How to Hack Notifications on Your Android Phone

Unknown   20:35:00

How to Hack Notifications on Your Android Phone

Android already gives you plenty of flexibility when it comes to managing notifications-and more features are on the way -but if you really want to tailor these pop-up alerts to suit your own tastes there are third-party apps around to do the job, and we're here to introduce one of the best.

It's called Nevolution and it lets you change the order notifications appear in, bundle notifications together, turn off the heads-up alerts (so you aren't disturbed during an important task or gaming session) and more. It's currently in beta and is free to download from Google Play.

Once the app is up and running use the demo tutorial to get a feel of the different features you can use. Scroll right to find each option: Bundle (everything in one expandable notification), Multi-Line Text (see more of each notification), Elastic List (make the most of the available space), Stack (recent messages from the same app are stacked together) and No Heads-Up (heads-up alerts are disabled).

One tap activates each of these modes (some of which can be used together simultaneously) and a further tap on the cog symbol takes you to the settings for each feature. If you get confused there's a simple reset switch that returns your notifications to normal, but you should find at least one mode that makes the task of managing notifications easier.

New Nanowire Batteries Can Be Charged More Than 100,000 Times

Unknown   17:07:00

New Nanowire Batteries Can Be Charged More Than 100,000 Times

Image: University of California, Irvine

Li-on batteries gradually deteriorate as they're repeatedly drained and recharged. But now researchers from University of California, Irvine have developed a new nano-wire battery that can survive hundreds of thousands of charging cycles.

Over time, lithium becomes irreversibly deposited to the electrodes in li-on batteries. These build ups are called dendrites and they're what causes the batteries to degrade and ultimately fail over time, as they make it harder for charge to be effectively stored within the cell.

Scientists have wondered if nanowires could help boost the capacity of batteries for a while now, because their large surface area in a small volume could allow them to hold large quantities of charge when used as electrodes. But because they're so fine, they've proven particularly susceptible to the damage caused by dendrites of lithium.

Now, though, researchers from University of California, Irvine have created electrode nanowires using a thin core of gold, surrounded by layers of manganese dioxide and a Plexiglas-like electrolyte gel. In three months of testing, the team found that they were able to charge and discharge a simple cell made from the wires over 200,000 without any damage or loss in capacity. For a little context, most modern li-on cells begin to give up after a few thousand cycles. Their results are published in ACS Energy Letters.

The technology is for now just a lab-based experiment. But the researchers hope that the technology could usher in a new breed of rechargeable batteries that never need to be replaced.

Facebook Messenger Launches 'Group Calling'

Unknown   17:02:00

Facebook Messenger Launches 'Group Calling'

Social media giant Facebook has launched "Group Calling" on Messenger that can let a user add 50 participants simultaneously over the Internet.

Messenger's latest feature was set to be rolled out globally over the next 24 hours on Android and iOS devices for free and users can start a group Voice over IP (VoIP) audio call from any group chat.

Voice over IP (VoIP) is a methodology and group of technologies for the delivery of voice communications and multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol (IP) networks such as the internet.

"There are situations where typing is not enough and when people prefer talking to one another," a Messenger spokesperson was quoted as saying.

To start a group call, a user needs to just tap the "Phone" icon, select which of the group chat members he or she wants to include and call. All the selected members will receive a Messenger call simultaneously.

If one misses the initial call but the call is still in progress, the users can tap the Phone icon in the group chat to join the call.

The user can also see who all are joined in the call and can add participants during the group conversation.

Opera Now Has a Totally Free and Unlimited Built-In VPN

Unknown   17:00:00

Opera Now Has a Totally Free and Unlimited Built-In VPN

Dodging firewalls and masking your IP address usually requires firing up separate-often paid-for-software or plug-ins while you're browsing. Now, though, Opera has its own free VPN baked right into the desktop browser.

The new feature is available in the latest developer version of the Opera browser for Windows or OS X. You just go to Settings on Windows or Preferences on a Mac, then toggle the VPN on in the Privacy & Security section. Bingo, you're browsing over a virtual private network and you mask your IP address to dodge firewalls so that you can view content that you're unable to from your current country or office. As well as all the other responsible things that a VPN can help you with.

You can chomp through an unlimited amount of data for free using the feature, though currently you can only choose virtual locations in the US, Canada and Germany. Opera says that by the time the feature appears in the stable public release there will be more countries available.

A Techy Way To Find Your Android Smartphone When It’s On Silent Mode

Unknown   16:54:00

A Techy Way To Find Your Android Smartphone When It’s On Silent Mode

Most of us regret leaving our phones on silent mode when we can't find it. If you often sail in the same boat by putting your Android-powered smartphone on silent mode, Google Android Device Manager is a perfect rescuer for you.

