Google Releases Android 4.4.3 KitKat

This year Google had launched Android 4.4 KitKat which was a very good OS with great features. When most of the companies like Samsung and Sony were providing latest update of Android 4.4.2 to most of their devices, Google announced the update of Android 4.4.3 KitKat. The rumours have been spreading for months, that the Android 4.4.3 is being designed by Google, Samsung and Motorola. T-mobile announced on Monday that they will be giving this latest update to Nexus devices i.e. Nexus 4, Nexus 5 and Nexus 7.

Google has listed the Android 4.4.3 update in 'Factory Images For Nexus Devices' page. While OTA updates have not begun yet, Nexus users can update their phone on themselves. A backup of all the data should be taken before using the factory images as it will reset your phone to factory conditions. OTA updates will be available so, so user can wait for them also. According to T-Mobile's software page, Android 4.4.3 for devices Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 is having built number KTU84L and that for Nexus 7, it is KTU84M.This software support page said that the 4.4.3 update these three Nexus devices will be available form Monday.

The new 4.4.3 update is the incrementation of Android 4.4.2 and is having size of 54 MB. Many bugs are fixed in this update. Also, it brings some security enhancements. Further, Google said that they will bring many fixed with this update such as data connection loss, video camera bug, misses calls bug and random reboots. Other than fixing the bugs, Android 4.4.3 is not bringing any new feature or UI customizations.

Earlier, Nexus 5 devices was having a large issue of battery draining. Google claimed that the issue was due to excessive usage of CPU due to 'mm-qcamera-daemon' process that result in draining of battery sooner than expected. So, we are expecting that this bug will be fixed in the update of Android 4.4.3.

This Android 4.4.3 update will be available for other devices very soon. This is being rumoured that the Samsung is testing Android 4.4.3 on Samsung Galaxy S5 and Galaxy S4 Variants. Let's hope for a better update.

Low Budget Android Phones - Worth It or Not?

Android is the largest platform which powers almost 70% of the smartphones all over the world. A unique feature of Android is that, it is available for the devices of all the budgets. Android devices ranges from Rs.5,000 to Rs.50,000. But, up-to previous year, buying a low budget Android phone was like wasting your money. These low budget Android devices were not giving the performance as expected by the user for the cast he paid. Using such low performance smartphones makes the user more unhappy.

But, this year, some good low-budget smartphones were released bye several mobile companies such as Nokia, Motorola, Micromax, etc. Many of these phones are having a great success in the market. Motorola's Moto E, which costs Rs.6,999, went out of stock in market in first week only. It is the most successful smartphone in this year until now. This indicates that, nowadays companies are trying to make low-budget smartphones which are having good features as well as hardware specifications and will satisfy the user for the cost he paid. But, we can't expect some features form these phones. So, low budget Android phones are worth it or not depends on the expectations of user.

What we can expect from low-budget Android Smartphones :

• Screen : When we consider the screen, these smartphones don't come with high-resolution screen having different viewing angles and scratch resistant material. But, Moto E is having scratch resistant Gorilla glass. So, upcoming phones also might have scratch resistant screen. But still, you will have to compromise with the resolution.
• Performance : When it comes to the performance, it is the criteria where these phones are rejected.Until last year, low-budget smartphones were giving the worst performance. But now, some smartphones give a satisfying performance. Generally, we can expect dual core processor and at max 1 GB RAM from these phones which is sufficient for general daily use of the phones and for running some simple games and softwares. But, if you want to play high-end games, then these are not the options for you.
• Camera : In this criteria also, these phones are not so good. Though the company claim 5 MP camera, it's processor, resolution and less scarcity of effects makes it useless. So, you can't expect good quality photos and video recordings from these phones. If you don't have craze about photography, then you can consider these phones.
• Battery : The phone is having low processor and less performance doesn't mean that it will be having a good battery life. Generally, these phones comes with a battery around 2000mAh which can power them for a day easily.
• Softwares : Well, low-budget smartphones don't get any software updates from the company. You can to use them on the initial firmware only. But, Moto E comes with the latest Android KitKat firmware. This is a great feature of this phone. Android phones of Nokia are also having different and attractive UI and some microsoft supported softwares. In case of softwares, less internal memory doesn't allow you to use more softwares and low RAM doesn't allow to use these softwares at a time i.e. multi-tasking is not so good on these phones.
• Storage : Low internal storage is the biggest problem with low-budget smartphones. You can get maximum internal storage of 4 GB out of which only 2.1 GB is actually usable. This limits the user to download software and games. Though softwares can be moves to external SD, such softwares are very less. To move all the softwares to external SD, you will have to root the phone.

