Apple Could Go “Bigger” Screen With iPhone 6 In 2014

We keep on criticizing Samsung for leading the charge in the mobile phone industry as it keeps on blowing up screen sizes that may one day match TVs. It is not really a wonder that many a manufacturers are following suit simply because there really is a demand for large screen phones in India. However, it may come to you as a shocker that as rumour has it, the next iPhone may come with a much larger screen.

Micromax Teases New Canvas Turbo A250 Flagship Handset

Micromax seems to be preparing to launch a new flagship smartphone - Canvas Turbo A250. According to a tweet by its deemed official insider MMXNewxcaster, the A250 will be the company's first smartphone with a Full HD screen. It is also mentioned that this will feature a quad-core CPU, which is obvious by its flagship status. The tweet doesn't even show any photo of the phone itself, but rather just the stylised name itself.

align="center" Micromax Canvas Turbo A250 to be the First Full HD (1080p) phone from Micromax. To sport Quad Core processor. #News pic.twitter.com/eNrcKmNJtG
— @MMXNewscaster (@MMXNewscaster) October 6, 2013

Guide: How To Backup And Restore A Windows Phone 8 Handset

Windows Phone 8 is still the newest kid on the block as far as mobile OSes are concerned. There are some things that many users who have taken the leap of faith to this new platform, do not know about this OS. One such feature is the ability to backup and restore the phone settings. In this guide, we will take a look at just how this can be done.

Backing Up Your Windows Phone
In case you are wondering, there is no special software that will really let you back up your Windows Phone 8 data to your computer unlike Zune could for Windows Phone 7.x devices. Everything happens in the cloud, which may not be to everyone's taste. However, something is better than nothing, and we really hope that Microsoft will allow for a way to back up your phone data to your hard drive in the near future. Until then, we will have to go in the following way.

Backup is an automatic feature on a Windows Phone handset. To enable backup, you must go to Settings > backup. Here you will get to see that you can back up your apps list and settings, text messages, and even your photos and videos. The latter can upload to the cloud in the best quality only over Wi-Fi, although it is possible to upload photos in "Good" quality over mobile internet. It is best to disable backup of photos and videos and simply copy them to your hard drive as this will save a lot of your time while restoring. Once done, your phone gets backed up periodically whenever a data connection is available.

Restoring Your Windows Phone

You may opt to restore your Windows Phone in two scenarios:

1) if you have factory reset your phone for some reason,

2) if you have bought a new Windows Phone. In either case, the procedure is the same.

When you start up a new or reset Windows Phone, you will be presented with a screen asking you to sign into a Microsoft account, create a new one, or sign in later. In order to restore your backup, you are required to sign into the Microsoft account associated with your previous backup at this point. It is also necessary that you must have some sort of a mobile data plan as Wi-Fi cannot be used at this point.

Clicking on next after entering your credentials will take you to the next screen where you will be presented with the available sets of backups that can be used to restore the Windows Phone handset. You can choose one and click Next. The backup data starts downloading. This can take a long time depending on the amount of data being restored.

Image Credit: Nokia Conversations

You can now enter your credentials for various accounts from the original Windows Phone handset such as Hotmail, Gmail, Twitter, Facebook, etc and click Next. Your apps will start downloading once the phone reaches the Start screen. At this point, it is wiser to quickly connect to Wi-Fi and then switch off mobile data to save data charges.

Is This Really A "Backup"?

While some of the data does get backed up, this is not really a total backup of the phone data. This is more so with third party apps as only the unique number associated with these apps is stored online and passed on to the handset. Also, any additional settings associated with such apps such as the progress of a game are lost.

Another major problem is that the restore functionality totally depends on the mobile data connection, so you need to have a SIM card inserted into the phone during this process and the SIM must have a data connection (preferably 3G). If you miss this step and go to the Start screen, then the only way to restore the data is by resetting the phone and doing the procedure all over again.

If you thought you could manipulate the backup from the cloud in some way, you are gravely mistaken. The data that is present in the cloud is not available to the user and there is a total lack of transparency not only about what exactly is being sent up and when, but also about the visibility of the content to the authorised user. Thus, if you want to take a look at a particular SMS sent on a particular day, you will not be able to view that because such a facility simply doesn't exist.

Contacts are not backed up in Windows Phone 8 as they are simply stored on the users Gmail or Hotmail accounts present in the phone. So your contacts become available once you log into those accounts in the restored handset.

It is also strange that simple settings such as the placement of Live Tiles, ringtone, theme, etc are not backed up to restore. You are therefore better off taking screenshots beforehand to save the trouble.

