How To Root Samsung Galaxy Grand 2

After the great success of Samsung Galaxy Grand last year, Samsung launched a new smartphone, Galaxy Grand 2, a successor of Galaxy Grand. This phone is having a great success just like Galaxy Grand. Well, it will take a lot of time to launch an Android KitKat update for this phone. But, you can install update manually by flashing custom ROMs. So, many users were asking about rooting this phone.

In this post, I will be discussing about the detailed procedure for rooting this Samsung Galaxy Grand 2. By rooting, you can install updates and make changes to your phone by flashing custom ROMs. By rooting, you can access all the files. Means you can delete unnecessary files and bloatwares. Also, some apps on the playstore needs root access.
Thus, rooting will be very helpful to you and especially for developers it is really necessary.

Disclaimer -
The steps mentioned in this article are risky and can permanently damage your phone. Also, rooting your phone will void the warranty. So, it is requested that you should not follow this article, if you are not aware of these procedures. Please read the article completely before implementing any changes. We will not be responsible for any kind of damage to your phone. This procedure is for Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 with model number SM-G7102 only. Don't try to apply it for other models.

Pre-requisites -

• Keep your phone's battery charged, minimum up-to 60%, so that the installation will proceed without any interruption.
• Take backup of important data such as Contacts, MMS, SMS, APN lists, EFS folder, etc. to the external memory card. You can use backup softwares available on playstore.

Download -

1. Odin 3.07
2. CF Root

Procedure -

1. First, download the file CF Root and extract the downloaded file on your PC.
2. Download the software Odin v3.07 to your computer and install it.
3. Then, enter the downloading mode on your phone. Press and hold home + power + volume down button simultaneously to enter the download mode. You will se Downloading message on your screen.
4. Now, open Odin and connect your device to the computer via USB cable. You will see Added! message in the Odin interface. Also, one of the ID:COM section turns blue. If your device is not added, then check that you have installed the necessary USB drivers of the phone on the corresponding system.
5. Then, add the file CF root.zip at the place of PDA.
6. Make sure that Auto reboot and F.Reset Time buttons are checked. Don't check any other button in the interface.
7. Now, click the Start button. You will see the processing in the message box. It might take 2-3 minutes or more to complete the processing.
8. After completion, your phone will be rebooted automatically showing pass message in the message box.
9. If your phone get failed message while rooting, then disconnect the phone, remove battery, reinsert it, go to download mode and try the above procedure again.

It's done! Your Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 is rooted. Now, you can access all the files and make changes to them. Also you are able to flash the custom ROMs.
If you have any queries, then ask here without any hesitation.

LG G3 - Specs and Features

LG has launched it's most awaited new flagship smartphone LG G3 yesterday. After lots of leaks and rumours, finally LG has launched this smartphone which is having some great features and upgraded specifications than it's previous model LG G2. With it's brilliant design and specs, it is going to give a great competition in the market. Let's see all the specs and features of this phone.

Design -
In we consider the design, it is similar to LG G2 or LG G Pro 2. LG has given a shiny, metallic look to the backside of the phone. They have used polycarbonate material which is lightweight as well as finger-print proof. Like LG G2, this smartphone also has buttons place on it's backside and not on front side. It is having power button and volume buttons on the backside. Backside of the phone is curved and all the buttons are flattened which makes it less prone to scratches. Dimensions of phone are 146.3*74.6*8.9 mm. LG has tried to give maximum possible area for display. Design-wise, G3 is really brilliant and worth it's price.

Display -
As I said above, LG has tried to give larger area for display. LG G3 is having 5.5 inch qHD display with resolution 2560*1440 pixel and pixel density 538 ppi. This resolution is four times the HD display and around two times the full HD display. Even the competitors of G3 such as Samsung Galaxy S5 and Sony Xperia Z2 are not having such high resolution. This is a great advantage of G3. It is having a large screen as well as high resolution.

Processor -
Processor is something that play a great role in functioning of the phone. LG G3 is powered by quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor which can be clocked upto 2.5 GHz. It is having an Andreno 330 GPU. It comes in two variants, one having 2 GB RAM and 16 GB internal memory and another is having 3 GB RAM and 32 GB internal memory. It is having a large expandable memory of 128 GB with the help of microSD card.

OS -
As expected, LG G3 comes with the latest version of Android i.e. Android KitKat 4.4.2 with LG's Optimus interface. Well, this interface is different than that of we have seen earlier. LG has tried to design flatted, rounded and less childish icons which suits better to it's design. Also, LG has introduced some new features such as 'Smart Notice' which gives you notices according to your location and time.

Camera and Battery-
LG G3 is having a 13MP rear camera and 2.1 MP front-facing camera. LG has introduced some new features such as OIS +, dual LED flash and laser autofocus to improve the picture quality and focus sharply.

Battery backup is something very important for every smartphone. LG G3 is having 3000 mAh  battery which does not differ from it's other competitor smartphone. We can't say about the battery backup right now, as the competitors Galaxy S5 and Xperia Z2 are not having qHD display and such a high resolution.

Price and release -
LG has launched G3 on 28th May. But, it is yet to come to India, so the price is not declared yet. It's expected price is around Rs. 52,000.

