Future Techworld

The easiest way to setup a wireless network, as we all know, is with the help of a router – just attach a wireless router to your modem and any Wi-Fi enabled gear, that’s located inside the signal range of your router, will be able to connect to the web using that lone Internet connection.

Setup Wireless Network without a Wireless Router

Now consider a slightly different scenario – you have all these Wi-Fi enabled devices at home but there’s no router. Well, there’s no reason to buy one because you can still easily setup a wireless network as long as your computers have a wireless network adapter*.

[*] Most new desktops and laptop computers are already equipped with internal network adapters so you are ready to go without a router. If your computer doesn’t have built-in wireless capabilities, you can either buy a USB network adapter that plugs into the USB port of your desktop or go for a wireless adapter that directly plugs into your notebook’s PC Card slot. Desktop users can also opt for an internal wireless PCI card but you’ll have to open the computer case in order to install this network adapter.

Create a Wi-Fi Network without a Router

Now that you have everything in place to create a Wi-Fi network, let’s actually build one.
For Windows XP and Vista users
If your main computer, that is already connected to the internet, is running Windows XP, Vista or even Mac OS X, you can set up an ad-hoc Wi-Fi network and the other wireless devices can then connect to the web via this ad-hoc network (also called a computer-to-computer network).
Wired Connection In, Wireless Connection Out
It’s an easy process. To set up an ad-hoc network in Windows Vista, go to Network and Sharing Center from the control panel, select “Set up a connection or network” and choose “Set up a wireless ad hoc (computer-to-computer) network”.
Make sure you select “Save this network” option else the ad hoc network will be removed if no other computers / devices are connecting to the network.


Turn on Internet Sharing in the next screen and now your other home computers can connect to the ad hoc network just like they would connect to any regular wireless network. Setting up an ad hoc network in XP takes a couple of extra steps but also make sure the host computer is running at least XP SP2 or SP3.
For Windows 7 users
If you are on Windows 7, you can instantly turn your  computer into a personal Wi-Fi hotspot without having to configure anything. All you need is a free software called Virtual Router and the computer connected to the internet must be running Windows 7.
[*] Virtual Router works will all editions of Windows 7 except the Starter edition because Microsoft has disabled the Virtual Wifi feature in that particular edition.
Using the virtual router is simple – just run the program on any Windows 7 computer, assign a password and that’s it. In the above example, I used the Virtual Router to connect an iPod, an Ubuntu Linux laptop and a Windows desktop to the Internet via a Windows 7 notebook where that virtual router software was running.
As new devices join the Wireless network, their assigned IP and MAC addresses instantly appear in the Virtual Router window. And you can click the “Stop Router” button anytime to deactivate the hotspot and disable Internet sharing.

Virtual Wi-Fi vs Ad Hoc Wireless Networking

To set up Ad Hoc networking, your main computer needs to have an Ethernet based Internet connection as well as a Wireless (WLAN) network adapter. In the case of Virtual Wi-Fi, the Ethernet card is optional so you can turn a laptop into a hotspot even if your laptop itself is connected to a Wireless network and not to an Ethernet cable.
Computers and other wireless devices in ad hoc networks must be within 30 feet of each other but there’s no such restriction in the case of Virtual Wireless networks.
Ad-Hoc wireless networking is available on Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 while Virtual WiFi, which is much easier to setup, is available on Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008.

Tata Docomo today launched two data packs for its pre-paid GSM customers which allow unlimited use of chat application WhatsApp.

The packs, valid for 15 and 30 days, are targetted at price sensitive pre-paid customers who just want to use WhatsApp for communication and don't want to spend on data usage, the company said.

The two packs have been priced at Rs 15 and Rs 30.

"These data packs will enable Tata Docomo prepay GSM customers to enjoy the hugely popular WhatsApp with specially customised value for money data plans and with unlimited use," the company said in a statement.

The company said it conducted an independent research and came to know that users need customised data offerings and want to pay only for the applications that they consume.

"Standing tall on the fundamental tenet of simplifying consumer's life, dedicated WhatsApp data packs serves up a hassle-free experience for our consumers with a clear focus on enriching the data experience," Tata Docomo Head VAS Marketing Rishimohan Malhotra said.