This issue can be easily resolved via a software approach like Zune does for Windows Phone 7.x devices. While it is no secret that Windows Phone 8 is a remarkably different and fresh mobile operating system with oodles of capabilities as compared to other veteran mobile OSes, there are a few simple things that need to be addressed to allow it to stake a claim as a stronger third alternative.

In Conversation With Mrunmaiy Abroal Of Opera Software

Opera has recently introduced a new browser - Coast, which is currently exclusively available for the iPad. The Norwegian company known for its synonymous browser had started off with desktop browsers, going on to make the famed Opera Mini browser that actually made feature phones smarter, and now is foraying into the TV segment. I recently had an opportunity to have a tête-à-tête with Mrunmaiy Abroal, Communications Manager - India for Opera Software. Read on for the interaction as we find out the big plans of this company.

Q. What was the need to make Coast? Was Opera Mobile not good enough for tablets?

People have been accessing the web from their computers since 1990. But with the evolution of devices and web technology, we wanted to bring about an evolution in the browser as well. Today’s websites and apps invite you to interact in new ways, but browsers have been stuck in a keyboard-and-mouse world. The web experience on tablets has been limited to browsers that are either scaled-up versions of mobile browsers or scaled-down desktop browsers.

At Opera, we are passionate about making the internet better. These outdated browsers bothered us. So we made Coast from the scratch and specifically designed for iPad. It has a minimalist and uncluttered user interface with a full canvas, large icons and attractive animations. It’s comfortable to use, looks great and is based on intuitive swipe gestures.

Q. What was the reason to make Coast only for the iPad?
When we started the Coast project iPad was the most popular tablet and Android had not yet made a big splash in the market. So it made sense to start with iPad.

Q. Will Coast also make an appearance on other platforms such as Android and Windows Phone?

As a rule, we don't comment on future road-maps. If we happen to do it, we'll let you know.

Q. Under the bonnet, does Coast use the same technologies as Opera Mini for iOS devices?
Coast is a native browser based on Web Kit.

Whereas Opera Mini uses Opera’s advanced compression technology to render webpages and reduces the amount of data downloaded on your device to a little as 10% of its original size.

Q. Tell me a bit more about Opera's foray into the TV segment.

At Opera our aim to build a seamless browsing experience for all types of connected devices.

Opera´s TV solutions allow TV OEMs to provide a superior, connected and interactive TV experience to their customers, combining full internet browsing with a cloud-based TV app store full of exciting web apps optimized for TV. For users, their TV viewing experience becomes more entertaining and connected.

Our product lineup for the TV segment is as follows:
- Opera Devices SDK, an extensible TV platform for developing connected, interactive TV solutions. We have more than 50 customers for the Opera Devices SDK, ranging from TV OEMs, middleware providers, silicon vendors and operators. Some of our major customers are Sony, Toshiba, Philips, Vestel, TCL, Loewe, Technisat, Hisense, Sharp, Panasonic and Pioneer.

- Opera TV Store, Opera's HTML 5 app platform for Smart TV devices
. It has already been shipped with Sony Bravia TVs and Blu-ray Disc players and later in 2013 will see the Opera TV Store in TVs by TCL, Humax and MediaTek.

- Opera TV Snap, a next-generation TV app technology with the ability to transform online video into apps for connected TV
. Since the launch of Opera TV Snap in July, over 100 content providers from Dailymotion, the world´s second-largest video site, have created and submitted Smart TV apps for the *Opera TV Store using the Opera TV Snap tool and their own video content. Among the brands to jump on board and bring their online video to the TV screen quickly, easily and at no extra cost is The North Face®.

- Opera TV Emulator, a solution which allows web developers to test HTML5 and CE-HTML content for TVs and other appliances running the Opera Devices SDK


- Opera TV browser, the full web-browsing experience for connected TVs

Q. Like Firefox, does Opera plan to introduce a mobile OS in the near future?

As a rule, we don't comment on future road-maps. If we happen to do it, we'll let you know.

Q. What is Opera's game plan to catch up with competing desktop browsers?

The increased competition in the browser market is positive for the consumers, as the browser makers are now fighting to provide the best and most innovative products.

Along those lines, Opera keeps reinventing itself and chose to adopt the WebKit engine, as well as Chromium, to focus on developing the new features and user-friendly solutions that are expected from a company that invented so many of the features used today by the browser industry at large.

Opera stays true to its goal of providing browsers that operate across devices, platforms and operating systems, while delivering a faster, more stable and flexible Internet experience than its competitors.

Q. When will Opera bring its popular mobile browser to the Windows Phone platform?

As a rule, we don't comment on future road-maps. If we happen to do it, we'll let you know.