You Should Buy A Low-Budget Android If -

• You need a phone for basic functioning such as calling, SMS, mailing, etc.
• You don't like to play games or you don't play the high-end games. You can play simple games such as Angry Birds, Candy Crush on these phones.
• You don't have much interest in photography and low quality photos are acceptable to you.
• You are having access to tech-savvy users, so that you can manually update you phone and can move the softwares to external SD.

You Should Not Buy A Low-Budget Android If -

• If you want to play high-end games and you use many softwares at a time.
• If you like to download newly released games and applications.
• If you have a good interest in photography and shoot photos at all times to capture some amazing moments.

Thus, low-budget Android smartphones are not for everyone. But, for basic users they are really good. Newly released smartphones such as Moto E, Nokia XL, etc are good for such users.

Turn Your Samsung Galaxy Grand Quattro To Galaxy S5

After the great success of Samsung Galaxy Grand, Samsung released a new version of this model, Grand Quattro. This smartphone also became popular among the users. Android has an advantage that we can make changes into the OS and can flash the custom ROM. Flashing the custom ROMs results in changing the theme, performance, battery life, installing new apps and features, etc. Many such custom ROMs are available for almost all the android devices.

TransWIN Custom ROM is a ROM which is designed for Galaxy Grand Quattro - GT-I8552. This ROM will change the theme of the device and introduce some galaxy S5 stuff to the device. It is based on Android JB 4.1.2 firmware and will increase the performance, battery life of the device.

Features :

• Pre-rooted SuperSU v-1.65
• Deodexed
• Debloated
• Signal Tweaks
• 3G tweaks
• Battery twekas
• GUI tweaks
• Smooth Scrolling
• ADB Notification Icon Disabled
• Better Call Voice Quality
• Dalvik Tweaks
• Media Tweaks
• Camera Tweaks
• Wireless Speed Increase Tweak
• Better video streaming
• Better internet speed
• init.d Support
• TeslaLED included for Flashlight
• Semi Trident Transparent Status Bar
• White icons in status bar
• Transparent accuweather
• S5 Bootanimation
• S5 icons
• S5 style statusbar pulldown
• White S5 battery icon
• White settings
• Non-Transparent ROM
• White MMS
• Redesigned Phone, Contacts, Calculator, etc.

Screenshots :

Declaimer :
The steps mentioned in this article are risky and can damage your device permanently. Please don't proceed if you don't have any idea about these procedures. It is requested that you should read the whole article before implementing any changes.Neither we nor the developer is responsible for any kind of damage to your phone. This ROM is for the model Samsung Galaxy Grand Quattro GT-I8552 only. Don't try to install it on other devices.

Pre-requisites :

• Keep your phone's battery charged, minimum up-to 60%, so that the installing process will proceed without any interruption.
• Is is recommended that the backup of all the important data, SMS, Contacts, MMS, APN lists, EFS folder, etc should be taken. You can use any backup app available on the playstore.
• Don't try to install the ROM with Stock Recovery. Install any custom recovery such as CWM or TWRP to flash the ROM.