"This partnership allows us to tap into Tata's market presence in India and continue WhatsApp's significant growth as the global leader in the mobile communication space," WhatsApp Co-Founder Brian Acton said.

XOLO Play Tegra Note tablet is now available for pre-orders at Flipkart and Infibeam  e-retailers. The tablet price is now being noted INR 17,999, which is INR 1,000 less than what we last saw on Flipkart. The latest price is expected to be the final pricing for this re-branded NVIDIA Tegra Note.
XOLO Play Tegra Note features a 7-inch 1280x800p display, Tegra 4 processor, 1GB of RAM, Android 4.2.2, 16GB of internal storage, microSD card slot and stylus support.
It is expected to be released in the third week of December in the Indian market, so we are expecting an official announcement next week.
 

Intex, an Indian phone company will soon start selling a smartphone powered by an 8-core processor. This new processor is made by MediaTek, a Taiwanese company. Unlike the 8-core processor made by Samsung, which uses only four cores at a time in Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4, the processor made by MediaTek can use all of its cores simultaneously.

The processor is called MT6592 and it can run at a speed of up to 2GHz. But in the phone that Intex will launch, the processor will run at the speed of up to 1.7GHz.

For now Intex is the only Indian company that has announced its intention to launch a phone powered by this 8-core processor but if past is any indication, MT6592 should soon come in other phones sold by local companies like Micromax and Spice. Currently most of the top-end phones sold by local players are powered by MT 6589, a quad-core processor made by MediaTek.

There are two key questions:

* How fast is an 8-core processor? Can it match or beat the high-end quad-core processors used by Samsung and Qualcomm?

* Does it help consumers get better experience from the phone? Do you need 8-cores in a processor?

Before we talk about MT6592, let's take a look at its specifications:
* MT6592 has 8 cores based on A7 architecture by ARM. A7 is a low-performance, low-power use architecture compared to technology used by Qualcomm and Samsung in their high-end processors.

* The processor has four cores of Mali 450 graphics chip

* MT6592 supports playback of 4K videos

* It supports new video codecs such as H.265 and VP9

* The chip supports up to 16 mega-pixel cameras

To check theoretical performance of MT6592, we ran some benchmarking apps on the Intex phone that will launch in January. The device is in prototype stage as the software running on it is not yet final. So performance figures we obtained through benchmarks are only indicative of the final performance, which is likely to be slightly better.

We used GeekBench 3, Vellamo HTML and Vellamo Metal, BrowserMark and Sunspider to find out the general computing performance.

To get an indication of gaming performance of MT6592, 3D Mark, GLBenchmark 2.7 and BaseMark X were run on the phone.

According to data compiled by technology website Mobiles Unlocked, the iPhone 5S costs the Indians the most globally when compared with their purchasing power. In fact, buyers here have to shell out 22.3% of the national gross domestic product per capita (GDP PPP). The GDP PPP is a means of measuring how much each person earns in a country.

This means that Indian buyers shell out over 22.3% of their disposable incomes if they purchase the iPhone 5S.

China, another emerging country and Apple's fastest-growing market, stands fifth in the list and there it acosts buyers less than 10% of their purchasing power.

The study details the countries where the iPhone 5S is most and least expensive across 47 countries. It only included the basic 16GB model of the iPhone 5S and took the pricing via official channels, not grey market.

While iPhone 5S is the most expensive for Indians, it costs the least to citizens of Qatar, who only pay 0.76% of their disposable incomes for the device. The US, home market of Apple, stands fourth-last in the list; buyers only have to pay 1.36% of their incomes for the model, as per the data.

Despite the high price, Apple has enjoyed its best-ever sales for the iPhone 5S in India. The model has been out of stock ever since it was launched in the country and retailers are still struggling to meet the demand.

Safeguard your smartphones from loss due to theft or accidental damage using a third party service.