Final Words - 
If we compare the specs, features and price of this LG G3 with it's other competitor smartphones, then design-wise LG G3 is very good. Also it is having very good resolution. In case of camera, though it having some new features, it can't record 4k videos as done by Samsung Galaxy S5 and Xperia Z2. Also, we can't give opinion about batter backup right now. So, from design and display LG G3 is a good phone to buy. But, we can't give a final conclusion about LG G3 right now.

Make your Grand Quattro Look Like Xperia Z

Bored of using the touchwiz interface of your Grand Quattro? Try eXperience ROM.
This is a custom ROM, which will add some features of Xperia Z into your phone.

ROM features :

Deodexed
Zipligned
PRE rooted
latest SU binary
Smooth Scrolling
Camera Tweaks
3G Tweaks
Debloated
Added Lib Audio Files
Fast Like the Light
Zram Script
Battery Tweaks
GUI Tweaks
Better Signal Tweaks
Better Call Voice Quality
Dalvik Tweaks
Media Tweaks
Ram Tweaks
GPU tweaks
CPU tweaks
Wireless Speed Increase Tweak
Better Internet Speed Tweak
Better Video Streaming
Removed sim icon in status bar (NEW!!)
kitkat themed status bar icons (NEW!!)
init.d support
Ads blocked (NEW!!)
busybox instaled
removed all samsung apps

Xperia Features :
XPERIA Z1 stock launcher with all widgets
XPERIA Z1 calculator
XPERIA Z1 Calender
XPERIA Z1 boot animation
XPERIA Z1 Social Life app
XPERIA Z1 KEYBOARD
XPERIA Z1 white settings
XPERIA Z1 white moded phone app
XPERIA Z1 torch app
XPERIA Z2 ringtones and and alarms and full ui
XPERIA Z1 stock file manger (file commander)
XPERIA Z1 live wallpapers
XPERIA Z recorder
XPERIA Z1 White notes app
XPERIA Z1 converter

XPERIA Z2 live wallpaper (heavy)
XPERIA Z1 Sound Picker
XPERIA Z1 Stock Wallpapers (set in launcher)
XPERIA Z1 White package installer
XPERIA Z1 Smart Connect app
XPERIA Z1 Location based WIFI (with shortcuts of launcher)
Bravia Engine 3 and X Relity
XLOUD and CLEAR PHASE Added (activited by default)
Sony Sketch Font (as a default)

Apps :
CM stock gallery (instead of album)
tocher pro
Xposed installer
Facebook v8

Screenshots:

How to install : 
(First, root your device.)
1. Put "eXperience ROM V2.zip" file in your phone memory. (Download it from here)
2. Go in Recovery mode ie. CWM Recovery (volume up + home + power button all together)
3. Wipe Data/Factory Reset.(Important)
4. Wipe Cache Partition.(Important)
5. Wipe Dalvik Cache.
6. Install zip from sdcard and choose "eXperience ROM V2.zip".
7. Wait till it finish flashing.
8. Wipe Cache Partition Again.
9. Reboot ..Enjoy
10. If your device is stucked in boot loop, then try to reinstall the firmware.
11. If you are getting any force close errors, boot the device again in the recovery mode and clear the cache and wipe the data to reboot the device in the normal mode. If problem continues, try to reinstall the firmware.
12. Give it +1 and join the community.

NOTE :
We are not responsible for any kind of software breakdown of your device.
Do let us know in the comments section just in case if you face any issues.

Education Android Table - Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Education Launched

Samsung, largest Android device manufacturer, just launched new version of the Tab series, Samsung Galaxy Tab 4. Currently, this tab has been launched in US only. Well, this an educational version of tab, which has average specs which will satisfy a normal user for his day to day life.

The Galaxy Tab 4 Education tablet flaunts a 10.1-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen display with 1280 x 800 pixel resolutions with Corning Gorilla Glass protection. This tab runs on latest Android 4.4 Kitkat. The device is powered with 1.2 GHz quad core processor coupled with 1.5 GB of RAM. The battery on the back of the device is at 6800 mAh to power it for 10 hours (normal use).

The Galaxy Tab 4 Education has an on-board memory of 16 GB that can be further extended up to 64 GB via microSD card slot. The connectivity of the device includes Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless, NFC, and HDMI port. It has the additional services and features like Chat ON, Voice Call, Multi window, HW key, Samsung kies, Samsung apps, Group Play (D/L), Samsung Link (D/L).

Specifications of Galaxy Tab 4 Education

• 10.1 inch TFT capacitive touch screen display
• 1280 x 800 pixels resolutions
• Android 4.4 KitKat OS with Touchwiz on top
• 16 GB internal memory, extendable up to 64 GB via microSD
• 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Quad core processor
• 1.5 GB RAM
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, NFC, and HDMI port
• 6800 mAh battery

The Galaxy Tab 4 Education will be coming with a silicon case giving it more durability, and is available for a price of $369 from the Samsung stores and channel partners. Moreover the tablet is compatible with Samsung School that lets the teachers to track the activities of the students, and it can be bought from Google Apps for Education web console for $30 extra. Samsung has pushed in the multi window feature in to it so that the student can read and take notes at a time.

