Sunday, June 29, 2014

Are you safe on shared WiFi internet connection? Know how you can be!



Are you safe on shared WiFi internet connection? Know how you can be!


So you use a WiFi connection to connect your Computer, Tablet or Smartphones to the internet? While using WiFi connectivty for Internet, we need to take extra smart care and security.

Wifi Safety, Internet Safety and Security

Well, we all know why is it necessary: So that someone else may not use for connection and data you had paid for. Moreover, it has many additional risks as we may never know when a breacher may use our WiFi (and obviously our IP address) to do illegal activities beneath our nose. The signals of our office or homely WiFi network may easily go outside the building. In that case, anyone having a WiFi enabled Smartphone or Laptop may use our WiFi connection if we have a weak security.


In this article, we just thought of sharing some basic but very useful and strong tips to secure our WiFi connection from strangers and outsiders.

* Basically, the WiFi routers do not come with WPA or WEP encryption enabled. If you have not enabled this encryption, this is the time.

* Change the Default Administrator password and username to the one of your choice. Many of the WiFi password hacking apps come with a library default passwords of most routers, which can make it even easier for the outsider to break your security. 

How to secure Wifi

* Make your password H@rD2cR@©kk (Hard to Crack). Always use a password that is hard to be guessed and make it alphanumeric. Many WiFi hacking apps are capable of knowing your password when it is written in just simple abc form, while an alphanumeric password may take longer to be known and is nearly impossible to be known. So mind it.

* You can ensure your safety by keep changing your SSID within a few days or month. It may not help you completely but can at least get you away from an outsider who is targeting your WiFi but doesn't know your MAC address.

* Connections to unknown devices can be prevented with the use of MAC filtering feature.

* You can even use Firewall on your routers and all other devices. 

* You can make a clever move by locating your router at such place from where the signal may not penetrate your own building.

Wifi Safety - Turn Off the WiFi Routers when not in use

* Always turn off your routers when you do not need it. 

So these are some simply useful tips which can help us create a wall between our WiFi and the strange, unknown users/devices. So the next time when we hear about a hack scam in news or feel a sudden drop in our bandwidth, we know we are safe and none other than the owner (you) is stealing our bandwidth or WiFi internet

Firechat: Your free social messaging and chat app that works without Internet.

Firechat: Your free social messaging and chat app that works without Internet.

The messaging has been fun and more mobile with the unlimited apps and thousands of awesome developers. So you want to have extra fun and socialism with you Android and iPhone? Firechat app by Open Garden company is one such app which let's you send messages without any Internet connection, SMS or USSD's.

The Firechat app actually works on a peer-to-peer, mesh networking technology, that allows you to connect with any other Firechat enabled device within a range of 200 ft, as the company says.

Snartphone users from worldwide are already enjoying this app, so what are you waiting for? If you also want to try this completely free chat service cum application, it can be downloaded from opengarden.com right away.

So far, it is available for iPad, iPhone, Tablet and Android users.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Nokia X Android 3G Dual SIM Smartphone: Your Fastlane to Android apps

Nokia X Android 3G Smartphone in various colors | topicswhatsoever.blogpsot.comNokia has come with their first Android running Smartphone, Nokia X Android in the Indian mobile market. After the many rumoured or expected release dates for the Smartphone, Nokia has finally launched their Nokia X Android phone on 10th March, 2014 in India and the phone has already reached and available in the major mobile stores and online shopping stores like e
Bay India, Snapdeal and Indiatimes Shopping. Let’s have a keen look at Nokia X Android’s features, specifications and price in India.
 
As the Nokia.com states, the worth ₹8499 INR and onwards Nokia X phone comes with a display size of 10.16 cm. The 10.4 mm thick Smartphone has a dimension of 115.5 x 63 mm and weighs 128.7 gram, respectively. If we talk more about its display, it has a Capacitive Nokia Glance screen that supports double tap/touch, with brightness control and orientation sensor. The TrueColor LCD has a display resolution of WVGA 800 x 480 with a pixel density of 233 ppi.

Nokia X Android Smartphone Dimensions and Weight | topicswhatsoever.blogpsot.com


Camera and Video Calling


The phone has rear camera of 3 mega-pixels that provides a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels which is a much needed feature in an ideal Smartphone. However, as some reviews say, the phone’s camera is not the feature which may impress you as a photographer. The phone does not have a front camera, so it’s 3G services will also be limited to fast internet surfing and downloading only.

Sensors and Keys/Input Methods


The phone has all the expected sensors for a better user-experience; these include an Orientation sensor, Ambient Sensor, Proximity sensor and Accelerometer. The phones is have full touch user interface. The phones has a full touch user interface with dedicated keys for Volume Up/Down, Power/Lock key and a Back key just below the screen, which is actually adding the overall look of Nokia X Android phone.