Now Buy The BlackBerry Z10 For Just Rs 29,990

BlackBerry has announced a major price drop for its flagship Z10 model. The highly anticipated handset that was being touted to be able to save the company was launched at a rather steep Rs 42,000 earlier this year. However, now it is being offered for Rs 29,990. You will have to hurry though, because this is a limited period offer valid for this festive season. When contacted BlackBerry about the exact duration of this offer, I was told that it will last for the festive season including Diwali. While it is still not clear till when this offer will last, one thing is for sure that the offer is already underway.

Sunil Lalvani, Managing Director India for BlackBerry said,

"We continue to leverage festive season with relevant product and services promotions. BlackBerry 10 platform offers a new and unique mobile communication experience and at Rs.29990/- the BlackBerry Z10 smartphone is uniquely positioned to change the way in which our customers view mobile technology".

This is a major opportunity for anyone who would want to lay their hands on the smartphone from the brand most trusted by the enterprise segment. If you ask me, the handset running the latest BlackBerry 10 OS is pretty good and is backed by powerful hardware. The Z10 comes with a 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 CPU with 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage, and a microSD card slot supporting up to 32 GB. The 4.2" touchscreen is pretty responsive as well. With pixel dimensions of 1280x768 at 356 ppi, the images appear crisp. The 8 MP rear camera supports 1080p Full HD video recording. What's more, it is neither too heavy, nor too large, and has got a decent talk time of up to 11 hours on paper at least. NFC is also supported for quick and convenient mobile payments where supported.

Buy Apple iPhone 5S And 5C In India Exclusively On eBay.in

While you may have to wait for Apple to officially launch the new iPhone models in India, eBay.in has already listed the iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S for immediate sale. Of course, it must be noted that these handsets are imported and factory unlocked as claimed by the sellers so that they can work on any GSM mobile network in India. Available from two different sellers, these handsets are brand new sealed packs and run the latest iOS 7. For those of you who can't hold on till the official launch happens here, read ahead.

The white iPhone 5C is available for Rs 47,500 in 16 GB and the seller claims it to be factory unlocked. It comes with 6-month seller warranty. Although the seller has not explicitly specified a Return Policy as per eBay rules, its replacement and refund are covered through eBay.in Guarantee so that should put your doubts to rest. The shipping will be done within 5 - 6 business days after receiving the payment to anywhere in India so it means that the seller actually has the handsets ready to dispatch. Shipping is free to anywhere in India and payment can be made using PaisaPay. Additionally, you can opt for 3 or 6 months EMI if that suits your budget.

The 16 GB iPhone 5S in SpaceGray colour is available for an understandably whopping Rs 69,990. Unlike the iPhone 5C, the iPhone 5S will not come with any warranty so you must decide hard whether you would want to put so much of your hard-earned cash into this purchase. Naturally, a Refund Policy is not specified either. However, the replacement and refund is still covered through eBay.in Guarantee, about which you can read over here. Shipping of this item is free all over India and the seller mentions that he/she will start shipping from 1st of October, 2013. In case you still want to take a leap of faith, you can pay through PaisaPay and opt for 3 or 6 months EMI to make that hole in your pocket seem less unpleasant.

9 Million iPhones Sold In 3 Days, Says Apple

Apple has claimed that it has sold over 9 million iPhones over the first weekend since the launch. This is a lot higher than the 5 million units sold by the iPhone 5 during the same period last year and the 4 million for the iPhone 4S a year before that. The Cupertino-based company had launched a comparatively cheaper iPhone 5C along with the flagship iPhone 5S last week. However, it has declined to confirm individual numbers for these two models. Nevertheless, sources have stated that the iPhone 5C has not been well-received, so it is safe to assume that the bulk of this number belongs to the iPhone 5S.

Apple chief executive Tim Cook said,

"The demand for the new iPhones has been incredible, and while we've sold out of our initial supply of iPhone 5s, stores continue to receive new iPhone shipments regularly".

Both the devices run the new iOS7. The iPhone 5S 16 GB is priced at $199 (approx Rs 12,800), while the 32 GB variant costs $299 (approx Rs 19,200). The 64 GB version will set you back by $399 (Rs 25,500). The iPhone 5C, on the other hand is available for $99 (approx Rs 6400) for the 16 GB and $199 (approx Rs 12,800) for the 32 GB. Of course, these prices are for the US market with 2-year contracts, so retail prices will be much higher. The iPhone 5C, which has been touted to be for the mid-range, will therefore end up in the high-end price bracket with a retail price of $549 (approx Rs 36,500) and $649 (approx Rs 43,000), thus shattering the dreams of cheap iPhone aspirants.

The iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C were released in US, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, and UK, but there is still no official word about India availability. However, insider sources have stated that the launch could happen in the first week of November although it is not clear if the company would bring one or both the models simultaneously. I'll keep you posted as more information becomes available.