Uptade Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 with Android 4.4.2 Firmware Manually

The latest Android version 4.4.2 Kitkat is now available for Samsung Galaxy Ace2 unofficially. Samsung will not be providing official Android 4.4.2 for this handset. All thanks goes to Cyanogen Mod team. I personally recommend to install this firmware, as Android 44.2 is far better than other old firmwares in terms of features and capabilities.

Let's see how to install this Android to your handset.
1) First of all, take backup of your necessary apps, contacts, SMS, etc. You can use any backup and restore software provided on Play Store.

2) Go to the path “Settings > Applications > Development > USB debugging” in your Samsung Galaxy ACE 2 so as to enable the USB Debugging Mode. Your phone should be charged at least 60%.

3) Since this is the custom ROM firmware, you need to make sure that your phone is rooted. Download “Root Checker” app. Just in case if your device is not rooted, you need to mandatory root the device. (How to root?) You also need to make sure that you are not taking the backup with the help of ROM Manager app.

4) Download Cyanogen Mod 11 Firmware Package and Google Apps Package from these links to your computer. Once downloaded, you need to place the same in your device.

5) Turn of you device and go to Recovery Mode by pressing and holding Home + Power + Volume Up buttons. If your Galaxy ACE 2 enters in the Normal mode, then you need to re try the process of entering the device in the Recovery Mode. You can also enter the device in the recovery mode with the help of ROM Manager app.

6) In recovery mode, select 'clear data' , 'wipe cache' and 'clear dalvic cache'.

7) Once the data is cleared, select the option of “install zip from sd card” and then select the firmware zip file which you have copied in the device and then followed by the Google Apps Package. It will take around 4 -5 minutes to apply both the zip files in your device.

8) When it is done, reboot your device in normal mode. Note that it will take some time for first boot (might take around 10 minutes also).

9) If your device is tucked in boot loop, then try to reinstall the firmware.

10) If you are getting any force close errors, boot the device again in the recovery mode and clear the cache and wipe the data to reboot the device in the normal mode. If problem continues, try to reinstall the firmware.

11) Go to the path “Settings > About Phone” to know the firmware version details which will be mentioned as KITKAT 4.4.2.


 Do let us know in the comments section just in case if you face any issues. Alternatively, we will also be coming out with the custom ROM firmwares which will make sure that you can make the most of it.

Nokia XL Android Released in India for Rs.11,499.

After Nokia X and X+, new Android smartphone of Nokia hits the Indian market at Rs.11,499. Now, Nokia is standing firmly in Android devices.

This new smartphone of Nokia seems good from the specifications. Android which is used in this model is not official by Google, but it is based on Android Open Source Project. Interface of this smartphone is also different than other common Androids. Well, the play store which is supported on Android devices will not be supporting this phone. But no need to worry as Nokia has launched their own app store for this phone. More and more apps will be added to this store with time. One benefit is that, this device will be getting more Microsoft apps.

Camera is 5MP, which is satisfactory. RAM is 728 MB, which seems less but I think it will be sufficient for this AOSP Android. Resolution is also fine. Internal memory is less which is 4 GB.
This smartphone comes with a variety of back panels.

Specs and Features of Nokia XL:

• 5 inches of screen size with IPS LCD Display,
• 187PPI,
• 10.9mm thickness, 190 grams weight,
• 480 x 800p Resolution,
• 1GHz Dual Core Snapdragon 4 Play Processor,
• 4GB internal memory, Touch UI,
• FM Radio,
• Expandable memory sd card of up to 32GB,
• Bluetooth 3.0, 3G, WIFI, GPS with A-GPS,
• 768 MB RAM,
• 5 MP Auto Focus Camera at the back with 592 x 1944 pixels resolution,
• 2MP of front facing camera,
• Dual Sim Support, (Micro Sim)
• 3.5mm headset audio jack,
• Microsoft’s One Drive support, Nokia Android App Store, Nokia Fastlane experience,
• 2000mAh of Battery

Nokia XL : Conlusion

While Nokia has successfully made its first entry into the Android domain, if seen closer, the release may seem like a gamble to many. Although the device is Nokia's bigger variant of the previuosly released X, it still needs to be seen if the device will be popular with fans.
However, nothing takes away the fact that Nokia actually tried something new and different with the XL, and by the looks of it, they have pulled it off pretty well. But if the device is really to take the market by storm, it will only be due to the fact that this one is one of Nokia's first Android powered devices.

Update Galaxy S3 with Latest 4.4 Kitkat

Most of the Samsung Galaxy S3 users are unhappy as Samsung said that they will not be releasing an update of latest Android 4.4 for S3 due to its 1 GB RAM. Android 4.4 Kitkat is far better than its previous version as compared to speed, smooth working and less bugs. So, it is really a sad news for all the S3 users that they will not be getting this update officially.

But, you can get unofficial update of Android 4.4 for your handset very easily. Many Android techies have made Custom ROMs based on Cyanogen Mode which are based on the latest Android 4.4 firmware. By installing this updates to your handset, you will be able to enjoy Android 4.4 as well as many custom features included in the the ROMs.

These customs ROMs are always better than stock firmwares. Though there are chances of crashing, but they are less and are avoidable. Just proper care should be taken while installing the ROM or get it installed from a person who already knows about it.