Connectivity, SIM type, Navigation and other important features


The Dual SIM Nokia X Android has two Micro SIM card slots which of course supports dual SIM, dual stand-by mode. If you are an extreme music lover, then the phone comes with a 3.5 mm audio jack which proves to be a universal jack for playing music on your earphones as well as your sound systems. The phone can be charged or connected to the computer via its Micro-USB 2.0 connector.
Its connectivity features include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (WLAN IEEE 802.11 b/g/n) and WAPI. Its Wi-Fi hotspot can serve connectivity up to 8 Wi-Fi supported devices at a time; however it may surely reduce the normal running time of the Smartphone.

Its Navigation features consists A-GPS and Wi-Fi network positioning. The phone comes with pre-loaded HERE Maps and HERE Drive navigation apps for the better ease of the user.

Battery capacity and Power Management


Nokia X Android Smartphone comes with a removable 3.7 V battery that has a capacity of 1500 mAh. The phone may last upto 28 days in its standby mode and 17 days when using both SIM cards at once. Its maximum talktime on 2G is of 13 hours, while it can run for 10.5 hours on UMTS (3G network).
The music and video playback time of Nokia X is 26 hours and 8 hours respectively.

Nokia X Android Dual SIM Smartphone (Image source: NDTV Gadgets) | topicswhatsoever.blogpsot.com

Processor and Storage Capacity


Nokia X Android has a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon™ processor, however its RAM is 512 MB only. It has an inbuilt storage capacity of 4 Gigabytes with an external MicroSD memory card slot that is expandable upto 32 GB.

Pre-loaded apps on Nokia X Android Smartphone


Being a Nokia product, how can it come without any extra salt and sugar on Android OS? So here it is! The phone comes Nokia Browser and Opera apps along social apps for Facebook, Twitter, Skype, WeChat and Viber. For a better music experience, the phone has a pre-loaded Nokia MixRadio app which should be better called as the default music of Nokia X.
 
After the Nokia Lumia series which runs on Windows OS, the first Android phone from Nokia looks like an amazing product with all the idea features that a Smartphone of this price range should have. The only three disadvantages can be counted as no front camera, the satisfactory rear camera and again its 512 MB RAM. This low RAM was a weak point in a few Lumia phones as well. Overall, Nokia X seems to be a cool phone with an attractive look and those many features and possibilities that one has with an Android Smartphone from Nokia!

Well, this is just a beginning! The company may soon announce its other Android phones like Nokia X+ and Nokia XL within 2014.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Gujarat: Honda to launch its 4th Bike production Plant in Gujarat, India


The leading vehicle production company Honda is going to start its new motorbike production plant in Gujarat, India. According to the news, the company will invest about 17 million US dollars in its 4th Motorcycle plant’s project.

Honda's logo (@BlogoidIn)
Honda's logo

Honda’s 4th two-wheeler production plant will be producing 20% of net motorbikes produced by Honda per year in India. It means, the new plant will increase the yearly production of Honda vehicles by 12 lacs. Earlier, company’s third production plant in India had increased their production by 6 lacs vehicles per year.

Keita Muramatsu, CEO of HMSI (Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India) shared during
the 12th Auto Expo that it will be HMSI’s 4th production unit in India after Haryana, Karnataka and Rajasthan. As the news says, company will make scooters in its new plant in Gujarat. The plant will bring with it thousands on job opportunities for many. However, the plant will be starting production work in 2015 or later only.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Microsoft to launch Windows 9 as its next Windows OS


Microsoft, the maker of the Windows OS series will be launching its next Windows after Windows 8. However, the users will have to wait for a year or two before it is finally developed. The company will be talking more on this in their Build developer conference being held in San Francisco.

We have good news for all the users that rely on Windows Operating system. Be it Windows 98, XP, Vista, 7 or Windows 8, all these OS were successful in winning hearts of their users, however in varied ratios. After Windows 8, all of us may be eager to know what is coming next after the smart “8”. Well, the wait seems to be over! According to a report, Microsoft has already started thinking on their new OS project which is being expected to be named as 'Windows 9'. The same is being expected to be discussed by Microsoft in a conference to be held during 2nd April to 4th April, 2014 in San Francisco.

Microsoft to launch Windows 9 as its next Windows OS | (topicswhatsoever.blogspot.com)

Windows 9 code-named as Threshold


Presently, the developing "future OS" of Microsoft has been code-named as ‘Threshold’ which will be known as Windows 9 later.

As we all know, the introduction of new features in Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 have really brought the Windows series standards several steps ahead. Now, it will be a big challenge for Microsoft as well as the customers to see what new is going to be included the Windows 9. According to a source, the all new “Windows 9” will be on its way in the year 2015, however we do not have an official announce from Microsoft regarding the same. If we believe the source, means we will have to wait one more year for the smarter Windows.