Downloads :

TransWin ROM V3.zip

Procedure :

1. First, check that your phone is rooted and you are having a custom recovery such as CWM or TWRP.
2. Download the file TransWin_ROM_v3.zip given in the Downloads section and move it your device. Don't extract the .zip file.
3. Now, enter to the recovery mode on the device. For this, switch off the phone, press and hold the home + power + volume up button simultaneously.
4. It is recommended that you should take a NANDROID backup which might be useful in future if anything goes wrong while installation process.
5. In recovery mode, click on 'wipe data/ factory reset'. Also wipe Dalvik Cache.
6. Now, to flash the ROM, select 'install zip from sdcard' and then select file which you have downloaded and moved to your phone. This will take several minutes.
7. After installation, you will see the recovery menu again. Now, reboot the device normally. It will take some time for the first boot.
8. If you get stuck in bootloops, then again do factory reset proceeded by flashing of the ROM again.
9. After restart, if you are having any force close errors, the wipe data. If the problem continuous, try to flash the ROM again.
10. It's Done! Now enjoy with your newly themed and modded Samsung Galaxy Grand Quattro.

Tip :
If you don't like the ROM or you are not comfortable with the ROM, then you can go back to the previous version of ROM very easily. For this, enter to the recovery mode and select backup & restore option followed by restore option and choose the latest backup you are having.

Please give reviews about the ROM and fell free to ask any queries.
For more info about the ROM, refer this page on XDA.
 

Universal Android Toolkit - Root, Reocvery and Drivers

Almost 80% of the smartphones all over the world are powered by Android operating system. Most of the android users root their smartphones. By rooting, you can access all the files, flash custom ROMs, make changes in system files, etc. For the developers, Android operating system is an ocean of opportunities. Thus, rooting the device is very important for any developer.

SkipSoft brings you a universal software, Universal Android Toolkit, which can be used for all the operations like rooting, taking backups, recovery, installing the drivers, fixing the permissions, etc. This software can be used for most of the Nexus and Samsung devices.

Features :

• Backup/Restore a single package or all the apps, user data and internal storage
• Install correct adb/fastboot drivers automatically on the Windows XP/Vista/7/8 - 32bit/64bit
• Backup your data from selectable folders from the internal and external storage to your PC
• Unlock/Re-lock the Bootloader
• Various root options using insecure boot image or custom recovery
• 1-Click For ALL, to unlock, root, rename the restore files and install the busybox for Nexus models
• ALLINONE to flash custom recovery, root, rename the restore files and install busybox for Samsung models
• Dumb selected phone partitions, compress to a .zop file with md5 and save to your PC
• Fix 'Superuser/SuperSU has stopped' message after rooting
• Perform full NANDROID backup of the system via adb and save in Custom Recovery format on your PC which can be restored with the help of CWM Recovery
• Install Busybox on your device
• Install Samsung Knox notification disabler on your device
• Install Root Checker on your device
• Download Stock Firmware Image for extracting and flashing
• Extras, tips and tricks section with downloadable device user guide
• Mods section to automatically perform certain tasks on your phone
• Install single apk or umtiple apks to your device
• Flast custom recovery or stock firmware image to the device
• Boot into CWM, TWRP or Stock recovery without flashing it (for Nexus Devices)
• Push files form PC to the device
• Pull files to PC from the device
• Set file's permissions on your device
• Open new command prompt for manual input
• Dump BugReport to your PC
• Dump selected LogCat buffers to your PC
• Display important information about your device
• And many more features

Supported Devices :

1) Samsung Devices :

• Samsung Galaxy S3
• Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini
• Samsung Galaxy S4
• Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
• Samsung Galaxy S5
• Samsung Galaxy Note 2
• Samsung Galaxy Note 3
• Samsung Galaxy Camera
• Samsung Galaxy Gear

 2) Nexus Devices :

•  Samsung Galaxy Nexus
• LG Nexus 4
• LG Nexus 5
• Samsung Nexus 10
• Asus Google Nexus 7

 

Download :
Get the Universal Android Toolkit from here.

Let me know about any queries or feedback about the software.

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.