These ROMs contains not only latest firmware and apps but they are totally different in looks and processing. If you are bored of using the same Android interface, then you should switch to these custom ROMs. They also contains some extra productivity apps which might be useful to you.

Some of the popular customs ROMs for Galaxy S3 having Android 4.4 -
1) Liquid Smooth
2) Resurrection Remix
3) Archi Port
4) crDroid
5) Fusion SP

• For installing these ROMs you must have to root your phone first. (What is rooting?)

• After rooting, you will have to download the update file of the custom ROM you wish to install. For this, you can search on Google or on XDA FORUM.
• Just follow the instruction given there and install the ROM or just tell it to a buddy who know how to install it.

 These custom ROMs are available for all the Android devices. For more information, contact us on Google+.

Android Wear - LG G Watch Vs. Moto 360

Android wears are going to hit on large scale this year. But, out of these devises, which is better? Which device should we choose? Although the concept isn’t new, with Samsung Galaxy Gear and Pebble already on the market, offerings from Motorola and LG look to be the most attractive right now. I’ve chosen two of the best looking Android Wear smart watches, the Moto 360 and the LG G Watch, and made them face-off in order to decide what should we be wearing around our wrists in the coming months. Keep in mind that we don’t have final hardware specs for these devices just yet, but that won’t be an issue, because we already know about their features. Let’s see how it goes.

Moto 360
The Moto 360 seems to be the poster child of Android Wear. This smart watch was heavily featured in the debut of the new software’s video in Google’s presentation and it looks to have the biggest following online. Design-wise it’s really gorgeous, with a round body and familiar look. Motorola went with a classic watch look for the 360, and named it accordingly. In the front and center there’s rumored to be a beautiful round OLED display, something that you don’t see very often.

The round design can be another advantage when thinking about orientation. You can wear it on any hand you prefer, and the watch will look just as beautiful and be just as useful. The only button we can see from the photos of the Moto 360 is placed on the side, and it is equally accessible if positioned on the left or the right. Other rumors say that the screen will be protected by sapphire glass, an unsearchable material used to protect expensive watches. If that’s the case, the price of the Moto 360 will rise.

According to rumors, its price will be around $299. Motorola already hinted at some “secret” charging technology that will give the Moto 360 longer battery life. Considering that a wired plug would require an ugly USB port on the side or back, wireless is always a good thing from a design standpoint. Unfortunately there’s no information about water resistance, dust resistance or other features like the Galaxy Gear’s camera. This watch will basically be a window into Google Now, a tether to the Android Phone you wear in your pocket. Maybe that’s the reason nobody talks tech specs just yet, because there won’t be a need for great processing power.


LG G Watch
LG has recently released a new video for it’s first Android Wear smart watch, the G Watch. This is also a watch Google promoted in the Android Wear debut video, but has not recieved as much attention as the Motorola device. In all fairness, the G Watch doesn’t look as good as the 360. It’s square shape is reminiscent of Galaxy Gear’s design and  does not impress as much as it’s competition. It is by no means an ugly device, but it’s not as classy as a round-shaped one. We don’t know the type of screen LG will use, but my bet is on OLED yet again. The reason for this is because G Watch will always be on. Its screen does not turn off, and a the black background of the stand-by screen is perfect for saving battery via an OLED screen.

This smart watch will have no physical buttons, so every interaction with it will be via touch input and voice commands. This design also encourages usage on either hand, and the fact that LG used a standard strap means you can change the default one with any other. The G Watch comes in two different colors: Stealth Black and Champagne Gold, so there’s some diversity there, and both of them are neutral and elegant enough to be worn by anyone from teenagers to business people.

On the back we can clearly see some golden contacts, which means that LG did not include wireless charging for it’s first Android Wear smart watch. The company boasts long battery life on a single charge, a thing we will most definitely put to the test once the G Watch hits the market. What’s really interesting about this watch in particular is the fact that it’s weather sealed, meaning water and dust does not harm it. This device does not feature a camera, so we have parity here. The price range is also interesting. This device will cost around $300. No other details were disclosed, such as processor, RAM or storage.

Conclusion
Now that we’ve seen what the first Android Wear smart watches can do, it’s time to pick a winner. Even though we don’t have the full picture on any of them, at a glance, the Moto 360 seems to be the winner from my perspective. The reason for this is the fact that the price range is the same, but Motorola has managed to include wireless charging into it’s device. For the same price of the G Watch you will be able to get a better looking watch with similar specs and sapphire glass on top.

Portal and Half Life 2 Launched on Android, But Only For Nvidia's Shield

Android will be now supporting Half Life 2 and Portal, famous PC games. But, they will be supported by Nvidia's Shield only and not on other Androids.

The gaming handheld has the exclusive on both games, which were converted to Android by Nvidia's own team under licence from their developer, Valve.

Both games are available on Android's Google Play store, but are Shield-only for now – although in the past, such exclusives have supported more smartphones and tablets within a few months of their initial release.

Nvidia said in March it was porting Portal to its Shield, but the appearance of Half-Life 2 alongside it is a surprise for gamers. "We’re huge Half-Life fans. So bringing it to Shield was a labor for love for more than a few members of the team," explained a post on Nvidia's corporate blog. "Using the utmost care, we paid attention to every detail to ensure gamers get the full PC versions natively on Android. The graphic performance is sharp; the controls are precise and natural."

