Microsoft unveils Chromecast-like wireless display adapter

Microsoft has unveiled a Google Chromecast-like wireless display adapter for Miracast screen streaming. The adapter is available for preorder for $60 in the United States and Canada and will be available in stores from October.

The Wireless Display adapter has a two-headed cable with 3.46 inches dongle and an HDMI jack on one end while on the other end it function as a USB. The heads are compatible with projectors, TV and monitors which can transform the display into a receiver for mobile phone. With Miracast technology the user can be able to stream or stretch out the screens with compatible devices. Microsoft stated that the Wireless Display Adapter provides a reliable connection that may cover up to 23 foot radius. It is compatible with Miracast-enabled Windows 8.1 devices, as well as Android 4.2.1 or later based smartphones or tablets. Read: Microsoft introduces cross-platform Bluetooth mobile keyboard

Brandon LeBlanc of Microsoft said in a blog post, "Today we’re announcing the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter, which connects to an HDTV, monitor, or projector and will let you easily share content from any Miracast-enabled device – including many PCs and Tablets running Windows 8.1. With the Wireless Display Adaptor, I don’t have to worry about getting everyone to huddle around a device. All the content I care about, along with audio, is easily shared on the big screen." - See more at: 

Google launched Chromecast “dongle” for $35 earlier this year. Chromecast has a beta app that allows the user to stream Android’s display into the TV. It is restricted to streaming from apps like Hulu, Netflix, YouTube and Chrome on Chromecast.

Snapdeal recently launched a Chromecast like media streaming dongle Teewe for an affordable price of Rs 1,999. Teewe has to be hooked up with your TV’s HDMI port and can be controlled by a smartphone app. It lets you stream content from YouTube, movies, photos and music stored on your PC once connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Slow Windows 8 Startup??

There are a lot of people who say that their windows 8 machine slows down after a few weeks of installation.Many people downgrade to Windows 7 due to this problem.Though we don't know the correct reason for this,there is a trick to make windows 8 go again to its ultra fast boot speed.It is described below.

*goto control panel
*Select Power Options
*Select what the power button does from right panel

*Select Change Settings that are currently unavailable
*Uncheck fast Start up
*Reboot system twice
*Again Turn on fast startup
*And after a boot up you will probably you will get back speed
(Make sure no CDs or USB Devices except mouse and keyboard are inserted at time of startup)

Google Search app for Android gets Glass-like voice commands

Google has released a new update for its search app for Android that lets you use voice commands to activate camera and click pictures. Google has stated in a blog post that the camera will be activated in the user's preferred mode also.

Android users will just need to tap on the microphone icon on the Search app, or say 'Ok Google' to launch the default camera app with voice commands like 'take a picture' for launching the camera app in camera mode, and 'record a video' for opening the app in video mode. You don't have to use the recommended phrases, for example, even "open camera" will also work.

Google announced on its Google+ page yesterday, "Now with the Google Search App on Android, you can just tap the microphone or say "OK Google", then "take a photo" or "take a video."

Another feature announced is 'listen to TV' that works like Shazam. "If you happen to miss the name of one of the songs while watching, just tap the mic in your #GoogleSearch app (or say "OK Google") and say "listen to TV". You'll find out the title, artist and other cover versions," Google notes. The update has been launched in US only for now.

Google 3.0 update also gives SwiftKey-like abilities to the stock Android Keyboard. The keyboard app will keep track of your typing habits, lingo, preferred words, etc. and offer personalized suggestions accordingly. Google has set the feature on by default, but users can change it in the Google Keyboard settings menu.

Indian Student develops a shoe that charges phones while walking

12th class Indian student develops water proof shoe that charges your phone by walking.

Rajesh Adhikari, a 12th class student from Nainital has created a shoe that can charge a mobile phone.

Adhikari stated that he got the idea of making the water proof charger due to heavy snowfalls in Nainital that usually led to power shutdown in the city for long hours. This inspired him to make a powerhouse out of a shoe that utilizes the energy generated out of the footwear when a person walks.

Apparently, the charger can also be used to light a bulb at home when there is no electricity by installing a battery in the shoe. Adhikari is now working on further modifications on the design that will make this shoe a wireless phone charger.

Adhikari explained, "When we raise our feet, the spring gets released and the dynamo starts revolving, which generates current. We can charge our mobile phones while we are walking."

Recently, three Bangalore based engineering students launched a free voice calling service called FreeKall, for those who don't have internet access. Registered users can make domestic and international calls for 12 minutes in 24 hours while un-registered users can make 3 minute calls. The service makes money by making people listen to 10 second advertisements every 2 minutes during calls. Freekall has tied up with a media agency called Streetsmart Media Solutions for the advertisements. Once the service goes live, registered users will be able to make unlimited calls. The company is aiming for nearly $30 million in revenue by the end of the next fiscal year.

