and topped the Linpack Single Thread benchmark.
Linpack Multi-Thread
In the Linpack Multi-Thread test, it clocked around 229.4 MFLOPS.
NenaMark 2
The Micromax Unite 2 clocked 63.4 fps in the NenaMark 2 GPU benchmark.
GFXBench 2.7 T-Rex (On screen)
It clocked 9.8 fps in the GFXBench 2.7 T-Rex Onscreen benchmark.
Basemark X 1.0 HD (Onscreen)
It clocked around 8 fps in the Basemark X 1.0 OnScreen benchmark and lies behind Moto E.
Basemark ...
Samsung and Spotify have teamed up to make its easy for users to listen to Spotify on Samsung speakers. The latest partnership will let more than 10 million premium Spotify users control their Samsung Shape wireless audio-multiroom speakers straight from the Spotify app.
Shape users will be able to use the native Spotify app instead of the Shape app, to queue up and play songs. In addition, users can also use the Spotify Connect feature to stream music to two or more Samsung speakers simultaneously. Samsung’s wireless audio multi room speakers can be used either standalone or with other Samsung devices including TVs, soundbars or Blu-Ray players via Wi-Fi.
“We are excited to bring Spotify’s premium streaming music service to our Wireless Audio Multiroom ecosystem. It gives our customers more options to connect to and customize their favorite music taking the listening experience to the next level.”
said Eric Jung, vice president of the visual display business at Samsung Electronics.
Launched in 2013, the speakers from Samsung such as Shape M7 and Shape M5 will get the Spotify control with the latest collaboration. The speakers are controlled from a downloadable app and facilitated through easy plug-and-play installation.
In a bid to boost its mapping service, Apple has scooped up social search engine app SpotSetter, according to Techcrunch. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed by the company. Founded in 2011, SpotSetter provides personalized recommendations for places to go such as restaurants, stores and entertainment venues.
As a result of the acquisition, SpotSetter team will join Apple and enhance its Maps offering by adding a social layer to it. It is more of an 'acquihire' as the two founders Johnny Lee and Stephen Tse have already joined Apple.
The app announced last week on its blog that it is shutting down both apps on iOS and Android. SpotSetter uses an algorithm to aggregate information from users’ social networks, including Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, and Instagram. SpotSetter also allowed users to search for particular locations and see if your friends have been there, or to read reviews about them.
Spotsetter pulled in content from other sites like Zagat, OpenTable and Yelp. As of last year, Spotsetter says that it had 5 million user profiles and 40 million venues. A user could search via place, category or keyword to find out more about a particular place, with special attention paid to friends’ opinions on various venues.
Apple has ...
Google Now is allowing you to take your power naps during transit without the worry of missing your stop. The intelligent personal assistant from Google will now alert you when you reach your destination.
Android users can set an alarm and tap it to activate while you are travelling in either bus or train. The alarm gets triggered when you reach your desired destination and it can be shut down by tapping on it. As Google already knows you Home and Work locations, it can easily alert you at the time of travelling from one place to another and vice versa.
It does not integrate with the standard alarm feature in Android available through the Clock app, according to Android Police The feature is not a major one but is surely handy and will be helpful for users who travel large distances on a daily basis. It is not clear as to in which countries is the update available except for the US, Canada and UK.
Google Now already offers flight schedules and navigation details in general along with details about public transit. Last month, it added Parking reminder card that enables users to automatically detect where you have parked your car and help ...
Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (SSTL) that nationally operates its telecom services under the MTS brand has introduced a new plan called Offer Ka Sikander for new customers. Under this offer, new prepaid customers would get bundled talk-time and more value on all subsequent recharges for one year. Activating retailer would also get benefits via a unique revenue sharing arrangement.
As part of the offer, new Voice customers will get upto Rs. 40 as free bundled talk-time. In addition, customers will get full talk-time on all recharges starting at Rs. 30 and 10% extra talk-time on recharges of Rs. 150 and above for a period of 1 year. Activating retailers will get up to 10% revenue share on all recharges for a period of 6 months from activation.
This is currently available in Rajasthan, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kolkata and West Bengal circles and would see a phased rolled out.
Offers with MTS Offer Ka Sikander
Description
Benefits To New Voice Customers
Talk-Time
Up to Rs. 40 (Bundled with new SIM card)
Full Talk Time
On recharges of Rs. 30 to Rs. 149
Extra Talk Time
10% extra talk-time on recharges of Rs. 150 onwards
Retailer Revenue Share
Upto 10% on all recharges done by customers for 6 months from activation.
Regarding to the new offer, Leonid Musatov, Chief Marketing & Sales Officer ...
CyanogenMod has announced that their Theme Showcase app will available in the Google Play Store from June 16. The well-known custom ROM had previously launched their CM Apps app onto the Play Store.