The smartphone market in India is growing rapidly every year. Along with that the number of mobile thefts or accidental damages has also risen.
What happens when you buy a mobile phone which gets lost, stolen or stops functioning properly just after warranty has lapsed? Rest assured, for now, there are enough options to deal with such situations. Several third party services and insurance companies have stepped into the picture to help consumers safeguard their smartphone against such events. Of course, all of that is offered at a price.
A typical smartphone ships with a one-year warranty from the handset maker and after that tenure expires, the customer is on his/her own. So if one keeps changing one's handset every year, it certainly is tedious and costly. Meanwhile, select telcos have tapped the growing opportunity to provide extended warranty and insurance to consumers.
Extended warranty can be purchased for proper repairs and ensure functional condition of the smartphone after the handset maker's warranty expires. Every company offers and adheres to different terms and conditions in the extended warranty. Thus we recommend that readers thoroughly go through their product documentation. Insurance is offered against a certain percentage of the cost of the smartphone when the handset is purchased, or after assessment of the handset.


These services can be availed at a nominal extra cost. For instance, if one buys a smartphone worth Rs. 30,000, then making the best of such services at a nominal cost of Rs 1500 or higher does make sense.
We recommend reading the terms and conditions of each service to avoid any kind of dispute. Most services require the user to buy the policy within 90 days of purchase in order to claim maximum possible value and minimal depreciation.
Here is a list of services that offer extended warranty and insurance worthy of mention.
New India Assurance

Earlier this year, Nokia along with New India Assurance announced insurance plans for Nokia devices against theft and damage. For this service, consumers are charged a minimum amount Rs 50 or 1.25 per cent of the handset cost. Available through Nokia branded retail stores, the service also involves free pick-up by an insurance broker. The insurance policy covers conditions such as fire, riot/strike/malicious activities, accident, theft, or fortuitous circumstances. Situations other than the aforementioned are not included in the policy. The insurance cover includes compensation equivalent to the cost of replacement of the handset with a new instrument bearing the same specifications.
The Mobile Store

The Mobile Store offers theft insurance and extended warranty on smartphones. As of now, theft insurance appears to be 'out of stock' on the online store but one can always check in physical Mobile Store outlets. Theft insurance starts at Rs 69 for a handset priced up to Rs 3,000. It is available only on devices purchased from the Mobile Store, and continues for one year along with the extended warranty. In case of theft, customers needs to file an FIR and submit a copy to the store or to United Insurance. Compensation on the stolen device is calculated based on the time for which it has been used and estimated value on the remaining period. The extended warranty is similar to that provided by the handset manufacturer and does not cover any physical damage. This is probably the only service that offers theft insurance.
MobileAssist

An offering by OneAssist, MobileAssist covers insurance and a variety of features beneficial for mobile owners. The MobileAssist package offers handset insurance of up to Rs 15,000 against loss due to theft. Three different plans cover a variety of options such as blocking the phone and SIM from anywhere, remote phone lock and data wipe, and emergency messaging to friends and family. Membership fee includes an annual plan with other services like mobile assistance, firewall, antivirus, and even automatic backup of critical data. The basic plan from MobileAssist starts at Rs 1099 for a year.
The Power or Privilege plan in 40 cities you get Doorstep delivery of temporary handset with all your contacts & data on the same day
Onsite Secure

One of those rare third-party services that offers extended warranty on mobile devices. Onsite Secure covers damage to the screen caused by liquid spills or shocks. The motherboard and screen are covered under the plan but battery is not. Offering pickup and drop facility, the Onsite Secure service is available starting at Rs 499 and the cost varies with the value of the handset in question. The service promises cashless quick service from authorized service centers and uses genuine spare parts. The snag is that the warranty plan can be bought only for devices purchased in the last 90 days.
GadgetCops

Just like Onsite Secure, GadgetCops too offers extended warranty with a promise to get the handset repaired with genuine spares from authorised service centers. The Extended Warranty protection pack includes cover against liquid damage or accidents for up to two years. The protection pack also covers mechanical and electrical faults for two years from the date of purchase. GadgetCops is a one time payment service and it offers free pickup-drop of the device. With physical presence in six cities, the GadgetCops Protection Pack starts from Rs 1100 and more details can be read in our news story here.
iSmart Secure

How about buying a new phone every year without having to worry about selling the old one? iSmart Secure bumps the manufacturer's one year warranty to three years. The user can also enjoy protection against loss or replacement for irreparable damage caused to the smartphone. Not only that, iSmart Secure also buys back a year old device at 65 per cent of the market value to allow consumers an easy upgrade with some moolah in hand. The iSmart Secure by Syberplace is offered as three separate plans for a monthly or yearly subscription service.
Warranty Bazaar