Aircel introduces free Facebook access plans for its subscribers

Aiming to tap social networking enthusiasts in the country, Aircel has launched a new scheme under which it offers free access to Facebook.

Telecom service provider Aircel has introduced a new plan under which it offers free access to Facebook for three months. Called 'Facebook for All' plan, Aircel will offer new customers free 50MB per month data on Facebook for 60 days after activation. After 50MB usage, users will have the option to access Facebook at 2p per 10 KB.

For existing users, the operator is offering 50MB for 30 days. Users can activate the plan by dialling *121*999#.

Currently, Aircel is offering this service in Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Maharashtra. The plan will be rolled out in other circles very soon.

“Aircel has positioned itself as a data leader by constantly innovating products and services aimed at redefining user experience, especially the youth.

“Over 75 million people access Facebook through their mobile phones in India and more than 60 per cent of Aircel customers who have data enabled handsets consume Internet on their phones. Considering this trend, the launch of the ‘Facebook for All’ service is a strategic and natural step to re-iterate our commitment towards increasing data proliferation and usage of Internet in the country,” Anupam Vasudev, Chief Marketing Officer, Aircel, is quoted as saying.

“‘Facebook for All’ by Aircel is a great initiative that will make the Internet affordable...,” said Kevin D'souza, Head of Growth and Mobile Partnerships, Facebook India.

Aircel's new Facebook access comes shortly after Uninor launched similar social networking plan. Uninor had announced new scheme under which it offers unlimited access to Facebook and WhatsApp for Rs. 15 per month.

CCI imposes fine of 1 crore on Google for non-cooperation

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed a fine of Rs. 1 crore on Google for not co-operating in ongoing antitrust cases. In response, Google has expressed disappointment and assured commitment for co-operation in the investigations.

"The order was passed on a reference made by the DG to CCI alleging inter alia non-cooperation by Google in the pending investigations," the CCI said in its order.

The DG was conducting investigations into the informations filed by M/s Matrimony com private limited and Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) against Google for allegedly abusing its dominant power in the markets of online search and search advertising.

The CCI also directed Google to co-operate with the investigations by furnishing such other informations/ documents that may be required by the DG during the course of further investigations.

Expressing disappointment over the development, Google said in a statement: “While we are confident that our products are compliant with competition law in India, we continue to cooperate fully with the CCI's extensive and ongoing investigation."

The new development comes shortly after Google wrapped up its antitrust case with the European Union. Google, however, may face more troubles in India as unlike the U.S. and EU, Indian laws don't allow settlement process and withdrawal of complaints filed with the CCI.

Indian entrepreneurs can build next Google: Eric Schmidt

India's entrepreneurial innovators have the potential to build the 'next Google' if the country 'plays its cards right' and ensures Internet access for millions of its citizens, Google's executive chairman Eric Schmidt has said.

In an essay written for the book 'Reimagining India: Unlocking

The Potential of Asia's Next Superpower' edited by global consulting firm McKinsey, Schmidt dubbed India 'an Internet laggard' saying he feels Internet in the country today is like where it was in America in about 1994 - four years before Google was even born.
He said India must increase its Internet penetration across towns and cities, a move that will have a positive impact on its economy and society.
The former Google CEO said he witnessed the creative potential of India's people all around him in Silicon Valley where India-born entrepreneurs account for?40 % of start-ups.
'Just think what will happen when India's entrepreneurial innovators are able to create great global companies without leaving their country. They will change?the world. Hundreds of large firms focused on the Internet will be founded and will succeed by focusing purely on Indian consumers, Indian taste, Indian style,?Indian sports.
'Can anyone of those companies ultimately become the next Google? Of course.'
'That may not happen for quite a few years. But if India plays its cards right, we will soon see Indian engineers and small businesses tackling Indian problems first, then exporting the solutions that work best,' Schmidt said.
With a total population of 1.2 billion, India has over 600 million mobile-phone users but only about 150 million people regularly connect to the Internet.
In 2011, India's Internet penetration rate was 11%, 'far below' that of developed nations where penetration rates average 70%.
India's Internet penetration rate is less than a third of China's penetration ratio of 38 % and less than half of those in developing countries, which average 24%.
'By any reasonable definition, India is an Internet laggard... In spite of its well deserved reputation as one of the world's leading IT and software development hubs, India is far from being the connected society many foreigners imagine,' Schmidt said.
The number of India's broadband users, 20 million, is even smaller, Schmidt said however adding that India is on the cusp of a connectivity revolution.
'I believe India has the chance to leapfrog its current connectivity challenges, bring Internet access to a majority of its citizens - and even raise its penetration ratio to 60 or 70 % within the next 5-10 years,' he said.