The releases are part of Nvidia's efforts to ensure there is a wide catalogue of games available for its handheld, which went on sale in July 2013. There are now more than 300 available for the $199 device, which isn't yet available in the UK.

Nvidia hasn't given public sales figures for the device, although in August 2013 its senior director of investor relations, Chris Evenden, said sales had been "great", adding that "everything that we shipped so far has sold out, but we're just starting to ramp production".

Early indications are good for the two new Shield games. Half-Life 2 has an average review score of 4.9 out of five on the Google Play store based on 91 ratings from players, while Portal is averaging a perfect 5.0 from 60 reviews.

Nvidia also recently launched a remote-streaming feature for the Shield, enabling owners to play games running on their PCs even when they're away from their home. The company pitched its GameStream feature as a way to play games including Titanfall, World of Warcraft and League of Legends on the device.

Six Android 4.4 Kitkat Smartphone Which Costs Under Rs.20,000

Google launched Android 4.4 Kitkat in last November, but there are very few smartphones which are running on this latest OS. Android 4.4 KitKat has a number of changes compared to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean including more immersive graphics, as well as deeper integration with Google's intelligent assistant, Google Now. Here I have mentioned six smartphones which are running on Android 4.4 having price below Rs.20,000

1) Motorola Moto G
This year saw one of the popular global handset manufacturers enter the Indian smartphone arena, after a brief sabbatical. Yes, we are talking about Motorola that grabbed a lot of eye balls thanks to its Moto G. It was an attempt to grab user attention by giving a lot of features at low cost.

One of the biggest highlights of the Moto G is its 4.5-inch 720x1280-pixel IPS LCD, which works out to a density of 329 pixels per inch. It is powered by 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor with Adreno 305 graphics and 1GB of RAM onboard. Its price is Rs.13,499 for 16 GB version.

2) Motorola Moto E
 This is the best smartphone until now, in its price group. It has very good specs and features for its price Rs.7,000.

 It has 5MP camera, 1GB RAM, 4 GB internal memory and better battery backup than all the phones in its range.

3) LG L70 Dual
LG seems to be throwing everything it has behind its range of 'L' series smartphones by introducing its third-generation devices in the new L Series III range. All of which are based on Android 4.4 KitKat.

The L70 Dual features a 4.5-inch IPS LCD display, packing a WVGA (400x800 pixels) resolution and a pixel density of 207ppi. The smartphone comes with 1GB of RAM, and is paired with a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon 200 processor alongside an Adreno 302 GPU. It sports a 5-megapixel rear autofocus CMOS camera and also houses a 0.3-megapixel front-facing camera. It cots as Rs.13,560.

4) LG L 90 Dual
The LG L90 Dual is part of company's third-generation L Series device and runs Android 4.4 KitKat out-of-the-box, which is the highlight of LG's new mid-range smartphone and it costs Rs.16,745.

It sports a 4.7-inch IPS display with qHD (540x960 pixels) resolutio and is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor with 1GB of RAM. The LG L90 Dual sports an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 1.3-megapixel front camera.

5) Karbonn Titanium Octane
Large displays seem to be the craze among handset manufacturers these days. Karbonn has played a prominent part in the large phone display race and released three new Android smartphones in India.

The Karbonn Titanium Octane, as the name suggests runs on a 1.7GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6592 processor with 1GB of RAM. It features a 5-inch HD IPS display and sports a 13-megapixel rear camera, accompanied by a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. This device costs Rs.14,490.

6) Karbonn Titanium Octane Plus
The Karbonn Titanium Octane Plus features a 5-inch full-HD (1080x1920 pixel) IPS display, and runs on the 1.7GHz MediaTek MT6592 octa-core processor, however, with 2GB of RAM. It features a 16-megapixel autofocus rear camera with an 8-megapixel front-facing camera. This costs Rs.17,990.

Android is Unbeatable - Here's Why

The statement that Android will come among topmost OS was laughable few years ago. But now in 2014, everyone will agree that Android is an unbeatable OS. Eight years have been passed since the release of first android version and now its version 4.4 (Kitkat) which is the latest version of Android.

In year 2013, android hits approx. 81.3% activations. According to a report from research firm Gartner, actual Android device shipments will top 1 billion in 2014. Not too shabby!
Those billions of handsets which will be shipped in 2014 will be coming from lots of manufacturers. Except the huge number of manufacturers, there are plenty of reasons for the success of Android.

Endless Options :

Apple is Apple because Apple has an image to maintain. That means that options in the world of Apple translate to case colors and memory figures. There are simply more choices in the world of Android – spend a lot or a little; big or small; grownup workhorse or family-family entertainment center – chances are that whatever the consumer's needs there will be an Android device that's a perfect fit thanks to hardware diversity. But let's take the concept of choice one step further. For the layperson, there are widgets allowing for customization beyond the normal range of options. And for the developer, the sky is the limit.