Warranty Bazaar offers extended warranty plans starting at Rs 125 to Rs 1750. The only condition is that the customer must purchase relevant plans within 90 days of the mobile phone purchase. The extended warranty plan starts a year from the date on which the manufacturer's warranty expires. However, one must note that the extended warranty does not cover accidental damage or liquid damage to the device. Just in case the device cannot be repaired, the service promises to replace it with sole discretion. The only glitch is that the user has to take the device to the authorised service center-no pickup and drop facility.
eTechies

eTechies offers two types of warranties - 1st Year Accidental Damage Warranty and 2nd Year Extended Warranty. The 1st Year Accidental Damage Warranty protects the user from the cost of repairs that are not covered by the handset manufacturer. These include damage by water spill, power burns, falls and more. The 2nd Year Extended is basically taking the warranty to the next year once the manufacturer's warranty expires. However, this does not cover accidental damage or the conditions that are offered in the 1st Year Accidental Damage Warranty. In both, eTechies promises free pickup and delivery of the product. eTechies currently offers the extended warranty only for Apple and Samsung products.
Here is a piece of advice from us: save the copy of your mobile purchase receipt carefully and buy relevant insurance as well as extended warranty plans to safeguard your phone.

Karbonn Titanium S5+ is powered by Google’s Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system. Being a dual SIM phone, it supports GSM+GSM network connectivity. The device is installed with a 5-inch display that sports a 540x960 pixel resolution.
The smartphone runs on a 1.3GHz quad-core processor with 1GB of RAM. The chipset used in this device is not specified by the company yet. It also includes an 8-megapixel rear autofocus camera with LED flash and a VGA front camera.
Titanium S5+ comes with 4GB of internal storage capacity which is further expanded up to 32GB through microSD memory card. It includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS/ AGPS and 3G as network connectivity options.
Key specifications:

• 5-inch IPS display (540x960 pixels resolution)
• 1.3GHz quad-core processor with 1GB of RAM
• 4GB inbuilt storage, expandable up to 32GB
• 8 MP rear autofocus camera with LED flash, VGA front camera
• Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

Driven by lower-priced models from domestic handset makers, smartphone sales in India has grown over three-fold to touch 12.8 million units in third quarter of 2013 cannibalising the feature phone market, research firm IDC says.

According to IDC, the India smartphone market grew by 229% year-on-year to 12.8 million smartphones in third quarter of 2013 compared to 3.8 million units in Q3 of 2012.

Smartphone sales grew 28% in Q3 of 2013 compared to April-June 2013 (10.02 million), it added.

A smartphone is a mobile device built on a mobile operating system, with more advanced capabilities and connectivity than a feature phone.

IDC said 53.9 million feature phones numbers were sold in Q3 of 2013 compared to 55.7 million in Q3 of 2012.

The share of feature phones slipped to 81% (from 84%) of the total market in Q3 2013, it added.

This is despite feature phone sales growing three per cent quarter-on-quarter in the July-September 2013.

"The change agents for this rapid shift of consumer preference towards Smartphones have been the narrowing price gap between feature phones and smartphones," IDC India Research Manager Kiran Kumar said.

The smartphone market is expected to maintain these elevated levels of growth in the near future, Kumar added.

The overall mobile phone market (feature phones and smartphones) registered 12% year-on-year growth and 7% sequential growth.

The share of feature phones slipped to 81% of the total market in Q3 2013, even as the segment grew 3% quarter-on-quarter in the July-September 2013.

South Korean firm Samsung led the handset market with 15.3% share, followed by Nokia (14.7%), Micromax (10.1%) and Karbonn (9.1%). Other smaller players accounted for a cumulative share of 50.8%.

"The growth in the smartphone market continues to drive the overall growth numbers for the phone market - given that there's still a huge potential for smartphone penetration in India, this trend is expected to continue in the coming quarters," IDC India Senior Market Analyst Manasi Yadav said.

In the smartphone segment, Samsung held the leadership spot with 32.9 per cent share, while Micromax secured the second spot with 17.1% market share in Q3 of 2013. Karbonn had 11.2% share, followed by Nokia 5% and Lava at 4.7%.