Theme Showcase was first revealed on the OnePlus One and will be used to highlight the many different themes made for CyanogenMod ROMs using the CyanogenMod Theme Engine. The Theme Showcase app displays all of the apps for CyanogenMod. Community specialist for Cyanogen Inc, Brian Resnik gave the details of the app on via Google+ post.
Its release will allow those who don't use CyanogenMod custom ROMs to take advantage of its theming features, such as the ability to apply different fonts, icons, wallpapers, and even boot logos. Cyanogen promised that Theme Showcase will be updated with new content every Thursday. It must be noted that the app does not deliver the themes, but will offer links to Google Play Store from where you can download your favourite theme.
Via
Google is following Apple's footsteps and eyeing to buy music streaming service Songza. According to a latest report from New York Post, Google is in talks to acquire Songza which feature over thousands of curated playlists for $15 million. The six-year-old service creates music mixes based on a variety of themes and factors, such as your current mood or the local weather forecast.
With 5.5 million active users, Songza is way behind its competitors like Spotify and Pandora who have 10 million and 77 million users, respectively. It has apps on all major platforms like Android, BlackBerry, iOS and Windows Phone.
Google has its own music streaming service Google Play Music and if it acquires Songza, it might boost its music streaming offerings even further. Songza's curated playlists could be integrated into Google Play Music. The music streaming market is crowded with many players and the competition is getting tougher by day.
Last month Apple acquired Beats Music and Beats Electronics for a total of $3 billion.
Source :New York Post
Google will soon launch a feature on Android that lets phones and tablets to automatically connect with nearby devices, according to Android Police. Dubbed as 'Nearby', the feature will interact with a friend's phone or a smart device in your home.
Nearby lets you connect, share, and do more with people, places, and things near you. When Nearby is turned on for your account, Google can periodically turn on the mic, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and similar features on all your current and future devices. Google+ and other Google services need this access to help you connect, share, and more.
read the excerpt first seen by Android Police.
The Nearby feature sends information to Google's servers where it will be matched with other nearby users. They are then notified about about other devices that are nearby and asked whether they want to connect with them or not. Users will have control over what devices get to see their presence, and the feature can be turned off completely.
The feature is automatic and runs in the background and is likely to be announced at Google's I/O conference by the end of this month. It is also expected that the feature could be potentially used for location-based alerts like reminders and ads.
Source:Android Police
After the successful Amazing Spider-Man 2 game, Gameloft has teamed up with Marvel once again for Spider-Man: Unlimited game. It would be a web-runner inspired by 50 years of Spider-Man comics. It is an episodic adventure that would offer a narrative runner experience. It would have swinging, running, and fighting, similar to the comics.
You have to fight through a chaotic New York on the brink of destruction, as The Formidable Sinister Six attempt to gain unlimited power by opening a malevolent dimensional rift to our world. It's up to Peter Parker and iconic Spider-Man variations such as Iron Spider-Man, Spider-Man Noir, Future Foundation Spider-Man and Ben Reilly Spider-Man to team up and stop them.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyLH7VFmDFw
You can collect and upgrade 23 different Spider-Men. It features three narrative-driven issues facing Green Goblin, Vulture, Electro, and their dimensional counterparts along the way.
The Spider-Man Unlimited would be available for Android, iOS and Windows Phone early September 2014. Gameloft would reveal more details about the game at the E3 2014 later this week.
Micromax launched the Unite 2 A106, the company's first smartphone running on Android 4.4 (KitKat) few weeks back, soon after Motorola launched its Moto E. The Unite 2 has decent specifications compared to most other smartphones in this price range. Is this the best Android smartphone with KitKat in this range? Let us find out in the complete review.
Unboxing
We unboxed the smartphone recently. Check out the Micromax Unite 2 Unboxing
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw5EWAmwnIQ
Box Contents
Hardware and Design
The Micromax Unite 2 has a very simple design. It has curved corners and a huge bezel around the display. It comes in Pristine White, Balmy Green, Mystic Grey and Raging Red colors, here we have the grey color. All these have the same black bezel on the front, so only the color of the back panels vary.
Coming to the display, the 4.7-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 480 by 800 has a pixel density of just 198 ppi. Since the smartphone has a low resolution display, the content is not sharp. Other aspects such as brightness, sunlight legibility and viewing angles are pretty good. The phone looks huge, mainly due to the huge display. Since the display is too glossy, it is prone to fingerprints.
It also has an LED notification ...
New leaks about the Galaxy F which is rumoured to be touted as Galaxy S5 Prime have surfaced online, reports PhoneArena. Earlier this week, @evleaks tweeted a leaked press render of a possible Samsung Galaxy F.
The latest images shows the device in metal body unlike the plastic body of the S5 Prime. The bezels around the screen of this device are also thinner and it is stated to be smaller than the S5.With a possible a 5.3-inch screen and a resolution of 2560x1440, the device is likely to be powered by a Snapdragon 805 processor.