User Friendly :
Google's OS is just plain solid. Apple enthusiasts love to talk up the benefits of the iOS, but for those who aren't in the Apple fan club Android can seem more intuitive and overall easier to use. There are also more sharing opportunities, more apps and more opportunities to customize the user experience – and at this point, no sacrifice in computing power compared to the iPhone or iPad. 

Available For All The Price Groups :
There is an Android device for nearly every budget. At the top of the scale there's the cream of the crop and at the bottom there are tablets so inexpensive you can put them in a toddler's Christmas stocking. In between there are plenty of high quality devices that are more than adequate for the average user. Buying through a carrier can sweeten the deal.

So that's what's happening now. The question people are asking is "What's next?" And the answer depends largely on whether Android is thriving simply because it's the default OS on the low-cost alternatives to Apple devices or on the momentum created by its own virtues. A couple of years of strong sales showings mean chances are good that Android has now come fully into its own but in either picture, 2014 is shaping up to be a defining year in the OS race. 

(IMPORTANT) Backup/Restore EFS and IMEI from your Android.

Android is the deadliest platform if you are the one for all those who use custom ROMs and root their smartphones. So for all those who have recently complained about losing their IMEI numbers can make use of this tutorial to backup or restore the IMEI / EFS files in their android smart phones. While there are tons of articles which are there in the Internet world which promises you to restore the IMEI, Serial numbers etc., but if you are unable to restore the IMEI with this app then it’s most likely that you will be able to restore the device with the help of Z3S toolbox which is there with most of the advanced mobile phone repair shop.

EFS partition is one of the highly sensitive area in Android, especially in the Samsung smartphones. EFS comes with the sensitive information like IMEI, WIFI MAC Address, Baseband, Product code, System ID, NV Data, version etc. So if you flash the firmware in an improper way, then it’s highly possible that your IMEI or serial number will be messed up. So if your device loses IMEI or serial number then your device won’t be able to latch with the network. So below list of device are the ones of whose you can backup / restore the EFS folder.

Supported Devices:

• Galaxy S3 GT-I9300
• Galaxy S3 LTE GT-I9305
• Galaxy S4 LTE GT-I9505
• Galaxy S4 GT-I9500
• Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100
• Galaxy Note 2 LTE GT-N7105
• Galaxy Note 3 SM-N900
• Galaxy Note 3 LTE SM-N9005
• AT&T Galaxy S5 SM-G900A
• Galaxy S5 LTE SM-G900F
• Galaxy S5 (Exynos) SM-G900H
• T-Mobile Galaxy S5 SM-G900T
• Galaxy S5 SM-G900I
• Sprint Galaxy S5 SM-G900P
• Canadian Galaxy S5 SM-G900W8
• Sprint Galaxy S3 SPH-L710

Procedure :
1) Download application Samsung Tool. (Link)
2) Open it and follow the instructions given on the screen.
3) Store the backup in a safe place so that same can be used when required.

Do let us know in the comments section just in case if you face any issues about EFS backup/ resotre.

Motorola Moto E - A Game Changer Smartphone

Nowadays, every company is trying to make a mid range smartphone having better specs and features. Another such a mid range smartphone is being released by Motorola. Motorola Moto E is that new smartphone and it will be available for Rs.6,999. This smartphone with is fully loaded features and such a low cost will be touch competition to other devices in this range.

Now, the budget smartphone market wasn’t ever good in India, and it was full of devices which couldn’t deliver the performance expected by the users for what they were paying. But, the Moto E now, for me at least, is a game changer. Why? there are quite a few reasons for the same.


The display is quite neat. It is a 4.3 inch qHD display along with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection and also having water resistant splash guard for better durability and one can easily slide it into the pocket, where the keys and sharp objects won’t bother it much.

This phone is provided with latest Android 4.4 Kitkat. Just few days before, galaxy S3 users wew informed that kitkat update will not be available for them because of 1 GB RAM. But, Moto E having same RAM is available with Kitkat OS.

Motorola Shells - interchangeable back covers which come in 9 colors. You had to once select just between the White or Black options and had to settle with one for the entire time you are using it. Here, Motorola is giving the option to swap the back cover easily with some excellent color options.

The Motorola Apps that come pre-installed are quite enough for the users to start off with the new phone, and transfer all the content from their current smartphone. Just like what was in the earlier Motorola devices, the Moto G and Moto X. That’s the Moto Migrate function which transfers all the old content from your previous phone to the Moto E.

Besides this, it has a 5 MP rear camera, 1.2 Ghz Cortex A-7 processor,1 GB RAM, 4 GB internal memory expandable upto 32 GB and finally the 1980 mAh bettery which will provide a longer battery backup.

How it is a game changer?

Having said all this, now, here’s why I feel this could turn around the game in the low-cost Android smartphone market – the competitor brands such as Samsung, HTC, Nokia, Sony have the entry-level devices in the market at this price point and none hold such neat specifications which the Moto E is coming with.

• The Galaxy Trend from Samsung is priced at Rs. 6700 and it has a 4-inch WVGA display, Android Jelly Bean OS, 1GHz Processor with 512MB of RAM.
• Nokia X was initially priced over Rs. 8000, but now has got a price drop, with the recent pricing of Rs. 6931, and it has some of the basic specs for the Nokia X platform – having a 1 GHz processor, 512MB RAM and a 3MP fixed focus camera.
• The Sony Xperia E1 is priced at Rs. 7730, a little higher than what the Moto E is available for, but still, the phone comes with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, 4-inch WVGA display, Snapdragon 200 processor and a 3MP camera.
• HTC doesn’t have a decent phone under the price point of Rs. 8000.