Well, while it has time in its development and official launch, we all expect to be updated by Microsoft on the new feature to be introduced in Windows 9.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

ISRO’s GSLV-D5 and GSAT-14 Mission: What is that?

On 5th January, 2014, Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO launched the GSLV-D5 with the indigenous cryogenic engine. The Indian rocket engine was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SriHarikota spaceport, Andhra Pradesh, to establish the communication satellite GSAT-14 in Earth’s orbit.

GSLV-D5 moving towards Launch Pad | Source: ISRO (topicswhatsoever.blogspot.com)

GLSV-D5 at a glance


The GSLV-D5 or Geostationary Launch Vehicle is a launch rocket with three different stages including the Cryogenic engine at its third stage, burning liquid oxygen-oxidised liquid hydrogen. The success of Geostationary Launch Vehicle – D5 with Indian-built cryogenic engine has played a major role by cutting the expenses of a satellite launch by half. As told by ISRO’s chairman K.Radhakrishnan to IANS, the country used to pay more than 500 crore Indian Rupee, that is, $90 million dollars per launch of a 3.5 tonne satellite excluding the price of satellite, while Indian GSLV costs 220 crore Indian Rupees (INR) only. ISRO as its next step expects to build their next Launch vehicle of GSLV series in the coming time which can send a load of 3 to 4 tonnes. Currently, ISRO can only send satellites the weigh around 2 tonnes or less.

GSLV-D5 at a glance | Source: ISRO (topicswhatsoever.blogspot.com)

The success of cryogenic engine has been seen only after several failed attempts by ISRO. Earlier, two such rockets of ISRO, GSLV D3 and GSLV F06 carrying loads of 2220 kg and 2130 kg respectively had failed to launch in year 2010. GSLV-D5 is the only successful launch vehicle after between years 2007 and 2014.

What is GSAT-14?


GSAT-14 is an Indian geostationary communication satellite constructed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Before this, India has launched 22 other geostationary communication satellites to the planet’s orbit. As updated by ISRO, the 23rd satellite of India, GSAT-14 will have the following two objectives:
  1. To augment the In-orbit capacity of Extended C and Ku-band transponders.
  2. To provide a platform for new experiments.
Close up view of GSAT-14 in clean room | Source: ISRO (topicswhatsoever.blogspot.com)

The cuboid-shaped GSAT-14 has two solar arrays, each having two panels which will be able to generate 2600 watts power for the satellite.  The satellite is provided light-weight Lithium-Ion batteries to power the system during the eclipse period. The GSAT-14 has been built to provide services for about 12 years of time.

Payloads of GSLV-14


Payloads of GSAT-14 | Source: ISRO (topicswhatsoever.blogspot.com)

Experiments/Technologies

GSAT-14 has been introduced with the following new technologies by ISRO:

  • Fiber Optic Gyro (FOG)

A Fiber Optic Gyro or FOG is a gyroscope that is capable of providing an exact and accurate rotational rate information and higher resolutions than that of a ring laser gyroscope. Fiber Optic Gyroscope is also used in inertial navigation systems of various missiles and under water navigation.

  • Active Pixel Sun Sensor

Active Pixel Sensor or APS is an image sensor that consists of a MEMS or Micro Electro-Mechanical system, photo-detectors and active amplifiers. It forms the images as the Sun illuminates the pixel sensors. It has an array of pixel sensors contained by an integrated circuitry.

  • Ka band beacon propagation studies

To study the attenuation and sky noise caused by rain and water vapour to the signals and related issues with Ka band beacon propagation. It is noted that Ka band has the frequencies ranging from 26.5 to 40 GigaHertz.

  • Thermal control coating experiments

The same experiments/technologies were included in the GSAT-4 satellite program in year 2010, but the mission had met failure.


GSLVD5 lift off - View 6 | Source: ISRO (topicswhatsoever.blogspot.com)



Photos during the launch of GSLV-D5 rocket


GSLVD5 lift off - View 1 | Source: ISRO (topicswhatsoever.blogspot.com)

GSLVD5 lift off - View 2 | Source: ISRO (topicswhatsoever.blogspot.com)

More photos before the launch


Indigenous Cryogenic Engine photo | Source: ISRO (topicswhatsoever.blogspot.com)


Cryogenic Engine being tested at High Altitude Test (HAT) facility | Source: ISRO (topicswhatsoever.blogspot.com)

GSAT-14 undergoing Electro Magnetic Interference & Electro Magnetic Compatibility Test | Source: ISRO (topicswhatsoever.blogspot.com)

Indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage being lifted from its transporter at the Vehicle Assembly Building | Source: ISRO (topicswhatsoever.blogspot.com)