Telecom operator Reliance Communications has increased 3G mobile internet rates by 26 per cent and reduced benefit on internet packages by up to 60 per cent.
The company has increased the cost of 1 GB of 3G internet usage to Rs 156 from Rs 123 it charged earlier.
The Rs 123 mobile internet pack on its 3G network will now offer only 400 MB of internet surfing, which is down by about 60 per cent.
Under the high value 3G mobile internet pack of Rs 246 and Rs 492, the company has reduced usage limit from 2GB to 1.5 GB and from 4 GB to 3 GB respectively.
No immediate comments were received from Reliance Communications in this regard.
As on September 30, 2013, Reliance Communications had 9.1 million 3G customers out of 116 million mobile subscriber base on its network.
The increase in mobile internet rate from Reliance Communications comes within couple of months after the three major telecom operators - Airtel, Idea Cellular and Vodafone – increased their 2G mobile internet rates by similar levels.
The increased 3G mobile internet rates by Reliance Communications are at par with 2G mobile internet rates of Airtel, Idea and Vodafone.
Reliance Communications has rolled-out 3G services in all the 13 circles covering over 333 towns.
Shares of Reliance Communications were trading at Rs 141.1, down 0.84 per cent, during afternoon session at BSE today.

General
Release date	September 2013
Form factor	Touchscreen
Dimensions (mm)	140.70 x 72.00 x 9.40
Weight (g)	170.00
Battery capacity (mAh)	2880
Removable battery	No
SAR value	NA
Display
Screen size (inches)	5.00
Touchscreen	Yes
Touchscreen type	Capacitive
Resolution	720x1280 pixels
Pixels per inch (PPI)	295
Colours	16M
Hardware
Processor	1.7GHz  dual-core
Processor make	Snapdragon S4 Pro
RAM	2GB
Internal storage	16GB
Expandable storage	Yes
Expandable storage type	microSD
Expandable storage up to (GB)	64
Camera
Rear camera	8-megapixel
Flash	Yes
Front camera	2-megapixel
Software
Operating System	BlackBerry OS 10.2
Java support	No
Browser	HTML
Browser supports Flash	Yes
Connectivity
Wi-Fi	Yes
Wi-Fi standards supported	802.11 a/ b/ g/ n
GPS	Yes
Bluetooth	Yes, v 4.00
NFC	Yes
Infrared	No
DLNA	Yes
Wi-Fi Direct	Yes
MHL Out	No
HDMI	Yes
Headphones	3.5mm
FM	Yes
USB	Micro-USB
Charging via Micro-USB	Yes
Proprietary charging connector	No
Proprietary data connector	No
Number of SIMs	1
SIM Type	Micro-SIM
GSM/ CDMA	GSM
2G frequencies supported	GSM 850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900
3G	Yes
3G frequencies supported	900, 2100
Sensors
Compass/ Magnetometer	Yes
Proximity sensor	Yes
Accelerometer	Yes
Ambient light sensor	No
Gyroscope	Yes
Barometer	No
Temperature sensor	No

General
Alternate names	P715
Release date	March 2013
Form factor	Touchscreen
Dimensions (mm)	122.20 x 66.60 x 9.70
Weight (g)	115.50
Battery capacity (mAh)	2460
Removable battery	Yes
SAR value	NA
Display
Screen size (inches)	4.30
Touchscreen	Yes
Touchscreen type	Capacitive
Resolution	480x800 pixels
Colours	16M
Hardware
Processor	1GHz  dual-core
Processor make	Qualcomm MSM8225 Snapdragon
RAM	768MB
Internal storage	4GB
Expandable storage	Yes
Expandable storage type	microSD
Expandable storage up to (GB)	32
Camera
Rear camera	8-megapixel
Flash	Yes
Front camera	0.3-megapixel
Software
Operating System	Android 4.1
Java support	No
Browser supports Flash	No
Connectivity
Wi-Fi	Yes
Wi-Fi standards supported	802.11 a/ b/ g/ n
GPS	Yes
Bluetooth	Yes, v 3.00
NFC	No
Infrared	No
DLNA	Yes
Wi-Fi Direct	No
MHL Out	No
HDMI	No
Headphones	3.5mm
FM	Yes
USB	Micro-USB
Charging via Micro-USB	Yes
Proprietary charging connector	No
Proprietary data connector	No
Number of SIMs	2
SIM 1
SIM Type	Regular
GSM/ CDMA	GSM
2G frequencies supported	GSM 850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900
3G	Yes
3G frequencies supported	900, 1900, 2100
SIM 2
SIM Type	Regular
GSM/ CDMA	GSM
2G frequencies supported	GSM 850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900
3G	No
3G frequencies supported	NA
Sensors
Compass/ Magnetometer	Yes
Proximity sensor	Yes
Accelerometer	Yes
Ambient light sensor	Yes
Gyroscope	No
Barometer	No
Temperature sensor	No