All this would surely make the competition tougher for the other brands and Motorola emerges as a clear winner and the game changer. Now, other brands will have to rethink about their strategy to introduce mid-range smartphones in market.

LG G Pro 2 : 4K Video Recording, Specs and Pricing

Here is the most awaited LG G Pro 2 Android Phablet, launched in India for Rs. 51,500. After the great success of LG G Pro, LG has launched this new device with sleek design, stunning new specs and features.

The LG G Pro 2 flaunts a huge 5.9 inch capacitive touch screen display with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolutions and will be running on latest Android 4.4 KitKat OS. The device is powered by a 2.26 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor coupled with Adreno 330 GPU and 3 GB of RAM. This handset has a 3,200 mAh battery on the back to power the device.

The LG G Pro 2 has a 13 MP rear facing camera with OIS+ technology and is capable of recording 4K videos and there is a 2.1 MP front facing camera for video calling. The on-board memory of the device is at 16 GB / 32 GB that can be further extendable with micro SD card slot. The connectivity of the device includes LTE / 3G HSPA+, WiFi 802.11 ac/a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, GPS / aGPS, NFC, SlimPort.

Specifications of LG G Pro 2

• 5.9 inch Full HD IPS capacitive touchscreen display
• 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution
• Connectivity: 3G HSPA+, WiFi 802.11 ac/a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, SlimPort
• 3200 mAh removable battery
• Dimensions: 157.9 x 81.9 x 8.3mm
• 2.26 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor
• Adreno 330 GPU
• Android 4.4 KitKat OS
• 3 GB RAM
• 13 MP rear facing camera with LED flash and OIS+, capable of 4K Video recording
• 2.1MP front facing camera
• 16GB / 32GB of internal memory, expandable with micro SD card up to 64 GB

The LG G Pro 2 comes with many other features like the Knock Code for giving high security, and also has Watt Hi-Fi Sound with Visual Mixer that gives the user studio quality sound with the ability to tone and speed. The dual browser features divides the screen in to two different windows for easier multitasking and also has the Quick Window case 2.0 that allows you to call directly from the small window.
The device will be coming with A Quad Beat 2 headphone for better and detailed sound quality and will be available in White and Titan Black colour variants. The device will be available from all the LG Shoppes and is priced at Rs. 51,500 in India.

Sony's New Flagship - Xperia Z2 Launched in Indian at Rs.49,990

Sony, a leading smartphone company, launched its new flagship phone Sony Xperia Z2 in Indian market for Rs. 49,990 with free smartband and cover. Let's check it out.

Display :
This smartphone comes with a 5.2 inch triluminos display having 1920*1080 pixel resolution as previous Z1 having pixel density 423 ppi which is slightly less than Z1. But it makes no difference really. Triluminous technology as used in Bravia makes the display more vivid.Its not only bright, it has rich , vibrant colours with plenty of contrast and angles of viewing.

Design :
The Xperia Z2 is physically very similar to its predecessor, but that's by no means a criticism. It has the same glass front and back and aluminium band running around the edge. It looks stunning and feels extremely luxurious to hold. It certainly feels more premium than the lightweight, plastic-bodied Samsung Galaxy S5.

The Z2's glass panels do make it rather more susceptible to scratches from keys in your pocket, so if you want to keep it looking pristine -- which I imagine you will, given how much you've paid for it -- you should pop it in a case. Like its siblings, the Z2 is completely waterproof, but the waterproof rating has been slightly increased. It's IP55 and IP58 rated which basically means you can completely submerse it in up to 1.5 metres of water for up to 30 minutes at a time.

Software and Processor :
The Z2 arrives running the latest version of Google's mobile operating system, Android 4.4.2 KitKat. You'd be right to expect the latest version of software on new launches, but Sony does have a habit of using older Android iteration.

It's all powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor clocked in at 2.3GHz, backed up by a very generous 3GB of RAM. That's a seriously potent lineup of specs so I wasn't at all surprised that it gave a very strong performance. It achieved an impressive score of 3,822 on the Geekbench 2 benchmark test, easily rivalling both the Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8.

Camera:
Around the back of the phone is the same 20.7-megapixel camera you'll find on both the Z1 and the Z1 Compact. It's an impressive amount of megapixels, but it doesn't necessarily guarantee better pictures. You aren't able to shoot in intelligent auto mode -- or use any of the scene modes or HDR modes in manual -- when at the full 20-megapixel resolution. You'll need to knock it down to 8 megapixels in order to use those modes. Luckily then, the settings it chooses when shooting at full resolution can still be superb.

4K Video Capture :
The Z2 has a trick up its sleeve in the form of 4K video capture -- that's considerably more than the resolution previously available. I put it against the S5, which can also shoot 4K, and watched the footage back on a 65-inch Panasonic 4K TV.
Neither phone is perfect though. The Z2's main problem is its auto-focus, which continually readjusts during filming, causing the entire image to quickly go out of focus. That might not matter to you if you're only filming your friends in the park, but it makes the Z2 unsuitable for more professional purposes.
The Z2 does have more realistic colours however, with the S5's looking unnaturally oversaturated. Neither the Z2 or the S5 handled movement in a scene particularly well.  Overall though, the S5 has the edge over the Z2, with a much more stable autofocus.