Wondering how? Well, it will not only tell you about your device's location but can also help you ring and lock your handset, erase everything on it, or add a phone number to it. In order to access these features, you must follow the following steps:

Ensure you have turned on your smartphone's Android Device Manager 

Before starting to use your Android Device Manager, ensure it's turned on and your smartphone is linked with your Google account. For this follow the simple steps:
· Open Google Settings app
· Tap on Security
· Under "Android Device Manager," switch Remotely locate this device and Allow remote lock and erase on or off

Turn on the location access on your Android device 

In order to use Google Android Device Manager, you must turn on the location access on your device. If you've turned it off, here's how to turn it back on:
· Open your device's Settings app Settings
· Scroll down and tap on Location
· At the top, tap 'Off' to switch to 'On'

Check to ensure that Android Device Manager can locate your smartphone 

After you turn on Android Device Manager, ensure that it's working properly by testing it once.
1. Sign in to your Google Account on android.com/devicemanager and check to see if your device shows up.
2. If you don't see your device, ensure that you're signed in to your Google Account, location settings are on, and that you've turned on Android Device Manager in Google Settings.

By following the above mentioned steps, Google Android Device Manager will find your smartphone by showcasing the exact location using GPS. It will then display three options:

1) Ring - Tapping on this button, you Android-powered smartphone will ring at full volume for 5 minutes. And if you find your phone, then press on the power button to stop your device from ringing further.

2) Lock - This button will help you replace your current lock screen with a password lock. But please don't use your Google account password for this. Type in a new password and confirm it again. This button also provides two more optional features to you:

a) Recovery message - This message will appear on your lock screen. b) Phone number - A button to call this number will display on your lock screen.

3) Erase - This button allows you to perform a factory reset on your device. Your apps, photos, music, and settings will be erased permanently. Once done, Google Android Device Manager will no longer work. However, this feature will not be able to delete content of the SD card in your device.

So now you know the techy way to locate your Android-powered smartphone if it's on silent mode. Stay tuned for more updates from the world of technology!

How to use your Android smartphone as remote mouse and keyboard for your PC

How to use your Android smartphone as remote mouse and keyboard for your PC

Unknown   21:06:00

Here is how you can control your PC/laptop with your Android smartphone/tablet using it either as keyboard or mouse.

Android OS has increased the overall usage domain of mobile phones in a short period of time. Since it is always fun to do the awesome things with your smartphone, we are presenting a new way to use your Android smartphone/tablet. That is as a keyboard or mouse for your PC.

Before we begin, you must know this “this process will only work with Intel based PCs”. Now first of all you have to get Android Remote Keyboard App and software.

How to Set Up Intel Remote Keyboard

1. Download Intel Remote Keyboard on your Android device or tablet.
2. Download and install the Intel Remote Keyboard Host on your Windows PC. You will need to choose x86 or x64 depending on your Windows. If you aren’t sure what you are running, there are four easy ways to know if you’re on 64-bit Windows.
   (Important: Make sure your Android and Windows devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.)
3. On your Android phone, tap the Windows device name.
4. Your Windows PC will now show a large QR code. Just scan it with your Android smartphone’s camera (following the on-screen instructions) and the two devices will be paired.
5. You’re all set!

What you can do:

The App is basically a virtual trackpad and keyboard for your computer. You can use it in portrait or landscape mode.

In portrait mode, your screen is divided into the trackpad area on the top and keyboard at the bottom. Intel’s keyboard looks much like any Android keyboard, but also has a Windows button, an Esc button, and the four arrow keys.

remote keyboard

Stuff which should have been there:

There could be some enhanced controls to fully optimise the facility. First, there is no “continuous scrolling” , that means you have to touch scroll button many times for scrolling upto a large distance. Second there is no “direct volume control” , since it is always convenient to adjust volume by using a dedicated key than to use mouse. We firmly expect that these features will be added in the upcoming updates.

Moto G4 Plus With Fingerprint Scanner, New Rear Camera Setup Spotted

Moto G4 Plus With Fingerprint Scanner, New Rear Camera Setup Spotted

Unknown   22:40:00

Motorola can be expected to announce a 'Plus' variant alongside the regular Moto G4 this year, if a new leak is to be believed. Phone tipster Evan Blass aka @evleaks has shared an image on Twitter claiming to show the Moto G4 Plus. While the image doesn't show the entire handset but it does show the home button which is likely to integrate the fingerprint scanner. Currently, it's not clear whether the fingerprint scanner is a standalone sensor or if it is integrated into the home button, just like Samsung's Galaxy handsets.

Recently, front panel of an alleged Moto X3 featuring a fingerprint scanner right below the display was also pictured in the wild. Considering that both the leaked images show similar setup of buttons below the display, we can expect Lenovo and Motorola to make the fingerprint scanner placement standard in upcoming line-up of Moto handsets.

Additionally, Nowhereelse has posted a bunch of images claiming to show the front and rear panel of the Moto G4 Plus smartphone. The leaked live image of the front panel of the Moto G4 Plus corroborates the presence of the home button. It also shows the Moto logo present at the left corner above the display. Another image showing the back panel of the Moto G4 Plus purportedly shows an all-new rear camera setup. Unlike the present generation, the Moto G4 Plus is likely to house a silver lining holding just the primary camera and LED flash. The iconic Moto logo on the back is placed separately in the middle and unlike previous generation of the Moto G is not attached to the rear panel.