The IP67 water and dust resistance are some of the other features that are present on the phone according to the report. Galaxy F is also rumored to have 3GB of RAM and a 16MP rear camera with OIS. The image shows shows the name 'Galaxy F' and is accompanied with 'powered by Android'.
It must be noted that these are mere leaked images and hence does not confirm the device.
Source:PhoneArena
Swipe has launched Swipe Konnect 5.0, the company's latest smartphone in new Konnect series. It has a 5-inch ( 960 ×540 pixels) qHD capacitive touch screen IPS display based on one-glass-solution, powered by a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor and runs on Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean). It has a 8-megapixel rear camera with OmniVision sensor, LED flash and a 3.2-megapixel front-facing camera. It comes with dual SIM support and 3G connectivity.
It is 8.9 mm thick and weighs just 135 grams. It is one of the world's lightest 5-inch smartphone, says Swipe.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx2CB451AP0
Commenting on the launch of Konnect series, Shripal Gandhi, Founder & CEO, Swipe, said,
Swipe has always been ahead of the curve in terms of features offerings in Smartphone Fablets. We will cement our position as innovative maker of smart fablets with the launch of the Konnect 5.0. The recent venture capital funding from Kalaari Capital has helped the company in developing innovative features and its reach in the Indian market. Swipe raised Rs 30 crore in venture capital funding from Kalaari Capital in April this year.
Swipe Konnect 5.0 specifications
5-inch (960 ×540 pixels) qHD capacitive touch screen IPS display
1.3 GHz quad-core processor
Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
Dual SIM
Dimensions: 148x74x8.9mm; Weight: 135 grams
8MP rear camera with LED flash
3.2 megapixel front-facing ...
The latest update of the Android Play Store brought with it some sweeping changes on the permissions side of things that managed to slide under the radar for the most part. App permissions will now be grouped into permissions groups which makes it relatively easier for users to see what kind of information and capabilities an app can access your device. So far so good? An unfortunate caveat of this change is that with an application update, new permissions from a group can be requested without requiring approval from users.
It’s a good idea to review permissions groups before downloading an app. Once you’ve allowed an app to access a permissions group, the app may use any of the individual permissions that are part of that group. You won’t need to manually approve individual permissions updates that belong to a permissions group you’ve already accepted.
(Source - Google)
Spotted first by Android developer, Senior Ninja Publishing, the explanation is quite simple. If a user approves a permission group that allows the application to read your text messages, it is now a trivial task for developers to update the application and add the ability to send text messages as well without requiring additional permissions.
Permissions ...
Steve Stroughton Smith, the well known iOS developer today confirmed what was already suspected for quite some time. Apple's beta release of iOS 8 includes code that will allow users to run applications in a split screen configuration. The implementation is expected to allow users to easily move data from one app to the other.
In a configuration not entirely unlike what is already available on Windows RT and Windows 8.1, the code suggests that applications will be able to switch between 1/4, 1/2 or 3/4 of the screen size.
So… just in case there was any doubt left… iOS 8’s SpringBoard has code to run two apps side-by-side. 1/4 size, 1/2 size, or 3/4 size
— Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith) June 9, 2014
Running the beta code from the Springboard however currently displays a gray screen and crashes the software. It is believed split screen multitasking and a few other features were not ready in time for the public demo of iOS 8 and were pushed back to be possibly released as part of a later release. It would not be unlike Apple to withhold information about the feature if it intends to talk about it during the next generation iPad launch either.
With a ...
Microsoft has announced that it will soon give Skype for iPhone a major makeover in about a week's time. The latest 5.0 update will make the Skype app for iPhone five times faster than the current app along with fewer lags.
The new Skype for iPhone is the most refined version yet. It has all the visual finish that iOS users expect, smooth animations and even a few features that aren’t just new for this version, but new to Skype altogether.
Skype Product Marketing Manager Eric Lin wrote in a blog post.
The company said that Skype for iPhone has been redesigned to create a “consistent look and feel with the Windows Phone and Android apps". In terms of look, Skype 5.0 gets a sleek and cleaner UI and focuses on large thumbnails and buttons. It also supports smoother scrolling and simplified navigation that makes it easier to swipe between conversations, contacts list and favorites.
One of the important feature added in the latest update is the ability to start group chat from the main hub. Skype for iPhone gets improved notification, which syncs your conversation across multiple devices. This essentially means that if you have read a new message on Skype's PC, Xbox, or tablet app, and it will ...
iOS 8 which was announced at the WWDC last weeks packs bunch of new cool features and focuses more on security. Now, another important feature related to protecting user location has been discovered by security expert Frederic Jacobs.