General
Release date	August 2013
Form factor	Bar
Dimensions (mm)	128.40 x 66.50 x 9.40
Weight (g)	120.00
Battery capacity (mAh)	2150
Removable battery	No
Colours	White
SAR value	NA
Display
Screen size (inches)	4.70
Touchscreen	Yes
Touchscreen type	Capacitive
Resolution	720x1280 pixels
Pixels per inch (PPI)	312
Hardware
Processor	1.4GHz  dual-core
Processor make	Qualcomm 8230 Snapdragon 400
RAM	1GB
Internal storage	8GB
Expandable storage	Yes
Expandable storage type	microSD
Expandable storage up to (GB)	32
Camera
Rear camera	8-megapixel
Flash	Yes
Front camera	1.3-megapixel
Software
Operating System	Android 4.1
Java support	No
Browser supports Flash	No
Connectivity
Wi-Fi	Yes
Wi-Fi standards supported	802.11 b/ g/ n
GPS	Yes
Bluetooth	Yes, v 4.00
NFC	Yes
Infrared	No
DLNA	Yes
Wi-Fi Direct	Yes
MHL Out	No
HDMI	No
Headphones	3.5mm
FM	Yes
USB	Micro-USB
Charging via Micro-USB	Yes
Proprietary charging connector	No
Proprietary data connector	No
Number of SIMs	1
SIM Type	Micro-SIM
GSM/ CDMA	GSM
2G frequencies supported	GSM 850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900
3G	Yes
3G frequencies supported	900, 2100
Sensors
Compass/ Magnetometer	Yes
Proximity sensor	Yes
Accelerometer	Yes
Ambient light sensor	No
Gyroscope	No
Barometer	No
Temperature sensor	No

General
Alternate names	A 92
Release date	June 2013
Form factor	Bar
Dimensions (mm)	147.00 x 77.00 x 10.80
Battery capacity (mAh)	2000
Removable battery	Yes
Colours	White
SAR value	NA
Display
Screen size (inches)	5.00
Touchscreen	Yes
Touchscreen type	Capacitive
Resolution	480x800 pixels
Pixels per inch (PPI)	196
Colours	16.7
Hardware
Processor	1GHz  dual-core
Processor make	Mediatek 6577
RAM	512MB
Internal storage	4GB
Expandable storage	Yes
Expandable storage type	microSD
Expandable storage up to (GB)	32
Camera
Rear camera	5-megapixel
Flash	Yes
Front camera	0.3-megapixel
Software
Operating System	Android 4.1
Java support	No
Browser	HTML
Browser supports Flash	No
Connectivity
Wi-Fi	Yes
Wi-Fi standards supported	802.11 b/ g/ n
GPS	Yes
Bluetooth	Yes, v 4.00
NFC	No
Infrared	No
DLNA	No
Wi-Fi Direct	No
MHL Out	No
HDMI	No
Headphones	3.5mm
FM	Yes
USB	Micro-USB
Charging via Micro-USB	Yes
Proprietary charging connector	No
Proprietary data connector	No
Number of SIMs	2
SIM 1
SIM Type	Regular
GSM/ CDMA	GSM
2G frequencies supported	GSM 900/ 1800
3G	Yes
3G frequencies supported	2100
SIM 2
SIM Type	Regular
GSM/ CDMA	GSM
2G frequencies supported	GSM 900/ 1800
3G	No
3G frequencies supported	NA
Sensors
Compass/ Magnetometer	No
Proximity sensor	Yes
Accelerometer	Yes
Ambient light sensor	Yes
Gyroscope	No
Barometer	No
Temperature sensor	No