Battery:
Thanks to its slightly larger size, the Xperia Z2 has been able to cram in a marginally more capacious battery than its predecessor. Sony also reckons the Qualcomm processor is more power efficient, but I still found its battery performance to be a mixed bag.

The Xperia Z2 is priced at Rs. 49,990 and it comes with two accessories for free as a bundle for a limited time -

• Free Sony Smartband worth Rs. 5,990
• Free Protective cover worth Rs. 2,990

The Xperia Z2 would be available in India from May 12th, and the color options in which it would be available, include White, Black and Purple.

Nokia XL Review

Nokia, a leading mobile phone company about 10 years ago might not have guessed about its condition after launching smartphones by Samsung, Apple, etc.

Nevertheless, Nokia still boasts some Market name due to its history with the country. The rest, however, Nokia is looking to take care of with its new age Windows Phone-powered handsets that still needs some time before coming to terms with the popularity of Android and iOS-based devices.

But keeping aside the Windows Phone devices, Nokia has also invested a bit of its time on the new X range of handsets. And while the devices may not have that big a presence, in terms of features or specs, but still are the first set of Nokia devices running the Android operating system.

One thing I like that, this device is not like all other android devices we use. Actually Android running on this device is a part of Android Open Source Project and not official google based android.

The Nokia XL is the new and upcoming handset that will come in the same family as that of the previously released Nokia X and the yet-to-be-released Nokia X+. The XL is basically a biggest avatar of the X boasting more or less the same kind of specifications and features.

The Nokia XL is basically the biggest of Nokia's all three X branded Android devices. The XL features a popular 5-inch display and measures 141x78x10.9 mm. But although the device is quite big, it won't really feel overly big in your hand. Moreover, Nokia has designed the phone with a thin bezel so as to avoid any kind of problems related to weight. 

 

 The handset's build quality, itself, is quite impressive. The handset features unibody polycarbonate plastic design, and is quite comfortable in the hand, and even easier to operate with a single hand. However, in order to cut costs, Nokia will be offering the device with a low 480x800 resolution despite having a 5-inch display and due to this low resolution, texts and images on the phone, apart from the usual tiled interface, may seem to appear a bit faded. The sharpness quotient of the device's display is to be neglected here, since you might not get what you are looking for. 

 

 However, if you can keep the sharpness quotient out of your mind for the time being, you will eventually realize that the brightness levels and viewing angles of the XL almost match those of Nokia's higher-end Lumia devices.

Nokia XL Key Specs:

 

Display- 5.00 inch

Processor- 1 GHz

Resolution- 480x800 pixels

Rear camera - 5 MP

Front Camera- 2 MP

Memory - 4 GB

RAM - 768 MB

 

Nokia XL: Interface and OS

 As I mentioned above, android running on this device is a part of AOSP, it is heavily customized and having windows phone like appearance. It also has many Microsoft based apps and devices. So, one bad thing is user are not able to access google play store like other android devices. But, nokia has created its own app store. More and more apps will be added to this.

 

But will all that being said, once you fire up the device, you will know actually how easy it is to get used to this "forked" version of Android. The navigation will surely feel slick and intuitive, with apps firing up without any real lag.

The tiles that you will find gracing the home screen of the device can be moved around by holding and dragging. Users can also increase the size of their important apps from 1x1 to 4x4. Apart from that, some of the app will even pull and offer additional information. On swiping the device sideways from the homescreen, it takes you to the "Fast Lane." In case you haven't got an idea, the Fast Lane is an always live feed of all the latest activity on the Nokia XL, ranging from the recently used apps, notifications, and even interacting via a social media. The device's power/lock key resides on the right of the Nokia XL, below a volume rocker switch. However, unlike the Lumia range of devices, there's no dedicated shutter button here.

Processor:

There's a big reason why the Nokia XL is successful in running its apps without any real lag. The reason of course being the device being fitted with a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor. So that means users can expect as less lags as possible, although we did find a bit of lag time while while the device was booting up.

Camera:

Of all the three X devices from Nokia, it's quite safe to say at this point that the Nokia XL actually boasts the best camera specs. The device offers a 5MP rear-facing sensor and a 2MP camera on the front.

The images snapped with the device seem quite reasonable, and will also handle in-image lighting quite well. However, don't expect a Nokia 930-like Pureview imaging. But considering the fact that device is anyway not meant for the high-section of the market, it's only natural that the camera specs are so.

Nokia XL : Conlusion

While Nokia has successfully made its first enrtry into the Android domain, if seen closer, the release may seem like a gamble to many. Although the device is Nokia's bigger variant of the previuosly released X, it still needs to be seen if the device will be popular with fans.

However, nothing takes away the fact that Nokia actually tried something new and different with the XL, and by the looks of it, they have pulled it off pretty well. But if the device is really to take the market by storm, it will only be due to the fact that this one is one of Nokia's first Android powered devices.