He revealed that iOS 8 uses random network identifiers when scanning for WiFi access and generates a MAC (Media Access Controller) address. This is a unique identifier for a device and no two devices have the same MAC address. That address is broadcast by devices looking to connect to Wi-Fi networks. The use of this MAC address makes it difficult for marketing companies to track you.
The feature is really a precautionary measure as marketing and analytics companies routinely use this unique identifier to collect data about nearby devices scanning for WiFi network. This means that the only time that the identity of your iOS device is discovered is when you actually connect to a WiFi hotspot.
The Swiss programmer has shared an image on Twitter which is basically a presentation slide from Apple’s WWDC 2014 videos – outlining the new feature.
Via:Engadget
Samsung has announced Galaxy Core Lite (SM-G3586V), the company's latest mid-range smartphone in the Galaxy series with LTE support in Taiwan. It has a 4.7-inch (800 x 480 Pixels) capacitive touch screen display, powered by a 1.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor and runs on Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean). It has a 5-megapixel Auto Focus Camera with LED Flash.
It has Smart Alert reminder, S Travel, S Translator and lots more Samsung's unique features. It supports 4G LTE in 900 MHz (Band 8), 1800 MHz (Band 3) and 700MHz (Band 28) in Taiwan. It also comes with NFC with S Beam feature.
Samsung Galaxy Core Lite specifications
4.7-inch (800 x 480 Pixels) LCD capacitive touch screen display
1.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor
Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) OS
Dimensions 133.1 x 70.0 x 9.85 mm
5MP Autofocus Camera with LED Flash
3.5mm audio jack
1GB RAM, 8 GB internal memory, expandable up to 64GB with microSD
4G LTE/ 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth v 4.0, NFC, GPS ＋ GLONASS
2000 mAh battery
The Samsung Galaxy Core Lite comes in White color and is priced at NT$ 7988 (US$ 266 / Rs. 15,800 approx.) It is not clear if Samsung plans to release the smartphone outside Taiwan.
Via
Last month reports suggested that Facebook is working on a Snapchat competitor Slingshot. The ephemeral messaging app enables users to send disappearing photo and video messages.Facebook launched Slingshot today on the Apple App store but then took it down after some time.
Earlier today, we accidentally released a version of Slingshot, a new app we're working on. With Slingshot, you'll be able to share everyday moments with lots of people at once. It'll be ready soon and we're excited for you to try it out,
said a Facebook spokesperson.
It's not clear how the app launched accidentally but it briefly appeared in the App Store.Facebook did not clarify when the app would be officially released.Similar to Snapchat, Facebook's Slingshot lets users write and draw on the photos and videos.However, unlike Snapchat in order to receive and view their own message, they will have to send a message back to a friend, or “sling a shot,” before they can actually view an incoming message.
Messages will disappear after they are swiped away though it's not clear whether there is a time limit on how long individual messages can be viewed. Facebook's first attempt to compete with Snapchat was Poke which failed to pick up and ...
Micromax is considering to enter the growing wearables market, according to the Times of India. The company's newly appointed Chairman Sanjay Kapoor stated that Micromax could expand its offerings beyond smartphones and tablets and foray into wearable devices and machine-to-machine products.
Data is the most potent platform of connectivity now. However, its proliferation is at a very nascent stage. Data growth has to happen over the five pillars of access, storage, analytics, application & content, and finally devices. We at Micromax are going to build all our vision and efforts around these five areas.
said Kapoor, giving insights about his immediate plans for the company, in an interview with the TOI.
The year 2013 was of large screen smartphones while 2014 is touted as year of wearable technology which is still in nascent stage but is expected to gradually pick up in near future. The wearable technology market in India is expected to grow astoundingly in a few years. Google India Managing Director Rajan Anandan recently said that the market for these devices in the country could touch 200 million in four years.
Micromax, India's second largest smartphone manufacturer, is looking to earn $1 billion in sales in FY 2014. The homegrown company which ...
Japanese carrier NTT Docomo has unveiled a new device called Portable SIM that aims to replace SIM cards in smartphones and tablets. This would let you wireless activate any compatible smartphone or a tablet with securely stored subscriber identity information on the device. This portable authentication device is still in prototype stage, so it is not yet compatible with any smartphone or tablet currently on the market. But this could be incorporated in wearable devices in the future says the company.
This has a built-in SIM card, Bluetooth and NFC. Since this uses Bluetooth and NFC, you just need to wave the portable SIM next to a mobile device, and the user's subscriber identity would be transmitted to the device. This eliminates the need to physically insert a SIM card and also lets you switch subscriber identity from a personal device to a shared tablet easily.
The switched phone number in the smartphone is locked once the Bluetooth link is broken. The portable SIM can securely store ID and multiple passwords to perform automatic input of ID and password. NTT Docomo also plans to link Portable SIM and other smart devices, such as TVs, music players and more devices. This would let ...
